Thread: Rubber trees 101

Season over for us now, last tap on monday, sold kee yang at auction tuesday, Udon, 32 baht per kg. Re-open the trees in 7-8 weeks. Books are showing similar money to last season overall, with production (ie kgs) up 50%. Shitty prices.

Originally Posted by thaiguzzi

Season over for us now, last tap on monday, sold kee yang at auction tuesday, Udon, 32 baht per kg. Re-open the trees in 7-8 weeks. Books are showing similar money to last season overall, with production (ie kgs) up 50%. Shitty prices.

Still tapping some trees, 1 on 1 off, but at this price hardly worth the effort. Will finish off all the trees end of next week and open up again n about 6 weeks.

Same as you, more rubber, but lower prices, plus I have a labor shortage big time. Going to have keep my fingers crossed, but this looks like a re play of 2008/9.
GFC 2 may be round the corner. Jim

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by thaiguzzi

Season over for us now, last tap on monday, sold kee yang at auction tuesday, Udon, 32 baht per kg. Re-open the trees in 7-8 weeks. Books are showing similar money to last season overall, with production (ie kgs) up 50%. Shitty prices.

Still tapping some trees, 1 on 1 off, but at this price hardly worth the effort. Will finish off all the trees end of next week and open up again n about 6 weeks.

Same as you, more rubber, but lower prices, plus I have a labor shortage big time. Going to have keep my fingers crossed, but this looks like a re play of 2008/9.
GFC 2 may be round the corner. Jim

It makes one Wonder what Thailand would be like if they got more from Social security for sitting on their arse than actually working for it like they do in the most of the Western World eh , I have tried for much and more to explain to Jan how a wife, husband and big family in the UK can get the equivalent of 100,000 baht a month for not doing anything to earn it , she just smiles and nods her head, but I know for a fact she thinks I am the biggest fucking liar since Tom Pepper,

Originally Posted by Iceman123

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Same as you, more rubber, but lower prices, plus I have a labor shortage big time. Going to have keep my fingers crossed, but this looks like a re play of 2008/9.
GFC 2 may be round the corner. Jim

Call me old fashioned but a couple of burnt out farangs with a few rubber trees may not be the best predictor of worldwide recession.

A bit like the Press and journal's (Aberdeen Scotland) report on the sinking of the Titanic " three north east men lost at sea"

Call me an old farang with a few rubber trees, but that's how I make my living, seems to cover the car payments, BUPA health insurance, food, beer and life in general.
Rubber prices are crap, but I still earn more expendable income than working in OZ, no tax and I don't work. Jim

Sold our last rubber for the season, been my worst year all round. Crap price, too much rain, not enough workers to make sheet. Have threatened to kill the FIL, lying cheating thief that he has turned into, almost ended in divorce over him, wife sided with the family. Someone took a shot at me, not sure if in law related or one of the rubber thieves, I got banged up a few years ago. Went after the guy with a big bush knife, but can't run worth shit through the bush in sandals, so only saw his back.
Bank balance is looking poor and no income for 6 weeks or so.

Bright side, drank a lot of beer, another year in which I haven't done a days paid work, kids a happy and healthy, trees look like a very short dormant period, leaves all back. Freezers full of farang food, car payments are 2 months in advance and we just had a great night in Khong Chiam for valentines day.
FIL screwed up badly and ripped the wife [me] off for a load of money trying to bribe his way out of jail time. He's one of these life time elected government guys, thinks he untouchable out here in the jungle. Didn't take into account that they sent a bunch of forestry soldiers from Korat to crack own on illegal logging, they didn't care who he thinks he is. Wife now realizes he's not about doing the right thing, but only about him.

New year Song Kran, changes afoot, we are headed to the bank next week about a loan, building a new house at the factory, away from the family and maybe a small resort restaurant there as well. Hopefully FIL gets time, which will give me a big smile, rubber prices will improve and I will get more workers as they have cracked down on the illegal logging.

If it was all easy it wouldn't be fun.

^
Awesome story Jim...So some fool tried to shoot you and you chased him with a big bush-knife? Fucking rad. If you caught him you should have beaten him across the face with his smelly fucking flip-flop.

Cool to hear about you mad fuckers living in the jungle, be careful bro..

