Jamie

I like flying Northwest, though their flight attendants leave a lot to be desired.

I think worst would be United. For cancelled flights and flight delays in general.

did anyone understand a word he said?

craigrs, how is your Thai? The guy is Thai...I'm sure his English is a lot better than your Thai.

"I was in love the second day. So we made plans." How many times did this guy get kicked in the gonads (metaphorically speaking of course) before he learned? Yet he seems to be quite the expert on Isaan ladies.

Hi,

I’m planning to move to Thailand at the end of May of this year and I would really appreciate if you could answer a couple questions.

What’s the cost of living in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin/Cha-am? It is possible for two people (couple) to live on $1000 USD a month? What would it cost to rent a two room house(nice, not fancy ) – How much for utilities and food ? Are cars very expensive? What is the cheapest region, the most expensive? Is Thailand a very bureaucratic country or is it rather easy to get things done--for example, exporting goods or owning a business.

thanks

If you are planning on moving to Thailand, you might want to spend a bit longer than a weeks vacation there before diving in head first.

"Previous studies have not provided a direct link for contamination of lettuce in the field through fertilization with E. coli 0157:H7-contaminated manure or irrigation with contaminated water. Moreover, the sites of association, surface or subsurface, of the pathogen following in-field contamination have not been delineated."

"We recognize that the levels of E. coli 0157:H7 used in this study are far greater than what may be found on an agricultural field;"

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extensi...02/art2may.html

So yes, let's bathe our crops in sewage water and see what happens. You cannot compare something like lettuce which has no effective "skin" to prevent "possible" migration to that of a watermelon. I'm curious to know why there has only been one study one can actually find on the net that supports this theory.

if watermelon is grown with dirty water then whatever the water is contminated is in the watermelon, as opposed to most fruit/veg which don't absorb bacteria - the bacteria is in the skin

Oh man. I don't know where you got that from but that is no where near being true.

Food Standards Agency training course...

I'm still waiting for an article link. I guess from now on we ought to stop using manure as fertilizer on gardens as the bacteria will make their way through the skins of our vegetables and kill us all.

Can you get Civet coffee there? I know you can in Vietnam

At least he took the essentials.

if watermelon is grown with dirty water then whatever the water is contminated is in the watermelon, as opposed to most fruit/veg which don't absorb bacteria - the bacteria is in the skin

A while back, someone posted up a research paper/news article here that pointed that out. They found that vegetables grown in sewage-contaminated soil actually absorbed the bacteria into the plant tissues, so washing them before eating them wouldn't necessarily protect you from a stomach upset.

I'd like to see that article. What, are they bathing the watermelon in sewage? Any soil is loaded with microorganisms. The only way I could see this as being a problem is if the vegetable was sprayed with sewage water and then not properly cleaned prior to eating. It would be even worse with things like lettuce where contaminated water would get under leaves etc. I don't think one has to worry about bacteria getting "absorbed" in to the thick skin and rind of a watermelon.

I don't think the OP said anything about coming there for 3 weeks to find a wife.

Below is a quote from the OP.

"Id like to meet a native Thai girl who is interested in a long term monogomous relationship that could potentially lead to marriage. "

Below is a quote from the OP.

...So that when I arrive in May, I could have at least some friendships established.

I guess reading has become a lost art. The OP never stated that in his visit for 3 weeks he is going to find a wife.

I lived in Thailand for about 8 years. I worked as a training mgr. in a hotel with 2,00 staff. I was married at the time (Thai Hotel mgr.) and found the educated, intelligent Thai ladies comfortable with me. As friendships developed many of them told me how they despaired of most Thai men and were keen on foreigners.

Its called telling you what you want to hear.

IMO there is something just not right about this idea of going on holiday for 3 weeks to find a wife, if i set myself a 3 week timetable to find a decent wife anywhere on the planet im sure id fail, and ive a good heart and am a hansum man.

The first girl i met in LOS was English and happenned to live 2 miles from where i was living at the time, tourist chicks are always an easy target.

If your 30s and dont have much luck with the ladies back home going to LOS is a good time to have some fun and play the field.

I don't think the OP said anything about coming there for 3 weeks to find a wife.

I met my gf on a international dating site called Meetic. I only chose to write to professional women with university degrees. We chatted every day for about three months and then I came to see her in Thailand. We have been together now for nearly three years.

