Chaiyaphum, new center in Isaan, finally a bar!

[glegolo]

There is an ongoing infernal construction here in Chaiyaphum, as it does to some extent in other Isaan too! It almost cracks of development. Everyone seems to have money here, and everyone seems to go for something.

So paddy fields is sold with good speed and great virtue, and they do not know how fast they have to burn their money. They build resorts like everywhere, they've a fantastic view that resorts always pays off, completely independent of where they are located.

It invests very often in these APARTMENT-longhouses which holds around 10-14 apartments. And they also build those buildings where you buy 2 floors, sleeping on top of their little store that occupies the ground floor ..

And with all this activity, then pulled the major companies here, ie companies that sell anything to the locals. We had already MAKRO, Big C and Tesco Lotus. Now, even the Global House and HomePro have their big business here ... Robinson has announced their arrival as well ... And you wonder quietly. Who the hell have all this money to buy things, and keep these giants afloat financially ???

Everything is the same here, the same people and the same money. There is ZERO factories that produce goods and provide jobs. And there is no money coming in to Chaiyaphum from the outside ... nothing. So they live in a big bubble here, as they do in all of Thailand ... And all this while the currency is strong, and the political situation is stable.

But in all this mess of activities, so have a big bright spark came to us falangs living here in Chaiyaphum, and it is the Englishman's Ben's bar, which he started up here a few months ago. It's called Number 1 bar, and lies at the entrance to the Night Bazaar, therefore, on the road that goes down to Tesco Lotus.

So now finally after 8 years of waiting, you can get Pizza that is really good, you can get Australian steak, spaghetti, mashed potatoes and good sauces, irish coffe, Beer and grogg. Life is good, and all the falangs here are very happy about this.

Glegolo

[Seligne2]

See https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Chaiyaphum. Add info if you can.

[steveG]

Will definitely visit the bar next time I am there in Chaiyaphum. Unfortunately this wont be until later this year. Any photos of the bar? how busy is it? hope it is successful.

[pianoman]

Congratulations to all of you "Expat's" from Chaiyaphum for the addition of a Farang Bar to the area...

But this "Crazy" building trend / Boom is happening all over Isaan, if not all over Thailand, and both my education and my 40+ years in the Business World have taught me that this type of Explanation is almost always followed by a serious economic crash... The only possible reason that I can see for all of this Recent (the past few years) growth is the relatively low interest rates and the banks being willing to loan money on projects without the thoughts of how the loans are going to be repaid... A Thai friend borrowed money to build a "Resort" using only the land value to secure the bank loan... After nearing it's completion he approached the bank wanting to double the size of his project... His banker told him that the bank's home office told them not to lend any more money for any "Resort Projects" due to having so many "Non Preforming" loans on their books for such projects... His local banker told him to just change the name of the project / business from "Resort" to "Hotel" and then approved the new loan... Thai Business Logic???

I don't think that a Crash would adversly effect us "Expat's" too much other than possibly lowering the value of the Baht to our home currancy, thus increasing our spending power, But it could be really hard on Thai economy... In our area (Kalasin) we are already seeing the vast majority of these new buildings sitting vacant and unsold, and many smaller busineses strugling to break even let alone show a profit...

Pianoman

Kalasin

[Jay Sata]

Good assessment of this crazy boom Pianoman.

Khon Kaen is the same.

By the way you have a strange forum name?

[Issangeorge]

A friend of mine stays at a resort in Kalasin. The owner told him the first year he made good money, and then everyone was building a resort and the second year he didn't do nearly as well. He said last year he barely broke even, but he said that's okay, because I don't have a loan, all my competitors have loans, they are struggling to pay the interest. I agree with Pianoman, a crash is coming, but I have been saying that for two years now. Obviously the finance community thinks different, because the baht is holding its own, if not rising against the US dollar, where just about every other currency is falling. It use to be that when the Canadian dollar fell against the US, it didn't really bother me, because the baht did too, so the Canadian dollar stayed the same against the baht. Not this time, my spending money is drying up quickly. It makes no sense to me. My experience is that usually when it makes no sense to me, I am right and the high finance guys are wrong. So I expect a crash in the next year, it may have already started, but will take some time until the banks get affected, and then some more time before the currency gets affected. I think I will be poor for the next year or two.

[glegolo]

Will definitely visit the bar next time I am there in Chaiyaphum. Unfortunately this wont be until later this year. Any photos of the bar? how busy is it? hope it is successful.

OK I will go there tomorrow agian, and will take som photos for us all to check up!! It is a really nice place, decorated by the owner "Ben" himself,,, a handyman so to speak... He and his wife have this business and work good together and that benefits us all....

