craighj

Hi

I have house in Mukdahan, well about 5km outside town and about 1.5km from the main North / South highway.

I already have the standard Sat TV package, mostly Thai TV with some stuff from India ect.

Does anyone have any information on the best internet packages in Mukdahan and can you get a Sat TV package for English speaking TV chanels?

Any help would be appreciated.

Craighj

Hi Tribaldovas

Offically all companies and employers must pay as a minimum, the mandated minimum wage within the province they operate in.

While the government has raised the minimum wage in a number of provinces (unfortunately different amounts for different provinces), minimum wage requirements have been in place for many years.

Reality is that all multi national companies, large Thai companies and government agencies adhere to minimum wage requirements. However some small companies / employers / family businesses either pay what they want or pay cash. Sometimes this is offset by bonuses and or other more generous conditions. Sometimes it's just daily hire and daily payment.

I hope this helps.

Craighj

Hi Ubonrthai

Mukdahan tower is an interesting place for a visit and is easy to find, on the edge of town on the Southern side. Inside you will find a number of displays referring to local history and the different tribes around Issan. A small entrace fee and a great view of the town, river and Lao.

There are a couple of national parks fairly close to town one being Mukdahan national park 17 kms from town on Mukdahan don tan Road.

Mukdahan also has the Indochin market on the banks of the river and also a smal night market. There is also the second friendship bridge into Lao.

Plenty to do for a first time visitor, however once you have been there a few times you need to explore further out to find something new.

Craighj

Thanks to both of you, I now have 2 days filled. The other couple can be filled with family and normal activities when I'm home.

Appreciate the responses.

If you are ever are around Mukdahan drop me a note and I will buy you a beer.

Craighj

Have you tried the suckling pig at Geng Kabao ? or a bit further afield Wat Pra Namtip near Roi Et (about 2-3 hour drive) well worth a visit

Hi Livingthedream, now that does sound good. My wife, along with every other Thai I know loves suckling pig. The best I've found has been in Lao across the friendship bridge.

Can you supply a few more details, no problem driving to Roi Et, or close by.

Craighj

Thanks DJH77

Yes I've been to the church of the 7 Martyrs a couple of times and it is interesting. I've also had the pleasure of eating at Mukdahan Manor etc.

Not much of a golfer although wifey is, maybe I can caddy for her.

Oh well I will do some exploring and see what I find, maybe drive further up North or out West a bit.

I'm guessing there are no fishing parks within cooee?

If I find anything interesting I will drop a report on the forum.

Thanks again

Craighj

I have a house in Mukdahan and get up there every chance I can get.

I've been there many, many times and have been to most if not all of the local attractions, markets, tower, reserves and parks.

Mukdahan is a nice relaxing place and I plan to retire there one day.

My question is, is there or are there any other places of interest not to far from Mukdahan. Say a few hours drive?

I've been to Nakhom Phanom, into Lao and to most of the surrounding temples.

The reason i ask is that I'm planning to in Mukdahan over Songkran and would like to some exploring

Craighj

Trouble is my kids were in that school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why do so many seem to struggle with reading comprehension? Perhaps this will help.....

THE SCHOOL WAS NOT THE INTENDED TARGET

_{Hi Vistana}

_{I have no doubt that there are a number of houses for sale in Mukdahan, however from my experience the best bet is to actually be there.}

_{I'm guessing you might find something that fits some of your critera but not all and then you have the location to worry about.}

_{I built a place there 18 months ago using a local builder and it went quite well.}

_{To be honest I have forgotten the name of the company i use and would need to get the builders name and number from my files.}

_{If you PM me I will dig this out and send it to you.}

Excellent update, thanks.

It's good to some positive stories coming from Issan. Frankly I love the place although my good lady and I have a house in Mukdahan.

Thanks

Craighj

Another one that believes their opinion is the only one that matters!

Ever tried Issan beer, very nice drop.

Trouble is it is only available occassionally and I've only found it in Mukdahan?

Craighj

Another one that confuses cheap with nice.

Ever tried Issan beer, very nice drop.

Trouble is it is only available occassionally and I've only found it in Mukdahan?

Craighj

To get a Makro member card all you need is a business / name card.

Many mum and dad businesses in Thailand are members of Makro and have no company registration.

So let your GF know it's no big deal.

Craighj

Unfortuntately a liitle BS, given the runway is under 8ft of water.

Another Thai government good news broadcast.

I worked there and have seen it first hand.

Good news is the order of the day, not the truth!

Craighj

The Ploy Palace hotel in Mukdahan has a mini bus pick up service from Ubon Ratchatani to the hotel.

You don't need to be staying in the hotel to use the service, if I remember correctly it costs 300 Baht one way.

I can recommend it.

The hotel phone number is +6642631111

Craighj

I just purchased a BBQ from Doc and he and his team's service was outstanding to say the least.

The only problem is I've not had a chance to use my new BBQ yet

Oh and yes, my wife thought i was crazy spending the money, however after she saw the BBQ she understands the reasons why.

Craighj

Happydaze

There is definately a transfer fee required when buying land / property. Although the amount varies based on the transaction value.

In your case not sure when it would apply given you have stated that you are paying the property off.

Craighj

Excellent thread and photos Ian, I enjoyed it very much.

