Freakin Musashi

Why not stick to one country when comparing prices rather than a guided tour of the world?

Its as examle..

but you can try any country.. I say just about coutry where i stay..

That's Bulgaria, then? How is that working out for you?

In Thailand, you're expected to "bargain" for most purchases. Many visitors to LOS don't get that, are unwilling to bargain, and assume that this means that prices are higher than they've been told.

I think the question is, "Is Thailand the new Venezuela?"

I can safely ask this question because I am not currently in-country.

Do they have visas?

Why isn't Malaysia an Islamic country?

I'm ignorant on the subject, so I'm asking this: Is it pretty easy to become a Buddhist monk in Thailand? I know that at least traditionally joining a monastery was a way for boys to get a basic education (regardless of their spiritual aspirations).

...

From what I've seen (I'm president of the CM Expats Club, basically a club for retired people) the most successful older expats are those with a wide social network, who have kept active, both mentally and socially. Not necessarily those who have a Thai wife/GF, but those who have some close and caring western friends who they trust to step in if they are unable to take care of themselves. Accidents happen or people can get to the point that they aren't capable of remembering when to take medication properly or how to handle their finances. Those are usually the first two things to go when people start to have declining mental function. It's important to have someone close to you that is able and trusted enough to intervene before you get into trouble because you're not managing your medications and/or your finances properly. Often a Thai spouse or trusted maid isn't the person able to do this.

That's about how my father did it. We lived well the final years of his life, although he had enough put away to retire in California.

Isn't La Belle France something of a "nanny state" too? Although, I wouldn't mind, that or Japan if I could afford it.

As someone who is contemplating retiring in the LOS, I'm concerned for the future of Thailand. I'd still choose Thailand over Mexico or the P.I. at this point.

Thailand is what we used to call a third-world country, or a developing country.
IMHO, a single expat first-worlder can't expect to influence the direction of that country's development, one can only watch from the sidelines.
That said, I wonder what average Thais think of the progress in Myanmar. It's still early days there, but it's possible that Myanmar may be more enthusiastic about democracy than Thailand.

Hi, i'm new to the forum so please go easy on me....

i have family in the isan region of thailand, Kalasin. I'm looking for a thai-english teacher, preferably of thai nationality (english fine). it is to teach my Thai family members 'better' english. I have looked online but only seem to see document translation or teaching advice for expats. I would be looking to hire for a few hours each week, preferably on weekends for the younger members. So to the question at hand... Can someone point me towards an thai-english teacher in the northeast who would be willing to travel to Kalasin for a few hours each weekend?

i think i have mentioned everything needed.

thanks again,

Wish I could help you! I'm finishing up my TESOL certification now, but it will be a few years before I move to the LOS.

Best of luck finding a teacher.

If it is only two guys on a street then I think I would fight and go after each as if my life depended on it, and would win ! If 3 or more perhaps it is a swing like crazy and run like hell into a shop someplace near by and call police. This is a no win situation but I won't just sit and let cun/-s kick the shit out of me. They will also pay a price.

You want to see a Thai run a 100 yard dash? Get in a fight.

A mob of random, bitter guys will instantly arrive to kick your head in.

getting kind of tired of these fearful rants about lifting a finger and mobs appearing from nowhere to kick the foreigners arse. stems from anxiety of being in an unfamiliar place i suppose

situation would be the same as anywhere else thugs would attack. nothing wrong with responding as you would on home turf. do some damage and flee as soon as possible.

Me too. I'm not sure what sort of experience this sort of assumption comes from. The movies or something like that?

If there's a riot situation, I would say yes, a certain mentality takes over and people do things they would not normally do. Riots, though, are noisy and can be often spotted from quite a distance. That's when you put some tarmac between you and that.

Normally, thugs look for easy wins, whether it's money or "look I can beat this farang". If it looks like a difficult situation (your body language does not make you look weak or fearful), then they will look for someone else.

Hi. I'm Doug.
I visited Thailand many years ago, as a sailor boy.
I'm making plans to retire someplace in the Kingdom of Smiles, popssibly teaching English, certainly visiting as a tourist very soon...