why are we here in Thailand lets not forget.

[Skeptic7]

There is a BIG difference tween telling the simple truth and disrespect. Many here consider them one and the same. Many here think like Thais...that criticism, even constructive criticism...is a no-no. It's not...and it's needed here in massive doses. Simple truth shouldn't hurt, nor should constructive criticism be offensive. They should be taken seriously and LEARNED from. 

[Thaidream]

On 10/7/2018 at 3:47 PM, CharlieH said:

 

Enjoy it, embrace the change, accept it for what it is and just go with flow and you'll be much happier and probably live longer too ! ????(less stress).

So true.  No foreigner should ever expect that Thailand will ever be changed to suit them or that Thailand's systems will ever change because we don't like it.

 

We all have our likes and dislikes but generally speaking Thailand has many things that make it an enjoyable place to live.   

 

I don't ever expect any Thai-including my own Thai family to  accept me as a Thai person and once I understated the  Thai way of thinking and their history- it has ceased to bother me.

 

There are things in Thailand that irritate me- but knowing that I can't change them- I don't dwell on them and avoid them if possible.

 

I do believe  this board swerves a very useful purpose in that it provides an outlet for gripes and irritants that is kept among the expat community rather than confronting  one of our Thai hosts with issues that neither they nor we  can change.

 

 

[Calembeena11]

23 hours ago, Pete1980 said:

Another one in denial. I live in Pattaya, where it would be 90 plus. 

Thailand is famous for westerners marrying the prostitutes, like it or not.

That’s not nice your trying to say lots of western man have a Prostitute.

my miss is a great lady and she not a prostitute .

[blackhorse]

That’s not nice your trying to say lots of western man have a Prostitute.
my miss is a great lady and she not a prostitute .

He didn't say every man.

There is only a few places a thai woman can learn English. Certainly not unheard of by any means is a thai uni wife or GF

But by far the couples you will see are tattood dark skin version of English speaking thai wives and it wasn't learned through a correspondence course

Just facts.

[marcusarelus]

14 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

So true.  No foreigner should ever expect that Thailand will ever be changed to suit them or that Thailand's systems will ever change because we don't like it.

 

We all have our likes and dislikes but generally speaking Thailand has many things that make it an enjoyable place to live.   

 

I don't ever expect any Thai-including my own Thai family to  accept me as a Thai person and once I understated the  Thai way of thinking and their history- it has ceased to bother me.

 

There are things in Thailand that irritate me- but knowing that I can't change them- I don't dwell on them and avoid them if possible.

 

I do believe  this board swerves a very useful purpose in that it provides an outlet for gripes and irritants that is kept among the expat community rather than confronting  one of our Thai hosts with issues that neither they nor we  can change.

I think rather than an outlet it provides a catalyst for anger and has contributed to the change in the ethnic makeup of expats over the last 5 years. 

[The manic]

On 10/7/2018 at 9:16 AM, cyberfarang said:

Have to agree. I am also from the UK and sorry to say, my country no longer represents me. I am realistic about my status in Thailand and although try to adapt as much as possible, do realise that I`ll always be nothing more then a glorified guest, but I accept that and it`s not a problem.

 

Also lived in Thailand for several years and try to look on the positive side of living here. When I read posts on many of these threads, there does seem to be more negatives than positives about the Thais and Thailand and those that continuously moan and complain, have to wonder who they are, where they live and that these people must be living very miserable existences.

 

Although I enjoy TV unfortunately it does seem to have become synonymous for disgruntled elderly expat men that seem to totally cheesed off with everything in their lives and the world around them. They don`t seem to be contented unless they are miserable. 

I dont think its an age issue. Its a low intelligence issue..Also a depression issue. And for some who are newly arrived they may have a form of mental sickness caused by anti malarial pills. The Thai haters and bashers are frequently under educated,  have no sense of wonder or excitement  and for example swop info about burgers, pizzas and new shopping malls. They boast about their lack of engagement with Thai culture and are proud they have never been to a temple.

[SammyT]

Great post. I'm often bemused by TVF and how the posters go out of their way to attack both the Thais and their country, as well as other forum users over relatively innocuous things. One only needs to read for 20 minutes on here to see the same bunch of people who just write cynical, snarky or sarcastic replies, presumably to try and make themselves feel superior. Also the TVF Facebook page (and a bunch of the other expat facebook pages) seems to be full of guys who just want to put the boot into the country - constantly calling Thais lazy, stupid, rude and all manner of slurs. I often wonder why they're here as well, but plenty of people on this thread have done a great job of explaining why those guys are probably here. I think the relative anonymity of the forums probably exacerbates their willingness to give outrageous opinions or make personal attacks. 

