Mango-Guy

Thanks Guys, will head over to MBK and get it SORTED!

Spee, if you're starting out on the alphabet you may find this a useful site (unless you're already using it...) as it includes downloadable flashcards:

http://thaiphrasebook.com/books/014.php

MG

I'm wondering if I will be able to use my UK mobile in Bangkok simply by getting a Thai SIM card? I know the phone works out there on the UK SIM.

If this is possible, does anyone have any recommendations on where to get a Thai SIM card, and how much they cost?

My preference would be for a Pay-As-You-Go type card which I could top up from time to time. Are these available? Would I need to "register my handset" with the service provider?

Thanks.

MG

I'm considering accomodation options in the Big Mango (for a few months) but definitely need broadband internet access - who doesn't?! This seems to be available in some of the serviced apartments, but what about regular apartments, is it common? Is it easy to get hooked up? Are there wifi sites (like at Startbucks or something)? Costs?

I'm considering accomodation options in the Big Mango (for a few months) but definitely need broadband internet access - who doesn't?! This seems to be available in some of the serviced apartments, but what about regular apartments, is it common? Is it easy to get hooked up? Are there wifi sites (like at Startbucks or something)? Costs?

I think it was Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones who said "you're as young as the woman you feel" and judging by many of the posts on TV, there are plenty of youth chasers in Thailand. But is that just a popular misconception or is it reality? Even though the poll is worded for guys, any gals are welcome to reply, and of course, nationality of either partner is not even an issue.

Yes of course it is possible. You could try university related activities or other places where Thai's speaking English may hang out. Another option is the tourist trade - major hotels, shops, etc.. Seek and ye shall find.

Call me a traditionalist but very old/ugly guys with very young/beautiful girls makes me CRINGE. The greater the disparity the more I cringe. 10-20 years I can live with (no cringe) but 30 years disparity makes me notice and 40+ years disparity makes me cringe. Add some fat or ugliness to the equation and it makes me cringe even more. I accept that it's a two-way street (that the Thai is a consenting adult) but it still makes me cringe that this kind of imbalance - brought on purely be economics - exists.

You guys are all crazy if you don't find women from other races and nations stunning. I mean a beautiful girl is a beautiful girl, end of story. I had the Asian bug that Rainman alludes to in my twenties, but it was case of finding Asian looks the most attractive, not the only attractive. Nowdays I'm probably still biased toward Asian girls but there are plenty of stunning European, American, Canadian, African, Indian and, dare I say it, British girls out there.

As in most asian countrys there is only one way to make a descent living,and working in the fields might be a more honorable way to some,

Gee I wonder what masses of well educated Thai's, Malaysians, Taiwanese, Japanese, Koreans would say to that. You know, the doctors, teachers, lawyers, accountants, dentists, managers, nurses, administrators. Men and WOMEN.

Some farangs seem to never step out of the Sukhumvit bars or Issan rice fields. To those deluded farangs, OPEN YOUR EYES, there's a huge modernising city around you, there's hundreds of thousands of Thais, driving expensive cars, earning a "decent living" without having to resort to prostitution or the like.

And to extend your delusion to the whole of Asia is just plain ridiculous. Get real.

Not sure how it works in your country, but in Britain there is definitely the perception that Thai women are "an easy catch". Ok, there's no smoke without fire, but personally I find I am always a little too paranoid about what others think about my Thai wife. Do they assume she's a bar-girl* or a mail-order bride or somehow "inferior" to a good European lass ?

I always get the feeling in the back of my mind that people are thinking was she or wasn't she (straight) ? I wonder if others are this paranoid, especially those with straight Thai partners living in Farang-land. Certainly Thai women - of every type - have a different image than those of say, Japan, HK, Korea, Taiwan in Britain, and I find reactions are different.

Obviously this is primarily an issue outside of Thailand, but I would be interested to hear how others deal with it or don't - as the case may be.

* Note: I do not mean to suggest that relationships with ex-bar-girls or whatever are in any way inferior to straight-girl relationships. It's not even a discussion with having on this thread as it appears on so many others. I merely make the distinction because when you happen to be with a totally straight woman, it's possibly even more annoying when others outside of LOS think wrongly or snidely of it.

...oh yeah, and had to laugh when the Mancunian moron who got 99 years for trying to smuggle in 3000 ecstasy (value £50,000) explained, WITHOUT A SHRED OF IRONY that he "like, needed to earn some money for the airfair, coz like, Thailand's far an all". he should get another 20 years tacked on for crimes of stupidity!

Saw the documentary and was actually pleasantly surprised. It did not look that bad - let's face it, it IS a prison - and the guards looked a ###### of a lot more reasonable than you would find in some UK/US prisons. Certainly much nicer than the portrayal of Bangkok Hilton in the eponymus film.

Thytyim, is it possible that someone is pulling your leg? What would so many "working girls" be doing at college in the first place ??

Totally agreed Blue & Rod, don't get your knickers in a twist, perleeease.

TOTSTER, I think your avatar will disagree with your comments in entirety.

Yeah I don't think there is a BKK/Uncountry divide on this, though there may be a BG/Straight divide...

Let's not get carried away Bluecat, I'm sure some prostitutes are princesses, but they are not ALL princesses.

Just wondering, say you're on a skytrain or some other public place, will you acknowledge another solitary farang with a nod, hi, or smile ? Or do you just ignore them. Could be a Thai Visa counter-part, who knows?

Maybe it is a root cultural thing, with Americans doing so and Brits remaining overly reserved ?

Red or Green?

OK I'm being very ironic with "real" in the thread title, a bit like that book "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche" but what a surprise it was when I first learned that most Thai females are very modest about their bodies, and aghast at displaying too much flesh - even at the beach.

What do you think about this ? I've always preferred the European attitude which admires a beautiful body and is comfortable with showing it off ? How do you teach mixed kids about their body: something to be modest of or something to be comfortable with ? Isn't flesh-paranoia at odds with the otherwise relaxed attitude in Thailand. I just don't get it ?!?!?!

Would especially appreciate hearing from some of the lovely Thai female participants on this topic.

"Welcome to ThaiVisa where educated women are treated like prostitutes and prostitutes are treated like queens."

Fantastic, my lord! So true.

Yes well said Rascal, you've even got me feeling sorry for these farang who have to settle for quiet relationships. My wife NEVER STOPS TALKING and I love it (and her)! We laugh, we argue, we debate, we console.

Considering the sheer number of women in Thailand that are open to farang relationships, it's amazing that some guys go for beauty and youth over substance. I'm talkng about older guys, guys that are looking for a partner, whether they like to admit it or not. It just seems like an ideal opportnutity to seach out someone mentally compatible as well as physically attractive - an opportunity that usually doesn't exist in farangland. I understand a 20 year old guy being mesmerised by a gorgeous young gilr but not a 50 year old guy.

Excellent analogy from Lordfoul (ie. Mexicans and Californians). Never realised "working hard" was a requirement from a gf/wife. So the big deal seems to be that Issan girls are more subservient. Hmmmm. I have a theory that the MORE subservient a woman is in youth, the MORE of demanding she will become with age - kind of like all that repressed demand starts to come out to haunt you.

GERMANY !