Looking for meetings with recently emigrated to TH (>50yo)

[hofraupe]

Hello to Thailand,

we, that's Silke (53) and me, Karsten (57) from D, Hannover.

We want to migrate from D to TH in the spring of 2020, preferably near Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hua Hin or Udon Thani. The requirements for a pension visa are met. We have traveled the country many times and we like it.

To prepare for the move, we would like to talk to some of you in a relaxed atmosphere. First of all, we are looking at current experiences and moods from your early days and general questions (renting a house, opening an account, buying a car, social contacts, any bureaucratic "specialties" ...).

A meeting would be possible in Udon Thani from 03.-05.02, in Nong Khai from 06.-09.02., in Chiang Mai from 13.-16.02., in Pai from 18.-21.02. and in Chiang Rai from 24.-26.02.2019. Would be great, here or there someone of you would like to have some time for a meeting :-)))

We are curious about your answers and curious, what is coming!

Greetings, and best wishes 2 U all for the New Year!

Silke and Karsten

[cleverman]

Be happy to introduce you to LOS. What beer do you drink, and I know the in bars around most of this place. When you come over, will you pick me up some duty free B and H please mate. (Benson and hedges). Cheers .

[Paul Catton]

As you will be in Chiang Mai 13th to 16th February, it coincides with the 3rd Friday of the month CEC Breakfast.

Chiang Mai Expats Club Breakfast

Not a bad place to start with your info gathering.

Happy New Year.

[orang37]

I smell a con, or, perhaps a whiff of naivete that is going to attract a con.

 

Udon ? Wants to meet with relatively newer emigres ?

 

o:37;

[DaddyWarbucks]

Why don't you just ask some questions here on the forum.

There are members who have recently arrived and those who have been here for many years.

Probably the best source of practical advice about expat living in Chiang Mai would be NancyL of the Chiang Mai Expats Club and Lanna Care. She's a very helpful lady.

[EricTh]

8 hours ago, Paul Catton said:

As you will be in Chiang Mai 13th to 16th February, it coincides with the 3rd Friday of the month CEC Breakfast.

Chiang Mai Expats Club Breakfast

Not a bad place to start with your info gathering.

Happy New Year.

I wonder what is the breakdown in terms of percentage of each nationality in this club.

 

Anybody knows?

[OneMoreFarang]

I am in Bangkok and here since a long time - so not the person you are looking for.

 

I find it interesting that you look for "recently emigrated" people.

I am sure that will be interesting but I would think it's even more interesting to talk with people who live here for many years.

 

One of the things which I learned in Thailand is that after some months you think you have Thailand figured out. But then maybe two years later you realize that you didn't know much at that time but "now", whenever now is, you know what is happening. And then the same happens 10 years later, and probably again in a decade or two.

 

Many people see Thailand the way they want to see it. That has advantages but can also be a problem after a while...

 

My advise: Learn Thai reading and writing while you are in Germany. That will give you a jump start. Because if you are here and find out that you don't have to learn it then it's likely that you will never learn it - like most foreigners who live here.

[bkk6060]

8 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I am in Bangkok and here since a long time - so not the person you are looking for.

 

I find it interesting that you look for "recently emigrated" people.

I am sure that will be interesting but I would think it's even more interesting to talk with people who live here for many years.

 

One of the things which I learned in Thailand is that after some months you think you have Thailand figured out. But then maybe two years later you realize that you didn't know much at that time but "now", whenever now is, you know what is happening. And then the same happens 10 years later, and probably again in a decade or two.

 

Many people see Thailand the way they want to see it. That has advantages but can also be a problem after a while...

 

My advise: Learn Thai reading and writing while you are in Germany. That will give you a jump start. Because if you are here and find out that you don't have to learn it then it's likely that you will never learn it - like most foreigners who live here.

Yes, because a country evolves andchanges over 10, 20 years or more.  And I have to say the people I know that have been here for long periods of time actually have no idea what is going on.  They seem mostly tainted in negativity, minimal finances and their continued lack of common sense and judgement.

 

My advise:  Do not learn Thai as the language is not the same throughout the entire country.  Words in the south, central or north are not always the same and the tones are different. Waste of time.

Enough people speak English here to get by just fine.

[janclaes47]

2 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Yes, because a country evolves andchanges over 10, 20 years or more.  And I have to say the people I know that have been here for long periods of time actually have no idea what is going on.

