Wordworx

nobody dies from a shot to testicles, unless the bullet entered through testicles and lodged in the femoral aorta, abdomen, ribcage.

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Yeah, but with the *collateral* damage may as well die.

You gotta be a real genius to stick a no-holster, no-safety, crap pistol under your belt (if he had a belt), gangsta style. Even the cats with decent Glock Nines blast themselves. pulling that stupid move. >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaxico_Burress#Accidental_shooting

It's the Golden Tree Snake Chrysopelea ornata, not the Wall's Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis cyanochloris - also known as Blue Bronzeback) - but I understand why poster JusMe identified it as the Wall's Bronzeback as the snake in the video does appear the same as the "Wall's Bronzeback" pictures in the small pocket guide of Snakes of Thailand (I believe that the snake pictured in that book is now described as a different species than Dendrelaphis cyanochloris...).

The Golden Tree Snake from this video is very common throughout Thailand, and is one of the few 'flying' (gliding) snakes in Thailand and favours eating lizards, and that includes large Tockays. He was definitely planning to eat that tockay, trying to strangle it. Because even though the Golden Tree Snake has venom, it is not very potent and they are rear-fanged so have to chew first to inject the venom. The venom is used primarily for digestion, not to kill the prey. So they use strangling for the larger prey. And even though it appears rather small, it will certainly be able to swallow the Tockay if he had not lost the battle.

Amazing to see that the other Tockay decides to risk its own life to help his buddy/ protect himself...

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Good rundown.

Indeed, interesting that #2 stuck around, sized up the situation, struck when it saw clear (and safe) openings. Kind of had me wondering, though, why before hitting the snake #2 moved around, seemed to take a nibble at #1's foot. Maybe making sure #1 was still alive before investing the effort.

Sounds like they were setting you up for a curbside hustle and (if I got it right) you insisted on going to the station, threw them off. That and the other defensive measures, maybe they decided you were going to be too much trouble.

Traveled all over SE Asia, except Singapore (guessing that is likely the sole exception), have not heard a good thing yet about the cops, anywhere. They get paid crap, or literally zero in some places, so petty extortion is part of the gig. If they approach, I'm polite, smile the BS smile, never a problem.

Then last year in Bali had a couple of them roust me and an associate over a typical trivial rented motor bike beef -- was never exactly clear on the *charge*. Was starting to get fed up, push back, ugly American style, getting in one guy's face, then I realized the *road fine* was about 12 bucks. Paid it, thanked them, gave a hearty handshake and on our way.

And, yeah, some of the comments, insulting the OP... and if you think he is fabricating (who knows why), maybe just don't post.

Maintained a PayPal business account with debit card for years. Great. Using debit card for ATM overseas, no exchange fee, no service charge. PP to PP account transfers are no fee. Paying using credit card or bank to another's PP account, I think it is about 2.5% -- charged to recipient.

One area they are likely taking advantage is transferring from account holder's PP to same account holder's linked bank account. I think policy is about 3-6 business days, but should really not take that many days. So the cash is immediately out of your PP account, can be up to maybe 7 days before it hits your bank account. In between they have your money, what is known as "the float", if I recall correctly. So during the float they effectively *own* your money -- interesting bearing. Add it up over millions of transfers, not bad.

But instant availability to incoming transfers can't be beat. US clients pay me via their PP account, no fee, cash is instantly available via ATM on the other side of the world.

And, get this: A few week ago I see PP transferred US$300 to my account. Turns out they refunded me for erroneous overseas ATM fees at $1 x 300 withdrawals over the years. My Bank of America business account, overseas ATM charge of $5 plus currency conversion fee. And you can bet they would be refunding nada, their mistake or not.

You think being a farang laowai will get you more respect in China? Dream on.

I thought laowai = old foreigner.

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No, laowai means Westerner -- generic.

They have names for other eastern nationalities, like the Japanese, sort of along the lines of murderers and rapists (well deserved, in the case of Nanjing / Nanking). Unless at the time they need their tech and manufacturing expertise. Then they wait for the contract to be complete.

