rambler

Thanks for the welcome.The reason I asked about western food in Ubon,is that I am also thinking of starting a business selling fresh meat, cooked meats cheeses and other westen foods i.e most of the things that you could buy in tesco's back home.But I need to try to find out the size of the expat community, and work out if it is a viable proposition.So any advice would be very welcome thanks again. the meat by the way would be top quality, not some of the poor quality thai meat.

hello .

take a look at www.cherchim.com they are offering a franchise opportunity same idea as you are thinking of , i know the owner Jon he will assist you top fella.

Recently been informed that a Western style foodstore in Udonthani is now offering franchise opportunities

First of all , i am nothing to do with the business but i do feel its a good opportunity for anyone (with the money which i dont) wishing to settle and have a business in the isaan part of Thailand , i do use the shop on my frequent jaunts to Udon and think it would be a great addition to any isaan town or city. www.chernchim.com

rambler

Rambler

I read that you're from Ku Muang,Buriram.

Were you aware that there was a guy selling fantastic pies in Buriram for 55baht?

Udon seems along way to go to pay more!!!!

I live in Baan Nongsai between Ku Muang and Satuk . i go Udonthani quite alot got several mates there and not alot happens in our spot after dark (well ay time really.)

I do get my pies from a chap in Buriram 55 bt but also had some off Chern Chim 60 bt both very good but diferent styles . I buy all my meat joints ,sausages ,bacon ,crumbles etc in bulk from Udon . I am a lazy sod i get the ready meals there and stock up on digestive choccy biscuits and branston etc

Theres certainly alot of farangs in and around Udon at the mo , lots coming up to settle from Pattaya , a fiend has just opened abookshop there seems to be doing ok.

I visited this place last week and my observations are as follows:

Clean place and nice people

Offerings not up to my standards and I drove 350 km to buy his meats. No American , Australian, or Argentine beef. Just some frozen Thai-French beef from Sakon Nakhon. Tried that all ready to my disappointment.

Wanted to buy a ham, a whole ham, a real ham, Virginia, Tennessee, Honey, Smoked, or salted. Sorry, no have, just some very old freezer burned stuff from god knows where that had passed it's expiration date long ago.

In am afraid the guy is doomed in this market due to limited stock and limited turn over.

The pastries were less than appealing and grossly overpriced.

A big letdown for me as I crave a good steak and some quality corn fed pork for my clan.

Guess I will soon be inn the meat business.

I have visited the shop numerous times also driving a long way and can only conclude you either went to the wrong place or you are a competitor stirring the preverbial poop.

Indeed jon and paul are nice people i agree , but your observations on the stock etc is way off the mark , i was there last Saturday they had a very well stocked meat section nothing old out of date as you say i bought a virginia ham joint and a smoked picnic ham along with some excellent ribeye steaks (from bkk not sakhorn nakorn) the bacon and sausage is the best ive had and great price too 198 per kilo !also rhubarb pie and a brandy fruitcake all of which were delicious.

I am not trying to defend the shop tho i have got to know both jon and paul quite well as i do buy from them to sell in my local area, i just dont like this kind of berating when it appears so off base and the shop is aready so popular in Udonthani.

keep up the good work jon , this part of Thailand needs places like your shop and more so investors like you in the isaan region.

Any favorite places for pizzas in Udon?

I love Italian style pizza but would settle for anything, Chicago, NY, California, whatever. I need at least 1 pizza per week to stay happy, so please give me your recommendations

Thanks!

Cheers

CHERN CHIM STORE in Adunyadhet road Udonthani have very good pizzas starting at 140bt can buy frozen or they will cook one to take home , if like me you bought a few frozen and put em in the freezer (if you have a freezer and oven ), theyve got all sorts there briliant shop full of falang goodies owners name john 0860991667

Whilst in udontani today i thought i would call in and see how things are going for this new deli supermarket shop. couldnt beleive how many new products they had added spent 2000 + got some great stuff good value ,even had faggots my favs. talked again with john the owner it appears to be going quite well for him. i am financialy challenged myself but was very interested in the fact he said was going to sell franchises in the North/North East of Thailand ideal ready made bussines for anyone wants to live here and make an income as well.didnt get a business card but easy to find contact number on udonmap.com. im no way involved with the place but its a great setup worth a look.

