Nakhon Sawan News

[fredob43]

The corn that you eat, nib-lets or corn on the cob, is usually sweet corn, not field corn and is harvested and processed when it is fresh, not dry. Field corn has many uses. I'm lazy so I'll quote Wikipedia, referred to as maize:

"Maize is a major source of starch. Cornstarch (maize flour) is a major ingredient in home cooking and in many industrialized food products. Maize is also a major source of cooking oil (corn oil) and of maize gluten. Maize starch can be hydrolyzed and enzymatic-ally treated to produce syrups, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener; and also fermented and distilled to produce grain alcohol. Grain alcohol from maize is traditionally the source of Bourbon whiskey. Maize is sometimes used as the starch source for beer. Within the United States, the usage of maize for human consumption constitutes about 1/40th of the amount grown in the country. In the United States and Canada, maize is mostly grown to feed for livestock, as forage, silage (made by fermentation of chopped green cornstalks), or grain. Maize meal is also a significant ingredient of some commercial animal food products, such as dog food"

It is dry when it is harvested and not edible although if you pick it before it drys it can and is eaten the same as sweet corn.

The beast picks the corn, removes the husks, removes the kernels from the cob and stores it in a hopper in the combine. It is then unloaded from the hopper,by and auger in the long arm. into trucks and taken to the mill for processing. The corn needs to be dry, less than 30% moisture content, for the beast to process it and to keep it from molding after harvest.

It's hard to believe that you don't know this, you must have been living a very sheltered life.

Although the harvest this year is 35-40% down from last year, the price is up. This year we are getting about 750 kilos per Rai, last year it was well over 1000 kilos per Rai. However, this year the price is 9000 baht /ton, last year it was only around 7000 baht/ton, so the ROI will be down a little but will be very close to last year do to the price increase.

Hope that this helps and I won't be hit by the "work permit Brigade" for teaching without a permit or a license! I can see the headlines now:

"Farang deported and blacklisted for teaching another Farang all about corn harvesting!"

Thanks for that. What you have to realise that we don't not that I know of anyway grow Maze in England I'm sure someone will enlighten me on that, we grow sweet corn and that's what I thought your were growing so wondered why the beast was stripping all the heads. I did see via your snaps the beast putting the nib-lets 'thanks for the spelling' into the lorry's so I got that bit.

I also come from London "England" and there is a slight shortage of farms about in the middle Soho. But the pub's do sell Bourbon I'm a Brandy man myself so also lack on info there.

Oil wise we do grow a lot of rape and process oil from the seed the stems go for silage but that's all I know.

Us upper crusts don't mix with farmers we only ride over their land whilst hunting. Dave might mix with them he seems the sort. I can see it now they will be talking about wheat and he'll be boring them to death on the Noodles bit.

Anyway will look up maze on the comp: and see what that brings once again that's for taking the time to educate me. You should be ok teaching visa wise fingers crossed anyway.

H/M.

Fred.

[fredob43]

The corn that you eat, nib-lets or corn on the cob, is usually sweet corn, not field corn and is harvested and processed when it is fresh, not dry. Field corn has many uses. I'm lazy so I'll quote Wikipedia, referred to as maize:

"Maize is a major source of starch. Cornstarch (maize flour) is a major ingredient in home cooking and in many industrialized food products. Maize is also a major source of cooking oil (corn oil) and of maize gluten. Maize starch can be hydrolyzed and enzymatic-ally treated to produce syrups, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener; and also fermented and distilled to produce grain alcohol. Grain alcohol from maize is traditionally the source of Bourbon whiskey. Maize is sometimes used as the starch source for beer. Within the United States, the usage of maize for human consumption constitutes about 1/40th of the amount grown in the country. In the United States and Canada, maize is mostly grown to feed for livestock, as forage, silage (made by fermentation of chopped green cornstalks), or grain. Maize meal is also a significant ingredient of some commercial animal food products, such as dog food"

It is dry when it is harvested and not edible although if you pick it before it drys it can and is eaten the same as sweet corn.

