Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

25 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Blimey, a tough week Owl !!

Finding out stuff like this after many years of marriage is devastating ( been there with an ex wife myself ).

Wish you all the best in your decision in which way to go with this news.

 

On the good side, Mildred continues to impress with her artistic talent, hopefully she can take this further. My 15 year old step son has started computer graphics at a community college after failing to pass the entrance exam for a local school.

His attempts at freehand drawing are woefully pitiful compared to Mildred.

Wonderful encouragement Andy. Thank you.

 

As far as the loans go! Getting the truth is like trying to extract blood from a stone. It is only when she gets found out (factually cornered), that a drop more is revealed. I'm thinking that I have to ensure my own - and Mildred's - destiny. Just can't leave it to anyone else. Call me stupid. Call me naive. But that's life. Have to cut my cloth. Have to rethink what is left of it.

 

I went back to England in 2015. Before I went - for the previous two years or so - I was getting Mildred to draw. I put some of her very imaginative work on the wall. She would have been just 6/7 then. I could see a little something back then. Unfortunately all the work from way back then was binned while I was away.

 

Give your step lad every encouragement Andy. Get him a web-site and put it up there. Not expensive; about 60 squids a year. I would help him get started with the HTML coding.

 

 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

His attempts at freehand drawing are woefully pitiful compared to Mildred.

TBH Andy. You either have a knack for it or ya don't. I certainly don't. I had a bit of a talent for engineering and technical drawing. But art?! No way.

 

This drawing was almost doodolin while she was chatting to her friend on the telephone.

 

 

Just a coupe of minutes scribbling!!

[Andrew Dwyer]

15 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

TBH Andy. You either have a knack for it or ya don't. I certainly don't. I had a bit of a talent for engineering and technical drawing. But art?! No way.

 

This drawing was almost doodolin while she was chatting to her friend on the telephone.

 

 

Just a coupe of minutes scribbling!!

Yes, I agree, my son in law doesn’t have it either, sort of a last resort type deal. Failed to get into school, a family member suggested we enroll him at this vocational ( not community as I said before) college.

At the interview the teacher said “ let me guess this is your last resort ? “
 

I would like him to pursue a career in something that he likes ……….. are there jobs available for eating and sleeping enthusiasts ?

 

[Wobblybob]

7 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

are there jobs available for eating and sleeping enthusiasts ?

Policeman?

[owl sees all]

11 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I would like him to pursue a career in something that he likes ……….. are there jobs available for eating and sleeping enthusiasts ?

So he hasn't discovered Thai girls yet then Andy.

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

15 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

So he hasn't discovered Thai girls yet then Andy.

 

Well it’s looking like girls might not be top of his “ desired sexual partner “ list but i think it’s too early to say for certain.

Certainly very immature and might not have made a decision either way yet .

[owl sees all]

4 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Well it’s looking like girls might not be top of his “ desired sexual partner “ list but i think it’s too early to say for certain.

Certainly very immature and might not have made a decision either way yet .

Years ago when I first arrived in the village, Nan (Mrs Owl's daughter) had a good friend named Nun. She was a bit on the plump side. I can't recall the origins of the conversation, but it got jokingly round to sexual preferences. Nan said; 'Nun not care girl or boy, just cares food."

[sotonowl]

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Owl Log - 25-06-2023 - Sunday afternoon

 

Very lightweight Owl Log this week. Last went to Ban Dung on Monday gone. Not been to the farm for 5/6 days. TBH I haven't got any enthusiasm for any of it; with a few exceptions. Mildred, the cats and dogs.

 

In Bang Dung, in a soi leading to the daily market, I parked up and waited for The Mrs and Mildred to return from their shopping. Mildred had a small problem at school with her ID card. We had to go to the Government office for her to get a new one. That done we went to the market.

 

What caught my eye was a young lady on a tri leccy bike. She was obviously helping out with the moving of market goodies. Lifted my heart to see.

 

 

And she was off with the cucumbers and chilies.

 

 

On the way back from the farm in the week. I couldn't resist stopping and taking a couple of pics of the beautiful countryside at sun-down.

 

 

And from the other side of the road. Little did I khow what was waiting for me.