If someone asked me who would know what is going on in Thailand, my money would be on someone who has been here long time, rather than a newbie who thinks he knows it all.

 

4 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

 

My advise:  Do not learn Thai as the language is not the same throughout the entire country.  Words in the south, central or north are not always the same and the tones are different. Waste of time.

 

And that is the best example of one of those newbies who think they know it all.

[marcusarelus]

9 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Yes, because a country evolves andchanges over 10, 20 years or more.  And I have to say the people I know that have been here for long periods of time actually have no idea what is going on.  They seem mostly tainted in negativity, minimal finances and their continued lack of common sense and judgement.

 

My advise:  Do not learn Thai as the language is not the same throughout the entire country.  Words in the south, central or north are not always the same and the tones are different. Waste of time.

Enough people speak English here to get by just fine.

My advice is to learn the language as quick as possible and that includes writing which is the same all over the country.  A Thai speaker will be understood anywhere in Thailand.  Thai is the official language of Thailand.  Tones will come with time as you speak more and more but don't give up.  Thai people really appreciate you trying anyway with the exception of bar girls who have conned some guys into thinking it is not important to speak Thai. English not spoken much and even English teachers in school will not be able to carry on even a basic conversation. 

Edited December 30, 2018 by marcusarelus

[Mavideol]

11 hours ago, orang37 said:

I smell a con, or, perhaps a whiff of naivete that is going to attract a con.

 

Udon ? Wants to meet with relatively newer emigres ?

 

o:37;

agree!!! the smell came all the way south and it may attract the wrong type of animals

[scubascuba3]

Arranging meetings so early you might just end up meeting the desperate weirdos with no friends

[orang37]

13 hours ago, EricTh said:

I wonder what is the breakdown in terms of percentage ...

I would estimate 75% of the members are fully broken down, and 24.9% of the members are in the process of breaking down.

 

~o:37;

Edited December 30, 2018 by orang37
memory recovered after alien abduction

[orang37]

11 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

And I have to say the people I know that have been here for long periods of time actually have no idea what is going on.

To achieve that is my goal in living here ! I keep on meditating, hoping one day I'll amount to nobody.

 

~o:37;

[fcgprg]

16 hours ago, EricTh said:

I wonder what is the breakdown in terms of percentage of each nationality in this club.

 

Anybody knows?

I think that information is available in the annual report on the website.

 

[rumak]

On 12/30/2018 at 6:57 AM, Paul Catton said:

As you will be in Chiang Mai 13th to 16th February, it coincides with the 3rd Friday of the month CEC Breakfast.

Chiang Mai Expats Club Breakfast

Not a bad place to start with your info gathering.

Happy New Year.

that is debatable.......

[rumak]

15 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

am sure that will be interesting but I would think it's even more interesting to talk with people who live here for many years.

  you mean all the bitter old farts ?      hint:  puut len !

[NanLaew]

On 12/30/2018 at 2:21 AM, DaddyWarbucks said:

Why don't you just ask some questions here on the forum.

There are members who have recently arrived and those who have been here for many years.

Probably the best source of practical advice about expat living in Chiang Mai would be NancyL of the Chiang Mai Expats Club and Lanna Care. She's a very helpful lady.

And NancyL presents only one (1), mostly positive point of view whereas this forum is rife with 'they don't like us here' and 'all Thai women are bitches' club members and other fomenters of disinformation, spite, hatred mostly wrought of their own poor life choices. I think that arranging some informal, face-to-face meetings with current residents is quite a good idea and it's likely that only those who have given Thailand a fair shake will want to meet anyway. Those with bad experiences tend to be asocial IMHO.

 

In the meantime, rather than ask the same questions (again) and get the same answers (again), the OP should take the time to keep up with current threads on all the points of interest such as banking, renting, socializing, car buying, local immigration bureacracy, etc.. It's all been done before and it's all in here somewhere for those who take the time to look.

Edited December 31, 2018 by NanLaew

[NanLaew]

8 minutes ago, rumak said:

that is debatable.......

What's debatable? The value of attending a meeting of the local chapter of farang coffin dodgers or the 'Happy' invocation?

[rumak]

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

n the meantime, rather than ask the same questions (again) and get the same answers (again), the OP should take the time to keep up with current threads on all the points of interest such as banking, renting, socializing, car buying, local immigration bureacracy, etc.. It's all been done before and it's all in here somewhere for those who take the time to look.