I've actually been in some more remote places, no problems with the locals, but the Han Chinese tourists would point, "Look, laowai!." And laugh. No idea why. Those times I was traveling solo with an assistant / guide on a magazine / photo assignment. The Han were doing the standard group tour - in and out of the bus, looking down on the local ethnic groups and, I guess, the laowai with the camera gear and local assistant.

Ya' gotta love 'em... Oh, wait, no you don't.

Mr. Hammer, now it's perfectly clear you're making the wrong decision. Say it ain't so!

Take another look at Thailand--get out of BKK above all.

If you must go, consider the Phils, Vietnam, Cambodia, or Indonesia.

The bike has been sold, the lease has been ended and I will buy a ticket for Taiwan tomorrow and stay there for 3 months to learn mandarin. Who knows what will happen after that, we shall see. Taiwan seems very agreeable too. It would be foolish to not listen to experience from those who have been in China, but it would also be foolish to not try out things for yourself.

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Good plan. You'll meet your share of mainlanders there -- or see them, anyway... walking in groups and in busses, their little bright caps on, following the guide's flag, so they don't get lost.

If you decide to tour mainland, I very much more reccomend the South and Southwest. Hit a couple of cities then head inland. From Taiwan you are a hop to Xiamen. If you don't know it, nice little city on the coast, interesting harbour, a lot of upscale and Western-inclined stuff, not so crowded, Gulangyu Island makes for a great day hike.

Guess you know, too, Taiwan Mandarin differs from mainland, nominally.

OP, if you are still seeking more confirmable info, In return for missing those errors in latter part copy-paste of visa regs (that and other posts since deleted by Admin, looks like), here is the Denpasar consulate Twitter, https://twitter.com/RTCatDPS. And below is an image on subject. Also, good place to stay within easy walking distance is Cityzen Renon (same street as consulate), maybe +/-US$20 on Agoda, same if you walk in. (Best selection of English-language TV / movies I've ever seen, China and SE Asia, btw. WiFi is okay, not great.) Out on the main road, fronting the big park, some good and varied eats. At main road, looking at park and monument across, head right about 50 meters for some good Mexican, same place also serving Western and local chow, decent prices, big outdoor patio, A/C inside. Run by a Kiwi and his Balinese wife (of course). Japanese, coffee, pastry places, a lot of local food along there.

A post giving info for Indonesian and Malaysian visas removed. Topic is about getting Thai visas.

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Ah, so, misunderstood. The Denpasar Thai Consulate is a different sort of deal. Operates out of a home / house. I actually stood in the kitchen chatting with the officer. Low traffic, easy-going operation, I'm sure they do multiple entry, but (when I was there about a year ago), they are 100% firm you must have your exit air ticket for exhibit. Stumped me, like, *How am I supposed to know where I am going after Thailand in 90(+) days, know which flight to book?* Attempted to negotiate with officer, but, not surprisingly, he said, essentially: *I make an exception for you, I could get in trouble.*

[browser Stagger (or something) Repeated Post Deleted]

Well OP, if you think that that's the best for you then you should go, but before let me tell you some things, firstly I lived in Beijing, studied there, worked there, had some chinese gf and ocassionally slept with many other chinese chicks, that met in clubs, the uni, etc, so listen:

1. The chinese are by far more nationalist and racist than the Thais, getting acepted into their society is by far much more difficult, and comunicating with them if you dodnt speak chinese is very difficult cuz is very difficult to find a chinese who speaks english( and that was in the capital, so think about the rest).

2. Chinese are far more rude and unclean that the Thais, and in china if you dont speak chinese is much more difficult than in here to get a gal.

3. The food is great, but you cant eat it in peace cuz you dont know if is clean or not.

4. The level of corruption is by far higher than in here.

5. The language is much more difficult to master than Thai( I am fluent in both Chinese and Thai).

6. If by norm Thai chicks are bad in bed, then the chinese are even worse( I am talking from my experience, for me the best mates in sex are latin women, but then me myself are latin too )

7. In china getting a job if you dont speak chinese in by far much more difficult, and getting a work permit even more difficult.

