ChrisKC

No! If I could afford one, I would use the money for something else. I am not the ostentatious type!

Another one blaming the victim and effectively exonerating the thief.

It's been six months, dear

If I "pay" B1,000,000, half each to the girl and the parents and I don't get that money back (call it a free gift then), I have bought her and what's more, when the relationship fails I lose her as well! I can't claim on the guarantee either! I stand buy what I said which wasn't a gambit!

You notice them because they think more about the relationships that follow that are far more important than the "getting" married process. Please give advice to the foreigners, not just what is actually (traditionially) only symbolic, but the great number of relationships that will fail; doesn't matter the reason, before they even think about marriage or giving pots of money away, especially in Thailand and where there are significant age gaps between them. In the OP, the girl gets B500,000 and the parents get B500,000 - for "safekeeping" - HaHa! And if the relationship fails he has to say goodbye to that and maybe to half his remaining assets as well. Bad news at the beginning - bad news at the end - but only for the man - now, HE is a real loser! Plenty of stories abound! Would you fall for such a dumb deal?? I respect Thai tradition but I won't be a slave to it! I am not a slave to my English traditions either.

it is not normally mentioned, as it isn't here, that a dowry can only be considered authentic or justified when the daughter is a virgin; a sensitive question to establish such a thing of the girlfriend or the parents for the prospective husband! Marriage traditions have been handed down through many generations. For many years it was more the norm that a girl would be a virgin and thus, the dowry system would be enacted by most prospective couples, bearing in mind that near to 100% of both parties would then have been Thai and as I understand it, it was a token amount to show good faith and even a modest sum would be given back after the marriage ceremony. Now that there are numerous Interracial marriages, it isn't surprising, that certain of the traditions have been diluted in favour of a more mutual understanding of each others culture. The final point from my own personal perspective is that I see dowrys nowadays as a way to extract money mainly from rich Thais or from foreigners. I am not prepared to buy my girl. If she is Thai and we marry in Thailand, I am absolutely OK with a Thai wedding ceremony - that I did 5 years ago!

You might like to consider that not all women require all the marriage traditions to be met, especially as in the case of the OP, that of sinsod or dowry of any kind.

Yes, especially the OP

I have had at least three girlfriends that told me they loved me but didn't show it. I have had four dogs during my life and none of them told me they loved me but they certainly showed i! And I am NOT a human you need to avoid!

Not a dilemma at all. it is ransom money - I would show no interest in such a situation. It isn't the money, it is the audacity of parents and their supporters to suggest sinsod is a security (of the relationship) issue. And the girlfriend thinks it is reasonable - well, she would, wouldn't she? "Thin end of a wedge" springs to mind here My American friend, don't THINK about not returning, just don't

To me, an "exPAT" is somebody who used to be an Irishman.

I am an Englishman accustomed in my own usage of how to write the date. I don't only use numbers. Today's date for me is 13 Sept. Equally accurate is Sept 13 The numbers system used by USA and UK are both equally correct. However, it is equally true that using only numbers is confusing for each country using numbers only but only up to the month number 12. The USA also tend to put the year first in many cases. Nothing to do with logic but countries are to blame by not appreciating that there are more countries than their own, especially on the Internet, accessing information that may be date sensitive and therefore, in my opinion, there would be no confusion by anyone using the method in my first paragraph.

I wonder what the women have to say! Always two sides to a story.

I think it is a shame that a perceived bad experience (that could easily been avoided) at one store, about one incident, at one time, is suggestive of a generalised impression of all Thai hospitality. The title of this topic is hopelessly exaggerated.

Yes, it definitely is a good thing to do. I have set a target to achieve 10,000 steps per day that as well, as activities of ordinary daily living requires me to do some walking in addition to my biking. My app counts them and during August I completed 340,000 steps. In September so far, 8 days) including 17,000 just today arising from walking plenty round my house this evening with soil bags (200 kgs altogether) in fact double that because I moved them all back again after clearing up the mess the dirty water it created) to prevent the flooding from being worse than it might have been. 110,000 steps in 8 days! And where do I walk to? Nowhere, I do numerous circuits around my garden that is only 40 paces round! It isn't very interesting of course but I am not bored in the slightest!

You went online and found only one place? There are hundreds of places around the Chiang Mai area. I have been to at least a dozen of them. And all of them can be researched on Agoda or Booking.com But I will recommend one in particular just outside Doi Saket Town, called Jasmine Hills. The owners are from Singapore and very friendly. We have been there three times. Check out the information on agoda, then send me a pm and I will give you their private number and you can fix something direct.

Money only makes you happy about money. Nothing else!

Owl obviously can't see ALL. Missing Covid seems more like sees very little

So you know all about it then. Covidiots, conspiracy theorists and antivaxxers are still that. Utterly stupid!

I think if you found a genius girl, you two would be incompatible. Are you looking for a genius girl to help you write interesting posts on here?

I am 78 years old. I am in perfect health, physically and mentally. The last time I was in a hospital bed was 14th February, 1945. Never broken a bone or had any kind of serious medical condition - the worst I have suffered is flu! I have never taken supplements of any kind in my life - what's more, I have never had a dedicated electrolyte or energy drink. Had plenty of daily exercise that included more than 20 years as a runner in England and more than 70,000 kms on Thai roads as a cyclist, continuing currently. No running but two sessions a day of walking about 30 minutes each. I have a balanced diet that allows for the odd indulgence that means I am not stuck with a title of "vegan" or "Keto" or any other absolutist regime! Things can change in a moment, I know! I don't consider myself to be lucky, rather, that I haven't been unlucky! I value my situation and sympathise with those that cannot enjoy the same - I wish you all well!

Jesus saves, but Messi scores on the rebound! Some religious music like requiems where I don't understand the words is good with me! - Gospel music - can't stand it!

Boring!

You have an answer, you are already incompatible.

I wouldn't now nor did I ever, wherever I was, go around shirtless in public. It gives reason for many to notice and consider it disrespectful and not caring about one's appearance. If you don't have a good body, then it doesn't look very nice and if you have a great body, then you are being ostentatious and obviously out to impress. Bit like tattoos; what's the point of them if you can't display them to everybody? About the reason; too hot! Ever thought, in a tropical country at least, the heat is accompanied by direct sun to the skin and that surely will be hot, apart from the possible burning. And will you only be walking in the street but not entering any premises? Maybe carry some kind of top around your waist - that will look not so good either. So, NO! I DO go topless when on the beach, and shoeless and sockless - and no underwear - who would see, anyway?