Very good food and excllet alcohol.....

Glegolo

[glegolo]

Here comes 3 photos from the Number 1 bar in Chaiyaphum as promised!!

Glegolo

[glegolo]

And here comes the meny for good orders sake!!

Glegolo

[GinBoy2]

A friend of mine stays at a resort in Kalasin. The owner told him the first year he made good money, and then everyone was building a resort and the second year he didn't do nearly as well. He said last year he barely broke even, but he said that's okay, because I don't have a loan, all my competitors have loans, they are struggling to pay the interest. I agree with Pianoman, a crash is coming, but I have been saying that for two years now. Obviously the finance community thinks different, because the baht is holding its own, if not rising against the US dollar, where just about every other currency is falling. It use to be that when the Canadian dollar fell against the US, it didn't really bother me, because the baht did too, so the Canadian dollar stayed the same against the baht. Not this time, my spending money is drying up quickly. It makes no sense to me. My experience is that usually when it makes no sense to me, I am right and the high finance guys are wrong. So I expect a crash in the next year, it may have already started, but will take some time until the banks get affected, and then some more time before the currency gets affected. I think I will be poor for the next year or two.

Ahh, the 'get rich quick resort' scheme. Around where I live there are dozens of them, new ones pop up all the time. The most telling conversation I had was while eating at a restaurant in one of them.

The owner was bemoaning to me and my wife that it was impossible to make money, utilities, loan, competition...then without taking a breath asked me if I wanted to buy it!

[pianoman]

Good assessment of this crazy boom Pianoman.

Khon Kaen is the same.

By the way you have a strange forum name?

The name "Pianoman" came from 50+ years in the Music Industry... Musican / Artist, Composer / Arranger, Producer, Consultant for various Manufactures, Retailer and Investor in multiple Music projects and Artists.... I have met Billy Joel ("The Piano Man) multiple times over the years at various Workshops, Master Classes, Round Table discussions and Industry functions, and have his writen permision to continue to use the "Pianoman" name on line as long is it is not for commercial purposes.....

Pianoman

[steveG]

Here comes 3 photos from the Number 1 bar in Chaiyaphum as promised!!

Glegolo

Thanks for the photos Glegolo. free wifi and pool as well.

I look forward to visiting this place later in the year when me and the Mrs go to stay in our house near Tad Ton national park. Will be a good spot to get some Falang food and a hopefully a link up with other Falang in the Chaiyaphum area.

When I first went to Chaiyaphum some 8 years ago (and bought land there with the Mrs) it was most unusual to see another white face. Now there appears to be quite a community?

[willyumiii]

A friend of mine stays at a resort in Kalasin. The owner told him the first year he made good money, and then everyone was building a resort and the second year he didn't do nearly as well. He said last year he barely broke even, but he said that's okay, because I don't have a loan, all my competitors have loans, they are struggling to pay the interest. I agree with Pianoman, a crash is coming, but I have been saying that for two years now. Obviously the finance community thinks different, because the baht is holding its own, if not rising against the US dollar, where just about every other currency is falling. It use to be that when the Canadian dollar fell against the US, it didn't really bother me, because the baht did too, so the Canadian dollar stayed the same against the baht. Not this time, my spending money is drying up quickly. It makes no sense to me. My experience is that usually when it makes no sense to me, I am right and the high finance guys are wrong. So I expect a crash in the next year, it may have already started, but will take some time until the banks get affected, and then some more time before the currency gets affected. I think I will be poor for the next year or two.

To the first part of your post...

That is Thai business logic.

If someone has a good idea and starts a successful business,

Soon there will 8 or 10 copycats within one kilometer.

So many, no one business makes any money.

I can not count how many times I have seen this happen in Thailand.

Sometimes the competing businesses are side by side!

To address the second part of your post...

My money is American.

For the time being, I am feeling o.k.

But, things change in America every time they change leaders.

The next regime may turn the banks lose like GW did and destroy the economy again...

Then I will worry...again.

[GinBoy2]

I'm sure this won't conform to the group thinking..but I'm kinda looking forward to the Robinsons Lifestyle opening. Does anyone have any details of what stores will be there?

[glegolo]

The only gossip I have heard recently, was that when HomePro´s preliminary finance report showed up regarding their Chaiyaphum branch, people around was not too exiced, and that Robinsin decided to hold as for a while. They wanted to see what happens concerning the military´s involvement in politics, and they wanted to wait and see if Chaiyaphum really can swallow all these big ones siuated here in this area.

So have no clue what regards the different shops, sorry!!

