Popular Post Rik325i Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 Well, thats me just arrived back in sunny Scotland from my second visit to my lovely Thai lady friend and her family, as the first time, my 3 weeks went far too quickly and i found myself wishing i didnt have to leave, I spent the majority of the 3 weeks working around their home and with her father who is very aptly named wud,( if you look at it as being english, wood) i thoroughly enjoyed myself working beside him in his garage where he was building some traditional thai teak furniture and i learned a lot about the materials he uses and the methods involved in building their furniture. the first week i spent dismantling a very small pond that she had outside in the seating area of her restaurant, just a simple square affair consisting of a small rectangle of bricks 2 high inlaid with black polythene and filled with some water with a few small fish inside and thanks to her very generous next door neighbours who have just started their own stone/gravel delivery service, donated some white rocks they had stockpiled in their yard out back of the house i built her a considerably larger and more ornate pond with some water plants and nice solid teak offcuts that her father had no use for and a small bamboo water feature. the second week started to get a bit hectic as my lady friend had mentioned that she would like to build a small coffee bar months ago which i agreed to build her when i went over so the discussions on design, budget and material order started in earnest, as usual when i start a project working closely with someone the whole thing grew arms and legs and designs changed constantly during the build whilst trying desperately to stay within budget. Anyhow, she decided to go with painted MDF for the majority of the construction as the material is cheap and easy to work with ( ill be interested to see how this holds up in their climate) and the worktops were made from sheets of 22mm thick wood sourced from thaiwhatsado (banana tree wood ?? ) stained and varnished I tried every local outlet she could think of, in vain, to get my hands on some western style worktops. they only seem to do sections of worktop when purchased with the corresponding kitchen base unit ?? this is the finished article which while the family is extremely pleased with, for myself i am a little dissapointed in the finish i managed to achieve, mainly due to my own lack of knowledge of paints and varnishes, climate conditions and the amount of dust flying about the place, i also missed very much all of my professional tools that i so take for granted in the UK 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onionluke Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 nice job , I like the shelves . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik325i Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 ive still got some finishing touches to do the next time i visit after she has her menu sign up framing it in and boxing in the sides of the sign and still have some sanding and painting to finish, mainly on edges, kick plates and the doors. the next door neighbours who donated the stone for the pond have asked me to build a cupboard and shelf system for their kids toys and clothes and my ladyfriends policeman brother in law has asked me to build him a wine bar for his house, im hoping i can get some of my tools over for the next time and get the father involved in helping me make the countertop for the bar out of solid teak, should be an interesting project i think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post meatboy Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 yes thats a good job,whats the gf.got planned for your next visit,nice new build with a granny flat and room for the s.u.v.planned for the visit after that one 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 I am sure your GF and her family wil thank you for all your hard work long into future... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post QED Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 Wow, doesn't sound like much of a holiday to me, but as long as you enjoyed it! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik325i Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 Plans for the future, well, my ladyfriends young niece was busy planning our wedding, bless her, the whole family and neighbours refer to me as Rik or Lik as they pronounce it and not falang, they all treated me with the same respect i treated them and all endevour to teach me their language and always make me small gifts, the old mother of the next door neighbour wove me a basket to give to my mum which took her 2 days to do and is beautiful, the next door neighbour gave me a small lop buri statue to take home and the people across the road where i go every morning to pick up ingredients for the restaurant always give me breakfast and things like fresh paprikas etc all in all they make me feel very welcome every time i visit, they know im not rich and my gf is very much liked in the community In the long run the plan is still to start a furniture business and im getting a lot of support from everyone around to achieve this and the family is not pressing for marraige, they can see how wan and i are getting along together and how much i do for them all and are more than happy for us all to get to know each other better first and wan has also told me that when the time comes if we decide to marry, not to worry too much about money and sinsod etc, money isnt overly important to them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Soutpeel Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 I thought this was a nice warm fuzzy story until I read this sentence... not to worry too much about money and sinsod etc, money isnt overly important to them ..... might I enquire where in Thailand you were ? 