 

For me, the things I love:

 

- Relatively low cost living

- Generally friendly people

- The warmer weather

- Laid back lifestyle

- Geographical location for doing other travel (NZ is 12 hours flight from anywhere actually worth travelling to)

 

I'm here for work, but I won't be in Thailand forever, though I'm grateful for the time I've had here. I've been here 3 years and I've never ever felt unwelcome in Thailand, even when visiting government offices, dealing with law enforcement, talking to locals etc. 

 

To clarify my above opinion - I have no issues with people criticising things about Thailand that annoy them, when they annoy them. But when you have people who almost every post are just saying how much they hate the people and the place, you do have to wonder why they stick around. I know if I hated somewhere enough, I'd just leave. 

Edited October 8, 2018 by SammyT

[KKBrian]

On 10/7/2018 at 4:53 PM, wgdanson said:

How far is it to your Immigration Office please?

by motor bike 15 minutes,

 

[Calembeena11]

58 minutes ago, blackhorse said:

He didn't say every man.

There is only a few places a thai woman can learn English. Certainly not unheard of by any means is a thai uni wife or GF

But by far the couples you will see are tattood dark skin version of English speaking thai wives and it wasn't learned through a correspondence course

Just facts.

Read my reply I did say he said all .

you are so wrong about lady’s with dark skin, ok I agree with the tattoo side of it . My thai was not great at English when I meet her , but you know some girls do lean English in thai schools, and some lean it on YouTube, like I lean thai with YouTub.

it’s not a fact , you have your facts so wrong.

[blackhorse]

Read my reply I did say he said all .
you are so wrong about lady’s with dark skin, ok I agree with the tattoo side of it . My thai was not great at English when I meet her , but you know some girls do lean English in thai schools, and some lean it on YouTube, like I lean thai with YouTub.
it’s not a fact , you have your facts so wrong.

Maybe your right the majority of ex farm girls learnt English on you tube and then went to bangkok and Pattaya to meet a good man

That just makes no sense. Be happy you found a good girl

[1FinickyOne]

5 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

every supermarket in the US has it, right near the peroxide and bandaids and what not.....

 

Just like the Walgreens sell Ice Cream, Java Monsters and Fritos

ok. you are saying a fresh mart is a supermarket, like big c? they have it too... what is a java monster? like a cookie monster for coffee?

 

 

[Calembeena11]

1 minute ago, blackhorse said:

Maybe your right the majority of ex farm girls learnt English on you tube and then went to bangkok and Pattaya to meet a good man

That just makes no sense. Be happy you found a good girl

I am very happy I have a good one thanks .

but I know thai lady’s from ex farms and they are good people not all bar lady’s .

 Remember  Lots of people from those  areas work in  factories . 

I agree they is lots of working ladies but not like the op was saying.

[Kwasaki]

4 minutes ago, Calembeena11 said:

I am very happy I have a good one thanks .

but I know thai lady’s from ex farms and they are good people not all bar lady’s .

 Remember  Lots of people from those  areas work in  factories . 

I agree they is lots of working ladies but not like the op was saying.

Why are you lot taking like this who knows what a Thai lady has done before you met her and what about what about you have done before you met her.

I guess that doesn't count err. 

[observer90210]

• How to be Happy, Rule no 1) never enter into a heated farang drunk style, argument with a local or anybody else

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 2) don't expect anybody to fully keep their word in business dealings or other daily issues

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 3) never take a Thai Taxi refusing the meter, and offer the tuk tuk chap 1/2 of what he is asking

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 4) invest in house or in bank account,  only what you could afford to loose...if not, just rent

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 5) never trust a immigration official or a police officer as they will try to extort money at the first chance you could give them

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 6) beware of over friendly farangs or other westerners during common business interactions, as often they are bigger cheats then the locals

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 7) always carry a light jacket when taking the BTS, unless you wan't to get a hammering cold or worse

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 8  always purchase your condoms from reputed stores to avoid unwanted "leakage" during use or worse due to bad quality or fakes

