Korat Expats Club 2nd Installment

[Korat Correct]

I know there have been several attempts to get an Expats Club going in the Issan region and all have failed,which is why it is important to try to get this one right.

An initial meet at Passinee Cafe on June 1st at 12noon hopes to get the Club off the ground, but what issues are important to you?

Please let us have your ideas for discussion.

At the moment the main meet is on the 29th July in Korat.

[Loz]

In Order of importance:

1) It should reflect the light hearted helpful nature of this and other forums and never be at risk of dissapearing up it own you know what!

2) One stop shop for Farang Friendly Info on what? where? how much? how to? newbies should be able to ask any sensible question there.

3) Social Gatherings if we are all in the same place why not share a beer or sparkling water over some laughs and maybe even structured activites. (fishing, clay shoot, drinking, picnic, trecking, dining etc...

4) Never lose sight of the fact that this is the Land of Smiles. Lets not take ourselves "TOO" seriously. Don't make it a politic forum for campaining for Farang friendly toilets in all public buildings or whatever.. have another gang for that.

5) Elect Loz supreme ruler of the gang. Okay, that one was a joke but 5 seemed like the right number to end on.

[LAWMAN]

I know there have been several attempts to get an Expats Club going in the Issan region and all have failed,which is why it is important to try to get this one right.

An initial meet at Passinee Cafe on June 1st at 12noon hopes to get the Club off the ground, but what issues are important to you?

Please let us have your ideas for discussion.

At the moment the main meet is on the 29th July in Korat.

I have read the above and I am very interested in your project. Please tell me where is "The Passinee Cafe?", I do not live in Korat, but only a short drive away(45mins), so no problem in attending. With the right directions I will be there on the 1st June at 1200hrs.

Regards,

LAWMAN (Bruce J Bennett).

[dereklev]

I know there have been several attempts to get an Expats Club going in the Issan region and all have failed,which is why it is important to try to get this one right.

An initial meet at Passinee Cafe on June 1st at 12noon hopes to get the Club off the ground, but what issues are important to you?

Please let us have your ideas for discussion.

At the moment the main meet is on the 29th July in Korat.

KC as stated in many previous posts many of us do not live in Korat Town but out in the sticks.

Also many are not fulltime residents but have to return to our respective countries for business and/or other purposes.

When we come into town it is to meet up with friends and have a few beers and a laugh

I know that I speak for many TV/KF Korat members when I say if you make this too formal you will lose our interest.

My main interest in an Expats club would be the social aspects.

I for one do not want to be tied down to agendas/minutes/charity work (I do that in the village where I live) etc. etc.

That said I look forward to meeting you and whoever else shows on the 1st.....

Although a Thursday lunchtime meet does rule out the workers amongst us, so I would not expect a high turnout.....

Just my 2 satangs worth.....

[Loz]

I'm hoping the meet with last throughout the PM and look forward to jioning you after work... (asuming I get out alive!)

[Korat Correct]

Lawman

You and ? are very welcome on June 1st at 12noon. Please bring a small wallet and lots of ideas.

Directions to Passinee Cafe. I could not load the connection either!

Depends which end of Korat you will be arriving from BUT.

Suraranee Road runs almost parallel to the No 2 road through Korat ( ?Mittarhap Road). Go into the city centre and ask for directions to Suraranee Road and the Sri Pattana Hotel. Passinee is on the same side of the road 50 metres further on. You will usually see a farang enjoying a drink outside.The Pizza shop is next door if Italian Cuisine takes your fancy.

I will send my mobile phone number to you privately in case you get lost.

[Jeff1]

In Order of importance:

4) Never lose sight of the fact that this is the Land of Smiles. Lets not take ourselves "TOO" seriously. Don't make it a politic forum for campaining for Farang friendly toilets in all public buildings or whatever..

Why not ? Thats a great idea . Everybody bring a western style toilet , a wrench and lets go to town

Edit and bring toilet paper too

[Loz]

Maybe we could campaign for fridges to keep the loo roll in too?

...if a job's worth doing...

[Jeff1]

Nah , not enough room . Besides , it sounds coooold !

[Korat Correct]

How as incomers can we contribute?

How about campaigning for ? better signposting in dual language for road and street and public places as well as an information kiosk in the town centres ?with parking nearby.

What was the one about more pubic toilets?

To avoid close shaves.

[Ken]

Darn! Sorry about the above link for directions to the Pasinee. Don't know what happened and it's too late to edit the post. I'll try it again and also attach a map below.

[LAWMAN]

For those interested in getting to "The Pasinee Restaurant", go to their website: "The Pasinee Restaurant, Korat", in the search results list, item 2 is their information on getting there plus a map, which is very good, be sure to print it out "Landscape", or you will loose half the map.

