mario299

Hi

Sure, go to the Family & Children Forum and look at the pinned thread on Thai family law for specifics on what you need to find out. I married my wife in Samut Prakan (registered at the Amphur there), but she is from a village in Surin Province. Hope this helps.

mario299 :jap:

Each to their own of course, but the house does not compare well to the pictures of the Canadian houses, for possibly a similar price. It just looks typically Thai to me, in that it's all show but not that comfortable looking. Only my preference though. If that's your bag then good for you.

Problem with the Canadian house (and many other countries) is that is SNOWS!

After living in Alaska, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Montana and New York...I've had it with snow. I love not having to wear socks, long sleeve shirts, or long pants. The humidity is tough to take at times, but I just jump into the pool, ring the bell, and have a beer served pool side. Tough to beat.

I'm certainly with you on that!

I did 30 years of outdoor construction work in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska and I hope to never experience snow, ice or freezing rain again. Give me the pool and ring-a-bell-for-a-beer anytime!

mario299

When I walk I like to listen to my I-Pod. Music seems to pass the time away much nicer. I can walk for 14 hours straight if listening to the right music. But, I get bored otherwise just walking in the city. However, I carry my cell phone in my pocket and make sure the zipper is fastened... or the pocket is a deep one. I've seen far too many cel-phones flip out on the pavement. When I"m hiking I like to carry my Nikon SLR in a fanny pack that has a good clip fastener.

Fanny Pack !? .... Well If you've got it. flaunt it Ian.

Does your Vulva swell when your in season ?

He doesn't drive a Vulva, he walks or rides his motocy.

mario299

don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't consider The Eagles or Santana as the current superstars of the 21 century! I love Mr.Slowhand, but ya..and Maroon 5? ;-)

Hmmm....so the likes of The Eagles, Clapton, and Carlos Santana would be the least of those artists to be influential, yes? As for your beloved 21st century artists.....most fall into that copy-cat homogeny. Contemporary styles and originality sucks today.

lol old man talk

Correct..."target audiences"...who's going to go to concerts, the backpackers or the retiree "old man"??

mario299 :jap:

The reason for the "added" alcohol content? It ain't 100% beer {Chang domestic}. Always be suspicious of that crap.

What are you implying? It is easy to brew beer at 6+%, so why would they bother to fortify it, extra cost, extra labor?

Boy, now I'm curious too...

mario299

No. I have people that do that.

naam...is that you??

mario299

I'm deeply touched by your concern gentlemen. Heart warming indeed I feel it's my duty to attempt slumber without the psychological watch prop Full report to follow in the AM

Judas

If you find you simply can't do it, then think "luminous dial" or a cheap Casio like mine with a button that lights up the dial. My watch stays on my nightstand all the time, only use it to see what time it is late at night when, like you, I can't sleep.

mario299

I'll be shooting pool tonight at Penalty Spot and maybe Sportsman.

Offer is still open.

I'll be the American wearing a Tshirt with Infidel printed on the front.

How will I know you are an American?

(Just kidding MS, great thing you're doing, thanks from another American)

mario299 :jap:

Happy birthday o.p.I,m a proofreader and this thread has made my day.Thank,s for all the laughs guys.

Just curious, have you been out of work lately?

mario299

You could have TWO more Leo's for what you spent on KFC, but I prefer Chang. Don't really know why, maybe the bottles are bigger, maybe less carbonation, maybe more alcohol content in Chang.

What was the question again?

mario299

Where can I buy two Leo's for 35 Baht?

Maybe i did the math wrong, or don't understand KFC menu since I don't eat there, but his total was 90 baht and that's enough for two Changs at my village market. Can't speak for Leo prices, because I don't drink Leo.

What was the question again?

mario299

You could have TWO more Leo's for what you spent on KFC, but I prefer Chang. Don't really know why, maybe the bottles are bigger, maybe less carbonation, maybe more alcohol content in Chang.

What was the question again?

mario299

Hapy Burthdey!

mario299

I think all the street vendors look for small change, we do this with our local noodle store. Can probably change coin for bills pretty easily if you look for those that need small stuff. Or give to someone that looks needy, or is truly needy. Up to you.

mario299

The occasional idiot drives fast in out mooban, so we installed speed humps. Some idiots still drive fast and they will eventually meet my Grey Nicolls, English willow. I have 100% support of the all of our neighbors, most of whom have little kids, one of whom is a cop.

Sorry, but all of those know-it-alls that spout out the old chestnut 'don't mess with the Thais' don't know jack. I suggest you try 'don't mess with the guy with the 3lb cricket bat'

We're in an Issan village where some of the younger drivers go a bit fast, however the locals take care on their own to protect the children walking and playing in the sois. I do, however, have a 34 oz DiMarini baseball bat that most are aware of, so although it's a bit of a different sport than cricket, place-hitters are still the same. I also have 100% support of the neighbors, it's just that they get there first most times.

mario299

Those silly four ladies in the morning on channel three. Completely hypnotizing, they are.

Those four have been a running joke at our house for some time. I've named them "Em", "Er", "Ahh", and "Ka".

Listen for a bit you'll get it.

mario299

registered letters sent to me from the UK have disappeared, A UK post office official said the letters had reached Thailand ??

