RWB

Has anyone used any of the places for translation near the US Embassy? The embassy has a short list on their website. I need to have a couple of documents translated and was wondering about the time frame to do so. I only have one day scheduled for Bkk and don't want to have to reschedule flights at the last minute. Thanks

Thanks for the good read and pictures. I believe you got a very good deal on the house. Your house is very similar to what I have in mind for our house, if we can find some land that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I do like the older Thai style house that looks very similar to our beach and river houses here in SE Texas. I DON'T like the old style toilet/shower and kitchen arraignments. I already had my share of cold "showers" when I was much younger. Thanks again for sharing with us.

I wonder how the amount of food we export compares to the amount we import and what the change in exports/imports have been in the last 5/10/15 years or so. Just curious. We certainly aren't the biggest exporter of rice anymore. And why does so much of my food have a label saying it comes from another country. Of course agri-business is good business, right. Never mind that the family farm continues to go away. If we can build all our needed goods then why don't we, because big business makes more money from the cheap labor overseas, and big business could give a damn less about America's future. Where are all the steel mills? Why do I get somebody from India if I need help with a computer problem? Why is the US Air Force buying a tanker from another country? Why did the armed forces go with Beretta 9mm when the Gov't Mod 1911A1 .45 is still the best gunfighting pistol around, ok ok I am a bit partial . I have to agree with the tree hugger part, we have the technology to get the oil out of the ground without destroying the environment, but again, money money. America is entirely too dependent on other countries, esp countries that hate us.

tko, somehow I bet you get all your news from faux news, rush limbaugh, and billo. If you can't see the crimes that have been committed you have a problem with law, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and criminal procedures. You, sir are part of the problem, not the solution. The shrub regime all belong in Git Moe or one of their secret CIA prisons. A little waterboarding each day for the rest of their miserable lives would be most appropriate. Amen, BigusDiscus, Amen

I grew up in farm country, back in the 60's we grew more rice here than anywhere else. Now I don't think we have 10 rice farmers left. On top of that even if rice farming once again became profitable, the land is gone. Most of it is now developed, and the poor idiots can't understand why the water gets so high in their neighborhood, ugh duh you built in a rice paddy dummy. Some land has been reclaimed by the marshlands also once it hasn't been farmed for a few years the federal gov't won't let it be farmed again. This area is one of few in USA that is really booming, we live and die here by oil, esp now that farming is gone. No morgage failures here, just more and more building. The refineries are expanding and hiring hiring hiring, unfortunately many are not americans, seems that most american workers want just a bit more of a living wage. They will just have to learn to live just a bit more frugally now won't they. Just shut up and do what the nice guys in management tell you, oh yea forget that retirement, health care, and don't mention the bad bad word, union. We owe China how much now, they own us, our manufacturing base is going going gone, our oil industry is owned by foreign investors, not americans, our jobs are being outsourced faster than you can blink your eye, the gov't outsourced a tanker for our air force to a subsidized foreign company(not the only outsourcing for our military), asshole bill gates wants more cheap foreign labor, and in general the american worker has forgotten why labor unions were so important. If you think things are bad now, wait until oil changes to the euro. We will be ridding Honda Waves to work here. The mccain/repungent health care plan calls for the end of tax benefits for employers and employees for employer furnished health care, one may and I do mean may, get a bit more take home pay afterwards and that is supposed to enable everyone to go out an buy their own. Give me a fucking break! How much does that fucking war cost? Tell me again that it doesn't make any difference in the economy, how much fuel alone does it burn up? we are being ripped off left and right by kbr etc with the blessing and best wishes of the traitors in DC. to hell with that, what is the long term human cost? We can't grow our own food, manufacture our own products, build our own computers, or do our own work. But we can still pay out the ass for foreign oil, at least for today. Excuse me, the demo congress has nothing to do with all this, it has been coming for about 7 years now. This has all happened on the shrub regime's watch. The repungents don't give a damn about anything but money, more money, power and more power. Oh yea, I'm pissed at the demo's also, just not because of the economy, because they haven't done their constitutional duty and brought criminal charges against the shrub/rove/chenny regime. Damn, that felt good! This being sober crap is rough sometimes, but my liver thanks me (I hope).

Here is one NOT to use, DysonEstates. Nothing but rip-off artists. Switched condo's on me after I had friend in Pattaya select one and then refused to refund any of my deposit even though I gave them about 10/11 weeks notice that I would have to change my plans.

Speaking of Thai banks with a slightly different slant. Has anyone tried to use one for a land/house/car etc loan? I know most have saving interest rates that suck, but so do american banks. I was just wondering how much they charge on loan rates and if a farang could even get a loan. Move this if it is too far off subject, don't want to hijack.

