PeterA

I went about 6 years ago. Loved it. I hired the tuk tuk driver who hung out at the hotel for three days. I think he asked $20 a day for three days. He would meet me at the hotel at 7 am, and I had him take me to the temples. He was available all day. He would park and wait while I was sight-seeing. In town, the restaurants would only take USD, and it had to be crisp unfolded. It got so nuts I verified my money was usable BEFORE I ate. If you eat at the hotels, it is normal to put it on the bill or pay cash, and not such a requirement to have perfect money. Same with the shops, dollars preferred if big ticket items. I spent 3 days, and went to the smaller temples first and had them mostly all to myself. There are 8 or 9 very cool ones in the complex. Outside the complex there are 20 or more that are un-restored and very cool. The main building is busy all day, and sunsets there are fair, nothing to "must-see", though a few thousand were at the big building at sunset.

So I can safely assume fishing and sleeping are also a form of employment? My village is then fully employed!

How stupid can it get? Before I got hacked and blocked on Facebook earlier this year, I could buy ganja, any sex object and guns all day from FB classified. But post a picture of a beer? Amazing. Someone has their head up the wrong place.

All they need to do is look locally. I would bet every village has at least a few people making charcoal. One small operation can fill the entire village and then some with smoke that can last all day and night. Our small village currently has 4 major burn operations. Only after many hours of work behind the scenes did we get the local government, NOT the village lead, to do something. At least we got the smokers inside the village to stop (most of the time). Now we can breath. This village also has a history of cancer deaths that would scare anyone. No one seems to care.

You need a Usufruct. Any good law office will know. I have one. You wife must also sign it. If she dies before you, the house stays in your name until you die, then it goes to her next of kin. I did it about 3 years ago, cost around $250 then. It is also registered with the Thai government, so no surprises should occur.

I get the same thing when no water is flushed down the drain. If I put a small bucket of water down it every night, no smell.

I have taken the 5 minute drive to the local Kerry shop and picked up my packages after they failed to deliver 3 days in a row, saying either no one was home, or wrong address, or no answer on the phone. I also tell shop owners where I buy things on Lazada to use anyone BUT not Kerry. Tell Kerry do not put on the truck or Bike and you will pick it up. Shops are always nearby.

Play the bagpipes, photography, walk, bike ride. All that and taking care of the yard and house keep me plenty busy.

If Thailand doesn't stop the proliferation of guns now, they will soon end up like the USA; a shooting every day in every city at the least and no end in sight.