billd766

Uh Oh, this is going the way of so many other threads on the general forum.

As the OP, I would kindly request that we keep this discussion on topic . It is entitled 'Village Life Experiences' and that is all it is about. I did NOT intend it to be a thread to sling mud or make unvalidated comments. That is why it was posted here, on the Isaan forum, in particular. Anybody who has an axe to grind could do it via PM, not in public.

It was going so well and I have learned a great deal from the many positive contributions made here and would like to keep it that way. The whole reason I joined the Thai Visa forum was that it appeared to demonstrate a level of maturity that was sorely lacking elsewhere.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your replies,

Simon

I also live in a village though in central Thailand and I have seen threads like this over the years go down the way some people have done in this one which is why sadly I don't post as much as I used to on sensible topics because somebody will try to screw it up along the thread somewhere.

1,560 baht for a toilet brush?

Do people really pay that price?

They are about 30 baht in the local market albeit not chrome or gold plated.

I am paying tax on my pensions and HMRC told me that tax is taken from any pension deemed to be earned in the UK.

Therefore the UK State Pension is not taxable, my military pension is taxable and my company pension is also taxable because although I worked offshore for a few years because the company was UK based my salary and taxes were paid and deducted in the UK.

If I had been employed by a company NOT based in the UK I would not pay any taxes on that pension.

correct but you can I believe get it changed if you live here and pay Thai tax under double taxation agreement

If I could get it done for all 3 it would be worth it but not for just the one pension as that is the smallest.

That Jatuporn needs to even consider whether Thaksin would also be sueing shows just how corrupt this governemnt is. Hullo Jatuporn, Thaksin is a convicted criminal and has no association with the thai government...well yeah I believe in fairies too.

All you anti Thaksin people...get a life. The sky is not caving in due to Thaksin. First, he was convicted by a junta due to a military coup who established an illegitimate government. How can an illegitimate gov't convict someone? Second, for you anti Thaksin more-ons, all of Thailand is corrupt. You keep kicking the same dead horse.

Actually Thaksin was convicted under the law which was valid whilst he was the PM

No he was not convicted by a junta due to a military coup who established an illegitimate government, he was actually convicted under a PPP led government led by his Brother in Law.

Please try to do a little research before you write things which are completely false.

Which government was illegitimate?

The 2 PPP ones, the Democrat one or the current one.

Please explain which one and why.

PS try using spell check more-ons as it should be spelt morons.

Regardless of what happened, when last year, it is for me unconscionable for a gov't (any gov't) to use lethal force against its own citizens.

I hardly expect many people here on TVF to agree with that, but ask yourself how many people would have died if the Army had NOT used lethal force?

I agree with you but I am apolitical.

However in the interests of no double standards how many years back should inquiries go into governments using lethal force against their own citizens?

2010,2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 or even before that and should ALL prime ministers be liable for deaths incurred that they were in power?

I am paying tax on my pensions and HMRC told me that tax is taken from any pension deemed to be earned in the UK.

Therefore the UK State Pension is not taxable, my military pension is taxable and my company pension is also taxable because although I worked offshore for a few years because the company was UK based my salary and taxes were paid and deducted in the UK.

If I had been employed by a company NOT based in the UK I would not pay any taxes on that pension.

Well, well isn't that a surprise.

The rich get richer and the poor get shafted,

again.

My fairly extensive experience of visiting Thai girls homes would extend to the following.

Ensure a healthy supply of decent books. If you're going for a couple of months etc plan accordingly. Charity shops abound with cheap paperbacks in farangland.

Take a laptop with dongle-just about everywhere can access Edge these days.

Pretty obvious but I also whack a lot of CD's on to the hard drive for easy listening.

Decent earplugs-you may well struggle without them at night.

Invest in some decent insect repellant and use it at dusk.

If you're staying for an extended time a package from True television will go a long way to keeping sane !!

Likewise if you have a decent internet connection make use of the download sites and use a VPN to watch your own countrys TV.

Last trip I made I stayed 2 months in a village enviroment and never once was interested in going Pattaya etc.

Most of what you talk about is stuff I’m sure long-term residents like myself do automatically. The big difference being long –termers need plenty of same. I’m very well stocked with movies, TV shows, books and music. There’s something nice about stretching out in the lounge in front of wide-screen TV or music system and playing all that stuff on big screen and magnificent sound on the permanent system rather than using a laptop and headphones.

True but think about your very first time to the village and probable some of what I mentioned would be missed. As you say I could have listed a 100 plus other ideas.

