JimsKnight

A few years ago, I happened to be seated next to a very straight laced looking lady on her way to London via Bangkok. She told me she and her husband's experience of expat communities anywhere were to be avoided at all costs. Well, just take a look at the number one topic this evening re the sexual appeal or otherwise, with a 'poll' no less, of a fugitive and devisive demagogue's young daughter.

Their are 'expats', and there are those that have chosen to live in a country not of their birth.

It sounds like she probably was a world away from some lofty glitter-brigade expats seen in other countries.

Correct me if I'm wrong but are you saying that to be an expat means some 'ivory tower' corporation/company has to be paying you an 'expat package'

I know many fine expatriates who have CHOSEN to live in LOS and are self-made in getting an ordinary job and earning a decent living.

Obviously these can't, by your reckoning, be 'expats' then can they?

Everyone needs to take a few steps back, remember this is Asia we're in, not some prudish and rigid office with David Brent shuffling around and chill.

Now as one of the few single expats out here that actually stays for longer than 4 months at a time I find that part of the reason is:

The age factor - Old, coffin dodgers who don't socialise that much. They just stay at home with the wife and kids and thats it. Getting them to come out and play is like trying to raise the titanic. But that's not their fault usually. But its just a reason.

The mentality - Even in my apartment which has a few younger farang in it there is this 'dam_n, another farang in Thailand' effect that you get. It's like you are spoiling their bubble by being near to them as they've come here to get away from white caucasians etc.

A very good expat-friend of mine and I summed it up like this:

The piss-head expats go to Patong beach, Phuket

The Whoremongers go to Pattaya (and Patong Beach to a lesser extent).

The piss-head expats who've got money, a proper expat company job and have a bit of sense to them go to Bangkok.

The Chill-heads, lay-backs and prima-donnas often end up in Chiang Mai and the other islands.

The Retiree's and statics end up in Hua Hin and Issan.

The unknowns and hiddens dwell in the south of Thailand and get up to their own thing down there, (never have figured them out yet)

Please don't take that to heart, it's just a rough generalisation for rule of thumb (typically).

For me I monger and drink from time to time (not at all right now) and chill and even static (but not much). It's the excess that gets you

Expats move around and don't always stay in one place, so there can be a 'changing of the guard' effect in a place over time.

An example of this was Chiang Mai pre-2000 when there were more characters and now it's less characters but more farangs in numbers

Now I've lived in Chiang Mai Province for xx months as a single dude and do find the place to be that bad but it is boring and the expats are very routinelike, married (often the wives have got them up their to be away from the big bad cities down south ). The whole 'expat club' scene is a bit too village-minded and group-think for my liking but it's a good way of meeting the local expats.

But the mentality of the locals and expats are more friendlier than say Bangkok where there is a more stand-offish, expat-snob mentality.

Yet the big city, naughty night-life expats are not usually boring and more characterful so you have a story or two to tell with/of them and there's usually sanuk etc etc.

So you've got good and bad sides to the whole scene depending on the area and crowd you hang out with.

The best crowd of expats (in general so far) were on the islands and in Hua Hin for me. They aren't perfect but there was a more even-handed mentality and 'all-round' quantity.

I am at ease in groups or as a rarely-seen solitaire who is just tinkering about doing some things and projects.

i do agree the whole negative boozy-ballshitters are unfortunately quite apparent out here there is something to take from this in experience and gaining knowledge on the what is and what isn't. Too much of that isn't a good thing.

Right now I'm on solitaire mode writing my books and projects etc etc, but next month it's into the sin-city expat scene.

The key is to keep on moving and don't stop in one place for too long. You never know what the next month brings and for me that is a part of lifes adventure. Too many expats forget that or trade it in for married life, which is a cool thing too

One thing that does piss me off are the people who seem to launch the whole moral crusades and wage these wars of words against the singletons and mongers doing there thing.

Expats choose their groove and if that's what they do, then that's what they do.

Sure, I don't agree with the nutcase lunatics, raging boozers/womanisers and primadonnas who seem to think they are walking demi-gods but it's a waste of time letting it get you down. You just swerve and move around that sht or play it off. You rarely should have to meet them head-on so to speak

So much truth in there that I LOLed. I'm certainly guilty of the "how dare you also be farang and here?" mentality once in a while.