Its important though to think it all through. If you do meet that special person then either you will have to come and live in Thailand or she will have to come and live with you. Either one is likely to be problematic and involve issues with employment, visas, work permits, culture shock, missing friends and family, language, climate, etc.

I recommend Meetic as well. I met my girl on there. We chatted and talked on the phone for a year though before I went there. She is university educated and has a good job.

By the way, if you are American and at some point you decide she is the right one (if you find her), a K1 visa takes about a year from submittal of your petition to approval after interview at embassy.

if watermelon is grown with dirty water then whatever the water is contminated is in the watermelon, as opposed to most fruit/veg which don't absorb bacteria - the bacteria is in the skin

Oh man. I don't know where you got that from but that is no where near being true.

How constricted is the Chao Phraya River? If a river has been locked in to place such as the Mississippi is in Louisiana, that is where you begin to see subsidence. It cannot continue to add new land that is constantly sinking in to the sea.

Flowers2Thailand. I send flowers to my boo all the time with this place. Good prices and good service.

Is that a better (or rather, more amplified) explanation?

We could all go on ad nauseam with this post. Everyone holds a different viewpoint, and probably at the end of the day there is no one definitive answer. We must each do what we want and believe to be correct, regardless of the consequences.

I am of course fully aware of customs and traditions here in Thailand and know that probably nothing is going to change these in the forseable future - certainly not the disparaging views of farangs - some of whom, shall we say, find them somewhat strange and at variance to our own culture.

The good thing is that through this forum we are all able to put forward our points of view, and for the most part, despite our different perspectives, we can discuss them in an adult way without becoming objectionable towards one another.

I agree with you on this point

For me, all that's left of the custom that's obligatory is the showing part of the ceremony. But if there is to be a gift, it is to show GRATITUDE for them having raised such a wonderful daughter.

Many farangs come here to Thailand having gone through painful divorces in their home country, have lost everything, including any savings they may have had, and are probably having to pay alimony and child maintenance for years to come. What little money is left, or what they may be receiving in pensions they hope is enough to be able to provide a reasonable lifestyle for themselves and their new lady love. If they are forced to hand over a significant amount to the future in-laws, then their lifestyle may well be less than they desire.

But I would also like to pass comment on one phrase you used "it is to show GRATITUDE for them having raised such a wonderful daughter." Isn't that just a bit one sided? Shouldn't the girls parents be showing gratitude to the farang for giving their daughter the prospect of a future they could only dream about.The possibility of a home in farangland, or a nice home somewhere in Thailand, with any children given a good education. Perhaps (as in many cases) the farang has removed the girl from the bar scene, where but for him she might well remain for many more years, age quickly and subject herself to the possibility of all sorts of diseases.

Gratitude works both ways you know!

So...Which is it?

Silly? Your opinion, which really means little to me. Her family happens to be very nice so keep your insults to yourself. I gave the money freely because I wanted to help them. 300,000 Bht is a small amount of money to me. It's nothing compared to the cost of some of the women from these parts will cost you

not only in money, but in misery.

Sorry? I was responding, as you can see from the quotation, to siamesekitty.

Something seems to have struck a raw nerve

Yes, that is why you specifically used 300,000 bht. Whatever.

I'm not a historian, and I haven't been born long enough to accurately comment on the origins and purpose of the custom, but in the modern sense that is not really what it's about. For me, all that's left of the custom that's obligatory is the showing part of the ceremony. But if there is to be a gift, it is to show GRATITUDE for them having raised such a wonderful daughter. And it should be given voluntarily, as a sincere thanks from the heart, not as a payment, not as a demand, but as a gift.

What I'm trying to say is that Thais will understand the sentimental feelings underlying gifts to the parents of one's significant other, to one's elders. Perhaps it is also important to note that in most usual Thai cases the groom's age is not too far apart from the bride's age, so he really does feel as if he is taking on another set of parents, which he will most likely respect and care for as if they were his own parents. And as with his own parents, a gift to show his gratitude would not be demanded, but respectfully and wholeheartedly given.

Thats exactly as I view it.

Any family that demands that you do this, is a family to beware of. In the modern sense it is carrying on tradition, showing respect for that tradition, and showing respect to the parents for bringing up a wonderful daughter. This is all for "show".

It is really easy unless you are a cultural numbskull about Thailand.

Ok. I will put up my example. Not as a better wife example but just how it is. My wife was single, and at first I had all the typical farang hangups about doing this, buying her..all that. Her family said "up to you, don't do it". I suspected they did not mean it.

