Texpat

Most poverty in rural Thailand is due to lack of ambition and ignorance. Farmers have been screwed for so long by merchants and politicians, they look at life like, "the less I have, the less they can take." There is little incentive to save. If someone (banks, govt) wants to give me something (a loan or land) I'll take it and get something I really want (a cell phone, a new moto)

Truth avoidance is rampant. Officials will not admit there is poverty. They do their best to keep poor farmers from making a scene. When all else fails, they'll look to Uncle Sam, or Auntie Aussie, or Brother Brit to bail them out.

Poor Thais say they're not poor -- then quickly buy a bottle of Johnny B to prove it, squandering two-weeks pay.

Also, it's very hard to go hungry in rural Thailand. Wild stuff grows everywhere. I'm certain my wife could walk out into the countryside and live for months without buying anything.

My brother in law is a 22-year old Rachabat student in Udon Thani. He lives in a house with thatched roof and hand-plastered walls. Has never held a job in his life. Gov pays his tuition. Completely dependant on his sister (my wife) if anything goes wrong. When I was his age, I was working abroad (full-time) going to uni (part-time) and saving for a rainy day. Very difficult for me to feel sorry.

Lazy, ignorant, unambitious.

My wife points out the pretty ones.

They're usually sporting twig and berries. Ugh!

Most thais would NEVER let on that they're hurting financially -- even to family -- especially to a farang.

Banks here lend money (for new trucks or home improvement) to people that earn squat, have zilch, and stand little chance of paying it off.

In Nong Khai we had a rainy early June and then sporadic since then. Whopper of a rain storm tonight though.

I'm American, retired military. Uncle Sam doesn't care where I live. I just put my monthly check into a US bank and Bob's my uncle. Either withdraw on ATM or have lump sums wired to my bank in LOS.

Thomas Resort in Udon Thani.

http://www.udonthaihouse.com/

I live in Nong Khai and have 2.5 rai with about 60 lamyai trees on it.

I do nothing but prune branches and water in the dry season.

This year about 70% of the trees have fruit. Some very good, others average, some absolutely nothing.

I give the same treatment to each tree and don't understand the variance.

The land is flat and the size and shape of a football field.

I don't sell the fruit, just give it to friends and family.

Any ideas why some trees produce and some don't?

Funny how my initial 1-year Non-O was granted in Los Angeles in about 20 minutes without the anal "How much money you got" questions.

In Thailand they delve into hours-long questioning and scruitinize accounts, pensions, home, car, etc.

For what? A shitty one-year visa. My wife has a green card that allows her to live and work in USA for 10 years -- that was easier to obtain than this marriage visa.

Just one final thought and this thread can die quietly.

It's a very good thing Thai men aren't held to the same standard of spousal support as farangs.

Few would be qualified to live here.

Back from Bangkok without visa.

They now require pictures of your house (inside and outside) with you and your Thai spouse in each picture.

Also -- they do NOT issue the visa immediately. They'll call you in about a month to come get it.

Maybe I'll just go home, it's easier than dealing with these people and their silly rules.

cheers lopburi3

And the pompus a-hole that runs Nong Khai immigration is the most arrogant prick in Issan.

I live in Nong Khai but will apply for a non-imm O (marriage) while in Bangkok early next month. I have to go to the my Embassy to get proof of pension, and really DON'T get on well with the arrogant a-hole from Nong Khai immigration. I prefer to do it in Bangkok. I have three questions.

1. Will Bangkok Immigration tell me to go to the Nong Khai immigration office?

2. Assuming I have all the proper documents, do they issue the visa same/next day?

3. Where is the BKK Immigration office?

There's a post at the top of this forum that lists phone numbers, but no addresses.

Dear God please don't ever send me to India again. Twice was two times too many.

Ain't happenin' with me.

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