Rorri

Good post – great question.

To me, as long as we are guests in their country, there is a strong “love it or leave it” logic. But – We (some of us) do bring some good here. So it would be nice to get along.

My biggest hit was expectations and education – My dose was when we were robbed in Pattaya our 1st or 2nd month there. It was a lack of education and experience. Still Hand Choppingly miffed 3 years later. Personally I tried to get over that by remembering that people get robbed in NYC also. I do however dream of catching them with my axe …

Next I try not to take it for granted when we do meet genuinely nice hard working people. While I NEVER trust Thais to do electrical work without a dose of concern, I have met plenty of honest folks. When we have gotten screwed, the lack of access to courts (sue them and you’ll have “a problem”) does leave me with the feeling that I will always be outside the circle -- No matter how long we stay.

And lets not confuse “miserable” with “amazed”. Hanging power lines two feet off the ground, scaffolding from a Dr Seuss fable. holes in the sidewalk plenty big enough to swallow Farangs and Elephants. On and on …

Finally – It’s the heat. Spend enough time in the heat and even the guy giving out free baht might just get the grumpy look. If it wasn't for my wife's Jai Di, i'd be in a major heap of trouble ... …

Hate to ruin your day, BUT, you are NOT a "guest," to be a "guest" you need to be invited, check the definition. You, I assume like the rest of us, had to obtain a visa, this gives you permission to enter the kingdom, which means you are a visitor. Would you treat a "guest" the same way farang are treated?

'Farangs' become miserable in Thailand because;

1. They have no political power and no ones cares about their opinions. If they speak up on an issue they are told to shut up and go back to farang-land.

2. They often pay more taxes than a hundred Thais yet are constantly reminded that the country does not belong to them and owes them nothing.

3. They are divided socially from the bulk of the population and stuck with labels and stereotypes based on race.

4. They are forbidden to work in most jobs, many of which would be more personally meaningful than whatever manner they are employed in.

5. They are (rather more infrequently than purported, IMHO) targeted for scams and hustles based on race. This can leave people bitter.

6. Many of them care about Thailand and want to see it overcome its weaknesses. The total inability to improve Thailand even a modicum is at least frustrating.

7. The visa situation is a constant hassle. They are never able to relax - always looking at their passports counting days till when they have to report or extend or go to Savannakhet.

8. If they complain on Thaivisa.com about 1-7 they are derided as bigots and told they should cultivate the delusion that the problem is their state of mind.

Apathy is not a solution to any of these issues, nor does the inability to change them make them unimportant. They are real problems that face expats in Thailand.

If your solution to these issues to is to not care about them, then you have have sold your dignity for peace of mind. I think you will find that the latter is more transient than the former.

I would imagine you don't live in Thailand and base your conclusions on things you read in ThaiVisa.

Because I don't agree with any of what you have said and I live here. I've improved Thailand, have no Visa problems, work whenever I want, no one scams me or tells me to shut up. In fact the big wheels where I live ask me for advice and I'm teaching my fruit/vegetable seller the English names for his products.

But tell me if I am wrong. Maybe you are miserable and live here who knows. I think you would be the first one in this thread.

The problem with your comment is you take your case but fail to understand that BudRight was looking at the wider picture. Maybe that is hard for you to understand. Maybe you need to think of others, not just yourself.

I'm a little disappointed that no-one has actually answered the OP's post. It's lovely that there are so many people leaping out of the woorwork to boast about how happy they are, and I know a lot of people are doing their best with their condescending explanations of why they think other people are unhappy, but we haven't had any responses from miserable old bar-flies explaining why they don't go home, and perhaps why they are miserable in Thailand.

I know Transam did his best, and at least he's old, but unfortunately he's a bit too cheery and contented to really give a credible opinion.

Unfortunately, I don't know any miserable old men. Perhaps, like rugby union bigots, they exist only in the perception of others; to the best of my knowledge all the people I know will quite happily watch either code, and despite an occasional somber or weary countenance, are actually quite content.

SC

Mmm..the OP didn't actually say "miserable old men," he said "miserable farangs." Be buggered how "miserable old men" becomes an issue, misery does not distinguish between ages.

