fiddlehead

Seems most of Issan does it.
Those big cement vase looking tanks aren't used just for washing and cleaning.
They drink that water.
I cleaned one out at my wife's mother's house once.
Only to find about 20 cm of mud on the bottom.
After totally getting it all out, and sponging it clean and dry, I asked when was the last time they cleaned it.
"Never" was the answer. No one cleans them.
Crap just settles in the bottom and they take the water from the top.

Found a dead chicken in there one day. (that's why we cleaned it)

My theory is that the human body gets used to certain bacteria and creates a resistance.
But dead chickens? I wasn't ready for that experiment.

In 16 months, a piece of wing could drift a long way also.

Broke through the 35 threshold and seems to be moving a fast pace again.

All this whining over a cultural difference.

Get over it guys.

I doubt many Thai people are complaining.

They look at it like a good time to dry out a bit and do something different for a change. (my wife and her friends anyway)

Maybe you should do the same.

Sounds like a good time to go make some merit.

Or continue the moaning.

Or, better yet, come out and play some baseball tomorrow.

Air park, 12:00 noon.

All this whining over a cultural difference.
Get over it guys.
I doubt many Thai people are complaining.
They look at it like a good time to dry out a bit and do something different for a change. (my wife and her friends anyway)
Maybe you should do the same.

Sounds like a good time to go make some merit.
Or continue the moaning.

I don't know who gave that link to the Thai movie Feathers of Passion" but, Thanks!

I just finished it, excellent take on the whole business.
Here it is again for those of you who want to learn more.
http://tubitv.com/video?id=27844&title=Feathers_of_Passion

These kind of threads are fun.

Dreaming.
It's easy to say what you would do, until the day comes, when you have that kind of money to retire on.
Personally, I would invest it in stocks/bonds and live on the interest, continue to work a little bit, but travel a lot more.

I'd probably update my present properties (swimming pool would be nice), put my kid in a better school (if I could find one), and buy a new truck.

But basically I'd continue to live like I do now.
Go to the beach most days, hike in the jungle a bit, play tennis a few times a week, and enjoy life.

Yeah I didn't think anyone would join in.
Afraid of possibly showing yourself to be.............what?

All these experts on thaivisa. LOL!

Forex price: Price on the forex exchange on the day. (not the BKK bank price, or K-bank or similar)

Let's say 8 AM Bangok time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_exchange_market

So much advice here on the future of the dollar/baht.
Which to believe?
They are all guesses in my opinion.
So, let's see who is right?
How about a little contest?
Predict the Dollar/Baht.

I'll say August 1st, 2015, the dollar will buy 34.65 baht

August 15, 2015: 35.25

Sept 1, 2015: 35.33

Sept 15, 2015: 35.50

and Dec 31, 2015: 36.80

Let's make it the forex price, not the bank's exchange rate. (best rates are in the little kiosks anyway)

the journey on that relatively new road from just south of surat thani, across to krabi / phang na way would be a nice trip on the bike too. new road, bump free (really!!), not much traffic and very scenic. Not much gasoline stops if remember right, so fill up surat way. we did it last year in the car and it was a pleasure to drive on.

it will be a fun trip man - we really like it down there too. there is a good back packer / young drinkers scene too in the town, with loads of bars and western eateries

I'm missing something then.

I spent a night in Phang Na town about a month ago.

I was alone so, looking for something to do at night.

I drove around that town 3 times and saw nothing worth stopping at.

Yes, there were 1 or 2 Thai style karaoke bars with one or two girls and I found one bar that claimed they were farang friendly and advertised how good their coffee was. (it was instant Nescafe)

The bar was empty.

So, maybe you are talking about another town.

But Phang Na seemed dead as could be for such a lovely town and their beautiful surroundings.

I've had a tattoo for 45 years now.
Thought it was cool for about 5 of those years.

I believe that whoever can invent a (somewhat) easy way to erase them will be the next "richest man in the world"
"till you die" can be a long long time. Especially for these teens and 20-something year olds.

But hey! To each their own.

I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.

