rsokolowski

Good for him, he seems like a decent guy. He is 82 years old and has been with his partner for 30 plus years. Best of luck to him.

Good for him, he seems like a decent guy. I hope they are happy. He is not a gay activist, is 82 years old and has been with his partner for 30 plus years.

To expand a bit more. I do 90 address reports here and will continue to do 90 day address reports as long as I live here, no matter how many years. Or decades. That kind of place can't really be your home in reality. You can decide to delude yourself that it is if it makes you happier.

You can apply for permanent residence after three years.

best to have an electric fence around to keep the inlaws out.

An electric fence! What a good idea. But they'd only climb over it or crawl under it. Maybe a multi-strand job, 3 metres high. Hmm. No, on second thoughts I don't mind having the place open. It wouldn't be the same keeping the crowd out. They're quite welcome to pop in and out. It's just a part of village life.

Am I the only Farang that likes my Thai in-laws?

Blame ~ McDonalds, Burger King, KFC etc etc....

How many fast food restaurants are there in the "sticks"? Not many in rural Isaan.

A few years back we helped the MIL to get a multiple entry VISA for the USA so she could visit Hawaii for a couple of months. After one month away from the village she wanted to go back (homesick for Buriram), but it was good that she got to see how we live in Hawaii. Also the MIL was driving my wife crazy because she was always telling her that she needs to be taking better care of me. I like my Thai MIL!

Make sure to compare the fees that the funds charge, on whatever retirement fund you eventually chose.

Pig's head = nasty stuff no matter HOW you cook it. Anything you can get off a pig's head is rubbery and hard to chew... even with good teeth.

Pigs head= very tasty stuff with chili sauce. Some of the very best parts of the pig are in the head.

I did this ceremony before my wife came to Thailand (in Buriram). It had something to do with safe travel, good luck, and so the ancestors will know what is going on, etc. etc. etc.

The pigs head (uncooked) was presented on a platter with flowers, candles and incense. Some prayer were given by the village elders, and cotton string was tied around both our wrists. All this only takes a couple of minutes, and then the head was taken away. About 30 minutes later a whole bunch of food (guess where this came from) was served to everyone that was in attendance. Lots of beer and rice whiskey.

My wife says that this is common in the country (especially Issan), but not so common elsewhere in Thailand).

Have fun and enjoy.

Where did you live there? Manila is quite dangerous, I agree, I heard about that numerous times. I wonder, are the other places such as Dumagete, Sebu, Palavan, Borokay dangerous as well?

Cebu is dangerous too. You can be killed in the center of Cebu during nighttime even in good city quarters. You should allways use a taxi. Taxis are very cheap.

Generally imo PI are cheaper than TH, but less compfort, less security. Food not so good, but ok, I don't like Thai food too. Big advantage is that the Philippinos are speaking mostly excellent English. Hotels at same price level, but less quality. People more educated and friendly than Thais. Thais are smiling even when they want to kill you 10 minutes later . Phillipinos have more temperament. Their way of thinking is bit more European. They are not as lazy like Thais.

<deleted>? You live in Thailand but do not like Thai food. Different strokes for different folks, but if you cannot find a type of Thai food that you like I would hate to see what you consider good food.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/science/earth/03coral.html?_r=0

The US Navy paid over 7 million USD in fines and restoration fees to the State of Hawaii when the USS Port Royal ran aground near the entrance to Pearl Harbor Hawaii. $300 a square meter is a bargain.

http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/875870--local-university-students-find-sugar-daddies-to-help-pay-bills

It is a practice that is not unique to Nan (or Thailand).

I think the other word for this practice starts with a P, that being said it is between consenting adults. If the girls want to put out for considerations (cash, rent, tuition, books) and the men want to pay, I do not see the issue.

Not a whole lot different than "traditional" relationships, maybe just a little more truthful than some relationships (IMO).

On our visits to Hawaii we have met several couples who have adapted very well to living there. Many of the women seem happier there, unshackled from the social constraints and prejudices found in Thai society. Sure they miss family and like to visit, but if they have made the adjustment and have a life abroad, they would be relinquishing a great deal of personal freedom to return home permanently.

As an aside, you just have to admire people who boast about how cheap and low maintenance their women are.

