mimithewoof

The double pricing and showing no price on markets will soon be over, then Thailand is full of shoppingmalls from Central with only big shops left.

The not obeying trafficrules and being selfish on the roads will also stop one day when Thailand gets real policemen. Nobody likes to be hurt in an accident. I see more rich Thai biking now, that is a good sign.

Thailand is just still an undeveloped 3rd world country on many fronts, there is enough money these days so it is just a matter of time before civilisation kicks in.

I have been hearing about Thailand is undeveloped country since I was born. I mean can you or anyone explain what is considered developed country?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Somsrisonphimai, you'd be hard put to find a truly 'developed' country anywhere on the planet these days!

But, what's normally meant by the phrase is that there's enough modern infrastructure to fit the demand and that standards of education and healthcare benefit the population, making sure that talent is developed and those needing medical help get it at a low or no cost. Added in is stuff like the latest in IT and internet access, a solid social security network, adequate housing available at all financial levels, freedom of speech within reasonable laws, the protection of citizens from violence, abuse, crime and scams and a low unemployment figure so that everyone gets a change to shine. A strong, (almost) incorruptible legal system is an absolute essential, as is government by democratic principles laid down in law, including a fair, free and open electoral system. Freedom of religion is another plus point for the ideal first world country.

Read through the above paragraph and you'll understand my first sentence...but I wish Thailand all the luck in the world in developing the dream! .

BJ - 'The point I am stressing to get across, that there are high risks involved to the aged ex-pats who are literally letting strangers have access to their finances on face value and this leaves them vulnerable and in danger of being scammed, robbed or exploited by the unscrupulous, the deceitful, con men and women and evil people that are out there who could infiltrate these groups posing as genuine carers with good intentions or even whole groups of con people could go into operation in the guises of volunteer care organisations, and this is why I strongly believe that all such groups or organisations as these must be registered and officially recognised as bona fide outfits.'

Beetlejuice, I've been here for close on eight years now, and seen all I want to see as regards the expat community here and its petty squabbles - which is why I confine my visits to town to around once a month and avoid all social occasions including expat clubs like the plague - and it's also why I find your comments on LCN totally unacceptable.

I've no idea what inspired your attack on Lanna Care Net's integrity, but do known that, even in CM, there are expats whose desire to help those less fortunate are totally genuine. As regards LCN's authenticity, the involvement of both the UK and US consuls speaks for itself, especially as the majority of consulates in expat destinations across the world are infamous for their inability to be of much practical help to older expats in trouble - a problem mainly caused by the UK and US government's restrictions on what they can actually do.

There was a desperate need for such an organisation long before its inception three years ago and I, for one, am happy to know it exists and is successful in its operation. Kudos to those members spending time to assist the less fortunate, and even more kudos to NancyL for being so restrained in her replies to your posts!

Eyecatcher - Yes, apparently when the recent massive Atlantic storms hit the UK one after the other and caused devastating floods in Cornwall, Devon, coastal Wales, Somerset and all along the banks of the Thames to the west of London, the Thames flood barrier saved the city centre from being inundated. Storm surges at that time were the highest in a hundred years.

To put the female point of view on topics which appeal to me , rather than leaving it to the male-dominated posters - a good few of whose main activities would seem to be drinking and sex. Thai-bashing isn't my favourite either, as we all need the similar comfort zones to live on this earth, we just have different ways of expressing them dependent on our ethnic background.

Interesting that the OP only mentioned men in his post.

Sorry, guys, but even back in the UK I never ;'knew my place', and there's no chance in hell that I'd migrate to the women's forum as I've nothing to add to most of the topics there. You'll just have to put up with me. .

Checked his Facebook page - sexy new pic of the guy plus the info that, from 31 January, he's now the Editor in Chief of GQ Magazine, a lifestyle/fashion/trend mag.

Loved his articles, his perspective and his use of language - if he's not writing for that other newspaper any more, shall probably stop reading it, there's nothing much else that attracts.

Having lived here for some years, I'm aware that 'farang' can be used with a negative connotation - although, to the best of my knowledge, this hasn't happened to me and wouldn't bother me if it did.

.If I were to call a coloured person in my home country a 'nigger' I could be arrested and charged, as that word also has a strong negative implication. These days, I believe, it's best to avoid any word which just might imply a lack of respect for another's racial origin or colour.

