emwobberlydee

The name I've been given is Mane Kumpong but the chances are that isn't how it would be listed. I also have that it is 'past 32130'. I'm just looking to see if I can see in on any maps, or perhaps have a look at it on google earth.

Can anybody provide any help?

Thanks

Ban Kampong is in Amphur Rattanaburi, it is about 15km from Rattanaburi towards Amphur Non Narai. It is west of road 2262, east of road 2079 & south of road 2076. It can only be accessed by dirt roads. On Google Earth look for the reservoir at Ban Pu which is about 15km south of the Moon River the village is somewhere off to the south west of the reservoir (~10km).

Hope this helps.

The name I've been given is Mane Kumpong but the chances are that isn't how it would be listed. I also have that it is 'past 32130'. I'm just looking to see if I can see in on any maps, or perhaps have a look at it on google earth.

Can anybody provide any help?

Thanks

I live in post code 32130 - downtown Rattanaburi, I'll have a look at my maps. Failing that I'll ask the Mrs (Yokel from Rattanaburi). I presume Mane = Ban (village).

My first visit to Issan was a lot of fun yet occasionally a little painful.

Plenty of food was laid on as they knew we were coming, plenty to drink as well, the house at the time was an old style building with low beams (for me). I 'examined' several of these beams up close with my forehead as well as a few low flying door frames.

Sleeping directly under a ceiling fan seemed a great idea at first until beatles flying into the fan are deflected down at great velocity and typically smack you in the head as well.

Some mosquito repellent as the sun goes down greatly improved my mood, as sitting swatting and scratching for the remainder of the evening was not something I relished the idea of.

It was truely incredible how many in-laws were crammed into the car when we went off to the nearest bigger town.

I live up country permanantly now and wouldn't move for the world but that first visit is always one to remember.

Get up there and have a good time!

I did not pay anything, my wife informed her family that as I was taking on her two children as well, that was payment enough (they are now 24 & 25 years old and still dependent so how true was that!)

We got married in Bangkok on paper without any ceremony. I'm an atheist so ceremonies are a waste of time IMO, the Mrs. had had a ceremony the first time around. We are now still married with no problems whatsoever after 12 1/2 years.

Is it possible that 1 bath of gold in Thailand is not the same quality of gold??

19 karat???

just thinking??

Usually, 96.5 % is printed on bullions purchased in China town. The following is a table that shows karats and corresponding purity:

KARAT AND PERCENTAGE

1 karat equals 4.167

6 karat equals 25.000

8 karat equals 33.333

12 karat equals 50.000

14 karat equals 58.333

18 karat equals 75.000

22 karat equals 91.671

24 karat equals 100.000

Therefore, 96.5 percent could be anywhere between 22 and 24 Karats. This could be the reason for the value difference. Normally Thai retails shops claim 96.5% to be 24 karats.

Thai gold is 23 carat / 96.5% purity as you say which accounts for the difference in price of US$635 / troy ounce and US$ 612 / troy ounce of Thai gold. Most of the gold shops also sell 99.9999% purity in the form of small bars and 'Chinese cups' (for wont of a better phrase) in baht weight or troy ounces. Buying the gold in this form negates the need to pay for "workmanship" which is a fee levied per baht weight on gold jewelry. It is further advisable to buy your gold jewelry either in China Town or on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 10 (a branch of a Chinatown dealer.) The reason for this is their gold is allegedly a better quality and ensures that you receive the top selling price when you want to offload for cash or upgrade an item.

Obviously the gold bars are the way to go for investment, however, hoarding gold in the physical form brings with it its own set of problems, theft / safety deposit box fees etc.

There are now precious metal ETFs these days 'GLD' in the US which can be traded like any stock on the market, no need to store anything yourself. You can also have a bank account in gold grams (Kitco). I seem to recall that the exchange rate fees are quite high, I could be wrong on this.

Im a Uk national and resident going to BKK return for a month. I want to pop over to hong kong to see a mate for a few days.

It just occured to me, do I need to get a visa for a few days in HK or is it the same as Thailand, where we get a free tourist visa on arrival?

cheers

chester

You won't need a visa, UK passport holders can go for 180 days a year for free.

Understanding the question!

During one of my medicals the doctor asked "how many units of alchohol do I normally drink?" I erred on the low side and replied "20" to which he replied "20 a week is not too bad." Alas I thought he was asking per day!

I also work on the rigs and cannot drink for over half the year, a saving grace!

Thank you for taking the test.

You scored 13.

Feedback

Your drinking is medium risk and you are likely to be drinking above safe levels.

You are more likely to experience harm as a result of your drinking than most people.

This means that you are more likely to have accidents, social / psychological problems and have a higher risk of developing alcohol dependency problems in the future.

You may not have experienced harm so far and if you are able to cut down, you should be able to avoid serious problems.

