Diary of a farang in Isaan

[rhodie]

23 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks for that Fiatoc.

 

The problem does seem to be C-19. At least in the short term.

 

I've been asked to 'check things out'. There have been so many rip-offs with agents promising work, only to find that either the correct paperwork is not forthcoming, the job does not exist, or the agents simply vanish with the dosh.

 

Your post has given me hope that it could be above board.

 

Cairns, Wide Bay, South-east Oz, Shepparton, North-west Victoria, Coffs Harbour, Grafton and the NSW Murray region. That's huge areas that need labour urgently.

 

 

 

A story I saw recently

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-17/fwo-investigates-claims-backpacker-paid-just-2.50-an-hour/12673092

But there is this

https://www.fruitpickingjobs.com.au/

Edited October 8, 2020 by rhodie
Add link

[owl sees all]

3 hours ago, rhodie said:

A story I saw recently

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-17/fwo-investigates-claims-backpacker-paid-just-2.50-an-hour/12673092

But there is this

https://www.fruitpickingjobs.com.au/

Thanks.

 

The wife and her daughter went to see an agent in Udon today. The agent wants 150k baht for each to sort it out,

 

Your info will help me sort it all out. Fat is a type of crazy too.

 

 

Some of those farmers are losing big time.

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 08-10-2020 - Thursday evening.

 

The big storm arrived last night and today. Just about enough rain to stop a game of cricket. That's it for this season.

 

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Big C have started a poster campaign. Mildred says it's for sauce. Must be a bargain at 47 baht; shoppers coming from miles around.

 

 

Big C is here, and they are not kidding Tesco! Are you watching?

 

 

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Had a good look at the trees today. Can't see the cables in some areas. Got to sort it. Getting the enthusiasm level high.

 

 

Maybe just pay someone to chop them!

 

 

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Longest hair in the school.

 

 

In the year below Mildred. M reckons she has not had it cut for 5 years.

 

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Chickens are being prepared. Must be a chicken-fighting gala soon.

 

 

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Went to the beer-bottle road to get a couple of nice pic's for the TV 2020 pic competition; quirky section. Didn't notice last time just how many there are.

 

 

As well as the ones by the road, virtually every building has its own array.

 

 

What's it all about?

 

 

I'll have to inquire. Curiosity has got me thinking. Must be the best part of 1000 bottles. All have caps on; at least the ones by the road.

 

 

Even the tree has its own bottles.

 

 

And the main house?? 

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Slipped in pond number one Sunday. Might as well try to sort out the nets in number five while I'm soaked.

 

 

I'm in there.

 

 

Somewhere!

 

 

Quite deep; unable touch bottom in the middle. Tried hard, but couldn't get the nets out of the mud. They will have to stay like that for a while. I'll figure something out.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I'm being poked (metaphorically) about this work in Oz for the DinL and her hubby. I've heard so many true stories about Thais (and other nationalities) being ripped off over working abroad. Got some research to do. Fortunately, some regulars have already helped with advice and posts on this.

 

Mrs Owl is really civil to me at the mo'. Actually gave me a playful whack on the head yesterday. Good job the bottle was not completely full.

 

Take care out there.

 

Bye y'all.

Edited October 8, 2020 by owl sees all

[chickenslegs]

3 hours ago, owl sees all said:

I've heard so many true stories about Thais (and other nationalities) being ripped off over working abroad. Got some research to do.

Ministry of Labour is the only truly reliable source of information about jobs abroad for Thais.

You should advise all your family/friends to contact them before entering into any arrangements.

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1827649/thais-sought-for-jobs-abroad

 

https://lb.mol.go.th/en/work-abroad

 

There are some genuine well paid jobs abroad, but lots of scams too.

[Will27]

 

12 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Thanks.

 

The wife and her daughter went to see an agent in Udon today. The agent wants 150k baht for each to sort it out,

 

Your info will help me sort it all out. Fat is a type of crazy too.

 

 

Some of those farmers are losing big time.

Woah, 300 000 Baht to "sort it out".

 

There's been 2 locals around us who paid borrowed 200 000 to get "work visa's" for Sth Korea

on a dairy farm. Other Thai's were earning 40 000 per month there.

 

Both got pulled at the airport and sent back home.

Now they owe money to the money lenders.

 

Sure there's some making a decent quid but there are loads who have been

caught and of course they have no recourse.

 

It's a lottery TBH.

Oz Immigration are red hot at trying to catch people

entering the country and wanting to work without the appropriate visa.

