Scheduler

You short essay has captured what some of us westerners struggle to explain to our friends back home in the west.

I could not agree with you more. 

Thai women, my wife at the top of the list of course, are collectively the finest women on the planet.

In 1982, in America, I got married at 31 years old and soon my wife was pregnant. 3.5 years later she was in a terrible car accident. Both her and the baby inside of her survived but the doctors recommended she not get pregnant again. So I got a vasectomy.

Roll the time clock forward to today; 3 more marriages, several other relationships in between with nice ladies and I find I am, emotionally, mentally and financially in far better shape than 90% of all the men I have met. 

I have not left stray pups along the way that struggle to survive. I have not burdened ladies with my stupidity.

This is not just about making babies and being a man. This is understanding life and our responsibilities in this world.

If you want more children there are 100's of thousands that need a good home.

Good luck in life.

I also am struggling with the 60 day tourist visa application process.

On Thursday Jan 7th I sent my application via UPS the DC Royal Thai Embassy next morning delivery with Passport, ASQ reservation paid for starting on the 30th of January. Health insurance for 60 days paid for, Copy of Bank statement and a copy of my Lufthansa tickets for departure on January 28th.

The package was received at 1:30 PM the next day, Friday the 8th, January.

On Monday January 18th I received a phone call from the DC embassy instructing that I must apply immediately for the COE.

So I applied and was rejected 3 days later because I did not include a copy of the visa. (They have yet to send me a visa)

Today is the 15th day since the Embassy received my application. When the DC Thai Embassy uses my return prepaid for UPS package UPS will alert me. – Nothing so far and I expect that since this Saturday I will see nothing until Monday at the earliest.

I have sent two emails requesting clarification on why they have asked for the COE prior to issuing the Visa with no response.

I have tried calling the embassy once each morning and once each afternoon and only get recordings and that mail boxes are full.

At this point it looks like I may have to reschedule everything.

Has anyone gotten through this process successfully?

Check out Cigna International. They have several different plans that all cover 100% of the costs. The policy also covers you in the US (100%) if your return visits are only a few months so you would not need insurance for part B.

I have spent a number of years working on house designs for myself and others in Thailand. I have also contracted with 2 different Thai architects. A couple things you may or may know. Thai law requires a foreigner to have drawings stamped by a registered Thai engineer. Also foreigners can not build their own homes. Failure to comply can result in loose of home and land. Your choice.

The semi-tropical climate presents some interesting challenges. Heat being more a challenge than humidity in Isaan. One of our solutions is a double exterior wall system for insulating. 2 block walls separated by an air space. Insulated inner cast in place concrete ceiling and an outer concrete tile roof on a metal frame that is very well ventilated. The inner ceiling is complimented by exhaust ports that can be dampened or completely closed in the cool months when the outside early morning temperatures are 15 to 18 C. A design along these lines can tremendously reduce air-conditioning costs. De-humidifiers can assist in the rainy season also. De-humidifiers are tough to find in Thailand.

My choice for the inner block wall is super block, ready available at Home Pro in Kohn Kaen. Concrete and Styrofoam mixture. You are correct about cheap concrete block and there is an abundance made by the locals.

Go slowly with a lot of research before you build. Continue to wok on your designs and build when you have found an engineer that is qualified and fair. Mistakes on paper are cheap and easy to fix when compared to a half constructed or worst case a completed home when you discover problems. And I mean problems plural.

Good Luck.

As I continue to try to manage the development of a small
rubber tree from afar I find my Thai family can not quit planting monsompalong
(sp?)everywhere they can. Of the 25 rai I have purchased for the rubber tree
farm the last 10 rai section I planned to plant this spring. I told my wife to let the land sit for three
years turning every year twice to let it recuperate after many many years of sugar
cane. As with the other land I have
bought the family just does their own thing with it.

I am concerned that since I cannot be present (I have a few

years left before retiring) the tree will not be cared for correctly and quite
possibly damaged thus reducing their productivity when they mature.

In searching for solutions I am curious if there are seasoned
rubber tree workers in the south that I could possibly hire to oversee and
guide the care of the rubber tree farm into production?

I look forward to any suggestions and thoughts.

Fbrunhoff

Thank you gents,

The trees are spaced 4 meters X 6 meters on 7 rai so we have about 500 trees.