How many "miserable" farang are you actually talking about, do you have some numbers, or are you simply drawing a conclusion from a small number that may post on this forum. You seem to live a charmed life if all you can do is feel miserable enough to actually post this type of comment. I would suggest there are far more miserable Thais, going by the looks on peoples faces in Bangkok, maybe your should put more energy into asking them why they are miserable. As for your use of the word "miserable" I would suggest maybe no many, but there are a lot that see the problems Thailand has, and would like things changed so the Thai people live a better, safer, and less miserable life.

rotary, on 28 Nov 2013 - 13:45, said:

Skype is free computer to computer anyway and something like $80 a year for unlimited Skype to phones in Thailand. Pretty hard to beat that I think.

It's also free mobile to mobile, if you have an internet connection, same as computer to computer, you can also call mobile to computer and vice versa.

Grounding? We don't need no dam_ grounding!!!

Not sure if a correctly grounded setup would have changed anything since phone chargers only have 2 pins plugs.

100% correct.

Personal experience of corruption

I've known of several people who applied for Ed visas but had no plans to seriously study anything and some people encouraging others to make false claims on an embassy income verification letter. Not actual personal knowledge, but I read about it here on Thai Visa, the hub of specious innuendo and dubious gossip, so it must be true.

I don't think that is what the OP is asking.

"He added that the government would do their best to protect the principles of democracy."

- by trying to press charges against the judges?

I would think it illegal for him to intimidate the judges, by threatening to charge them. Charge them with what? For doing their job of interpreting the law? Strange people in Thailand.

It's getting absurd even by Thai politics standards. Give Tarit a week and he'll ramp up the charges to 'murder' then ask the courts to rule against themselves. It's quite unclear to me if the DSI has a mandate to accept the case so the Dems can sue the DSI for taking on the case and the courts can refuse to accept judgment because they don't think the charter empowers DSI to rule.

I also believe the Dems could have Tarit charged with, what appears to be, intimidating the Judges of the Constitutional Court.

It should never have got to this stage. The ruling itself should have been delayed until it was established whether or not it would be legally appropriate.

You are right, it should never have got to this stage, simply because, unless Thai democracy is very different, in a democracy a government does NOT have the power to change the constitution, it can table/recommend changes then it MUST be voted on, by the people.

I would like to have a "dealing" with them, regarding 3BB's false advertising re: international speed limits. Don't, I repeat, don't question my technical ability., but after 3 emails over 5 months, I get no reply.

Granted, this may not be the news of the century and it may not improve the plight on mankind in general. However, it's nice to see a group of young folks, (standIng on two-feet or in a wheel-chairs) peacefully cooperating, in a common endeavor, to display a symbol that does not advocate violence, bigotry or hate.

I suppose I could join the naysayers, but after reading the article and viewing the photo, I thought, "That's nice".

Without any speculation or investigation, I left it at that and went on to the next article.

"Knowledge is a good thing, until we know too much for our own good".

True, nice photo, but hardly world record material, this type of record is simply ridiculous, Guinness should be ashamed of themselves.

Can't see tinsel or balls. At the top, did they go for a star or a fairy?

The fairies were fighting to see who was on top. Get my drift...

That's ripe...Russians complaining about safety! I guess they prefer it when they drink themselves silly and cause the accidents.

yeah you right , aussies , brits and other nationalities dont drink and drive ..... where are you from by the way ?

Did mangi1 actually say no other nations drink or cause accidents?...No! he didn't. So your comment is ridiculous.

Is there a difference between the two, other than the accent and "color" in AE is spelled "colour" in BE? I've noticed on Facebook, under languages spoken, it lists Australian English as one of the choices. I'm curious to know what the differences are.

Along this same subject, does it matter if an English teacher seeking a job in Thailand speaks American English, British English, or Australian English?

One of the big differences I have noticed is in grammar. British will say "I have got...." whereas in American English you never use "got" this way. "I have...." is correct. But Americans use "gotten" which I rarely hear British use.

Have never been to England, I am Australian, and I remember in school we were told we should not use "got," so I am not sure whether your comment is correct.

So "what have you got?" Is wrong?

Whats the correct way to say it?

