Why it’s time to step away from Thailand

[PingRoundTheWorld]

11 hours ago, connda said:

Actually it’s time to step back from this forum as well.  It’s become an echo chamber.  We hear the same things from the same people over and over.

 

Agreed. Especially annoying are the folks who think they are better than other expats, and those who justify terrible immigration policies as-if it doesn't affect them. Fact is to most Thais we are all temporary visitors - even if you've lived here for 30 years. It's amazing that people who've been married to Thais and lived here for many years still have to jump through hoops like 90-day reports, yearly extensions, and re-entry permits. The OP wrote about the disparity between male vs female head of household but in reality female wives of Thai men still have to go through all those hoops too. I met an elderly couple in CW immigration office who were there to do 90-day report - they've been married for 15 years! Thai husband, Malaysian wife - both complained about immigration and said it's just been getting worse.

 

10 hours ago, Boy Wonder said:

But then again what do I know, I've only been in Thailand for a year.

Honeymoon period... sooner or later you'll reach the same conclusions, more or less.

 

 

I was never under the illusion that Thais wanted us there - they want our money for sure, but not really want us. I'm fine with that personally if the arrangement is clear: I bring money into Thailand you (immigration) leave me alone. But these days it's far from clear so I'll likely spend my money elsewhere. Writing this from the Philippines, actually.

[White Christmas13]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

 

 

Taking an Asian wife or GF back to OZ I could never do. The racism is insane and wouldnt be fair on the girl, The guys consider Asian woman as the last thing you pick up in a nightclub at 3am if you did not find better and refer to them all as slopes. The Woman are worse and don't want them in the social circle because they are all prostitutes and will steal their husbands

 

That's the harsh reality 

your name says it all what a lot of bs

[Bullie]

10 hours ago, Buddha Pist said:

Whinge, whinge, whinge

Just leave instead of adding to the echo.

 

How has "the UK cut off your escape route"?

Probably can't bring the family home. I encountered the same problems in the Netherlands, but found a way around it. VERY happy in Europe, now!

[mngmn]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

 

 

Taking an Asian wife or GF back to OZ I could never do. The racism is insane and wouldnt be fair on the girl, The guys consider Asian woman as the last thing you pick up in a nightclub at 3am if you did not find better and refer to them all as slopes. The Woman are worse and don't want them in the social circle because they are all prostitutes and will steal their husbands

 

That's the harsh reality 

Seriously? You freely admit that you and your friends are bogans?

Edited July 30, 2019 by mngmn

[AverageBloke]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

 

 

Taking an Asian wife or GF back to OZ I could never do. The racism is insane and wouldnt be fair on the girl, The guys consider Asian woman as the last thing you pick up in a nightclub at 3am if you did not find better and refer to them all as slopes. The Woman are worse and don't want them in the social circle because they are all prostitutes and will steal their husbands

 

That's the harsh reality 

I spent 60 years living in Australia and never experienced that level of racism. Certainly it isn't perfect but I found the majority of Australians fairly respectful. 

[MalandLee]

1 minute ago, AverageBloke said:

I spent 60 years living in Australia and never experienced that level of racism. Certainly it isn't perfect but I found the majority of Australians fairly respectful. 

Me too "Bloke" and my Thai wife feels the same. Great Kiwis (Maori) live next door,  Chinese mate up the street, Lovely Burmese couple across the road, my Indian mate (great sparky). Burmese guy married my daughter 20+ years ago "beautiful" Eurasian grandkids... Love OZ.

 

Only go to Thailand now to visit extended family... 6 weeks MAX at a time. I will never live there again.

[JimmyTheMook]

10 minutes ago, MalandLee said:

Me too "Bloke" and my Thai wife feels the same. Great Kiwis (Maori) live next door,  Chinese mate up the street, Lovely Burmese couple across the road, my Indian mate (great sparky). Burmese guy married my daughter 20+ years ago "beautiful" Eurasian grandkids... Love OZ.

 

Only go to Thailand now to visit extended family... 6 weeks MAX at a time. I will never live there again.

 

Hey Mate, thanks so much for sharing.

 

Especially the break down of the ethic makeup of your new hood.