I am still working so I have a good income to build a farm correctly (I hope).

This would be a second income for us in my
golden ok maybe tarnished silver years.

We also have an adjacent 8 rai with trees that are 5.5 years old.

I am currently negotiating with a company to work in Seoul, a project that will last 4 to five
years. Working in Seoul will allow me to visit my home and farms in Thailand
more often. I am still learning the Thai culture, family and local politics a
side project that will take me the rest of my life. But I do enjoy the people
and country.

As mentionedin earlier entries on this forum I plan to put in an irrigation system this
spring or fall before we plant the next 10 rai. When finished with this plot of

land I will have 25 rai in a nice rectangle shape. The land has a gentle slope
from the southwest corner to the northeast corner. If all goes well I may buy another 25 rai
across the road from ours if the prices do not get to high.

The photos below are the 2 year old tress, the 5.5 year old trees and the 10 rai yet to be planted.

FBrunhoff

Guys,

I have a
question about the impact to my trees when monsompilong (sp?) is planted with the trees.

I believe standard wisdom here is not use equipment, like a Kobota tractor, to till between the rows
of rubber trees. Unfortunately while I was out of the country my wifes family decided to do just that, tilled the land
between the rubber trees and planted monsompilong (sp?) Cutting the roots I
believe may impact rubber production when the trees mature. True or false?

structure may be damaged. The trees are in Isaan and just over 2 years old.

The Question; Should I remove the trees (about 500) and start over?

Thanks Fbrunhoff

Gentlemen,

I came to the same conclusion three years ago. It would greatly reduce my long term profitability. I just want to share what I had found out through alot of research with the person that was considdering solar earlier this blog. We also are going to a generator placed in a concete block house with a concrete roof and steel door. My wifes father lives on his farm located next to our 25 rai so we have some security close at hand.

Thank you all for all of the truely valuable information that has been discussed here.

FBrunhoff

Solar powered water pumps:

I have just gotten back to this wonderful string on rubber trees. I was on holiday with family for three weeks. I have been designing an irrigation system for our 25 rai in Isaan where we have 15 rai already planted with 600s. Some trees are 5.5 years old and half are 2 years old. I would like use solar power since our land is off the electrical grid. I found that a pump system with solar producing 7500 liter/day from a well depth no greater than 15 meters deep will run in the area of $17,000.00 US dollars. (Price was 3 years ago) Battery replacement will be required every 4 to 6 years. Check out; Leonics at 27, 219 27, 29 Soi Bangna-Trad 34, Bangna, Bangkok 10260, Thailand27, 29 Soi Bangna-Trad 34, Bangna, Bangkok 10260, ThailandSoi Bangna-Trad 34, Bangna, Bangkok 10260, Thialand Phone: (66) 2746-9500 http://www.leonics.com/index.php

Leonics designs power and water systems for areas off the grid throughout Asai.

I should clarify the solar panels and pump are $7,500.00 US dollars plus; Concrete block pump house, well drilled and cased, 10,000 liters of storage tanks plus piping, valves and to 2,200 rubber trees with 1.5 meters of soaker hose at each tree.

I hope this is useful info for you.

I hope you have a good Thai lawyer in your pocket. The stories of foreigners losing everything in the way of money, land and homes would fill a library.

You as a foreigner can not own land in Thailand. There are a some squeaky loop holes if you own a Thai corporation and/or controle a Thai corporation.

Other wise you lease land for 30 years with one renewable 30 option.

The land must have a Chanote Title and be in the person's name whom you are planning to lease the land from. See the following link for land title info;

http://www.samuiforsale.com/knowledge/thailand-land-title-deeds.html

If you do it correctly your name will be on the back of the title and no one can borrow money against it, sell it or anything else with out your written consent. Get a lawyer

Thank you,

We are preparing to plant the the last section, 8 Rai, of a 25 Rai area that we have purchased over the past few years. I have designed a drip irrigation system similar to those used by orchard growers. We will be putting the well and holding tanks in this spring before the rains and prior to our last planting.

Our hope is to not lose any trees to drought as we did in 2009/2010.

Have you any recommendations for a good ground cover to hold the moisture in the ground. A planting that will not compete for the water. It took me two years to convince my wife not plant monsompilong (spelling unknown) with young rubber trees. Thai appear to struggle with what they perceive as non productive land.

