Mot Dang

You could be dead right about them getting a kick-back after the holes filled-in, but I have had a similar reaction when I do something in my village if I repair/change anything, report anything damaged or broken to the local admin office, ask a local to change or repair something that affects the village. And I have been here 35 years. What it comes down to is loss of face. Whoever has not done their job (generally through just bloody laziness), I was making visible to most of the village. Then tongues start wagging, "did you see the falang do this, do that, he has no business doing that, next he will have his hi-so wife down here".

Falang are not supposed to do anything, after all general consensus is that we are as thick as bricks, Thais know everything. Do something a Thai would not thought of and they really get pissed off. We are immediately smart <deleted>. "Show-off hi/so falang." Thais don't like being shown how to do something by a falang full-stop. It is a part of the myth of THAINESS.

There are a lot of very good postings here. Good stuff. All are varied and coming from a different angle, but most are right. Good that more falang do have their heads screwed on right.

I can't even think what will happened after 10-20 years on this way ...

I could almost write a book answering your question. I have lived in Thailand for going on 35 years. I have seen massive changes to Thai culture, and face it that is what we are talking about here. I don't want to sound like a Thai basher, because I am not. I have too much at stake. I first visited Thailand in 1980 (aged 30) and fell in love with Thailand and the Thai people. I found in the 80's Thais were very laid back, nothing worried them, they had a " it will be right mate" attitude. Then in 1984 they started the first Amazing Thailand Campaign. For me that was year zero. Thai families were very closely knit. Centuries old Thai traditions were paramount. Children were very polite, and assisted the family with chores after school such as attending vegetable gardens etc. They respected the elderly. Most Thais were poor, there was only a fraction of the middle class there is today.

The tourist industry and international trade expanded rapidly, the middle class (the "Chulalongkorn Cult") grew rapidly. Thais now had the taste for money and with that corruption was adopted as the norm. Successive governments obsessed with personal advantage took over, the people (in the Issan and southern provinces) were forgotten.

Now newer generations believe only money can bring happiness. And money buys drugs. Children no longer attend to set chores, vegetables are delivered on the back of trucks. Where water was humped from the dam, it is now pumped.

I first visited Soi Cowboy in the 80's. It was fun, the girls were cheeky, but mainly honest. Hundreds of my generation met girls, married, and left for a better life. The marriages lasted (those that I know). Not now, and your description is fair.

I met a lovely girl from Issan in 1982, we married, and are still happily married.

All I can say is don't give up. Take your time. Be street smart, and very importantly learn and respect Thai ways and culture.

In fact the are two very good books called, Thai Ways and More Thai Ways, that give you clues to the Thai psych.

As a PS, your lucky, you found Thailand early in your life. In the 80's there were extremely few 20 yo guys getting around, why ?, at that age we had no money.

The first shoe dropped in 1997; 2008 was a reminder; the other shoe is due to drop, much likely sooner than later. 10 or 20 years? Optimistic I"m thinking.

I agree wholeheartedly. I was living in BKK in 1997. I watched the richest Mercedes dealer in the world, on Sukhumvit, convert his showroom to a flea market. 10 to 20 years ? My gut feeling is 5-10 years. The baht is artificially inflated, the first movements will be seen there. Then comes small business. Small business is the economy health barometer for all countries. I don't think Thailand is any different. Young Thais live for the day. They want their big TVs, their cars, nose jobs, tit jobs, masses of hi-so cosmetics. The economy tells them, SPEND. Very few young Thai (including my family), and have good jobs, save anything. They live on credit and to them Thailand is invincible. Call it as being a part of the myth of "Thainess".

I can't even think what will happened after 10-20 years on this way ...

Buy and fit a small safe at home cost about 1600 baht, carry a good photocopy with you.

I did the same, but bought a safe to fit my tablet, and the wife's little red gold bag. All my papers go into it. Payed about 5,500 baht, at one of those Office Supply shops. Some might find that pricey, but gives you peace of mind. Installed it myself, dynabolts into the floor.

