South

I loved it 20 years ago and I love it now. To me it has just gotten better and better as I can finally get good International music, food, books, TV shows and movies easily.

The only thing that I miss from the old days is that other Westerners were mostly happy to be allowed to live here and did not moan, whine and complain as much.

But, was it not an appeal then that you could not get 'international music, food, TV shows etc;? The 3 hour journey from Don Muang to the city, the taxis with whom you had to barter a fare. The 'looks; one used to get ..... I miss all of that.

I had the unfortunate experience of staying in ICU at BSH a few years ago. It was my choice for going there, was in Nathon Hospital but wanted to be somewhere with a bit more care/a few more facilities etc (without saying anything negative about Nathon Hospital).

The care was spot on, too good in reality but that may well be a reason for keeping people on there. After 6 days (in ICU), I got this feeling that they, BSH were only keeping/advising you to stay there for their own financial gains. I detubilised myself, yes, a new word to me too and transferred to a local private hospital on the mainland in the town in which I lived. (6 days in BSH would have equated to around 3 months care in a 'good private' hospital on the mainland!

Great care, yes, but at a huge personal cost if one is not insured.

FYI, my injuries were pretty bad, 14 broken ribs, broken scapula, punctured lungS, broken foot, broken hand plus a few other minor injuries.

Their new slogan should be: Yes, we'll fix you but break the bank! Luckily for me ...................

This thread is for the old hands. Comments from others are welcome.

For me, this country before the advent of the internet, cheap airfares, the addition of expressways, the skytrain, the subway et al was much much better than it is now for the sole reason that it remained 'undiscovered'. Since the advent of the internet in particular, the numbers of 'foreigners/westerners' has escalated in uncountable numbers and that initial 'feel' has gone. What are your thoughts? Has Thailand lost its initial appeal?

Political instability has been here for years, decades even. How many people died during the 70's riots. There was a coup in the 80's and I personally have seen 3 different coups/attempts at Government since then. Rice farmers in suits to native businesspeople have no interest at heart except their own.

Just another short episode in the never ending novel of Thai political life.

Couldn't be bothered reading all posts but the UK is in general a lot cheaper than Thailand. Exceptions are accommodation, tobacco and fuel. Pretty much anything the Government can take a tax from. I didn't include alcohol because buying beer (not so much top shelf)is inexpensive indeed - especially from supermarkets ... buying in pubs are an exception. Pretty much 50-60p/pint/bottle from the supermarkets with their deals can be found every day.

The times of Thailand being inexpensive are nowadays a big fallacy! Thailand has caught up with and in some cases overtaken the western world. Sure in Nakhon Nowhere, a large Singha will be B55ish - the same as if not more expensive than the UK!!

How much have you paid for a beer tonight? B50 = £1, B100 = $2, B150 = £3 etc ....... the tourist areas are charging up to B200+ for a small beer.

So ... in general, cheapest beer in Thailand starts at around B45/bottle

UK 50p/B24/bottle

Work it out. (I work in beers!)

Thai students have for decades been the victims of adults' failure to provide them with a proper educational environment.

Couldn't think of a better quote.

I seem to recall Chatuchak once had had baby tigers for sale. I remember the crocodiles and baby bears too. Then, as usual nothing was said. Last time I was there it was the old puppies, kittens, reptiles and fish. Didn't see what was once there .... hidden away? I'm sure if you ask the right person you'll be able to get whatever you want.

Some people don't/won't care at all as long as there is some kind of financial reward at the end of the deal.

Sad day. But .... Chiang Rai to Buri Ram via Lop Buri?? Am I missing something here?

Last time we went 1st Class with Thai (only the 2 of us in the cabin) our inflight entertainment consisted of a 6" Sony Watchman! 23" TVs now .... ?? Singapore Airlines and others had what Thai are advertising now years ago.

Still, looks nice. Maybe time to go TG again.

Never ever trust a lawyer!!! Simple.

13 Coins Hotel, Ratchada Soi 18 which leads down to Ladprao 80. B600/night with a fairly good restaurant too.

It's not difficult .................. helmets and road regulations!!

It's nice to see that the art of 'romance' hasn't yet died completely. Personally speaking, I think it wouldn't be appreciated at all, well, not in the way that you think it would. More of an embarrassment to be honest - but that's just me speaking without knowing either of you. You're not a Mills and Boon reader by any chance are you?

Good luck anyway.

:jap:

20+ years and have no need to publish any personal details ................... what so ever. You seem to worry too much about what others think ...................... insecurity ?