I asked my wife, and she said "up to you", as they do. Again, I suspected she did not mean that, but was just considering my feelings.

I saw between the lines and it is just tradition; why on earth would you want your future inlaws to lose face at a happy wedding ceremony?

I put 100,000B into the gold pot, and the next day my wife sneaked it out from her parents house under her jacket straight back into OUR bank account.

That is how it works, unless you are silly, and want to throw 300,000B into a poor and doubtless greedy family.

Just respect the traditions.

Silly? Your opinion, which really means little to me. Her family happens to be very nice so keep your insults to yourself. I gave the money freely because I wanted to help them. 300,000 Bht is a small amount of money to me. It's nothing compared to the cost of some of the women from these parts will cost you

not only in money, but in misery.

We get lots of invites to weddings, my GF is well known in the local society, thai + thai weddings i will go to, but falang + thai i dont like so much, especially if the falang has to go home to work to send money ect, and then the thai girls family say 'oh, that was easy money,find another falang', ,,,,,,

But to give 100kbht as a gift then pay 300kbht dowry, then im sure she will be faithfull to you, well, till your money runs out i suppose, on the other hand, if you are sure about this girl and her family, i wish you all the happiness in the world, Cheers, Lickey,,

The typical comment that all Thai women are scammers. I set the price, and I am more than happy. She was upset with me and her family for even bringing up sinsot. She is well educated and has a good job.

So why start the post in the first place if you are so sure? and the family talked about sinsot? so you have a money oreintated family, like i said, good luck to you..

I didn't start the post. Perhaps you should ask the OP why he did. Thank you for the well wishes. I appreciate them.

We get lots of invites to weddings, my GF is well known in the local society, thai + thai weddings i will go to, but falang + thai i dont like so much, especially if the falang has to go home to work to send money ect, and then the thai girls family say 'oh, that was easy money,find another falang', ,,,,,,

But to give 100kbht as a gift then pay 300kbht dowry, then im sure she will be faithfull to you, well, till your money runs out i suppose, on the other hand, if you are sure about this girl and her family, i wish you all the happiness in the world, Cheers, Lickey,,

The typical comment that all Thai women are scammers. I set the price, and I am more than happy. She was upset with me and her family for even bringing up sinsot. She is well educated and has a good job.

Never had any problems sending packages there. I send priority and fiancee gets it in about 2 weeks. Sending greeting cards is a different story. If I don't send them priority (costs $11 for one card) she NEVER gets them.

The emergence of China in the next 25 years will probably reshape the world as much as the emergence of Europe in the 19th century and the emergence of the USA in the 20th.

Just as the world seems to be beginning to run out of oil along comes china with 1.3 m ppl.

China has an insatiable appetite for oil and few reserves. As it enters the an oil market dominated by Europe and the US friction will be inevitable. This will have implications for all of us.

I agree with Chownah.

Part of the cost of moving to new energy technology is the cost of changing or making redundant existing energy technologies. There is a lot of money invested in the use of current energy technology and it is an additional cost for business already using existing technology to move to new technology. Often this is only economically viable when the return on investment for current technology has already been achieved, or when new technology offers better returns on investment. While a better return on investment is not possible the existing technology in use will most likely remain in use for its projected economic life span.

China, India or other developing countries have the advantage of being able to move straight into new technologies as they become available without the additional cost of the redundancy of the technologies they already use. This means new energy technology will be adopted faster in developing countries than in developed countries. Once, old technology plant and equipment used to be relocated from from developed countries to developing countries once it had passed it's deemed productive life span, but new environmental consciousness in both developed and developing countries has greatly reduced this practice.

On a per capita basis China uses much less energy than the US and I would expect it to remain so into the future even as their economy grows simply because on the whole, their energy technology should be more modern and therefore more efficient across the board than the US or Europe.

I disagree. The Chinese are not using the new coal gasification technologies available for power. They definitely have not adopted hybrid technology to any great extent to power their vehicles. I wouldn't say the Chinese have much of an environmental consciousness either. Over the next 10 years, the Chinese will need to build hundreds of coal fired power plants just to keep up with their growth demand in todays numbers

I will be giving 300K. I've given 100K, family will get other 200K when we come back to Thailand for the marriage. The 100K was a good faith thing. I'm 31 and she's 24. Too much? Wasn't for me. She didn't come up with the number, I did.

Your information is wrong. Appointments are being scheduled for February- I just made one.

My information is correct. I spoke to the US embassy. This is for a K1 visa.