Smiler

Yep its cooking on gas mark "f**k off hot" here in the village. Mrs smiler is at a funeral right now of a guy who died of heat stroke last week. He used to live in a shack near some of her land. Would use the ponds on her land to bathe and do laundry in. She used to describe him as 50/50 in as much as he wasn't all there and certainly during the last 3 or 4 years he had a yabba problem. Guess this should be in the "Amazing Thailand" thread but I said to Mrs smiler I was sorry to hear about the guy and to pass on my condolances to his mum. She said not to worry, the mother will be sad but happy that she will get her share of the life insurance of one million baht the family took out on him.......

You know what I am not so sure… Both are laid back guys who enjoy their lives and possess the outstanding character trait of being able to laugh at themselves. But They are proud of their service and don’t suffer fools gladly who insult the institutions they were involved in. It was my impression they were really quite annoyed with the guy and almost embarrassed by him.

I met an American "can't talk about it" former serviceman yesterday afternoon in Udon. I was doing dad taxi so hadn't had a drink and TBH this guy was a loudmouth drunk. It was around 2pm. Even though we were sat on seperate tables, he insisted on trying to hold a conversation, or rather talk at me. Just so happened the 2 guys I went to meet were also from the States, one (you met him @boydeste) ex US armygreen of 25 years and the other although retired for 10 years, is/was the genuine article who really does not talk about his service to his country. So my 2 friends turn up and as soon as the wannabe heard the accents he invited himself to come and sit at our table. He lasted about 5 mins. It was like watching an interogation and I almost felt sorry for him when he realised how totally out of his depth and "out ranked" he was. They were brutal, no mercy whatsoever and he got found out and sent on his sorry way. I have had similar experiences with other fantasists in Thailand. Got to be honest and admit that I often don't care if they are telling or embelishing the truth as long as I am in the right mood and its a good story.

Found it. Not sure if this is going to work but its worth a try Edit: Thanks Force ! taken down

Just watched a short vid about the little know airfield built by the allied POWs near Ubon Ratchatani. Buggered if I find it again to link to it but it was on one of the expat FB groups. First I had heard about the place, as the Ozzie guy who made the vid said, everyone knows about the death railway, few know about this. Apparently conditions weren’t quite as harsh as the Bridge but was still brutal for the 3k POWs.

So what’s the protocol in these establishments……. Do you keep your socks on??👀

I may be completely wrong here (I often am 😏) but it’s my understanding that there are different rates per unit for commercial premises than private residences. Whatever, 10 baht per unit is certainly on the high side IMHO. Will check what my girl pays in a couple of weeks.

Yes that’s it, quite simple really. The owners of the place you are renting clearly state you will be paying 10 baht per unit of electricity. So they don’t need to wait for the electric co to send a bill, they take a monthly reading of your meter and charge you accordingly. I am guessing on a monthly basis, but could even be weekly or at the end of a fixed term contract. My girl pays (or rather I pay 👀) 4k a month for her room near her Uni in Bangkok. The electric averages out around 600, obviously this time of year it will be considerably more. It was a useful lesson in budgeting for her during her first year there. The electric was paid monthly by the way. At the end of April we will be clearing the place because she has finished her degree. I paid a month in advance and a months deposit 3 years ago so I am hopeful of at least 3k of the deposit being returned as she will only have spent around 10 nights there in April.

My first Song Kran in the village was 16 years ago. The kids in the family gave me a good soaking as you would expect. Now I am being targeted by their bloody kids 😎😃 It’s all shits and giggles till someone actually does giggle and shits 👀

Sat in the village trying to tune in to the lingo. Usually takes a week or so although I am surprised how much I am getting. Almost 2 boxes of Chang deep it’s a good bit of training for the Songkran party fest. For the last 2 months I have been subject to D&A testing at work, so I am due a messy few days 🥳. Edit: They had hailstones in a storm here yesterday, young Smiler had never seen before. Which makes it first time for at least 13 or so years. Anyway it’s kin hot but not uncomfortable.

I came in on Qatar yesterday around 1pm. LHR to Doha was ok but Doha to BKK was painful TBH - IFE was faulty, food was shite and my seat just wasn’t comfortable. Not too impressed with the new terminal, felt like everything was simply not big enough and passengers are squashed into the train, escalators etc. Passport control was busy but efficient, it took about 15 mins from entering the hall to walking through customs. I only had carry on luggage so no wait at the carousel. Flying domestic today up to Udon and swampy is as busy as I have seen it. Glad I booked 3 weeks ago. Was out with one of the hi-so relatives last night and he said Thai is completely booked up this Songkran week….

Yeah I really enjoyed it too. Coogan is a comedy genius.

Doing a Boydeste 😎

So tonight's wise transfer is going to take 10 hours?? Never had to wait so long before but I have heard from others who occasionally have, normally it is seconds. Lesson learned.

In my opinion it is. Been using a Wise account for at least 3 years. I transfer from my Revolut acc to my Wise (no fees, usually takes minutes). Then when needed transfer from Wise to my Krung Thai account, usually takes seconds, occasionally an hour or 2. Great exchange rate and very competitive fees. I will pm you a link if you want 😃😇 edit : I have a wise card as well which I do use in the UK but never tried in an atm in Thailand

Or send £1010 like I have just done 😎

When I was working in Vientiane, whilst it is a relatively small city, nevertheless it is still a capital city. So most countries have an Embassy there along with numerous NGOs and you get to meet a lot of different nationalities. I get on with most people (until I don’t 🙄😬) but never really hit it off with the South Africans I met and also the Ukrainians. They were strangely similar in my experience.

I am waiting for the magic 46, will have a look when I get up for work tomorrow morning. Or should I hang on if the great british pound is still rising…..??

There wasn't a shower in the Thai domestic lounge when I was last in there - November 2023.

That “just booked a flight” feeling 🎉. Home in time for Songkran 🍻🥳

Don't have the address but I can tell you where it is - on the main road comming from Khon Kaen, its on the left hand side, maybe 5kms before you get to Udon. Not very exact I am afraid but I hope it helps. Still don't have a definate date when I will be back but when I do I'll message you and see if we can arrange a meet if you are up for it? I'd like to be home just before Songkran but what with one thing and another its a bit difficult to make firm plans right now. Hope to stay till mid May.

Be interested to hear of your experiences Groggy, I need to renew my licenses at Udon in May. Keep us posted please matey 👍

For anyone in the UK - I have been listening to BBC Radio 6 Music for the last week or so at work and really enjoy the eclectic mix they play. If you are a into soft rock/mid Atlantic stuff then probably not the station for you.

Same as non alcoholic beer it’s just wrong. A bit like licking out your sister…… Tastes the same but it’s just wrong 👀

Young Smiler is also 13 (14 in May) so I know where you are coming from Don. Really don’t envy young teenagers of today, what with the pressures of social media, teen angst etc etc. Like you I am also incredibly proud that my lad tells us the truth, I was an absolute nightmare at his age and one of my greatest fears as a Dad was that he would be like me. Thankfully he is not (apart from his build) and long may that continue.