Diary of a farang in Isaan

[FarFlungFalang]

On 10/11/2020 at 5:13 PM, owl sees all said:

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'.

Upon hearing your need for rain I've asked Huey to send a special package and I've considered notifying your village to organise a cheer squad around your village for your victory lap.

 

[owl sees all]

9 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.

Great to get a new poster.

 

Throughout my time here, I've always tried to keep my East London attitudes and spirit alive. Not always easy in LOS.

 

The life in Isaan can be testing. It can get you down. It can make you sad. It can lift you up and it can make you laugh. It can amuse and it can cause despair. 

 

The village Thais laugh when I pick up rubbish and bin it. They laugh if I go out with odd coloured shoes on. But if being laughed at is your biggest fear; then you are on the right road. Of course Mrs Owl keeps me in check with her cutting vocabulary and threat of the meat cleaver.

 

Laughter is the best medicine.

 

 

[FarFlungFalang]

2 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Great to get a new poster.

 

Throughout my time here, I've always tried to keep my East London attitudes and spirit alive. Not always easy in LOS.

 

The life in Isaan can be testing. It can get you down. It can make you sad. It can lift you up and it can make you laugh. It can amuse and it can cause despair. 

 

The village Thais laugh when I pick up rubbish and bin it. They laugh if I go out with odd coloured shoes on. But if being laughed at is your biggest fear; then you are on the right road. Of course Mrs Owl keeps me in check with her cutting vocabulary and threat of the meat cleaver.

 

Laughter is the best medicine.

 

 

Making people laugh is a talent sorely needed and should be encouraged and not feared.When I go about in Isaan, especially at this time of year I'm always struck by the beauty that surrounds us.It's so green now it's unbelievable and never fails to chase away any ill feelings I may have.The Isaan life is a big challenge so it's fortunate that I love a challenge and I find that reducing my expectations really helps me a lot to rise to this challenging life.  

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 16-10-2020 - Friday morning.

 

There were a few drops of rain a couple of nights ago. Enough to stop a game of cricket? Maybe not for me, but at International level; unfortunately yes! I took off my jim-jams and planned my route through the village naked, at two in the morning (as promised). Mrs Owl awoke and put in her two-penneth. "Don't go like that; out. "Ladies excited too much. Dogs!" This got me thinking. The body was willing but the mind weak. Went back to bed.

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

In Ban Dung they are sorting out the cables at long last. Well at least they are in the process of:

 

 

 

Is he putting it up? Pulling it down? Fixing it? Or just moving it out of the way, so people can see the poster? A saving of three baht, on whatever it is?

 

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

Meanwhile at the farm, we were having the grass cut. 

 

 

 

Looks much better.

 

 

 

Gonna get him to cut the foliage outside the village house also. Which is getting remarks from neighbors; "that farang house is so overgrown. Very untidy."

 

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

Spotted a new granny flat in Ban Dung.

 

 

Great views.

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

Went fishing in pond five yesterday afternoon. My plan was to throw food in a different place to get the carp away, and then fish for the pla nin. Didn't work out exactly as planned. Caught two kois and only two nin; that Mrs Owl gave away to her gardening helper.

 

 

But the star of the show was a beautiful grass carp. Milly put two of these into the pond when they were just 6 inches long. We hadn't seen them since.

 

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

Bought a new stool at the 20 baht shop.

 

 

Charkie likes to get in all the pics.

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

Went to get some buffalo poo poo for Mrs Owl's plants.

 

 

Mrs' helper for the day. Nice watch. Looks like a Rolex; could be! Only 500 baht a-piece in Nong Khai. 

 

 

Chucked the bags in the pick-up. Three for 100 baht.

 

 

The couple live at the farm full time.

 

 

Not so easy life. Especially when one of the buffaloes dies.

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

The grass was cut and the eucas along the super-highway were looking good.

 

 

 

Cows having a nosh.