Forgive my ignerrance but I thought an expat was someone who lived in another country: How can you be an expat if you live here for a few months at a time? (insert puzzled smiley)

here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate

Take note of the word 'Temporary' in the above link my tropical TV friend

Don't be such a nay-sayer.

This is good news, there are expansion planes in the UK too so Thailand doing this as well can only mean better speeds.

I remember it being a lot slower a few years ago you know

just wondering.

Well, I rolled past Nana and Cowboy a few hours ago and they were like gloomy alleys with shutters down and nothing open, farang walking like the undead with nowhere to go!

A lot of pssed off tourists with dazed expressions and wondering what city they were in drinking tea instead of tiger beer.

The ancient profession of 'human interation' between local and foreigner was going on the streets instead of the bars so I suppose in a metaphysical sense there is an 'open sense' if you get my drift

So I'd say it's gonna be like this for a few more days then back to the neon glory we all love

Jools Bar folk say the same.

Rama IX there was a biker bar open though so some places away from the main 'zones' might be worth a look.

Can someone explain to me why the pound has free-falled against the baht ?

Because the pound is weak

And the lunatics who've been running the asylum have lost control too!

People may laud G. Brown with being a skillful bean-counter but the fact is we're in a worse position than other countries in the EU, the £ has gone from being the queen of currencies in late 90s to early 00s to the leper!

Why? Because of the world economy AND Labours spend spend spend!

People said the Tories were bad and couldn't get any worse back in the 90s, I was one of the labour supporters (back in the day) how I've had my eyes opened.

My mind says this is the bottom we've hit now. But my heart says each time we check the baht rates on TV the bloody £ will keep on sinking.

I dunno what to say, I did a separate poll/thread on this and my direst prediction was £ = 58 baht (which I really didn't imagine happening) well its here and beyond!

We've just gotta cut back and ride the burning plane wreck all the way down and see how far the rabbit hole goes folks.

I notice a lot more farang drinking outside 7/11 like poor thais. Never seen that previously. Times are hard.

The BOEs hands-off approach basically means whenever I even hear that idiot on the news I usually just ignore 50% of the bs and just watch to see the trainwreckage of the £ get worse.

As everytime he does make an announcement the £ takes another bash.

If you are invested here as many of us are, (many ways: years living here, money, businesses, investments, housing, relationships, families, etc.) then of course if things turn bad, we have a plenty to lose, perhaps usually not as much as Thais, but plenty. If you are renting a serviced apartment month to month, have no illiquid assets here, have no significant ties to Thais, then it would simply be a matter of a jaunt to the airport. Yes, I think many of us have very rational reasons to care.

If it really kicks off I'll be staying right in Thailand along with quite a few others

Jump on the bike and head to the south to wait out the storm so-to-speak

I'm curious what would happen to Western expats if this did turn into a civil war. Would their condos and savings be confiscated for the good of the Thai people? Would they be whipped through the streets and strung up from lampposts? Is there an undercurrent of resentment against "wealthy foreigners"?

For me the PAD represents the individual more than the group-think and the PPP is just some dressed up right-wing socialistic drone government.

Which one is more farang friendly?

Well I think the PAD, historically (pre-2000) they've been more pro-foreigner and laissez-faire. So my hand would be thrown in with them (if it had to be) if they are foriegner friendly again.

Compare this with the current government who have introduced a systematic suppression (read the moralistic laws) or liberties and immigration bs.

Toxins hordes certainly are not friendly towards farang unless you've embedded yourself into a thai village somewhere.

I know who my money would be with

But I wouldn't worry if you've got all your money in a safe haven offshore (which a wise expat always should consider).

But for those in Bangkok with big money tied up it would be more troublesome.

Hi all,

I bit sensitive question I know but I have some "things" that I would like to donate to the PAD.

The things I would like to donate are items to increase personal safety.

You can leave a message here or send a PM.

Please no rants as to why I would want to support such a group.

Kind regards,

Well, one way is to get on your bike if you're in Bangkok and just ride to the Government occupied buildings (if they still occupy them) and see how far you get past the picket lines to a head honcho.