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik325i Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 Wow, doesn't sound like much of a holiday to me, but as long as you enjoyed it! its not about holiday, its about getting to know their way of life and integrating myself into it, hopefully enriching all our lives as i do so, im no stranger to hard work, ive done it all my life, i have no delusions about ever becoming rich, all i want is a simple life within a family where i feel respected and loved and can live comfortably with a woman that i cherish ps do you ever get used to thai music ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik325i Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 I thought this was a nice warm fuzzy story until I read this sentence... not to worry too much about money and sinsod etc, money isnt overly important to them ..... might I enquire where in Thailand you were ? i was just north of lop buri, the family is quite large and run a small farm and a small but quite busy restaurant from their home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Soutpeel Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 I thought this was a nice warm fuzzy story until I read this sentence... not to worry too much about money and sinsod etc, money isnt overly important to them ..... might I enquire where in Thailand you were ? i was just north of lop buri, the family is quite large and run a small farm and a small but quite busy restaurant from their home OK all makes sense now... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik325i Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 I thought this was a nice warm fuzzy story until I read this sentence... not to worry too much about money and sinsod etc, money isnt overly important to them ..... might I enquire where in Thailand you were ? i was just north of lop buri, the family is quite large and run a small farm and a small but quite busy restaurant from their home OK all makes sense now... i say the family is quite large, they all live in their own houses and have jobs in the surrounding area, cousins uncles etc etc, in my gfs house its just her, mum and dad and me when im there, gf runs the restaurant with her mum and 1 employee, dad and mum run the farm and hire in help for planting/harvest etc and dad builds furniture to order when hes not on the farm or tinkering with other projects like building a swing for his granddaughter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QED Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Wow, doesn't sound like much of a holiday to me, but as long as you enjoyed it! its not about holiday, its about getting to know their way of life and integrating myself into it, hopefully enriching all our lives as i do so, im no stranger to hard work, ive done it all my life, i have no delusions about ever becoming rich, all i want is a simple life within a family where i feel respected and loved and can live comfortably with a woman that i cherish ps do you ever get used to thai music ???? Some of the more recent stuff I quite like, we have a few bars near me with good bands who play modern plus some classic rock stuff, some of which is good. The old traditional stuff - no. Bit like fingernails on a blackboard..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik325i Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 Wow, doesn't sound like much of a holiday to me, but as long as you enjoyed it! its not about holiday, its about getting to know their way of life and integrating myself into it, hopefully enriching all our lives as i do so, im no stranger to hard work, ive done it all my life, i have no delusions about ever becoming rich, all i want is a simple life within a family where i feel respected and loved and can live comfortably with a woman that i cherish ps do you ever get used to thai music ???? Some of the more recent stuff I quite like, we have a few bars near me with good bands who play modern plus some classic rock stuff, some of which is good. The old traditional stuff - no. Bit like fingernails on a blackboard..... yeah, I thought so too, though I must admit whilst not understanding any lyrics I did find a couple of songs amusing, some with yodelling one rock n roll style song and one I found absolutely hilarious, a bloke who apparently sings about being a bird with some supposed bird sounds that had me almost rolling around on the floor in laughter much to the amusement of the gf lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisb Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 (edited) Has her Dad got a website ric? BTW, Thai musics great. Adds to the whole Thainess thing. Edited May 9, 2013 by krisb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post transam Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 OP, glad your having fun, BUT keep your eyes and brain cells open cos you are the lottery win. AND, forget about what you think Thai folk think. BIG learning curve that l am still struggling with. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalman Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 looks very nice. We own a condo in Bangkok, it is over 15 years old. In another year paid off. Then going to start some rennovatios to bathrooms and kitchen. Nice now and wife always says nice Enough. Key word enough. Well I am 61 and want a bit nicer so when I am gone for her. Can not get insurance so gold and condo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Soutpeel Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 Has her Dad got a website ric? BTW, Thai musics great. Adds to the whole Thainess thing. The tune that was going through my head reading some of these posts is "Another one bites the dust"....dont know why... