phibunmike

How important do you thing tourism is? If memory serves, it's 6% of the GNP. So many of the farangs are cheap skates, losers and perverts who cannot afford Hawaii or Portugal. They end up costing a lot in police investigations, too.

The Thais market to Asian tourists who cause way less trouble.

Give me a good reason, based on the fat, dirty old men that have flooded Thailand for decades, that Thais should admire, no revere, farangs!?

[if they had a barfing emoticom]

I'm not sure if you posted in the right thread??? This is about taxi touts etc. at Suvarnabhumi. Such behaviour at airports affects Asians as well as farangs, business people, tourists, weekend shoppers from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, etc. etc., and not merely "perverts" and "people who can't afford Portugal", who are probably in the minority of travellers in the region's capital's airports.

Cheers,

Mike

I agree with previous posters, learn Thai properly and then pick up Isaan. I have not seen decent books on Isaan, but beware that if you buy a Laos book, Isaan is not pure Laos; also, Isaan is written in the Thai alphabet, not the Laos alphabet.

Good luck,

Mike

If you get to Ubon you can swap them out at Wrong Way or Peppers.

Srisaket is probably like Ubon in not having English language books available for sale anywhere.

FYI if you want to order books kinokuniya out of Bangkok has a service to order online and they are delivered to your door.

I have used this service for a few years and have been happy with it.

In Ubon, N-Joy also has a book-swap service. English language books can be bought inside Robinson's (Ubon), but there is a very limited selection.

Cheers,

Mike

... I also cannot fathom how this airport can be secure, isn't the baggage area a secure area? But we hear that the "secure" area is crawling with unauthorized personnel, that's scary. Any terrorist can enter the airport posing a gang member... it's just preposterous!

Actually the report stated that porters, with security passes, are working in the baggage area. This is where they are supposed to be. The problem is that they can also work "on the side" for the gangs - perhaps directing tourists to illegal taxis or tour guides, for example, and receiving a commission.

Cheers,

Mike

MeMock, I think Martin is up Yasothon Road, not at Sappasit. As he comes in from Surin he probably doesn't touch the town centre at all.

Cheers,

Mike

There is a gallery in Suk. soi 1, just head down the soi and you can't miss it.

More up-market than JJ, depends what you are looking for...

Cheers,

Mike

The Ubon Hash House Harriers (UHHH or UH3) will have their monthly run (walk) on Saturday 6/9.

This is an excellent excuse to explore parts of Ubon, socialize with some of the Ubon expats and have "a few" cold ones. New faces are always welcome

The run starts at 17.00 on Sat. - more info on www.ubonhash.com - or just ask me

It is of course on Saturday 5/9

and yes you've guessed right, - I'm part of The Mismanagement

So just to clarify (and boost your topic) that is TOMORROW

Is that right Bergen?

(Unfortunately I am in Malaysia....)

Cheers,

Mike

On that point, which category of insurance covers the 45k chemo sessions - looking at the Thai Visa medical package benefits here, is it covered under "major medical benefit" ?

Cheers,

Mike

I'm afaraid my good customers at the Farang Connection are paying. my thai insurance came up with 1000 baht a day while i'm in hospital. so come on down. i'm typing this in ubon cancer center as we speak.

I would visit, Martin, but I am in Malaysia at the moment. How long do you expect to stay in Ubon this time?

Best wishes,

Mike

At 1.3m, it is not land being sold by a poor farmer who desparately needs cash. Therefore, unless there are other circumstances, it is likely that, despite the current "hard times", the seller will hold out for his price.

Whether the price is right for that land I have no idea.

Cheers,

Mike

Glad to hear you're on the mend mate.

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Gosh !

Glad you're so upbeat. Best of luck.

I bet a few of us should be checking the insurance stuff if Bt45k for tens of doses is required. Shocking prices.

On that point, which category of insurance covers the 45k chemo sessions - looking at the Thai Visa medical package benefits here, is it covered under "major medical benefit" ?

Cheers,

Mike

deleted 2 posts & banned poster who signed up 2 different log ons just to flame another poster. This kind of trolling will not be tolerated

It took you 6 days before deleting it, this issan part of the forum sure does move slow

Hi MeMock,

Now you have got me curious who said what :-)

Guess I will have to wait and ask you.