The beast picks the corn, removes the husks, removes the kernels from the cob and stores it in a hopper in the combine. It is then unloaded from the hopper,by and auger in the long arm. into trucks and taken to the mill for processing. The corn needs to be dry, less than 30% moisture content, for the beast to process it and to keep it from molding after harvest.

It's hard to believe that you don't know this, you must have been living a very sheltered life.

Although the harvest this year is 35-40% down from last year, the price is up. This year we are getting about 750 kilos per Rai, last year it was well over 1000 kilos per Rai. However, this year the price is 9000 baht /ton, last year it was only around 7000 baht/ton, so the ROI will be down a little but will be very close to last year do to the price increase.

Hope that this helps and I won't be hit by the "work permit Brigade" for teaching without a permit or a license! I can see the headlines now:

"Farang deported and blacklisted for teaching another Farang all about corn harvesting!"

Thanks for that. What you have to realise that we don't not that I know of anyway grow Maze in England I'm sure someone will enlighten me on that, we grow sweet corn and that's what I thought your were growing so wondered why the beast was stripping all the heads. I did see via your snaps the beast putting the nib-lets 'thanks for the spelling' into the lorry's so I got that bit.

I also come from London "England" and there is a slight shortage of farms about in the middle Soho. But the pub's do sell Bourbon I'm a Brandy man myself so also lack on info there.

Oil wise we do grow a lot of rape and process oil from the seed the stems go for silage but that's all I know.

Us upper crusts don't mix with farmers we only ride over their land whilst hunting. Dave might mix with them he seems the sort. I can see it now they will be talking about wheat and he'll be boring them to death on the Noodles bit.

Anyway will look up maze on the comp: and see what that brings once again that's for taking the time to educate me. You should be ok teaching visa wise fingers crossed anyway.

H/M.

Fred.

Seems that we do grow maze in Blighty but it's not one of our big crops due to our weather. The Wikipedia site had loads of interesting things about Maze bugger me you can do almost anything with it very versatile stuff Maze. The booze was the best bit a real eye opener.

I got that info as you suggested on Google, took some time as my first try came up with mazes like the one at Hampton Court not quite what I required nice pictures though.

Have also learnt lot's of other stuff I didn't know like Eggs and Milk also come from farms and not from the supermarkets who would have thought that.

Bloody handy this computer lark what. Just made a note to H/M I must get out more.

H/M.

Fred.

[wayned]

You do grow maize in GB but it's mostly harvested in a different way. The entire stalks , shucks, cobs and corn are picked and ground and used as forage. You won't find many of the type of corn heads that pick and shuck the individual ears like we do here and the US.

[fredob43]

You do grow maize in GB but it's mostly harvested in a different way. The entire stalks , shucks, cobs and corn are picked and ground and used as forage. You won't find many of the type of corn heads that pick and shuck the individual ears like we do here and the US.

Having poked around re corn oil for cooking in UK seems we sell very little as it's thought rightly or wrongly that it imparts a fatty taste that us Brits are not used to.

The biggest selling oil by far is vegetable oil mostly Rape Seed 'tasteless' (we grow bundles of that as can be seen by the hundreds of thousand's of fields full of yellow flowers in early summer) not forgetting it's the cheapest, its also used as a colour color AM enhancer for butter substitute's margarine and the like. Followed by sunflower oil.

Cattle feed seems to be the biggest use of corn/maze as you state.

Corn on the cob 'sweet corn' us Brits don't eat to much of either nothing like you colonist do, I'm sure that I have never been offered it in any English restaurant as a vegetable or part of a dish. Saying that maybe in a Chinese one with their chicken and sweet corn soup.

I think that's an American invention like chop suey anyway. You Colonist have a lot to answer for food wise, syrup (tree sap) on bacon I ask you. Now there's a thought I wonder if David put's syrup on his N/S Noodles???

