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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    El Gibbon's Avatar
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    Just can't stay out of the country side!

    Many of you know or remember my thread on "moving to the Moo Ban" a couple of years ago. Well, here we are again!

    As mentioned in that thread I truly liked living "upcountry" and would have still been there if it hadn't been for the torrential rains that drove me nutso. Perfectly understandable why Chantaburi/Makham are the fruit basket of Thailand. There is definitely no shortage of water.

    Recently met a neat lady from Isaan, that has me totally under her spell. Great gal that has a lot going for her, job, family, foster son and a great personality. Speaks Engrish well too lolol.

    Have spent a few weeks with her here outside of Nong Khai and am loving it. She has a modern large bungalow on 4 rai and really isolated in terms of neighbors etc. Village is 2 clicks in one direction and about 3 in the other. Can barely here the tanoy from the first on a clear morning.

    Have no idea of where I am of course: between Nong Khai and the Nong Khai golf course on the way to Phon Pisai, behind an international school of some type; my cell phone says Tiptani I think.

    Have found a couple of watering holes and various spots of interest in Nong Khai. Most importantly is I found a source of all I need for baking breads etc. right in Nong Khai.

    There is some type of festival going on in Nong Khai at the moment, a remembrance of some great battle fought in years past. The center of town is full of furniture vendors and plant vendors, so, I've already started an orchid collection... Condo living in bangers really didn't afford that opportunity.

    Living in BKK was ok for what it was, but I didn't really need it other than the Foodland, Villa access. Occasional trips will allow for that to be remedied I'm sure. Of course any time you move its a loss of friends etc. but the plus side is that you get to meet new acquaintances and form new friendships. The old ones never really go away but just simmer for time until renewed.

    I had originally thought that the "modern" shopping available in BKk wouldn't be available here, WRONG. Like most Thai cities of any size at all (especially provincial capitals) have most of what you want, you just have to find the shops that carry it. - similar to the bakery supply shop I found.

    An hour a way is Udon, where you have, Tesco, Big C, Carrefour, Makro, Homepro, Homeworks,Global etc. Including a Tool store that is reputed to be the best in Thailand. I'm also sure there are a lot of shops in Udon that carry whatever your looking for. Just got to find them lolol.

    So, this looks like home. I'll be going down to BKK to load up the clothes and junk collected over time and hauling it all up here. Regular trips to BKK will of course be on the agenda once all is settled.

    Only thing that pissed me off so far is that my Gin is 50 baht more expensive here than in BKK

    This thread won't be as extensive as the previous but just some observations of moving to Isaan. Lots of folks don't understand why one would do it but I am about to.

    E. G.
    "If you can't stand the answer --
    Don't ask the question!"

  2. #2
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    Marmite the Dog's Avatar
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    Still waiting for that phone call mate...

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat
    El Gibbon's Avatar
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    Been a little busy getting acclimated, somewhat like a one-armed paper hanger in a shit storm... lol

    will come no fear

    E. G.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat

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    Quote Originally Posted by El Gibbon View Post

    Only thing that pissed me off so far is that my Gin is 50 baht more expensive here than in BKK
    if gin is to expensive try to stick to lau kaouv like the locals

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
    Thai Pom's Avatar
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    Glad to hear it is working out...

  6. #6
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    Marmite the Dog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by smeden
    lau kaouv
    What's that then?

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat

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    Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by smeden
    lau kaouv
    What's that then?
    it is maybe not spellt corect but it is the cheap buse the locals drink it smels like bad moonshine

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by El Gibbon
    Many of you know or remember my thread on "moving to the Moo Ban" a couple of years ago. Well, here we are again!
    Remember it well...guess the change of location also means past relationships are..er...past?

    looking forward to this thread...and some pics as well...you're a terror for punishment mate...

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
    El Gibbon's Avatar
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    Correctomundo on the past is the "past". Long story that is boring as hell.

    No punishment involved. Just able to move as I please. One of the great benefits of being retired. Actually its Thai Pom's fault, he first introduced me to Isaan a year ago. We went to Yasothon for a holiday and I've never looked back. Isaan is a right for me. lol

    E. G.

  10. #10
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    Sounds like you're happy with it, good on you!

  11. #11
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by El Gibbon
    Lots of folks don't understand why one would do it but I am about to.
    Lot's of us do, EG. Good luck and enjoy.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Good luck to you EG.

