terrier123

Love to see Rod live; but doing a 1,500km round trip this weekend to watch Mick and Simply Red -- my yearly treat to myself

What's the best way to order books on the internet from Thailand?

I've tried to order books from Amazon before, but they don't seem to be able to send them to Thailand. Is this true for all books, or just the ones I've been interested in?

Anyone got any advice?

Have you tried Asia Books in Bangkok?? I ordered from their web-site and they were delivered to Isaan within 2 days -- only 1 not in stock. Big web-site with regular promos.

250 baht lost -- a CHEAP lesson in LOS. Many as good if not better cars with much less depreciation available in this price range. After-sales service in Thailand is also worse than in the west. Have you read about Nissan UK truck gearboxes falling out in the road? Out here we really have to bite the bullet.

09.00 Monday morning and waiting for a few baht increase in the exchange rates. I look forward to reading other comments on how you are so generously offering to expend 100-150k of our money. Abolish the 90 day check by all means but let's not offer more. All the most recent suggestions by the Thai Ministry favour the tourists and not residents - I feel those ideas should be reversed.

why in gods name would you be in such a rush to get married AGAIN? Isn't once in a lifetime enough?

Easily answered - wanna stay here, visa & exchange rate

Recently there was a posting that under Thai law after getting divorced from a Thai National, there is a waiting time of 1 year before re-marrying in Thailand. Can anyone confirm that I remember this correctly?

For those amongst us who enjoy a Leo ot two and drive home, be careful if around the NAKHON PHANOM area. Road blocks are being set earlier than before. First foreigner to be caught DUI. 10,000 baht to be bailed out and 5,000 fine the next morning. No doubt immigration also informed.

Last year when one of the minor carriers in Thailand had financial troubles, a list of their scores of exectutives huge salaries was published. I am sure that in the case of Thai air billions cold be saved in this area -- ie reduction in the number of board members and a cut to the remainders salaries

just saw these in the market ,you plug them into the mains and they supposedly save you about 20% on the bill,anyone tried them?

Did you intend attaching a picture cos I can't see one.

Have a pal bring a 2kw fan heater from Argos UK. Only 10 inches high and fit in his suitcase great. Have it on for 15 minutes and warms up the bedroom by 15 degrees. Yeh softie I know; but a warm softie. Only 44/8 degrees in Nak Phanom 06.00 Sunday morning -- not as cold as Loei but getting there.

Some time back I read a thread regarding the uk state pension. I understand that anyone living in Thailand would not qualify for any yearly increases.

The case ,I believe ,was heard and lost in the european courts.

Is there any appeal ongoing and how can I get more information regarding this case?

Thanks in advance.4.Real

Just search for the story on thaivisa. Previously the case was lost in the House of Lords and apparently the ruling will never be changed. When living abroad, your pension remains the same as the day you left the UK and NEVER increases.

If there is an investigation, which I doubt, then progress of this should be reported on the front page of every newspaper. A copy of the findings should be printed on every driving licence. The subject of racism and unlawful fines levied on foreigners has been covered hundreds if not thousands of times -- but it continues.

what does that have to do with the story at hand?

Probably nothing just lamenting how much dosh I've handed over for committing that worst of all road traffice offences -- driving whilst white. Another poster also writes that WE will have to make up the deficit.

If there is an investigation, which I doubt, then progress of this should be reported on the front page of every newspaper. A copy of the findings should be printed on every driving licence. The subject of racism and unlawful fines levied on foreigners has been covered hundreds if not thousands of times -- but it continues.

One of the best things about living in Thailand is the fact you can literally do what you want within the constraints of obscure Thai laws and your own budget. I chose a place a place in Isaan 250 kms from the wife's parents and vowed NEVER to buy land or build a house; although I have helped modernise the parents-in-law abode. The wife of almost 8 years is not totally happy but stays with me "for better or worse". Not everyone's ideal situation but it suits us. Overall I find life in Isaan a compromise but still GREAT.

I too am 60 years old on New Years eve. I will be celebrating by the mekong in Nakhon Phanom (the real Isaan) 400+ kms north of Surin.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL YOU GUYS DOWN THERE.

