Did I really consider leaving you Thailand?

[rooster59]

Did I really consider leaving you Thailand?

By Dan Cheeseman

 

 

I am not going to beat around the bush, living in Thailand can be a right pain in the arse at times. There I said it. If you disagree then you have not lived here long enough.

 

It can made you angry and you find yourself beating your head against the wall. Thai people do not understand that there are consequences to their actions. If you have a business then you will know too well how difficult it can be managing your Thai employees. If you need some working doing on your house then its a lottery whether firstly anyone will turn up on time or even turn up at all, and then – to add to the misery – whether the work will be done acceptably. The biggest myth in the world is that Thailand has a service culture; I have just gotten back from a holiday in Australia and I was confused by the experience of good service in the restaurants. I had forgotten that I was a customer and that I get treated well, in Thailand it is hit or miss. My gripes could continue in this vein for many, many more paragraphs.

 

Living in Thailand has highs and lows like a roller coaster

 

I have lived in Thailand for over 10 years and I view the experience of living here like a roller coaster. The moment you get complacent by accepting you are living a great life, something bad will happen. Just the other day a young Thai boy with no crash helmet was riding on a motorcycle at night time with no lights on and he crashed into the side of my parked car that I was sitting in, waiting to pull away. He had no insurance and hurt himself, I actually felt sorry for him. Anyway we both had to go to the police station and the police apportioned equal blame to both parties and my insurance were instructed to pay for his hospital bills. I was told I had a bigger car – something I have heard before – and need therefore to take more responsibility. I was not even driving the car, I just sat it in! I cannot help but wonder that if you reversed the scenario and I drove my motorbike into the side of a car with a Thai sitting in that the same rules would have applied?

 

Now at this point I am sure many of you are saying one of two things. (1) I am an old grump and just like moaning. I don’t know how I lucky I have it living in Thailand or (2) Why do I still live in Thailand then? Well, both are valid points. I often have considered leaving the country, conceding defeat and wanting a return to a normal life.

 

I have had a few trips in the last year to the UK, Dubai and Australia. Each one I enjoyed very much. Great service, quality food, clean air and a sense of order and harmony. Seemingly everything I disliked in Thailand was not the case in any of these countries.

 

Full story: https://danaboutthailand.com/2018/04/25/did-i-really-consider-leaving-you-thailand/

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[PremiumLane]

middle-class white-man experiences some 'problems' in Thailand, if only those pesky Thais were as smart and civilized as me. 

 

In the end, I had to behave a bit like them, now I am so cultured and world-wise.... 

[catman20]

rooster 59 i think you've nailed it.

 

i feel the same way really, been here 18 years and the less you have to deal with anyone here Thais or farangs the better off you are.

 

i still enjoy my life here very much and dont intend to leave. just keep yourself to yourself and enjoy your life.

[cardinalblue]

Sitting in the car but waiting to pull away? No lights on and where were you in relationship to bike? Sounds like you were the driver whether moving or not? Waiting to pull away means the engine is on?

 

been here 18 years and have had enough...when my pension kicks in and Medicare coverage, will head back for at least 50% of the time...the overall problem I have is not that this culture has problems but no progress is made to minimize or improve the situations or circumstances the culture relies on status quo than rather trying to improve problems for the greater good....that is frustrating....

[1FinickyOne]

If your disposition is not like the others then you are probably not going to feel you fit in anywhere... some of us enjoy it here because it is different and recognize that there are issues everywhere... 

[henry15]

Visit Thailand since 1976.  Live here permenantly  since 24.04.2008 .I never, even for 1 second felt the urge  to leave Thailand.

Edited April 30, 2018 by henry15
spelling

[meechai]

Thailand is very much like the Hotel California

You can check out anytime you want but you may never leave because when you do for 2 week vacations you

just want to get back to LOS asap. Like you need a hit,dose,what ever it gave

 

But, if you do leave for a repatriation the first few months will be rough especially if you lived in LOS more than 6+years

but then something strange starts to happen.

