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So far I have found that Chao Wattana is 1500bt per day, Argus is 1400 and Budget is 1000bt per day. All are airport pick up.

Here is a good source of information and you can also rent at Ubon airport:

http://www.weloveubon.com/ubon-private-transportation.html

Hi jay-uk I looked at that but only one option is given. I was hoping someone who has had experience with hiring a car here could give me some recomendation.

Can anyone recomend a reasonable car hire company here in Ubon, please. I was thinking of hiring a dual cab pickup truck due to the heavy rain and localised flooding.

Yes the Sunee Hotel and complex is completed, its has shopping, 10 pin bowling and a waterpark Tawan Dang is on the ring road close to the Big C. But thats a long walk from the Sunee Grand. Also there are resturant bars behind the big C that play Issan music but I am not sure how family friendly. You might try around the lake as well, the have resturaunt that have house bands but most only serve Issan food.

The Royal Thai police are undeniably the most universally disliked institution in Thai society. The benefits to tourist of the TVP are undeniable when they act within their mandate. However, if that organisation starts acting like the BIB, then they would recieve the same respect.

quote name='sammycic' date='2009-09-30 10:34:15' post='3044928']

has not stopped raining here all night and today in ubon and the moon river was already pretty high.

yes i noticed its been running higher after the weekend rain.heres a shot taken on sunday morning of the area just outside the ring road.

Hi heres a pic of our street at 9am this mornig.....................I will try to get out and look at the surrounding area on my bike later.

Been raining and blowing heavily all night here in Ubon, geralised minor flooding. My street is about 8 inches underwater but the water hasnt reached the door yet.

Dont hire a jetski. Dont drink tap water and dont swim at the beach. Dont forget to have fun.

Once this was a temple, a Wat. A place of worship, study and a retreat for the monks. It was supported by the local community. Then in 1999, the temple received the first tiger cub, it had been found by villagers and died soon after. The story goes that several tiger cubs were later given to the temple over time, typically when the mothers had been killed by poachers. The cost of caring for these Tigers was too much for the temple and community to bare so tourist were encouraged tp come and donate. Then others became involved. Today it is a business and that business is to make money.

Care for the Wild International (CWI) published a report in June 2008 that claimed the tigers at the temple are not rescued wild tigers, but are obtained by illegally trading with black market tiger farms. They say the real purpose is making money, not helping tigers. The groups also criticize the Tiger Temple for interbreeding different subspecies of tigers, which they say violates conservation principles.

The reality is its a ripoff, it rips off the do gooder, who are really doing bad. It rips off Thai culture and budist beliefs and it rips off tourist.

Well today, the Red shirts are protesting in Bangkok, the Yellow shirts are marching to the Cambodian border and right now I am having lunch.

The first time my wife and I visited the Tiger Temple, a while back now,we had a good, cheap experience. The last time, Thai families were turning away, being asked to pay 500 Baht each person. Up from, if I remember, 50 - 120 Baht. If it was not a rip-off, they obviously could not afford or thought the entrance fee was not value for money. Even though we could not believe the huge hike in the price we did enter and immediately realized why this had happened. Young do-gooder charity type farangs everywhere. These people have muscled in on the operation and, I believe, forced the Abbot to raise the prices. It is a rip-off, BIG TIME.

You will be told that it is for the welfare of the tigers. Very expensive to keep etc.. They will also indicate that money is required to build new enclosures - the farang do-gooders that is. That will turn the place into a zoo by any other name. A zoo without the diverse animal attractions.

What with the exhorbinant entrance fee, charging 1000 Baht for photos and expensive 'tiger tooth' trinkets, the tiger experience has gone.

Another example of 'Farangs know best' bulls_it.

Very strange comments. Wild, irrational and baseless speculation...

I totally agree with this. The first time I went it was donation only, its was a temple and grounds and a few animals and the tigers. The only people there were monks and thai helpers. Several years later I return and its was totally different, entrance fees, landscaped tiger cages. The monks and their thai helpers were still there but the place was run by many american helpers calling out the rules. There were extra fees for photos with the tigers. It had changed from a santuary for displaced tigers to a commercial operation, next it will be a theme park. With rumor of tiger smuggling from neigbouring countries.

I'm confused by the heading of this article.

Who are these Red Shirts?

Certainly an odd way of describing political movements.

I understand some of them support the previous prime Minister, but what is their political context?

A local told me that one side of this political problem wants to abolish elections and simply appoint legislators, while the other side wants to have elections.

The side that doesn't want elections....why? Is it because they cannot win them or are they merely anti-democratic?

Where do these "Red Shirts" fit in, other than the association by some of them with the previous Prime Minister? Are they the ones wanting elections or do they want to appoint legislators without elections?

It fairer to say that yellow shirts are pro monarchy, in its purest sence. While the red shirts are more pro a Thaskin dictatorship. While the Democrats are pro democracy and currently lead a coalition government. I hope that helps.