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

The routine is as follows; when it's time for Mildred's bed, I, through my proxy, Mr Chicken, give a squawk. Unfortunately, on Wednesday evening Mrs Owl was snoozing, and Mr Chicken squawked too loudly, and woke her up. She was not best amused. She grabbed Mr Chicken, cut him up in the kitchen and threw it in the bin.

 

I said nothing; far too dangerous at that time. M stayed schtum too. But when Mrs Owl was not looking, I got the poor thing out the rubbish.

 

In the morning, on the way to the school bus, I told M that I'd try to fix Mr Chicken.

 

 

 

I fixed it in stages.

 

 

Stood it upright, for the glue to set. When Milly came home from school, and saw that it was none the worse for its experience, she gave it a squeeze. Perfect!

 

 

No school for M today. So Mr Chicken will not be heard again til Sunday at 8-30 in the evening. I'll check to see if the Mrs is dozing first.

 

69696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969696969

 

When I finish this Owl Log, I'm good do a reishi brew. Been feeling a little lethargic of late. Some long swigs of the reishi tonic will buck me up no end.

 

Busy day yesterday. Fixing Mr Chicken in the morning. Pick up the poo poo. Fishing at the farm in the afternoon. Pick M up from school for five. And then a trip, almost to Kumpawapi, in the dark, to deliver some clothes for the Daughter-in-law, Hubby-in-law and Satang (their lad), who were on the lorry trip around Isaan, delivering gravel to concrete places. The gravel is excavated it Loei and delivered all over. The three of them sleep in the cab bed area. Didn't get back home 'til gone nine.

 

Great to get the footy back. I can't get enthusiastic about Internationals.

 

Lewis Hamilton has equaled MR Schumacher's win tally in F1. I have delivered wine to his house in Tewin (near Stevenage, Hertfordshire). He used to live at the back of the Lama breeding centre. Beautiful animals in a beautiful part of the world. Would they be OK in Thailand?

 

The rice cutting has began. When I pass a group of cutter (mostly ladies) I slow and shout out "lel lel". Usually get a laugh. Many of the ladies have worked at our farm, over the years. They know I'm only jesting.

 

Brought back three chog-chogs from the farm yesterday. Gonna sharpen them up with one of my power tool.

 

Mildred's birthday next week. There is an excellent bike shop in Udon, just along from the correctional centre.  I'll visit, If I can get along there next Saturday. If not, It'll be a Bic C special roadster.

 

Take care out there.

 

Bye y'all.

 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2020 by owl sees all

[FarFlungFalang]

A busy log Mr Owl glad you got some rain,I noticed that Tropical Storm seemed to disappear when it got into your territory.Whenever I cut cut the grass on the farm I'm forever cutting the tree saplings and any thing else that gets in the way,I'm still trying to learn the difference between tree and weed.We've had a cat return after about a 9 month absence which reminds me of a song the Old man used to sing called "The Old Cat came back" which had the following verse

 

Well they thought up a way for the cat to really fix

They put him in an orange crate on highway sixty six

Came a twenty ton truck with a forty ton load

Scattered pieces of the orange crate a mile down the road

But the cat came back

The very next day the old cat came back  

The cat came back because it wouldn't stay away. 

[Kadilo]

So to summarise, you have been running around with a headless chicken. 

[owl sees all]

5 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said:

A busy log Mr Owl glad you got some rain,I noticed that Tropical Storm seemed to disappear when it got into your territory.Whenever I cut cut the grass on the farm I'm forever cutting the tree saplings and any thing else that gets in the way,I'm still trying to learn the difference between tree and weed.We've had a cat return after about a 9 month absence which reminds me of a song the Old man used to sing called "The Old Cat came back" which had the following verse

 

Well they thought up a way for the cat to really fix

They put him in an orange crate on highway sixty six

Came a twenty ton truck with a forty ton load

Scattered pieces of the orange crate a mile down the road

But the cat came back

The very next day the old cat came back  

The cat came back because it wouldn't stay away. 

