A Pinned Welcome/who Are We Thread?

[jdinasia]

Anyone else think it is a good idea?

[bkkrox]

Anyone else think it is a good idea?

yes,I think its a great idea,just basic info...how do we get started?

[Rainwalker]

I'm a middle-aged (59), upper middle-class, urban, childless, gay business executive (semi-retired for many years) who hews to all of the liberal gold standards.

I consider myself successful, intelligent, articulate, and alert. Others don't.

I like challenges; I'm a Master Scuba Diver and ride a BMW R1200C motorcycle which I'm touring on starting May 1st (Vancouver, Canada to NY City and back).

Even-though I am in a 20 year relationship (he lives in NYC), I have a Thai boyfriend as well and spend at least half a year in Thailand (Pattaya).

There is no doubt that I'm in an eternal state of glee for the big things, like decent health, the undeserved love of a good man, and a battalion of blessedly odd friends.

Every other issue that I care about is in danger, belching smoke and spiraling downward toward the worst nightmare that Lucifer can create. (Sweet Jesus, have we have lost our collective gag reflex?) (Aside to George Bush: resign now) At the same time, the issues that affect me most directly are making more progress than I would ever have dreamed possible.

The life I'm trying to lead is one where I can give enormous, unfettered thanks for this incredible and kaleidoscopic world where books and friends and family and laughter and learning and warmth and music can create a miraculous global crusade whose goal is great and shared joy.

[peter991]

I'm a 53yo Australian. Married 1980, divorced 1990. Two children - a boy and a girl. Both know I am gay and are very supportive.

I spent 7 years living in Outback Australia, before moving to northern NSW to manage a large 3.5 star motel. I started making trips to Thailand 5 years ago. On my second trip, I planned to retire to Thailand but I found I wasn't ready for retirement. I met my Thai partner on that trip.

We have built a house in Issan and I hope to retire there, hopefully by the end of 2009.

My partner is applying for a Tourist Visa for a 3 month stay in Australia on Tuesday (10 April 2007). I would like to thank the members of this Forum for their help and support via PMs and emails.

Peter

[PeaceBlondie]

Ok, all right (and thanks to Rainwalker for getting us started with lines such as, "Sweet Jesus, have we have lost our collective gag reflex?").

I am no longer upper-middle class, urban, etc., but my oldest son just sent me a photo of him dressed for work (MBA for a financial conglomerate), and I saw myself, ten to thirty years before! Except I still have twice as much hair as he has, and only a BA. Married once for twenty years, 6 kids, 10 grandchildren. I suspect the younger generations of gay men don't go through all that stuff.

Retired from a brief, frustrating and rewarding career as an English teacher, plus a few other things. I'm living in smoky Chiang Mai with my 30's-something Thai partner, almost four years now. I've gone through about 11 motorcycles (never a BMW, but two classic Triumphs), and some of them went through me.

So, there you go, folks. Thanks to jdinasia for starting the thread. Who's next?

[sbk]

Ok, all right (and thanks to Rainwalker for getting us started with lines such as, "Sweet Jesus, have we have lost our collective gag reflex?").

Just have to add, I loved that line too. Thanks Rainwalker, I'll try to remember that one

Back to the topic

[smeggy]

Hi and want intro myself

Im Jim but my friends have called me Smeggy for over 35 years so its kinda stuck

Im a retired American come here for a long holiday with thinkin about stayin for ever

I worked as supermarket security guard in Chicago for last 25 year now got my pension and the worlds my rolex oyster.

Howdy Y'all

[Expatwannabee]

Hi to everyone.I have been reading TV forums and blogs for months now and have found them to be interesting, informative and good fun.This just seemed like a good opportunity to introduce myself.I am a gay male with a partner of 24 years.My partner is ethnic Chinese (born in Mauritius) and we both live and work in London.We hope to retire and live abroad (either in Thailand or Mauritius still not fully decided ).Just when this will happen is anyones guess.The plan was that we would do this ASAP after I was 50.Nearly 8 yrs later and we still do not know when.

Brian

[neilrob]

Anyone else think it is a good idea?

Yes, good idea. I suggest outlining a basic possible format of things to include in the "who I am" posting.

Neil

[peteinCM]

Hmmm....well my name isn't really Pete, but I use it on the assorted forums about gay Thailand, and I don't live in CM yet, although I am working on it. I am a 37yo service-industry professional from the US who is working very hard to open a business and move to LOS over the next 12-to-24 months. It looks promising, but one never knows.

