Teak

I have been riding motorcycles here since '89, primarily back and forth from the Chieng Dao area. I believe that the Thai drivers are far better now than they used to be. There was a time when we all were forced to accept 'might is right' or get run down. Remember the honking and flashing lights signifying to get off your side of the road, because a Benz, or bus or simply a vehicle larger than a motorcycle was in an oncoming passing frame of mind? There is far less of that now. At U turns  a car will actually wait for the one motorcycle to pass by before turning. I suppose in one way it IS more dangerous now, as we used to never trust ANY vehicle to not have us literally in their headlights. Now, there is a mix of good and bad drivers. I would guess the Thais are 75 percent better drivers then they used to be, However, they do drive faster and there sure is a lot more cars. It seems one has to get past Mae Malai (Mae Taeng) area before the traffic thins out and a rider can relax a bit.

As to the water throwing at motorcycles, this is not new. In the early 90's I had a 5 year old boy sitting on the tank in front of me with the Mom behind. While approaching Mae Rim at 40 kph we had a bucket of ice water thrown at us head on. The 5 year old got hit directly in the chest and face. He was in shock for about 3 hours.

The water throwers were two young teenage boys....not malicious, I expect. Just as most young boys do....they get an idea and the thinking process stops at that point.

I don't know....sitting with some fellow barflies late one night, bored, and in comes three young rats who start wrestling and playing with each other a few meters from our feet.  If we spoke or laughed aloud they would pause for 5 seconds, look up and than resume play wrestling. When this becomes normal it is time to move on...or stop drinking ;-(

Chiengmai....my living in town was relatively short term for a year or two,  mostly in Chieng Dao for more  than  25 years intermittent years . There was a  time in CM when we would sit and 'watch' traffic go by in Chiengmai and if a white woman walked by,  we would wonder if she was a missionary.  Chiengmai traffic to Mae Rim was a car race even back then, now the race course extends to MaeTaeng. It certainly is not getting better. I am now worried to survive a ride from Chieng Dao to Chiengmai. You folks seem to be worried about smoke and ignore car traffic/ pollution and tobacco and death on the highways. Chiengmai is not a pleasant place to retire in , or be 25 years old in.....except for  few weeks.  ;-).  There are many small Thai cities where people are most pleasant , especially if you learn a dozen Thai phrases to start with. Sure there is agribusiness  burning fields..............but, also just folks who need to replant and harvest the mountain's natural bounty. 'Old world' Thailand does still exist....you just need  to be smart enough to appreciate it when you find it.  It is there and it needn't change.

                                                                ...Ken ( formally a Teak Wallah)

I found, after repeated stops, I simply keep my IDP in my shirt pocket and helmet on. When I see the road stop and the first cop, I go slow, hold up my IDP,  smile a bit and usually get waved through without having to stop. Even got a smile back and a joking salute from a cop once.

On 2017-01-05 at 4:50 AM, JimmyJ said:

 

Yes, the 1st murder is mentioned in the Wiki article:

 

" On 5 January 2008, Pai made national and international news when an off-duty police officer, Sgt-Major Uthai Dechawiwat, fatally shot Canadian tourist Leo John Del Pinto, and shot and wounded a second Canadian tourist Carly Reisig, fleeing the scene immediately after the event.^[13][14] Nearly all involved believe that both the policeman and victims were drunk at the time... "

 

It appears they let him walk after murdering the tourist. Then he goes on to kill his pregnant bride 2 years later and they finally put him away. (I think, hard to tell from that murderpedia link - if he was put away after the 1st murder, couldn't have then murdered pregnant bride 2 years later).

That girl Carly is still going through the courts (2017) after being shot by the cop. I understand it may be finally settled this March. Collecting may take another 8 years.

