onni4me

So, I can't visit Thai family hous ewithout reporting it to someone? I rarely stay with them, just stay during the day and go to some hotel or resort.

This is one of the reasons why I consider leaving after 16 years. I bored of all the nonsense here.

Not that they have ever bothered me with anything. Not once anyone has come to the house to ask anything. And I prefer it that way.

I can see this backfire in so many ways...let's see what happens...

Jeez...is everything now racism?

I've been with every color imaginable so what does that make me? Racist against animals?

To be more serious, I don't have a such strong preference. A nice guy is a nice guy. What puts me off is too fat, too old, bad manners, smelly, very hairy...so that makes me a racist against particularly fat, old, badly behaving, smelly and hairy guys..?

I find this talk about racism boring. If you want to experience some of it, just ask Asians what they think of other Asians/foreigners or races.

When someone dreams of a black big ...er...something...that doesn't make him a racist. He has a preference or just daydreaming...LOL

From a guy who originally posted it was good to compare, criticize, and complain, you sure changed your tune on your second post. Drinking a wee bit are we?

But of course if this doesn't fit you or your life style then by all means don't take good advice. I could care less.

Now I am an alcoholic too? No, sorry to disappoint you. I rarely drink. Perhaps 2-5 times a year. You should try it too...makes life seem so much better...and sober.

And you seem to care a lot...just to say that my point was that I engage my brains first in any situation to asses it. I don't have rules per se but like to keep an open mind and if things look bad, I just walk away. I don't stay and try to rectify an unsalvageable situation.

I did say it was good to try to see things what they really are. Just that. Maybe that is not what you try to achieve but for real understanding of things it's invaluable.

The 3 C's aren't about being positive all the time. They are about not being negative all the time, and what this post is all about.

How can one argue with a person who thinks comparing this country to his own, criticizes everything he sees, and complaining about everything he doesn't like, is a good thing? You wouldn't be my friend.

I have lived and worked Overseas most of my adult life, and it is people like you that I see burn out first by a long shot. So let's see how long you will last and keeping your friends and family here, by bitching and complaining all the time and telling everyone that back home we had this or that and not the crap they have here.

You didn't seem to catch my drift at all. And you truly seem to be happy in your holier-than-thou approach...

I don't dwell much here on ThaiVisa since it is full of people who judge other's character just by reading some reply to their posts. Sad and yet so predictable.

Burn out? Hmm...actually I am quite happy here in this country. Been here 15 years and had a family 10+ years...have to try real hard to complain and bitch since I was just asked to join for a nice cruise by some Thai friends and they will pay for the trip - or their company to be more precise. So hard to have friends like this...LOL They must enjoy my negativity.

Oh and btw, you are not the only one who has been overseas most of his life. So it does not make you an expert. Hope you have everything under control and when life throws some surprises at you, I must advice you at that moment:

1) Don't "Compare".

2) Don't "Criticize".

3) Don't "Complain".

4) Don't "Come Here!"

There were also some comments which, perhaps, the writer can help me with.

1. Where can I buy scones and pikelets from?

2. Is there any clotted cream in Pattaya?

3. How do you cope mentally with no insurance if you are over 70, like me?

4, If we left Pattaya and returned to Isaan and lived a quiet life in the country (which sounds divine), I still need to keep my brain turning, and not be one of the many old farangs who go to the beach here, drink their coffee and sleep for the rest of the day.

I already do loads of brain puzzles that help me stay alive.

1. Donno. Buy a small gas oven and start baking yourself. Ovens start from about 8000 Baht upwards. Makro sells cake and bread flour. This would be an activity. I bake most of my own bread mixing oat meal in it or various other things making it more tasty.

2. Donno. I started making my own yogurts starting with natural (and expensive) Greek and Turkish ones made with the live bacteria and no sugar added. Only you need clean palstic containers and mix some of the old one with fresh milk and/or cream and let them go sour in the room temperature under a plastic film and after place them in the fridge. As far as I understand clotted cream is heated in a pot placed in hot or boiling water and egg yolk is used to thicken it and butter. Constant stirring is required. Perhaps some potato starch to make the mix even. I never made it myself so don't really know but recipes are there to look at internet. Good hobby cooking. Makes one happy to enjoy good food.

