A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

[ypres]

you mean khao soi?

Chai krap pii.

 

[ypres]

that is about 70-80K a month. house, car, motorcycle and party 2-3 times a week confirm no problem.

Khop Khun krap pii. Narak yoo.

 

[ypres]

After resigning now a free man. Just feel abit lost. But my plan to move to LOS is firm.

 

[Froggy]

Nice dinner at home, maid surprised us with a very traditional Chinese starter, cold braised beef 牛腱 that I thought her to cook about a year ago.



Was good really good, a pleasant surprise.

She also cooked for the first time and Isaan dish larb-mu-thod (larb fried meat ball) with a plate of raw vege





Also for the first time a nice steam sea bass with assam



I guess cos I haven't been around for a few days and will be away again tomorrow so did special for us

 

[iamfree]

After resigning now a free man. Just feel abit lost. But my plan to move to LOS is firm.

Good luck to your new life.

I took the plunge 3 years ago and left the corporate world at age younger than most. It is normal to feel a little lost, this is normal. It took me about 1 year to unwound after decades of work-life.

I think there is no rush to relocate to LOS. Take your time. Visit LOS and stay at various locations for extended period. You may even want to try other countries.

 

[ypres]

Good luck to your new life.

I took the plunge 3 years ago and left the corporate world at age younger than most. It is normal to feel a little lost, this is normal. It took me about 1 year to unwound after decades of work-life.

I think there is no rush to relocate to LOS. Take your time. Visit LOS and stay at various locations for extended period. You may even want to try other countries.

Thank you bro. I appreciate your advice.

 

[yinyang]

Today's slice of thai mango

Crocodile bites trainer during show
Published: 24 Jul 2013 at 12.40 Online news: Local News
A trainer at a popular tourist crocodile farm in Samut Prakan was lucky to escape serious injury when one of the reptiles snapped its jaws shut while his head was inside its mouth. The incident was caught on camera and posted online.



http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loc...y-startled-reptile-during-tourist-performance

 

[yinyang]

Re-visited Mae Rim (CNX) Poonyang area, friend's country house. Good fengshui, on mountain slope facing below. No AC required, cool weather up in the hills. With annexe and nice terrace for BBQ (sanuk)

Grandmother's new home next door. Hospitality meant 80 yr old lady laid out a mat for my free seating (no chairs) country style. And invited me to partake some glutinous rice wrapped in leaves. Strong old lady, healthy doing her gardening.

 

[Froggy]

Actually Jakarta's seafood is equally good as Bangkok's see here

Black pepper crab


Shells cook with fermented beans tao-jiew


Steamed Garoupa




This one extra la

 

[ypres]

I am curious. How much does it cost to employ a maid in Thailand?

 

[ypres]

Pii Joe do you go for annual blood test to check your health?

 

[Froggy]

Pii Joe do you go for annual blood test to check your health?

Yes I do, surely it not good news.

I am curious. How much does it cost to employ a maid in Thailand?

It is almost impossible to get a Thai maid now a days. Thais prefers to work in a factory where there are friends and the pay from factories are not too bad now a days, with overtime a factory worker could be getting at least 7,000 baht but unlike China factory workers Thais are not entitled to meals and accommodation so these will have come out of their own pocket which could be half of what they make a month. For live-in maids accommodation and meals are obviously covered by employers but toiletries may not.

Anyway as I said it is almost impossible to get a Thai as maid and of course Thais will never pay beyond 8,000 baht for a maid I am sure. The alternative and most common practice is to get a Myanmar maid which could easily cost only 5,000 baht (heard some stingy fella paid only 4,000 baht). Of course there have been many horror stories about these maids from Myanmar but then I alway believe its a matter of how well an employer treats the maid.

I am one of those very rare ones who has a Thai maid, lucky me. Been with me for 4 years just started her 5th year in May and because she does much more stuff than an ordinary maid obviously her annual package and benefits are equivalent to a mid office executive.

 

[yinyang]

A funny (but tragic) news item, good weekend all:p

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/361710/transgender-shot-dead-in-khon-kaen

 

[panzer]

I am counting down to Sep 2014 for my study in Chiangmai U. Wish me good luck my senior brothers or Pi here firmly established in Thailand.
I am just a dek or nong when it comes to settling down in Thailand. But I will definitely come back to Sinkieland to vote in GE2016.

All the best pii ypres!

I am planning a September school vacation trip to Chiang Mai with daughter and mother in tow..haha... 1st real vacation for me in 5 years since my daughter was born!

Was planning to stay 4-5 nights checking out the following places
1. Night Bazaar
2. Talat Tonlamyai
3. Wat Phan Tao
4. Tribal Museum
5. Phra Tamnak Bhu Bhing
6. etc as per list below...
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai/sights

Any other recommendations on other "must-see" things and which 3+ star hotel would be central and value-for-money?

