PaullyW

'just accept everything' is no way for a cultured man to live.

I didn't say accept everything..........

One cannot truly integrate without giving up considerably his principles, in many cases. So, yes, one would not need to accept everything, but he would need to give up quite a lot -- esp if his principles were ingrained in a reasonably civil country.

'just accept everything' is no way for a cultured man to live.

Exactly. While I agree with much of what the OP wrote, he did fail to mention an additional group of expats.

The group who can bitch and moan when they feel the need and who still get on with their lives without fully "integrating". The group who accept that life is not always meant to be easy and everything is no black and white. Or, those who have principles that don't allow them to just accept everything they think they cannot change.

One less.

define english speaking country........nah let me help you

http://en.wikipedia....ficial_language

recommend you hit the geography lessons as well, or learn to use wiki

I think he meant White English speaking country.

Who can blame Thailand? They're obviously testing the waters of the projection of soft power regionally.

Does anyone really think that Cambodians, Burmese, Lao, Vietnamese or anyone except maybe Singaporeans have anything remotely near what we'd call good enough taste to see TH soaps for the complete pile of steaming horsesh!t that they really are?

I'll give you all of those but for the Myanmar'ese (they are not all Burmese). Maybe you are British?

A half century ago the "Burmese" were among the richest and most competitive countries in ALL OF ASIA. I think we are in for some interesting times with them. Vietnamese are rather competitive as well.

I think the Thais essentially have just been on the winning side of history lately (just by pure mostly stupid luck). They are in the league with Laos and Cambodia. Everyone else in the region is bound to be better.

This is some pretty funny shiFt.

This stupidity is a fundamental reflection of what makes is so easy here to just do whatever AND more-or-less whoever you want.

I taught at a Thai U for several months. In each of my seven classes, there was at least one katoy, some classes had two, one had three. I see an increasing number of young 'boys' being influenced by older kids / pee chai / TV shows, etc, and becoming effeminate. Thailand must certainly be the 'hub of effeminate men.' I'd estimate over 10% of school boys are headed that direction. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't think it's a good trend, or even liberating.

Maybe just coincidence; but every Thai college gal who screws around for extra income, has a katoy acting as an agent. Actually, it's not coincidence, but rather a natural role for effeminate men to fill.

Do you know where I can get info on these girls?

I'm quite serious. I'd love to meat a few.

Hi there. Just following up on this. Any info is most appreciated.

Kind regards,

So, no, Thailand (nor even Bangkok) is developed.

Stop kidding yourselves, guys.

We haven't even started discussing the complete absence of the rule of law (a fundamental requirement for a country to be really considered among the "developed" nations). Nor have we discussed how cheaply life is treated here. Nor have we discussed attitudes toward all manner of corruption.

http://en.wikipedia....veloped_country

Developed Country

A developed country or "more developed country" (MDC), is a sovereign state which has a highly developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less developed nations. Most commonly the criteria for evaluating the degree of economic development is gross domestic product (GDP), the per capita income, level of industrialization, amount of widespread infrastructure and general standard of living.^[1] Which criteria is to be used and which countries are classified as being developed is a contentious issue.

Developed countries have post-industrial economies, meaning the service sector provides more wealth than theindustrial sector. They are contrasted with developing countries, which are in the process of industrialization, or undeveloped countries, which are pre-industrial and almost entirely agrarian. According to the International Monetary Fund, advanced economies comprise 65.8% of global nominal GDP and 52.1% of global GDP (PPP) in 2010.^[2] In 2011, The ten largest advanced economies by either nominal GDP or GDP (PPP) are the United States,Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Spain, South Korea, and Australia.^[3][4]

http://dictionary.re...veloping nation

developing nation

Cultural Dictionary

developing nation definition

A nation where the average income is much lower than inindustrial nations,

where the economy relies on a few exportcrops,

and where farming is conducted by primitive methods. In many developing nations, rapid population growth threatens thesupply of food. Developing nations have also been called underdeveloped nations. Most of them are in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. ( See also Third World.)

I taught at a Thai U for several months. In each of my seven classes, there was at least one katoy, some classes had two, one had three. I see an increasing number of young 'boys' being influenced by older kids / pee chai / TV shows, etc, and becoming effeminate. Thailand must certainly be the 'hub of effeminate men.' I'd estimate over 10% of school boys are headed that direction. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't think it's a good trend, or even liberating.

Maybe just coincidence; but every Thai college gal who screws around for extra income, has a katoy acting as an agent. Actually, it's not coincidence, but rather a natural role for effeminate men to fill.

