RayBan

Hi again YandC,

Now that you clarified your position a little more I would highly recommend you look at Khao Yai. My son goes to an international school there (St. Stephens International School Khao Yai) and was boarding for 3 or 4 years. I then decided to build an holiday home there and live there during school terms, as he is now just a day student. It is an excellent school and in beautiful surroundings.

Again, if you would like further info, pm me. I am actually the school's PTA current chairman, so if you need any info on the school, I can help.

By the way, I worked in Dubai for 29 years, retired December 2012, so we may have bumped into each other along the way!!!!

Best of luck

Hi Yandc,

I now live in Buriram, but for several years lived not far from Regents School. There is a very large lake (reservoir) called Maprachan and there are many villages and individual villas around this lake.

Depending on exactly where you choose, you would be no more than 15 minutes away from Regents. it is a nice area, about 20 minutes outside of Pattaya main city and it is referred to as "The Dark Side." It is away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Pattaya and now has most amenities out there, so no need to go into town for normal everyday stuff.

Pm me if you would like more info

When you say moving to Korat, do you mean city or province????

I live in Pak Chong, Korat Province and my son goes to St. Stephen's International school there.

I am the chairman of the PTA there and if I can help in any way, well pm me.

From The Mall in the centre of Korat city, it is a 1 hr drive to St. Stephen's. We are actually looking at laying on transport to/from Korat City if we can get enough students. There will be a big push by us in the next academic year, with planned school introductions taking place in the Mall.

Hope this helps.

As an update, my wife managed to speak to Ron's wife Cha this morning and Ron is currently still in the Pattaya hospital morgue.

Cha is on her way to the American Embassy in Bangkok to deal with the necessary paperwork prior to Ron's remains being released.

It could take a couple of more days yet, will keep this post informed when they arrive home.

Ray

As an update for interested parties:-

Cha arrived home late Monday night with Ron, funeral is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday 30th.

I am intending to visit mid morning.

Ray

As an update, my wife managed to speak to Ron's wife Cha this morning and Ron is currently still in the Pattaya hospital morgue.

Cha is on her way to the American Embassy in Bangkok to deal with the necessary paperwork prior to Ron's remains being released.

It could take a couple of more days yet, will keep this post informed when they arrive home.

Ray

Ron was a real gentleman and a good friend for many a year.

He had a heart of gold, past tales to behold and many stories still untold.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Andy, if you get to know the funeral arrangements, please forward the details.

R.I.P. Ron and my condolences to his wife Cha and all of the family.

Ray and Sanan.

Hi DreamRider,

As Sezzo mentioned, try Isaan Lawyers (advert link at top of page). I have done business several times with this company and they are good. Sebastian Brousseau is a French Canadian and therefore you can discuss any business matters with him in English.

Hope this helps.............RayBan

Hi JohanBKK,

I fly PBAir regularly between BKK and Buriram, in fact I am flying to Buriram again 25/09.

I usually buy my ticket on line at www.pbair.com, although there is a PBAir ticketing office in the Domestic side of the Suvarnabumi departure terminal. This however is usually only open office hours.

There are currently only 3 flights per week....Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It leaves Suvarnabumi at 1100hrs and takes about an hour To Buriram. After offloading & reloading it turns around back to Bangkok.

The adult fare is currently 2615 baht inclusive. They are quite strict on weight and anything over say 22 kilo, well you will get charged...........although it is not expensive, estimate about 60 baht per kilo.

Although Buriram is a tidy little airport, it is really in the middle of nowhere (Satuk), about 20 to 30 minutes drive to Buriram town itself. There is no taxi rank and no taxi's are usually there unless pre-booked. There is a phone on the wall in the arrival terminal to phone a taxi, but I have never seen anyone use it. What I am trying to say is you need to have someone arrange to pick you up.

Airline itself has always been efficient in flight and in the 3 years that I have been using it, only had one cancellation.

Hope this helps...................RayBan

Hi everybody, I am new here... well not exactly since I have been lurking for quite sometime...