The dictionary definition of 'expatriate' is 'a person who lives abroad permanently for financial or other reasons, including working' , therefore 'expat' would seem to be the correct, non-offensive term for the majority of foreigners living in Thailand.

The world's a global village now, and any form of racism, even the careless use of one word, isn't a good idea. Sparks can turn into flames in half a second.

Having said all that, my most hated word referring to the expat community here is 'guest', used frequently in TV forums by those whose perceptions are slightly skewed! Call me a farang if you wish, but a guest I'm not.

Absolutely wrong.

There isn't anything morally wrong with offending people, and making it illegal is the height of ridiculous Orwellian "thought police" fascist interference with individual rights.

In fact it's not even POSSIBLE to give offense, the fault lies with those who choose to take offense.

And what makes you a guest here is - unless you've got your citizenship, or (less secure) your "permanent" residency - the Thais can kick you out anytime they like. And you're not welcome to try to impose your parochial views on how they choose to structure their own laws and society.

The whole process of "globalization" from a cultural POV is just as much a disaster as the economic and environmental one, the day every place tries to live by the same fascist rules the world really won't be worth living in.

True racism - where people are denied work opportunities, decent housing, political rights etc on that basis is of course a serious problem. Don't belittle it by pretending the ordinary use of normal language is just as bad, that's like saying all sex workers are exploited victims of trafficking. . .

All big things have little beginnings - I'm so sorry that you think it's not morally wrong to cause offence. The ultimate offence, of course, is violence and murder , whether in the home or on the streets.

Where I come from, sexism and racialism is considered either just wrong, or actually illegal, dependent on the degree of what was said. I'm aware that, on this forum, almost anything can be said, and often is, with many replying in kind. Fine by me - we are all what we've become over the years - the sum of our experiences. .

That's the first time in my life I've been called parochial - usually it's just the opposite - what fun!

By the way, I note that retirees here are denied the opportunity to work - I know many who could be of real use - is that what you meant by 'true racism'?

Sorry, can't comment on your point about sex workers - although better-informed people than am I believe with good cause that many millions of women across the world have been trafficked into that industry.

''Farang'' is just how Thai's call caucasian foreigners. ALL Thais, regardless of class use this term.

There ain't nothing politically correct or incorrect about it. This is Thailand, not the ''West'' Thais, and most foreigners don't give a hoop about political correctness here. Get over it, just like you get over it every month..

Just when I think comments on this forum can't get any lower....personally, I haven't had to 'get over it every month' for ages... Guess the majority of w******rs here believe sexist comment are actually scoring points... WRONG, they're just showing ignorance.

Hi; Did you look at the numbers linked previously Mimi?

It seems the bank bailouts are only about to be added to the debt figures (almost doubling what was already a horrific mess)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/8262037/Bank-bail-out-adds-1.5-trillion-to-debt.html

So it's too many give aways, mainly in areas of pensions and NHS, but also welfare, that is to blame for poor state of finances and high rates of taxes.

I'll say it again- Thailand will do well not to copy the western populist nanny state model; which is set to be wound down/ scaled back dramatically, now accelerated by the greedy banker bail outs, but either way- demographically and mathematically it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Not to criticising you/ your husband personally for taking the cheaper operation option, as it makes total financial sense, but it doesn't mean the 15k one was a rip off. He only got the subsided service because of the government card. It's like saying a non EU tourist is getting ripped off for having to pay to see a UK gp while Brits go free. But actually the tourist is just paying their way as it should be while the locals get the service their taxes have paid for. Fair enough.

If I could vote (which we can't because we are not citizens obviously) I would vote for married persons to Thais to get citizenship quicker or to be covered for health care. But retirees should really be responsible for themselves, not come and burden the Thai tax payer. A little A&E fix up maybe on an insurance type arrangement at most; but certainly not cover for the range of on going ailments like blood pressure, life style and just oldness discretionary things like hips n that or costs would spiral.

I could debate this longer but I fear we are straying well off topic so I'll call it day. Your entitled to your opinion of course but I doubt the Thais will be so foolish as the British etc and throw money at every immigrant that turns up on their shores.

