arthurwait

TLDR.

I live in Chonburi city, there was something going on on the sea bridge last week. Loads of fire engines 20+ maybe if them. Some had Laem Chabang port on them, rescue boats, rescue jet skis, Police and army. Once I got past the queue that was causing there was a load of army vehicles coming down the bridge in the direction of where all the others were parked.

Apart from that and a few more helicopters than normal, I haven't noticed anything.

Yup there are foreigners here doing that.

There's also a gang trying to lure people into a house and then drug them...be aware...They have tried me about 5 times.

Tried it on you 5 times? You must have written something on your forehead.

Hello 'Lucky man' I haven't seen you in a while.

The only way to express your dissatisfaction here is to leave the company. It makes little difference as their are very few companies which are all owned by already incredibly rich families though, but....

Both myself and my wife left one particular mobile phone provider last month due to their pretty much non-existent mobile net service. I didn't keep the same number and said no I am not keeping my number and not paying a daily rate until I open my new service as I don't want anything to do with this company anymore. Cancel everything now. My wife kept her number.

Obviously they can't contact me, but have repeatedly phoned my wife offering her offers to come back. One was increasing the internet speed for free, but as she pointed out it doesn't work at all most the time where ever you are so what difference does it make.

Another time they asked her what her new company was and then told her they were now sharing transmitters or whatever with them and their service would be the same as the new company. One of her friends is using both companies and tried both at the same time. New company works well, yet again none to intermitent service from the old.

Nothing will change here for a long time. We all know (except the newbies and very naïve) what the problems are and why.................................................

http://www.accountingweb.com/tax/individuals/mark-zuckerberg-will-continue-paying-a-lot-of-taxes

On the subject of digging. Does anyone know where to buy a garden fork in BKK?

I've only ever seen one in Thailand and I bought it at Global house Chonburi. It was actually the only one on the shelf and I don't think they have ever replaced it.

Take a look around the 20 bhat shops in town, theres a huge one in my nearest town, loads of stuff i bet you could sell in a village shop for 25 to 30 baht.

Good call, thanks bud

Try Thai Mart as well if there is one around there.

What about cheap wholesale T-shirts, clothes ?

Wholesale mobile phone top ups ?

Super Al doesn't need it, but Palace boys are natural studs. For you though Big C Central Chonburi had some last week.......so someone told me.

Some people on here are going to find out the reality of a lot of this new Thai money when this recession really hits home and so many of these supposed rich girls credit dries up with no more family land to sell. The copy cat business has naff all customers and even the boss isn't handing over I-phones to his accommodating office girls.

Anyway how would you know as they never pull their head up from their 36 easy monthly payment I-phones. That is if the boss wink wink hasn't bought it for them.

The reality is so many Thais have become obsessed with money and status symbols and 'respect' by the new money is based on how much money someone has or is perceived to have. See the naff third world farm trucks Fortuners etc bought on 8 years credit parked outside a house so small that they can't actually park it outside and 6- 10 people, 3 generations of the family living in that house. Oh and don't forget the 6000 baht a month Burmese maid status symbol following them around the shopping centre, note the lack of shopping bags.

Most the real rich or should that be the old money don't go to nightclubs etc where the new money and wannabes, gigs and toy boys hang out and avoid them like the plague. The people that do go to these places are on the hunt for money they simply perceive you not to have any. They don't care what you look like except that you look like you have money. (see the recent story about people returning designer goods to pay school fees) And as for the ones that have managed to buy themselves a new Toyota or Honda and now think they are above people.

It's Herpes.

On his forearm ?

Ah he's been to that bar in Pattaya.

I'm voting for those micro ants as well who love even a microscopic food source. Are you sitting in places where you have eaten anything even just a few times, even the tiniest of crumbs or liquid can attract them.

Darth Mauls dog ?

Well maybe she just likes you and is in the job through necessity wants to get out and start again with you. Maybe she isn't fussed about how much you have and it's still almost certainly a better life than she will have with any Thai man. Although the likelihood of a Thai man starting anything serious with a single mum or ex pro is almost zero.

