kdadane

Amazing - I am truely impressed or perhaps confused.

At the party the people with invites had their name logged in a register with amount of money they choose to donate. But an invite wasn't needed to partake in the music from live band. Vendors set up shop next to stage and sold drinks and such.

I believe I'm the one the OP was referring to. The Good Luck party we had prior to officially moving into house was pretty big. The party slowly got bigger as we planning how to do it. It took 2 full days to set up which was a party in itself followed by thee party with 12 monks for morning ceremony, Live Band, at least 400 + people attended thruout the day, police for security. The cost is endless and while I didn't keep an accurate tally - It cost close to 200K. All I can say is the party was Legendary.

Is it possible to get a motorbike license with a 30 day entry stamp. Getting tired of being on the lookout for check points. What would be the easiest minimun visa requirement????? I have an international driving permit for a car if that helps.

Suzuki is supposed to have a retro looking 250 cc coming out. Like the style even if I'm not too enthused about a Suzuki. Anybody heard about it.

OP

Where do you see yourself a few years from now, when you are pushing mid 60, and she is not even considered middle aged?

Has she become your maid and wet nurse?

Will you allow her to go out with her friends and enjoy life?

Most of the Thai families I know, the women (respectable or not) stay at home after having children, no more nights out.

Respectable Thai women don't go out much, as we know it, anyway.

(Quite often even Thai boyfriends expect their girlfriends to stay at home, when they go out)

That doesn't stop Thai men partying big time.

Thailand is evolving, fast.

Including the rural areas.

What was considered respectable before, is not the same any more.

Not more than 10-15 years ago, bf/gf in BKK could hardly hold hands.

Now, they have sex in the back of the bus.

For many expats, they really really want the country to be stuck on the old "Macho Bullshit" trail, so they can continue the male chauvinism behavior.

Works fine for me - hahahahaa

I cross into Laos at Nakhon Phanom and they do accept US 35.00 or like was said before cost is otherwise 1500 Baht. Exchange rate definately in their favor.

Sheryl's view is right on the mark. Good job.

If you plan to make your money from ex-pats who live there then by all means don't worry what the girls look like because chances are they won't pay bar fines, buy lots of ladies drinks or buy rounds for the whole bar. But, if you want the tourist trade - energetic pretty young girls who enjoy dancing and don't push to hard for drinks, shiny poles and be able to read the customers for the kind of music to be played. I've been to Jomtein several times and I've not found a bar as I described.

Get outta here. Whaaa-Whaaa.. No money - No honey is simply a way of life all over, even back in the good ole US of A. What do you expect her to do when the money runs out ????? Remember - memories are 4 ever.

When you go to meet the family - you are meeting the entire village. Or a large portion at least. If you haven't shown her that you're serious, chances are she doesn't want to take a chance it's a one time deal. Contrary to the belief of many, some of these girls really do want to leave the bar. You're going to take her back to meet the parents and allow her to go back to the bar ???? Before you do meet her family you really should make up your mind regarding your intentions with this girl. Why meet them if you're not ready to settle down. When you are ready - a couple baht of gold never hurt..........hahahahahhaaaaa

My new baby girl has very light skin and brown hair. The next Thai movie star.

You had a good time while you were together - Write off the 10K - One swipe of your ATM is all it is. Be lucky she didn't play you harder when she realized you were interested.

No pain - no gain. A 2 hr. Thai massage is definately a workout.

I wasn't born in America but was raised in Calif.'s Central Valley. The ability to make a decent living without working 6 days a week with lots of OT is getting harder and harder. Wages are getting lower and lower for blue collar type jobs. Work all year for maybe 2 weeks of vacation.

Would I bring my Thai wife and newborn baby to America to live - Don't think so. Have them leave the small village environment, leave all their blood family behind. No more sharing lunch with family and friends, help with anything is in the village. I've tried to explain to her about taxes, building permits and all the rest of the endless rules that America has. As for the baby's education - There are schools with English Classes 20 minutes away. My only fear is she'll speak with a BRIT accent.HAHAHAHAAA Oh Well...... The entire social atmosphere in America's school system isn't appealing. Private schools would be the best.

As I'm away from Thailand 5 months at a time working overseas and only spend 2 months at a time with my ladies I haven't yet spent a long stretch in the village.

By staying in Thailand I have the option to retire early. Ah what do I know............God Bless America

Quick - One more SPACE SOUP please.

Born in Denmark - Raised in California

I hope you feel better for trying to hurt my feelings hahahaaa Naw, my lady has it just fine. Truthfully I do what I can to build good relations. I helped to gather rice and bring it in. Any time I'm there and I have work done by anybody I'm out there helping out. I go to the weddings and funerals. Had a Good Luck party for the new house that was LEGENDARY. I'm always up for drinks - on my dime of course. One Leo is my limit when I drink alone. I eat pretty much all thai food. I didn't say I eat Issan food. I'll try it but I won't eat it daily. I've learned to accept the comings and goings of people daily.I've read stories of people expecting handouts but that hasn't been my experience. As soon as the baby is a bit older we'll be taking regular trips to Samui and such. Can't really stand the beach at Jomtein.

What do some of you call your Mother in Law if she is your age. Do any of you call her by her first name ?? Would'nt it be rather bizzarre to call her MaMaa ??? Constructive suggestions only please........ WELL......tata

Awhile back while leaving 7-11 outside of town a lady pulls up on a motorbike with a sidecart such as food venders use. In the cart sat her farang man probably in his 60's holding a baby. I nodded hello as I left. Back home I tell my lady we don't have to buy a car, no I'll just get a sidecar for our motorbike and explained to her what I saw. A few days ago my lady takes our baby to the hospital for a immunuzation shot and the same motorbike with sidecar is there. If this farang is reading this I don't mean any disrespect wharsoever. But you have to admit It's a bit unusual. I told my lady and her friends I was going to do the same thing - everyone had a chuckle.

