Diary of a farang in Isaan

[Halfaboy]

Took this picture a few weeks ago. There is still work being done by humans (mostly older ladies)....

[Radar501]

4 minutes ago, Halfaboy said:

Took this picture a few weeks ago. There is still work being done by humans (mostly older ladies)....

Can't see much work being done in that pic.   Whips need to be cracked.

[zyphodb]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'm trying to reduce my electronic media not increase it. Call me old fashioned but I like reading books. 

I wish I had the will power to get rid of every digital thing I own, but the thing I learned very long ago is that they are addictive. They certainly don't make us happier.

 

BTW, how can you possibly read 3,000 books?

 

Can you get Danny and the Rattlesnakes on your machine? I've been trying to find that book for years with no luck. The internet is no help on it either.

The idea behind putting lots of books on is so you always have something to read weather you have internet access or not.

 In a country with a very limited supply of English books as a keen reader I find it far easier to get ebooks than print ones as well as being much more convienent when travelling. Reading print books is just as addictive, I've never heard of Danny and the rattlesnakes but will have a look for it...

[bluesofa]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'm trying to reduce my electronic media not increase it. Call me old fashioned but I like reading books. 

I wish I had the will power to get rid of every digital thing I own, but the thing I learned very long ago is that they are addictive. They certainly don't make us happier.

 

BTW, how can you possibly read 3,000 books?

 

Can you get Danny and the Rattlesnakes on your machine? I've been trying to find that book for years

with no luck. The internet is no help on it either.

I can only find a hard-cover version, no ebook:

https://www.amazon.com/Danny-Rattlesnakes-Yarns-Scouts-Cubs/dp/B00A4CBCUG

Published in 1930 - you're not regressing are you - ha ha?

 

[sunnyboy2018]

On 11/22/2019 at 12:21 AM, geronimo said:

Glad to see some of us old codgers are wired in! Like it or not, the future is digital!!

The past is digital.  Anolog was replaced years ago.  Cameras,  videos, TVs  computers, cars etc etc

[beautifulthailand99]

On 11/19/2019 at 12:21 PM, finnishmen said:

isaan have at foreign, <deleted> place live. i has living 4 year now and newer before no has eat thats same bad, all food have tottally big <deleted>, isan food not have thai food and normal. all have big <deleted> and human no can eat, only thai monkeys idiot eat eweryday <deleted> grass,<deleted> wery bad fish,all food could or raw,or half-raw, all food wery bad taste. normal thai food have 500 x better south than isan food have ewer. all peoples have idiots or little stupid, and IF borrow somethink newer not go back or go back broken. has destroy my hammer drill 2 pcs, now, hammer drill not have cheap 8000 B pcs and has borrow and destroy 2 pcs, and no tell me has broken, same many toold,ladders no newer go back to home if someone has borrow, expensives good guality ladders cost 5000 B but i no can use because have somewere at village. same many many tools and others parts, monkeys idiots no newer pay back or give me back my tools. i no borrow anythink now to monkeys idiots. womans not care husband, o matter what husband say wifes no hear husband newer, if need help somethink newer not help .

But apart from that everything's going fine I take it or is your glass just 1/2 full ?

[Sterling]

Owl, thanks for another good update. Question: Is playing cards technically illegal there? Every party I've ever been to with Thais usually ends up with some of them playing tonk (tong/tongits?) or something with a small pot of coins.

[owl sees all]

9 hours ago, Sterling said:

Owl, thanks for another good update. Question: Is playing cards technically illegal there? Every party I've ever been to with Thais usually ends up with some of them playing tonk (tong/tongits?) or something with a small pot of coins.

Thanks for that Streling

 

I don't know the answer to that one. In Thailand card-playing is synonymous with gambling it seems; at least from the authorities that is. Which is no surprise, as there could be money to be made, so it is very open-ended.

 

Gambling is not illegal in Thailand as the Lottery and horse race betting will confirm. Just certain variations of gambling are frowned upon.

 

There was a case some years ago in Thailand, where a 70 year old Dutch lady was arrested, and taken to court for playing bridge'. Don't know what happened to the other players; maybe she was the only one that didn't pay the on-the-spot fine, or had the audacity to ask for a 'fine' receipt.

 

In the village next to us, there was a game going and one of the players got a phone call. She had to leave immediately and return home. Ten minutes later they were raided by the police. All taken away in the wagon. The lady that had to return home was a police man's wife. Still talked about after 15 years or so.

 

As for the ladies in our village; there have been interesting development, very interesting. Have to wait for the next Owl Log for that though.

Edited November 24, 2019 by owl sees all

[Odysseus123]

On 11/22/2019 at 6:17 PM, owl sees all said:

 

Some pic's I took a few years back. I was going to enter this one into this year's pic' comp', but it's too old now.