 

You will be on a hiding to nothing with the Mrs if you're not careful.

Tell them no, it's too risky and it's not what they want to hear.

Tell them it's a goer and if they get caught, it will be obviously your fault.

 

Tread carefully fella.

 

Edited October 9, 2020 by Will27

[bluesofa]

Owl,

I see this was posted half an hour ago, about berry picking in the country of Scandinavia: ????

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1186654-thai-berry-pickers-in-europe-earned-bt800-million-in-three-months/

 

My wife has been to visit her sister in Finland a few times for a holiday. Sometimes while she was there she also picked blueberries for a few days (yes, I know - on a holiday visa).

The point was she met some Thais there doing it legally.

They each had to pay an agent 140,000 Baht. Plus they were charged via the agent for accommodation and food - not at a cheap rate either.

They told my wife they made money, but they had to work hard for it.

[owl sees all]

12 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Owl,

I see this was posted half an hour ago, about berry picking in the country of Scandinavia: ????

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1186654-thai-berry-pickers-in-europe-earned-bt800-million-in-three-months/

 

My wife has been to visit her sister in Finland a few times for a holiday. Sometimes while she was there she also picked blueberries for a few days (yes, I know - on a holiday visa).

The point was she met some Thais there doing it legally.

They each had to pay an agent 140,000 Baht. Plus they were charged via the agent for accommodation and food - not at a cheap rate either.

They told my wife they made money, but they had to work hard for it.

Yes!

 

Saw it when it first came up. It seems very seasonal in Finland.

 

Evidently there are factories in OZ also wanting labour. So as one job finishes, another is beckoning.  Things are happening so fast here. Mrs Owl has just gone off to be guarantor for Hubby-in-L's new driving job in Non Han.

 

I've got to chill for a while.

 

 

Edited October 9, 2020 by owl sees all

[HighPriority]

On 10/7/2020 at 10:35 AM, owl sees all said:

I'm pretty sure that all the footy followers know who deej was/is. When he talks about Spurs I think; been down this White Hart Lane before.

 

Rc2702 started that fantastic thread 'The poison Brother-in-Law' that ran to over 80 pages. He was also an avid footy fan. Hope he is OK.

Throw the link up again Owl... for anyone who hasn’t read it, it’s a ripping yarn, a tale of foreboding and brotherly love.

Mandatory viewing for anyone new to Thailand and its charms.

[Andrew Dwyer]

24 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Throw the link up again Owl... for anyone who hasn’t read it, it’s a ripping yarn, a tale of foreboding and brotherly love.

Mandatory viewing for anyone new to Thailand and its charms.

This was a great thread indeed provoking lots of posters, myself included, to have a good old moan/get things off their chests/whinge like it is going out of fashion !!

We could probably start another similar thread with a whole new bunch of extended family stories, I know I have a few more to tell since the above thread finished !!

[Bill3173]

   Hi Owl, I haven’t commented on this thread before but enjoy reading it. On the subject of working in Australia (Fruit, veg picking) I would advise caution. I have been hearing stories of Thais wanting to pick fruit in Australia for over thirty years. The only ones that I know of doing it, are Thai’s who are already in Australia, working illegally.

In my younger years I tried fruit picking, never again. It’s back breaking work, and then you have the farmers not / under paying. My sister built and owned a back packers hostel in Queensland (sold the business several years ago), which she supplied workers to the farms. One of her problems were the farmers not paying her quests/workers. In her words, some of the farmers can be a---eholes.

   Yes you can make money fruit picking, but these tend to be professional pickers who follow the harvest seasons and have their own accommodation, usually caravans. (accommodation can be another scam).

 

   The biggest problem at the moment, are the travel restrictions due to Covid 19. All international travellers must undergo 14 day quarantine at their own cost (approximately $3000 AUD). Then you have restrictions on who can enter. At the moment only citizens / permanent residents, or if you are on the list of exemptions. The only exemption on the list, for seasonal workers is the Pacific and seasonal workers visa, but Thais are not eligible (see link below). Then you have the cost and availability of flights. There are restrictions on the number of people who can enter and on the number of passengers per flight, so the cost is high. The Prime Minister has stated, that normal travel will probably not resume until late 2021, at the earliest.

