Goinghomesoon

Maybe you could save regularly (say for a house or education) and agree that the interest on the savings be sent to the in-laws?

That way both you and hubby are encouraged to save. Your own capital grows - good for you - you earn more interest as the capital grows and this increasing amount can be remitted back to Thailand - good for the in-laws. So by saving for a future goal you actually assist his family here. And you might feel less upset about 'your' money disappearing as it is really free money from the bank!

Not sure how you work it out once you reach the goal and withdraw the money though.

Thanks Sugarhead I've been invited there for a meal in a few days, looking forward to it now... we need a lip-licking emoticon...

I looked at both and went with neither. St Andrews Sathorn was small with a real family feel about it. Although they are linked to the main St Andrews they are run as a stand-alone business. After Year 6 you have to find a high school for your child as they are primary only. A benefit for us was that it was close to home and a relatively short bus ride for the little one. Also my daughter was quite shy and did better in a smaller school environment.

Patana is huge and seemed to offer every subject and after-school activity you could desire. It was very easy to be impressed with the physical size and amenities. The teaching seemed a lot more dynamic (teachers at Patana recruited from overseas and are on professional teacher salaries, unlike St Andrews. But for us it was missing the small-class environment that my daughter so needed.

In the end we went with the British School of Bangkok in Sukhumvit Soi 4 (also known as Topsy Turvy). It is a similar size and educational philosophy to St Andrews but daughter was able to be in a much smaller class thus more individual attention. Although we live closer to St Andrews the bus trip to BSB takes less time due to the pickup route they take.

Today's Bangkok Post

www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Mar2008_news99.php

If the Thai husband has been living overseas and not paying Thai tax, would overseas tax records be sufficient to show his income? We will be leaving Thailand and moving to Australia to work for a few years before coming back to Thailand. When we do return I hope our income from investments in Australia will mean that he (we) won't have to work again here.

Not a hotel but if you are looking for a great day out, try a trip with the current forum sponsors (click the banner at the top of this page). We went out last weekend and had a ball. Playing with the owner's baby son kept our young daughter occupied for most of the boat trip, whereas normally she would have been whining about being bored.

And I saw a locally-produced goats milk yogurt in our supermarket yesterday, if you are thinking of having enough to sell the milk there may be companies that would buy it.

Quote - As for the idea that all Thai people do this, well, no. I know a couple Thai men who have moved to Europe with their wives and they most definitely do not send money back home. (Both local boys) One is also a trained chef and after 10 years in Europe saved enough money to know open his very own high-end (not Thai) restaurant there. - End Quote

I agree not all Thai men overseas send money - My partner is the eldest son and supplemented his parents income for 15+ years while he was single and working in Bangkok. As soon as we announced we were marrying and making a life together - and eventually moving to Australia - they refused to accept any more money. Some of his 6 siblings are now taking their turn at helping out. Apparently they were all champing at the bit to contribute for help more but hadn't wanted to usurp my man's position as the eldest son.

Is your husband the eldest son? Does he have any siblings that can take on some of the load?

I agree you can't expect him to stop sending money, but it sounds like you need a budget. Can you sit down and plan your funds so that he meets his family obligations in Thailand but also factors in savings for your future together (a home, education costs for your child, retirement fund etc) plus any debts owed (your parents). Maybe put this money into a joint account where you both have to sign to make a withdrawal?

Oh, you have my sympathy! This was a regular occurrence with my son when he was that age, until around age 11 when he started to develop a teenage appetite We settled on letting him make his own smoothies for breakfast from banana, milk and cinnamon. We left him whizz them up himself and he was quite proud of those efforts. It was the only breakfast he had for a long time.

Thanks I should have looked there - I did try the main supermarket there but didn't see any. I found some neat little mini-rabbits and ducks today at the Dusit Thani Hotel bakery. They also have giant eggs for chocoholics.

Title says it all, our 2 nearest Tops don't have any eggies, nor does Tesco Lotus or our local small Villa branch. And I'm too busy at work to make our own. Anyone seen any around town?

We are now toying with the idea of a small ceremony in each country - Australia and Thailand. My mother is a little perturbed that she is not involved in the Isaan organisation committee, but is doing her best to stay calm. If we do 2 ceremonies then both mothers get to organise and attend something culturally familiar. And we get to swan in and out for a few days from Bangkok. For those who have done two marriage parties (Meme? Others?) how did it ultimately work out? Did you just end up double-tired or was it really worthwhile?

I'm quite amused by the wedding fireworks here already. Hubby-to-be is the eldest son but hasn't lived in his village for nearly 15+ years and point blank refuses to go along with many Isaan traditions. I'm not sure I'd be up for the same histronics long-distance from my mother.

quote - it's nearly impossible to find a boyfriend that will stick with me past college because they all want to stay in America and aren't about to pick up and leave for anyone.

