Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

35 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Mrs O should be careful, Mildred is already a good few cm taller, must be those Dagenham genes !!

 

Great family photos Owl .

You are right AD. Mildred will be twelve in October. Still time for some more growing. All my children have been tall and their mothers not so.

 

Mrs Owl is not the tallest; just 1.51m. At last measure; M was 1.62.

 

Rushed outside to get the mozzie men pics and didn't have time to proof-read the last post. Got my twos and toos and tos confused. Sorry! Poor posting.

 

Mozzies watch out. They are coming for ya.

 

 

 

Edited June 13, 2021 by owl sees all

[CharlieH]

More off topic posts removed.

 

Suggest you read the topic title again, it is not " Queens birthday in GB "

[rumak]

Hey Owl,  happy Sunday.    I just went back to the last three pages to see what this topic was really about.   Yes,  seems back then ( 2019)  it started out with many posts about life in Isaan.   I was surprised to see some posts from a candidate for Poty promoting himself  .  haha   Was like a poison that thing .  ( cannot discuss now) .

I don't know when it drifted off into many subjects,  but do see from many recent pages

( i only went back about 20 or so)  many posts about English things and wines and people showing off their scholarly skills.    Hmmm   oh well.   

Still like you sharing your real life stories and pics.  Truly someone living the life..... not reminiscing or pretending.

I like to think my 3 decades of living in different areas of the North...... moving many times and building more than a few relationships and home,  that I can relate to much that the rural boys who post here do and say.   The "English" crowds references and stories I can not participate in .....  though that seems to be a favorite with a certain group.

Keep sharing.....   Here is a pic of my "grandparents" and daughter ..... from around 30 years ago.    They were truly good country folk .

 

[HighPriority]

I know when I’m in issan I hate it when party poopers need inject themselves into the conversation.

Owl, you didn’t say why Milly was having yakyak with Mrs Owl ?

[owl sees all]

5 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

I know when I’m in issan I hate it when party poopers need inject themselves into the conversation.

Owl, you didn’t say why Milly was having yakyak with Mrs Owl ?

Mildred didn't get on with Snack from the start. She is a quiet girl and he is a boisterous lad. Too boisterous for her liking. He also took a liking to M's flavoured milk drinks; wiping out as many as five in one day. We (M, me and Mrs Owl) had never met him until last month. I took him fishing and showed an interest. Got him to muck at the farm.

 

 

Mrs Owl thought that M was not trying hard enough to acclimatise him to our lifestyle. The Mrs does not know when to stop once she starts; saying things that are not true and OTT.

 

 

The ladies are friends now. Snack back home in Phitsanulok.

[Golden Triangle]

1 hour ago, HighPriority said:

I know when I’m in issan I hate it when party poopers need inject themselves into the conversation.

Owl, you didn’t say why Milly was having yakyak with Mrs Owl ?

So are you saying that people like myself who have a similar background to Owl should refrain from posting, because we speak relatively the same language, lived not too far apart, went to similar places and can relate to those places of our youth or are you talking about other members ? 

 

I don't live in Issan, I've been many times, I have many friends their, because I chose to live near the coast doesn't diminish my knowledge of Issan or my input to this thread. I'd be grateful if you could clarify your statement, thanks.

[RobMuir]

26 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

So are you saying that people like myself who have a similar background to Owl should refrain from posting, because we speak relatively the same language, lived not too far apart, went to similar places and can relate to those places of our youth or are you talking about other members ? 

 

I don't live in Issan, I've been many times, I have many friends their, because I chose to live near the coast doesn't diminish my knowledge of Issan or my input to this thread. I'd be grateful if you could clarify your statement, thanks.

You keep posting mate.

 

It is a forum, which is more interesting with many points of view and different experiences.

 

And many people appreciate yours including me

 

[RobMuir]

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

 

There was an older lady doctor there for years. No matter what you went in for she found a reason to fondle ya nuts.

 

Must have improved since the 1950s.

Was she any good with the prostate checks?

[Golden Triangle]

24 minutes ago, RobMuir said:

You keep posting mate.

 

It is a forum, which is more interesting with many points of view and different experiences.

 

And many people appreciate yours including me

 

I'll be honest with you Rob, you sometimes rub people up the wrong way, and that includes me, but on this occasion I appreciate your support, thank you.