38 minutes ago, Teak said:

 

I first came to Chiengmai in '86. Always was told that (in 1986) that Koh Samui was 'done'. No reason to ever go there. I went with the Thai family  (then) in 1999 and had a great time. It is all relative, of course,. Even now, as I am about to return, again ....it is simply change. The old Chiengmai is just a few kilometers away. That roadside 'coitio' lady is just as pleasant as was her granddaughter.  The old Thailand is only a few blocks away from the tourist zone....Ken

Except for the effect of the Christian ministries I have always found the Karen most genial. I do have little appreciation for christians,  but they did teach the Karen to sing well (to our ear) . I have slept in a dozen karen households on the floor mats with a 6 to 12 family members, curled together for warmth. Unfortunately the White guy gets to cuddle against grandma and grand pa......well, in winter.....even they are warm enough to cuddle up against    ;-)    Beggars can't be choosers. ;-)

I have had several relatives in jail for harvesting 'wild'  bamboo. Provable  proof of ownership of land,  species of bamboo is very important. I personally appreciate 'mai bpai', the solid core bamboo with the thorns for tool handles. Big hollow bamboo is desired to split for housing walls. Best to know what you have, prior to knowing where to sell it.  In my opinion 2 inches thick makes a good container for sticky rice, coconut milk and sugar to roast on the fire. No value.  Let it grow. This is like selling teak that is less than one 'sok' in diameter.    (elbow joint to tip of longest finger) .

                             ......Ken   (Island Teak)

On 2016-11-04 at 5:17 PM, taichiplanet said:

what is the sound of a 200 year old being chopped down if no one hears it?

On 2016-11-04 at 5:17 PM, taichiplanet said:

what is the sound of a 200 year old being chopped down if no one hears it?

On 2016-11-04 at 5:17 PM, taichiplanet said:

what is the sound of a 200 year old being chopped down if no one hears it?

On 2016-11-04 at 5:17 PM, taichiplanet said:

 

Please excuse the repeated quotes...my mistake.

I have dropped 'many 'big sticks' on several continents. The sound they make is actually quite terrifying as we never know what will happen in the next 5 seconds. . A good fall is a good fall, but, if you are selectively harvesting , which most 'high graders' /selective loggers are; it is highly dangerous. The tree may fall and become wedged between two close trees and then bounce back with tons of weight passing wind upon your face; if you are lucky. Dropping a big stick where you want them to go while it leans otherwise  ...you have to assess the lean and  undercut it so it will pivot on it's axis and against it's natural fall to land where you want it to go. Limbs can break and fall directly upon the faller. The faller may not know how to read his tree or file his saw, which will influence his demise.They do die quicker. Tough and dangerous occupation, but never one to be disrespected.

I have killed enough trees in my time, for my lifetime....aye, but the sound of an awkward, big stick crashing down within 2 feet of your selected spot for it. Damn...not socially correct anymore....but, a worthy skill.

Should we stop logging old growth .....of course.      ....Ken

In the olden days, I would go to the Dental College for tooth work in Chiengmai. Albeit disconcerting to have a bevy of children looking into my mouth, the instructor, highly skilled, and doing the work was teaching the students on how to work on a Fallang  (note the capital F) dentistry requirements that were often of  non Thai traditional dental requirements......primarily, more room to put in Thai fingers .;-)  I have had great work there in the past, and extremely inexpensive. Is this still available ?  I expect it is ....just not readily known. Opinions ? ...Ken

I am looking to rent a secure, covered area of approximately 600 to 900 square feet of basic floor space with access to electricity for two months to build a couple of wooden projects. Projects to be moved upon immediate completion. No outside labour. An unused section of a warehouse would be good. Dec/Jan. PM me if you would like to discuss further.     ....Ken           

Johpa...when a mid/lower, level bureaucrat enters the village and intentionally proffers a mid/lower level Wai to the White Guy; to display their status to the local Thais. This becomes interesting regarding how we respond. In my mind there is a 6 inch  acceptable reply variable, above or below . I tend to exactly match the height offered and not an inch higher or lower. It is noticed by the Thais around.

Of course, if I intend to ingratiate myself I offer 6 inches higher and 'potentially' either embarrass the individual for their low wai and show my most respect to the rural potentate ...or,  if  I am not pleased with the bureaucrat I drop the wai 12 inches to show my disrespect...and make a potential enemy.   Between acknowledged friends and neighbours, of course, the position is irrelevant, just get on with it and pass the 'lao cao'  , ...Ken

On 2016-05-25 at 8:17 AM, Johpa said:

Oh please, in casual situations there is no right or wrong way to wai. Sure when greeting a higher ranking monk, or greeting a respected elderly person at a wedding or funeral, or attempting to curry favor and kiss the derriere of some corrupt local official you might be more focused upon where you place your hands. But when you are joining your neighbors for food or drink, and this is for the minority of us here on TV who interact with our Thai neighbors on a daily basis and do not consider a housing estate to be a muubaan, few Thais pay much attention to the details of how you, as a non-Thai, wai.

