Darwinite1

Phuket Opinion: Beach nipples not naughty

PHUKET: I note there is no space [for a reader to] comment on Blair Christopher's online story 'Phuket Nipple Alert: Staying abreast of nude on our beaches'.

So [as a Phuket resident] I'd like to comment here on how it is apparently perfectly acceptable for the male walking along the beach in the accompanying picture to have his nipples and rather prominent breasts uncovered.

I'm quite sure that up until the religion-obsessed colonialists began spreading their uptight, sexist anti-female doctrines, that indigenous women walked around the tropics all over the globe, freely bare chested in order to best enjoy the cool breezes.

The genital-izing and criminalization of women's chests has been fought in the US and women in New York City now enjoy freedom like most of their European counterparts.

I urge resistance to blatant, unfair sexism.

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-02-13

What hippy bus have you just jumped from? You're seriously comparing men being topless in public to women!!

The fact of the matter is, topless women on beaches IS against what Thai people consider normal behaviour. People are getting confused with what's tollerated by Thais and what is normal practice.

Thai people know that trying to inforce such a thing, at tourist destinations would be futile. That is not the same thing as them finding it acceptable and being happy that it happens. They just tolerate it as they do most other obnoxious behaviour by Farangs.

People constantly talk about hypocrisy, when it come to the laws and customs here. So what? What's that got to do with you or any other Farang. You're not in a position to question the law here.

hear hear!!

And my apologies, I should have clarified myself by pointing out that a Toyota is interchangeable with a scooter for this exercise.....I also note you don't put the age of your Thai wife?? And none of us will ever know the reason/s you married this women - genuine or not, nor will I go there, but there are certain generalisations that can be alluded to and that we are all aware of....nothing you have said has removed you from being under the microscope as being possibly 'one of those men'.

All that aside, topless bathing is culturally insensitive as the original article points out, and that is that.

I'm going to assume that you 'manage' the Thai staff you refer to? This puts you in a position of superiority and would ergo mean that they would not feel comfortable complaining to you about this issue. Even if you are working at the same level as your Thai colleagues, I will make an assumption that you are being paid more as is common practise. Whatever way you cut the cake, they would be highly unlikely to complain to you about topless customers who have paid to be there and spend more on one pool-side drink that your Thai colleague earns in a day!

So, would you like to put your arrogance aside, show some consideration for your Thai colleagues/neighbours/friends/staff etc etc, and respect the dominant culture!

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You are kind of funny Darwinite and I like you but........... Toyota doesn't make a "scooter" here at least so yes I drive a car, the wife is 33 so I think that's fairly normal? She is also in hospitality as a manager (actually in a higher position than mine) we met OUTSIDE of Thailand and decided to move back here. I don't think that I fit into your stereotype but that's niether here nor there the issue is weather this is actually that big of deal to Thais as the author of this garbage article believes. I don't talk to my staff about it but rather observe their reaction to it as I was also (wrongly) under the impression that they would break down and lose it if the saw this but guess what they hardly blinked an eye as I said before only a giggle. As I visit the beach quite often I see all the Scandinavian babes out topless with Thais walking by them as if NOTHING is going on. This is MY experience on the subject after 5 years of being here - no Thai cares! The prudes on here can dream all they want about the BIB doing anything about it because they don't care either, nobody is going to pay a huge fine for this and nobody is going to get sent home - keep dreaming.

p.s. try not to put all expat men in your little box as it's so over done already peace baby xoxo

To be fair on this point I did talk with one Thai man who touts diving, so his English is very passable. He said that they do mind, but most Thais may appear to not care when in fact it's just culturally outside most of them to make a scene. I mean, come on, we've all seen it. Excluding the violent, criminal elements of the country, most proper Thais would rather ignore problems to avoid confrontation, and then when that is not an option many of us have probably seen them go over the top and lose it when confrontation can't be avoided.