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Sold our last rubber for the season, been my worst year all round. Crap price, too much rain, not enough workers to make sheet. Have threatened to kill the FIL, lying cheating thief that he has turned into, almost ended in divorce over him, wife sided with the family. Someone took a shot at me, not sure if in law related or one of the rubber thieves, I got banged up a few years ago. Went after the guy with a big bush knife, but can't run worth shit through the bush in sandals, so only saw his back.
Bank balance is looking poor and no income for 6 weeks or so.

Bright side, drank a lot of beer, another year in which I haven't done a days paid work, kids a happy and healthy, trees look like a very short dormant period, leaves all back. Freezers full of farang food, car payments are 2 months in advance and we just had a great night in Khong Chiam for valentines day.
FIL screwed up badly and ripped the wife [me] off for a load of money trying to bribe his way out of jail time. He's one of these life time elected government guys, thinks he untouchable out here in the jungle. Didn't take into account that they sent a bunch of forestry soldiers from Korat to crack own on illegal logging, they didn't care who he thinks he is. Wife now realizes he's not about doing the right thing, but only about him.

New year Song Kran, changes afoot, we are headed to the bank next week about a loan, building a new house at the factory, away from the family and maybe a small resort restaurant there as well. Hopefully FIL gets time, which will give me a big smile, rubber prices will improve and I will get more workers as they have cracked down on the illegal logging.

If it was all easy it wouldn't be fun.

bloody hell mate what a story!......a few years back wife's BIL (also some lifetime civil servant) shot and killed his nephew ....bugger came on ear-hole for cash to pay off cops and mother of nephew (family of junkies). He did not get any from us...but would you believe his wife hit the jackpot on lucky numbers and he stayed out of jail....last year the fucker ran off with another woman! Such a wonderful world!
Is rubber ever gonna stop going down the toilet? 28 for cup last week!
Carry on regardless hugh...good luck with the new ventures mate.

Jim, as the Fun Loving Criminals said;
"stay loose, hang cool, admit nothing".
Regards,
Mike.

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Sold our last rubber for the season, been my worst year all round. Crap price, too much rain, not enough workers to make sheet. Have threatened to kill the FIL, lying cheating thief that he has turned into, almost ended in divorce over him, wife sided with the family. Someone took a shot at me, not sure if in law related or one of the rubber thieves, I got banged up a few years ago. Went after the guy with a big bush knife, but can't run worth shit through the bush in sandals, so only saw his back.
Bank balance is looking poor and no income for 6 weeks or so.

Bright side, drank a lot of beer, another year in which I haven't done a days paid work, kids a happy and healthy, trees look like a very short dormant period, leaves all back. Freezers full of farang food, car payments are 2 months in advance and we just had a great night in Khong Chiam for valentines day.
FIL screwed up badly and ripped the wife [me] off for a load of money trying to bribe his way out of jail time. He's one of these life time elected government guys, thinks he untouchable out here in the jungle. Didn't take into account that they sent a bunch of forestry soldiers from Korat to crack own on illegal logging, they didn't care who he thinks he is. Wife now realizes he's not about doing the right thing, but only about him.

New year Song Kran, changes afoot, we are headed to the bank next week about a loan, building a new house at the factory, away from the family and maybe a small resort restaurant there as well. Hopefully FIL gets time, which will give me a big smile, rubber prices will improve and I will get more workers as they have cracked down on the illegal logging.

If it was all easy it wouldn't be fun.

A fascinating story Jim and no doubt 100% factual ,of course you must know along with other rubber farmers on this thread that I am very much on your side , however when some one try,s to bump you off and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, and now you are seeking a loan to try and carry on ,have you never ever asked yourself is all this really worth it?, as you say you live in the "jungle" and of course its your life and you live it how you please ,personally I would just sell up, get a nice little rented house in "civilization" with all mod cons nearby ,and spend the rest of my life stress free cos who knows the guy who tried to bump you off must have had a good reason and who is to say he won't try again?

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Sold our last rubber for the season, been my worst year all round. Crap price, too much rain, not enough workers to make sheet. Have threatened to kill the FIL, lying cheating thief that he has turned into, almost ended in divorce over him, wife sided with the family. Someone took a shot at me, not sure if in law related or one of the rubber thieves, I got banged up a few years ago. Went after the guy with a big bush knife, but can't run worth shit through the bush in sandals, so only saw his back.
Bank balance is looking poor and no income for 6 weeks or so.

