kmart

After reading countless threads on here about guys who marry thai girls then start supporting her family? why do you guys do it? its culture(not) right? to support the family but do they give you support back?

I am married to a thai girl and i would never send money to anyone in her family, if they want some money then come and cut my garden or something, earn it.

I guess some guys get blackmailed into it, if they dont give then the wife tells him he is no good!!

Im just curious to know why many guys do it?

Because they ain't as smart as you, Stephen Hawking.

Its really hard to change the bad habits developed over generations. It will take a long time to change the mind set of the Thai people in general. On a side note I drove through that area on my bike the day after Loi Kratong and was actually quite surprised that the street area and close beach areas were quite clean. So what you see has accumulated since then.

A bit of history of the US and the anti-litter campagin back in the 50's and 60's. As a young boy in the early 50's I can remember litter on the highways and byways and it was not uncommon to throw whatever out the car window or as the Thais just drop it where you are. Then the US started a litter education program and it took years but now in the 2000's we are very litter smart and aware. It needs to start in all the Thai schools at an early age and the kids will brow beat the parents into submission. We won't see any dramatic change now in our life but it could happen given time. First thing they need to do is outlaw all the plastic bags of any kind.

It's not for us to criticize the poor little darlings, you know? Besides, the system here is geared up to keeping the masses as ignorant as possible; a bit of litter here and there is a small price to pay. Be careful what you wish for...

Also, the cotton setting is more than 3 hours in duration and that is without adding extras - hot water - extra rinse. If you add everything it will take almost 3 and a half hours

Rather akin to the Japanese Tea Ceremony, the Korean Art Of Cotton Washing is a rather curious cultural anomaly, lasting for up to 2 days, when performed by a master.

I have an illegal air rifle that I enjoy shooting cats with. I have also recreated the ambience of certain parts of the Philippines and China, by completely removing the annoying sound of birdsong / other animal sounds in a morning.

(j/k)

Sounds like your missus is just like her Mum. ie a liar. Get shot of her, asap.

Personally, I find them offensive--if I can see them. I avoid people with tattoos; I don't know why, but I do.

What a pretentious comment to make, you avoid someone simply for having a tattoo, what makes you a better person for not having any body art?

Tattoos are just another way of expressing yourself. I would admit tattoos on the face are a bit extreme but each to their own!

Its not pretentious at all. Just an honest opinion. Best compliment anyone can pay you.

"Pretentious" is wearing faux body decoration to imply that you are in somehow; "hard'; "spiritual"; or "ethnic" in some way.

Like the pretentious oaf pal of mine who got a large Thai script tattoo on his back that read "Lek's Supermarket" and showed it off like the Dalai Lama had done it for him or something. *chortle*

Interesting comments here. Obviously all cannot agree. After ten years of living here, this is my take:

1. A majority of ex-pats seem to fit into the catagory of trying to 're-invent ' themselves. Have no ties to anyone from whence they came, i.e. high school chums or University chums (if they ever went); sort of like social mis-fits....sad.

2. Do any of these guys ever look in the mirror? I have never seen such a terrible

combination of dress....stripes with checks; black socks in sandals that have more straps than one can count; Pants that are not pants, nor shorts, but what we used to call 'pedal pushers' that only women wore.

3. What is the deal with all of these backpacks? It seems that men are trying to be more like women, with every possible item carried with them....you are not in high school or college! Stores give you bags for purchases.....LOOSE the backpacks!!! Looks stupid.

4. You live here, learn the language!!! I will not talk to a farang who says they don't have to learn Thai....plain rude!!!

5. Police are a complete JOKE!!! Avoid them like the plague.

6. DO NOT suggest that I move, as I have two homes; a wife; a son; and have put one boy thru University; his sister thru high school; other sister thru private girl's school; and son in private English school. Let's just say, I have contributed to this society and the Thai people.

7. Tatoos and piercings say a lot about a person.............you be the judge.

phonetically: 'tum dee' die dee', tum chua die chua............learn it and remember it!!!

#8. A quality expat speaks. To the detriment of a majority of everyone else.

Hope the kids that you put "thru" (sic) further education manage to at least find a spell-checker.

In the 15 years that I first came to Thailand, the development and change here has actually been quite rapid, albeit unequal, rather like the income disparity. Comparing Thailand to other "third world countries" is a joke though. Has the OP ever been to Africa? ... Thought not.

Corruption here is common, although nowhere near the endemic levels of other neighbouring countries and African nations.

Anyone leaving this place can return to find most things as they left them, and people that remember their names.

Once you get your mouth accustomed to spicy food, just remember to put the toilet paper in the fridge before you go to bed.

I have considered setting up a vigilante group myself. Usually after a few drinks and a Charles Bronson movie, I feel an urge to "take back the streets" and "wash away all the scum" that infest the urban jungle that I can see through my venetian blinds. Sadly, I lack the requisite amount of righteous indignation and fully automatic firepower just as yet. Watch this space though.