I spent 17 years at sea, deep sea, but in my day the main pirate threat was not the Gulf of Aden/Ethiopian waters but from the top end of the Malacca Straits round Singapore and up into the Yellow Sea. How times change.

As an aside, our only forms of protection from 'pirates' were extra vigilance, fire hoses and an arsenal of twist locks to throw at them! Luckily I worked on 24knot high freeboard container ships so we were or could never really be an easy target. Slower vessels (bulkies/tankers/fishing boats etc) with lower freeboards unfortunately were.

Some points raised .... but, how about if tables are turned? I have a very good friend (farang) who has divorced his (ex) Thai wife and who has sole custody over their wonderful daughter. She, the mother is no longer around but he, the father is and is in a relationship with a lovely Thai woman with whom he will be marrying soon. The daughter totally accepts the 'new' mother as does she totally accept having a step daughter.

Anyone can generalize but each situation is different as are the end results.

I am concerned that these people are attempting to circumvent the rules by marrying innocent Thai women.

Seems some people really do have their heads in the clouds.

Watched it ..... utter garbage, switched channel half way through. The presenter had absolutely no knowledge of the country at all. Wai'ing young kids and the only Thai she spoke was a condescending Sawasdee Ka. It could have been 'interesting' or 'watchable' if they'd only used someone who knew where they were and what they were doing. As a program for someone who has never been to the country it could possibly have been interesting but for those with a little 'local' knowledge it was a total waste of time.

An ex shop assistant who showed she was well out of her depth trying to change things she had very little to no experience of.

30+ years ago first set foot in SEA, 20+ years in Thailand, married 20+ years to a lovely Thai lady and still am, lived mostly in non tourist areas in the south and loved it. But .... time changes things as time also changes people and I made the move back to my homeland 4 months ago. No regrets whatsoever. Sure, miss a lot but I 'think' I'm far happier here now with my 'new' life than I was for many differing reasons. I have stated before all the good things I'm reading here on this thread at some time in the past but in my case (and I'm sure many others too), the 'novelty' has eroded so much that it has worn away. It might take 1, 5, 10, 20 or more years but it will wear off - eventually. The country has changed, and changed a lot and I'm sure will continue changing as it develops. Nothing wrong with that but in my case, the 'novelty' has long since disappeared and the time had come to move on.

Each to their own I suppose.

I see exactly where you are coming from. A number of posters have pointed out the virtue of Thai women and that they are in fact the major asset of Thailand. If you are married and take your Thai wife home you have 100% of the good part of Thailand still with you.

However, for those of us who are not married and who don't wish to get married transporting Soi Six back to Seattle might be a logistical problem.

Soi Six would fit in nicely in Pike Place Market along with the fresh fish and hot off the griddle crumpets but there may be some immigration problems.

Hmmm, some people's brains really do seem to be in their pants.

30+ years ago first set foot in SEA, 20+ years in Thailand, married 20+ years to a lovely Thai lady and still am, lived mostly in non tourist areas in the south and loved it. But .... time changes things as time also changes people and I made the move back to my homeland 4 months ago. No regrets whatsoever. Sure, miss a lot but I 'think' I'm far happier here now with my 'new' life than I was for many differing reasons. I have stated before all the good things I'm reading here on this thread at some time in the past but in my case (and I'm sure many others too), the 'novelty' has eroded so much that it has worn away. It might take 1, 5, 10, 20 or more years but it will wear off - eventually. The country has changed, and changed a lot and I'm sure will continue changing as it develops. Nothing wrong with that but in my case, the 'novelty' has long since disappeared and the time had come to move on.

Each to their own I suppose.

My sister has an electric fence running around the top of her 10' wall in South Africa. Once over that, you've got the dogs to contend with, the steel burglar bars and there's also an alarm.

She's not been broken into yet!

(In South Africa btw)

It used to bother me a little but now I simply put it down to ignorance and let them carry on - and why let it irk you? An extra minute wasted isn't going to make much difference to your day. I waste most of mine anyway!

So would you say it would be better to rent a house than look for an apartment?

Unless you like living in a box, for sure.

geriatric kid. You are in Thailand, are you working? If you are on an expat package and not a english teacher then your education has paid off for sure. If you are pushing the past simple, then your parent deserve a refund.

But I do agree with a lot of what you say.

It seems obvious from the way you write that school was something you missed out on. Maybe a couple of sessions with an English teacher could help you. What a stupid post.