slapphead_otool

The imported rice is coming from Thailand, and the situation is quite complex.

After the 1991 military coupe the western world exerted pressure on Thailand via aid funding. The military leaders didn't like this, and swore to make Thailand independent of aid.

By 2002 Thailand was no longer an aid recipient. By 2006 Thailand was an aid donor - but a lot of that aid is in cheap rice. It allows Thailand to look those old donors in the face and say - "hey, we are just like you now"! Thai aid rice was shipped to Pakistan, and even Haiti.

Thr rice is subsidized via a Thai government fixed price, From memory about $500/tonne. It provides wealth to poor areas of Thailand, and stabilizes prices for the growers.

The government then dumps the rice either as direct aid or as very cheap rice on the open market.

The problem is that cheap rice predominantly from the Issan region undercuts rice from a lot of local rice in other countries. so it's cheaper for Indonesias to buy rice from Thailand than from down the road.

Davita

I sorta knew the rice was imported from Thailand but not why.... so thank you Slappy for the explanation. I wonder what will happen if the Thais changed attitude.
Bali, especially, is converting many paddy fields into 'best use land' policy...you guessed......Villas.
I only hope, down the road, they don't regret selling to villa developers whilst consuming 'Big Macs' and salivating at the thought of 'nasi goreng'.... no longer available.

ScotlandCanada1983

I was hoping you could elaborate on this for me.

I may be moving to Jakarta with my husband and our infant daughter. I was just wondering what the dress of expat women is like. I'm a fairly modest dresser compared to many Western women and never wear shorts or really show my shoulders. I occasionally wear tops that could be inappropriate in a Muslim country due to being low-cut. I've travelled to Muslim countries before and have dressed appropriately, but I'm wondering if the hot weather means women get away with more?

Also, do you know what is life like for expat women?

Doing research, Jakarta seems quite modern, but I really can't get a sense of what life there will be like.

Thanks

robbo462003

I cannot help you unfortunately as Ive never been to Indonesia. Slapphead_Otool or others may well be able to offer advice. My visits to Asia have been limited to Thailand and the Philippines. The latter being my choice to live. I think the climate will be similar to the Philippines but the culture will not be. When outdoors I always wear a hat and cover exposed skin with Piz Buin factor 30.Having had sunstroke I never want to repeat the experience.

Davita

ScotlandCanada.
We now live in Bali but also reside in our apartment in central Jakarta and commute between the two when airlines offer cheap tickets.
Jakarta is a cosmopolitan city. Traffic is its main issue so be prepared to sit in traffic jams (IDR word 'machet') and suffer pollution!
On the other hand, the malls and hotel lobbies of Jakarta are some of the most luxurious in the world...with appropriate prices. There are many more lesser malls that you will, intime, and with expat gals...frequent, and be astonished at the low prices there.

Most expats, determined by their status of employment live in hi-rise apartments while others, whose status within the employing Co may offer extra allowance, houses staff in beautiful security walled mansions.

I'm sure your husband will indicate his status, and subsequent housing allowance, and members here can say what quality you my get.

Jakarta itself has no dress rules....especially young girls/guys...they are the me the world over. However, some ladies are pious Moslem and wear the headscarf (Jilbad). In Jakarta this is a silk scarf surrounding the hair and is very attractive and I feel is more a mark of culture and attractiveness...you may see black covered burkah clad ladies but they are usually tourists from Saudia Arabia.
Others wear what is worn in every other city...fashion, short skirts, shorts, v-necks, jeans. bare arms, legs, cleavage....but the OP seems to be of modest apearance and is a good start till you get a better feel.
Clothing and food is cheap in Indonesia....Sadly alcohol is expensive!

This post comprises an overview...there are many opportunities to assimililate with other ex-pats so don't bother about the general overview. You will quickly find an association of like minded people.

bakedbean

Great post Davita. Interested what you said about the Muslim dress ... Silk scarf... Kind of similar to Malaysia isn't it? I think the Malay ladies in Penang have very nice feminine dress.... nice people too.

Bit surprised about expensive alcohol . How does that compare with prices in Malaysia and Thailand? I've never been to Indonesia (yet). Had it in my mind that everything would be cheap comparatively.