 

 

And a different view of a bridge that many will know only too well. Thailand near; Laos far.

 

 

I think it was about where I was snapping, that Jeremy Wade got arrested by the Thai border police.

Ah yes..there is something about the lonely fisherman as a meme in our collective unconcious...

Isaan magic.

 

Edited November 24, 2019 by Odysseus123

[Assurancetourix]

On 11/22/2019 at 9:55 AM, Halfaboy said:

Also this one (in full operation) was without sign....

And barefoot as usual ( Safety First ) 

 

One or two years ago in the family of my son's wife

 

 

Edited November 24, 2019 by Assurancetourix

[Bournville]

On 11/18/2019 at 11:11 AM, gunderhill said:

I Like the sound of your Wife.

I agree. i saw her first!!

[Halfaboy]

[Alex2554]

[owl sees all]

Owl Log 25-11-2019

 

Can't find out what happened to two of the card-playing ladies. Not from our village so will find out later. The three from our village have been released. Two were not Thais; the SinL being Burmese and the other a Lao.

 

Too much bother for the lads to sort out. So just a 200 baht fine and a warning not to play cards again. The third, a much younger lady, and quite a looker evidently. Been in card trouble before but gets out the police nic quite easily. I couldn't possibly speculate why.

 

++++++++

 

A couple of Mildred's mates are moving to Khon Kaen on Tuesday, so we might not see them again. They had a good time in the pond on Sunday though, crabbing and generally splashing about.

 

 

Who is that sitting down watching the mekongs in the next pond?

 

 

 

Don't go near that tree children.

 

++++++++

 

Checked on my EM store. Haven't used any for a while but it looks great.

 

 

Just peel back the scum to reveal the lovely mix. Plants love it. Great aroma too.

 

 

++++++++

 

There is a rumour that an elephant show is doing the rounds; the first one for over 10 years.  Be nice for the children.

 

Edited November 25, 2019 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

Owl log 26-11-2019

 

A bit quiet on the Isaan front. A few little fires this morning first thing.

 

Mildred off to school OK. Wife has gone to a special Buddha with a dozen others. They have hired the local school bus, and were off as soon as it returned from the school run.

 

I've been to this particular Buddha place myself many moons ago. There is a stream that runs through their compound. Followers are invited to throw nails into the stream. The nails fall in certain ways and the thrower/chucker can interpret their positioning in the water. On her return she will have the winning numbers for the next lottery, and be telling me what she will do with the millions. I can guarantee the number to include a '1' or '4' or '7'. '11' is popular too, with this method.

 

++++++++

 

I've planted my two avocado trees. Just looking at the pic reminds me to get on with house maintenance.

 

 

++++++++

 

I'm trying something different with the mango seeds this season. Although i've had fair success in the past, the early stages are very slow.  They are being wrapped in paper, wetted, and hung in a plastic bag for early growth (i hope). I'm using a 7/11 'super green' plastic bag for environmental reasons.

 

 

 

++++++++

 

The postman just delivered a book I ordered from Amazon 12 days ago. 'The Trigger' by David Icke. Just had a quick look; nearly 900 pages. Bedtime reading! Give me something to do during those dodgy days.

 

++++++++

 

 

Off for a ride on my Carrera mountain bike later this morning. Not too far; about 20k metres.
 

Edited November 26, 2019 by owl sees all

[Toosetinmyways]

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Icke

[Nakmuay887]

Great read, I've been hooked start to finish. Really well written! 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log 28-11-2019

Yesterday (27th) was spent at Mildred's school. Parents, grandparents and friends were invited along to see how the students had progressed in the arts. And! Also to hear the school director speak about his projects and plans.

 

We were bang on time. Eight sharp. Tried to position myself where the speakers would not hurt my ears. Sat and watched as the equipment was tested; drop down screen OK, microphones OK, candles in place and the little flowers on the side tables for the expected dignitaries. Then it was all go at nine.

The Thai anthem struck up. We stood, as is the way. Being very tall, I had the advantage of seeing a few of the ladies still checking on the emails, or playing 'jumping bean', while the anthem was playing. Reminded me of a time in London - at a swimming gala - when some kids from East Ham were given a rollicking for dancing to 'God save the Queen' (English national anthem).

The English teachers spoke one at a time in English. I understood a little of it, and I wondered where Ozzie Shawn was. He was the only teacher last term who I could hold a conversation with. Then it was the school director's speech; in Thai. Time to grab a coffee from the table at the back. I knew I'd have about 45 minutes or so before he finished up. Thought I'd have a wander around and look at the new building. I was nicely surprised at progress and felt proud that my donation of two years ago was being well spent.