Appreciate any pointers from bros :-)

khorp khun khrap

bpai tiaw Chiang mai!

 

[ypres]

All the best pii ypres!

I am planning a September school vacation trip to Chiang Mai with daughter and mother in tow..haha... 1st real vacation for me in 5 years since my daughter was born!

Was planning to stay 4-5 nights checking out the following places
1. Night Bazaar
2. Talat Tonlamyai
3. Wat Phan Tao
4. Tribal Museum
5. Phra Tamnak Bhu Bhing
6. etc as per list below...
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai/sights

Any other recommendations on other "must-see" things and which 3+ star hotel would be central and value-for-money?

Appreciate any pointers from bros :-)

khorp khun khrap

bpai tiaw Chiang mai![/QUOTE

Pii you can visit two places which I naenam/recommend. Suay jang lei. Sanook jang lei.
Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon. Hotel you can look at Internet. Chok dii na krap.

 

[johnny333]

I am one of those very rare ones who has a Thai maid, lucky me. Been with me for 4 years just started her 5th year in May and because she does much more stuff than an ordinary maid obviously her annual package and benefits are equivalent to a mid office executive.

If I recall in one of your postings your maid cried with happiness because she is making the equivalent to what a white collar thai makes & she sleeps with a gun

 

[iamfree]

All the best pii ypres!

I am planning a September school vacation trip to Chiang Mai with daughter and mother in tow..haha... 1st real vacation for me in 5 years since my daughter was born!

Was planning to stay 4-5 nights checking out the following places
1. Night Bazaar
2. Talat Tonlamyai
3. Wat Phan Tao
4. Tribal Museum
5. Phra Tamnak Bhu Bhing
6. etc as per list below...
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai/sights

Any other recommendations on other "must-see" things and which 3+ star hotel would be central and value-for-money?

Appreciate any pointers from bros :-)

khorp khun khrap

bpai tiaw Chiang mai!

I just love CM!

Sept may not be the best time to visit CM as it is still the raining season there. Best to travel there in Nov to Jan when it is cool and dry.

I think the best places to visit are outside of CM city; eg watching sunrise on the mountain top like Pu Chee fa, visiting and riding the elephants, visiting Mae Sai (the border town to Myanmar), traveling on Mae Hong San loop and visiting the villages along the way including the 2 division of KTM who stayed on after the war etc etc.

Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon, as suggested by ypres, are also great places to visit as well. 4-5 nights is probably too short! Enjoy your trip there.

 

[yinyang]

other recommendations on other "must-see" things and which 3+ star hotel would be central and value for money?

Good choice, destination.

Both sat/sun markets (aka walking street) are to-do, and yes Talat Warorot has all local foods and fruits (even free packing service for airport takeaways). Chiangmai night zoo, with white tiger if you have time.

You might want to choose Niman area (near CMU, plenty cafes, restaurants on main stretch) over old city.

Niman Mai Design got low season promo for basic room bht1316, new 1-2 years old and 5mins walk from Niman.

http://www.nimmanmaihotel.com/

Enjoy

 

[ypres]

Yes I do, surely it not good news.



It is almost impossible to get a Thai maid now a days. Thais prefers to work in a factory where there are friends and the pay from factories are not too bad now a days, with overtime a factory worker could be getting at least 7,000 baht but unlike China factory workers Thais are not entitled to meals and accommodation so these will have come out of their own pocket which could be half of what they make a month. For live-in maids accommodation and meals are obviously covered by employers but toiletries may not.

Anyway as I said it is almost impossible to get a Thai as maid and of course Thais will never pay beyond 8,000 baht for a maid I am sure. The alternative and most common practice is to get a Myanmar maid which could easily cost only 5,000 baht (heard some stingy fella paid only 4,000 baht). Of course there have been many horror stories about these maids from Myanmar but then I alway believe its a matter of how well an employer treats the maid.

I am one of those very rare ones who has a Thai maid, lucky me. Been with me for 4 years just started her 5th year in May and because she does much more stuff than an ordinary maid obviously her annual package and benefits are equivalent to a mid office executive.

Thank you pii.

 

[ypres]

Good choice, destination.

Both sat/sun markets (aka walking street) are to-do, and yes Talat Warorot has all local foods and fruits (even free packing service for airport takeaways). Chiangmai night zoo, with white tiger if you have time.

You might want to choose Niman area (near CMU, plenty cafes, restaurants on main stretch) over old city.

Niman Mai Design got low season promo for basic room bht1316, new 1-2 years old and 5mins walk from Niman.

http://www.nimmanmaihotel.com/

Enjoy

Yes I read that night safari is bigger and more exciting than Singapore. You may consider Tiger Kingdom and Karen tribal village. If adequate timing, can consider border run and visit Golden Triangle. Laos is just a few hours away.