Mobaan

Reg Biodiesel worhshops :

There appearently is a modelvillage nearby -Kud Nam Sai /Khoen Khean.

Does anyone have free time on hand to go there and check it out ?

Also I am still hoping someone will have achance to tell me if "Diesel Kleen=Cetane Boost" or something of that nature is available locally (Udon).

Lets keep the momentum going on this ,even if the diesel prices maybe down a bit temporarily-we need to plan longterm.

Vigo/Triton --who knows .

I do want to make my own biodiesel and of course use it . Does anyone have some imput tp that?

Yaimar ,that is the way I think.Espec. so after reading all the excellent background research done by forum members(Thanks Guys).

I did buy a starter set of the DSE (www.dieselsecret.com) -that included a short video (emailed to you ) a small booklet with instructions a 1 bottle of "secret" additive--enough for about 140 gal fuel--.(which they claim is absolutely needed for the process to work )--of course it is --.

They want us to add 10% Kerosene (or 20 % petroleum diesel) as a thinner ,

plus 5 % of the amount oil you are mixing of reg unleded gasoline,

plus some "Diesel-Kleen+ Cetane Boost"---(is that kind of stuff available in Thailand???)COULD ANYONE PLEASE CHECK ON THIS --yes this is shouting a plea for help!!

and of course some of the "secret 'additive.

The entire procees simply consists of thorough cleaning --pump the oil through 2 sets of reg household filters -one with 10-20 miron and the second one with 2-5 micron filter at the end of the procees the oil should pass throu a Waterbloch Filter to remove microscopic small water particles..-- and then straight into the tank and off you go .

That is simple enough for most Thai farmers to handle .

Here in the US ,I indeed can buy everything needed for around $200 (incl. freight charges ). I am bringing everything with me except the electric water pumps and the waterfilters ,which I know are available at Tool Pro or Global House etc.. And for $ 200 I will either have free fuel for my truck or a new experience to check off at the "Been -There-Done That " department (I would call that a cheap thrill!.

A friend is sourcing the availablity of cooking oil and by Mid December we will know what is black and what is white.

Check out www.dieselsecret.com.

What do you think about that ?

I bought the starter kit ,just out of couriosity and will brew "something " when I come back to Udon in December.

The fact that no harsh chemicals are used and it is a real low tech way to treat the oil ,seems appealing for places like rural Thailand etc.

A little sidelined ,but still close to the topic:

Does anyone know if Jatropa will grow on old Eucalyptus land . If that was the case -we would have a goldmine coming on line.

We had some snippets of discussion about dragon fruit in various other threads (Mainly the onw about worm cast ) .

This is too important to be burried some where . So here is a new thread .

Google if you do not know what we are talking about .

We are near Udon . There is a small coop ,only a few farmers , Who combined have about 1000 posts (which 4 plants each) in the area . They are selling all their produce either right off the vine ( People come and pick themselves ) or from the fruit stand on the front road . Supplies on the market ( espec. the red Vietnamiese variety are very short ,quickly sold out for very decent prices (around 50 Baht per KG ).

Dragon fruit ,being a jungle vine type cactus can appearently stand drougth conditions very good . Thats not currently a problem for us ,but Issan is going drier every year ,if you have not noticed.

who has experience with this crop and is willing to share info ?

It seems to be a good cash crop ,with mangable problems ( appearently only the ants wh like the sweet juice need to be controlled ) .At least thats all we have to fight with at this time . One has to have a close look at the plants ,because the ants can be very destructive in a short time . "Antpowder" -I believe Phyrethroid compounds - are applied with a small brush . Cost is hardly worth mentioning -except for the labour -but what else is one to do after breakfast when checking the place -might as well put some antpowder out at the same time .

So you guys out there with the experience -help ud out a bit .

Go to MACRO in Udon and buy as much as you want deep frozen

Processed quail - you do mean, cleaned & plucked as one would buy a fresh chicken in the market - look around your local daily market. Go the the fresh chicken seller and ask them to point out the stall where quail is sold - if they don't sell themselves, they're sure to know.

Or look for the quail egg seller - who'll be able to tell you where to get the birds from.

They are still around - despite farm stocks been decimated by the bird flu.

If you are looking for "processed" - as in packed and wrapped - what sort of quantity would you be looking for - an ice box full or a truck full.

When I said commercial, perhaps I gave the impression of large commercial chicken farm size operations. I dont beleive there are any that size (at lest none I know of up around Loei).

The 2 quail farms I know of around Loei (where various types of wild fowl, pheasent and wild duck are also kept) are not that size, but very much smaller, with I guess around 1000 - 2000 birds at most.

Tim

Tim, I live in Udon Thani and looking for cleaned & plucked for personal consumption. I'll take your advice and go to the markets......let the TW haggle the price of course.

Hi folks ,all these posts are about a year old . Give us an update on your success/failor.

We are near Udon Thani and just planted about 100 plants with plans for more .

We plan to seel on the local market or from a fruit stand in front of the house( thats how the very few other growers- only about 1000 posts -with 4 plants each in the Udon area --do it.

Where are the pitfalls and dangers ?

With all this talk about global warming and even more prolonged droughts ,a cactus with low maintenace seems like a godsent??!!

Am I missing something??

Will be intersted to hear the ongoing worm story.

Reg Dragon fruits- They are selling at the local markets and grocerystores for 30 -5- Baht per KG. (dep. on colour and variety ) Over the past few month we planted about 100 plants of the dark purple Vietnamees varity . Harvest should start in 6-9 month .

What is MUKUK you want to interplant with the Dragon fruits??