If you can't just ask some of the merc guards there if they've got for details

Better yet, just hire a pick-up and dump all the kit at the picket-lines and ride off

There are interesting people still in Thailand, but not that many on this thread, too many do-gooders and people expecting folk to do as they say .

Trouble is the Ulysses G types and the other golden oldies are a dying breed and these younger, arrogant twits are becoming a bigger factor.

Thankfully the other Euro types haven't gone the crazy way of the younger generation types

Sorry to hear your loss, good hear there were some BIB dudes who took care.

I am always wary in crowds like that. But the linking arms thing is a new one on me, seems they are getting pretty creative now.

well if they are not doing this ' Job ' in the UK, they will only be doing the same in Pattaya !

i highly doubt they where ' Forced ' to earn 5 times as much in the UK then here in Thailand...

well thats my 2 cents

Well I agree to a degree, you often hear the story from women who've already 'escaped'.

I notice the prosecution have dropped the trafficking charge! Small wonder when they often know what they getting themselves into.

Hi

Maybe someone can help me looking for a job in Thailand that pays 10,000 pounds a month and having trouble finding it. As you known the pound is declining and I need more money for living in Thailand

Just step this way, there's a certain 'package' I need walking through customs and onto a plane to Melbourne t'will be a cinch I promise you. No really!

Won't be problem, no questions asked.

See you at the Bangkok Hilton, *Ahem*, I mean the Hilton Hotel for the exchange

Thanks, Krugerands may mean nothing to Thais but gold is gold baby

Yeah I figured chinatown but thought there might be somewhere else other than the traffic nexus down there.

And no, not short of funds, but it's always good to know where to get hard cash if TSHTF

At Suvarnbhumi not that bad, although they are often as grim as greenback.

The girls are more indifferent usually.

At Don Muang they were a lot friendlier and the girls would sometimes make a wee bit of small talk.

A certain smoozing thai at Ranong Immigration I'll always have a wee grudge cause he cheated me on an overstay fine (it wasn't much 400 baht or something).

But they've usually ok there though.

Though it may be true that Thailand, due to it's cheap 'n easy nightlife and lack of law 'n order, attracts a large amount of the much celebrated misfits, criminals et al, it is also true that expats in less-developed countries tend to be independent adventurous types. Not exactly the type of person that wants to spend many blissful hours in a group of people who try to drag him back to the good old home atmosphere and general stimulating chit-chat about how crap the pound, dollar or euro is, or how Blair 'n Bush make such a lovely couple....

For the same reason he prolly doesn't see why he should smile/wink at a passing long-nose to show their beautiful, close kinship in a land of us-against-them....

I enjoy stimulating conversation wih expats, but it is hard to find. Expats with stimulating minds tend to shy away from general contact, as it tends to be boooooooooring!!

Went to a bar the other night for the first time in a looooooong time with me lovely wife. Expat starts talking to me, I think great, some light relief. No go, Jose. Within minutes I had to get outta there or commit suicide.

This is a problem.

Agreed. It seems that many of the adventurous types have moved on *somewhere* a good few years ago. I found them practically extinct up in Chiang Mai.

My over 20 years of living on and off in Thailand, I have only found a handful of my fellow expats that seem interested in becoming involved with other Farangs socially with exceptions to those who frequent the bar scene, (barmates) who will chat and when we are customers of some sort, visiting a Farang owned restaurant, bars etc.

Some Farangs may feel that Thailand is less open and far less accepting or tolerant of us than the Thais say they are, which can make one feel they are in an isolated situation and that the level of disinterest, or even rudeness occasionally illustrated by their fellow expats can be rather discerning and even considered as a type of discrimination towards their own kind, that rather puts a dampener on the whole Thai experience.

To my fellow expats, what is your opinion of the expat scene in Thailand? Do you feel that expats could be more hospitable and sociable to their peers here? Or now that you are living in Thailand, consider that this a new beginning and prefer to keep yourself to yourself, perhaps even reclusive?

What about the newbies? Would you like to see more expat support for expats? More expat social clubs, expat advice centres set up, especially for those trying to get adjusted to Thai life and don’t know the ropes yet.