 

 

++++++++

At eleven it was the English students time to entertain us. Really good and heartwarming. Mildred was in the 30 strong choir that sang 'together we can make it' and about 10 other teams did their stuff. Nice. My favourite was the 'gummy bears' song and dance.

 

 

 

Then it was time for food. Milly's class had been promised pizza as reward for the show. So while she waits for the goodies to arrive, what's most important?

 

 

After a slice or two of somtan pizza, we were out of the school. But! Cannot escape that easily. No! We had to buy a green dress for the parade through town next week. So it's off to the special dress shop for a look round. 300 baht! Fortunately we already had a metal stick with a green top from way back; so a 200 baht saving there. The march through town officially opens the school sports day. All the schools do this marching it seems.

++++++++

 

Called into Big C on the way home. Cat food on a 'special' buy 2 get one free. Bought 18 cans. What a bargain! Pringles were back to normal price though.

 

Found a nice cycle for Mildred's new year pressie. Somehow I've got to get it home without her noticing. Will hide it at her Grandma's; just two doors away from us.

 

What to get the wife at that special time? I'd been thinking a new handbag, but she had a new one today at the school. Anyway, she has been giving the old ones away recently. Maybe gone off bags? It's a dilemma! What could you give a lady who has everything? Maybe top up her telephone with 500 baht. Gold even!!

 

Arrived home at four. Too late for farm visit.

And the day came to a gentle close. Time to get my new book out and delve into the dark secrets of 9/11.

++++++++

The water leak outside has got considerably worse (this morning). I think the village odd-job man and his Lao Khow drinking buddy, will sort it soon. Hope so. The leak is ruining our water pressure and the water heater will not always work.

 

++++++++

Waiting for one of the water pumps to be repaired; has a petrol leak somewhere. The repair shop is 8km away, and does a good job.

 

Planning to pump water from the deep well. As long as the water table keeps high we should be OK. At the mo' it's at 4.5 metres. If it drops to 6 metres the pump will not handle it.

 

I was thinking about a gentle 10k ride on the bike, but Mrs Owl has informed me that the pump is ready for collection.

 

Got to go. More to follow.

 

 

Edited November 28, 2019 by owl sees all

[Sterling]

Owl, nice update. What is your opinion of the schools in your area? Is that a public school your daughter is attending?

Also, I dont think you can go wrong with giving gold as a gift. The only question is how many baht.

[owl sees all]

7 hours ago, Sterling said:

Owl, nice update. What is your opinion of the schools in your area? Is that a public school your daughter is attending?

Also, I dont think you can go wrong with giving gold as a gift. The only question is how many baht.

Thanks for that Sterling.

The schools in our immediate area are all standard state schools, and are not as good as perhaps they should be. Strange goings on in some. Mrs Owl's daughter was 13 when I first arrived in the village, and I had naively expected something different to what was on offer. They do seem to have improved slightly in my time here.

Milly goes to a school about 17km away. It is a school within a school. The English section is for the payers (300 at 12k a year) and the main school has 900 students. There is a new block being built that will be ready next year (I'm informed), and in the meantime some students are being housed in a run-down wooden block in the next school along.

 

She is doing OK. Her talent is drawing. A bit like the Japanese stuff but simpler. Her other subjects are probably 12 months behind an English school, although her maths are strong, especially on mental arithmetic. She could comfortably multiply any two, two digit numbers in her head (my regular input). Finding binary stuff difficult though.

Ah, yes gold!! I quite like the idea of holding gold. Those little blocks are so cute! IMO it is only a matter of time before the fiat money system collapses. I think China is buying up gold like there is no tomorrow. According to Max kaiser she has well over 20k tonnes. When they feel they have enough they will launch a crypto backed by gold. Bye, bye dollar, pound, euro and the rest. Suddenly the mighty US, and indeed the western world, will be mighty no more. Countries will trade more openly and settle in the gold-backed crypto.

But back to Mrs Owl. I'll give the gold a miss this time; she has plenty already. Just tell her I love her, give her a peck on the cheek and announce that I've put 100 baht into her phone as her New Year pressie, and there is a little something under her pillow!

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/24/2019 at 2:14 AM, bluesofa said:

I can only find a hard-cover version, no ebook:

https://www.amazon.com/Danny-Rattlesnakes-Yarns-Scouts-Cubs/dp/B00A4CBCUG

Published in 1930 - you're not regressing are you - ha ha?

 

Currently unavailable. 

Thanks for that.

It was a favourite book when I was a nipper in scouts.

 

I like those old books. I managed to find a lot of the Sanders of the River books that I loved as a boy in second hand book stores. Completely NOT PC and if any luvvie found out I read them I'd be hung from a yardarm and whipped. A real ripping yarns for boys type of book never to be seen again. I've also got a load of Biggles books that I have yet to read, but loved them as well.