rambler

i went back to see jon at chern chim today as a freinds in hospital in udon. things seem to be going ok for him and he had quite a lot of new items in the place, ready meals,curries,lasagne,and some great fruit yoghurt pots. i bought some beef stew and bread rolls and a loaf along with some bisto ,mushy peas and pg tips tea bags,, do i know how to live it up or what?..i ate in the deli-cafe had a scotch egg platter-the s.egg was spot on and came with a pickle side order ,potato salad and a roll very nice 120bt washed down with a huge mug of tetley tea at 30bt... im thinking of relocating !!

I don't know where you live Rambler. But, an inexpensive Styrofoam cooler, with a block or bag of ice in it, will keep chilled items chilled, and frozen items frozen, for hours.

Last night for my dinner appetizer, I had about 1/2 the container of the Chicken Liver Pate' I got from Chern Chim, w/crackers. Umm, umm, good! Jon...whoever makes that stuff, give them my compliments.

HI MAXJAY. I live in a small town called Ku Muang about 30 km outside Buriram , im meeting again with jon at chern chim as he said he is considering francising his idea and a chern chim would be a great asset and business to do in or near Buriram with a francise i would be getting a ready made set up that will keep me here hopefully for life and jon has done all the leg work so to speak.i mean that in a nice way. i know hes bought into the suppliers companies who support him so as to tie up sole agent etc, smart move.. especialy for the imported products, and i certainly dont have the funds to do a place like what jon has done with all the cheese packing and other machinery.let alone the building its huge..

You live in udon i take it maxjay whats has chern chim done there? are the farangs (and thais) supporting the store ,jon seemed happy how things have gone so far but i would value your opinion as an outsider.

Good idea about the box but will have to be a big one 5555.

This morning I made my first visit to Chern Chim. I was extremely pleased with what I found. Clean and nicely laid out. I bought a little of this and a little of that. Bought a sausage roll to eat on the way to my fitness center (you know us Americans, we love to eat in the car , the sausage roll was delicious, about 10-12 ounces, good crust wrapped around a wonderfully spiced sausage.

They also carry Nana Food Products: Italian cooking sauces & Mexican salsas, both very good, IMO.

Jon and his partner (sorry forgot your name) are nice guys. Jon told me if anyone has any special requests to let him know.

I also like the convenience of being able to go in and get a few items and be on my way in under 10-15 minutes or shorter. This morning I spent some extra time there because Jon and I talked for awhile.

Well yesterday I went to the Thai equivalent of Makro to have a look, its down the road from Carrefour big store has everything.

And in the freezers there are pies Cornish pasties proper sausages and the bacon is a lot cheaper

whilst in udon last week i too visited the supermarket tang nee su (or something like that) . im thinking of suppling where i live locally( near buriram) thats another reason why i went to chern chim , i did mention the place to jon the owner of chern chim and he and his partner actually supply tang nee with there meat /pie products from there coldstore in bkk, and he showed me invoices to confirm this. ive been looking all over to get the best deals on stuff . the stock jon reccomended i bought from chern chim has already sold here literally withim hours of getting back and the wholesale price was about the same as tang nee but they didnt have any imported products., also i didnt get a chat and a free cup of tea and lunch at tang nee . i really hope all goes ok for jon hes done his shop out great and the product range is spot on,,,, maybe al the nice things im saying will get me free delivery - hope you read this jon.... rambler

Jon and his partner are the authorized distributor for the Udon and surrounding areas. So, I can't imagine, a business they distribute to, offering products at a lower price than the authorized distributor?

i went back to see jon at chern chim today as a freinds in hospital in udon. things seem to be going ok for him and he had quite a lot of new items in the place, ready meals,curries,lasagne,and some great fruit yoghurt pots. i bought some beef stew and bread rolls and a loaf along with some bisto ,mushy peas and pg tips tea bags,, do i know how to live it up or what?..i ate in the deli-cafe had a scotch egg platter-the s.egg was spot on and came with a pickle side order ,potato salad and a roll very nice 120bt washed down with a huge mug of tetley tea at 30bt... im thinking of relocating !!

