By Steve Graham (Magazine Issue 12 Jan/Mar 2010)
We have all heard of the old phrase that time is money; however, this may not be the case in Thailand, which could explain some of the anomalies faced by foreigners living in Udon Thani province.
Recently, I had a problem with my car electrics. There were various things like my horn not working, my extra set of lights playing up and starting the engine seemed to be difficult at times, so it was obviously time to get them seen to.
I wrote some time ago about the Mitsubishi man who can speak excellent English, but had disappeared from Udon for a while. Well, good news, he’s back. Apparently, there’s a new Mitsubishi dealership opened up on the ring road near Rungsina Market. As I had found him, I thought I would see what they could do for me whilst they were in their temporary building while their new building was being built.
The really interesting thing is that I was there for five and a half hours, everything was fixed, they saved me about 8,000 baht and it cost me only 550 baht. I didn’t even have to pay for the coffee, water and internet access that I helped myself to while the work was completed.
I asked why it was so cheap, bearing in mind that five and a half hours labour in England would equate to a small house in Thailand and was told that it was just for the two switches they bought to fit into my steering wheel.
The 8,000 baht saving was because they decided to rescue the airbag and do a rather professional modification to the horn to save me the trauma of buying a whole new unit.
This could explain a lot. Time is not money in Thailand, not everywhere anyway. In the west, everything is by the hour. The idea of calling out a plumber when a water pipe bursts fills everyone with trepidation (except the plumber that is). Labour, time and a half after 4.30 pm etc. etc. and please, don’t mention the call out charge, it’s all too much!
I suppose that when you are working for a company in Thailand, it is possible that your time is not valued the same way in which you value it. I know that I will never be rich by being a teacher in Udon Thani; however, I don’t think that it is unreasonable to be able to ask for 500 baht an hour for extra work at my university when teachers in Bangkok receive between 1250 and 1500 baht an hour.
On the other hand, maybe it is unreasonable when you consider that the mechanic who worked for five and a half hours on my car for 550 baht, receives ……….. nothing, except his wages of course. It puts a different perspective on things doesn’t it? Time is money, but not for everyone.
- I was able to finally track down Mr Khummorn Phinetsathien aka Mitsubishi Man looking busy and flexing his English language skills. Time is money if you are the manager of a business here in Udon Thani
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- The new building is nearing completion and will have the grand opening ceremony in the New Year.
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), I had to reconfirm we were being charged enough for the bill for a list of maintenance repairs to our SUV which included engine diagnostics, new timing chain, suspension parts on all 4 points, oil change, etc, etc. I was expecting to pay out the wazooo, but I think the final bill was THB 6k or something for a full day of work. 
I, until recently, when my stylist left, always went to Hair the salon on the 2nd floor of Robinsons. I had a shampoo before and after cutting, the hair in my nose and ears trimmed, plus my eyebrows tidied, all for the "Astronomical" sum of 260bht.The shoulder massage was thrown in for good measure. In search of my departed stylist I went into the one next door to Karin Hotel last monday. It was a very basic cut but with ears, nose and neck shave , it cost me 60bht.I have since found my reguarly man. They have opened a new salon further along the road from the Karin towards the complex, near the traffic lights, called VIP Barber. I popped in to say hello and checked their prices. Haircut 60bht adult, 40bht junior. Shampoo 40bht. In new fully airconned premises. I am assured they do not have a different pricing structure for farangs .Never been next dooor to Mojo's or Burnley so can't comment on them . 