So, not only will the lower baht help would-be tourists decide they should come here,
It is instantly helping the economy.
Because last night, I wanted to take my family out for dinner.
My wife said: Let's go to the 179 baht AYCE Barbeque.
I said, nah (thinking about my extra retirement income in dollars), let's go to our favorite restaurant in Phuket: Sure Garden Restaurant.
Spent 1700 baht instead of 500 something.

By the way, looks like 35 is a strong resistance level.

Sounds great.
I'd keep the army on hand though in case it doesn't quite go as smooth as they expect.

A lot of places in the USA will no longer accept cash as payment.

Things must have changed since I was there a few months ago.

I go back every year and travel around quite a bit.

I usually use cash for everything (except gas at the pump because the card is quite convenient), and have not been turned down for cash at all.

Please tell us where you have, as I go back again soon and would prefer to spend cash.

I used to be a carpenter, so my first thought would be to go with wood.
But of course, it rots and gets termites a lot quicker here.
So, I think the welding shop idea is a good one for the frame.
And then get some plywood to fit the tops.

And paint it.

Good luck.

Thailand is old hat now to the UK. Pound is strong against the euro, so that's where they are heading. Thailand too expensive and greedy people have spoilt the land of smiles. It's just not cool to holiday in Thailand.

So which countries are cool for a holiday now?

Came back from a europe trip last month and it was cheap and cold but not cool.

I can't name a country which is in my opinion cool for holiday. Been to most but open for a good advise.

Not sure what you mean by "cool"?

Perhaps where the "cool people" think it's a good idea to go?

I remember when that was Laos.

Maybe still is, I don't keep track of those things.

But, for me?

I would hit: Croatia, Poland, Myanmar (before they have a McD's), and Colorado. (sorry not a country but one of my favorite places, besides Thailand.

On another note, Thailand would be high on my list. (since the "cool" people are maybe elsewhere)

Not all coffee shops are going to punish their customers who choose to meet over coffee.
I'd say Bon Cafe will lose more business over this than they will gain.

Sam nam na.

I agree with your troll suspicion.^

Sounds like your wife has a serious gambling problem.
I don't know if you can ever help to rid her of that.
Luckily you have no kids, so, you can say goodbye, get a divorce and find another one.
I have a feeling there's no father in desperate need either.

in the west students study french, spanish, german etc and I've never found them to be able to speak it after graduation. just another pathetic thai bash I suppose.

who studies french???

Many kids in the state of Maine study French as Maine borders Quebec, a French speaking province of Canada.

Put 1/3 in Facebook stock, 1/3 in Google and 1/3 in Apple.
(should have done this yesterday however as Goog is up 14% today)

They all have more cash then most countries in the world and are arranging the (your) future.
Go with them.

Sell half your profits every year and enjoy life.

No, it's not Headstart.
Headstart is in Kathu.
This school is in Rawai, near Chalong circle.
Sorry for the confusion.

Yeah: Phuket International school.
I believe they changed their name but that is still what many call it.
IT's a predominantly Russian school across from the new Makro on the Rawai side of Chalong circle.

If someone knows the new name, perhaps it would help the OP. (sorry, I don't )

Easy question for me.
I would go back and do another long hike.
Probably the Continental Divide Trail again.
Or perhaps the PCT although that one is way too popular now with the "Wild" movie out a few months ago.
There are lots of other trails too.
So, a no brainer for me.

But Thailand is good for me too.
I have it too easy here.

Think I'll stay a while.

But, always have a backup plan.

A few years ago, Laguna did something for kids during summer holiday that was similar to what I think you are looking for.
I have not seen it advertised this year.

QSI also did a competitive run at Bang Wad dam from time to time.
Check their website.

The American schools seem to honor sports more than any other nationality that I have seen.
QSI is the American curriculum so, I think they'd be your best chance.
I think PIS (the one near the Tesco at Chalong/Rawai) has something going on for the summer also I believe.

I remember about 2 or 3 months ago Thanyapura had some kind of competitive run because one of my FB friend's son won his age group and posted pictures.

Good luck.

Good luck.