SoCal1990

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. Alright, lads, I need to get this off my chest. What has happened to customer service in Thailand? Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile, a cold beer would show up right away and you would actually be treated like a paying customer. Now? You’d think I’d walked in and personally insulted the entire family of the restaurant owner just by sitting down and smiling. Case in point is last night. I went to this so-called “expat-friendly” bar on Koh Samet, just looking to unwind with a cold one and a plate of food after a long day. Ordered a simple meal of steak, well-done, side of chips, nothing fancy innit. I even asked politely in Thai (I always make the effort, you know me right), and what do I get? A blank stare, a half-hearted grunt, and the waitress shuffling off like I’d just asked her to solve a physics equation. Food comes out. Steak’s bleeding, chips are ice cold. So, as any normal person would, I politely call her over and say, “Excuse me, khrap, steak mai suk, fries yen mak mak na khrap.” (For you lot who don’t speak Thai, that means “undercooked steak, very cold fries.” See? Polite. Respectful.) And then, BAM! Full not having it attitude. Eye roll, huffing, snatches the plate away like I’d personally offended her ancestors. Ten minutes later, food comes back. The steak? Burnt to a crisp.The chips? Same cold, soggy mess. And to top it off, she practically slammed the plate down on the table like she was about to challenge me to a Muay Thai fight. No apology, no “sorry for the mix-up Khun Bob,” nothing. Now, I get it that times are tough and people are stressed, but why is it that farangs like me seem to get treated worse than the local soi dogs these days? I was polite. I was patient. I even spoke their language! And yet, this is the treatment I get? It’s not the first time, either. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had similar experiences. Is it Tik-Tok poisoning their minds? Economic stress? Just a general hatred of handsome, well dressed farangs like me now? I had the Rolex on. They could see I'm not a slouch. I don’t know, but Thailand is not the same place I first fell in love with mates. So I ask, is anyone else experiencing this, or am I just extremely unlucky? Bob.

No, I didn't. I'm not the OP.

Covid was definitely a Darwinian move of sorts. If we’re talking about large-scale, man-made disasters that could have been prevented, COVID-19 definitely ranks near the top. A lab-engineered virus, funded by its eventual victims, allowed to leak (or worse, deliberately spread), then covered up for just long enough to ensure maximum global carnage, it’s almost too on-the-nose as a case study in human folly. But is it the worst example in history? The closest parallels are probably nuclear disasters and ideological purges. The Chernobyl meltdown in 1986 was a mix of human error, bad science, and political negligence, leading to thousands of deaths and generations of suffering. But even that didn’t reshape the world the way COVID did. The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) is another contender, Mao’s disastrous policies led to the deaths of an estimated 30-45 million people through starvation, all because of delusional central planning. Then there’s World War I, a completely avoidable conflict sparked by a diplomatic blunder, costing millions of lives and setting the stage for even worse carnage in WWII. But COVID has something uniquely Darwinian about it, it wasn’t just a case of mass death, but of selective survival. The ones who took precautions, adapted, and stayed ahead of the curve made it through, while others didn’t. The pandemic revealed deep flaws in governance, medical preparedness, and public intelligence, all wrapped up in one tragic, preventable hot mess. And now, with the world moving on, the people who funded the whole operation are still in charge. What could go wrong, again?

His wife might not agree.

Then that would be roasting. Which is a grammatically incorrect answer to the question. Roosting is already correct. So the question is, why didn't you get that? I did.

The dictionary is your best friend.

