473geo

As said above, difficult to advise, we are completing 2 addition ensuites, luckily hired a guy with his team usually works in Bangkok, home because of covid, gone back when completed our shell windows and doors. The foundation is incredibly solid they drove a tractor over the wall bases to assist with the spreading and compacting infill before laying the floor, I was around all the time, not really watching but more observing if that makes sense, I had no need to watch the contractor on labour only, picked up the detail My brother in law has done plumbing and tiling on the first part of our home and I have no cause for complaint Again labour only, we deal with all purchase requisition often we will be advised where is value for money In short as Rumak states I know these guys, they will do a good job, how can I advise anybody, I just leave them to it, know costs are reasonable and the job will be similar, I don't need ideal home quality, so there again my view, expectation, experience is only really valid for myself But yes I can say labour only quotes appear to work well, perhaps because they can go for quality materials to enable a better job

Expectation for me is the key to many experiences in life I don't expect to be welcomed with open arms wherever I go, I don't expect everyone to be smiley happy every day, I let my wife pay so she is aware of any 'additional charges' I don't trouble myself with that ???? I don't expect governments to make my life easy, I don't expect to own anything in Thailand, I don't expect my teenage children to understand me ???? I don't expect to have all things my own way Above all I don't expect to hang around if I am not at averaging at least 90% on the rolling happiness chart Enjoy your next adventure best wishes

Casinos will draw the crowds

Yes good twilight years comment, when my brother in law and good friend died at 30 I decided life was for living and worked to play, spent 35+ years just hopping on planes to Thailand and and other destinations, partying as time allowed, or weekends away in Europe or just heavy drinking and socialising in London and provincial pubs. I simply could not live that lifestyle now ???? so have eased off a lot therefore rural Thailand, a wife, children and grandchildren suits me well right now ???? Plus the farm keeps me active, life is better than I anticipated following a life where I honestly did not expect to last beyond 60 ???? I will never have money as my children need it more than me, besides I have probably spent more and seen more than my family ever will, at least they start with a home and a piece of land already so perhaps they too can enjoy their younger years without concerns about how they will end up in their 'Twighlight years' As for saving and keeping costs down in Thailand, just adding two more ensuite bedrooms and sitting room, so I guess that's ongoing

We live in our own home, electric/internet about 2.5k baht monthly, water from well, drinking water delivered very cheap, little or no alcohol, grow our own rice, my wife cooks according to how the budget is running, might have omelette rather than spare ribs for a while, more chicken using less pork for a while, greens supplied from local grown bushes and trees, more eggs less sausages, it really is easy to cut down if necessary, local soups not expensive. Many 20 baht snacks sold at the door, deep fried bananas, my favourite, corn on the cob etc, home made somtam fresh home grown papaya, fruit, mangoes have our own trees, fish sold cheap at the door, home made banana muffins and brownies, it really is a case of each person controlling spending as they wish I understand why people who have saved and can afford it dine out every night, travel, stay in hotels fair play their money to spend I used to drink loads, and never ever thought I would say this, but these days after working on the farm in Thailand there is nothing more refreshing than a couple of glasses of iced water ????

Ok here is the answer to the mask debate, a Thai worker testing positive for covid can be laid off work for 2 weeks no pay, as has happened to both my brother and sister in law, with a combined loss of earnings around 20k Not quite the same for a tourist or retired foreigners

Yep went up to Bangkok and kept having to go back and get my mask, in the village have been using when out and about for a while but becoming one of the few, very surprised outside on Bankok streets nearly all masked up yesterday and today

My wife at 40+ still has a smile that can light up a room, maybe that's part of what is missing now, the genuine smiles, or even very good fake ones for that matter ???? Course masks don't help the cause ????

Thailand - Challenging UK - Foundation

I think when getting out of bed in the morning becomes an unbearable chore then I will be ready to close the final curtain and be happy I did it my way ????

I enjoy a liberal smattering of randomness in my life so no OCD I can think of ???? yes I like to finish a job when I start it but only where possible

I enjoy my work on the farm, jobs on the house, main reason because the work keeps me active, and I am pleased I can still do things, given they may take a little longer at times ???? of course the important thing is to do the jobs is also my choice, I enjoy because surely one day will come when I have no choice but let someone else do things

In the individual case, possibly, although there is no denying the newborn calves are removed at birth, the calf may well be segregated at birth to avoid the sucking of each others navel to avoid infection, they are usually dried, sometimes under a heat lamp in cold winters given a warm bed of straw, and mothers milk from a dummy teat. Calves reared on the cow quite quickly become self sufficient in 6 months or so when the lure of grass over milk replaces mother love so not too much attachment The mother then quickly gains condition and comes into season again. The dairy cow behaves in much the same manner. To a knowledgeable person in the background of the 'wet calf' picture are some dairy cows in excellent condition which would suggest although removed from the cow this calf will be treated well.

You appear to have limited knowledge, accompanied by a dim view of farming, coupled with broad generalized misunderstanding of animal husbandry I worked in dairy farming for years and the cattle had a better working life than many humans

I milked a cow by hand for home use milk and butter before and after school, that cow waited every evening at the farm gate walked down the drive with me into its stall to be milked without even been tied ????

Days seem to pass fairly quickly, cattle to feed and water morning and evening, grass to cut and carry most days, cycle to the farm, my daily exercise, today cycled to local town round trip about 5k, just finished a batch of banana muffins. Anybody involved with farming knows never short of a job to do, a lot of manual work have toned up losing around 15kgs. So pleased with that ???? But I have learnt to accept relaxing downtime as beneficial ???? not time wasted

That's exactly what I mean, and totally agree time utilised especially in your interaction is minimal, the crux of my posts on this topic

But 5 days one would be "attending to immigration" ????

"Realistic" Richard This is Thailand their rules and regulations which the Thai government feels are required enforced by officials who are scrutinised from above where there is often lack of clarity. Thus no need to advocate changes, criticise the flexibility and interpretation of the 'rules' "Blindly ignorant to reality" Not able to adapt to the above

Oh I don't know, lets hope the post provides a little comfort to those who feel attending to immigration 5 or so days a year is enough to warrant being miserable about it for the other 360 days

I am always amused by the speed at which for some, an insignificant, minor disruption, to life, can become a major catastrophe worthy of scribing their indignation repeatedly on any forum topic where there may possibly be a tenuous link

I had a problem with bank balnce matching the statement, just went back to the bank, wife got the manager on the phone to immigration, correct docs supplied, job done no need to get crabby about it, just getting all correct and sure enough application sailed through, cost a couple of additional hours, really, I should hold a grudge for that, I think not, you can I won't ???? too many good things happening ????

I have just returned from a quiet stroll to bed our cattle down for the night, accompanied by my wife daughter and 5 month old grand daughter Enjoyed looking at the lush green grass we have cultivated, the the two week old angusx heifer calf I delivered, peaceful and satisfying ???? That is the Thailand I concentrate my time and thoughts on, my sons schooling, my daughter completing her training to be a nurse, the additional 2 ensuite bedrooms built well with very reasonably priced labour in progress now. That is my Thailand, government infringement is dealt with accordingly but for me is way way short of even registering on the scales of balance So how is it for you guys?

90 day reports a trip out to town, 15 minutes turn around, was in place looooong before I arrived, to be expected yes, so whats the rose tinted crappla Richard?

Same as I feel about paying for a health service I could get for free in my own country, goes with territory