Bright side, drank a lot of beer, another year in which I haven't done a days paid work, kids a happy and healthy, trees look like a very short dormant period, leaves all back. Freezers full of farang food, car payments are 2 months in advance and we just had a great night in Khong Chiam for valentines day.
FIL screwed up badly and ripped the wife [me] off for a load of money trying to bribe his way out of jail time. He's one of these life time elected government guys, thinks he untouchable out here in the jungle. Didn't take into account that they sent a bunch of forestry soldiers from Korat to crack own on illegal logging, they didn't care who he thinks he is. Wife now realizes he's not about doing the right thing, but only about him.

New year Song Kran, changes afoot, we are headed to the bank next week about a loan, building a new house at the factory, away from the family and maybe a small resort restaurant there as well. Hopefully FIL gets time, which will give me a big smile, rubber prices will improve and I will get more workers as they have cracked down on the illegal logging.

If it was all easy it wouldn't be fun.

A fascinating story Jim and no doubt 100% factual ,of course you must know along with other rubber farmers on this thread that I am very much on your side , however when some one try,s to bump you off and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, and now you are seeking a loan to try and carry on ,have you never ever asked yourself is all this really worth it?, as you say you live in the "jungle" and of course its your life and you live it how you please ,personally I would just sell up, get a nice little rented house in "civilization" with all mod cons nearby ,and spend the rest of my life stress free cos who knows the guy who tried to bump you off must have had a good reason and who is to say he won't try again?

Selling up would be an option and would have cut and run years ago when offered a big payment for the factory. More than enough to see my life out, but I have 2 young kids, it's more about their future now. Like nothing better than to sit by a beach drinking beer, but when I kicked the bucket, there won't be much left for them. This way we have a good income and a long term investment, as Mike said, richest I have ever been on paper.
As to the guy taking a pot shot, shit happens, had a lot worse as a cop and then a screw.

Went loan shopping today, what a nightmare, strangest rules ever, or Det Udom has the dumbest bankers.
SCB, have a 1-1 mil car loan with them, only 300,000 odd left to pay, no chance for a 1 mil Baht mortgage, but will lend 1-5 mil if we want to buy another car.
K bank can't give a mortgage to build on that land, charnotes only 5 years old, needs to be at least 10 years old.
Bangkok bank, charnots OK, but it's too much land, needs to be under 4 rai.
Round we went, no house mortgage, no problem if we want to buy an all ready standing or new house project, but not on our land.
Now here's what got me stumped, all we happy to loan more than I wanted as a business loan on the factory/company which is on the same land.

Next to the land office to try and figure out what's up with the charnote. Seems no name changes allowed for 10 years on new charnotes, say does that mean we can't sell it until the 10 years is up. No you can sell any time, you fill this form in, bring it in we register the sale and when the 10 years are up we change the name and the taxes are paid. Strange to me, any way sorted out a deal, BKK bank, only bank in Det that has a guy that can authorize loans off his own bat. House become admin area, small resort worker housing if we so for that, etc.

Andrew, neglected trees will be poor latex producers and you may have a problem getting tappers, I can't get them.
Be careful about the land tile, out our way much of the land is crown land and the sale can't be registered. Jim

Hi James, I have worked with trees for years and as you said neglected trees will always under perform. Do you have any experience is bringing neglected rubber trees back to producing good latex? Is it possible? Does it take long? As you can see from the photos the trees aren't too bad - just not as good as they could be.

The locals seem to think it isn't much of a problem getting tappers for 2 baht a tree. I find that interesting given we are quite close to each other and you are struggling. What do you pay per tree over there?

Originally Posted by MeMock

Hi James, I have worked with trees for years and as you said neglected trees will always under perform. Do you have any experience is bringing neglected rubber trees back to producing good latex? Is it possible? Does it take long? As you can see from the photos the trees aren't too bad - just not as good as they could be.

The locals seem to think it isn't much of a problem getting tappers for 2 baht a tree. I find that interesting given we are quite close to each other and you are struggling. What do you pay per tree over there?

