MHayward

I am interested in any info you may have on the Pool Supplies in our area too.

Currently Pool underway and we are in a village approx half way between Surin and Sisaket.

I will need Salt etc. so all ideas appreciated, thanks.

MH

In my opinion, whatever you do...

DO NOT use any other company than Nakhon Chai Air...Translate the Website with Google or give them a call, all the Operators speak good english.

Any other company does not come near them for Standards of Safety and Service....forget the rest. I only use NCA now.

Cheers, MH

I visit Thailand on a month to month basis, spending around 5 - 6 months a year here.

My TGF need to get Car Insurance and i would like to be able to drive her car too. I have IDP.

At present her and her Father regularly drive it.

If she insures the car, any driver, first class, am I fully covered?

Can I insure her car, any driver First Class and we all be covered?

Cheers, MH

Either you or your partner can insure the car and as long as it is insured for any driver then yes you will all be covered.

For on-line quotations please go HERE

Many thanks for the info.

I had a few problems with the ''Online Quote Form link'' but seems ok now, Thanks.

Cheers, MH

Agreed, but you must admit there is the major benefit of having your food in front of you before most restaurants would have arrived with the menu................also I cannot envisage chewing my way through a pork chop when there is the alternative of bite size chunks fried in a garlic suace.......same with a steak.....why?.....you can make lovely beef strips fried in garlic and honey.......why chew through a steak?.......just my preference of course.......and as for bread.....it is a well known fact that it can give you heartburn.......most probably thought it was the beer......

I do understand the craving for some foods, but I got fed up with not enjoying the food as much as my memory thought I would

And yes before you ask I still have all my own teeth.......

So what would entice me to Farang connection above anywhere else...................a buffet mix of Thai dishes, European food (Minimal),fresh salad and fruit.........eat all you can for 200 baht.....and free water....

I concur, some good ideas here.

Good to see that, after all the (petty) arguing, finally it appears there is something constructive developing with regards to this thread and improving the FC, if possible.

Cheers, MH

I think a Thai girlfriend who understands English might prove to be a bit of a conversation stopper.........

Or even more so, the novelty of the Farang boyfriend/husband that understands Thai.....

ZZZzzzzzzz

You appear to have missed the point guys. The question was whether the members of FC regular Farang ''Clique'' (as it has been described) who were present at the time, knew that I spoke English...?

The fact that my GF understands and speaks English and I similarly Thai is irrelevant.

On this occasion, there were no other girlfriends there, in fact, no other customers, only the pair of us and the ''Clique'' on the opposite side of the bar.

Then again, the FC having few or no customers is really what this thread is all about, or is there some other motive?

Cheers, MH

to start with MH there's nothing "hostile" in my response. I just simply pointed out that maybe you should have tried saying hello first. And your second story doesn't match your first... however not one of them has ever raised a smile to me or said ''hello'' on any occasion.

Now that you have changed your story one is left wondering what your true motives are.

You have no right to use mine or anyone else's true name without authority... so again... what's your real motive here?

Brian, looks like you spent too much time in the Company of Lawyers....''changed my story''...''what your true motives are''...maybe I should have chosen my words more carefully...had I known I was going to be put before the Judge and Jury on this one.

You obviously read more into my reply to the OP than most...so what is the Question regarding ...'''My motives'' as all I did was answer with a few reasonable points on my personal view of the FC, however I now find myself in an argument with you.

Reading back through the thread and also other Forums on the same subject, I find I am not the first person you have started an argument with on matter, there are many...so we have to ask...what is your motive?

In the first instance I was referring to the group activity, meaning none of them said Hello etc. The one guy alone at first did acknowledge me, but that is about it. There is no story and no motive.

The bottom line is, arguments with you and bullsh*t aside...The majority of former Customers of FC have already voted with their feet...the place is not somewhere we would choose to go anymore.

Now if you ask the question, yet are unable to accept the answers as they are given, what is the point?

Cheers, MH

I have used FC on a number of occasions over the past year or so. Not a regular but I do visit most months, mainly for the breakfast if my diet permits.

Summing up,

Food - Breakfast is good, rest of food is overpriced and nothing to write home about. TGF says the Thai Food is ok, but nothing special.

Menu - Wide and varied, but not always available. Prices on the high side.

Staff - Rude, ignorant and couldnt care less. I have witnessed the lady venting her anger at more than one customer. Good Management is the key to any business, the FC lacks it totally.

Decor- Past its ''sell by date''

Atmosphere - Not detectable

Cameraderie/Friendship - Not detectable. The place is supposed to be ''Farang friendly'' however the most unfriendly aspect is the regular band of Farang who sit at the same table day in day out. I am British, however not one of them has ever raised a smile to me or said ''hello'' on any occasion.