Now as one of the few single expats out here that actually stays for longer than 4 months at a time I find that part of the reason is:

The age factor - Old, coffin dodgers who don't socialise that much. They just stay at home with the wife and kids and thats it. Getting them to come out and play is like trying to raise the titanic. But that's not their fault usually. But its just a reason.

The mentality - Even in my apartment which has a few younger farang in it there is this 'dam_n, another farang in Thailand' effect that you get. It's like you are spoiling their bubble by being near to them as they've come here to get away from white caucasians etc.

A very good expat-friend of mine and I summed it up like this:

The piss-head expats go to Patong beach, Phuket

The Whoremongers go to Pattaya (and Patong Beach to a lesser extent).

The piss-head expats who've got money, a proper expat company job and have a bit of sense to them go to Bangkok.

The Chill-heads, lay-backs and prima-donnas often end up in Chiang Mai and the other islands.

The Retiree's and statics end up in Hua Hin and Issan.

The unknowns and hiddens dwell in the south of Thailand and get up to their own thing down there, (never have figured them out yet)

Please don't take that to heart, it's just a rough generalisation for rule of thumb (typically).

For me I monger and drink from time to time (not at all right now) and chill and even static (but not much). It's the excess that gets you

Expats move around and don't always stay in one place, so there can be a 'changing of the guard' effect in a place over time.

An example of this was Chiang Mai pre-2000 when there were more characters and now it's less characters but more farangs in numbers

Now I've lived in Chiang Mai Province for xx months as a single dude and do find the place to be that bad but it is boring and the expats are very routinelike, married (often the wives have got them up their to be away from the big bad cities down south ). The whole 'expat club' scene is a bit too village-minded and group-think for my liking but it's a good way of meeting the local expats.

But the mentality of the locals and expats are more friendlier than say Bangkok where there is a more stand-offish, expat-snob mentality.

Yet the big city, naughty night-life expats are not usually boring and more characterful so you have a story or two to tell with/of them and there's usually sanuk etc etc.

So you've got good and bad sides to the whole scene depending on the area and crowd you hang out with.

The best crowd of expats (in general so far) were on the islands and in Hua Hin for me. They aren't perfect but there was a more even-handed mentality and 'all-round' quantity.

I am at ease in groups or as a rarely-seen solitaire who is just tinkering about doing some things and projects.

i do agree the whole negative boozy-ballshitters are unfortunately quite apparent out here there is something to take from this in experience and gaining knowledge on the what is and what isn't. Too much of that isn't a good thing.

Right now I'm on solitaire mode writing my books and projects etc etc, but next month it's into the sin-city expat scene.

The key is to keep on moving and don't stop in one place for too long. You never know what the next month brings and for me that is a part of lifes adventure. Too many expats forget that or trade it in for married life, which is a cool thing too

One thing that does piss me off are the people who seem to launch the whole moral crusades and wage these wars of words against the singletons and mongers doing there thing.

Expats choose their groove and if that's what they do, then that's what they do.

Sure, I don't agree with the nutcase lunatics, raging boozers/womanisers and primadonnas who seem to think they are walking demi-gods but it's a waste of time letting it get you down. You just swerve and move around that sht or play it off. You rarely should have to meet them head-on so to speak

blah blah

I'll take that as a compliment from you Mr Grimtooth

Got some Kugerrands and went into the local jewellers (at Tescos) for a quick valuation.

The head woman behind the counter fobbed me off (she didn't have a scooby about other gold types)

Anyone know where the best place in Bangkok for gold valuation of krugs. is???

Cheers

My over 20 years of living on and off in Thailand, I have only found a handful of my fellow expats that seem interested in becoming involved with other Farangs socially with exceptions to those who frequent the bar scene, (barmates) who will chat and when we are customers of some sort, visiting a Farang owned restaurant, bars etc.

Some Farangs may feel that Thailand is less open and far less accepting or tolerant of us than the Thais say they are, which can make one feel they are in an isolated situation and that the level of disinterest, or even rudeness occasionally illustrated by their fellow expats can be rather discerning and even considered as a type of discrimination towards their own kind, that rather puts a dampener on the whole Thai experience.

To my fellow expats, what is your opinion of the expat scene in Thailand? Do you feel that expats could be more hospitable and sociable to their peers here? Or now that you are living in Thailand, consider that this a new beginning and prefer to keep yourself to yourself, perhaps even reclusive?