Your up early again all go for you famers what.

H/M.

Fred.

Edited August 19, 2014 by fredob43

[wayned]

I don't ever remember putting syrup on bacon on purpose. It really does sound disgusting. Maybe on pancakes but I'm not into them much either other than Swedish style with lingonberries but you can't get the berries here. I'm up everyday before 4am but early to bed. Most of the US sports are on in the middle of the night. College football season starts on the 31st with professional on the 5th of September. With all of the commercials anymore it is a good sleeping aide!

[davyboy]

Hi guys,

Can anyone confirm that NS Immigration still issues 'Certificates of Residence' or not, and if they do will they do them in English?

Thanks in anticipation!

Edited August 19, 2014 by davyboy

[wayned]

The last one that I got, for my driver's license was almost 5 years ago.

It was in Thai, not English. Although they are supposed to be free, it cost me 500 baht, no receipt! I'm interested also as my DL expires in December and I'll need another.

[wayned]

I was curious so I called NS Immigration, 056111518 They still do Residence Certificates if you are on and extension of stay. Even though they should be free,the cost is still 500 baht. Two pictures are required and they are written in Thai . They are only valid for 30 days. The "big Boss" must sign the certificate so you must either luck out and get there when he is there or pick it up later. If you need one in English I guess that you have to get it from your Embassy at a significant cost increase, I think that the US Embassy charges1600 baht. I also asked if you could get one with a tourist visa and she said "no can do"!

[fredob43]

I was curious so I called NS Immigration, 056111518 They still do Residence Certificates if you are on and extension of stay. Even though they should be free,the cost is still 500 baht. Two pictures are required and they are written in Thai . They are only valid for 30 days. The "big Boss" must sign the certificate so you must either luck out and get there when he is there or pick it up later. If you need one in English I guess that you have to get it from your Embassy at a significant cost increase, I think that the US Embassy charges1600 baht. I also asked if you could get one with a tourist visa and she said "no can do"!

I now have the yellow book that state's all that in Thai and English. But when I did my last one prior to that I had to go to my local Amper it was free but I did have an O visa.

I did once have a tourist visa and got one then from the Amper with aid of the village headman signing a paper to confirm address. Pop into the Amper with the good lady and see what they say maybe a few bt might help does at our one.

The English bit I can't help with but you can always get an officially stamped translation. They last longer if not from the embassy about 300bt if I remember right.

Edited August 19, 2014 by fredob43

[fredob43]

I don't ever remember putting syrup on bacon on purpose. It really does sound disgusting. Maybe on pancakes but I'm not into them much either other than Swedish style with lingonberries but you can't get the berries here. I'm up everyday before 4am but early to bed. Most of the US sports are on in the middle of the night. College football season starts on the 31st with professional on the 5th of September. With all of the commercials anymore it is a good sleeping aide!

I only get my info from the TV there's a program called Diners Drive inn's and Dives. The chap that presents it goes round places sampling their wares. The other night he was in a pancake place and their best seller was a plate of bacon topped with two pancakes with loads of syrup over the top you could even have fried eggs with it. Sounds Delish.

Monday night there was LFL the ladies AM football thingy. I have to say has got to be one up on Collage football.

H/M.

Fred.

[wayned]

Wow, 0340! You're either up early testing what it's like to be a farmer or you forgot to go to bed.

As far as the yellow book, I tried that a couple of years ago and it was a nightmare. I went to the Amphur first to see exactly what I needed. The only thing was a translation of the bio page in my passport and a copy of my DL, no problem. I immediately gave them my DL and the clerk started ranting because my DL still had my address in Samui on it and that I had to already have a yellow book in Samui. I tried to explain that I got it with a residence certificate from NS immigration but they didn't put the new address on it. That went on deaf ears. But I got the translation and went back. Now the young guy in charge, with the old biddy ranting in the background, pulled out an application that had been done for a German and showed me that the translation had to be certified by the MFA and also I had to have a certified copy of my passport. I made a trip to Bangkok and did all of that and went back with the village chief. This time he pulled out an application made by an American and showed me the translation which was done by a different company and different format. Then the clerk got involved and said that all of my certified, red and green MFA stamps all over the things, documentation was fake. The village chief pulled me aside and told me that the clerk was the aunt of the head guy and I should come back after she retired in a couple of months because the head guy would never go against her, "face". I got all of the documents and never went back.