Hi MeMock , I first came here in 89 on long term yearly holidays with my late dear wife in our winter of on average 3/4months before returning back to the UK , unfortunately she passed away in March 2003 ,I then started life afresh here in Nov 2003 and have lived here full time since then , I have come to the conclusion after hearing (and seeing) so many fucking horror stories were the farang with all good intentions has been "cleaned out" of his money , even Jim admitted when the shit hit the fan his "beloved wife" sided with "the family" , cos here the farang is just a back number, that,s how it is here in many many cases , of course there are undoubtedly some cases were the "alien" is appreciated ,I have seen some with my own eyes but they are few and far between , sorry to have such a pessimistic view on life here in Thailand , but the way I see it any one wishing to make a small fortune in business here in LOS especially in the hit and miss uncertainty of farming whatever the crop is ,should start out with a very big one

Hi piwanoi, I do appreciate your thoughts and concerns but not really the answers I was chasing.

I have been involved in farming in Thailand and Laos for more then 10 years. I have also been married for over 10 years now and share farm with various brother in laws for all that time. I have never once had a single issue. never once had a baht go missing nor had a single argument. Sure a few different thoughts on how to farm and a few mis understandings due to language difficulties but that has been it. Also, the only money ever been borrowed has been me borrowing from them when I have been caught short or the exchange rate has gone to pot.

Farming in Thailand is simply a hobby, (in Laos a business) if it does happen to go tits up then I wont be losing any sleep.

Also, James I just checked again about rubber tappers and it would seem that there are enough around the area that we won't have an issue. Would love to hear what you pay and also your thoughts on the price of the land compared to your neck of the woods.

Andrew not heard of 2 baht a tree, but it's no winner from your side. We pay our tappers 40%, now this means they not only tap, but pay 40% of the fertilizer and maintain the plantations, cut grass etc.

Can't really give you any numbers without knowing sheet or cup, different prices, but say 500 trees, tappers on 1000 a tap you need those trees to be pouring out latex and not going to happen. Think you would be paying out more than you ever got back.
Average Thai plantation 3 to 5 kilos of solid rubber per tree per year, not going to pay the guys wages. Jim

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by MeMock

Hi James, I have worked with trees for years and as you said neglected trees will always under perform. Do you have any experience is bringing neglected rubber trees back to producing good latex? Is it possible? Does it take long? As you can see from the photos the trees aren't too bad - just not as good as they could be.

The locals seem to think it isn't much of a problem getting tappers for 2 baht a tree. I find that interesting given we are quite close to each other and you are struggling. What do you pay per tree over there?

Hi MeMock , I first came here in 89 on long term yearly holidays with my late dear wife in our winter of on average 3/4months before returning back to the UK , unfortunately she passed away in March 2003 ,I then started life afresh here in Nov 2003 and have lived here full time since then , I have come to the conclusion after hearing (and seeing) so many fucking horror stories were the farang with all good intentions has been "cleaned out" of his money , even Jim admitted when the shit hit the fan his "beloved wife" sided with "the family" , cos here the farang is just a back number, that,s how it is here in many many cases , of course there are undoubtedly some cases were the "alien" is appreciated ,I have seen some with my own eyes but they are few and far between , sorry to have such a pessimistic view on life here in Thailand , but the way I see it any one wishing to make a small fortune in business here in LOS especially in the hit and miss uncertainty of farming whatever the crop is ,should start out with a very big one

Have agree with much of what you say, but I have never had a problem in 11 years, until last year. wife never sided with the in laws before. She wasn't even raised here, didn't want to live here, preferred Australia.
They must have been working on her over the years, turned her from a Uni grad westernize Thai into a village girl.
Hopefully when we move out to a new place at the factory, their grip on her will diminish, we all live in the same house. Plus we haven't been back to OZ in 2 years, even I have started to turn into a lazy local.
We will see. Jim

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by MeMock

Hi James, I have worked with trees for years and as you said neglected trees will always under perform. Do you have any experience is bringing neglected rubber trees back to producing good latex? Is it possible? Does it take long? As you can see from the photos the trees aren't too bad - just not as good as they could be.

The locals seem to think it isn't much of a problem getting tappers for 2 baht a tree. I find that interesting given we are quite close to each other and you are struggling. What do you pay per tree over there?