I was lucky that my mother didn't throw all my childhood books out when I left home. 

 

I'll keep looking for Danny in op shops as they get dead people's stuff.

[thaibeachlovers]

5 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Ah, yes gold!! I quite like the idea of holding gold. Those little blocks are so cute! IMO it is only a matter of time before the fiat money system collapses. I think China is buying up gold like there is no tomorrow. According to Max kaiser she has well over 20k tonnes. When they feel they have enough they will launch a crypto backed by gold. Bye, bye dollar, pound, euro and the rest. Suddenly the mighty US, and indeed the western world, will be mighty no more. Countries will trade more openly and settle in the gold-backed crypto.

Ever since ?Nixon removed the gold backing of money it's all been a con game for the rich to get richer and the rest of us get screwed.

Even so, I think NZ will be OK as we can grow our own food, make most of what we need ourselves. Only the rich and lazy will really suffer. The rich because they'll be poor like the rest of us and the lazy because it'll be an end to the welfare state for bludgers.

With any luck it'll be the end of Auckland ( only Aucklanders like that <deleted> hole ).

[thaibeachlovers]

5 hours ago, owl sees all said:

The schools in our immediate area are all standard state schools, and are not as good as perhaps they should be. Strange goings on in some. Mrs Owl's daughter was 13 when I first arrived in the village, and I had naively expected something different to what was on offer. They do seem to have improved slightly in my time here.

Due to an inability to move the cursdor about the page, I am unable to correct mistakes, or separate words. Please bear with me despite the errors. I have posted about this on the forum support sub forum

 

 

 

I wouldn't stress too much about school. I left schoolwith basically no qualifications and still had a reasonable life.

Everything Iknow I learned after I left school. 

Aslong as she gets the necessary bits of paper to be able to advance, she can learn whatever shge needs later.

[owl sees all]

51 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Due to an inability to move the cursdor about the page, I am unable to correct mistakes, or separate words. Please bear with me despite the errors. I have posted about this on the forum support sub forum

 

 

 

I wouldn't stress too much about school. I left schoolwith basically no qualifications and still had a reasonable life.

Everything Iknow I learned after I left school. 

Aslong as she gets the necessary bits of paper to be able to advance, she can learn whatever shge needs later.

Regarding the daughter-in-law; it was the school attitude to the students, rather than the actual teaching. A couple of instances spring to mind, but there were many.

 

We were at the farm one morning at 11-00, and a lady rode by on her m/c to say that 'Nan' was not at school. The wife went back to the village, and sure enough, her daughter was there. It turned out that she had been sent home to have a haircut. i went up the school and spoke to the one person that could speak English. It turned out that the whole class (43 of them) has been dismissed for the day at 10 in the morning. The lady teacher had also left the school.

When she was 16 or so, we went to the school to ask if Nan could go on a m/c. (She had been nagging about it to her mum). We saw the head teacher and he informed us that the daughter had not been to school for weeks. (No wonder she wanted to go by m/c). I asked to see the register, to check attendance, I was told they did not keep formal records. Each teacher took a mental note.

That first 5/6 years at the village were full of frustrations. All concerned, Mrs Owl, Nan, myself and the school, could have, and should have done better. (The topic 'Poisonous B in L' showed that i was not alone; frustration quite common in Isaan.)

I want Mildred to be able to compete in whatever field she journeys to. Along the way she has simply to enjoy life. 

[Odysseus123]

Brilliant stuff..the real deal.

[Bredbury Blue]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Due to an inability to move the cursdor about the page, I am unable to correct mistakes, or separate words.

Actuallyithinkweshouldallwritelikethaisdoitmakessenseanditcansavepaper

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, Bredbury Blue said:

Actuallyithinkweshouldallwritelikethaisdoitmakessenseanditcansavepaper

Get back to the footy threads BB. Arsenal have just sacked their manager.

[soi3eddie]

Owl, really enjoying your diary. It sounds like you have really become like a local in your time in Esaan. I have just spent the last two weeks on the Buriram/Surin border in the middle of rice and sugar cane fields. Harvest time has been busy here but quieter now. Loving the peace of it all but family are a bit too close and I don't understand the Surin/Khmer language they use amongst themselves. This region is really laid back and I hope to explore more. Please keep up with your diary as it's always nice to hear how others are doing. 

[FarangULong]

On 11/21/2019 at 6:15 AM, Isaanbiker said:

If you're bored, it's your own problem.

Do something that you like to do and the boredom goes away. 

 

    

That's a very nice moped!!

 

Quote

I would die from boredom.  (by Xoros)

They say the only people who are bored, are those lacking imagination... and are quite the bore themselves.

[metempsychotic]

On 11/19/2019 at 12:34 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

'cause more girls from Issan are hooking in Pattaya than any other province?

Issan isn't a province.