phibunmike

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

I went last year, not to Nong Khai but in Ubon Ratchathani province, just north of Kong Chiam. We sat on the river bank for about 2 hours, and during that time I saw 3 fireballs; there were 4, but I missed the first one.

The balls were small (difficult to estimate size, but let's say grapefruit), white and rose from mid-stream. They were completely silent. I did not see them actually emerge from the water (you would have to be staring right at the spot to see that), but they ascend more or less vertically for several metres and then disappear.

I can definetly eliminate divers or other tricks. The Mekong was running very fast, they emerged from different locations, and there were long intervals between.

I suspect Kon Khaen's university theory is correct - i.e. bubbles of gas from fermenting weed on the river bed being released at full moon (same gravitational effect that causes tides) and spontaneously igniting on contact with air. There is still much un-explained, though.

However, I am in a minority, and my simple-mindedness is looked on with kindly pity by the locals. They all know the cause. It is the Naga, the Phaya Nak, spitting out his fireballs as an annual act of gratitude in rememberance of the Buddha's visit to his watery home.

Cheers,

Mike

Fire crackers were something to do with Buddist Lent and some boat races on the river. More next weekend I believe.

Phadaeng should be 5,000 baht but must have gone up.

Pan house is indeed nice (stayed there for 2 months) but if you are just after something basic then of course there are plenty of other places. Aree mansions washing machines havent been working for ages. Pretty basic place.

Another option is a new building where I think (if my memory serves me correct) is 3,500 baht. It is located in the small street behind the 7 11 (part of a petrol station) which is on uppalisan road near the intersection to the airport.

Awk Pansa is the end of Buddhist Lent (rainy season retreat). We have had fireworks, boat races, and yesterday a special event, including procession, at the village temple.

I know someone who has been staying at Phadaeng on a monthly basis (5k) but now has to move out; apparently they are frequently full and are now discouraging monthly lets.

Cheers,

Mike

edit> "mansion" might be more successful than "apartment"

Yes the Sunee Hotel and complex is completed, its has shopping, 10 pin bowling and a waterpark Tawan Dang is on the ring road close to the Big C. But thats a long walk from the Sunee Grand. Also there are resturant bars behind the big C that play Issan music but I am not sure how family friendly. You might try around the lake as well, the have resturaunt that have house bands but most only serve Issan food.

One of the newer restaurants by the lake has a fish spa, where you sit with your feet in a tank of Piranhas - well, small fish - which nibble the dead skin of your feet in quite a pleasant way.

So far I have found that Chao Wattana is 1500bt per day, Argus is 1400 and Budget is 1000bt per day. All are airport pick up.

I have used Wattana and was happy with their service. They have a desk at the airport. Budget and one other also have desks there.

I have only had experience with Rajawej, and was very happy with it.

Cheers,

Mike

Time you guys finishing arguing the Typhoon Season will be over and back again.

- but there isn't a Typh.... oops

Mekong behaving as normal:

The road near Salaburi is very unpleasant with cement dust which makes your eyes sting, but otherwise the roads are pleasant. Have a good trip.

We spent most of yeserday afternoon and evening without power, or with intermittent power. *Lots* of rain and quite strong winds. Now all clear, and picking up the debris.

We are 30 km west of Chong Mek.

Cheers,

Mike

There is a website with photos of Thai birds, quite extensive. Sorry, I forget its name, but if you google any species name, you'll soon find it (it's something like thaibird.com).

Thanks. I use "Birds of South-East Asia" by Craig Robson. The problem is when the bird refuses to sit in front of me and wait while I consider the alternatives. "Now turn around, please, I need to see your tail feathers..."

For a visa there is normally no requirement for any show of funds; or at least not above the normal 20k required for any non immigrant visa issue. Some will ask to see some funds to issue multi entry visas; however this is normally must less than 400k.

For extension of stay 400k is required in a Thai located bank account and should be in husbands name only under new policy of most offices.

To clarify my own experience:

Initial application for non-o 1 year multiple entry (marriage), Singapore : 400k in any bank account, marriage cert, airticket.

Extension of same after one year, Phibun Mangsahan: 400k in Thai bank in my name only for at least 2 months, marriage cert, house book, wife's id.

Cheers,

Mike

edit> Koosh, agree with you, confusion comes from different requirements for extension when the original one expires

....

The value of rice paddy should really be in ratio to yield per rai etc. Who in their right mind would pay 100,000 Baht for a plot of land and work it to show a profit of less than they can get interest in a bank. There are a lot of people trying to sell land that is rented out to farmers with an income equal to less than 1%.

In my village, no-one seems to have any idea what their yield is. If I ask "how many sacks from one rai", or even "how many sacks total", they don't know.

I am in Ubon, not Surin, and I am not a birder - but I do enjoy watching the local birdlife. I am pleased to report that around my house, bird variety has increased over recent years. I think this is because I have converted some rice land to garden, and planted flowers and trees. I now have regular pairs of scarlet capped sunbirds and olive backed flower peckers (I think I have those names right, my book is not to hand) and the other day a pair of king fishers. There are a number of other bird species, more each year, but I haven't identifed them.

Anyway, it is good to be able to report an increase when most people have seen the reverse.

Cheers,

Mike

Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers (a little gem) and Olive-backed Sunbirds. Look out for the nests; both make hanging nests which look like a small bunch of dead leaves. SBF is high up in a tree (generally), butOBS often likes to build just outside a window or in front of your door! Nice to watch them bringing food to the young. Yes, create a habitat and you'll get the birds!