Alright, let's unpack this. The US and China are supposed to be global rivals, locked in an ideological, political, and economic battle for supremacy. And yet, somehow, just somehow, the US government thought it was a fantastic idea to send millions in taxpayer money to fund virus enhancing research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and for good measure at a Chinese military lab as well. What could possibly go wrong in China? Japan at least would have been a better choice as a partner for developing pathogenic weapons. For years, anyone who even suggested COVID 19 might have come from a lab was labeled a conspiracy theorist, ridiculed, and probably shadow banned on social media. Then, when it turns out that the US did help fund risky virus research in Wuhan, the reaction isn’t outrage, it’s a collective shrug. The real concern now, apparently, is that discussing it might “feed conspiracy theories.” Because yes, the biggest danger isn’t reckless funding of potential bioweapons but that people might notice. And let’s talk about all that money spent “investigating” the origins of COVID. Endless hearings, commissions, and reports, when the truth was known all along. Billions wasted on performance art, carefully designed to look like they were searching for answers while ensuring no one truly responsible ever faced consequences. The Faucci performance was even convincing enough to keep people distracted. Maybe even entertained. Meanwhile, if you think this was a one off mistake, I have a Wuhan wet market bat to sell you. Given the staggering success of COVID in terms of global disruption, why wouldn’t they be working on something even more advanced? Maybe a virus that only targets specific genetic markers? The real challenge isn’t the science, it’s deciding on an auspicious launch date. You know how superstitious the Chinese are. Every time the Americans schedule it, Beijing wants to push it back for feng shui reasons. And when the next pathogen conveniently appears, we’ll hear the same reassurances, the same denials, and then, years later, someone will quietly confirm the truth long after it actually matters. But hey, at least we can rest easy knowing the real problem is “misinformation.”

Something I forgot to add to my original post is one very major convenience that I’ve come to appreciate in Thailand, which is the ability to buy virtually anything online now through platforms like Lazada. Back in the day, running errands in Bangkok to get something you needed often meant wasting three or more hours stuck in traffic just to hunt down a small, single item. Now, with a few taps on my phone, everything I need such as electronics, clothes, home essentials, toiletries, sundries, kitchen utensils, appliances, even niche items are all there and it gets delivered directly to my door within a few days and I never have to even leave my home to go aimlessly hunting around the city for something I want. What’s even more impressive is the low cost of everything they offer. Prices on Lazada are often significantly cheaper than what you’d pay at retail stores, and the savings really adds up. Compared to Amazon, Lazada even feels more streamlined than the Western model of online shopping where sellers in Thailand often offer free shipping on even the smallest orders, cash-on-delivery is an option, there are often large site-wide sales every month, and there’s no need for a pricey membership to access the best deals. The ease, affordability, and time saved make online shopping in Thailand a level of convenience I didn’t even know I needed and perhaps it even exceeds the level of online shopping convenience when compared to the West.

Thank you. 🙏🏻

As I discussed, they likely won’t bother checking card payments in Thailand made using overseas debit or credit cards. Too much work and too many obstacles for them to pursue it with ease. The only exception might be if someone had no income in Thailand, no changes in their local bank balance, and no transfers in from an overseas bank during a calendar year, yet managed to live here 365 days a year. In that case, authorities might question how you’re funding your lifestyle in Thailand and they could become suspicious of illegal activities. So that wouldn't be good either. That said, if you’re a single retiree, you’re allowed to transfer in up to ฿210,000 per year tax-free, even without recognition of a double taxation treaty or proof of taxes paid overseas. A sensible approach would be to transfer in at least that amount annually to avoid raising any red flags about how you sustain yourself in Thailand, rather than transferring in nothing at all and raising possible suspicion. On the other hand, if you’ve already had somewhere around ฿5-฿10 million sitting in a Thai bank account since 2023, and you aren’t making any new bank transfers in, they’re still unlikely to question you either.

Bordering on causing liver damage. Need to be very careful with such high regular daily doses.

