Negative Vibes...is it just me?

[NCC1701A]

13 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I always enjoyed the "No Knickers' part(s) of Thailand.

i have to maintain certain rules around the house or chaos ensues. 

[Matzzon]

It´s just you!

[Orton Rd]

They do some funny things though, always something to laugh at here, if not the <deleted> of a PM spouting off it's the locals. Our best friend neighbor has a black sheep of a brother living with her always doing dumb stuff like stealing her gold or borrowing to fuel his bad gambling addiction. Recently she got him a job at the factory where she works where they sell machine parts. Over the new year he decided with 3 others to rob the place, knowing it has cctv they covered up the license plates on the van used to carry off the goods, but forgot to cover up their faces, and 2 of them work there ???? Still in jail today waiting to see if a deal can be done between the factory owner and the cops.

[holy cow cm]

14 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Me Too!

If we had married or reproduced with a Viet, we would have a 5 year VISA for $50 with no financials.

But I did specify 'tourists', can't see a single reason for them to come here now.

Yeah and Viet gals have big boobs too!

[Curt1591]

17 hours ago, Formaleins said:

where are you going to put the curry or Laab you buy from the local stall, in your pocket?

Before plastic bags:  

 

 

Mine:

Edited January 14, 2020 by Curt1591

[Mavideol]

14 hours ago, Lacessit said:

There is a fair amount of unrest in Chiang Mai.

 

Item: A Thai tour guide I know says his business has dropped 50% since the junta took over.

 

Item: Another tour guide who had 80% of his business in Thailand, and 20% in Vietnam, now has 90%

         of his business in Vietnam.

 

Item: Prayut is openly mocked by village Thais when he does one of his monologues on TV. I'm not 

        sure if they are using the Thai equivalent of d**khead, but it sounds close.

 

Item: Many restaurants in CM no longer open for lunch, too few customers to be worthwhile.

 

Item: My landlord owns three apartments in my condo. I am his only tenant, the other two units have

         been vacant for 2 years.

 

Item: The smaller shopkeepers and street stalls are not complying with the plastic bag ban.

 

Item: Many condos and houses for sale at less than building cost.

 

Straws in the wind.

guess not only in CM, this week end drove to  Krabi areas (Ao Nang, Klong Muang beaches) and didn't see the crowds as the previous years, thought I was in Moscow, also 5-6 beach front restaurants closed and the Tuk Tuk driver complaining about his (lack) business and some of his friends moving back home up north.... Prayut's name not welcome during the conversation

[Baerboxer]

16 hours ago, Formaleins said:

Not the Happy Smiling welcoming place it was a few years ago, it almost feels like they want rid of us just to hide their embarrassment of how bad the place is turning. And have you noticed how much angrier they are? just in general and especially when they are driving? This place has changed a lot. Full to the eye teeth with jealousy, envy, debt and lack of income to pay for it all. A nation of "Fur Coat No Knickers" and everything on credit.

 

Yep. Sad to see and sad to say it's getting more like "The West" every day!

[alien365]

As I don't live in a tourist area, I haven't seen any difference over the last few years. Businesses are still opening and lots of nice houses are being built and bought.

[fittobethaied]

15 hours ago, SteveK said:

I recently did my 90-day report in person. The IO was about the rudest official I have ever met in my life. Wouldn't look at me. Wouldn't talk at me. Then when he was done, chucked my passport at me and ignored my khop khun maak khap and wai. Sometimes I don't know why I even bother. Thailand does not want us here at all.

Same thing happened to me yesterday at Udon Thani Immigration. I am on my 8th extension of stay for reason of retirement which originated off of an O-A Visa, and I had several questions about my upcoming renewal in May. I expected to be able to sit down and have an informative conversation with a friendly officer, but was instead ushered over to the new young gay director who had me stand up to present my questions in a crowded queue area. I broke protocol and did my wai to him first out of respect, but he didn't reciprocate. He grabbed my passport out of my hand and immediately gave it back to me with the rude comment that I was inquiring waaaaaaaay too early and any information he shared with me today probably wouldn't be good come May, and he didn't want me coming back to say "you told me this or that in January" and insist on his keeping his word. I understand his point, but he could have answered some very general questions but blew me off just the same. I gave him the usual "thank your sir" followed by a departing wai with no response from him. I have never been treated with such hostility and distain in my entire life. I get the same sort of treatment in my village and in town when I go in for shopping and meals, etc. The magic has disappeared and I abhor living in this place! 

[BritManToo]

22 minutes ago, fittobethaied said:

I gave him the usual "thank your sir" followed by a departing wai with no response from him

Never wai anyone, makes you look weak and submissive, so of course they'll treat you badly.

