MickGC

Am familiar with this type of calc. I downloaded and imported the jpg into a CAD program and scaled to the correct size. The area is approx. 13600 m2 or 1.36 ha or 3.36 acre or 8.5rai

Most of my family and friends are well traveled and don't give a flying xxxx where I live. Guess it has a lot to do with how "worldly" your family/friends are. Been married to a Thai lassie since the Hubble Space Telescope was launched.

The Japanese tend to be younger, slimmer and cleaner than these more recent waves of farangs, notably the farang pensioners and the yobble-gobble, "plosive-glottal" fough-bough-blotto, binge-drunk set from the UK. And they are on average better behaved.

They are more accustomed to brothel creeping as well. They order from the greedy old squaws we ignorantly refer to as the mamasan. They buy the greedy old slapper a "ding"They do not complain and they do not get into arguments and fights. They are docile and cooperative.

The girls like them because they'll drop 4K on a leisurely short time.

A lazy slapper or inexperienced bar chippie just has to approach them, nod, smile and twist a fist in front of her jappy pout and the drink is agreed to. It's a yes or a no. No cumbersome language issues. No boring tedious engagement issues. No need for conversation. Very little need for communication because with rare exceptions Japanese "Thai" is incomprehensible to the buffalo bunnies. Yes, some (the poor innocents we read about being tricked into prostitution by an evil "past her due date"auntie in Tokyo are around. But there aren't many.

At the beginning of the AIDS scare they used to have a bar in Nana (now GSpot) that was off limits to gaijin. Now they have their own clubs all over the city. Japanese only. There's hundreds of them. You can see the girls trickling in to work around 4 pm.

There is far less bother and friction with these guys.

I guess it all goes back to Japan's WW II. occupation of Thailand when the Sons of Heaven would descend on one village after another, march into the temples, liberate the gold Buddha images and all the gold jewelry they could find and melt it into ingots for shipment to the Philipines. A few beheadings of prominent monks and elders in each village served to encourage these contributions.

Nobody here talks about this now because it's not here and it's not now. AND just the sight of a soi Cowboy bar full of goofy old Brits and Western douchebags might explain a lot as well.

I was trying to explain to a gaggle of Japanista BG's that westerners were better for their overall health because unlike the Sons of Heaven, our bodily fluids were NOT radio active. They just smiled and said stuff like "jai dee" and "nam jai" and " sebeu"

Thailand has always been like Mexico for these guys.

Spot on. If I was as erudite as you I would type a similar message. Think you have covered most bases.

Poll: 37% of Americans Unable to Locate America on Map of America

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-shehori/poll-37-of-americans-unab_b_150933.html

If you are lost, don't ask a young person for directions - that is the message coming out of an international survey of 18-24 year olds conducted by America's National Geographic Society.

Britain came a disappointing fourth from the bottom and Mexico trailed into last place with an average score of just 21 out of 56.

Perhaps even more worrying - when confronted with the same map, only 89% of Americans could find their own country!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2496427.stm

555. Nice one. But seems nobody here is listening to you.

First time my wife drove to Rayong (without me) from up here on the Laos border, she told me she won't need a map as all she has to do is pull up and ask a local for directions. Arrived safely and in good time.

"However, you must behave morally for the spell to work, too," he added.

Yes, indeed.

I guess that's why this kind of "magic" won't work with many (most ?) cops.

Anyway, even if this superstitious thing is quite ridiculous for Cartesian minds, I'd rather meet a policeman who believes in such "magic spell" and behaves morally than one who doesn't believe in it and acts immorally.

I agree. If his beliefs help him behave morally then good luck to him. Why is this any different to others believing in their particular "god". Religion is just as unbelievable when you take a close look at it. Nobody here is pulling the crazy card on the cops who believe in Jesus, Buddha, Mohamed, Krishna etc. etc.

Wonder if they had Thaksin in mind.

I think you have just set a new TV record. On a topic that has absolutely nothing to do with him you have managed to mention Thaksin in the first post. Usually takes 5 or 6 posts before he gets spammed.

I've been drunk in the shower before and fell backwards out of the bath, almost hitting my head on a marble sink unit in a Bangkok hotel before.

Like people say it's easy to have an accident in the bathroom especially if alcohol is involved.

yep.. I`ve also had a few near misses... a wierd one about a yeah ago... right butt cheek was black and blue... god only knows how that happened...

Been there also. Those hotel bathtub showers get awful slippery especially after arriving back from a night on the suds. Luckily for me I escaped with a bruised shoulder and thigh. Didn't feel a thing until I woke up the next day.

Don't go about barefooted....... you make the ground, so put rubber between you and floor, so what you touch is not grounding it. even flip flops. or those 49 baht rubber slip ones

Thanks guys, some great advice here. I was also getting constant electrical tingles around the house especially from my computer equipment. I now wear a pair of thongs/flip-flops as "ignis" suggested and and was shocked to find I was getting no more more shocks. A temporary solution I know, but it works.