Well yesterday I went to the Thai equivalent of Makro to have a look, its down the road from Carrefour big store has everything.

And in the freezers there are pies Cornish pasties proper sausages and the bacon is a lot cheaper

whilst in udon last week i too visited the supermarket tang nee su (or something like that) . im thinking of suppling where i live locally( near buriram) thats another reason why i went to chern chim , i did mention the place to jon the owner of chern chim and he and his partner actually supply tang nee with there meat /pie products from there coldstore in bkk, and he showed me invoices to confirm this. ive been looking all over to get the best deals on stuff . the stock jon reccomended i bought from chern chim has already sold here literally withim hours of getting back and the wholesale price was about the same as tang nee but they didnt have any imported products., also i didnt get a chat and a free cup of tea and lunch at tang nee . i really hope all goes ok for jon hes done his shop out great and the product range is spot on,,,, maybe al the nice things im saying will get me free delivery - hope you read this jon.... rambler

hi all... just had a few days at a mates house in udonthani and was lucky to stumble across a new shop that opened on the 19th of may just near the city center. very nice clean big western style deli cafe incorporating a freezer section with a great stock of euro meat products excellent sausages etc,, also imported stuff like branston ,pg tips and loads of otherbrands even oxo. i spent less than a grand and got quite a few items met the owner a pomie called jon, hes certainly sent a few dollars on the place. the place is called chern chim quality foods and well worth a visit. good luck with the venture jon. rambler

Dear all,

Can anybody shed some light on if this school has improved or got worse? I heard the Head foreign principal has now gone and the whole school is run by Thai teachers? Have they made any effort to deliver a good education or even improve the facilities?

Cheers

There have been so many threads regarding this school in the past too which i have honestly contributed, most of the replies are of a negative nature.

I worked at the school for nearly five years (resigning august 2005)and my child a student from k2 to now just completing p2.We are moving away from Pattaya so i feel easier about this final contribution ref this school.

The place is a joke school and expensive joke at that.....the negatives are far too many to mention but i do feel the blame for the majority of these bad points should not be laid at the feet of the teachers but the owner, ive seen on a daily basis that most of the staff are diligent and try to do a good job - a job that must rank as one of the most important proffessions of all. Ive seen and experienced firsthand how the staff are treated and paid so badly any interest they started off with is drained from them by the actions of the owner, this the owner that has not been to the school grounds in person in years and is ripping off not only the parents and students at the school but the teaching staff as well THE BLAME MUST LAY FIRMLY AT THE FEET OF THIS PERSON NOT THE STAFF SHE THROWS ORDERS AT.

In the past i have been berrated or its said i had an axe to grind about the school ,, this is simply not the case and what i have written in the past 100% accurate and i have indeed made my feeling known to the owner directly. After being ignored and fobbed off im so relieved my childs time at Best is over , lots say there are no alternatives in Pattaya thats not far wrong but locally REPS in Bang Chang is excellent in everyway that Best is not . I would rather have my child in a Thai school in northern isaan where we are moving to then carry on at Best .

I would just like to say to any of the teachers who work at Best who see this post - thankyou for trying in a difficult environment - good luck .

yours .... a parent happy to be leaving BEST / PATTAYA

After reading your post I can only hope you were not teaching english at the school.

Further on,if you think the school is that bad then why you left your child at it all that time.There are lot's of other choices in the nearby area.

I dont really give a monkeys about how i write a post on a forum like this but just to ease your mind i taught primary singapore mathematics and at times abit of geography/science thrown in. what ive written is simply the truth hidden agenda or not like it or lump it mate. As for why my child has remained there so long is simple it was very easy as im a single parent and one of the Thai teachers also helped me as i worked evenings most of the time,also my child was very happy there and has many freinds. I certainly dont agree with you about the alternatives locally and there comes a time when students must progress and learn not play and be happy to go to school bcos its a joke......so please save the sarcasm and silly remarks unless u know better or youve worked at the school as well?????

Dear all,

Can anybody shed some light on if this school has improved or got worse? I heard the Head foreign principal has now gone and the whole school is run by Thai teachers? Have they made any effort to deliver a good education or even improve the facilities?