8. The levels of polution of all kinds are crazyyyyyyy(noise, air, water etc).

9. In the hospitals they will suck your money out of your wallets.

10. When you go to buy they will charge you at least three times the real price.

So bfore going to china read this and think about it. BTW , I love both countries and have many chinese and thai friends and becuz of job go to beijing almost on a monthly base, I post just to let you knnow.

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Think he's had about a hundred or so reply posts stating about the same, including from me (was in PEK for 4.5 years), though yours added some spicey detail. If the cat is still set on going after all that, he's going.

Personally, I am considering returning for a consulting gig, but so far not enough compensation offered to get me by the air quality, much less the traffic, the rudeness, the lying, the overpriced crap, the dishonest landlords, the spitting, the taxi drivers with no sense of hygiene, the backstabbing, the cruel mistreatment of migrant workers, the stupid facile status BS, the snooty bitches and male counterparts who have no reason to be snooty (but deem themselves to be *upper class* and *superior people*), the screaming and slamming doors in hotel corridors, the disregard for pedestrians by drivers, the watered-down often bogus booze in the clubs, the two-faced A-holes everywhere, the insecure overcompensating Chinese males, the spoiled out-of-control kids about everywhere in the cities, the constant and pointless hitting of auto horns to the point you start losing it in some city corridors and resort towns -- the latter example recalling moronic taxi drivers who think they drive around hitting their horn every five seconds, along with the other drivers on either side of them hitting their horn every five seconds, that's gonna get them a fare...

But, yeah, I agree, some great chow there, cuisines from all over the nation -- in the cities.

Used to live in Beijing, now in Chiang Mai. No comparison. Smog index at this moment in CM is 77 / "Moderate", probably about as bad as it gets here. At this moment in Beijing it is 277 / "Very Unhealthy". To be fair to Beijing, things have improved in recent days. A week or so ago index was "Hazardous" (see below). Further south is better. Shenzhen, for instance, is now 124. That's just "Unhealthy". But Shanghai is 266 / also "Very Unhealthy". I mean, if we're still talking quality of life comparison.

• Moderate – AQI of 51 to 100
  Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
• Very Unhealthy – AQI of 201 to 300
  Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
• Hazardous – AQI of Greater than 300 ( > 300)
  Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.

Did I read the OP correctly? - he is sick of Thais being rude towards him and is moving to the internationally renowned bastion of politeness and common decency ...China. Has he actually been to China? Does he know how stupid his plan sounds? That's like having chemotherapy because you're sick of cutting your hair.

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Caustic, insulting, to the point and the chemo line was not bad.

The Chins (Hans) are about the worst I've encountered. Get down south, especially among the ethnic groups down there and to the far west, Tibet, Xinjiang, quite a bit different.

Some of the most beautiful and exotic women ever, down south, like in Guizhou, and Yunnan. The Hui, Miao, Bouyei, Dong, Yao / Mien... Not that you will any of that -- but AWESOME LOOKING WOMEN.)

Anyway, those places ain't gonna pay the rent.

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Really? Did not get the sarcasm. >>> Well aware of fashion industry *sickness*, Western-style. But a far cry from essentially telling small-town Thai kids they are inferior due to darker skin and broad facial features. A form of self-hate. >>> Let's agree to disagree. This string, gonna bail.

Really? How so, exactly? How is that any different than what some girl growing up in a small town in Tennessee feels, while she watches all the media and magazines coming out of LA and New York?

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Pal, I got you on the slender good-looking thing. That is the way it is. But fashion in the West is now multicultural, multi-colored, multi-ethnic, now even multi-shaped. That is the point of it. They are now marketing to the so-called "millennials", and that's what that segment likes (good). The simple fact in Thailand is the *ideal* standard is a light-skinned, narrow-faced, Chinese or Western-looking model. The dark skinned, round-faced Thai girls (as naturally beautiful as they may be) need not apply. That gets drilled into their heads from the first time they look at a TV.

Essentially, the media is projecting: *If you have dark skin and broad facial features, you are of a lesser class and unattractive*.

Empathy is not exactly big, round these parts.

Yes, because out West in our home countries, mediocre looking woman with stretch marks from pregnancy and bags under their eyes are featured in the fashion makings.

You know, because we're so empathetic unlike SE Asia.

