Cent

I've been woken up when she tried to eat my elbow, while she was still asleep. Must have been having a dream about dining out.!!!

More than a few times i got woken up by a good slap in the face because she dreamed of me having an affair.

I concur with this, i have been woken up,being accused of sleeping with a blonde, even though i never go for blondes

All,

My wife has done the same thing to me. It has become a running morning joke, my asking her if I got anything nice in her dreams. I also put in requests now for her to dream about me with some Thai tottie I see that I like on the TV. It also is the source of my nickname of 'mia baa' for her now.

"These dreams cause them to have what I like to call "mianoia" "

Absolutely hilarious. Loved this one!

Cent

Business:

a 19 seat twin turbopropeller costs (Variable + fixed costs) around 2000 US $ per hour.

Average booking must be more than 70 % so 14 passengers to share 80000 Thai Baths = 5714 Baths per passenger per one hour of flight. (Average speed 450/500 km/h)

Who is the generous donator who want to start a Business?

Asian Frog,

USD 2000 an hour? Is this cost to operate in the US, or Thailand? Where did you get these figures? Can you show a breakdown of the costs? Is this mostly fuel consumption? Landing fees? Taxes? I do know Phuket Air said they were making no money off their flights to the small cities. I couldn't figure it as the plane was usually full. When they stopped the flights they were charging around 1650 baht one way. (I would have paid more if they upped the price just for the convenience and time saved.) I can see fuel costs being high, especially now, but when Phuket Air was flying to Surin it was before the current surge in fuel prices. Just wondering. They seem to be able to fly up here during the Elephant Festival for a week or two.

Cent

Just wonder because I hate flying over Ubon to land in Bkk and then get another flight to fly to Ubon..  I'm coming from Japan btw

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rumour has it, it's on the cards for somewhere around Surin. Although Ubon is titled Ubon Ratachani International Airport. I think that's Thai for people from any country can land there.

Lampard,

I highly doubt this rumor! hel_l, there isn't even any airline serving Surin any more since Phuket Air pulled out. The airport sits there unused until the Elephant Festival. I used to fly up on Phuket Air from Bangkok, and it was a treat to use; cheap, fast, and easy-four times a week with a stop in Korat on the way up. The way back down was even better without the Korat stop. 50 minutes tops for the trip. Now I have to go to Satuk/Buriram to get a plane down to Bangkok on PB Air. That requires another 50 minutes trip by truck dammit! The Surin airport is 5 minutes from my house! Let me know if you hear of them starting service once again to Surin. I would be delighted to hear this.

Cent

p.s. I'll be down for a cheese plate and a couple Grolsch soon.

These bricks, same size 40 in 1 square meter are sold in our area (Burriram) for 9 THB a piece brought to your door. In our village there is one Thai family building a house with them. I am following their activities with great interest and thinking of building some bungalows with this system myself.

Arthur

Here in Surin, the same bricks, same quality but natural earthy yellow, not cement-colored, cost 6 TBt at NET Foundation (Northeastern Thailand Development Foundation, also referred to as ICTO Institute for Training on Community Development, Thai NGO). Uses the same Ubon-made presses, which are not bad, but not the most advanced block design available on the Thai market, IMHO.

If interested, PM me for details.

incubus

Incubus,

There is a German man whose wedding I went to last year up here in the Surin area (Prasat I believe it was) that is now producing these interlocking block/bricks. He showed me his system and he has made his home and walls of these blocks they are producing. Very good quality these were. He told me the price per block, but I don't remember now what it was. He was just starting to produece these in quantity for sale. He goes by the name 'Lobo', and was a very nice guy who seemed to know what he was doing. (I was there with my women who were helping cook for the wedding as friends of the bride's family.)

I'll see if I can get his business address and numbers for these blocks if anyone would be interested.

Cent

p.s. Interesting story on how he met his wife. He was visiting Phuket when the Tsunami hit. He was running for higher ground when this woman rode past him on a motocyke. She stopped and urged him to climb on the bike and off they went to escape the water. He says she saved his life. They are now happily married.

Bobe,

All she needs to do that is your marriage license. Might need it translated to Thai possibly. I don't remember now, but my wife has her passport in her married name now, as well as her Thai ID card. ID done on the local gov offices, and the passport we went to BKK to have done. Will not be hard to do all that you said, but may be a bit time consuming. You know how government offices work, or don't. House papers need to be done at the local Amphur where the house is located I believe. But, if she seems to think she needs to 'get married' in Thailand after being already married legally in the US to get these things done, it is not necessary as far as I know.

