my expat day out in ban dung issan Thailand well i guess depending on what you did the night before this could be a typical day in ban dung issan ok you wake up is to the tweet of birds our the sounds of some dodgy mowlem song well anyway your awake you stumble from you room to find the house empty you missed takbaht again
never mind the wife our one of the family kept you in the good books again i don’t mind popping up to the temple but trying to sit down on the mats to long kills me so lets give it a miss today what do you eat for breakfast in Thailand I normally try a a couple of slices of toast and a cup of coffee with the heat of the day approaching if possible i would head in to ban dung about 10am have a full English at eddies bar our garys its good to have the choice as one time you could not get much of anything
anyway we make it to ban dung fill up for the day our at least till about 5 when the roast chicken over the road from eddies is done know i need to check my email and contact with the outside world well this is the part thats starts to get you worried is your mail box going to be full of spam again our are there people out there that give a dam about you it would be great to find out only problem internet is down again
but never fear i have a back up plan gprs internet which used to be total rubbish but these days its nuch faster then the old mister tongs internet cafe in udon thani god that place used to have me pulling my hair out does anybody remember that place lets say we did waste 1 our 2 hours surfing the net until lunch whats next i better wait till part 2 as i am hungry as hell here does this fit in with your typical morning in Thailand ?
Real Estate in udon thani issan Thailand there are a few small real estate company.s around in udon thani at the moment but the most reliable and longest established is FBI udon thani they always seem to have a large selection of for rent and for sale properties at the high end you can find ridiculously large houses at the same ridiculous prices but on the whole they have a good selection in a easy to find index and are definitely worth a look to get a feel for the market in issan For further details, contact FBI Manager; Mr. Preben Pretzmann 411/38 Hlang Pramong Road Tambon Hmarkkhaeng Amphur Muang Udon Thani Udon Thani 41000 Thailand
Phone +66 (0) 42 24 63 78 Mobile phone +66 (0) 87 222 98 26 E-MAIL us at: fbi@udonrealestate.com
ban dung changes buy roger goodchild During my 2009 visit to Thailand I went back to Ban Dung to meet up with some of the friends that I made on previous visits, when I visited my son Dean and girlfriend Lang at their Bar just a few kilometres outside Ban Dung called The Five Bell Bar. Today the bar is barely recognisable as it use to be, the frontage is taken up with stalls selling bags of salt, and I’m told that they do do some Thai food there, I don’t know first hand because after seeing it when passing on the bus, I have not been able to go back and see exactly what it is like. This change of use has come about because my son, unfortunately died in 2007 at just 40years old, and I believe that his girlfriends mother is either living there or is using it during the day for business.
I have arranged to meet up at another ex pats bar called Eddies Bar in Ban Dung,owned byEddie and Pin his wife. Most of those I expected to meet were there some with their wives some without, those who were not there were back in UK or wherever. Much reminiscing about times past and several beers later I was taken to spend the night at a new hotel in Ban Dung, called MB mansion.
The hotel is owned by the widow of a friend of my son. The rooms are big and all have free Wi009 Fi, air conditioning, TV, small fridge,and toilet and shower. They are very reasonably priced. You can have a small breakfast of eggs, bacon, tea/coffee and toast in the morning to start the day off
They have also got car and bike rentals available. Contact details for MB Mansion:-mbmansion1@hotmail.com, 042 273859 Office, 081 5973936 Porn speaks English, 087 6123629 Sam
I never got to see much of the town during this stay but I do intend to go back and see what has changed. A few weeks later and I have made it back to Ban Dung,I have already mentioned the changes to The Five Bell Bar, and the new Mb hotel The next big change that I notice is to the road into Ban Dung, it is much much wider now and a030 much better surface than it had 2-3 years ago. There have been some development work in the town, with new shops opened and one cafe that use to be on the corner near the bus station, that looks like it is closed down now, I had many early morning beers there while my Thai lady friend had her breakfast, if it had been there now I would join her in eating rather than drinking that early in the morning. I found a shop that, although it has probably been there for several years, one or two had made mention of because over the years with the growth of the ex pats population the owner has been wise enough to start stocking a lot of more western type foodstuff to cater for them. One that has been mention more than most is the availability now of Weetabix, which seems to have a big following in Ban Dung. The prices are a bit higher than you would expect to pay in somewhere like Big C or Tesco Lotus but when you consider the cost of fuel to get to those places they don’t seem to be far out. The next thing was to check out the ex pats bars that I know about, if there are any I miss out I am sorry.