So there are extremes - One fella in the next village built his lady's parents a house and got them a pickup.

Would I do the 200K. "Good Luck Party" for our new house again even after reading these posts????? Absolutely!!! But by the way it's interesting hearing others take on things. Like I said before, When I'm away I don't expect the household to spend more than 30K a month. I'm happy to improve their way of life. When I'm there The same except for the money I spend on improvements and occassional small drinking sessions - hahahaaaaa I don't have people borrowing money nor do they expect handouts within the village. Anyway, you all have a good one...................

Reading all these posts is a hoot....hahahahahaaa I must be seriously bored. Waiting in a motel room in the states for my next job assignment overseas. I work 4-5 mos. and stay 2 mos. with my lady and new baby in the Issan sticks. I know when I stop working I have to figure out something to do if I stay for long time in her village.

Reading these pages I've determined I'm doing just fine. I've never talked to anyone for suggestions on anything I've done from taking care of my lady to building our house. Can I sit in the village for a year without a holiday to the beaches??? H#** no As much as I like it there and feel more and more comfortable in her village, I'll never be nor will I try to be one of the guys. I can go 2 months eating shrimp, squid and fish . But, man after awhile I dreams about cheeseburgers.

Living the dream..........hahahahaaa

It's interesting to hear others voice their opinion on cost of village living. I've yet to see anyone talk of money spent on parties for beginning construction of new house and the big good luck party when house is finished. Last year we finished buiding our new house and the party turned huge with 400 invitations going out. Live band, pig and cow, booze and lets not forget the 13 monks for morning ceromony, police for security. The entire party lasted 4 days from setting up to clean-up. Cost was roughly 200 K.

In Oct. our daughter was born and it was my birthday in Oct. so lets have a party. Small but after buying pig, booze and sing-a-song it cost around 25 K. I was around for the rice harvest this year. For roughly 15 rai. of rice it took 27 people to cut the rice at a cost of 300 baht per person and some beer and whiskey at the end of the day. My 27 yr. old son visited for a month and we gave the village market good business buying Leo and Blend daily. We had no problem finding people to drink with us at the house.

When I'm gone I expect my lady to get by on 30 K. a month. Diapers, formula, doctor visits....... it all adds up. Oh and lets not forget jack-pot numbers. Am presently having a retaining wall built around house, 60 running meters worth. I better stop rambling for now. Pob gan mai................

Thanks, kdadane. For that kind of money, I hope a good time was had by all. But, seriously, appreciate the insight. And congrats on the child.

bobbysan-

You know, when we started planning party we thought of having it catered for maybe 100 people. But little by little it got bigger and bigger. Then we figured we would buy a large bull, pig and all the other food - not to mention a tremendous amount of booze and good live music on a stage in the rice field. Also buying everything needed for ceremony with monks in the house cost. I was floored by the cost when it was all said and done but I must say it was one fine party.

Having said all that. I work overseas in various countries and am gone 5 mos at a time with 2 mos. in the village. I can't afford to simply stop working. With a new baby more money is needed. A new pickup will be next. You know I always think about money. I too am frugal by nature and do appreciate others views. Anyway will be back in sakon nakhon area in 4-5 mos.

We recently finished building a house 20 motorbike minutes SE of sakon nakhon. It's 3 bed - 2 bath tri-level and the cost was 400 K. for labor and we purchased all materials. I was present the first month of construction and my lady was in charge the next 5 months. So, a little over 6 mos. to build. She did what I believe to have been an excellent job purchasing quality materials for the best price. Total cost was 2 Mil. plus another 200K + for the first party at start of construction and the final good luck party when we moved in.

Prices on materials go up constantly and I'm sure now one year later it would cost another 10% at least.

If you pay one price to have house built you run into the problem of lesser quality materials being used such as the re-bar, cement, bricks and steel for trusses. Not to mention roof tile, floor tile, molding, windows, light fixtures etc..........

Not a large house by western standards but in the village it's not the norm. But we're at the end of the small soi with good privacy.

Life is good......................

I've in sakon nakhon area and bought the PSI dish with no monthly dues. But, have only one english channel. Planning on getting the True dish for 4000 B. I was under the impression they didn't charge monthly. Am I wrong??? Any advice would be appreciated, simply want some english speaking channels. Thank you..............ken

It's interesting to hear others voice their opinion on cost of village living. I've yet to see anyone talk of money spent on parties for beginning construction of new house and the big good luck party when house is finished. Last year we finished buiding our new house and the party turned huge with 400 invitations going out. Live band, pig and cow, booze and lets not forget the 13 monks for morning ceromony, police for security. The entire party lasted 4 days from setting up to clean-up. Cost was roughly 200 K.

In Oct. our daughter was born and it was my birthday in Oct. so lets have a party. Small but after buying pig, booze and sing-a-song it cost around 25 K. I was around for the rice harvest this year. For roughly 15 rai. of rice it took 27 people to cut the rice at a cost of 300 baht per person and some beer and whiskey at the end of the day. My 27 yr. old son visited for a month and we gave the village market good business buying Leo and Blend daily. We had no problem finding people to drink with us at the house.

When I'm gone I expect my lady to get by on 30 K. a month. Diapers, formula, doctor visits....... it all adds up. Oh and lets not forget jack-pot numbers. Am presently having a retaining wall built around house, 60 running meters worth. I better stop rambling for now. Pob gan mai................