arminbkk

Things are not perfect in my home country, things are not perfect in Thailand.

Some things from my home country would be good for Thailand (health care system, welfare system, no or less corruption, fair politics, less class system like society, no patronage system, old age pension scheme, real law enforcement etc.), but then again, Thailand wouldn't be Thailand anymore, certainly more expensive. But it would be fairer and better for Thai people and their living conditions.

On the other hand, in Thailand you have more choice where to eat, where to shop, how to travel about. People will not likely bother you for lack of having something better to do, or because they don't like the shirt you're wearing. Thais have less macho behavior (although I see that changing a bit).

And of course there are more pretty and fit girls walking around

But the same goes for Thailand that goes for other countries: the more money you have, the more comfortable you can make it yourself.

Unfortunately I am not a rich expat

As for the OP: I'm glad I am from where I am from. It's not perfect, but I would not bash my home country.

Then again, I am going back there in a month for a few weeks, so I might change my POV toward my home country.

I usually find myself missing my home country when I am not there, or better, certain things and people there, but missing Thailand when I am there.

Life here was easier 20 years ago. I've always felt like a guest. Twenty years ago, I felt like a welcomed guest, now I am not so sure.

+1 but 10 years

"So how do you deal with it?"

Unfortunately you have to become a zombie and get yourself from point "A" to point "B" in the most efficient manner that you can do with total disrespect for your fellow human beings.

In other words, adapt to your surroundings

I've often thought about this and can only conclude that most Thais only think of the people that could improve their current situation - family, close friends, work associates. Random people on the street are just that, random people on the street. Most Thais in urban situations are living in a complex face bubble and the average passerby has nothing to add nor offer to that bubble.

My Thai wife has often explained things to me to that effect.

Thais do not care much about people that they do not know, do not want to waste their time with strangers.

That's not talking about helping each other when there's something like a flood, but more in normal everyday routine life.

Of course, if I bump into a Thai, it will always be my bad.

Here we go, making comparisons with where we come from, where people are always so dambed polite. I understand the 'me first' thing here but it's the foreigners who walk around with superior attitudes that I could easily fall out with.

I wasn't making comparisons with where I come from.

I must add that I move aside a bit, showing the oncoming fellow human being the right thing. However, that person usually doesn't move.

Would consider it the normal decent thing to do amongst each other, but guess I should just change my mindset..

I also do not walk around with a superior attitude.

So how do you deal with it?

When walking that is.

Numerous times a day, when someone comes towards you from opposite direction, on a narrow sidewalk, they will not move a bit when passing.

I'm not saying people should move out of the way, but give each other way. You move a bit, I move a bit, we pass and all be on our merry way.

Very many times, people just keep walking, sometimes charging even.

And yes, they did see me, we made eye contact.

Now, not to point fingers, but it's quite often Thai and Indians, sometimes Westerners too.

Also, people will come from right or left, again walking, and cross or even make a dead stop right in your path, as if you are not there.

Now the above might not sound that bad, but when they are carrying bags...........the number of bags I have bumped into me.

Reading the facial expressions sometimes, it was deliberately too.

Has anyone else noticed/experienced this?

Now I know there a many many people on the streets, but still, should be normal to be somewhat considerate of others.

Your thoughts.

Thanks

When I first came here I used to be soo polite, respecting a different culture etc etc.... BUT now... when she decides to STOP at the BOTTOM of the escalator to talk on her phone and everyone is backing into me I just push her out of the way. Similarly, I'm 105 kg and when some dopey 60kg thinks its a good idea to walk through me to get ON to the skytrain BEFORE we all get off.... I now just keep walking..through them if necessary.... stupidity knows no cultural boundaries. Good..feel better afta that rant.

It doesn't come under 'culture', otherwise they wouldn't announce to "wait at the arrow signs and let passengers exit first".

It's just a person's own choice to stand right where the door will open. Knowing that people will get out, it is then either arrogance or stupidity....and nobody is that stupid. I usually hold a brief second, if they still don't move, then I do (but 80 kg, not 105 ).