The first one as you approach the town from Penn Road is Trent’sbar was one of those not at Eddies Bar the night I met old friends there, for obvious reasons, his bar is on the left hand side of the road directly opposite the Ban Dung Crown Prince Hospital, and benefits from this position by serving mainly Thai food for the nurses that frequent it, I haven’t, tried it yet but am reliably informed that they do a very nice Full English breakfast, The menu also includes burgher and chips, cheese burgher and chips for the less adventurous and a selection of drinks. I enjoyed the food, both Thai and Western, and it was all very reasonably priced. Contact number for Trent’s Bar:- 081 0791171
along the road, also on the left hand side you come to Eddies Sport Bar, very with ex pats from in and around Ban Dung, I would class it as a drinking man’s bar, having said that I have eaten there on more than one occasion, and can recommend the Pie Chips and Mushy Peas, there are a good few other dishes on the menu, including English Breakfast, all at reasonable prices. Eddies also have rooms to rent at reasonable prices As you would expect in a sport bar there is a lot of memorabilia and a pool table and UBC TV to watch live or reruns of special events. Contact numbers for Eddies Bar:- 0854553646, 042 271034
gary.s Bar The third and last ex pats bar ,that I am aware of, is on Salt Road, on the left hand side opposite the filling station and is called Gary’s Bar and Restaurant. There are two menu’s at Gary’s one Thai Menu and one for the Western palate. Western food menu has a large range of pizza’s, which I heartily recommend, along with Chips in two portion sizes, burgher and chips, and of course the Traditional English Breakfast, again this comes in two portion sizes, with the best tasting sausages in town, allegedly. The Thai food is highly recommended by one who knows. All of this very reasonably priced. The atmosphere here seems very relaxed and friendly, with a mixture of nationalities amongst the regulars.
Contact number for Gary’s Bar and Restaurant:- 0890308729
I would say that Ban Dung is an expanding town and seems to be attracting more ex pats as a result. There are one or two places of interest if you are staying around for a day or two:- Kham Chanot
Wat Kham Chanot (Thai: วัดคำชะโนด) is a Buddhist temple near Ban Kham Chanot, Amphoe Ban Dung, Udon Thani Province in North eastern Thailand. It is located in the Wang Nakhin area at a lake where the Nāga, a mythical large snake, is supposed to be living. Picture source”Work by User:Mattes The Naga is an enormous serpent, often suggested to have seven heads. Buddhist iconography popularly depicts this mythical beast as a dragon-like water serpent, and at times we see the Buddha depicted as standing upon its head.
Nāga worship is one of the main issue in this small monastery. About ten monks live here permanently. It is believed that the snake has a hideaway on the island. It is connected to the other Wat premises by a bridge. The origins of the wat are located on the island.
A small zoo with turtles has been added to the monastery. Opposite of the main temple building, a permanent (rural) market for visitors is provided.
In the modern physical world the Naga still claims a position. Once a year, for several days, pilgrims make their way to the banks of the Mekong River in North east Thailand to watch the ‘Naga Fire-balls’ emerge from that river This phenomena has been recorded and witnessed by many, and is as yet not adequately explained. Unless that is you are of the same ilk as those whom ascribe all U.F.O.’s to being air balloons and meteors, in which case you will be happy with the current explanation of swamp gas and fireworks. The observers, and other advocates, claim that the Naga lives in the Mekong and that it shoots these fireballs up out of the water.
Ban Chiang World Heritage Site
Legend has it that Ban Chiang was discovered by a clumsy American college student, who fell in the road of the present town of Ban Chiang, and found ceramics eroding out of the road bed. The first excavations at the site were conducted in 1967 by archaeologist Vidya Intakosai, and later by the Fine Arts Department in Bangkok and the University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Dr. Chester F. Gorman and Pisit Charoenwongsa have revealed evidence of prehistoric occupation beginning as early as 3600 B.C. and continuing until about A.D. 200.