[SteveK]

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Never wai anyone, makes you look weak and submissive, so of course they'll treat you badly.

I've stopped wai-ing people after the other day. Just a nod and sawasdee khrap that's all you'll get from me.

[malibukid]

17 hours ago, SteveK said:

Why did people ever come to Thailand in the first place?

 

1. It was cheap. Now it is not.

2. It was friendly. Now it is not.

3. It was a care-free and easy life. Now it is not.

4. It had great weather. Well that hasn't changed at least.

5. It had sensational food. Well the worldwide health fascination has put stead to the fried, salty, greasy Thai rubbish.

6. Some single men loved Pattaya. Look at the place now.

7. It was an exotic and exciting destination. Now even the locals in Merthyr Tydfil have been here.

8. It had world-class beaches. Now covered in garbage.

 

Now it's overpriced, xenophobic, with awkward immigration and even opening a bank account has become an outrageous rigmarole with more paperwork requirements than getting a mortgage in your home country for an ultra-basic savings account that you'd normally open for a child.

 

Neighbouring countries should learn a thing or two about how to treat tourists who have money to spend. It seems Vietnam is on the up and up.

sounds like America

[SteveK]

13 minutes ago, malibukid said:

sounds like America

Quite. America is now incredibly expensive. Go to LA, Las Vegas or New York and see how long you survive on $1000. Most of the time a meal in restaurant will cost $30+, taxis are very expensive, and hotels under $100 are few and far between. They do get good wages there though, if I had left the UK when I graduated and worked in my profession in the states I would have earned 2-3 times what I was getting paid in the UK.

 

One of the reasons that I will never go back to the states is that people are so damned rude if you don't leave what is considered to be an acceptable tip, despite the fact that they brought you the wrong drink, made a mistake on the bill, and ignored you when you tried to get their attention.

Edited January 14, 2020 by SteveK

[roo860]

42 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Never wai anyone, makes you look weak and submissive, so of course they'll treat you badly.

Never will and never have in 22yrs.

[Nyezhov]

14 minutes ago, SteveK said:

One of the reasons that I will never go back to the states is that people are so damned rude if you don't leave what is considered to be an acceptable tip, despite the fact that they brought you the wrong drink, made a mistake on the bill, and ignored you when you tried to get their attention.

I try not to reject anything forever based on an isolated incident of distastefulness, other wise I might as well off myself. Not everything in life is perfect, the trick is to concentrate more on the good stuff.

 

There are 50 states, dont let the attitude you may find in one lead you to beleive that everywhere is the same.

[roo860]

20 minutes ago, SteveK said:

Quite. America is now incredibly expensive. Go to LA, Las Vegas or New York and see how long you survive on $1000. Most of the time a meal in restaurant will cost $30+, taxis are very expensive, and hotels under $100 are few and far between. They do get good wages there though, if I had left the UK when I graduated and worked in my profession in the states I would have earned 2-3 times what I was getting paid in the UK.

 

One of the reasons that I will never go back to the states is that people are so damned rude if you don't leave what is considered to be an acceptable tip, despite the fact that they brought you the wrong drink, made a mistake on the bill, and ignored you when you tried to get their attention.

Should have gone to Australia. 

[BritManToo]

20 minutes ago, SteveK said:

One of the reasons that I will never go back to the states is that people are so damned rude if you don't leave what is considered to be an acceptable tip, despite the fact that they brought you the wrong drink, made a mistake on the bill, and ignored you when you tried to get their attention.

Exactly the opposite when I went back to London in 2016 for a while.

Everyone was incredibly polite and helpful, when I had left in 2009 everyone was rude.

Think I have to point out in 2009 London was either white or black, and in 2016 everyone was non-white.

What a change in 7 years, all I can think is Christians are inherently rude.

[bkkgriz]

I will be coming to Thailand for a few days in March to completely divest from the country. I lived in Thailand for 8 years and always thought that I would come back to retire there one day. However, after living away for the last six years, I now think Thailand is not where I will spend my retirement time and money. So I will make one last trip to LoS to pull out the money I had invested there. I have a feeling I will not be the only one.

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, bkkgriz said:

I will be coming to Thailand for a few days in March to completely divest from the country. I lived in Thailand for 8 years and always thought that I would come back to retire there one day. However, after living away for the last six years, I now think Thailand is not where I will spend my retirement time and money. So I will make one last trip to LoS to pull out the money I had invested there. I have a feeling I will not be the only one.

I think you've made a good decision, it just isn't the fun and easy going place it was 10 years back.

Where are you thinking of retiring now?

Edited January 14, 2020 by BritManToo
typo

[Yinn]

13 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V009SUGaa8Y

 

I stop watching that video when it claim “thai exports down 40% 2018-2019

And thai tourism “at record lows” 

 

if you believe it. Up to you. But easy to check. 

