laphanphon

22 hours ago, thequietman said:

Why was nobody on the boat keeping an eye on their customers?

Supposed to be looking out for what, people face down in the water.  <deleted>, everyone is.....

Yes, not a bad way to go,  RIP / condolences

x

Another drunk falls to death, no news here.  No foul play, unless they unbuttoned and unzipped pants before sending him airborne.  Suicide, maybe didn't want to piss himself when hitting ground.

Probably just a drunken alky having an oops at wrong time and place.  Case closed, evidence fairly obvious...... IF anyone read Thai news, even English news had pic of pants and zip undone.

Guard stated went out daily since 4th to get drunk.......nuff said.

Som naa na.....another loss to society.

Maybe now resting in peace, if one believes such silliness.

Udon has no condos at present, though about 5 large ones in the development stage, sales offices, but no ground broke yet. Land and locations bought up, just waiting on building permits.

the standard thai one room apt go from 3000 baht and up. Nightlife is non existent, what little there is, overpriced and zero selection. retirees from pats and patong.

OR........udontalk..........the other local channel.

there is one at posri (big c, makro, aek udon) and the train tracks, left hand side coming into town. also a few on watana rd, between adunyedet rd and the one parallel to the train staion. they are on the left hand side, going away from the train station. exiting from. central, pass tawan daeng, to the 'T' intersection, there are a couple to the left, and maybe a couple to the right, though no sure if to the right, but definitely if you go left

Ok, mr negative is back……LOL…….actually I have a love / hate relationship with Udon / Thailand. Start with the pros: Udon; inexpensive (even for Thailand), decent food town, if needed, close to Laos for visa issues, and a friendly immigration office in Udon, plenty of golf around, and inexpensive, along with fishing places, for catch and release, or take and eat. It’s an up and coming town, Central will add a lot to it when done, shortly, excellent night market scene. A lot more shopping and venues to open within next year, a couple IT places. Supposedly good internet is coming, as its hit and miss now, even in town. Out of town, a bit more hit and miss. Though congested, the town is easy to negotiate, especially daytime, non rush hour, and even easier on a MB. Plenty of nightlife, especially local oriented. Plenty of foreigners, if wanting to bond….LOL.

The cons: some are the same as the pros, it’s congested, polluted, and all the new construction, though will be nice, has no added infrastructure planned, so it will just add to the negatives of congestion and pollution. Obviously, the downtown popular section of town is to be avoided evenings and weekends, but a pleasant experience, once there. Not a factor for me, as I do my in town thing during the day, when most don’t. internet mentioned, and Cable/sat TV is terrible, unless you like footie. Too many foreigners for me, especially downtown. But I can’t complain, as I simply add to the numbers.

The rest of the negative I stated earlier, I think. I suggest you assess what you do now. Such as, if a sports fan, there is none. Culture, such as concerts or plays, none, an occasional one in bkk. Saw Clapton, excellent, but an expensive adventure, and only went because the little lady had never seen a real concert, and she enjoys EC also. About the 10^th time that I’ve seen him. You do have to be able to entertain yourself and be in a very stable relationship. Udon and Thailand can be very frustrating. Excellent advice to learn Thai, I know a bit, but trying to learn more, as having a real conversation with locals would be a plus.

Along with golf, fishing, there is also bike clubs, motor and non. Also a shooting range close to town, though a bit expensive, simply because ammo is. Also one out of town, a good hour away, but more relaxed and less expensive. Getting together to play some music shouldn’t be a problem. One bar/restaurant has a do every week, and the lease holder has enough clout not to get in trouble. Volunteering also won’t be a problem, just make sure the choice has card blanche w/immigrations and po po, and hands off volunteers, in writing. I know of only one, but a good one.

Thailand pros and cons, basically the same as Udon, inexpensive, especially beach holidays, off season. I’m out and about 3 months a year, during school break, with exception of pass year, as house building, almost done. Extreme negatives, an extremely, blatantly corrupt country, and scammers everywhere. But since you have Thai wife, will avoid most, as she will do the ‘shopping’ for accommodations and local market shopping. They see you, they charge more, it’s that simple.

