BillH52

Was hoping to keep a long, drawn out scenario short and concise without too many paragraphs by saying "end of Sept target date is not at all convenient", which includes the 30-45 day application period prior to that date.  

So, considering the application window, etc; ideal range would be anytime from 3rd week of November to 1st week of March as that is a time period that I will for sure be sitting at home in Thailand and not traveling here, there and yon.   Early March is when my travel bug starts itching, partly due to predicted weather and climate conditions in Thailand as well as abroad, from April to October.  

Obviously, there can always be 2nd, 3rd or 4th choices; but, why bother with that.  Thus, my question was; how to 'adjust' or reconfigure the current, unworkable, existing date to a more workable date, other than to let it expire and start over.  And, yes; my wife is a Thai citizen; am thinking "elviajero's" suggestion might be a workable solution; however, it requires that I be in Thailand 30-45 days prior to . . . ., at least one more time.  

My Retirement extension expiration/renewal date is set for the latter part of September.  Due to a recurring commitment requiring my presence in my home country about the 2nd week of October, it would be very helpful if the extension expiration/renewal date took place sometime between 3rd week of November - 1st week of March.  

Is there a way of adjusting that date other than allowing it to expire, then applying for a new one?  Is there a penalty for allowing the original to expire?   If the long term extension becomes a reality, these questions would become virtually irrelevant.

Thai wife (and I) returning to Thailand from USA in 2015. Interested in bringing some of our 'stuff' with us to Buriram province. Probably use a 20' unit.

Current info appreciated. Thank you!

Love our very rural village; quiet, simple, hard working locals. We do some financing and encourage family farming. I have never been fond of living in large cities; lived in various rural areas of the U.S., but not directly involved in farming or ranching.

Great thread! Will add my experiences when I get caught up with stuff!

Would like to get contact info for the 'bread guy'.

Spent the past two winters in the area. Still see locals 'freak out' occasionally when faced with a farang.

Looking forward to full timing one of these days.

When building our house, I attempted to convince the window & screen guys to build a framed screen to fit on the outside of the window frame and covering the whole thing. No moving screen parts; not bugs coming in. They were convinced it would be unsightly; kids would tear them off; etc.

The USA has 125 million houses with windows on the outside; don't seem to be too much of a problem. Could not convince the Thai's to give it a shot.

Perhaps I didn't make it clear. Any doubt I may have comes from farang stories of that sort; bad things happening over and over. NOT from anything she has done or not done.

I believe she has been completely honest, straight forward and is as far from being a gold digger as anyone could be. I have not sent her one penny; and she has not asked for any.

I don't think I will become just another statistic; but, don't want to be one of those who blindly goes forward, thinking "It can't happen to me", either.

If you only have negative things to say, I've already heard them; if you have positive things to say, great!

Anybody know of a P.I. in Phuket? Need Thai speaking person to verify my gf is who she says she is & works where she says she works.

The only reason I have doubts are the stories coming out of Thailand. Just wanta make sure.

Any Farangs live or hang out at the north end of Phuket? Looking for some info related to local eateries.

Thanks,

BA

bIll-Never seen mine? It does get to P.K.C.and Buriram.But not Nang Rong. There are also about 4) "manufacturers" on the road between Ban Kruat ang Prasat Muang Tum( which is where mine was born, about 4 years ago) ,(Phanom Rung)These were the original makers and the wreckers yard is in that area ,also. Which is where i bought my chassis. There is a very good engineer ,who builds from the ground up in Ban Kruat.If you cannot find a good 2nd hand chassis.

Don't recall seeing a solid yellow one; but then, . . . . . do remember seeing 50+ loaded & waiting at the Sugar Cane weigh station close to Nong Boat.

Would be interested in visiting the 'factorys' you mention; especially the ground up builder in Ban Kruat. Spending 4 1/2 months in Kok Wan, this year; beginning end of November.

Have learned there are many 'factorys' operated as cottage industrys in various villages in Issan. Typically, there are several very similar producers in the same village.

Shopped several 'factorys' last February/March in the area of Ta Chong, which is on 224 between Lahansai and Ban Kruat; one English speaking manufacturer was right on the highway in Ta Chong; and 3 other 'factory's' were located a few miles NW of Ta Chong. All of these vehicles were produced from 'junker' small pickups; isuzu, toyota, nissan, mitsubishi, ford and perhaps a few others. Was coached by neighbors/in-laws from our village; toyota or nissan are preferred do to sturdiness & quality. Watch out for those which appear to have been too close to the ocean as they are overly rusted up. According to my neighbors as well as the manufacturer who spoke English, it is getting harder and harder to find good Toyota or Nissan prospects for Rot Etans.

Also visited a 'factory' located right on hwy 24, east bound side, just west of Nong Ki. This place did only new construction, from the ground up; so all parts, frame, axles, etc were new (with the exception of the steering column) but were also at a higher price. Quality was very good. Bigger units available with dually's and even heavier / larger capabilities.

Have also seen several solid orange colored vehicles in Nang Rong and in Prakhon Chai, which appeared to be well built.

BillH52

"I believe I am the only Farang in Thailand who both owns and operates one."

Not even close.

BillH52

Certainly agree Wellington is wonderful!

Would like to know the Thai names for Ribeye, Tenderloin, Strip Loin and Top Sirloin. Actually, would like to know the Thai words for any and all cuts of beef. Really dislike pointing at pictures of a critter . . .

BH

Hope this is useful to some; a beef cuts chart, with pictures and recommended cooking methods, per cut.

It's in American English . . . . so, beware.

beefretail.org/uDocs/bmezretailcutchart.pdf

Basically a matter of supply and demand.

In Thailand, if it's dead, it's ready; plus, beef is not that high in the "entree" hierarchy. Just plain (cheap) meat works fine for most Thai applications.

Quality breeding, feeding and processing drives the price up.

To store it for 2-5 weeks in a critically controlled environment is expensive and drives the cost up even more.

If there is a significant demand for beef of this quality level (price range), there is usually someone out there who will be selling it; such as the place mentioned in Rawai.

Explaining why beef is tender or not could take up more space than we have here. As mentioned by Greenwater, "Frollare" or 'aging' is one factor. There are several others just as important; without going into detail, some of the significant factors are, breeding, feeding, age, sex, size, living conditions, daily exercise, environment and others. Since meat is muscle, a "tough old cow knocking about in the field" - is going to produce tough, stringy and generally undesirable end product.

In addition, for steak application, aging the meat in a controlled environment for 5 weeks (35 days) from kill date is a very common practice in North America for the better, higher end buyers and users.

Recently, in my wife's village near LaHan Sai (Buriram Province), I inquired about the idea of drilling a bore hole for water. The villagers indicated several bore holes [wells] which had good quality and supply, but nobody seemed to have any idea if or where a water vein might be located on the property I was interested in. I asked where I might find a 'water diviner'; the wife and her family looked at me like I was from outter space, again.

Anybody know the proper Thai words for 'water diviner'? Better yet, a name & phone number in Buriram province of a proven 'water diviner'?

Thanks,

BillH52