Are they still is during cards anywhere? Or is this finished an it's a question of if / where they can still be used for those that lucky enough to catch the mistake?

OK - this is my last post on (or off) the subject as well. Yes, I still check on what's going on in the UK economy, if only to reassure myself my decision to get out was right! However, I'm ancient enough to remember when the NHS, the social welfare system and more worked strongly in favour of all less than wealthy citizens such as my parents, and even allowed me to attend amazingly good private schools and uni on scholarships. That's the type of social service I'd envisage as being really useful here, whether it included expat residents or not.

Again, sorry to bore you, I must state that bank bailouts, etc, etc are only necessary due to the greed of Wall Street, the City of London and other such hubs of fraud and unethical behaviour. The laws necessary to prevent a collapse such as that in 2008 could have been put in place but weren;'t, and the financial industry as whole was fully aware the crash was coming but couldn't bring itself to get off the gravy train. One of my best clients, an extremely wealthy hedge fund trader, warned me in 2004 that hell was going to break loose, and his advice was one reason why I decided to shut up shop and emigrate. His opinion was that the issue would bring down government - so far that hasn't happened, but I'm not sitting on a hot stove waiting. It ain't over yet....

Don't think anyone posting on this thread would expect to have Thai baht thrown at them either in the form of almost free medical coverage or any other social service, but most, I believe, would be more than happy to get some kind of medical insurance covering local hospitals at a reasonable annual price. That;s the nub of this argument, but whether it'll ever be addressed by the authorities is anyone's guess.

As regards the British 'nanny state' - a poll of Brits still in the country would give you an idea how hated it is. If I remember, it's another import from the USA, and about as unpopular as most of their TV programmes.

Look forward to sparring with you again at a later date!

This idiot Red piece of trash needs to be sent running to Cambodia

Please see my post in reply to your similar comment on another thread. I don't see the need to repeat myself - you obviously do.

Only Red idiot thug trash believe anything that comes out of any PT statement these days. Lie after half-truth after Lie. Hubrisly blatant and consistent

Hubris already? I guess it takes one to know one - which doesn't excuse your 'red idiot thug trash' comment one bit. Never mind the present chaos, about which we all have our own opinions, but your expressing of yours in this way makes me wonder why your post is still up.

I live in Chiang Mai, a red-shirt hub and, even when I was reporting for a local expat newspaper a few years ago, those of the red persuasion I spoke to were in no way deserving of your comment. I can only assume you're living in BKK, which is no excuse but might explain your insupportable attitude.

Having lived here for some years, I'm aware that 'farang' can be used with a negative connotation - although, to the best of my knowledge, this hasn't happened to me and wouldn't bother me if it did.

.If I were to call a coloured person in my home country a 'nigger' I could be arrested and charged, as that word also has a strong negative implication. These days, I believe, it's best to avoid any word which just might imply a lack of respect for another's racial origin or colour.

The dictionary definition of 'expatriate' is 'a person who lives abroad permanently for financial or other reasons, including working' , therefore 'expat' would seem to be the correct, non-offensive term for the majority of foreigners living in Thailand.

The world's a global village now, and any form of racism, even the careless use of one word, isn't a good idea. Sparks can turn into flames in half a second.

Having said all that, my most hated word referring to the expat community here is 'guest', used frequently in TV forums by those whose perceptions are slightly skewed! Call me a farang if you wish, but a guest I'm not.

MCCW - thanks for your reply - but my husband's amputation was simply the top digit of his index finger - could have done it myself with a pair of shears! Only joking, of course , but it literally took just 20 minutes including stretching the skin over the stump and a stitching job. The surgeon was, obviously, an expert I'd give him more credit than I would have to his counterpart (probably from Africa) in the UK - and he spoke good English as well.

One point is that I don't think Ram or Siripat could have done any better, but would have charged far more. For what? Better decoration in the ward? Nursing was great at Nakornping as well, don't see how the private sector could have out-performed in that either.

Because I was running a business in the UK I had private medical insurance for some 25 years - never once needed to use it. My major expense was dental treatment - implants, some 15 years ago - I note that nowadays, implants here cost far more than they do at an average dental surgery in the UK, whilst when I came here some 8 years ago they were significantly cheaper. Greed, again.