 

   There are several visas which allow work in Australia such as Temporary / Permanent Residency, International student visa, or for people with specialist skills etc. But these are unsuitable for your Thai relatives. The main visas used for seasonal work are;

 

   1. Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme (visa subclass 403) Thai passport holders are NOT eligible. See link below.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-work-403/seasonal-worker-program

   2. Working Holiday Visa (visa subclass 417) Thai Passport holders are NOT eligible. See link below

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/first-working-holiday-417#Overview

   3. Working holiday Visa (visa subclass 462) Thai passport holders ARE eligible, but the requirements are very restrictive. See the eligibility on the link below. Not many people from Issarn would meet the criteria. Especially, Education, funds and functional English.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462/first-work-holiday-462

 

Useful sites

   A. Covid 19 Restrictions, entry to Australia.

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions

   B. Australian Government registered migration agents in Thailand. Enter Thailand in business location and press search.

https://www.mara.gov.au/search-the-register-of-migration-agents/

   C. Harvest Trail. A government general website for seasonal work.

https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest

 

There maybe other visas that I am not aware of. I would ask the agent what visa class will be applied for, amongst a dozen other questions, then research eligibility for that visa (Australian government websites are very good)

Sorry for the long post, but I though it might be useful. Once again, I enjoy the thread, keep the posts coming.

[owl sees all]

7 hours ago, Bill3173 said:

   Hi Owl, I haven’t commented on this thread before but enjoy reading it. On the subject of working in Australia (Fruit, veg picking) I would advise caution. I have been hearing stories of Thais wanting to pick fruit in Australia for over thirty years. The only ones that I know of doing it, are Thai’s who are already in Australia, working illegally.

In my younger years I tried fruit picking, never again. It’s back breaking work, and then you have the farmers not / under paying. My sister built and owned a back packers hostel in Queensland (sold the business several years ago), which she supplied workers to the farms. One of her problems were the farmers not paying her quests/workers. In her words, some of the farmers can be a---eholes.

   Yes you can make money fruit picking, but these tend to be professional pickers who follow the harvest seasons and have their own accommodation, usually caravans. (accommodation can be another scam).

 

   The biggest problem at the moment, are the travel restrictions due to Covid 19. All international travellers must undergo 14 day quarantine at their own cost (approximately $3000 AUD). Then you have restrictions on who can enter. At the moment only citizens / permanent residents, or if you are on the list of exemptions. The only exemption on the list, for seasonal workers is the Pacific and seasonal workers visa, but Thais are not eligible (see link below). Then you have the cost and availability of flights. There are restrictions on the number of people who can enter and on the number of passengers per flight, so the cost is high. The Prime Minister has stated, that normal travel will probably not resume until late 2021, at the earliest.

 

   There are several visas which allow work in Australia such as Temporary / Permanent Residency, International student visa, or for people with specialist skills etc. But these are unsuitable for your Thai relatives. The main visas used for seasonal work are;

 

   1. Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme (visa subclass 403) Thai passport holders are NOT eligible. See link below.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-work-403/seasonal-worker-program

   2. Working Holiday Visa (visa subclass 417) Thai Passport holders are NOT eligible. See link below

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/first-working-holiday-417#Overview

   3. Working holiday Visa (visa subclass 462) Thai passport holders ARE eligible, but the requirements are very restrictive. See the eligibility on the link below. Not many people from Issarn would meet the criteria. Especially, Education, funds and functional English.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462/first-work-holiday-462

 

Useful sites

   A. Covid 19 Restrictions, entry to Australia.

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions

   B. Australian Government registered migration agents in Thailand. Enter Thailand in business location and press search.

https://www.mara.gov.au/search-the-register-of-migration-agents/

   C. Harvest Trail. A government general website for seasonal work.

https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvest

 

There maybe other visas that I am not aware of. I would ask the agent what visa class will be applied for, amongst a dozen other questions, then research eligibility for that visa (Australian government websites are very good)

Sorry for the long post, but I though it might be useful. Once again, I enjoy the thread, keep the posts coming.

This is an eye-opener for me.

 

I've been put in the frame by the wife to help financially. Everything is so unsure. 

 

This present plan has materialized because the S-in-L was made redundant from his 'specialist' job of long-distance lorry driving. Evidently he had a grade/level 4 licence. This loss of work has resulted in a loss of cash. The redundancy payment is only one and a half month's money. That's 48k baht. But it hasn't yet arrived, so I've been helping out until the dosh arrives; which is due next week (allegedly).

 

Anyway; things have now moved on, as the H in L has got a job driving a wagon from Loei to Non Mek (Udon province). It is a gravel ferrying job from the quarry in Loei to the concrete place in Non Mek. As far as I can gather, he has to do eight round trips and then he gets 48 hours off. 