There was a case in US where a couple took their lovely cat on holiday in a cage. The holiday destination was over 500 miles away. When the holiday was over kitty was no-where to be found. The couple got home, and thought little more about it, thinking the cat was sure to be OK.

 

Three months later there was a scratching at the front door (the cat-flap had been immobilised). The lady open the door to be greeted with their cat. 

 

I read it on an online magazine. Wonderful, lift-up heart story. I'll try to find it on the internet.

 

 

[owl sees all]

9 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

So to summarise, you have been running around with a headless chicken. 

Bang on the money.

 

What about the grass carp? Ever caught one Kadilo? Lettuce is a good bait; not a whole one of course. Dice it up into little half inch squares. Get a dozen, or so, and put the hook straight through the lot.

 

Please report on catches. 

 

My biggest ever carp; 20 3/4lbs. At Hainault in 1979.

[Kadilo]

10 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Bang on the money.

 

What about the grass carp? Ever caught one Kadilo? Lettuce is a good bait; not a whole one of course. Dice it up into little half inch squares. Get a dozen, or so, and put the hook straight through the lot.

 

Please report on catches. 

 

My biggest ever carp; 20 3/4lbs. At Hainault in 1979.

That chickens face looked like it saw the missus approaching with the knife!

 

I will be honest, I’ve never even heard of a grass carp before let alone catch one. Obviously they must be the latest breed of Carp what with them being vegan ???? Lettuce!! 
 

I was never a big Carp fishermen. For whatever reason I was obsessed with Tench. My biggest carp was last summer but only around 11lb. This was at the lake near my parents which is well stocked with them so I went out and bought some boilies. Whole new learning experience for me and did some reading up on carp rigs etc. My first visit to the tackle shop for about 20 years was quite a shock. I never even knew they didnt sell lead shot any more!

Edited October 16, 2020 by Kadilo

[FarFlungFalang]

17 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

There was a case in US where a couple took their lovely cat on holiday in a cage. The holiday destination was over 500 miles away. When the holiday was over kitty was no-where to be found. The couple got home, and thought little more about it, thinking the cat was sure to be OK.

 

Three months later there was a scratching at the front door (the cat-flap had been immobilised). The lady open the door to be greeted with their cat. 

 

I read it on an online magazine. Wonderful, lift-up heart story. I'll try to find it on the internet.

 

 

There's also "the Incredible Journey" the true story of a cat and 2 dogs doing something similar.

Edit I've just checked and apparently it's not a true story. 

Edited October 16, 2020 by FarFlungFalang

[owl sees all]

43 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

That chickens face looked like it saw the missus approaching with the knife!

 

We have had a cataclysmic catastrophe.

 

Mildred went to check on Mr Chicken to see if the glue had set. Picked it up by the head and:

 

 

"It is serious Dad. What can we do?"

 

"Serious indeed Mildred. I'll think of something. Don't cry dear."

 

Now there are a couple of options open to us. Patch it up with some tape, and give it to the lad (Poom) opposite us; then buy a new rubber chicken.  Patch it up with some tape, and keep it. Buy some better super-glue and fix it forever more.

 

My immediate thought was to buy a little 1/32 drill bit and put holes along each side of the breaks, and then sew it up. Pretty much like the chair. Could also use glue, with the sewing, for a really strong, professional job.

 

Not decided as yet. I'll spend some time thinking about it today. One thing's for sure I'm not keen on spending 60 baht on diesel, to get to Ban Dung, just to go to the 20 baht shop for another rubber chicken.

 

Being slightly metaphysical, I am contemplating if there are life lessons to be learnt here. There are two that drift into my mind. Don't let the chicken squawk too loudly when the Mrs is trying to get some shut eye. And; don't buy any more special super glue from the 20 baht shop. It's rubbish.