Good advice !   the rest is up to each individual to process the info and try to figure out the facts from the fictions.   

[rumak]

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

What's debatable? The value of attending a meeting of the local chapter of farang coffin dodgers or the 'Happy' invocation?

I've never been tempted to attend a meeting.  I have known a few members.  That made me even less tempted.  Aren't they the ones that walk around with those big hats that say " i belong " ?

[Paul Catton]

1 hour ago, rumak said:

I've never been tempted to attend a meeting.  I have known a few members.  That made me even less tempted.  Aren't they the ones that walk around with those big hats that say " i belong " ?

 

4 hours ago, rumak said:

  you mean all the bitter old farts ?      hint:  puut len !

Would suggest you stop musing whilst mirror gazing.

I have seen only genuine people at a CEC Breakfast unlike an a-hole behind a keyboard.

Yet wishing you a Happy New Year, happy being the operative word. 

[rumak]

1 hour ago, Paul Catton said:

 

Would suggest you stop musing whilst mirror gazing.

I have seen only genuine people at a CEC Breakfast unlike an a-hole behind a keyboard.

Yet wishing you a Happy New Year, happy being the operative word. 

are you calling me an a-hole ?   sounds like someone behind a keyboard alright  haha

I do not have to resort to that .  Just post my opinions .  You like CEC.  I don't.  Is that worthy of calling people an a-hole? 

and guess you don't even speak thai because one post of mine went right over your head.

puut len means joking ...  and i was referring to guys like me that have been here awhile. AND it was a completely different context, nothing to do with CEC.

God,  trying to explain things to guys that use a-hole in their posts    BUA

You are just one more reason why I would never belong to that group....

 

Edited December 31, 2018 by rumak

[Paul Catton]

19 minutes ago, rumak said:

are you calling me an a-hole ?   sounds like someone behind a keyboard alright  haha

I do not have to resort to that .  Just post my opinions .  You like CEC.  I don't.  Is that worthy of calling people an a-hole? 

and guess you don't even speak thai because one post of mine went right over your head.

puut len means joking ...  and i was referring to guys like me that have been here awhile. AND it was a completely different context, nothing to do with CEC.

God,  trying to explain things to guys that use a-hole in their posts    BUA

You are just one more reason why I would never belong to that group....

 

Perhaps, I regretfully did, almost, and do not hide behind an Avatar as I am a genuine person.

I hardly think the OP understands พูดเล่น (to joke) or perhaps the use of an Anglo phonetic term in your posting. 

I respect you don't like the CEC Breakfasts and/or perhaps some attendees, however you started the school yard spat with your kidding type of negative criticisms.

 

I do sincerely wish you a HNY for 2019. 

 

 

[from the home of CC]

I guess I've always looked at things a bit differently. Spent an extensive amount of time in my life travelling to different countries and the last people I ever wanted to meet were other tourists or expatriates. I purposely chose to travel in a country off season to avoid this as much as possible. I find especially here in Thailand most of foreigners I've met over the last 15 yrs are either full of shit or can't be trusted, this part of the world seems to attract these types. And to meet every month with a bunch of other expats sounds to me to be  about as much fun as a root canal at a funeral. If I wanted to talk to a bunch of westerners I would of stayed home.  

[rumak]

2 hours ago, Paul Catton said:

respect you don't like the CEC Breakfasts and/or perhaps some attendees, however you started the school yard spat with your kidding type of negative criticisms

since you (almost) apologized for the uncalled for name calling....i will AGAIN attempt to present the facts.

If you look at this post : 

am sure that will be interesting but I would think it's even more interesting to talk with people who live here for many years.

  you mean all the bitter old farts ?      hint:  puut len ! 

 

Can you see that it had nothing to do with CEC ?   For those who got it I was attempting some self-deprecating humor , as I am one of the "people who have lived here for many years".   We often have to put up with types that refer to us as such ( bitter old farts...or something along that line) I do not respond by calling them A-holes,  because It really doesn't bother me.   Some people got my kidding, some not..but you totally missed that it had nothing to do with CEC .