Me, like I said, I love the place, I hate the place. Don’t know what 100k baht gets you in ozzy land, but would be more than enough in usa, as my funds are more than enough in usa, since if I went back, housing and transportation would be paid for, so only bill would be living expenses, same as here. so that aspect, things are good. It just can be very frustrating, as I had to go to 7 places to find an item for the house last week, where it would have been one stop shopping in states. Everyone has everything, but nobody has everything of anything. Things are not cheap here, or high quality, compared to the states. What is inexpensive is lack of real estate taxes, so housing isn’t too bad. Wages allows for everything local to be fair prices, and labor done at house is way too inexpensive. Utilities, electric and water, basically, are very inexpensive. 3000 baht a month, and that’s with plenty of AC use. Autos are outrageously priced, period. Auto insurance is average, compared to USA. Electronics are crap and expensive. Though made here, I can buy better versions in states and cheaper. Having a laptop sent over soon, that I couldn’t get here for twice the price, including the shipping and tax I’ll end up paying, and it’s probably made here or in Asia. Go figure.

Best advice is rent rent rent, until you know udon or Thailand is for you. That simple. Get out and about, and check other areas. You can always fly back to visit the little ladies family. But….DO NOT LIVE NEAR IN-LAWS……….LOL, sorry, but best advice, worldwide. Especially in Thailand, as some extended family expect foreigners to finance them…..LOL.

Give it a go, as you can simply turn it into and extended holiday, or may love the place and think I’m nuts. Quite frankly, if I didn’t live here, not sure where I would. Like the states, as has everything I want, and don’t, same same……but different.

Spending a lot of time here and living here is two different worlds.

Your wife is with you and you have 100k baht a month to live on, which I am guessing is plenty in either place, Australia or Thailand, or should be. Come visit and do your recon, and then you will understand this statement, “why the **** would you leave Australia to live in this corrupt, stone age of a sh*thole country”

Udon is polluted and congested, and the only reason I would leave Australia would be to get away from local people, which begs to ask, why go to a place that has too many foreigners already. Kalasin would be nice for her to be near family, but that’s in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of NE Thailand nowhere.

If you’re going to leave there to come here, stick to a beach location, though your beaches are better, but may be out of budget to live at. Hindsight, that’s where I would be, though would have to be non-tourist area, plenty along gulf or Andaman side.

Before an idiot asks, why I live here, in Udon Thani, it’s only because one of my loved ones can’t leave for another 5 years. 7 yrs. if thinking of leaving country, though doubtful, but will base in udon and stay at the beaches most of the time. Tick tock, can’t come soon enough.Spending a lot of time here and living here is two different worlds.

Your wife is with you and you have 100k baht a month to live on, which I am guessing is plenty in either place, Australia or Thailand, or should be. Come visit and do your recon, and then you will understand this statement, “why the **** would you leave Australia to live in this corrupt, stone age or a sh*thole country”

Udon is polluted and congested, and the only reason I would leave Australia would be to get away from local people, which begs to ask, why go to a place that has too many foreigners already. Kalasin would be nice for her to be near family, but that’s in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of NE Thailand nowhere.

If you’re going to leave there to come here, stick to a beach location, though your beaches are better, but may be out of budget to live at. Hindsight, that’s where I would be, though would have to be non-tourist area, plenty along gulf or Andaman side.

Before an idiot asks, why I live here, in Udon Thani, it’s only because one of my loved ones can’t leave for another 5 years. 7 yrs. if thinking of leaving country, though doubtful, but will base in udon and stay at the beaches most of the time. Tick tock, can’t come soon enough.

live here and have not heard of them. where do you need to be and price range. decent places, safe and clean start at 350 ish. unless wanting to be at downtown center, i would avoid, as much construction and congestion going on, Central Plaza area, soi sampan. list on link is far from complete, many others to choose from. near restaurant, park, shopping. the town is easily negotiable, baht buses, 10 baht during day, and plenty of food no matter you stay. though at night you will be at mercy of tuk tuks, though now have meter taxis.

32 hotels listed on link, though last 2 aren't worth looking at.

hotels

local forum is also helpful

UdonTalk

I know nothing about farming, and I would be unable to do the physical work by myself

not quite sure why you would want to start a business you know nothing about an won't be able to work, thus family helping or employed worker, though still sharing profits if family working. one rai generating 20 k baht a year, less overhead doesn't sound worth the effort to me. lots of research and only invest what you can afford to lose. good luck...

you are correct, the list needs some major updating.