It's still my feeling that they're not wrong to avoid making waves on the tourist boat. I mean lots of things that are typically frowned upon in regular Thai culture are brushed aside to allow for content tourists. In the vein of illegal activity that law enforcement turns a blind eye to in tourist areas, I think topless sunbathing is pretty minor. If a Thai person were going to speak up, or police officers were going to get strict, I'd much rather see them attack issues like treating windy mountainous roads like a personal racetrack or do something about drunk driving. Trying to head off aggression to curb drunken fighting wouldn't be so bad either, or how about cutting the insanely drunk off at a bar? You won't see it. The topless sunbathing? Honestly, who cares.

I have to agree with you that as a matter of priorities, it's more a frustration than something that needs to be administratively attacked in light of the other matters you so correctly pointed out. BUT myself and other like minded individuals are still going to feel very frustrated and angry at peoples ignorance and/or refusal to accept that : "...when in Rome [as they say], don't get around with your mammaries out at the beach in Thailand!" It's just plain rude!

And my apologies, I should have clarified myself by pointing out that a Toyota is interchangeable with a scooter for this exercise.....I also note you don't put the age of your Thai wife?? And none of us will ever know the reason/s you married this women - genuine or not, nor will I go there, but there are certain generalisations that can be alluded to and that we are all aware of....nothing you have said has removed you from being under the microscope as being possibly 'one of those men'.

All that aside, topless bathing is culturally insensitive as the original article points out, and that is that.

I'm going to assume that you 'manage' the Thai staff you refer to? This puts you in a position of superiority and would ergo mean that they would not feel comfortable complaining to you about this issue. Even if you are working at the same level as your Thai colleagues, I will make an assumption that you are being paid more as is common practise. Whatever way you cut the cake, they would be highly unlikely to complain to you about topless customers who have paid to be there and spend more on one pool-side drink that your Thai colleague earns in a day!

So, would you like to put your arrogance aside, show some consideration for your Thai colleagues/neighbours/friends/staff etc etc, and respect the dominant culture!

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You are kind of funny Darwinite and I like you but........... Toyota doesn't make a "scooter" here at least so yes I drive a car, the wife is 33 so I think that's fairly normal? She is also in hospitality as a manager (actually in a higher position than mine) we met OUTSIDE of Thailand and decided to move back here. I don't think that I fit into your stereotype but that's niether here nor there the issue is weather this is actually that big of deal to Thais as the author of this garbage article believes. I don't talk to my staff about it but rather observe their reaction to it as I was also (wrongly) under the impression that they would break down and lose it if the saw this but guess what they hardly blinked an eye as I said before only a giggle. As I visit the beach quite often I see all the Scandinavian babes out topless with Thais walking by them as if NOTHING is going on. This is MY experience on the subject after 5 years of being here - no Thai cares! The prudes on here can dream all they want about the BIB doing anything about it because they don't care either, nobody is going to pay a huge fine for this and nobody is going to get sent home - keep dreaming.

p.s. try not to put all expat men in your little box as it's so over done already peace baby xoxo

Alrighty then, we'll just agree to disagree on this one my friend and I'll happily remove you from the box (please note however that one doesn't have to be a prude in order to disagree with topless bathing in Thailand, as I can assure you that I am not - my argument is based solely on 'mutual respect'), but if you don't mind, and as I have already adopted a guilty until proven otherwise approach on this topic, the rest can stay there - agreed and kisses and hugs returned with overwhelming enthusiasm

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

Just give me a call. I'll be glad to talk to the offenders for you

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

thai double standards. Dont fully enforce nudity laws, but fully cover up smoking, drinking, and guns on tv. Go figure. We have similar laws in Hawaii, but Europeans disrespect the laws there too. The law enfarcement should book em, fine em 1000, euro, dollars BP, hold for 24 hrs , then transport to airport and send em home. Word would spread fast internationally.

Thank god you're not in charge - why not move to Saudi Arabia then you can be happy that people are forced to obey the law better yet why not behead people for laying in the sun with bare breasts - word would really spread fast then right and you would have an end to the horror that is a naked breast - hey monkeys and apes should be made to cover up too heaven forbid an inoccent child sees one of their breasts.

fools

And YOU show you ignorance and lack of eduction with such a ridiculous response..... now, might I suggest you go back to the drawing board and come up with a response that is slightly more thought out and actually addresses the argument?

