patongphil

Wife wanted to spend some time at Wat Chalong yesterday, offering her prayers for Songkran etc. I headed for some refreshment at the restaurant directly opposite the rear entrance to the Wat (Rimtang@Chalong).

Very pleasant contemporary decor, and a relaxing terrace setting next to a small lake, as well as an inside air conditioned room. They do a separate, quite low cost lunch menu, and a more extensive a la carte which is available anytime. They also have a shop selling souvenirs. We just had a couple of Phad Kra Pows, which though they were very good aren't exciting photo material. Some shots of the place instead.

I will definitely go back for more.

Ratchawadee Resort  is a great hotel, nice pool and restaurant.
As said , next to the airport so out of town.
 
http://www.rachawadeehotel.com/

Ha Haa. Just back from doing 90 day parade in Phuket. They took ALL my copies of passport cover page, visa extension, entrance stamp and departure card. You really never do know do you.

Good thing was in and out in about 5 mins and no tea money. I did see an old German guy next to me get stung for 500 for a proof of residence certificate though.

Photos and arrival card for 90 day report?

No photo but copy of arrival cars and copy of arrival stamp in pp.

They want a copy of your car!!!!

Can someone just clarify this for me. I understand that all I have to do is report to the Immi office with my passport and hand it over!! No paperwork at all from me. What about arrival card and previous 90 day report?

We'll I took a Yaris for a test drive closely followed by a test drive in a Jazz and then back for another test drive in the Yaris.

Found the Yaris to be extremely underpowered, at first thought it was just me, as usually drove a 3 litre pick up hence comparied it to a Jazz. I realise the Jazz has a 1500 motor, as well as the accompanying price tag, but such a big difference in power and a far superior drive. Also found the Yaris to have extremely poor rear visibility.

Anyway I have decided to splash out and purchase a Jazz, thanks anyway for the feedback and links.

Who cares about the AFL all I need is daily dose of Bananas in Pajamas for the little one.

Anyone own one and got a few miles on the clock that can give a bit of feedback as to what sort of car it is re power, reliability, fuel consumption etc.

I suspect there could be a few students less at the "international" schools shortly, now that many of the children's parents are about to be deprived of their sources of "income"

I drove Chalong to Bangkok hospital return at least twice a day for nearly 2 months while my daughter was in intensive care and can assure you that the route via lotus is far quicker barring exceptional circumstances.

I too have been having problems in Chalong with the 10 meg package. Pity as has been real god for the last few years - only last 4 weeks or so.

Someone burning documents?

My thoughts exactly.

APPROPRIATE Education is the ONLY solution... As it is with MOST things in life!

hey empireboy, i agree with education, but i also believe its time to enforce an eye for an eye for those of this planet more sensitive than us who cannot defend themselves against the onslaught and virus we call the human species - when it comes to destroying the only home we have.

Nobody on the Thai fishing boats, Thai Captains to Myanmar forced labor give a rats a***s about anything in their fishing nets other than what they are fishing for. Drowned turtles and dolphins, overboard ya go. It's sad but, thinking you are going to educate these people to act differently is naive.

What then should happen to drowned turtles and dolphins? What do they do in other countries with such drowned animals?

I agree they were there illegally and should be removed, but you are still putting a lot of people out of business (making a living) Why not clear a field away from the beach and set up another market and process for them to restart another business. You've given them the stick how about a little bit of a carrot. The object should be to get them off the beach not to end them making a living. Some will make it some will fail but at least they will get a chance to succeed.

Dont be fooled by their moaning they made a killing from these illegal businesses, you didn't notice the gold that guy was wearing, greedy people who just couldn't get enough and still feel entitled.

I do not dispute your point one bit. What I am suggesting is giving them a token opportunity to restart legally and get them to become legit and pay taxes. They are free to say no and move on but if you did what I said they could not cry about not being given an alternative. Part of the job of government is to help facilitate business so they can collect tax money to better the community, well in a perfect world.