Maybe she has several older sponsors already and just wants some fun and sex with someone she actually finds attractive. Most bargirls being sponsored are doing this with yes young/youngish farangs and ones that aren't being sponsored will still do it just for the sake of an enjoyable lay.

Also many bargirls have Thai boyfriends their own age, while being sponsored by older men or not.

Going to the village, who knows, maybe she just wants to have some fun with you there. Maybe she has old sponsors but wants to pretend it's actually a young normal boyfriend.

Maybe she sees you as naïve for showing her your finances and plans to get as much out of you as possible knowing the police won't bother with you or just to have a big night out for her family at your expense.

Or maybe it's for your internal body organs.

The fact is this country has very little to do and a very low educated population. The only Thais I have met that can have a stimulating conversations were friends at university in England with me and some people they know and some my wife knows. They all themselves have left Thailand or live in Bangkok. Sure there are some more out there, but it seems most who get a decent education then spend their lives sitting in their parents business and that's pretty much it. You need to live on an estate with educated Thais or westerners or there is a high chance you will be mentally bored.

The country makes it hard for foreigners to work here as that would increase the countries intelligence which the rich don't want. They just want a population to do their dirty work on the cheap for them. Most people spend most their time working in their own country and enjoy themselves in their free time, but with no work or very little mental stimulation people get bored or down.

Pattaya maybe a bit of a grot hole , but it at least has some things to do and like minded people (no I don't live there). If you are bored there you will certainly be bored in the 'real' Thailand of Nakon Nowhere. Unless of course you like being permantly drunk, having conversations about Thai soaps and stars and going down the local karaoke bar for teenage girls and the odd waterfall. Mental stimulation .....no chance.

The foreigners who seem happiest all the time here mostly live in Bangkok and work or teach all day and mostly mix with other westerners in western bars etc and some educated Thais or those that are in their first year or so here.

Thanks for your thoroughly uplifting point of view. I seriously hope you do not live here, with that attitude. Have you tried any laxatives lately? They can do wonders to lift up the spirits.

The truth is the truth. Which part do you think isn't true ?

Here 7 years, only here for my kids.

I am not doubting the extent of your misery here. I am only saying that there are things a man can do to improve his perspective on his life, and on his chosen place to live. Getting out of Pattaya often, and traveling around, with or without your family. Just get out. Change things up. Surround yourself with people who are not so down on life. A lot of options to improve your lot in life.

What misery and who is in Pattaya ?

Your post is riddled with sweepingly negative generalizations which very few people would agree with.

Ok we will see. The post was aimed at why some people get down.

My post may seem a bit down, but at the moment we have a 3 and a half year old and a 7 month old so so much of the time is looking after them while they sleep so yes I am a bit frustrated with the lack of mental stimulation/entertainment with other adults. Mix that with the neighbours both sides hounds from hell that are kept in cages going mad barking 24 hours a day waking us up 6 to 10 times every night I am on a bit of a tired fed up downer at the moment.

Study Thai language, learn Thai cooking, study Thai art and architecture, travel, ride an elephant, go on a trek, swim, camp, garden, teach, exercise, read, start a business, volunteer, raise a family. Life is what you make it.

I can hold a conversation in Thai read and write it, I'm very far from fluent at it but can do it. Maybe learning more would improve that but around the house (in Chonburi city) we are in until the new one is finished (1 and a half years late already) people do nothing but drink or watch Thai TV. Go to the next sois and roads and yes it's the same.

Exercise, yes I do that been with the kids to the park yesterday evening and today, watched the first half of Chonburi v Navy yesterday, left due to kids needing to go to bed. Run yesterday, walking today. Swam on Friday and Tuesday. Used to cycle but since having kids I don't like to risk a cycling accident. Since giving up one of my cycling partners (both Thai) has had a car hit him and break his arm, the other got hit and broke his back.

I've been cooking Thai food for 15 years since meeting the wife and other Thai friends at university. After 15 years it doesn't appeal much anymore. Still cook all the families meals cooked at home.

Ride an elephant, no I've seen what happens when it goes wrong.

Have a business, a couple between us. Working on something new at the moment, before seeing if it can meet all the legal requirements.