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

Why do you find the human body so offensive? Boobs are natural. It's your attitude that's unnatural. Why should you be the judge of what other people do?

my thoughts exactly. I also love the posts from the newbies, people just having moved here that are ultraprotective of all things Thai (yet to discover the great hypocrisy)....reminds me of my first year here ahhhh the memories :jap:

You need to read my previous response to this....AND you're clearly saying that respecting someone else's culture means that you've not been here long and aren't aware of the hypocrisies? Says it all here - and will now make an assumption you're one of those lovely Farang men who haven't see their 'equipment' for the last 20 yrs due to the gorgeous beer gut they've been tending to so lovingly, who is in his 50s, been living here for the last 20 yrs on and off, and rides around on his scooter with his very petite and pre-pubescent looking girlfriend on the back..... hypocrisy exists in many forms and you display it by living in a country where you show disdain towards other's basic cultural norms. If I get as jaded as you clearly are, then it will indeed be time for me to depart

haha Well Im sitting in my office with my colleague (Thai man 38 years old) and we are both laughing at your post and at the fact that SOME farang are making a big deal about what my friend here would call "normal". Normal and not a big deal for tourists ladies to tan without their tops. It's funny how TOURIST, English teachers etc. like you feel the need to protect the locals 'culture'

Im 41 by the way, 70 kg., married to a southern girl, I have a Toyota not a scooter, I've worked here for the past 5 years, I speak Thai AND I would laugh in the face of anyone Thai or farang that says this is a threat or assualt on Thai culture As I said in other posts - at every resort I have worked at here there have been ladies laying out topless around the pool and NEVER had ANY of the Thai staff I worked with be the LEAST bit put off by it but clearly YOU know what's best for them right?

Well, just because everyone here thinks it's ok to drink and drive (I would sadly classify it as 'normal' here) doesn't mean that it's acceptable, no matter what you or your friend think.

I am neither a tourist nor a teacher and have lived here for some time now so you're also wrong there also. I choose to live here and so no matter what the hypocrisy of whatever laws exist or don't, or the hypocrisy of cultural norms and practices (as you and so many keep pointing out) - given I am a guest here, I will do my utmost to abide by them none-the-less and respect the culture of the people who's country I reside in.

And my apologies, I should have clarified myself by pointing out that a Toyota is interchangeable with a scooter for this exercise.....I also note you don't put the age of your Thai wife?? And none of us will ever know the reason/s you married this women - genuine or not, nor will I go there, but there are certain generalisations that can be alluded to and that we are all aware of....nothing you have said has removed you from being under the microscope as being possibly 'one of those men'.

All that aside, topless bathing is culturally insensitive as the original article points out, and that is that.

I'm going to assume that you 'manage' the Thai staff you refer to? This puts you in a position of superiority and would ergo mean that they would not feel comfortable complaining to you about this issue. Even if you are working at the same level as your Thai colleagues, I will make an assumption that you are being paid more as is common practise. Whatever way you cut the cake, they would be highly unlikely to complain to you about topless customers who have paid to be there and spend more on one pool-side drink that your Thai colleague earns in a day!

So, would you like to put your arrogance aside, show some consideration for your Thai colleagues/neighbours/friends/staff etc etc, and respect the dominant culture!

...Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband.

ok, I'm here to help - next time, just post on TV where specifically this unacceptable behavior is occurring, and I'll go have a talk with the girls.

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

thai double standards. Dont fully enforce nudity laws, but fully cover up smoking, drinking, and guns on tv. Go figure. We have similar laws in Hawaii, but Europeans disrespect the laws there too. The law enfarcement should book em, fine em 1000, euro, dollars BP, hold for 24 hrs , then transport to airport and send em home. Word would spread fast internationally.