There has been a lot of confusion and speculation regarding the recent changes to income tax laws and filing requirements in Thailand. However, in practice, the actual impact of these changes is likely to be much less burdensome than many expect. It’s possible that the authorities won’t begin actively enforcing tax laws on foreigners for at least a few years, and even then, it would likely be only if those foreigners are living in Thailand as full-time residents and fail to file tax returns altogether. For the first few years, it’s likely that nothing will happen, as the authorities will probably give it some time to see how well people are complying and whether or not they need to start enforcing any aspects of the tax laws or not on foreign residents who aren’t working. The most likely scenario is this: if foreigners don’t get their tax filings in order after a few years, they may find themselves unable to renew their long-stay visas until they do. But even this is speculative. There’s no guarantee that the immigration and revenue departments will link their systems in such a way that one triggers the other. While the immigration and revenue departments theoretically have access to each other’s systems, the idea that they will actively use this access to block visa renewals is still highly questionable. As long as you file a tax return each year, you should be fine. By doing so, you demonstrate your intention to comply with the law, which is all they really expect. It’s doubtful they have the resources to start auditing individuals or scrutinizing bank accounts to track overseas transfers. File your return on time each year, and you’re unlikely to face any issues. Even if someone were audited, it seems highly unlikely that the authorities would investigate overseas credit or debit card spending in Thailand, this is in regards to foreigners who aren’t transferring money into the country and are simply making digital payments for everything in Thailand. Those foreigners could refuse to hand over overseas banking documents, and there would be no way for the authorities to force them to do so. For local bank accounts, the Thai Revenue Department could request statements from the banks, but they have no access to overseas banking or credit card records. Realistically, they’d likely never even bother trying to obtain overseas bank statements. So in my view, the whole debate about spending in Thailand using mainly an overseas debit card, and having to pay personal income tax on that money in Thailand is moot. Legally, yes, there are rules, but in practice, it’s straightforward: file a tax return, show that you’re playing by the rules, and you should be fine. If you’re bringing in a small or reasonable sum each year, you’re unlikely to raise any red flags regarding unpaid taxes, money laundering, or anything else. The government has limited resources and much bigger fish to fry when it comes to enforcement. One crucial point that many seem to be overlooking is that for money to be taxable in Thailand, it must have been earned either in 2024 or sometime after that year. So, even if you transferred ฿10 million into Thailand in 2024, if you can provide an overseas bank statement from 2023 showing a balance of ฿10 million, that money wouldn’t technically be taxable anyway because it was part of your savings earned prior to 2024.

I think the digital, wireless, cardless, and online payment aspect of the banking industry has made a lot of progress in Thailand. But setting up accounts at local banks and getting things done at a bank can still take ages and multiple trips to the bank as you experienced. I have had similar experiences in the past getting things set up with BBL and UOB with lots of errors and mistakes until everything started working correctly. But once everything is running, then it goes pretty smoothly and return trips to the bank are rarely ever needed.

Most of the time I'm carrying my physical debit card in my pocket as a backup, but rarely do I ever use it. Normally it gets used when I occasionally encounter a store that has an outdated card reader and I need to insert the physical card to complete the payment.

Today, I went to fill up my motorcycle with petrol and paid using my Wise debit card through Apple Wallet on my iPhone, simply tapping my phone on a contactless card sensor that was wireless and held out by the pump attendant. This got me thinking; has Thailand already truly embraced the 21st century to where it has everything one would need? People often say that Thailand is decades behind the West in some respects, and perhaps it is in certain ways. But in others, the country has made remarkable progress. Sure, we could spend all day pointing out the flaws, Pongsak this, Pornthip that, but I’d rather think about the positives. These are the aspects of life in Thailand where it genuinely stacks up against, or even surpasses, life in the West. For example, I can order food, drinking water, cannabis, a massage, or even companionship through one app or another on my phone and it all gets delivered. I can pay for nearly everything using my debit card in my iPhone, my banking and utility payments are done online, many are even automatic. I can also schedule appointments for visa and driving license renewals online whenever necessary. Healthcare and dentistry in Thailand are also excellent, prescription medicines are inexpensive, internet speeds are fast, Wi-Fi is everywhere, and cellular signals are reliable. Plus, nearly everything I need is within walking distance such as a gym, banks, supermarkets, dozens of restaurants, and 24-hour convenience stores. If I want to head out beyond my neighborhood, there’s an extensive and affordable public transport system, including electric buses, trains, and a network that leads straight to a sprawling, high-tech shopping mall. So, what more do we really need that isn’t already available in Thailand? Or, flip that the other way around, what conveniences available here are still missing in the West?

