ChiefBEM

Ages it takes to open anything.

Earlier this morning on true and now on M-web.

Perparation for the Sondhi rally tomorrow?

I clicked to reply to this message at 11:11PM Texas Time Which is 12:11PM Thailand Time (I think.)

The reply screen just came up at 11:16PM Texas 12:16PM Thailand.

When I signed-on to the forum it took 5 minutes for the sign-on screen to appear then after I signed-on it took another 5 minutes to go to the forum.

I asked for postings since I last signed-on and the same thing 5 minutes for the screen to appear.

Loads of ([former] American) folks seem to agree that 'America' is ignorant of the problems.

They just don't seem to see, that the average 'patriot' isn't far away from the 'fundamentalist Muslim'.

Don't they both say : "At God's will ..." (or words alike ...)

But this 'breed' is also located in Thailand; let's face THE FACE ...

Just keep on being stubborn ... instead of using some common sence.

And I do not mean the insulting way some 'Westerns' express themselves.

Even my face would be lost and you could get some punches from this former boxer ...

WOW!

Confucious said: "Never accept opinion as fact or truth because it is neither."

I can only say:

Wo jiu buzhidao!

zai jian

I hate to add to the negatives.

But, I checked with the Social Security Administration and was told that Thailand is not on the list of countries that benefit checks can be directly deposited in a local bank.

I was told the best option is to have the benefit checks deposited in a US Bank and every month (Depending on the specified bank's process) send a request to the US Bank to have a specified dollar amount Electronically Transferred into your Thai bank account.

If anyone is getting their Social Security Benefit Checks directly deposited into a Thai Bank, please let me know how.

Veterans Administration Benefit Checks and military retirement checks will not do direct deposit to banks in Thailand.

Regards,

ChiefBEM

I have always tried to be safe when it comes to the laws.

The laws in Thailand require that you have a drivers license to operate a vehicle in Thailand.

A separate license is required to ride a motorcycle.

When I was working there, I had 3 license for motor vehicles. A license for a car and small truck. A license for large trucks & trailors 5 Ton and up. I also had a license to drive a motorcycle.

Thailand does recognize the valid International Drivers License good for a period not to exceed one year.

The US State Department recommends US citizens/residents get an International Drivers License through the AAA organization. This license has your picture and information from your US drivers license. It is also written in numerous languages. This license is good in over 40 countries for a period up to 1 year.

Technically, if you are in Thailand on a work permit that will last longer than 1 year or as a resident you are elgible to apply for a Thai Drivers License.

On the other hand, many foreigners drive in Thailand and never get a license and never get stopped by the police.

Hope this helped.

Regards,

Chief

Hello everyone!

I go by the handle ChiefBEM.

I was in the US Army assigned to Thailand 1968-1971.

Bangkok - Worked on a Thai Army Site by the Airport - Lived in the Water Buffalo (Sephan quai) district at Seri Court on Pattipad Road. Sorry my romanization is as bad as my Thai vocabulary.

Ubon Ratchatani - Worked North of the city - Lived in Sang Seri and The Siam Hotel.

My wife of 35 years is from Ubon Ratchatani and she returns to Ubon just about once a year.

The last two times I was in country was April 2005 and April 2003.

I am retired at age 59 and we intend on building a home in Ubon Ratchatani or across the river in Warin.

Looking forward to increasing my knowledge base on Thailand before we move and then keeping in touch while living in Ubon.

Regards,

ChiefBEM

Any idea how many native speakers of English or American English live in Ubon and Warin?

I was in Ubon 1968-1971 with the US Army and married a local girl.

We are now looking at moving to Ubon in our retirement (I am 59.)

I was there in March/April 2005 and did not see any Farangs.

Chief,,

You are interested ONLY for Native English speaker's???

No any onther like European natinalities??

Just wondering,, are we not good enough?

Marco,

Anyone that has learned English as a second language is "A - Number 1" in my book!

Learning a language other than the one you were raised with is an outstanding achievement.

In an attempt to clarify myself, I would enthusiactically welcome anyone that speaks English.

My only concern is for the non-native speaker in that they may have difficulty understanding my Texas "Twang" when I speak English.

If that is not bad enough, you should hear me speak Chinese Mandarin with a Texan accent!

Cheers!