Cheers

There have been so many threads regarding this school in the past too which i have honestly contributed, most of the replies are of a negative nature.

I worked at the school for nearly five years (resigning august 2005)and my child a student from k2 to now just completing p2.We are moving away from Pattaya so i feel easier about this final contribution ref this school.

The place is a joke school and expensive joke at that.....the negatives are far too many to mention but i do feel the blame for the majority of these bad points should not be laid at the feet of the teachers but the owner, ive seen on a daily basis that most of the staff are diligent and try to do a good job - a job that must rank as one of the most important proffessions of all. Ive seen and experienced firsthand how the staff are treated and paid so badly any interest they started off with is drained from them by the actions of the owner, this the owner that has not been to the school grounds in person in years and is ripping off not only the parents and students at the school but the teaching staff as well THE BLAME MUST LAY FIRMLY AT THE FEET OF THIS PERSON NOT THE STAFF SHE THROWS ORDERS AT.

In the past i have been berrated or its said i had an axe to grind about the school ,, this is simply not the case and what i have written in the past 100% accurate and i have indeed made my feeling known to the owner directly. After being ignored and fobbed off im so relieved my childs time at Best is over , lots say there are no alternatives in Pattaya thats not far wrong but locally REPS in Bang Chang is excellent in everyway that Best is not . I would rather have my child in a Thai school in northern isaan where we are moving to then carry on at Best .

I would just like to say to any of the teachers who work at Best who see this post - thankyou for trying in a difficult environment - good luck .

yours .... a parent happy to be leaving BEST / PATTAYA

Teenage son experiencing withdrawal symptoms and needs a good Sunday Roast, lots of well cooked meat, crispy roast potatoes etc and mum wants a day off SOOOOO

Anyone know where is the best Sunday Roast in Pattaya please?

Whilst on the subject, difficult to find a good roasting joint for a Sunday lunch. Any English style butchers here (apart from the one in Jomtien - went in there hoping to find some joints but none at all).

robins nestaurant soi buakhao was the last place i had a sunday roast .. thort it was pretty dam good at 3 course buffet (240bt i think ),, lots of good meat to choose from and eat as much as you can. before i ate at thesportsman that also was very good.

Ladyboys/Transexuals/She-Males/Katoeys are here to stay and their numbers seem to continually increase here in Pattaya. Love 'em or hate 'em, they are not going anywhere. While I admire those that unobtrusively find their career paths and contribute as I have seen them working in restaurants and hotels and the Malibu show, I am leery of the majority due to all the negative news headlines they tend to dominate here in Fun City. I would not like Pattaya to be Ladyboy free because I feel they add a dimension and color that makes Pattaya the city it has become. I guess I wish there were certain rules of engagement where they ladyboys would not make physical advances unless welcomed. How do you vote?

i personally think these gender benders are great. in fact i usually treat myself to one on a sunday afternoon after church.ive had some lovely times with the different variations (with or without the meat and two veg) im a with man for my sins. one such encounter i remember laying on the bed - eyes watering - having just been pearly neclaced and my teelak strangley named Brian gazed at me and said quote " u were great" some thing i will take to my grave..... on the other hand i dont like the thieving bent gits on beach road , Brian assured me she never did anything like that obviously this being the truth cos thais dont lie do they ??

I was hoping to treat my wife to a nice romantic dinner tonight but i am not sure where to go in Pattaya. We are looking for something on the higher end for a special night out.

Any suggestions?

cafe des amis - reasonably new eatery just off thapraya rd, excellent in everyway.

Hello,

I am going to be divorcing my wife soon and my friend in the UK has recommended a lawyer to me on Soi LK, but he can not remember the name of the company and a Google search has come back with nothing. Does anyone know the name/website of the lawyer on Soi LK. He can only remember her name is Sue or Su.

Thanks,

Graham

ayup graham.. DMC soi day-night 2 pattaya,,, woman lawyer excellent service was recommened her by a good thai friend.. chz good look ..rambler

Thanks to all who responded to my last thread about English breakfasts! I would now like you to share your opinions about the best Indian restaurant in Pattaya, again location again within walking distance of Beach Road.

