HungDonger

How old are the kids and how many are there ?  What time of the day do you want them taught ? What language do they speak now ? How much are you paying ?

The reason is quite obvious.  If there was no fee for 'following' golfers would have to take their wives to golf occasionally. This would interfere with their 'arrangements' with their caddies  !!  

I have a couple of joint accounts with Bangkok Bank. No marriage and no work permit. I also have an account in my name only with 2 signatories

My TGF tells me it will be a large building supplies warehouse with  additional small stalls selling food and various items at night.

You can change your current account to a duel account with your partner and retain it in your name only (for Visa purposes).She becomes a signatory so can access your account. Easy. I've done this. 

11 hours ago, DavidOxon said:

net = + 10% + 7%?

 

Net = the total cost to you . 10% + 7% have already been added

 

How much time would you guys allot for a Nong Bhai border to Udon Airport ride?

In the other direction I believe it is about 1 hour, right?

 

Does Udon ever get congested on that route, especially around 5 to 7pm?

I'd allow an extra 15-20 minutes. Busier around 5-6 p.m. and roadworks happening

OP- Before looking at other countries to relocate (at a considerable cost) I suggest you consider paying an Agent.

At 15,000 Baht per year this equates to about 41 Baht per day.

Not a huge cost I would have thought.

37 minutes ago, sanemax said:

Vientiane city doesnt  but Vientiane prefecture does ,Its about 20 kilometers outside the city and 4 kilometers from the Thai border and you can get a train from Nong Khai to there , doing both visas and entry/exit stamps at the train stations 

Great. Does the train from Laos go direct to Udon Thani or do you have to change trains ?

Is the Udon train station near the Airport ?

2 hours ago, sanemax said:

Take the train from UT to Vientiane , costs about 20 Baht

I'm pretty sure that Vientiane doesn't have a train station

Not if you get 3 more passengers

There are taxi's available on the Laos side of the Friendship Bridge immediately after you depart immigration. They will take you over the bridge,get you through immigration on the Thai side and drive you to Udon Thani airport. Usual price is 1000 Baht per vehicle.  It is more convenient to do from the Laos side and costs the same as when you arrange from Nong Khai

Any chance that Big Joke might crack down on Visa Agents providing the 'quick-fix' option ?

If in future Thai Immigration demanded that the only option was 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank what percentage of people do you think couldn't comply ?

"Macro don't have plastic bags".....You say that as if it's a bad thing  !!!

Comparing Vientiane to a large city in Thailand cigs and alcohol are cheaper and just about everything else is more expensive. Laos doesn't produce much locally so rely on importing from Thailand. Rents are higher also

"Interesting you focus on a minor thing" (the inability of the staff to speak fluent English).

 If you found it a 'minor thing' why did you write 150 words+ about it in your original post ?

Thanks for your suggestions Shoeless Joe.  I am particularly looking for a bar with large numbers of sad Englishmen crying into their beers. 

Thanks for your replies people but can anyone answer my question ?

Can anyone recommend the best place to watch the France v Croatia World Cup Final on Sunday ?