I carry a laminated copy of the information page and my retirement visa page. A couple of friends also carry a copy of the "pass freely" page.

She would not be my wife for long if she didn't know who she must listen and obey...

But do you have a Thai wife ? You didn't actually say you did. If you do, maybe one morning you will wake up and find you have had a hair cut - a Thai hair cut. Don't laugh it happens.

My wife built our mud brick bungalow.

She designed it, she took care of the planning / scheduling and she instructed the local workers (mostly rice farmers) exactly how she wanted it built.

Started off with the intention of being a 1 room bungalow where I could go and hide if the karaoke got too loud in the bar but it must have got lost in translation. LOL !!!001.JPG002.JPG012.JPG013.jpg016.JPG021.jpg

Cool house !

Yep, I think we both have seen similar experiences in building a house in Thailand, and supervised by the trouble and strife. But really this happens in any country, the difference is Thais are a little bit more forgiving that you got angry with them.

Once you get away from the typical 4 wall cinder block bungalow design common up-country, anything can happen.

When Abhisit comes out and criticizes the current draft constitution....you can be sure there is something wrong with it!

dang, I gotta agree with you again...

I just about nearly chocked when I read that headline. So did my wife when I gave her a translated copy of the article. Only time I think we have agreed with pretty boy. But I dare say I think his concerns will have little effect.

RIP, just displays how unsafe/low Thai balcony railings can be. Interesting that it's not only a farang problem - drunk and falling off balcones.

Agreed about the balcony heights, lots are very low and designed for "Thai" sizes.

Question tho ... are "Chinese" now not considered farang/foreigners?

Chinese have never been considered as farang. You just have to look at the history of the word, being derived from the word for the French merchants and mercenaries in the 1700's. This is not a history lesson, I wont give details.

The Thai have other names for the Chinese and Thai Chinese, Indians and Japanese etc. Some acceptable and some not so acceptable in conversation.

This guy is a banker, remember, and a member of the upper class. He has to refer to money matters as the country's biggest issues. That's his job. Those rose-colored glasses may not be so rosy in the not so distant future. What is more important than the holey dollar (sorry, baht) ?

I don't agree that countries should be allowed to carry out penalties that are just plain wrong, without criticism.. Who agrees with the public beheading of women in Saudi ? Yes Indonesia has expressed their right to carry out the sentence, which some posters agree with. But I look at it and say that they have already been punished for 10 years in a terrible environment, but still in that environment, as a lot of people believe, they have reformed. They were only very young when they performed this crime.

Additionally if the execution is stopped it is not that they go free, they will still spend the rest of their days in an Indonesian jail.

I think you have done well. Been there, done that. Not much you can do about it once the family steps in, particularly Yi. My advice would be that when she gets to the toddler stage, you ensure that you call her Daphne. She will grow up with both names, and you will show the rest of the family, that yes you do have a say. She will make up her own mind what her name is to be. A lot of falang/Thai kids do anyhow.

I don't know one Thai who owns his/her car. Sure a fewer older cars are owned but the bank seems to own the rest. Thais (and I swear this is not Thai bashing), seem to save little, nor want too. All my younger extended family live for the day. Nothing gets saved. Big TVs stuffed into the typical small apartment for example. The latest cloths etc. Everything has be new and sparkling. If there is another crash it will be tragic I'm sure. And then the blame game will start.

Greed for lack of a better word seams to be what runs this country. Beleave me,it will come back to bite them in there pocket book.

I have been thinking this for years. How do they do it ? Will it come back and bite them. I was living in BKK during the last crash, it was a mess. Why hasn't it happened again ? Rubber and Palm Oil are very weak and Rice down. They have had a political upheaval and still nothing sticks. Thailand the Teflon economy. Really ? Like others I am not an economist, but I am still bewildered.