The site is one of the largest prehistoric Bronze Age sites in this part of Thailand, measuring at least 8 hectares in size. Archaeological research at the site has revealed a fully developed Bronze Age metallurgy, but lacking the weaponry so often associated with it in Europe and the rest of the world." article buy roger goodchild
Most know Thailand as the world’s tourist Eden yet moving to Thailand can become an expat’s paradise. Finding a well paid job can be difficult but for the fortunate expats who manage, a luxurious lifestyle is just part of the reward. A warm and welcoming culture, beautiful landscapes and a chance to experience truly different customs make living in this foreign land both endlessly interesting and settling.
While most expats cluster in the dense and crowded city of Bangkok, others realise there are two Thailand: Bangkok and everywhere else. Although less likely, some expats scatter across the northern regions, such as Chiang Mai, udon thani ,and enjoy a quiet and more traditional Thai lifestyle. More popular are the beach resorts of Krabi and Phuket, where tourism related jobs and popular beaches lure fortunate working expats and retirees.
Although the vast majority of expats live in Bangkok, there are obvious advantages and disadvantages of both rural and urban living. In Thailand these features are exaggerated as rural and urban environments are so dissimilar. Rural communities often lack modern amenities and urban environments are on overdrive, inundating expats with noise pollution and lack of space. It is difficult to find a balance.”
but myself i would choose issan ie udon thani as my retirement base yes it as it.s problems without a beach but the sun still shines and prices are far lower then other Thai destinations but above all the feeling of being more part of the community although a few years ago in udon you where still a novelty doing your shopping these days falangs are as thick as fog
expat dreams and gripes yes its comes to all of us after spending a few weeks our for those more lucky a couple of month’s the trip to Thailand to see friends and family is never just long enough it makes you start to wonder why we do what we do i guess most people reading this will contact in some way with what i am saying
we spend are lives running round in circles to get to a ever elusive gole of living the ban dung issan expat dream getting a wad of money together to live out for some of us the golden years of are lives away from are homes in the west are thai wifes our girlfriends spend years away from home trying mostly in vain to make so called big money in the west
i speak for myself when i say sometimes i wish i had a Thai passport no visa hassle no long waits at the laos border just being able to get on with your life maybe start a local based business seek out a simple living and enjoy life what comes my way do i really need to work my backside of in the uk to buy a big house big car then when i get all this i need a big bank balance to support my chosen lifestyle
anyway ban dung may be a Thai backwater but it beats living in the UK hands down that is for sure with this year been more our less a totally right of maybe i should take a year out ok gripe over i need to get back to working on my new website Thai expat info that should keep me out of trouble ok readers you seem to come from all over the world come on quick comment where are you from when do you plan to retire
located about 5-10 minutes from downtown Udon thani. safey park your car our motorbike in there compound, while having full access to all the home comforts Fully furnished rooms with TV, fridge, cable TV, ADSL etc. nicely furnished rooms with TV, fridge, cable TV, ADSL Tuk Tuk service, mini bar and restaurant, 6.5km from city center. our 10 min.s
jing joes as a great little bar and a real good crowd of expats and long term tourists its the really chilled out atmosphere up there that seems to be popular tik and Auzzie don are friendly and laid back if your looking for somewhere inexpensive with decent offroad parking then there worth a visit
321/1 Soi Srisoonthon Nittayo Road, Udon Thani 41000 (Opposite NB Hotel & Post Office, Phosi Road) Telephone: +(66) (0) 42 223442 Mobile 08-15452526 Email : tik54@yahoo.com
udon thani Cost of living The cost of living in udon thani Thailand varies depending on your standard of living. The location you decide to live in also plays an important role in deciding the cost of living, making it more expensive to stay within udon thani city limits as compared to a smaller town like ban dung. The prices are calculated according to the currency, The Thai Baht. Things to consider when planing where you will rent our buy that affect cost are your mode of transport and accessibility to public transport with the thai police cracking down on drunk drivers leaving the car and taking a tuck tuck home outside the ring road every time could soon eat into your budget making that extra couple of thousand baht a month for a nice city centre apartment seem worthwhile and not just as far to stumble
one U.S. dollar is equal to 35 Baht.at the moment If you have plans for staying in udon thani, you may need to keep aside approximately 1000-2000 Baht every month for water and electricity. However, this amount may definitely vary according to the extent of usage. Using an air-conditioner too often may raise your electricity bills up to 3000-4000 Baht per month, which is still very affordable compared to U.S. and European prices.
