maybefitz

We had about three hours of torrential rains last night here in Mae Taeng. Our four 3 inch diameter rain downspouts were roaring with the flow off the roof.

Yet only a few kilometers away, in Amphur Phrao, very little rain. Just shows how localised these downpours are. Our local rivers, Mae Khod and Mae Bon, way below normal levels - still time to catch up I think.

Yes, life is good with my Thai wife. I was telling her about falang women go ape-shit with toilet seats left up - she thought it hilarious "why can't they just put them down if they want to use them?"

We have agreed a monthly budget and she manages money very well. However, I get the big smile and a sentence starting with a tentative "My love -- -- --" a shy giggle and a request for some small money; usually contributions to various village/tambon funeral funds which seem to crop up with amazing regularity. Agree with the OP, get the right one, and you're set for life.

I too, use a wet brine mix with salt, sugar,pepper and nitrate. I use a touch of red colour, just a touch. I then use a hypodermic medical syringe to put some of the brine into the meat. My hypodermic actually came with some printer ink - it's a thing that can be difficult to acquire in the West, (touchy over drug use) = but easy to get in Thailand. I put the meat, both bacon and ham, in a tight sealed plastic bag with the brine, and leave in the fridge for a week. The bacon I machine slice - the ham I use a pressure cooker to cook off, then slice when cool. They both keep good in portion sizes in the freezer.

Indeed, my view is that the rice has to be sold at whatever price, just to clear the stocks. In my part of the world, some rice paddies have not been planted - the rice farmers are wary of spending money on produce that is not going to give an adequate return. What is additionally of interest, is that driving into Chiang Mai, there are many notices up alongside the main road declaring rai after rai of fields up for sale, at basic prices. Despite the much promoted view that the rice farmers are not the sharpest knives in the drawer; the reality is that they can see that the return per rai in the foreseeable future is much diminished. They are therefore selling off large swathes of land - and my wife (who is very attuned to agricultural realities) reckons there are some bargains around; particularly if someone can plant alternative crops. Sweetcorn, potatoes and sugarcane are possibles. Some farmers in recent years have switched to Longans (Lumyai) - but this is now suspect, I see the current price offer is 16bt  for AA grade crops. It's early season yet, so the price might improve - but not to the level of recent years I think. So many farmers are facing big dilemmas, not sure which way to jump. 

The whole system is top heavy more bloody Generals than foot soldiers.

Many, many years ago the other newspaper carried a ' Letter to the Editor ' from an ex-member of the British Army who pointed out that Britain and LoS had similar sized population, Britain had a volunteer army and Thailand a conscript one.

The writer said the British Army had something in the region of 120 officers of general rank and Thailand over 2,000.

I think that was me. At the same time I was querying on the 'rogue' general, (Daeng?) who was behind the men in black fiasco, eventually shot. I raised the query as to how a rogue general could be allowed to exist. Where was the chain of command? Why wasn't he stood in front of his superior to explain what he was doing.I remember, working as a staff officer in Eastern Command, and our GOC (a well-known Guards Major General) chatting in the mess that he'd had his ass kicked by the Lt-Gen in UK Land Forces for being outspoken on an issue, (I think it was military cover for the fireman's strike). So I had first hand experience that the chain of command in UK was solid. Be good to see some heavy pruning here in Thailand - instead of 'inactive posts' - go for the retired list.

In our tambon, we have one village that is 20k away in the hills, almost an hours journey on hill tracks. There's about a dozen kids from this village that have to live with grandparents, relatives nearer the school during term time. So there's another reason why they don't live with their parents. From what I've seen, kids learn much more from their peers than any parental guidance, One girl, for example, is a constant visitor to our immediate neighbour's daughter who is quite bright and computer literate. They spend much time together on the internet - something I'm sure would not be available if she had to live with her parents up in the hills (no internet access for a start). My own wife, before I met her had 2 boys to bring up with her husband disappeared, totally incompatible with her work as a nurse (shift patterns etc), in the city. The 2 boys were brought up by their grandmother, who did an excellent job. Both boys hold degrees now, with the youngest tackling an M.Sc. So some of these generalisations just don't hold up against the 'Western model' - it works in Thailand.

