iminthailand

Sorry if this has been answered before. I did a quick search already.

Does anyone know how to invest in Thai public companies as a foreigner? I don't have a Thai bank but could open one if necessary. I'm only looking to go long.

My situation:

Arrived in Thailand about 1 yr ago. Have used 3 visas on arrival and one 3 months tourist visa in the first 6 months. I used 2 tourist visas in the next six months. They were all single entry.

I am considering going to Macau to play in the APPT tomorrow. I would be gone for 5 days but I'm not sure if I could get back in. I only need another month in Thailand before I go back to the USA. Also I lost my passport in the past year and had it replaced so I don't have any visas on there other than my current tourist visa.

Can I go to Macau and return to Thailand on a stamp visa? Can I get a 4th tourist visa. Never at any point was I outside thailand for >3 months during a 6 month period. Although I was probably out for about 3 months total over the year.

Please let me know ASAP if you know this because I will be buying a flight ticket in a few hours if this works.

Chicago deep dish is the best in the world. I've had quite a few pizzas in Italy.

Went to Siam Paragon and they didn't have it or even have it in the "coming soon". Anyone know if/where this is playing in BKK? I don't wanna buy the bootleg...

I'm going to bed now but I really hope this thread doesn't turn ugly. Please don't attack eachother. I don't want this thread to get too personal.

If any of you feel negatively towards western women as a whole can you please say specificly why? Also if you prefer Thai/asian women what class is your wife/gf from and why?

I think there will be an absense of guys dating Thai women from the middle and upper class that also hate western women.

Also there was ain interesting post earlier about IT guys that come to Asia 'cause they like asian girls. I agree that they generally hook up with asian girls that are more attractive (to them) and probably suit them better than a lot of western women would (being a quiet sorta dorky guy is more accepted/ the norm (?) here) . I don't think these guys are the ones saying "I hate western women" though. Agree/disagree?

I'd assume whether 2.1 kids or 2.4 kids is needed for stable population has a lot to do with the death rate of children/young adults before they can have kids.

I've been living outside the US for 12 years now and only return when I must (and when INS will let me in). The thing that struck me after being away for about six years or so without a trip back, was just how fat everyone was (male, female and the androgen who served me my first fresh micro brew at the airport lounge). And I'm not talking about overweight, you need to lose a few pounds, your BMI is a few points too high or whatever. I'm talking about rolling layers of blubber that overwhelm the allotted space in public spaces. (One does have to wonder if the serving platter sized food portions at most restaurants aren't part of it all. And ever wonder if they're making the utensils bigger specifically to help hide how much bigger the plates are getting?)

Who among us can say our Thai partners have not commented on this in their early trips to/days in the US? (And maybe some of the other fatter western countries--I won't comment on that as I'm already using my broadest brush as it is.)

Oh, about western women, can't say too much as my last one was in the '80's. She was a psychologist with big teeth, and crazy. From that I concluded that all women who are psychologists or who have big teeth are crazy. Was that wrong? Is it too late to go back and apologize? Perhaps a small donation to my favorite charity, "Friends for Western Women without Borders." No, no, it's not like that..don't be mean. They help fund poor western women's vacations to favored Caribbean and African destinations.

p.s. I sure hope this doesn't offend anyone. I'm only serious about the fat people part, the big portions thing, oh, and the big teeth and psychologists.

Most psychologists are nuts. The big teeth thing doesn't help.

To me it seems like 90% a function of money and 10% culture. If a somewhat educated man goes to a small town in the hills in Kentucky where finishing High school is an accomplishment he will be treated the same as a somewhat educated man that dates the village girls from thailand. The man will be quite popular in either situation. The same can be said for how rich thai girls vs rich farang girls act. A girl who went to Chalonglakorn university and who is waiting to take a position in management of her fathers 10 Million dollar corporation will be quite similar to a girl in the Western world in a similar situation. Neither one will be begging to find a man so that she can do his dishes and cook for him.

The only main difference is aesthetics in my opinion. Most poor girls in the states or England are ugly to us but may be considered attractive in other cultures. Most poor girls in Thailand are ugly to thias but attractive to some farang.

