ubonrthai

If you're willing to board, you might consider doing it at an international school in Bangkok or Chiang Mai and then you and your wife can visit on the weekends but that's making assumptions about your time/work/budget situation. Ubon has direct flights to Chiang Mai and will likely get more in the future.

There were 4 international flights and 8 passengers last year. http://portal.aviation.go.th/site/stat/2013/TUU2013.pdf

Just noticed the Youth Exchange School updated their "vision statement" after the coup.

"To develop an awareness of students to be proud of being Thai, posse moral and virtue, understand Thai democracy, and enrich with academic knowledge. To emphasize students with foreign language, be able to use modern technology, with aesthetics and perfect health."

Youth Exchange School is considered the best by most foreigners in the area. Plenty of mixed race kids there and a handful of foreign teachers. I call it "the least bad" school. We used it for pre school and it was ok. Not sure what grade you'll be starting your child in. If it's preschool, PM me and I can answer more questions for you. Good student-teacher ratio and I could tell there was some learning happening. I wasn't thrilled when I found out they were making him take part in Buddhist ceremonies against our request but what do you expect in Thailand. I want to say it was 3,000b/month for preschoolers but I can't find a receipt. The fact they place such a heavy emphasis on the exchange program and winning contests bothers me. It's their main selling point when you inquire at the school. We win this and this and this contest. Yay? To me it seems like a typical Thai school but in a prettier package.

Benjamamaharat supposedly gets kids into Thai colleges but that's more because of the school's name than quality of education. I know a family that commutes from Mukdahan 3 hours away every week just to increase their kids' chances of getting into a good university in Bangkok. The student-teacher ratios are ridiculous I've heard.

We'll either be making arrangements for home school after 1st grade or moving to Bangkok or Chiang Mai near a better school. Likely a mix of both. I'm not letting my kids be poster children for English competitions.

http://www.yes2.ac.th/

I'm planning to get an Apple TV, Chromecast or Roku for watching U.S. content. My ISP in Thailand is 3BB. What VPN service would work for this? I've only ever used a VPN as an extension like Hola! or software on my computer but never on a router.

There was a BP article recently you might find interesting. Don't think we're allowed to directly link to them but this link will get you there. In mid 2013, studio apartments in Ubon were filling up almost as fast as they were built. That's based on visiting a couple dozen of them looking for a decent one for four different people. Houses also weren't having much trouble selling either according to a developer I talked to. The 2 new condos are selling fast too. But I haven't been in town most of this year. You do seem to see a large number of empty 2 or 3 story townhouses though.

Do you mean health insurance? I've had a good experience with MSH International. I've filed claims from hospitals in both Ubon and Bangkok. No problems.

What VPN are you using for Netflix from the U.S.?

I use 3BB if it makes any difference.

Are there any plans for long term non-immigrant visas such as 5-10 years for those with clean records?

Getting our U.S. marriage registered in Thailand was a huge pain in the rear. In hindsight it would have been way easier to register marriage at a Thai Embassy overseas as UbonJoe mentioned. I have no info to add other than do as much as possible in the UK first.

Is there any kind of official assessment of property by any part of the government? I've seen a private business doing it. Prices for land and homes vary so much it's nuts.

Follow the information of others doing it. It's actually pretty simple to cross; especially with someone bilingual riding with you and driving really isn't that different from rural Thai roads. We do it from Ubon once in awhile. Would do it more often if the visa fee was cheaper.

Try this link.

How much does she charge for Thai language classes? Any idea what curriculum she's using? Soon I'll be looking to leave the language level plateau I've been sitting at the past couple years.

I was just notified of Ubon area updates a few days ago as well.

Go here and Google will notify you when an area is updated. https://followyourworld.appspot.com/

Check around any fresh markets. They usually sell it in smaller quantities in plastic sacks at shops around markets but that usually comes from large rice sacks full of it that they might have on hand to sell. If you drive the road towards Phibun they sell it on the side of the road in large quantities. I'm guessing one sack weighs about 20kg and I think it cost 120b last time. It will be obvious as they stack them on the side of the road.

I heard Cambodia has a nice temple called Angkor Wat. Only 2 hours from the Sisaket border.

In Ubon I'm pretty sure vans start going at 6. I don't know if Sisaket has vans straight to Muk but I'm guessing they do and probably run at the same time. What is it, 80b or something? In a truck like mine that gets about 10.8km/L highway that will cost you about 1,230b round trip in gas. Plus you'll probably end up stopping to pee and buy some snacks at 7-11.

On a teacher's salary, it's good to save money. I say check the vans.

Restaurants in Ubon

Best guay jab 15°14'16.27"N, 104°51'12.72"E (Go at night.) When Thais think of food in Ubon they think of guay jab and moo yoo (rhymes with poo law) Ask around for both of those. I've tried many guay jab shops. This is definitely the one to go to.

Best Larb Namtok I have ever had in my life. 15°16'22.82"N, 104°50'53.14"E (Go for lunch or evening)

Best som tum and fried chicken stand 15°16'39.35"N, 104°51'21.43"E (Go in the morning)

Best khao tom shop 15°14'8.13"N, 104°51'25.82"E (Go at night)

View Moon Restaurant is a great place to try a wide variety of Isan food. They have a great cook. A little pricy but good. http://www.myeggnoodles.com/view-moon-restaurant-ubon.html

The Home is supposed to be good but my wallet says no. www.thehomeubon.com

Some more form Chris. http://www.myeggnoodles.com/isaan-restaurant-ubon-ratchathani.html

Sri Isan is supposed to be good. < Link to Bangkok Post removed >

Krungthep Restaurant is pretty good. I think it's a bit too greasy. http://www.memock.com/2012/07/28/krungthep-restaurant-ubon-ratchathani/

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I need to get out more and find more restaurants. Maybe us Ubon folk should start a new thread of our favorite restaurants.

p.s. I agree with the above post recommending the jumping shrimp. I don't know where to get it but I find it humorous watching my brother-in-law eating it as they jump off his spoon.

Chicken Cordon Bleu?! I haven't been there for quite awhile. I think it's time for a date night with my gorgeous mrs. I'll be sure to take my thermometer and check the temperature of my coffee so I can complain about it later.

I made a map of pools in Ubon with information if anyone needs it in the future.

http://www.thethaireport.com/?p=3162

A sting operation on a home because of a few beers? I'm sure there's a bit more to that story.

That's why you send the taxi motorcycle over.

I go to the Chong Mek border and have a motorcycle taxi driver go pick some up.

They can bring you few boxes?

I thought the law was 12 bottles but the last two times the driver brought 24 back. You could send several of them over. I give them around 40b for the trouble and they are happy to do it. It only takes about 20 minutes.