[owl sees all]

1 hour ago, FarFlungFalang said:

There's also "the Incredible Journey" the true story of a cat and 2 dogs doing something similar.

Edit I've just checked and apparently it's not a true story. 

I've just had search and there is a cat called Polly who traveled, not 500 miles as I said, but just 190 miles. I'm sure it's the cat I'm thinking of. Lovely face.

 

 

[Kadilo]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

 

Being slightly metaphysical, I am contemplating if there are life lessons to be learnt here. There are two that drift into my mind. Don't let the chicken squawk too loudly when the Mrs is trying to get some shut eye. And; don't buy any more special super glue from the 20 baht shop. It's rubbish.

.......and keep the knife away from the missus. It might be you next. 

 

 

[Odysseus123]

Wrong thread.

Edited October 16, 2020 by Odysseus123

[Odysseus123]

Eh,Owl?

 

You have given me a "positive" for posting on the wrong thread-and admitting it?

 

Damme..I must do that more often..????

[owl sees all]

2 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

Eh,Owl?

 

You have given me a "positive" for posting on the wrong thread-and admitting it?

 

Damme..I must do that more often..????

Well Ody, it's good to know you are still posting on this humble thread.

 

Out of the last 20 topics; nine have been about C-19. Four about Trump and the others various topics. However in saying that, I'm a regular on the C-19 threads. Too regular I think. Already been on holiday for a misdemeanor. For which I was guilty.

 

Just a shame that the other thread 'Beautiful Thailand' seems to have run its course.

 

 

[Odysseus123]

59 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Just a shame that the other thread 'Beautiful Thailand' seems to have run its course.

Too true Owl..too true..

 

Beautiful Thailand...

 

This photo is not "enhanced" in any way..just the glorious sunsets in Ubon.

 

 

 

 

[owl sees all]

4 hours ago, Kadilo said:

I will be honest, I’ve never even heard of a grass carp before let alone catch one. Obviously they must be the latest breed of Carp what with them being vegan ???? Lettuce!! 
 

I was never a big Carp fishermen. For whatever reason I was obsessed with Tench. My biggest carp was last summer but only around 11lb. This was at the lake near my parents which is well stocked with them so I went out and bought some boilies. Whole new learning experience for me and did some reading up on carp rigs etc. My first visit to the tackle shop for about 20 years was quite a shock. I never even knew they didnt sell lead shot any more!

Grass carp were introduced into England about 50 years ago. Farmers were buying them to control weed in their irrigation ressies. But they had been in Europe for yonks. Probably originated in Asia.

 

TBH Kadilo; I've never used a boilie. I was also very fond of tench like yourself

 

I'd only caught a couple of small grass carp in England, but got one of 17.5 kg (38 lbs) in Spain a few years back. Also a still water barbel from the same res', about 12 lbs.

 

Me 15 years ago. Soaking up the sun in Spain.

 

 

 

Absolutely lovely.

 

[chickenslegs]

11 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Mr Chicken squawked too loudly, and woke her up. She was not best amused. She grabbed Mr Chicken, cut him up in the kitchen and threw it in the bin.

 

8 hours ago, owl sees all said:

One thing's for sure I'm not keen on spending 60 baht on diesel, to get to Ban Dung, just to go to the 20 baht shop for another rubber chicken.

Buy several and use them to discretely replace any that Mrs Owl cuts up. It would be worth the expense just to see the look on her face when she sees the totally resurrected chicken each time.

[sotonowl]

14 hours ago, owl sees all said:

My immediate thought was to buy a little 1/32 drill bit and put holes along each side of the breaks, and then sew it up.

Druckula?

[Lacessit]

On 9/25/2020 at 11:19 PM, chickenslegs said:

 

I can remember when British golf balls were smaller than the USA ones. But the holes were the same size (4.25 inches diameter) - I can never work out whether that was an advantage or not.

 

 

 

 

 

The smaller ball went further, and was definitely more controllable in any kind of wind. I'm old enough to have played both.

