Plans For The Coming Year.

[jamescollister]

The year is almost done, so what are your plans for the next , or should I say next season, as not much will happen until the rains come.

Now is the time for building, sheds, pouring concrete and clearing land.

As for me, another 3 months of watering coconut trees by hand, will be darker than any Thai and should be rock hard and fit. Even if I chain smoke and drink like a fish afterwards.

If money permits and it does not look good at the moment, will get the concrete down and poles up for the new hot air rubber drying shed. Maybe do some cassava and corn. Thinking of corn, not to sell, but to feed chickens. Build an enclosure and chicken coup, sell the eggs. Local price 20 Baht for 6, not a lot to be made, but every Baht helps.

Hopefully have some Malaysians coming up to arrange a weekly rubber buy, will need some more concrete. if they make a deal.

Like to clear out the back of the house and get a good sized vegie garden going, again not much money return, but can eat free.

Rubber will still be my income, but I have no real need to be involved anymore, tappers will tap, if I have enough tappers. Money will come, but a man needs a project or it's beer and more beer.

Will go into the jungle now and then and hopefully get a canoe to explore a few remote rivers and another year will pass. Jim

[David48]

The Adventures of Jim ... always a Ripping Yarn ... ... thanks for all the good reads throughout the year.

As for me ... sort of depends on Mother Nature and what she 'delivers'.

I might try the role of mine/gas field working and visiting Thailand as I can.

Farm Father has offer to set aside some land for a modest home ... though just where is an issue ... might be on stilts in the middle of the fish pond!

There is a 8 Rai productive Fish Farm (adjoining the gf's Parents holding (currently being worked by the Farm Father) on offer for roughly Baht 3,000,000 ish ... but road access is difficult and the existing dwelling not lived in for many a year.

Great for Plane Spotting ...

.

[jamescollister]

The Adventures of Jim ... always a Ripping Yarn ... ... thanks for all the good reads throughout the year.

As for me ... sort of depends on Mother Nature and what she 'delivers'.

I might try the role of mine/gas field working and visiting Thailand as I can.

Farm Father has offer to set aside some land for a modest home ... though just where is an issue ... might be on stilts in the middle of the fish pond!

There is a 8 Rai productive Fish Farm (adjoining the gf's Parents holding (currently being worked by the Farm Father) on offer for roughly Baht 3,000,000 ish ... but road access is difficult and the existing dwelling not lived in for many a year.

Great for Plane Spotting ...

.

Best of luck with what ever you do and as Clive Cussler says, there is advanger just outside your door, or something like that. Jim

[aussieruss]

hi all hope to meet all at meeting no 8in april 2013 happy new year rgd Russell

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Thaivisa Connect App

[Bluetongue]

Well I'll bite. Want to get the third orchard on line this (next) year, already done the sprinklers. The brushcutting needs a final push or one more day for me to finish the last 2 rai, the weeds have noticeably slowed recently. Today I wanted to work but the missus had other ideas, tomorrow sounds like one of those pig face, boiled chicken, beer and lao khao days so I may not get to to it until the 2nd. After that virtually got to run off to immigration with my bankbook and a new photo of me and the missus clutching a 2013 calendar, but after that not much to do until cranking up the spraying in about March/April. Still mulling a new iron buffalo. No shirt at 10pm but just went outside for a wee walk and its a bit chilly. Also the Thais are letting off some kind of parachute flare that spills sparks for a minute or 2. Happy new year fellas.

[IsaanAussie]

Ripping Yarns, life in Isaan is definitely all of that. This year will be different, no more ripping me off. My resolution is to spend this year on the receiving end and expect to get nothing other than the results of my own efforts. No more disappointments, anger or concessions.

[tingtong]

This year the plan is to keep reading the forum, and try out some new things, namely more veggies in the garden.

No more disappointments, anger or concessions.

IA, do you plan to give up living your life in Thailand this year?! I cant even imagine this happens, ( no disappointments, no anger particularly) but wish you luck, nevertheless!!

[DerkMR]

Get the GF into what it means running a farm as business using bookkeeping.

Start with Pla duk, frogs and mushroom.

Find a farm which is more suitable (means FIL not living there as farmguard as he can't adapt to my rules) and buy it.

Getting my stuff reduced in Germoney and complete started projects there.

Probably get married.

Bye,

Derk

[jamescollister]

Get the GF into what it means running a farm as business using bookkeeping.

Start with Pla duk, frogs and mushroom.