[hanuman2543]

2 hours ago, madmen said:

 

 

Taking an Asian wife or GF back to OZ I could never do. The racism is insane and wouldnt be fair on the girl, The guys consider Asian woman as the last thing you pick up in a nightclub at 3am if you did not find better and refer to them all as slopes. The Woman are worse and don't want them in the social circle because they are all prostitutes and will steal their husbands

 

That's the harsh reality 

You must becoming from a society full of xenophobia and that is nothing to be proud of.

[mike787]

Well written.   Dam HOENST and REAL!!  Many will dismiss, undermine, and discredit some or all of your statement. That's fine, but they cannot change the facts.  This is reality.  You are right.   Wherever you go, you will land solid on your 2 feet because you live in the moment with both eyes wide open.  Awareness is a rare virtue! Congrats!!!!! Wishing you god speed.

Edited July 30, 2019 by mike787

[Inn Between]

I think the OP stated well and rationally his reasons for tiring of Thailand and all that comes with it. Each of our situations is unique to some degree, and much more so for others. 

 

I don't understand why when a long-time member posts a relatively short post to say farewell and explain what's not working or too frustrating for his situation to remain, other members get snide or sarcastic.

 

I wish connda the very best wherever he goes next.  

 

 

Edited July 30, 2019 by Inn Between

[totally thaied up]

46 minutes ago, MalandLee said:

Me too "Bloke" and my Thai wife feels the same. Great Kiwis (Maori) live next door,  Chinese mate up the street, Lovely Burmese couple across the road, my Indian mate (great sparky). Burmese guy married my daughter 20+ years ago "beautiful" Eurasian grandkids... Love OZ.

 

Only go to Thailand now to visit extended family... 6 weeks MAX at a time. I will never live there again.

The afternoon I bought my Thai wife home to Australia, my parents fired up the BBQ and we got my mates around that I had not seen for four years. We did hot have a single problem at all. During our three months there, we had the most civil time you could imagine with just about everyone we met. 

 

In fact, going home to Thailand was difficult as our life back in OZ was much better.

 

To the OP, safe travels.

[PingRoundTheWorld]

5 minutes ago, totally thaied up said:

In fact, going home to Thailand was difficult as our life back in OZ was much better.

If your life there was better - why did you go back to Thailand?

[totally thaied up]

1 minute ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

If your life there was better - why did you go back to Thailand?

We have a house and elderly parents here. I have to apply for PR for my wife next year. It is not time to go back home yet. I still like Thailand.

[Inn Between]

1 hour ago, totally thaied up said:

...I bought my Thai wife...

Oh dear, I hope that wasn't a Freudian slip. ????

 

Of course he meant "brought", and I'm happy to hear that your wife was welcomed and accepted by all your friends and family. 

 

Good luck in having a good life either in OZ or in Thailand. But I was reading some posts saying that Australia is getting too expensive. 

[Ctkong]

5 hours ago, madmen said:

 

 

Taking an Asian wife or GF back to OZ I could never do. The racism is insane and wouldnt be fair on the girl, The guys consider Asian woman as the last thing you pick up in a nightclub at 3am if you did not find better and refer to them all as slopes. The Woman are worse and don't want them in the social circle because they are all prostitutes and will steal their husbands

 

That's the harsh reality 

I can believe that. Once I was on a business trip to Australia and my business associate invited me to his home having a cook out. Nice big house with a pool and bbq grill. His wife is a vet and she got her group of friends over for the cook out too. There were about 8 of them all upper middle class whites. I am Asian chinese. I spoke English reasonably well and I guessed from their demeanor that I am ok . During the conversation, I found out that they are racist inside. They had never spoken to a Chinese before and the lady seemed rather proud when she said that ! Also never been to fortitude valley (a chinatown in Brisbane) because as one of them explained ‘there are nothing I want to get there’. That is the reality of life. 

However, I have a daughter who is a medical doctor in Victoria but her group of friends are mostly whites. So it also depends upon the socioeconomic circle you moved in . 

Edited July 30, 2019 by Ctkong

[mngmn]

44 minutes ago, Inn Between said:

Oh dear, I hope that wasn't a Freudian slip. ????

 

Of course he meant "brought", and I'm happy to hear that your wife was welcomed and accepted by all your friends and family.

