Diary of a farang in Isaan

[owl sees all]

4 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

During Thaksin's time, eucalyptus was being pushed as the best thing since sliced bread.

Lots of farmers planted them as due to the lack of rain at that time, the ground was very dry.

Eucalyptus trees put their roots deeper and suck up the water from deeper in the ground.

 

It sounded great and initially it was. The downside was because the eucalyptus drew up water from deeper down, then there was just about no water left at all.

That meant that no other crops could be planted afterwards. I seem to remember that a figure of seven years was quoted as the time needed for the ground to recover after growing eucalyptus.

 

Disclaimer: Apart from quoting the above from memory, plus I know nothing (Mr Fawlty) about farming. So fire away if I'm wrong.

I think that's about a decent assessment.

 

Eucas are making a comeback. I've no intention of pulling them up. Unless of course, something better comes along. I just can't put in those eight hour shifts on the farm any more, so eucas suit me fine. And, importantly they are at least ten metres away for any pond. Wouldn't want my kois to think bad of me.

 

[owl sees all]

Just now, owl sees all said:

I think that's about a decent assessment.

 

Eucas are making a comeback. I've no intention of pulling them up. Unless of course, something better comes along. I just can't put in those eight hour shifts on the farm any more, so eucas suit me fine. And, also, they are at least ten metres away for any pond. Wouldn't want my kois to think bad of me.

 

 

[don43451]

Thank you Owl (and all the other posters).

 

I just found your thread about 3 weeks ago and finally read all the posts.  Very interesting.  I really enjoy your writing style and sense of humor.

 

Just as an introduction, I'm retired US Army but not SF.  And yes, the US military retirement is pretty generous - unless your ex-wife is getting half of it.

 

I'm looking forward to the next 145 pages of posts.

 

[owl sees all]

29 minutes ago, don43451 said:

Thank you Owl (and all the other posters).

 

I just found your thread about 3 weeks ago and finally read all the posts.  Very interesting.  I really enjoy your writing style and sense of humor.

 

Just as an introduction, I'm retired US Army but not SF.  And yes, the US military retirement is pretty generous - unless your ex-wife is getting half of it.

 

I'm looking forward to the next 145 pages of posts.

 

Welcome to our humble thread.

 

Shame you were not special forces, but not to worry.

 

Just half. Mine took all.

 

I've had a couple of holidays, but still going strong.

[Golden Triangle]

I know nothing about farming, so it's interesting for me to read everyone's input re different farming types & methods, trees, rice, cassava, sugar etc, my outlaws used to do quite well growing Lamyai & Longon (spl) plus a few other bits & pieces, however severe storms in the past couple of years have caused some severe damage to their large mature bountiful trees.

 

To that end they have decided to diversify into Durian trees, they had about 150 one metre tall plants already planted, I bought another 50 for them and thinking of buying some more for them, I don't know how long they will to wait for any fruit to appear & as her mum n dad are older than me by some margin I really hope they get to see the fruits of their labours. ???????? 

[owl sees all]

58 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

I know nothing about farming, so it's interesting for me to read everyone's input re different farming types & methods, trees, rice, cassava, sugar etc, my outlaws used to do quite well growing Lamyai & Longon (spl) plus a few other bits & pieces, however severe storms in the past couple of years have caused some severe damage to their large mature bountiful trees.

 

To that end they have decided to diversify into Durian trees, they had about 150 one metre tall plants already planted, I bought another 50 for them and thinking of buying some more for them, I don't know how long they will to wait for any fruit to appear & as her mum n dad are older than me by some margin I really hope they get to see the fruits of their labours. ???????? 

You don't say what area the farming is done GT.

 

From my experience; durians do not do well in upper Isaan. Mrs Owl has tried on several occasions to get one to grow, and a lady near us planted 100 a couple of years back, only to uproot them in August this year.

 

Lack of water is the big enemy here. Think it was three years ago when it didn't rain from Nov' 4th until mid April.

 

Your area could well be different. Please take some pics and share.

Edited October 31, 2020 by owl sees all

[Golden Triangle]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

You don't say what area the farming is done GT.