Find a farm which is more suitable (means FIL not living there as farmguard as he can't adapt to my rules) and buy it.

Getting my stuff reduced in Germoney and complete started projects there.

Probably get married.

Bye,

Derk

Getting married is the easy part. Jim

[Mosha]

I haven't sorted out the technical bits. I'm going to arrange the wet nights, so they coincide with the planned no tapping days. June 13 celebrate 10 years of marriage (legally not the Thai method of it, she says it's 12 years 555)

Edited January 1, 2013 by Mosha

[IsaanAussie]

This year the plan is to keep reading the forum, and try out some new things, namely more veggies in the garden.

No more disappointments, anger or concessions.

IA, do you plan to give up living your life in Thailand this year?! I cant even imagine this happens, ( no disappointments, no anger particularly) but wish you luck, nevertheless!!

No I am not giving up. I just have had enough of beating my head against a brick wall. Go with the flow more often is my this year's goal.

[tingtong]

IA, judging from this forum and my personal experience, the flow for the farangs seem to be all that you strive to avoid.

members, and me not exeption seem to get disappointed, angry and god forbid ripped off too ( or feel that way the least).

so, maybe not going with "the flow" would result your happiness...just saying.

[IsaanAussie]

IA, judging from this forum and my personal experience, the flow for the farangs seem to be all that you strive to avoid.

members, and me not exeption seem to get disappointed, angry and god forbid ripped off too ( or feel that way the least).

so, maybe not going with "the flow" would result your happiness...just saying.

TT maybe I am just getting old,bitter and twisted? I think not. I am simply 'finally" playing by local rules. Selective listening. Not causing offence. Not committing. Not caring about the wants of others ahead of myself. Just smiling

I have tried to improve the lives of people around me when reality is they are happy with things the way they are. Fine so be it.

[swissie]

This year the plan is to keep reading the forum, and try out some new things, namely more veggies in the garden.

No more disappointments, anger or concessions.

IA, do you plan to give up living your life in Thailand this year?! I cant even imagine this happens, ( no disappointments, no anger particularly) but wish you luck, nevertheless!!

No I am not giving up. I just have had enough of beating my head against a brick wall. Go with the flow more often is my this year's goal.

Now Isaan Aussie, that's just the New-Years blues. Just think, by giving up banging your head agaist the wall and going "with the flow" here in Thailand might well be your demise. I think you have been here long enough to know what I mean. Until you recover from the 'New years-Blues", tell everyone you have lost your ATM-Card and can't remember your Pin-Code.

You will be just fine. Cheers.

[IsaanAussie]

Well Swissie, of course you might be right! Let you know when things are back to "normal".

Personally, it has little to do with timing and definitely nothing to do with ATM cards. This is a personal decision to say enough is enough. The honeymoon period for this farang ended many years ago and I have slowly realised that I cannot make a difference to these peoples lives. I am simply happy now to concentrate on the difference I can make to myself and my wife. The rest seem happy enough...

[jamescollister]

Well Swissie, of course you might be right! Let you know when things are back to "normal".

Personally, it has little to do with timing and definitely nothing to do with ATM cards. This is a personal decision to say enough is enough. The honeymoon period for this farang ended many years ago and I have slowly realised that I cannot make a difference to these peoples lives. I am simply happy now to concentrate on the difference I can make to myself and my wife. The rest seem happy enough...

Similar boat myself, tired of trying to motivate the family/workers to do more and make more. As long as the wife and kids have what they need and I have beer to drink all is well.

All other things I will do myself, whether planting corn or building rubber sheds, everyone else can sit on the floor eating, it's not theirs it's mine and my families.

We will do well over the long term, kids will have the best and the Thais will say just a rich farang. Not realizing that the money was made here and they could have done just the same if they got off their ass.

We have a nice big car, a nice big building site house and it all comes from rubber, not a bank account in Australia.

These people work for me and if they don't want to help themselves, then more will end up working for me. Jim

[IsaanAussie]

Well Swissie, of course you might be right! Let you know when things are back to "normal".

Personally, it has little to do with timing and definitely nothing to do with ATM cards. This is a personal decision to say enough is enough. The honeymoon period for this farang ended many years ago and I have slowly realised that I cannot make a difference to these peoples lives. I am simply happy now to concentrate on the difference I can make to myself and my wife. The rest seem happy enough...

