The manic

To me it's not black and white

I visit Europe in the hot season. I can return to the UK permanently anytime I want. The winter is dreadful ....Thailand suits me for the time being..When it doesn't I'll leave

5 hours ago, KittenKong said:

Your GF is right to go nuts. It is a completely shameful procedure that shows Thailand up for what it really is.

 

That said, I always thought that Bangkok was one of the few offices that didn't impose a fake "charge" (for which you never get a receipt) for this officially free service.

 

In Pattaya you have the choice of a 300B bribe or waiting a week or two.

She went nuts because the money did not go to her!

22 hours ago, changside said:

I don't know much about this but would it be simpler to pay the overstay fine when leaving the country?

NO! That means you are illegal! And could get in real trouble with police. Sort it out at your local IO a week in advance. 

You have been bilked. Don't let it happen again. Stop being dependant on women.  You appear to have lost your house, common sense and face. Why foreigners build house for Thai women and their families is beyond me. A stupid idea. Better to lease land in your name and build a house in your name...

On 7/30/2018 at 8:36 AM, Stupooey said:

Thai scouts are more like a paramilitary organisation - I've heard them compared to the Hitler Youth - which no doubt instils a sense of the brand of Thainess promoted by our beloved leaders. When I was teaching in Bangkok, the sight of kids as young as 6 being forced to frog march round the playground and salute the pompous Scoutmaster used to turn my stomach. A scene more suited to North Korea or the Stalin era Soviet Union.

They are nothing like the Hitler youth. Silly idea

3 hours ago, Krimse123 said:

Thank you very much for all the suggestions.

 

Koh Phayam looks very interesting and so does Khanom. I'm staying in Thailand for 9 months mainly in the same area because I'm currently studying. I don't need much but wifi, great food, weather and a pleasant beach.

 

It's definitely possible to stay in Thailand for 9 months as a 22 year old. I recently stayed for 10 months solely on tourist visas and visa-exempt entries + extentions. Should I have trouble getting a tourist visa, I can apply for an education visa which lasts up to a year. I would have to attend an offical thai-language school though.

 

Anyway. I'll probably end up on Koh Phayam, Prachuap Khiri Khan or somewhere in Surat Thani (samui). Thanks a lot!

 

Did I mention koh lippey/

8 hours ago, BestB said:

Actually there is welfare and rice growing is 1 month work .

 

then of course no one put a gun to their head to grow rice.

 

as for Thai you know comment , rather a silly one to make assuming a few you know is how all Thai are.

There is no welfare. Rice growing has a planting season-,uncomfortably, back breaking work,  a maintenance and growth period and the final harvesting period, again back breaking strenuous labour. All farming all over the world is difficult buy rice farming is particularly hard.

Your crass comment regarding their chosen career reflects your lack of knowledge and also suggest a cruel streak. The rest of your comment is unintelligible nonesene. So I cant respond to it. In my 29 years of visiting , travelling and working here I have seen and know a many very hard working Thais including,  farmers, kincluding  rice, rubber and other fruits, restaurant owners and managers, drivers, mechanics, reception staff, nurses, bar staff, cooks, boxers etc. 

5 hours ago, Berkshire said:

You actually have a point regarding Thailand's over-reliance on tourism.  I tend to agree as I think Thailand can do with less tourists and more investments in infrastructure and education to attract more FDI, as well as better taxation and law enforcement to improve its revenue base and rule of law.  Many more things can be improved upon. 

 

But your opening rant was pretty pointless and is just basically drivel meant to stir up the haters.  Even your thread title.  Do you really think all Thais dislike tourists? 

I don't think any but a tiny minority of Thais hate tourists. Most are indifferent to them, bemused by them, a little bit overwhelmed by them  some even fascinated. I can't say I have  felt hated. So I believe the presumption this thread is based on is false.

14 hours ago, carmine said:

I tell you what, i'll put you on ignore right now.  Obviously you get a trolling pass but since i have you ignore from this post onwards you have no reason whatsoever to be replying to my post will you!!  Bore off.

How do you put someone on Ignore?

7 minutes ago, Rimmer said:

Multiple off topic posts leading to bickering about frozen fruit have all been removed, topic is about:

 

What's your cost of living here in Thailand?

Thank God for that!

24 minutes ago, Lamkyong said:

he is actually from Australia but originally from another Country,  i thought all aussies were   ?

555

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-5986815/The-worlds-best-beaches-revealed-beach-inspectors.html

A Thai beach is listed in the top ten.

When I was in the scouts in the 60s we made wine and took it on our camping trips. Arkayla and the Chief did not know. We had such a good time that when the older ones went away to university they used come back to the scout hut. We all carried knives, mine a six inch bowie knife and learnt lots of wood craft skills .

3 hours ago, Stupooey said:

Thai scouts are more like a paramilitary organisation - I've heard them compared to the Hitler Youth - which no doubt instils a sense of the brand of Thainess promoted by our beloved leaders. When I was teaching in Bangkok, the sight of kids as young as 6 being forced to frog march round the playground and salute the pompous Scoutmaster used to turn my stomach. A scene more suited to North Korea or the Stalin era Soviet Union.

They enjoy it. Marchimg is good exercise.

6 hours ago, xylophone said:

Nice post...……..and several people on these threads have mentioned Portugal as a place to retire.

 

Have now searched the net for info...………………...

 

 

 

 

I've lived and worked in Portugal. It's not as much fun a Thailand. Its not as mad as Spain. The language can be a problem for deep, real conversations. They will be able to understand your simple poruguese but you wont understand their portugues. It's not cheap anymore. But I enjoyed living there in the 80s and travelled all round the country.

45 minutes ago, balo said:

 

You got a point.....but you did not mention the low prices. 

If I were rich enough I am sure I could have all that in another country .  

 

Anyway, if it was up to  me , I would choose to retire in a warm country in Southern Europe, like Portugal or Spain. Because it's not too hot during the summer's and the winter's is not too bad.  Food is excellent , the beaches, the hospitality of the locals (in some areas) , and a short flight back to Scandinavia if I need to sort things out. 

But again , in the end it's your budget that decides. 

 

 

You can't buy rockets festivals

https://youtu.be/9NCnaHANt60

and things like the Phi ta Khon,

https://youtu.be/o9hiv_FrEpY

and the nine gods festival or the

https://youtu.be/8E07bWuE4lk

https://youtu.be/JqPs77j3qDI

Naga Dragon balls etc

https://youtu.be/kzdTql6fBxs

although Spain is good for festivals. Yes if you had enough money you could buy a jungle, and mountains and litter them with palaces and monuments and build your own go go bar, and hire thousand of actors to create your own WS. If budget were the determination why are so many rich people unhappy or trapped into negative and destructive patterns of behaviour. Eventually succumbing to Ennui? Regarding Europe both Greece and the Balkans have potential. I suspected an unlimited budget might not be the solution to function as the grease of happiness but that we need fiction and challenge when seeking happiness. It's the grit that makes the pearl. There is no progress without friction. Good health, good friends and maybe a family, I don't mean kids, your own family back home . May be part of it. Do I wish I had more money? Yes but as I'm 65 im not optimistic about getting a windfall.

16 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

Not sure who wrote that report or when ?

There is definitely plenty of small villages and plenty of culture..

Also, "few restaurants and opportunity to enjoy best Thai cuisine" !!! There are amazing restaurants, even some western ones ?

Yes Khanom