Sorry, sweetie, but it's not my generation who've run up the huge deficits in the UK economy - that's entirely down to three issues - Tony B-liar's useless government, unchecked immigration and good old Wall Street - greed and fraud in a style never before seen, and we've not hit the end of its effects yet. My generation was brought up to be careful with our cash, and we paid as much tax, VAT, etc,etc over the years as have you (proportionally speaking) and saw it wasted on social security for the workshy whilst we were working our butts off. to pay the bills. My 24/7 business was import/export, I was damn good at it and sustained decent profits as a result, but saw my taxes etc wasted on stupid ideas whilst education, the NHS etc went down the tubes for lack of investment and the application of even more stupid ideas. It was the UK version of the 'populist path' run mad.

In the end, I left. I miss my business, but will never set foot in the UK again. BUT - to stay on topic, the populist path here is necessary due to the soaring inequality in Thailand - to me it resembles the state of a good number of violence-prone South American countries. 14 per cent of the country's population live in BKK - it accounts for 72 per cent of the country's GDP. Is that fair? Does that give bright kids in the back of beyond a chance to develop their lives? No, and sooner or later the inevitable will follow.

And what's all that got to do with government healthcare insurance for expats? Quite a lot, actually. The UK government, much as I hate them, at least provides for migrant essentials, and other immigrant destinations such as New Zealand, Canada etc have recognised the benefits of new blood to their economies and are encouraging more immigration, especially of skilled persons like yourself. Without a doubt, expats from the West do benefit Thailand's local economies, and will continue to do so. Even although retirees can't work, they can support local businesses, Thai families, etc, and should not be regarded as the bottom of the pile by the authorities - in this case even lower than the Burmese labourers.

There's a parallel between this and the country's seeming inability to deal with the tourism scam practices in the beach resorts even although tourism is important to the Thai economy. In my worst black moods, I have dreams about tourism totally crashing and the vast majority of expats leaving for kinder destinations. Guess the effect of that might even top the financial fallout from the rice scheme!

MCCW - yes, it's obvious that you're 30 - I'm not so old that I can't remember what that was like! I'm quite certain that most UK retirees here are in no way 'nostalgic' about the free National Health Service, which has been in a relatively crash and burn state since you were in primary school and is now unrecoverable in its present form due simply to bureaucracy.. Fortunately, I never, ever had to use it, but my parents and friends wern't so lucky, with horror stories going back decades.

The 'market' as, you call it, has absolutely nothing to do with the price to be paid here - it's the usual greed which determines how much is charged for a procedure. In Thailand, the Middle East and even the good old USA. it's all about profit, not service or value for money. Example - when my husband had the tip of his index finger amputated after an accident and infection, he checked around. Charge for a 20 minute local anesthetic operation at McCormick -25,000 baht , at Sirirpat 15,000 baht. At exactly that time the scheme started and he opted for that as he hates being ripped off. His decision, and it worked well. If there is a refund offered, we'll give it straight back to Nakornping Hospital. .

Sad that you think the 'benefits socialist experiment' is coming to an end - should it do so it will drag the UK back to its pre-WWI state. where those who haven't been greedy enough to amass real wealth will have no chance of making anything of their lives. My country of birth might even begin to resemble Thailand in its social (or anti-social) structure. Your parents benefited from the 'experiment', so, I suspect, did you.- so don't knock it.

Lastly, sweetie, 'economic reality' isn't just for the privileged few - it should be for all according to their level of needs. The economic reality of the pre-2008 crash years wrecked the world economy - my least favourite PM, Maggie Thatcher, had it right - running a country is similar to running a home - you direct finances where they're most needed, according to priorities.

One day, in the far future YOU'LL be sitting somewhere moaning about some aspects of wherever you are, and a 30-year old will spill his youthful wisdom for you to appreciate! .Have fun!

BY the way, I agree with your suggestion that time spent living here should be relevant , but I'd love to hear your definition of an emergency as it would have to be age-related to work.

any one with a bit of sense should have realised that it was for migrant workers. It was not intended for expats to get multiple expensive operations or treatment for a couple of thousand baht a year. Those who did get a card took advantage of the system. There were many posts about this on TV including mine. which warned that it would not work out.