its difficult to work out what a particular persons costs would be case buy case but one thing for sure even with the rise of the Thai baht udon thani and the whole of issan are far more resonabley priced than the tourist hot spots of Thailand giving you a lot more for your money but if your lucky enough to have a little spare cash and just need that certain something from home try British expat supplies our try British food shopping
phone calls, especially within udon thani, are quite cheap, costing around 1-2 Bat per call. international direct dialled calls are expensive, If you need to make a few international calls, you can purchase calling cards.i myself would purchase a Thai mobile on arrival around 1.300 baht for a cheap p.a.y.g phone and sim and dial cheap access numbers like 009 then your number well under 10 baht a minute to Europe Postage charges come to around 20 Baht to send a letter to Europe or the U.S., and around 5 Baht within Thailand. For sending a one-page international fax you will pay around 40 Baht.there might be some additional charges like local village post offices. and small towns where they seem to charge more for some reason ?
having only been to the door of the building and not even inside the building really you get a great feeling about the placestyle is a word that springs to mind but not in the normal way you would think more a fun funky way the colours used are in perfect harmony my 4 year old would go crazy to stay there he just loves fish painted in bright colours udon thani is very lucky to have the silver reef hotel it just breaks the mould well done to the designer and owners for thinking outside the box contact details Tel: 042 344 081 Fax: 042 344 128 / email finy33@yahoo.com the silver reef new hotel with 20 tastefully decorated rooms located in the downtown area of Udon Thani.Convenient for all your business and leisure needs. Every Room Has:29” TV and & Local Cable Small fridge Air-con with individual remote controller Washroom with hot and cold shower Wi-Fi Internet available you can find various posts on travel sites around the internet about the silver reef udon thani if you have stayed there our have friends that have please join us and post your review regards john silver reef reviews
Excellent value in the $20 range…can walk everywhere, including the shopping mall, restaurants, bars, night market and train station.Large 29 inch TVs, great bed and pillows, as well as lighting…
good hotel with frienly owners very clean rooms and bargain prices, good breakfast never tried lunch there,parking a problem but would stay again.
I love this place “It is beautiful” I would recommend to my friends and family. Silver Reef B&B is very close to the “Robinson” Mall. I also like the friendly staffs. Clarks Terry New York, USA
the Irish Clock, a very well presented bar and restaurant in udon thani that also offers hotel grade accommodation. We were hungry and thirsty after travelling and went straight in, ignoring, naturally, the calls of ‘Hello, welcome’ from the other side of the soi. The interior is plush by any standards, making us feel instantly comfortable. Steve, the landlord, immediately came from outside to see that we were quickly served. The Western menu is one that would be familiar to Brits but when it says ‘home made’ it really means it. Thai food is also available. I chose a home made steak and kidney pie with mashed potato and was pleased to see that the vegetables included carrots and cauliflower. Perfectly cooked and the prices are reasonable. Highly recommended.
Thailand Cambodia Indonesia Australia Laos wherever you go make a plan
Retiring Abroad People think about retiring abroad for a variety of reasons. Research and good planning are essential. Look at the pros and cons before making a decision to move. Can you afford to retire abroad? What would happen to any benefits you currently receive in the UK? united states our Europe What will your future income be?
Moving abroad is a big step. Apart from considerations concerning family and friends, there are issues around pensions, tax and healthcare costs, residential status, property purchase and rentals that you will need to be aware of. As a UK national, you have the right to live in any European Union country. If you intend to move to any other country, you should first speak to your home country Consul in that country and its foreign consulate in the country of your present residence.
