randyT

Why not just import the tigers from the King Roman Casino across the Makong in Lao

They breed LOTS there for the meat-and Asian bear as well

Be nice to see some of these gain there freedom

  Been gardening in the north(between Chiang Rai and Mae Sai) nmfor over 20 years now-and still learning.

First -establish what kind of soil you have now-and if theres any topsoil covering the clay

I found raised beds are easiest to maintain and better for production-also way easier to work in

Make them a easy width to reach across-I just built the frames on what I had and skimmed any topsoil from in between-then covered the walkways with plastic to stop the weeds

   Orient the beds to take advantage of the sunlight and shade

I brought in new topsoil(din dam)-best to check quality prior to ordering-theres a huge difference depending on where its from-and ammended with black burnt rice husks and bagged potting soil(cheap in Chiang Rai-have location if needed)

    Start a compost pile  for all your kitchen veg scraps and leaves-works fast in the wet season and the best thing going for the soil

   Add composted cow/buffalo manure LOTS especially when your starting the beds-just ask someone keeping them-they usually sell the dried dung by the feedbag full

  Some things start better in potting bags(easier to adjust the soil mix) and easier to protect from the elements until there ready for the garden

 The beans are going to need something to climb -so either put up a trellus or just plant them with corn or near something they can climb-i prefer the red varietys of both wing and long beans-save the seed for re-planting

The chili's dont do well if wet -except for the local tobasco-so shelter will be a benefit

Eggplant and luffa need sun-but are hardy both wet and dry seasons

     I had problems with stem borrers on the zukini-so your probally going to need to address that-but they do produce well

Arrugula does well-and beets are a dry season crop-the hard rain washes them out -flattens the sprouts-just lost 2 beds that way this season-but can do well if started when its still dry

   Butternut squash-havent tried but would be interested-I think they are susseptable to the stem borrers as is zukinni-the thai pumpkin and winter squash are a winner-but they both need LOTS of space to climb-vines can cover whole trees

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php

Theres a ton of info about fruit and veg in the tropics

Need more info I'm on as bbudd-just send a message

Have quite an orchard going from seedshere now- from all over the world-all from seed exchange on the forum

And in the rest of the country the rice fields are still burning

No surprise.

There's NO sway braceing.

Whole structure's just balanced on poles.

Just wondering

How many married non O extensions are possible ?

Can they be renewed yearly ?

in Chiang Rai-Yellow house book and copy of wifes house papers

Copy passport and visa

Copy old drivers licence

Chiang Rai 5 year licence renewal (NOT a good idea to go there after a 5 day holiday)

On advice from here-prior day went to Mae Sai for residence certificate only to be told I needed to go to licence bureau first

Documents required-Old licence and copy - Passport and copy -visa page and copy - Yellow house book and copy - wifes house book and copy

At 8:30 AM already 60 people ahead of me

Go to first floor and present documents -2nd floor for vision test (identify color dots-preferential vision test - stop pedal test

Off for 1 hour safety film

Line up to pay 555B- line up for picture 100B -get new licence

Total 3 1/2 hours - actually not bad considering how many people were waiting

Yep-looks just like North Thailand every fall.

Try 999 restaurant-corner of Moon Muang -Soi 9

Huge menu and good food

Going south from BigC-either turn left at the intersection for home pro or go through and wasadu is on the left just past intersection

One of them will have the short joining dowels

I've used the bigger bamboo skewers in the past

Thanks-tried the 2 hardware shops

Made an order-paid deposit and waited over 2 months

Never did show up-but at least they returned the deposit

Anyone know where to buy a decent wood lathe -preferably close to Chiang Rai?

Make your own saddle soap. Heat a cup of olive oil in a pot and stir in a heaping tablespoon of Vaseline-let cool.

Result is saddle soap-use it on all my leather goods here-treats the leather and resists the mold.

Built my cold smoker with block-as the heat source is external no stress on the block.

Use charcoal to start the fire then soaked litchi or lamyai along with some wet coconut husk (I soak the wood and husk overnight)

For me cold smoke is ideal,don't have direct heat on the meat to contend with so you can smoke as long as you want to get the flavor your after

Perfect for honey glazed ham-smokey bacon and smoked fish

Pictures -smoker and interior racks and external fire pit

Did visa run Mai Sai yesterday-same as usual-no problem.