- And.... of course it's slow; that's why we are in Isaan, isn't it ?

Cheers all,

Mike

P.S. Well done Boo, we don't need whatever nastiness it was on here.

Hi Donsaiyuan,

I would suggest coming up to Ubon for a couple of weeks to see how you like it, and explore the various issues for yourself. I don't suppose many of us who live here would want to move to Phuket - nothing wrong with it, but different places suit different people. You might love Ubon as we do, or you might find it a little too "remote" - you certainly wouldn't have to worry about your neighbourhood being filled with retired farangs!

You will certainly find people here who would be willing to offer you advice and maybe show you around a bit.

Welcome to Ubon.

Cheers,

Mike

hello guys,

i`m 15 clicks west of det udom, live here on the parents farm, rice a plenty,

need to build our own place, baby on the way,

we have bought a couple of rai,

i`m looking for a cement mixer and any building materials if anyone has any for sale,

i can collect,

bill,

[email protected]

You can hire a cement mixer, probably in Det Udom as Bergen says; but my builders have always preferred to mix by hand!

Good luck with the house and baby.

Cheers,

Mike

Q-Con blocks are the insulated lightweight blocks. I think you will have some problems finding custom sized concrete blocks. I think 39X18X6 is the standard size.

I'm not sure the OP needs custom size - the blocks are nominally 40 x 20 including mortar.

Cheers,

Mike

Although I usually fly BKK- UBP, if I have the time I love to take the train. I haven't done the Chiang Mai route, which sounds horrid from the other poster's remarks, but BKK- Ubon is great fun. I have used 1st class, once, but prefer 2nd class A/C, where you get more chance to meet and chat with other passengers. I have never had any of the poor experiences described by khun unhappy.

You can read about the journey here http://www.thailandbytrain.com/ThailandTravelBlog.php

Cheers,

Mike

I am doing my first trip to the north with a friend. We will have a Thai female escort with us who comes from just outside of Udon Thani.

Now as much we will stick to the main roads coming up from Pattaya (with a stop in Korat) our escort mentioned that if we wanted to travel around to places like Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon and further afield we may need special car. I am hiring a Honda Jazz which is about the best I can get in Pattaya so I need to know are there areas that we may find ourselves in that would require much more than a wee little Honda Jazz. We are not going mad as have only 5-6 days in the north but would obviously like to see some sights and sounds of the north so can anybody tell me if our car will get us to most destinations.

Have looked at the pinned subjects for maps and hotels so pretty satisfied there but can't see too much about state of roads, advice would be grateful.

I don't mean to sound pedantic, but the area you are describing is the North East, not the North....

Have a great trip,

Mike

I was wondering anyone in korat or nearby knew where I can buy 9cm x 39cm x 18.5 cinderblock please?

Any help appreciated.

32 views....no help!

I don't know in Korat, but in my area every builder's merchant has them. They are called "it bok" (block bricks), as opposed to "it daeng" (red bricks).

Good luck,

Mike

Zoolander,

I am not a golfer so don't pay much attention. But there was a golf shop on Thepyothi Rd (ends at the airport entrance) on the right hand side around Hong Fa Restaurant. If not go visit http://isaanstyle.blogspot.com and comment on a post asking, the owner of the blog is a golfer and he can tell you where to go for sure.

The one you mention on the airport road (almost opposite the driving range) is still there; they sell mostly (only?) 2nd hand equipment, as far as I remember. If you find out where the one from next to Robinsons has gone, please let us all know.

Cheers,

Mike

.... All I mean by this is that there is a law, and the speech is being challenged in court as being in violation of this law, then duplication of said 'potential law break' is foolhardy at best

....

I apologise for only quoting a small portion of your post.

The FCCT frequently offers for sale copies of speeches made at the club. It seems to do a fair job of providing fair opportunity for all sides to air their views.

Once the offending speech by Jakrapob resulted in a court case, it would seem reasonable that the general public should have the opportunity to see the speech for themselves, so that they can form their own opinion of its content and intent. Thus, it seems to me that the FCCT was fulfilling its duty in providing copies of the speech; to self-censor runs the risk of biased representation.