My post about CEC in my opinion was not hateful or mean.  I just have had contact with some members, and even they would gossip and talk about other members.  Hey, simply put, clubs are not my thing . And believe me, the members i knew were not particularly nice people !  So i said as much. In fairly tame terms, i thought.  Anyway, you are the only one who got upset. You are now trying to pick apart my use of a little phonetic thai (2 whole words).  I have no spat with you...if you want to show your face and family good for you.   But leave the a-hole stuff out of your posts, please.  

Edited December 31, 2018 by rumak

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, from the home of CC said:

I guess I've always looked at things a bit differently. Spent an extensive amount of time in my life travelling to different countries and the last people I ever wanted to meet were other tourists or expatriates. I purposely chose to travel in a country off season to avoid this as much as possible. I find especially here in Thailand most of foreigners I've met over the last 15 yrs are either full of shit or can't be trusted, this part of the world seems to attract these types. And to meet every month with a bunch of other expats sounds to me to be  about as much fun as a root canal at a funeral. If I wanted to talk to a bunch of westerners I would of stayed home.  

In my experience tourists and long term residence are not compatible.

Many tourists seem to know everything because they read it somewhere on the internet.

And if the people who live here since forever want to explain to them that not everything what you read on the internet is the truth then often tourists don't want to hear that.

Some tourists are open minded and they are happy if they meet someone who knows his way around here. But it seem they are the minority.

Personally I am happy if I don't see many of those strange creatures called tourists...

[metempsychotic]

23 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Yes, because a country evolves andchanges over 10, 20 years or more.  And I have to say the people I know that have been here for long periods of time actually have no idea what is going on.  They seem mostly tainted in negativity, minimal finances and their continued lack of common sense and judgement.

 

My advise:  Do not learn Thai as the language is not the same throughout the entire country.  Words in the south, central or north are not always the same and the tones are different. Waste of time.

Enough people speak English here to get by just fine.

My advice is ignore this nonsense. Especially the language advice. 

Edited December 31, 2018 by metempsychotic

[Paul Catton]

18 minutes ago, rumak said:

since you (almost) apologized for the uncalled for name calling....i will AGAIN attempt to present the facts.

If you look at this post : 

am sure that will be interesting but I would think it's even more interesting to talk with people who live here for many years.

  you mean all the bitter old farts ?      hint:  puut len ! 

 

Can you see that it had nothing to do with CEC ?   For those who got it I was attempting some self-deprecating humor , as I am one of the "people who have lived here for many years".   We often have to put up with types that refer to us as such ( bitter old farts...or something along that line) I do not respond by calling them A-holes,  because It really doesn't bother me.   Some people got my kidding, some not..but you totally missed that it had nothing to do with CEC .

My post about CEC in my opinion was not hateful or mean.  I just have had contact with some members, and even they would gossip and talk about other members.  Hey, simply put, clubs are not my thing . And believe me, the members i knew were not particularly nice people !  So i said as much. In fairly tame terms, i thought.  Anyway, you are the only one who got upset. You are now trying to pick apart my use of a little phonetic thai (2 whole words).  I have no spat with you...if you want to show your face and family good for you.   But leave the a-hole stuff out of your posts, please.  

Not upset, perhaps dis-heartened regarding a serious post, however the adage is "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.", springs to mind.

Banter & wit  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/4-farang-pub-fun-entertainment-and-expat-life/

HNY

[rumak]

1 hour ago, Paul Catton said:

Not upset, perhaps dis-heartened regarding a serious post, however the adage is "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.", springs to mind.

Banter & wit  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/4-farang-pub-fun-entertainment-and-expat-life/

HNY

You have changed your defense three times already...because simply put you were wrong and i pointed it out quite well..You are so typical its almost funny.     

And what a ridiculous post you just made .    You are the one that immediately threw out A-hole !!  Now that's real nice   hahaha   Are you excused from following that adage ? 

...you just keep showing your ignorance trying to be right.   You are wrong.  very simple.  

I consider my post here as very positive if it can keep A-    oops,   nice, know it all guys like you from boring others . FYI :  I have never called anyone a name  in four years on here. And you are only the 3rd one to try to cause a conflict with me. Don't know why you chose me with all the thousands of posts here on TV that don't fit your criteria.  Find some other entertainment..... like join a debating team or something.

  In the meantime just ignore me as i will you.

You have a family.  What are you doing causing a ruckus here on newyears eve ???

Edited December 31, 2018 by rumak