It's a thought hey - one can only try

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

Why do you find the human body so offensive? Boobs are natural. It's your attitude that's unnatural. Why should you be the judge of what other people do?

my thoughts exactly. I also love the posts from the newbies, people just having moved here that are ultraprotective of all things Thai (yet to discover the great hypocrisy)....reminds me of my first year here ahhhh the memories :jap:

You need to read my previous response to this....AND you're clearly saying that respecting someone else's culture means that you've not been here long and aren't aware of the hypocrisies? Says it all here - and will now make an assumption you're one of those lovely Farang men who haven't see their 'equipment' for the last 20 yrs due to the gorgeous beer gut they've been tending to so lovingly, who is in his 50s, been living here for the last 20 yrs on and off, and rides around on his scooter with his very petite and pre-pubescent looking girlfriend on the back..... hypocrisy exists in many forms and you display it by living in a country where you show disdain towards other's basic cultural norms. If I get as jaded as you clearly are, then it will indeed be time for me to depart

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

Your blood pressure goes up when you see tits, you need help, psychiatric.

Nope, but you clearly do though if you think it's considerate of people to run around topless in a country where it's more than culturally insensitive to do so!

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

Why do you find the human body so offensive? Boobs are natural. It's your attitude that's unnatural. Why should you be the judge of what other people do?

Well, you must not have read my comment too well - it's offensive due to the cultural insensitivity that these people show....they ain't on a beach in the Gold Coast! If you come to Thailand on holidays or choose to live here, you need to respect the culture of your hosts - simple as that. And yes you're a genius, boobs are natural - bloody love mine! I ain't the judge here - Thailand is....seems you're residing somewhere else yes?

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

I've been thinking about this topic a lot of late....is it not possible to have a baby 'drop off' location for unwanted pregnancies?

You are probably going to say this is naive, but they do it in many countries around the world. If a woman/young girl finds herself in a situation where she cannot keep the baby for whatever reason, instead of risking all the alternatives, she is able to just drop the baby off at a safe location and the relevant authorities take care of the baby and it is put up for adoption without any recourse for the mother legally speaking. Given there is usually a clinic or hospital or wat (at least one of these) in each populated area, couldn't they come up with a scheme to use these as drop off locations? As for how the system copes financially with all the additional babies and the other administrative issues, I've not thought that far, but it's a start in the right direction yes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_hatch

Hi Everyone - our little Pug has found a new home in Nonthanburi with owners who understand his health problem and we're currently working on the logistics - thankyou to everyone who has called!! With regards to our other dog, I've contacted "Russell Distance" to see if we can try to sort things out with our dog and work on a temp reprieve with the owner of the property so we can keep him, if not, then it looks like we have a friend who can take him. All is looking positive

Hi Bina,

Thankyou for your message, advice and understanding. I will definitely contact 'nienke' for advice.

We live in Phuket and are happy to pay to have them transported to their new home. Our friends recently used PAWS to have their dogs relocated to BKK when they moved there and I am happy to pay for this. All I care about is them finding the right home. We've discovered that we're just not really the right people for dogs unfortunately. They're both dogs who have been rescued by us so we've done our best to hold on to them as long as we can. The Thai dog we rescued as a little pup and he's been really well cared for ever since and we do love him so it is not at all nice for us to have to give him away and it will be a very sad day for our family. He is around 8 months old, has had all his vaccinations, he is wormed regularly, has been 'fixed' recently and also is treated for tics monthly and the Pug recieves the same treatement.

The Pug we believe to be around 3 yrs old. He was with another owner who couldn't have two dogs due to the size of his accomodation and he can't take him back unfortunately. If we'd known about the the awful smell and the intense requierments due to the skin condition, we never would have taken him on, but when we visited him, the owner had taken him to the dog sallon both times and so we had not idea what we were getting ourselves in for. We have been to the vet reguarly with the Pug since we took him on and he's had all sort of medications and injections and nothing has worked. It's been suggested that it might be an allergy.

I have already been contacted by a lovely family in BKK who may take him on and who are used to a Pug who had a similar condition and so they're prepared for his needs, so I am hopeful that he will find the right family for him

I have attached a photo I have just taken of the two boys.

many thanks one and all

hi. to the OP: please put up some pics if u can; and also include info like where u are, are u willing to travel to bring the dog/s to new houses/more info on ages... in other words, the more info, the more likely someone will get in touch with u... as fo rthe pug: perhaps some more detailed info on what u have done til now wiht his skin condition, what the vet/s think, etc....

will make it easier for people to make a decision...

