G'day from a noob

[Hermit]

Hi All,

I joined here a month or two ago, it has just crossed my mind to introduce myself.  A bit slow I know. 

My name is Neil, married to the same Thai woman for half my life so far - we're both early 50s.  I call her 'Wiffius Maximus', which she thought was pretty cool until she watched the Russell Crowe 'Gladiator' movie.    

Oh, careful - she joined the board too...     

We have lived in Sydney most of our married life, aside from a two-year stint in KL and Bangkok for IT projects I worked on.  Getting towards retirement now, and will spend 9 or 10 months per year in Thailand once we do.  Blessed retirement should commence in 4 or 5 years, sooner if my corporate gig (minus me) is sent to India or China before then.   

And of course we plan to retire in Buriram - Wiffius' brother lives in the area, married to a lovely local lady.  I had a choice between living in Khon Kaen or Buriram, chose the latter - just has a better vibe.      

We have some land out Sawai Chik / Huai Rat way that we will probably build a modest house on.  No power or water yet but there is hope that there will be in time.  Otherwise it's 'off grid' or 'elsewhere', see how we go.  But we plan to rent initially anyway, decide whether we really want to live in Thailand.  I'm pretty sure I'll be good with it, but Wiffius is not too sure she will - can a Thai woman transition back after more than 30 years in a Western country? 

I called myself' Hermit' coz that's the plan - potter about on the land when we're not exploring Thailand.  I don't know what my hobbies are yet, but I'll find them.

So, why join the board already?  Well, looming retrenchment leaves me with a curious lack of (corporate) motivation / enthusiasm, so I have time.  And it's time to start filling in the details anyway - headline: 'retire in Buriram', details: '?'.   Get to know the district, get to know the services, got to know you guys.

So that's about it I guess - I look forward to participating. 

Cheers.

[davureborn]

Sounds like you're doing the same thing as many of us. Myself I have got over the initial  of the not being able to the find anything stage to the  where is it cheapest/better stage. You'll find a lot of help here, good luck!

[nookiebear]

Welcome aboard Hermit

[KhunG]

davureborn is right - this is a great place for help and to meet good folks. 

We packed it in and moved here a little over a year ago.  It went so quickly I was almost caught by surprise when our initial driver's licences and my retirement extension were expiring.   When a former boss called asking if I was bored and wanted to do some contract work, I told him "I don't know how I ever had time for work." 

Welcome to the board!

[buckwhelk]

Welcome to Buriram, Hermit. You won't regret choosing to live in Buriram. Great people here. All the best mate

[iammike]

Welcome indeed, good people but have fun dealing with immigration in Kap Choeng.

[Hermit]

Many thanks for the welcomes everyone.   

As I said, I liked Buriram from the get go - the vibe just seems right.  Am now looking forward to becoming part of the community - this one and the real one. 

Kap Choeng is a long way to go for immigration eh?  There is obviously not one closer?  Are we permitted to go to a different one or does it need to be our nearest one?  Ah, so much to learn - all part of the adventure.  I crossed the border twice at O'smach last year. That place did not have a good vibe, but it was not long after the coup - many serious-looking young men at checkpoints carrying serious-looking rifles, and that does tend to put a dampener on the vibe.       

Cheers.

[gotlost]

Many thanks for the welcomes everyone.   

As I said, I liked Buriram from the get go - the vibe just seems right.  Am now looking forward to becoming part of the community - this one and the real one. 

Kap Choeng is a long way to go for immigration eh?  There is obviously not one closer?  Are we permitted to go to a different one or does it need to be our nearest one?  Ah, so much to learn - all part of the adventure.  I crossed the border twice at O'smach last year. That place did not have a good vibe, but it was not long after the coup - many serious-looking young men at checkpoints carrying serious-looking rifles, and that does tend to put a dampener on the vibe.       

Cheers.

If your address is in Buriram or Surin Provence you have to use Kap Choeng Immigration they make no exception. Welcome to the fronter.

[KhunG]

Many thanks for the welcomes everyone.   

As I said, I liked Buriram from the get go - the vibe just seems right.  Am now looking forward to becoming part of the community - this one and the real one. 

Kap Choeng is a long way to go for immigration eh?  There is obviously not one closer?  Are we permitted to go to a different one or does it need to be our nearest one?  Ah, so much to learn - all part of the adventure.  I crossed the border twice at O'smach last year. That place did not have a good vibe, but it was not long after the coup - many serious-looking young men at checkpoints carrying serious-looking rifles, and that does tend to put a dampener on the vibe.       

Cheers.

Fortunately with the online 90 day reporting you don't have to go to KCI is often.  Hopefully they keep that program.

[Freddy]

Welcome Neil. Hope all your plans work out well for you. Plenty of helpful members and useful info on this site. I've been out here for a year now and it has been invaluable.

[Wayne from Aus]

Welcome Neil,
 And welcome fellow Aussie.  There seems be quite a few now. When you're next in Buriram sneak up to Paddy's Irish Bar. The Inkeeper is an Aussie too. A couple of fine fellows who drink at the bar come from the Huai Rat area as well. You'll fit in pretty well I am sure.
Regards Wayne

[Hermit]

Thanks again all.   

Paddy's innkeeper is an Aussie eh?  I'll be over in Nov/Dec, might just drop in and say hello then.  Ta for that Wayne.

English-language ads, on-line immigration reporting, and I hear they're opening Maccas and Starbucks in Buriram - are we talking about the rural Thailand I know?   

[lindsaywarden6]

I'm sure you'll enjoy Buriram, Neil. Paddy's Irish Bar and Outback Grill is owned by Rod Young and is the home of the Buriram Golf Society - Rod plays along with me (fellow Aussie), a few Brits, Swede and Norwegian at the army base (Khao Kradong Golf Course). If you're interested in golf then speak to Rod.