smccolley

I spent about 10 months working in KL and what I found is that it is hard to fit in. The Indian, Chinese and Malay don't really interact outside of work, so it is easy to ignore another group (white guys). When I went out with friends it was usually the Filipino workers as they were happy to include me in their activities. 

If I were to live there I could see myself being pretty lonely unless I found an expat group to hand out with.

On 6/15/2019 at 10:13 AM, RJRS1301 said:

Michael Hutchins, used a belt

 

In the early 80's one of the soldiers in my unit did himself like this in his closet. Not a pretty sight. It has been around for a long time.

So there is a doctor's visit as well. They don't just take your word for it?

I was in Jomtien Wednesday for my 90 day report - no one in line. I thin got my multiple entry - again no one in line. It was great.

BTW - I have been here 13+ years and this is my first 90 day report. No mention of the TM30. I have never filed one and they didn't care. Just mentioned I need to tell them if I move.

I have been corning my own beef, I want to make pastrami with it. just boiling it tastes excellent but I have a gas grill made to smoke (Char-Broil with TRU-infrared) and I bet the pastrami would be amazing. I would also like to try some St Louis style ribs. 

Prime rib sounds awesome! Where can you get that?

3 minutes ago, jimmyyy said:

Anytime, i use coconut husks for smoking meat.  I get em by the bag for almost nothing and they work great.

I read that they work, but right where I live there isn't a lot of coconuts. I will try it net time I am at the village though. I already ordered some mesquite and cherry from lazada. I will try that first.

Very helpful, Thanks Jimmyyy

Anyone know a place online or close to Pattaya that sells wood chunks for smoking in the grill? I am having no luck finding any.

Sun Belt Asia got my first non-B without any hassles. They took care of all the company requirements as well. I'd try them for a non-B first.

On 5/18/2019 at 6:05 PM, JHolmesJr said:

There is a soi in naklua, maybe Soi12, that lead to some temple of truth or something.

 

I loved that area....visited someone who had a nice bungalow there. Was lovely

I live across the street from the Sanctuary and even though the roads are full of potholes from the buses it is fantastic. Some nice houses to rent, clean air, no flooding and 5km from central Pattaya. Baht buses run from there all the way to Jomtien if you need

Koh Lipe with the family this year was excellent. The coral and diverse sea life compared to the Maldives. Food was reasonably priced and good. Only problem was the trip was painful - Pattaya to Rayong by car, Rayong to Hat Yai by plane, Hat Yai to the coast by bus, two hour boat ride to the island.

It depends on how much you will use it. My 2004 Chevy 4x4 has only 60,000km and looks and runs like new. Even if I can't sell it for much, it has been far cheaper than a lease over the last 14 years. If you drive a lot, like 100k km a year, a lease would be more cost effective.

Just got back from being audited yesterday. Even though I pay a huge chunk of tax every year, they said my company did my taxes wrong and I owe another ~300k THB. For this I get police protection...err no I don't, I have to pay for that extra. I get water service... err no I don't, only about 10 liters a day trickles up so I pay for a water truck. I get roads... err no, if I didn't have a 4x4 I would sink into the endless potholes to my house. I get butkis for million baht a year in tax.

The folks at the tax place were pretty nice and compassionate, but the laws are just draconian. They did try and find any deductions they could for me, but the options were limited. If I were you I would head to the local revenue office and ask them, they went out of their way to try and help me.

What day is it? Good one TV

What day is it again?? hahahaha

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I am certain it would not be accepted by immigration since the rules state a Thai bank.

I suspect also that it is would not meet the requirement that the money has to be available for immediate withdrawal without a penalty.

OK, I just checked and the name is Tisco Bank Public Company LTD, but withdrawing isn't particularly easy... Thanks Ubonjoe

I have money in Tisco Provenance fund, a Thai retirement/mutual fund "bank". Would that count? I am not sure if I could get a statement however, I only get annual printed updates, I can print from the comp anytime however...

1 hour ago, pgrahmm said:

Pro rated warranty.....If a 4 year battery lasts 2 years they pay 50% & manufacturer pays 50%....Customer then has a new 4 year battery.....

Yes, that is what I meant. I used to tell the customers they were just renting a battery. With summers being 40C+ every day they never lasted.

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

I'm with this. Just buy a new battery every 2 years and be done with it.

 

Or have a voltmeter installed. When it dips below say 12.6v buy a new battery.

I have an even better way of telling. My Chevy 4x4 has an electronic 4 wheel drive button. When the battery gets low it puts itself in 4 wheel drive when I first start it. Sure fire way to tell the battery is low.

Folks - the real answer is that heat kills batteries. I ran an auto shop in Phoenix AZ. We sold 5 year warrantee batteries. They never lasted more than 2 years in 40C heat. We just refunded them the difference and got them a new battery. 

If anyone knows of a battery that heat doesn't kill - I'd love to know about it. 

Alcohol Abuse!

18 hours ago, henry2109 said:

Thanks for the hint. - Actually, I am not a supporter of bribery, but in my case, I would swallow the toad, if the problem is solved. However, the red box is for the small cases, just ideal for your chicken-dog-problem, even though 20 USD/month  may be the most expensive chicken-feed in thailand.

I have been doing this for years since a neighbor pulled an M16 on me. He left, and everyone else leaves us alone. I have seen on 3 occasions where burglars have come down my street, stood and looked at the red box, and gone off and stolen someone else's bicycle (I have it on CCTV).

They watch my house closely when we are on vacation and are always available for a phone call for any type of issue. Money well spent!

Not sure it is even really bribery - we called the local amphur and asked if the service was available, they said it was and sent someone over.

I will sell you my 6 month old chromecast I got in NZ cheap - I got a new TV and all that is built in.. 

I was able to get a car loan 13 years ago in a similar situation, but that was a secured load. I am pretty sure and unsecured loan is out of the question.

With manual transmission you get a little bit better gas mileage, a little cheaper and lots better performance when zipping around corners and such at speed.

With an automatic you can spend less time worrying about what gear you are in as you crawl through traffic and pay extra attention to the cars/bikes/people jumping in front of you at all times.

Guess what we get more of in Thailand - open roads for racing around on or crawling in traffic with obstacles from every direction? Oh, and you are talking about a diesel truck, so you won't be zipping anywhere even if the roads are clear....