 

The wife, her daughter and the hubby, went to see a lady in Udon a couple of days ago. They wanted me to go, but I'm respectfully trying to keep out of the frame. In less stressful times she (the Udon lady), and her sister, had worked in Oz fruit picking and working in a chocolate factory. I've seen the pics of her and her sister in Oz, and that part at least, seems fine and above board.

 

The C-19 restrictions have added another aspect to all this. I might suggest that the two, who plan to go next year, go through the official channels and see what happens.

 

Thanks for that informative post Bill.

 

 

[bluesofa]

8 hours ago, Bill3173 said:

   1. Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme (visa subclass 403) Thai passport holders are NOT eligible. See link below.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-work-403/seasonal-worker-program

   2. Working Holiday Visa (visa subclass 417) Thai Passport holders are NOT eligible. See link below

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/first-working-holiday-417#Overview

   3. Working holiday Visa (visa subclass 462) Thai passport holders ARE eligible, but the requirements are very restrictive. See the eligibility on the link below. Not many people from Issarn would meet the criteria. Especially, Education, funds and functional English.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462/first-work-holiday-462

 

Now I know this is going back a long time - thirty years to be precise. I'm a Brit and I had a Thai girlfriend who I was planning on taking to visit Australia with me.

 

When we went to the Australian Embassy in Bangkok we were told there was no way my girlfriend would qualify for a tourist visa.

This was due the the high number of Thais who outstayed their visas and had simply 'disappeared' within Australia.

The figure mentioned was tens of thousands, hence the reluctance to grant visas to Thais.

 

I'm guessing that might be the reason for their ineligibility as listed above?

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 11-10-2020 - Sunday early afternoon

 

We didn't start fishing 'til late yesterday. By the time we started it was getting on for five. Milly made up the bait, and we were in among them quickly. Only two biggies out of the ten that we caught.

 

 

M soaks the pellets in her net for only 5 seconds. Any less and the pellet stays hard in the middle; any longer and they are too soft to stay on the hook.

 

The pond we fish in is only 100 metres away, so in true Thai fashion, we take the pick-up.

 

 

Getting ready for the fish.

 

 

 

And it's time to bait up. Two different methods. Make a small ball and mold it on, or thread the pellets onto the hook. Either works OK.

 

 

My rod got pulled into the drink when I was not paying attention.

 

 

We fished to nearly dark. Easy to get the floating rod. Put a weight on the rod with the reel and cast over it. Still had the fish attached; about 500gms.

 

The pink chair decided to split again.

 

 

Sorted it this morning. Used a different colour plastic string. I'm sure Mrs Owl will notice it and use it to demonize me when she next throws a strop. But! To be fair, she has been nice to me for about a week now.

 

 

This second time, I wasn't too careful about making it look really good. Mrs Owl wanted to chuck the chair. Well she would I thought. Anyway; all done inside 30 minutes. Didn't bother to trim the underside this time. Hope I'm not getting too sloppy.

 

 

 

Tried it out. "Perfect" she said, "better than new". But, suggested that we leave the pink one at home and take the blue one to the farm. I agreed.

 

Got a book sent to me. 'Snapshots' by Frank Kelly. Lives in Oz but born in London. Great read about life in the 1930s, 40s and 50s in East London and the west country. Many of the places wrote about I knew well. TBH I miss them.

 

 

That tooth was getting on my wick. Just had to get it extracted. Although it was loose; didn't want to leave its home. But, I got the better of it.

 

 

Used the trusted 'Owl method', when it wouldn't budge after a straight forward jerk.

 

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

 

This going to Oz thing has been sidelined as the Hubby-in-law has got a job. Had to help out with some dosh until they get some. On top of that, Mrs Owl's brother phoned today asking for a loan of 1000 baht, until ???

 

An old friend came around to see me yearsterday. Patong; the ex-monk (for 2 years). He did a lot of the farm work in the early days.

 

Faraday gave me some music inspiration last week. Been listening to it ever since.

 

 

Many thanks for all posts about the trip to OZ 

 

Take care out there y'all.

 

 

Edited October 11, 2020 by owl sees all

[bannork]

Winter's here now Owl, wouldn't you agree? A few more dry days and the building suppliers can get onto our farm to deliver the posts for our new cow shed. 

[owl sees all]

13 minutes ago, bannork said:

Winter's here now Owl, wouldn't you agree? A few more dry days and the building suppliers can get onto our farm to deliver the posts for our new cow shed. 