What surprises me most about it is that there is no mention of the blockage of emergency services by the PAD (ambulance/fire/police)

In any other country it would be a first concern.

I sincerely hope the PAD smartens up and forms a political party, instead of forcing their agenda with political terrorism.

Good luck with that. Even most Fortuner drivers won't move out of the outside lane for an ambulance.

Fear and loathing in LoS.

Here I see a very touching scene that in the cold river, poor children went down to help you with the krathong to make sure it goes out with the flow. They hope to take the money in the krathong or some tips.

I put mouse traps / cactii on the top of my krathong. Hilarity ensues.

Such a disproportionate level of development and disparity of income was always going to be a massive social problem here, and it is finally happening. The accelerated speed of this development, within 1-2 generations (as toptuan states above^^) has arrived without the checks and balances / regulations, legal, democratic, and governmental institutions in place to cope. They are 30 years behind modern industry, as it is...

Its not exactly the Khmer Rouge coming out of the jungle to sack the capital, yet; but beware the wrath of a patient people.

The salesman and most of the trainers at California WOW are scum..I go there four days a week.

-O

Mr O, your sentence makes me wonder if you are a sucker for punishment?

Might have got a special deal on a "Combo Humiliation / S&M package?"

Name the Fitness Centre / Gym.

Is it not obvious?

Not if you don't live in Bangkok.

Name the Fitness Centre / Gym.

As Seri Thai says, the absence of any leftish, social democrsat or even socially liberal party on Thailand has contributed to the disaster we now witness. Thai politcs has for too long been too much about personalities, regional hero worship and right wing policies with the odd handout or concession bunged in.

Agreed, and will go further.- No diversity (or any coherent actual policy) at all in Thai politics, to create much of a middle ground. Getting your snout in the trough of public funds seems to be the only objective. Reaping what they sowed.

Yes, including Friday.

So I would suggest to do your shopping in time, hire a strimmer and make yourself useful in the garden.

Stripper + "rimming" = strimmer?

They should have been moved out long ago, what right do they think they have to block the public highways.

Tried and tested move by any "mob" in Thailand, over the years. Just tie a bandana round your head, raise your right fist in a "defiant" posture, and plonk yerself down in the road, as instructed by your paymaster / disenfranchised politician / businessman. Hope that drunken 12-wheel truck driver does not come careering round the corner. Repeat.

Will this be another "dry" weekend, countrywide then? Just considering plans for the w/e.

This is a country wide event so any restrictions will follow suit. Bet on a dry one, and if you find somewhere that isn't consider it a bonus.

Thanks.

i have met loads of lovely expats in thailand, several of them from thai visa.

in bangkok i find that a lot of the ones i meet are deadbeats- alcoholic english teachers or sexpats with a chip on their shoulder. but anywhere you live you will have to sift through trash to find treasure. there are many decent people here alongside the losers.

i see nothing wrong with acknowledging fellow farangs with a smile or whatever. we are sort of in this together- adjusting to a different culture etc. if they don't appreciate my friendliness it is their loss.

Agree totally. Seems a lot of the thaivisa "nabobs of negativity" do not even live here anyway. *chortle*

I live in an area that has only recently had a bigger upsurge of expats moving in. Before that, I always tried to have a chat, or just say "hello" to any other Westerner I came into contact with. Same as when I worked in other countries. Its good manners and if you might find that you have a lot in common with strangers, even if its just the fact that you're both a long way from "home".

I also try to never get into the silly, social "pecking orders" that the Thai other halves of some people allow to impose on themselves.

Will this be another "dry" weekend, countrywide then? Just considering plans for the w/e.

I presume the vehicle manufacturer threatened to sue if the contract wasn't paid for.

This is a chance for the Democrat pretty boys to get some cojones.

I hope they stand up and say 'RIGHT! Enough's enough. This is what happened."

But the likelihood is they'll come out with some legalistic blah about appealing, and judicial process.

The Democrats have to field all sorts of tainted upcountry mafiosi in their party to ever have a chance at governing / or "winning" an election.

Consequently, they take on all these people's "skeletons on the closet" too. When it comes to mud-slinging time, everyone gets a bit on their shirts.

Thai people hate Indian food. Presumably most farang in Isaan live a Thai partner who, like my wife, just cannot even stand the smell of the stuff. I doubt that there is a market for Indian food anywhere in Thailand except maybe in BKK.

Southern Thai fare is a little similar to Indian food, but a lot of Thais don't like the "gamey" taste / smell of lamb, for instance. Also, a lot of Thais tend to be rather disdainful of other Asian foods (and cultures) other than Chinese / Thai. Even if they have no idea what they are like...