 

 

At the village Sang has removed his little Buddha house thingy.

 

 

It is no more. Asked him what happened. Did he drive into it and cause damage? He mumbled something in sort of Englishee that couldn't understand so I left it there.

 

Probably gonna replace little Buddha with a 10 metre high owl hide.

 

 

The Mrs and me had a tiff. She casually told me that she had borrowed 100,000 baht off the big mango lady and needed my help to pay the interest. We had a nut cut last week end with different people. They pay any dosh due straight into ya bank. My bank. Not a great cut; just over 4k baht. So as we normally do, I sent her 50%. She complained that she needed more to cover her outgoings. But things seemed fishy to me. The big mango lady was just 40 metres away, and these sorts of loans are normally cash. So my questioning of the situation led to a row. A little row.

 

The dust settled and I sorted out some of Mildred's paintings.

 

Put a board up and stuck on 6. Also three on the window wall. That I don't now like and will take them down as soon as I get more board.

 

 

Fist job in, doing it this way is to cut plastic sheet out the same size as the painting. Then cover the face in industrial 'cling-film'. Put taunt and sick the film on the back with 'selo-tape'. That done, it is then a job of setting the pic into position using 'double-sided' tape.

 

The idea is that no sticky or tape actually touches the paintings.

 

View from my spot.

 

 

Absolutely beautiful. I especially like 'Greeny' (bottom right).

 

 

Was that an attempt at a selfie? Artist's licence!

9 on the wall. 70 to go.

 

I stood on the settee to do the biz. Put my foot through the corner section.

 

 

Another job to sort out. But it's the corner section so 'Heath Robinson' is called for.

 

The bank account that I sent the 2k to came up as a Thai name. I asked the Mrs about it. It turned out that it was her maiden name of 30+ years ago. And she had both an 'App' on her phone and a debit card. This was all new to me. Getting truth here is like getting Champagne out of a brown ale bottle.

 

I was not best pleased. Now we had a debt of 100k baht at 5% interest that I didn't know about, and the new bank account. I'd only - in March - finished up paying for the pick-up loan for over 100k..

 

I pressed further. Turned out that two of the farms were in hock. Her gold was in hock. And Nan hadn't sent any dosh for a year. Nan!!!!! The wayward daughter. I am informed that Mrs Owl got this money to give to her for various reasons. One was that she could win big money on 'Internet Casino'. Strange that she should lose money playing on internet games. Everyone else wins!!?? A medium size row ensued.

 

So in what was a traumatic week; I was not feeling too good. Spent Thursday and Friday basically feeling sorry for myself, with regular trips to the loo, and I still didn't have the full story. But then!! The truth???

 

The Mrs has borrowed over 600k baht in the last two years. I had already sorted 106k baht. So only 500k - plus interest - to go. A monumental row.

 

Farm for sale. Must go quick (hot sale). Going cheap.

 

Right at the present I seem to be in a numb, can't be bothered mode. Trying to look at it all in a realistic way. My aim is to get Mildred as much as I can. See how I feel later in the week.

 

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

 

ps. Mrs Owl's birthday yesterday. Mildred had picked out a very nice hand bag the week before last. We went 50/50. After my prompting. Mildred handed it to her mum at 7 last night.

 

Been in touch with Key for my PP renewal. Details next week.

 

Crikey Owl, good luck with all that. Whatever you do, think it all through, come to a decision, plan well and execute the plan. Not easy with little un I know.

[Mutt Daeng]

Sorry to hear about your financial woes OWL. It's just as well that you seem to be a resilient chap, and as such I'm sure you will come up with a solution and soldier on. Best of luck mate.

[DJ54]

Big Owl hope you got a bit of rain last couple days… rained all last night 

here in NE Isaan….heading to Udon Thani sometime this week for visa extension… have a good week

[Andrew Dwyer]

Indeed, Owl appears to be an easy going sort of guy who puts up with a lot, a bit like myself ( i lived a marriage of convenience for 10 years before pulling the plug but no kids involved so an easier decision )

Difficult to judge the situation, only Owl knows which way to go, but i would say Mrs Owl has been living this lie for many years already and it has certainly got away from her. What would clinch it for me would be any signs of remorse.