 

From my experience; durians do not do well in upper Isaan. Mrs Owl has tried on several occasions to get one to grow, and a lady near us planted 100 a couple of years back, only to uproot them in August this year.

 

Lack of water is the big enemy here. Think it was three years ago when it didn't rain from Nov' 4th until mid April.

 

Your area could well be different. Please take some pics and share.

Sorry Owl, I should have been a bit clearer, the family farm is in Chantaburi, about 60 kms out of the city, out past Soi Dao for those that might know the area, a lot of Longon and Lamyai orchards out there, also a massive amount of Chinese investment in storage, packing & shipping infrastructure, and since the Chinese interest in Durian from Thailand has rocketed the price has gone through the roof.

 

They have reinstalled all the irrigation systems and have their own pond for additional water storage which is now over flowing ???? Unfortunately I have no pics at the moment but we are due to visit again soon when I will buy them some more saplings and will remember to take some pics ????????

[Golden Triangle]

Got the family to send some pictures of their new Durian plants, I have a feeling it's gonna be a while before they start earning their keep if you get my drift ????

 

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed that they turn out to be healthy croppers, any advice welcome, thanks.

[GarryP]

GT, I see they have beaten the Thai government to getting a submarine too.

[owl sees all]

3 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Got the family to send some pictures of their new Durian plants, I have a feeling it's gonna be a while before they start earning their keep if you get my drift ????

 

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed that they turn out to be healthy croppers, any advice welcome, thanks.

They do look healthy GT.

 

I'm sure you'll be feasting on durian very soon.

 

 

[Leaver]

6 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Got the family to send some pictures of their new Durian plants, I have a feeling it's gonna be a while before they start earning their keep if you get my drift ????

 

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed that they turn out to be healthy croppers, any advice welcome, thanks.

Good photos.  Thanks.

 

That's one angry looking durian farmer.  ????

[Golden Triangle]

7 hours ago, GarryP said:

GT, I see they have beaten the Thai government to getting a submarine too.

That thing has been there for the last 9 years that I know of ???? That pond is pretty deep. Maybe about 

10 metres, there is no way I could get to the waters edge in previous years, now it would be a doddle ????

[Golden Triangle]

5 hours ago, owl sees all said:

They do look healthy GT.

 

I'm sure you'll be feasting on durian very soon.

 

 

The smell of the fruit makes me feel ill ???????? ????

[sotonowl]

6 hours ago, Leaver said:

That's one angry looking durian farmer

I was thinking the same, looks like he's lost a tanner.

[owl sees all]

7 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

The smell of the fruit makes me feel ill ????????????

You are not the only one GT. The smell is nearly trumped by the taste.

 

Durian smells like petrol to me. Second to durian, in the bad smell list, is Noni; just as bad. It's not named 'stink fruit' for nothing.

 

Third is that femented fish and crab, that is poured over the papaya salad; after straining off the maggots and other undesirables. Toxic waste as we call it up here.

 

Strangely; I quite like the smell of EM. Mrs Owl can't stand it.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 04-11-2020 - Wednesday morning

 

See below. What's occurring?

 

Edited November 4, 2020 by owl sees all

[bannork]

The rice combine harvester costs 650 baht a rai if the rice is flattened. 600 if upright. Some folks don't like the combine, picks up too many small stones, but hiring folks to harvest costs 350 baht a day per head plus lunch and booze and energy drinks.

[Nignoy]

On 11/19/2019 at 2:21 PM, Saltire said:

Very interesting post thank you.

 

I know nothing about Issan other than what I read in TV which I am guessing many posts can be somewhat distorted from reality. Why does Issan (and Issan girls) get mentioned more than most other provinces? Purely as many more expats have settled there? Genuine questions, just curious.

 

If I was to go have a look around Issan just for a break, where would you recommend? Somewhere with good food and decent hotels.

 

Also your decription of village life mirrors mine in Kanchanaburi apart from the fact that we are clearing our land as opposed to growing stuff. My wife and I fortunately share a dislike of farming and growing stuff. We are very rural and it seems life in rural Thailand does not really vary too much accross the coutry? Not sure if people would agree.