Glegolo

Ps. But we have this great bar, "Number 1 Bar" so we do not care too much really, but are of course happy if Robibnson shows up. Today at lunch it will be my weekly australian steak with Ben´s fantastic mash potatoes and his great gravy to that...... My big dilemma today... together with a glass of red wine or a nasty Leo beer??

Glegolo

[bendare]

Sorry i have nt been on for a while, we ve been very busy with our new location, opposite the night Bazaar. Its a much nicer size with plenty of things going on outside. Thankyou to every body for joining us for Christmas Dinner and New years. On Valentines Day, Saturday the 14th we have a special candle lit dinner which consists of, Rasberry and Rum fruit punch, Avocado shrimp entree, Australian Beef Stroganoff with Tagliatelle followed by Banoffe Pie and cream. 495 bht per couple. Bookings being taken at the bar.

Ben

[glegolo]

OMG - will talk to mrs Glegolo, but will be there 14th february, such a nice food..... Who in their right mind do even think about those leaves, branches, roots and insects when there is falangfood..

'

Glegolo

[bendare]

Also we are now on tripadvisor if any one would like to review us.

[bendare]

The new location of The 1 Bar & Restaurant Chaiyaphum.

[drgoon]

Do they have bar girls ??

[bendare]

Yes we have 3 working ladies, however they may not do the kind of work you mean im afraid lol

[glegolo]

Time to fresh up this thread...... Today saturday and horse-racing, and a big australian steak and mashed potatoes plus a fast baccardi-coke, at Bens Bar the so called Number 1 bar, thank God that it is here for us guys...

See you guys later...

Glegolo

[elliss]

Yes we have 3 working ladies, however they may not do the kind of work you mean im afraid lol

maybe they need , training , in take care of faralang , 555

good luck , i will call in for a beer , next time around .

[SantiSuk]

Let's hope the copycats don't get to you then Ben. In my local Issan amphur town the German-run pizza bar has been pretty successful. Inevitably a Thai couple have now set up another bar which seems to also target falangs.

Luckily for the German guy the local falang community seems to be responding by doubling its intake and spending the first half of every afternoon in the Thai bar before moving on to spend the second half in the original hostelry. We falangs like to see enterprise, but with fair play!

Who will be first to open a liver repair clinic I wonder!

[glegolo]

Let's hope the copycats don't get to you then Ben. In my local Issan amphur town the German-run pizza bar has been pretty successful. Inevitably a Thai couple have now set up another bar which seems to also target falangs.

Luckily for the German guy the local falang community seems to be responding by doubling its intake and spending the first half of every afternoon in the Thai bar before moving on to spend the second half in the original hostelry. We falangs like to see enterprise, but with fair play!

Who will be first to open a liver repair clinic I wonder!

Why in hell support a copy-cat thaibar who can not take care of falang-needs anyhow...

useless to go there and take money away from the real deal...

shame on some of us..... but maybe the beer is 5 baht cheaper at the thai-owned "falang-bar"???

Glegolo

[muzmurray]

Good assessment of this crazy boom Pianoman.

Khon Kaen is the same.

By the way you have a strange forum name?

The name "Pianoman" came from 50+ years in the Music Industry... Musican / Artist, Composer / Arranger, Producer, Consultant for various Manufactures, Retailer and Investor in multiple Music projects and Artists.... I have met Billy Joel ("The Piano Man) multiple times over the years at various Workshops, Master Classes, Round Table discussions and Industry functions, and have his writen permision to continue to use the "Pianoman" name on line as long is it is not for commercial purposes.....

Pianoman

Seeing as Mr Joel does not own the trademark for "pianoman", you don't need his permission at all, and it was not his to give.

Do you honestly think that artists trademark every song and album title?

The songs are copyrighted.

[willyumiii]

That was a pretty long, in depth post to just end up as an advertisement for a bar that sells pizza.

[glegolo]

That was a pretty long, in depth post to just end up as an advertisement for a bar that sells pizza.

I think actually that it was just the depth that slipped you, and I think it was lost on you. I wrote that;

"you can get Pizza that is really good, you can get Australian steak, spaghetti, mashed potatoes and good sauces, irish coffe, Beer and grogg. Life is good, and all the falangs here are very happy about this."

Meaning that it is not just A bar, it is more like THE bar for us who lives here. You do not do that I can see...

Instead, plse be happy for us here...

Glegolo

[glegolo]

Yesterday 3rd july 2016, Bens Bar here in Chaiyaphum hosted a barbque-event in the evening. In spite of being english food, it was really good, and the burgers and piotatoe.-sallad was really great!!

Thank you for a nice evening..

Glegolo

[DLang]

I spot the guy that just arrived from Pattaya.