murrell

I use ThaiVisa Insurance also called AA Insurance to cover both of my new cars. Their rates were competitive and the service is superior to other Insurance companies that I've dealt with. Yes I know their website application is a kind of a pain in the a** but I think the benefit is probably they are able to give a more accurate quote.

I had a friend that used a Thai Broker and he went South with the premium rather than pay the Insurance company, so it is important for me to use a known reputable company.

Where are you located? I am East of Kalasin and would love to get Dream but I can't find anyone that knows anything about it. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Up and running here

Thanks George, your suggestions seem reasonable. I too thought getting a job teaching at the local HS would be a good idea, but my wife is not too excited about it for a couple of reasons. One is she thinks it's better to teach outside the immediate area for privacy reasons and to avoid being the subject of gossip. In addition, because she has been abroad for an extended period of time, compounded by the fact that she has her degree from the US she feels a lot of resistance from the local academes and feels like an outsider. Lastly, she could hardly pass as a Filipina in that everyone knows her because she grew up in the community. Yes, I heard that the Thais consider Filipinos native speakers of English; I guess they have never been to the Philippines. <G> The good news is that she doesn't need a Visa or Work Permit.

I had heard that the foreign HS English teachers were earning 30K per month; is it only 20K?

My wife received her BA in Accounting from a university in USA (2006). Although she had taken 2 years English at AUA in Bangkok, she opted for a year in the US Government sponsored ESL and then a year of college credit (60 term hours) of which 45 hours was transferrable. Then 6 more years full time to finish her BA degree for a total of 8 years, graduating with a 3.67 GPA overall. She made the Dean's list 2 years, Phi Beta Kappa, etc..... This was an expensive education although because she became a resident and later a US Citizen she qualified for lower tuition costs. She had to work very hard for her undergraduate degree because she was competing directly with American students, different than beening in a Masters program for foreign students.

Bottomline is that she feels her Thai is not college level, only high school level because she received her college education in English. And because she has spent so much time outside Thailand she is considered an outsider, consequently employers are not standing in line to hire her. In retrospect I think she would have been a lot better off going to Chulalongkorn and maybe doing a year abroad in some sort of exchange program.

She is currently in Thailand (Kalasin) and investigating going back to school in some sort of Masters program in Thailand so that she can establish herself. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

I just bought a 4 foot yellow neon mosquito light. It works great, not a single bug when its on! 440 baht, but worth it. Evenings on the patio are much more pleasant and I leave it on all night for the dog.

There is something I dont understand though. The only yellow bug lights I see around, are in cow sheds. Good for the cows, for sure. But in our small village, and surrounding villages, the people sit outside at night under a white light. Ive done that and the bugs are unreal! Why wouldnt they use a bug light? There have been reports of malaria here and 1 death in the next village.

The box the yellow tube comes in says its safe for humans and animals, and recomends use in homes, schools and hospitals. They are supposed to emit photons, whatever they are, and are safe.

Where can you buy the yellow light. Is it a fixture or just the tube? Thanks in advance for your response.

Does anyone know where I can buy 6" standard poly foam or latex foam? I live near Kalasin and can easily travel to Roiet, Khon Kaen and Sakon Nakorn to buy the kind of mattress that I'm looking for which is just the plain ole foam. All I can seem to find are the interspring type or HomePro has an expensive foam type that is probably a knock off of Tempupedic for about 30K TBH.

For those that are not familiar with new trends in mattresses a lot of people in the US are switching from the Beautyrest inter-spring type mattresses to foam and more specificly "memory" foam. I've done some research after buying a factory memory foam mattress and can build my own with a 3" memory foam (also called topper) plus a 6" base foam mattress and then have a cover made to incase it. I brought the memory foam in my checked baggage from the US and now need to find a standard poly foam or latex foam to complete.

Foam is suppose to be bug resistant, especially dust mites and is also suppose to be well suited for tropical climates. 6" foam is like a standard in the Philippines and it is all over the place. Any input or help locating foam will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the tip on eating places. I'll be in touch via PM.