Teach, sat in on the wife doing that many years ago both got fed up with the kids only turning up when they wanted and usually between half an hour to an hour late and then expecting you to carry on and hour late for them. Oh and check my SPAG, bad isn't it ?

Thai art an architecture I'll take your word that it is of interest.

Thailand has a very low educated population. Sure, Thailand's educational system can be improved, no argument there. But to conclude from this that it is impossible to have a stimulating conversation with the "average" Thai is ridiculous, and I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that if you find having a stimulating conversation with a Thai impossible, it is because of the limitations of your language skills. I have discussed Greece, the Burmese boat people, child rearing issues just in the past week with my 'Nakhon Nowhere' neighbors. It is also ridiculous to complain about lack of mental stimulation in a given place when you consider how much of your "mental stimulation" nowadays comes from cable TV, internet, i-tunes, social media, Amazon books, etc., all of which are available universally.

As said there are Thais with decent education and interest but they don't seem to live round here, they go to Bangkok or abroad. As also said sure they are others around but you got to find them.

The only Thais I have met that can have a stimulating conversations were friends at university in England with me and some people they know and some my wife knows.

Again, this says a lot about you. You're suggesting that the only Thais worth talking to have to be Western educated. An extremely cultural centric point of view, which overlooks the fact that there isn't a profession out there which isn't well-represented by Thais.

Again you choose not to quote the part where I said sure there are others about.

it seems most who get a decent education then spend their lives sitting in their parents business and that's pretty much it.

A stupid generalization. What about all the doctors, lawyers, dentists, engineers, accountants, entrepreneurs, etc? The fact that you seem to be referring to people who go into their parent's business shows how superficial your insights are. And another thing, when kids do go into the family business, where do you get off suggesting that they are just sitting around? Few Thai businesses are lucrative enough that they can support that kind of dead weight; everyone has to pull their own weight, and that usually means working 12 hour shifts 7 days a week.

Again you choose to only quote what you want. Yep sure their are engineers and doctors and dentists. I know several engineers,Thai friends from university went on to be car designers , engineers , phd's , university lecturers, but all went abroad or to/ back to Bangkok. Wifes uncle was deputy chief scientist for the department of agriculture, her aunt was a economics university lecturer, but do there live here ? No. Are people like this all over Thailand ? No. Do most ex -pats meet people like this daily ? No.

As for kids not doing much in the family businesses you obviously haven't seen half the cousins watching Korean soaps or playing candy crush except twice a month when the lottery tickets come out. Wholesale lottery ticket business for about 50 years so going for more than 20 years before they started (one does seem to do it all for them though) or the uncles house building business where one of the sons works hard and the other spends his time chasing gigs. Or maybe the wifes ultra spoilt brother who lay in bed until 6pm until the age of 23 or 24 when his mum provided him with everything start his own business which he has never paid back. Oh and still ended up credit blacklisted (5.3 +MB car repossession) before coming to ask mum for a new Mercedes and 24 million baht for a house. That got reduced to our car and 7.5 MB for a deposit on a house, that got turned down so he went to an aunt who also turned him down, should have seen how upset he was. Family businesses not supporting kids doing not much, hmmm if you say so.

You need to live on an estate with educated Thais or westerners or there is a high chance you will be mentally bored.

One of these gated communities, hermetically sealed off from everyday life? No thanks! That's the last place I'd head if I were looking for stimulation. Sounds like a recipe for either dementia or depression. I would be bored to tears in a gated community. No way, Jose!

Each to their own. After having eateries open until 4am with customers blaring car stereos out at the previous house and the hounds from hell all night at this one, I know which I would choose.

The country makes it hard for foreigners to work here as that would increase the countries intelligence which the rich don't want.

Total B.S. The Thai government restricts foreign employment to provide employment opportunities to its citizens.

We will have to agree to differ on that.

They (the rich) just want a population to do their dirty work on the cheap for them.

First of all, if you don't think that much the same can be said about income inequality in the West (which has dramatically worsened in the past 30 years) you are mistaken. My read on the situation is that Thailand is slowly transitioning from an agrarian economy to a more diversified one. I believe the Thai government is making genuine efforts to expand economic opportunites for people who otherwise would remain on the farm.

