Neither an apologist nor malcontent

[Rotweiler]

Yes, the number of Thai-bashing posts has decreased lately.  But there still are – many.  There are times I get so po'd at some of the posters here that I actually stop coming to the site.  Sometimes for weeks at a time.  Yes, I do realize that most of the Thai-bashers are not even IN Thailand, and that the owners of the site get paid by advertisers for hits, and the more controversy, the more hits.  But.

 

I personally am neither a Thailand apologist nor malcontent.  I see my adopted village and country as they are, smiles, warts, and all. 

 

Yes, the air is really bad at times; but then there are those mornings when I am humbled by how beautiful everything is.

 

Yes, sometimes I wonder if this adopted country of mine actually wants me here; then a neighbour pops over unannounced with a bag of fresh vegetables from their garden (“for the farang”). 

 

Yes, I worry at times that the Government will make life here more difficult or even impossible in the future.   Then my annual visa extension took all of 15 minutes – the only time I will see Immigration officers for another year.  Same as last year.  And I remember that my birth country’s government shoved thousands of my fellow Canadians into prison camps during the 1940’s because they or their ancestors weren’t born there.  Or were born in the wrong parts of Europe or Asia.   I’m still here - not imprisoned - yet.

 

Thirty-one years ago I visited Thailand for the first time.  Six trips later - just over 16 years ago - my wife and I decided to spent 2 months each winter in Northern Thailand instead of in Canada.  Thirteen years ago my wife passed away (much to early) and I decided to make it permanent.  Except for one trip back 10 years ago to dispose of what I still had left in Canada, Thailand has been my permanent home. 

 

Do I complaint about anything here?  Damn right I do!  About the smoky air.  About the heat.  About sloppy workmanship that can appear during a simple, routine project.   About the local Khao Soi stand being out of chicken last Wednesday.   About my wife switching back and forth between Lanna, Thai and English – often in the same sentence.  If I were back in Canada I would not have complained about these things!

 

I would have complained about ever-increasing property taxes; about having to shovel snow off the sidewalk during the winter; about Quebec separatists being in the Nation’s Parliament; about the monthly water, sewer, electric, and natural gas bills that each approached or far exceeded my Thai neighbours’ monthly income; about the Roughriders having another <deleted> year; about the Government not being mine - not the ones “I” voted for.

 

Have I regretted it (moving here)?  Occasionally, I wonder what it would have been like if I had stayed in Canada.   Or moved to Germany.  Or India.  I also wonder what it would have been like to be a billionaire.  Or still have all of my hair. 

 

I made the decision to be here.  And I am here to stay.  I will not complain about what I cannot change here (well, maybe a little…).

 

My 50 satang worth.

 

[1FinickyOne]

4 minutes ago, Rotweiler said:

like to be a billionaire.  Or still have all of my hair. 

Complaining is easy but not a lot of fun for other people to listen to... 

 

If you were a billionaire you would have a line out the door hoping to borrow money... hair is overrated... 

 

Enjoy your choices, and keep your 50 satang... you can use it to fill your gas tank. 

[NCC1701A]

28 minutes ago, Rotweiler said:

Or still have all of my hair. 

i still have all my hair. it's great. but i do still have to buy Just for Men Dark Brown every month. 245 baht. the secret is to only leave it on for 3 minutes instead of 5 like the instructions say. it looks much more natural that way.  

[villagefarang]

I have dealt with more bile and vitriol on this little sub-forum than perhaps anyone else, yet I am still positive and still here.  I am the only one I have any control over and I control how I respond to the stuff I read online.

 

Just maintain your center, your convictions and don't allow the negativity to change your actions or outlook.  Don't give others any power over how you feel about your life here in Thailand.????

[NCC1701A]

14 minutes ago, Rotweiler said:

Yes, the number of Thai-bashing posts has decreased lately. 

this forum is full of haters. 

there is a topic right full of comments about hating Songkran. 