[ChaiyaTH]

1 minute ago, Yinn said:

I stop watching that video when it claim “thai exports down 40% 2018-2019

And thai tourism “at record lows” 

 

if you believe it. Up to you. But easy to check. 

1) Exports and Tourism is in fact at record lows, will only get worse too. If you travelled around the country frequently, you would have noticed yourself.
2) You can't check it by statistic sheets, as they are always inaccurate or full of lies in Thailand. You can check by going around yourself, talking to business owners.
3) If Tourism is not in decline, where are all the tourists hiding then? I can't see the big numbers anywhere (unless you talk about cheap China tour groups).

[Yinn]

1 minute ago, ChaiyaTH said:

1) Exports and Tourism is in fact at record lows, will only get worse too. If you travelled around the country frequently, you would have noticed yourself.

Not down 40% like that video say.

Down 7.39%. 

Only exagerrate x6. 

 

1 minute ago, ChaiyaTH said:

2) You can't check it by statistic sheets, as they are always inaccurate or full of lies in Thailand. You can check by going around yourself, talking to business owners.

My friend have record month. Record year. Her customer is busload x2-6 of Chinese everyday. 2 van of Russian per day. 

 

 

1 minute ago, ChaiyaTH said:

3) If Tourism is not in decline, where are all the tourists hiding then? I can't see the big numbers anywhere (unless you talk about cheap China tour groups).

 

Phangnga 

airnb 

[ChaiyaTH]

13 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Not down 40% like that video say.

Down 7.39%. 

Only exagerrate x6. 

 

My friend have record month. Record year. Her customer is busload x2-6 of Chinese everyday. 2 van of Russian per day. 

 

 

 

Phangnga 

airnb 

Exports are down much more than 7% lol but keep dreaming and believing.

So because a friend has a record year tourism is up? That is really Thai logic here at play isn't it?
My friends bar also did record years but that is only because he is too big too fall, all the other small bars are suffering big time.

Reason for my friends example: small bars are too quiet; boring,
so the bigger one gets all the guys that used to go to the small ones, as it is busy and nice there.
If you talk to 100 owners, you will know 95 of them lost business.

Airbnb is a new and growing market, that doesn't mean tourism is up. It means more people book airbnb instead of a hotel. 
That tourism is down doesn't mean there are no tourists, obviously some do well. You can't fix stupid so I won't even argue with you more.

Edited January 14, 2020 by ChaiyaTH

[Yinn]

19 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Exports are down much more than 7% lol but keep dreaming and believing.

 

 

What your figure? 

You get from YouTube right? 

Why the baht so strong? Because foreign money come in to Thailand. Maybe you not know.

 

19 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

So because a friend has a record year tourism is up? That is really Thai logic here at play isn't it?

 

You said “ask business owner”. 

 

Quote

My friends bar also did record years but that is only because he is too big too fall, all the other small bars are suffering big time.

 

Oh, you talk about bar. 

I think Chinese tourist not go to farang style bar. 

 

Quote

 

Reason for my friends example: small bars are too quiet; boring,
so the bigger one gets all the guys that used to go to the small ones, as it is busy and nice there.
If you talk to 100 owners, you will know 95 of them lost business.

 

Bar business for farang.

i think not so good business. 

To many.

 

 

Quote

Airbnb is a new and growing market, that doesn't mean tourism is up. It means more people book airbnb instead of a hotel. 

 

39 million last year. I think they not go your friends bar. 

 

Quote

That tourism is down doesn't mean there are no tourists, obviously some do well. You can't fix stupid so I won't even argue with you more.

You can read simple graph right?

Stupid to open another bar. Smart people open business that successful. Where you? Pattaya? Patong?

Edited January 14, 2020 by Yinn

[Gweiloman]

18 hours ago, SteveK said:

Why did people ever come to Thailand in the first place?

 

1. It was cheap. Now it is not.

2. It was friendly. Now it is not.

3. It was a care-free and easy life. Now it is not.

4. It had great weather. Well that hasn't changed at least.

5. It had sensational food. Well the worldwide health fascination has put stead to the fried, salty, greasy Thai rubbish.

6. Some single men loved Pattaya. Look at the place now.

7. It was an exotic and exciting destination. Now even the locals in Merthyr Tydfil have been here.

8. It had world-class beaches. Now covered in garbage.

 

Now it's overpriced, xenophobic, with awkward immigration and even opening a bank account has become an outrageous rigmarole with more paperwork requirements than getting a mortgage in your home country for an ultra-basic savings account that you'd normally open for a child.

 

Neighbouring countries should learn a thing or two about how to treat tourists who have money to spend. It seems Vietnam is on the up and up.

