Quiet Bangkok: Noisy engines are two stroke

If an engine is noisy than it is most likely to be a two stroke engine. Two stroke engines emit a whining sound and the pollution of only partially consumed fuel. In cities (and here we are talking Bangkok!) there are engines everywhere, motorbikes, tuk-tuks, outboard motors, lawn-mowers, and many of them are two stroke noise generators. The alternative is the four stroke engine which drives motor cars and the quieter motorcycles. The difference lies in the construction of the engine. The four stroke variety is more complex and needs four movements to complete the power drive of one combustion. The two stroke type needs only two such movements, is simpler, lighter and therefore cheaper. We are told that two stroke motorcycles are being phased out of use as more affluent users can afford the more expensive four stroke type. The need to wait on the economy to improve is a poor argument when one considers the damage to hearing accompanying two stroke engines which produce noise levels of over 80 decibels. Add to that the damage to respiration from chemical fumes and where are you?