gisele

Hooked on Thailand, definately.

The last 5 years working in China was the first time in my life that I could really afford to travel. I had travel to Europe of course but I always thought it would be wonderful to sail down the Yangtze or ride horses in Mongolia, you know the adventure stuff like on National Geographic.

So I travelled in China, I camped on the Great Wall and rode horses in Inner-Mongolia, exciting stuff I thought but my first trip to Thailand spoiled all my other plans of travel here because I feel I am missing out if I don't come back to Thailand every vacation I have. Next week I have a week off again and I decided not to go to LOS since I am moving to Thailand soon, but it feels wrong, how can I go anywhere else, and I can't really explain why I feel this way. A colleague asked me why I didn't have the desire to explore the rest of the world, don't you have enough of Thailand by now, she said.

No, I haven't had enough. When I accepted my new job, no one was suprised it was in Thailand.

I guess I am addicted too. It feels good.

The wai just becomes automatic after a while.

I meet lots of thais everyday but no falangs so the wai just creeps in as your natural reaction.

Nothing to do with impressing people.

Thai also creeps into the language. Yes , no and thank you have all been replaced with the thai equivalents.

I know what you mean, I do the same here in China.

Samll things like handing out my business or name card the Chinese way no matter who I give it to even when I am not in China. I like the custom and got used to it.

Dui, Ni Hao or Bu Zhi Dao often are automatic responses even to westerners.

Not trying to impress just became part of living here.

people get married for many reasons that don't involve love first and foremost and so it shouldn't be surprising that over time they become unsatisfied and end up 'cheating'. In my opinion, this hardly means that they lack self respect or respect for their partner. It means they live in the real world and they are looking out for number one.

v. cheat·ed, cheat·ing, cheats

v. tr.

To deceive by trickery; swindle: cheated customers by overcharging them for purchases.

To deprive by trickery; defraud: cheated them of their land.

To mislead; fool: illusions that cheat the eye.

To elude; escape: cheat death.

v. intr.

To act dishonestly; practice fraud.

To violate rules deliberately, as in a game: was accused of cheating at cards.

Informal. To be sexually unfaithful: cheat on a spouse.

If not lacking in respect for one's partner then what does dishonesty and deception mean?

I'm Canadian, from Montreal. Presently I teach in Beijing. I came to Thailand for the first time 4 years ago, I have been spending about 4 months here every year since then and now finally I am moving here in June. I am taking a position as a university lecturer in Nakhon Si Thammarat. I can't wait!

I would imagine all our contries are the same, it's natural to blame outside influences for ones problems,

Quite right. It's human nature. After all, who wants to be responsible for their own decisions!

I was in CM once for Songkran, I did enjoy it. My friend who was tired of being wet did not enjoy it. This was several years ago on my first trip to Thailand and every thing was a novel experience. May I suggest to avoid wearing a white T-shirt or pants. : )

Why would anyone want on? They have fold down windows and I seem to remember the gearstick was on the dashboard...right?

absolutely right!

why do you want one in Thailand?

I owned one a few years ago in France. It could go 80km/h if the wind was right, going down hill. The heater was simple, you opened a little pannel below the dashboard and you got some heat from the motor, simple ac as well, just flip the window open.

Apart from BKK and Pattaya, not much as been mentionned about zonings for other places. What will happen Monday in Samui or Kho Phangan? Rocky Bay no more? Full moon party no more?

I understood "Real thailand" to mean non-tourist area. Bangkok is a big city like any other big city and for sure will have more diversity in demographics.

Do Pattaya or Samui reflect the lifestyle of Thais in general?

Beijing does not give an accurate picture of the whole of China, it is a very big city so as such more permeated by western influence. Is it the real China? Has living here given me the real Chinese experience? It's given me the experience of the real Beijing, a good experience.

However, my question is not about semantics but rather just a simple query to find out about the experiences of farangs who have lived in Nakhon.

So you will get to know the real Thailand. If that is what you are looking for, then go for it. When I was there it was not always easy, but I am absolutely greatful that I started my Thai experience there.

thanks ChiangMaiThai,

The real Thailand experience sounds good to me.

May I inquire how long ago and what you were doing in Nakhon and why are you grateful you started your Thai experience there?

I am thinking of taking a job at Walailak university in Nakhon Si Thammarat. I am a single farang woman. I have visited Nakhon a few times, it is a beautiful area. I am just curious to hear what are some experiences of living in that area.

Come on ...

NOT all Thai men are interested in farang women for $$$. Sure there are some ... but I can guarantee that not ALL are

Just relax and have fun ... Make it a home away from home (at least that's what I am doing now and it seems to be working)

I will count on your "guarantee"

and hope this will be the case in Nakhon Si Thammarat

I am also thinking about the fate of my social life, I am looking at taking a job in Nakhon Si Thammarat in the south of Thailand. Good job, lousy social life makes for a lonely time in Thailand

Have you ever been to Nakhorn Si Thammarat?

Do you speak fluent Thai?

If the answer to these two questions is no, I would suggest that you ask your prospective employer for a trial period before you take your final decision (or at least that you spend some time there before deciding),...

I lived there for a year before I could speak a word of Thai and I'm still alive. As with most places in Thailand (except maybe the deep South) if you don't get involved with the wrong people you'll be just fine.

Thanks ChiangMaiThai,

I am glad to hear a positive comment like this from someone who has lived in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Would love to hear more testimonials from anyone who has lived there.

If they banned distribution and sale of english language publications, blocked all websites, shut down all cinemas, required permits for travelling outside Bangkok, installed surveillance devices in foreigners homes.

...then yes, it might be apt to re-locate.

'Clossing boozers early' - hardly Orwellian. So what !

In Beijing, English publications are not on every street corner, some web sites are blocked, you may be asked your papers once in a while though I have never been asked, guards record comings and goings most anywhere. There are surveillance devices all over the place.

Generally, it's no big deal and we go about life quite happily. China is a very nice place to be.

There are good things and bad things everywhere.

I hope to move to Thailand in a few months for a job, I'm sure some things won't be perfect but other things will.

The practice of charging a different price to foreigners also occurs here in China, though showing a green card often lowers the price somewhat.

A Laowai may pay anywhere from 25% to double the price in places that attract tourists say like the Great Wall.

However the situation is improving yearly.

Still I am always taken aback at some of the differences I have encountered when I am in Thailand. The gap between 20 bath and 200 baht for entrance in parks is difficult to ignore.

Double is one thing, 10 times more is highway robbery, it's the principle.

Bending the rules is common palce anyway.

In Samui last summer, you could eat right on the beach at night at just about every bar/restaurant. Then, in the Fall, the law changed and the bars/restaurant could not serve on tables. So places like the Ark bar put out mats on the beach far enough from the shore and served food, however many places suffered losses. If Samui or parts of are not entertainment zoned, I am sure some loopholes will be exploited.

12call,

can you go to live chat?

I hope I wasn't such a bad judge of character about my ex. What would he/they lie about?

I don't understand your reply.

Are you referring to money matters?

Why?

What's the difference between men from the south and elsewhere?

I don't drink but I do like music, I like the Thai bar on the corner past the Baskin Robbins. I like when the Siam band is playing at Full circle or that other bar on the south part of Chaweng.

I get the sense that you don't have much respect for Thai men with Farang woman. Tell me more.

It's a big decision I have to make. My ex has gone back to Samui anyway.

Still waiting to hear from the university.

I liked the place.

Why do you say that? Do most Thai men use farang women for money?

I've been to Nakhon while I was dating someone from there but now that I am single again I am wondering if it will be impossible to socialize.

I am learning Thai.