Do You Live In A Thai Village Full Time

[TBWG]

Hi folks

We're of again~~~

If you came in July the road would be finished says Koffi, after suggesting that we do the circular route and lunch at Tat Lo! Bearing in mind it's February that's like saying I'll set fire to my car so nobody will steal it! Pointless!

But we decide to go that way anyhow with Markus driving as he is used to driving on the wrong side of the road. It is difficult to get lost in this part of Laos because there are so few roads and this one is quite good, what was Koffi driveling on about. The road soon turns into a superb recently laid piece of tarmac ...... great, we will soon be feasting on fish and chips in Tat Lo.

Oh dear after 5 kms the road turns into a dirt road cut into the brush alongside the new stretch which is still under construction and the bad news, it says for 25 kms, better put the grub on hold.

If we are feeling sorry for ourselves spare a thought for the poor sods living by the side of the road. With the passing of every vehicle a thick orange dust cloud is thrown up which seems to hang in the air for an eternity. We drop back about a kilometre from the car in front so that we can have a fighting chance at seeing were we are going only to stir it all up again. The locals who unsurprisingly are all orange must be eating, drinking and inhaling it day in day out. Bet they can't wait for July!

We now have some idea of what it must be like to compete in the Paris - Dakar rally only at about 20% of the speed but our trusty Fortuner copes with the terrain well, gawd, it does not bear thinking about if it should rain.

Well we eventually get back onto reasonable road and arrive at Tat Lo. This really is a gem, a waterfall feeding a small lake in which kids are playing and bathing whilst we watch from a restaurant veranda overlooking the scene and supping beer. What more could one want.... female company ... hey presto, Jessica and Claudia, US and German respectively join us at our table and we spent an enjoyable hour or so swapping travel stories. Although our method of travel, decent hotels and own car is poles apart from their back packing and public transport experiences. Fraid I'm too old for that lark.

Anyway Tat Lo has perhaps a dozen hotels and restaurants and is just a small village, but an idyllic one and well worth the visit! Buto we are soon back on the road on our way to Pakse and determined this time to arrive in daylight and get a decent hotel.

To be continued!

TBWG

[TBWG]

Well folks

This is the concluding part of the Laos epic, which I trust you enjoy ...........................

Well we arrive in Pakse with plenty of daylight left and proceed to the bright lights side of town, lot's of reasonable looking hotels and guest houses and some very non Thai/Laos architecture presumably the French influence.

We decide on a modest looking guest house for one reason only ~~~ It is next to the Nizam Curry house! The guest house is neat and clean and Baht 600 for a large room with 2 double beds, so a done deal! After a shower and on leaving the hotel we are approached by an exhausted attractive young lady with a huge backpack and a guitar (what prompts people to take a geetar backpacking)? who is looking for more modest accommodation. Had we any suggestions!! I was tempted to offer her the spare bed in my room but suspect that she may have thought that my intentions were not entirely honorable! Which of course they were. (you can interpret that which ever way you want).

In hindsight this was a sensible move as I suffered from excess flatulence after my Tandoori chicken and the "Boss lady" says I snore like a train, which I dispute however.

So off for a walk along the Mekong, a few beers at one of the riverside establishments to watch the sun slide down as smoothly as the Laos Beer.

This has the effect of putting an edge on our appetite so back to the curry house. Well a table full of excellent food and a few beers and excellent service cost about 6 quid for 2 and we were both fit to burst. The only bad taste left in the mouth was when the owner confiscated the tip we had given the waiters and pocketed it with a smirk.

This particularly annoyed Markus who I thought was about to thump him! So much for Swiss/Indian relations!

Anyway a quick reconnoiter to suss out a suitable breakfast haunt and its off to bed.

After a sound nights sleep it's up early for an early start back to Thailand, but not before an excellent breakfast at a Cafe within 30 metres of the Hotel. Fresh Coffee plus freshly squeezed orange, French bread and a nice plate of eggs, ham, sausages etc again for about 3 Euro for 2.

So now we embark on an uneventful drive back to Thailand were the satnav again begins to function.

It is only once we are back in Thailand that the thought occurs to us that going to Laos is in fact like stepping back in Thailand 20-30 years.