Why do I go back...well I dont anymore...similar to others I have found the FC to be ''just another boring dump'' and other bars now offer a similar if not better breakfast, which IMHO was all the FC had going for it.

Cheers, MH

Have you ever tied saying hello to the regulars, how would they know where you're from if you do not say anything first... for all they know you don't even speak English! How can that be the most unfriendly aspect?

When I walk into any place here, if I don't say hello to anyone I don't know first, they usually don't say hello to me either, that doesn't mean they think I'm a jerk or a loser or I think the same of them!

Try walking in to any place and say hello to the people that are there... I bet most of them will say hello or at least smile if they don't speak your language.

Brian, thanks for that piece of advice...''Try walking in to any place and say hello to the people that are there... I bet most of them will say hello or at least smile if they don't speak your language.''

Having travelled and worked over almost the entire world for 35+ years I have done just that on more occasions than most, of that I am sure.

Actually, last time in the FC I did say hello to the single regular sitting there when we first arrived, and he acknowledged me, however when his ''mates'' showed up 20 minutes later they were a Closed Shop

as for your statement....''for all they know you don't even speak English!''...

Why.... I understand that they were mostly older guys, but are they all deaf too?? I spoke clearly in English and Thai to both my Gf and the waiting staff, whilst they chewed the fat, also in English. They heard us for sure, plus the first guy knew I spoke English anyway.

Summing up...

The OP asked ''....what has gone wrong with FC...?

Simple Answer: The ''people'' is what is wrong with FC, both those running the show and those regularly using it.

IMHO your (hostile) reply to my simple unbiased analysis of the FC tells me that you, as a one of the Regulars are part of the issue.

If you really do care, and want to improve the place, then you need to take a look around you, listen to the answers given here and do something about it.

Meanwhile, thanks for the (worldy) advice, however, my Gf and I, along with many others have already cast our vote for the FC with our feet.

Good Luck,

MH

Helicopter 100% - No sign of Rotors as they are moving too fast for the shutter speed in use. No sound due to height and helo being downwind of observer.

Only other explanation is ...A Ghost - of a helicopter !!

Cheers, MH

I visit Thailand on a month to month basis, spending around 5 - 6 months a year here.

My TGF need to get Car Insurance and i would like to be able to drive her car too. I have IDP.

At present her and her Father regularly drive it.

If she insures the car, any driver, first class, am I fully covered?

Can I insure her car, any driver First Class and we all be covered?

Cheers, MH

I am in a situation where I have a UK address and I have a very good Annual International Travel Insurance package covering all accidents, hospital treatment abroad etc.

Basically it is Travel insurance and has a limit of 30 days in any one trip.

I do not return to the UK very much and now 50+ although pretty fit with no known or pre-existing medical issues, I feel I need some form of Medical Insurance whilst I am in Thailand. At present I spend 4 weeks at work and 4 weeks in Thailand or visiting other Asean Countries.

I am building my retirement home in Surin, Thailand and will eventually stay there longer term.

What would be the best Policy for me, to cover Accidents and any other Medical Condition and which would be valid for my longer term stay here in a few year time?

I have reviewed the Thai Visa insurance Plans and consider them a very good option...but which one?

Cheers, MH

I have used FC on a number of occasions over the past year or so. Not a regular but I do visit most months, mainly for the breakfast if my diet permits.

Summing up,

Food - Breakfast is good, rest of food is overpriced and nothing to write home about. TGF says the Thai Food is ok, but nothing special.

Menu - Wide and varied, but not always available. Prices on the high side.

Staff - Rude, ignorant and couldnt care less. I have witnessed the lady venting her anger at more than one customer. Good Management is the key to any business, the FC lacks it totally.

Decor- Past its ''sell by date''

Atmosphere - Not detectable

Cameraderie/Friendship - Not detectable. The place is supposed to be ''Farang friendly'' however the most unfriendly aspect is the regular band of Farang who sit at the same table day in day out. I am British, however not one of them has ever raised a smile to me or said ''hello'' on any occasion.

Why do I go back...well I dont anymore...similar to others I have found the FC to be ''just another boring dump'' and other bars now offer a similar if not better breakfast, which IMHO was all the FC had going for it.

Cheers, MH

Between 4-5 hours depending on speed and traffic.

Should be much less than that. .Surin to Korat is approx. 200 kilometres. Between Prasat, Plackonchai and Nang Rong , it is only 2 lanes. From Nang Rong. it is 4 lanes all the way. Caution !!The highway police are out pretty near every day , on the 4 lane section.On the return ,the highway may not be in such good condition.