The Irish Clock............looking for new management, unless very good, sadly they may follow the city lodge to closure.

Deuters....................the one w/german who just passed, RIP, wife/family are carrying on quite well.

Fuzzy Kens.................still there, inexpensive happy hour beer, mostly brit fare.

Richmond Steak House.......closed

Up2U bar and Restaurant....still operating out of nutty park area, with at least 10 other competitors

Nobis......................one of my favorites, hard to beat.

Jinjoes....................or restaurant manager at jinjoes (also a guesthouse) just thru in the towel, sure it will remain open w/no changes.

Piccola Roma...............used to be a regular, still doing good

Elephant Blanc.............never been

Aussie Bar & Restaurant....hmm, this is a tough one, couple different versions, most closed, aussie pub i think closed or moved to nutty park, aussie bar sold and renamed lalita's, recently closed. aussie bar 2 / koala bar....recently reopened. aussie bar ???/down under bar/molly mallones, all same location i believe, different owners, closed.

Sizzlers...................yikes, overpriced shit, IMHO.

Fiddlers Green.............drove by today, either closed, or moved.

Steves Bar & Restaurant....one of the originals, still going strong i believe, though farang partner passed last year, RIP.

not on you list and 2 of my favorites

TJ's.............another original from way back, american fare, excellent and good prices

Book House and Coffee...........newer, about a year old, restaurant and book store, slow start, but now doing very good.

UD TOWN just opened up, McD, chesters, jeffers, oishi and subsidaries of oishi, along with few others, seem to be doing ok, well, maybe not checters grill. oishi and subsidaries are waiting lines every day.

along with three well priced night markets, and every other soi seems to turn into a restaurant soi at night, so if you go with this idea, your competition will be tough. you better have a good niche, be one hel_l of a cook, and don't mind working 12-16 hours a day for very little. and of course staffing will always be a problem. along with parking. and i haven't even discussed the bbq / all you can eat from 69-99 baht places that are packed.

so good luck. may i suggest and extended vacation in udon, am month or so, and see what you competition has to offer. my favorites are TJ's, Nobi's, BOOK HOUSE AND COFFEE. IF you can compete with them,, you may have a chance. DO NOT BUY AN ESTATBLISHED PLACE, THEY ARE ALL OVERPRICED. If you know management and cooking, the irish clock is looking for a new management team to take offer. advantage here is rooms to rent, rather full most times, so a lot of overheard paid for.

figure about 100 places if failed or don't know about, and that is your situation. udon is an excellent food town, good for us expats, keeps things cheap, bad for business people, just not enough customers to go around.

again.........GOOD LUCK. one advantage to udon, is clost to laos for any visa issues, but things do seem to get tighter and a yearly basis. don't forget, you can't own anything, and must have a partner, and the BIB will be stopping in every now and then..................so you have to be legal, or you profits are minimal.

in my opinion, there are already too many bars in udon without customers already, hence the very high turn over / failure, 3 closed last week and one couldn't get a pool league together, so that is cancelled for the remainder of the season.

personally, you could give me a free tuk tuk to DAY AND NIGHT, free drinks all night, and a free tuk tuk back home, and i still wouldn't bother visiting the dump. IMHO.

a few owned by englishmen, fuzzy ken's, closest and cheapest near bus station/train station. no need for taxi/tuk tuk if staying central area and most restaurant/bars are all in walking distance, along Cwith and excellent night market, actually 3, but all together, on the way to train station.

money not a problem, the Irish Clock, 850 w/1 brekkie. same street, top mansion, 350 range, firm beds, another on same street, don't know the name, but small and on the way to irish clock, same side of street, then top mansion beyond irish clock. ruysuk is also a good one, within walking distance, 350 range, free wifi, jan condotel also a good recommendation, over by nong prajack park, nice lake in town w/vendors, and actually not far from main area, have walked it with no problem. if not wanting to rent transportation, or be at the mercy of the scam tuk tuk, stay central, you won't miss anything, as there isn't much past the ring rd/bypass. may others to choose from, udon has an excellent seletion of 500 of less accomodations, along with plenty of food.

udontalk site can help you decide if needing more info. i'm UdornLA on that, friendly and informative site. google any of the ones mentioned, and you should get a webpage. good luck.

the baht buses/10 baht, do not fun after dark, and are hard to find when schools let out, hence the recommendation to stay central. everything you need is in walking distance from the ones i mention, a quite a few more. book one or 2 nights, and if not satisfied, find another. enjoy

Hi,

Is there a Lao visa office in Udon Thani?