I'm planning a trip to Thailand soon in Apr - 8 Apr to 20 Apr which in between will be the Songkran period which is cool other than the fact that it will be hard for me to get bus tickets as I can only buy the tickets when I am there.

So my intended itinerary will be BKK(8th) - ChiangMai(9th) - Uthai Thani - BKK - Home

Hi Falerina,

I live in Buriram (North East) and travel to Bangkok and Buriram regularly via Morchit (Mochit) bus station. Although a busy place Morchit booking hall is made up of about 130 different booths (cubicles) for the various routes, but there are plenty on hand to point the way.

However, as you mention yourself above, the dreaded word Sonkran (when it comes to travel during this period). Sonkran this year will take place 12th to 14th April, which is Monday to Wednesday. That means when you include the weekend of 10th and 11th, well a very nice 5 day holiday.............in which everyone not living in Bangkok will be heading home for the holiday.

Trust me when I say Morchit bus station will be chaos around the time you plan to arrive (8th / 9th).

I would strongly recommend that you fly up to Chang Mai, you can book a flight on line right now, get away from the road traffic and chaos. Book one way if necessary and then worry about booking a bus back to Uthan Thani when you are in Chang Mai. It may cost you alittle more to fly, but believe me, it will save you a lot of heart-ache in my opinion at this time of the year.

Hope this helps...............RayBan

The genuine belief of most Thai buddhist people:-

Tam dee - Dai dee

Tam chua - Dai chua

You do good, you will have good.

You do bad, you will have bad.

A motto I stick to in the village and it usually works.......................take care RayBan

I am a Frequent Flier with Etihad and their service has always been excellent in regards to the subject of limo service.

As mentioned on another thread, but worth highlighting again here for the unaware .............. Etihad also operate a Fast Track service for Pearl & Diamond Class passengers here in Bangkok. Checking in at BKK, one is given the fast track card at the check in counter and coming in from AUH (Abu Dhabi), you receive your card either on the aircraft or as you disembark in BKK itself.

This is a major plus, as one by-passes all the crowds at immigration.

Just for our Etihad friends who have taken the time to comment on this thread ......... my office has been located in Dubai since 1986 and for the past 15 years I was a staunch supporter of EK (Emirates), I usually fly once or twice a month between BKK and UAE. EK were once excellent, but Etihad surpasses them now in most areas, especially in passenger care, which is the all important primary item to a Frequent Flier.

Keep up the good work .......... RayBan

Hi guys,

If you are interested in having the Bangkok Post delivered to you every morning when yolu wake up, for 5 baht day, well try the new electronic version.

Just under a month ago they commenced this facility. I was initially apprehensive about it when I was first informed. However I have been receiving it now for the past 2 weeks and it is brill.

One can try a 3 day free trial and then decide on whether you wish to subscribe. One has the choice of 1 week, one month, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year. A full year subscription is $49 US, which works out at 5 baht per day!!!!!!!!

The tools are excellent and easy to manage, you get the full paper as though you have purchased the hard copy and it is delivered to your e.mail address for when you wake up each morning. It has been professionally constructed and is very well presented. There is even a conversion so that one can read it on a Blackberry phone for instance.

I am currently in Dubai and read my BP every morning over breakfast, the broadsheet across the table has been replaced by my laptop ............... give it a try, the way to go if you have good internet access or a GPRS mobile with EDGE or the likes.

Visit Bangkok Post , click on "Electronic Newspaper" advertisement on the homepage and follow the simple instructions.

Hope this helps.............RayBan

I JUST WISH I KNEW WHAT RADIO STATION THEY WERE TUNED INTO !!

ALL IN ALL A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE !!

IRISH 1 !!!

Hi Irish 1

I believe it is BBC Radio 1 via the internet ............. cheers ........ RayBan

Hi Westerner,

I am in a very similar position as Pseacraft reply, flying Etihad Bkk-AUh-Bkk return each month and can confirm that to date it is exactly as Pseacraft commented.

I have not heard about SKY lounge either and when I last came through (14th Jan) I was directed to Royal Orchid lounge (either one) at E aisle.

