Moving to LOS

[Texpat]

If you could ship something into LOS for free, what would you bring?
(For purposes of this thread, limit it to 100 kilos)

Uncle Sam is shipping me to LOS in three weeks and aside from my household goods, what should I bring?

I've spoken with friends and colleagues who've recommended things like:

heavy gauge garden hoses
high-quality carpets
heavy-gauge cookware
post hole diggers
gas-powered weed-eater

I'm headed for Issan, where most wood furniture is good quality and fairly inexpensive, but lacks cushioning comfort. I think I'm covered on furniture.

So if you had a second chance, what would you bring? (pets, girlfriends, plants, explosives, drugs and booze excepted)

[in4zip]

what's your poison Texpat?
i'd wager that some food stuff's not readily available in the Issan vis a vi Bkk for example

so i'd maybe get a few cartons of what i like to eat
to tide me over until i've sorted out my logistics in my new environment

[Texpat]

Good call!

I've thought about packing in a few milk cows and Coors breweries, but I've spent many, many months there and get along fine with the chow.

Thanks for the input, but I'm thinking more along along the lines of hardware.

Cheers,

tex

[in4zip]

if you like to work with your hands, guess hand and power tools then

can find cheap chink stuff but very low quality .. nah..real shit
as some good stuff at home pro, but a tad pricey


but Texpat, a question... you wan't to use the stuff or are you looking for something with good resale value ?

[Texpat]

All for personal use. Good Q. If the Thai customs professionals heard otherwise, they'd take a large bite. (he he) They might anyway...

NCV= no commercial value

[in4zip]

NCV is a very relative term with the customs boys here

when i came here i sent 600kg of aircargo - among which, a lot of kitchen ware and tools

to get the stuff out of bond (piloted and advised by my squeeze), i went down the "unofficial" path and it cost me 3 bottles of good wine... practically sweet FA

[Storekeeper]

Great thread Bus Driver. Was wondering if you had left yet. And good luck to you ... any idea how long it will take you to let the forum know once you're in country and howzit and all that?

[RandomChances]

heavy gauge garden hoses - You can get them here no problem
high-quality carpets - If you like carpets !!
heavy-gauge cookware - Not bad Idea..same for a lot of kitchen stuff
post hole diggers - would'nt bother- the ground is too hard usually, we usually do ours with a crow bar
gas-powered weed-eater - can get them here not that expensive (gas you mean petrol right?)

Power tools are'nt that bad here, well some brands the Kamutsa ones seem ok, same with hand tools can get good qulaity you just get what you pay for. Drill bit's are pretty crap.

A four piece toaster
Work boots
Drill bits esp masonary

[peterpan]

There is a place in Udon called Tool Pro, they carry a lot of high end tools both powered and hand tools, top quailty Socket set. Top quality Drill bits etc. If you are a bit of a "tool man" like I am it makes for good browsing.

[Texpat]

great advice... thanks all... keep it coming.

[aging one]

high-quality carpets

Sure the wont get mouldy Texpat? I have never had carpets here.

[qwerty]

Books. They're expensive here!

[aging one]

We do have Home Pro, and a few True Value hardware stores.

[Wallalai]

I wouldn't like carpets at home, it's the perfect housing for insects and dust. Sounds not a so good idea.

I would take my cat, he was a great support in the worst period of my life.

[Marmite the Dog]

Books. They're expensive here!

Books are exactly the same here as they would be in the US or the UK.

[friscofrankie]

^ selection's crap though 'specially in Isaan. definitely books. There an;t no Barnes & Nobles 'round Isaan even the best books stores are only fair here.
Tex if you've got knives to sharpen bring a decent set of arkansas stones the shit here is, well shit.
kitchen knives. all kinds of cookware (mentioned before I know just reiterating)
Was me i'd bring levis Even the good ones that cost 2500 baht are crap here compared to US quality.
maybe some herb seeds, rosemary, oregano, savory whatever you like; plenty of basil here tho, I bought some fresh dill the other day. bring hananero seeds!
I cetainly agree on the workboots

[Dougal]

Next time I come out I'm bringing a pickaxe AND a handle. I can't find either here.

[RandomChances]

Books are exactly the same here as they would be in the US or the UK.

That's what makes them expensive. Seed's are a really good idea

[Marmite the Dog]

Books are exactly the same here as they would be in the US or the UK.

That's what makes them expensive. Seed's are a really good idea

Fair point.

[Airportwo]

A good shovel, that don't have bendy bits that then snap!

[friscofrankie]

one word "Chipotle"

[Texpat]

By carpets I meant rugs -- like a 7x5 rug in the living room. I have one I bought in India for a small fortune. My bitch dog loves to sleep on it.

[RandomChances]

My bitch dog

Is that one of those androgenus type bich dog things ........( I obviously have'nt a fucking clue how to spell androgenus)

[nycjoe]

I'm coming over in the fall and bringing books, lots of books, and sundries like my favorite shaving cream.....I bring my mac computer with my music on it and a good digital camera, I like photography and there is so much to see. I want to motorcycle all through the north, a little at a time. and cover the map with a felt tip pen until I have been down every road. Great Joy!!!