Do you know where I can get info on these girls?

I'm quite serious. I'd love to meat a few.

Here's the thing.

Thais are a heavily group oriented nationality where relationships and status matter far more than rules. That's just true. As a foreigner who perhaps has not lived in Thailand for a very long time, it may be difficult to appreciate how much effort Thais will often put into these kinds of relationships and status building activities. Who knows? The guy could have spent considerable effort to convince the management (or even someone higher up the ladder) to allow him to park his cars there. I mean, this sh!t does go on here and often. He could have befriended someone in management and helped them with some other issue that they had or attended one of their families' funerals or supported them in some other capacity.

So, what can happen sometimes is that we farang just trounce over all that because we care about RULES -- <snip> relationships if they flaunt the rules, right? Obviously, this doesn't work well in a place that is so relationship heavy. A much better way to handle these types of situations in Thailand (and the rest of the 3rd world Asia) to always first try the soft route. This is what Thais typically do with each other. Ask the guy, "hey, those are your two cars? nice. (smiling genuinely now) -- how did you get them to let you park two there? that's so convenient." blah blah blah. It takes much more effort than we farangs like, but it shows some respect for the status/relationship crap that Thais care most about. Doesn't always work.

And, of course, some people are just crazy as bat sh!t and nothing short of standing firm in the threat of violence will work.

Just some food for thought.

If i read it correctly you are saying because the guy spend time and effort to bribe / befriend people to break the law its ok ? That is like giving people in high places carte blanche to commit murder (and it has happened) I am totally not ok with this and many Thais also hate the class justice part. Just look at the outrage when a hi so drove into the bus passengers. Too bad there was no follow up to keep pressure on beause the guy probabably gets away with it.

Has nothing to do with farang or Thai but equality under laws and i believe and most of humanity believes that people are equal under the law. I wont say that shit does not happen but accepting it is of course a crazy thing.

This is how i read your piece if it was not intended like that then sorry..

No, I am simply stating an observation and offering what I think is often a plausible background that influences certain Thai behaviour. That's all. I care about rules, but, sadly, I'm in a country of 65 mil people who mostly don't seem to.

Here's the thing.

Thais are a heavily group oriented nationality where relationships and status matter far more than rules. That's just true. As a foreigner who perhaps has not lived in Thailand for a very long time, it may be difficult to appreciate how much effort Thais will often put into these kinds of relationships and status building activities. Who knows? The guy could have spent considerable effort to convince the management (or even someone higher up the ladder) to allow him to park his cars there. I mean, this sh!t does go on here and often. He could have befriended someone in management and helped them with some other issue that they had or attended one of their families' funerals or supported them in some other capacity.

So, what can happen sometimes is that we farang just trounce over all that because we care about RULES -- <snip> relationships if they flaunt the rules, right? Obviously, this doesn't work well in a place that is so relationship heavy. A much better way to handle these types of situations in Thailand (and the rest of the 3rd world Asia) to always first try the soft route. This is what Thais typically do with each other. Ask the guy, "hey, those are your two cars? nice. (smiling genuinely now) -- how did you get them to let you park two there? that's so convenient." blah blah blah. It takes much more effort than we farangs like, but it shows some respect for the status/relationship crap that Thais care most about. Doesn't always work.

And, of course, some people are just crazy as bat sh!t and nothing short of standing firm in the threat of violence will work.

Just some food for thought.

Made the front page of CNN .... That can't be good for saving face.

It looks like corruption beats all........I can't say I'm particularly shocked to see that however it's not been that long since wealthy politicians were buying votes in the UK..........maybe it will take a few more decades before Thailand gets on top of the problem.....if ever.

I think more importantly, it has been centuries (perhaps) since most Westerners have AT LEAST regarded such corruption as fundamentally wrong and bad for their respective countries. Perhaps it will be centuries until the Thais, by-and-large, AT LEAST regard such corruption as fundementally wrong and bad for Thailand..... perhaps never.

In other words, it's not likely to improve by the powerful and rich relinquishing their power and wealth. It will change when average Somchais and Nappadons take it upon themselves to force the change.

Perhaps the AoT are still mopping-up the puddles, from the flooding, and unable to focus on the other facilities required ?

But at the risk of stating the obvious, this will all need to be sorted-out before Air Asia switch all their flights over from Swampy, on 1st October !

In fact, as much as I like Air Asia (and fly them often), I will discontinue using them, as will the rest of the people in my firm (who travel extensively for business) once they've moved to DM. My company is a large regional MNC. I wouldn't doubt that other, similar companies would consider or do the same. Too bad. Air Asia seems to have gotten a bad deal on this one.