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Soutpeel Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 looks very nice. We own a condo in Bangkok, it is over 15 years old. In another year paid off. Then going to start some rennovatios to bathrooms and kitchen. Nice now and wife always says nice Enough. Key word enough. Well I am 61 and want a bit nicer so when I am gone for her. Can not get insurance so gold and condo! What floor is your condo on and does it have a balcony ? 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rct99q Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 Well done, looks like a nice little coffee bar. Good luck, hope it all turns out well for you!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post guzzi850m2 Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 OP Don't know your age and it doesn't really matter but whatever you do always keep the majority of your money outside Thailand and just have a monthly "salary" for yourself and GF. If you buy a truck put it in your own name and so on. I am not saying that there isn't good Thai girls/people here, there is. I have a fairly large house and a truck and a couple of scooters here all in my wife's name but we have a kid and I chosen to trust my wife (that the point of marriage). I am still working and my pensions funds are overseas so if the shit hits the fan big time I can bugger off and still survive. My point is: Don't put all your money on one horse (GF + Thailand). Good luck 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisb Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Has her Dad got a website ric? BTW, Thai musics great. Adds to the whole Thainess thing. The tune that was going through my head reading some of these posts is "Another one bites the dust"....dont know why... Hey there's a good thread...songs that remind me of Thailand! How bout Bon jovi, you give love a bad name...Sorry for off topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post greg71 Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 Integration ?? you will be tolerated but never accepted .So with houses being built ,businesses being thought about ,brother in law wine bar etc etc,i sense your in a world of hurt within 2 yrs ,i could be wrong but good luck with all that buddy 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patongphil Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Second visit to Thailand was for 3 weeks how long was the first visit for? You seem to be moving pretty quick here with someone you hardly know!! Just my 2 cents worth. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Integration ?? you will be tolerated but never accepted .So with houses being built ,businesses being thought about ,brother in law wine bar etc etc,i sense your in a world of hurt within 2 yrs ,i could be wrong but good luck with all that buddy Good post. I have seen it and still am. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Hedghog Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 One of her other boyfriends, will be there next week. Great cheap labourers Farangland visitors. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 One of her other boyfriends, will be there next week. Great cheap labourers Farangland visitors. Far better than labourers from Lao, Cambodia or Burma as the farangland visitors pay for the building materials as well and dont ask for THB 150/day and most will not drink Thai whisky either... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedghog Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 One of her other boyfriends, will be there next week. Great cheap labourers Farangland visitors. Has her Dad got a website ric? BTW, Thai musics great. Adds to the whole Thainess thing. The tune that was going through my head reading some of these posts is "Another one bites the dust"....dont know why... Hey there's a good thread...songs that remind me of Thailand! How bout Bon jovi, you give love a bad name...Sorry for off topic. Was thinking Dreamer (nothing but a dreamer) Supertramp,If memory serves correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thakkar Posted May 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2013 Hi Rik325i (BMW fan?) That's some nice work you've done there and your description of the process reminds me of a DH Lawrence poem "We are Transmitters" Don't let the naysayers get you down. What's the worst that can happen? They "trick" you into giving them your labor. But you enjoyed the work and learnt some things from the old man, so it doesn't matter. What else? She breaks your heart—well, in love there are no guarantees. That's why it's called "falling in love" and sometimes you get hurt. A good marriage is a lot of work. A good cross-cultural marriage is even more work, but you seem to be doing ok at this juncture. Don't allow too much doubts into the relationship and go with the flow. As long as you don't burn all your bridges back home right away, you'll be fine. Cheers. T 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 They "trick" you into giving them your labor. But you enjoyed the work and learnt some things from the old man, so it doesn't matter. What else? She breaks your heart—well, in love there are no guarantees. That's why it's called "falling in love" and sometimes you get hurt. But whats the bets he paid for all the material as well ?... Sad to say in Thailand, the least of your worries is a broken heart.....some times it other bits of you that get broken on a permanent basis that would worry me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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