Mind you thinking back to what I think was the first time in 1994 no internet existed or certainly not in Nong bua lamphu !! Mobiles were also something for the future !!

You are correct about mobile in Nong Bua Lamphu though at the back end of 1994 I was working with Motorola and DTAC putting in the mobile system for Issan.

In the early stages I was the only guy installing the system from Pak Chong Thai up to Nong Khai across to Loei and Chaiyaphum,and the whole of the east side of Issan.

Me and my driver used to clock something like 2,500 a week and on a good week I could get 7 or 8 sites on the air.

I did that for 4 years and in 1995/96 a Thai guy joined me at Motorola and we doubled our output.

I enjoyed working in Issan but now I live in the central region 65 km southwest of Khampaeng Phet.

A song I remember from the old days

What shall we do with a drunken sailor

What'll we do with a drunken sailor,

What'll we do with a drunken sailor,

What'll we do with a drunken sailor,

Earl-aye in the morning?

Chorus:

Way hay and up she rises

Patent blocks o' diff'rent sizes,

Way hay and up she rises

Earl-aye in the morning

1. Sling him in the long boat till he's sober,

2. Keep him there and make 'im bale 'er.

3. Pull out the plug and wet him all over,

4. Take 'im and shake 'im, try an' wake 'im.

5. Trice him up in a runnin' bowline.

6. Give 'im a taste of the bosun's rope-end.

7. Give 'im a dose of salt and water.

8. Stick on 'is back a mustard plaster.

9. Shave his belly with a rusty razor.

10. Send him up the crow's nest till he falls down,

11. Tie him to the taffrail when she's yardarm under,

12. Put him in the scuppers with a hose-pipe on him.

13. Soak 'im in oil till he sprouts flippers.

14. Put him in the guard room till he's sober.

15. Put him in bed with the captain's daughter*).

16. Take the Baby and call it Bo'sun.

17. Turn him over and drive him windward.

18. Put him in the scuffs until the horse bites on him.

19. Heave him by the leg and with a rung console him.

20. That's what we'll do with the drunken sailor.

*) A relative of the cat-o-nine-tails

I'm dialing 1323 immediately this is outragous!

Yes please and whilst you are on the phone report the fact of residents being told if you intend to sell your property Wait for 6 months and you can simply state " oh No we were not flooded that was Somjais house down the road.

It doesn't matter what country you are in Real Estate Agents are scoundrels:

Quote [Meanwhile, Real Estate Broker Association president Somsak Muneepeerakul yesterday warned homeowners not to rush to sell flood-affected properties as they may get prices that are 10-20 per cent down from what they seek. He said people should wait for another six months after the flood goes down].

Even though the field is strong this year Real Estate Broker Association president Somsak Muneepeerakul is considered to be a strong contender for Scoundrel of the Year.

That would be a great thread. "Scoundrel of the Year". Someone out there that can start a thread please do it. I would but my membership does not allow me to start a new thread.

I suspect that the ensuing thread would be too big for the Thai Visa server to handle.

Same old, same old.

I live in the central region 65 km southwest of Khampaeng Phet and we seem to be a bit luckier over this side as less people seem to die or perhaps the population is less, I have no idea.

I suppose that I have been to about 3 funerals this year and put money in the envelope to help defray the expenses.

My wife has been to more as she knows more people and is also in demand as she is a good cook.

It is the Thai way of life (death) to carry on this way but I haven't seen anybody gambling at the wat though during the nights previous at the house it certainly went on. i generally ask my wife how much to put in the envelope and it depends on how well we know the family.

When I die I hope to go out the same way and my wife tells me that I will but if I am dead I will never know. my usual response is that my body may be dead but my spirit won't be far away and if I see you getting remarried quickly I will visit you in the wee small hours of the morning.

I have also told our 7 year old son that when Daddy dies, only his fat old body is cremated but Daddies spirit will always be with you and watching over you.

In the west you may have a funeral service in a church you have never been to, read by a priest who has never met you then back to the house for a nice ham salad tea and the telling of a story or two then everybody goes home until the next one.

I will go out the Thai way thank you very much.

I was working in Indonesia at the time.

I hadn't realised that it was 20 years ago.

Freddie had the best vocal range of a male singer that I have ever heard and as a group,Queen were and are by far the best musical entertainers (IMHO) the world has ever seen and heard.

They have had many imitators but no equals.

RIP Freddie

According to Chalerm, the government will ensure that officials involved in this corruption case will face legal action.