I would agree with you there. Are you getting them local, or delivered from Ban Dung? Pics of construction progress please bannork.

 

The lady behind us had a buffalo die at her farm last week. The village boss was not best pleased and yak yaked her, as the area vet should have been contacted, and he should have been informed immediately.

 

I suggested to Mrs Owl that she started a collection for the lady. After all it's the best part of 20k baht gone; just like that. 200 hundred houses in the village all give a 100 baht. There ya go. Fell on deaf ears.

Edited October 11, 2020 by owl sees all

[Kadilo]

Thanks for the pics showing the fishing bait. Has it a specific name? Or just ask for pellets. 
 

I’m glad you’re not a surgeon. 
 

I had the rod thing happen to me last summer in a large lake I fish. Took me an age to recover it. No fish on the end either! I always slacken off my bale arm now on my reel so it just runs out line. 
 

“Loan” of 1,000 ???? I got stung once by the In Laws. I was very naive at the time and agreed. Never saw it again of course. 
 

Tried and Tested method for pulling out a tooth? Not the old tie a bit of string to the door handle I hope?

Edited October 11, 2020 by Kadilo

[Kadilo]

9 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

I would agree with you there.

 

The lady behind us had a buffalo die at her farm last week. The boss of the village was not best pleased and yak yaked her. I suggested to Mrs Owl that she started a  collection for the lady. After all it's the best part of 20k baht gone; just like that. 200 hundred houses in the village all give a 100 baht. There ya go. Fell on deaf ears.

Why did he yak her? Was she looking after it for him ?

[owl sees all]

19 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Thanks for the pics showing the fishing bait. Has it a specific name? Or just ask for pellets. 
 

I’m glad you’re not a surgeon. 
 

I had the rod thing happen to me last summer in a large lake I fish. Took me an age to recover it. No fish on the end either! I always slacken off my bale arm now on my reel so it just runs out line. 
 

“Loan” of 1,000 ???? I got stung once by the In Laws. I was very naive at the time and agreed. Never saw it again of course. 
 

Tried and Tested method for pulling out a tooth? Not the old tie a bit of string to the door handle I hope?

When you are ready for some Thai rod-benders, just buy a one kilo pack of 40% protein pellets. Killer bait. Not too shabby in England either.

 

I was gonna become a surgeon, but decided that life on building sites, cutting up timber instead of bodies, might be more exciting.

 

Me too, at the lake in Great Barstead (near Witham). Found the rod when the water level dropped, a couple of months later. Just as with you Kadilo; no monster carp attached.

 

It's pointless just pulling at a tooth and hoping. Can be very painful. My Owl method is 100% perfect. And no doors are involved; or their handles.

Edited October 11, 2020 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

16 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Why did he yak her? Was she looking after it for him ?

The village boss is one of the best around. The Mrs says that she should have notified him when a big animal gets sick and dies. Each area has a vet and he will turn up and take a look.

 

If it's sick they don't chop it up and eat it when it dies. Well, not if they tell anyone, it's been poorly.

[Kadilo]

6 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

 

 

If it's sick they don't chop it up and eat it when it dies. Well, not if they tell anyone, it's been poorly.

I often wondered about that. The FIL had one day last year. He says it was bitten by a centipede. I asked what they did with it and the gf said it was buried but I have my doubts. 
 

Ive seen the hysteria in the village when someone brings a truck load of  beef on the back and often wondered how they ended up dead....especially when you see them eating it raw in a “salad “ 

[FarFlungFalang]

Looks like more rain on the way the ants were on the move yesterday and a tropical storm is also on a direct path to our place.

 

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Looks like more rain on the way the ants were on the move yesterday and a tropical storm is also on a direct path to our place.

 

Lovely map FFF.

 

Let me interpret for the amateur weather people among us.

 

Where lines are close together it signifies there could be rain. Where they are far apart, there could be rain if the wind is strong enough and coming from an area with close together lines. Our area (marked with arrows) falls on a line. Therefore no rain.

 

 

I've seen it all before FFF. The close-together lines, near Viet Nam, move south and soak BKK. The Chinese close-together lines stop at Chaing Rai and we get nothing.

 

If we get rain heavy enough to stop a game of cricket, any time from here on in, this year, I'll strip naked and run 'round the village, shouting 'we have rain'.

Edited October 11, 2020 by owl sees all

[FarFlungFalang]

25 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

I've seen it all before FFF. The close-together lines, near Viet Nam, move south and soak BKK. The Chinese close-together lines stop at Chaing Rai and we get nothing.