I've never had the need for it since.

[davyboy]

Thanks for your answers guys, I will try NS Imm and get it translated into English. (for passport renewal)

Again much appreciated!

[wayned]

I'm curious! What country are you from that requires a Thai residence Certificate for reneal of you passport?

[davyboy]

I'm curious! What country are you from that requires a Thai residence Certificate for reneal of you passport?

England, you need proof of address to renew a UK passport under their new system.

Last time I renewed one it was done at the British Embassy in Bangkok but now all change!

[wayned]

I'm curious! What country are you from that requires a Thai residence Certificate for reneal of you passport?

England, you need proof of address to renew a UK passport under their new system.

Last time I renewed one it was done at the British Embassy in Bangkok but now all change!

Not surprised after reading all of the posts here regarding the UK passport renewal system and the amount of time that you are without valid travel documents and having to have an Englishman sign the back of your picture verifying that your are English. Who verifies that he/she is English. Sounds like something that Thai MFA would dream up! Sorry, not blasting Englishmen, only their wonderful system!

I understand that you could also pay the British Embassy to issue you a residence certificate that they require for passport renewal. Sounds like "double dipping" to me!

Edited August 20, 2014 by wayned

[davyboy]

I'm curious! What country are you from that requires a Thai residence Certificate for reneal of you passport?

England, you need proof of address to renew a UK passport under their new system.

Last time I renewed one it was done at the British Embassy in Bangkok but now all change!

Not surprised after reading all of the posts here regarding the UK passport renewal system and the amount of time that you are without valid travel documents and having to have an Englishman sign the back of your picture verifying that your are English. Who verifies that he/she is English. Sounds like something that Thai MFA would dream up! Sorry, not blasting Englishmen, only their wonderful system!

I understand that you could also pay the British Embassy to issue you a residence certificate that they require for passport renewal. Sounds like "double dipping" to me!

Yes, a wonderful system (not) mate and I understand that the RC from the Brit Emb costs much much more!!!

[fredob43]

Wow, 0340! You're either up early testing what it's like to be a farmer or you forgot to go to bed.

As far as the yellow book, I tried that a couple of years ago and it was a nightmare. I went to the Amphur first to see exactly what I needed. The only thing was a translation of the bio page in my passport and a copy of my DL, no problem. I immediately gave them my DL and the clerk started ranting because my DL still had my address in Samui on it and that I had to already have a yellow book in Samui. I tried to explain that I got it with a residence certificate from NS immigration but they didn't put the new address on it. That went on deaf ears. But I got the translation and went back. Now the young guy in charge, with the old biddy ranting in the background, pulled out an application that had been done for a German and showed me that the translation had to be certified by the MFA and also I had to have a certified copy of my passport. I made a trip to Bangkok and did all of that and went back with the village chief. This time he pulled out an application made by an American and showed me the translation which was done by a different company and different format. Then the clerk got involved and said that all of my certified, red and green MFA stamps all over the things, documentation was fake. The village chief pulled me aside and told me that the clerk was the aunt of the head guy and I should come back after she retired in a couple of months because the head guy would never go against her, "face". I got all of the documents and never went back.

I've never had the need for it since.

I did try your idea of going to bed early did it work yes great except I awoke at 3am. Rubbish on my CTH so decided to tap out some bit's as well as belated emails.

Right yellow book Mrs H/M & I had been living together for bundles of years when all this nonsense over getting a multi 0 started I could get one before on having a Thai Child but they said that later might not be enough.