Damn... I should have gotten a Beggar's Degree.

Now that beggars belief. Do you think we can beg our way into the Beggar's Banquet ? I have my beggar's bowl.

Sorry for being so flippant.

The members of this death cult live in an imaginary world straight out of the time of the Crusades. Even Saddam considered himself a reincarnation of Saladin. The behaviors of these murderers are based on principles not of the 21st century. Kidnappings, the murder of innocent peoples, the taking of slaves, rape, are acceptable conflict strategies to ISIS. The leaders of ISIS are quite insane, their horrific practices based on some twisted interpretation of the Shariah.

I am increasingly concerned with the current fortitude of World Leaders. These ISIS monsters must be eradicated now, if this doesn't happen soon the situation will be a lot worse in just a few years. Look what happened when Hitler and his Brown Shirts were ignored in the early 30's. . How many parallels must be drawn between ISIS, it's followers, and the Nazis before countries develop the same will and conviction that eradicated the Nazis ? Get them now, ask questions later. There is so much conflicting propaganda coming out, first we hear that ISIS is on the back foot, then we hear they have taken another city.

These monsters have no soul, no humanity, no empathy and are completely devoid of those qualities that make the rest of us human.

So sad, it is hard for anyone to grasp the torment that must have gone through her mind, that convinced her the only escape was suicide. There is always a better way out, this is the time when family and friends must gather around and support her. Generally time heals all wounds. The problem is the recognition by others of this torment.

What does a strong swimmer look like?

I can swim over a mile but I'm no athlete

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can tell you after a life time of competitive swimming, surfing and 14 years in a Surf Club on one of Sydney's toughest beaches, that guy would not make it to shore, particularly if there was a current going, with his girlfriend in tow. He has no chest muscles, no biceps. A statistic waiting to happen. One mile you say, in open water, at your age, and no athlete to boot. Rubbish ! Cut out your pathetic attempts to flame me and contribute something.

They were real lucky. Somehow he does not look like a strong swimmer to me. Could have been another Chinese statistic. Heaven forbid whats going to happen when the numbers of Chinese tourists quadruple, as TAT expects over the next 5 years.

Come on Mr. P. act on this asap, once you get confirmations. This should be a fortunate spot light for you to grace yourself. Hearts and minds Mr. P. Hearts and minds.

No such suggestion from me - clearly not a young man and we dont know his medical history or what medication he may have been taking, but I've slipped on the bathroom tiles a few times and hurt myself. A particularly unfortunate way to go, but none of us will live forever. RIP.

No suggestion from me neither. When I was a teenager I fainted in the toilet (after getting out of bed to quickly when I had the flu). Broke my jaw on the toilet bowl. Lucky I didn't crack my skull as well.

So many accidents occur in the bathroom, it can be a dangerous place.

Jeez, a Thai falling for this sham/scam, thick as a brick. What do they say about fools being parted from their money ?

You need to think about what happened in Boston- just a couple of young guys- home made pressure cooker bombs. Horrendous.

So good job done.

What I find really incomprehensible - is apart from killing and maiming some infidels ( passage to paradise) what do they hope to achieve- just more worldwide hatred of Muslims - most just want a peaceful life and prosperity for their families.

From what the police reports are saying they don't believe they were planning a bomb attack, they were going to use swords and big f'n knives. These have been found in the main suspect's house.

Additionally they were going to specifically target police. A contingent of Victorian police sometimes marches to the War Memorial in the parade (correct word ?), I think these nut-jobs were probably going to wade into the police line with these swords (I'm not sure but I can't remember whether they take their side-arms off for the march). A beheading in front of the cameras (this parade is highly televised) would ensure ALL Australia saw it.

Some mosques have already been torched over the Sydney chocolate cafe murders, if this possible scenario went thru that would really light the flame, Australians are rarely passive - and I do feel sorry for the peaceful legitimately Muslim population.