What about the newbies? Would you like to see more expat support for expats? More expat social clubs, expat advice centres set up, especially for those trying to get adjusted to Thai life and don’t know the ropes yet.

Now as one of the few single expats out here that actually stays for longer than 4 months at a time I find that part of the reason is:

The age factor - Old, coffin dodgers who don't socialise that much. They just stay at home with the wife and kids and thats it. Getting them to come out and play is like trying to raise the titanic. But that's not their fault usually. But its just a reason.

The mentality - Even in my apartment which has a few younger farang in it there is this 'dam_n, another farang in Thailand' effect that you get. It's like you are spoiling their bubble by being near to them as they've come here to get away from white caucasians etc.

A very good expat-friend of mine and I summed it up like this:

The piss-head expats go to Patong beach, Phuket

The Whoremongers go to Pattaya (and Patong Beach to a lesser extent).

The piss-head expats who've got money, a proper expat company job and have a bit of sense to them go to Bangkok.

The Chill-heads, lay-backs and prima-donnas often end up in Chiang Mai and the other islands.

The Retiree's and statics end up in Hua Hin and Issan.

The unknowns and hiddens dwell in the south of Thailand and get up to their own thing down there, (never have figured them out yet)

Please don't take that to heart, it's just a rough generalisation for rule of thumb (typically).

For me I monger and drink from time to time (not at all right now) and chill and even static (but not much). It's the excess that gets you

Expats move around and don't always stay in one place, so there can be a 'changing of the guard' effect in a place over time.

An example of this was Chiang Mai pre-2000 when there were more characters and now it's less characters but more farangs in numbers

Now I've lived in Chiang Mai Province for xx months as a single dude and do find the place to be that bad but it is boring and the expats are very routinelike, married (often the wives have got them up their to be away from the big bad cities down south ). The whole 'expat club' scene is a bit too village-minded and group-think for my liking but it's a good way of meeting the local expats.

But the mentality of the locals and expats are more friendlier than say Bangkok where there is a more stand-offish, expat-snob mentality.

Yet the big city, naughty night-life expats are not usually boring and more characterful so you have a story or two to tell with/of them and there's usually sanuk etc etc.

So you've got good and bad sides to the whole scene depending on the area and crowd you hang out with.

The best crowd of expats (in general so far) were on the islands and in Hua Hin for me. They aren't perfect but there was a more even-handed mentality and 'all-round' quantity.

I am at ease in groups or as a rarely-seen solitaire who is just tinkering about doing some things and projects.

i do agree the whole negative boozy-ballshitters are unfortunately quite apparent out here there is something to take from this in experience and gaining knowledge on the what is and what isn't. Too much of that isn't a good thing.

Right now I'm on solitaire mode writing my books and projects etc etc, but next month it's into the sin-city expat scene.

The key is to keep on moving and don't stop in one place for too long. You never know what the next month brings and for me that is a part of lifes adventure. Too many expats forget that or trade it in for married life, which is a cool thing too

One thing that does piss me off are the people who seem to launch the whole moral crusades and wage these wars of words against the singletons and mongers doing there thing.

Expats choose their groove and if that's what they do, then that's what they do.

Sure, I don't agree with the nutcase lunatics, raging boozers/womanisers and primadonnas who seem to think they are walking demi-gods but it's a waste of time letting it get you down. You just swerve and move around that sht or play it off. You rarely should have to meet them head-on so to speak

Hi all,

Iv'e just got back from visiting a very well known fitness centre in major Ratchayothin, to enquire about the cost for joining, on a short term basis, say 6 months. Anyway, i already know there gonna try the hard sell as many people have told me before hand.

i explain to the sales assistant the situation that i only want to use free-weights, and don't need a tour, she then proceeds to sell me a long term contract so i explain again, "i don't want a long contract as i will be returning home soon" she then says i can have a 3 year contract for 10,999 Baht!

