banpaeng

don't worry, the religious right here in the US is whipping up sentiment for their cause also. Grab an umbrella,THEY SKY IS FALLING.

Hey Ray, Hows it going?

I had the wife call her sister in Ban Paeng (where else) to get more info. I am still not sure the right word is lent but it is the one they are using. They say it starts in Nong Khai area and ends in NKP during Loy Khathong. Thought I would tell a bit more about it.

In NKP district each major school district builds a monster float of bamboo to actually be floated down mae nam kong thru NKP. These things have thousands of candles. Did I mention it was done at night. The place is a total party town and lots of people with the schools trying to win this competions. My wifes sisters husband is the schools keeper and son a teacher so if I am in country I get in on the fun. Will not be there this year but hope to be there next year. maybe we can double team it then. but if you can find a hotel room this year I think you will find it a hoot. Heck walking the night market in NKP and just eating your way thru it is a trip in itself.

later

Ray, was the river level such that this was not to dangerous? Have to ask was this the beginning of lent for the Monks to be finished with the Loy Kathong? Not sure if Lent is the right word but somtning like that. Wife said look at Buddist calendar. I don't have one.

YOu need to be in NKP when they have the boat parade when this is happens. It is called Lua Fire. They make these big boats out of bamboo and light them with candles. Better get hotel resverations now if they can be had as I doubt it. It is a big deal and quite interesting.

later

Well Ray I have read this whole line of thought the good and the bad. Maybe Bubba ought to be talked to but to make my thought come out here is what I have come on. Here in the US when Junior and the boys get out to do damage they take their guns and think they have to do harm to show they are men. In Issan they have to do it with thier hands and wiskey. Hope they don't get to be like the punks here. Don't think you have to worry about drive by in Issan. Had a friend's son get killed by a punk just trying to show he was good enough to get into a gang. Had another friend kid cut up because she would not put out at a gang meeting. Fine upstanding fellas I am sure attending that meeting. I am sure all of these folks attend church every Sunday.

Guess I will take my chances in Issan. Know it is getting worse in Issan but has a way to go before it gets this bad.

Coming from South Texas I like the smoked sausage that they have here, and was wondering if they can be bought around the Udon Nong Khai area. I am not after hot dogs but good german type smoked sausage.

RAy the cement shortage is worldwide. Here in the states it is driving up construction cost a bunch. Wish I owned stock in Siam Cement.

Ray,

Sound like you might be a little more like myself a little long in the tooth so here goes. As stated before this is anoter suggestion. Did not meat to offend chownah but seemed to. anyway.

Sometime within the last two years someone from Korat cam to Houston and loaded some beefmaster angus cross cows to take back for some breeding program. I personall think anything with the beefmaster cross would do fine as they thrive in South Texas like very hot/Acidic sandy land/scrub brush. I heard this on the news here and DO NOT have any more information on this and only hope Korat is correct. Am pretty positive an the breed selection

Too bad I could not find about 100 acres I could afford and start a bull riding operation over there. More money in that now than in raising beef. The Professional Bull Riders here in the states is big money now and with the Thais build and their since of adventure it is a natural. but then the age thing thing kicks in and like you Ray I ain't going to do that either. No money either. Will just watch it on television and enjoy life.

Feelots sound like the way to go. My last suggestion on this note is make sure you save your fertilizer for your garden. it will work good.

Chownah,

Sorry if you are misled. I told you it is only a suggestion and needed a lot of investigation and lots of money and lots of guts. Do with this inof as you please and as far as I am concerned discard it. It makes me little but if all adventure started and ended with only supplied information with no investigation we would get nowhere. By the way King came to Texas to find a small farm and endeed up with a ranch. He did not come here to own most of south Texas.

goodbye

Chownah,

I wish I could tell you more. Got most of my info from the folks that run the bakery in Vientiene. They are Canadian. Also had my Wife do a bit of snooping. as she is Thai. It will not be an easy thing and you have to be able to build something there to live in and live in it to homestead it. As you know you will have lots of legal paperwork and lot of grease money but that is what drove the King Ranch. In the end I think if someone has the backbone and teh knowledge of cattle and the wherewithall to fool with the Govt.(King messed with the spanish and the Mixicans and Texans) you could stike it good. Up around the plane of Jars looked like some good pasture land.

AS stated this is only a suggestion as I did not followup and only a thought. It just came to mind as you started looking for cheap land for cattle.

I am just going to add a bit here. Ever hear of the King Ranch in Texas. If not it is one of the premier ranches or the world. They developed the Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle there but that is not the point. It seems land is the point for you guys and this is something that I have told tomy wife. I will not do this this but someone will and that is have enough pioneer spirit to do as the founderers of the King Ranch did. They went and got some scrub land (a whold bunch of it) used cheap Mexican labor and developed an empire.

Now that I have rambled Go to Loas where you can homestead land and open your ranch with you cattle that are already bread for you by the folks in Sakon Korn. The labor in Loas is cheap and you will be on your way. Even as a foreigner you can lease land for 100 years renewable. Thought about it but back injuries just can't do it physically. Have been around the cattle industry most of my life. Family raised Beefmasters. LOts of work. Lots of work. Please don't go into this just thinking that if i turn this animal out to eat and shit and grow, I will make money cause it won't work. Working cattle is a whole lot of work but is very enjoyable work and can be very satisfying.

Thought I would add two cents worth and it is really on a penys worth.

thanks and later.

Stayed there a few years back and had a quite enjoyable time. went up into the mountians early in the morning and watched the pack trains coming out of Myanmar. The gardens are beautiful and this place is overall peaceful. If it were not so far out I would live there forever. I know that opens me up to criticism but you have to do what a person has to do.

I would really like to say thank you for your replys. All are helpful and now as stated above I need to find outr which suits me.

Again THANKS>

John, you are right. If I stay in the good ole USA I am headed for broke. Between Taxes and more taxes my retirement won't last long. I am tired of all the crime and no service in shops.

I am a bit more close to going than you but will be leaving as soon as I sell my house. Have it on the market and look forward to quitting my dead end job.

Skycop

What part of the South. Not sure I follow your reply except I mispelled Carolina.

Thanks as that is good input. I now need to go look in CR. If any of you floks would entertain a couple of notes to get a few details let me know.

Thanks.

As we are still talking about grits I am not sure what is meant. I have found out that they are available in Thailand so I am through. The rest was educational about how to cook them.

Thanks.

Thanks for your input.

Seems like I need to go to the Northeast to evade pollution.

Thank you for you guys input. a South Texan has learned a bit. Never to old to learn.

Again Thanks.

Thanks Roi Et

Not only has this been interesting but now educational. Speak more of your African food using Grits.

Can you eloborate on sadza and boerwors.

Thanks.

have this to say. I have eaten grits all of my life and then found out it is a great food of South Catolina in a dish called Shrimp and Grits. I thought that sounded terrible and finally my son got me to try it and D#mn if it isn' t real good. Look up the recipe on line as it is very good and you will like grits then.

Still like eggs, bacon and grits with a hot biscuit and honey.

for all you the positive replys I thank you. For you Brits, thanks for the laughs and keep on with the smiles and one day you will know real GRITS.

I guess it is just a Southern thing. One of these days the world will catch up. Yea I know about collard greens and can you believe it but they now have okra in Thailand now. Who know maybe some one will answer in the positive about this.

Thanks for your reply.

If you don't know what a grit is you haven't lived. It is corn and not the drinking kind. Maybe some one will know and be able to help.

As I am in the process of moving to Thailand, I am wondering if I will be able to find grits. This is not a joke but really want to know if I can by them or do I need to bring my own supply.

Thanks.