Another possible difference is the language/culture barrier. I think many farang give thais women the benefit of the doubt when they do something that seems stupid. Sometimes it is a cultural difference. Many times it is really just lack of education that is clearly visible to other thais. Thais will also give farang the benefit of the doubt if they step out of line. Maybe its a cultural thing or maybe the farang has social issues that would be seen a lot more clearly in their own country.

Anytime I hear someone say "I hate western women" it bothers me a bit inside. I feel like they are really saying "I hate women from the same socio-economic background as myself or above." Finding poor uneducated women who will date and serve men who are less attractive than them happens in any culture. Cultured and educated women from any culture will be more difficult to get and will probably be higher maintenance.

-Nick

*Disclaimer* I'm not saying dating Thais is bad. I'm not even saying dating uneducated girls is bad and I'm not implying that YOUR girlfriend is poor, thai, or uneducated. Do what makes you happy.

I have absolutely no sympathy for this guy at all. I wish he and all other farang beggers would be deported. At one point he had enough money to pay for a return ticket into and out of thailand. Anything that would put him on the street after that is his own fault.

Had a college buddy that went to Thailand in the early 90s. He got pretty heavily into drugs, cashed in his return ticket for more money and eventually had to beg from several of us in the US to buy him a ticket back to the US. About a year later his girlfriend found him dead on the couch in Seattle with a needle in his arm.

I'm sorry you lost your friend that way and I feel its definately a sad story. I think his story definately fits the "his own fault" part though. I don't really know the laws with deportation though. If he just went to thai immigration or maybe the US embassy and was like "my visa is out, I have no money, I wanna go home." Would they stick him on a plane? I'd imagine cheaper than lifetime imprisionment.

I have absolutely no sympathy for this guy at all. I wish he and all other farang beggers would be deported. At one point he had enough money to pay for a return ticket into and out of thailand. Anything that would put him on the street after that is his own fault.

Hey, I'm 23 and my dad is 53 and is coming to Thailand for 5 days to visit.

Any good ideas on what to do with him?

Was thinking 1-2 days in Bangkok (where im staying now) and then going to Samet. I've never been to samet before though.

Im sorry but this kind of information is just complete rubbish. There is some girls that may lie to you like that but there is also a massive amount that wouldnt dream of lieing to "save face" when you are in a proper relationship with them. You cant possibly say she has certainly lied, you dont know her.

I don't mean to imply that all Thai females lie and you are quite correct, I don't know the girl in question so I can't be absolutely certain. Actually what I wrote was that "she had almost certainly lied" not that she had lied. But I do know that saving face over rides most other considerations most of the time and that is part of the culture. My statement is based on the balance of probability and applies, I believe, to most Thai's. If you think that is not true, well, we have both perhaps had different experiences and/or exposure. For my part, I tend to take the things I am told by most locals with a few grains of salt until I can verify whether it is fact or not.

i guess that is a main concern of mine. Is it just the culture here in general to lie your ass off to your partner? Like I told her "your past is not that big of a concern to me, just be honest because I'd be way more upset to find out you lied". Was she thinking "<deleted>, what a weirdo, he obviously doesn't understand my culture?" I'd particularily like to hear from Thais on this.

Also it seems that many of the thais are not promiscous at all and it would be reasonable for a thai woman or thai man to be with <5 people before marriage (not that I want this, but I think if she lied about anything it would be the # of people she's been with). A lot of the guys are sorta computer geeks and the girls are very reserved. I think I remember seeing a preview for a Thai movie about a guy who had 32 giks at university and everyone was like WOW, that is so many like he is the biggest player ever. It was comical that he had so many girls.

I know it is nearly impossible to judge my exact situtation. Just trying to learn about the culture in general and also the culture directly surrounding my girl.

Middle class AND a 'cheer beer' gal?

You might want to redefine what you mean by middle class.

What is a "cheer beer" gal anyway? .....sounds strange as a career choice

A gal who puts on a sometimes revealing or at least tight fitting outfit of any of the major beer brands, or also liquor and mixed drink brands on the market here and tries to sell them in various bars, clubs, and even driving ranges. Some common ones are: Heinekin, Chang, Cheers, Tiger, Singh, Leo, JW Black, JW Red, Barcardi Breezer, and Chivas gals. They get a commission for each beer or bottle of liquor they are able to sell. They often redeem their commission by turning in the caps of said bottles at the end of the night (or whenever inventory is taken). Commissions are usually 5-10 Baht per bottle cap depending on volume of the bottle or sometimes 25-50 Baht for any liquor priced over 1,000 Baht a bottle. It's hardly a living... the "benefits" (if you can call them that) is that these gals get the opportunity to be chatted with, 'ta unged' (lightly touched), or sometimes worse: groped by anyone who has enough money for a night out. The trade off and potential upside for the gals is that sometimes these girls get picked up as girlfriends by local 'hia hia' or 'sia sia' or foreigners if we're talking about foreign bar and club areas.