Thanks, Craighj

Anybody who says that 1 million Baht is a lot of money is either a poor, classless oaf or he is just lying.

that statement is bordering on flaming but ill let it run for the moment. and may i add:

i get 1,500 shekels a month, thai husband makes 4000 shekels a month as , presently , an agricultural worker. out of that we pay his health insurance, half of apartment rent, and food for us. we are left with about 1000 shekels a month for real living (electicity, internet, cell phone/land phone) + dogs/vets, stuff for the kids even if they are over 18 (when they come to visit/eat with us; stuff for my 17 yr old who gets her own 300 shekels a month but is a girl, so thats not a real lot).. how much in baht? 8 baht to the shekel: 44,000 baht a month / about 1000 $ plus minus a month.... so how much is 33,000$ ? for me its a huge huge sum..........i cant think that ive ever seen that much at once, except on paper, when i was in college and had college loans in the states....

but if its not a lot for you, then u can send to my account as a donation for the betterment of society, make a difference in someone's life (mine and family) ; trust me, i will put it to wise and practical use...

please rethink your wording when deciding when money is a huge sum or not, for a specific family in a specific situation.

bina

israel

Excellent and sensible reply Bina.

It very much depends on your personal circumstances.

Bill Gates would not consider 1,000,000 Baht a lot of money. While others would.

Craighj

Unusual, at least from what I have seen.

My Thai family would never waste food, indeed nor anything else.

Craighj

I went to Subic Bay with a local driver, looking for a resort to stay but left the same day back to Manila, far most depressing beaches and resorts ever seen Really disgusting there, no sand beaches but brown gravel. Terribly overpriced bamboo huts (starting 1.600p per night) too crappy and filthy I won't allow my dog stay in it.

Completely agree...and is that pathetic monkey still housed in that tiny cage at the Blue Rock Resort!!! Animal cruelty at its worst...for that reason alone, I would never stay there. Baloy "Beach" is hardly that...dirty coarse sand and not much of it and filthy water worse than Pattaya's.

Did not see a monkey in a cage at Blue Rock, I for sure would have said something to the owners if I had.

bangkokcitylimits, good for you! She looks cute.

Overall Subic is not a beach destination, as far as food goes, some good Expat restaurants in AC, The Cajun place is excellent, Zapatos has some good Mexican, but Filipino food itself, I'll agree with you guys, other than barbecue, pretty terrible.

Gee, is that porr monkey still at the Blue Rock.

It was there when I was there 5 years ago!

I'm told that some better / newer hotels have opened in Subic, such as the Wild Orchid.

Anyway, no doubt PI has some issues and is not Thailand.

However that's why I go there.

Life would be pretty boaring if every plac was the same.

At least the girls a cute in PI

Craighj

I went to Subic Bay with a local driver, looking for a resort to stay but left the same day back to Manila, far most depressing beaches and resorts ever seen Really disgusting there, no sand beaches but brown gravel. Terribly overpriced bamboo huts (starting 1.600p per night) too crappy and filthy I won't allow my dog stay in it.

Bangkokcitylimits, a little dramatic and over the top. I stayed at Blue Rock last year and yes, the beach is not so nice, sand is sort of a cross between brown dirt and sand. Room definitely run down for the price, but "won't allow my dog to stay in it"(?), are you Paris Hilton with her diamond necklaced chihuahua? C'mon!

The floating bar is fun for a night or two, and the bars are up on the main road, selection of girls not as good as AC.

Subic is for wreck diving, so if you are not into diving probably not worthwhile. I stayed at Blue Rock last year, this year will stay at Sheavens, looks like the rooms are a little newer.

It was my experience, nothing over the top. There might areas I have missed, I've seen around 10km coastline only. Abandoned looking 'resorts' without guests, that poor beach.... Really I haven't seen anything that brightened my view. I also experienced very negative vibes in that area (leftovers from the war time? ) And the extreme poverty along the road that brought me there... Told the friend/driver 'please bring me back to Makati, I don't like it here at all.'

I have doubts about Philippines, too many inconveniences for me. It's one of the countries that makes me remember why I like Thailand.

But I like the people a lot, more then here. My gf is a Filipina and she's a treasure... :-)

Certainly Subic is not like Phuket or Pattay, however it OK for a change. As I said I was there only once before and to me it is typical of a lot of places in PI.

Yes a lot of places are a little warn around the edges and I agree that PI appears to have more poverty than Thailand.

Though, as you said the people are generally pretty decent.

I love Thailand, but I also like to ocasionally get over to PI.

Craig

Craig

Stay in the Baloy Beach area, there are some decent bars and places to eat there.

There are several hotels in the area both on the beach road and on the main road, this is not like Pattaya, the hotels may seem expensive and the rooms run down by comparison, you need to look around to find one that suits you.

Examples are Wild Orchid or Blue Rock or Harleys or Sheavens or Kokomos or Treasure Island.

Bear in mind that the hotels get very busy at weekends when people drive up from Manila.

Nightlife is good along the main road where quite a few new bars have been built recently.

Use Google for further info.

Dave..

Thanks for the reply.

A few years ago I stayed at the Blue Rock, not a bad location.

However you are right a little tired compared to hotels in Manila or AC.

The Wild Orchid looks OK, although it is almost brand new.

Thanks for the advice Baloy Beach does look like the right location.

Craig

I've been to the Philippines many times, however only once to Subic Bay and that was only for 3 days.

Can anyone suggest the best area to stay around Subic, close to places to eat and bars?

Craighj

As per camerata's comment.

Retirement age is 60, however yearly contracts for Thai and farang are common after that age.

Craighj