Farangs and Thailand are like a married couple: first the woman falls in love with the man, with everything that he is, then not long after marriage, she wants him to change.

Farangs come to Thailand, love the place, the laidback attitude, easy going etc etc, they stay, and soon start commenting what should change.

For the record, I'm one of those farangs too.

But I found that Thais don't want to hear from you what should change in their country, not in your language and not in theirs.

As for speaking the language: I am sure it is an advantage to be able to speak the Thai language, if only to hear

what other people are actually saying. It may not be positive but at least you will know where you stand.

Come to think of it, that could actually not be an advantage sometimes 555.

As for having meaningful conversations: I have met and know some Thais that I can have a decent conversation with,

as long as it is not too long.

Thais do not have a long attention span for 'serious' topics.

Finally, I would have to agree with some other posters that said Thais are not inquisitive/curious.

It's my experience that Thais don't really ask a lot of questions about the country I am from, life and culture there etc, after

I tell them where I am from, and/or further into the relationship (friend/work).

Thanks for the replies guys!!

Anyone know what the normal waiting period is for a tax return, when submitted on time

and when 2 months late??

Thanks

Hi all,

A question concerning PI tax for foreigners: I work on a contract for an all Thai company.

My office manager has filed my taxes for me.

I hadn't done that, and was too late, but when applying for wp renewal she was advised

that I still had to do that.

So she filled it all in for me, I signed, and it was sent to Revenue Department.

Now my question is rather general: are there any special circumstances for foreigners

as far as income tax in Thailand is concerned?

What I mean is: does it take extra long, are there more forms needed, etc.?

Background on my tax situation: I only included the spousal and child deduction. Nothing else (house or investments or whatever).

The tax was filed late May, although it should have been late March of course.

My OM calculated a tax return for me and said I would eventually receive a

cheque in the mail from the Revenue Department. She cannot say how long it will take.

Any ideas?

Thanks

I unlearnt that

Thailand is the Land of Smiles

Thais are really polite

Thais are very friendly

That would be my top 3

As for the OPs top 3:

1: I wouldn't say walking ATM, but money is "money" is ever present in most Thais mind, and they always that you have it, no matter what you say.

2: I have heard/hear that 8 out of 10 times....mostly coming from Thai women. And that's mostly because Thai men cheat. They have kiks and/or mia nois.

One of the first 4 questions a Thai will ask me is:"do you have kik?"

I look at Thai women most of the time, a Thai guy even more.

A Thai guy basically has whisky/beer and women on his minds.

And before anyone starts, this is based on hanging out with Thai male friends, from office folk to motorcycle taxi drivers.

3: Cannot say Thais are "racist", can say they do not quite appreciate dark/black skin. Is that immediately racist? Can say they discriminate.

I've never heard a Thai guy, or girl, say about a tanned/dark skinned girl, or guy, that she/he is beautiful/handsome.

Pretty/cute maybe, but not beautiful/handsome.

They will point out a "fair skinned" girl and say she is beautiful, even though she has no expression whatsoever.

I've been coming here for over 10 years, have lived and worked here for 5 years, both in Bangkok and Isarn.

I don't like it as much as I did in the early years.

I read a lot of posts on TV, mostly "bad" experiences of other people, be it with Thai police, landlords, taxi drivers, the

computer repair shop etc etc.

I've never really had bad experiences like those.

My "bad" experience?

What I had to unlearn is what is my greatest disappointment about Thailand: it is not the "Land of Smiles" and "Thais are /not/ friendly".

I refer to normal everyday 'encounters', while going to work, getting lunch, ordering an iced coffee, waiting for the elevator, waiting in line

at 7/11.

Well maybe I don't spend enough time in bars.

I could go on but nahh.......i'm gonna have a smoke on the balcony in my shorts................because i can do that here (weather-wise)

@wjhall: thanks!!

Would you say that Youtube vids load fast with wifi?

How about downloading any kind of app? How about PDF? Word/Excel?

I also feel I can do better than paying those amounts for an Apple or Samsung, although I wouldn't mind having a Samsung.

Apple I don't care much for.

