Andrew65

Yes, I wondered if UNESCO or someone like that had helped set up their education system.

On my many visa-runs there I found there to be better spoken English in Cambodia than in Thailand.

In 2013, The Week reported that at least 3,278 Americans were serving life sentences without parole for nonviolent crimes, including "cursing at a policeman and selling $10 worth of drugs. More than 80 percent of these life sentences are the result of mandatory sentencing laws."

Thailand has the same population as the UK, but triple the prison population. c.250,000 V c.80,000.

...and then you get the multiple-divorcees who can't believe that anyone wouldn't want to be married?

Yes, but for many that's what it's about. In the last 5 years that I lived there I went in one once a year, or even less than that, and then only to meet someone for a drink.

If you're looking for love in go-go bars you're probably looking in the wrong place. But you can get Thai women who have ordinary jobs too. I'm now 7 years living back in the UK, and still living on my own, in that regard, out of choice. I'm 60 and for pretty much all of my adult life I've lived on my own.

"Don't talk to me about love."😊

A maid for cleaning. Your laundry's done. You eat out anyway. Nookie, no problemo.😊

Bangkok's the best place in the world to be single, why would you want to be living with someone? I lived there on my own for 20 years.

In the later years of my time in Thailand I wasn't really 'up for' dalliances with the ladies (or anyone). I also come to the conclusion that hanging-out in bars where that is on offer isn't a good thing to do if you're not 'up for' such things. It is assumed that if you're in such places that must be what you're lookin for, and you will become a target for unwanted attention.

It's when they drink, often to be seen in British city centres on weekend nights. I'm a Brit that lived for 20 years in Thailand, and drank pretty much every night, and never had problems, but I'm quite a happy drunk. When I'm close to having had enough to drink I head for bed, and sleep.

The worst thing with them is having to wait maybe several weeks for an appointment to see them (if it's still like that). And they charge about double what the Ozzie Embassy charges.

A long time ago my hotel receptionist gf lived in Muang Thon Thani and it was like that. Not a farang in sight. She never wanted me to go out alone there.

My old (very wealthy) Swedish friend used to say that any Swedish man named Billy etc (name ends in a Y) has probably been in prison.

The only real way of scrutinising people is before they arrive, by requiring them to obtain a visa before travel. But if all the Brits with a criminal record were denied a visa it would probably drastically reduce numbers. I think they are just getting what they're bound to get when they allow people to arrive unchecked, and as someone else mentions, it ain't just Brits. (Pre-COVID figures suggested that more Brits visit Thailand than any other farang nationality).

Have you ever been beaten-up by a ladyboy on such a night out!?🙂

On beer alone the Czechs were the biggest consumers (per capita).

Yes. You could see that they 'bridle loop' was caught in the harness, so the chute wasn't going to deploy.

This might be the guy where just before he jumps you can see that a 'bridle loop' attaching the pilot chute is caught in the harness? Which means that the main parachute was never going to open?

In the last 3 years of my 20 years in Thailand I found that boredom started to be an issue. Although I lived in BKK, so there were plenty of places to go etc. I would think that small-town Thailand is very restircted so far as things to see and do goes. After 7 years of living back in the UK the biggest thing I miss about Thailand is the weather, especially having just endured another British winter.

Probably a bit unfair because it's often unclear which of the UK nations they come from. English is most likely because it has a population 7 times that of Scotland and Wales combined.

Thailand has 3 times the prison population of the UK, and the population of the 2 countries is about the same.

In my 20 years in Thailand I worked in Australia (FIFO) for a few years, so I had to use the Australian Embassy for a work permit. Using the Australian Embassy/services was much nicer/quicker/ more convenient/cheaper than using the British Embassy.

Yep, the Mr Big's very seldom get caught, the guys caught here are 'mules', highly expendable.