In many Western relationships, I believe that expectations tend to be rooted more in notions of romance, intimacy, and equality than in Asia. And in Thailand, male-female relationships often take on a more transactional nature. Essentially, there is an unspoken agreement I've noticed where, while a Thai woman may expect greater financial support from her partner, she often offers a different kind of flexibility in return. One of the key aspects that stands out to me is the level of freedom a Western man may feel he has in a relationship with a Thai woman versus a Western woman. Thus, Western men in Thailand often find themselves in a situation where their partner is much more accepting of certain behaviors that would be unacceptable or frowned upon in more traditional Western relationships. A Thai wife might tolerate the occasional drunken binge, a happy ending massage, or even the open agreement that the man can partake in a bit of infidelity. Proving that it's not about keeping tabs or setting rigid rules, instead she accepts that he needs his space and doesn’t push for anything too serious or restrictive. This arrangement is, of course, different from what many Western men are used to. Thai women aren’t necessarily seeking to control or micromanage their partners. Instead, they seem to offer a more relaxed and laid-back approach. The idea is that they give their partner the freedom to be more of themselves, with less nagging that often characterizes the relationships back home. This flexibility could be one of the major reasons why so many Western men praise Thai women, especially when it comes to relationships and even marriage. But there is often more to the story than that. Although, Thai women may not expect the same emotional intimacy or exclusivity, they may still demand something else in return. That’s where the transactional side comes into play. They might not expect lavish spending, but there’s often an expectation of consistent financial support, especially when it comes to daily living, providing a nice home to live in, and helping out financially with her family. But most of all, without the expectation that the Thai woman must also work. These things are something that Western men may be more than willing to give to a Thai woman than to a Western woman in exchange for the sense of freedom and ease that comes with being in a relationship with a Thai woman. It’s also worth noting that many Western men in Thailand seem to accept this arrangement because they feel like they’re getting more of what they really want from the relationship, being that their own added freedom and flexibility, rather than the traditional intimacy or emotional connection that Western relationships so often emphasize. So, when Western men talk about how wonderful Thai women are as wives, they’re really often talking about the things that the Thai women don’t do rather than what they do do. The men value the space, the lack of constant scrutiny, and the freedom to be themselves without the pressure to conform to traditional expectations of marriage and relationships. In the end, it’s a different kind of dynamic, one that prioritizes freedom over intimacy. Thai women offer an understanding of their partner’s needs, but at the same time, there’s an underlying expectation that support will always solidly be there, often in a financial sense. It’s not a perfect system, and it may not work for everyone, but it’s a reality for many Western men who find themselves drawn to relationships in Thailand. So when a Western man praises his own Thai wife, it could be less about having found the perfect soul mate and more about the flexible relational aspects they are benefitting from, which differ a lot to those in the West.

If you want to know what I got up to on New Year's Eve, let's just say it wasn't uneventful. But you'll have to read about it in The Lounge. All a bit too much for here in The Pub.

Wow, you're really desperate and clutching at straws. All these assumptions you're making about me, this is already your fourth set of incorrect conclusions. I suggest you quit while you are ahead before you strike out yet again. I wasn't following anyone, nor was I going anywhere. I was sat at the bar, next-door to the short time hotel, just having a drink and watching the comings and goings. You should try it some time instead of obsessing over who I talk with and where I go. Anyway, I've run out of interest in feeding your pedestrian curiosity. So you will need to go on making your continued wrong assumptions on your own and without any further corrections from me. Have fun with it because I'll be heading out soon to enjoy New Year's Eve while you sit at home obsessing about me even more. Cringy AF dude!

No, you're totally focused on me, who I talk to, etc. Nothing at all to do with the topic. Based on what you are focused on you're either gay or homophobic, but hopefully it's the first and not the latter.

I think in Thailand, the word "top shelf" refers to middle tier stuff. If it's really the top stuff in Thailand, then they normally refer to it as "exotic". But maybe you really were referring to top shelf and not the higher quality exotic stuff. Meanwhile, the price you pay in Cambodia does sound expensive compared to pricing available online now in Thailand. No reason it seems for one to pay any more than a quarter of that price in Thailand anymore. Just need to avoid the high priced shops in the tourist areas of Thailand and you'll be fine.

Are you referring to transsexuals in general or particularly the ones in Thailand?

Truth often stranger than fiction. And so is your obsession with who I speak with or not. Creepy.

Must admit I’ve never anyone as obsessed as you are with the original poster of a topic about the sex lives of others.

This was at least 15 years ago. He was a client of the company I worked for. He was an interesting person to speak with. We discussed many aspects of expat life in Bangkok at that time and the differences in male expat behavior. Have you never had a normal conversation with a gay person? Guess not. Too afraid? Seems like you've also learned your weak trolling techniques from Bob. But I'll await your next bankrupt post. Go on G_Drivel...

Over the years I've seen it at least 50 times. Maybe even many more times than that. I never counted. If I've observed that many myself though then how many other thousands are there that I haven't spotted?