I have mentioned this before in another thread. To me, the biggest chunk of advice is don't trust the Thai police. We have in the West a cultural trust in the police, and also the legal system. This is totally misplaced in Thailand and can lead to a lot of problems. For example, don't give a Thai policeman of whatever rank your passport. If they insist, they can look at it, you turn the pages and point out the relevant bits, but don't let them get hold of it. OK, I'll modify that - if they pull a gun on you,then maybe give it to them. But, if they do that, it just proves the basic premise, don't trust 'em!

To my mind, a priority is to weed out all the unproductive fat-cats in the upper echelons, and institute a proper chain of command. One only has to see some relatively small-time crook captured and there's a photo-opportunity for a half-dozen or so of Colonels and Generals to stand there looking smug; whereas in reality they had next to nothing to do with the apprehension. How many generals are sitting in 'inactive posts' when really they should be retired and pensioned off? Asking them to participate in this pruning is ensuring it won't happen - they are not going to put forward a massive redundancy plan to reduce the top-heavy structure.

A guide, a police chief in each changwat, a colonel in each amphur, a major in each tambon, and majors/captains to run bigger stations. Special divisions and branches to scaled accordingly. I think they would be guided by looking at some European police commands.

Maybe the news internationally about the Thailand crisis is totally different to the news in Thailand and that is why countries are warning their citizens to stay away.

Bad news is always bigger than anything positive and in Yahoo News for example some western reporters seem to be trying to sensationalise the protests in Bkk into something they are not.

On a very delicate subject, a friend in Wales tells me there's a lot of adverse reporting on a very, very Thai VIP currently in the west of England.

I have heard a similar story from a UK friend. It begs the question, what is this VVIP doing away from Thailand with a thorough clean=up being carried out by the Military after the coup?

I admit to owning a pretty boggling mind, and all kinds of suggested ideas run through. I agree, it's a very delicate subject to raise in Thailand, but interested if anyone can give any ideas by using veiled speech.

CNX, we have corresponded in the past. If anything like my experience, you'll do fine in Fang. I moved in with my wife's mother and 2 sons 12 years ago - we all got on famously. With the Thai idea of 'family'; I'm related to half the village, they accepted me unconditionally. No obvious jealousies around. MIL died a year ago, sadly missed. Now, the house is a half timbered split level bungalow, 3 bedrooms; just my wife and I here now. When I first moved up here to Phrao area, I built a guest-chalet in the garden, just for visitors. You might like to consider that as an option instead of a large house. Suggest you stick to a bungalow type.

Re medical, I use the local Phrao hospital, (similar to yours in Fang). I can only say, 1st class would be the envy of any hospital in the West. Now, I don't know if its an exception, but my wife (ex nurse, CM Ram) managed to work the system to get me fully registered at Phrao hospital. I have a quarterly check-up, (blood pressure, lipid profile) had a stay for a few days (bronchitis) and a minor surgical procedure on my foot - all at no cost.I suggest first thing in Fang, get your tambien bahn yellow book, and get wifey to see if Fang hospital will put you on the books. I know of another farang in MaeJo who is on a similar arrangement at SanSai hospital, so it can be done. I think that the larger hospitals (like CM Ram) jack up their income by pushing expensive drugs, especially to farangs. I have encountered nothing like it in the cottage hospital. Drop me a line if you want to discuss it more,

Have a look at Non Z, quite a large area behind the Non Z restaurant, opposite MeeChok Plaza. I have a house there, excellent. Plenty of undeveloped plots if you want to do your own thing.

Not just Thais don't like rabbit. I remember, some years ago on a visit to the States, talking about stewed rabbit. My ladyfriend, with a look of sheer horror, said "You mean, you eat THUMPER !!!"

i would like to thank all the members thathave tried there best to explain there experiences with AA or their ideas on the organization... i too was put off by the thought of havingto hear some religious ramblings... so never wantedto go,, even though i am an alkie... i might try it now,, as i can live with higher power,, or my own god,,, just hate organized religions,, as i believe them all to be cons...

1 big question i do have is ---- can i just go to try and get control of my drinking or do i have to quit???? i still love my booze

Wander - A basic tenet of AA is one stops drinking. If you can control it; then you are probably not an alcoholic; best of luck to thee. People like me have to miss out on the first drink, one day at a time. Once the 1st has gone down the neck, a biological reaction sets in that says "more". One of the defining differences between us alkies and the 'normals'. lol. Whilst working as a practising piss-artist; I always thought that it was drink, 8 or 9 or 10 that caused the problem, when I puked, pissed myself, or took a wild swing at someone, or just fell over. "No," they told me, "It's the 1st drink that's the problem". Once I understood that, the rest dropped into place, the AA ideas and particularly the 12 steps.