Owl is definitely between a rock and a hard place and not jeopardising his relationship with Mildred must surely be on the top of his list.

[owl sees all]

10 hours ago, Mutt Daeng said:

Sorry to hear about your financial woes OWL. It's just as well that you seem to be a resilient chap, and as such I'm sure you will come up with a solution and soldier on. Best of luck mate.

The Mrs has come up with a solution. Hock the big farm to the bank. Get 500k. Pay off the debts, and next year, when we do the first euca tree cut, we can pay off a good part of the new debt.

 

 

[owl sees all]

8 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Indeed, Owl appears to be an easy going sort of guy who puts up with a lot, a bit like myself ( i lived a marriage of convenience for 10 years before pulling the plug but no kids involved so an easier decision )

Difficult to judge the situation, only Owl knows which way to go, but i would say Mrs Owl has been living this lie for many years already and it has certainly got away from her. What would clinch it for me would be any signs of remorse.

Owl is definitely between a rock and a hard place and not jeopardising his relationship with Mildred must surely be on the top of his list.

Well Andy! We all think these catastrophes happen to other, careless and naive farangs here. Stupid even.

 

But perhaps you are right about being easy-going. Never a one to buy anything for myself. Maybe a hammer or  a saw. More recently I bought a new pair of sandals, cause Robert chewed up my old ones. Now I regret that as they are not very comfortable. Waste of 50 baht really.

 

What makes it worse - well not really - is that life was comfortable. Always a bit of dosh left over every month for something or other.

 

Remorse!!!!!!!?????? Not yet! Perhaps soon!

 

[owl sees all]

9 hours ago, DJ54 said:

Big Owl hope you got a bit of rain last couple days… rained all last night 

here in NE Isaan….heading to Udon Thani sometime this week for visa extension… have a good week

Plenty of rain. But not so hard. I'll take  as much as the rain-goddess up there can offer.

[HighPriority]

Pretty gutted reading your tale Owl… I can’t really think of much more to add.

I know I’d be devistated.

At least you have a good relationship with Mildred, keep her first and foremost. 

[owl sees all]

16 hours ago, sotonowl said:

Crikey Owl, good luck with all that. Whatever you do, think it all through, come to a decision, plan well and execute the plan. Not easy with little un I know.

Mildred knows all about it.

But that's not something I want her to carry about with her. Mum and dad have to sort it.

Don't know how at the mo though. At the back - at the front - of my mind is getting Mildred's name on the deeds to the two big farms. They , I'm informed, have not been hocked. Yet!!

 

[owl sees all]

2 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Pretty gutted reading your tale Owl… I can’t really think of much more to add.

I know I’d be devistated.

At least you have a good relationship with Mildred, keep her first and foremost. 

Thanks HP. Kind words. Thanks.

 

I'll look after her.

[HighPriority]

1 minute ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks HP. Kind words. Thanks.

 

I'll look after her.

Indeed, but in a way she’ll also be looking after you… a rock to cling to, a focus to guide your decisions…

[farmerjo]

Keep your chin up Owl.

Doesn't matter how long you have been here there are situations that make us feel isolated at times.

Luckily i enjoy my own company in those times????

I'm sure you will engineer the problem out.

After 18 years of trying to teach budgets(mrs still won't put pen to paper) i thought i was there,mrs always comes in a month short but i give the yearly budget upfront.

This year i decided to give an extra months worth to remove the shortfall.

Low and behold her daughter wanted a new motorbike so mum loaned her the money,now she is in a panic to get it all paid back by the end of the year so the bills can be paid.

At the end of the day it's damage control.????

 

 

 

  

 

 

[chickenslegs]

2 hours ago, owl sees all said:

The Mrs has come up with a solution. Hock the big farm to the bank. Get 500k. Pay off the debts, and next year, when we do the first euca tree cut, we can pay off a good part of the new debt.

 

 

That could work, if ...

You are sure there is no more debt being hidden from you. Loan shark interest can quickly multiply if a few payments are missed.

 

You are sure that Mrs Owl can resist visiting the Mango Lady when a new sob story comes from her family (gambling debts, car about to be repossessed, etc.),

 

Make sure that the bank loan conditions include an option to pay off (entirely or lump sum) early or you could be charged whole interest for the agreed period of the loan.