Seriously, Bangkok is an amazing city. Been visiting regularly or the last 25 years. So many choices! Stay at five star hotels or two star hotels. Eat at some of the finest restaurants in the world or eat street food at a fraction of the price. Easy to find cheaper drinking venues in the tourist areas as well. Pay a premium at the tourist traps. Do a bit of research. The choice is all yours. Everyone who visits has a different experience. Is not a nanny state here. As my mates from the US would say, you need a bit of gumption.

FYI http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gumption

there is no "VIP" shuttle bus from Friendship Bridge 2, but making your way across on your own is easy enough.

Yes easy BUT....... made an error 2 weeks ago, been there a few times to Savannakhet Thai Consulate, as normal stayed 2 nights, go via VIP Bus, back to BKK at 0830..... before have always used a Mini bus of some sort, Hotel to Thailand across the borders, so had a shock and panic this trip.

Arrived at Laos border at 06:30 via Tuk Tuk......... Border opens at 08:00 for foot passengers !! 1st Bus across the bridge is 08:30.!!......... So be warned...

Managed to get passport stamped in Laos going via the truck/mini bus border, managed to hitch hike a lift over bridge and get stamped into Thailand.. in Thailand NO taxi or Tuk Tuk [1st foot passengers do not arrive till 09:00].. 30 mins in the rain a border guard took pity on me, had already spoken to him some time before, he got his truck and drove me to the bus station. bus was just pulling out...

Now understand why people stay the 2nd night in Thailand..

Mukdahan now has a number of air-conditioned, metered taxis operating. Can ring on 042613666.

I'm up by 4:30am, on the TV (News channel), listening actually...not watching. Toilet and shower, feed my guard dog and out of the gate of my farmhouse by 5:15/5:20am. As i need an hour to prepare mixed feed, I'm on a tight schedule to got the feed to my catfish farm by 6:30/6:45am max... By 7:30am all 250'000 fishes are fed, farm observation work untill 8am... Shower (again) and Breakfast.

My work require me to wake up early to feed my fishes on a formulated 12 hour/cycle schedule (for optimate results),

I get to wake up at 7am after my fishes are sold.

Might be best not to advertise the fact you are working on your farm everyday.

Also have a large one in our house and quite a few of his smaller cousins. Beautiful creatures who clean up a good percentage of the uninvited bugs who will always find their way into your house when living in the tropics. As a previous poster stated, their waste is just concentrated mosquito's, flies and other bugs. How hard is it to sweep their crap out the door every couple of days. Same back home in northern Aus.

We all get a bit "anal" about food sometimes. Six vegetables and 3 pieces of fruit a day is great if you have the time to go to the market to buy, then come home and cook. Is why street food and fast food is so popular with the average busy worker these days. I like to use my limited spare time having a few beers and socialising with friends and family rather than peeling potatoes and worrying about the next meal. Might die a few years younger because of it, but will have a happier more relaxed life not worrying too much about it all.

And don't forget the Eskimos

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2374/traditionally-eskimos-ate-only-meat-and-fish-why-didnt-they-get-scurvy

It obviously help to those who have millions and billions baht (remember the case where thieves steal 700 million baht from some Thai official's house as in cash? And they said there were more money).

Thaksin's buddies can convert their money to USD / EUR and take it out of country anytime they want.

Congratulations. You are the first poster to mention Taksin and we are up to post #20 already. Must be some sort of record on TV.

Clearly Somsak Kiatsuranont is a Thaksin lick spittle and is in breach of Articles 125 and 137 of the Constitution. A fair call by the Dems however I doubt justice will prevail under red democracy.

This is all so boring. Politicians on both sides of the fence are tarred with the same brush. The minor parties hook up with whoever they think will win the next election. It's all about getting your nose in the trough. Red shirts, yellow shirts, who cares? Same s**t, different smell. Is a world wide phenomenon in case you haven't noticed.

I rather like Swampy. Been through there numerous times since it opened. Never had a problem. Staff appear to be well trained and friendly, apart from the occassionaly immigration officer, but that is common problem everywhere. I am guessing that most of the negative posters here have had little international travel experience and have not been to a great number of other foriegn airports apart from the one they left to arrive at Swampy on their way to Pattaya. Lighten up and look at the sunshine. Cheers.

Nothing...Texas has these type temperatures every summer....

Texas.Is that northern Thailand?Isaan maybe.

believe your correct..and the inhabitant's of this region are very fond of cattle in same way the Welsh and Kiwi's are very fond of their sheep...

Texas is a town in Queensland, Australia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas,_Queensland

New 20-baht banknotes to have a more 'global' design and new anti-forgery features

BANGKOK, 28 March 2013 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand will start circulating new 20-baht banknotes on 1 April.