 

You start to see again & realize it was just a very strong mirage that made a pile of crap shine brightly

You start to notice what true quality means. Quality in food,services,people

You also start to notice it costs about the same as it did in LOS except now you have that quality

 

Your mileage may vary but at the end of the day if you get past the withdrawals you may find it is true.

 

[sfokevin]

Not too take away from your story but I’m trying to get my head around the somewhat conflicting statement “my parked car that I was sitting in, waiting to pull away”...  

[janclaes47]

10 minutes ago, meechai said:

Thailand is very much like the Hotel California

You can check out anytime you want but you may never leave because when you do for 2 week vacations you

just want to get back to LOS asap. Like you need a hit,dose,what ever it gave

 

But, if you do leave for a repatriation the first few months will be rough especially if you lived in LOS more than 6+years

but then something strange starts to happen.

 

You start to see again & realize it was just a very strong mirage that made a pile of crap shine brightly

You start to notice what true quality means. Quality in food,services,people

You also start to notice it costs about the same as it did in LOS except now you have that quality

 

Your mileage may vary but at the end of the day if you get past the withdrawals you may find it is true.

 

 

No truer word spoken.

 

I know of several people from different countries who moved back, some had been here leading a successful life for a few decades, and they all confirm the experience you describe.

 

There is even a tv member who writes a blog, and from what I read, he also confirms the same.

[Odysseus123]

10 minutes ago, meechai said:

Thailand is very much like the Hotel California

You can check out anytime you want but you may never leave because when you do for 2 week vacations you

just want to get back to LOS asap. Like you need a hit,dose,what ever it gave

 

But, if you do leave for a repatriation the first few months will be rough especially if you lived in LOS more than 6+years

but then something strange starts to happen.

 

You start to see again & realize it was just a very strong mirage that made a pile of crap shine brightly

You start to notice what true quality means. Quality in food,services,people

You also start to notice it costs about the same as it did in LOS except now you have that quality

 

Your mileage may vary but at the end of the day if you get past the withdrawals you may find it is true.

 

Very true and an excellently constructed post.

 

My personal experience-having departed 8 months ago-was that there was a "reverse culture shock" going on and I certainly missed the colour,vibrancy and absolute feyness of it all.

 

Gradually,over time,I began to work out that I was safe and back in control of my own destiny.For example I dealt with various Gov't agencies..etc..and  the negotiations with them were carried out with professionalism and without anxiety about some hidden rule,rule changes,bureaucratic and personal whims or requests to 'oil' the system.

 

I shall just go back for a short holiday in the future.

[KittenKong]

Thailand's best feature is the lack of income tax. The rest is nothing special.

When I travel elsewhere for a few weeks I do indeed look forward to getting home, but to me "home" means my condo or house and not the country it's in. And interestingly I've visited far more other countries since I lived here than when I used to live in Europe. When I was there I could never think of a good reason to leave, but here the reasons present themselves often.

[Gecko123]

@Odysseus123

 

Thank you for introducing me to the word feyness. I have been searching forever for a word to describe Thailand's ability to entrance, and definition #2.a captures it perfectly.

fey

adj.

1 a. Overrefined, exaggerated, or affected: "She said the word in a deliberately fey and pretentious manner, striking a pose" (Jenefer Shute).

   b. Effeminate: "a fey snap of the wrist" (Michael Eric Dyson).

2. a. Having or displaying an otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality: "She's got that fey look as though she's had breakfast with a leprechaun" (Dorothy Burnham).

    b. Having visionary power; clairvoyant.

    c. Appearing touched or crazy, as if under a spell.

3. Scots

    a. Fated to die soon.

    b. Full of the sense of approaching death.

[Mario666]

Now I am confused.....is the OP Rooster69 actually Mr. Cheeseman ?

 

If he is then he gave himself the Two "Top Billings" on today's forum....Guess if you're the boss that is your priviledge.

 

Either way I have to question Mr. Rooster/Cheeseman/Whoever?.... if you live in Bangkok why you need to take a Sauna??? Every time I have ever been in a sauna it reminds me of BKK and vice versa!