On 2016-05-25 at 9:59 AM, HampiK said:

 

This is old Thai money, Still worth little,...Ken

This is a funeral which we respect . As we respect. our Western heritage, we wearing black in respect.  We are less different then we seem.  Tradition is to wear black clothing out' respect is common.....Ken

You could put in at Ban Ping Koung ...road north from CM at the junction to the road East to Phroe.  Right angle bridge over the Mae Ping. Ask locals to build you a bamboo raft. Yes , you need to learn a few simple phrases in Thai and know the value of a bamboo raft , It is not much. A nice float.

Obviously you know nothing about the Thai system of offering an ' incentive'. Especially, if not Thai, you must know your position.

You offer 'up'. Never condescend ;  if you wish to be successful in your intent.  Throwing money on the table shows the fool and makes you most vulnerable.

Thais generally think of Westerners as 'children with money', You just supported their understanding of us.

...Ken

23 hours ago, chicowoodduck said:

Never fear....have Plan B sitting firmly in my back pocket....??

A few of you understood my point. Anyone intelligent has this sense of residential vulnerability as politics change in Thailand. From my experience since 1986 I have known Westerners forced out for a variety of reasons, usually due to having a coveted successful business. Times are different now. We used to all wear gold at one time to trade for infractions, real or imposed.  The Thai system had a constant set of rules. A Thai system, of course, but once understood, reasonably equitable, regardless of your ethnicity. This is now not the situation. In my opinion, only the most foolish would retire to age and become vulnerable in Thailand.

My youngest daughter has Thai citizenship and 21 years of age. I still have free use of the land and house I built in rural Thailand , but I do not trust my legal right to remain and age in the country at the whim of the next 'government' ruling.  I have learned to trust and respect my ex relatives, several pu yai ban and the villagers, in general, since 1986, but, people are afraid now                 ....Ken

So..it seems that the expat community lives in a 90 day fear of expulsion from the Kingdom ?

If approved every 90 days, you get another 90 days, regardless of your visa tenure, despite having a wife and children and or business and/or having being there for decades ?

Your life may turn upside down every 90 days. Children, spouse to abandon upon notice without access  to a foreign visas. Ownership of an apartment to sell.

Politics are simply a passing gas, subject to a change of wind. Thankfully, in Thailand, change is a constant. .....Ken

Awhile back there were a few fellows intending to build small boats for themselves.

I am looking for a temporary wood working location for a few months in CM., will share space, rent etc.

...Ken.

Learn how  to say in Thai.."No, get on the back of my motor bike and we go together to the police station.  NOW."

 In most situations we are guilty of some Thai law infraction.  Agree to pay at the police station.....you may have just saved money.

In the 'old days 'Khon Fallang  had a 'pass''  .  Now we have these white skinned male  'pussies' who have become disrespected by Thai men .

Police or other men only respect you, if you act like a man. Not ignorant....be firm with an upward wai , but be irrefutably firm.

The old fellows have survived this way....';-)

The odd things is you also earn respect in your district......for next time.     ....Ken

On 2016-09-19 at 8:29 PM, khwaibah said:

 

That 3 year visa is not official yet and very likely will not be.

I understand the 3 year visa has been granted to the Japanese and the G7 members may be next. Who knows? The 'powers that be' are changeable at best in both countries.  However, Cambodia already offers the 1 year visa, pay a little and then go away, run your own business and don't come back until next year.  I am 64, with a house and property to live on in Thailand. My 21 year old daughter can own new property for me. My Thai language ability is poor, but functional. I have invested a 25 year involvement in understanding Thai ways of conduct. However, it seems by following these threads that a retirement visa allows only for a 90 day 'for sure'. visa. Don't misunderstand me, I would rather retire to Thailand with some assurance that I could remain with a sense of security. Cambodia is certainly not my favourite place, however if the 3 year visa to Cambodia does work out and expats do move in volume....maybe the 'next' Thailand controllers may see the profit in matching the Cambodian scheme.    ....Ken

Cambodia is not that pleasant, and with a Thai wife it would difficult to bring her there, but, Cambodia has now offered a 3 year visa to many of us to live there, to run our own business's there......and to be careful there. 

Thailand appears to be becoming a place for even retirees to visit, not stay...Ken