I'm moving to Phon Phisai!

[simon43]

I hope this is going to be the last time that I move in Thailand ????  I came back from working in Burma and have been staying temporarily in Ranong.  But my plan was to relocate up to live in Isaan.  Although I've been through 'the works' while living in Thailand, the happiest times have always been when I previously lived or visited Isaan - I used to live on the Rim Kong vin Nong Khai and visited Phon Phisai many times.

 

There's no woman involved in my decision to move to PP - I 'ditched' those problems years ago and have very happily been living alone in both Thailand and especially rural regions of Burma.

 

I speak/read/write Thai to a high level, understand Isaan Lao and speak/read 'Lao' Lao to an intermediate level.  One reason for choosing to move to PP is that I have a very good Canadian friend who recently moved up to that region with his Thai wife.  They are very happy to have me as a neighbour (well, about 30 minutes drive away).

 

Anyone else live in that region?  I'm moving up in the middle of April.  My friend will find a little house for me to rent in PP while I find my feet and see if I need to rent a property in an other location in the town/near-by.

 

I need to dig out my khaen... it's in a lock-up in Bangkok ????

[CharlieH]

Been interesting following your exploits over the years Simon, all the best with the move and hope you soon settle in.

 

Lets hear all about it ! 

[Cadbury]

I have a friend who lives in a village not far from Phon Phisai and I have passed through there a number of times. I don't see any problems with living there particularly if you have a friend living not far away. It could be quite economical I imagine. 

My only reservations would be boredom would set in after a while but that could be overcome by short term journeys to nearby locations like Nong Khai or Udon Thani. The bus services there seem good.

[khwaibah]

Hope it goes good for you. Just a suggestion if you need a western fix try https://nnrestaurant.de.tl in Nong Khai. Also there is a new friendship bridge going in at Bueng Kan.

[Spidey]

I visit Nong Khai and Phonphsai fairly regularly. Apart from the market and a "well stocked" bar on the right as you enter Phonphsai, there isn't really a lot going on there. Muang Nong Khai has a lot more going for it. It's almost as far from Muang Nong Khai to Phonphsai as it is to Udon Thani.

 

However, I've always found the locals amongst the friendliest in Thailand.

 

Best of luck with the move and will be very interested to hear about your progress.

[simon43]

Thanks all for the comments.  Having lived in rather remote regions of Burma for a few years, I can assure you that I will not get bored.  I keep myself busy running my own little charity that donates school-books to poor Burmese students (in Burma).  When I left Burma late last year I arranged with the text-book publisher in Yangon that he would manage all the packing/posting of the books to the schools.  I receive a salary into my Burmese bank account each month and simply use the banking mobile app to transfer some of that to the publisher's bank account, and then he sends out the books that I specify to the school.

 

Apart from that, I'm a licenced shortwave radio ham in Thailand (and Burma).  My Canadian friend is also a radio ham (albeit not with a Thai licence).

 

Of course I know Nong Khai very well, having previously lived there.  Phon Phisai is close by car, no problem.  I didn't know about the new friendship bridge at Bueng Kan - that is interesting news.

 

I must admit that I'm not big (anymore) on drinking beer, going to bars or eating western food.  That all changed a few years ago when I lived in Burma, with only access to the beer part of the above.  I decided to get fit and healthy and changed my lifestyle completely.  So now I eat like a rabbit (veg, fruit, nuts etc).  I do like a bit of Isaan karaoke though ????

[khwaibah]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

I didn't know about the new friendship bridge at Bueng Kan - that is interesting news.

 

The Thai highway 214 from the Chong Chom crossing from Surin to Cambodia all the way up to Bueng Kin is being taken to 4 lanes with the new friendship bridge(#5)crossing over at Bueng Kan into Lao to move commerce from China, Vietnam and Lao into Thailand and then Cambodia. The Thai government is in the mist of completing the final 12 km of the 214 through Kap Choeng to the Chong Chom Crossing. Most of the 214 up to Rai Et has been completed.