 

one of the first topics i started on this forum 8 years ago was asking about moving to Thailand. One of the every first replies I got was telling me to not move to Thailand because I would be killed. 

 

if you express any positivity on this forum you will be attacked. 

good luck.   

 

[NCC1701A]

1 minute ago, villagefarang said:

I have dealt with more bile and vitriol on this little sub-forum than perhaps anyone else, yet I am still positive and still here.  I am the only one I have any control over and I control how I respond to the stuff I read online.

 

Just maintain your center, your convictions and don't allow the negativity to change your actions or outlook.  Don't give others any power over how you feel about your life here in Thailand.????

actually i was thinking about you while i was writing my comment. you really take a hit here. but you are more brave than i am. 

[villagefarang]

I wrote the following recently.

 

"There are literally hundreds of topics out there proclaiming and championing the ugliness of the world we live in and filled with hateful combative language.  It is a virtual race to the bottom, to see who can be the most hateful, negative, vindictive and spiteful.  Look at how sad my life is, how mistreated and misunderstood my existence is.  Come one, come all, and celebrate my misery and affliction.

 

I have simply chosen to carveout a tiny space where I can share how I look at the world and live my life."

[BritManToo]

16 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

I have dealt with more bile and vitriol on this little sub-forum than perhaps anyone else, yet I am still positive and still here.  I am the only one I have any control over and I control how I respond to the stuff I read online.

No point in dealing with it, just hit the 'ignore' button.

I've got 3 pages of posters I never have to read anymore.

 

My current gripe is posters hating on foreigners trapped in Thailand by the flight cancellations.

There's no need for it, people make bad decisions and run out of money all the time, all over the world.

Be human, give them a bit of support, don't hate them.

[villagefarang]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

No point in dealing with it, just hit the 'ignore' button.

I've got 3 pages of posters I never have to read anymore.

The thing is, Chiangrai is a small place and I inevitably bump into some of these people at social gatherings so I find it prudent to know what is being said about me.  There is no ignore button in real life.

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, villagefarang said:

The thing is, Chiangrai is a small place and I inevitably bump into some of these people at social gatherings so I find it prudent to know what is being said about me.  There is no ignore button in real life.

Best to keep yourself anonymous.

I'd never admit to anyone I posted here.

There are some real nutters out there, I've had a couple of threats by PM in the past.

[cranki]

This post won't get many responses......it's too positive...

[NCC1701A]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Best to keep yourself anonymous.

I'd never admit to anyone I posted here.

There are some real nutters out there, I've had a couple of threats by PM in the past.

me too. i had someone ask me to meet up for a "Pint." what does that mean? 

[villagefarang]

6 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

me too. i had someone ask me to meet up for a "Pint." what does that mean? 

½ a quart?

[OneMoreFarang]

9 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

me too. i had someone ask me to meet up for a "Pint." what does that mean? 

I googled it for you. It seems they want to swing with you. ????

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

i still have all my hair. it's great. but i do still have to buy Just for Men Dark Brown every month. 245 baht. the secret is to only leave it on for 3 minutes instead of 5 like the instructions say. it looks much more natural that way.  

Yeah, natural. I bet that's what all the girls (used to) say.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, Rotweiler said:

I made the decision to be here.  And I am here to stay.  I will not complain about what I cannot change here (well, maybe a little…).

 

My 50 satang worth.

Post of the month I reckon. I must agree the Thai bashers do seem to have pulled their heads in. Maybe they went home or, as the OP surmises, weren't here in the first place and the commute to the local library to live an imaginary life in Thailand vicariously through the internet has been classed as non-essential?

 

One thing I do note is that all those that vociferously called Thailand's Covid-19 related figures as all lies and so much fake news are the ones most mercifully quiet these days.

[CharlieH]

22 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Best to keep yourself anonymous.

I'd never admit to anyone I posted here.