1. I find it as cheap for me now as it was when I first came here 12 years ago. In fact, some things have become cheaper for eg. internet, big bikes etc

2. Locals still as friendly as before. The most unfriendly neighbour I ever had in Thailand was, you guessed it, a farang. 
3. I still find it very care free and easy. Can drive 120kph often without being caught by speed cameras. On the rare occasion I do get stopped, 400 baht solves the problem and gives me immunity for the rest of the day. 
4. Agreed 

5. I had 10 overseas visitors over the New Year period, staying 6 days. Gave them the option of Thai, German, Italian, Japanese and other foreign food every meal. They only wanted Thai food. According to them, that’s one of the reasons they come to Thailand. 
6. No comment on sexpats

7. Paris, London, Rome, Athens, Cairo etc were once upon a time exciting destinations to me. You would now have to pay me to leave the comfort of my home. 
8. Was never a fan of beaches so no comment from me.

 

Agree that 90day, TM30, the piles of photocopies etc is a nuisance. But nothing compared to the hurdles I would have to jump through to try and stay in some Western countries, with little chance of success I might add. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

18 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Item: The smaller shopkeepers and street stalls are not complying with the plastic bag ban.

 

AFAIK, there is no nationwide comprehensive plastic bags ban imposed or enforced by the government.

 

Rather, there is an agreement between the government and a Thai retailers association made up of many of the larger retailers (Tops, Tesco, Central, 7/11 etc) to stop using plastic bags.

 

The agreement and its terms were never meant and aren't meant to impact what small mom and pop stands or shops are doing.... And no one's enforcing such a plastic bags ban at that level, AFAIK.

 

 

[Enoon]

9 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Bangkok is viewed by the North as the root cause of their problems. I'd say if it were not for the military presence, from Chiang Mai province to Mae Sai would secede in a heartbeat. They speak Lanna, and point that out to me quite often.

 

The Post Revolution Nationalists sought to hammer and force ethnically varied, multicultural Siam, into a single, Monocultural Thailand.

 

That's what Nationalists do.

 

In doing so they have incurred the animosity not only of the North, but also of the North East (Lao, 24.9% of pop of Thailand) and, most demonstrably, the South (Malay).

 

Bangkokians (who lie at the centre of the process, supported it and continue to be the main beneficiaries of it) seem to think it wrongheaded for those outside the "Golden" centre to resent it.

 

Well, as a preferred species, they would think it wrongheaded wouldn't they?

 

And the foreigners who live among the Bangkok Thais, reporting the smug, self satisfied "condition" of those Bangkokians, on these pages?

 

It seems they would as well.

 

 

 

 

[nobodysfriend]

19 hours ago, Hans007 said:

I probably will not travel again to Thailand..

Thank you !

[Rod the Sod]

14 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V009SUGaa8Y

 

This video is such <deleted>. If you take out the "girl" side of the argument (which most retirees wont factor in), and if you don't give a t*ss about whether an official smiles at you all the time or you have to comply with the law to get a visa, he is down to:

 

1. Visa rules may change - yep, the world over....

2. There is a focus on the growing tourist markets in preference to others. Yep, the world over...

3. Thais are racists, yep the same in Europe and almost everywhere actually. We will always be a foreigner but nowadays who isn't? He actually says "foreigners will never be Thai". Wow, smart guy!!

4. Farang pricing. Never been a problem for me. You live here and most likely pay no income tax. Factor that into your cost of living or amount paid to go places. So completely blinkered it is sad!!

6. Tourist scams - obviously he has not been to many places because there are many places worse than Thailand at this - try Egypt for example.

7. Corrupt police. Yup - so that covers 50% of the world!

8. Its all about the money in Thailand - no "its all about the money everywhere in the world" - they just make it more obvious! - I think this is largely a "girlie" thing so excluded really.

9. Saving Face - well that is all of Asia and most of the rest of the world but they just don't call it that

10. Lack of culture - loads of culture but not everyone wants to spend their retirement chasing Museums or Galleries. Anyway, bullsh*t as there are loads - just look for them.

11. Lack of compassion - obviously never been to hospital or really been close to a Thai girl.

12. "This is Thailand" - again, another earth shattering observation from our robotic commentator.

13. Lower class citizen - never ever experienced this

14. Instability - OK show me where there is stability right now.

 

I don't know why I spent so much time analysing this as it is such a poor video in so many ways. But I did, and here it is....

 

RtS

 

 

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Never wai anyone, makes you look weak and submissive, so of course they'll treat you badly.

I have never wai-ed anyone here. In most situations, I am the elder person anyway. I just nod politely. Sabai dee mai works well.

As a 6 foot 90 kg farang, I'd feel stupid returning a wai to someone a foot shorter and half my body mass.