I have been to AsiaRooms, Agoda, Hotels.com, the Si Saket main web site and Thaivisa.com and still can't find anyplace or forum or web site listing hotels there. I KNOW there are hotels there; I just can't find them!!

I live well north of there but have searched around and come up with only one hotel -- in some searches it shows sisaket with a different spelling which may have confused your searches. No hotels are full at the moment so may be worth waiting till you arrrive there. Is there a TAT office listed for Sisaket ????

KESSIRI Hotel in Si Saket, Thailand

Thankyou. I think we met in Nakhon Phanom around 3 years ago when you were touring Isaan with your friend.

Up here we have rain forcast for tomorrow so it will just like Christmas in N England.

All the best

Peter NKP

My teacher neighbour assures me they are all well earned for:

Most use of the photocopier

Luckiest on the State Lottery

Turning up in the right uniform

Shiniest shoes award

Showing restraint when faced with 30 screaming, foot-stamping, whining, spoilt kids

Newest car on the lot

Borrowing most money over a 40 year working career

1/2 day attendance on how not to teach course

Highest number of songs sang in one night in the local karaoke

Best excuse for not turning up the next morning

And a hundred other well-earned reasons

As you're 14 kms outside Surin probably no TOT broadband available. I have 2 friends living in the jungle around 50 kms. o/s Nak Phanom and they tried sat dishes and AIS mobile connections - unreliable, slow and expensive. Now they are VERY happy with the CATNET desk-top phone which has a mobile number. 12 hours free calls and 12 hours per day good internet connection for less than 600/month. Equipment costs less than 4,000 and CAT have a map to decide if you need an aerial and what size.

I have tried not to pay UK tax for almost 8 years. Everytime the Inland Revenue (Cardiff) fall back on the old chestnut "UK sourced money" which is taxable. I have been through an appeal and only left with the independant arbitration office. I don't hold out much hope there either but would also welcome comments from others

I don't have enough time to read ALL the replies but the sheer volume shows just how many foreigners are disgusted with the Thai Post Office -- In order to qualify that statement from my own experiences, having lived in PATTAYA for almost 2 years from December 2000 I guess 75% of my mail from UK (mainly from the British Government) disappeared. The problem became so huge that I requested an investigation. The sub-postmaster from Banglamung called in for an interview and expressed great regret and would look into the problem. A large quantity of old mail suddenly appeared and things improved for a while -- then back to normal. I moved to Isaan almost 7 years ago and I don't know of 1 letter that has not arrived during that time. Congrats to Udon Thani and Nakhon Phanom Post Offices for their efficiency, honesty and integrity -- as for the rest -- up to you

A friend of mine just outside Tat Phanom found materials there (ie proper finishing plaster etc) that were not available in NKP or Muk. Unfortunately he is out of the country just now and I cannot contact him for you. Here in NKP most companies carry almost the same items so it's just a case of hiking round with your list and getting a firm quote. After delivery charges it will probably be dearer than buying where you are.

Posting should stay in General Forum following on from last week's "do you want more farangs in your little corner of heaven". Some unlucky types HAVE to work in BKK but chose to live in places like Pattaya, Phuket etc. Pay the price my friends. Far NE on the Mekong still can get big Leo for 50 but prices creeping up now to 60. Yes Beer Archaaaaaaa 3 for 100 -- same headache as other beverages but for less money. One place had draught for 49/jug until last month. Ergo, a little piece of heaven.

Wanted to wish all of you a merry christmas.

http://www.mesasoftware.com/merrychristmas.htm

BT

Just great, same to you -- wonder how many times this one will be forwarded around the globe.

My girlfriend and I are traveling through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia in feb, and are stuck on one leg of our trip. We are trying to get from Vientiane to Siem Reap but we don't have the luxury of time or money. So we are wondering what is the quickest way that isn't too expensive. Bus? Or fly from one border to the other inside Thailand? do you have any other ideas?

3 ways to go. Cheapest first --- If you like a long time on buses travel the beautiful road South from Nong Khai along the Mekong River to Ubon Ratchatani then down to Arranyapratet. Train or bus Nong Khai to Bangkok then across to Arranya --. Both of these you will need to take a taxi or bus on the road from hel_l across to Siam Reap. Or fly to Vientianne to BKK then fly to Siam Reap.