Against that, the larger US ball made chipping and putting easier.

[Kadilo]

On 10/16/2020 at 11:36 AM, owl sees all said:

Grass carp were introduced into England about 50 years ago. Farmers were buying them to control weed in their irrigation ressies. But they had been in Europe for yonks. Probably originated in Asia.

 

TBH Kadilo; I've never used a boilie. I was also very fond of tench like yourself

 

I'd only caught a couple of small grass carp in England, but got one of 17.5 kg (38 lbs) in Spain a few years back. Also a still water barbel from the same res', about 12 lbs.

 

Me 15 years ago. Soaking up the sun in Spain.

 

 

 

Absolutely lovely.

 

That looks idyllic. 
 

Nice nappy. 

[owl sees all]

8 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

That looks idyllic. 
 

Nice nappy. 

Some of these Spanish ressies are huge. This particular one being 12 square Kms.

 

I've no idea why I rolled up the shorts. Probably to catch even more sun, or to titillate the Mrs (taking pics). 

 

Many carp; both common and grass. Also huge shoals of barbel, some of which were as big as a footy pitch. Finding them was not so easy. Usually fished into the wind.

 

No pics unfortunately.

[Kadilo]

26 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Some of these Spanish ressies are huge. This particular one being 12 square Kms.

 

I've no idea why I rolled up the shorts. Probably to catch even more sun, or to titillate the Mrs (taking pics). 

 

Many carp; both common and grass. Also huge shoals of barbel, some of which were as big as a footy pitch. Finding them was not so easy. Usually fished into the wind.

 

No pics unfortunately.

Ive never fished a place as lovely and open as that. Just the usual weedy, reedy, secluded lakes. 
 

Loving the rod rests. The missus enjoy a spot of fishing?

[owl sees all]

14 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Ive never fished a place as lovely and open as that. Just the usual weedy, reedy, secluded lakes. 
 

Loving the rod rests. The missus enjoy a spot of fishing?

The Mrs would go with me. She never fished, but enjoyed the peace and quiet in the countryside. We lived in Spain for a year or so. I was lucky that I sold our apartment a week before the 2008 crash; very fortunate there.

 

This particular ressie was my favourite haunt while in Spain. I also fished a big ressie in Nigeria. Full of all sorts of catfish, and strange looking beasts. Didn't enjoy it one bit. Had to leave our guarded compound to do any fishing. Just too dangerous. Caught talapia {pla nin}, catfish and small carp at Flatbridge in Jamaica when I was there. Also fished a lot in Cuba for carp.

 

In Essex; my fav's were Hainault, The Dagenham Chase and Berwick pond. I also belonged to Barking AC, who had a water near Witham (where I got my rod pulled in) and that was exciting fishing. My best from there was 16 lbs. Oh yes! Lady's lake near the River Roding. Spent a whole season there. Didn't catch anything of note; but there were monsters in there.

 

My best Tench was just under 9, which I caught at Egetts (or Eggets) lake at Hemingford Grey, Huntindonshire.

 

A bit sad today, 'cause the koi that I caught in the week died today. No idea why. Didn't even take it out of the net. Just took a pic and quickly released it back.

 

 

 

[Kadilo]

3 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

The Mrs would go with me. She never fished, but enjoyed the peace and quiet in the countryside. We lived in Spain for a year or so. I was lucky that I sold our apartment a week before the 2008 crash; very fortunate there.

 

This particular ressie was my favourite haunt while in Spain. I also fished a big ressie in Nigeria. Full of all sorts of catfish, and strange looking beasts. Didn't enjoy it one bit. Had to leave our guarded compound to do any fishing. Just too dangerous. Caught talapia {pla nin}, catfish and small carp at Flatbridge in Jamaica when I was there. Also fished a lot in Cuba for carp.

