phibunmike

I think around 4 or 5 in Ubon, and a couple just outside. There is a convent just outside too.

It is also a useful technique for a sudden dodge, for example if someone opens a car door in front of you. Quickly push one side then the other, and you are round the obstacle.

OP also asked about laundry...

Phadaeng will do laundry for you, also there is JJ laundry service - ask at Wrong Way, there is a sign up in there.

Cheers,

Mike

I also have the SS Delux from Doc. Excellent machine, and a work of art too.

I used it last Xmas to roast my Turkey and trimmings, and will do the same again this year.

You can't go wrong with one of these.

Cheers,

Mike

P.S. Mine is self-cleaning - or seems to be. I use it in the evening, the next morning it is already clean

...

Im from the uk and was looking at names like Lewis or samuel and i thought this is a nice name in the uk with niknames as Lewy or Sammy but she doesnt think so.

...

I can understand that your wife did not go for "Rewit"

Perhaps "Sam" would be ok?

Congratulations, I'm sure you will come up with something suitable

Cheers,

Mike

If you are interested in Ta Muan in particular, or Khmer sites in general, I suggest you have a look at this site:

http://www.sundial.thai-isan-lao.com/Ta_Muean_Thom.html

This gentleman has done a lot of research and put together a very interesting website about these things.

Not only is Ta Muan on the old road from Phimai to Angkor, but it is also in direct geographic alignment with other nearby prasats, including Preah Vihear.

Cheers,

Mike

There is some more information about Emrys Jones, alias Jack Reynolds, on Andrew Hicks' thaigirl blog.

Not sure if the link is allowed, it is http://www.thaigirl2004.blogspot.com/ mods can delete it if not allowed.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Mike

- because they spoil if you leave them out too long

(Actually, when ground up with chilli, they make a delicious and almost menthol-flavoured sauce. But I will deny I ever said that.)

Cheers,

Mike

Excuse me for being blunt 'Dave' but how can you steal someone's "password" if it wasn't left around for someone to steal ? The chance of guessing it is beyond belief. That is, unless the villan is known to the Admin ? I rest my case.

Just a thought....

There is a type of hack called 'S** I********'. If the site uses a database for usernames and passwords, and was written a while ago or by someone not familiar with this type of attack, it is pretty easy to break in with a user name but not knowing the password. I know, not because I am a hacker, but because I have created database driven web-sites.

You can google it (on second thoughts, I censored the name) or PM me if you want more details.

I hate this kind of vandalism, costs hours to put right....

Cheers,

Mike

I for one would be interested in good sausages and other charcuterie, and cheeses. I don't need sauces or biscuits and I can get Ceylon Tea, Earl Gray, etc. at the existing outlets.

There is quite a large, and increasing, expat population in Ubon. In addition to those seen at Wrong Way, N-joy, etc., there are the many more seen in Tesco and Ubon Watsadu.

You might try asking at Pepper's, or the bars mentioned, for further info. I think off the main road a single shop unit is about 5k. Others know better than I.

Good luck,

Mike

A National Park is owned by the Thai people. I know if I was a shareholder in a tourist attraction I would expect a discounted entry fee.

Would you consider a taxpayer a shareholder? For example, someone who pays 3 times more taxes than the average person in his Thai city? Those taxes subsidize those parks, mind you.

I agree that the implementation is not well thought through, and is applied inconsistantly. I have no problem with the underlying principal.

A National Park is owned by the Thai people. I know if I was a shareholder in a tourist attraction I would expect a discounted entry fee.

I once lived in a very windy place and was warned by locals to use the centre stand. Forgot once and came back to a blown over bike.

Sorry if this is a bit off topic, but how the **** do you get to the battery? I now have a flat battery and can't even see the thing, never mind check the water or re-charge it. Do I have to entirely dismantle the bike?

Cheers,

Mike

Hi Mike

As your sitting on it, take the right hand side cover off, move the rubberfitting holding the electrics and its there low down & infront of fuid reservior . I think you have to take both side covers off in order to undo both battery terminals.

If you are replacing it, do yourself a favour and get a good quality battery. Its worth it.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks very much for that. I will have a go this evening. I think I will have to remove the pipes too as the ones on mine pretty much cover that side.

Cheers,

Mike

Sorry if this is a bit off topic, but how the **** do you get to the battery? I now have a flat battery and can't even see the thing, never mind check the water or re-charge it. Do I have to entirely dismantle the bike?

Cheers,

Mike

I just got a bill for 174 units of electricity and I've only been here 2 weeks.