 

If we get rain heavy enough to stop a game of cricket, any time this year, I'll strip naked and run 'round the village, shouting 'we have rain'.

I hope for the villages' sake the low moves south then, but if it keeps on it's westerly path the village might see a streaker!We are where the 075 is SE from the tip of the arrows and as the lows go backwards in this hemisphere it should suck some moisture from the sea and dump it here or if the villages' merit making isn't up to scratch it might dump some in your area.Oh and no photos if the cricket is delayed due to wet weather please. 

Edited October 11, 2020 by FarFlungFalang

[faraday]

Yup, winter's here & it's great. 24°C at 05.00 rising to 32°C later. Outside now drinking an Archa, & 26°C.

 

Mrs F has made some of her delicious Khao Soi for tonight!

[owl sees all]

15 minutes ago, faraday said:

Yup, winter's here & it's great. 24°C at 05.00 rising to 32°C later. Outside now drinking an Archa, & 26°C.

 

Mrs F has made some of her delicious Khao Soi for tonight!

No beer for me. Beer has enlightened me enough in the past. And clean out of reishi wine until tomorrow.

 

Mrs Owl, just made me a cuppa but without any ginger slices; again clean out.

 

Working on the village transport system. I want to call the internal bus 'Thunder'. Milly says Storm or Speedy. We will see.

 

Listening to Van the Man; as you suggested. 

[faraday]

Khao Soi - finished already!

 

 

[Kadilo]

25 minutes ago, faraday said:

Khao Soi - finished already!

 

 

That looks lush. 
 

That's what I miss most about Thailand...........apart from the gf of course...cough cough 

[Golden Triangle]

A very big thank you to owl sees all for starting the thread & thanks also to all the other contributors who have made this an entirely riveting, funny and Informative read.

 

I have just finished reading from page 46 and have finally caught up just now, took me a week or 2 but now I'm up to speed ????

 

I was very sorry to read of Michael's passing, I enjoyed his pics & stories while owl was sorting out his computer probs, as you all said at the time, he will be sorely missed, RIP Sir.

 

A little bit of background on me: I retired here 9 years ago, not ex special forces but ex EOD, 12 years service followed by a spell in civvy street and another 20+ years working for the MoD in sunny Essex.

 

I was born in & lived in Fulham ( London ) for my 1st 10 years of life, I remember playing on the bomb sites, hence Fulham is my team ????????

 

I now live on the Darkside of Pattaya with the Mrs who I have known for in excess of 10 years we have fun days almost everyday. Every day is a joy.

 

I have to say that I admire you guys who have made your lives in the beautiful Issan countryside, just not for me I'm afraid ???? I actually like civilisation, I have friends and the Mrs family who live in the middle of Nahkon Nowhere which is nice to visit but I love my creature comforts ????

 

Once again thanks for a great thread, take care everyone.

[HighPriority]

6 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

A very big thank you to owl sees all for starting the thread & thanks also to all the other contributors who have made this an entirely riveting, funny and Informative read.

 

I have just finished reading from page 46 and have finally caught up just now, took me a week or 2 but now I'm up to speed ????

 

I was very sorry to read of Michael's passing, I enjoyed his pics & stories while owl was sorting out his computer probs, as you all said at the time, he will be sorely missed, RIP Sir.

 

A little bit of background on me: I retired here 9 years ago, not ex special forces but ex EOD, 12 years service followed by a spell in civvy street and another 20+ years working for the MoD in sunny Essex.

 

I was born in & lived in Fulham ( London ) for my 1st 10 years of life, I remember playing on the bomb sites, hence Fulham is my team ????????

 

I now live on the Darkside of Pattaya with the Mrs who I have known for in excess of 10 years we have fun days almost everyday. Every day is a joy.

 

I have to say that I admire you guys who have made your lives in the beautiful Issan countryside, just not for me I'm afraid ???? I actually like civilisation, I have friends and the Mrs family who live in the middle of Nahkon Nowhere which is nice to visit but I love my creature comforts ????

 

Once again thanks for a great thread, take care everyone.

See, that’s where you show your inexperience GT, that was the perfect opportunity to claim that the Elite Special Forces was where you learned to speed read... ????

Welcome ????????

[sotonowl]

On 10/11/2020 at 8:34 AM, Kadilo said:

The FIL had one day last year. He says it was bitten by a centipede.

That must have been some centipede taking a cow on.????