G'Day Dave

im speaking 5 different lanquage including my own FINNISH and nothing of those in fluently,,,

Im working in LA so i should understand and all of us here,,

you will be surpriced how many Thai's also understand Eng but they just need little bit of Lao Kao as starter,,,,

regarding community here in Ubon, we have rather last foreign population here but not so many of them are socially active, we do have many UK,Norway,OZ,Kiwies, German and saw some Japs also,, so we have good soup here,,,,

at the moment we dont have like organized cathering outside of those who are spending tiime in the Swing club(not that kind of swing, that you might image )

Also, not so much activities yet here I.e bowling, but having said that it should be on the way.

I have been trying to collect info from many guys here, what the intrests would be, but mainly trend is same, every one work's and when they have free time,, tend to stay home.

But when you are here,, let me know and we go drink "real" beer,, dont have Bud, here luckily

-Marco-

Marco,

This is Chief.

I used the smiley with the cowboy hat because I am in Texas.

I now see that that smiley says "Dave." Ooops!

I can understand and respect peoples desires to remain loners and keep to themselves and their Thai family.

We plan on being in Ubon during the New Year Holidays (Dec 06 - Jan 07) and will try to stay active and keep you informed so we can meet for a cold one.

I do not know about the stuff they brew in Thailand now.

I have always been a "Sing" (Singhai) man myself.

I am already retired and will not be looking for work but maybe we could look into opening a restaurant called the "Western Conversation Place" and serve things like pot roasts and potatoes along with other western favorites. I can actually cook a good roast!

I have already volunteered to teach English and a few other subjects to the people who cannot really afford to pay for furthering their education. This will be in Warin at Wat Hadsuansuk.

What type of work do you do in your spare time?

Chief

Any idea how many native speakers of English or American English live in Ubon and Warin?

I was in Ubon 1968-1971 with the US Army and married a local girl.

We are now looking at moving to Ubon in our retirement (I am 59.)

I was there in March/April 2005 and did not see any Farangs.

Chief,,

You are interested ONLY for Native English speaker's???

No any onther like European natinalities??

Just wondering,, are we not good enough?

Marco,

Anyone that has learned English as a second language is "A - Number 1" in my book!

Learning a language other than the one you were raised with is an outstanding achievement.

In an attempt to clarify myself, I would enthusiactically welcome anyone that speaks English.

My only concern is for the non-native speaker in that they may have difficulty understanding my Texas "Twang" when I speak English.

If that is not bad enough, you should hear me speak Chinese Mandarin with a Texan accent!

Cheers!

Nothing wrong with Korat! It's where my home will be soon. Not only are there those remaining Vietnam vets, but there is also a recent influx of expats into Korat. I hear that there are a "lot" of new expats just in the development where I will live. DSL is available there. Shopping is adequate, and Bangkok is not too close, not too far.

Is your Dad a military retiree? If he is he will be able to get prescriptions at the hospital pharmacy on the base which IS still open, just not overrun with Americans anymore. It was always a Thai airbase.

PM me for more info. There are a lot of Korat expats who are not on ThaiVisa.

I am very curious about the hospital pharmacy on the base.

I retired from the US Army.

My wife (Thai) of 35 years and I are moving to Thailand within the next 2 years and have yet to decide on where to settle.

Any additional information you could give us on the military retiree benifits in Korat would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Hi all Ubon farrang's

is there any expat (farrang) meeting place in Ubon?

if yes, where...?

if no, someone like to meet over a cop of beer?

I have heard that only a few Farangs live in Ubon.

The last two times that I was there (2003 & 2005) I only saw 2 Farangs. One was a younger fellow buying 50 lb bags od dog food at Big C. The second was an elderly German fellow on his annual visit with his young Thai girlfriend. I can say elderly because I am 59 yrs old myself and everyone 60 and older are elderly in my book.

Mr Ubon can you enlighten me on how many Farangs are in the Ubon area?

My wife of 35 years and I will be moving to Ubon or Warin within the next 18 months for retirement.

Hi Isan Folks:

Been in Thailand a while but just discovered this great forum.

Any fahlangs been around Isan in the 1960s? I spent a couple of years myself in the hills south of Korat, before the big US troop influx in 1964. Be interesting to exchange some memories if anyone goes back that far.

Swelters

I was with the 83rd RR SOU in Bangkok (Seri Court) 1967-1971.

I was detached to Ubon Ratchitani in 1968 and remained there until I left country in 1971.

Been married to a Ubon girl since 1970.

Looking into building a retirement home in Ubon either this year or next year. I am already retired at 59 yrs old.

Any idea how many native speakers of English or American English live in Ubon and Warin?

I was in Ubon 1968-1971 with the US Army and married a local girl.

We are now looking at moving to Ubon in our retirement (I am 59.)

I was there in March/April 2005 and did not see any Farangs.