 

I hope everything works out well for you all.

 

 

 

 

[owl sees all]

5 minutes ago, farmerjo said:

Keep your chin up Owl.

Doesn't matter how long you have been here there are situations that make us feel isolated at times.

Luckily i enjoy my own company in those times????

I'm sure you will engineer the problem out.

After 18 years of trying to teach budgets(mrs still won't put pen to paper) i thought i was there,mrs always comes in a month short but i give the yearly budget upfront.

This year i decided to give an extra months worth to remove the shortfall.

Low and behold her daughter wanted a new motorbike so mum loaned her the money,now she is in a panic to get it all paid back by the end of the year so the bills can be paid.

At the end of the day it's damage control.????

 

 

 

  

 

 

Damage Control. That just about sums up what I'm thinking.

 

Often read posts on AN about the daft farang, that had his brains in his pants and got ripped off. You think; 'serves him right for being so stupid.'

 

After nearly 15 years of sometimes volatile marriage; could I be excused for being stupid and not seeing the tell-tale signs? TBH, there were not many. The odd letter soon disappeared; that I was told was sent to next door, and we got it by mistake. A few thousand baht in her hand-bag one day; and skint the next.

 

I'm still in shock TBH. Although it's a decent lump of money, the 'trust' part hurts far more. Can't ever be the same after this.

 

Must ensure Mildred gets her dues. Or as much as possible. I'll work quietly on that.

 

 

 

 

[sotonowl]

@owl sees all Saw these online Owl and thought of Mildreds displays. Way too expensive mind but a good idea none the less. Shouldn't take you too long to knock 10 or 12 of these up.

https://doxla.co/product/children-art-projects-kids-art-frames/?twclid=2-5j2assco668bg59mc5p6dposd

[Lacessit]

On 6/14/2023 at 12:04 AM, owl sees all said:

OMO! Reminds me of years long gone. Is it still about?

Surf and Tide too.

Don't recall FAB though.

Surf and OMO were identical, they just went into different packaging. The same applied to Rinso and Persil.

The reason was a sales ploy called brand saturation.

Rinso and Persil were soap-based, Surf and OMO were sulphonate-based.

IIRC, at one stage OMO was doped with detergent particles stained with methylene blue, which the marketing gurus called blue beads of bleach. A total lie.

Always amusing to hear about housewives arguing the toss which brand was better, when the formula was the same.

The aforesaid were all Unilever products, I think FAB and tide were Colgate. It's now 60 years since I worked for Unilever, as a trainee chemist.

 

Sorry to hear about your financial travails, Owl. I guess trust has been damaged by the revelations.

 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

All the best. Hard when your wife holds the cards in a sense and appears to be so recklessly indifferent to the consequences for those around her. Once trust is gone I think it never fully comes back. Nothing you could have done by the sound of it. I hope you find a way to extricate you and yours from this situation. 

[owl sees all]

4 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Surf and OMO were identical, they just went into different packaging. The same applied to Rinso and Persil.

The reason was a sales ploy called brand saturation.

Rinso and Persil were soap-based, Surf and OMO were sulphonate-based.

IIRC, at one stage OMO was doped with detergent particles stained with methylene blue, which the marketing gurus called blue beads of bleach. A total lie.

Always amusing to hear about housewives arguing the toss which brand was better, when the formula was the same.

The aforesaid were all Unilever products, I think FAB and tide were Colgate. It's now 60 years since I worked for Unilever, as a trainee chemist.

 

Sorry to hear about your financial travails, Owl. I guess trust has been damaged by the re velations.

 

Back in the day, in England. The first adds on TV, that I remember, were housewifee stuff. Washing powder, soaps and toiletries.

 

Think that's where ''soap-opera'' came from.

[owl sees all]

5 hours ago, sotonowl said:

@owl sees all Saw these online Owl and thought of Mildreds displays. Way too expensive mind but a good idea none the less. Shouldn't take you too long to knock 10 or 12 of these up.

https://doxla.co/product/children-art-projects-kids-art-frames/?twclid=2-5j2assco668bg59mc5p6dposd

Interesting.

