Reginald Prewster

There we go, I have been working 42 years in the offshore and 21 years from it in the wind energy sector. Climbing ladders was not what my legs were made for. Both knees and the right hip bone is due. I must agree that the coating this is a reason I always step back from the wooden houses. All my family has wooden top floors but none has termites. My wife and I plan to build 3 houses same style on our farm. One for an old man and his wife who are a wealth of knowledge. They lost all in a inheritage case and since then lives on our farm as guard and supervisor. One for our housemaid who is the working horse and voice since decades... All are long years friends and none is family. The family my wife kicked out because the old story = Farang must pay = ATM) and the last is for me and my wife. Thinking about how we live, we decided a big Kitchen is a must (also to handle farm produce) an small office, a bedroom and one bathroom. We skip the living room as we never used one in the past, it was always a kind of workshop... All 3 houses shall form a kinda eco village hence none of us is superior...

Many times I threw this idea behind, but the Thais who live in such a house outmatch always my doubts. ...and I actually LOVE this houses. I visit many Thais and sometimes the celebrations let us stay over night. The wood smells so nice, the house itself stays cool inside even in the midday sun and a decent size is 450.000 THB (excl, electrics and plumbings) I am 60 now, do I really need to take the burden of building a brick house when these are tailormade available and they sure last a "lifetime" ?? 480K 360K (2 Bedrooms and huge open Kitchen which can easily be closed) 3 bedrooms, big kichen, 2 bathrooms... 580K The wood is hardwood, recycled and hence no risk that termites will chew through them. A cousin bought it 20 years ago and its still in a mint condition, the only thing he complains is, that the houses got pained and that makes it necessary to repaint all 3 - 5 years...

Many times I threw this idea behind, but the Thais who live in such a house outmatch always my doubts. ...and I actually LOVE this houses. I visit many Thais and sometimes the celebrations let us stay over night. The wood smells so nice, the house itself stays cool inside even in the midday sun and a decent size is 450.000 THB (excl, electrics and plumbings) I am 60 now, do I really need to take the burden of building a brick house when these are tailormade available and they sure last a "lifetime" ?? 480K 360K (2 Bedrooms and huge open Kitchen which can easily be closed) 3 bedrooms, big kichen, 2 bathrooms... 580K The wood is hardwood, recycled and hence no risk that termites will chew through them. A cousin bought it 20 years ago and its still in a mint condition, the only thing he complains is, that the houses got pained and that makes it necessary to repaint all 3 - 5 years...

Good one, and there are many but they are more challenging and not bought. I actually came 2002 to Thailand to overcome my divorcement with my German ex wife.. So what's more suitable that taking the BBTB (Bums Bomber To Bangkok) But then I met my love (now wife) ....she sold Pa Tong Go from her little street chart. I saw he the first time and it made *BANG* But from one moment to the other Bar girls were no fun anymore, they just were a big lie and a pussy to poke beside they pretend to feel with you and what you go through after divorcement.. The Pa Tong Go girl was customer orientated, as frequent customer I got always a cookie more and the soi milk dip for free every other day.. That was it, she kept distance and beside the friendly smile she gave all customers there was nothing. I felt I had no chance but didn't give up.. Then after about 4 month she gave me fired chicken she made herself because I cannot live on cookies alone she said. That was the break through... First candle light dinner: She popped up with her three sisters and a boyfriend of one of the sisters.. (FUXX !! plan spoiled) But the sisters demanded her to sit beside me.. (at least something, so I could feed her) First Visit to Granny and Father: She educated me well. Impressing me that a gift (Ka-shinng) is tradition but do not overdo it. Father will go drinking and having an accident and Granny will start digging for more. (500 For Father 200 for Granny whould be double what a Thai boy would give) Engagement after 3 years: BUT Granny as eldest need to give her goodwill. The Granddaughter was 35 years old, hence for free, Granny 20% eye sight said. He is quite tough, I thought 3 years ago already, he doesn't make it to the next year because he looks so sick, very pale that lad... 1 year engaged and I was still pale I asked for marriage. Who had last word? Off course Granny: Dowry: Upto lung (me) because she is the oldest of the sisters (36), no Thai would have her... I called out 100.000 Baht. Granny obiously shocked said "For 100k I could have the youngest sister" I also shocked said: "No way, I love the oldest" The entire Family laughed and said "he must be more blind than Granny" BUT we were both born in the year of the Tiger (1962/1974) so Granny decided, the last word has the Village monk.. "OUUUHOOOOIII! Tough Constellation, 2 Tigers. Wait 7 Years with the marriage" 2012 we got finally married, poor Granny didn't see it, father blew the 100 k in Laod Khao, Fighting Chickens and at least new windows in the house... I moved to Isaan and run a Parmaculture Farm with my wife and some long year Thai Friends have a relaxed life and doing my chores like I did as I grew up in Germany.... The only difference is that I am now happy married and we have a strong family bond.... Now you can imagine why people marry Bar Ladies... Paperwork 2 weeks done and they can start building a house in Isaan, buy a car, buy Gold and laces... And 3 years later she is back to work and @bob smith has a new topic for the crowd...

