A Pinned Welcome/who Are We Thread?

[twschw]

Welcome and I hope you enjoy ThaiVisa

[letsgeekout]

Welcome and I hope you enjoy ThaiVisa

Thanks, I'm sure I will!

[RobertAngel]

Hello, new here and exploring idea of retiring in Bangkok.

I look forward to this forum/group.

[Scott]

Welcome and I hope we can provide you with some insights into life in Thailand.

[sebastion]

Hi guys. Name is Sebastion and I'm 32 years old from Belgium.

Sorry if my English isn't perfect but I'm trying.

Left my boring life and my boring 9 to 5 office job in Brugges with my life savings to live and work in Phuket. All I own is in a suitcase.

Been here for a month and met the most wonderful boy and it was instant love.

My life hasn't been this great for many many years after many disastrous relations.

Hoping to meet other couples for dinner parties and conversations in Phuket.

[Scott]

Best of luck and we hope everything works out well for you.

[Yellow Rose]

Hi guys. I've been reading TV and some of the other Thai/gay forums for a while but I'm not a "forum" guy so this is the only one I've got round to joining as I'm not too keen on the way Americans, gays and American gays (like me) are being pictured by some posters here.

I dont have as much Thai experience as some here as I've mainly been in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam for the last 5 years with the MAG and Halo since retiring, but I guess I'll end up in the area and hope I can give another US view.

Semper fi, guys

[flynnybkk]

Hi everyone,

I have just joined to have a nosey around

I have an online clothing business in the UK but i work quite alot in Bangkok, the last 7 years i have spent travelling Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe

I have a Thai bf who is two years younger than me (32) not quite a toyboy haha, absoultely love Thailand and its culture and cannot wait to be back in 3 weeks.

Nice to meet you all

[Scott]

Thanks for posting and welcome to the forum!

When you are in Thailand, do you have any favorite places where you like to hangout?

[Caitrin]

My name is Cat, I'm 31 years old, originally from the United States, now living as a permanent immigrant in Japan and will be giving up US citizenship after obtaining Japanese citizenship. I will be coming to Thailand over Christmas/New Year's, returning for a few months around March, and will likely visit Thailand every so often going forward.

I identify as a lesbian, specifically as a tomboy femme. I'm interested in other tomboy femmes, primarily. I'm not really into that whole heteronormative roleplay that is "butch/femme" or "tom/dee." The Japanese approach, "neko/tachi" is maaaaaybe better, as it tends to be related to aggression/passivity and less about masculinity and femininity as opposites.

[Scott]

Welcome to the forum. We look forward to your input.

[Morakot]

Hi Cat, welcome to the forum.

With you interest in philosophy, here (37:08) some neat points on micro subversion to (hetero)normativity, as highlighted by Judith Butler's reading of Michel Foucault in Gender Trouble. This from a rather lengthy lecture on Foucault and power. Enjoy.

Edited October 22, 2014 by Morakot

[Caitrin]

Oh'm quite familiar with Judith Butler and Gender Trouble. :3

[Swampypoom]

Hello and Sawatdeekrub All!!!

My name is Michael and I am 35 years old living in the USA, and travel frequently to Thailand for leisure (~5x per year) with the hopes of one day settling down in Thailand or elsewhere in Asia.

I come from French and Korean parents whom met at a casino in Las Vegas many years ago which means I love culture, entertainment, and gastronomy. I love my wine and I love my soju, too!

I have been a member since some months ago and have taken genuine interest in all things Thai since my very first trip to Thailand a few years ago.

My aim is to research and thoroughly prepare myself for a transition to Thailand, should I choose to, but only in a legal and responsible way whilst having a Plan B in place.

I have a few friendly acquaintances in Bangkok and in Kata for the moment, but am always open to meeting more fun and chill guys to hang with and grab a drink or a snack and garner your opinions on expat life.

It is my pleasure to meet all of you and to learn along the way!

Cordially yours,

Swampypoom (because I find it structurally fascinating a massive airport has been built on a swamp)

[Scott]

Welcome and we look forward to having you as a member.

[Jimmpy]

Hi guys, this is my second time in thailand. Got here last week, found an apartment near Saphan Khwai BTS where I lived with my ladyboy girlfriend. Havent seen anybody from my last stay and still spending most of my time getting set-up.

My name is Jim, 62 years old.

Haven't gone out looking 4 nightlife yet but things sure seems to have changed and hoping everything will continue to improve.

Are there any monthly expat meetings still going on?

[jimley]

Hi guys, I live in SEA, and to be honest, I've never had an affair with a man before! In fact, I'm not really interested in Asian men. But over the past year or so, I've developed a fantasy for Western men. (I'm 54, tall and very slim and enjoy wearing female clothes btw) My question is, is there a place where I can meet with people who would be interested in tall slim white people like me, or are westerners here usually only interested in Asian men? I must admit that I'm new to all this, so forgive me if got the wrong forum. I would appreciate any advice or perhaps someone could send me an email or steer me in the right direction?

Many thanks,

J

Edited September 6, 2015 by jimley

[Scott]

Sorry for being so slow. Most of the people I know are into Asians, but many are not exclusive. I know a few gay couples who are farang and met here, so it is possible.

Where do you live?

[Lenscraft]

Hello everyone, my name is Ron or Coyote. I answer to either, so feel free to use the one that you can remember. I was very pleased to find out that 'ron' in Thai means 'hot'.

I've spent the last eight years as the Web Architect for Glassdoor.com, joining the company as its fourth employee and one of the founding engineers. This year I realized that I'd effectively burnt out, and started to think about chasing dreams. Since 1996 I've been doing travel writing on my site lenscraft.com, and I decided to move to Thailand and use it as a base of operations for exploring Southeast Asia.

