Gecko123

Whatever, buddy. You just keep on keeping on doing your thing, and I'll do mine. In my mind, it's a toss up whether the gofundme page will be in the stranded overseas or the medical section. You start a thread asking whether 31K is a reasonable budget, and pick fights with anyone who tells you it might not be sufficient. Begs the question: If you're so sure of yourself, why did you start the thread?

There are countless more recent studies that say otherwise: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6828919/ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/301506#benefits https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-antioxidants

You want to back that up with some links, Adelle Davis?

Don't tell me how to eat Mr. 'I'm-gonna-live-happily-ever-after-in-a-shoebox and enjoy my microwaved MaMa noodle-in-a-cup diet. I've been nutritionally aware since early childhood. Any nutritionist will tell you eating a varied diet rich in anti-oxidants is important. Where'd you get that morsel of misinformation? From the back of a Fruit Loop cereal box?

I cook every meal and don't pay rent as well. Would you be kind enough to advise what your monthly expenses or at least monthly average food expenses are? I spend a lot on my diet, including high end coffee, nuts, imported canned seafood, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, durian, grapes, chocolate, dried fruits, shell fish, salmon, imported cheeses, etc. In calendar year 2023 I spent 183,752 baht on foot (no alcohol, but includes sundries such as household cleaning items). This was also offset by extensive fruit orchards and vegetable garden production. A lot of new comers to Thailand think wow, a bowl of noodles only cost 35 baht, I can feed myself for 100 baht easy peasy, without stopping to consider that that is not a very healthy diet over the long term. As @Hummin said, [living] eating healthy in Thailand is not that cheap.

which is more than enough [sarcasm alert] to cover all your clothing, footwear, eyewear, internet, entertainment, medical exams, emergency medical expenses, medications, health insurance, dental checkups, cavities, crowns, toiletries, cosmetics, haircuts, casualty losses (theft, mysterious disappearance), cleaning supplies, laundry, household appliances, cookware, computer replacement, cell phone upgrades and repairs, kitchen utensils, postage, import duties, and shipping fees for overseas purchases, visa renewals, visa photos, passport renewals, ATM fees, books, subscriptions, gifts, travel, public transportation, motor vehicle insurance and maintenance, vehicle registration, driver's license renewal, language courses, continuing education, recreational equipment maintenance and repair, cable TV, Netflix, streaming services, artwork, electricity, water (both drinking and municipal), bedding, pets, etc. 31,000 may look reasonable on paper, but I am pretty confident that you will find that budget to be constraining, especially if you are making long term plans. Your flippant reply about inflation, suggesting that factoring in a 3% annual increase was sufficient, made me think a 'gofundme' appeal may be in your future.

The poster wrote: "How many Thai men are you friends with that act like well adjusted, mature adults?" "Friends with" is a subjective term, and as I tried to explain in an earlier post, the nature of friendship is not an absolute rigid universal standard (as many Western men seem to believe), and there are many cultural differences in the way men relate to one another. But if the question was rephrased: "How many Thai men do you know well enough to assess whether they are reasonably well adjusted and mature adults?' then my revised answer would be 'hundreds and hundreds.' Guys who constantly bash Thai men on this forum almost never have the language skills to communicate effectively in Thai, and have drunk too much 'Thai men no good!' bar-girl kool-aid. Earlier on this thread, a poster described most Thai men as 'worthless.' First of all, if that were true, what does it say about the Thai women they associate with if the premise is that every Thai man in her life has no value? It's idiotic to say one's girlfriend/wife is the most wonderful woman they've ever met, but that her grandfather, father, brothers, uncles, sons, grandsons nephews, and every Thai male she ever went to school, worked, or associated with on down are "worthless.: And as far as being lazy, shiftless, and coddled mama's boys, the typical bar stool farang wouldn't last 15 minutes doing the field work Thai farmers do day-in and day-out.

Key question is over what period of time are you talking about? A month, 3-6 months, a year, or the rest of your life? If you're talking long term, 31,000/mo is simply inadequate as there are too many variable expenses which will eat into your budget.

I admit I sometimes get flatulence.

A girl's got to get something out of the relationship. If you're a decrepit, unsmiling, humorless, bald, pot bellied , diabetic, flatulent alcoholic with anger management issues and a tiny weenie, her taking a transactional approach should scarcely come as a great surprise.

That clicking sound is the sound of people putting you on their ignore lists.

It was written for the benefit of others who might be struggling with this problem as well. I don't sense that you are very open to self-reflection, as you took all of 30 seconds to reflect upon the insights I was gracious enough to share. The phrase "pearls before swine" comes to mind.

Please note that in your earlier post you asked "how many Thai men are you friends with who act like well adjusted mature adults." Your question implies that well-adjusted Thai males are hard to find which is an ignorant and offensive supposition. If you haven't been able to make any inroads with Thai men, the first place I would look is your language skills. The second thing I would examine is your expectations about the nature of friendships with Thai males. Sounds like a big part of the problem is that you are trying to impose your cultural norm expectations on your relationships which is a recipe for disappointment in Thailand. By the way, how often do you talk about personal topics with foreign men, whether here or back home? Half the time when you do so with foreign men, you end up regretting it because the confidence is ultimately betrayed. Thai men don't bond and build relationships in the same way that foreign men do. I would say relationships with Thai men are mainly based on helping one another by sharing know-how or lending a helping hand, daily interactions, shared laughter about everyday situations, brief encounters built up over time which gradually break down barriers through mutual displays of respect and appreciation. I have become convinced that making "friendship" the primary goal with everyone may not necessarily be smart. In recent years, I have become more focused on trying to build a sense of community in my village, which seems to be providing a sturdier foundation for stronger friendship bonds as well.