Cent

Col

That's a good deal. 8000 baht a month is cheap. I'd love to find a good deal such as this myself if I ever move to Bangkok one day (which I may at some point in the next few years). hel_l, at that price I'd even rent it for the times I do spend in Bangkok rather than use a hotel each time. And near the subway as well. Nice find. I'm not saying a person needs to be on an expat package to live in BKK. But, how did you find the place? Could Brandon find a deal like this on the internet? If he speaks no Thai and has no Thai helping him, would this be easy for him to find for him to rent? Do you think he could have gotten your place for 8000 baht by himself? Or even found it?

Cent

True, to an extent. 200 to 250 US dollars a month can get you a small studio apartment in Bangkok, near the Skytrain and near the farang (foreigner) areas of Bangkok, which is on Sukhumvit Road basically. A house I doubt you can find for this price. More like 400 to 1,000 a month for a decent house in Bangkok.

A decent house in a normal Thai neighborhood in Bangkok goes for 5000 to 10 000 Baht a month (130 - 260 US$).

I pay 8000 Baht for a very nice 2 story house with garden close to a underground station.

One does not necessarily need thousands of dollars to live comfortably in Thailand, it all depends on the lifestyle. One does not need to come here on a secure expat package, also here are lots of opportunities if one is a bit enterprising.

The most important factor is if one is able to adapt to a completely foreign culture, nobody can answer that from the distance. And one month to try out is not enough time to answer that question.

The only thing that can become really expensive here is decent schooling for the son.

Brandon you should feel honored. Cent is a pretty famous guy. His writing has given me hours of pleasure and thousands of laughs and some thoughtful moments. I imagine he is easy to find by google.

For living in Thailand with good nightlife, Western restaurants, economic housing, cool climate a few months a year and excellent English speaking health care my choice is Chiang Mai.

Mark,

I think the word would be 'infamous'? Thanks, glad you've enjoyed the stories.

Brandon it would seem would like to be outside of the Big Mango. And Chiang Mai would be a good place I think. Cheaper than Bangkok, good farang amenities at least, and a nice area with many good expats he could hook up with as well to help him out. I've always wanted to spend some time of a longer nature up there. Wouldn't mind living up there for a year myself one day. I've visited a few times, and like it there a lot. At least he should do a visit first, as he has never been here at all. His 'Cuz' sounds like a young backpacker girl who could live off a dollar a day. Some of us older people would like a few of the western amenities on occasion. A 23 year old guy might not have a problem, but bringing the child along on that sort of income would be unadvisable I feel. Unless he has some decent health insurance, and some savings as well. One accident or health problem for either could be a financial disaster. Alone he could take his own chances, but not with the kid along, to live here.

Cent

Brandon,

"Hello. I am new here."

Hi, me too.

"I am 23 years old and tired of the US."

I'm 52 and have gotten away. I live in Thailand full time now for a couple years, and have been visiting and staying long periods for 12 years now. My youngest son is 23 by the way.

"I want to get away. Many of my family members love Thailand and some are going to move very soon. I want to make the move."

Thailand is a cool place to visit. Living here is different to say the least. The thing is, what exactly do you expect to do here? Language is a problem. English is spoken minimally by some-at least in the tourist areas, almost non-existent by many elsewhere around the country-some do have small English skills, but not enough for a general converastion.

"I have an online business that brings me $1,000 to $2,500 a month."

That's good. But how much of this can you use for living expenses? I figure to live decently here, in Bangkok, you would need around $1,600 a month. But, if you were to live outside the city it would be less expensive, but then you would have very few people to talk to and socialize with. You'd be surrounded by Thais in your neighborhood. Most of them speaking little or no English.

"I have been told that this type of US income will allow me to enjoy myself and save a lot of money incase I ever want to come back to the states."

Possibly, but practically less so I think. Depends on your extravagances and lifestyle.

"I am looking for any info, advise or comments on me wanting to move. I am tired of Bush, cost of living and people."

Understandable. And at your age, since it seems you have no 'career' to hold you back a short visit of say 6 months here would be a great experience. Grab it while you can. You may not get the chance again until later in life.

"I have a 15 month old son and an ex wife."

As someone asked, what are your legal payments for the ex and the boy. Is this coming out of your 1,000 to 2,500 dollar 'income'? And how steady is this income? Also, what is your 'average' monthly income, and how much time do you need daily to do this and keep up with your business?

"Here are some questions but please feel free to give me more input."

I'll try to answer your questions and give you some input as best as I can from my own experiences visiting and living here in Thailand. BTW, I live up in Isan in a smaller city called Surin. But I have many friends here who live in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, etc. So I know about these areas as well, as I have been to them all over the years and know a bit about what it costs them to live there as well.

"1. If I wanted to have TV and internet in my own house. I hear you can have a nice house for about $200 US a month. Any of this true and how true.