    I know that being out bush works for me. I hope it all works out well for you.

  13. #13
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Good to hear that you are happy mate but you must be missing those afternoon piss-ups with Thai Pom and the gang. I know I enjoyed that afternoon and hope to do it again soon.

    All the best my friend.

  14. #14
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    corvettelover's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by smeden View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by El Gibbon View Post

    Only thing that pissed me off so far is that my Gin is 50 baht more expensive here than in BKK
    if gin is to expensive try to stick to lau kaouv like the locals

    Doing a visa run over the bridge should find you some cheap gin and beer
    no 2 day visa trips now (sad)

  15. #15
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    Isee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by El Gibbon View Post

    An hour a way is Udon, where you have, Tesco, Big C, Carrefour, Makro, Homepro, Homeworks,Global etc. Including a Tool store that is reputed to be the best in Thailand.
    I can vouch for that tool store (if its the one on the main drag), saw it on my way up on a visa run and stopped in on the way back. I could have spent hours looking through everything there, but was on a limited time and grabbed a couple of things I hadn't seen elsewhere. I have a similar drive to Ubon from Yaso when I'm looking for such shops.

    So, this looks like home. I'll be going down to BKK to load up the clothes and junk collected over time and hauling it all up here. Regular trips to BKK will of course be on the agenda once all is settled.
    Best of both worlds if you have a permanent base in BKK to have a break from life in the sticks. NK is good as it has more things going on for it than your average Issan city (excluding the big ones).

    Only thing that pissed me off so far is that my Gin is 50 baht more expensive here than in BKK
    Very easy access to Laos though - I liked Nong Khai (stayed one night and drove around the place exploring it - very nearly stayed another night after coming back from getting a new visa). Dinner on the sidewalk restaurant overlooking the Mekong with Laos on the other side was nice.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by El Gibbon View Post
    We went to Yasothon for a holiday and I've never looked back. Isaan is a right for me. lol
    Good ole Yasothon - has its own popular thai song.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
    Thai Pom's Avatar
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    I'm to blame !!!!!

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
    El Gibbon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Isee View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by El Gibbon View Post
    We went to Yasothon for a holiday and I've never looked back. Isaan is a right for me. lol
    Good ole Yasothon - has its own popular thai song.
    Just has to be one of the neater and best little cities in LOS

    E. G.

  19. #19
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    Pink Panty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by smeden View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by smeden
    lau kaouv
    What's that then?
    it is maybe not spellt corect but it is the cheap buse the locals drink it smels like bad moonshine
    Thai home made wisky isn't it?

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat
    good2bhappy's Avatar
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    rural Thailand?
    love it for a break but would need some modcons if I was to stay there

  21. #21
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    kjameson's Avatar
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    So let's see if I understand this correctly, you are living in a Thai woman's house along with all the comforts that go with that and your complaining that the paint thinner you drink costs 50 cents more than BKK? Beside I imagine your Leo may be a few satang cheaper. You will never change.

    Enjoy your new adventure.

  22. #22
    I am in Jail
    Mr Earl's Avatar
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    ^55555
    Can't see that lasting long, complainers usually change their tune or go home.

    I like Nong Khai, there is a Tesco right there! You can probably find fresh bread from Vientiane too.

    Always look on the sunny side!

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat
    Thai Pom's Avatar
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    Must be big news if Kjameson posts!!!

  24. #24
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    I have a Thai Telegraph receiver here full time now.

    Beside with EG moving from BKK there is an overstock situation in premium (?) Gin at moment. That is world wide news, there is a concern that no one else can actually drink it.

    Hey nine posts in two years, I always was in the slow group. Only 91 (now 90) more and I can get into the members area! Don't think I'll live that long.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat
    El Gibbon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thai Pom View Post
    Must be big news if Kjameson posts!!!
    Hmmmmm Kjameson arrives! WOW am truly honored. Thought you might get the "injustice" of it all lolol.

    With that and the price of Leo being substantially higher, I might have to forgo the evening tipple... NOT!

    The prices at "the center" are to be appreciated for sure.

    Will enjoy a couple at "the center" later in the week for old times sake.

    Hope all is going well now that the Telegraph has arrived to make life easier..

    E. G.

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