Fini

TBWG

I was considering treating all you folks to the saga of my stepsons visa ... but because of the lack of response I assume nobody is reading my literary gems, or if you are then you must all be paraplegics with no keyboard skills! So C'mon lets have some encouragement

[luap]

Thanks TBWG

very interesting and informative trip report, enjoyed the read.

cheers............Laup

[jazzbo]

I do read your PDR Lao musings especially regarding Bolaven Plateau -- I had to cancel (illness) a trip there with a horticulturist friend from Florida who specializes in gingers (Zingiberaceae) -- Bolaven highlands for him is a prime stomping ground... he is not interested in anything so useful as coffee.

... but as some of the gents in a parallel topic this Isaan forum feel the need to buy guns when living full-time in a village, the prospect has little interest for me.

Edited July 17, 2010 by jazzbo

[Gladiator]

I do read your PDR Lao musings especially regarding Bolaven Plateau -- I had to cancel (illness) a trip there with a horticulturist friend from Florida who specializes in gingers (Zingiberaceae) -- Bolaven highlands for him is a prime stomping ground... he is not interested in anything so useful as coffee.

... but as some of the gents in a parallel topic this Isaan forum feel the need to buy guns when living full-time in a village, the prospect has little interest for me.

I live in a small Thai village some 20 KM from Chiang Mai, but have family in a small village near Khon Kaen.

As a matter of interest Jazzbo, if its not too personal a question - where do you live?

[TBWG]

I do read your PDR Lao musings especially regarding Bolaven Plateau -- I had to cancel (illness) a trip there with a horticulturist friend from Florida who specializes in gingers (Zingiberaceae) -- Bolaven highlands for him is a prime stomping ground... he is not interested in anything so useful as coffee.

... but as some of the gents in a parallel topic this Isaan forum feel the need to buy guns when living full-time in a village, the prospect has little interest for me.

Hi Jazzbo

Yup it is a bit worrying when the most popular post on the forum is about guns!

Anyhow I have bugger all else to do so here goes on the Visa escapade! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I should have known things would go wrong when a silver VIP Toyota people carrier (Why are they always silver?) turned up for our trip to Bangkok to apply for my stepsons visa. I know it was VIP transport because it had it plastered in large letters along the side. However this term should be applied in the loosest possible manner when you saw the dubious collection of individuals on board, allied to the fact that this Executive transporter had at least a quarter of a million kilometers on the clock and was in bad need of a new windscreen which had large arcs scratched into it from wipers that needed replacing decades ago. Still it did pick you up from your door and drop you at your hotel in Bangkok.

Oh dear, this door to door service meant that we had a tour of further villages to pick up other VIPs! So it was about another hour before we were actually Bangkok bound! It also meant that on arrival in Bangkok I had a free tour of various housing developments, Soi's, Hotels etc. Still it did mean I slept soundly when we finally arrived at the Hotel about 3 in the morning.

Well it was then up for an early start for the visa office, now this was a real ball tightener considering I need at least 8 hours beauty sleep each night to be at least half human.

A bit of explanation about this Visa lark, my eldest UK son is getting married in October and has invited Turbo my stepson to his wedding, bearing in mind that the Boss Lady has held a UK passport for the last 5 years, as offspring he has an automatic right to settle in the UK. Why anyone would want to settle in the UK at the moment defeats me. It's overcrowded, bankrupt, overtaxed, over legislated, over speed camered, political correctness has gone barmy to the extent that a parent cannot take a photo of his own kids in a public place and the weather is crap to boot!

Despite his automatic right we still have to supply a shed load of documents and schedule an appointment ~~~~~~ which brings me onto the next dilemma! .... to be continued

TBWG

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Entertaining and informative trip report, TBWG. I will take my coffee loving self to Koffi's plantation when I next appear in Thailand. Thanks for the tips on hotels and food, too.

Edited July 18, 2010 by Kaoboi Bebobp

[TBWG]

Visa trip Part II

Let me explain, to get an appointment at the VAC (Visa Application Center) you apply online and they give you various dates a few weeks hence. OK, we book a suitable date. The VAC is based in Rajdamri Road, Lumpini, which between booking and appointment had become "World HQ" of red shirt movement.