Best of luck,

Lawman.

[LAWMAN]

How as incomers can we contribute?

How about campaigning for ? better signposting in dual language for road and street and public places as well as an information kiosk in the town centres ?with parking nearby.

What was the one about more pubic toilets?

To avoid close shaves.

.

KC, Many thanks for the PM, and info. contained in it. I will be in touch later today,

Regards,

LAWMAN.

[Ken]

For those interested in getting to "The Pasinee Restaurant", go to their website: "The Pasinee Restaurant, Korat", in the search results list, item 2 is their information on getting there plus a map, which is very good, be sure to print it out "Landscape", or you will loose half the map.

Best of luck,

Lawman.

Good point LAWMAN. That search method will do the "trick" and indeed, the map is quite good.

[Korat Correct]

Some want the "Club" to be a social event. Wouldn't it be better to have something positive to celebrate?

I see a backpacker died of malaria and dengue is as near as Chaiyaphum.

Mosquitos need controlling

Stray dogs need disposing of.

Pedestrians need better protection

Visa runs are an insult.

Korat Immigration needs full powers

Street, domestic and industrial waste disposal needs attention

Beggars are a disgrace to modern society and need support. Could we sponsor a soup& stay kitchen?

( there is a man who "lives" on the kerb outside the Passinee Cafe)

Psychiatric after care.

This list is endless and we are not here to save the world. Some may say it is not our problem and "walk by on the other side".

We all have a social responsibility to do what we can.

Those who live outside Korat and those who come and go and those who work here may have concerns that need addressing and a "Club" as a group may have more clout to make the problems known to the "authorities".

[dereklev]

Some want the "Club" to be a social event. Wouldn't it be better to have something positive to celebrate?

I see a backpacker died of malaria and dengue is as near as Chaiyaphum.

Mosquitos need controlling

Stray dogs need disposing of.

Pedestrians need better protection

Visa runs are an insult.

Korat Immigration needs full powers

Street, domestic and industrial waste disposal needs attention

Beggars are a disgrace to modern society and need support. Could we sponsor a soup& stay kitchen?

( there is a man who "lives" on the kerb outside the Passinee Cafe)

Psychiatric after care.

This list is endless and we are not here to save the world. Some may say it is not our problem and "walk by on the other side".

We all have a social responsibility to do what we can.

Those who live outside Korat and those who come and go and those who work here may have concerns that need addressing and a "Club" as a group may have more clout to make the problems known to the "authorities".

All very noble causes and certainly these and many more issues affect our daily lives.

I look forward to a frank and open discussion on how a hand full of farang can change all the woes that Thais ignore.

[Cheeky Farang]

All very noble causes and certainly these and many more issues affect our daily lives.

I look forward to a frank and open discussion on how a hand full of farang can change all the woes that Thais ignore.

Now how true is that statement

If they are not willing to help them selves / each other, are we the few to try to change thier ways ? ( I agree with Derek, we who live out in the sticks do our fair share to help our own close community(s) )

[Korat Correct]

Cheeky Farang

You provide help to your local community?

Please come and tell us what you are able to achieve.

[dereklev]

Cheeky Farang

You provide help to your local community?

Please come and tell us what you are able to achieve.

Cheeky is in the UK at present so cannot come......

However I and Ken will be there and we too are country boys who contribute in our own communities! !

[dutch]

Seems like I am able to come.

However it will not be the whole afternoon,but time enough to meet some of you

PS. I am with the group who provide some contributions to the small community and I am not intend to PROOF my actions.Believe it or not,it's up to you.

[dereklev]

Seems like I am able to come.

However it will not be the whole afternoon,but time enough to meet some of you

PS. I am with the group who provide some contributions to the small community and I am not intend to PROOF my actions.Believe it or not,it's up to you.

Look forward to meeting you Dutch.

No need for anyone to prove anything, I hope.......

Not too many of us at the moment, anymore attendees out there? ?

[LAWMAN]

Seems like I am able to come.

However it will not be the whole afternoon,but time enough to meet some of you

PS. I am with the group who provide some contributions to the small community and I am not intend to PROOF my actions.Believe it or not,it's up to you.

Look forward to meeting you Dutch.

No need for anyone to prove anything, I hope.......

Not too many of us at the moment, anymore attendees out there? ?

Yes! Me. Looking forward to meeting you also.

LAWMAN

[Korat Correct]

Ready as we'll ever be for tomorrow.

Mike is doing a beef stew I understand.

Hope the weather stays dry.

Look forward to seeing one and all.

[ThaiRanger]

Ready as we'll ever be for tomorrow.

Mike is doing a beef stew I understand.

Hope the weather stays dry.

Look forward to seeing one and all.