Yes; I recall meeting great hostility for stating the obvious too- that it was unaffordable to pay for all the sick old westerners at such a minor contribution level. Cancelation or massive fee hike were the only options; I'm glad they took the former rather than introducing mandatory cover at higher rates as a condition of non immigrant visa, for example.

I know a few 'sick old Westerners' who would have been more than happy to pay a more realistic price for the coverage offered - had they been given the opportunity, which it seems may now be off the table. Several would have had enough funds to cover a Thai medical insurance policy, had they not been a year or so older than the low limit here or had not been unfortunate enough to have existing complaints such as high blood pressure and other conditions not considered immediately life-threatening in the real world.

Others I'm aware of had funds in plenty until a certain Australian investment fund was mis-sold to them by an expat FA just before it went down.

We're all going to be 'sick old Westerners' sooner or later, guys, and you can be sure of one thing - by the time that happens, the likes of Ram etc, will have hiked their prices to levels to even those on USA pensions plus private pensions won't be able to afford. Perhaps then, the latest crop of incomers will happily refer to us as 'sick old Westerners' in a manner which could be considered as derogatory. What goes around comes around.

It's also a good idea to remember that even those on UK pensions here probably spend at least 5,000bht a week, probably more. Multiply that by an average stay of around 10 years minimum, then again by the number of retirees in Thailand, then add another 75 per cent to count in all you guys who can't live on less than 80,000-plus bht a month. Then there's the huge number of retired expats who support Thai wives and families with their pensions and savings but can't afford good old BUPA;'s extortionate charges. All that regular money contributes to the Thai economy as much as does as does the work which Burmese migrants do, mostly in the construction industry,. And, please consider, that money goes to the local economies, not just to BKK to be siphoned off.

Yes, migrant workers on pennies a week should have medical help, but a realistic charge per year for expats who've chosen to give to the country without taking anything out seems fair to me.

But, then again, TIT.

Just my take on Abhisit’s article -

Once more the world watches Thailand – sorry, but they don’t, the world is too busy watching the Ukraine, Syria, the Central African Republic and the shambolic Russian Winter Olympics.

Our future lies in the hands of the few whilst the many question where this will lead -
Thailand’s future is no way in the hands of a mob with a leader encompassing all the negative values he accuses others of possessing, and it obviously isn’t in the hands of the caretaker government any more.

Our country has tremendous potential - or it will have once a half-way decent education system is established …in my dreams, I’m afraid.

With our unique history in Southeast Asia as being a country that was never colonized -
and therefore not been able to embrace the positive developmental and financial advantages of a solid infrastructure and more modern ideas in order to defeat feudalism. Japan being a good example of how to benefit from occupation by another nation’s representatives.

We have much to gain from the establishment of the Asean economic community next year. – some slight concern about what ASEAN may well gain from Thailand night be apposite here.

We have an educated, professional workforce – Really?

A hub for automotive manufacturing, technology, services, leisure and the creative industries. – Japanese investments, a poor internet service across the board, a declining tourism industry due to scams, etc, etc, etc – finally, please define a creative industry here in Thailand.

It is an agricultural tour de force – which uses untold amounts of fertiliser chemicals banned in the West and of which a majority of the land is now owned by the wealthy instead of local small farmers

A determination to succeed, - always provided we have wealthy parents paying for our education, and even then we may not bother.

Passion to preserve what we call "Thai-ness" – a term describing a characteristic which is only understood or of any use in Thailand and which, unfortunately, may well be a distinct no-no in the international world.

Irrefutable demonstration that the Thai people believe they deserve a better system. – so sorry, but what’s happening on the streets of BKK right now is simply a demonstration of one charismatic but over-the-top protest leader’s ego and greed for the reins of power.

Our claim to be "by the people and for the people" – when were the Democrat Party ever interested in the vast mass of Thai people?

Over 30 incidents of violence against protesters and opposition leaders – the police, bystanders and locals killed or injured were all attempting violence against the protestors – if not, collateral damage is acceptable?

Why have millions taken to the streets? - Millions?????