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 9) enjoy the clean local thai restaurants and don't get ripped off by the restaurants serving farang food like pizzerias or italian touristic restaurants...all are just ripOffs

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 10) never break any immigration or visa stay law and don't give the rotten apples at the immigration or the police a chance to extort money from you under pretext of a fine due to some unbroken rule

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 11) be nice, chat up a bit and make the female "night time companion" laugh a bit,  before agreement on the cost of the "gift"...you'll get serviced much better at a bargain price

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 12) don't show off your wealth, and keep in mindthat you aren't that rich but just well off due to the high exchange rate between western currency and the THB

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 13) when using handymen or having things done in your home, always expect some things to go wrong. Always, always remain cool and friendly and it will usually always be sorted out at no extra cost if the work was not done properly.

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 14) stay far from local politics (expect when ranting on TVF) and don't criticize government especially with other farangs in bars or other as it is not uncommon for westerners to snitch or sneak against their fellow citizens

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 15) always bargain (obviously not at MBK or a 7/11)...but always with street sellers...as it is a cultural tradition in Thailand to cheat and ripOff farangs...no hard feelings. If you cannot or are not good at it, hang around and see how much they are taking from a local for the similar article your wanted and then go up and see if the price is the same for you

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 16) always check your bill at the restaurant and the change given anyplace,  as once again, cheating farangs is almost a social obligation in Thailand
•  
• How to be Happy, Rule no 17) act with high dilligence and be highly sceptic when farangs open their mouths to give you advice as often, they perhaps know less then you on how things work here

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 18) never use a public toilet, after a Chinese has just visited the room

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 19) always hide and lock away your electronics/passeport/money etc when you bring in a rented "nightime tourist entertainement female" into your hotel room. Make sure she leaves her id at the reception.

 

• How to be Happy, Rule no 20) beware of the farang real estate developpers/insurance agents or other farangs working in Thailand who will be all so friendly before you purchase, but will end up in showing antipathy, hostility, cheating and indifference towards you, once the deal is signed

 

 

 

[rott]

Possibly Rule No. 12 needs revising and updating.

[rumak]

3 hours ago, Thaidream said:

 

+1

Edited October 8, 2018 by rumak

[Calembeena11]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Why are you lot taking like this who knows what a Thai lady has done before you met her and what about what about you have done before you met her.

I guess that doesn't count err. 

Sorry have no idea what your trying to say .

[rumak]

3 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

I think rather than an outlet it provides a catalyst for anger and has contributed to the change in the ethnic makeup of expats over the last 5 years. 

I alone have changed my ethnic makeup at least 3 times in the last 5 years !  

[The manic]

3 hours ago, Calembeena11 said:

Read my reply I did say he said all .

you are so wrong about lady’s with dark skin, ok I agree with the tattoo side of it . My thai was not great at English when I meet her , but you know some girls do lean English in thai schools, and some lean it on YouTube, like I lean thai with YouTub.

it’s not a fact , you have your facts so wrong.

Some people confuse their own bigotry as facts. They are not facts. They are opinions.  As for tatooes they are an intrinsic part of Thai culture.

[AlexRich]

14 hours ago, Tchooptip said:

Read several times a week that Prayut is a clown that the police force is a police farce, that the smiles of the Thais are only hypocrisy did not particularly help me for my eventual integration

 

The Government in Thailand is the product of a military coup, and it's not the first time that has happened. So if you are thinking of investing money in business or property that's something you might want to consider ... the rules can change overnight. The present Government has vowed to crack down on corruption ... within a number of institutions including the Police force. That in itself is an admission that corruption is an issue holding back the country. Thais themselves acknowledge this. As a newcomer then it's important to understand that if you have a problem it might not be dealt with like it would be back home. Again, important to know. Thais do not like to show anger or lose face, so there might be situations were they smile but don't have your best interests at heart. Again, important to know. As a non-Thai you might be received well if you are a decent person with a good nature, but you will always be a foreign guest ... you are not invited to integrate. Again, good to know. 

 

If you can sort the wheat from the chaff on here you arrive with your eyes open. TV can be useful.

[SheungWan]

On 10/7/2018 at 9:16 AM, cyberfarang said:

Although I enjoy TV unfortunately it does seem to have become synonymous for disgruntled elderly expat men that seem to totally cheesed off with everything in their lives and the world around them. They don`t seem to be contented unless they are miserable. 

