diyer

^^^^^,

too be honest I was thinking more of the OP having some sort of say over, where he stays, what type of food he chooses to eat, what he wishes to do during the day, how much or how little money he chooses to spend.

Going to Buriram on his own for the first time he will be nothing more than an innocent abroad.

I assume he doesnt speak read or write Thai, thus leaving him at the mercy of the girl who will have to be his eyes and ears, translating etc for him.

So many questions I could post on here for the Op to ask the girl, best he learns for himself.

Living here has made me cynical, not an excuse, just a fact.

Feel free to post questions for me...........an innocent abroad, like a lamb to the slaughter.

Is that the typical opinion shown to a newbie on this forum without any insight to his background.

Well I may never have been to Thailand before, but I was married to a Chinese woman before.

Different Country, similar cultures, similar customs, similar cuisine.

I have English friends in Roi Et.

I can probably barter better than most Thai's, or walk away.

I don't flaunt money about.

Buy me house, I love you long time..............Nope! To many mugs fell for that one.

Speak Thai......No, but never had a problem with communicating before, gestures, sign language, or a pen and paper.

I tend to think with the head on my shoulders, instead of the other head.

I'm only talking with a woman in Buriram, who happens to speak good English.

If you want to be cynical and disrespectful, first identify your problem, then learn how to spell it.

Constructive criticism or advice accepted and appreciated.

It's not just prevalent to Issan or Thailand.

Corruption is widespread across Asia.

Money talks.

So what, this is a Thai forum.

Silly me! I thought Thailand was in Asia

I fail to understand how it is possible for a spelling bee.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Ask the judges.

At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness. "Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?"

The witness stared out the window, as though he hadn't hear the question.

"Isn't it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?" the lawyer repeated loudly.

The witness still did not respond.

Finally, the judge leaned over and said, "Sir, please answer the question."

"Oh," the startled witness said, "I thought he was talking to you."

The Austrian scythes are reported to be the best.

They can be order from the UK.

Good site here: http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/

Like this one.

When you move, rent out a furnished condo for a year or five until you start to understand Thailand.

Or better still, find a woman who already owns a house.

Shocked but pleasantly surprised at the house rental prices.

Have I got my sums right?

5,000 baht a month, approx. £112

That's on the low end but certainly possible. I know a guy with a 2 bed, 1 bath paying 3,000b in Ubon. I also know a guy with a 4 bed, 3 bath house with a western kitchen indoors and a yard paying 24,000 baht.

Thanks,

I realise prices will vary depending on location, urban, rural etc and of course whether your prepared to live in native conditions or want western comforts.

From what I've read on other topics, I'd be better to let a Thai friend negotiate any prices as the farang only pays one price....too much!

^ Sorry mate, the joke was in the 'Buriram' part of the sentence.

It's a Khmer-Thai Isaan province, that means nothing to you, and good for that, but for Thais who judge everyone on their race and social standing, it's like declaring you're hooking up with..... well I won't go there because it:

a) I don't believe it their racist judgementalism.

b ) it would be deleted.

Go have fun man. In a few years of living here you'll understand. Hopefully won't give a but understand all the same.

Enjoy yourself man, all the best.

After almost a decade here the firts sentence made me laugh a little.

I'll be taking my first visit to Thailand this October and meeting a young lady from Buriram.

OP, if you get to meet any Thais in our home country, as they're working or studying overseas, make sure to tell them exactly that and ask them for any recommendations.

By young, I mean younger than me but well above student age.

By lady, I mean woman, as opposed to lady boy.

Dilligad,

Yep, I know the tourist is on holiday and spendthrift, whereas the expat will be more conservative with money.

But.....as I intend to retire next year and be living on a fixed monthly income for a while, then all costs in Thailand help me to assess the kind of lifestyle I can live there against that of the UK. I appreciate all your comments.

I may not have been to Thailand before but I've been to China many times.

Similar cultures, money is everything, including face.

The higher the official, the higher the bribe.

