Smokegreynblues

I have been here for close to decade. I was 23 when I came, I noticed, that male thais usually form their friendship bonds earlier in school and carry them for life, or university. I was making significant friends when I was hanging out with the university ones who were interested in other cultures. Fast forward to my 30s. I have thai male friends less than say 4 or 5. Even the ones I have i barely see once a year. I assume, people are wary of friends in older age , or they already have enough that they don't need one. Especially who speak a different language. I do however have some friends who have many Thai friends, but they are all of Asian decent and can relate to the culture better. Most became friends with their GFs group of friends and thats how they ended up together. Also, I wouldnt advice making friends with Thai guys who speak only Thai as misunderstandings can result in violent clashes. If the Thais are well educated, educated abroad, or lived abroad on a work holiday, they are much more relatable and easier to be friends with as they understand your culture or atleast are open about it. Yes, I often do get asked as why do you come to Thailand, and do you like thai women, You just dodge the question as it is an answer to judge you.

I often feel the rules to citizenship aren't up to date with the times, the Foreign Husband amendment was progressive and up with the times, but its been 12 years since, and still doesn't address the many issues that prevail. LGBT people aren't represented, while they may have legitimate relationships. Also, not all men choose to marry, for many reasons- security financial etc., there is no provision of acceptance of a civil partnership. It also seems that citizenship is only availiable to a select few that meet a certain demographic. The income requirements are extremely high as a single male. Plus the PR requirement increases the hurdles. In a country where an average graduate makes 24k/month in Bangkok. Asking for a 80-120k salary, is about attracting a rich demographic/or discouraging applicants. Deterring the single male, and making it a niche thing to posses. While nothing is there for a woman. If this isn't sexism, I don't know what is. I know I am bashing this, but someone has to say it. This thread has so many people, who in their quest to naturalize often overlook the negatives, because the positives far outweigh the negatives. If any policy maker reads this thread, it would help to make amendments, amendments as to length of stays say 10-20 Years (Like every other sane country, which provides some level of social stability, after all its social stability that people apply for citizenship anyway) rather than a high income to qualify. Yes, I am sour. Unmarried and yes, I don't make the income requirement to qualify for PR and hence citizenship.