JimTripper

That's old school. The new "in" is showing up quickly, rushing, then onto the next delivery waiting next door.

The Op is correct. I was just down there again tonight. There's something strange about the area. The dancers in the go-go's are fully clothed and I don't think people are really hooking up in that area. It's more of just a tourist attraction and has a fake energy to it. It's similar to a Disneyland area where people are walking around staring like in a theme park. Not the same as like Nana in Bangkok, for example. I think that's what the Op means when he says it's empty, the strange vibe, or people just kind of passing through, or if they do go in the clubs they look around then leave and don't really sit there for long. It sounds like the indian and arab places are different but I don't go in there. It reminds me of the Las Vegas Strip where people are just walking up and down and taking the 'Deuce' tram, but not many people are gambling, meeting people or even having a Whiskey. Just a Disneyland type setup. It even seems family friendly like somewhere you could take the kids.

Many guys need to be in groups to break the ice. He talks about it in the video. 'Lone wolfs' are viewed with extreme suspicion in many countries and your chances are slim to none cold approaching in a club or bar environment, in say, the Usa for example. Especially, if you are an older guy, in say, your 50's and you want to meet women in their 20's. Obviously, it does not apply to freelancers at all and not in Thailand as much.

I pretty much lost interest in traveling around after the first few years. Oddly enough, I did almost non-stop traveling the first couple years, then lost interest after that. It does not feel like I am experiencing anywhere new now when I travel, at least not in South East Asia, though there are places I have not been to. Therefore, it's not worth the energy expenditure making plans and arrangements. I also have less energy to travel then I had before.

It's paying to be around a large group of similar birds, not the beer. People will pay a premium to be around their own kind in a foreign country where they are feeling isolated after just arriving. Sometimes it goes to extremes and they don't want to let different people in at the door, etc. Now, it can also be, to be seen and noticed. Everyone knows the drinks are expensive so they sit on a high perch, with a pricey drink and maybe even a mating companion. For that brief moment in time, they have bought an illusion of importance & relevancy. See you at the club, man pigeon.

Has anyone been refused entry with an O or OA visa? If yes, what was the reason given as to why?

Hello Victor, I wanted to thank you for dinner and drinks. We had a really good time and the vodka was excellent. Please let me know when you are available for another round.

I never liked those nightclub venues even when I was young. I want to see a live band when I go out. I can see why they need to be crowded to enjoy them, however. They are mostly for people watching and being around other people.

I strongly recommend forgetting Pattaya (despite the good reviews that always get posted) and heading to a top place in Bangkok. Sorry 🤷🏻‍♂️.

Not sure what you're talking about. I went to a live music place there the other night and the street was crowded. What's your problem, places not being packed solid? I don't think Pattaya is like that anymore, if it ever was. That's more like something you would see in a New York City or Bangkok club.

It seems like a place I'm retiring to where I'm not having favorable interactions with a large segment of the population. I guess it's possible to only associate with other foreigners or women, but it feels odd. I get an underlying feeling that I'm not welcome by a lot of people or that something is wrong.

Jobs are hard to come by (other then teaching) for foreigners here.

There are a lot of Thai's in the service sector with emotional problems. Low education and not a lot of introspection and self-development. Pair that with living in a small room and low pay and you get many people acting kind of weird. Never mess with someone who is preparing your food or handling anything that you are eating or drinking.

It's envy. They see more well to do foreigners there and the envy is worse. Envy seeks to tear down people who have more. It's not as bad in places like Pattaya and Chiang Mai because most foreigners there act and dress like they are skint.

I would agree with that. When I lived in Chiang Mai there was a Thai neighbor who played guitar, who hung around, but rarely, and was unusually open to everybody. He also played at the soiree we had that had a lot of foreigners present. So musicians, bohemians, guys into the marijuana scene, or tattoo's, or big bikes, also guys into leathercraft, arts and also some specific music scene that you resonate with like metal, rock or whatever all seem more open to interacting on an equal basis. Guys with those kinds of strong interests and character seem to be rarely found in Thailand, however. It seems like they are oddballs out in a way and not the norm.

One of my friends from college (in California) retired in Mexico. He knows all kinds of people there now. They go back and forth and visit, party, etc. It's become a bigger and bigger circle of friends. It's a big difference from my situation in Thailand.

I have been in Thailand over 10 years and just realized I have had zero Thai male friends the whole time. Do other expats here have Thai male friends? If so, what are their ages, how old are you and where did you meet? I'm talking about friends like I had in the USA where you call each other, hang out, go out to sporting events and concerts & drinking of course. Not guys you would know through a female or her relatives, but just guy friends you would meet while out and about.

Personally, I don't think you need the 20k. Never been asked for it 10 years running. If you have the visa I don't think that stuff matters. You have a visa, the dates do matter though, so always cross at least a day or two early, not on that exact date.

Backup properties are golden if you have a family. Unemployment, legal trouble, divorces, you name it and there's always a place to go quickly without a relative facing homelessness or that type of situation. She said in the video the 30 year lease was automatically renewable 3x, so 90 years and they paid for those renewal rights when the bought the property. If there was a new landowner they would presumably have to honor that 3x renewal as part of the ownership contract on the land. So if they had a good lawyer it sounds like they are there permanently or 90 years.

I don't eat meat.

That's true if they really want to live there for 30 years. My guess is they will want to sell and move in 5 years, or just let it sit while they are away. Strange how he keeps talking about the furniture delivery & setup 🤔

I got runs at the border and needed to book a hotel room. The toilet did not flush.

Me too. I ate at Taco Bell and got the runs at the border.

Unfortunately, most of the time you are spouting your BS to someone else. It's just like crapping on someone then saying you feel better and that you found an outlet. There are people who can take it, like monks and therapists, and recycle the negative problem energy. If you listen to someone's stuff next time though it evens out, you get what you give, etc.