Ya right... when was the last time that that happened around these parts???

Oh ya... that guy who got convicted of corruption, jumped bail, fled the country, and whom now the current government, led by Chalerm, is trying to pardon on his corruption conviction...depending on what day of the week it is... Great anti-corruption crusaders these guys are...

Re the Transport Minister, if he was taking/receving kickbacks and bribes, he deserves to go to jail..no matter what political party he's affiliated with. But then again, if we were employ that standard across the board, would there be anyone left free to run the government?

PS - Note to self... don't forget to NOT leave my loose 17 million baht in pocket change laying around the house anymore.

I have a very safe place to keep your loose 17 million baht and you can believe that it will be safe with me as I am a retired engineer and have NEVER been a politician, Thai or anywhere else.

A pushbike with an engine. Concept has been around for donkeys years, but never proved popular.

Back in 1960 I had a 1950 something Cyclemaster and the insurance for a 15year old youth was 12 shillings and sixpence or 62 pence in new money.

It worked was all I can say but there were times when I had to pedal uphill as well as having the engine running.

As an attraction for pulling girlfriends it was a resounding no-no.

Been into the haven known as Fairyland today, popped my head round the barriers to see the progress on "your new Tesco" progress is a word someone does not understand, there seems to have been very little over the last couple of weeks and it is not opening in the near future although I am sure they will be open in time for the Christmas rush, whenever that may be, will keep you posted.

Had to take the G/L to the dentist today and they had a Christmas tree with all the goodies in there first one I've seen this year. Had a quick look and not a thing for me, Oh well. It's those bloody pin's again.

So it look's like you'll have to wait a few week's for Tesco's to open then BigC will have to bring their price's down. Not having a go but did you know that it was one of the most expensive BigC I've ever been in.

By the way is it a big Tesco's. And where abouts is it say in relation to the clock tower BigC.

T.T.A. K.P.Phet

If you turn left at the clock tower opposite Big C and keep on that road for maybe 1 km it is on the left after you have entered the one way system. It is not too easy to see at ground level but if you look up and to the left you will see the Tesco sign. The entrance to the car park is just before Fairyland (Tesco is on the ground floor) and if you miss it you need to take the first available right turn, go over a couple of streets, back up towards Big C, turn right and right again to back down the one wat system.

It used to be quite a big place too.

Forgot to return

An "honest" mistake.

To Fred and Bill, PM me when you are next coming down to the fumes and we will arrange a meet for a beer.

I think Bill might be coming in the next few day's as he need's to get some tablet's, You might not get a PM from him as I know he is having electric work done nearby and they keep cutting his electric off. I wont be down for a few week's as I have just done a crap journey nearly 9 hour's from Pattaya. And will need several week's to get over it. But I might feel better when the pin's come out at first haze. Thank's for the offer I will remember when I'm next that way. You are also very welcome to have a pint if you ever come to the town of happiness.

The K.P.Phet Tourist Association. N/B our clock's all work well they did last time I looked, but I won't bet on it.

For 3 or 4 days a week now the power goes off from about 9 am until perhaps 4 pm as the PEA are running new 3 phase cabling over the existing 2 phase so they have to shut the power off.

It was very hot last Thursday and the guys were working flat out in the sun, so being the nice guy that I am I bought 2 big blocks of ice for their coolbox and a case of Chang beer for when they finished for the day.

I always get waved at and saluted now but they do a good job and deserved the beer.

Maybe I will do the same tomorrow.

I will try to get down to NakWan one day next week but I want to look for a motorbike shop in Kao Liao so I won't be going down the route 1 but crossing the river and using the back roads.

I see that Fredob has made it to the national papers too.

Everything depends on what is the nearest and best server for your village, be it AIS, DTAC,True, TOT, TT&T or whoever.

What Ho, Bill.

Sorry didn't get PM, off this morning to Pat's/BKK If it's about Chemist where to get med's, you might have to order but they are spot on. Sorry don't know the name of the soi but if you go from the T/Light's with Big/C on your right turn left at second set of T/L 50mt down on the left just past the small clock tower/market the chemist on the corner they speak a bit of English, but if you take your bit's in with you I'm sure that they'll be able to sort you out. You've got my Phone No: so if you have a problem give me a tinkle. At the same time we can discus the twinning issue with N/S but I think that might be a non starter. All be it that our chum there is a Brit and knows his ale's. With all the T/L mentioned KPP is starting to sound like N/S.

Will be off line for about a week.

Afternoon Fred

No problem.

