flyingdoc

Ignoring many of the irrelevant and sexist comments about the cabin staff, it is certainly true that Thai are looking far more drab than they did say 20 or more years ago. Whilst buying / leasing the new A-380 might not have been the best decision, they must start to think about changing their present outdated fleet and yes, improve the quality of their in-flight meals. I was certainly disappointed on my last flight with them 6 months ago.

The weather, cost of living, hyper regulations and lack of service all go to make Thailand more attractive, but as so many posts have said, you need money to exist at a reasonable level even in the country areas!

If he feels that he is so Thai, why did he not take out citizenship and a Thai Passport during the last 55 years?

I am glad to see that 'native' got changed to 'girlfriend' later in the posts!

Yes, likened to a Scottish Summer!

My insurance on Samui, admittedly, is 8.000 p.a, and covers theft. The trouble is that now you have discussed the 300,000 Baht possibility with the insurance company, they are bound to recommend that course of action, as it lets them off the hook!

Ask eBay helpline! That's what they are there for!

To me the CM option seems the best and least complicated? It depends how far North you are from CM? Most doctors have to speak English and many courses are run in English as at Mahidol. All the best for a successful delivery! I imagine his parents /family would be delighted and proud if you chose Thailand for the birth?

Maybe money would not be the deciding factor with more educated girls, but attraction still plays a part as in most societies where arranged marriages are not the norm!

Very many airlines lease aircraft either from other airlines or leasing companies direct.

Just look at the mass of planes stored in the Mohave desert if they own them outright and don't have the anticipated use for them !

In many cases it is not anything to do with education, but Thai-ness as confirmed by many posts!

In fact Samui does not have the worst drivers! It has the worst motorbike riders, mainly because of an agreement to ask for a Passport as documentation, not a driving licence! Lots of people hire motorbikes and scooters, which they would never be allowed to do back home, and have no idea how to ride them! There are 10x more motorbike and scooter accidents on Samui pro rata than in the rest of Thailand!

For the time being, I would go straight to Hua Hin. You can always return to BKK later on if the protests die down!

Ever thought of negotiating amicably?

This is a difficult subject, and one that perplexes us when we are used, sometimes anyway, to different attitudes in our own country. Thais can be extremely polite, but there is indeed a tendency for stand-offishness, but with effort, it can be overcome, and once we are accepted, everything can turn out alright.

Boo makes some salient points. I agree with 'Thai fever'. Read it together - she on the right hand page in Thai, and you the English equivalent on the left hand page. Some good insights into breaking down the cultural barriers!

Over the last 27 years, I have found that English is being spoken less and less. Many Thais feel that as their country has the same population as Britain, they have an equal right to expect their language to be no 1. Even on Samui, I find little or no English being spoken, except by tourists who have to resort to some common language!

As far as conversations are concerned, when they are indeed possible, I cannot remotely agree. I have had masses of in-depth conversations, especially at University level, on every conceivable topic under the sun!

As many posts have referred to tipping, all the Thais I know fail to tip anywhere! I have often been surprised!

I think Loptr has summed up the salient points!

The weather is better, people more friendly and relaxed, far less expensive, less cameras - the average Briton who goes out to work is now estimated to be photographed no fewer than 34 times per day on CCTV etc. No charging for Hospital car parks, no speed cameras every 100 metres, no double yellow lines everywhere, no traffic wardens waiting to pounce or ensure you are clamped whenever possible, far less obesity, and still some values and respect for religion and their King.

Certainly get a DNA test done. Why not at a Government Hospital? Why did you so readily agree to have your name on the Birth Certificate if you don't know who the father really is?

Caveat emptor applies!

Make sure before you go , exactly what the trip includes and what it doesn't !

Be grateful, and take what you are offered! This is Thailand!

Escapism is getting away from routine, and doing something else - hopefully enjoyable!

Change sims, change apartments and disappear, if you cannot take the obvious decision yourself!

Some even prefer a reputable dating site, where they can correspond first, and find out a great deal before deciding whether to push further, and get involved or not!