Hi Barky. I came to Thailand to spend time with my GF relax and see the sights, I am on annual leave so I being paid while I am here, it wasnt my intention to cut anyone lunch, break laws or take advantage of any persons. Like you I have many friends who work here as english teachers, some I believe who shouldnt. I have even considered it myself, my reasearch into indicated that you need no previous experience or skills in education. Also that english teaching positions in Vietnam paid twice the rate as Thailand and Japan is another level altogether. However, for me these rates are unattractive as I can earn more in 6 months in my profesion in Aus than I could earn a year in Vietnam even with my degrees and I have no desire to work in Japan. Again I must state I didnt volenteer for this, my GF did, I would dearly love to get out of it but she would loose face. Scab labour is someone brought in to do and undercut another persons job, this job didnt exist before me and would not be available if I wasnt prepared to do it. As i already stated I offered to organise an acredited educator for the job, (one of my english teacher friend) but they refused. I thank you for your imput and take it onboard.

Cruiser2 I believe you are correct.

This does not seem to be serious (meaning, most Thais usually hate being serious). So don't take it seriously. Do dress well.

Thanks peaceblondie, I have to get out my best holiday pants lol. This is bloody hard work, I take my hat off too those who do this for a living.

To be honest I was doubtfull that this forum would be a usefull resourse tool. I expected to be flamed and ridiculed and the first poster didnt disapiont. However, I have been amazed by the insghtful, supportive post I have recieved. I will take on board the excellent advice you guys have given me. I will speak slowly and pause often, include my group as much as possible and encourage interaction. It will be conducted in a casual, friendly and entertaining format. Include as many visual aids as I can gather. My GF advises me to use an american accent as this has proven to be more easily understandable to my Thai friends than my native aussie accent, believe it or not. lol

They have request that I do a 10 hour course over 5 days, OMB. As of now I have very little material, only whats is in my mind. I have 48 hours before the first session. (as I said my GF really dropped me in it). I have access to computers, printers ect at the company office so I have a lot of work to do. As EffectiveAnger said they are getting this for free so if I crash and burn then there isnt much harm done.

EffectiveAnger they did offer to pay me and ask what rate I would like, I explain that I dont have a work permit so I cant charge. I offered to find them an acredited tutor but they said they prefer me as they are familiar with me. Also I must admit I would like the expirience, so that in the future I could feel confident about giving volenteer services to those more needy. At present I do volenteer my services in raising money for the Lopburi AIDS orphans and this compant has been very generous to this cause . But I am only here for another 4 weeks, so would like to do more when I finally retire here.

Yes shubh, that is my biggest fear, How do we comunicate. I have given many educational sessions in the past, but that is to english speaking groups. I will use my GF as an interpreter. But have have seen ads for the TEFL course and the say they prefer you dont speak Thai. Mainly when I speak to these guy I talk through my GF or use sign language.

Thanks MM, yes I agree role play is a good way to go. I was thinking a lot of visual aids would help. I have read Thai have a very short attention span so it needs to be entertaining. Also I was thinking as this is a company whos main customers are US and Europe, I should just teach meet and greet. I have no expirience in this so your imput is greatly appreciated.

I have to admit the TVPs looked better in the latest episode, at least they provided medical assistance for the detained guy. Also I though Harrison handled the situation well.

Thanks mod.................I am not trying to step on anyones toes,Barky. I tried to get out of it by saying I dont have a work permit, but they said they just want an informal lesson or advice. These people I meet socially. But having no expirience I was seeking advice on how I should format it, to make it usefull for them. I agree, Lost in LOS, many Thai I meet are literate in english but cant converse.

Hi my GF has dropped me in it. I am in Thailand for an extended holiday and am living with my Gf in north east Thailand. She is a senior manager working for a large company and the CEO ask her if I can give the management team lessons in basic english conversation. She told them I would be happy to do this in an informal volentary setting. So now I have to give the mangement team, who speak no english to very limited english, basic english conversational lessons. I have no expirience in this, cant speak any Thai and have 2 days to prepare. Can anyone help me, please?

Pattaya is quite busy for what is normally the slowest time of year.

I predict a decent high season if no political problems and the swine flu does not get worse.

Do you have any indications for your prediction ?

Yes, if things are so terrible, why is Pattaya full of bald, tattoed scumbags drinking from 6 AM - 6 AM in low, low season and many massage parlors and poontang bars are busy as well? It has been mostly dead until now. Things are getting better no matter how much some depressed Daniels amongst us wish it were not true!

I believe its the bald, tatooed scumbag convention.

you mean like dont give them visa on arrival to our countries?

Have a look on http://www.weloveubon.com/..........PS: be aware that this week all flights are full and this weekend most Ubon hotel are booked out. I have been trying to get a room for a friend.