 

The title might include the word Issan but I don't believe that makes it exclusively so.

[Golden Triangle]

1 minute ago, RobMuir said:

Was she any good with the prostate checks?

I think he was a bit young for that, as was I at the time ????

[RobMuir]

3 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

The title might include the word Issan but I don't believe that makes it exclusively so.

Well not on page 129 anyway.

 

I like the people of Issan, but also wonder why they do things the way they do and it frustrates me the lack of motivation some have to do simple things that could really improve their lives.

 

That said, without a doubt Morlam Sing is by far the most entertaining and fun thing ever. They absolutely nail partying regardless of age, day of the week or even time of the day. Genuine fun.

 

I also find BangFai festivals amazing. That such a thing could even be legal astounds me. First one I went to in Nong Bua Lampoo I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

 

Also spent a few Songkran festivals in numerous provinces over the years. I like to get in amongst it and is amazing how many girls have given me a fondle, sort of like walking down Soi 6 Pattaya but they are just normal girls having fun, not someone just trying to get a customer/money.

Other provinces they don't seem to go the nuts at all.

 

I have to have Issan food a couple of times per week. Kor Moo yang is my favourite meat dish in the world. I like a good gang hed often also. 

 

I wouldn't want to live there though and prefer coastal living like yourself, but if I had a choice between living in Issan or Australia I would go choose Issan.

 

 

 

 

[RobMuir]

26 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

I think he was a bit young for that, as was I at the time ????

 

My father and grandfather had/has prostate cancer so mum was always on me for years to go get a prostate examination. 

 

I always told her "When I see a petite nurse with very small hands I will get one"

 

About 5 years ago I was in Bangkok Pattaya Hospital for another minor issue and I saw one that looked perfect. From Issan, I can't remember the province, but about 40kgs with these tiny hands and we'll manicured but short fingernails.

 

So I garnered up some courage and ask her. She said "can" and asked me to follow her. I felt the same nervous excitement as the moments before I lost my virginity when I was a kid.

 

Unfortunately she lead me to another department that specialised in that sort of thing and I had to see a doctor and she then left me the there. I was disappointed but optimistic that the doctor would be beautiful anyway and maybe a Bangkok Hiso would be seeing to me.

 

But things got worse and when I was lead to the examination room there was an old male doctor who I suspected might have been a homosexual.

 

I was thinking to myself this is exactly why I kept putting it off, I was filthy on my mum for nagging me to do it and I was considering feigning having diareah or just bolting out of the room.

 

Anyway, as it turned out it was just a blood test which was a huge relief. 

 

I recommend all blokes to go and get them regularly. Because with Dad, he left it too late and now he can't get an erection anymore.

If he had of gone earlier they would have given him less invasive treatment and he would still be able to give mum a good seeing too.

 

 

 

[Golden Triangle]

But we are allowed to converse, that's always good, I took some inspiration from your post and thought about opening a thread called Page 129 - basically an open book post any krap you want, but on reflection I don't think it would last long ????????

 

Issan is a lovely part of the world, a lot to see & do, National parks, prehistoric digs, quiet villages & wild cities, and 16 years back places that had not seen many white folk ???? that did feel strange, I had a friend that came to Thailand with me back in 2004/05, our first ever trip, can't remember now, anyway he retired here about 3 years before me, he lives in the middle of Nackon Nowhere, a very nice house, a lovely wife, I used to visit for a month & we would have plenty of beer, food and travel all over, great times, he's still there, I need to visit him again, but I need this virus gone or need the jabs so I'm protected.

 

 

When I had a new knee fitted I was signed off work for 3 months, cleared it with the boss first got the all clear and had a month recuperating at his place, and got paid, result.

 

I have yet to do one of the fireworks festivals, I would love to, just not got around to it yet, I'll have a chat with her indoors sometime they look like fun but dangerous, as ex EOD my self preservation is set on high ????

 

Thai food is difficult for me, my system can't really take it, although my Mrs bless her will adjust certain dishes to suit my constitution, she has done a good job but to be honest it's the same with Indian & Chinese food, the less spicy the better, for example butter chicken is about as hot as it gets, I have had sun dried frog, deep fried bugs, and pigs entrails etc, not my favourite food which up there and also in other parts they take for granted. Whatever floats their boat ????