The new 20 baht bills will maintain the same size and color as the current bills, but the graphics have been revamped to have a more modern and global look. New anti-counterfeit techniques have also been implemented, which will allow the visual-impaired to more easily identify the bills. Note counters and machines that receive cash will also work better with the new bills.

The number 20, written in Thai numerals, is transparent on the bill and this attribute can be easily checked by shining light onto the bill. Green-color stripes embedded in the bill will show on the backside of the note, and they can change color from green to purple-red. Embossing is present on the note to allow identification by touch. An image of two dark-green flowers on the note will also help the visually-impaired to tell the note apart.

-- NNT 2013-03-28

People! They're unveiling them on ***APRIL 1ST***. This is clearly a joke, and not a very funny one because they should actually be unveiling a 5,000 baht note. You can't buy anything with a 20-baht note any more, but there are always dozens of dirty torn ones in your pocket, so they should be withdrawn. On the other hand, try going out to a half-decent restaurant in Bangkok these days and getting change from a 1,000 note on dinner for 2. This is why a 5,000 baht and, yes, even a 10,000 baht note are necessary these days. The highest denomination note in Thailand at the moment is worth only £22, which is a joke in itself.

As a previous poster stated, the 20 Baht note is the most commonly used in Essan. Most "mom and pop" type shops, market stalls etc. have trouble finding change for a 1000 Baht note let alone your proposed 5000 Baht note. The new note looks great me thinks.

You cannot obtain a original here, unless the original is destroyed and you file a police report to get a duplicate. I would not advise that as that would be filing a false police report.

Can't say if they want to see the original, maybe not if you can produce a khor rhor 2 form. (The entry into the wedding register itself).

Thanks Mario. Probably go my regular route just to be sure to be sure. Will bring the originals back with me and try Savan next year - if the process is still up and running.

I normally go back to Australia to renew my 1 year Multiple O based on marriage (6 years running) therefore my original marriage certificate - Thai and Australian - is filed away somewhere in Mum's house. A copy is sufficient at the Thai consulate in Brisbane.

This year I was thinking of going through the process in Savannakhet. Has anyone gotten away with just producing a copy of the marriage certificate? It should be noted we were married at the Thai consulate in Sydney more than 20 years ago so not sure if I could obtain an original here.

I've had several visitors lately and I tell them to never take buses here... and yet, they still do to save a few bucks or time (as opposed to train). I guess it's the "it won't happen to me" attitude. There seems to be no end to the people willing to fill these buses despite the risk.

Nearest airport and train station are 250km from my home. Would have to bus this distance anyway. This is a common situation in large areas of rural Thailand. Buses are convenient and go just about everywhere.

The 'lower' classes are highly uneducated, and many have alcohol problems. In other words, dangrously unpredictable, and easily led.

Hehehe... sounds very much like the auto workers I've known in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Sounds very much like the clientele in a lot of the bars I have drank at in the big P

I've just booked a return to Mudahan with Nok Air. Total flight booking cost was B. 4,540. Tickets seem to be getting snapped up fairly quickly since this thread was started.

Here's a map I've cobbled together showing the two Bus Stations either side of the Mekong River. The nice new Goverment bus goes from Mudahan bus station to Savannakhet bus station using the Friendship Bridge #2... Chancing it; I hope to board this bus at the Thai border (not at its regular departure point) as I read that it's possible to buy a ticket near the Thai Immi office.

Departure times of the return bus to Thailand - copied from JPEG evidence I found on t***door forum - are as follows:

Route: Savannakhet Bus Station - Mudahan Bus Station

Times: 0815/0900/0945/1030/1115/1230/1330/1430/1530/1630/1730/1900.

Cost: THB 50.

Regarding the early flight heading up-country ; I think it would be possible but the timing is very optimistic. I myself will arrive a day "early".

And on the return trip; There's no current availability for the P.M Flight until November 2012. Might still be possible with a late-noon AirAsia or Nok flight from one of the two local airports with self arranged transport there. I myself will fly back a day "late".

Side note: Something I read was you can still cross the river on the barge - and get the Laos VOA en route - despite the opening of the new Friendship Bridge #2 ...although this option would now be classed as "irregular".

Highly irregular indeed. Unfortunately Mekong river ferry route is reserved for locals only since the opening of the friendship bridge about 6 years ago. All forigners (outside Asian union) are required to exit / enter over the bridge.

I used the Nok Air fly / bus option a couple of weeks ago. Was smooth as silk. So much easier than the Ubon - Muk route which was the only alternative not so long ago.

Do you really need to travel from Ubon? Nok Air have an fly and ride service from Don Meuang - Nakhon Phanom - Mukdahan for around B2000. It can be booked online via their website. A lot closer to Muk than Ubon.

http://www.nokair.com/contents/promotion/mukdahan/en-US/index.html