Until my first visit in December 2014, I'd never actually been to Thailand or anywhere in Southeast Asia. This is my fourth visit since then, and I intend to get my retirement visa on my next visa in the Spring of 2016.

Unfortunately my decision to move here put me into conflict with my husband of 28 years. He's a sweet, wonderful midwestern Lutheran boy whose upbringing taught him that if you're not working, then you have no value to society. He told me that he intends to work until he dies, and that he could never move to Thailand because 'there are no intellectuals in Thailand'. After a lot of sturm und drang, we decided to go our separate directions. He will continue pursuing his career, and I will live a life of leisure here in Thailand.

Physically, I'm 54 years old, bearish in build (and to be honest, temperament.) I love scuba diving (I'm a Master Scuba Diver), photography, watching movies, eating, and wine. I love reading fantasy and science fiction, though my reading tastes tend to go all over the place. I'm liberal leaning towards socialism, though I also believe in personal responsibility and not being an idiot.

I was lucky enough to meet an incredible Thai man who I love very much, and it seems to be mutual. We're planning on setting up a home in Bangkok together, and we're always looking to meet other positive, friendly people. Drop me a note!

[Scott]

Welcome. It sounds like you have had an interesting life so far. I hope it continues.

[hyperHowie]

Wow. Guess I better not lurk behind the keyboard and just come out to my brothers in Thailand, since I will be moving there (or Vietnam) within the next 18 mths.

I'm an American living in Washington, D.C. As a military brat, I was born in Germany, attended a Tokyo international school & an American HS in Seoul. Bachelors degree w/ some grad work. My parents lived for over 25 years in Asia, most of it doing international work. I'm 1/4 Asian.

I served 3 yrs on Active Duty before joining the Reserves. I spent 13 years in corporate marketing with Fortune 10 companies until I realized that I wanted more out of my life than peddling computer hardware (especially since I'm not a techie). A deployment on a NATO peacekeeping mission to Bosnia helped me break out of my midlife crisis. When I retired from the Reserves, the very next day I served as a contractor helping troops (& families) returning from a combat zone; a sort of military social worker: Homelessness, job assistance, financial aid, education benefits, medical & mental referrals, including some Asian-Americans who fought in WWII.

Even though that was the most personally enjoyable work experience at that point, I realized that international charitable work was closer to my heart (the 'international' overrode the 'charitable' TBH.)

So, I'm making my 2nd trip to Thailand late FEB 2016 to CM, but I'll probably visit Pattaya, Phuket et al just to see a different side of Thailand talked about on here. I am open to any suggestions (other than go-back home.) BTW: I'm open to ALL parts of Asian and FEEDBACK from expats who've explored or lived elsewhere would be most helpful. Just send a private message if you prefer.

Lastly (sorry for the long monologue), but after hiding my sexuality during my corporate & military years, I've ditched the rest of my macho merit badges (martial arts, motorcycles and skydiving) and am in the final stages of scraping off the last 'protective layers.' It just takes longer for some of us.

I'm not really a bar person and enjoy writing and nonfiction reading more than slugging down beers in bars (having worked in US bars & restaurants & my time in the military, I did enough of that. It was never a primary activity even then.) However, I'll surely succumb to bar boys or whatever until hopefully, a more caring relationship might develop. Advice welcomed haha.

Oh, yeah, white middle class upbringing, healthy, active 60s with time spent at both Protestant & Catholic prep schools (but not religious, although I'll explore Buddhism, if only for cultural reasons.)

Talk to me and let me hear YOUR experiences, good or bad, Thailand or elsewhere. I'm open to any tips, warmings, suggestions & other unsolicited advice.

[Scott]

Welcome to the forum and keep us posted as to your travel plans while in Thailand.

[tukkytuktuk]

Hi, I'm new to the forum, but not Thaivisa. I've been in Los for 11 years, married with two children. When I grew up I would always hang around with the more feminine boys and enjoyed the scene but never went fully into it, sexually. I used to go out on the club scene a lot back in the U.K, Manchester, Birmingham, London, I just loved the people and the music. Anyway after a holiday out in Los I fell in love with Thai people, who have similar traits to my old gay friends. Stayed, met a girl, got married and had children. Still I miss the good old days clubing, Still, I have a few friends who come over and we hit the ladyboy bars. Hoping to share funny stories, music and love.

[Adolfaart]

Anyone else think it is a good idea?

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

Hello,

yes of course it's great idea for how do we get started.

Thanks,

Edited April 8, 2016 by Adolfaart

[hyperHowie]

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.

[hyperHowie]

I don't think giving out personal details about a Thai military officer is necessarily a good idea. You posted his military position, age, education, current posting, next scheduled posting, etc.

Maybe my 26 yrs in the US military (before it was legal to be out & gay) is NOT a good standard for measurement vs Thailand openness to gays & ladyboys, but you never know in any country's military. I might ask the moderator to edit those details about your friend, unless LOS is truly a we-dont-give-a-damn even if you are going to teach at our military academy, etc.

It's okay about being open ourselves, but you might run this by your Thai friend or veteran expats here can tell you if I'm off base on this topic. Apologies if I am.

Edited July 25, 2016 by hyperHowie

[Gumnut]

Love to know where some of these people are now 10 years later. If your still around post us an update.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[Scott]

On 4/8/2018 at 8:27 AM, Gumnut said:

Love to know where some of these people are now 10 years later. If your still around post us an update.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

Agreed, but I think a lot of people who have moved on from teaching may well have moved on from the teaching forum as well.  

 

Hopefully there will be a few responses.