[robblok]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

Thanks all for the comments.  Having lived in rather remote regions of Burma for a few years, I can assure you that I will not get bored.  I keep myself busy running my own little charity that donates school-books to poor Burmese students (in Burma).  When I left Burma late last year I arranged with the text-book publisher in Yangon that he would manage all the packing/posting of the books to the schools.  I receive a salary into my Burmese bank account each month and simply use the banking mobile app to transfer some of that to the publisher's bank account, and then he sends out the books that I specify to the school.

 

Apart from that, I'm a licenced shortwave radio ham in Thailand (and Burma).  My Canadian friend is also a radio ham (albeit not with a Thai licence).

 

Of course I know Nong Khai very well, having previously lived there.  Phon Phisai is close by car, no problem.  I didn't know about the new friendship bridge at Bueng Kan - that is interesting news.

 

I must admit that I'm not big (anymore) on drinking beer, going to bars or eating western food.  That all changed a few years ago when I lived in Burma, with only access to the beer part of the above.  I decided to get fit and healthy and changed my lifestyle completely.  So now I eat like a rabbit (veg, fruit, nuts etc).  I do like a bit of Isaan karaoke though ????

Not everyone is into drinking beer and woman, some of us got bored with it quite fast. When i arrived here the pay for play scene was fun and exciting. It lost its shine quite quickly with so many "normal" girls available (i was in my 30ies so easy to get girls here without paying).

 

So your decision is not that strange. I admit that someone like me could never live in a place like that. I need the comforts of BKK (the shopping). Its great to be near BKK and living in a gated village has its upsides. I look out at a park with (small) with green and a lot of birds squirrels in the trees. (just a small park in our village). I am happy that I am not looking at other neglected houses.

 

 

[simon43]

So your decision is not that strange.

 

Rob, I'm a country lad.  I don't like living in the city (I lived in Bangkok-Saladaeng when I first moved to Thailand).  I prefer rivers and hills, and there is plenty of that in north Isaan and just across the Mekong in Laos.

 

A quiet location also usually means quiet 'electrically', which is good for ham radio, (although I have to say that ham radio is one of the most frustrating hobbies on the planet - things rarely seem to work properly).  I feel lucky that I not have to consider anyone else's opinion as to where I live and what I do with my life - I spent too many wasted years putting my previous partner's wishes first and getting little or nothing in return!

 

I wouldn't consider a rural location if I didn't have a car - my trusty pick-up will be putting on many miles as I go to visit some of the rural locations, (my Canadian friend who loves photography is not allowed to drive for medical reasons, so I'm sure he'll make an excellent map-reader..).

 

I certainly do not intend to 'cut myself off' from the outside world or the local community.  I need to travel regularly to Burma to visit my old school and students etc.  

 

I have about 8 weeks to pack things up in Ranong...

 

Now the question is - should I find some sweet lass in Phon Phisai to look after me? ????

[tingtongtourist]

OP, are you the same Simon who owned hotels down South some years ago? 

 

I also remember reading something about legal problems?

or you being sued and had to leave Thailand or something like that?

 

if so, i think you have an amazing story to tell, and credit to you for remaining in a positive attitude when things dont go to plan.

 

anyway, wishing you much luck and success with your new move.

[simon43]

Hi, Yes I'm the same person who built 4 little hotels in the south (Phuket).  One of my ex-wives still successfully runs one of those hotels. I sold another, my other ex sold the 3rd and the 4th was 'stolen' from me by druggies LoL.

 

I did have some smallish legal problems maybe about 12 years ago - that was all sorted out at the time.  

 

I haven't considered to return to retire in north Phuket because it has changed beyond all recognition. I built the first hotel at the airport (Phuket Airport Hotel), but now more than 100 hotels and guesthouses are listed by booking.com at the airport....

 

I went through some dark times with one of my ex'es - I came out the other side a better person ????

 

Thanks for your good wishes!

[Assurancetourix]

3 hours ago, simon43 said:

should I find some sweet lass in Phon Phisai to look after me?

Hi Simon,

 

You wrote you can speak, write and read thai fluently so I'm sure it will not be difficult for you to find a sweet lass ????  ;

 

Went there, in Phon Phisai a few weeks ago ;

I'm living in a very little village in Sakon Nakhon province , not far from Sawang Daen Din ;

You will find a change, the road 212 from Nong Khai is now a four lanes rd and drivers are crazy, driving often more than 120 km/h ..