Your score is higher than 73.5% of UK adults.

Here are a couple of pics in the sticks.

Thanks to kalasin for the 'how to add an attachment'

FedEx, Great adverts on Television showing them going to great lengths to deliver packages consigned to them. However in reality, the lazy buggers won't deliver to my house. The packages arrive in Surin and are then forwarded by local mini bus to my home town with no paper work attached. We have to go and meet the driver near the local market. Fortunately, the guy entrusted with my packages is known by my wife. Complaining gets you nowhere.

can this be done, i plan on going back to england to work for between 4-6 months, i have dual citizenship, i dont no if to get a visa travel on my australian passport, or renew my uk one, the reason i stat this is.

if i travel on my australian passport,buy a ticket for the girlfriend in bangkok,what visa would shew need and get would this be very hard, i only really want to get her a holiday visa has she does not need to work.

or is it better to travel on my uk passport pick her up and do a visa to the uk, i think this will be hard has i have not lived there for 26 years, had many visits though.

even if she can come for one month i will be happy,i just want her to meet my family over there.

she is currently my girlfriend but we have plans to sign papers on my next trip end of january.

she is a educated bangkok girl and has a degree, and has a good work history, will this help her.

thanks guys, i am just trying to get my head around all this and see if i can make it happen, on my next trip i want to get things moving.

nev

The most important thing that most western embassies look for when issuing visas to Thai Citizens is a "reason for returning to Thailand."

It would help tremendously if she owns some property here in Thailand. Do you have a job to go to in the UK? If yes then your employer can write a letter supporting her entry. Does she have a full time job here in Thailand, this will also help.

She will probably require an interview with the embassy staff as part of the application, this can be serveral weeks/months after the initial application so plan ahead with this in mind. The best time to apply is during the winter months as fewer people apply at this time.

Be honest in the application, no matter how brilliant you think your lies are, they do this for a living day in and day out and have heard them all before. I have seen people 'make up' jobs for their girl friends, the embassy will check up on this.

I have dealt with the British Embassy in Bangkok for 13 years now and they have always granted every application I have made for myself and my Thai family.

To save time / expense you can download the application forms form their website.

Hope this helps

There was a spate of burglaries in my home town in Surin Province, all those robbed were Thai and vulnerable (only female occupants / elderly). The explanation at the time was that gambling debts from the last World Cup needed to be paid. Seems to have quietened down since then.

The high wine prices came in after the Thai economic crisis in 1997 when a 70% Luxury Import Duty was levied on any item that was deemed a luxury. I seem to recall that some politicians at the time were making a big show out of only wearing locally manufactured Thai neck ties to prove a point about supporting Thai industries.

Unfortunately, this tax was never taken away again once the economy recovered.

Where can I buy a decent pair of slip on, steel toe capped boots at a reasonable price?

There is a shop on sukhumvit Soi 22 in Bangkok - near Rama 4 road end, it's a little tricky to find. Coming from Rama 4 road it's behind the motor bike taxi stand about 50m down on the right - ground floor of an office building. Their slip on boots are about Baht 1100 for cash and no receipt - add 7% GST if you need a receipt to claim on expenses.

Their boots are pretty good, I have been using them for 12+ years.

Does anybody know if there are any other bars in Bangkok, besides the Downunder (it just closed recently), that will be showing the Ashes Live. The first test starts on Thursday at 7am.

Thanks

The Sports Bar / British Pub on Sukhumvit Soi 4 showed the Ashes last time around, I guess they'll be doing so again this time, it's about two runs distance down from Nana Plaza.

Can you do a little test for me? I live near a village in Loei named Nong Hin. We have some friends that live in Si Chompu. The Garmin unit I looked at routed me south on 201 to Chumpae then east on highway 12 then back north on 2153 to Si Chompu. We did take a shortcut once but without my wife with me and her asking directions we would have never made it. My road atlas shows no roads between highway 201 and highway 2153 but there are some. Without that kind of detailed information I don't need to spend the money for a GPS and can continue to use the road atlas.

Gary, There are many un-named roads between Route 201 and route 228 - where I found Si Chompu. As to how good these roads are.....? I have never used a GPS to suggest a route but I guess they recommend the major routes. The minor roads only show up on the GPS on the 1.2km scale or better when the unit is set to "detailed" so it can be a little tricky to plan a route in advance.

Hope this helps - emwobberlydee

Cycling around my home town and over to the surrounding amphur towns by the back routes / tracks with GPS. I also like to go kayaking on the Mun River. On a rainy day, there is always the stamp collection to work on...

Where did you get your GPS unit and does it have good mapping for the Issan area? Thanks Issangeorge.