 

Don't want to make any dosh out of Mildred's art. Just want her to gradually hone her skills. Could help her immensely in the not too distant future.

 

If there was an 'art school' anywhere near, I'd try to get her in there. It would have to be a daily trip as being without Mildred at home would be unacceptable. But not so. And now, with the big money revelations, I'm sure my wishes would be squashed out of spite to me.

 

 

 

[sotonowl]

11 hours ago, owl sees all said:

And now, with the big money revelations, I'm sure my wishes would be squashed out of spite to me.

I'm sure everyone who reads your diary feels for you mate. I certainly do. Keep your chin up as best you can.

[jts-khorat]

On 6/26/2023 at 4:00 PM, chickenslegs said:

That could work, if ...

You are sure there is no more debt being hidden from you. Loan shark interest can quickly multiply if a few payments are missed.

Indeed, from what was written, this did not happen overnight, so I would distrust "quick and easy" fixes. From the amount mentioned, this is already well down the slippery slope right before the black chasm, so whatever happens now needs to be carefully planned (and understood by her!!), or this will be throwing the last of the good money after the bad and only hasten the demise.

 

But I am sure, with proper care, planning and sweat, there is a good way out.

 

I am sure, Owl, you know all this, even though things might look grim for the moment. Keep us posted, we wish you luck!

[owl sees all]

Owl Log 02-07-2023 - Sunday afternoon

 

Such a big deal over a red stick. On Wednesday Mildred had to do a walk with most of the school (it turned out) with the red stick. So on Tuesday evening she told me not to forget to take the stick the next morning. Not my stick, and she knows that if she ells me, everything will be fine. The next morning I walked her to the bus as usual. Red stick in hand. The driver said to but the stick in the back with some others.

 

About 11ish the call came in. "Daddy get red stick from the back of bus and bring to the school gate at one o'clock." So off we went. Got to Ban Dung bus park and our bus had gone back to the village. Where we had just came from. I had said to Mrs Owl to call the driver; but she don't want to listen or talk these days. So off I went to the shop to get another red stick.

 

Just about got to the rear gate for meet-up time.

 

 

Mildred arrived and presented me with a little gift.

 

 

How lovely! That will be useful.

 

Friend joined her. Without her stick!

 

 

I have since been informed that the proper name for the stick; is 'walking sick'. Learn something new every day in LOS.

 

And the gift. Sits proudly in Mildred's art corner. Just waiting for those pens and pencils.

Old 'Pringle' tube put to good use.

 

 

After meeting Mildred at the school, spent to next hour getting my passport stuff together.

Went to the local photo-shop, got me pics taken, and processed. Also downloaded the ''''OS Form 010''''. Got two copies just in case. Bought a black-ink pen specially for the filling-in.

 

Then it was time for Mildred to be picked up at 15-30. Parked up at the terminus and waited for her.

 

 

Fantastic euca trees giving shade to some of the buses.

 

When the kids come out of school they are hungry, thirsty, and just can't wait to spend what's left of their daily allowance dosh on drinks and grub.

 

 

Plenty of choice for them.

 

Then it was off the the vegetable market soi.

 

Parked up in my usual spot. And told Mildred to pay the 10 baht toll on her way out.

 

 

For the eagle eyed out there. You will notice Mildred's different clobber to earlier.

 

 

Popped into Big C to pay the leccy bill. Bought her a nice T-shirt on the way out. The Mrs and Mildred were waiting in the pick-up for me. So no dilly-dally.

 

What did I see as I drove out of Big C? Just the most fantastic sky. Now Mrs Owl don't like me taking pics; especially of clouds or trees or old cars; or anything really.

 

 

Returning from the farm at dusk, there are often some nice skies to be seen.

 

 

On the way to the farm in the week, I stopped to pick up a plastic bag that had blown into the side. Good job I did, cause I saw something special.

 

 

I was in that part of the farm a week ago. Those termites - or whatever they are - work so quick. I know the Ozzies eat them though.

 

 

As far as I know, we have four trees breaking the 50cm mark. Me and Milly checking on growth.

 

 

Pulled the bark off to get an accurate measurement.