The FCCT did not broadcast the speech; they simply made copies available to those interested.

I am reminded of the recent furore over certain cartoons in a Danish newspaper. Once the issue became headlines, I am sure I was not the only one who then wanted to see the cartoons for themselves, to see if the complaints were, in my opinion, reasonable. How can we possibly form an opinion about a matter when we don't have access to the facts?

The FCCT, in their "mission statement", refer to the goal of supporting a free press ("As Southeast Asia's largest and oldest press club, the main goal of the FCCT and its members is to promote and protect the rights of the press in Thailand and across Asia. "). Publishing the DVD is in line with that quest. The committee are, I believe, all journalists; and journalists frequently run risks to provide us with truth.

Thanks for the informative post Mike

Will you be back for the Candle Festivitas?

Hi Trond,

No, I will miss it this year. Pity, I really like the candles and the general atmosphere of the event. Everyone has such a good time. I will be back later in July and I will probably drop down to see you.

Lots of fireworks around Tan Sum now, getting ready for Pansa I suppose...

Cheers,

Mike

Hello Mike

based on Google Earth you are <30 mins from Sawang Wirawong and you probably pass through there on your travels in/out of Ubon city. I'll have to come and see you next time around for that beer.

Jay

Hi Jay,

Yes, I know it - I think its the place with the new patch of concrete for the market, on the south side of the main road. I go through there at least twice a week....

See you on your next visit.

Cheers,

Mike

Thanks guys for letting me know how close you both are. I've checked on Google Earth and you both are 1hr+ south/south west. You are close enough for a beer when we get back for a holiday next time around. Our main home is in Kamyai close to city centre but my family have a farm in Sawang Wirawong and we wanted to know if any farangs live near by. It may be a long shot but you never know. Ubon is growing so anything is possible. When we first moved to Kamyai 10 years ago there were no foreigners now our village has 4 or 5. In time maybe sawang Wirawong will be the same. I would not be suprised if there were already farangs there.

We went to a Thai friends BBQ yesterday in our village in UK and one of the Thai ladies there with her husband has a home next to Big C and 5 mins from our home in Ubon.... the world is a smaller than we think sometimes.

Hi Jay,

I'm not sure where Sawang Wirawong is, but I am just outside Phibun Mangsahan

15°16'4.77"N

105°17'45.60"E

There's a cold one in the fridge :-)

Cheers,

Mike

OK, so a bit of explanation is needed.

Actually it's an american veteran stuff. They used to be chased after in the jungle (Vietnam, Philippines, Korea, ...) and when the wars were over, they kind of miss it. So they started this stuff, they run after each other and they get pissed drunk, remind them the good (???) time. On the positive side, there is no more land mines, agent orange, ... so it's much safer for the rest of us. Much more "Hot Shots, Part deux" than Rambo

For our Sunday wariors, we have this little song :

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/searc...-the-love_music

Just to set things straight, actually it was started by the Brits before WW2. A group of British guys in what was then Malaya started a regular weekly trip from their camp down to the local diner, or "hash house", for food and a few beers. They made it more fun by adding a "paper-chase" style run to the diner. Now there are chapters all over the world - Singapore has at least 8 - who go for a run/walk and then beers and food afterwards; a very social and fun experience, and a good way to meet people when visiting other cities.

Kuala Lumpur still has the "mother hash", the first ever hash chapter, which runs every week, as well as several other chapters. They clocked up their 3000th run a few years ago!

Good luck with the 12th run guys (and girls). In keeping with tradition, I won't be there (I will be in Indonesia, so a good excuse if one was needed).

On on,

Mike (I won't put my hash name here as none of you know it).

Wow,,, maybe the words was bit off,,but at least you should know what i mean,, i wuld never do such a thing that put words to some one esles mouth.

but never mind,,,Ubon is Ubon and always will be...i was just make a point on those behave who actually bowling and not behave of those who havent sign letter.

No offense intended Marco :-) Just discussing ideas.

I think MeMock's idea of a petition is a good way to tackle this, if you feel strongly about it. You could ask management to post it in the bowling alley, in Thai and English. e.g.

"Would you like the music:

a ) Louder

b ) As it is

c ) Quieter"

Cheers,

Mike