I have two question;

Does Irrigating rubber trees (in Isaan) increase the vitality of the trees as they mature to 5 or 7 years of age?

Does a balanced watering of trees (the substitution for inconsistent rain fall & draughts) increase the productivity of the trees during harvest season?

I am impressed with what the forum can read into post. A bunch of creative rascals I venture.

I would say Chads response(s) to the post are most accurate.

Why so many Europeans, Americans and Canadians want to live in Thailand?

I find this a particularly interesting question. I have been a quiet observer of this forum for at least 5 years and must tell all that I have found some excellent information at Thai Visa from time to time. But let’s stay on subject;

Obviously I speak only for myself.

I have studied Tibetan Buddhism (Mahayana) for over 40 years. Once I reached this side of our planet I tried without success to get a Visa to explore Tibet. As an alternative I began researching other countries that are primarily Buddhist cultures. Countries like Nepal, Bhutan & the research showed that Thailand is 95% Buddhist. In the late summer 2005 I chose to take a trip to Thailand to explore the Temples, engage the Monks in conversation and observe the people. I was delighted and awed by the Temples and found the Thai people to warm hearted, intelligent and familiar with westerners. (There is good and bad in that)

My trip inspired much more research and studies. Subsequent trips included meeting with attorneys, accountants and business owners. Within a year I could see that not could I enjoy life as a resident of Thailand I could enjoy retirement on a modest annual income. Of course there are a number of tax benefits afforded to Americans living abroad. The combination of affordability, great people, a lovely climate in Northern Thailand and the potential to explore temples and Buddhist history for decades to come made the choice easy.

During the course of my studies I met and married a lovely Thai woman, not from the bar & night world of the resort areas but rather a hardworking, very ethical lady with her roots in Theravada Buddhism and farming.

After 6 years I am even more convinced that living in Thailand is both a sound economic choice and a great place to live. We privileged to have the resources to go to the beach for bit every year or so. Thus we get to enjoy the best Thailand has to offer everywhere.

The Renegade Gardner

fool and his dosh soon part???

Som Nam Na - why would you buy a house for your gf anyways????

Just a note: You can have your name as the lease holder registered on a Chanote Land Title. Does not stop the girls from expanding their collection of Farangs but does protect your investment. One can always go a few steps further with contractual agreements drawn up good attorneys. Lastly why would any guy caugh-up that kind off cash to any woman? Didn't we learn our lessons back home?

..................And now we are all happy - that's good ;-)

Just logged on now - gonna do some research now on trees / crops / etc. Nursing a sore head again, it was our 5 year wedding aniversary yesterday, so we had a few friends over...... Friday nights are "thai night" here in Cork (well at least in our area anyway) - we had 14 thai girls plus their partners / kids and one hel_l of alot of drink, and loads of Loas Karaoke music until 4am....... apart from it being cold outside, you would have thought we were in Thailand!

I have recently discovered this site while researching Rubber Trees. Some of you are years ahead>> thanks for blazing a trail.

I live in eastern Thailand about 60 kilometers past Kalasin near Kuchinarai with a wonderful Thai wife of 3 years.

We have finally found a nice piece of land with a Chanote title for our house and dreams just outside our village.

For our marriage the family gave a separate piece of land, 7 rai of the family farm with a Chanote title also.

We have planted Rubber trees on the 7 rai although honestly I have no idea what variety they are. I will trust my wife sister who has 30 rai of 5 to 10 year old Rubber trees that look healthy and are beautiful.

Our Plan is to 7 to 10 rai each year to our little enterprise up to about 40 0r 50 rai. The goal is to have a small supplemental income later on life.

Any suggestions are welcome.

FB

Hey Corkman

Isaan retirement.

'Think again 7rai won't get you there even if it a dry run but good luck'

I've been trying for over 10 years my wifes hands are in many different pie's of farming and I still find it hard to believe, start listening to metallica sad but true.

As is the case with most Farang, you can't do anything without involving the family Ha Ha...

'Wrong try to avoid working with the family it will drive you crazy trust me I'm there already'

Listen were 60km outside of Roi-et I'm 35 by the way if you're ever around Selaphum area drop in for a cold one and a chat.

PM me for number if so.

Regards

C-sip