Income equality in the west isn't the same. While those on benefits will deeply struggle, it isn't much, but it is more than is provided for people here.

People on low incomes again can struggle with the cost of things in the west, but not on the same level as the poor here. Healthcare and schooling and opportunities for people in the west do not compare to those for the poor in Thailand.

It's a country of business monopolies who donate to the governments to get what they want.

Pattaya maybe a bit of a grot hole , but it at least has some things to do and like minded people.

In all seriousness, and without taking a swipe at Pattaya and it's wonderful residents, are you seriously suggesting Pattaya as some shinning beacon where people seeking intellectual stimulation should head? With tongue in cheek, I can only say, 'who knew?' I always thought Pattaya was a place to go if you were looking for other forms of stimulation.

Not at all, but people can find people that have similar interests and language there where they will struggle to find people like that elsewhere. You're not looking down on people in Pattaya are you, your lordship ?

If you are bored there (Pattaya) you will certainly be bored in the 'real' Thailand of Nakon Nowhere. Unless of course you like being permantly drunk, having conversations about Thai soaps and stars and going down the local karaoke bar for teenage girls and the odd waterfall. Mental stimulation .....no chance.

First of all, probably 99% of the guys living outside of urban areas are family men. That is, they have a wife, usually a child or two, and usually some extended family. So they are frequently more socially established than someone (I know this doesn't apply to everyone) who is sitting on a bar stool at 9:30 in the morning. Not to say that nobody out in the countryside has a drinking problem. But, just using Pattaya as an example, the Central Pattaya lifestyle is primarily geared towards bar life. And what do you do in bar? You drink, smoke cigarettes, play pool, darts, watch football on TV, and oftentimes have essentially anonymous sex with sex workers. So if you want to compare the likelihood that someone living a family oriented active "clean living" "simple" lifestyle out in the country versus someone persuing the above directionless (albeit stereotype, but nonetheless true) lifestyle described above, I submit that you are more likely to encounter the blues in a locale like Pattaya than out in the country.

There are family guys everywhere, whether outside urban areas or in them like Pattaya. Many running businesses not sitting on barstools, You have seen all the farang businesses in Pattaya haven't you ? There are also barstool guys everywhere. 99% of guys outside urban areas are not family men, nowhere even close.Loads are single retirees and many of those married to Thais have absolutely nothing in common with their Thai families and can barely speak a word of Thai and the families can't speak a word of English. You have seen all the drunks and trolls we have had on here over the years who live outside of urban areas ?

Most of the guys out in the country who are younger 50-55 also seem to work off-shore which adds to the stability of the upcountry lifestyle. Many are farmers or teach or are devoted parents. Everybody's boredom threshhold differs, but those who stay active, and have a sense of purpose, rarely give voice to complaints about boredom. They also seem to be fairly financially secure, at least not living from one SS check or pension payment to the next.

If so many guys in the country work why are so many on here all day ? 50-55 is younger ?

And as for this notion that all Thais want to talk about are i-phone apps, last night's soap opera plot, or the price of chicken feet at the market, all I have to say is work on your Thai and you will soon discover that Thais are a lot smarter and much more "mentally stimulating" conversationalists than you ever imagined. If the topic of conversation isn't to your liking, you can always bring up a topic which is more of interest to you.

Yes again I said there were people but often hard to find. Have you witnessed Bangkok lately where they all walk and sit staring into their phones ? The BTS is like zombieland.

In summary, life, no matter where you live, is what you make it. Dismissing a whole country and it's people as incapable of providing his lordship's requisite stimulation is just plain silly, and more than a little pretentious.

I didn't dismiss the whole country did I ? As for your lordship and pretentious comments, I will refer you back Pattaya.

The simple point is that compared to most of our countries there is little to do in the way of what we like doing back home and in places hard to find people to converse with, unless of course you are super quick at learning one of the most difficult languages to learn. It isn't the be all and end all , but it can contribute to the 'blues'. Especially outside of Bangkok. Unless of course you like Thai cooking, Thai architecture, riding an elephant. etc.