 

 

 

[1FinickyOne]

On 2/18/2019 at 9:06 AM, simon43 said:

So now I eat like a rabbit

Good luck Simon, though somehow moving back does not usually live up to expectations... I hope it works well for you. 

 

ps - rabbits are known for other behaviors too... 

[Mavideol]

On 2/18/2019 at 9:06 AM, simon43 said:

Thanks all for the comments.  Having lived in rather remote regions of Burma for a few years, I can assure you that I will not get bored.  I keep myself busy running my own little charity that donates school-books to poor Burmese students (in Burma).  When I left Burma late last year I arranged with the text-book publisher in Yangon that he would manage all the packing/posting of the books to the schools.  I receive a salary into my Burmese bank account each month and simply use the banking mobile app to transfer some of that to the publisher's bank account, and then he sends out the books that I specify to the school.

 

Apart from that, I'm a licenced shortwave radio ham in Thailand (and Burma).  My Canadian friend is also a radio ham (albeit not with a Thai licence).

 

Of course I know Nong Khai very well, having previously lived there.  Phon Phisai is close by car, no problem.  I didn't know about the new friendship bridge at Bueng Kan - that is interesting news.

 

I must admit that I'm not big (anymore) on drinking beer, going to bars or eating western food.  That all changed a few years ago when I lived in Burma, with only access to the beer part of the above.  I decided to get fit and healthy and changed my lifestyle completely.  So now I eat like a rabbit (veg, fruit, nuts etc).  I do like a bit of Isaan karaoke though ????

hope the only thing you do like a rabbit is eating......555

[Khaeng Mak]

Simon.  My girl is from a small rural village not far out of PP so I know the area very well.

 

I have during extended visits also worked as a volunteer teacher at some government schools there.  On the first occasion the kids from every classroom in the school came and tried to squeeze into the room in which I was teaching to get their first (up close) look at a real farang.

 

I note on your other thread that you now have a teaching position in CM. So maybe this thread is no longer relevant.

 

But anyhooo... here is my 10c worth:

 

I could never live in a village in PP for the following reasons:

 

1. There is zero eye candy.  All the 20-30 something girls are working somewhere else. In fact the population of most villages consists of the very old taking care of the very young. Mum and in a lot of instances Dad also are working either down south in Thailand or overseas.

 

2. It's too hot. In the peak of the dry season that entire area is a dust bowl. Hot as a furnace because all of the timber has long since been cut down.

 

3. It is a cancer cluster area.  There is a hyperbolic rise in the instances of cancer among the villagers there. I attribute it to unchecked and unregulated use of pesticides. And also, quite significantly, the increased use of fertilizers. The detritus layer in any of the waterways in that region are a highly toxic mix of phosphor and other sinister chemicals.  Just check out any of the locak creeks or ponds when they get low in the dry season.  They glow bright green...and no its not just algal bloom.  The chemical and fertilizer companies are entirely to blame here.  They prey upon the uneducated farmers and basically tell them the more chemicals they put on their crop the more money they will make at harvest.  Even the big and once healthy dams are now absolutely choked with duck weed due to over nitrification of the waterway. It is impossible to escape these chemicals.  Every thing you eat there has been grown and washed in the local water.

 

4. A sense of death.  This relates to point 1. There is no vibrancy in the villages. They are just full of old people in ill health waiting to die, or to get there next 3,000 baht transfer from nong Fa.  The more I got involved with the village community around me the more depressing I found it. While I was working as a volunteer teacher at one primary school they had a parent teacher morning.  There were no parents present of course, just the grand parents looking after the kids. It was a sea of nose picking, toothless, crippled, beetle nut chewing drunkards.

 

5. Gambling. That area is a hot spot for Hi Lo and all the associated financial problems (and violence) that flows from it.

 

6. Meth amphetamine.  One would think that this would not be a problem in villages where there are no 20-30 somethings.  But it is now a huge an growing problem among the elderly.  This is because a meth pill can now be bought for 80 baht which makes it cheaper than a pack of cigarettes.  