I used them through Don Mueng once and once to Phuket. I would never fly them again either. THey spread my family all over the airplane to include a 6 year old child and wanted me to pay to sit with my child. Done with them

That's crappy. They are a budget airline, but I'm not sure if other budget airlines do the same. I've not tried any of the others. My company will start using Thai and other flagship airlines like SG Air and such. Much more expensive, and, in the case of Thai, a horrible value, imo. I will avoid Thai as much as I can. Aside from the pretty flight attendents, I don't like anything about them.

The Swiss have colonised NORTH Korea....the present nutter with an overinflated ego running the place was educated in Switzerland.....

Using that logic, Thailand was colonised by the Swiss many years ago.

Or the Americans, in fact.

The counters opened only two hours ahead of boarding time, and the very slow check-in procedure did not leave passengers enough time to obtain their VAT refunds,

Obviously it sounds like the airport isn't ready for prime time yet but couldn't these folks have gone to VAT before the ticket line opened? Everything says to get to airport at least 2-hours early before an international flight but if you have other things to do at the airport beyond take your flight, would think a traveler would consider this time.

during the period specified in the complaint, only two check-in counters were available to serve the 270 passengers of both T’Way Air and PC Air, the Thai charter airline. The counters opened only two hours ahead of boarding time

Great job by the counters. Each counter processing 1.13 passengers a minute.

Right, Nisa. Seems as though you are missing the forest for the trees, as usual. I'll go with the international committee's opinions that the airport has some MAJOR issues over your save FACE, troll post. Thank you.

LMAO!!!!!

Good one, Beltherer.

Wait, I thought they were doing swimmingly... Tourism numbers were through the roof, I read. Man, so confusing.

It seems that Don Muang has become the "lo-so" airport.

Gotta love class based Thailand!!

DM is a perfect reflection of how Thais run things when they don't have to worry about International FACE. It represents the REAL Thailand -- not the fancied up, shiny cheap buildings and cultural show they try to put on for the world to show they are a "newly developed" country.

Perhaps the AoT are still mopping-up the puddles, from the flooding, and unable to focus on the other facilities required ?

But at the risk of stating the obvious, this will all need to be sorted-out before Air Asia switch all their flights over from Swampy, on 1st October !

In fact, as much as I like Air Asia (and fly them often), I will discontinue using them, as will the rest of the people in my firm (who travel extensively for business) once they've moved to DM. My company is a large regional MNC. I wouldn't doubt that other, similar companies would consider or do the same. Too bad. Air Asia seems to have gotten a bad deal on this one.

Of course there isn't.

If it's not bad enough that people who have never been to Thailand assassinating this country, there is a contingent on this thread who seem intent on doing the same. So let me tell you a stupid little story from this afternoon.

Myself, Smokie, and his Mrs were downtown Chaweng having a wander around, we fancied some Thai food so we asked a Thai the best place to go. They said don't eat on this street, and they referred us to a Thai cafe in Bang Rak. That particular cafe was closed so we crossed the road into a place called Khun Ying, it's nothing special to look at but it's a genuine Thai place.

Smokies Mrs is a Princess when it comes to food, ( in fact she's a Princess full stop ), and she was utterly amazed at the quality that was served to us. Among other things we had the Fried Fish spicy style, and it was superb, so good we ordered a second one. Okay, so far so normal, superb food is not that hard to find in Thailand. The owner of the restaurant asked if we wanted a taxi, anyone familiar with Samui will know that the taxis are a rip off, so we mentioned the word songthaew to him. He disappeared and reappeared 5 minutes later with his pick up truck, and he gave us a lift back to the Fisherman's Village free gratis. Off his own back, without being asked. A simple act of kindness to finish off a quite superb meal.

This is the Thailand that I love.

So to those guys on this thread that came out with the garbage about getting laid, you are desperate sick minded people. The fact that your mind runs immediately into that gutter is a reflection upon your class, which is......no class. Your mother's would be so proud.

I'm pretty sure I know what your Thailand is, so you stick to yours, and I'll stick to mine.

Just sayin'

Sounds like a nice time. Btw, though, this kind of story can be told of most ANY country anywhere on the planet. I have similar stories for most of the South American countries I've lived in. Same kind of kindness in the US. Same stuff in Europe. This is a human thing. It's not specific to Thailand. Although the Thai marketing geniuses would have us believe this type of thing only happens in Thailand.

So, do you love every country the same because of this? Or, is there something more impressive or more distinctive that you can elaborate on with respect to Thailand?