hi .looking to make new friends in hat yai or surrounding areas when i move there next year, james

Time to get out the map, James.

Time to get out the map, James.

I may need a map sometime in the 'cool' season too, but just for passing through.

"Scuse my ignorance of the south. I haven't been down there for several years. Certainly not since 'the troubles' sprang up.

How much at risk are we white faced, big-nosed 'farangs' amid all the problems there?

If I were to collect a car from a chum in Malaysia to drive it across the border and up to northern Thailand, would I be a target? The car (a 20 year old Bentley) is quite distinctive too.

I am not too 'windy', and drove all through Ireland during the troubles of the 70's. But there I understood the lingo (mostly!) and developed a 'feel' for areas not to go.

This is a serious question from a long term northern Thai expat, so I'd appreciate serious advice if you can spare a moment.....

Time to get out the map, James.

I may need a map sometime in the 'cool' season too, but just for passing through.

"Scuse my ignorance of the south. I haven't been down there for several years. Certainly not since 'the troubles' sprang up.

How much at risk are we white faced, big-nosed 'farangs' amid all the problems there?

If I were to collect a car from a chum in Malaysia to drive it across the border and up to northern Thailand, would I be a target? The car (a 20 year old Bentley) is quite distinctive too.

I am not too 'windy', and drove all through Ireland during the troubles of the 70's. But there I understood the lingo (mostly!) and developed a 'feel' for areas not to go.

This is a serious question from a long term northern Thai expat, so I'd appreciate serious advice if you can spare a moment.....

Providing you have all the paperwork for the car correct for the Sadao border crossing then you will have no problems. I say this as a 25 year Songkhla guy who has taken both Thai cars into Malaysia and Malay cars into Thailand. The troubles you speak of are far removed from the North/South highway.

Time to get out the map, James.

thats where i put it. now its all ove the place .looks like there are no western guys living around hat yai . thanks . james

Time to get out the map, James.

I may need a map sometime in the 'cool' season too, but just for passing through.

"Scuse my ignorance of the south. I haven't been down there for several years. Certainly not since 'the troubles' sprang up.

How much at risk are we white faced, big-nosed 'farangs' amid all the problems there?

If I were to collect a car from a chum in Malaysia to drive it across the border and up to northern Thailand, would I be a target? The car (a 20 year old Bentley) is quite distinctive too.

I am not too 'windy', and drove all through Ireland during the troubles of the 70's. But there I understood the lingo (mostly!) and developed a 'feel' for areas not to go.

This is a serious question from a long term northern Thai expat, so I'd appreciate serious advice if you can spare a moment.....

hi .you will not have a problem . with driving up from the border .its not bandit country [ ie northern ireland ] good luck . james

Time to get out the map, James.

I may need a map sometime in the 'cool' season too, but just for passing through.

"Scuse my ignorance of the south. I haven't been down there for several years. Certainly not since 'the troubles' sprang up.

How much at risk are we white faced, big-nosed 'farangs' amid all the problems there?

If I were to collect a car from a chum in Malaysia to drive it across the border and up to northern Thailand, would I be a target? The car (a 20 year old Bentley) is quite distinctive too.

I am not too 'windy', and drove all through Ireland during the troubles of the 70's. But there I understood the lingo (mostly!) and developed a 'feel' for areas not to go.

This is a serious question from a long term northern Thai expat, so I'd appreciate serious advice if you can spare a moment.....

hi .you will not have a problem . with driving up from the border .its not bandit country [ ie northern ireland ] good luck . james

Many thanks for this - and the other re-assuring reply!

JAMES - Why not reconsider and move to Chiang Rai. Very friendly crowd of ex-pats here.

By the way: I'm about to pay a visit to HadYai. Anybody recommend a good reasonable place to stay near the centre, and where do expats hang out in the evening? Can PM me.

JAMES - Why not reconsider and move to Chiang Rai. Very friendly crowd of ex-pats here.

By the way: I'm about to pay a visit to HadYai. Anybody recommend a good reasonable place to stay near the centre, and where do expats hang out in the evening? Can PM me.

thanks for the advice about chaing rai . but i am building a house as we speak . also got a few irons in the fire here. i hear the down under bar is pretty good . james

frankly, I guess you are extremely overworried, unles you in fact post to get some help before without telling. Why worry about allthis now-think Thai, byu the day. Incidentally I passed Hyai as traveller 2-3 days ago (since years and years ago) and even without any guide I simple walked along the centre and found 3-4 abundantly western-style looking places with the uaual assortment of beer-clinching farang in. many more whiteys as I expected. Near HYai is Songkhla-a much more quiet and sedate town with a giant uni and there must be the odd westerner working-at least as teacher or so. In the guesthse they even had some HYai expat monthly stencilled mag-with meetings etc.

Gd luck to you James cos i seldom see westerners hanging out together unless they came in a group. Western bars are found mainly in Songkhla as they cater to the expats working for chevron, halliburton and the likes. If you really want, there are a few western guys in Hatyai and you will bound to run into them at immigration.