Now I am not a political animal but why they get worked up about having a non Thai born, so called non elected leader beats me. They (the movements) are bringing the country to it's knees by the actions of the masses, in the UK we also had a non English born, non elected leader who achieved the same effect all by himself! Quite an achievement really!

Having spent lord knows how many hours on 'tinternet' getting this appointment it is going to take more than civil unrest to put us off. Besides it does have its plus points, Hotel to oneself, half empty BTS and restaurant's with few diners!

However, the website has been saying that during the disruption they are running a limited service, so please call before visiting. So when we get through, surprisingly easily, we are told yes they are currently open, but please ring on the day to check. Now that is quite difficult as they open 8.30 appointment is 11.30 and we are 400 kms from Bangkok! So its go for it the day before and hope for the best.

In conversation it comes up that only the applicant is allowed into the VAC, but as a minor we will be able to accompany him. Great as I did not fancy hanging around for hours on end in the middle of a war zone!

I don't wish to get dragged into the rights and wrongs of the dispute but as we made our way through the red-shirts encampment I can't help but think that 90% of these people are being used and that the financiers/decision makers have got a lot of cannon fodder for a few baht a day and as much sticky rice as they can eat. Although I have to admire the logistics behind it, there are rows and rows of portaloos, large galvanised water tanks for showering purposes and most impressively a large tent equipped with half a dozen or so laptops where the foot-soldiers register and collect and record their days pay. Apart from this it is like any other day-market in Thailand, food vendors, bars, people selling shirts (mainly Red) as well as catapults and other trinkets.

At no time did we feel intimidated and life went on as normal as could be expected under the circumstances.

Wait with bated breath for next thrilling installment!............................

TBWG

[jazzbo]

Kuhn G -- 'just noticed the query... I live in Muang Khon Kaen since 2004. I made several trips prior to that as 'volunteer' at Christian Foundation for the Blind (CFBT) which is HQd in KK and is the largest foundation for the blind is SE Asia...

My downfall as regards ThaiVisa is that last year I was able to arrange WiFi in my room thus the increase in postings although a Member since 2004. (See TV Profile -- I actually have one)

I am official resident of USA / Florida where for many years my family was invollved in the Citrus industry -- although when I worked there in the 70s I told persons who queried 'How many acres ...' that it was FCOJ already frozen and in the can before I had anything to do with it.

[Gladiator]

Kuhn G -- 'just noticed the query... I live in Muang Khon Kaen since 2004. I made several trips prior to that as 'volunteer' at Christian Foundation for the Blind (CFBT) which is HQd in KK and is the largest foundation for the blind is SE Asia...

My downfall as regards ThaiVisa is that last year I was able to arrange WiFi in my room thus the increase in postings although a Member since 2004. (See TV Profile -- I actually have one)

I am official resident of USA / Florida where for many years my family was invollved in the Citrus industry -- although when I worked there in the 70s I told persons who queried 'How many acres ...' that it was FCOJ already frozen and in the can before I had anything to do with it.

All kudos to you for your wonderful work for the foundation! I did check your TV profile, but it did not mention your domicile. Out of curiosity, is your braille transcription is in English and Thai? Either way I am impressed.

The only reason I queried where you lived was, with regard to a posting on another topic when you mentioned cooking on an improvised kitchen on your balcony. My own cooking is done on an improvised kitchen outside of my house on the patio

[jazzbo]

Thank you but of course it isn't work in the WP sense -- as per Maynard G. Krebs for the older Americans...

I only transcribe in English Braille -- there is a Thai Braille but it is very cumbersome due to the Thai language vowel structure ... many students who are blind start learning English at an early age and some learn Japanese as well as there is then training available in Japan.

... just a bunch of kitchen electrical appliances out on the balcony... and a small work table in the bathroom... also working with some cheese cultures/rennet and yogurt starters I just brought back from USA trip;

My current Braille project is the 3 Stieg Larsson novels (in English) .. and

Edited July 19, 2010 by jazzbo

[jazzbo]

... just to clarify I have for many years had no association formal or otherwise with CFBT Foundation in Khon Kaen ... My IRS 501c3 Non-Profit (NGO) is registered in the USA and was approved as of FEB 2010.