Imo, the quickest and less congested route is on the 226 to about 5 km short of Buriram, then a left turn (signposted Khorat) on the Buriram outer ring road and thereafter it's virtually plain sailing (185 km, just over 2 hours).

Quite correct , if you are coming from or North of Amphur Muang,coming from South of Amphur Muang, then highway 24 is best.

I have done Chaen Waen Sangkha to Korat Centre on more than one occasion, but always via route 24.

Best time for the 245 Km trip is departed Home at 1750 and parked in Korat at 2020, with a 15 minute Fuel/Food stop at Nang Rong. Total driving time 2 hrs 15 m !!

I made best use of the little Honda Jazz and its 7 Speed semi Auto box and the headlights of course !!

GPS and Radar Detector....also valuable additional extras :-)

Cheers, MH

There is no doubt about it you will need a good 3 Phase Supply and ''Energy Efficient' Air Con etc is not the answer you require.

Check for the availability of 3-phase at your location as it may well already be there.

I have installed 3 Phase 220V in my house in Surin, even though I was first told it can not be done.

The transformer for our village is 'down the road' somewhere but it supplies 220v to 4 wires (3 phase) up the Main Street which divide to Single Phase (two wires) for each soi.

The Soi houses use just the two wires, however all other houses on the Main Street pick up one of the 3 lives and the single Neutral for their own single phase (two wire) 220 supply. Most are either minimal 5 amp or usual 15 amp.

The Pick up from the 4 wires alternates for each house so as to spread the load over the phases and reduce Voltage Spikes. ie. House A uses Live 1 and Neutral, House B uses Live 2 and Neutral, House C Live 3 and neutral...then round they go again.

I simply had the Electricity Company connect us to all 3 lives and Neutral, thereby giving me a good solid 3 phase supply. With a 45 Amp (3 x 15) meter my house has a good and fairly ''smooth'' supply. You could put in a 90 (3 x 30) or even bigger 135 (3 x 45) Amp Meter as you need, but the Electricity Company will dictate the maximum you are able to have given the existing Transformer.

Limitations are the size of the Village Transformer, but that is their problem not mine and as more demand comes from the village then the Electricity Company will put a bigger one in for us all, but at their own cost !!

I did my own survey, found out what was available and then requested what I needed, it avoided any arguments. Even my Electrician was sceptical, but now he knows.. :-)

Cheers, MH

Some Pool and Tiles Pics

The first picture is a beautiful Pool Don.

I would like to know the cost and have emailed you regarding my situation.

Cheers, MH

I am looking for advice on a decent contractor to come and build me a Pool in Sangkha, 60 km east of Surin.

Pool will be SW Chlorinated system, 8m x 9m with a 3m x 3m extra Jacuzzi section at one end, so basically L-Shaped and total 81 sq m.

Jacuzzi section used as steps into the pool.

Depth 1m in Jacuzzi side sloping to 1.6m at other side, also 20-30cm above ground to keep out the rubbish.

No bottom drains, simple one sided overflow design, with returns 0.5m below water level only.

One 2Hp Circulating/Filter pump and One High Pressure Jacuzzi Pump.

Underwater LED lighting, six units total.

There are no access issues or other ground problems to my knowledge.

I have just had a quote of ' UNBELIEVABLE' Thb per sq m to build the Pool only, no pumps, electrics or any above ground drain work at all.

Cheers, MH

i am not a full time resident of my wifes village, but have quite a bit of time there over various trips.

people are in the main friendly and show a decent level of respect, it does differ depending on the westerner and his attitudes, me i only have positive interactions, most in the village refer to me by name, but have witnessed them being rude/disrespectful to other westerners, perhaps this is due to their partners actions/reputations.

my tips for fitting in as a casual visitor

1. never been seen as a drunk or an idiot

2. dont get involved in other farangs problems

3. be able to keep a secret (just sit and smile, you know the truth but dont give the game away)

4. participate in village sports days or agricultural events

5. do local things like pick up the nephews and nieces after school, dont be afraid to give a talk at the schools your wife's family members or old uni friends work at, the kids just smile anyway.

6. frequent the local businesses and pay the correct price

7. if someone is doing work on your vehicle or land/house watch closely what they do, it shows you expect a good job to be done.

8. never lend money

9.learn who is who in the village

10 learn a workable level of the local dialect

11.mix with local doctors/professionals/government officials, not the local drunks

12. keep one bottle of lao khao, so older relatives/respected older villagers may have a glass when visiting.

13. never provide alcohol for the local drunks

14 discourage the westerner and his village guide he met while she was plying her horizontal profession, from trying to visit.

15. if your wife's family is well respected, maintain that level of respect with your behaviour.

