JeffreyMcCollum

I do 90% of the home cooking

I love to cook and find it relaxing

My wife and friends say I do wonderful Thai food too

Looking for replies of what you do . . .

Mother and father live in a small village

Own their home free and clear

Live a simple life by choice.

NO car or motorbike.

Have a Rai or two of land and grow and raise many things.

Both work spot jobs now and then here and there for extra cash as well as sell some of what they grow

They have 3 daughters

1.) Married a retired Westerner that lives 5 hours away. He and his wife live off his pension, retirement and Socail security. He refuses to tell anyone how much he gets, Even his wife. They take care of her son for a prior marrraige. they have several Rai of land and a modest home by choice. They do some farming

2.) Married a Thai man and leave just minutes away. They farm Sugar and in the off season do odd jobs. They have 2 children and also a modest home

3.) Also has a western husband. He is younger and lives as well as works in Thailand. He makes about 18,000 Bt a month. He takes care of her daughter living with them from a prior maraige she had. They rent a average apartment room near his work 4 hours away. of the parents

Ma and Pa live a simple live and when asked say they can live on about 4 - 5000 Bt a month

How much should each daughters family help provide for them ?

How much would your provide for them ?

How much do you help with your family here in Thailand ?

I always thought Hawaii was in America. I guess I was mistaken.

Hawaii is part of America....

Well, actually..... Hawaii is part of the United States of America.... It is not part of North, Central, or South America...... but that is trivial.. I must be bored...... sorry!

Hawaii is the 50th state, but anyone who has lived there for some time knows it is not the same as America.

Pool doctor, what does a small 2m x 7 m lap pool cost to make ?

I've traded in both cars and bikes before. It can be done

My new (6 month 2000km) Yamaha Mio 125 MX only goes 88 Max. Another a lady has in my office goes 110 km/h

I take mine to the shop and they say it is normal

Well make mine not normal like her stock unit

Yamaha never again

Looks like now the Government is also in the Pirate business too.

The world should just turn there back on this part of the world and it will cave in on itself

Sad, but really surprised more accidents don't happen. And a Throat cut is not and "Instant" death. far from it

Siritara in Maehia CCTV and 24/7 security with covered parking, Never been a problem

My thai girlfriend and I , we are on the way to buy a land in Chiang Mai in order to build a house. I know that this subject should be complicated but I would like, if possible, a little bit of your kind help to know: - It does not need to be complicated. And you can help keep it that way.

-Where can I contact a good , flexible,not expensive and honest architect to make the plans and get the idea of what we want. You should start out knowing what you want. Remember the Architect works for you. Your the boss not him. However there are also draftmen and others that can make your plan. most charge 5 - 10 % and good, flexible and not expensive just do not go hand and hand as I have found over 8 year here.

-Were can I contact a good company or individual person to take care of all the process and build the house. PM me for names and numbers

-What are the points and matters that I have to be specially careful to avoid problems, delays and overcosts. Start with a good plan, good contract, and very specific BOQ as they call it here. This is Thailand and most run over on time as well as cost unless there are penalty clauses in the contract.

I have seen a website of a Company Called Kensington . Atre they reliable? Do they have competitive prices? Is it recommended to put in charge of all the process to a single company or person ? Is it better and worth it to buy our own materials? Kensington is decent, but not cheep. you keep saying low prices, if your wanting western quality and style you will be paying western prices. It you want Thai style, and quality they it is lower, What is it you want ? You say your time is limited, Building a home is a full time job with thousands of questions to be answered. The more you do the less they do and it saves you. But do you really have 50 or 60 hours a week to work on this ? Or will you hire someone to do it for you ?

We are planning to build a house around 200-250 Sqare Wah on a Land around 2 Rais. We are looking for good quality at a reasonable price. Houses here are in Sq. M. Land in Sq.Wah. The size your giving is very large for Thai standard. More information would be helpful

I would like to say that I work in Chiang mai so I cannot spend more than weekends and a little bit of time during the week days to follow all the process, buy materials, etc.

I know that to build a house anywhere is a little bit of nightmare and I imagine that in Thailand is much cheaper but at least as nightmare as in any other place. So any advise in which steps I have to follow in order to avoid many mistakes it will be very much appreciated. Cheeper if you want a Thai style and quality home. Equal or more if you want just like where ever was home before

Again, Having built dozens and with 17 under construction now in Thailand, and 30 years prior experance with it in Hawaii as well as America I would be happy to start you in the right direction.

Wonderful day enjoyed by all - Thanks everyone for the efforts made. I will be there next time sure

Buying the car is not the problem, If your paying in full. Just when you place it into your name. If your getting a new car, This takes months, I got my car in December and it was May before I got my plates, So I wouldn't worry about it so much, Just do it when you move up

Just to let everyone in Chiang Mai know that we are still strong and active and meet monthly at Dukes. http://www.vfw-chiangmai.org/

love to go, former Marine. But really who carries a DD214 with them. It was like nearly 30 years ago I wonder if I even still have mine in storage back in Cali ?