Hi MeMock , I first came here in 89 on long term yearly holidays with my late dear wife in our winter of on average 3/4months before returning back to the UK , unfortunately she passed away in March 2003 ,I then started life afresh here in Nov 2003 and have lived here full time since then , I have come to the conclusion after hearing (and seeing) so many fucking horror stories were the farang with all good intentions has been "cleaned out" of his money , even Jim admitted when the shit hit the fan his "beloved wife" sided with "the family" , cos here the farang is just a back number, that,s how it is here in many many cases , of course there are undoubtedly some cases were the "alien" is appreciated ,I have seen some with my own eyes but they are few and far between , sorry to have such a pessimistic view on life here in Thailand , but the way I see it any one wishing to make a small fortune in business here in LOS especially in the hit and miss uncertainty of farming whatever the crop is ,should start out with a very big one

Have agree with much of what you say, but I have never had a problem in 11 years, until last year. wife never sided with the in laws before. She wasn't even raised here, didn't want to live here, preferred Australia.
They must have been working on her over the years, turned her from a Uni grad westernize Thai into a village girl.
Hopefully when we move out to a new place at the factory, their grip on her will diminish, we all live in the same house. Plus we haven't been back to OZ in 2 years, even I have started to turn into a lazy local.
We will see. Jim

Seriously Jim I wish you all the luck in the world I really do , your post 385 to me appeared ,what can I say? "heartpouring" of which I have seen and heard quite a lot of here as there is at least 100 farangs living within 20 minutes drive either way north or south , I have seen grown men cry at what has happened to them ,and I know a high ranking lawyer in Korat who was educated in America who tells me tales of woe you simply would not believe , living in the same house is a definite no no in most cases ,and IMHO it will be a good move to get her and yourself out of that "enviroment", as its paramount in any relationship to have your own privacy , thats why right from the start of Jan and I getting together that I did not want her 3 sisters calling round and interfering into our lives at which Thai's especially women appear very good at ,I do apologize if I appeared intrusive or ill mannered but I was just laying on the line which was brought on with the "benefit", if you can call it that of seeing quite a few relationships and hearing of far more that have gone tits up and the farang being drove into the ground like a tent peg .

Hi James,

You see my naivety when it comes to all things rubber are coming out now!

I think I may have got my terminology wrong.

Yes, 60/40 is what has been discussed - same as what obviously is happening out your way with the BIL paying all outgoings.

The 2 baht tapping that I mentioned is to get someone to come and do the very first cut and set up the cup etc. The BIL would then do the rest. So really this bit is not all that relevant I think. As soon as I get a number on the trees I will let you know.

One other thing - I noticed that his plantation seems to have 7m spacing between rows while most other plantations around here only have 6. A good or bad thing?

MeMock;
# 7m better than 6m spacing.
# Price on that land is not bad, good actually, regardless of land paperwork.
# Yes trees are not that great, the canopy is poor for 6-7 years old, and note where the cups are positioned on the tree, way too far down, ie they started tapping early 2 years ago, and the panel is already down there, or they just started tapping down there where there is some decent girth. Either way, a good 6-7 year old tree should have a tapping panel started at preferably 1.5m height or not less than 1.2 metres.
Regards,
Mike.

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for your reply. That was exactly the type of information I was looking for.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Andrew not heard of 2 baht a tree, but it's no winner from your side. We pay our tappers 40%, now this means they not only tap, but pay 40% of the fertilizer and maintain the plantations, cut grass etc.

Can't really give you any numbers without knowing sheet or cup, different prices, but say 500 trees, tappers on 1000 a tap you need those trees to be pouring out latex and not going to happen. Think you would be paying out more than you ever got back.
Average Thai plantation 3 to 5 kilos of solid rubber per tree per year, not going to pay the guys wages. Jim

Jim , I think I'll stick to "maggot drowning" (Fishing), making my own wine and doing about 5 kms a day on my Mountain bike, plus I have the PC and True TV and go out 7 nights a week to my local Watering hole about 10 minutes drive away were there's always at least 6 farangs to talk total bollocks with and try to solve all the Worlds many problems, I suppose I am lucky in a sense cos I don't see any reason to work for peanuts here especially when I may have to rely on Thai's in the process, when 20 years ago in England I could clear a thousand quid a week stood on my head and not rely on any one, just myself .