And yes, again similar to Pseacraft experience, I was given a fast track card to by-pass all the queues at PP control and was through in 2 minutes. I believe this fast track is also available for arrivals into Bangkok so the Passport controller informed me.

Hope this helps....................... RayBan

Hi everyone ......... just had to add my penny's worth to this thread.

Gary has recently started to try and set up a farang service in the middle of practically nowhere. I was intro'd to him by my pal Ludo from TimeOut and I have eaten there and also filled my 2 freezers twice from him.

I lived in Pattaya and Jomtien for 5 years before moving down here and I can therefore say with considerable experience that Gary's supplies of various farang goodies, especially his home made stuff, is exceptional.

He is still trying to get his business up and running and continually trying to improve, which he really is putting effort into. However his overheads I am sure cannot be presently covered by local profit, as many of the local farangs don't know about his place, he therefore has to keep his costs down by trying to do things through just him and his wife.

I am not a friend of Gary, just a customer, but one who lives in the sticks and is grateful for someone like him to come along and try and add a little support to us local Isaan farangs. Give the guy a Godamm chance and once again as I posted in a similar thread on Buriram restaurants, don't be negative and dreary. If you have a problem, speak with Gary, I am positive he is open to suggestions.

DO NOT post negativity on someone who is currently just trying to set up a decent service, give the guy some support and then he may be able to employ extra staff to speed up your grub. Have a couple of beers while you wait in the meantime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy New Year guys

As Usual, my cuzzin-in-law and the staff at FC provided me and my wife with a most excellent Xmas Day traditional dinner, which was once again excellent.

There were 15 of us in our party, all on the one table and everyone was served at the same time and the food was piping hot ........... don't know how you do it cuzz, but everyone on our table was most certainly pleased and contented with your Xmas fayre ............. well done cuzz.

Save me answering your Happy New Year thread too, I would like to take thie opportunity here to wish you and all the FC staff a brill 2009.

All the best RayBan

The best restaurants in Buriram are Thai-period! Why, I often wonder do farang find it of vital importance to congregate in places that are farang owned & frequented only by other farang?

The Shamrock in Prakhon Chai is a pleasent place, the german owner, likewise, however, after trying his fish & chips I was bitterly dissapointed! Hardly a snack, never mind a meal! such a small portion.

Dear Fruity,

You must have been on a different planet in regards to your reference to Shamrock fish n' chips, that is my regular order there and it is by no means menial. That is of course ulness you are so used to eating in Thai restaurants that several of you enjoyed the same dish together.

As for farangs congregating together, well many of us who have chosen to live here in Thailand most certainly enjoy the Thai life and Thai food, some of my best friends are Thai. However it is sometimes nice to also enjoy farang company over a cold beer and pleasant European food.

One also gets to know the local Farang community, because one day you will need a farang friend to help you out for sure. To have a farang establishment on one's doorstep in the middle of Buriram countryside is a luxury that many farangs do not have. Those who have such an opportunity should try and fully support the efforts of that establishment and not be so tiresome and dreary with negative comments. ........... take care and happy christmas RayBan

Hi everyone,

I have been reading this thread for a while now and I don't know, maybe I am out of order, but everyone seems to be concentrating on Buriram town.

Now I know Buriram province is large, but we are still only talking about maybe an hour drive out of town to several Expat venues that maybe worth a visit to some of you more daring venturers!!!

No. 1 on my list has to be Ludo's place, TimeOut restaurant and Fishing Park. If there is one individual who has given all to try and provide a service for Expat's, well it has to be him. I know some of you have visited, for others................give it a try. Weekends are the best time to visit, that is when most of us in the locality turn up, 3pm through to 8pm is a good time. Ludo has an excellent Farang menu now, a huge fishing lake and it is a family day out, bring the children.

The Shamrock in Prakhon Chai ........ Alfred puts a lot of effort in trying to establish his place ............. but Farang support is needed. A good time to visit is on Friday evenings, 4pm until late. It is market evening in Prakhon Chai, most local farangs drop their partners and kids off at the market and indulge in a few beverages in Shamrock. The menu is limited, but normally pork medallions, "T" bone steak and fish and chips are on the menu...........as well as good company.