 

Edited June 13, 2021 by Golden Triangle
Predictive text again

[Odysseus123]

3 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

But we are allowed to converse

Yes,indeed we are and there is nothing wrong with your posts anyway.????

Ah..Isaan food...

Fortunately for me my wife and her friends still cook up a storm with a couple of the ladies specializing in Thai cakes and desserts:morgang etc.

 

[HighPriority]

23 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

So are you saying that people like myself who have a similar background to Owl should refrain from posting, because we speak relatively the same language, lived not too far apart, went to similar places and can relate to those places of our youth or are you talking about other members ? 

 

I don't live in Issan, I've been many times, I have many friends their, because I chose to live near the coast doesn't diminish my knowledge of Issan or my input to this thread. I'd be grateful if you could clarify your statement, thanks.

I seem to be having trouble posting tonight… I thought I replied earlier, never mind… ????????‍♂️
I have no trouble whatsoever with you poms reminiscing, it makes quite refreshing reading, I like reading different points of view, but I gather that some do not however, but off with their heads I say.

[Golden Triangle]

2 hours ago, HighPriority said:

I seem to be having trouble posting tonight… I thought I replied earlier, never mind… ????????‍♂️
I have no trouble whatsoever with you poms reminiscing, it makes quite refreshing reading, I like reading different points of view, but I gather that some do not however, but off with their heads I say.

I too responded & replied to your earlier post stating the same.

 

I apologised for the mis communication, anyway my mistake, I read it wrong and got all hot & bothered for no reason, life is all good & calm again ????????????

Edited June 14, 2021 by Golden Triangle

[HighPriority]

6 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

I too responded & replied to your earlier post stating the same.

 

I apologised for the mis communication, anyway my mistake, I read it wrong and got all hot & bothered for no reason, life is all good & calm again ????????????

Never a problem between us GT.

strange that we both had the same problem though… ????

Hopefully once past page 129 we’ll slip back under the radar 

 

Edited June 14, 2021 by HighPriority

[Odysseus123]

1 hour ago, HighPriority said:

Hopefully once past page 129 we’ll slip back under the radar 

 

[FarFlungFalang]

On 6/13/2021 at 8:24 AM, HighPriority said:

I got to grind mine this morning…

Can't get no grinding.

 

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 16-06-2021 - Wednesday morning

 

Some more DIY jobs were completed Monday. Mrs Owl was forever putting her clothes on the leccy lead.  No problem to sort it out. Also fixed a water leak with some white tape. Not yet done the cracked tiles in the sink; perhaps next week.

 

 

A bit of PVC. A few holes. And some plastic string.

 

 

Mrs Owl was delighted with my efforts.

 

 

Of course, it's not me that does all the work around the house.

 

 

Those pears again.

 

 

They are taken to the farm where they are carefully placed around Mrs Owl's trees.

 

 

"Teerak dear." "Yes farang; what you want?" "Would it not be better to put the pears under the chicken netting?" "What you know? You English man. Not know nothing about farm." "OK teerak; sorry to ask."

 

 

The mozzie men were in action in the village last week. Villagers getting prepared.

 

 

"Couldn't do under the pick-up could you guvnor? That's where they are hiding."

 

 

The shop next door was done inside and out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the farm Mildred caught a nice big nin in her net

 

 

Didn't get the pics until we got home. Sunday dinner.

 

 

Paid the leccy bill yesterday. 1300 baht. Mother's bill 49 baht; but she does get a discount. Spotted an old beast at the rear of the PEA.

 

 

Seen better days. Don't know if it's operational. Needs a respray.

 

 

The bridge repairs on the 2022, just outside Ban Dung are done. Water running through at about 1652 litres a second. I'll pop along during the monsoon season to have a butchers.

 

 

 

Lovely job!

 

 

All that's left is road repairs. That's probably a different department, so maybe next year.

 

 

Mildred broke the bad news to me last evening. The school is going onto a six day week. Saturday is going to be a normal school day. Same time start; same time finish. Don't know for how long. Rest of term probably. Dear me! Too much at that age. Any age really.