 

 

[Brunolem]

19 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

Thailand's best feature is the lack of income tax. The rest is nothing special.

There are other things, such as the weather which is obviously more enjoyable than London or Paris month long cloudy skies...how depressing!

 

There is also the fact that people here, both foreigners and locals, are much more opened, accessible, than in Europe.

When I arrived in Thailand, where I knew no one, I managed to make more new relationships in one month than I had in ten years back home!

 

Otherwise, I agree with most of what is said in the posts above:

 

- prices are always up while the service is always down

- uncertainty reigns (rules constantly change, when there are rules...)

- the farang is always wrong, no matter how absurd the situation (see the OP's "accident" in his parked car)

 

Finally, looking further in the future, things don't look so bright for Westerners in Thailand, at least for 2 reasons:

 

- the Chinese "invasion" already discussed in other threads, which is only beginning

- the financial situation of the West...Western currencies going down against the baht, and likely to keep on doing so...and bankrupt or nearly bankrupt pension funds (like it or not, the next and unavoidable financial crisis will translate into severe cuts in pensions, this is actually already happening in parts of the US, and socialist Europe will have no choice but to follow).

 

[Mario666]

24 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

There are other things, such as the weather which is obviously more enjoyable than London or Paris month long cloudy skies...how depressing!

 

There is also the fact that people here, both foreigners and locals, are much more opened, accessible, than in Europe.

When I arrived in Thailand, where I knew no one, I managed to make more new relationships in one month than I had in ten years back home!

 

Otherwise, I agree with most of what is said in the posts above:

 

- prices are always up while the service is always down

- uncertainty reigns (rules constantly change, when there are rules...)

- the farang is always wrong, no matter how absurd the situation (see the OP's "accident" in his parked car)

 

Finally, looking further in the future, things don't look so bright for Westerners in Thailand, at least for 2 reasons:

 

- the Chinese "invasion" already discussed in other threads, which is only beginning

- the financial situation of the West...Western currencies going down against the baht, and likely to keep on doing so...and bankrupt or nearly bankrupt pension funds (like it or not, the next and unavoidable financial crisis will translate into severe cuts in pensions, this is actually already happening in parts of the US, and socialist Europe will have no choice but to follow).

 

 

Quick 'Man The Lifeboats".....Oh sorry this is Thailand and there aren't any..... and your Life Vest probably isn't "Under your seat".

[Tongjaw]

1 hour ago, janclaes47 said:

 

No truer word spoken.

 

I know of several people from different countries who moved back, some had been here leading a successful life for a few decades, and they all confirm the experience you describe.

 

There is even a tv member who writes a blog, and from what I read, he also confirms the same.

We are planning to relocate back to my home country within the next couple of years. After living in Asia for many years I hope its all true and I can settle back. I know it’ll be easy for my wife and kids as they have lived in a few countries within Asia with me before. Personally I enjoy Thailand. After spending 30+ years living in various countries for work, I’ve come to realise that each country has its pros and cons. 

[DipStick]

15 minutes ago, Mario666 said:

 

Quick 'Man The Lifeboats".....Oh sorry this is Thailand and there aren't any..... and your Life Vest probably isn't "Under your seat".

It would probably be best to be able to swim rather than rely on life saving equipment, the same could be said for this thread hence the saying, the survival of the fittest 

[Acemaker]

4 hours ago, catman20 said:

just keep yourself to yourself

How Sad, and what a way to have to live, how the Hell is that enjoyable.

[Mario666]

"- the Chinese "invasion" already discussed in other threads, which is only beginning

- the financial situation of the West...Western currencies going down against the baht, and likely to keep on doing so...and bankrupt or nearly bankrupt pension funds (like it or not, the next and unavoidable financial crisis will translate into severe cuts in pensions, this is actually already happening in parts of the US, and socialist Europe will have no choice but to follow)."