I was married before to an American for about four years. One of the things I was specifically looking for in my next wife was someone that was just a bit less materialistic. I was fortunate to find her in Thailand. I do have to admit that she was lower maintenance when we were first married, but overall I would not change a thing. She has said that she will live wherever I want to live, and I have decided that I would like to retire early (early 50s) in Thailand in a couple of (hopefully) short years.

Onedownmanship? - hmm, maybe you feel that's the way it's coming across to you, but if anything I feel their intentions are more inclined that you can learn and benefit from their mistakes.

Bleeding them dry - these are shark invested waters, the law of the jungle dictates that Farangs are fair game.

Change her spots - yes it's the Thai equivalent of Groundhog Day.

Worked - that's the difference, most of the guys are retired and are looking for a soul mate.

Return home - not an option.

Not cut out for expat life - who is? We're all fish out of water.

Abject failure - coming to terms with reality, who was it that said a man's got to know his limitations.

Clint Eastwood in the movie Magnum Force

Does America have a dish that could be classed as American.

Got it.

Corn Flakes..

Beef jerky

I use Bangkok Bank and transfer the funds directly from my Navy Federal Credit Union account (through the NY branch of Bangkok Bank). Thai bank account number, but NY branch routing number. My credit union even allows me to set up a recurring transfer is I want (every week, two weeks, or once a month).

Actually I see the common thread being the clued up trying to warn the gullible.

The gullible won't take any notice of the warnings and will be unable to accept responsibility for their actions until they finally realise/accept that they are being manipulated by the woman in order to extract maximum money.

Most posts are not "complaining that you got taken", because the poster is unaware that he is being played or in denial.

So ignorance really is bliss?

I have noticed that a very common thread on TV and other Thailand forums is about a woman that is money hungry. She convinces her boyfriend or husband (normally an expat, aka non-Thai) to build a house, or send money, etc.There also normally seems to be a child from a former Thai "boyfriend"..

However, at some point you need to take responsibility for not using the grey matter that is inside your skull and start making better decisions. Stop complaining that you got taken, accept it as the cost of not being aware of your situation and making a bad decision.

If she treats you great, then it might be worth it to you. If the stories don't add up, or she is insulting, or disrespectful, you need to be smart enough to figure out what is going on around you. This is not rocket science, don't be a fool.

You were sending about $1000 USD a month and it was insufficient? You made the right choice (took you a while). As a consolation to you it is very possible that you were not the only person that lacked good sense and has been sending money to this girl. I am sure she is doing just fine. As other posters have stated an average Thai should be able to get along on much less than 30,000 Baht a month, in fact I know several expats that live on much less than that every month and they are doing OK.

Think of this as an expensive lesson and move on.

From your original post it appears that you know what the right answer is. Now you have a choice to make, stay with the GF and be miserable for the rest of your life, or move on.

The trick with Thai women is to be good to them, treat them well, but don't give them any power - if they're happy they will never crave it.

Actually, the trick with Thai women is not to take them out of Thailand.

My wife has been in the USA for twenty years, and she has only gotten better with time.

I have been married to a Thai woman for 20 years. We have had a couple of arguments but she has never not spoke to me for 3-4 days. I do not think this is normal for any relationship in any country. She has an issue that needs to be fixed.

There is an old saying "why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free?" or maybe for many of these sad stories involving older expats and younger girls the saying needs to be changed to "why buy the cow if you can rent it?"

I joined the U.S. Navy in 1982. The first liberty port that we pulled into was the Philippines, and many of the young guys had never been treated so well by a woman. They being young, naive, and basically stupid thought it was true love. Some got married, others sent money to help the love of their life, most situations turned out bad (similar to many TV threads). I guess the bottom line is that if you ignore the warning signs that are clearly there if you look that

you are likely to have a poor result, and this goes for a woman from any country (including the USA).

I met my Thai wife in Phuket in 1992 and we are still going strong living in the USA and visiting Thailand (my in-laws) every other year since then. We plan on retiring there early in a few years (I am currently 49 years old) as soon as our son graduate high school and gets settled in college. Keep your eyes open to what is going on around you and you will be fine. Sink all of your savings into a house in your new wifes name and don't be surprised when you lose everything.