There are some countries that can be beat some aspects of Thailand but when you compare the whole package there just isn't a budget country in the world that can beat Thailand - they simply can't tick all the boxes like Thailand can.
 

As for those people who feel Thailand is poorly governed, corrupt, unwelcoming to foreigners etc and suggest Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam or the Philippines as alternatives...well...good luck with that. Haven't been to South America but the fact that  "42 of the world's 50 most violent cities are located in Central or South America"  is hardly inspiring.

The fact that Thais group people according to race and use a simple single name to refer to them (Farang/White, Jek /Chinese, Kaek-/Indian/Arabic, Dum/Black etc) is not what needs to be explained. What needs to be explained is why people from WEIRD (Western Educated Industrialised Rich Developed) countries no longer do. The fact is that all countries outside the WEIRD ones have slightly derogatory names for the "other" that are easy identifiable to skin colour. Racism/xenophobia is the default state of the human mind. We tend to assume everyone has the same modern WEIRD outlook. They don't. Farang isn't just a handy shorthand, although it is used for that too. I think it's fair to say that for most Thais you are a Farang first and your personality, occupation etc come after that.  That can change overtime according to your relationship but it is surprisingly and to be honest, quite depressingly, sticky.

On 4/15/2018 at 11:52 AM, The manic said:

Reality is 'Maya'..an illusion. It's a fundamental  precept of Buddhism.  As with all belief systems people are selective . The Thais are no different. There is a lot to be said for their fatalistic disengagement from issues about which they can have no influence. This makes them both agreeable but infuriating. The OP might consider he and his life are as utterly meaningless to his wife as Syria or Brexit.

The average Thai is not familiar with Maya or any of the other major precepts of Buddhism (four fold path, 8 noble truths etc). I don't think Buddhism is helpful to explain Thai behaviour - it's just a thin veneer grafted onto existing animist/supernatural beliefs.

To be fair, a good part of this is related to gender. Women all over the world, when the they talk, prefer to talk about people, particularly people they know - so and so's son got married, she said this and he said that, I think she's not happy, her husband got a job doing such and such, that boy is putting on weight and so on. Men tend to like to talk about abstract things, politics, sports, history, events, things... rather than people they know.  This goes on in the West all the time too.

Although the interest in larger issues and general intellectual curiosity is definitely lower in Thailand, I have found Thai men - even uneducated ones -  to generally show more interest in these things than the women do. It's just that us farangs don't tend to talk to Thai men much :)  And let's face it there are huge swathes of people in our homes countries who are only dimly aware of what's going on in the rest of the world and have no interest in it at all.

6 hours ago, transam said:

I agree, and it took me quite a few years to work that stuff out.

 

It took me ages too!

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

People seem to be missing the question posed in the title.

 

Its "WHY" come to Thailand if you dislike it ?

 

Is there anyone who actually does that though?

"Would you like a Jelly Baby?"

Tom Baker (best Dr Who ever!)

OK, still need some clarifications about the word 'sufficiency'.

- Is it more to do with buying or using products that are sufficent for your needs, (as opposed to excessive spending on something that is more than sufficient for your needs)?

- Is it more to do with being self-sufficient, and growing/manufacturing your own food and/or goods, rather than relying on the supply by others or having to spend money on purchasing these items?

- Or it is a combination of both etc?

And no-one has yet identified the PhD holder who got it all wrong!

Simon

I think that it's a combination of both and can be applied to all lifestyles and vocations and to the nation as a whole however the king has made specific and detailed explanations on how this would work with farmers. For example instead of using all their land for commercial rice production they are advised to set aside a certain amount for fruit and vegetables sufficient for self use and selling any surplus if need be. He also recommends farmers raising their own pigs, poultry etc and each household having it's own pond for water supply and raising fish. He goes into quite specific detail on this and more and I'm sure you could find it if you google the topic.

I don't interpret it as turning back the clock or isolationism but rather simply living within ones means, avoiding debt and rampant materialism and wherever possible being self reliant both on an individual level and a national level.

It'll be completely relative to your particular situation in life. It doesn't mean shutting down your factories and businesses and living only on veggies grown in your own private garden (in the same way it doesn't mean the Crown Property Bureau will divest its US$ billions in assets anytime soon).

For me it means being content with what I have and not going for too much when I'm up at bat (singles and doubles are fine... no need to risk easy outs when you're already ahead). No debt, modest income and asset growth.

For other folks it might mean...

-buying an Altis instead of a Camry

-choosing Leo in place of Chang

-taking a holiday at Koh Larn instead of Phuket

-buying the store brand instead of the name brand...

Chang is cheaper than Leo.

Thanks again Boater. Sounds like it will do the tick.

Thanks Boater. Where exactly is Weekender Photolab? Will check it out.

Hoping someone can help. I'm looking for a basic but clean aircon room in central Lamai just for one night to put the head down. Doesn't have to be anything flash just clean with aircon and be central. I heard there are rooms going for circa 500 baht??

Would be grateful for any suggestions.

Is eating street food safe?

Yes on the whole I think it is.

I dont need the exact figure, just round it up. $215,000 USD and haven't worked since.

And, from thinking about making the leap to actually getting on the plane and doing it....how long??? About three years.

Yes I am and no I wouldn't.

No.

This is a good question and one I get asked a lot so let me know when you guys have figured out the answer.

As soon as you have gone, they will sell the cattle and get pis sed on sangthip, Believe me.

Maybe that is just what you would do?

Perhaps you should check out this part of the forum

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/drink-Forum-f98.html

No I wouldn't .

But there are many better ways to help out the local community, something that is fixed,something that once done they can't or wouldn't sell it.

Maybe consider a well?

Books for the school would be money well spent?

Many more examples could be considered, but cattle...... no way.

I agree. Buying cattle might seem like a good idea but it isn't. Buying books for the school or sponsoring some kids education is a better idea.

Being currently invested in the Thai stock market this is painful. Some share prices are incredibly cheap right now and I'm looking at buying some more blue chips for 1 to 2 year investment.

You're monthly income will allow you to live very comfortably in Thailand with plenty to spare (providing you don't start "taking care" of someone but even then it will still be sufficient if you are sensible).

My suggestion: DO NOT invest in any kind of business here for one year. Instead spend your time doing an intensive Thai language course while you get to know the people and the culture and sort through the various business "opportunities"at the same time. If after one year you still want to go ahead with a business venture you'll be in much better shape for it. I'll be surprised if you'll still feel the same way though.

With your monthly income I really don't know why you would want to put yourself at financial risk. There are plenty of other ways to keep yourself occupied and stimulated here.

Have you tried lubrication?