I bought it in the Phantip Plaza last year, I only found one shop, I can't recall the name of the shop but it is on the left as you enter the Plaza from the footbridge and 2nd from the end before you overlook the ground floor, confused? There were plenty available in Fortune Towers on Ratchadaphisek Road but all the shops had the same prices. I bought a Garmin CS60, none of the shops have a real one on display, only presentation models (no guts). When you buy one you can ask for the city map option which gives you an extremely detailed map of Thailand including about 95% of all the dirt roads (my estimate.) The map is extremely accurate although it set me back a further Baht 4000, well worth it in my opinion. When you order the model you want it will be delivered to the shop in 24 hours.

Warning, there is only one distributor in Thailand and they are happily charging more than double what I have seen on Ebay. I have no idea how to get the local map without buying the GPS from this company (any prices I quote now will be 18 months out of date.) The map is so detailed on the 50m scale that hotels / bars / restaraunts / petrol stations / schools etc all show up - very useful. I have no regrets paying the full price as it has really opened up Issan for me, there's nothing worse than cycling along a track that ends up as a dead end in the rice paddy! i have been unable to download the map from the GPS to my computer either, the computer software that comes with it is fairly hopeless except for the download and upload features and map woefully inaccurate.

Hope this helps - Emwobberlydee

www.feelfreekayak.com - the Thai link doesn't seem to be working at the moment (1 month already!) Their product range can still be seen on the international part of the website.

I'm going to try and find their shop in a couple of days time while I'm passing through Bangkok.

Thanks, I looked at their website and found the same problem. If I can buy a kayak somewhere in Thailand I will, I don't mind driving down to BKK and putting one on the roof-rack...

Just paid for another kayak from Central World (4th floor) Central Chidlom. I bought an Express Tourer Deluxe (new model) for Baht 24000 plus Baht 500 for delivery to Surin Province. Interesting to see that the prices are up a good 30% compared to last year! They only have a limited selection to view in the shop. The address I gave earlier is only their office but at least they had a brochure and told me where to go (politely) to buy a kayak. It should be delivered about five days after the order.

I used to play a fair bit about 20+ years ago, never brilliant but always willing to give it a go, does the FC have a board and pieces or do we have to bring our own? I'm about 75kms from the FC so a little prior warning would be needed preferably on a week day while the Mrs does the shopping in Makro etc.

Can you do a little test for me? I live near a village in Loei named Nong Hin. We have some friends that live in Si Chompu. The Garmin unit I looked at routed me south on 201 to Chumpae then east on highway 12 then back north on 2153 to Si Chompu. We did take a shortcut once but without my wife with me and her asking directions we would have never made it. My road atlas shows no roads between highway 201 and highway 2153 but there are some. Without that kind of detailed information I don't need to spend the money for a GPS and can continue to use the road atlas.

I'll take a look once I get home later at the end of the week...

Cycling around my home town and over to the surrounding amphur towns by the back routes / tracks with GPS. I also like to go kayaking on the Mun River. On a rainy day, there is always the stamp collection to work on...

Where did you get your GPS unit and does it have good mapping for the Issan area? Thanks Issangeorge.

I bought it in the Phantip Plaza last year, I only found one shop, I can't recall the name of the shop but it is on the left as you enter the Plaza from the footbridge and 2nd from the end before you overlook the ground floor, confused? There were plenty available in Fortune Towers on Ratchadaphisek Road but all the shops had the same prices. I bought a Garmin CS60, none of the shops have a real one on display, only presentation models (no guts). When you buy one you can ask for the city map option which gives you an extremely detailed map of Thailand including about 95% of all the dirt roads (my estimate.) The map is extremely accurate although it set me back a further Baht 4000, well worth it in my opinion. When you order the model you want it will be delivered to the shop in 24 hours.

Warning, there is only one distributor in Thailand and they are happily charging more than double what I have seen on Ebay. I have no idea how to get the local map without buying the GPS from this company (any prices I quote now will be 18 months out of date.) The map is so detailed on the 50m scale that hotels / bars / restaraunts / petrol stations / schools etc all show up - very useful. I have no regrets paying the full price as it has really opened up Issan for me, there's nothing worse than cycling along a track that ends up as a dead end in the rice paddy! i have been unable to download the map from the GPS to my computer either, the computer software that comes with it is fairly hopeless except for the download and upload features and map woefully inaccurate.

Hope this helps - Emwobberlydee

Cycling around my home town and over to the surrounding amphur towns by the back routes / tracks with GPS. I also like to go kayaking on the Mun River. On a rainy day, there is always the stamp collection to work on...

I live near the Mun and was thinking of buying a couple of kayaks, for use on the Mun and at Sirindhorn - where did you buy yours ?