I have a 25yo Thai BF who is currently working on his MBA in Chiang Rai and who owns two small shops in his city. We match up very well together, and we both feel as if we may have lucked into finding the right life partner. It looks promising, but one never knows.

I post on TV rather sporadically, but thought I'd join in the introductions just the same.

[jdinasia]

Looks like this thread is a go .....

Remember folks discretion is NOT a bad thing some times on the internet!

Now if we can get a Mod to pin it at the top?

[smeggy]

Looks like this thread is a go .....

Maybe the guy who started the thread asking all these personal details can give a few of his own?

Who are you jdinasia?

[jdinasia]

Looks like this thread is a go .....

Maybe the guy who started the thread asking all these personal details can give a few of his own?

Who are you jdinasia?

all you have to do to know about me is read my posts

But to give the short version ....

43 and been living in Thailand for 4 years

Buddhist

same partner for all but the first 6 months in country

speak Thai with some ability and not illiterate in Thai either

more opinionated than most people ... but the opinions are based upon understanding Thai culture versus using western social context

lived in HuaHin BKK Phuket and now BKK again starting next week

[domreknaw]

Hi guys

I have just signed up but have not able to do before as my internet just started in my room.

Anyway I am 23 and in good shape. Italian and like to wonder what I do next. I am not sure about thai but like the relaxation atmosphere here

[consumerismsux]

Well, it's about time I peeked out from behind my rather large & robust closet door.

Been living here now for about 2 years...1st year in Bangkok & the last year near Pattaya. I was born & bred in a small country town in Australia (or Amstralia/Ausmerica as I like to call it) about 46 years ago. At 16, my old man (dad) forced me to join the R.A.A.F. as a radio technician apprentice. I hacked it for 2 years but I wasn't ready for it and so, to my old boys' immense dissapointment, I came home. From this point, I eventually moved into engineering. I also spent 3 years in the R.A.N. just to make sure I really didn't like the military.

I've never been married but almost was at the ripe old age of 21...broke it off just in the nick of time & then fell into a 'no mans land' for about 11 years. That was the worst but most enlightening part of my life. After living with serious depression for most of the 11 years, I finally had a cryptic yet revealing dream, which snapped me out of my stupor in an instant.

I've only ever had 2 boyfriends in my whole life...1st one for 2 years in Australia & the 2nd one in South America for 4 years. Haven't met any likely Thai candidates yet & I don't really like the bar seen here.

As far as religion is concerned, I do not subscribe to any although I seem to have my own unique belief system.

Change, challenge, opinions, honour & 'the self' appeal to me greatly.

Where am I now? Still trying to let go of that last little bit of self homophobia, which is the reason for me being a little secretive. Just writing this intro is having a cathartic effect upon me.

Oh yes, I'm a teacher here but would dearly love to get back into engineering.

Phew!! That feels a bit better.

[Manchester]

My name is Tony. Brit, 48 years old. Was married but came out of my closet 6 months ago after several failed bisexual relationships.

Now living in Pattaya but i don,t like the bar scene and i prefer farangs anyway.

Lived here for 2 years now. I love Thailand. I have a good job and a nice place.

Not sure what else to say really.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

Just spotted this one, so here comes me. Frank Thanh Thai (yup my name is like the country but completely unrelated, just a coincidence)... i am close to 33 years old (next month) and from Germany. Adoption at age 13 by a Vietnamese family in Germany yielded me that exotic name, before you ask. Fully Vietnamese that becomes "Thai Ngoc Hue Thanh" by the way. German citizen still.

I have a Thai BF who's just 2 1/2 years younger than me. Met him in an IRC chat room on the 'net in early 2000, fell in love, moved to Thailand on a one-way ticket in December 2000 and never looked back. Working odd jobs (system admin, "IT guy" and similar) for small firms that appreciate a native German/fluent English speaker with extensive computer hardware knowledge. Boyfriend got bachelor's in business administration and does just that - business administration, i.e. he works as admin. He was NEVER a "bar boy" by the way (altough i neither mind bar boys nor people who have a bar boy or ex-bar boy as boyfriend).