In other words, hardly an occupation for a gal from the "middle classes." Of course, some folks might define "middle class" as anything other than a farmer or factory worker, so one's results may vary.

yeah, thats why I'm a bit confused. She has a 4 yr degree and works as an insurance underwriter during the day. She only makes like 10K baht per month from the corporation (she's only been there a few months) and said she wanted more money. Most of the other beer girls I've talked to probably never went to or finished high school. Seemed like a pretty stupid 2nd job IMO also.

Maybe not the best choice for someone who tends to be very suspicious.

Its not like I want a girl who stays at home or in the library all day. I don't mind other guys talking to her or even trying to pick her up regularily as long as she is honest with me. I never really care about oportunities to cheat. I think if a girl is going to shag another guy she is going to do so whether she has the oportunity to do so 1 time or 50 times and if she's not shes not. Its not even just jealousy either. I think a girl who is going to lie+sleep around will cause problems not directly related to cheating later on also.

Sorry my english is not good. Do you mean you don't mind your girl sleeping with others as long as she doesn't lie to you about that? If that is the case, you are the winner! The girl will be in love with you for sure!

I can see how you'd think that if you don't speak english natively, but I would not be OK with that.

How many ladies have you slept with? I find it amazing why someone would want to know these sort of details - really has no bearing on your relationship.

it just sorta came up. She was talking about her past and I was pretty much like "so im only the 2nd guy for you". I was surprised i guess. I think there is a healthy range though and its not completely irrelavant.

Feel free to move this if it is in the wrong place. Would like to get opinions particularily from Thais.

I spent my 1st 8 months or so on Koh Samui, so I might be biased because of all the garbage going on there...I live in BKK now.

I just get nervous because it seems like cheating is just accepted in Asia in general and even more so in Thailand (the sorta stick your head in the sand mentality).

I'm in my 20's and my gf is 23.

She went to a public university in BKK and from a middle class family.

She works at a major corporation in Bangkok but also works as a Beer promo girl and probably meets a lot of Thai and Farong men from this.

She didn't sleep with me right away and never seemed to care about if I had money or not (I think she knows I do now, but didn't for awhile)

She said I am only the 2nd guy she has had sex with (1st was a Thai bf she was with from age 20-23). She said she has been on dates with a few more guys after she split with her bf but didn't sleep with them.

I've only been with her for a month but see her almost every day.

Anyway, she is definately a girl I'd be happy to have a relationship with but trust is a big thing for me. She would be the only girl in Thailand that I've been with that I trust.

FWIW it wouldn't bother me if she has had sex with more guys than 2 (as long as its not Bar girl type numbers), it would hugely bother me if she lied though. Can I pretty much use the same logic/dating common sense as I can with a western girl here? I just want to be able to trust her when I'm not around.

I guess I'd like to hear opinions. I hear a lot of blanket "don't trust thai girls" statements but I really don't want that to be true here.

Thanks.

PS If some part of this seems ignorant for one way or another please keep flames to a minimum, not trying to offend anyone.

Dump her and find a girl that is flawless! (do you get what I mean young man?) Try putting her shoes on if you have time.

Not exactly sure what you mean? Are you saying I should just lower my standards and that Thai girls making $20K baht per month need to be sluts if they want to get ahead?

Maybe not the best choice for someone who tends to be very suspicious.

Its not like I want a girl who stays at home or in the library all day. I don't mind other guys talking to her or even trying to pick her up regularily as long as she is honest with me. I never really care about oportunities to cheat. I think if a girl is going to shag another guy she is going to do so whether she has the oportunity to do so 1 time or 50 times and if she's not shes not. Its not even just jealousy either. I think a girl who is going to lie+sleep around will cause problems not directly related to cheating later on also.

How are they defining "middle class"?