It is the same guy that I normally use for some meds but he really didn't want to order anything for me for some reason so I let it go.

I will probably take a wander down to Nakwan next week as I am starting to go a bit stir crazy again.

My wife's niece is up from BKK for a while, 19 and blossoming beautifully but she brought her boyfriend too.

dam_n there goes my plot to get her to be my gik when I am out on the bike. She wants to try to ride my Phantom too.

I fear that I may have to change my drinks from Sang Som Thai rum to Stroh 80 just calm my nerves.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung on Tuesday confirmed the government would enact a legislation to restore justice for "everyone", including former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"He said he believed the legislation to grant amnesty to all parties involved in the political conflict would not be opposed".

How pathetic. First of all he and everyone else know he is lying. Secondly he is insulting the intelligence of every Thai person in this country.

Who are you to speak for the people of Thailand.

Most people still love him.

Most of the Many Very Very Very Very Very Thai's that I known and the few poor ones also love him.

I think the only people who do not love him are Farang bar owners and their Customers

And who are you also to speak for the people of Thailand?

I have been coming to, working in and living in Thailand for 18 years now.

I am neither a bar owner nor a customer whoever I do have a stake in the country through my wife and 7 year old son and I can remember the time back in 2001 when the rules of justice were kicked aside and ignored for his "honest" mistake about knowing where and who held onto "his" money, some billions of baht IIRC.

At least 3 of the judges ignored the facts and the law and allowed him to become Prime Minister.

Oddly enough that same week another member of the TRT party was also brought to justice under the very same laws and gave the very same excuse.

Guess what?

He was found guilty and the election in his constituency was taken again.

Double standards anyone?

If you want to add in the inconvenient part about Thaksin being Prime Minister when the coup was called in 2006 it is simply not true at all.

He called a snap election and when the results came in even though the opposition boycotted the vote the PTP still could not win.

He had a time period to call another election and during this period he was only the acting Prime Minister.

He then publicly went to the King and resigned from being the PM and walked away. 3 weeks later he took back the PM post illegally and was not ratified by HM the King, went off to New York and the rest is history.

As I am sure that you would never believe anything that The Post or The Nation prints I Googled for you and found this link from the UK.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/apr/05/thailand

I am sure that if you really wanted you could do your own research (mine took only a couple of minutes) and learn more about your "hero".

I have had a LloydsTSB offshore account in Jersey for 11 years now.

One card in my name and another in my wife's name.

They have had my mobile number and email address plus home address updated for the same time.

One time I went to Papua New Guinea to work and after 3 days found that I could not withdraw any money.

It cost me over USD $100 to ring the call centre, get put on hold, transferred and put on hold again before somebody with any authority would deign to speak to a mere mortal like me and eventually change my overdraft limit (which they had cancelled without any reference to me)so that I could get some money.

3 or 4 times since then my card has been blocked and the only way to get it unblocked is to ring the call centre.

On one occasion I was unable to take money out so I rang the call center and explained the problem and they put me on hold and eventually transferred me to another department.

They said that they had blocked it as I was trying to take out money for 3 days in a row. Their excuse was that they didn't know it was me withdrawing the money so they blocked the card. I asked if they had looked at where I live and checked back into the account at the drawing records. No was the reply. Did you look at where I live. No. So why did you do it? Well it wasn't me that did it but somebody else. granted that the guy unblocked the account straight away but that was after 3 international calls to the UK.

I have never been given any contact numbers or names so that I can actually speak to a real person in the branch where my money is deposited and withdrawn from.

I tried the call centre one time in the Isle of Man from Thailand and I ended up speaking to a very pleasant lady who apologised and said that she was unable to help me as she had no access to my account details. Just before I hung up I asked where she was and it was in Mumbai, India.

Every time I use my ATM card they charge me around GBP3 plus the 150 baht I have to pay at this end.

For this "service" they charge me GBP 70 per annum.

As I live overseas and do internet banking I asked to stop paper statements but as I live overseas I have to receive them.

However before the end of this month I think I have the cure for the banking problem.

All my pensions are transferred direct to my Thai bank, thus saving 150 baht and GBP 3+ every time and I shall transfer the balance of about GBP 12 to my friends account and close the account and that will be the end of it.

Good riddance.

This is good advice, I also noticed the 3 day rule in my visit too. I seem to remember I could only withdraw £500 equivalent per day for three consecutive says, then on the four day no withdrawals were permitted. Then I could make another 3 days of withdrawals. Its all very strange. This did not stop me using MasterCard on my bank card though, that was carte blanch.