Dozens and dozens and dozens, knucklehead.

Thai women are not submissive. I don't know how that myth got started. Only thing I can think of is it comes from the "up to you" rejoinder you often hear from bar girls. Most of the time that's said out of apathy or in an effort to feign compatibility. If you want to understand the true nature and temperament of Thai women observe how they behave in their relationships with Thai men.

When times were hard, my mom used to say "I guess we're gonna be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a while."

Ex-pats who fit the description in the OP who end up upcountry usually do so because they married a bar girl, often one who they met in Pattaya. That demographic of ex-pat out in the countryside appears to be dying off. Nowadays, most guys seem to be fairly family oriented and in reasonable health. Someone who refuses to learn the language, has an anti-social chip on their shoulder, or neglects their health is not going to last long. Either the marriage will collapse, they'll develop pre-mature health problems, or get involved in a motorcycle or car accident, etc. The hinterland may still be a relatively good place to hide from the law, but it's a poor choice if you are actively involved in criminal activity because everyone knows what everybody else is doing.

That may be true in some cases, but it absolutely positively does not apply to me! I can honestly say that not a single criticism the OP leveled applies to me. Going down the list: Never rude or disrespectful or entitled. Absolutely have never been involved in any criminal activity in Thailand. Safe driver, law abiding, never drink and drive, etc. Do not project arrogance, condescension, dissatisfaction, or unfriendliness. Studied Thai for 9.5 years before moving to rural village 21 years ago. Consider myself to be a model citizen in my community. My health is very good, I exercise regularly and am physically active. Do not smoke and have not had a drop of alcohol in over eight years. What triggered me was the suspiciously AI generated writing style, and the smug sense of superiority that the op conveyed. What I especially found offensive and derisively hypocritical was learning that the OP made these comments while indulging in the pleasures red-light districts have to offer. Does he think just because he hit the gym for a few months ahead of his sex-tourism vacation, got a $100 hair cut, bought a new wardrobe, spritzed himself with cologne, carries a pocket phrase book, and knows how to say 'hong nam yuu tii nai, krap?' that makes him superior to the guy sitting a bar stool one down from him as he ogles the go-go dancers trying to decide which one he will bar-fine? If so, he needs to think again. They're both doing the same thing, and just because his armpits are better scrubbed, he's kidding himself thinking he's more culturally sensitive and respectful of Thai culture because of it.

This guy's accidentally-on-purpose (wink, wink, whoops, my bad) bringing ladyboys back to his hotel room and has the nerve to post this likely AI-generated sanctimonious, drivel? I'm 100% in favor of cultural respect, and if you look at my posting history you'll see I take every opportunity to promote cultural understanding and respect. So tell us, OP, how does whore mongering and sexually exploiting upcountry village girls fit in to your culturally sensitive itinerary, presumably otherwise filled with private temple tours, Thai language, fruit carving and cooking classes and eco tourism jungle treks? I'm picturing you as a two week holiday millionaire who arrived with a brand new wardrobe replete with Tommy Bahama shirts, Versace shorts, Ferragamo sandals, and three bottles of high-end cologne who thinks that makes him superior to every other foreigner. Jeez. My revised diagnosis: Adonis syndrome.

I think OP is greatly overstating the extent of the problem. A very common belief pattern for many recent arrivals to Thailand, something which the OP may not be aware of, is the narcissistic belief that they are more culturally sensitive and deserving of cultural integration than everyone else. Used to be called the "smartest bear" syndrome.

Are you talking about a Skippy or Jiffy consistency? Pretty sure that's achieved through use of homogenized oils and emulsifiers. Pretty much any smoothness level can be obtained using a blender, IMHO, especially if you are talking "natural" health food store style peanut butter. If you like a crunchy blend, you reserve a portion of partially ground nuts. Made at home you can control the roast, oil, sugar, salt content. I've never once thought about store bought peanut butter since started making homemade.

Vitamix blender for homemade peanut butter and protein shakes. Two birds with one stone.

Having money in the bank does provide a sense of security. I have to admit that as I have gotten older I have found it very difficult to strike a balance between using money to "enjoy" life versus socking it away for a rainy day. At times, I have tried to force myself to spend more, but find it difficult to do so.

Surprised people think someone in their early 20's would be exempt from the stigma of being a sex-tourist. Last time I was down on Sukumvit I saw plenty of young foreign guys with what looked to me like their bar girl vacation girlfriends.

With all the customers who abandoned barber shops during Covid, many shops have probably yet to get back to their pre-pandemic incomes. A foreign barber - charging way above market prices, to boot - would understandably be more than a lot of those guys could take, and it should come as no surprise that local barbers wasted no time reporting him to the police.