 

7. No seafood. Sure you can get fish and prawns from local farms but then I would refer you back to Point number 3 above.

 

I do hope that your circumstances have indeed now changed and that you can take up your new teaching position and avoid setting up camp at PP.

 

Best of luck.

 

 

[myshem]

Next life maybe you will know what you really wanted for this one...

So funny to read your old man who know nothing stories !

 

[simon43]

To comment on some previous posts about having been offered a job in Chiang Mai.  Actually, it's in Chiang Rai, and while the job meets my aspirations, the bottom line is that the air quality in CR (and the north in general) is not good!  I've posted in the CR sub-forum to ask more about how the AQ has been over the past few weeks.  So I am certainly not decided yet.

 

Every location has its advantages and disadvantages.  As for the various depressing comments about PP:

 

1 - There is zero eye-candy.  That's fine, because I have zero interest in getting romantically involved again with any woman (or man or ladyboy or goat!), Thai or otherwise.  The only times that I have been really happy and at peace with myself have been when I had no partner/wife to <deleted> things up for me.????  I intend to keep things that way.

 

2. It's too hot. My last location (Naypyitaw) is located in the 'hot zone' of Burma.  I got used to cycling for exercise in 40+ degrees heat.  No problem.

 

3. It is a cancer cluster area.  Do you have any links to scientific data about this?  I do eat mainly fresh fruit and vegetables, but I never buy in local markets, preferring to pay a premium for big supermarket quality produce.  Sure, it could also have pesticide residues, but I think the big supermarkets are probably more vigilant about this than the local small farmers. I've got my car and will visit the big shops in Nong Khai on a regular basis.

 

4. A sense of death.  As per your following comments, the only community activities that I usually involve myself in is voluntary teaching (I'm a KG/primary grades phonics teacher for many years).  Anything else has never interested me, except for local Morlam concerts.  I am a very sociable person, but also prefer my own (intelligent) company and my Khaen.

 

5. Gambling. That's a given!  No problems there for me.

 

6. Meth amphetamine.  See #5  (same as kratom, yaba etc).  So long as my house is secure and reflects the fact that I have nothing worth stealing, then I should be fine.

 

7. No seafood.  I'm allergic to crabs..... The only seafood that I tend to eat is salmon from the big supermarket.

 

So..... PP sounds fine ????  But in any case I am not tied to any specific location.  If PP turns out not to be good, then I can move on to another place!

[Goinghomesoon]

Hope it works out Simon.  We finished working in Yangon in July last year, had a good stint at our house 14km from PP before moving on to our current assignment. If you can survive working in NPT you'll be fine in PP!    I very much enjoy our visits up there. Our house is rural and we have a small solar set-up, no running water and it's just glorified camping (albeit in a beautiful Thai-stilted house that my hubby and a builder cobbled together).  We head into PP several times a week, there are usual a few farang at the Amazon coffee on the main road and even more at the shopping centre enjoying the AC.  I have met one younger European guy who has a business that manufactures water and drink bottles, mostly they are retirees though.  I don't think I could live there long-term - my Thai isn't good enough to socialise without my husband and I would find that just a bit limiting - but perhaps in 10 years when we retire I may have time to make inroads into that language problem.  For the moment PP offers the perfect quiet break for us ...if it weren't for the blasted dogs that bother me on my daily run!   Good luck and we may see you around during a visit (I'll be the farang wife trailing the Thai hubby...there aren't many of us around!)

[simon43]

Thanks for your comments.  Actually, it looks like I'll actually be living in Bueng Kan, (or the outskirts of BG).  The sole reason for this is because BK has a riverfront jogging path and Phon Pisai doesn't.

 

I know from years ago when I lived in Nong Khai on the Rim Kong that there is a great jogging path there.  But I also like BK and PP, so prefer to live at BK and within easy driving distance of NG.

 

The simple wooden house on stilts is my ideal residence!  I used to rent a house like this just outside Ao Nang in south Thailand.  The lifestyle was simple, peaceful and stress-free.

 

Nowadays I don't have to concern myself with the needs of a partner.  I can be selfish and plan my residence etc around what I want.

 

I know from a friend who lives in So Phisai that word has already got round that a 'farang' will be moving into town ????