The Price of cup lump Rubber ( & indeed all rubber) continues to fall. The latest price was just 23Baht a kilo. The reason given is over production & it is estimated that it will take 3-4 years for prices to recover. We have taken the decision to stop tapping our trees and laid off the last of our cutters. We will just keep the land tidy with a view to selling if we can get the right price, if not we will just sit on it & wait for an upturn in the market.
Andrew
Bar Scene Update
Well the bar scene has changed yet again. The Old Gary’s Bar has re-opened as a Suchi restaurant ,The Happy Budha Bar has permanently closed and Peter has now moved to Hua Hin. Igloos Bar ( Bought by Rob from Australia) Is now managed my his sister in Law and so has reverted to a Thai Bar & Restaurant. The New Bar Owned by Gordon from Australia has now been named the Tiger Bar but Gary who was managing it has moved back to the UK. And Finally a New Bar has opened ; “Pins Cafe , Bar & Shop” owned by Eddie Carey ( Of Eddies Sport Bar Fame) ,and managed by his wife Pin & is located 30-40 meters from the Trafic Lights in the center of town. Davo’s Bar & Eddies Sports Bar continue to remain the same ( Both owned by Australians)
Sookniran Apartments
A New Apartment Block ( Sookniran ) has opened just before the M&B Mansion Hotel, Equipped with Air Conditioning, TV and Wi-Fi with 24hr service availble.
Daily and Monthly prices are available:
Telephone 081 7998159 or 081 9644021 for more details
Swimming Pool
A Private swimming Pool has opened to the public, It is located at grid reference 17o 41` 27o.60`N 103o 15` 23.94`E ( off Google Maps)
It has a small sign on the railings showing folk`s in the pool, all in Thai. The gate should be ajar if open for swimming. She opens at 16:00 during the week & 9:00 over the weekends.
Private Swimming Pool
( Thanks to Bob Bentley for this Information)
Changing Bar Scene
Over the past few months the bar scene has changed considerably. Eddies Bar Has changed hands (New Owners Jack & Kevin). Gary’s bar under the last owner (Chris from England) has closed – apparently permanently. Igloos bar sold at the very last moment to Rob from Australia – It is going to be run by his family so the consensus of opinion is that it will become a Thai Bar offering only Thai food. And finally a new bar is due to open soon on the opposite corner to Zeb’s and will be owned by Gordon from Australia and be managed by the Original Gary (Of Gary’s Bar)
Latest Hotel
Recently Constructed and Just open open is Ngern Thong II, It is located directly opposite the existing Ngern Thong There are no signs as to what the rates are or signs of any sort so I assume rates & contact information are the same as for Ngern Thong.
Best Return Rubber or Bank
Sometimes I am asked is rubber a good business to get into:
Scenario 1 – Bank ( Interest 5%)
7 years investing 150,000 a year at 5% interest ( Total outlay 1,050,000 Baht )
Total Return 1,500,000
Then leave for another 5 years accumulating Interest
Total in 13 Years 1,900,000
Scenario 2 – Bank ( Interest 3%)
7 years investing 150,000 a year at 3% interest ( Total outlay 1,050,000 Baht )
Total Return 1,370,000
Then leave for another 5 years
Total in 13 Years 1,600,000
Trees Scenario 1 ( 50 Rai , 4000 trees Rubber 75 Baht a Kilo – outlay 1,000,000 Baht)
Wait 7 Years – Start Tapping Predicted Revenue a Year – 600,000 a year
After Another 5 years – Total Revenue after inital outlay – 2,000,000
Trees Scenario 2 ( 50 Rai , 4000 trees Rubber 35 Baht a Kilo – outlay 1,000,000 Baht)
Wait 7 Years – Start Tapping Predicted Revenue a Year – 250,000 a year
After Another 5 years – Total Revenue after inital outlay – 250,000
Since current rubber prices are Running below 30 Baht a Kilo , The conclusion would be to leave your money in the Bank . That is unless Rubber prices bounce back but even then it will still take at least 13 years to Break even instead of letting your money accumulate In Investments or a Bank
Rice Planting
We have just sowed this years rice crop in anticipation of the rainy season. This year we bought an automatic seed planter which attaches to a Rot Tai Na or conventional tractor.
The land has also been ploughed & new paddy fields created.
In addition a new pond for irregation has been excavated & a new resort built.