I have never tried any of the Indian restaurants in Pattaya in the approx two years that I have been here and would love to tuck into a delicious curry...come on guys!

on a slightly different line there are some excellent frozen ready meal curries in frienship at the mo,, they are 400g anglo indian style made by a company called tropical foods the owner is a mate of mine but im purely replying for the quality of his food the vindaloo and dopiaza are my favs big chunks of tender chicken breast last time i bought a few they were 160bt i think and well worth it too.

Had an afternoon on Jomtien, quite far down the beach and noted the dirtier than usual water. Now the Mrs does not swim, and I dont enter the water there ever, but she was paddling and splashing on the edge of the sea for an hour or so.

Tonight she started itching, and a rash appeared under arms, and spread over back, belly and arms, some of it was blisters , some rash.

Severe discomfort, and spreading quickly.

I thought food poisoning, but she was not nauseous, perhaps a food allergy? Took her to Pattaya Memorial, where she was admitted and put on a drip.

The doctor seems to think it is from the beach, has anyone else suffered a similar reaction to the water, or is my instinct of a food allergy the most likely cause?

She didnt eat anything unusual for her, Som Tum (possibly crab, at the beach, my main suspect). Any thoughts or similar experiences recently,

thanks, PP

About 2 yrs ago i used to rent a section of the beach in jomtien opposite jomtien beach condominium (soi9-10 area) the same thing happened to my son and a customer of mine at the time svere rash and blister like patches both went to hospital and was put down to the dirty water on another occasion a child visiting the beach had a very bad reaction to the many catapillars that were in the trees and on the sands they are rife down there and many many people have this problem. ref: my son i was given an excellent cream called Genta-Betasone a standard skin cream but worked very well.

Can anyone recommend a good Dentist that specializes in porcelain crown replacement? Location and approx cost (including prep) if anyone has had one.

Thanks

just had some crowns replaced at a dentist in soi 5 beach road the surgery was called IPC or something like that very good male dentist ,fluent english. going down second road turn left into the soi next to the carlton hotel and its 100 m on the left,i think the soi is one way so maybe come in from beach rd. excellent service and quality cost for 7 crowns,3 fillings,a tooth pulled out and full clean was 55k , i had temporary plastic crowns in for 4 days while the porcelain ones came back, i was recommended this place by others (lovely dental nurse there to hold my hand as well)

Just been travelling up north a few days to see the in laws , whilst out n about came across a tiny village with a truly great name , does anyone know if there are any more gems like this here in Thailand or indeed the world? the place was right out in the sticks between udon and nong khai dint have my camera but will be up there again in a few weeks so will post a photo... i literally pissed my self when i saw " LIK MI KRAK"

Couldn't resist posting this classic, from mangosauce.com.

Dear John,

I love you and I miss you too much. I have problem. I tell you before that buffalo me sick. Now it die. Fall down dead in middle of rice field. Bad fortune, when it fall, it land on papa and break his leg in three places. Now he cannot work. Brother me make stretcher from bamboo she take from roof of house. Then roof collapse and rain get in house. He take papa to hospital on motorcycle. He have accident coming home. Run into police car. Brother me to blame. Police say he has to pay big money. Motorcycle OK. Police car kaput. Now gives Mama have heart problem. Doctor say she need triple by-pass. I not understand what is. He say you understand.

Up to now I only work in bar and not go with man. I wait for you come back Pattaya. If you will not help me I have to go with many many many more farang to pay bills.

The old people in my village think that it is all your fault. If you had send me money to buy medicine for sick buffalo when I ask you, then it not die. Papa not break leg, house still have roof, brother not ride into police car and Mama not have heart problem.

Please send me 200,000 baht for my bank. Papa fix 10,000 new roof 30,000, new police car 100,000, mama fix 50,000. I take off 2,000 baht for sell buffalo meat but have to pay more hospital bill for 24 people have problem eat contaminated meat 12,000 baht. I not know money Finland but my friend me say it about 73.598755 baht approximately. This means you send me 6,000 pound.

