torrzent

On 10/17/2017 at 7:43 PM, bobrussell said:

A child must remain in full time education unless they start an apprenticeship or becomes a trainee or work/volunteer 20 hours or more a week whilst in part-time work (in England).

These may be an option if you consider them suitable for the child.

Is home schooling an option?

2 minutes ago, fry30 said:

that's what I found on google and have always believed, the neighbors are probably thinking that's benign too

You are right, lots of links on google.  Not sure why the other guy said not harmful????

https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/wood-smoke-and-your-health

Smoke forms when wood or other organic matter burns. The smoke from wood burning is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles (also called particle pollution, particulate matter, or PM). These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains several toxic harmful air pollutants including: benzene, formaldhyde, acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Health effects of wood smoke

Smoke may smell good, but it's not good for you. Both short- and long-term exposures to particle pollution from wood smoke have been linked to a variety of health effects.

Short-term exposures to particles (hours or days) can aggravate lung disease, causing asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and may also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Long-term exposures (months or years) have been associated with problems such as reduced lung function and the development of chronic bronchitis—and even premature death. Some studies also suggest that long-term PM 2.5 exposures may be linked to cancer and to harmful developmental and reproductive effects, such as infant mortality and low birth weight.

Any recommendations?

Thank you.

16 minutes ago, stanleycoin said:

I have for years on all vehicles i have,  it's not hard to carry a photo copy under the seat or in the glove box on cars,   it saves time and money, also it keeps the blood pressure in check. 

 

what about for a rental? how could you possibly have the book?

10 hours ago, Tofer said:

Glad to hear it worked / is working out for you. 

 

We had a similar experience to Tropo, bought a piece of virgin / jungle land with no neighbours, and were told the people who bought the adjacent land were going to build private homes / holiday homes. We've got a 5m wide private road to the beach between us and the nasty neighbours (who actually issued death threats over a minor dispute yesterday) basically jealous of our generous plot and quality development, as their scrappy bungalows are shoe horned into less than 1 rai.

 

The other side is now to be a beach resort. Of course they can all do what they wish once they have permission, and we bought 4 rai plot for just this eventuality, so that we would have a generous space between our house and the neighbours (30m each side to their boundaries). Hopefully this will be enough to ensure a modicum of peace and privacy, particularly as my wife is busy reinstating a jungle along our boundaries.

 

It's very hard to predict / establish what is going to happen in a neighbourhood, particularly of private plots, housing developments on compounds and condos are reasonably assured in terms of standards albeit not the occupants.

 

 

Not sure "we" bought is accurate if you are a foreigner.  She bought and you paid, if it is in her name.

13 hours ago, MuntyC0re said:

wood smoke is not harmful but plastic is

Wood smoke contains carcinogens which are harmful

37 minutes ago, Aussieroaming said:

Actually they have a very diverse food culture in PI, depends which island you are on and how far south you go. Bit like Thailand really, different food in the north and south. Manila however has 1000's of restaurants servicing every major world cuisine, so i wouldnt reject the place based on food choice.

This is a pretty hard statement to agree with, but giving you the benefit of the doubt(even though 99.9% think the food is not good) can you provide examples of this great PI food, including regional differences, and excluding regional variations in coconuts, and balut? (also photos if possible)

5 hours ago, chakatee said:

3 machines a month? impressive

Not really...if you wash 20 pieces per time X 3 = 60 pieces.  Assuming a wardrobe of 100+ pieces, this is more than enough back-up.  Unless of course you only have 10 pieces of clothing.

1 hour ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Never understood people saying Thai food is great., a spoonful of MSG and sugar with a handful of chillis in every bowl.

I don't eat any Thai food, or Filipino food just western food (and Mexican), and that's way better in PI.

LOL, never understood how people could know so little about food.  Thai food rates consistently in the top foods of the world.

Saying filipino food is just "western food" has to be the hilarious quote of the day......maybe you like the fast food spaghetti at Jolibees or whatever it is called.  Mexican food?  Are you sure you have the right continent?

3 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

 

This is true, if you want to spend the day on a beach. Personally when I go to Koh Larn I do it just for the boat trip as I dont like beaches and I dont like salt water.

 

I find the return trip on the regular slow scheduled boat to be just what I want. Speedboats are too fast and too expensive and potentially too dangerous for my taste.