TAX MONEY 5555555 welcome to Thailand.

Speaking of the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, it sure was great yesterday to go to Karon and see all the yellow lines painted over that were reserved for the jailbirds. Now there is plenty of parking for the public and it sure was nice to be able to park wherever there was a space available. It was great to park in a spot that was previously painted yellow right in front of the people that only last month would have yelled and wanted to start a fight over that spot. Keep it up army!

You know what I think I may just take a mosey over there tomorrow for a little "park" myself just for the pleasure of it.

Anyone got thoughts as to which is the best way to go for new house build?

A bit of info. 3 adults and 2 kids for showers etc and don't really need hot water in the kitchen, laundry or bathroom sinks.

We are in Phuket so no cold weather anticipated.

I will be usng Batts, Foil and Bluescope Colourbond continuous roll on mine.

What sort of price for these?

This is the new roof on a house being built close to me. Apparently the material is popular in the States and is imported from there. Comes in sheets resembling a bitumen backed Lino which are then overlapped and nailed on onto a timber sheet.

Anyway does anyone have any experience with such and any good or bad comments? I believe it costs something like 1200 baht per sq.m.

Well if you really want to " live cheaply " in Thailand then you can!

I am moving back to one of the Chiang Mai next month and i already have my budget plan worked out....

MONTHLY ACCOUNT :

rent : 1000 Baht ( a small room with bathroom and shower )

Food : 2,500 Baht ( 80 baht a day x 31 = 2,480 )

Water/Elec 200 Baht

Coffee 200 Baht

Extras 100 Baht

Total Cost Per Month = 4,000 Baht per month ( 48,000 Baht per year )

It should be noted viewers that i do NOT drink or smoke and my transport is " Walking " & " Bicycle " Most of the day i will be " out and about " in the glorious sunshine.I do Not have time to watch TV.and Ladies? Yes I only get involved in ladies that actually like to be with me for who i am ( FREE )

God Bless You All Viewers!

Mr Farang Jaidee x

I think your extras are too high and suggest 50 baht per month should be adequate.

950 baht per month for schooling is pretty miserable. What sort of education are you planning for your children on such a pittance? I really do feel for them.

I would be ashamed to take an very early retirement instead of working, if spending less than $ 30 a month on my kids schooling. And even if you raise it to the double or triple amount.......

I have already know the school I want to send my son to and the feedback I got from the farang teachers & Thai parents seem very good

http://www.sritani.ac.th/obec/index.php

Cost is 5000 per term for IEP or 2000 for normal

I am not taking early retirement, just not going to work for the first 6 months so I can get my feet on the ground,then I will start to look for work .

You can spend 10 times more per term to get better educaton but in the end of the day it's not the money that will give your child better education it is the child willingness to learn

I certainly hope you don't intend to teach English.

I'm a white South African and these guys are giving us a bad name! Mind you, the bulk of them seem to come from Nigeria (Africa, not South Africa), but more often than not the Thai's (Asians in general) don't understand the difference : )

And the difference between you being white and him black is.???????

Go ahead and look at the new houses built higher than the 80 metre contour. Too numerous to list.

In Chalong, behind the Ribbed Boat factory is a triangular shaped patch of steep land that someone has been trying to flog for years.

Yesterday, heavy machinery started making a very steep access road to the highest point of this plot, presumably for the start of some sort of construction. This land is above the road (Soi Ban Klang?) which runs along the escapement and peaks at about 90 metres where the earthworks begin. The piece of cleared land is between 92 and 120 metres high (GE).

Just had a look up there. Would not like to make my way up or down that new track under any circumstances. No equipment there today but a few labourers clearing the shrubbery etc.

Let me know when the list is complete.

I will then add my observation which will may read as follows:

The Governor of Phuket knew, or ought to have known, about all of issues on the above mentioned list, but failed to act to rectify them.

The previous Governor's reply when asked why he turned a blind eye to certain practices was "they know where my kids go to school".

I would like to see your brave self stand up against such.