TacoGuy

Came here in my 20's and genuinely truly believed it to be the LOS.  As a tourist it was.  Coming in my 40's on longer stays, and interacting with the not uncommon sullen retail staff, I realised the LOS thing is a bit of a mirage.   

On 03/09/2016 at 10:33 AM, The Deerhunter said:

I don't know either but I would love to know it too.   Based on what the people I know bring into the country every month or so, it would be noticeable in the Thai treasury and they would be scared to tell us in case it let us know just how important to the economy we are.  It represents a large invisible export and the jobs created by us all and the money we spend on cars, houses would be equivalent to the addition of a prosperous Thai city or three or a million more middle to upper class Thai Bangkokers.    I know there are ratbags among the ex-pats and of course the overstayers, but apart them, we are a very valuable asset to the the exchequer and  we are far from being the cause of all Thailand's woes.  They would miss us if we left.  It would impact on every part of that Thai economy, from sale of vehicles to real estate prices and rental accomodation, let alone the money we spend inside Thailand on power, petrol, food clothes etc every month.  Several cities and provinces would be devastated economically.

If it's say 350,000 (a figure some of the above posts have pointed toward) it really isn't that large, and you vastly overstate the impact to the Thai economy Johnny Farang makes.   That's not saying it's zero or significant, but it's not as significant or substantial as you suggest.  Judging by comments on BE and visits to places like Lotus, there is no shortage of impoverished farangs, eeking out a modest existence in Thailand. 60 million + people here and rapidly expanding middle class. So to say "several cities and provinces would be devastated economically" is rubbish.  

Thailand is smart to restrict foreign ownership of land.  Without it the place would be controlled by the Chinese or dodgy farangs.  

1 hour ago, Mangkhut said:

Agree with the first you say. But there are always trolls wandering around. Just dont feed them....

 

 

Also quite a few humour-deficient over serious farangs around, it's surprising they manage in light-hearted Thailand...

Not that bothered with the noses in phones, but the constant selfies and foodie photos get tiresome.  But everyone is at it, not just the Thais.

Reality check: move on, dude.  The age gap is far too wide for a young man.  I don't agree with what the majority of other posters write, and I imagine a fair few are rationalising their own age gap relationships.  While it's possible old man / young woman the reverse has many obvious issues.  Even within your own (US) culture their are issues, but here in Thailand, with so many other issues, it's crazy in my opinion.. And she has a kid. Maybe you are a keen 'family man' but you are so young, find someone your own age, and own life stage and build your own family.. Finally, don't advice from Thai Visa forum (irony appreciated) get advice from your US friends and family, and get advice from people your own age, and be careful of people who are so kind they only tell you what you want to hear.

Central World, temperature stays fairly even throughout the year, and it never rains.  

555 !

Oh, it's a serious topic...

Some on this thread have no idea what real wages are in Thailand.  Retail 9000 per month, junior office 15-30,000 month, senior corporate 50-200,000 per month.  Obviously maids are paid a pittance, but to suggest (as one poster did) that "most Thais could live on 52,000 per YEAR" shows how out of touch some of you are.  

Mostly people are saying low carbs.  I have done low carbs before, and it is effective while on low carbs, but usually cravings afterwards.  Also, since so much of Thai food is spicy, the rice and noodles makes it manageable. Strangely, I don't feel like eating salad in this hot climate, whereas in European summer I will eat salad all the time.  I prefer low calories but so hard in Thailand.. 

Yeah, I think sugar is a problem as they put it in and on everything here.  I certainly avoid it in coffees and try and keep smoothies to a minimum.  Dairy and booze not an issue these days.  Was thinking to try and not eat UNTIL early evening as a method!  Just some kind of method to reduce intake.  

15 hours ago, trogers said:

 

Look at what's being launched and built again and again...

 

That's the kind of space that is in serious oversupply.

 

For the past ten years, what kind of space has little or no new supply?

 

That's where investment opportunities lie.

Are you speaking in riddles Master Trogers?  No idea what you are on about.  I'm simply asking how everyone on here who has a condo is getting a good yield, when there appears to be hundreds of continually vacant condos all over central Bangkok.

How do you avoid piling on the lbs in this country when there is food everywhere, and it's all relatively good value?  Not only that, the entire culture seems to revolve around eating?  What I would like to know is any tips you have on not overdoing it on food (quantity or quality).  Not interested in hearing about exercise as I know all about that.  

Not really any screws loose, although now that you mention it I probably thought that when I first watched some of his videos slating Japan.  The one about the beach dog was slightly weird.