Arguably, for many people hoping to retire early, whatever they are saving it is probably not enough. There are many factors that need to be considered before deciding to retire and move outside of your home country
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Your income
•How much money will you need? •What are your current and future income requirements? •Will any income stop when you move abroad? •Is the cost of living comparable, and are there any trends which may change this? How will inflation at home and your new country of residence affect your spending and savings? •Long term financial planning is essential. High inflation and changes in exchange rates will affect your income. Offshore savings can help. •You will need to open up a bank account in your new country to cover day to day transactions. •An offshore savings account or offshore bank account may also be beneficial for your long term savings and for tax planning. Offshore savings can be in various worldwide currencies. Visit our offshore savings pages on the website for simple and easy ways to save offshore. •Do you know about all the costs – property, service charges, insurance, taxes? If you are renting, what are your rights as a tenant?
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Pensions
Before you move, you can:
•get a State Pension forecast – You can get a forecast of your state pension entitlement from the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or The Pension Service. You can download form BR19 online – entitlements can vary according to the country of residence the same process is probaley applicable in your home country •if you are retiring abroad seek independent tax advice about the benefits of offshore banking, as this could reduce your tax liability depending on where you are living. Visit our offshore savings pages for simple and easy ways to save offshore. UK residents retiring in any European Economic Area country or Switzerland will receive full state pension including annual increases. at the moment UK pensions can be drawn in Thailand but without the yearly increase.s which can soon cut into a already tight budget
Private pensions should be payable worldwide but check with individual companies to find out about arrangements for having this paid to you if you move abroad.
•Tax laws vary from country to country and may apply to worldwide assets in addition to those assets in the country of residence. •Each country’s tax laws – and therefore how much tax you’ll pay – vary widely so research before you leave: the HMRC lists the tax rules for many countries. •Research the regulations governing income tax, inheritance tax, wealth or capital gains tax, etc, and if there are any extra taxes that you are liable for. •Make sure you are classed as non-resident in the UK as this can have bearing on how much tax you’ll pay. Generally, to establish this with the HMRC, you have to spend less than 91 days per year in the UK, averaged over a period of four years. •Once you have non-resident status, you will be exempt from paying UK tax on income earned outside the UK but still liable on income generated in the UK e.g. from letting out a property. •Tax tends to be very complex so it’s best to seek professional advice. The HMRC has an International Centre for non-residents of the UK, which can advise you about what they consider to be non-resident for tax purposes, and which kinds of income may be taxable in the UK.
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Residential status
Will I qualify for residential status in my new country? Contact the embassy or consulate for information about residency requirements. You may be required to fulfil certain criteria, such as a minimum level of income, in order to qualify for residential status. What if I want to return to the UK? If you are planning to return to the UK at some point in the future, it is a good idea to establish what your entitlements are, and whether it will be necessary to complete any documentation to ensure your eligibility.
Property purchase The main options for buying your overseas house are:
•Buying outright – if you can afford it, this is the simplest method. Would changes in the exchange rate of the pound reduce the amount you have to spend? •Re-mortgaging your existing UK home – if you have enough equity in your UK home and don’t mind holding on to the property, this is a good option. A mortgage from an offshore bank may be the option. Seek financial advice to get the best options.
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Health
•Find out about healthcare costs in the country you want to move to. •Health insurance may be required to cover private medical and dental treatment, as well as medical repatriation to the UK if needed.
Home and family back in the UK
•If you decide to keep your property in the UK our elsewhere and it is going to be empty or rented out, you will need to let your mortgage lender and insurance providers know. You may also need to appoint a letting agent. •Look at how the property can be kept safe and secure while you are away.
Cultural awareness
Understanding a country’s laws and customs can help you adjust to a new home abroad. Daily life may be unsettling at first, so any preparation you do could help you adjust more quickly. Appreciating cultural and legal differences could also help.
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Living away from family and friends?
Making a will is essential if you want your wishes to be carried out, and if you own assets in different countries, you may need more than one will – get legal advice. If you haven’t made a will before moving, dying intestate in another country could cause problems for your family – seek legal advice about this.
In regions where there are a high proportion of expatriates, voluntary associations may have been formed to assist new and existing non nationals to settle. These groups may be active in organising social events and often provide support services in response to local needs.
your local Consulate will normally have details of local activities.
A number of websites offer insight into different countries and general points about moving abroad. Local libraries may have books, magazines or articles that may be of interest about settling abroad.
Above all plan well ahead and research as much as you can.
at eddies bar our garys its good to have the choice as one time you could not get much of anything 
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udon thani
Thai expat info 