I suggested we get get married to make it easy, reply the norm up to you. The usual paperwork sorted and into the Amper we go really to find out if all the paperwork was ok, as my Thai is not to great legal wise I let her get on with it.

All I did was sign some papers and then buggered orf to the local OTOP market telling Mrs H/M to give me a call when she had finished sorting things out.

The call came and back I go spotting Mrs H/M waving her new ID how did you get that??? reply well now we now married I can get one. Great wedding I wasn't even there. Oh it was free.

Right back to the yellow book thank Buddha I hear you cry, well she took me back to the desk and said that they wanted me to sign a paper and do a new copy of Passport for the Yellow book duly signed was told to come back the next day to pick it up, Midday went in and there it was, also free but I did give the chap who did it a tip 200bt if I remember right. I have a friend who's been married for years also lived in Sumui 6 years ago moved not far from me but a different Amper he cant get a yellow book no matter what, they keep telling him he has to go to BKK utter rubbish I/he think's it's because they don't know how to do it.

Looks like some Ampers are great some rubbish.

H/M.

Fred.

[billd766]

I got my yellow book a few years ago from the amphur in Klong Nam Lai and whilst yes it was free the guy at the amphur was dicking me around and wanted a brown envelope I think. I wasn't going to give him one and in the end after a few visits where 'er indoors was trying to sink into the floor he eventually produced it and said he wanted the original paperwork from the embassy and the MFA.

I pointed out to him that he only got a copy of my passport and if he wanted the originals of all my documents it would cost him how much it cost me which for 2 or 3 visits to BKK and the embassy, MFA fees plus the translations would cost him 10,000 baht and if he wouldn't pay he could stich his yellow book where the sun doesn't shine. 'er indoors was trying to become invisible when the guiy picked up the phone and talked to somebody, probably his boss and told him what I said after which I got my yellow book with no problems AND I kept all the originals.

My wife wouldn't go near the place with me for a couple of years.

[nong38]

All this talk of Yellow books, well I have 2!!! Really, they printed out for the wrong address and rather than having to cancel it and lose face, printed me out another. Thats the way to do it. Life is good here in N/S even if a trifle wet tonight. I just been in hospital for the cataract operation here in town, I thought of you Fred, there was a fridge in the room, empty of course. How are things up in Fridgland?

Went past the bridge the other day and not sure if they are putting in flood defences by the side of the bridge or stancheons for another lane over, I dont suppose they have decided either yet.

[fredob43]

All this talk of Yellow books, well I have 2!!! Really, they printed out for the wrong address and rather than having to cancel it and lose face, printed me out another. Thats the way to do it. Life is good here in N/S even if a trifle wet tonight. I just been in hospital for the cataract operation here in town, I thought of you Fred, there was a fridge in the room, empty of course. How are things up in Fridgland?

Went past the bridge the other day and not sure if they are putting in flood defences by the side of the bridge or stancheons for another lane over, I dont suppose they have decided either yet.

Sorry to hear that you had to have an opp Dave hope all went well.

The fridge with a glass front is still plodding on but still hums a bit due the smelly Cheese I got down south could last several day's even more with a bit of luck as I'm eking it out. We on the other hand have not had any rain for a couple of days. Although it did get rather dark this afternoon.

Take care the last thing we want now is to have our N/S noodle gourmet not being able to report on his findings.

H/M.

Fred.

[nong38]

The bridge to Bangkok, which has been closed for some time, had one lane open this evening as the cranes were working in the other lane, the old central bridge still open for traffic, this is better news but I dont think they have finished doing what they are doing.

[fredob43]

The bridge to Bangkok, which has been closed for some time, had one lane open this evening as the cranes were working in the other lane, the old central bridge still open for traffic, this is better news but I dont think they have finished doing what they are doing.

H/M has just seen on TV Pattaya section about a place just south of Pattaya it's called Mimosa. I have been passed it several times and always wondered what it was all about as it is well lit up night time.