3. Government hospitals provide pretty decent care. I had an old friend at a Srinakarin hospital Khon Kaen having a stroke and he was in over a month. The bill came to 44000 Baht. They like to tranfer people to private hospitals if they have an insurance. Doctors are mostly same doing the dayshift in government hospital to make more money they do evening/night shift in private one. Even with the smaller budget you can get good treatment. If you get cancer or something more serious I see no other choice but to accept it or go back for treatment. We all die at some point. I myself am lucky been through 2 serious car crashes here in LOS with no major injuries. One broken ankle.

4. I have a small 5 room resort, a pool room and rather big garden. Sometimes I have friends come over for a fry up and few beers. I drink very rarely nowadays but fun can be had without being pissed. To feel connected I need weekly talks with my friends so I drive to see them. I don't know about you but having someone to talk to is essential. Otherwise your thoughts go in circles. I also do one new thing every week. If there is a street that I haven't seen before I go and drive to look at it with my bike. I order books from Amazon or similar internet book stores. Make your way to the beach. Sit under an umbrella. Talk to people. Have a massage. Sip some tea or coffee. There must be a club that you join in like many nationalities have. Go have a look. Go sing karaoke with people. Explore the things that you can do for free. I just wonder, you have any friends? That is difficult part here but try to find a way to get some.

I add a bonus. If you can't afford it here with reasonable lifestyle, I just can't see you making it anywhere else. What are your expenses? In Isaan you can find relatively new 2 bedroom houses around 5000 Baht a month (in Khon Kaen not city center but 4-5 km away) or if you go into the sticks even cheaper. Does your wife have a family house somewhere? Install an air-con there if you prefer one and go live there awhile. It doesn't mean you have to be there all the time. For a change. Food for thought. I understand that in your age it is not easy but I have found out that our happiness is due to our own actions. To take the choices that we want, not others. I can't live your life, only you can.

Cheers.

There is 3 Golden Rules called the 3 C's which everyone should get to know when working and living Overseas.

They are:

1) Don't "Compare".

2) Don't "Criticize".

3) Don't "Complain".

I suppose you could add another "C" to this Golden Rule for people who can't follow the first 3 C Rules. It would be:

4) Don't "Come Here!"

There is 3 Golden Rules called the 3 C's which everyone should get to know when working and living Overseas.

They are:

1) Don't "Compare".

2) Don't "Criticize".

3) Don't "Complain".

I suppose you could add another "C" to this Golden Rule for people who can't follow the first 3 C Rules. It would be:

4) Don't "Come Here!"

Don't compare? How one can in his right mind come to some exotic place and not make comparisons? It also serves in making improvements...

Criticism is also a way to clear one's thoughts on any subject and perhaps find a way to comply with changes whether they are positive or negative.

Complaining sometimes lets out the excess steam...

I not see much value in your advice. A person without brains goes not very far. And in that process also processing negative things is very valuable. I've seen far too many empty headed people repeating the mantra of positive thinking and burn out at the same time.

Not sure that you can read much real Thai history in Thailand.

What is published here tends to be an outright lie, and the books published abroad, reflecting reality, tend to come with a 5 year jail sentence. If you are caught in Thailand with one in your possession.

Agreed.

Most books I've read are in English and banned here which deserves the question, can a country ever move forward when it has not made peace with it's past?

In my humble opinion the answer is: NO!

Reading a well known book from 1840's (content can't be discussed here) I noticed how little, if nothing, has changed in the Thai mentality...and those unchanged things keep dragging this country backwards.

Pros

History

This 'History' keeps popping up every now and then...would someone enlighten me what I have missed here?

Reading about Thailand's history, it is full of power struggles and land disputes...war...slavery...much everything that Buddhism does not consider as good things.