 

If Western pensions are severely cut most could not afford to live back in the West. Unless there is some economic miracle (55555) in the Thai economy I think it will always be cheaper to live in Thailand than in my home country (UK) at least in my lifetime so regardless of where the funds come from and what the exchange rate is I am staying for the conceivable future.

 

Apart from that Have your ever experienced the UK Weather

Edited April 30, 2018 by Mario666

[Lacessit]

Every time I leave Thailand for 6-monthly medical checks in Australia, I can't wait to get back here.

[Mario666]

16 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Every time I leave Thailand for 6-monthly medical checks in Australia, I can't wait to get back here.

 

I go back to the UK usually only once a year for a few weeks to see Family, friends and sort out a bit of business.

 

I always make sure I go back in the Summer, i.e, June/July to avoid the miserable freezing weather and 8 hour daylight days.

 

I love going back, seeing the family, getting proper Bacon and other UK addictives (including Cider at £2 a pint in a pub or only about £5 for a 3 Litre bottle at "Bargain Booze" and decent wine with 100% grape juice for under £5 a bottle) which you simply can't get in LOS.

 

However, Cider and wine are just about the only things that are cheaper.....Oh yeah and all cheese.

 

So after a only a very short while I am counting the days to my return.

 

What a laugh.....now my home country is an expensive holiday destination

 

Edited April 30, 2018 by Mario666

[jesimps]

On 4/29/2018 at 11:27 AM, PremiumLane said:

middle-class white-man experiences some 'problems' in Thailand, if only those pesky Thais were as smart and civilized as me. 

 

In the end, I had to behave a bit like them, now I am so cultured and world-wise.... 

Stupid reply.

[catman20]

1 hour ago, Acemaker said:

How Sad, and what a way to have to live, how the Hell is that enjoyable.

i enjoy it very much i dont want to deal with all the lairs ex SAS and BS every one else like you dose. as they say each to their own

[DipStick]

48 minutes ago, catman20 said:

i enjoy it very much i dont want to deal with all the lairs ex SAS and BS every one else like you dose. as they say each to their own

SAS = Scandinavian Air System ?  BS = Boy Scouts ?

[KittenKong]

There are other things, such as the weather which is obviously more enjoyable than London or Paris month long cloudy skies...how depressing!

There is also the fact that people here, both foreigners and locals, are much more opened, accessible, than in Europe.

Personally I find it much too humid here for my taste. Back in Europe we needed to modify the indoor climate for about 6 months of the year to make it comfortable (heating mostly, of course, and a bit of cooling in the summer), but here I have the air-con on day and night pretty much all year. Similarly when driving. We had sunny weather there a lot also, so not very different to here in that respect, though I do prefer clear blue skies to the overcast ones that are common here. I think the best thing about the climate here is that as it doesnt vary I dont need to own anything other than shorts and t-shirts, and never need anoraks in the winter. But if the average temperature was 5 or 10 degrees lower, and the humidity around half what it often is here, I would not complain at all.

I cant easily do without accessible people.

[stropper]

yep you got one thing right, you are an old grump!

 

[Brunolem]

4 hours ago, Mario666 said:

 

Quick 'Man The Lifeboats".....Oh sorry this is Thailand and there aren't any..... and your Life Vest probably isn't "Under your seat".

This is beyond my (limited) comprehension...???

[faraday]

2 hours ago, DipStick said:

SAS = Scandinavian Air System ?  BS = Boy Scouts ?

Can't talk about the SAS on here - way too many guys were in the Special Forces......

 

[The manic]

5 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

 

No truer word spoken.

 

I know of several people from different countries who moved back, some had been here leading a successful life for a few decades, and they all confirm the experience you describe.

 

There is even a tv member who writes a blog, and from what I read, he also confirms the same.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/london-stabbings-knife-crime-deaths-murders-three-days-teenagers-statistics-a8281756.html/

60 knife murders in London alone. No thanks. Europe, especially UK is very violent and cold and expensive and boring

[jenny2017]

23 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

This is beyond my (limited) comprehension...???

The same meaning as Hotel California..."you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."