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 Amer

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

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

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 wi

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 appear

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

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,

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

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 .