Andrew, don't know how they are doing things up Mikes way regarding ,titles, but down our way there have been a few changes in the last year or so.
Land with no paper [ possession land ] is good, local Gov. will witness and issue some paper.
Problem here now is land issued by the crown, which has paper and was dealt with in the same way as possession land, but should really have gone through the land office. This land can not be sold legally and the local Government are refusing to witness sales and transfers. This causes problems if/when the charnote people come, as has happened along the main 2248. Some crown land got charnotes issued, some are in dispute and a few lands were confiscated.
In saying that the price is worth the gamble. Jim

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Andrew, don't know how they are doing things up Mikes way regarding ,titles, but down our way there have been a few changes in the last year or so.
Land with no paper [ possession land ] is good, local Gov. will witness and issue some paper.
Problem here now is land issued by the crown, which has paper and was dealt with in the same way as possession land, but should really have gone through the land office. This land can not be sold legally and the local Government are refusing to witness sales and transfers. This causes problems if/when the charnote people come, as has happened along the main 2248. Some crown land got charnotes issued, some are in dispute and a few lands were confiscated.
In saying that the price is worth the gamble. Jim

Sorry Jim , but your pessimistic post 390 does not reflect on what you are saying now ,sure its a gamble ,that,s life ,but the way you are writing in this particular post 390 your opinion is he's gonna lose ,of course the Thai's do not give a shit cos if the venture goes tits up its not their dough that is going down the drain , my apology's again if I appear so cynical , but that cynicism is borne out by so many sad story's I have been hearing ,or in some cases actually seeing with my own eyes ever since I first set foot in Thailand 24 years ago ,this is why I would never ever contemplate going into business here , especially were Issan Thai men are involved

Jim is right, land paperwork can be quite messy. Some land with absolutely no paperwork can be quite good. I think Jim refers to crown land as "Sor Por Kor". This indeed is not meant to be traded outside of the family name, but it is still quite easy to say your wife bought this from her "uncle", got two plots of 36 rai in total changed into my wife's name a few years ago. Funnily enough my missus was paying the annual land tax on 64 rai yesterday (162 baht !!), and they said bring in your Sor Por Kor p/work tomorrow (36 rai) as we are now starting to issue the pre-Chanote titles. Nice. Note, it is most important that you can show that you have paid an annual agricultural land tax on ALL your land, regardless of paperwork, as this helps in the future resolving new land papers, hopefully Chanote.

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Andrew, don't know how they are doing things up Mikes way regarding ,titles, but down our way there have been a few changes in the last year or so.
Land with no paper [ possession land ] is good, local Gov. will witness and issue some paper.
Problem here now is land issued by the crown, which has paper and was dealt with in the same way as possession land, but should really have gone through the land office. This land can not be sold legally and the local Government are refusing to witness sales and transfers. This causes problems if/when the charnote people come, as has happened along the main 2248. Some crown land got charnotes issued, some are in dispute and a few lands were confiscated.
In saying that the price is worth the gamble. Jim

Sorry Jim , but your pessimistic post 390 does not reflect on what you are saying now ,sure its a gamble ,that,s life ,but the way you are writing in this particular post 390 your opinion is he's gonna lose ,of course the Thai's do not give a shit cos if the venture goes tits up its not their dough that is going down the drain , my apology's again if I appear so cynical , but that cynicism is borne out by so many sad story's I have been hearing ,or in some cases actually seeing with my own eyes ever since I first set foot in Thailand 24 years ago ,this is why I would never ever contemplate going into business here , especially were Issan Thai men are involved

lose was at the 2 Baht a tree tap, can't lose at 60/40. Good or bad you get 60%, high price or low you get your cut.

On the land thing, it's complex, as Mike says pay the taxes and have a paper trail.
Where it starts to be problematic is other rules, some titles restrict 20 or 50 rai per family, then there's the 10 year rule. If you farm land for 10 years [and paid taxes to prove it] it's yours.

piwanoi happy for you that you had a highly paid job, that allowed you to live a life of your choosing, 20 years ago I wasn't making a 1,000 Pounds a week. Can't remember off the top of my head, but I was either walking a beat in inner city Birmingham UK shit hole or a tier of a max security prison in OZ.
Thailand has problems for farangs, but I sleep, no nightmares of dead kids or nutters coming out of a prison cells trying to poke your eyes out with a fork.

Everyone to their own, for me it's better here with the Thai shit than what I left.
Jim