 

Each to his own, of course.

Is it possible to bring a bicycle on the slow boat

17 minutes ago, smotherb said:

I've got some experience with both countries--over 10 years living in each country and over 50 years of periodic visiting to each country.

 

Thailand is more advanced as far as civil, social and technological infrastructure and services are concerned--medical treatment, toilet facilities, technical services, electric power, internet and phone availability, housing and hotels, and roads and bridges are better in Thailand. 

 

However, the Filipino people are much more friendly and outgoing, perhaps due to their English language ability--a party can be organized quite easily and they will party because it is Tuesday. Since alcohol is very cheap--the best sipping rum, 15 year old Tanduay, is about P275,  B177 or $5.33; a standard bottle of gin or rum for less than $2, a bottle of beer for $0.55, and local tuba or lampunog for mere pennies. So, you can sponsor a party in the barrio and not break the bank.

 

Crime and corruption are less in Thailand, but bureaucracy and immigration hassles are greater in Thailand. A common problem in the PI is that you do not leave your home unoccupied; if you do it will be broken into. Thievery is commonplace, so watch your goods. However, staying in the PI is relatively easy, just pay a fee. If married to a Filipina, you get a free one-year visa, which can be extended either by leaving and returning to the PI for another year or by paying a fee for another year.

 

Thai food is more appealing than Filipino food, it seems Thais use more imagination in their cooking than the Filipinos and the local fruits and vegetables have more variety in Thailand. The Filipinos seem to cook everything bland, without much seasoning--not just hot spice. Even their national dish Lechon--roasted pig--is what I consider half-cooked--the meat is still hard and needs to be cut with a knife rather than just falling apart as it does with Thai roast pig.

 

Thailand is more European-oriented, while the PI is more American-oriented as far as commodities, foods, and drinks are concerned. I find the Western foods and restaurants here in Thailand far less appetizing than those in the PI. Granted there are some good Western restaurants here, but the selection of foods in stores and restaurants is not to my tastes. It's very difficult to find a good breakfast or even a burger here--just can't get used to murdered eggs, canned beans and limp toast for breakfast or burgers which are more meal than meat.

 

Beer, spirits and cigarettes are far cheaper in the PI than in Thailand, but housing, hotels and transportation is cheaper in Thailand. Basic foods and street foods are cheaper in Thailand, but Western foods and Western restaurants are cheaper in the PI. Consequently, it maybe cheaper to live in Thailand; unless western foods, alcohol and tobacco are your major expenses.

 

The PI has some terrible environmental problems with garbage and pollution everywhere, but there are over 7,000 islands; so many more beaches, jungles, mountains and tropical scenic beauty is available;if you avoid the garbage. Of course, the PI is an island so travel to another country requires plane or ship travel. Thailand offers four other countries on its borders, which you will invariably need because of the visa hassles for long-term stay.

 

There are beautiful women in both countries, so looks is not the issue. However, a Christian culture and the ability to speak English is a considered a plus by many expats. I think the real benefit for a man seeking female companionship is the fact the Filipinas--both bar- and non-bar girls--are more eager to hook-up with a foreigner with the hopes of leaving the PI. They tend to be more long-term oriented and can more easily place you before their families; if they love you, of course. However, women from both cultures are family-oriented and may expect you to help support siblings and parents.    

 

So, as previously stated, go forth young man and, as my ole grandpappy used to say, "pays your money and takes your choice."

sounds like cheap booze and cigarettes are your top priority(two paragraphs)....would rather pay a bit more and have some great food to eat like in Thailand....

8 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Manila Airport (all 3 of them) and the bus stations are about 5Km apart, plane usually arrives around 1-2am. I just walk through the barrio to the (Pasay Victory line) bus station, I always like a walk after a flight.

Brave!

any chance of spelling out with alphabet those thai expressions, as google translate doesn't seem to do it

30 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Surprised, I've walked all around slums in Manila in the very early morning/late night, never any problems, usually the locals shout out stuff like 'Good morning Sir' and 'have a nice day'.

Did you do that on purpose like for exercise or was it by accident?

22 minutes ago, lovelomsak said:

Never been to Philippines but knew many Filipinas. My suggestion would be get a Filipina wife and live in Thailand.