Good to hear you are enjoying. Jason and wife are very helpfull and in my case went the extra mile due to arrival times etc. Hope you enjoy your new life as an expat, I'm still about 2 years away.

Thanks Jason, always glad to give out good accurate information. I know that of all the times I have come to Pattaya my best stays were in your condos. The lady your lovely wife liked and I have been together since that first trip now well over a year ago, and it seems I limit my days in Pattaya to when most my old friends come to town in Dec. All my time is spent up in Udonthani these days, looking for land and to build house. Take care and give my best to your wife and daughter.

What ever you do, DO NOT rent from Dysonestates. They are a rip off. Took forever to confirm that I had condo although they had my money. Changed the selected condo on me and then when I notified them that I could not make the trip they refused to return my deposit. I notified them about 3 months prior to my original planned arrival that I had to cancel. There are some good board members here that rent and are very dependable. Try Jason@viewtalaycondos.com

I stay at Jan Condotel, 500 baht per night, cheaper for long term. Very clean, fairly new, nothing fancy, basic, tv, plenty closet space, shower-no tub, small balcony with sink for dish wash etc, always in good shape. Friendly staff. Mixed group of people in and out, some farang, I think mostly Thai. They have a pretty good American breakfast(not free), but you have to explain that bacon is supposed to be crisply done...lol. The internet is usually pretty good and free. Nararat speaks good english if you met her and "understands" farangs pretty well. She is married to an englishman. A laundry is also available. The city park is a short walk, catch a baht bus or walk downtown, a bit of a walk. The school girls in the area, and there are many, are all too young, even if some don't quite look it. There are several schools in the neighborhood and some of the older students stay in student apts (?) around the area. Some pretty good sidewalk restaurants in the neighborhood. I don't believe one would have any problem bringing a lady back for the night, but I haven't seen that happening with the few farangs that stay there. Then again I don't pay much attention to them. 102/17 Soi Sansuk, Siruk Rd. Markhang Muang Udonthani Thailand 41000, PO Box 250 Udonthani Thailand 41000, Tel. 042-329-223-7, Fax 042-329-259, Email: Jan_condo2005@hotmail.com, www.jancondotel.cpm This is an unpaid advertisement, although she is my lady's aunt and has property across the street from my lady's house in the village . She likes me and my lady, but if you mention my name I don't think it will get you a better price or me either...lol. She is a good businessperson.

I wish I could make it, but I don't get to LOS until 7 Sept. I am guessing the "old friend" you have known for a year or so. Take care, see you Dec.

Andy, wish I could make it, damn it seems like I am always missing a party. Congrats again. Staying Udonthani this Sept but I will see you sure in Dec/Jan. Wayne

Why does it not surprise me that there are no showers in the Cobra Swamp Airport. While 1,400 baht not a large sum of money, after 26 hrs, I believe I can wait 4 more hours to clean up and change clothes.

Not an airline but an airport question. I have an aprox. 3 hr layover in the new airport before my flt to Udon. I am wondering if there are showers available there. I don't remember seeing any, but then I was never looking.

Damn Owen, you have such comforting advice...lol. I do hope that people pay attention, so many times people just do not prepare for the future. I am 62, will be 65 or right at it when I move. I don't plan on moving back to the states. There is nothing here for me that I can afford. I figure a few pretty good years baring the unexpected and then who knows. I won't lay around waiting to die in some fucking nursing home. Sooner or later when death comes knocking again he is going to get in my door. When he does my kids that can't remember they have a dad, can try and figure out what to do with my body or not, I won't care.

Thanks, good advice Owen. The county pays 100 % of premium. I have never paid any and will not after retirement. I don't think in this case they will stop paying at some near point in the future, although that is always a consideration. I do need to check back with risk management and the insurer also to see what they will demand for them to pay a bill. If my memory serves me correctly the deductable will remain the same, but I will lose the "co-pay" part because out of area. Thanks again, your advice is as usual good advice for all.

I have stayed in View Talay my last couple of trips, the longest was 5 weeks. I never got to know any of the residence, but never really tried. While not a loner by any means I do tend to pick and choose my friends. Most people were friendly and polite with a hello or the equivalent in their language. I certainly felt comfortable around the residents and I am one of those people that never sits with my back to the door if you understand. I have to admit that the old guys with young Thai guys kinda' gave me the creeps though. I did notice that there seemed to be small groups of what appeared to be ex-pats around the cafes in the condo. The pool was popular, but I didn't spend much time there. All in all from my short experience I would say that if you choose to make friends in a condo then you shouldn't have a problem and if you don't, no problem either. BTW, anyone have a studio for rent Dec/Jan?