In US we say "what do you have?"

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"What do you have?" is NOT uniquely US, I really don't understand your comment.

I hear british people all the time say what has she got, what have you got etc, however you stated it is incorrect. I think it is correct.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

There is nothing in my comments that say that its usage in Britain is incorrect. What I said is that when I went to school, in Australia, we were told not to use "got" I also corrected your comment saying that it is not used in the US, when in fact it is.

Is there a difference between the two, other than the accent and "color" in AE is spelled "colour" in BE? I've noticed on Facebook, under languages spoken, it lists Australian English as one of the choices. I'm curious to know what the differences are.

Along this same subject, does it matter if an English teacher seeking a job in Thailand speaks American English, British English, or Australian English?

One of the big differences I have noticed is in grammar. British will say "I have got...." whereas in American English you never use "got" this way. "I have...." is correct. But Americans use "gotten" which I rarely hear British use.

Have never been to England, I am Australian, and I remember in school we were told we should not use "got," so I am not sure whether your comment is correct.

So "what have you got?" Is wrong?

Whats the correct way to say it?

In US we say "what do you have?"

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"What do you have?" is NOT uniquely US, I really don't understand your comment. I would like to point out that in the US you have a show, "America's Got Talent," so your comment is incorrect, the US does use the "got" word.

You have more of a chance of being injured. maimed or killed on the road, I suggest you stay home and wait for the next tsunami.

Is there a difference between the two, other than the accent and "color" in AE is spelled "colour" in BE? I've noticed on Facebook, under languages spoken, it lists Australian English as one of the choices. I'm curious to know what the differences are.

Along this same subject, does it matter if an English teacher seeking a job in Thailand speaks American English, British English, or Australian English?

One of the big differences I have noticed is in grammar. British will say "I have got...." whereas in American English you never use "got" this way. "I have...." is correct. But Americans use "gotten" which I rarely hear British use.

Have never been to England, I am Australian, and I remember in school we were told we should not use "got," so I am not sure whether your comment is correct.

Many people here can't afford a new or safer car , I am sure they would love to drive a safer car .

So stop about the bull**it safety rules in the west and adjust to the situation .

If you can't afford to keep your car safe ... don't keep a car.

The rules they are talking about are so simple. Check lights. Check emissions. Finished.

Sent from my phone with the app thingy.

So true, there seems to be something very basic wrong with the way kuiburi thinks.... he seems to think, because you can't afford to maintain your car, it is ok to drive it and put peoples lives at risk....very strange.

the annual check up is one big joke, they check the Horne, lights, exhaust fumes omissions,

and that is all, no other safety features or equipment such as breaks, steering mechanism

is being looked at, and forget about the engine, they simply act as non of those cars even

have an engine,

fortunately there aren't many clackers on Bkk roads, as many of them end up going up country

of even to neighboring countries.

They also fail to check the "loose nut" behind the steering wheel (for those who don't understand, the "loose nut" is the driver).

Reading this forum posting, I come to one conclusion... NO ONE knows the speed limits.

I think they can start collecting the dogs feces for fertilizer, lol. In my village, we use the manure from cows, pigs, and chickens to fertilize garden or farm. I heard in the city they use human feces to fertilize the vegetables you purchase on the market but I cannot confirm it.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Dog poo as a fertiliser is not the same as cow, pig, or chicken poo. Dog shit sours the soil.

Sitting on a rented chair looking at a sewage pipe doesn't look nice either. O.K we on here know that it is not sewage but what would the tourist be thinking?

Did I miss something. Where did it mention sewage run off?

A bonus for Thailand, now they can off load all expired medication, some of which they handed to their own people can couple of weeks ago.

Would be very sad to see the City of Angels sinking down into the ocean. I have some very fond memories of this city that I don't wanna miss.

One here said that Bangkok going under would be "a blessing in disguise"... Well, all I can say to that would be that Washington - along with its "change" and "yes we can!" babbling, warmonger president liar and his cronies - sinking into a bottomless pit would be a much greater blessing in disguise the rest of the so-called civilized world would very much appreciate.

I think most, if not all, of us will be well and truly dead, before Bangkok sink below the waves. You have nothing to fear....