There are some real nutters out there, I've had a couple of threats by PM in the past.

Only a couple ???? come sit in my chair....555555.......you'll have hit-men stalking you in a week !!!

 

And those that seem quiet, why do think that is. who do you think removes them and filters all that <deleted> out of your daily lives here, The Mods.

[BritManToo]

Just now, CharlieH said:

Only a couple ???? come sit in my chair....555555.......you'll have hit-men stalking you in a week !!!

Yeah, but you deserve it!

[CharlieH]

Just now, BritManToo said:

Yeah, but you deserve it!

Cheers !

[NanLaew]

42 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

45 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

I have dealt with more bile and vitriol on this little sub-forum than perhaps anyone else, yet I am still positive and still here.  I am the only one I have any control over and I control how I respond to the stuff I read online.

 

Just maintain your center, your convictions and don't allow the negativity to change your actions or outlook.  Don't give others any power over how you feel about your life here in Thailand.????

actually i was thinking about you while i was writing my comment. you really take a hit here. but you are more brave than i am. 

Well villagefarang did go and post a picture of the flash Beemer he used to own in the Motor forum recently. I bet that shattered a shed load of his down-home, folksy, wholesome, rustic imagery for some.

[NanLaew]

8 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

30 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Best to keep yourself anonymous.

I'd never admit to anyone I posted here.

There are some real nutters out there, I've had a couple of threats by PM in the past.

Only a couple ???? come sit in my chair....555555.......you'll have hit-men stalking you in a week !!!

 

And those that seem quiet, why do think that is. who do you think removes them and filters all that <deleted> out of your daily lives here, The Mods.

Whadya want? A bleedin' medal?!

 

NB: This is NOT a comment on moderation!

[1FinickyOne]

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

a picture of the flash Beemer he used to own in the Motor forum recently.

So what? Not everyone here has to be poor and struggling to meet visa requirements... though I would guess that most of the bashers are a bit short on funds... which is not the fault of Thailand... 

[Lacessit]

For me, Thailand has a lot more positives than negatives. Say no more, I've posted them on other threads often enough.

I feel sorry for the Thai-bashers who base their bashing on the old tale of she done me wrong. Grow up, and take responsibility for your own decisions.

[1FinickyOne]

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Whadya want? A bleedin' medal?!

wake up on the wrong side of the web this morning? 

[Lacessit]

16 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Only a couple ???? come sit in my chair....555555.......you'll have hit-men stalking you in a week !!!

 

And those that seem quiet, why do think that is. who do you think removes them and filters all that <deleted> out of your daily lives here, The Mods.

Let me see - I may be able to get you an OBE, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Legion D'Honneur or the Order of Australia. Hero of the Soviet Union, no. Just say the word, and I'll make enquiries.

[ravip]

39 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Best to keep yourself anonymous.

I'd never admit to anyone I posted here.

There are some real nutters out there, I've had a couple of threats by PM in the past.

Really? Threats by PM on TVF?

WOW! Some people seems very serious about TVF posts!

[2 is 1]

Dosen't matter whitch coundry you are! You should behave bye rules and respect the way of life in that coundry.

But i have seen so many A hole all over the world , who think they own every place where they go!

[mr mr]

1 hour ago, Rotweiler said:

about having to shovel snow off the sidewalk during the winter

don't we say aboot though ? 

 

i will never miss the snow back home. ever.

[Lacessit]

10 minutes ago, ravip said:

Really? Threats by PM on TVF?

WOW! Some people seems very serious about TVF posts!

I had a guy threaten to come to Chiang Mai and cave my head in because I had questioned the fidelity of his Thai GF. I think he was banned, never saw him on TV again.

[ravip]

17 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I had a guy threaten to come to Chiang Mai and cave my head in because I had questioned the fidelity of his Thai GF. I think he was banned, never saw him on TV again.

Incredible... I guess in a public forum, one should expect the worse.