Turns out it's a group of shops that also has a load of ladymen miming to tunes whilst putting on a so called show, so far so good but wait for it they only charge 600bt for Aliens 180 for Thais to go in.

Who I would like to ask pays 600bt just to walk round shops to spend monies, looks like lots do.

It was then I thought of N/S I don't know why but I did anyway, the upshot is that it could be a nice little earner for you peeps that have to abide there. I can see David and all the clan sitting outside Big C selling tickets to watch the traffic negotiate the half open bridge.

May I suggest that 600bt might be a trite on the high side but I'm sure that 50bt half price for Thais wouldn't be over the top. Then for and extra 20bt David could supply a map of all the noodle stalls.

With a bit of luck after a few years you might all be able to move to a nicer less traffic orientated place in Thailand.

No need to thank me just yet but 10% of your takings wouldn't go amiss.

H/M.

Fred.

Edited August 27, 2014 by fredob43

[wayned]

You really are pushing it! Slandering and defaming the place and you want a cut on the take!

[fredob43]

You really are pushing it! Slandering and defaming the place and you want a cut on the take!

Sorry about that but as H/M came up with the idea in the first place I think I'm entitled to a rake off.

There might be more cash in the offing if one of you dressed up in a frock 'Dress' and did a bit of entertaining there could be even more monies rushing in to the kitty.

Tip.

Better leave Dave out of that bit I've seen his legs.

H/M.

Fred.

[Chilon]

Arrived back in KPP Province as of yesterday after a day in BKK. Picked up the rental car ( a well used Hertz Fortuner with 113,000km on the clock) from Don Muang. The Hertz woman was very competent and helpful.

We were pulled over by the BIB just past the first toll plaza on the motorway. the BIB in question very politely cautioned me to observe the speed limit and take care. This seemed to be a campaign to pull over various cars in the outside lane and caution them. Didn't need to see my drivers license or anything further.

There seemed to be marginally less maniacal drivers on the road, a number of cars using indicators and no near death experiences so maybe the message is getting through and there could be hope( at least for the moment).

We had lunch at a fish restaurant on the left about 37km before Nakkers, my companions had what appeared to be raw prawns and squid in glass noodles, I stuck with fried fish. Nice clean place and prices not unreasonable. There were no ill affects from either meal.

The Nakkers bypass overpass is still in progress and the contraflow section of the highway north is now only a few kilometres but the bumpy potholed surface still needs more work.

All good back at the house-well except for the upstairs power tripping off and the dogs forgetting who I was.

[billd766]

Arrived back in KPP Province as of yesterday after a day in BKK. Picked up the rental car ( a well used Hertz Fortuner with 113,000km on the clock) from Don Muang. The Hertz woman was very competent and helpful.

We were pulled over by the BIB just past the first toll plaza on the motorway. the BIB in question very politely cautioned me to observe the speed limit and take care. This seemed to be a campaign to pull over various cars in the outside lane and caution them. Didn't need to see my drivers license or anything further.

There seemed to be marginally less maniacal drivers on the road, a number of cars using indicators and no near death experiences so maybe the message is getting through and there could be hope( at least for the moment).

We had lunch at a fish restaurant on the left about 37km before Nakkers, my companions had what appeared to be raw prawns and squid in glass noodles, I stuck with fried fish. Nice clean place and prices not unreasonable. There were no ill affects from either meal.

The Nakkers bypass overpass is still in progress and the contraflow section of the highway north is now only a few kilometres but the bumpy potholed surface still needs more work.

All good back at the house-well except for the upstairs power tripping off and the dogs forgetting who I was.

Welcome back.

[fredob43]

Arrived back in KPP Province as of yesterday after a day in BKK. Picked up the rental car ( a well used Hertz Fortuner with 113,000km on the clock) from Don Muang. The Hertz woman was very competent and helpful.

We were pulled over by the BIB just past the first toll plaza on the motorway. the BIB in question very politely cautioned me to observe the speed limit and take care. This seemed to be a campaign to pull over various cars in the outside lane and caution them. Didn't need to see my drivers license or anything further.