I've been using the fan on the air con (the actual cooler unit outside does not come on), a small desk fan, fluro lights, computer and shower heater only. So 174 x 7 = 1,218 baht for 2 weeks electricity.

Does this seem right in term of electricity usage?

Thinking back to my Bangkok apartment I used the same amount in a whole month and there I used to run a fridge aswell.

I have no aircon, but run 2 fridges, washing machine, fans, well pump, fountain, electric showers, computer, TVs, lights, quite a few garden lights, for about 2000 a month.

Perhaps you inherited un-billed usage from before you moved in.

Cheers,

Mike

I ate at Spagos last night, excellent menu, ambiance and service with only Thai customers. They carry a good range of Red wines aswell. I will return

Right; I'm new in town; where is this Peppers place?

Thanks

Peppers is on Uppalisan rd., almost across the road (though a little east) from the entrance to the air force base.

In case you are *very* new, let me add to Bergen's directions...

Head south down Chayangkun Road (the main road in Ubon; south is from Big C, past Tesco, towards Warin). At the traffic lights next to Toyota, turn left. Pepper's is a few hundred metres on the right.

Or:

Leave the airport (passnger terminal). Turn right at the traffic lights. Pepper's is a kilometre or so on the left.

Now, if you want directions to Suan Loong Daeng Farmstay, that's a little harder.....

Cheers,

Mike

What sort of prices are on the pastas at Spagos?

Any of these places have gnocchi?

I can't remember if gnocchi was on the menu at Spago's, but as Franco is Italian and a professional restrauteur, he might be willing to make it to order. He is very busy though and seems to work long hours, so possibly not.

The prices at Spagos all seemed reasonable - can't remember how much.

Buon appetito,

Mike

Around Ubon they generally appear on tables in front of small shops soon before any relevant occassion, such as NY, Awk Pansa, etc. Also extra little stalls are set up along the side of the road selling them.

Cheers,

Mike

We are also going for a few days when the kid finish school. I am looking for not-too-expensive accommodation. preferably a bungalow with two bedrooms, or something like that. Close to hikling trails would be ideal.

Also any advice on trails and guides, child-friendly, for wildlife spotting?

Thanks,

Mike

A good accommodation is the Palm Garden Lodge near Prachin Buri.

It's a familial and very friendly little lodge and they have skilful guides.

Look at their homepage palmgalo.com

Looks nice, just what we are looking for. Thanks for the information

Seems as the Thai PM is flying in to Ubon on Saturday. As I type there is a big red shirt protest meeting going on in my restaurant.

I hope you laced their food with laxative

Thanks for the replies all.

phibunmike if you go into the park after dusk and drive to the the restaurant/museum area they do "night safaris" on the backs of converted pickups fitted with spotlights. I did it a few years ago and hopefully they're still running and the price wasn't too bad (I think I negotiated it down to about 200 baht a head but don't quote me on that). It's nothing special but if you've got kids they'll love it out in the open air after dark. Guaranteed to spot herds of deer and possibly elephants but don't get your hopes up for any tigers seeing as there are quite a few of these pick ups darting about.

Thanks for the info, mca, we will give it a try....

Thanks Mike, for your description of the events. I am sorry, however, that your foolish "scientific" explanation for these events are rediculous. One day you will understand that no matter what proof you have or present, the locals have their explanation and that is it. They don't want to hear some crazy idea that gasses form and are released into the air. That is crazy thinking. LOL My wife and I can never seem to be home (Udon) at this time of year. Maybe next year, right. LOL

Oh, and Dave...great video! Go back to bed.

You are right. When I explained my theory, my wife pointed out that it can't be gas bubbles forming: the reason, the scientist divers did not see any gas bubbles when they examined the river bed. I hadn't the heart to ask how many Naga they had seen.

We are also going for a few days when the kid finish school. I am looking for not-too-expensive accommodation. preferably a bungalow with two bedrooms, or something like that. Close to hikling trails would be ideal.

Also any advice on trails and guides, child-friendly, for wildlife spotting?

Thanks,

Mike

Risotto's : Good pizza, pleasant cosy decor, wine selection.

Pepper's : Great place, great food, but haven't tried their pizza yet.

Spago's : Simple but clean decor, excellent pizza, great antipasto, delicious home-made bread. The hams, pates and sausages are divine. Closed mid-afternoon (14:30 - 17:00 I think).

P.S. Marco, I didn't notice the background music in Spago's, so perhaps they have adjusted the level Were you out on your bike in Kong Chiam Sunday? I think I saw you.

Cheers,

Mike