@Thailife: thanks for the links!! Will check them out.......with Google Translate

@ThaiLife: thanks, I had already read through that topic, just wanted to see if I could get experiences from more people that have

been using the G-Pad for a while.

I understand that it is a Thai brand. Looking for reviews, whether it is good, has English language, compatible with any app.

Thanks for your input!!

Hi,

Saw the G-pad today (at a G-Net store in a Big C), but the seller could not tell me much about it, and she didn't have a show model.

It looked good, judging by size/weight/spec: processor, OS, Android 4.x (Ice cream sand) etc.

Price label said THB 5,900.

Does anyone have any actual experience in using this device?

I want to get a tablet to browse internet to read, e-mail, watch videos (of any type) (e.g. Youtube), maybe even movies.

Work-wise I want to be able to open Word/Excel/PDF files.

I'm not so much interested in playing games on it.

Does anyone know if this tablet is good??

Or any other brand (other than Samsung/Apple) that you would recommend??

I've been to Panthip Plaza before, specifically looking for Chinese brands.

Only found the Herotab, which I believe is from MID.

Saw the sign for Aigo but didn't check it out.

I've read other posts on here naming various brands for sale at Panthip, but when I was there (about 4 weeks ago), and asked around, I didn't find much.

Only the Herotab.

What I did get was that people I asked where tablets were for sale, (i.e. Thai sellers that were only selling phones) warned me that most of the stuff is fake on

the second and ground floor. I saw the Herotab on the second floor.

Any input appreciated!

Thanks for the replies!!

Just another question: i would assume getting a doctor's/medical certificate, following some blood tests, would suffice.

Does this have to be done at a particular hospital, i.e. government hospital, or can it be done at any hospital,

or even does 'pop n mom' clinics, where you basically buy a med cert for 100 baht or so??

Thanks!

Hi all,

My work permit will expire in a few weeks.

It's my first work permit with this company (in Bangkok) and also the first since a few years.

What I would like to know:

- how long before expiry date does one best start the renewal process?

- what is needed for renewal: exactly the same as before?

- further to what is needed: does one have to do a medical check again, and how

extensive does it have to be? Can one suffice with the 100 baht med certificate at the

nearby "clinic/medical practice"?

- can one already add a second future address in the renewal wp? (my company will

move about 1 month later)

Thanks!

The 2nd employer didn't want to do a wp, so closed chapter.

Thanks for all the replies!

By current work permit holder I assume you mean current employer.......what if I do not want my current employer to know?

What if one has a full-time job and a work permit for that job, and one decides to

have another job, part-time job, at a different company?

Or one wants to work on freelance basis (as Editor) for that other company.............

do you need to apply for a second separate work permit,

or can you not get two different work permits?

Thanks

"Immigration Offices outside Bangkok will be closed likewise."

This is why I ask.

It reads as if normal border immigrations, like at Chon Mek, would be closed also.

Is that correct, anyone?

Thanks

"Of course i had to pay her boss the bar fine (1000 baht) per day of her being away. So i paid up for one week."

Now a nice one would have helped you avoid this.

In the past, when I went sightseeing with a girl for just a day, I never paid a bar fine for that day.

As for at night leaving the bar, they would say, leave now, and I'll come out after an hour. To avoid the bar fine.

Just saying.

Looks like you spend at least 20K baht, including the cell phone, for 1 week period.

Well at least you had a great experience, that counts for something too.

Many places, including condos, will allow you to use their gym or pool for a fee. My condo in Huay Kwang only charges about 50 or 60 baht for the pool and another 50 or 60 for the gym.

What's the name of that condo?

I live around that area and could not find such an arrangement.

Thanks!

@jinjinswing

When you say CW Ladprao, guess that means the one at Major Ratchayothin?

Then 2 kms further, that must mean taxi travel.

Now I just joined a gym at a hotel in sukhumvit, just over 1K baht p/m, no joining fees etc, and can extend month by month.

Equipment is bit dated, and its not very big, but not too crowded, and no music actually when i was there.

Although I wouldn't mind some music either.

But it very well might move toward Major Ratc. in the future, so would be handy to know of any gym around there,

so please share.

Thanks