Gary, you remind me too much of myself...full of piss and vinegar at your age, traveled 19 countries and ran with the best of them. I was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality...by day running with the big dogs doing multi-million dollar deals, but by night I practically lived in the seedy red light districts around Asia. Wore the Rolex Presidential Day/Date everywhere I went, but oddly enough never got tapped for it overseas; however, lost two to black prostitutes down in Houston, TX. So take it from a guy whose been there and done that...sooner or later being too flashy will catch up with you, and you may not be as blessed as I was to come away from it with my life. The bad boys and girls are much worse now than they were in the late '70's when I started high rolling. They're much bolder and cold hearted, and life is very cheap in this part of the world now. I learned a great lesson back in the early '80's from one of the wealthiest Chinese businessmen in the Philippines. I picked him up at his office and escorted him to my chauffeur driven mercedes wearing my fancy watch, $500 lizzard skin shoes and a $1500 brief case made from 8 baby alligators. He told me what a fool I was for being so ostentatious, and he encouraged me to tone it down a little bit if I wanted to survive my stint in Manila. When I dropped him back off in front of his office he told me that the truly wealthy people have no need to flaunt it...as he got into his older model Toyota Celica and drove off. Funny how I couldn't figure that one out on my own, but I was blinded by a real need to impress people to hide my own insecurities. Three broken marriages and a huge business failure later I finally got my head out of the clouds. So, take a hint as I did from individual Solomon, the wisest and weathiest man who has ever lived:semperfiguy wrote:Thanks for the heads up, my response would be the thais would need to bring friends. I am 42, but a well honed fighter and in terrific shape and scrap with the best. The fact that I look like I can curl the average Thai guy also keeps the buggers away, but as a jarhead you can see who will be ready and not as you look into their eyes so this far 15 countries and in rough areas nothing as yet. Even the Presidential Rolex on my wrist doesn't get my robbed as yet, but I know eventually it will be attemptedI have a business and cash cash is individual, I can't type beyond that, but suffice to say that I am asking about undocumented exchanges, for research of course
Learning the ways of Thailand more and more, but like reading more than posting thus far.
Proverbs 16:17-19
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
Not being critical my friend...just want to help! God Bless and stay safe.[/quote]
Understand and I have been to the temple and seen Hiram's body too. The Rolex I wanted when I did not have money, and for me it is security as it is mobile currency that I needed nearly once in my life to save someone from disaster in a pinch. I also love it and being frugal, I bought it used many years ago. The research I am asking about is not to be flashy, but to see how much and frequency for research purposes of course
Since I am SERIOUSLY looking at moving to Udon area, in the country and renting a house and getting married I will need to know the ins and outs. If anyone knows about places or the ins and outs of this, please PM me or I would be happy as can be to talk landline on my dime (or Skype is good too under the name Gementerprises). Heading to the gym so I can ward off the few bad Thai folk as my 7.62 x .39 will not be there with me 
