MeMock

That wall is nice to see. When they originally painted the Kings artwork all along Uppalisan Road I got really excited, as I owned Peppers at the time and was sick of looking out at that dirty brown wall for 15 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Everyday they got closer and closer and then they stopped - just shy of the shop! They said it was so the pilots would not get distracted (as the runway is immediately opposite and also the end that 90% of flights land).

Anyway, nice to see that finally is getting something done because if a pilot is distracted by a painted wall then they are in the wrong job.

Not a chiro but a neurosurgeon. He is very good and I let him operate on my back a few years ago.

Dr Darmon is his name. 0818764678. Tell him that Andrew formally of Peppers says hello.

Didn't you see my link? There are several good 50m lap pools that have almost nobody in them if you go at the right time of day. I prefer Nari.

Yes I saw that that link and I know all those swimming pools. I wrote "decent" 50 m pool. The university pool is quite a distance out of town (16 km), open after 4 pm and is now closed until January 2015 for repairs. The sports school pool is not well-maintained and the water quality is not desirable, Nari school pool is ok but lately they don't seem to want people to swim during the day and in the evenings most people swim across and so it is difficult to get good lengths in.

Not very fussy are ya?

Issan is a big place. Headline is very misleading. Southern Ubon provence has seen way too much rain all season and even today when they are trying to salvage half a harvest another downpour set them back.

15 years old? Buy a new one. The amount of power you will save will astound you.

How can you not understand that Nuddy?

He is worried about the owner of the restaurant opposite top mansion as he hasn't seen him for a long time.

Nice find Niwpix. Nuddy, I doubt the locals around the park would know about it as according to the GPS coordinates it is on Phichitrangsan road which is a few blocks away.

Just beyond that funny roundabout - would that be right niwpix?

Don't think it has changed for many years. Depends on what country your friend is from but generally $30 or $35.

New owners first mistake is changing the name. I hope the rest is smooth sailing for all parties. Well done Mobi for getting out like you have!

I have taken other peoples cars across before but they did have to sign a sort of stat dec form with copies of their ID etc to say that it is okay.

bapak, ignore Nuddy's <deleted>.

Driving your own car across the border is very easy. From what I understand you do need to own the car outright. Definitely no hire cars etc. You will need a car passport which are easy to attain and depending on what border crossing you are using it can take anywhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes to cross over.

Hello Uncle David

Not sure if this will help or not but a while ago I wrote a few blogs about the Vietnam war in Ubon. Since then I have had heaps of people who were active on the base at that time leaving messages. One blog in particular got a lot of response in the comments section. Have a look through it and the replies and see what you can find out. Hope it helps!

http://www.memock.com/2011/11/25/life-in-ubon-ratchathani-as-a-soldier-during-the-vietnam-war/

Regards

MM

Nice place. I'm up the road a little at Kununurra.

Where a bouts in country WA are you from Mr OP?

I'll give it a crack for the city of Ubon Ratchathani but this is from the eyes of someone who does not live their full time currently but has done business there in the past.

1. Approximate total population and estimated Western expat population? No idea at all sorry but I do notice that there is quite of lot of them who come and stay for just a few months a year.

2. Approximate number of businesses specifically catering to foreigners Hotels specifically catering for foreigners? None. Guesthouses? 2 - 3 but with only a few rooms each. Restaurants? There are half a dozen restaurants run by expats but this does not mean they specifically cater for Foreigners but they do have foreign food. If they did (cater just for foreigners) they would not last long. There are three actual bars that cater for Foreigners.

3. The general demographics of the expats in your view (mostly young/old, working/retired , wealthy or not) Mostly old, mostly retired but a good smattering of older workers and some quite young people as well.

4. A general view of the Thai population there - friendly, educated, farang friendly, better/worse off than average etc? Rapidly gaining wealth as the city quickly changes. Willing to try new things. Poor level of English.

