yosib157

Trying not to be cynical, but 'my' adopted family and all other locals I know have only a little or no knowledge of world events nor any geographical perspectives. Most are not even aware of what's happening in the next village. I don't have a 6 month reserve but same as Hummin wrote, we can cut many corners if necessary and almost live off the land.

Thanks for that. 4 Dutchmen eh? That's really a rare site. At out previous home for 18 years I had a few Dutch friends. My best mate returned to the Netherlands the same week we moved here. At Satmat is around 25 km from us so a little far to make arrangements.

Thanks for your reply Andy. At the moment we have a lot of garden work in progress which we need to finish before taking a weeks driving holiday starting on Sunday. I will send you a personal email on our return and maybe meet up.

Thanks Aha, that's the best info I've received so far. As I remember, the guy I met briefly also mentioned they sometimes meet up for coffee so things are now clicking into place. Until a few weeks ago, I used to meet up with another Aussie guy for coffee a few km back along the road to Roi Et but he has moved away. Plus 2 other Brits but they are only around every few months as they are both still working. There are no others until nearer PP. Ban Kham Hai also rings a bell and the guy I met maybe lives there. I'll probably call in at the Amazon place next Friday. We actually live 12 km the opposite direction from PP but only 15 minutes now the roads have been improved -- slightly. Thanks for the invite to Roi Et. We'll be there in 2 weeks, but as soon as I get my Visa extension business completed, we'll be off on a 4 day break towards Loei Province.

Thanks for your reply BARNET. I was asked by another guy to add the Province --- so I did. I know all those bars in Roi Et but unfortunately they are about 55km from my village and I'm not looking for an all night session as they finished years ago. My alcohol intake is somewhat restricted by a variety of medical issues and the place I'm talking about is only 15 minutes from me. I know the Riverside and I heard they have quite a following by many Nationalities. I was looking for an hour or so once a month locally chatting in English. After 23 years living in Isaan I have enough Thai language to get by, but any conversation with Thai village folk is rather limited and not the same as having a crack with other foreigners about world issues etc. Contrary to others thinking I need empathy or sympathy, we have a beautiful new house with plenty of space inside and out to sit with a can of beer watching the sunset which I can continue to do alone or occasionally with others.

Its difficult for me to reply to your comments without getting personal. However, it's not the fact that the guy was Australian but more that he spoke English. My 10 minutes chat with him was the only English conversation I'd had since our New Year's party which was coincidentally with another Aussie. I am the only foreigner for miles and just to sit down with others for an hour or so would be a real treat even without alcohol. Incidentally, I've met and chatted with more Aussies in my 3 years in this area than any other nationality and they've all been fine. Unfortunately, the two guys I got to know best are no longer around. In my 24 years living here I've never met 2 foreigners who live the same so my motto is best to live and let live.

Thanks for your input although I can't find another. The Phanom Phrai I mean is in Roi Et Province maybe 12 km from Yasothon. I doubt that this added information will produce any results as 55 members read my original posting within the first few hours then it sort of fizzled out. That said, I was pleased yesterday when someone added a 'thumbs up'

Yesterday I met an Aussie guy in Phanom Phrai who told me that a few expats meet up for a beer on Friday evenings ''near the river". Just follow your nose for about 3 km and it's there maybe near a market -- he said? Anyhoo, me and the wife drove down there and couldn't find anywhere so if any member can give me directions I'd like to take a run down there on Friday just for a chat. Thanks

per cent --- my per cent symbol didn't work on my laptop so I improvised

Belts changed by my man at COCKPIT some time ago and yes, when we were all younger, a lot of us would do our own basic maintenance. Unfortunately old age and bad knees prevent me from doing a lot of even mundane tasks and I need to depend on others. I don't know what type of fan it is but others have played around down there when it blew its radiator and a n other messed up with the a/c. Which reminds me, even the National Chain of 'specialists' Denso in Yasothon shared the old Isuzu engine myth. I always believed cold engines consumed more fuel but hey ho, we are off to Roi Et in a few weeks so may ask up there. Thanks for your inputs

Phanom Phrai -- Roi Et Province

Not been to an Isuzu dealer for around 14 years since the warranty expired because of their poor service and mis diagnostic on two occasions. For years I had a regular COCKPIT mechanic who took care of the car for years and checked everything at service time. Unfortunately he left then we also moved areas. The last 2 services, suspension refurb, split pipe and all maintenance have been done by a local garage and I think their work is better than the Thailand average. The engine has been running cold for around 3 months and i have asked that particular garage plus 2 others in my area who said the same. Apart from the odd time, I have been the only driver of the car throughout it's long life and it serves us well. Other than this irritating fault, the car runs great.

I have sent you you a personal email

I have taken my 130,000km 3.0 litre Isuzu to 3 local mechanics to ask why the old bus is running cold (according to the dashboard gauge). They all said that this model always runs cold as it gets older an explanation which totally baffles me. It probably reaches 35 - 40 0/0 but never higher. Otherwise the old bus runs exceptionally well as I've always had it serviced and sorted every year since new. Has anyone else been given this strange explanation or knows if it's a thermostat or other problem. Thanks in advance

I've passed a car parts breakers in Roi Et dozens of times over the years but now when I need a few bits, I can't find it. We'll be passing through Roi Et next at the end of this week so can anybody please give me a Google maps location of such a place anywhere in that area.