to all those on the forum: i am warning all those that will start making comments bout pet responsibility etc. dont bother. the family is looking to find new owners for their dogs. thats all. they obviously feel they are unable at this moment to deal with dogs that seem to have problems, even if the problems can be dealt with.

to the OP: perhaps in the mean time, u can contact nienke and maybe get some aditional advice that will help u out with both dogs nutrion wise and behavior wise, until u can place your dogs. nienke i know has had success with many dogs and skin problems, she is a sponsor on the forum, u can PM her... also, there are vets that peole can recommend that may be more 'in the know' about skin problems if u havent been to university vets for instance....

bina/mod

Our gorgeous little beige Thai dog has a case of the wanders and the neighbours don't appreciate it. We've been told to get rid of him unfortunately as we live in an estate with no fences. We'e tried all sorts of things but nothing is working. Sadly he needs a family with different circumstances. He's been 'fixed' is totally kid friendly (our little boy does all sorts of stuff to him!) and incredibly loyal (recently positioning himself between big dogs and us). We rescued him from being squished by the side of the road as a little pup and he's grown up into such a lovely dog - please someone take him and love him as we can't keep him for much longer!!

The other dog is a Pug. He needs a very special family. We just don't have the patience or time to try to find out what is causing his constant skin condition. And it makes him stink! He needs a loving family who has the time to find out what is going on and the patience to be at the vets for the medications and injections etc. He's a lovely little dog who just sits on the balcony all day.

If anyone is interested, please contact me 0862727480 for more information.

Hope to hear from someone soon!

Firstly, don’t stress.

There is an entire community of Burmese domestic helpers here in Thailand…long used by locals and expats alike. Many of them are simply much better workers than Thai’s for the same jobs, and are more motivated.

So, do whatever you can to get her legal, or keep her legal.

There are a number of ways that Burmese stay in Thailand.

The first, and most obvious one, is illegally, but they are subject to arrest and deportation and have no access to welfare services.

The second is via special work permits granted to Burmese, as well as Cambodian and Laos nationals to take on menial labour, household related, or simple adminstrative jobs. It requires a Thai company or individual (thai definetly, though I suspect a non-Thai is permitted) to hire them, and the migrant worker will be issued with work rights, an ID card, access to the public health system, and their kids, if born in Thailand, can go to Thai schools etc. (I'd make sure that your maid is not already under this system......if she is, and is still legal, then she can easily extend her stay with a new employer sponsoring her. Ask her if she already has an ID card).

The only catch with this second option is that the government only opens up NEW registration under this system once per year, usually only for 4 to 6 weeks. Unfortunately, for 2009, registrations closed at the end of July. We just went through this process to legalise our Maid’s status, as it lapsed temporarily as she changed employers. Those who miss out on this process, remain illegal. (nb...under this system, all burmese, laotions and cambodians will be issued a special cross border passport early next year...but that will be issued in Thailand). But as mentioned, if she is already legal with an ID card, she can easily extend her stay, all year around.

The third option is the one that you describe, and the one open to all foreigners who want to work in Thailand. She needs a proper passport and proper non-immigrant visa to enter the country, after which the employer gets work permits sorted. You’ll need to figure out how that is done, so maybe ask the brains trust in the visa section of the forum.

The final alternative, though not strictly legal, to this third option is to enroll your maid in Thai classes, and get her attending a legitimate Thai school. This will allow her to enter Thailand on an education visa, attend classes, but also work for you under the table. Quite a few people do it that way.

Hi Samran - hoping you can help - I have struggled for months to find a Thai lady to live with us and help out our family to no avail. I have found a few Phillippino ladies in BKK, but non of them want to move to Phuket. Finally, I found a Burmese lady who is happy to move, but has said that her visa is only legal in the Nth. Could you advise on what we should do as I'm in desperate need of some help and would love to get her down here asap! cheers and thanks heaps in advance

Hi - we're a family of 5 looking for a new home. We want to stay in the Nai Harn/Rawai area, as that is where our life and friends are. We don't want to go through an agent however for our own reasons. If you have, or know of any 4/5 bedroom homes in this area, please get in touch as I am finding it very difficult to find anything that has more than 3 bedrooms, or isn't astronomically priced. Our upper limit is 50k per month. Thanks in advance 0862727480