You can buy GPS in BKK here: http://www.gadgetrend.com/gps_nav.php

Cheers,

Mike

I bought mine from Joy Sports in Bangkok, their address is 332/32, 4th floor, Chinchana Building, Asoke-Dindang Road. I ordered everything on the internet and it was transported to my house in Surin province for Baht 800. The Kayak brand name is Feel Free and you can see what is available at:-

www.feelfreekayak.com - the Thai link doesn't seem to be working at the moment (1 month already!) Their product range can still be seen on the international part of the website.

I'm going to try and find their shop in a couple of days time while I'm passing through Bangkok.

Cycling around my home town and over to the surrounding amphur towns by the back routes / tracks with GPS. I also like to go kayaking on the Mun River. On a rainy day, there is always the stamp collection to work on...

Where did you get your GPS unit and does it have good mapping for the Issan area? Thanks Issangeorge.

I bought it in the Phantip Plaza last year, I only found one shop, I can't recall the name of the shop but it is on the left as you enter the Plaza from the footbridge and 2nd from the end before you overlook the ground floor, confused? There were plenty available in Fortune Towers on Ratchadaphisek Road but all the shops had the same prices. I bought a Garmin CS60, none of the shops have a real one on display, only presentation models (no guts). When you buy one you can ask for the city map option which gives you an extremely detailed map of Thailand including about 95% of all the dirt roads (my estimate.) The map is extremely accurate although it set me back a further Baht 4000, well worth it in my opinion. When you order the model you want it will be delivered to the shop in 24 hours.

Warning, there is only one distributor in Thailand and they are happily charging more than double what I have seen on Ebay. I have no idea how to get the local map without buying the GPS from this company (any prices I quote now will be 18 months out of date.) The map is so detailed on the 50m scale that hotels / bars / restaraunts / petrol stations / schools etc all show up - very useful. I have no regrets paying the full price as it has really opened up Issan for me, there's nothing worse than cycling along a track that ends up as a dead end in the rice paddy! i have been unable to download the map from the GPS to my computer either, the computer software that comes with it is fairly hopeless except for the download and upload features and map woefully inaccurate.

Hope this helps - Emwobberlydee

Cycling around my home town and over to the surrounding amphur towns by the back routes / tracks with GPS. I also like to go kayaking on the Mun River. On a rainy day, there is always the stamp collection to work on...

"I killed the president of paraguay... with a fork"

I've racked my brains on this one. Still no idea. Go on - Which film is it then?

A scene from Grosse Pointe Blank

Martin Blank (Cussack) trying to explain to people what he has been doing for the past 10 years at a high school reunion. An excellent film.

My wife has drawn up a legally binding document whereby in the event of her untimely death, the house and land will pass to our son (currently nine). It also states that I can remain living there for as long as I wish. Her main concern was with my son growing up and marrying a "black hearted woman" complete with nasty family accessories as oppose to her own family. Sounds a bit like a Thai Soap Opera script to me!

As already mentioned above the stumps have to be removed after the trees have been harvested. Having just done this I can say that it cost us about Baht 66,000 to clear 15 rai. Note that we have our own tractor, using a company to do the work would have cost Baht 20,000 per rai. Many locals now want us to clear their land but they are trying to screw us down on the price, it's certainly worth considering outside of the ploughing season. The price of land with Eucalyptus stumps around us has now gone up in price - uncanny!

We bought the land a year after the trees had been harvested so I do not have any first hand knowledge of the value of the trees.

As for how good the land is going to be for growing anything else, watch this space and I'll keep you updated over the coming years, I'll give you all a first hand account!

Successive American governments both Rep & Dem have spent far more than they collect (taxes etc). Check this link to see the Federal Debt just building and building year on year.

http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdpenny.htm

Yes people, that's 8.588 trillion dollars at the latest count! Doesn't sound like much? Take that as $20 bills in a stack and it will more than go aroung the Earth's equator! As a few others have pointed out already there is also the issue of the trade deficit currently at 64 billion dollars per month, that is a lot of money to be haemorrhaging even is you are the biggest economy in the world.

The way out?

A)Balance your budget which will probably lead to a massive recession.

B)Inflate your way out of it which makes it easier to pay back - also fiddle with the inflation statistics to make it look like all is well and claim you are mantaining a strong dollar policy. This is what is currently happening.

C)Default - bloody unlikely (I hope).

Inflation is primarily caused by Central Banks just increasing money supply out of thin air which the US has been doing for quite some time now.

Central banks around the world are diversifying their currency reserves away from dollars, this is all quite calm for now, but if there is a panic then there could be a stampede for the exit.

I will be the first to admit that I am not an economist and I'm sure that there are plenty of people who would like to shoot my summary down in flames but when Joe Six Pack (average US citizen) wakes up in the morning and realises that the US Economy is trouble it will already be too late.

The last thing I want to see is a global economic melt down as it will affect everyone everywhere, have a little gold tucked away somewhere just in case...