When it comes to historical sites much would be needed to restore them to same level we can experience in Europe. Not to mention lack of art museums, well maintained artifact exhibitions and so on. And on top of that most "historical" buildings have been remade from concrete their murals painted with acrylic paints...

Best idea I got reading some old Thai poetry from a book series by UNESCO and that was not much. It was nice and touching but one of the few rare moments that I got anything new from this so called culture. And asking an average Thai is far from helpful...they simply have no idea.

So, I really would like to know what about this so called 'History' here?

They were full of cynicism when they arrived in Thailand. Life is a growth process, body, mind and spirit.

Go to the Temple or any house of worship and surrender to the Lord of your understanding. Stay with it, because when you are sincere, it will happen.

The good life isn't for the faint of heart. We are spiritual beings on a temporary journey as humans. Make the best of it. Fear not.

Yeah, that will solve all my daily business and other problems...I'll just walk to a temple amd surrender myself to the Lord...

That would be fine by me but my family would certainly suffer. No food on table and bills unpaid and other things not done.

This kind of religious BS in something I frown upon...and for many good reasons.

All together Thailand is still a great crazy place full of pleasure and adventure, food, massage, uncomplicated people, business challenges...

Could you somehow enhance us what you mean by adventure? I have been here quite a long time and not sure whether I would enjoy any kind of "adventure" Thai companies have to offer. I was once asking specifically if the tour around the islands was easy access since we had a person amongst us that was not bale to walk very well. Yes, they said, and then we found out that all transport between the cruise ship and island was to be done by a banana boat...

I have no clue what adventure you prefer to but a jungle trekking or staying in a tent with a zillion mosquitoes does not tempt me. I like comfort and am willing to pay for it.

Food? I cook myself mostly since I can prepare better food than 99% I see offered to people. If I have eaten well here it was in some place where a nice big juicy steak costed me around 3000 Baht. It was good but since I am not a millionaire I can get something similar done by myself. And my partner used to cook in an Italian restaurant so we both enjoy quality food. I hate MSG and the tacky taste of frying oil gone bad. In my experience street food is uneatable.

Massage? I have only had one guy that knew what he was doing. Unfortunately, I moved so I lost contact with him. There's been masseurs that made me hurt more than dealt with the issue. And no, I am not talking about "happy ending". I have problems with my spine and want only really good people to approach me with intentions of muscle manipulation. If you speak about sex massage, i have no idea because I see it as something seedy and not really my thing.

Uncomplicated people? Where? Yes, I normally get my things done but it involves more talking and agreeing than it would in Europe. Normally, it is very difficult to get things done EXACTLY the way one wants and that is far from uncomplicated.

Business challenges? Yep, that is spot on...so much that I have given up totally doing any kind of business in this country. Logistics costs more than Europe and everything is riddled with corruption. I get better money from outside with less hassle and no need to pay "tea money". I would advice anyone who has never done business before to avoid starting in Thailand and this advice is free.

So, can you emphasize on your experiences or is this just an attack on those who you seem as pessimists or complainers? There is also an alternative, they might be realistic...

I, myself am happy, but that is just due to the fact that happened to run into a good Thai partner and visit rarely on any Farang establishments. Next month we have a lovely cruise with Thai friends. I am the only white guy on board. They invited me. I wonder has this happened to you? And no, I am not the guy paying the bill...just my part of it.

will make it more difficult to buy firearms in Europe.

Legally, that is.

EU starts to remind me more and more of Soviet Union. In socialist countries it was upmost important to take the guns off from people...and we all know why.

When your own governments start to turn against you, how you are going to straighten that situation up?

Now they are after semiautomatic weapons meaning that shotguns and hunting riffles would be only a shot or two at the time. Great to make honest people's lives difficult.

For a terrorists or criminals it makes no difference whatsoever. They don't buy legal weapons. The ones used in Paris attacks were put together from illegal parts smuggled into the country.

Good riddance EU! I never wanted you but I will see the day you fall as all socialist experiments.

So, a Thai asking these questions...well, I try to answer something hoping you are serious.