They still influence the way I look at life, what's real, and I can actually achieve a quality of life without booze. It's now over 45 years, still active in AA - so it works long-time. Give it a try.

For me, the biggest " Don't" is don''t trust the Thai Police, irrespective of branch,location or rank. They are rotten to the core; corrupt & self-seeking. In the West, we are culturally trusting of our various Police Agencies -one of the biggest mistakes a Newbie can take is to apply the same values to the BiB.

My classic was the fella meant to come at midday to repair the TV set. He came at 2pm, and I was not best pleased as I had waited in instead of lunch. When questioned, he said "I went to sleep". Now to him, this was a perfectly natural thing to do, and the honest statement took the wind out of my sails. The farang approach would be some ridiculous excuse - "Alligator on the line at East Molesey" kind of thing.

I smoked for 47 years; and here in Thailand, a heavy pipe smoker (cheap mix of Thai tobacco with vanilla). I had the hard warning from a Dr when my blood pressure went on the blink, and a case of bronchitis. OK, I'll stop when the tobacco runs out, and I won't purchase and mix anymore. A declaration of intent, did it - over 2 years ago now. Still have to watch my BP - but I can exercise without being breathless now. The big noticeable gain for me, was my ability to taste things again. I must say, CM's infamous air quality doesn't worry me at all. I quote that I've put so much crap into my lungs over the years, Chiang Mai air is nothing.

I live 70k north of Chiang Mai, in the Amphur of Phrao, a small market town. There has been a steady increase in the number of falang seen in the area. An example of growth, when I came here 12 years ago,there was but 1 ATM and I had difficulty getting access to my UK bank. Now, there are 12, and 3 new national banks as well. A lot of it is the head people in the Amphur made a statement some time ago; they welcomed more foreigners living here, Made it easy to get Tambien Baan, etc.So, yes, it is a growth area without doubt.

My advice to him is to contact one of the large Private Hospitals ( they are full of well educated ladies who all speak English to a reasonable standard)

May I suggest that he makes a courtesy call to one of his fellow Medics at one of these hospitals under the premise that he would like to make some comparisons between the two countries health care systems ....once there he can fill his boots .....take my word they are filled wall to wall high quality females (most univerisity educated).....that's where my present gf works.

I totally agree with this contribution. I live in CM, and I am amazed at the talent in the local hospitals. Perhaps I'm biased; I've been happily married to an ex-nurse for 11 years. I was in the coffee shop at Maharaj hospital, waiting in fact for my wife visiting her brother - when I was approached by a very attractive nurse, asking if I had a girlfriend. I said I was waiting for my wife, she grinned - and asked if I had a falang friend whom she could meet. This was in excellent English and almost sorry to disappoint her. I have a friend who met one of my wife's nurse friends - they are happily married and live in UK. I recommend the idea of contacting a nurse.

About 5 years ago, I did a Mai Sai / Tachilek crossing using my driving licence. I have a retirement visa and didn't want the hassle of getting a re=entry permit etc. I don't know if it can still be done.

If I was in the OP's situation, looking for a beach resort - I'd stick to Cha-Am. I live CM and found that Cha-Am meets all my requirements for a holiday. If I had to consider a long term stay, that would be it.

I am an alcoholic; I have no hang-ups in knowing that as a fact. I was a binge drinker, and the OP describes exactly my behavioural pattern.My last drink, I came to having lost a complete weekend, full of shame, guilt and fear as to what might have happened. That was when I broke through the denial; a big element in my drinking. AA found me, and I've been sober since, Get your ass to an AA meeting and listen to the similarities of your experience. You don't have to pick up the next drink, ever - but do it one day at a time. Best O' luck.

I am now almost totally deaf, and use a basic hearing aid, a single piece with 2 wires to earpieces. I've had all kinds of expensive aids in the past, but I'm now at the point I gain no benefit from expensive aids. So, my aid costs just 6,000 baht. I am well past the point of hiding it, behind the ear or in the ear - people think I'm listening to music on a player. Siam Hearing on the left of Suthep Road on the way to the University - but I agree on the observations of power selling to get commission.