Travelling to Prakhon Chai or Ludo's is equidistant from Buriram town as visiting Prasat (Surin). However in Prasat you have James's place advertised above (Leelawadee), Gary's restaurant and Farang shop (Stafford's) and the Harley Bar.

So come on guys, be a bit more adventurous and leave the city limits .............. take care everyone ..... RayBan

In reply to this thread, I am British and reside in Thailand full time on a retirement visa. I hold KTB baht saving accounts in both Pattaya Tai branch and in Prakhon Chai (Buriram) since 2001 (7 years).

I have from the day of opening each account always received interest, the ground rules being that you must show that you reside here. A retirement visa in your passport and proof of Thai address is all that you need to obtain interest from KTB.

It is the proof of address which sometimes becomes tricky in this subject. However if you reside here and have a home/condo etc, you can apply at your local Amphur for and obtain a Farang Tambien Ban (or Yellow house registration book as it is commonly called, your Thai partner will have a blue one).

There are links on how to obtain this book within ThaiVisa, just do a search.

By the way, my Thai wife also has accounts in the same banks and there is no difference in the rate of interest between a Thai and a foreigner under these circumstances.

Hope this helps.....................RayBan

RayBan and wife will be there, already booked by my neighbour Aussie Bob & wife. I believe Ron Thompson and Cha also on our table.

If anything like our last FC Xmas dinner in 2007, absolutely brill............do I get 2 free drinks being a relative Cuzz!!!!!!!!!!!

Right,I think I've insulted most of you Have a nice day

You missed off Honest Scouser.

What's the crack Thad ............ you can always rely on a scouser to back ye up in a problem, just don't park yer car up outside with nice alloy wheels!!!!!!!!!!!

On a serious note in regards to this thread............... I just took my daughter to the airport over the weekend and spent a night in Bangkok. I respect the religion, the King and much of the Buddha way...............but in our hotel there were many tourist guests that were really miffed to find all nightlife shut down for 3 days and no alcohol available, even for hotel residents in the hotel bar, the exception being room service!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a way to improve attractions to the tourist trade in this current climate!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards

Dave

Not to self:- Did I meet Thaddeus last night or was that a dream

Sorry Dave, that was unfortunately an illusion...............we had a major fire in Prakhon Chai with many rice fields burning, unusual heavy rain in Buriram province for this time of the year caused terrible floods yesterday, an earthquake in Indonesia caused severe repercussions in the locality and the F'n exchange rate went through the floor Friday!!!!! ................. so yeah ................ sorry............he didn't make it ........... ............. I still luv ya Thad

By the way, Ludo is ever so fussy about his bar and keeps everything perfect.........see below before the party !!!!!!!!

The next day I visited to see how he was coping with the aftermath!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So you've caught me up at last cousin Ray, and there's me thinking you were miles ahead

By the way, apologies ahead for not making it, too short of staff.

Yo Cuzz,

I am shocked to find that you are younger than me, there's me buying you all those drinks cause I thought you were my elder family!!!!!!! That has to change now yeah cuzz!!

Sorry you couldn't make it to my "BIG 60" a brill night ............. 35 Farangs and at least 100 guests in total ............. Ludo & Yai did Brill.

There could also be a contender for the US Presedential Elections, see the pic below and observe the "T" Shirt slogans !!!!!!!!!!!! Here Ludo introduces me to my supporters:-

and my Paisan supporters present me with a magnum of Metaxa Brandy (hic!!!!!!!!).

Take care everyone...........

Hi Ray

Hope you're keeping well. 60, wow, who would have thunk it.

Where is the Timeout btw.

Yo Thad, long time no see, hope that will be remedied on 1st November!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ludo has a website with a map etc ........ TimeOut Fishing Park Website .....................however the last couple of days the link has been down. I have also therefore included my own personal map of where my home is and this also shows TimeOut location.

Hope this helps.................. RayBan

Edited re map update