wildoates

do they have good English language schools?

No, and they never will...they parents of most don't care, if you are going to herd Kwai, you don't need english. Agree that some schools are trying, but when the outside help stops, so will the learning.

do they have good hospitals?

No, and agree with what is said, go to Bangkok, Pattaya area if need real care. The dentist are OK.

do you feel safe?

Yes, safe as can be, but always aware of where I am. The thais don't feel completly safe.

if you live in a very nice house do you feel like u stick out like a soar thumb?

Yes, but put a big wall around it, get dogs they are afraid of and just sit back

if you were to leave the house for a year or two, would you trust that when you got back it would look the same/not have squatters

I would not leave my house unattended for a few days.

write to //removed// and explain the situation, and ask for an "Expedited Appointment".

and then also keep checking in. They are swamped, but spaces will open up, and get filled very quickly. You have to be persistant.

Thank you (//removed//)

Thanks Ken, but you can not ask for a expedited Appointment until you have one catch 22. You are correct, space do open up, my computer was attached to their site, from 0300 to 2200 everyday, and someone was always at the computer, many hours of wait but it paid off.

you are correct, they are stuck on a name, cause they see it on TV so it must be so. they are just now coming around to Ford,

Sorry to say , but chicken are around in Isaan and will be around for more then some time to come . They provide some food ( as laying eggs and killing 1 once a while ) and roosters are used for fighting which is as far as i know the biggest sport in Isaan area ( Thai boxing is nowhere near as popular ) . So , if you start living in the village , learn to live with 100's of chickens and roosters screaming at 3.30 morning .

BB guns are available , so are normal guns or someone makes it for you . Catapults are locally made from a pieve of scrap wood and the elastics and leather band for it are available from the local store ( sold specially for catas ) . If you do kill or hurt your neighbours chicken , you will be a very loved man over in the village .

WOW a BB guns are sold here?

These bloody roosters scream 24x7. They can be heard around the clock and they can be very loud.

The other chickens seem to be "free range" not sure who owns what. But of course it would be too much to expect to have them in a chicken coop "western thinking." I'm learning why quiet a few people build walls around their dwellings. Guess if "bird flu" ever hits again this place will make the news.

yes they sell bb guns here, soft pellets, some are real nice. I have two dogs that keep them out of my yard....

I used Pat Travel in Pattaya. they are on Pattaya Klang 0816832246, Lady there is good, she will beat any price....

Well, I just got an appointment for 22 April. I have missed 4 others in the past week, they come in fast and go before you can click. Today 19,20,21,22 April all opened at same time, I went for 22 April and got it. when I finished, they were all gone. So openings are happening, I used google chrome and did the auto refreash as suggested, and it worked....

Easy to do, just change the Math........

I got an answer back from my email to them Lots of great help......

Thank you for yourinquiry. Our staff member was correct, you should continue to check ourautomated system for appointments. While they are opened regularly, theyfill very quickly. Please note that we have not yet openedappointments for June. We apologize for any inconvenience in this periodof very high demand for appointment slots.

Some will tell you that AEON does not charge the 150 baht fee, which is true,, but the exchange rate is much lower so you come out the same.....

Well, yet another day they won't get anything done Just got this message, I guess three days next week is not enough for them.......

On Tuesday, April 5, 2011, the U.S. Embassy (Bangkok) will hold its community Songkran Celebration. The Embassy will close for most business at 11:00 a.m. so that everyone can take part in this celebration.

One other thing, my emails are being ignored, first one sent on the 31st of March, it came back and said you must have 'NIV Inquiry' in the subject so I resent it immediately (as instructed), there has been no response. Also sent another one first thing this morning, will update if I get any response back.

I too sent one this morning

Here is the definitive answer. I went through exactly the same situation. EXACTLY. After I called a few folks at the embassy, twice I got someone who simply did not know and gave stock answers like "we are very busy this time of year...." or, "keep trying, new slots will open up...", etc. I tried telling them that nothing was availble for the next 15 years and the unlikelihood and ridiculously high probability of that NOT being the reason but......Bottom line, there are many slots available! The system you are trying on has a problem, you have to keep talking to someone who won't give you the stock replies. The schedule will be repaired once your complaint makes it high enough and you get hold of sympathetic embassy personnel. THERE ARE SLOTS AVAILABLE. PLENTY! Call the embassy. Once somebody gets the message enough, they will contact their internal IT personnel and the magically the site will be repaired.

Who are you calling? I too have be trying but have not found anyone that really cared...even went to the embassy and was given the stock answer, slots will be opening next week, well it is next week and nothing so far, and how a month came on already full???? Please tell us who you are talking with.....thanks

I am faced withthe same problem, I went there and talked to the lady out front, see was really no help......

Just had Gallbladder surgey there and Hospital was just outstanding in everyway.

Emily I live about 20KM from Sangkha, It is OK the area is just quite. There are places to go see other Farang, but you need transportation..... Most of us travel to Korat, Bangkok or Pattaya for things to do and good shopping. Hope I answered your questions

Are there many other westerners? No that that many, and rarely seen anymore

· What is there to do during the week/weekends? Not much, it is a typical Issan town

· Is it practical to visit other areas of Thailand for a weekend getaway, or is transport limited? they have a bus terminal there so yes travel is available

· Does the area have internet and phone connections? yes if you live in town

I ordered a Yuasa YTX14-BS it was 2650 then 100 baht to put on bus, The bus trip cost me 40 baht. From Bangkok to Surin

I ordered my battery from DrBike in Bangkok, sent to me on bus for 100 baht, good price and very quick service.

No I talked to the owner of the bike shop, says he used to use the yellow book, but the government will not accept anymore, wants letter from Imm.

I am confussed. My friend is buy a used motorcycle, they are telling him that the government will not accept the Yellow book for residence, that he needs to get a letter from Imm. Has anyone else heard of this?? I thought that was the whole purpose of the Yellow book.

Are you refering to Tubes??? If can not find local, call Dr Bike in Bangkok they will send on bus, for small fee.

go to True Value in Bangkok or Pattaya

I was in Pattaya a few weeks back, and saw a sign, 3 or more on a motorcycle 500 baht fine......

I live in rural Issan, and I see many farlang, riding their scooter, down the road without a helmet,,,so they are no better than the Thais at following rules....I go nowhere without a helmet.....period...

Had a good event, real good turn out...52 bikes....raised 30K for the Orphange......

I am anticipating building a house in Buriram and have contacted a builder in Surin. Has website as Surin Builders, the builder is English and named Alan.

Is this the one you have had problems with. thanks

No my person was a Thai architect

corrected dates...sorry

Surin Charity MC Run.pdf