I must say using bank cards in Thailand is an expensive bit of business, open a local account and get the funds sent to it from the UK.

Already in the works today.

The problem before was that I worked offshore in a few countries, several of which I am sure had never heard of Thailand.

I play the game by Thai rules and I haven't been out of the country in nearly 2 1/2 years and I have always felt welcome in Thailand.

Perhaps it is the rose coloured spectacles I wear and the fact that I am polite and cause no hassles.

Nahhh it couldn't be that simple now, could it?

I have been living in a small Moo Ban for the last 7 years.

From 2004 until 2009 I used to work offshore anywhere from 3 to 6 months and in 2008/9 I was away for a year until I retired after 50 years of work.

I love it up here and I know a lot of the local Thais but it seems that more know me.

Every time I go to the big village of Klong Lan, a lot of shops, 2 ATM plus the 7/11 most of the kids I see wave and smile as do a lot of the adults.

I know what you mean about the chickens as I am an offender in that but to be fair this is a rural farming area.

Somebody has bypassed the loudspeakers on the lamp post outside so I never hear them.

I sort of keep country hours and Monday to Friday I am usually up at 5 am to get ready to send our son to school 45 km away just after 6. He gets home around 6 pm, he eats, does his homework, has a shower and goes to bed around 8 pm and my wife goes about that time too. I am usually in bed around 9 pm.

At the weekend I generally have a lie in until 6.30 and the wife and son rot in bed until 8 or so.

Most days I spend a couple of hours in the morning cutting down the grass and scrub, shower and eat lunch.

After that I am on line for 2 or 3 hours, have a 30 minute sleep and do any other odd jobs, then shave and shower ready to eat dinner and drink 2 or 3 Sang Soms with ice and soda and its Boinngg said Zebedee, time for bed.

Out here most people are polite and friendly and usually smile at me.

I pay the same price that Thais do in the local markets.

Several times I have walked away and left money behind only to have people chase after me and return it. Once I forgot to pay and the girl reminded me next time I was in there.

Twice I have lost money 10,000 baht but that was on market days and the money never turned up though the second time the money bag, cards and licences were returned a few days later but sadly not the money. Now I just don't take much with me any more.

In my 67 years of life I have lived and worked in 38 countries living i cities, towns and villages. I have lived in military camps, houses, caravans, hotels etc.

Back in 1999 I chose to break with the UK and make Thailand my home and now out here is where I am happiest.

Going back to live in a city! I hope you have a lot of money to pay me because I won't be going voluntarily?

I have had a LloydsTSB offshore account in Jersey for 11 years now.

One card in my name and another in my wife's name.

They have had my mobile number and email address plus home address updated for the same time.

One time I went to Papua New Guinea to work and after 3 days found that I could not withdraw any money.

It cost me over USD $100 to ring the call centre, get put on hold, transferred and put on hold again before somebody with any authority would deign to speak to a mere mortal like me and eventually change my overdraft limit (which they had cancelled without any reference to me)so that I could get some money.

3 or 4 times since then my card has been blocked and the only way to get it unblocked is to ring the call centre.

On one occasion I was unable to take money out so I rang the call center and explained the problem and they put me on hold and eventually transferred me to another department.

They said that they had blocked it as I was trying to take out money for 3 days in a row. Their excuse was that they didn't know it was me withdrawing the money so they blocked the card. I asked if they had looked at where I live and checked back into the account at the drawing records. No was the reply. Did you look at where I live. No. So why did you do it? Well it wasn't me that did it but somebody else. granted that the guy unblocked the account straight away but that was after 3 international calls to the UK.

I have never been given any contact numbers or names so that I can actually speak to a real person in the branch where my money is deposited and withdrawn from.

I tried the call centre one time in the Isle of Man from Thailand and I ended up speaking to a very pleasant lady who apologised and said that she was unable to help me as she had no access to my account details. Just before I hung up I asked where she was and it was in Mumbai, India.

Every time I use my ATM card they charge me around GBP3 plus the 150 baht I have to pay at this end.

For this "service" they charge me GBP 70 per annum.

As I live overseas and do internet banking I asked to stop paper statements but as I live overseas I have to receive them.

However before the end of this month I think I have the cure for the banking problem.

All my pensions are transferred direct to my Thai bank, thus saving 150 baht and GBP 3+ every time and I shall transfer the balance of about GBP 12 to my friends account and close the account and that will be the end of it.

Good riddance.