Isee

Dario, on 2012-04-15 11:41:56, said:

Yes, they like to use the new machines for a number of practical reasons. There was a rumor going around we were getting another machine and a few people came around wanting to book the new machine.

Price will to some degree be dictated by three factors, the number of machines in the area, the price they are cutting at and what you will cut at. We are currently cutting at 600 and 700 for rice lying down (both up 100 from last season). The first season you will be guided by the average price being charged as you won't know exactly your per rai expenses. My tip to you is don't necessarily believe what farmers are telling you what other machines are cutting per rai. Most thai operators will either state a per rai price and then change it for any number of reasons to do with the land or they will want to see the land and give a price. Don't try to get in a price war or meeting rates which are too low. A lot of thais don't allow maintenance costs in their prices and will jack up their prices after a major breakdown to recover the money.

I've seen the odd farmer say our per rai rate is too expensive and then agree with another machine at a fixed fee which worked out more on a per rai basis (and then I've heard a machine last season cutting the odd land at 320 a rai on a fixed price = crazy).  Loyal customers are few and far in thailand, work on the concept that if they use you again, its because you are at the time a better proposition than other operators and NOT because you did them some favour on the last cut you did for them.  We tried at the start to have a flat rate (for rice standing up and lying down) to introduce loyalty and it was a waste of time and money. We now  just concentrate on doing a clean cut and looking after those who do book our machine in advance. We've lost about 80 rai this season because we wee too busy.

For the next season (7 months) will be be going 650 and 750. We spent too many previous seasons matching other machines cutting rate costing us a lot of profit. Don't let (as we did) fear concern you that no one will use you because you are priced higher. We put the price up this season and everyone followed it. I expect the same in 7 months.

Its simple - tell her you need to sell the current pigs etc to help you fund the purchase of something more expensive (you would be best to know what she will go for). New and more expenses pigs, cows - whatever, so long as she thinks she'll be getting it. Work out roughly what you can sell for now so you get your figures right to work out to be double the price.

As you haven't revealed that you know anything, she won't be suspicious. Even if things are frayed now - you can still sell it by saying you want to start things anew and this is the best opportunity with new livestock that will make even more money (introduce a farang connection if need be so they can't check - supplier of pork to Western hotels who only use a special breed of pig etc but pay double price). She'll happily agree as she will think she is going to end up with more $$ and will be more keen then you to see them going out the front gate. Once you get the $$, you can come up with any number of excuses concerning the delay of whatever it was you were going to purchase and choose your time to exit. The house etc are gone and not worth fighting for at 250K - no reason for her to get everything though. The key is to keep things cool and calculated.

Why do you want Pekins if you want to keep them for egg production?  If you want purely egg production, then Campbells are they way to go but they also eat a lot.  Muscovys are probably the best all purpose breed you can get and ideal for egg production, brooding and eating when your flock gets too large - all in one duck. Moscovys are also a leaner bird compared to other breeds.  I was looking for Pekins years ago as an ideal eating bird, but had problems trying to locate them (have found them now locally). The MIL has Pekins and we keep Muscovies.  If you are trying to source ducks, tell the locals you want them for dinner that night - some of them can be a bit funny if they know you want to keep them to breed with etc. If they won't sell you any, its likely they are short in supply which is the case with us now as we sold off about 20 birds and now replenishing.  If thats the case, just go to the next moobaan and the next etc and you'll find someone. We are in Issan so can't help you sourcing the Pekins. Just make sure you are paying live weight and not farang prices per duck. If its just a case that you like the look of Pekins over other ducks - then fair enough.

I'll +1 Mali

There is a glut of Kubota DC's around and thais will just keep discounting until they get the work with no appreciation of true running costs. I've spent 20k this season on stuff and repairs for 1 DC60 and it looks like (so I'm told as I'm out of the country) I'll be up for a new set of tracks before next season(around another 40k). The other machines won't raise their prices above 500 a rai (not enough) and one guy struggling to get work has done a few bigger rai jobs at 350 a rai. I'm also of 2 minds whether I'll keep the machine as when you factor in repayment for the initial outlay of the machine, its not really making money at 500 a rai or enough to warrant the effort and risk. If I do cut next season, price will go up to 600 per rai depending on fuel increases (or what I think the locals with accept) with a take it or leave it attitude.

If you STILL want to give it a try - then go with the DC68 to reduce reliance on manpower and pick you driver/s wisely. Unless the family has 300+ rai with 2 seasons....I wouldn't do it....and what I know now, I wouldn't do it unless they had 500+ rai. Also, don't believe the family will always use you just because you are family. We've had a number of farmers this season 'cross over' to use our machine despite someone in the "extended family" having a machine. Thai loyalty is a fickle thing my friend, definitely something I wouldn't bank on.  

I won't ramble on about chinese stuff - but initial outlay is only one part of the equation and if I was (55555) to buy another harvester, it would be a Kubota. The other thing is how you intend to set it up - do you intend to be in Thailand all the time? If not - forget it again. I could go on forever giving examples of the thai working on my machines and friends machines who "think" (sic) they know how to do it and in fact fact have no idea about what they are doing with the end result of costing you more money. A good example is replacing belts with no interest in opening the book to check the right tension - near enough is good enough for them. I've had bolts come out of the drive sprockets when they replaced them and not tightening them properly, rollers falling off because the guy greasing them daily didn't bother to take notice of bolt tension etc, replacing 2000 baht belt set 10 days after putting new ones in because of not tensioning them properly etc etc etc and ALL these and other issues while I've been out of country. When I'm there...funnily enough the machine has minimal issues.

You've been warned.

starluck, on 2011-05-07 07:00:14, said:

Creating a trust will not help you in your current circumstances in relation to financial matters and 'new trusts' come under scrutiny in any event. Asking for legal advice on this forum....you might as well go down to the local pub and ask the local drunk with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth trying to score free drinks.

Stick her on a plane with a one way ticket (or refundable return if a one way wouldn't go unnoticed) to go back home to have a break or whatever to make her think you are doing her a favour and encourage her to take all the time in the world (don't send her money - as you will evidence financial dependency = spousal maintenance). Your separation period can begin from the date she started sleeping in another room if you are both of the view that the marriage has irrevocably broken down. The practical consideration for you is whether you can cope with being a single parent working full-time. Be careful of what you write in emails etc. The Aus family law system favours women in child matters, but you can use the system to your advantage if you can break the primary care giving role due to an absent mother. The problem is that there are a lot of considerations to take into account with legal matters and fully informed advice couldn't be given in any event on the information you provided. The best outcome would be her finding a job in LOS giving you and your son time to create a status quo of you being the primary care giver where you can use the good ole thai response of "no promplem" can send son over later when he is old enough to travel. The sooner she leaves the better for you and your son having a decent chance of having the benefits of being raised in a first world country.