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Uhhh, yeah, man. The Thai media shaming and invalidating young Thai girls because they have darker skin and broader facial features is just like (wait for it) you said: "stretch marks from pregnancy and bags under their eyes are featured in the fashion makings" (sic). How's that booze thing working out for you?

Ummm, I was being sarcastic.

Go watch some TV, and look at some fashion magazines in the West. Glamorizing gorgeous models, while patronizing those unlike them is hardly a Thailand problem.

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Really? Did not get the sarcasm. >>> Well aware of fashion industry *sickness*, Western-style. But a far cry from essentially telling small-town Thai kids they are inferior due to darker skin and broad facial features. A form of self-hate. >>> Let's agree to disagree. This string, gonna bail.

Essentially, the media is projecting: *If you have dark skin and broad facial features, you are of a lesser class and unattractive*.

Empathy is not exactly big, round these parts.

Yes, because out West in our home countries, mediocre looking woman with stretch marks from pregnancy and bags under their eyes are featured in the fashion makings.

You know, because we're so empathetic unlike SE Asia.

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Uhhh, yeah, man. The Thai media shaming and invalidating young Thai girls because they have darker skin and broader facial features is just like (wait for it) you said: "stretch marks from pregnancy and bags under their eyes are featured in the fashion makings" (sic). How's that booze thing working out for you?

I'd like to get in an apology before an eventual lock for the choice of words regarding mixed thai-farang children. I did not mean to deliberately offend parents of mixed ethnicity children and it was a very poor choice of words. The comment was supposed to be aimed at the beauty standards of some thais rather than an insult.

And you wonder why no-one wants to employ you?? You need to explore the concept of "nuance," but I do not think China is the best place to do that, given that you are not familiar with the native language.

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I took OP's comment as *whiter skin, narrow nose / facial features* is the media business model. And I agreed.

For the record, that mode is denigrating and actually suppressive for Thai not so inclined. Think about the young teenage girls who watch this sh-t on Thai TV, young women genetically darker.

Essentially, the media is projecting: *If you have dark skin and broad facial features, you are of a lesser class and unattractive*.

Empathy is not exactly big, round these parts.

"Why China? Because it is the rising power and while the best wild west days are probably gone, there are still great opportunities there. What's more important is that chinese people are actually looking out, something that no thai has done in the last 30 years - and the chinese are actually very interested in what the rest of the world are doing, how we are living, what the world thinks of china etc. They want to learn from others, to work together. The white man is not seen merely as a despicable walking wallet to be fleeced in between <deleted>mongering activities. It's a huge county, massive differences in culture, nature and language. The opportunities there are endless. There are also jobs, there are business opportunities, possibilities to make things happen if you are a hardworking guy. Oh yeah, and their women are far more attractive than the isaan prostitutes or the weird looking halfbreeds adored by the Thai media."

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Having lived in China for a long time, I would say that it would have been an interesting move 10 years ago, but I fear the OP may be a little late.

In the last two decades, China has been effectively ruined on all fronts by the greed and selfishness of its inhabitants. Today, it's even a challenge to find anywhere in the country to breathe reasonably clean air, and what goes into the food and drink is anyone's guess.

Regarding women, it's a matter of taste, although they are of course white skinned (if you like that) and better educated. But with time you will realize that the mainland Chinese (men) hate farang men more than the Thai do. Remarkably, they (even the younger generation!) have not forgotten how the Europeans humiliated China in the 1800s. It is a frighteningly solid nationalistic homogeneous society. Also, Chinese women are less interested in farang men nowadays, as there are far better local choices for them in the cities with the huge educated local middle class, as well as Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean expat men, who are all far higher ranked than farang. Of course, village girls are still interested in farang, not unlike in Thailand.

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Well put. I would even hazard a guess to say that (on average) educated Chinese women are perhaps developing a distaste for laowai men. This would be understandable, given the hundreds of thousands of Western misfits who poured into the nation the past decade or so (present company included, of course). Then again, the typical (even educated) Chinese male is no prize. And, guessing here, the better off "LIttle Emperors" now large, those cats have gotta be a nightmare. But, Chinese women are practical. After thousands of years of the sh-t, they know how to play the game.