 

Good luck in having a good life either in OZ or in Thailand. But I was reading some posts saying that Australia is getting too expensive. 

With the exchange rate plummeting, it is Thailand that is 'getting too expensive'. Accommodation and utilities are the big expense in Australia but many other things are cheaper and far better quality.

 

Of course just one medical emergency for you or your Thai partner could make Australia, with its free medical care, seem really cheap.

 

At $7k, the visa for your Thai partner is also a bargin compared to the $20k+ that the Thai government wants you to deposit in a Thai bank for the rest of your life.

 

Ultimately, your Thai partner's Australian visa will allow you to live together for the rest of your lives compared to the 'fingers crossed', year-by-year visa offered by the Thai Government.

Edited July 30, 2019 by mngmn

[DaRoadrunner]

13 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

A recent trip back to the USA reminded me why I left in the first place, only multiplied by 10.

Ditto the UK.

 

Thailand certainly isn't what it used to be, but then neither am I! At least we had fun getting into this condition.

Edited July 30, 2019 by DaRoadrunner

[Inn Between]

51 minutes ago, mngmn said:

With the exchange rate plummeting, it is Thailand that is 'getting too expensive'. Accommodation and utilities are the big expense in Australia but many other things are cheaper and far better quality.

 

Of course just one medical emergency for you or your Thai partner could make Australia, with its free medical care, seem really cheap.

 

At $7k, the visa for your Thai partner is also a bargin compared to the $20k+ that the Thai government wants you to deposit in a Thai bank for the rest of your life.

 

Ultimately, your Thai partner's Australian visa will allow you to live together for the rest of your lives compared to the 'fingers crossed', year-by-year visa offered by the Thai Government.

It's always good to get various perspectives.

 

I'm not an Aussie and have no desire at all to live in Australia, but for some people, especially Aussies, I can easily imagine that it's a good choice. Some people will always find a reason to complain, and it's up to us to make the best of what we have and where we have it. I'll ignore those people complaining about paying $8 for a beer and almost $20 for a basic bacon and eggs brunch.

Edited July 30, 2019 by Inn Between

[daveAustin]

16 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

snip: "the fact he is leaving so hopefully Thailand officials will start see the loss"

They won't, that is the plan.

 

15 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

For me, there is the choice of looking at my Thai mother-in-law every <deleted> day or a lonely room on some share-a-house scheme back home. I prefer to stare at that old hag any day!

???? Quality. Thanks for that!

[daveAustin]

You're right op, it is xenophobic and they don't really want us hanging around en-masse - can't really blame em for the clean up, though current mood is all down to the army and nobs.

 

Will always have huge affection for ole Muang Thai and have done some serious time... not taking it seriously (even though one may have roots), not meddling and not resisting is the key non-unhappiness there. 

[Thainesss]

I love threads like these. It really brings out how toxic and vindictive this forum is. Man posts valid & understandable reasons and thoughts behind his move and is met with constant trash such as:

 

1 hour ago, uzynkotak said:

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

 

And its not just this forum either, its a big part of the expat community in Thailand as well. 

[NightSky]

Its got to be the exchange rate repelling people like a thunder fart in an echo chamber?

 

As for the continuous crackdowns and enforcement Its obvious that Thailand is getting rid of all the rif-raf and cleaning  up its image and they dont care if a few 'good people short on funds' get caught in the net.

 

Im hoping that if I brace for the storm long enough the other side will be much easier but that's a hope not a certainty.

 

Edited July 30, 2019 by NightSky

[luckyluke]

I wish the O.P. the best in his new life. 

 

I wish I could express myself as he does. 

 

As I don't even speak/write correctly English, I will keep it not too long.

 

I am here permanently since 2000 and don't regret it. 

 

No problems at all with Immigration, as I am Belgian, and thus can still use a Letter of Income/Affidavit. 

 

Everywhere there are good and bad people, Thailand doesn't escape to this rule. 

 

I know my Thai wife for 20 years, we still have a more than good relationship. 

 

I have a courteous relationship with her family/relatives, and with most of other people here.

 

Nothing more is necessary for me. 

 

I am conscious that everything can change quickly here. 

 

So when I decided to come to live here permanently , I had a plan A, B & C. 