The fact is this country has very little to do and a very low educated population. The only Thais I have met that can have a stimulating conversations were friends at university in England with me and some people they know and some my wife knows. They all themselves have left Thailand or live in Bangkok. Sure there are some more out there, but it seems most who get a decent education then spend their lives sitting in their parents business and that's pretty much it. You need to live on an estate with educated Thais or westerners or there is a high chance you will be mentally bored.

The country makes it hard for foreigners to work here as that would increase the countries intelligence which the rich don't want. They just want a population to do their dirty work on the cheap for them. Most people spend most their time working in their own country and enjoy themselves in their free time, but with no work or very little mental stimulation people get bored or down.

Pattaya maybe a bit of a grot hole , but it at least has some things to do and like minded people (no I don't live there). If you are bored there you will certainly be bored in the 'real' Thailand of Nakon Nowhere. Unless of course you like being permantly drunk, having conversations about Thai soaps and stars and going down the local karaoke bar for teenage girls and the odd waterfall. Mental stimulation .....no chance.

The foreigners who seem happiest all the time here mostly live in Bangkok and work or teach all day and mostly mix with other westerners in western bars etc and some educated Thais or those that are in their first year or so here.

Thanks for your thoroughly uplifting point of view. I seriously hope you do not live here, with that attitude. Have you tried any laxatives lately? They can do wonders to lift up the spirits.

The truth is the truth. Which part do you think isn't true ?

Here 7 years, only here for my kids.

The fact is this country has very little to do and a very low educated population. The only Thais I have met that can have a stimulating conversations were friends at university in England with me and some people they know and some my wife knows. They all themselves have left Thailand or live in Bangkok. Sure there are some more out there, but it seems most who get a decent education then spend their lives sitting in their parents business and that's pretty much it. You need to live on an estate with educated Thais or westerners or there is a high chance you will be mentally bored.

The country makes it hard for foreigners to work here as that would increase the countries intelligence which the rich don't want. They just want a population to do their dirty work on the cheap for them. Most people spend most their time working in their own country and enjoy themselves in their free time, but with no work or very little mental stimulation people get bored or down.

Pattaya maybe a bit of a grot hole , but it at least has some things to do and like minded people (no I don't live there). If you are bored there you will certainly be bored in the 'real' Thailand of Nakon Nowhere. Unless of course you like being permantly drunk, having conversations about Thai soaps and stars and going down the local karaoke bar for teenage girls and the odd waterfall. Mental stimulation .....no chance.

The foreigners who seem happiest all the time here mostly live in Bangkok and work or teach all day and mostly mix with other westerners in western bars etc and some educated Thais or those that are in their first year or so here.

Has he tried Makro, Little Indian and royal exquisite foods ?

import duty should be 30% of cost of items and postage. Problems I don't think so.

Just go with the flow. Get whitening cream ghost look or the white powder zombie look, it's so attractive.

Good luck in your business venture.

Yeah, yeah. I've seen you in paragon with your new love paying for everything she puts on the counter while she goes to the toilet.

Yes the are. IMO.

Animals for food are pumped full of growth hormones (or whatever the correct term is) Chickens , cows, pigs here. Girls are apparently starting puberty earlier because of it, whether that's true I don't know.

Baby milk is obviously affected due to the cows. Here they believe the marketing to feed them it until they are 4 where in the UK etc you are told to stop at 1 year old due to possible iron problems later in life. Obviously this only affects those that can afford it, but meat, eggs will affect others.

Add to that that miidle class Thais are eating more western style foods which have more nutrition that white rice and a few bits of meat or Som Tam etc and the western food doesn't have chilli or as much chilli which flushes the food through your body.

Wife says they are white ants. Something about changing after they lose their wings. Over 15 years I've learnt to carry a pinch of salt though.

They eat wood. It's basically the only thing that doesn't get mai bpen lai.

Most people with real money in this country don't show it, especially if the maker of that money is still alive and controls it.

There are some people with real money that do show it , but they really aren't going to ask you for money.

Then there is what 95% of the people that look like they have money are - lower class tax dodgers (as in most the business owners in this country) with a trail of credit behind them that one day has to be paid. Once the money from the family land sale runs out or they very fragile business (Thais aren't very good at coming up with something different) takes a down turn they are stuck.

I won't say anymore...............................