I just moved to Nakhu (60 km East of Kalasin) with my wife of 11 years and am looking to meet some expats that live in the area. Lunch is on me!

Welcome to Kalasin (area)... Although there seems to be possibly 30 or more Farangs in the area, there really isn't much of an Expat gathering place.... Always run into some at the Plaza when shopping, sometimes will see one or two in the Markets (morning or afternoon markets) and often downtown around the Banks...

There are a few of us who often go to the Califare Coffee Place along side of the lake by the Rim Pao Hotel / Park in the afternoons... There is a Farang Food Restrurant on a small Soi just down the road from the Chinese Watt... Mostly has German food, but excellent Pizza's and the owner is a nice guy...

I have lived here for about six years now and have seen Farangs come and go..... Feel free to PM me if I can be of any assistance or offer any suggestions / information about the area....

Pianoman

Thanks much George, yes I live in the Nakhu you are referring to. I have met the 2 teachers they live about a 100 meters from me. I've been out to the pool several months ago but the farang and his wife were out of the Country and his relatives were running the place. BTW, my neice and newphew say you were a very good teacher and handsome too! <G> Thanks for the offer of your contact info, I will send you a PM. Regards, Fred

Murrell, Nakhu, I am assuming you mean Ban Na Khu just North East of Khao Wong? If so I taught there last summer at the local high school, there are few farang in the area. I never met him but I believe the owner of the swimming pool that is open to the public is a farang, also the high school has one American and his Filipino wife teaching there. If you go south on Highway 2291 about 32 kms past Khao Wong you will come to Bua Khao sometimes called Kuchinarai, turn right at the lights and then right again at the first road, go down this road to the first cross road and on the right is a restaurant. I am not sure of the name but it is green in colour and every Tuesday night at around six o'clock a bunch of farang from the area get together for dinner and some farang conversation. I am pressently teaching in Kalasin so am unable to attend. I live just off Highway 2242 before you come to Mukdahan if you want some contact info PM me. George

Thanks for the map, I think I can find it now.

I just moved to Nakhu (60 km East of Kalasin) with my wife of 11 years and am looking to meet some expats that live in the area. Lunch is on me!

Hi,

I've got to spend a night in Kalasin, can anybody recommend a decent hotel ? There is a new one, the Pailin which looks OK on paper............the few reviews of the Rimpopo or whatever its called are not too favourable, plus they were quoting 3000B for 2 rooms with a double bed. The Jr. suite at the Pailin comes in at 1700, still a tad pricey for Isaan IMO, any suggestions ?

Cheers

I lived just down the road from the new Plailin Hotel while it was being built, have nevered stayed there but tried eating breakfast at their restrurant on several occations... Just couldn't beleive that it was actually that Bad, so kept going back over several months, and it never got any better... It is new enough that I would imagine that most the rooms are still "Like New", and we know several of the Staff who say that it is nice inside...

I have stayed numerous times at the Rim Pao Hotel and always found it enjoyable... Like most Isaan Hotels, their idea of Western Food leaves a lot to be desired, but they do try... Always top service, top attitude and a nice place to stay... Great Location, Pool, Disco, two Sing-a-Song Places and a Billiard Hall.... I have stayed in their "Standard Room" at 700 baht (that was two years ago) and in their "Presidential Suite" at 4,000 baht (that was 5 years ago)...

Unless you are seriously limited on funds, I would first go to the Rim Pao, look the rooms over and then if you feel you must do the same at the Pailin Hotel... It is located on the road going out of town past the Prison...

Pianoman

Can you please give me more detailed directions to the Rim Pao? About the only place I am familiar with is the Toyota dealership in that I am new to the area and actually live 60 km East in a village called Nakhu. I would greatly appreciate meeting some expats that are willing to give a little advice to a newbie. Thanks in advance for your response. Fred