Overwhelming majority of eligible voters who could go to vote unimpeded refuse to do so or actively submitted a no-vote? – Overwhelming majority???? Someone please, please give the man a calculator…

the drop in exports and, most recently, the drop in tourism after the declaration of the state of emergency– the drop in exports, of course, had nothing to do with an overvalued baht propped up by invisible hands? Tourism – death on the roads, the high baht, violence in the beach resorts, jet-ski scams, etc, had no effect on tourism numbers until the protests set in????

Where else can we find a government that publicly says it refuses to help people, denying them access to government programmes because they did not vote for the parties in power? Possibly by looking back to when the Dems were briefly in power.

Abhisit’s admittedly extremely well-written article is typical of the elitist spin used by the hi-so products of two of the UK’s most expensive education institutes, the private Eton College and the University of Oxford, whose fees are only affordable if Mummy and Daddy are wealthy and which has been known to refuse places to brilliant students from poor backgrounds, even if they have won local authority scholarships. Us Brits can recognise the style after the first few sentences and, having escaped from our feudal past and the present government’s attempts to revive it , are NOT impressed.

I bet there are no nail traps on the route to the Gucci store

Misogynism rules - and no, it's not OK. Ever.

You and the rest of the TV forum's verbal abusers need to get a life, grow a pair and realise that this world was not delivered as a gift to the male sex complete with females to serve and be victims. It's men and their predisposition to violence which has , so far, almost wrecked this planet through greed, wars, riots and suchlike.

You've had your fun, now can it and give the woman some credit for her non-violent stance up to now. It's not her fault she's got a brother!

Best advice for the OP is : DON'T DO IT.

Don't put your hard earned savings in any of these funds and don't listen to any of these local IFAs. Just ask some of the LM Investment Management victims who were all told their savings were safe - "Just like a bank." then lost the lot!

You are probably dealing with one of the same unscrupulous and unregulated locally based advisors, who are chasing their commissions. The fund manager will be taking their fees from the fund value whether the funds make money or not, so you loose out again. The whole industry is only slightly better than a pure scam.

Scandia, Friends Provident and the rest of the motley crew of insurance companies are all the same - scam merchants preying on less than financially savvy expats in the full knowledge that their commission-hungry salesmen contacts are working illegally in our communities. Don't touch any of them with the proverbial barge pole!

I did, unfortunately, when I first arrived here, via a local Chiang Mai FA who left for the UK last year just after the LM scandal broke and hasn't yet returned. Same story, no mention of insurance wrappers, charges, commissions, etc - I have no dependents so would have refused on the insurance basis. I insisted on a five year term - when the paperwork came through I found I was locked in for eight years. The usurious multiple charges had not been explained nor had almost anything else relevant to an informed choice, and the salesman guaranteed a £5,000 gain per annum.

Yes, guys, I was that stupid!

Worse yet, he'd handed the 'management' of my £100,000 to a well-known BKK firm who ignored me for four years in spite of my emails and letters. When they finally managed to contact me, the investment had made a small profit after recovering from losses during the crash, so I withdrew that immediately, then discovered later that they'd changed the bond for another and charged me again.

During the last two years, I've withdrawn more capital from Friends Provident, although they've been far less than helpful in meeting my request, even when I needed cash for my husband's operation. The term now has eight months to run before I can withdraw the remainder without charges, but I've just found out that the BKK firm has locked me into a five year bond with high redemption charges two years ago without my knowledge, even although I'd made it very clear to them I wanted out after the eight years were up or sooner. When I withdraw what's left later this year, it's going to cost me several thousands to get out of the new bond, or so I was told.

I've lost around 15 per cent of the initial investment - probably more by now - I have no idea as, again, the BKK firm are not contacting me.

The moral of this and the numerous other sad tales is simple - don't EVER allow ANY so-called FAs in Thailand or any other popular expat haven get anywhere near your savings, as you have no legal recourse after you realise you've been had more than once!

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority is investigating exactly this scandal, and has put out several warnings on the subject to investors. Unfortunately, that doesn't help expats who've already fallen foul of the practice.

I didn't feel at all comfortable in my home country, the UK - that's why I left and ended up in Thailand. The London I grew up in had become almost unrecognisable under Blair's government- although I'd been a strong Labour supporter back in the day. The changes in the UK paralleled the changes in the Labour party, and gross commercialism allied with mega-greed and an encroaching nanny state just wasn't my thing. Following further changes over the past eight years,I'd rather live in Outer Mongolia than the UK - so no, I'd feel more than uncomfortable if I were to return.

