spidermike007

I like the people. The level of english skills and the women seem to be the big draw for most guys. But random guys in the street, can be a hazard, and that is variable I would want to have to deal with, regularly. I consider the PI to be far more of a ghetto experience. But, I am referring to the environment, and I think you are referring to the social aspect. I agree with that. Thais are spectacularly insular, and seem to have little to no curiosity about the outside world. The people in the PI are infinitely more open minded, and far more Western. And the language is a huge plus in the PI. Many speak good english, and I would guess if you were attempting to speak poor Tagalog, the people would try far harder than here, to understand what you are trying to say. Since they are more Westernized, they are likely more creative, linguistically. If you do not have the pronunciation and the tones down perfectly here, the people are completely lost. A total inability to dance around in circles intellectually. And they barely even care to try to understand what you are saying! That is a huge nuisance and annoyance here. The PI is a foreign country. Thailand is a distant planet.

A demonstration of faith, and hope for a brighter future, for Thailand, eh? Nothing can ever change? Nothing can ever improve? Sorry, but some of us possess hope and faith. Dreaming of a better future for this wonderful nation is not such a terrible activity to engage in, is it? Sometimes, some naivety can be a good thing, if it gives us a reason to get up in the morning.

May I suggest a public execution, within the next 30 days? Why bog down the system with someone like this, if this can be proven without a doubt.

Perhaps in this instance mature is a coded word for corrupt, bent, moral sacrifice, broken ethics, bought and paid for, and working within a system of patronage. Their relative youth and lack of capitulation is what the people want.

They are more Western in their mindset. The colonial occupation by Spain, which was largely managed by Mexico, means the culture is more Western leaning. Which makes them more open to the outside world and more curious. Qualities which are sorely lacking here. I find it rare for Thai men to have much interest at all, in really getting to know us. They seem to be lacking curiosity of the outside world, to a remarkable degree.

Intelligence, knowledge and intellect are completely distinct and different things. I know alot of smart people here and elsewhere, who are not the least bit intellectual. And that is fine. Granted, a higher education can mean more knowledge of certain areas. But, not always. So, I tend to have wide ranging discussions with my foreign friends, while many Thais consider the topics of history, cosmology, biology, oceanography, wreck diving, astronomy and science to be highly boring. It is not an issue of intelligence, but rather interest. And perhaps curiosity.

Even though my wife is very smart, I do not get much intellectual stimulation from the relationship. But, I get so much else. And in all of the relationships I was ever in with really smart women, who I got intellectual stimulation from, there was also so much grief to contend with. Such combative women. So much competition. Yikes. Thrilled to death to have left all of that behind. When I was only in the relationship for a year or so, I had dinner with a very sharp American friend. I asked him about that. He laughed. He said, when you feel the need for intellectual stimulation, call me. We can hook up for the meal, and break down the origins of the cosmos. Do not fret. That same brain that gives you that stimulation, also tends to give you so much grief, it is not worth it, on any level. Get over it. Enjoy all of the other qualities, that make your day so delightful and fulfilling. Great advice, that I have followed to this day. I learned long ago that an intellectual woman, who can match me intellectually, also tends to be a combative woman, and the chance of harmony is low. I for one, love a harmonious house, where my woman is joyful and light hearted, with a great sense of humor, and an amazing attitude toward life, and us. Just my point of view. Whatever works for you, stick with it.

Please feel free to share some links of wealthy Thais giving away significant amounts of money. Not talking about temple donations.

Has anyone ever not tried Mexican tacos? Kind of like asking if anyone has ever tried a sandwich, or a hamburger. Personally, I love grilled fish tacos. With shredded cabbage or lettuce, some spicy salsa, onions, and cilantro. Very, very hard to find here. I make my own. But with flour tortillas, as the corn tortillas are hard to source here too.

The authorities go on and on and on about tourism upticks, growth, and rosy prospects. Do they ever stop to take into account world events, a potential oncoming recession, the toll the massively cowardly and extended tourism shutdown had on the industry, lower consumer confidence, and an infinite number of other variables?

If this is real philanthropy and not just the promotion of Catholicism in Thailand, then good on Somsak Leeswadtrakul, for this recognition. You just do not hear much about philanthropy on the part of wealthy Thais. Nor wealthy Chinese or Russians, for the most part.

A poorly trained pitbull is a weapon. Much the same as unleashing an automatic weapon, a car onto a crowd, or a bomb. Lock this clown up for attempted murder.

Everyone is inspired by something or someone. There is no such thing as an original idea. All ideas emanate from somewhere. Everything has been thought before. We simply don't know it.

Thailand trails most of the developing world, when it comes to marinas of any sort. Not a bad idea. Considering the amount of coastline Thailand has, there is a huge shortage of both marinas, and places to get a boat serviced, refueled, etc.

Well, the Prayuth sponsored army appointed senatorial conspiracy is very similar to North Korean one party politics. So? Do you fight dirty, by being nice? Has that ever worked?

Safety inspections are always a good idea to conduct. Especially in a nation not exactly obsessed with maintainence. Germany this is not!

Always keep in mind Cambodia is an outlaw nation, run by an ex Pol Pot maniac, who has stolen billions, has his opponents killed and has a private security detail of 5,000 men. Hun Sen has been pulling the wool over the eyes of the West for a long time now. Just ask any of his political opponents such as Sam Rainsy, who they are trying to frame for crimes very much like the massive land grabs Hun Sen commits daily. Prominent Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy on Friday denounced elections in July as a farce after the sole opposition party was disqualified, and derided long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen's plan for his son to succeed him in power. "Now even the facade of democracy has collapsed in Cambodia," Sam Rainsy told Reuters on the sidelines of an event on electoral and press freedom in Jakarta. https://apnews.com/hub/sam-rainsy

It's time to renew and the company that we are with, which is Veriyah, is telling us that our car is worth 180,000 baht less this year. Seems strange. A nearly new Mazda CX-30. And the maximum they're willing to cover it for is considerably less than the car is worth. Fairly typical, but would prefer closer to 90% of value. Does anybody have any recommendations on a reliable car insurance company that pays claims and offers good roadside service? Is Veriyah the best? I saw some rather negative ratings online for AXA, Muang, and MSIG.

I actually had a conversation with my Thai wife today about leaving. First time I have seriously contemplated that, in well over a decade. I was very surprised she felt the same way I do. She shared alot of my disappointments and frustrations. It would be a big move, as we have assets here to consider, and we are both close to her lovely family. And we both love most Thai people, Thai food, and traveling around Thailand and the region. And up until the last year or two, I would say we really love our life here. Some of it might be Covid fatigue. But, alot of it is army fatigue. And what feels like a diminishing quality of life. I am just very, very tired of the goon leaders here, the continued xenophobia from them, and their constant nonsense and lack of leadership. Neither of us see any hope for the future. This is not about Covid. Though the handling of it has sure been disillusioning. It is about the possibility of a future. What will happen to change things and put this nation on a forward path with any kind of promise? Even if they get rid of the most horrible leader they have had in ages, how will they get rid of the highly corrupt and totally compromised 250 proxy senators? And will any of them ever be held to account? The level of toxic corruption and the "above the law" nonsense gets very tiring. And if they cannot figure out a way out of this backwards moving and ever deepening destruction and sabotage, do we want to spend the rest of our lives dealing with such lowlife leaders, moral degradation, and constant threats? And of course, the question is if we leave, where to? Certainly not back to the US. Thinking maybe we will check out Spain for a long vacation. Then we will see. Any thoughts?