 

I am on a "Retirement Visa", based on income in homeland, but can switch, if necessary, to a 65000 ThB monthly, or a "Marriage Visa". 

 

The currency fluctuation is of course a problem. 

 

I transfer 2000 Euro monthly to Thailand, there was a time I got 100000 Thb, now 67000.

 

Being 71, my desiderata are no more the same as 20 years ago, so I (we) still can manage. 

 

I hope it will be like that as long as possible for me (us). 

 

When I pass away my widow will receive, till she die, 85% of my pension (2244 Euro net actually, usually increased with 2% yearly). 

 

This post to show that we are all different. 

 

Edited July 30, 2019 by luckyluke

[gunderhill]

13 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

If its an option for you why wait I'm talking about those who don't have that option left I think its more like 75k than 60k ???? 

Because as  posted  above i don't have any real problems here at the moment.

[grifbel]

14 hours ago, CMNightRider said:

Great post Connda.  There are so many westerners who share your sentiments.  Unfortunately, I couldn't help notice some of the apologist, and Thais posing as westerners posting their usual idiotic comments.  Good luck to you ???? 

What are you posing as?  Ill-informed perhaps!

[AverageBloke]

6 hours ago, uzynkotak said:

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

You must be a rhodes scholar to have come up with such an eloquent reply.

[Uptooyoo]

On 7/30/2019 at 9:28 AM, JingerBen said:

I feel the same way.

Whenever I'm tempted to complain about Thailand I think of the possible alternatives, such as a return to the USA.

For me, that would be a fate worse than death - although nowadays death might be part of the package.

If I returned to the USA, I would move deep into the mountain-west or the Alaskan frontier to live off-grid. I'd hunt for elk and fish for trout and then smoke my kill for winter consumption. I'd cultivate a garden and preserve the vegetables in canning jars; I'd chop and stack firewood; I'd power-up with batteries and solar panels and drink from clear mountain streams. I'd finally be free from man's bullshit... Eventually, though, my dream fades as I gaze into the crystal waters of the beachside pool clutching an ice-cold Leo, my motivation destroyed under the balmy tropical sun as all of my worldly needs are met without hardly lifting a finger.  Think I'll stick around for a while longer.

Edited July 31, 2019 by Uptooyoo

[simon43]

17 minutes ago, Uptooyoo said:

If I returned to the USA, I would move deep into the mountain-west or the Alaskan frontier to live off-grid. I'd hunt for elk and fish for trout and then smoke my kill for winter consumption. I'd cultivate a garden and preserve the vegetables in canning jars; I'd chop and stack firewood; I'd power-up with batteries and solar panels and drink from clear mountain streams. I'd finally be free from man's bullshit... Eventually, though, my dream fades as I gaze into the crystal waters of the beachside pool clutching an ice-cold Leo, my motivation destroyed under the balmy tropical sun as all of my worldly needs are met without hardly lifting a finger.  Think I'll stick around for a while longer.

I'm moving in a couple of weeks to live in north Laos. I'd love to live off-grid, with solar panels for my electricity and growing my own fresh fruit and vegetables.  Bit difficult in an urban town.

 

But in the future, if my money runs out before I croak, that's maybe what I'll end up doing - and be very happy doing just that ????

[marcusarelus]

13 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

your name says it all what a lot of bs

Do you really think that is an intelligent response?

[marcusarelus]

14 hours ago, KiChakayan said:

The problem is that there are quite a few members here who keep repeating that everything is fine in Thailand, that "it is their country" and that anyone critical about the local mess should be sent home.

Enough to create a climate of paranoia, if you ask me.

I don't see that.  Thai roads, sidewalks, education, voting, general knowledge, soi dogs, military, corruption, farming, and many other things especially those we can't talk about are in bad shape.  However having said that the old wives tales and bar room economics that are accepted as fact here are ludicrous.  Biggest problems are comparing documented statistics with anecdotal evidence or barroom bs.  The Thai bank does not control the pound.  Sorry but it does not.  Racial stereotypes are not correct.  Thailand is not a 3rd world farming economy.  

 

I feel a commitment to truth.  When you post something back it up and stop calling people names and flaming as a response to valid information. 

 

Loose the flaming stuff.  Stop trying to hijack every post with anti Thai talking points.  Concentrate on the message and not attack the poster.