[Campfire]

Thank you but of course it isn't work in the WP sense -- as per Maynard G. Krebs for the older Americans...

I only transcribe in English Braille -- there is a Thai Braille but it is very cumbersome due to the Thai language vowel structure ... many students who are blind start learning English at an early age and some learn Japanese as well as there is then training available in Japan.

... just a bunch of kitchen electrical appliances out on the balcony... and a small work table in the bathroom... also working with some cheese cultures/rennet and yogurt starters I just brought back from USA trip;

My current Braille project is the 3 Stieg Larsson novels (in English) .. and

Where are you doing this big cheese operation? In the bathroom? Pretty high tech stuff! No doubt you have your phd in where to grow nice mold LOL. You should talk to my cousin the prof at Payap who writes books on hill tribe languages, yeah but you would have zero chance of understanding him. Have a nice day

[jazzbo]

I do my yogurt and cheese making in the bathroom and on my balcony. I actually have made cheeses before... I took a 2 week 'boot camp' in goat cheese and culturing... I have friends and former neighbors in California and Vermont who have won awards for their cheeses .. I have many times visited Cabot Cheese in VT and Rouge et Noir in CA among others ... I have many years experience working in the US food industry.

As far as my language credentials go, I am certified as a Braille Transcriber by the US Library of Congress.

Edited July 19, 2010 by jazzbo

[TBWG]

Thanks TBWG

very interesting and informative trip report, enjoyed the read.

cheers............Laup

Thanks Luap ~~ Laup? Not dyslexic by any chance?

TBWG

[TBWG]

Hi all

Here comes part III ~~~ which now seems to be the filling in a potential cheese sandwich!

Well we arrive at the VAC on time and with minimum of fuss, so far so good. After being searched we are now pounced upon by various visa agents who try to re route us to their offices because they think they can fill in a form for a complete stranger better than the applicant who surely must have some grasp of his own date of birth, name, address etc. If not he should not be on the streets unaccompanied and unsedated!

Now we take a number and are told that despite previous assurances only 1 parent can accompany my stepson, so the boss lady is in like a rat up a drainpipe and I am left to my own devices, but far from me being left in a warzone for hours on end I can now depart to the coffee shop to ponder on the wisdom of allowing so many visa agents to rent property next to the VAC. The coffee shop has free wi fi so I can now play with my Iphone for a few hours in peace with only the odd interruption to autograph some other photocopy that they require for a visa that they are duty bound to grant by virtue of his mothers UK citizenship. Bureaucracy don't you just love it.

Well 2 hours and a few thousand baht later and step one is done and dusted, paperwork will be forwarded to UK embassy and visa forwarded by post within 10 days and really there was no need for me to attend!

So now it's off to Jim Thompson's house for a celebration nosh up and surprise, surprise we have choice of whatever table we would like as the sole diners!

What I failed to mention is that as a minor he needs to be accompanied by an adult family member so a niece will travel with him, he needs to supply a copy of all her details and paperwork with his application. She as the accompanying adult needs to supply all his details and paperwork with her application, result 2 grands worth of ink and paper from Big C.

Bureaucracy don't you just love it..........................to be continued

TBWG

[jazzbo]

Hello Kuhn T -- I have told any Thai female who wants to visit a Western Hemisphere country under my auspices -- so as to observe its sights, sounds, language, and customs, etc. -- that there will be only one destination I will consider: Bermuda... 6 month no-questions-asked visitor's Visa for any Thai citizen:

Bermuda tourist visa is not required for citizens of Thailand for a stay up to 180 days

[MJP]

Hello Kuhn T -- I have told any Thai female who wants to visit a Western Hemisphere country under my auspices -- so as to observe its sights, sounds, language, and customs, etc. -- that there will be only one destination I will consider: Bermuda... 6 month no-questions-asked visitor's Visa for any Thai citizen:

Bermuda tourist visa is not required for citizens of Thailand for a stay up to 180 days

Brutally pricey (Fairmont Hamilton Princess was $500 a night replete with a bathroom cochroach!, breakfast not included which hit $28 , there are hotels available for around $180 a night, yee-pee!) and okay if you really, really love and I mean LOVE golf. Which I don't. It's a 21 sq mile golf course. I was going round them with a Bermudan MP last year, and had a serious dose of the squits having flown out of BKK to Narita to JFK to Hamilton and had dodgy grub along the route, serious situation.