 

My Richard Dawkins book has still not arrived. Dispatched on the 19th April (2021) from Book Depository. I'm not giving up hope. But I'll not order another until I get this one. Tony Gosling has a new book out about WW2. Like to get it.

 

The euca farm trees are doing great. I'm well into number four farm now. Mildred is at school and I'll try to get in an hour's cropping before going to pick her up. Mozzies are loving this damp, out of the sun, ambience. Got at least 20 bites on each leg yesterday. The weals soon disappear though. An hour later they are gone.

 

Tale of two brollies.

 

 

 

Everyone wears masks at mozzie-spray time.

 

Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

 

PS; lottery day today. Anyone fancying an extra 6 million baht; get into eights and zeros!

 

Edited June 16, 2021 by owl sees all

[paddypower]

Thank for all the updates. Hope your left hand is healing - sounds like you work with some pretty dangerous equipment. may I ask, you write that you plan to register for a vaccine jab at a nearby town. How do you manage (expect)  to get approved. ? I friend of mine in Phuket had to fly to Bangkok to get the vaccine. I am stuck here, between Surathani and NST towns and there is no news about a vaccine being available. I don't have a work permit (retired, aged 75). Friends in Phuket say the same, I am not eligible to get a jab there, even though I have to go to attend to renovations on my rental property.

 

[owl sees all]

38 minutes ago, paddypower said:

Thank for all the updates. Hope your left hand is healing - sounds like you work with some pretty dangerous equipment. may I ask, you write that you plan to register for a vaccine jab at a nearby town. How do you manage (expect)  to get approved. ? I friend of mine in Phuket had to fly to Bangkok to get the vaccine. I am stuck here, between Surathani and NST towns and there is no news about a vaccine being available. I don't have a work permit (retired, aged 75). Friends in Phuket say the same, I am not eligible to get a jab there, even though I have to go to attend to renovations on my rental property.

 

 

Thanks for posting paddypower. My left hand is OK now; although the thumb is 'mallet' (medical terminology).

 

The vaccine?! I'll take my chances with anything that comes along. My friend says there is a 'ladyboy' variant coming to these parts soon. Think he might be on the wind-up.

 

I've stocked up on Vit's A, B, D and F just in case. I eat loads of fruit, so Vit C is already taken care of. And of course my reishi wine is my hidden weapon. I'm looking seriously at Ivermechtin and Hydroxeqlorine. Can buy container fulls from Alibaba. But the cost is prohibitive. Unless I win the lottery today; in which case I'll steam in.

 

Very up to speed on the mask front. I've quite a few. Chuck them into the washing machine every couple of days, to wash out any nasties.

 

Take care out there.

 

Edited June 16, 2021 by owl sees all

[FarFlungFalang]

The meeting for dig a hole.

 

[paddypower]

27 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

 

Thanks for posting paddypower. My left hand is OK now; although the thumb is 'mallet' (medical terminology).

 

The vaccine?! I'll take my chances with anything that comes along. My friend says there is a 'ladyboy' variant coming to these parts soon. Think he might be on the wind-up.

 

I've stocked up on Vit's A, B, D and F just in case. I eat loads of fruit, so Vit C is already taken care of. And of course my reishi wine is my hidden weapon. I'm looking seriously at Ivermechtin and Hydroxeqlorine. Can buy container fulls from Alibaba. But the cost is prohibitive. Unless I win the lottery today; in which case I'll steam in.

 

Very up to speed on the mask front. I've quite a few. Chuck them into the washing machine every couple of days, to wash out any nasties.

 

Take care out there.

 

thanks. do you know if the vaccine is available, for you, other than to travel to BKK, which my friend had to do. ?

 

[CharlieH]

9 minutes ago, paddypower said:

thanks. do you know if the vaccine is available, for you, other than to travel to BKK, which my friend had to do. ?

 

Registered in my local area same time as the wife, told will get jab when (if) it arrives.

[owl sees all]

Hi placeholder.

 

I've heard nothing about a vaccine either for the Thais or farang in these parts. Although to be fair I've not inquired much.

 

Perhaps the Udon posters on the thread will have more info'.

[paddypower]

5 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Registered in my local area same time as the wife, told will get jab when (if) it arrives.