Spent a month in Wales, saw partial blue sky, one day. Oh but that wasn't smog just some evenly spaced depressing cold grey. Point being there's pollution all throughout Asia, better to judge by other qualities. In the next few months, I tend to be actively looking at China as well for not just business but a better quality of life than Thailand. It's a universal access point for anything you need whereas Thailand is very limited & very expensive for the lower quality items. The high import taxes & general mark ups just because foreigners like it. China is also where most household items, electronics & clothing is manufactured making it a hub to consumer products. Apple is supported, other than Japan I think China is the only other country in the region, but than again Apple is also made in China.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

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A "better quality of life"? I guess depends on your definition of "better".

If you have not lived or traveled extensively in China, like in or to the eastern cities, you have not seen air pollution. I've visited and lived all over SE Asia and China. The air pollution in China is epic. Even on a relatively *clear* day, go out for a run and within a few blocks throat and lungs are burning -- the invisible particulates. Not so great days, look out of my place on the 10th-floor, I can't see the street one block away and down. Flying in to Beijing, you don't see the tarmac until a few seconds before you touch down. (They ground flights on occasion due to lack of visibility.) And while I mentioned eastern cities, those inland get just as bad, even worse. Just google China air pollution > Images > Past month. Only way to get away is down south and to the west -- an ever lessening zone of relatively clean(er) air.

What they have done to their lakes and waterways is... depressing, in the extreme. About 80% can no longer support life -- like fish. About 90% of city groundwater is polluted beyond possible use. I think about 40% of the citizens have no access to truly clean potable water.

China is not cheap -- unless you are out in the boonies gone native. Hotels, as a gauge, are about at US levels. A decent Western-inclined apartment in Beijing is comparable with most US cities -- likely more than most. And unless you are buying Chinese brands (or knock-offs), you will pay a premium with tariff. (And the decent Chinese brands compare in price with US prices on US goods -- more expensive, a lot of cases.) I always arranged to have photographic, computer and other electronics delivered from the States.

And the Han are pretty miserable, you get right down to it. A lot of them will be the first to admit it.

A "better quality of life"? Don't bet on it.

Good point, retract previous statement in regards to China vs quality of life. I just know Thailand is also not, guess will have to move focus to KL or Taipei.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

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Can't speak to Taipei, never been there other than in transit. Have heard some good things. I also know that a few years back, when they dropped restrictions and Chinese Mainlander tour groups poured in, the Taiwan hospitality industry, like agents and hotels, freaked out. The mainlanders were stealing everything not bolted down, leaving cig butt burns on the furniture, spitting on the floors, using the room carpets as ironing surfaces, screaming in the restaurants, getting belligerent for no good reason, etc... The general noise and rudeness sent the industry into appall mode.

On KL, though, I have been. Will refer you to this TVF string [revised]: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714625-is-kl-better-than-bangkok-as-a-travel-destination/

On Thailand, it is what it is. And what it is right now is a place infested with the Common Koel (bird). The males are making me insane, their constant pleading to get laid, repeating the same series of monotonous calls starting (usually) at 03:30, going all day. Last night, 02:00 sharp the bastard kicks up. On this, certainly, one thing China has over Thailand. They must have ate most of them during "Great Leap Forward" and shamed and executed the rest during Cultural Revolution. (But, seriously, anybody knows a local in CM good at trapping - or worse - birds...)

I heard foreigners get spit at in China ....

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Nah, just that there is so much spitting going on, interior as well as exterior, sometimes in passing you take collateral damage.

Spent a month in Wales, saw partial blue sky, one day. Oh but that wasn't smog just some evenly spaced depressing cold grey. Point being there's pollution all throughout Asia, better to judge by other qualities. In the next few months, I tend to be actively looking at China as well for not just business but a better quality of life than Thailand. It's a universal access point for anything you need whereas Thailand is very limited & very expensive for the lower quality items. The high import taxes & general mark ups just because foreigners like it. China is also where most household items, electronics & clothing is manufactured making it a hub to consumer products. Apple is supported, other than Japan I think China is the only other country in the region, but than again Apple is also made in China.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

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A "better quality of life"? I guess depends on your definition of "better".