 Filipina women win hands down in all ways. They are way more and better domestic,s. They take more pride in taking care of the home and family.They respect what you give them and  take care of what you give them. A perfect example of taking care of you give them is I gave a Filipina a pair of running shoes. 2 years later they still looked like new she cleaned after each time she wore them. I gave a pair to my Thai wife 2 months later they were wrecked.She never untied the laces and broke the back of the shoes. They were never cleaned and looked like rubbish.. Philippines country is a shithoole but the women are the best.

  Marry Filipina live Thailand.

  

what about cooking?

Btw this place has excellent reviews on trip advisor and the elephants are treated with the greatest love and respect. 

http://www.elephant-village-pattaya.com/

excellent 4/5 stars in the google reviews.

6 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

You obviously don't know much about elephants.  If you knew what they went through so you could ride them, or how weak their backs are and how much they suffer, you'd change your mind.  Hopefully.

 

Yes, majestic animals that aren't meant to be ridden.  They deserve more respect.

What about horses?  Elephants have been ridden since ancient times so you better dust off your history books.

1 minute ago, Naam said:

now you made me cry!

Sorry about that!

1 minute ago, Naam said:

i am glad that i miss out on the "great Thai food" which is not prepared by our cook in our kitchen!

wow, sounds like you are living in unpleasant circumstances....why not leave if so unhappy!

4 minutes ago, Naam said:

mind boggling and utmost illogical is the idea that moving to Thailand might be based on the preference for Thai food.

 

as a part of my diet i love Thai food but this had nothing to do with the decision to retire in Thailand.

nice try with your pretzel logic!  The original assertion is completely different and your statement is rejected.

2 hours ago, KittenKong said:

If you want to talk to people then the RP is a much better bet than Thailand. Filipinos basically think almost the same way as westerners do, and English is their second (or sometimes first) language. This is why so many of them work in hospitals, hotels etc abroad. Thais on the other hand are almost completely alien in the way they think, and generally their command of English is poor.

 

However if talking is not high on your list of priorities then Thailand has better infrastructure (largely due to the great number of natural disasters that occur often in the RP: earthquakes, floods, hurricanes).

 

Both nationalities suffer from what is to me an insane obsession with religion, though Thailand has the edge on that.

 

Local food in the RP is often quite bland, with some exceptions, but Filipinos embrace foreign things more readily.

 

Apart from that it's a question of swings and roundabouts, with some things being better there than here, and vice versa. The same applies to prices. You will pay much less for beer (for example) there but more for some other things, so the bottom line may well be the same depending on how you live.

Try both and make up your own mind.

Technically speaking Phils gets typhoons, not hurricanes.

14 hours ago, SidJames said:

Where exactly is that spot lapd?

Brooklyn Diner is right there, do you have a name for this restaurant please?

 

I was in Pattaya Tai this afternoon & wander over to see if there were works ongoing.

Nothing but dust & locked shutters so no work is being done to the place.

 

There is a nice thai place on the corner of 3rd road and soi chaiyapoom

10 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

No elephant rides!  Please!

Such wonderful majestic animals,.....you're missing out.

On 11/1/2017 at 8:58 PM, balo said:

I do most of my shopping at Big C and 2 full bags is around 500-600 baht .  Will last me for 3 days. I eat out almost every day , only Thai food dishes around 50-60 baht. Maybe a beer 60 baht. Coffee 40-45 baht . You wont find me at Starbucks.I own an espresso machine anyway so drink 4 cups daily.

So I would say 400 baht daily is doable. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Why you spending so much on a beer....should be no more than 40 baht for 1 can, or are you talking large bottle?

20 hours ago, tropo said:

There is nothing "hi-so" about how I live. I budget quite hard to get to my level. It wouldn't be difficult to spend 4x as much on food.

 

Would it not surprise you that as a foreigner I prefer Western food every day. That's one of the reasons I live in Pattaya - because there's a huge choice of Western foods. Why would I want to eat Thai beef when the supermarkets are full of decent imported beef from my home country. Not too long ago, I ended up with a tapeworm courtesy of rare Thai beef.

Agree with your budget idea, but it is mind boggling why you would come to Thailand and live on a western diet....missing out on so much great Thai food.  It would be like if someone moved to Australia to live on a Korean diet.  Just not logical!