True, to an extent. 200 to 250 US dollars a month can get you a small studio apartment in Bangkok, near the Skytrain and near the farang (foreigner) areas of Bangkok, which is on Sukhumvit Road basically. A house I doubt you can find for this price. More like 400 to 1,000 a month for a decent house in Bangkok. Bangkok is expensive compared to other cities in the country. Up here in Surin I have a 2 story townhouse style apartment. Costs me 2,500 baht a month (around 65 to 70 dollars). But, I have a Thai wife and it was easy for me to find a place, as she did the searching and talking to the owners, and we have Thai friends who vouched for us as tenents. And this is a nice city, but not somewhere for a 23 year old guy I think. As a lone young farang I doubt you could even find a place like this on your own, so that is basically out. Plus, like I say, this isn't really a 'fun' place that you would want to spend lots of time in unless you were married to a Thai and living here full time.

"I don’t need to live near a big city"

Actually, you do. Unless you can speak some basic Thai you will need to reside in an area where some speak English. Otherwise this would be difficult for you, alone, and unable to speak the language. Living here is different from just visiting.

"but at the same time i don’t want to live in a jungle with no electric etc etc"

:-)

"2. Do I need to worry about being white and having money? Some friends are telling me i may be looked down on?"

No, actually you will be looked up to in some ways, and looked upon as someone to maybe get money off of. :-) And the girls will all love you unless you look like Quasimodo, and even then you have a shot. Who the h*ll told you this baloney?

"3. What are the BADS about moving there because all i ever hear about is the good."

There are good and bad things about Thailand. The good is it is very inexpensive to live here if you know what you are doing. The weather is hot and sunny. Even in rainy season it only rains an hour or two a day most days, and then the sun is out and it is hot. Foods are cheap and tasty, but can be very spicey, and definitely is not western food. Some love it, some hate this. Outside of the tourist areas it is hard to find ANYTHING that you are used to eating, most likely. Do you like Thai food/Chinese food, etc? This is why I say most need to live in the touristy areas, as most everywhere else in Thailand, except the occasional KFC shop, you will be eating Thai food. The people are friendly, but sometimes this is a facade. Everyone is friendly as long as you are flush and have cash to spend. :-) It is a totally different culture than what you have grown up in. You might want to read more on this site, and on other sites about the country.

Bad things? Rip offs, no western foods outside the tourist areas, theft, muggings, rapes, scams abound. No real English outside the tourist areas. But someone with some common sense can get along easily with some idea of what to watch out for. Same as any person living in a strange country really. Especially alone. Plus, outside of the tourist areas (Bangkok) really you have no way of getting around except by bus or train, or plane if you can afford it. It is cheap to fly really.

"I can adapt to my surroundings."

That's a good quality. Also try learning some Thai now.

"I am pretty likeable and easy going but a hard worker."

Which is all good, but remember one thing; you cannot work here on a tourist visa. Speaking of which, you can, as a Yank, get a 30 day tourist visa upon arrival. If you want to stay longer go to your local Thai Embassy or Consulate General's office and get a 6 month tourist visa. Good for 60 days at a whack (you will need to leave Thailand every 60 days and re enter) for 6 months. So you will need to leave twice during the 6 months.

"All I need is TV and internet and I can survive." Easy enough to get in your apartment really. But also, easy to do in the farang tourist areas as well from internet cafes, which are everywhere in the country really, and cost little to use. But the tourist areas seem to have the best set-ups for that. And it is inexpensive to use. So you really don't need a computer in your home, but yeah, it is easier if you do. I'd suggest bringing a laptop.

"Also any info on how a young man like myself might have fun."

Plenty to do in the cities, especially Bangkok. I'm not a clubber, but I hear from younger guys who do that scene who say they love it. If you want and decide to go ask me and I can give you the names of places to go to. Plenty of girls, but many are looking for a husband, or are hookers, or even part-time hookers, but sincere women are available to date as well. Especially at your age group. But if you can't find women to be with here there is something wrong with you. :-)

"I also love sports so any input on that would help."

Which sports? Soccer is big here. Cycling can be done. In some cities there are gyms to workout in. Plus you can jog. But the Thais have different games than we do, except soccer. There are expats living here that have clubs for different sports.

"Can anyone help me? Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. I look forward to some responses. Thanks!"

No problem, Brandon. If you have more questions just ask. Be specific though. :-)

I'm sure you could do a six month visit here and have fun and see some of the world, and it shouldn't be that expensive to do once you get some tips from others here. Later if you really think you will move here let me know and I can give you some URL's to different places for you to check out.

Cent

My Thai wife and I were married in the US, but now she wants to be married in Thailand also. I was previously married. Does anyone know what douments will be required and do they have to be translated or can they be authenicated at the embassy?

Bobe,

You do not need any paperwork as you are already married, so you have no need to register the marriage in Thailand. You are already legal. I think what your wife probably wants is the Buddhist family wedding and party after. Just bring money.

Cent