Normally he's quite an open and honest guy (on screen at least) and seems to live a very healthy lifestyle.  Considering his decent Pattaya apartment, it's fairly impressive that he can live on $500/month (he did a detailed calculation a few videos back).  The only thing is, alone and lonely in Pattaya, you can see the slow motion car crash about to happen if he stays.  

There seems to be hundreds (thousands?) of condos available to rent in Bangkok/Sukhumvit, many multiple units in each building.  And more being built?  Is it really that easy to achieve rental returns here?  Isn't there a vast oversupply right now?

42 minutes ago, partington said:

This isn't even a difficult question. It's age 60. At 60 you are old and that's all there is to it.  

 

(EDIT: I am 60)

I think that's about right.  In your fifties if you're in good shape/fitness, and especially if you work at it (gym/pool/diet etc) you can maintain the sense of not being past it, but by 60 the clock is definitely against you.  I've also read that testosterone levels in men dip sharply from 55 plus.  

In Thailand MBA's seem to be fairly common currency amongst mid-level office workers as mark of continuing professional development.  MBA gained overseas is much more highly regarded than domestic.  Since many take the masters after 5-10+ years experience, there is less of a on-campus recruitment drive as there is in the US.  The traditional methods of networking and applying to ads is the way for your GF to find a new opportunity.  If she can improve her English/Japanese she may well be able to find a more progressive opportunity in a foreign company.  

Anyone following this dude?  I've been watching some of his video blogs over the last six months (when he was in Japan) and now that he's moved to Thailand it's fairly interesting to see his newbie perspective on things.  Not a total newbie as he's 41 and been in Asia for a long time, but definitely in the early "Thailand is heaven" phase.  It makes a change from all the negative comments and gripes that are on here.  Funny that he ended up in Pattaya though, which he call's "Russia" as he seemed to want a very authentic Thai experience.  Anyway, Ryan's pretty cool, and I am enjoying following his adventures in LOS.  

Have heard that this is a good one:

http://www.srivikorn.ac.th

It is an awful school.

Anyway i believe it was bought by St.Andrews and it shut down and has ceased to exist for at least a year.

Why do you think it is awful?

They appear to still exist and are upgrading their buildings? Are you not confusing it with another school?

Have heard that this is a good one:

http://www.srivikorn.ac.th

Ideally looking for a second hand hybrid or mountain bike. Average quality not high end. Anybody know any shops or other recomendations around Sukhumvit?

Bangkok 25 years ago you constantly felt you were in a time warp, there was no "modern Thailand" to enjoy, no glitzy malls like Terminal 21 or Central World which, frankly, are probably superior to the shopping centres or high street in many whinging farang's hometown. Banks were beauracratic, American fast food was few and far between. Tuktuks were everywhere in Bangkok and cheaper than taxis. The gap between Western lifestyle and Thai lifestyle was much wider. These days many Thais are living in the same kind of condos as their Western counterparts, driving Toyotas, eating in chain restaurants. It's not as exotic as it once was, but on the other hand it's more accessible and more comfortable. OP you didn't miss anything, live in the present. As someone else posted, in 20 years time people will be nostalgic for 2015.

Has anyone come across a chart/graph which shows the average price trends (Baht per square meter) over the past 5-10 years?

Are there any good Thai as a foreign language books aimed at kids (aged 10+). I've looked in several stores in Thailand but did not see anything suitable.

1. Just as in Christianity, varying levels of belief (think wine and crackers in Catholicism). Yes, the general concept if that the spirits sample the food in a spiritual world way. Thais no more question this than Christians would question Jesus personally listening to their prayers (Hint: there is no Jesus).

2. Not necessarily family members. Inside homes there are shrines to family members, the spirit house outside is more to do with the area and the people that have lived on that ground before. They are placed on for good luck. Spirits are everywhere in Thailand and it is only loosely connected to actual Buddhism. Bear in mind that religion is far more pluralistic in Asia, it is not uncommon to find people who subscribe to more than one religion, although Thailand itself is not the best example of this.

3. Again, it probably depends on which Thai person you are talking to and, also, translation. Within Buddhism itself there are varying interpretations of how deistic the Buddha became. It's safe to think of him as sacred, but not a god in the Western sense.

4) Yes. Flowers and gifts for Buddha are for good luck, and as with all things spiritual or superstitious, there is a irrational human longing for it to be true. It's not much different in concept from someone having a lucky shirt or something like that.

Personally, I am happy to participate in the whole shenanigan for cultural reasons, but I don't go over the top as some farangs do. I cringe a bit when I see farangs out-Thai-ng the Thais on these kind of things!