Thanks for correcting me They are lovely to watch, and have distinctive calls (like tapping pebbles together). I have not seen any nests yet, but will look out for them. I did put up a nesting box, but it was hijacked by skinks; probably not their preferred location anyway from what you say. The trees that SBF and OBS seem to favour most are the ones with the small sweet red berries, the name is something like "takop".

I am starting to try photographing the birds I see, as I find identifying them from memory very hard. When you open the book and find a page of near-identical birds, and realise you were supposed to notice if the yellow patch was wide or narrow (or whatever), a photograph is very useful! Another skill to learn, though, as they are usually silhouetted, and always shy.

Cheers,

Mike

P.S. An interesting aside: we now also have quite a few pigeons, that visit a roof and a grassy (actually weedy) area. I remarked to my wife that, although in Isaan people eat just about everything else, they don't eat pigeons; and added that farang eat pigeons, they are very tasty. My wife said local people don't eat pigeons because they usually live in the grounds of temples.

If you have 9 re etry stamps for Thailand you are not a tourist you are living here.

I must respectfully disagree. I have friends who live in Singapore who often pop up to Phuket for a golfing weekend (just one of their destinations - they also go to other countries in the region). I imagine they would clock up 9 entries in less than two years. One friend keeps his boat in Phuket during the SE monsoon and goes there even more frequently. All of these would be classed as tourists. I imagine the authorities are not only considering the total number of entries, but also the intervals between them and the durations of stay.

Cheers,

Mike

Do you mind if the cleaning is done 'Issan style' instead of western style. In other words the house is swept every day, dishes are cleaned, floors are moped etc but that is about the extent of it.

- but never move anything to clean under or behind ?????

I am in Ubon, not Surin, and I am not a birder - but I do enjoy watching the local birdlife. I am pleased to report that around my house, bird variety has increased over recent years. I think this is because I have converted some rice land to garden, and planted flowers and trees. I now have regular pairs of scarlet capped sunbirds and olive backed flower peckers (I think I have those names right, my book is not to hand) and the other day a pair of king fishers. There are a number of other bird species, more each year, but I haven't identifed them.

Anyway, it is good to be able to report an increase when most people have seen the reverse.

Cheers,

Mike

There is no right of appeal on a normal tourist visa. You can email them and point out that you included the evidence, but don't hold your breathe. Better to re-apply. Make sure you write a good covering letter outlining your relationship and pointing out the evidence. Don't expect the ECO to read through the 150 pages you handed in to find things out, you have to guide them through it, or pay the price.

My wife's first UK tourist visa application was refused; we were told, but the consular officer, that we had a the right to an appeal, which is free, but can take up to 9 months. We were advised to re-apply and supply more documentation.

The procedure is immensely annoying, and the decision making seems quite arbitrary. Actually, embarrassing. I feel sorry for the OP, I, like many others, know how angry this can make you.

Brit and 7by7 have explained well. You have to convince them that she:

1) has sufficient funds for the trip;

2) has sufficient access to funds for emergency medical care so as not to become a burden on the NHS;

3) will return to Thailand in the allotted period, i.e. has something concrete to return to;

4) will not take up illegal employment or studies whilst in UK.

Swallow your anger, learn from the first application, and beat them next time. I also included letters from my mother (looking forward to my wife's visit for a 2 week holiday) and daughter (looking forward to her holiday with us when we returned to Thailand).

Good luck,

Mike

In Singapore I was issued a Non-Immigrant O based on marriage, 12 months, multiple entry. I was required to show money in the bank (or income), the money did not have to be in a Thai bank account.

I had already opened a Thai bank account purely on the basis of a 30 day tourist visa-exemption.

The interpretation of the rules seems to vary depending upon where you are.

Good luck,

Mike

On the subject of Steeds, does anyone know how to get to the battery ?

I have a Steed 400 here in Thailand, and really enjoy it. I have a bigger sports bike in Singapore, but it would be uncomfortable and dangerous here - not because of the bike, but because I would tend to ride too fast for the potholes, buffalo, goats, etc. So I get on my Steed, ride around slowly, enjoy the wind in my open-face helmet and look at the country-side. On the sports bike, in full-face helmet and protective clothing, it is hot but ok on faster safer roads (Singapore and Malaysia). Horses for courses.

Cheers,

Mike

I have carried several external drives into Thailand, never had problems. The scanners do not affect them - after all, your laptop always gets scanned, too....

But I always make a backup before I travel - more to prtect against loss, theft or dropping than anything else.

I also don't think customs have any interest in a single drive in your luggage.

Cheers,

Mike

In Savannakhet there are a few nice places along the river to sit and have a beer and something to eat - a short walk from the Thai Consulate. If you submit your application in the morning you can get your Non-I O the same afternoon or the next day, depending on your needs. Savannakhet is a funny town, a regular grid of large but empty streets. Some nice old colonial architecture, but all crumbling. There is a small dinosaur museum, also close to the consulate. In summary, I would say it has charm, but little else; it is certainly an easy place to spend an idle day.

I left my car in a hotel car park in Muk., then took a tuk-tuk to the bus station (60 bt) and bus to Sav. (50 bt., every hour on the half hour). The bus takes one hour, and leaves you a short tuk-tuk ride from the consulate.

The bridge is quite far (7km) out of town. There is a public ferry from the town centre, but only for Laos and Thai people.

In Muk. there is a nice little restaurant on the Mekong, with the word "Wine" featuring prominently in its name or sign. I'm sure the locals can give you more information.

Cheers,

Mike