I am notorious for getting into technical discussions for my hobbies are computers, electronics (not so much in Thailand for lack of material!) and my motorbike, a '94 Yamaha RXZ, nickname "Bulldozer". Oh and cell phones

I am 101% out of the closet since i was 14 and never had a problem. I start job interviews with "Hi, i'm gay, any problem with that? If so, good bye". You know what? NEVER had a problem with it, in fact people (bosses!) like me being so straight-forward (oh my gosh, something in me is straight.... gotta work on that). Yeah, i'm a queen, but a power-queen And when i speak Thai i DO say "kha" and with pride

Languages? I remember some German actually.... quite fluent English, enough Thai to survive on my own and still some Vietnamese (never spoken any the past.... 14 years?) Education - like most poor Germans, secondary school (grade 10, "Realschulabschluss - Mittlere Reife") and diploma (educated professional Electrician) plus a second diploma (educated professional Motor-Mechanic, specialist motorcycles). No university degree - few Germans have one.

Now did i forget something? *think* A yeah, me lives together with BF in a single-room residence (commonly referred to as "studio apartment" which is cheap and comfy, since the first day i arrived here on December 7th, 2000. No joke - we are the longest-term-tenants in this building and still pay the same rent as back then, while "new" contracts now cost almost twice that It's in Bangna by the way, close to BITEC (yeah, can walk to see the "Bangkok Motor Show"). But currently planning to move to Chiang Mai as soon as more $$ is available.

Best regards.....

Thanh

[cm-happy]

Hi

Just spotted this one, so here comes me. Frank Thanh Thai (yup my name is like the country but completely unrelated, just a coincidence)... i am close to 33 years old (next month) and from Germany. Adoption at age 13 by a Vietnamese family in Germany yielded me that exotic name, before you ask. Fully Vietnamese that becomes "Thai Ngoc Hue Thanh" by the way. German citizen still.

I have a Thai BF who's just 2 1/2 years younger than me. Met him in an IRC chat room on the 'net in early 2000, fell in love, moved to Thailand on a one-way ticket in December 2000 and never looked back. Working odd jobs (system admin, "IT guy" and similar) for small firms that appreciate a native German/fluent English speaker with extensive computer hardware knowledge. Boyfriend got bachelor's in business administration and does just that - business administration, i.e. he works as admin. He was NEVER a "bar boy" by the way (altough i neither mind bar boys nor people who have a bar boy or ex-bar boy as boyfriend).

I am notorious for getting into technical discussions for my hobbies are computers, electronics (not so much in Thailand for lack of material!) and my motorbike, a '94 Yamaha RXZ, nickname "Bulldozer". Oh and cell phones

I am 101% out of the closet since i was 14 and never had a problem. I start job interviews with "Hi, i'm gay, any problem with that? If so, good bye". You know what? NEVER had a problem with it, in fact people (bosses!) like me being so straight-forward (oh my gosh, something in me is straight.... gotta work on that). Yeah, i'm a queen, but a power-queen And when i speak Thai i DO say "kha" and with pride

Languages? I remember some German actually.... quite fluent English, enough Thai to survive on my own and still some Vietnamese (never spoken any the past.... 14 years?) Education - like most poor Germans, secondary school (grade 10, "Realschulabschluss - Mittlere Reife") and diploma (educated professional Electrician) plus a second diploma (educated professional Motor-Mechanic, specialist motorcycles). No university degree - few Germans have one.

Now did i forget something? *think* A yeah, me lives together with BF in a single-room residence (commonly referred to as "studio apartment" which is cheap and comfy, since the first day i arrived here on December 7th, 2000. No joke - we are the longest-term-tenants in this building and still pay the same rent as back then, while "new" contracts now cost almost twice that It's in Bangna by the way, close to BITEC (yeah, can walk to see the "Bangkok Motor Show"). But currently planning to move to Chiang Mai as soon as more $$ is available.

Best regards.....

Thanh

Welcome,welcome Thanh!!

If you move to CM and are a trained electrician speaking English, I think there might be a local demand for your elecrician skills amonst the farang expat community.

I have a few non critical jobs that I want to have done. There are some competent Thai electicians available, but there is always a communication problem. Most of them do not speak or understand any English and my Thai is not good enough to speak with them in technical terms. I try to use my Thai b/f as an interpreter, but he often fails to understand as well.

[Trouble]

My name is Bob and I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I will retire at the end of February. After graduating college I entered the Air Force during the Viet Nam era and served a tour in Viet Nam which was my first exposure to Asia. Visited Bangkok on leave in 1972 at the end of my tour. I was not out yet and still quite closeted being the the military. Served 8 years but gradually came out and decided at 30 the military was not a great career choice for a gay man. Travelled for 9 months throughout Asia after leaving the military and really let loose when I met some great guys in Kuala Lumpur (not Thailand as one would think). I had a few different jobs after returning home but ended up in the family manufacturing business for the last 20 years. We manufacture electronic heat exchangers and chassis (to keep it short) for military aircraft, aerospace, and semiconductor industries. It's a small business and it surely has taken its toll on my brother and I. I am not out at work (macho atmosphere is too much for me to handle) and will be happy to be totally out once I retire. Immediate family and friends know of my lifestyle. Spent many years clubbing in West Hollywood in the days of Studio One. I have had a few long distance relationships (some with Thai working boys) and a couple here in Los Angeles. I still enjoy clubbing, particularly at DJ Station where I celebrated my 60th birthday in grand fashion dancing on the stage with the guys.

