sipi

And before we get too carried away. This isn't intended to become a Thai tradesmen bashing thread. More a DIY bashing thread.

I have been following this from a distance. And have genuinely been concerned for his safety. But the sums just don't add up.

I hope you are either running an interesting topic for the entertainment, or are genuine and safe.

Of course stress can do weird things.

Either way, please take care.

My wife and I agree on everything Thai, from tipping a good cab driver to eating, to building our house.

But one thing we just can't agree on is building "temporary" things like garden beds, trellises, those outdoor eating shelters.....

If we had it my way everything would be made once from industrial grade stainless steel. The wife is happy to make them from bamboo and sticks, and do it all again next year.

This seems to be the Thai way.

We manage to somehow compromise. Bamboo and sticks with a coat of varnish.

Brilliant CMHomeboy. You get the cigar. Great info.

The last time I looked in the mirror was 1992. Does that count?

I am no good at geography. But it seems to me like the northern Thais look more Nepalese than Chinese. Perhaps they originated from the Hymalayas?

In a nutshell. I just checked with the wife and her sister.

Good news. It is not common to use ganga in pla ra but some try, and the jail is just South of Bueng Kan. So at least the weather will be nice and cool on the inside.

A ganja plant in your yard for cooking? Geez you're a braver man than me. I stick to som tum, dum sua, bing plah....

The few that do hate Thailand would also hate the rest of Asia, the Americas, Europe, the UK, Africa, Antartica......

Keep paying him on the last day of the month and stay calm. He will have a heart attack before Christmas.

Wherever I see the big camera or video camera, rather than duck and weave I stand right in front of them in full camera view. It annoys the crap out of them.

Don't steer with your knees at 110kph along Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd whilst playing the flute. The wife enjoyed singing along in the front passenger seat. I was crapping myself in the back nursing our one year old baby.

If it doesn't have a piercing mechanism cut a small cross in the cap about one cm across. The water only has to enter the machine as fast as it leaves. No need to remove the cap.

He is full of himself. I call all my wife's brothers by their nickname, and they are in their 30's. They call me by my first name.

Sipi you are lucky that they call you by your first name.

They call me Farang.......

At least haven't heard them calling me Buk Farang.......but who knows what the say behind my back.

That's another secret to extract from my wife......

It actually took a while to figure out that they were addressing me by my first name. They would call me "Pillif", and when I asked my wife "What is the English translation of the Thai word "Pillif?" She replied...."They are calling you by your first name...Phillip"

And yes, I get called Farang (normally in the third person); but I love it. It is their country and I find it a term of endearment.

He is full of himself. I call all my wife's brothers by their nickname, and they are in their 30's. They call me by my first name.

My wife kept her maiden name. It is far more lucky than mine. Actually, I am thinking about changing my surname to hers.

Sipi ... are you related to Khun Costas?

Not a chance.

Unless his real name is Costas Papadomichalogeorgopoulos.

In which case, in future I will address him as Lung Costas.

Possibly consider Sala Keow Ku statute park in Nong Khai. It is never crowded and one of my favourite places.

My wife likes Prince William. Can you believe that? What does he have that I don't?

Apart from good looks, money, a personality, athletic body, fame and fortune, sense of humour. . . .

"I haven't got a bloody clue apart from that is who they met and fell for"

Well, that nails it for me..Bulls-eye.

Wow, this is a pleasant surprise. I was expecting a bit more negativity. I'm sure my wife would never want my mother under the same roof.

Very encouraging.

Just take a minute to tell her why it is over. She and her family must learn that you don't treat your farang partner like that. Spread the word, we are not an ATM.

Not that I am aware of.

Please tell me that Costas has covered this one so we can shut it down and move on.