Thanks. I asked at BIH, in Surat. They just gave me a phone number that did not work. I suspect it will be a long time 'if' . Caution forbids me from identifying which company the vaccines are routed through. But it does seem that Thailand is schizo on this. On the one hand the Tourist Board is pushing to open up the country. On the other hand, it is alleged that the PM's office has delayed imports and refused to allow private hospitals to import their own vaccine supplies. . .When I refer to  Schizophrenia - it is defined as is a serious mental disorder in which governments  interpret reality abnormally. It may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.  Who  does that remind you of?. 555

 

[CharlieH]

29 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Hi placeholder.

 

I've heard nothing about a vaccine either for the Thais or farang in these parts. Although to be fair I've not inquired much.

 

Perhaps the Udon posters on the thread will have more info'.

Just posted, Isaan area.......

 

"So not bad at all for a hospital up in Isaarn. All done and dusted and handled efficiently."

 

 

[FarFlungFalang]

You’ll always find me in the kitchen at parties!

 

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 18-06-2021 - Friday afternoon

 

Rain stopped a few days ago. And it has got noticeably hotter. Picked Mildred up early from school yesterday due to mozzie spraying at the school, and went straight to the farm. Mrs Owl was soon asleep in the hammock, and Mildred in the back of the pick-up. A chance for me to get some euca trees pruning done. Did about 40 before the heat got the better of me. Although I wasn't in the sun, I felt really hot. Took a rest, drank half litre of water and had a 10 minute think. Should I rest more or should I go at it again? Got back to it, but only did a few before the Mrs awakened and wanted to go home.

 

Did find a new Neem tree.

 

It has sprung up quickly. Probably due to the drop of rain earlier in the month. Great to see it.

 

 

Need to remove this tree (below). Best to pay someone a few baht to chop it up and dispose of it. Might be OK for charcoal? There is another in farm four that has to be dealt with. 300 baht will get it all sorted.

 

 

Have to keep an eye on these eucas. This one had been tolled last year, and decided to grow some more.

 

 

The thought of trees led me to Ban Dung. What a magnificent specimen that is!

 

 

Someone had written it a letter. I went close and tried to read what it said. All in Thai, so I think I might ask Ting (hat lady) to take a butchers (when she is not busy) for me; and report back.

 

 

A big project going on in Ban Dung at the mo'. They have started putting pipes in the ground along the main drag. I'll get some pic's of progress when I go to town today (Friday).

 

 

Don't know what these pipes are for. Mrs Owl says water; but I think cables. Internet cables? Four and a half G. Will watch with interest.

 

 

The nut cutters were at it again this week. Better harvest than last cut. About four tonne at a guess.

 

 

Steptoe watch out. Here comes Stepchai.

 

 

Nice little earner.

 

 

Mildred getting to grips with the branch saw.

 

 

Back at the village the young buffalo herder was at it again. Only thirteen. Don't go to school.

 

 

 

Home safe and sound.

 

 

Cheating a bit using a bike. Bet her mum walked!

 

 

Not the last day of the school-week today. No! Someone has come up with a six-day school-week. Not sorted out transport for Mildred yet. Might have to take her in the pick-up.

 

The guy next door (at the shop) has gone off to Khon Kaen with his wife. To sell food from his pick-up. Times are hard for these Isaan people. He started a rat business, and I think that is still on the go. Someone is looking after them for him. Probably his mum the shop lady, or his brother; Sang. I want to see the rats and take some pics.

 

England and Scotland play tonight. Scotland are not the force they once were. Back in the 1890s, everyone feared them. Including England. I don't think it's true that the Scots played in kilts back then. Rob Muir will put us straight on that for sure.

 

Wow; it's hot. A look at the thermometer; 39C.

 

The orange trilby outside the Natural Health shop has gone. Had a glance over yesterday while Mrs Owl was in the mini-mart. Probably wouldn't have fitted me anyhow.

 

Back in Mrs Owl's good books. She made me a nice cup of '3 in 1' coffee a short while back. And! I didn't even have to whistle. That's my system; whistle for coffee and  squeeze Mr Chicken for a cup of Rosy. She used to get the signals mixed up. In fact she got salt and sugar mixed up sometimes. Or forgot to use hot water. But she's improved recently.

 

Only one thing left to say; bye y'all.

Edited June 18, 2021 by owl sees all