MeMock

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

^ Not true.

Spago in Ubon does an awesome pizza (and everything else) in their wood fired oven.

I have just spent the last two days here and ate three meals at Twiggs. An amazing place and a real bonus for PKK to have it here. Great food, setting and service. Well worth checking out.

I have eaten three times in the last two days at Twiggs Bakery in Prachuap KK. Just opened - this place has really set the bench mark a whole lot higher.

Well worth checking out.

Yloft is open every evening from 5 pm to 11 pm. No lunches.

 

That's very handy to know.

I will make sure that I don't turn up at 12 noon for a workers lunch and then when I can't get one complain on Thai Visa about it.

Last time I trust the Bangkok Bank website. It was closed! As was the one at SalaDaeng. Stuffed up my afternoon plans for sure. :(

At 1.30pm this Sunday. West Coast Eagles are hosting Collingwood (Aussie Rules)

I know places in Sukumvit will be showing it but was hoping to find a place in Silom. I have emailed a few places but as per usual, not a single reply. 

Any one know for sure a place that will be showing the game?

I used this link.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/WebServices/LocateUs/Pages/default.aspx

300 Silom says 7 days a week. I found it on google street view ion the location the website says it is so all good. Otherwise I will head up to Silom Central up near Sala Daeng.

Now to find a place to watch the aussie rules game on that afternoon! Might start a new thread about that though. :)

Dropping into a restaurant that he knows doesn't open until 8am at 6, 6.30, 7 and 7.30am? Honest? Mmmmm maybe but more like honestly stupid. 

^ I know the poster and it isn't on his way to work. He is just trying to stir the pot.

Yeah I realise the shopping mall ones are always open but that is one thing Silom seems to be lacking and I am really keen not to have to travel to far from Silom. Gonna hope the website is correct and the one at 300 Silom road is indeed 7 days a week. Thanks everyone.

Ok, had another look and on the map where I was looking it does not seem to work but in the list format it does! Looks like only one branch is open on Sunday and that is the one at 300 Silom Road. It appears to be located on the same side of the road and close to the central Department store down the river end of Silom. 

I hope the details are correct! 

I did that but every branch has nothing entered after the word "day" and "time" it was just blank.

I'll go and have another look just incase though.

Hi,

I fly into Bangkok on Sunday and have some banking to do before I leave Monday morning. My hotel is in Silom and after a long flight would love to try and get my jobs done close to the hotel.

I called the Bangkok Bank main number but they were not really sure (go figure) so figured it would be better to ask on here.

Thanks

MM

^ Unless you have an international connection to almost the entire rest of the world.