Although moving to LOS is still about 2 1/2 yrs away I have done some research with my work insurance. I work for a county entity that has a pretty good group coverage plan. The catch comes when you are "out of the service area". I was told that LOS is defenitly "out of area". Because I am single and my kids grown I only have to carry my self at no cost to me. My insurance will continue after I retire. As I will be living "out of area" they will only cover 50 %. Considering the cost of medical in LOS this really isn't too bad. I don't know at this point whether to pick up more insurance when I move or not. Until recently I had no pre-existing conditions and am not sure what will happen in the future. Because of Agent Orange exposure my liver problem may or may not resolve itself and I do not know if this will be forever considered a pre-existing condition. I have never been asked and have certainly never told any insurance company about Agent Orange as I imagine that, contrary to the gov't, the insurance companies would blame everything on it, call it pre-existing and refuse to cover anything. Aside from the liver problem and a bit of a off/on cholesteral problem I am probably healthier than most 35 year olds. Never been overweight, never smoked, and now don't drink. Now if I could just look 35 again .

I will not have lots of money (fuckin' ex wife gets half my New Mexico State retirement), but I will have about the same income in retirement as I do working(taxes, taxes). I can stay here in a country rapidly going to right wing idiots(they really aren't idiots-they overthrew the US gov't/Constitution in a coup that 90% of the country has yet to realise has happened) with just enough money to get by until I get really sick and not get laid by good looking 20 something year olds, fish, race cars or much of anything else I enjoy. Or I can move to LOS, with just enough money to live fairly good, get laid when I want, fish, well probably not race, have good medical care (my work insurance will still pay half in LOS). Actually a no brainer, and if I had realised what was in LOS when I was going through my divorce I would have taken the money and run. I'll be living in LOS in less than three years Buddha willing and the waters don't rise. I found renting a condo in Jomtein for 5 weeks gave me some idea of what it would be like to live full time in Pattaya. A studio is too small, but no need for a 3 bedroom etc etc. The biggest "fear factor" right now is the weakness of the dollar and the US in general. There is a big difference between 41/42 bht to dollar and 34/33 bht to dollar. Much more and things could be very difficult. I know what it is like to be hungry and wonder about the roof over ones head and I don't ever want to be there again. One must always be prepared for the worst and that means you cannot live from paycheck to paycheck and enjoy if you don't have a backup. If I stay in the states I would be living from paycheck to paycheck with a bit left over if I didn't have any illness and nothing/nobody to do. In LOS I still will be living from paycheck to paycheck with a bit more left over, some invested for emergency, and plenty to do . Then there is always "up country" or Cambo for cheaper living. There is some good advice in this thread and the archives have much more. Thanks to you guys that have contributed.

Thanks for the beer offer, I'll be glad to take you up on that and offer you one in return. I'll drop in as soon as everything opens back up. I'll be around for about 35 days so I am sure we will see each other more than once. Hey rightsaid, you must have me confused with someone else. I'm the guy that doesn't get there in time. I didn't say anything about the bar. Two completly different posts and people.

Damn, missed by "that much". I get in midnite that night, just in time for the King's Birthday

Hi wacmedia, my enlightenment begin with a little "vacation" in SEA courtesy Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. The politicians were out of control then and have gotten 100 times worse since. At least back in those days there were people of courage that stood up to them, not too many these days. The continuing weakness of the dollar is a major concern to many ex-pats. I will get a small taste of it in a few weeks when I come for my annual Dec/Jan visit. The dollar vs baht will be a major concern when I move in about 3 years and will be on fixed income. There is no simple solution or way to predict what the dollar will be doing, but I do believe that the rest of the world sees the loss of manufacturing jobs and abilities along with the losses in the tech fields as a major future problem for the US. As a side note, shrub(that brave warrior from the Vietnam era) is in SEA for economic meetings, and the brave pilot will finally go to Vietnam. Wow, what a man !

I'm guessing with a corrupt, evil US gov't that has sold out to money whenever it could. America's economy is rapidly becoming a service economy, our manufacturing and tech. bases have rapidly dissappeared under the shrub regime. I think the world economic leaders are very capable of recognising the weakness of US economy and the US in general. Don't be holding your breath for the Demo's to be able or willing to make a real change. I damn sure won't.

I've used 1-2 Call(didn't won't to give Toxin any more bht) for several years, never had a problem calling back to the states. Screwed up and forgot to get it renued when my friend was there in Sept/Oct. Now have to start over, but internal memory should still be there, I will just end up with a new phone number, hmmm maybe not a bad thing .