Simple answer: He can! A long year known compatriot was renting one of my mates apartments and messed it completely up.. (including a "catus garden" in the bathroom on the white tiled floor) He was actually always a nice fellow but something made him turning into a hermit. Thai neighbors informed my mate, that he made an escape in the night, attempting to skip 2 month rent and the renovation costs. They got him at the airport the same day...

Pacu (Looks like a Piranha but is a vegatarian) But be careful! They grow fast and if you put more than 2 in your size pond they will go through your Lotus in no time.. I have Land in Ban Phe where I stocked them (20) on a 1800 sqm lake.. After 18 month all my Lotus were gone. They are hard to catch once stocked. To be honest. On my farm in Isaan I have a 5500 sqm lake and the Pacu is not welcome. (Leasson learned)

seems you don't know the regulations and laws... I am now 21 years in Thailand and always obeyed to the rules. You MUST have an insurance I mention because I got asked twice to borrow cash for a hospital bill. Both were over 500k. Why? Because this compatriot didn't have one, but as he was healthy he was the big mouth. 800K (or 65.000 monthly Income). Beside a good insurance coverage I have a backup saved within 3 years starting at 2002. (Multiple times the required 800K which adds now yearly a nice interest.) This account I never touch beside the yearly interest print out. It isn't difficult to do if you continue month by month. You didn't made it in your home country, then don't try it in another country. Thailand is not waiting just for you, but if you like the country then stick to the rules... Yes, I agree that the Visa regulations getting tightened. NOT with more money in the Bank but enforcing the rules without bypasses..

Big Joke tackles it. How many people would be gone, if just the "visa service" (25.000 to the agent, 5 minutes 800k deposit, visa stamp and return the money to the service) would be fully banned. Not only many so called 1%er Bikers, but also scums that are permanently living on last grizzle, baloon chasers and other for the country non beneficial subjects, that are living from rip off and tear dropping bad day stories or bothering the wealthy farangs with their perfect business idea whilst the 25 years old scooter is rusting away from underneath their a$$es. The only way is: - Provide your health insurance coverage and fees paid - Your bank account has 365 days a coverage of 800k (or the payment of 65k has been received monthly) - check the criminal records strictly as part of the Visa process.. Unfortunately as soon they are kicked out the "market" is open and new scums and low lifes coming in. And these ones coming, you cannot identify by patches on the back of a leather vest....

better to say pretending DOG OWNERS grow up... I started with 14 in a kennel club and the owner was a well known police leader. His dogs were high priced guard dogs, drug dogs and 2 have been even trained as guides for disabled people with a poor eye sight.. ...Unfortunately this won't happen if you are not spending twice a day 15 minutes and teach your dogs. You can teach it in many ways and also a Pitbull can be a lovely "person" I say "person" because its the owner that reflects the behaviour of the dog.. Most people take their dogs for a run but never teach them the needed lessons.. Unfortunately the owners mostly get away with it because the dog attacks first and outsider.

Darn, whith what kind of people you are surrounding yourself?

No, damaging brings you in troubles and I my opinion stamps you to a low life individual with a very basic mindset... As long I rented any property I always kept the last months unpaid and told the owner I have no money so take it from the deposit. That's the way almost all Thais (Incl my wife) do and so it is common practice.. In Germany the Landlord is obliged to put the deposit into a separate bankaccount which is in Thailand not the case. As soon you have handed over the deposit you can expect the Landlord has a new scooter in front of his door or something similar. Short: The "extra income" will be spent without bad feelings...

I know only Pattaya and that would be the British Shop... But eventually they are buns... Foodland and Carrefour was always good enough for me. The Sauce is what it makes: Ketchup, then add Mayonaise and a squirt French Mosterd until it has salmon color. Salt, Pepper and a shot of Dry Gin and you meet Ronald Mc Donalds...