 

100% agree life in rural Thailand is certainly a daily magical mystery tour. Long may it continue.

 

OP keep them coming, it's a nice change from the cynical crusty posters.

I think that the farangs love with Isaan started in the early 60,s,when there were british troops,australian ,kiwi and eventually the yanks, thats when things started going to <deleted>, the brits out of neccessaty built a fishing camp at what is now pattaya ,they also opened barbo,s the first bar and brothel, the yanks were moving in to the naval base  at the time, so the rot was setting in,the first girls in pattaya were from Amnat Chareon and Mukdaharn, between 63 and 68 many soldiers married isaan ladies,must of the later larger US bases had built their own type of married quarters for imported isaan lady and Katoi companions for their troops,Ubon and Korat had 100,s of houses and 1000,s of mixed race fatherless kids in the early 70,s,many of the british soldiers married isaan ladies , and like myself  have been regular visitors ever since, anyone  in Bahn  Kok Samrahn area, raise a glass on sunday the 29 of november,in rememberance of Sapper James Box ,killed on this day in 1965  ,55 years ago, lest we forget

 

 

 

 

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, bannork said:

The rice combine harvester costs 650 baht a rai if the rice is flattened. 600 if upright. Some folks don't like the combine, picks up too many small stones, but hiring folks to harvest costs 350 baht a day per head plus lunch and booze and energy drinks.

I've never seen a harvester around our parts.

 

You are probably right about the harvester being better value for money. It must be faster too. There is sometimes a narrow window for harvest, so having to wait for the ladies, who are busy with other farms, is not good.

 

We are gonna keep the water in the paddy until the last days before cutting. Any thoughts on this bannork?

Edited November 4, 2020 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 06-11-2929 - Friday evening.

 

Just came home from Mildred's school. She is off until the first of December. I've already  arranged with her to do one or two hours of home teach on the week days. Gonna concentrate on English and Maths. Finish off with a game or two of chess.

 

Said that she did well on her end-of-year tests. I'm impressed with her drawing skills. She is much better than me, although my best work was in drawing offices. Thinking of getting her a guitar. Be looking about for something. Hope some TV  music-head can point me in the right direction.

 

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Found a beautiful tree a couple of days ago in an area that I don't often go to.

 

 

Must get out and about more.

 

 

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Took a pic of the sub-station while the security guards were not looking at VoA.

 

 

There are 24 masts at the site.

 

 

Can't get them all in a pic together. I might put on a bullet-proof vest, and sneak in there one day. Have a mooch around. Take some pic's for the thread.

 

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"What's the matter with you, little cry-baby?"

 

 

"Grandma not let me go see cows."

 

 

 

No idea who they belong to. Less than 50 metres from our house.

 

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Went over to see if the exercise equipment was still there. I've not given up hope of getting a couple of items.

 

 

They have been moved from the front of the fire station. I'll try again to speak to the right person.

 

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At the back of the fire station they have a pond, where I reckon they practice their water rescues.

 

 

What a mess?!

 

 

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"Get your snacks here everyone."

 

 

"Fancy a slush puppy Mil?"

 

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The flat roof house at the edge of the village is nearly completed.

 

 

When the painting, and landscaping, are completed. it will look fantastic.

 

 

Wonderful contrast between the two brother's houses.

 

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Busy today sharpening two hoes, and preparing things for the w/e's fishing.

 

 

Two new nets. One is Mildred's. It will be used to catch shrimps, snails and crabs in the margins.

 

 

I had to drill the bamboo to make the centers slightly bigger, to get the net wires in.

 

 

Also finished quite a few floats.

 

 

The chop-sticks fitted exactly into this particular drinking straw.

 

 

I'll not have to seal them as they will swell just a little. and hold in there really tight.

 

 

It's all about catching the fish now. New, smaller hooks, a lighter line and some gold swivels. Catch report in next Owl Log.