 

 

And another.

 

 

The eucas have been in the ground three years.

 

Those lights outside were giving problems again. The right one went out a few days ago, and the other on Friday evening. So a little job for me on Saturday morning.

 

 

Must get some braces.

 

 

A bit of mastic. A plastic bag, and a couple of cable ties. All sorted. The other side just needed the bulb replacing. Fortunately I'd bought a few at the 20 baht shop a while back.

 

 

What with the lights. The dogs. And the movement detectors at the back. Don't expect robbers any time soon. Except those from within that is. Don't know how we managed before.

 

As soon as I take the pick-up outside, Robert is in there.

 

 

Oscar is not keen on either the inside or in the back.

 

Mildred wanted them to go in the pick-up, but the Mrs said to let them follow the bikes. I agreed with Mrs Owl; but didn't say anything. A bit of a stand-off ensued. Anyway; the Mrs got her way and the dogs followed the Mrs and Mildred didn't go.

 

There are eight ponds at the farm. Plenty of water for a bit of lap-swimming. But no!

 

 

I showed Mildred the pics when we got back. Not best pleased was she. '''Why you let them go into my little pond?'''

 

Robert and Oscar had a run about with the dogs from the other farm - after an initial bit of growling - and then it was time to go back.

 

 

Grass needs cutting.

 

I think it was Tuesday, when Mildred last fed the fish. Usually me.

 

 

That Oscar is a strange one. Built him a nice house but he prefers to sit behind it. Ever watching to see who he can bark at as they pass by minding their own business.

 

 

Came over really dark at about12ish. Thought we were in for a drop. Skies have darkened even more and some thunder has arrived. But so far just noise and now the wind's got up. Rain!!! Where are you? Last month was nothing special. Hope the next three months improve.

 

That lovely dog 'Coffee' has gone. Evidently he hurt a chicken. Me and Mildred are sad.

 

Gonna fill the PP form in on Monday and get it sent off to 'Key Services' early this week. What an absolute pain. It was so,,,,, so easy last time. Must stop moaning about it. Only once in ten years.

 

Me and the Mrs not talking much. I'll respond if she says anything to me. Still not gave her any dosh to cover the debt payments. That in effect are my payments. Been working on a plan to get Mildred's name on the farm deeds. We have four, and two are in hock. Get the PP stuff sent off and take stock. Still in shock to be honest. But have to face it soon.

 

Fist time for a couple of years I actually took an interest in the cricket. Second test is at Lords (Nth/west London). Going on at the mo. Last day today. Lived just up the road from the ground in Cricklewood many moons ago, and had a shop in Wembley. The Ozzies look to be firm favourites to take this one, as they did in Leeds. Swimming starts later this month, and the Tennis at Wimbledon too. But my enthusiasm for it all has, if not waned, then certainly diminiished. Or should that be the other way round. Footy next month. Hope I've stopped feeling sorry for myself by then.

 

Still doing coding for the web-sites. But still no interest from the Sth Korean animation team that were so interested pre-covid. Think they might have disbanded.

 

Started a programme called "Toilet Yoga". I'm full of hope that it will help many farang here in Thailand. Anywhere in the world really. Will open a new thread on AN, and explain all. Ditched the urine stuff, after Amandha Volmer didn't reply to my email. Keeping up with my diet and a bit of fasting though.

 

Daily food intake.

 

Morning - two cups of tea with a few ounces of cheese.

Mid-morning -  three boiled eggs or a fish.

Lunch - dates or/and figs.

Rest of day - dried cranberries.

Evening (before 7) apple or mango. or cabbage.

 

Along with lots of water and reishi wine.

.

Rain has started. Full of hope for mankind. Leccy just gone off. Humanity is doomed.

 

Worth reminding ourselves, that although the early bird catches the worm, it's the second mouse that gets the cheese, and gets to bury 'speedy'.. Except if they are in New Zealand. Where they are all doomed. Along with humanity.

 

Leccy back on after the storm. There is some hope after all.

 

Only one thing left to say; love ya all, and take care out there

.

 

[DJ54]

Good on you Big Owl sounds like you were very busy this week…got rain here today… actually a bit daily the last week…. Everything is turning green again…