We'd made it to the 2nd course and I asked (clenching cheeks as we went over another speed bump) 'How many are there on Bermuda?' . . . 'There's eight'. 

There are a lot of Thai's and Filipinos there. Having lunch with some of the contractors they were openly racist in front of the Thai staff (about them and their 'reasons' for being there) serving in the restaurant . . . cringe worthy embarrassment.   I had to bite my lip on that one and carry on chopping on Caesar salad.

Overall, I found it plastic, artificial, superficial and yet quite stunning in most places. Not sure how long you'd intend to stay, but after 6 months I'd be pulling my hair out. Quite a few beggars not bothered about giving you serious hassle.

Racial tension is high. One of the reasons two British engineers gave who'd been there over a decade were leaving having made a stunning fortune there. One was heading back to Glasgow the other Swindon (to give you an idea).

Hotter than hel_l, hotter than Thailand, humid as a steam bath by 3pm. Even I was heading for the air-con'd SUV and I've lived in Issan without air-con for many a year. 

I wouldn't say it's representative of anywhere other than Bermuda. Bit of an odd place I thought.

[jazzbo]

I was in Bermuda many times on Re-Insurance projects ... 10-15 years ago though ... I have suggested Bermuda for US citizens who cannot get the TGF or wife into the States but want the USA family and friends to meet the significant other ... there are places to stay in Bermuda other than the Fairmount but the place is definitely pricey as are the airline connections ...

So what this really means to me personally is that if someone wants to travel with me to see USA sights -- which thankfully none in my circle do -- it will be to see true Americana as on display at Disneyland ... in Hong Kong.

[MJP]

I was in Bermuda many times on Re-Insurance projects ... 10-15 years ago though ... I have suggested Bermuda for US citizens who cannot get the TGF or wife into the States but want the USA family and friends to meet the significant other ... there are places to stay in Bermuda other than the Fairmount but the place is definitely pricey as are the airline connections ...

So what this really means to me personally is that  if someone wants to travel with me to see USA sights -- which thankfully none in my circle do -- it will be to see true Americana as on display at Disneyland ... in Hong Kong.

I guess so, didn't know about the light visa regs regards Thai's. There will come a time in the future when they have the same travel freedoms we do, I hope.

I'm still bitter about the place to be honest. Dragged all the way over there for a 3 day meeting tendering for the remediation of the old Navy base, still no project award a year on, cost an absolute fortune tendering that job.

Doorman at the Fairmont opens your cab door and says 'Welcome home!' I said, 'I've never been here before, what you on about?'

I couldn't find anywhere for less than $180 a night. Which isn't that bad I guess.

[TBWG]

Hi

Part IV (the conclusion)

The Boss Lady now informs me that she and Turbo will stay in Bangkok for a few days to look for a dress for her to wear at the wedding. (The cost of this bloody wedding is fast mounting up).

I just want to get out of the place so will get a bus from Mo Chit to home ASAP. The Boss lady accompanies me to Mo Chit as I am incapable of buying a bus ticket unaided. It's about 3pm there is a bus at 6 o'clock but it stops everywhere and I am advised to go for the 8.30pm VIP (That over used phrase again) bus. This is sold out, thinking back this should have started alarm bells ringing, but never mind there is one at 9pm and I am given a choice of seats via the computer screen and opt for 3A So 6 hours to kill! I lost count of how many

doughnuts and coffees I consumed in Dunkin Donuts and daren't ever venture back there as I think the Katoey on the till thinks I was hanging around cos I fancied him!