They have households with monthly income <5,000 baht and >35K baht in the survery, but no definition of limits?

From other posts the OP has made it's obvious he has friends and is not realy the shy type anyway.

I have never met a thai girl who did not cheat on her farong boyfriend when he is out of the country. Most of them (ones I do or don't shag) we end up having a laugh about how they get money from their bf. My friends have pretty much had the same experiences. This includes university girls.

I'm not saying ALL girls are like this but its ridiculusly standard. If there are absolutely any hints she is cheating on you she is.

I like the Tiger girls at Suan lum.

Yeah, I thought this post would come up....really don't want that lifestyle any more...When I posted it I meant girls who have sponsors especially sponsors > 2x their age. I still think that is generally pretty true. Anyway, Would rather keep this thread about the Original post.

She went to a public university in BKK and is not from Isaan.

PS If some part of this seems ignorant for one way or another please keep flames to a minimum, not trying to offend anyone.

Anyone that puts a statement like this in a post deserves to be strung up and slapped. For someone that is not trying to offend anyone you are doing a bloody good job!

Edited...was really just bad experinces on Samui that made me post that.

Feel free to move this if it is in the wrong place. Would like to get opinions particularily from Thais.

I spent my 1st 8 months or so on Koh Samui, so I might be biased because of all the garbage going on there...I live in BKK now.

I just get nervous because it seems like cheating is just accepted in Asia in general and even more so in Thailand (the sorta stick your head in the sand mentality).

I'm in my 20's and my gf is 23.

She went to a public university in BKK and from a middle class family.

She works at a major corporation in Bangkok but also works as a Beer promo girl and probably meets a lot of Thai and Farong men from this.

She didn't sleep with me right away and never seemed to care about if I had money or not (I think she knows I do now, but didn't for awhile)

She said I am only the 2nd guy she has had sex with (1st was a Thai bf she was with from age 20-23). She said she has been on dates with a few more guys after she split with her bf but didn't sleep with them.

I've only been with her for a month but see her almost every day.

Anyway, she is definately a girl I'd be happy to have a relationship with but trust is a big thing for me. She would be the only girl in Thailand that I've been with that I trust.

FWIW it wouldn't bother me if she has had sex with more guys than 2 (as long as its not Bar girl type numbers), it would hugely bother me if she lied though. Can I pretty much use the same logic/dating common sense as I can with a western girl here? I just want to be able to trust her when I'm not around.

I guess I'd like to hear opinions. I hear a lot of blanket "don't trust thai girls" statements but I really don't want that to be true here.

Thanks.

PS If some part of this seems ignorant for one way or another please keep flames to a minimum, not trying to offend anyone.

I agree Bangkok is not the best place for Farang girls. Khao Sarn has a lot but lots of hairy hippies mixed in (maybe u like that IDK). Seems all the cute ones I meet are in some kinda study abroad program or are teaching and are pretty spread out around bangkok.

Theres TONS around the islands in the south if you don't already know that.

I would love to hear Thailand's logic here. The thing I don't understand is do they really think foreigners are beating down the door to get paid here illegally in baht vs their home countries currency?

FWIW I just went to Cambodia to get my 3rd tourist visa this year figuring it would be nice and easy. They grilled me way harder than they did my past 2 times and it ended up taking 4 days total. The lady made me have proof of where I was staying (I have an apt) but couldn't prove it. I had to quick go find an internet cafe and book a room for 1 night for $2.47 and show her the confirmation. After that the "financial department" (person who opens the cash drawer and puts my $35 in?), was closed and I had to come back the next day and re-apply. When I got one in Amsterdam this summer it took <1hr.

I'm 23 and have more or less passive income coming in from the internet that I'd be making no matter what country I was in.

This is sorta a rant and I wholeheartedly agree I'm not a tourist, just someone who likes pumping money from my home country into the thai economy and don't see why there is not a visa for people like me.

But 7/11 does not deliver, which means you are off-topic...and the OP has a chance to lose some weight.

--

Maestro

im 6 ft tall and weigh 150 pounds....Big greasy food at 3am=good for me. GOGOGOGOGO...

PS just walked out to mikes 24hr grill. Suggestions welcome for next time..

I'm starving and its 3am. I would like to order some delivery. What is open 24 hours and will deliver? I'm in silom.

Thanks