My one and only attempt was to put two $100 bills between pictures and a letter in an 81/2 x 11 envelope sent from US to business address in Thailand. Nothing ever made it, never tried again.

mario299

Next time send it to me. I'll bet I get it. But if I don't, I'll let you know immediately.

So, if we bet and I send it to you and it doesn't get to you, then I win? Will you send me my winnings by mail?

:rolleyes:mario299

registered letters sent to me from the UK have disappeared, A UK post office official said the letters had reached Thailand ??

My one and only attempt was to put two $100 bills between pictures and a letter in an 81/2 x 11 envelope sent from US to business address in Thailand. Nothing ever made it, never tried again.

mario299

Why not let the girlfriend pay with her credit card or cash, saves you the worry of carrying your cash.

Boy, are you letting yourself open on this one. Troll post, perhaps, you've been a member since 2005 with 46 posts and you have never wondered about buying gold before? This question depends on how much you actually want to end up paying for the gold. If you pay by c/c you will have potential interest and foreign transaction fees (or at least "transaction fees", maybe not a foreign c/c). If you pay cash it will result in the least expensive purchase. Is this really news to you ??

Hope this info helps, but if you are still stumped then just send me the money and I will take care of everything for you. Do you know how to do money transfers in Thailand?

Chok dee

mario299

This promoted typical ideal of "retiring" has left me dizzy. Who's to say that one couldn't settle easy and comfortably at 30? Retiring is a bit of a stale Western state of mind. Cut and dried.

I have to ask also about this "retiring" thing. To give you ideas of where to settle in Thailand would certainly require knowing what kind of things you like to do. Apparently you don't need to prove your manhood so do you like to garden, fish, farm, sail, play tennis, golf, sit by the seaside for the sunsets, wake up early with the roosters, drink until late....what???

Sorry, can't answer or suggest without much more info.

mario299

I think a reason why direct questions are a bit uncommon may be a face thing, the asker appears clueless, but the puts the asked person in even greater danger of seeming ignorant, that's why one gets so much wrong info in shops.

On the contrary, if you give them opportunity to gain face, you will get your answers.

I agree, it's a face thing. I am in trouble if I ask "why" about anything and I am in trouble a lot because I am a very curious person...I ask "why ?"a lot. I think since Thai people in general do not like confrontations in any form, and questions like "why" make them feel "confronted", then many responses will go the long way to avoid being deemed as incorrect or even ignorant.

I have, however, make the huge mistake of teaching my wife to answer "because", so now I still don't get a proper answer...just "because".

mario299

I would never buy in Thailand unless I was completely settled with a wife and children. From what I've seen it is cheaper to rent than buy. And, what you buy can be lost in the blink of an eye.

I am completely settled with wife and step-daughter, built 2 bedrm, 2 bath with separate building for kitchen/dining and separate carport in Issan near Prasat. Finished and paid for 3 years ago, built to my specs with my supervision (I am retired remodeler from USA). We had very competent builder on contract for labor, we bought all materials, worked out very well. Still own home in America so I have an out if my world fell apart here, but I certainly don't think it will. Very satisfied, and very happy, haven't been a renter for a long, long time... anywhere.

mario299

Simon

I have a spare Altoids tin, would be happy to send to you. Send me a PM with address, I will send tomorrow if you'd like. Sorry, mine is Peppermint flavor, not licorice like your picture.

Let me know if you want it.

mario299

I'm confused as to what the OP is referring?

If its the actual Thai Tourist police then I would say they were very effieient in providing a police report when I was robbed a few years ago.

Other than that never spoken to one....or a foreign volunteer.

I had one experience with the actual Thai Tourist Police in 2004, while visiting Chiang Mai. I lost my wallet containing credit cards and about 3000 baht somewhere while visiting pubs/restaurants, so I went to the Tourist Police office the next day. They filled out a report about where I had been, and I was contacted later that evening with the news they had recovered my wallet. An officer (a Thai) came to my hotel with wallet and credit cards, no money. He asked for 10,000 baht for the return. I offered 5000 and he accepted. End of story. I had already cancelled all credit cards.

mario299

If there are any people in the conflict area, do you have any updates? Has it quieted down? Are villagers returning?

We live in Amphoe Muang {Surin} about 20 kms north of the city. This morning continued to hear periodic booming from distant guns. We've always been right on the flight path from Korat, so we expect the usual helicopters and fighters passing within eye shot and distant audibles - but this has been going on for months now. I understand the southern border districts of Prasat and Kap Choeng have been on stand-by for another attempt at evacuation of those immediate areas. Talked to some relatives and friends in Prasat...the sounds of war are quite evident. Just some 45-50 kms away {from us}

We are 12 km west of Prasat and the artillery sounds this morning shook the windows and walls. We made a quick trip to Prasat this morning at about 10:00 am and it was very quiet in town, not a lot going on. I hope tomorrow is quiet, and this ends soon.

mario299

The average Thai seldom spends the money on photos, but they appreciate them when I give them pictures. Random acts of kindness go a long way in smoothing out the wrinkles in life. And, what goes round usually comes round.

A good point Ian, regarding pictures. Many of our village friends don't take or have pictures. I have a lot of tools around, miter saw...staple guns, etc, plus bits and scraps of wood casings and trims, so I'm prone to taking digital pictures, printing them out on the computer then putting them into a frame and giving them away. Cannot believe how much this is appreciated, and it does come back around in some of the nicest ways. Keeps me busy and having fun as well.

mario299