If so where & how long does it take to get?

no, but there is one in khon kaen. try khon kaen forum, it may have changed locations. google should bring up either.

you probably would never need it, BUT GET THE LICENSE, if something happens, you'll be glad you have it. and when getting a thai license, makes the process so easy, no test involved. besides, takes all of 15 mins of paperwork at AAA, and probably about 20 bucks now, well worth it.

Hmmm, White Elephant..........following positive comments here ‘excellent’, figured we would give it a try. Even though passing a rather nice place that was crowded and noticed by the wife, hmm, next time. Ok, first mistake was ordering drinks, only water before checking out the menu. Which arrived, I believed already opened, as they were not opened at table side. But 2 bottles of water opened, not sure why, since we barely finished one, and it was pointed out, why open 2, as we probably wouldn’t drink the one if I’m not eating spicy. Which one didn’t even empty filling the glasses, plenty left in just the one, since too much ice about, half of which remained in bucket at departure. But that is standard operation for Thailand. So TIT. Don’t like the idea of open bottles arriving at table, makes me suspect as to their origin, though tasted fine, no chlorine taste.

The food, after looking over menu, I correctly figured, why bother, I can see this coming and since not extremely hungry, which was a good thing. I ordered fried rice/chicken, 60 baht, wife and little one ordered fried squid/garlic 90 baht, and a spicy pork soup, 80 baht, w/rice. Overall opinion, the worst Thai food I’ve ever recieved after 8 years, and at the portion size, of the actually meat involved and flavor, the most expensive. Don’t take my word for it, pictures speak volumes. As you see, the first pic of fried rice looks a little bit like just rice, so, investigate, and hmm, no veggies, and that is the chicken, all the chicken, in between the spoon, lemon and piece of cucumber, the rest was basically just rice.

Now the squid, again, picture before eating, my finger and a spoon for size comparison, this was 90 baht, a good number, as it contained about 90 % less squid that we were fortunate enough to eat the other day in Udon Thani, had the pleasure of bit different dish of squid, 2 whole pieces, that when touched, overflowed the tasty juice off the same size plate, for a mere 98 baht, i will follow up, with pic next time I eat there, if this isn‘t deleted as I suspect it will be. The amount of squid at White Elephant, amounted to maybe 2 spoons full, and lacked garlic or much flavor of, but lots of salt.

The spicy pork soup, is a stretch, broth would be a better description, wee bit of pork, ever less of anything else, enough said. When wife told me what it was and told me it is the same as a regular she orders at home, well, I just shook my head when I understood what it was suppose to be.

All I can say is a sad experience. Just shy of 300 baht wasted.

Apologies for pic quality, cell phone and lighting.

you may want to consider the airport hotel, on the ring road, and would probably be easiest and fastest way to chiang pai, or napalai hotel, bit more expensive. no need to drive thru traffic to get to ring road. if spending half your time in udon, consider downtown, which really isn't far. less 30 minutes to chiang phim and very convenient, as can walk to anywhere, parking is a problem in town. you will have to eat. many options.

stay one or two, then look around a bit. don't pay too far in advance, as refunds if you change your mind, just don't work.

Well, not quite sure why you would stay at bb resort or Englishman’s resort, since chiang phin is actually further from both of them than downtown, where you would have many more options for activities and food. Center of town is about 2 kms closer than both resorts 13/15 give or take.

oh yea, everything is cheaper, except the airfare or drive up here, the hotels. the view of the beach is great from any hotel. downtown is a major traffic nightmare anywhere's near rush hour, as construction will start in shopping mall area, and the new stuff being built, with the standard of no additional parking for customer.

but food is cheaper, but much less variety, ok, that's worth the trip alone. if enjoying P4P, well, let's just say, most are beyond their expiration date, and if you don't mind paying 1000 st or maybe 2000 long, then bargains abound. good reason udon thani is not on any tourist list of places to be, unless passing thru to laos, or wanting to get away from tourist places and heavy nightlife/sex tourism. it is everywhere in the country, so if that is your preference, better to be where it is competitively prices.