16.learn the local customs, for government/temple events.

17. realise you will never be a local, but they will realise your values and expectations.

just some of my tips

That pretty much sums it all up.

I would go a bit further to say, although never seen as a drunk, it is often good to have a few drinks with family and friends and let everyone be 'happy' together, hais do it all the time.

Possibly using it as a way of temporarily removing themselves from reality of life...who knows?

Above all, be cool, kind, couteous and 'aware' of everything you do or say...often Thais see a very different meaning to certain things us westerners see as 'ordinary'

Enjoy, MH

Hi just to add, I am in the Sangkha area also, currently building a house and other attractions (shop, swimming pool etc) about 15 km NW of Sangkha itself.

We are in a small village a few km before Chaen Waen. Take the Sikoraphum Rd 2371 north from Sangkha Market, fork right after passing the TOA Building Centre and keep going, past Khon Taek towards Chaen Waen, after approx 15 km you will see 2 new houses and a small shop on the right - our development.

I am working on a one month on one off basis and spend time off all over Thailand basically in holiday mode, but occasionally can be found in Surin and Sangkha itself, intend to spend more time there as the house etc near completion. Building work was slowed due to the Rice harvest as we use only local labour, plus I put a block on all things expensive until our Usurfruct Lease arrangements are fully in place - Thai Gf gets the Land Papers sorted today, hopefully.

Many Farang meet at Franks Coffee Shop in Sangkha, near the Hospital ( I do have more detailed directions somewhere) and also at Barrys Place on the 2283 road out of SK towards the 24 it is about 100m before the main road junction, on the left next to the garden centre.

I am sure if you go to either of these places you will find out all you need to know...from the local experts.

If any of the Sangkha guys want to PM me for phone number etc, we are always up for a meet and a beer if we are around. Next visit is from 13th Feb onwards, when i will bring family from Uk to see Surin :-)

Cheers, MH

Idioms always have their literal translation, and the translation of the spirit of the idiom (a similar idiom in the other language).

The literal translation would be something like (sorry for my poor language skills)

อย่างหว่าน(เมล็ด)แล้ว อย่างนั้นก็จะเกี่ยวเหมือน

ทำดีได้ดี, ทำชั่วได้ชั่ว given by a51mas is a good translation of the spirit of the idiom. It literally translates into something like Do good - receive good; do evil - receive evil.

I found another similar idiom:

กรรมใดใครก่อ กรรมนั้นย่อมสนอง

Whatever deed one begins, that very deed inevitably will reciprocate.

Thanks, very much appreciated

MH

Well folks, thanks for all the replies !!

I am still looking for info, but have decided to go via the 'new' border crossing at Chong Sa Ngam so all we need is advice or contact details of the transport either side. We need a van or taxi for 5/6 persons from Sangkha to Chong Sa Ngam and then transport to Siem Reap on the other side. Similarly on return 3 days later.

Cheers, MH

Thank You very much, I will try to use that and see how it goes.

The question was actually asked to me by a Thai who saw it as a forum signature i think.

Cheers, MH

ทำดีได้ดี, ทำชั่วได้ชั่ว

tum dee dai dee, tum chua dai chua

all good deeds will be rewarded, no bad deeds go unpunished

..and there I was thinking I might find some info here as to the best (short term) mobile (possibly on a phone) internet package, just as I want, similar to the OP, however...the replies, arguments etc are pitiful.

Thanks a lot,

MH

I wonder if we have any good English/Thai teachers here that can help me with a definitive translation of the Latin expression

''Ut sementem feceris, ita metes''

Which means "You reap what you sow'' or ''you harvest that which you plant, ie you get what you give''

I would like to have it in Thai both written correctly and phonetic versions please.

''Som nam na'' just isnt quite correct and Google Translate is rubbish anyway.

Any good (free) online Thai to English Translators out there, I have only found ones which use the same 'engine' as Google and the Thai to English is shockingly poor.

Many thanks,

MH

Hi Folks,

I searched the Forum but couldnt find much up to date information for my needs.

Hi, I have been to Udon many times and stayed in plenty of places there. The best by far is the Irish Clock Pub, very central but quiet. The place has around 7 huge rooms, big comfortable beds and a large bathroom with shower.

All inc breakfast for 850 baht a night - excellent. Food is possibly the best in western style Udon as well, but a little pricey lol.

I havent been for about 6 months and believe the place may well be under new ownership, so I hope the standards have been maintained as I wouldnt like to stay anywhere else.

Enjoy it and let us know if its as good as it should be.

Cheers, MH

Thanks for all the replies and help here

Build is progressing well, now at the fitting out stage, all good.

MH