THANKS FOR THIS GEM ... READ IT B4 LONGTIME AGO BUT WAS STORED AWAY FORGOTTEN UNTIL TODAY.. MY LIFE IS NOW WORTH LIVING AGAIN.. TODAYS GONNA BE A GOOD DAY... U CHEERED ME UP ..RAMBLER

Anyone with some tips on which hospital in Pattaya is not currently price gouging ?

I have tried Banglamuang and it is a no go , Pattaya Memorial is along the same standard with a rip off pricing policy

Bangkok-Pattaya hospital speaks for itself.

Pattaya International ???

Siracha and Queen Sirikit in Sattahip are not in question, as I have been ripped off in Siracha b4 and it is no way worht the drive.

Having myself, a friend/family member unfortunately enduring spells in a few of the hospitals locally i feel reasonably qualified to comment.

B.P.H. - total rip no question ! , was in there 10 days ICU aftr an accident , 50k per day. when i moved onto the ward and expressed that i wanted to move i was treated or not treated to be accurate "the forgotten man". its an expensive hotel at best, added to my own experience is that of two friends the first was involved in a bike accident went to the said hospital was put i an ambulance and take to chonburi cos they didnt have any blood sadly he passed away... the second a local diver went there as one of his knackers swelled up they immediatly said the offending testicle must be removed , wisely after taking a second opinion it was determined that a new wet suit he was trying was too tight and restricting blood flow......hes a happy chappy still walking around fully loaded..... bph ok for emergency if insured then move on to recuperate.

P.I H. - no real horror stories but very expensive,,, one of my thai staff was taken there after a minor bike smash 100k 3 days.

MEMORIAL and BANGLAMUNG , ok for a sickness nothing serious opd..ok ipd a nono

QUEEN SIRIKIT SATAHIP - after my own bph experience i moved to QS stayed 5 weeks treated very well in all ways including further operations that were un affordable at bph... bill for the full stay 77k .

ALL IN ALL DEPENDS ON THE TREATMENT U REQUIRE , ie EMERGENCY, SICKNESS, OPERATIONS /SURGERY ETC,,, QUEEN SIRIKIT WERE GREAT,

Hi there iam coming to pattaya in 2 weeks with my thai wife and son and this time we are bringing some friends and would like to know where the best english breakfast is??? ( so our friends will be ok )

ive used the elephant bar and pig and whistle and a few others .

pete and som

yorkies down he bottom end of jomtien beach ... excellent quality and price

just had the recently formed TMN cable tv installed and well impressed miles beter than banglamung and sophon with the added bonus that im no loger adding to the coffers of mr hengtrakul x trt party, the new service has over 80 channels,, including sky sports with the english footy etc loads of other attractions too,ie no pattya people and colov , the service/ installation team were great, WELL WORTH A LOOK IF YOURE FED UP WITH THE OTHERS.

The foriegners who strut around doing this volunteer police thing are nothing but arse holes.They should all get a life.They're not helping the community,there sad little souls on a would be power trip.

Harsh words I know but very very true.It makes me cringe seeing them on the Sukhumvit pulling people over.

EPG

Not harsh enough!

Got pulled up by mini Hitler in Walking Street last week whilst walking along jovially hooting and laughing with a couple of local scantily clad bed warmers.

Joviality caught the attention of Mini Hitler, and clearly pissed off at the world, MH proceeded to demand passport and asked how much I had had to drink (4 cans of tonic - dont drink).

I asked him sarcastically if he was the tonic police, if it was an offence to drink tonic and have fun, and told him to go forth and fornicate (or words to that effect) , and he grabbed me by the arm.

Fortunately, on me becoming somewhat irate, a Thai cop (Tourist Police) who was nearby came over, I spoke to him in Thai and asked him what was going on (helped a little that I know the boss in Soi 9 )

Cut a long story short mini Hitler forced to apologise, as they cannot do jack unless there is a Thai cop there!!!! Basically, they have no more power than Joe Citizen, and certainly no power of arrest. If they grab you, it is assault.

My view, you want to be mini Hitler, then f%^k off home and do it there.

The TP mostly do a good job, and most of them speak passable English. Why do we need these clowns?

becos mr pattaya himself the one the only neils "couldnt lay sraight in bed" colov said the city needs em and another little something he can fiddle other than the charities (rumour only)