 

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I'm going to concentrate on square (two dimensional) measurements in Mildred's daily Math's lessons. Particularly looking at how to measure odd shaped bits of land. Had two people come to me this week wanting to know how many rai certain areas were. One for tractor work and the other for sugar cutting; although that works on tonnage. The sugar lady is cutting in the farm next to us. Don't look a bad harvest to me. But prices are very low.

 

 

I actually observed one of those mini-whirlwinds that so devastate the rice fields. I was driving to Ban Dung on the 2022 and saw the rice being flattered. Just a little dust was being thrown up. Could easily have missed it. Not moving fast and not so strong. Stopped as soon as I could, but couldn't get it on camera, Snapped the effects just after.

 

 

Take care out there.

 

Bye y'all.

 

After me saying how well the wires were stashed away. They fell down again.

 

Edited November 6, 2020 by owl sees all

[FarFlungFalang]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Did Mr Slush Puppy pick up the plastic chair from in front of the exercise equipment?

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Do they allow pornhub screenshots on this forum?

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

I'm going to concentrate on square (two dimensional) measurements in Mildred's daily Math's lessons. Particularly looking at how to measure odd shaped bits of land. Had two people come to me this week wanting to know how many rai certain areas were. One for tractor work and the other for sugar cutting; although that works on tonnage. The sugar lady is cutting in the farm next to us. Don't look a bad harvest to me. But prices are very low.

I spent about 30 years both assisting and performing surveys on odd shaped bits of land.I took this photo of Jezza setting up the GPS Base station one morning at Cape Lambert in the Pilbara WA.

[don43451]

From FarFlungFarlang:  "Do they allow pornhub screenshots on this forum?"

 

My thoughts exactly!  ????

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, don43451 said:

From FarFlungFarlang:  "Do they allow pornhub screenshots on this forum?"

 

My thoughts exactly!  ????

Just holding a float between my knees to show the chop stick in the straw. Didn't think anything of it at the time. Now I can see that it looks like; a float between my knees.

 

Some vivid imaginations out there.

[HighPriority]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Just holding a float between my knees to show the chop stick in the straw. Didn't think anything of it at the time. Now I can see that it looks like; a float between my knees.

 

Some vivid imaginations out there.

That’s all some of us have... ????

[FarFlungFalang]

23 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Just holding a float between my knees to show the chop stick in the straw. Didn't think anything of it at the time. Now I can see that it looks like; a float between my knees.

 

Some vivid imaginations out there.

More like disgustingly dirty perverted one tracked imaginations.I always used to see faces in the coastal rock cliffs where I lived as well as the usual shapes in clouds and just about anywhere else.In the above photo I don't see clouds in the sunrise sky,instead I see islands with beaches in the sea.

[owl sees all]

25 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

More like disgustingly dirty perverted one tracked imaginations.I always used to see faces in the coastal rock cliffs where I lived as well as the usual shapes in clouds and just about anywhere else.In the above photo I don't see clouds in the sunrise sky,instead I see islands with beaches in the sea.

Ah, yes, clouds. They have no hang-ups. They will impersonate anything; albeit for a fleeting moment.

 

Can you see the ghost in this pic FFF?

 

 

We are always being watched.

 

 

 

[FarFlungFalang]

22 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Ah, yes, clouds. They have no hang-ups. They will impersonate anything; albeit for a fleeting moment.

 

Can you see the ghost in this pic FFF?

 

 

We are always being watched.

 

 

 

Not until you circled it but I've definitely seen that ghost in a Casper cartoon!Well spotted!

[bluesofa]

4 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Not until you circled it but I've definitely seen that ghost in a Casper cartoon!Well spotted!

A well spotted ghost. Is that similar to the lesser-spotted ghost?

[owl sees all]

5 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

A well spotted ghost. Is that similar to the lesser-spotted ghost?

Reminds me of that hilarious Spike Milligan joke.

 

'Leopards are easily spotted.'

 

What happened to all that sophisticated humour?

[bluesofa]

7 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Reminds me of that hilarious Spike Milligan joke.

 

'Leopards are easily spotted.'

 

What happened to all that sophisticated humour?

'Leopards are easily spotted.'   Only as long as you have the appropriate colour paint.