 

On 10/7/2018 at 9:29 AM, cyberfarang said:

I believe the majority of the negative posters, moan and complain a lot because they want to stay in Thailand being losers in their own countries but are struggling to stay here, being financial or simply have mental and emotional issues, so they blame the country trying not to see the reality, or in other words, it`s not me, it`s all the others. Bet these people don`t have close family relationships or any friends either and it`s obvious why.  

We are lucky to have so many Psychology PhDs among us on this forum.

[Calembeena11]

7 hours ago, The manic said:

Some people confuse their own bigotry as facts. They are not facts. They are opinions.  As for tatooes they are an intrinsic part of Thai culture.

The tattoos on they back , about  buddha  Are a part of thai culture yes I agree but the others are not .

[quandow]

Over the last few years, I've left Thailand for extended periods several times. EVERY time this happens, I return with a renewed appreciation. Yes, there are some really messed up things about LOS, and the recent crackdown on foreigners by immigration seems a little over the top, but the benefits FAR, FAR outweigh the (mostly petty) annoyances.

[Calembeena11]

3 hours ago, quandow said:

Over the last few years, I've left Thailand for extended periods several times. EVERY time this happens, I return with a renewed appreciation. Yes, there are some really messed up things about LOS, and the recent crackdown on foreigners by immigration seems a little over the top, but the benefits FAR, FAR outweigh the (mostly petty) annoyances.

Ok great , please tell me the benefits, 

that far , far outweigh? .

[transam]

5 minutes ago, Calembeena11 said:

Ok great , please tell me the benefits, 

that far , far outweigh? .

For me it is totally relaxed gray cells, very few bills coming through the door, wearing only boxers near every day of the year (not in Tesco). ????

[Nyezhov]

1 hour ago, Calembeena11 said:

Ok great , please tell me the benefits, 

that far , far outweigh? .

My take, and my take only:

 

Great, world class food at cheap prices.

Well developed transportation infrastructure at cheap prices.

Interesting architecture and gorgeous scenery.

Fascinating culture and history

Decent warm weather.

Nice, friendly people.

Cheap travel in the area.

 

I am sure you will give me a laundry list of what you hate about Thailand and argue about the above. But thats is why Im here. I find that even sitting at my condo chilling, I am intellectually and visually stimulated. Im sure I could find that stimulation in other countries, but hey, Im here and love it.

 

PS: Im too old to add the girls to the list ???? 

[Calembeena11]

1 hour ago, transam said:

For me it is totally relaxed gray cells, very few bills coming through the door, wearing only boxers near every day of the year (not in Tesco). ????

Great ok .

i get that in my own country as well .

 

[Calembeena11]

5 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

My take, and my take only:

 

Great, world class food at cheap prices.

Well developed transportation infrastructure at cheap prices.

Interesting architecture and gorgeous scenery.

Fascinating culture and history

Decent warm weather.

Nice, friendly people.

Cheap travel in the area.

 

I am sure you will give me a laundry list of what you hate about Thailand and argue about the above. But thats is why Im here. I find that even sitting at my condo chilling, I am intellectually and visually stimulated. Im sure I could find that stimulation in other countries, but hey, Im here and love it.

 

PS: Im too old to add the girls to the list ???? 

Ok great .

why would you think I hate thailand?.

i just ask what you see in living in thailand.

i love the place for a holiday, I tried to live there , but couldn’t.

but , still love going there , with my partner.

[SammyT]

5 minutes ago, Calembeena11 said:

Great ok .

i get that in my own country as well .

 

My question would be, why are you here if the benefits don't outweigh your home country? I'd ask that question to anyone who is here. Funnily enough, among all the people who relentlessly bag Thailand on here, I've never had a coherent answer to that question. Normally the answers I get are:

 

• Mind your own business
• It's not as simple as "If you don't like it, leave"
• You wouldn't understand
• Look at you pretending to be a white knight for the Thai people
• You'll grow to hate the place as well

For me, as soon as the cons outweigh the pros, I'll head back to my home country. 

[Nyezhov]

1 hour ago, transam said:

For me it is totally relaxed gray cells, very few bills coming through the door, wearing only boxers near every day of the year (not in Tesco). ????

Oh yeah...sitting on my balcony freeballing in my shorts with a cup of coffee looking down at the Mooban streets and listing to those DAMN roosters, watching the storms rolling in over the city, walking to the market and spending a whole $2 on a fat assed dinner......

 

No snow!