The changes here during the last eight years have also been considerable - although predictable post-coup - but there's still a link between what should be important in our lives and the chance of staying grounded. Being a lot closer to what's left of nature is a help when I get too fond of my own position as a human being. So, for good, bad or better, I'll be here for a while yet, although Chiang Rai seems like a good option when CM becomes a replica of BKK!

Basically, ever since I was a kid, I haven't felt I 'belonged' in any one country, but have been 'comfortable' in several, including Japan and Greece.

OK, here's something. I am constantly impressed by the availability of reasonably priced repair shops for IT devices. Where I come from, the USA, if you have a problem with your hardware, try finding a place that will fix it for you. If it's still in warranty, ( the breakdown usually occurs afterward) you can send it away to the "Authorized Repair Facility", and wait.....

Here in Chiang Mai there are many great little shops that can have your computer up and running quickly, for a very low price. These young guys are geniuses. If you break the screen on your tablet or phone, these shops can fit you up with a new glass, rather than advising you to toss it away and buy the latest & greatest.

Does this qualify as good news?

Good news indeed, but can they replace the screen on my almost unused Toshiba laptop - and where can I find one of these undoubted geniuses? That would be even better news!

As with every other country in the world, Thailand is what Thailand is, and it takes a lot more than a couple of holidays to determine whether it's right for a permanent move.

Unfortunately, the Thailand brand is misrepresented all over the internet, especially for would-be expats, by those wishing to make money from incomers. As an example of a very different culture from those in the West, it presents unique challenges as regards adaptability, yet it's marketed as an easy-living paradise for disenchanted Westerners.

TAT and Thais in the popular destinations aren't the only culprits here, as most migrants realise pretty soon that sales talk by locals is just that. It's the farang organisations and businesses which need to tell it like it is, pointing out the disadvantages as well as the advantages and the traps to avoid rather than peddling dreams for hard cash.

My own feeling, from personal experience back in the day is that giving a truthful analysis of expat life in this country would result in more realistic expectations and far less negativity. It's tricky enough to adjust to a totally different culture without having to fend off everything from rip-off merchants to false friends.

Several popular Mediterranean expat destinations have objective websites set up by expats and giving a balanced view

- I'd love to see a similar site here, although I suspect the person who started it would need to keep well below the radar!

Perfect visions are just that - visions - it's up to us to create our own world in which negativity has no part.

Shouldn't people conduct their own due diligence before rocking up here?

Aren't most expats/Western immigrants here actually escaping "Nannyism"?

The "truthful analysis of expat life" you refer to should be done by the individual considering making Thailand their home not some pie-in-the-sky body charged with ensuring people don't get shit on their hands when wiping their <deleted>.

This 'individual' spent two full years researching online and visiting the country for as many days I could spare from my business schedule, usually on the way to or back from my regular Japanese buying trips, and still, occasionally, got it 'wrong', but not as wrong as some who post on this forum seem to have done.

I also followed TV/CM forum almost every day, to get some idea of the community here, and boy, has the general standard of replies changed since eight or so years ago! Your last paragraph is, sadly, typical of the type of comment which would have put me off from choosing CM as an expat destination.

I'm lucky in that I had a good deal of experience in online research due my business, so had half a a chance of sorting out the wheat from the chaff. What the hell is wrong with telling the unvarnished truth about the ups and downs of a particular destination in order to let people make informed decisions?

Hoe can individuals do objective research if all that's out there is advertorials? Sorry you missed my point.

Ask your self why they are here? for most they had negative experiences, lifestyle, weather, old job, etc etc from there homeland.Otherwise, why would most leave to Thailand to start with?

So I guess after a while in Thailand the rose glasses fall off, for some it's a few months, others a few years,For me it took just over 15.So the same nagging things piss you off, Visa's,Finding out how genuine the Thai smile really is, doing business,other Thainess experiences Particularly if your not at retirement age.

As part of the journey of life you find yourself, being negative, and hopefully take it as a sign to jog on.

I'm curious how people get upset by others venting,You haven't walked in there shoes.I guess it's because its a blotch on the perfect vision of Thailand to many newbies, or in the transition from Utopia to Ok to disliking to leaving.