This is too good to be true,out of curiousity i ask for the brochure "No, don't have" "special price, only today" i ask, can i think about it "No, pay now, only by credit card, you have card" which i duly produce but for some reason a debit card isn't good enough? anyway to cut a long story short, this goes on for another 10 minutes

Thats when i smell a rat and tell her, "its ok, i will leave it for now" at that moment i get up and notice members of staff staring daggers at me but some look embarressed by it all and can hear loud exchanges in Thai being relayed, then the little miss madam huffs and throws her pencil on the ground and walks off in plain veiw of Thai customers!.

Can you believe it! all the time, i kept my cool, didn't raise my voice just kept a blank expression (it helps being married to Thai ) as i left but inside i was fuming.

Needless to say, i wont be joining said Gym with the load music and trashy paint job.

has anyone else had an experience like that? and whats with the no brochure or price lists?

I went past the ritzy glitzy one on Sukky near the Emporium a few days back, it didn't appeal to me. I'll just keep doing my own thing at the apartment and keep hitting those streets

This should be interesting

Lonely Planet writer says he made up part of books

Sun, Apr 13, 2008

Reuters

(Reuters) - An author for the Lonely Planet travel guidebook series has claimed that he plagiarized and made up large sections of his books, an Australian newspaper reported on Sunday.

Author Thomas Kohnstamm told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper he had worked on more than a dozen books for Lonely Planet, including their titles on Brazil, Colombia, the Caribbean, South America, Venezuela and Chile.

The Lonely Planet guidebooks sell more than six million copies a year.

The Sunday Telegraph said Kohnstamm also claims in his new book "Do Travel Writers Go To hel_l?" that he accepted free travel, contravening company policy.

He said in one case he had not even visited the country he wrote about.

"They didn't pay me enough to go to Colombia. I wrote the book in San Francisco. I got the information from a chick I was dating -- an intern at the Colombian consulate," the newspaper quoted Kohnstamm as saying.

Lonely Planet said it had reviewed Kohnstamm's guidebooks but had not found any inaccuracies in them, the Sunday Telegraph said.

Yes, this is one of quite a few reasons I completely boycott Lonely Planets stuff, bar it's language book (which is ok).

Another is the know-it-all backpacker types who seem to think that the lonely planet book on Thailand is the be-all and end-all and *somehow* its prices are sacrosanct and all-knowing.

So when they show up at a place they must have some power-buzz on how the prices *must* be xxx baht because lonely planet says so!

Sorry love but that's about 5 years out of date Take a hike

Hello,

My Thai Wife, new born daughter and myself are relocating to Thailand next year.

What are the typical financing deals available in Thailand when buying new and second-hand cars?

I can get approx a 10% return on my money. I'm considering whether to use cash or financing when buying a car.

Thank you.

Regards

Arran.

Cash is king!

Ive been meaning to post this on here for a long time but keep forgetting but heres a question I would really like to find some answers to.

A large portion of farang generally come from colder climates, so why is it that so many drive around with the drivers window open ? is it any of these or something els ?

They want to be seen ?

They want to economize on fuel and sweat rather than use the air-con ?

They like the smell of two stroke exhaust ?

They like filling their car with road dust ?

If it was an old car or pickup they were driving with less than perfect air-con I could see their point but 99% are driving new, can somebody show some light on this please ? maybe your one of these dusty sweaty crew, let us into your secret...

Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

Jeez some people need to calm down and just let it be.

If farang want the feeling from the wind blustering in then let it be man.

You must be seriously conservative and square if you let a little thing like this bother you.

Personally, when I'm on the road, if someone has a the window down I'd feel more at ease that some faceless driver with all the windows up, cooped up chicken with the aircon on 24/7

For me my big luxury is the aparment I stay in.

It's 9,000 baht a month but has all the trimings and is nice and quiet, even for Bangkok. It's with 5 minutes walk to the nearest MRT station and I've got no complaints so far.

I've budgeted for about 70,000+ per month but that is by no means set in stone, I usually aim for lower than that and manage about 35 - 50 k depending on what I'm doing.

Internet is rapido and the place is a new build, I may move on after 3 or 4 months.

People mentioned a problem with travelling, it's no problem if you travel by motorbike. Grab a pack and pack it and off you go. I just trailblazed from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and it cost me no more than 5,000 baht for a rip-roaring biker trip with stop-offs in every city and exploring what Thailands got to offer.

The key is to operate at a level you are happy in. If you swing low then you might start missing out on what's going on around you.