On a serious note now.

Thai compulsory insurance being a joke or not -the questions also is :

Is someone who does NOT have a motorcycle drivers licence covered by the compulsory insurance -I was told that the insurance covers the bike and any driver of it ,but it would be just too nice for the insurance to deny coverage in case of need if the driver had no licence.

I am having a heck of a time in keeping the kids and others w/o licence off the Honda Dream -I cant be around all the time

We will be in Ubon for the candle festival etc. That will be about the time for the finals of the finals of the soccer world cup .

Where in Ubon Ratchathani is a falang bar with a big screen TV (or any TV ) to watch this game?

Ok ,I voted . Its me and the missues. W'll zip by on the motocy. I of course know Korat ,but where is Non Thai Korat?

Will spread the new to some friends here in Udon ,maybe there will be more of us

JAY

Yes ,lets have some more details .

Also ,how is the visa situation for the thai ladies in Egypyt.

We had a pleasant experience lately in South Africa. Have hardly ever been trough immigration and customs any where in the world ,and that holds true for my Thai lady as well . Visa on arrival ,as fast as they work those stamp pads.

There are a couple of reasons I'm considering driving from BKK to UDT, instead of flying:

-- There will be two of us (my daughter and I)

-- Probably cheaper than renting at UDT airport Avis

-- Can load up on lots of food for the family, while in BKK, unavailable in UDT

-- See a little bit of the country I haven't seen before

Make sense?

What kind of food can you NOT buy in Udon?? ( sure there might be some ), but it seems you have not been here for a while. Pretty much everything IS available.

Does anyone have experience with vistor visa applications for Thai Ladies to Switzerland .?

Are the Swiss as narrow minded in this regard as the Aussies are? I am not talking about a bargirl type thing ,I am referring to my lifepartner for the past 4 years in a stable relationship.

We are thinking about 3-4 weeks vacation there next year.

Must admit have never frequented many bars there, we stay at the river view hotel and usually grab a carton and suck a few heinies in the pool, great views from there, very pleasant.

Went across the river once but wasnt impressed, not very clean place, people point and stare at you and hot beer, couldn't wait to get back

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there an official borderpost where farangs can leave/enter Thailand/Laos?

There is a rather large mushroom farm close to where we live . The growning media for the mushroom ( mostly Shiitaki) is mainly sawdust with some sugar ,alcohol etc added. Once the harvest is complete the compost -in ca 2liter plastic bags is thrown away . They do have trouble finding spots where to dump all this stuff .

So here is my smart idea.:

This must be wonderful compost for my garden and a good soil improvement adding organic matter to the very light sandy soils we have.

Is there any experience out there with this stuff? Does anything speak against using it .? I can get vast quantities .for free and free delivery too ,they are happy to find a place to put it .

Normally in Thailand everything that is free is GOOD for many Thais -am I missing something here?

You guys have all the fun ,while I am toiling away the days --that is until dec 1st when I will be back in Udon .

Have fun in the meantime.

Mobaan

In other words .the usual stuff all the others want as well.

1) Money ---should be no problem ,if I put money in her account now --intended visit to Switzerland in approx a tear from now) add to it on occasion --we could have all our vacation money sitting there. But ill they care from where the money came --me -- not from a job??

2)I would want to not disclose to them MY finances -she should qualify on her own . We have a longterm -4 years plus -strong relationship . Solid couple ,she takes care of the house (we just build a new house together),no job ,no college --so how will she shoe intend to come back to Thailand ?

3)I can print out 4 years worth of e-mails ,will that help any?

Realistically speaking:

What are the chances to get a Swiss visa for a Thai lady -my partner for 4 years(-not married) -but stable longterm relationship -no bargirl stuff. I amGerman -we live in Thailand -well I for 6 month per year. We want to visit Switzerland as tourists.

I have a street bike and will next month when I come back buy a dirtbike as well. Would like a Honda Africa Twin-if I can find one .

The mountains around Nong Wua So and Nong Bua Lampoo are great for daytrips ,even overnighters.

Next month we will head over to the Loei area (Nat. Parks : Nam Nao and Pukradung for some serious camping.

This coming winterseason we will head over to the Nan area (been there before) for some good riding and camping-want to come along . Be in touch.

A BKK travelagent tells us that Thai nationals need to apply for a visa to South Africa. Some time ago on this board we where told that S.A. handles visa on arrival for 30 days for Thais. Did that change??

Does anybody know details?

Hi dear fellow,

I am not exactly in the neighborhood (Nong Wua So 0,which is halfway between Udon Thani and Nong Bua Lampu, but I like to tride my motorbike and pass thru your area occasionally.

Keep in touch and let plan for those beers -same on my end ,you are always welcome to see us . Just give some notice.

I did not realize what interest my topic on land reclamation would create --but that is good ,at least I know now that there are plenty people out there -in the neighborhood-I can brain drain ,once we get to the point.

Re . lime: Last year I tried (maybe not too hard ?) to buy lime . All I found was small 1 kg packs they wanted to sell at pharmacy prices . Where can I get large -bulk- quantities ,and what is lime called in Thai ( you know the product we would use as soil additive) ? What are the price ranges for this product?

Good thinking--one should know the way out of a room before one enters it.

I do not like the ricepaddy idea -trending more towards vegetables /produce growing . If worked by machinery the soil would have to be pretty clesr of stumps /roots etc,but if mainly/partly worked by hand that would not hamper the procees too much, But how serious is the problem with root extracts poisionig the surrounding area? Once the tree is dead ,is that still a problem?