It's not just prevalent to Issan or Thailand.

Corruption is widespread across Asia.

Money talks.

Many thanks for the map Thai Chi

Thanks for all the advice. Until I actually visit and see how the land lye's, nothing is for certain.

I definitely want to retire to Thailand next year but have now idea where I'll live, other than in Issan.

Shocked but pleasantly surprised at the house rental prices.

Have I got my sums right?

5,000 baht a month, approx. £112.

If I could locate the bus station on a map it would be useful

Longer term, what's housing rental costs like?

Oh dear - where to begin. There is a forum for Buriram residents but I'm probably not allowed to mention it here. PM me and I'll advise.

Done - thanks Barry.

I'll be taking my first visit to Thailand this October and meeting a young lady from Buriram.

I'd appreciate any information on the local area, such as;

Hotels

Supermarkets

Must see

Places to avoid

Any useful tips are appreciated.

She lives near the bus station if that's any help.

Here:

You are entitled to NHS care if:

"get a UK state retirement pension or another state benefit and normally live in a non-EEA country. You must have lived lawfully in the UK for at least ten years continuously in the past, or worked for the UK government for at least ten years continuously. Your spouse, civil partner and dependent children are also entitled to free NHS hospital treatment if they fall ill. They must be living with you throughout your stay in the UK"

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/healthcare_e/healthcare_help_with_health_costs_e/nhs_charges_for_people_from_abroad.htm

Google: free NHS health care and UK pensioners (or similar)

You missed the (relevant) preamble which gives it a slightly different flavour ...

"Visitors who can sometimes receive NHS hospital treatment free of charge

You are entitled to free NHS hospital treatment if you are one of the following people and fall ill during your visit. You are not entitled to routine treatment for a pre-existing condition ..."

Screen Shot 2013-07-07 at 12.54.22.jpg

Agreed that a condition such as dialisys would likely not be covered. But this thread is to point out the rules are now in the process of being changed as long as a ten years NI contributions have been paid.

Spot on rajyindee,

Emergency only treatment has always been free for visitors to the UK and that will still remain in force.

What isn't free is the aftercare. For years we've had overseas foreigners arriving in the UK with pre existing medical conditions and getting free treatment.

Americans and Asians arriving knowingly pregnant and giving birth in the UK when they would have to pay in their own Country.

Well that's coming to an end.

Rubbish!

I've been on dating sites in the past and have never been asked for money.

True, there are scammers, good ones, usually with sob stories, but on the whole most are honest.

The only certain thing after birth, is death.

I don't worry about death, I only worry about how I die.

Thanks for the welcome Angiud.

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading Thai Visa Forum for quite a while.

I've visited different parts of Asia for many years, but never Thailand.

However that's about to change as I'm planning a trip to Buri Ram later this year.

I'm looking to retire early next year and considering migrating to Thailand, so I'll have a lot of questions to ask later.

Cheers guys,

Paul.

Incidentally, 9 British killed in Thailand since 2009.

Look at the record of the US for tourist deaths - that's worrying!

Sounds like the typical scams pulled by Nigerians who are increasingly using China and Thailand as operational bases.

Nice, but this is a very western shopping list. I would like to see it done again with a more Thai based market basket.

I deliberately didn't include Thai ingredients for the simple reason that things such as lemongrass or kaffir lime leaves are going to be ridiculously expensive in Europe. Other Thai supermarket ingredients such as pig uterus, congealed blood and duck beaks simply aren't available in the UK.

Compare thai products here compared to uk.then its fair.5 QUID FOR A MELON

Don't know where you shop. Melons are about £2 in the UK.

The UK is cracking down on the abuse of our NHS (National Health Service) by migrants, but in a U turn, Ex-pats, who currently face paying for care if they live permanently overseas, are set to be given guaranteed access to free NHS healthcare, but only once they have paid 10 years of national insurance contributions.

Who knows, they might do a U turn about automatically increasing UK pensions for expats next - but don't count on it.