If you have not lived or traveled extensively in China, like in or to the eastern cities, you have not seen air pollution. I've visited and lived all over SE Asia and China. The air pollution in China is epic. Even on a relatively *clear* day, go out for a run and within a few blocks throat and lungs are burning -- the invisible particulates. Not so great days, look out of my place on the 10th-floor, I can't see the street one block away and down. Flying in to Beijing, you don't see the tarmac until a few seconds before you touch down. (They ground flights on occasion due to lack of visibility.) And while I mentioned eastern cities, those inland get just as bad, even worse. Just google China air pollution > Images > Past month. Only way to get away is down south and to the west -- an ever lessening zone of relatively clean(er) air.

What they have done to their lakes and waterways is... depressing, in the extreme. About 80% can no longer support life -- like fish. About 90% of city groundwater is polluted beyond possible use. I think about 40% of the citizens have no access to truly clean potable water.

China is not cheap -- unless you are out in the boonies gone native. Hotels, as a gauge, are about at US levels. A decent Western-inclined apartment in Beijing is comparable with most US cities -- likely more than most. And unless you are buying Chinese brands (or knock-offs), you will pay a premium with tariff. (And the decent Chinese brands compare in price with US prices on US goods -- more expensive, a lot of cases.) I always arranged to have photographic, computer and other electronics delivered from the States.

And the Han are pretty miserable, you get right down to it. A lot of them will be the first to admit it.

A "better quality of life"? Don't bet on it.

I lived and worked in KL for 10 years and loved it. I agree that it looks a bit dull at first, and you really need to make your own life there - same as anywhere. There are great pubs and restaurants not so much in the city centre (well there really isn't one!), but in the KL suburbs and the adjoining Petaling Jaya area. Lots of cultural activities too. My then wife and I would go out most nights with expat and local friends for dinner, music etc. There are no areas like Nana or Cowboy - this is a majority Muslim country - but like Singapore there are places with girls if this is what you want.

Most of the comments by others are subjective, but to correct one comment ALL Malaysian citizens, regardless of race, can buy land. As a foreigner you can buy a lease for property including a house on land under the Malaysian My Second home provisions. I have never been mugged or robbed there - or anywhere else. Bahasa Melayu is much easier to learn than Thai and is written in the "English" alphabet. But as almost everyone speaks English there is not much need for it - I use it sometimes in Indonesia (very similar language).

If you want a great social life join the Hash House Harriers (the drinking club with a running problem), in Malaysia or any other country. In KL there are many chapters with a mix of expats and locals - you will meet people from all over the world and the locals will tell you what is really happening in Malaysian business, society and politics.

I live in Bangkok now and really like it too. Which is best? They are very different cities, cultures, languages and both have challenges - but living in any "foreign" country has its rewards. I lived in Hong Kong too and would happily go back there.

I suggest if you want to try KL give it a couple of years before giving up - but the same applies anywhere.

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I was the guy who stated Chinese and Indian Malays cannot own land. Thought I was right about that (obviously), but will look into it more. >>> A few times I ran and hung out with the Hash House Harrier cats on Langkawi. Nice group. But I would have drawn the line if they actually told me I had to drink the Tiger from my shoe.

having lived in bkk for years and now iivng in kl for a year, i would say most definately bangkok is far superior in many ways. kl is a stinking fetid rathole full of rapists,thieves and scumbags.one cannot walk along the street with their spouse without being harrassed by indian cockroaches.no woman is safe after dark or even during the day.kl has nothing to offer at all.families get mugged at night even with small children.i am currently looking to have my condo lease taken over and to get the hell out of kl. as a christian and a white man in kl i am looked down on as dirt, and as my fiance is malay the people here treat us rather poorly.as far as i am concerned i cannot wait to move back to thailand and leave that city to slide into the sea.

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Yeah, but that Indian chow: mmmm-mmmm-good! You just gotta hit the places with the non-rapist waiters.