1. You say you haven't finished your degree yet. Go and do it, since so many Thai companies won't even consider hiring someone without a finished degree. Secondly, it goes to show that you are capable of finishing your studies (= finishing what you start).

2. I was talking to a Thai friend working in a position that is loaded with heavy workload in a hotel management. He works in Khon Kaen in one of the biggest and most expensive hotels. He honestly said he wants to go back to Bangkok but can't for family reasons. According to him and his experience of 20+ years one makes a lot more money in BKK.

3. Since you mentioned USA, I would look a job from that direction. Plenty more opportunities than in Thailand without right connections. As you may very well know, you may have whatever diploma but someone with right family ties and so on comes here first.

4. Marry a wealthy foreigner...LOL

And the Prime Minister talks that Thais have increase in purchasing power of 5 -7 %. I'd like to know how he has come to that conclusion? Or he means that they will spend (= debt) more?

To claim that some Thai prisoner would pay thousands of Baht for a pig is ridiculous.

Here is some more info from an actual inmate that sees the things quite differently.

http://garygraemejones.blogspot.com/2009/10/sexual-abuse-in-thai-prisons.html

has maintained the tourist number target for 2016 at 32 million

I also have a target to spend a million a month.

I am extremely rich just lacking cash reserves at the moment to reach my target.

But I am fully confident I will reach my target a way or another...where is that loan shark I just met last week..?

And then the reality...

If you open this link and choose to look the 5 year statistics, 2012 there was a peak but before that - and after - the economy looks rather flatlined.

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/thailand/gdp-growth

As a result, private consumption this year was forecast to rise 5.6 per cent and 7.8 per cent next year, he said.

So, in economic downturn some stimulus suddenly creates a situation where people have 5.6 to 7.8 % more to spend? Is he talking about the whole economy or just the Isaan village heads that pocket most of the money?

i don't know what kind of mushrooms the guy likes to eat but the real GDP figures show no such increase.

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/thailand/gdp-growth

His sister Olga tweeted: ‘Thank you for giving us hope that has given some relief in the terrible tragedy that we have been living.’

I'm a bit amiss here what tragedy the sister is referring to? I mean the guy wanted to leave the life he had lived and chose to seek loneliness and so far has survived.

I too, would like to give it a slip someday. Actually, my residence in Thailand could be quite self-sustaining even now with a bit of work and some more land to grow food on. I love gardening and have quite a few fruit trees and coconuts growing. Love fresh fruit.

As a reference, Chinese live their working lives in Confucian effort to improve their family fortune and all effort is concentrated to serve the family. Later when retired, they change to Taoism which is quite the total opposite. They tend to build - those who can afford it - a small cottage at the mountains or similar enjoying the nature and contemplating their own life.

I have many times wondered whether I would have been happier without responsibilities. I hope that in about 5 years time my adopted daughter will find some nice guy and I can have more time for myself. It is not like I don't like to have family but sometimes it takes it's toll. And I am a guy that likes to read and think. Part of my job is to just sit around thinking the ways to proceed with my work.

Something to think about. What defines as a good life?

I don't see anything funny with that. Me and quite a many Thais - as far as I can see - carry all kinds of male shoulder bags with them. They are designed for male and different from the ones ladies use. You can google it if you are otherwise unable to understand what I am talking about.

Here is one example. http://www.yearsbag.com/621/leather-shoulder-bag-mens-male-messenger-bag.jpg

I must say I sort of admire her for putting up a fight but she could have been injured badly. I would not endanger myself in similar situation. Not that I carry anything of value in my shoulder bag anyway.

I hope the perp gets what he deserves.

My, admittedly, limited experience in the US was quite opposite.

I visited the Tri State area a couple of times and I don't think I met one American.

They all identified as Italian, or Irish for example. Of course they were all Yanks but i was surprised to see such a strong link to what would have been for many something from generations ago, yet they still cling to it.

Mind you I don't for one minute think that everyone in the US is like this.

Cultural identity and ethnic identity can co-exist. Peacefully, I might add.