Similar boat myself, tired of trying to motivate the family/workers to do more and make more. As long as the wife and kids have what they need and I have beer to drink all is well.

All other things I will do myself, whether planting corn or building rubber sheds, everyone else can sit on the floor eating, it's not theirs it's mine and my families.

We will do well over the long term, kids will have the best and the Thais will say just a rich farang. Not realizing that the money was made here and they could have done just the same if they got off their ass.

We have a nice big car, a nice big building site house and it all comes from rubber, not a bank account in Australia.

These people work for me and if they don't want to help themselves, then more will end up working for me. Jim

If I didn't know you better, I'd think you had been following me around. You got it in a nutshell Jimbo. As every evangelistic speaker knows, "God helps he that helps himself". You and I need all the help we can get, if they dont need it then all the more of our own effort is available to us.

Stop trying so hard guys, relax up on yourselves, and get what is needed done.

[swissie]

Ah, us farangs could have such a good live in Thailand, if it wasen't for the family, especially in rural Thailand.

But stop: If not for the daily challenges coming from the side of the family life it woulden't be the same would it?

My concept of living on my own in rural Thailand has failed. In the meantime I have an alternative set of family.

That is: If Motorbike does not work = Bring it to Farang. He will fix.

If irrigation system doesen't work, call Farang. He will fix.

Buy too much fireworks for new year and now have no money for gasoline for motorbike to go to work today= farang will fix it.

A worried mother: " I think my older daughter (18) have sex with man from Bankok on holiday from Bangkok." I say immediately "can not fix".

Puu Yai Baan wants to know why 1 Rai of land now goes for 400'00 Bht as compared to 100'000 just 2 years ago? I say: Land-Speculators from Bangkok have arrived, I can not fix.

Insane: So far a 2 lane Highway is sufficient to reach the Myanmar border. Now construction has started to turn it into a 4 lane highway into nowhere (on the Myanmar Side not even a trace of road so far).

All very secretive but Poo Yai Baan declares: Open border very soon, have casino same Cambodia, money maak maak, Give money now 100'000 Bht and I will fix it for you.

Needless to say, that after explaining to him that I am not really interested in "money maak maak", and that I would move out of the aerea if this circus continues he was at a loss.

I was not.

I diden't come to Thailand to engage again in some sort of Rat-Race that I have known before. But we agreed, that if in the meantime his Motorbike should break down, he can always bring it around. = Farang will fix it. Regardless if some casinos in the border region will open or not in the near or distant future.

Cheers.

[jamescollister]

Ah, us farangs could have such a good live in Thailand, if it wasen't for the family, especially in rural Thailand.

But stop: If not for the daily challenges coming from the side of the family life it woulden't be the same would it?

My concept of living on my own in rural Thailand has failed. In the meantime I have an alternative set of family.

That is: If Motorbike does not work = Bring it to Farang. He will fix.

If irrigation system doesen't work, call Farang. He will fix.

Buy too much fireworks for new year and now have no money for gasoline for motorbike to go to work today= farang will fix it.

A worried mother: " I think my older daughter (18) have sex with man from Bankok on holiday from Bangkok." I say immediately "can not fix".

Puu Yai Baan wants to know why 1 Rai of land now goes for 400'00 Bht as compared to 100'000 just 2 years ago? I say: Land-Speculators from Bangkok have arrived, I can not fix.

Insane: So far a 2 lane Highway is sufficient to reach the Myanmar border. Now construction has started to turn it into a 4 lane highway into nowhere (on the Myanmar Side not even a trace of road so far).

All very secretive but Poo Yai Baan declares: Open border very soon, have casino same Cambodia, money maak maak, Give money now 100'000 Bht and I will fix it for you.

Needless to say, that after explaining to him that I am not really interested in "money maak maak", and that I would move out of the aerea if this circus continues he was at a loss.

I was not.

I diden't come to Thailand to engage again in some sort of Rat-Race that I have known before. But we agreed, that if in the meantime his Motorbike should break down, he can always bring it around. = Farang will fix it. Regardless if some casinos in the border region will open or not in the near or distant future.

Cheers.

Like the road thing, same out here, have a road to Chong Mek, Lao border crossing .It's the road from hell. would break tank tracts, potholes to the center of the earth.

Yet have an illegal crossing point, with a Lao market on the other side, beautiful road until you hit Lao, then dirt.

Went for a ride on the motorbike away from the mountains and border. Started out as bad bitumen, went to concrete then dirt and sand. Next comes a new road, 10 km and it stops in a rice paddy.