As with every other country in the world, Thailand is what Thailand is, and it takes a lot more than a couple of holidays to determine whether it's right for a permanent move.

Unfortunately, the Thailand brand is misrepresented all over the internet, especially for would-be expats, by those wishing to make money from incomers. As an example of a very different culture from those in the West, it presents unique challenges as regards adaptability, yet it's marketed as an easy-living paradise for disenchanted Westerners.

TAT and Thais in the popular destinations aren't the only culprits here, as most migrants realise pretty soon that sales talk by locals is just that. It's the farang organisations and businesses which need to tell it like it is, pointing out the disadvantages as well as the advantages and the traps to avoid rather than peddling dreams for hard cash.

My own feeling, from personal experience back in the day is that giving a truthful analysis of expat life in this country would result in more realistic expectations and far less negativity. It's tricky enough to adjust to a totally different culture without having to fend off everything from rip-off merchants to false friends.

Several popular Mediterranean expat destinations have objective websites set up by expats and giving a balanced view

- I'd love to see a similar site here, although I suspect the person who started it would need to keep well below the radar!

Perfect visions are just that - visions - it's up to us to create our own world in which negativity has no part.

Given the fact that many posters on this and other threads have mentioned the fact that Suthep and his crowd are anti-foreigner, I find it amazing that so many seem to want the man to get what he's aiming for.

I sincerely hope that, as we're all exiting the kingdom without our money, homes, possessions, valuables, dogs, hopes, dreams and even families, you remember to thank him for giving you the opportunity to return to your beloved home countries where you can live in style and continue failing to understand the reality of life.

If I meet any of you on the way out - watch out!

hahahahaha scary eh...would love to see you take your home with you...broad shoulders no-doubt...safe flight now....

Mimi, stop being such a drama queen. It's not that bad, you're just scaremongering. Now be a good dog and lie down now.

OK, I admit that, on occasion and when provoked, I can be a drama queen - but I've always believed that imagining the worst scenario gives one a base from which to operate objectively in troubled times. It's just a way of thinking ahead...essential in life and in business.

Back in the day, a professional Asian family fresh out of Zimbabwe became my neighbours and friends. One day, talking together about what they'd been through and lost, the husband said 'I should have seen it coming - I felt it coming, but didn't take notice and didn't plan ahead'. I've never forgotten that, as it coincided with what I believed.

What worries me is that blaming others for everything which goes wrong is a classic symptom of the 'power over' mentality, also seen in violently abusive marriages where the abuser egotistically blames the victim for his own mistakes rather than facing up to his personal problems. Sounds familiar?

Sure, I don't KNOW the same will happen here, but given the minimum amount of faith I have left in humanity, I'd not be amazed if it did. I didn't think the riots, arson and street violence in London several years ago would ever happen in my home country, but they did.

And yes, my shoulders are very broad, and we dogs can bite as well as snarl, bark, look cute and cuddle up in bed!

Having lived almost all my life in London, but travelling by car a lot on business, I learned early on to drive as though all other vehicles on the road were being driving by idiots.

When I arrived here and bought a car, I was amazed to find I became a 'driver' again, rather than the cash-cow motorist I'd been in the UK. For my last 12 years in London I lived 8kms from my place of business, a trip which took between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours twice a day, traffic dependent. Nowadays, I live 18km from town and the trip takes at worst 35 minutes or so - and there aren't any traffic lights! I enjoy driving again, even during heavy traffic, and wouldn't be without a car - nor would my five dogs when a vet visit is due.

The need for a car is part of one's chosen lifestyle, admittedly, but I'd hate to see CM turned into a mini-modern, smaller US town or even a mini-BKK with no older properties or winding streets and overhead mass transit vehicles ruining its quaint cityscape. Trams would be a good idea, but that's about all. CM is 700-plus years old, and is in Thailand, and if I hadn't wanted to live a totally 21st-century life I'd have stayed in the UK. I don't even mind the pavements here, such as they are, they're all part of the difference and diversity.

The global trend of turning everywhere into copies of first-world countries is, to me, disturbing, and usually results in losing more than is gained. Modernistas here should just be grateful that we've now more malls, trendy condo blocks and chain coffee and fast-food shops than the average first world town!