Since I was working abroad when funerals were due my, wife gave some donations. The two funerals I participated was with beer (For me) and Lao Khao for the Thais. One Family had a tailorshop and paid all themselfes and the other Family was pi** poor. We borrowed them 35.000 which we afterwards donated because they would never have been able to pay us back.. I pulled the wallet a few times for Beer and Lao Khao because the visitors are coming pretty randomly and my wife (as Mia Farang expected) gave a little handout to some of the Villager's Family members so I can round that one up to 50k in total, which included the 7 meter long chimney of the Temple crematorium, that was blewn off during the rainseason before.. (The Chimney was my own decision, if I end up there I want a proper launch with max acceleration) To say that the village has not more than 10 houses and must be called Rigor Mortis. There is barely somebody under 60 Years of age, so I guess the envelopes were filled with Thai Green Bucks (20 bahts)

The cost of death in countryside is around 400k when the Family (or in our case long year Friends) run the show. They and the Village will prepare everything from Decorations to Food, Monks to coffin and so on. We have put 500k aside for each, my wife and myself and about 300K for tickets so my kids and grandkids can fly over. For each of our friends on our farm (6) we have also put 400k in this account, started 2007 and never touched hence it has collected a decent bonus with the interest rates..

Yep, friend requests and suddenly you are a top fan of somebody you never have had contact with.. Time for an update Mr Zuckerbach, berg, bag.... ... That's why I never give my real name on public network..

I bought years ago an Old Timer Pocket Knife from lazada and it's still in mint condition, even used often on my farm.. I know you won't go for online buy but I really highlight the Brand here. Leatherman is in my opinion only "as good" but you pay for the Name a lot more.. Pocket knives are a must all my live and a good old "Loewenmesser" (Lion Knife) Made in Germany was gifted in the 1972 from my Grandpa (as it was still required for boys, to have a pocket knife at school) and till about 5 years it was following me everywhere. Offshore, on my farm and in the house use. But I must admit that after a "Walther" (Gun Manufacturer) Blade snapped by dropping it, A Swiss Army knife given away after 2 month use, the Old Timer Knife Made in USA is my absolut Favorite...

Just a day after they have been stopped by the police two of them had a nasty accident in which one had leg injuries that was close to an amputation. Lessons learned? Zero... I had years ago a discussion with a guy from Oman and his words were. We enjoy ourselves and now go out of my way and <deleted>** your mother... ...I am a nice guy nowadays and neither throw motorbike keys onto a rooftop nor punch the drivers. Funny was, it was in Walking Street right in front of the bar that had the sign: "We respect your religion, but in this place we drink beer and enjoy girls, so no A**bs are allowed in this place" Since I moved to isaan I often ask myself if that sign is still there?

Street vendor selling Pa Tong Go in Pattaya Darkside and now proud Farmer in Isaan, (but still making the best Pa Tong Go which lures the customers by the hundreds into our farm shop...)

useless to say that there are no Thai thieves, they are called: HGPRE's (highly graduated property redistribution experts) so why they should selling fruits? Crossbreeding would be a solution: Cambodians and Thais ... The outcome might be a thief too lazy to steal but allowed to sell fruits..

Well she has taken a job that I Thai can do, that's the law. Hence, a Thai sells now fruits instead of Yaa Baa and does't become a criminal addict, mugging or passing at high speed by and snatches your necklace.. ????

2006 I have done it. Price too high, The stress on your body is too high to even slightly enjoy the trip and when you are back you will realize that you have not much more memories than a face of the guide, some funny moments and lots and lots of struggle.. I felt the sherpas are just a human kind of donkeys, friendly but really not close up and also not really happy. If you climb the Alps is not much of a difference beside you do not need the long acclimatization times and feeling a permanant lack of oxigen...

Daughter: (Step) Mom (mae, chang mai mi tang) I am a bit broke, can you borrow me a 100 quit? You know when I ask Dad he is always angry and blames me why I cannot handle money... New wife: ok I go to Western Union in one hr you got, is 300 EUR enough? We tell Dad next week... Did you learn from your mistake? Daughter: Yes I did, Thank you mom, I'll be at western in about 30 minutes.. Happened not only one time behind my back... And when I complained my wife would say I am a bad father... Lucky its about 15 years ago, they are now sorted, have good jobs and don't ask anymore...

In Mahasarakham area the rain is below that of last year but still fair. I started up my Permaculture farm and we have one employee 70 years old who was telling us to invest a little money by renting the surrounding rice fields. This old fellow is a real wealth of knowledge and he also said due to last year heavy rains we will face a year or two dry spells which are fully normal for that area. As soon we did what he said he popped up with his family and a load of used blue pipes which he laid through the borders of the rice fields to our lake. Lucky enough we have him, the result is more than satisfying... Lake before. (The lower clay step is about 4 meters) Lake now after a few rainy days Well thought uncle...

That's where I got it also from, helpful suggestion in my opinion.

The Immigration will ask for a bank book with the amount of 800k for retirement and 400k for marriage visa. I have it on a Bank account where I have no card for, and I have to come to the bank in person with my bank book. Pretty safe I guess..