5. How much of an expat community there is - are there local sports leagues, pub quizzes, regular events, hashers, that sort of thing.Is it expanding or stagnant? There is a Hash group. There used to be a Monday lunch group (not sure if still operating) there is a retired US army group. There are 4 golf courses so a lot of people get together to play. Thats about it that I know of.

I am really at a complete loss to understand the majority of reactions on here - is it boredom, envy, fear?

It is jealousy, pure and simple.

You see it time and time again amongst bitter expats in Thailand. ignore them and just concentrate on your venture and I wish you all the best.

Look down the list of topics just a little bit as this was covered quite well just in the last 6 weeks or so.

I don't live in the village full time anymore, about two months of the year. Nearest foreigner is 4 villages away. I love being the only whitey there. I know that one day, way in the future, there will be more and I just hope that they are decent people otherwise the pressure to socialise with someone I would not give the time of day to normally would be really annoying.

from far nth east kimberley West Aust ..The Last Frontier .... wild west !! Isaan is a resort compared to back on the farm in Oz

It's a small word indeed. I agree about the wild west as I too am from there. Raised on a farm not too far from Kununurra. Where exact were you?

Bagging Lion air? What about praising them for being able to land the plane safely while 50% of the landing team was having a heart attack at the controls?

In my small home town, a major industry is helicopters and fixed wing (smaller aircrafts). 20 years ago when I used to go out a lot I would always see pilots drunkingly sculling down their last pints and shots a few minutes before 10pm as they had to stick to the 8 hour dry before you fly rule as they all started flying at 6am. They were the people like the poster above who I would avoid.

Haha, that is true - I did manage a free coffee on the last day but all other meals were paid for in full I assure you! actually I just wrote up a review on Trip Advisor - will cut and past it below. Twiggs really is massive positive for PKK.

My shout next time for sure Mister T - but only because I hear on the grapevine that you might be opening up a bar in PKK. A coffee from me = a beer in return from you = bloody good return on my behalf!!

This place is the bomb!

It has only been open for a month but already it has won the hearts and bellies of locals and tourists alike. I am not really sure where to begin to be honest because it really is that good.

First impression are always important and what you notice is a place that is super clean, spacious, well designed and with a friendly atmosphere. Even the toilet is spotless.

The free wifi is fast. The owner (Australian) and his wife (Thai) are delightful hosts.

The coffee is just like I would get in my favourite coffee shop back home plus they do a wide range of other drinks as well such as juices, frappes, beer, wine and spirits etc.

But what about the food? Well let me tell you, in the two days I was visiting Prachuap I managed to sample the following: (Yes I'm a fat bugger!)

Eggs Benedict: Eggs cooked to perfection, Sauce with just the right twang, hash brown was perfect. The English muffins were a little hard to cut though.

Chips (French Fries) Nice and thick like they should be. Nice clean oil but just a smidgeon under cooked.

Mince Pie, chips and Gravy. I'm an Aussie and I know and love my pies. This was perfection and big! The pastry was spot on and the filling delicious. Chips and Gravy just finished it perfectly.

Deep fried pork strips. delicious and tender. A little on the small side.

Massaman Curry. I stuffed up this order by asking for the wrong type of Curry.I normally don't like Massaman curry but this one was done very well and was generous with the servings.

Omelette. Served with two thick pieces of toast. 3 egg omelette cooked and presented to perfection (I forgot to take a photo of this one sorry!)

So many other things that I wanted to try but did not have time. Things such as the steak and hamburgers looked amazing when they were delivered to other peoples tables. The Thai food must also be good considering the amount of local Thai customers ordering it.

It is easy to find and so close to most of the hotels. Parking is a breeze with a fabulous temple opposite the restaurant. A small outside area is available also. The Bangkok Post arrives early for your purusual .

Open from 8 - 9pm, 7 days a week. If you find yourself in this most beautiful part of Thailand then make sure you pop in and visit Twiggs - the place that has certainly raised the bar in Prachuap Khiri Khan!

Barry? Spend money on TV when it is available for free? Surely you jest?

"proper contract/receipt"

"back-up service"

"guarantee"

I always knew you were a funny man Chris