There seemed to be marginally less maniacal drivers on the road, a number of cars using indicators and no near death experiences so maybe the message is getting through and there could be hope( at least for the moment).

We had lunch at a fish restaurant on the left about 37km before Nakkers, my companions had what appeared to be raw prawns and squid in glass noodles, I stuck with fried fish. Nice clean place and prices not unreasonable. There were no ill affects from either meal.

The Nakkers bypass overpass is still in progress and the contraflow section of the highway north is now only a few kilometres but the bumpy potholed surface still needs more work.

All good back at the house-well except for the upstairs power tripping off and the dogs forgetting who I was.

Nice to see that you got back ok Bill & G/L hope you had a good time in Aus. Did it get to cold for you there???.

My dog always remembers me it's the wife who has to have time to think of my name.

We and a few friends will be in Mike's tomorrow night Sat: from about 6pm if your about.

Hope you get your wiring sorted just one of the joys of Thai builders. To give you an example the "fitter" that did the new motor on the gate just wound the wires together it worked for a hole week before it went on the blink, I have since redone the job correctly.

The first thing I did after we got the house was to change all of the Electric to MK western fittings. And insured the place for fire.

H/M.

Fred.

[nong38]

The river is up in Nakkers, the dams up north have been opened I think Bnagkok will be looking for a special delivery soon. Flooding reported south east of the Metropolis below and east of Bung Boraphet.

Yes its true shopping malls in Nakkers ae thinking of charging some people from the north, who arrive in fancy dress, red coats and black riding helmets to shop in Thailand's premier shopping complexes situated in within the city. West Ha Ha fans are subject to an extra tax.

[fredob43]

The river is up in Nakkers, the dams up north have been opened I think Bnagkok will be looking for a special delivery soon. Flooding reported south east of the Metropolis below and east of Bung Boraphet.

Yes its true shopping malls in Nakkers ae thinking of charging some people from the north, who arrive in fancy dress, red coats and black riding helmets to shop in Thailand's premier shopping complexes situated in within the city. West Ha Ha fans are subject to an extra tax.

Nothing going on river wise here still have some sand bank's so it's not us that's causing all your flooding.

Funny about the Shopping complexes charging in N/S, there was a team going round K.P.Phet today offering free return rides including a fish & chips with brown sauce lunch to Nakkers to visit same.

I couldn't read the small print as it was in Thai but Mrs H/M said that it had something to do with supplying wet suits and snorkel gear.

H/M.

Fred.

[Chilon]

Bill/Fred,

Thanks for the welcome.

Electrical problem escalated the other night-everything went out. Misery loves company so I wouldn't have minded if the street was affected but it wasn't-we were the only house.

Pumps were out of course and the valve selecting well or dam water was broken previously by some overly vigorous gardening by GF's brother so no water. Caused some consternation to GF who was in the middle of washing her hair.

GF's brother was roused from next door and we investigated. No switches tripped and no power at the circuit breaker board so after some buggerizing around we took a look at the at the street lead in. No power there either.

The GF's brother tightened some screws on the street lead in and the power meter started to turn slowly, this was encouraging but also concerning as we had just thrown the main breakers back at the house.

Back in the house still no power so I decided we should quit whilst we were ahead since we were both unscathed and I suspected the brother may have had a few drinks.

I had a less than restful night- the local canines were conducting a howlers versus yappers competition, it was hotter than I would have liked, no fan of course and the occasional mozzie dropped by to make sure I was awake.

Morning came and we took another look, after disassembling the board it seemed that the reset switch which was pressed in the night's investigation had stuck off. The most plausible explanation was that firstly the lead in connection failed then when that was fixed the reset switch was the problem.

I'm still not sure why GF's brother said there was no power after the lead in connection was apparently fixed but it's been working since so, as they say-mustn't grumble, at least until next time.