Just like I was asked for my divorce papers from 22 years ago, Sorry, nope, don't usually carry them with me, still trying to forget her. . .

If there is a way PM me and I would love to attend now that I live here.

Maybe the better question is do you need to be a Vet. or have served in a foreign war ? I was a congressional guard after Camp Pendelton. Never over seas.

I had worried, but just having gone through it, it really was not an issue. It does take a little time to make appointments and this and that, but I can be lazy and mine was all done within 1 month

3 people on 2 bikes with Tooth brushes and toothpaste for all (Assuming you said about 35 or 36 people . . .)

We have our own ride planned after up and around Mae taen So we will not be doing that leg this time

!0:30 to us is a little bit of a late start in the day but we will meet near the exit of Tesco shortly after 10:00

We are rain or shine riders !

Drove by a bake and bite today off Nimmanhaemin

Wow, I was wondering too, but I guess there really is not that much to see ?

I have been living in the sticks part time since 2003 due to offshore work commitments and full time since I retired and I don't regret a thing. Amen !

Now every time I go to a big city such as BKK I go there for a specific reason and get out as soon as I possibly can. I personally feel my blood pressure rise as I approach BKK

Most cities are dirty, full of pollution, too crowded, too much traffic and far too expensive. Amen !

I have a motorbike that I can go out riding on and unlike BKK I am on a clear road from just outside my front gate. I ride for hours sometimes with hardly seeing a car. And never worrying about getting pushed off the road or hit

My wife has 10 rai that we live on which backs onto a national park, fresh air in plenty and room to move. Sounds like a dream

Granted that my Thai is poor but I have to improve it and part of my problem is that sometimes there is not enough time in the day to do all the things I want to do. 18 year in Hawaii I did not have a TV, I was just too busy with things to do. I find that here too. So much to see, so much to do . . .

I know of 15 or so farangs who live much the same way that I do and are not interested in living in a gated ghetto in Pattaya or Phuket, surrounded by razor wire and broken glass on the top of the 2 metre high wall around the property.

I wave and smile at the kids going to and from the schools and also to their parents and 95% or more of the time I get genuine smiles back. every day I look forward to taking my wifes daughter to school on my motorbike.

I can leave my car or motorbike in the village with the key in it while I go shopping or get a haircut and it will still be there when I get back. I can laugh and joke in fractured Thai and Thinglish with the people at the markets where I pay the same as the Thai next to me. By keeping my key in my bike I always know where it is and never lose it !

Pain, not really, but pleasure and enjoyment. I will second that !

There are many people like me living a happy and contented life in rural Thailand that you rarely hear about because good news doesn't sell and there are far more unhappy farangs in Thailand who are miserable and unhappy and they are the sort of people who open threads on TV moaning about Thailand and Thais.

To be honest, if you have your own teeth( I have some), your own hair (I have less) and you are healthy Thailand is a great place to be, even the rain is warm most of the time. I was happy to leave behind my home country where people don't even talk to each other any more. Tellerless banks, self service gas stations, even grocery stores you scan your own purchases. I had enough of the Rat race and got out. Love it here and they don't understand back home, and never will. They truly live the lie and life with blinders on.

So happy to be here with all it's wonder and adventure !

For those up north, in Chiang Mai. The 4 Rimpings upscale markets always have Dr. Pepper as well as Mt. Dew and others you can't get anywhere else.

Spendy yes at 50 - 55 Bt. a can. But some times you just have to splurge !

Heaven if I have ever seen it !

Cheep and Cheese is not one and the same here in Thailand. Makro does seem to have the lowest costing, but it is nothing like back in the states. I get loafs of cheese there as well as frozen grated to add to things like eggs and other dishes. Thailand does have a few cheese factories, but Thailand really is not big on dairy products. Up here in Chiang Mai near the Airport Tesco there is a Cheese factory called Hideaway. They make many types, but does not taste like back home. When friends come I asked them to bring a little heaven with them.

Can't speak about BKK but up here in CM there are several. Granted not as big as the photo. But has several rows and lots of imports

At most Food Courts, KKens, I order the fish (2 peice) and not the rice but ask for fries.

They give you a white sauce and salad with it for 50 bath and it is very good, for thailand.

Sometimes you have to watch that they not put the gravy on the fish.

Not perfect but in a pinch it will do !

Most store have it you just really need to look around.

Up north Rimpings in CM have many brands, but I have seen some at Tesco and Big C too. Some are western brands some European, or Austrailain. Hunt it out, Not always where you think it should be.

In the busy tourist area, I like a few dining venues as you say. At one that is 90% tourist, and yes, I look like one too. I was over charged and noted it.

When it happened repeatedly I knew it was a policy of the business and not a mistake. I haven't gone back.

3 bed 3 bath condo with 2 kitchens, 2 balcony. No pool. Just totally refurbished 120 sq.m. near carefore quiet area 5th floor

PM me for photos or more info