Been there quite a few times, the last few only because I had to. Agree with most others, hotels way (way) less value than Thailand. You'll pay maybe US$60-70 for comparable Thai accommodations at $20-25. More English, less friendliness, more tension. Part of the latter is the official favoritism to the "Sons of the Earth", ethnic mainly Muslim Malay. Malay citizens of Chinese and Indian descent, for instance, cannot own land. They otherwise get crapped on, pretty good. Thus on occasion they break out the water canons to hose down the pissed off Indian-Malay guys.

In general I would describe the citizen vibe as more *uptight* than other parts of SE Asia. In a few cases, for no apparent reason, kind of hostile.

And, right, the sin tax in Malaysia is absurd. Beer is bad, booze is a joke. But you can hop to Langkawi. Entire island is duty free, pretty much, no sin tax.

I'm not seeing any comparing KL to BKK going on. Completely different cities.

Met my now ex-Thai wife on Ko Tao. She was en route from NZ (where she lived) to Italy, stopped off in Chumphon to visit mom, hopped to Ko Tao to get dive certified. She was a cute and happy 25-year-old with a hardbody from working out every day back in NZ. (Had some of the best workout form of any person I knew, in fact. Perfect at lifting, hell of a running stride.) University educated, spoke and wrote fluent English, had traveled Europe, then more or less settled in Auckland. I pretty much fell for her, island romance style.

After about 10 days on the islands we reluctantly went our separate ways, then about two months later she flew back from Europe, me from the US and we met up in BKK. Tried to get her a visitors visa for US, but denied because of the fact she traveled so much and had not resided in Thailand for some years. Even though she was from a good family (mother, anyway) with property and bank accounts, US Consulate shut her (us) down on the spot: "You have no reason to return to Thailand", officer said (probably for the millionth time).

She seemed okay until we got back to the hotel room, then she lost it. Got to me. Said the words: "Ying, I will get you to the US even if I have to marry you."

About five months and some major (major) governmental aggravation later, brought her in on a fiance visa and married her. Started the residency process.

Took me about a month to realize there was no way we would go the distance. Just not enough basis for communication. No matter how westernized she was, was just never going to happen. Gym, mountain biking, running, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, eating... If you can't have an interesting conversation once in a while, it's no-go (for me). Good woman, too. Worked for her own money, went to school, took classes to learn how drive the streets of San Francisco and always honest -- at least until I broke it to her we were going to split.

I stuck it out for three years, then after final immigration interview, she had her green card and I ended it.

After her major tantrum (the first and only), busted up some of my picture frames, shattering the glass all over the floor, a while after, anyway, she knew it was for the best.

In short: That was my last and likely final serious relationship with a Thai woman. Seems like even the smart ones, there is always that cultural curtain...

A very poignant post, as it shows, it isnt just the "country" girls

Can WW please forward me her number and a photo ?

Oh for someone that you did not have to talk too...and looked hot and could do all that exercisy stuff

my sponsor to Thailand suggested exactly that,

having a girlfriend that didnt speak the language, but whose body language spoke for her.

There is a price for that, I know,

and it was worth paying,

every week

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There is something to be said for that: The *simple things in life*. The other gal I almost married, Swiss / Canadian dual citizenship, US Green Card, young advertising professional in San Francisco, serious up-and-comer (now a jet-set exec, think knocks-down at least a half-mill a year), never a dull moment with her. In complete sync, brain and sense of humor-wise. Brilliant, a blast to be around and a hottle. Maybe why that tech billionaire dude (Ellison) scooped her up. (Well, that and I was in jerk phase at the time, her previously enthusiastic adoration ebbed and she became, shall we say, *somewhat disenchanted*.) Pretty sure not too much tech billionaire competition, 'round these parts.

Thailand makes me laugh, I rented a bike today to ride from Pattaya to Nong nooch, got stopped at roadblock and fined 200 baht for no internationallicence although I've been riding bikes for 40 years. Obviously that'll make the roads safer then!!!

Since 1995 motored all over north and south, never been asked for Thai or "International" DL. But, then again, only got stopped once at a checkpoint in Thailand. The idiocy of an "International" DL is: It is only a translation of your home country DL. Like, the cops can't understand your DL issuance and expiration dates? Twice stopped at Malaysian checkpoints. Looked at my California license, the MC certification, on my way, no prob,