1FinickyOne

From what I can see, it started many years ago... they used to earn $1000 a year and then the call centers moved there and they started earning $10,000 a year and came here on vacation as what they felt was wealthy tourists who deserved special privileges for their phenomenal wealth.. maybe that is still going on.

I can't tell from the photo = but mai Daeng = is a reddish wood I think mostly from Malaysia?? mai sak = teak

What do you use for free portfolio tracking of equities daily? I have a Schwab account which is fine but I also have an investment account with my bank. They send monthly statements but I would like to track those investments daily... Or does Schwab offer that service too?

It's perception and perspective... I like my life, better and worse and I think you do too... If a person is so wildly concerned with giving off the perception of being a winner that he fights tooth and nail to be considered as such and spends much of his time that way, he is not much of a winner to me... I guess it depends on your values.

What if you are horribly unhappy? He mostly likes to play golf, does not like to be criticized, and by most all accounts is a very angry fellow who cannot control his emotions and requires a diaper. He has never had love come his way, he does not love others, including his children and his wife hates him. He has failed/bankrupt many businesses and has a long history of being involved in disputes averaging 3 per week when in business. Many accounts don't consider him a billionaire, though likely he is, he would certainly like to be richer and he does not seem to be satisfied with too much in his life. Even with all the advantages he had in life, financially, he does not seem like a happy man.

Thankfully you don't have to live with your aunt... or care what she thinks is appropriate. My wife and I have had different styles of relationship togetherness when needed/wanted. I think it is not unusual for Thai men to work overseas and so Thai people are accustomed to the breaks in a relationship. Most males in my village spend at least some time working overseas. It benefits the family. Amongst our large family, I do not see that it hurts relationships. For others, sometimes. We currently have a house outside of CM and a home in the village 3 hours away. We are both independent of spirit so it doesn't matter much who is where. There are no rules as to who stays where, just as we please. The family comes to visit often in CM area and we have a family compound away where they mostly live - - It sounds like you are doing everything just right - - and much better than most. You understand each other. And my wife and I have never really had a discussion of this - I won't go into all the reasons, but sometimes we are together, sometimes not - but we are welcome to come and go as we please...

What says loser more than calling someone else a loser? At least those guys are paying to live out their fantasy rather than sit home and be bitter... Oldest profession, nothing new here.

Thanks Simon - what a wonderful story. We had many family trips when I was young and it ignited a lust for travel in all of us.. I spent a month on Crete in matala and listened to Joni Mitchell songs as she was there the year before me.. maybe 1972... fond memories.

Send in the clowns, there ought to be clowns - - well, maybe next year,

War - ugh! What is it good for?

What makes my wife fake to you? Why would you call her fake? Do you know so little about women and wives that you think they are all fake? Or do you just like to call people made up names? What kick is there in that?

ok -but I don't think anyone will ask or abide me me

Does anyone measure anything in # of sandwiches made? My wife will eat an occasional sandwich but not usually one she makes... though she makes Thai food regularly

Is there anyone other than yourself that you feel spending money on is a good thing?

Absolutely - well said.

Me too. Any substantive conversation I had with my American wife, even if we agreed 99%, would eventually boil down to that 1% and blossom out into a fight. I hate conflict but she loved it, loved being right as if that made her right about everything in the future - it was always ultimately about "hand" or upper hand. With a friend, that aspect does not come into the conversation. When I talk with my males friends, there can be different opinions, but never a matter of winning or losing. As to the OP - my Thai wife and I have an often independent relationship - I think we share the purpose of our lives/relationship as being to make the other person's life better. My wife comes from a great, tight knit family. They used to be very poor. My wife takes command of the kitchen and home - - she enjoys making dishes I like but she can also make Western dishes for me or I can make my own. It has never been spoken but I look at my job as providing finances. I can do things they cannot. We both look after family together and raised a niece together. I enjoy sharing and - I DO NOT measure my contributions in how many times we boom boom. Together 24 years now.

providing good service is polite in this society and looked upon highly - he is probably glad to do it and does not need a tip - that said, extra money is always appreciated. I might wait until Christmas or New Year and give a larger amount and do it in such a way that nobody sees it...

haven't seen that at all - maybe the opposite. In the village, the poor people have not much to do so they may sit for hours chatting at the local 30 baht soup place.

A newbie in the Thai bar scene?

tell that to the dead cat...

And she ran circles around Trump...

Wealth is only part of the deal... how about time and effort? If you are willing to stop everything and be there for her every minute - that is more important than the cost.. right -

Who is World Health org

I am browsing the LTR Visa now... Is that correct that there will be no taxation on foreign income? Do they just look at the past year for proof of $80k income? And do you need only $100k in a bank here in lieu of health insurance? If you have tried for this visa, have you run into any issues? Easy process? Thanks.

of course they do... I dom't go into bars but in restaurants, all the time.