I have travelled to Thailand off and on since that first trip in 1972. I have seen the changes particularly in Bangkok and Pattaya over the years. I remember the great times at the first Rome Club and then after its rennovation. Harry's Bar and the Garden Bar on soi 2. Pattaya did not have much in the way of a gay scene when I first went there other than one or two bars I vaguely recall one being down walking street somewhere near the Siam Bayshore. The road along the beach was not built up like today and I met a guy in Dunkin' Donuts of all places. In the last 5 to 10 years I have made 2 to 3 trips a year to Thailand. Love the beach at Patong much better than Pattaya and it has, in my opinion, a more relaxed gay scene than Pattaya so I tend to like going to places like James Dean and the Boat Bar versus the go go bars of Pattaya. Just personal preference.

I have been involved with a number of working boys (freelancers) and have enjoyed the relationships a great deal. Although they have not been without turmoil, these guys really have formed a genuine liking for me beyond the money. I still keep in touch and they with me. Unfortunately I am a little burned out on the scene as it seems like every guy I have become involved with has become infected with the dreaded HIV. I have sat in the doctors offices and hospitals and am tired of it. I had a bf here in Los Angeles and dealt with his HIV status for years. Fortunately all are still healthy but I have also lost a couple of great guys and numerous friends to the virus. All that being said I met a Thai student about 1 1/2 years ago here in Los Angeles attending graduate school. He is a Thai military officer on a scholarship. He just started in the PhD program and it looks like he will be here for at least two (more likely three) years. I have not been to Thailand for over a year now but yearning to get back and enjoy the beaches and nightlife (socially not sexually). I have a special friend in Thailand that I call regularly but don't want this to go to far and need to kind of set him "straight" on where I stand. He knows I don't consider us boyfriends but think he is somewhat dependent on me. Fortunately I have faired well and can afford to help him now and then but have explained that I can be doing this the rest of my life. So I am happy and content with the current relationship (he knows about the guy in Thailand and is understanding of my not wanting to cut this off over the phone). I know in the future if the current relationship makes it we will return to Thailand where he has an obligation of military service and he will be teaching at the military academy. He has a good career ahead of him and although he would like to remain here I have tried to discourage this as he will have status (something very important to Thais) in Thailand and very little here. As we both age (I am 62, he is 27) I know that he will need a life that gives him the security and status afforded by a military career.

I am very fond of Thailand and I hope to be able to split my time between Los Angeles, Honolulu, Thailand and traveling. Think I got a little long winded here so I had better cut this off. Enjoy reading the posts here as the discussion tends to be a little more civil than on some of the other gay Thailand sites.

[himachal]

Hi and want intro myself

Im Jim but my friends have called me Smeggy for over 35 years so its kinda stuck

Im a retired American come here for a long holiday with thinkin about stayin for ever

I worked as supermarket security guard in Chicago for last 25 year now got my pension and the worlds my rolex oyster.

Howdy Y'all

Hi.

If you've been smeggy for 35 years, I guess it would have stuck good and proper by now!!!

[himachal]

Hi and want intro myself

Im Jim but my friends have called me Smeggy for over 35 years so its kinda stuck

Im a retired American come here for a long holiday with thinkin about stayin for ever

I worked as supermarket security guard in Chicago for last 25 year now got my pension and the worlds my rolex oyster.

Howdy Y'all

Hi.

If you've been smeggy for 35 years, I guess it would have stuck good and proper by now!!!

Sorry, Jim. I suppose that's not fair - at least I should introduce myself, too.

Himachal, as you may know, is a province in northern India of which I have fond memories from my travelling days (beautiful mountains, great d*pe). I'm 44 and have been living in Thailand since my Thai bf, who is 40, and I came here from Australia eleven years ago. (I'm English but we met in Sydney). Spent all that time in BKK and still here. Far too long a time to devote to one smelly city. We've just bought a fruit farm in Chantaburi and I'm building a house on it (all secondhand wood, Thai/farang mixed style). Hopefully we'll be able to make good our escape in a couple of years, when work, family and other obligations are taken care of. Love Thailand (most of the time!!!) and really appreciate gay-friendly attitudes/indifference here. We don't do the scene anymore, though - been there, done that!