I foolishly thought that as the bus is scheduled for 9.00 pm that it would be there for boarding prior to that time, so ventured down to the station area about 30 minutes early. Jeez I have never seen so many people in such a small area in all my life, what it is like at Songkran does not bear thinking about! I then have a brain fart, it's Friday 30th April surely the Thais don't celebrate May day. I should know better the country with the most public holidays in the world? Thailand! Any excuse for a beer up and party! They are all going home for the weekend . Well less than 30 mins and I'm on my way....err NO.

To cut a long story short we finally leave at 11.00pm the bus guy is getting peeved with me asking every 30 mins is this it? but then he only has himself to blame he has told me many times over the last 2 hours that its next bus or in 5 minutes! When I finally board the bus a pock marked surly youth is sitting in yes you guessed it 3A. Now no big deal BUT why ask me what seat I would like and enter it in computer, print a card with it on if you just sit anywhere. So I point out he is in my seat and make him move to 3B he promptly goes to sleep and lolls all over me with various body parts. Still I need not have worried as this situation was not to last long.

Upon leaving Mo Chit we head off in an unexpected direction, but what do I know I am only a Farang, maybe everyone else knew but not speaking the lingo I assume the late arrival was due to some mechanical problem, anyway we now go down completely unfamiliar roads and very narrow sois where we finish up in the Bus depot. All change, judging by the bemused expression on a lot of faces they had no idea what was going on either.

I board new bus only to find pock marked surly youth in my seat again, make him move. This time however a lot of passengers are demanding their correct seats so its like musical chairs , I am now joined by a much more amenable youth so no problems there.

It's now past midnight so I must have dropped off whilst we retraced our route and made our way out of Bangkok. For those of you unfamiliar with the route it involves going through Saraburi (spl) and onto Khorat. This part of the route is quite hilly with some steep inclines to be negotiated, this has the effect of reducing the speed of those heavily laden double trucks to a snails pace, this is not normally a problem, but with the sheer amount of traffic this has caused a tremendous tail back. Don't know how long I slept but when I woke we were already in the jam which then lasted at least 20 kms before clearing itself. During this jam most of the Thais were fast asleep including the amenable youth who was now talking animatedly in his sleep, he was also grinding his teeth really hard and loud so much so that I thought he might do himself some harm, what with the driver grinding the gears every time he downshifted on the hills it was getting quite musical.

What was now pi**ng me off was all the pickups driving up the inside and then forcing their way back in lane every time they encountered a parked or abandoned lorry of which there were many. They invariably had a lot of Thais laying in the back and consuming beer and having a good time which rubbed salt in the wound. I must have now dropped off again as I was then awoken by the sound of rain pi**ing down, think the pickup Thais not quite so smug now!

Whilst we passed through this traffic mayhem I thought it ironic that I had not seen 1 police car or officer. Even the middle of road police stations were lit but devoid of life. Now I think those police stations are a good idea...... quick access either way in event of an emergency surprised they have not appeared in UK.

Well I eventually arrived home at 7 am, and I suppose the moral is being a cheap Charlie bit me in the arse, I should have coughed up for a taxi. Also NEVER NEVER EVER go by bus again from Mo Chit.

TBWG

[jazzbo]

I use the NakhonChai Air bus Khon Kaen to MoChit bus leaves just about every half hour-- 32 seats and I buy two seats for myself ( for the elbow room) which are always respected by the hostess -- I even joke with her "2 tickets NOT just an empty seat: 2 drinks, two meals, 2 snacks. etc."

Their is also a 24 seat VIP+ bus 3x per day but I do no like the schedule -- I like to arrive in Bangkok around 2pm to check into a hotel

[jazzbo]

... saw the mis-word too late for edit 'There' not 'their' or as G. Stein said of Oakland (CA): There is no there there.

[stevehaigh]

There are loads of plus points to country life.

We are up in the hills on the edge of Khao Yai National Park.

Just driving around is fascinating.

can you share a bit more info about the Khao Yai area? are there any farang hangouts? what's the weather like, especially in the hot season? love to know more about it, look like a nice area.

[lukey1979]

There are loads of plus points to country life.

We are up in the hills on the edge of Khao Yai National Park.