Go figure. Jim

[Dancealot]

To the OP

/startquote/

Rubber will still be my income, but I have no real need to be involved anymore, tappers will tap, if I have enough tappers. Money will come, but a man needs a project or it's beer and more beer.

/endquote/

I have learnt this valuable lesson myself, Mr. James. The man has to have a plan.

And wish i could get on that canoe you mentioned. Thats very poetic or did you actually/physically do this?

Dont let the Malaysians change your plant into a rubbery .

@Issaanaussie

/startquote/

TT maybe I am just getting old,bitter and twisted? I think not. I am simply 'finally" playing by local rules. Selective listening. Not causing offence. Not committing. Not caring about the wants of others ahead of myself. Just smiling

I have tried to improve the lives of people around me when reality is they are happy with things the way they are. Fine so be it.

Stop trying so hard guys, relax up on yourselves, and get what is needed done.

/endquote/

To me this sounds very wise

My plans:

I will be harvesting garlic and tobacco leafthis season together with the family of my girlfriend, they just planted them and need about 80 days to mature.

Maintaining my 'secure job' in the west in order to save money and be able to live at the farm in Thailand a few months a year.(2008 i did 4!).

Being more involved with my (separated) mother and father. I have been too busy with myself this year and now it is time get busy with others. If you catch my drift

And last but not least: continue roaming these wonderful threads and meeting new fascinating people. I feel i have met some people already who could be a friend to me. Well maybe they couldn' t. But that doesnt stop me from hanging out with them. I will see.

Greetings form the 'apprentice farmer'

Like this song to add to this thread if you dont mind, james. I think it is about being afraid...But my Thai is very rusty..

4:08

Edited January 2, 2013 by Dancealot

[IsaanAussie]

My Daily Horoscope for Thursday, January 3

Your plans may not be working out, but that doesn't mean it's time to give up on them! You just need to regroup and try to figure out how to retool them to deal with evolving circumstances.

Seems to sum it up!

My Daily WorkScope for Thursday, January 3

A fresh start might not give you the opportunity to transform yourself, but it does give you an excuse to try. Put as much effort into it as you can, as long as you know it's a year-long process.

Perhaps another run at it?

Edited January 2, 2013 by IsaanAussie

[jamescollister]

Dancealot, I do strange things, just never grow up, still a kid at heart. Lucky for me I live in an area that is pretty much unexplored and I get a buzz from being the first to see something. Jim

[bergen]

I plan (hope) to get better internet, so I'm able to communicate more with the civilized world.....................

and since Khao Phra Viharn is still unavailable, we'll try to make our resort and garden into an alternative tourist attraction!

[IsaanAussie]

I plan (hope) to get better internet, so I'm able to communicate more with the civilized world.....................

and since Khao Phra Viharn is still unavailable, we'll try to make our resort and garden into an alternative tourist attraction!

You are well placed to run 2 or 3 day training courses and seminars on many topics. Gardening, cooking, dog training, yoga and writers retreats, so many topics. Good luck.

Edited January 4, 2013 by IsaanAussie

[Rsquared]

6 days into the new year already.

For me, more of the same, trying to keep up with cutting the grass and trying to get the front yard into something that is low maintenance and easy on the eye.

Then there's the backyard...5 rai, will probably never get on top of it, but there is always something for me to do.

Other plans are for stage 2 of our palm oil trees...and of course put more effort into learning Thai than I have previously.

Try and get more games of golf in than I did last year.

......well thems the plans, so we'll see how they pan out.

Cheers.

[Dancealot]

To the OP

[Monkeypants]

Want to build a second chicken farm, but will have to sell a few bits and pieces in England first.

Need reliable staff,

Wanna get my extension on the house built, a new garage/workshop

And a big padlock, to keep the family out

[cdmtdm]

moving permanent to life on the Mekong next month , still commuting between Phuket ... new baby due end of Feb , commenced building the new house last week , also have completed the final design and started retaining walls on 1 rai Aquaponics farm ( Barramundi) nth of Phon Pisai ...so a full on year and finally away from the sewer in the south ....

[Mosha]

Thankfully not all of the South is like Phuket.

[cdmtdm]

Thankfully not all of the South is like Phuket.

Yes sorry Mosha i should have said Phuket only ...the rest of the Mainland in the South is very nice ... 5 Years on Phuket was enough , now the Ruskies have moved in time to escape to the bush ...