I won't bore you all with the story of my life (sighs of relief, I'm sure!) Just finish with a big 'Hello' to all of you and hope to participate in some entertaining chats and discussions with you here.

Peace to all, R.

[Tumbo]

Oh hello there

I'm Tom, originally Thai, but was sent to study in Brissy since young and then Melb. So,you can actually call me a Aus-thai -- oh yeah and I love Boags (beer) and St. Kilda footy team!

Was living in Melb for the Master's degree and stuff for years and enjoying every moment of it.

Now am 29 years old and just got back to Thailand last year for settling down after a long period of studying (and partying of course!)

Currently I'm in the executive search industry aka head-hunter and I love it!

Well, am deffo a newbie here -- just actually have joined in today and this is my very first post!

How did I find this forum?

Well today i've been just trying to the find the news about the building at Silom soi 4 which has collapsed and i found it here! After an hour of reading you guys' posts, i reckon, it'd be rude to just read but not share any detail of meself wouldnt it?

So here I am and hello everybody

[PeaceBlondie]

Howdy, Tom, as we say in Texas

[Tumbo]

Oh .. G'day mate -- as we say in The Down Under

[angmo]

Nice idea!

Hi - I am Pieter - 50 year old South African with a Dutch passport. My Singaporean boyfriend (39) of nearly 13 years and I moved to Pattaya just over 3.5 years ago from the Netherlands. Neither of us look or behave our age - but neither are we into bars and discos.

Have visited Thailand regularly since about 1985 and thought it might be time to move here permanently. Absolutely love the life style and relaxed atmosphere. Have my own software business here, but sell nothing in Thailand. People think its crazy, but I have to travel all over the place implementing the software, so between projects it is nice to come to a home that is more like a holiday resort.

Even though my bf is Singaporean and we have many nice Singaporean friends, I prefer Thailand. People here may have less materially, but are much more content. Most Singaporeans tend to be too materialistic and live very stressed lives.

Other than that we love to make good friends - both Thai and Farang - and tend to entertain a lot at home. Barbeques (braais in South Africa), wine and just lazing around the pool on Sundays is our speciality.

Hope to see some of you around.

Cheers,

Wilson and Pieter

[twschw]

Welcome Wilson and Pieter. I hope you enjoy Thaivisa!

[david08see]

Anyone else think it is a good idea?

yes,I think its a great idea,just basic info...how do we get started?

great idea, thanks much

keep them coming

[khundon]

I'm a middle-aged (59), upper middle-class, urban, childless, gay business executive (semi-retired for many years) who hews to all of the liberal gold standards.

I consider myself successful, intelligent, articulate, and alert. Others don't.

I like challenges; I'm a Master Scuba Diver and ride a BMW R1200C motorcycle which I'm touring on starting May 1st (Vancouver, Canada to NY City and back).

Even-though I am in a 20 year relationship (he lives in NYC), I have a Thai boyfriend as well and spend at least half a year in Thailand (Pattaya).

There is no doubt that I'm in an eternal state of glee for the big things, like decent health, the undeserved love of a good man, and a battalion of blessedly odd friends.

Every other issue that I care about is in danger, belching smoke and spiraling downward toward the worst nightmare that Lucifer can create. (Sweet Jesus, have we have lost our collective gag reflex?) (Aside to George Bush: resign now) At the same time, the issues that affect me most directly are making more progress than I would ever have dreamed possible.

The life I'm trying to lead is one where I can give enormous, unfettered thanks for this incredible and kaleidoscopic world where books and friends and family and laughter and learning and warmth and music can create a miraculous global crusade whose goal is great and shared joy.

I love this line and I'm straight.

Wish more people thought the way this guy does.

Thanks Rainwalker.

[xiandarkthorne]

Hi,I'm a 50-yr-old Penang beach bum who occasionally moonlights as a writer and frequently travels to Hatyai on family affairs. I also do Bangkok and Phuket every few years.

[letsgeekout]

Hello everyone! Since the main forum section doesn't have any introduction section (maybe I didn't look hard enough but who can blame me because there are SO many ads in between!) I would like to thank the wonderful people who started this whole thing in the first place. I find the visa section (duh) extremely helpful and really appreciate that they set up an 'alternative lifestyle' section for the rest of us!