Just driving around is fascinating.

can you share a bit more info about the Khao Yai area? are there any farang hangouts? what's the weather like, especially in the hot season? love to know more about it, look like a nice area.

Hey mate. Me and the family live in Surin and we regularly go to Khao Yai for a few days away. Its not for everybody but for me the scenery and national park there is beautiful. I love the place. Forgive me for not being specific, There is a road that leads from Highway 2 at Pak Chong right upto the National park entrance, That road is full of ''Basic'' resorts, Thai style restaurants and Bars etc. Bit of a silly cowboy theme going on but a good laugh nonetheless. Loads of places around the area do Steaks, And there is some quality food, you have the chok chai Dairy farm nearby which has a pretty good steak house and Burger Joint, Then you have the PB winery/Vineyards up by Muak Lek. I saw a few farang owned establishments knocking about and i had a very good pizza at one place.

The Thais like to holiday in Khao Yai, but like i mentioned there is some nice resorts to chill out in, and you will have a good crack if you like that sort of thing. Theres surely supermarkets nearby as i remember seeing an outlet mall nearby.

The national parks not to be missed mate, Real Thailand, unfortunately most of the country probably looked like it once before they started hacking down the trees. We are going to start camping soon up there as there are camp sites, hopefully we wont get eaten by the Tigers haha.

[Thaddeus]

you have the chok chai Dairy farm nearby which has a pretty good steak house and Burger Joint,

Quite possibly the worst steak I have ever had in my life, it is truly awful, I doubt that they have ever been shown how to cut up a cow properly let alone how to hang it when they have..... have bought frozen meat from there that is labled as sirloin, when it is actually rump....... not a clue, unless you want to go tooled up like Dennis Hopper.

The milk is ok.

[surayu]

you have the chok chai Dairy farm ......

Quite possibly the worst steak I have ever had in my life, it is truly awful, I doubt that they have ever been shown how to cut up a cow properly let alone how to hang it when they have..... have bought frozen meat from there that is labled as sirloin, when it is actually rump....... not a clue, unless you want to go tooled up like Dennis Hopper.

The milk is ok.

I have to agree with Thaddeus, been there 2 weeks ago, if not the worst steak i ever had, it was very close to it, hard like a shoes and it was the more pricey on the menu, the place was litterally packed with thai people and had to wait about 5 minutes in the queue before to get some seats, the sausages were ok but nothing special, the place IMO is way overpriced for what it has to offer and reach the top of the absurdity with is camping site, up to 4.000 Baht to stay 1 night in a tent!! total nuts, so if you intend to stay locally better to find a proper room in Pak Chong which is nearby and spend 400 Baht to get something better, the milk taste just like the 7/11 milk, just 4 times the price you get at 7/11 but once you know is easily avoidable, the best milk i had so far in Thailand is the buffalo's milk from the Murrah Coffee shop in Ramkhaemeng, Bangkok and the best beef steak was in Walking Street Pattaya, yes hard to believe but that's the truth, i even tried that famous japanese steak (Kobe?) which is apparently the best of the best but it didn't beat the one in Pattaya, why it's so difficult to find a proper (beef)steak in Thailand? they all seems to be hard shoes the most of the time, even if it's barely cook, nothing to do.

[surayu]

There are loads of plus points to country life.

We are up in the hills on the edge of Khao Yai National Park.

Just driving around is fascinating.

can you share a bit more info about the Khao Yai area? are there any farang hangouts? what's the weather like, especially in the hot season? love to know more about it, look like a nice area.

They builded up an overpriced village enclosure targeting farangs called "Toscana Valley" a friend of mine inspected some of the properties and basically (he said) even if the houses were looking nice at first, a closer look revealed thai standards being applied to the construction method (but still having a top notch price), regarding the hangouts, there is an industrial area called 304 (like the road it is on) with many places to eat, listen live music, a few westerner restaurants (operated by thais) and even a coyote's place, the only foreigners around are mostly japaneses....

[wales01]

What happened to the Op of this thread macb? Does anyone know?

[IsaandieNL]

What happened to the Op of this thread macb? Does anyone know?

Maybe you can PM him directly kind regards see next post of surayu Edited August 11, 2010 by IsaandieNL