 

In Essex; my fav's were Hainault, The Dagenham Chase and Berwick pond. I also belonged to Barking AC, who had a water near Witham (where I got my rod pulled in) and that was exciting fishing. My best from there was 16 lbs. Oh yes! Lady's lake near the River Roding. Spent a whole season there. Didn't catch anything of note; but there were monsters in there.

 

My best Tench was just under 9, which I caught at Egetts (or Eggets) lake at Hemingford Grey, Huntindonshire.

 

A bit sad today, 'cause the koi that I caught in the week died today. No idea why. Didn't even take it out of the net. Just took a pic and quickly released it back.

 

 

 

Sounds like you have travelled quite a bit. For work I assume?

 

I have friends who go over to a France for the big Carp and Catfish. Was often tempted but never made it. 
 

I used to love the tench fishing. Big cubes of luncheon mean floating by the reeds. Remember having some success at Grangewaters, South Ockendon with a home made bait full of cheese and marmite. They either loved it or hated it and this day they loved it ????

 

RIP the Koi. That’s really sad. I wonder what caused that. Shock? No obvious marks or anything? How long had it been in the lake?

[owl sees all]

3 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Sounds like you have travelled quite a bit. For work I assume?

 

I have friends who go over to a France for the big Carp and Catfish. Was often tempted but never made it. 
 

I used to love the tench fishing. Big cubes of luncheon mean floating by the reeds. Remember having some success at Grangewaters, South Ockendon with a home made bait full of cheese and marmite. They either loved it or hated it and this day they loved it ????

 

RIP the Koi. That’s really sad. I wonder what caused that. Shock? No obvious marks or anything? How long had it been in the lake?

Nigeria was for work. Absolutely hated it. Good money though. Didn't have to really do anything ,as I was there in a consultancy role. Lived in Spain for a while.

 

My wife, at that time was Jamaican. Went there a lot. Cuba too. Travel was so cheap then.

 

I hooked into a monster in The Gambia once. Had it on for over an hour in the sea. The locals were saying it was a big sting-ray. Got it in close and one of the locals went in to spear it, but just at that point the line parted. That was that.

 

We fished at a place that I know as 'Mollands' in Sth Ockendon. I also liked to fish at 'Tunnel Cement' in Aveley.

 

That carp that died was 2/3 years old, about 3/4 lbs. Was put in the pond as a 3 incher.

[Kadilo]

5 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Nigeria was for work. Absolutely hated it. Good money though. Didn't have to really do anything ,as I was there in a consultancy role. Lived in Spain for a while.

 

My wife, at that time was Jamaican. Went there a lot. Cuba too. Travel was so cheap then.

 

I hooked into a monster in The Gambia once. Had it on for over an hour in the sea. The locals were saying it was a big sting-ray. Got it in close and one of the locals went in to spear it, but just at that point the line parted. That was that.

 

We fished at a place that I know as 'Mollands' in Sth Ockendon. I also liked to fish at 'Tunnel Cement' in Aveley.

 

That carp that died was 2/3 years old, about 3/4 lbs. Was put in the pond as a 3 incher.

Mollands Lane. Next road to where Grangewaters is. I believe there is still a lake there. 

[teacherclaire]

On 9/21/2020 at 2:01 PM, owl sees all said:

Can be; if you let these little things get to you. 

 

Have to rise above the nonsense and be brave. I love my daughter, my wife*, my farms and my life. Just wish Leyton Orient could get back to the top flight.

 

* Also Charkie and the other pets.

May I ask you if the Lhao Kao Brigade is still alive in your village?

 

We were sad guests who had to watch the cremations of a lot of friends and relatives. 

[owl sees all]

2 minutes ago, teacherclaire said:

May I ask you if the Lhao Kao Brigade is still alive in your village?

 

We were sad guests who had to watch the cremations of a lot of friends and relatives. 

Yes! But not nearly as much as a few years ago. But in saying that, Nang, village shop does a good trade on selling swigs of Lao Khao (not sure; spelling) for 10 baht.