I think you'll find most people are inclined to prefer the familiar. My previous partners in Oz and other Asian countries were like that. I consider myself lucky to have found a man (who happens to be Thai) that will leap in and try anything. In fact he's keen for our next assignment to be in a whole new continent, especially once he read about the hot chillies in parts of central and south America

I think there are just fewer adventurous souls (male and female) out there and you have to hunt to find them. And yes, I think many of them are already travelling and don't need extra persuasion. I'm guessing quite a few posters landed in Thailand by chance and not by design.

Edits for bad, bad spelling.

I'm with Boo but almost afraid to admit it, given some of the anti-doping posts above As an example I had a 4 year old that went through a period of being intensely emotional about everything, not just flying. We had an unavoidable 9 hour flight (for a funeral) and she was sedated according to our family doctor's instructions. A cop-out maybe. But my doctor reassured me that it was better for my child to have a restful flight than to associate flying with screaming and emotional upheaval which might affect her flying experience forever. I might add sedation only occurred a couple of times for this child to allow her necessary rest. I would not recommend parents rely on it as a replacement for entertainment and interaction.

I am a frequent business traveller and do not like kids screaming on planes. Being a parent has made me more tolerant but I do wonder about the logic of parents who let their kids get increasingly distressed and 'scream it out' for hours on end. What does it achieve except stressed parents and children and irate fellow passengers?

Villa on Sukhumvit 33 had it on the weekend....about 290 baht for a medium size jar. Yum yum yum.

Wow fascinating stuff ladies. Luckily I don't seem to get PMS at all. Then again there's always the possibility that I'm just bitchy all the time

It used to confused me when friends said they were suffering badly. I guess I brushed their comments off and thought they were a bit wimpy. Obviously I really underestimated the effects. I understand a lot more now I've taken the time to read here.

Rue there's a box of soppy novels and girly mags coming your way tomorrow morning. Choccies coming later in the week as I missed the shop today...I promise.

Yup and the first effort was okay but I think not enough mixed spice as they were a bit bland. Didn't stop three family members from eating half the batch of 16 in one sitting...Will make another batch this coming weekend.

Is dessicated the same as shredded? If so then they have it at the main Villa on Sukhumvit 33, I saw it 2 days ago when I was hunting for something else. I think it was in the same section as the sultanas and preserved orange peel. In a plain bag with a Villa label on it.

Just searching through old threads to get some idea about Thai weddings since we are now officially planning one here too. Got to say at 36 I was long resigned to it not happening. Given the economic status of the village and the location (any further north and you're in Laos) ours will probably shape up to be something like Bina and MadCatLady's experiences. Hubby to be has no idea how weddings work as he has never attended one, not even his siblings, because of work commitments. I'm doing my best to be jai-yen and not sweat the big, small or medium stuff.

Planning to try these cos the recipe looks pretty basic. Anyone seen Mixed Peel and Mixed Spice in their shopping forays? I can get most things at the local Tops but not these two essentials.

www.notebookmagazine.com/food/article/1054/Step-by-step-hot-cross-buns

Gunny, not to denigrate anyone who supports the hospital but as Kannon is a doula she has a unique and equally viable viewpoint IMO. After all she has probably attended to birthing mothers in more hospitals than most of us (except perhaps other medical professionals like yourself and your wife). If you feel good about the place that's great, but obviously not a universal feeling. It would be good to hear any positive - and negative - feedback from you guys afterwards. Congratulations in advance

I used to hate my mountains and my doctor in Australia said I could probably qualify to have them reduced on medical terms as they pull on my shoulder muscles and I have lots of neck & back pain. I also enjoy exercise which means they are pretty stretched out, despite good bras. I currently wear one that looks like a padded corset and was recommended on Oprah as the 'no bounce' Rolls Royce of bras. Having met a Thai man who loves my nom yais has done a world of good for my self-esteem. A pity he can't take away the medical issues. At least in Thailand massage is cheap and I take full advantage of it for my neck and back.

Edited to add PS: Anyone looking for functional large size bras try Marks and Sparks in Central Chidlom. They have a small range of bras for enormous sizes and large cups as well as a fitting service.

I'm sure my man will be thrilled to hear I'm broadcasting to the world...no equipment issues here folks

I think my friends fall into two categories. The ones who haven't travelled can't really process the idea of cross-cultural relationships. Coming from a rural area they haven't seen many examples.

Then the second group have travelled, some lived and worked overseas and have seen that cross-cultural relationship can work. They also appreciate that there is a lot more out there than the stereotype white man/bar girl scene.

But...Most of my girlfriends - in both groups - still seem to think the farang girl/Thai guy scenario is somehow more exotic and exciting. Independently neither of us would be considered anything special in our own communities. We are Mr and Mrs Normal. Mid-30s, chubby, hard-working, love kids. But throw the colour/culture factors in and suddenly people see us as something more than two ordinary people. It's pretty weird to be looked at like we have achieved something out of the ordinary.

Chevy we were told the same re: cutting wood and have just cut a lot of pradoo and mai daeng for our house. Father in law has taken to sleeping at their farm as poachers recently cut & stole a bunch of 20 - 30 year old pradoo trees. Not much upsets the guy but he had been nurturing the plantation since his 7 kids were toddlers so they would have wood for their own houses when they were adults. Losing a lot of the trees has almost broken him.