Can not make it tomorrow. I was in Monday and will be in on Friday and Saturday. I live out in the sticks near Ken. I would like to meet up with some of you and put a face on a pen name and have a few beers.

I also agree with Ken, Dereklev and Cheeky Farang.. Keep it a social club and not a do gooder club. Help somebody everyday, week, month or only once a year if you can but don't try to change Thailand that is why we come here. If you miss the way it was back home. Go Home. As and Ex-pat in a foriegn country you should strive to keep your profile as low as possible and not attempt to inform the "authorities " of any of their short falls and particular don't use use the "clout" of a group of foriegners to tell them you know a better way.

Stay low key, smile, be helpful and enjoy this wonderful unique country.

Thai Ranger

[Ken]

Sorry we'll miss you today Al. Indeed though, I'm barely recovering from Monday myself. It will be nice to put a face to some of the posters. Know a few already of course. Look forward to seeing those who make it today.

[Cheeky Farang]

Come on you Piss Heads, lets have an update. Who got MOW, Who fell out with who ? How many bods showed ? etc etc

[Ken]

Come on you Piss Heads, lets have an update. Who got MOW, Who fell out with who ? How many bods showed ? etc etc

Don't know, can't remember. No, really, it was really great to meet so many. My count 17 in all who signed the "guest list". A few "stragglers" came in later that didn't get on the list. An interesting mix of nationalities. Everyone was cordial and polite. An enjoyable couple hours spent. Pasinee Mike was his usual hospitable self. Much more to elaborate on, but this post is a start. Personally I came away from the "meeting" with a somewhat positive feeling. So perhaps it's a start.

[dereklev]

Come on you Piss Heads, lets have an update. Who got MOW, Who fell out with who ? How many bods showed ? etc etc

Don't know, can't remember. No, really, it was really great to meet so many. My count 17 in all who signed the "guest list". A few "stragglers" came in later that didn't get on the list. An interesting mix of nationalities. Everyone was cordial and polite. An enjoyable couple hours spent. Pasinee Mike was his usual hospitable self. Much more to elaborate on, but this post is a start. Personally I came away from the "meeting" with a somewhat positive feeling. So perhaps it's a start.

It was a great turnout for a first meeting.

The general concensus seemed to be that we should take things slowly and that the emphasis should be on a "Social Club".....

A second "meeting" was arranged for Saturday 24th at 1pm, so plently of notice for you all.

I would like to thank Giles (Korat Correct) for getting us all together and finally getting the Korat Expats Club going.

If the majority of you are happy to travel the 40kms out of Korat then the "BIG" meet-up on the 29th July will be at my place out near NonThai.

[Ken]

I may start a new post on this later, but just to bring it up. At the meeting we learned about a "home" for HIV/AIDS abandoned or orphaned children in Korat. The home is in the middle of a "slum" area, 3 blocks from the Pasinee across the railroad tracks. You wouldn't know it existed unless someone told you, as it is well hidden by buildings and trees that exist on a parallel road. There are currently 18 children in this "home" that is without electric or running water. The VFW is currently trying to get electric and running water from the neighboring army/air base. There is so much more that needs to be done. Actually my opinion is they need a new home in a new location, but for the moment let's deal with what we have or rather don't have as immediate needs. If anybody wants a good "cry" make a visit. At any rate, we hope to be discussing furthur what else we can do as a group (or individually) in the near future. I was informed that one of the youngsters passed away a few days ago.

[LAWMAN]

Come on you Piss Heads, lets have an update. Who got MOW, Who fell out with who ? How many bods showed ? etc etc

Don't know, can't remember. No, really, it was really great to meet so many. My count 17 in all who signed the "guest list". A few "stragglers" came in later that didn't get on the list. An interesting mix of nationalities. Everyone was cordial and polite. An enjoyable couple hours spent. Pasinee Mike was his usual hospitable self. Much more to elaborate on, but this post is a start. Personally I came away from the "meeting" with a somewhat positive feeling. So perhaps it's a start.

It was a great turnout for a first meeting.

The general concensus seemed to be that we should take things slowly and that the emphasis should be on a "Social Club".....

A second "meeting" was arranged for Saturday 24th at 1pm, so plently of notice for you all.

I would like to thank Giles (Korat Correct) for getting us all together and finally getting the Korat Expats Club going.

If the majority of you are happy to travel the 40kms out of Korat then the "BIG" meet-up on the 29th July will be at my place out near NonThai.

Greetings One and All.

First off let me appologise for having to leave at very short notice, whilst on our "Smoke break" outside. I did not have time to say goodbye to you all, only to those outside. My wife arrived to tell me of a Family emergancy, and off I went. I will be at the meeting on the 24th, and if anyone wishes to berate me for my lack of manners then do it then.

In the meantime,

regards,

LAWMAN