Living the life as an expat in Thailand

[BritManToo]

4 hours ago, Natai Beach said:

If you can not be bothered speaking their language you will often receive a “no have” when they do have, because they can’t be bothered serving you and or they don’t have a clue what they are talking about. I have seen it many times. 

You are also much more likely to get the thai price. 

You are also more likely to make genuine friends, that will really help you. Local male friends are the best to have, they know the best places etc.. You don’t want to be a Scotty no mates in a foreign country.

"No have" frequency is the same whether you speak in English or Thai, shop assistants are stupid and lazy.

"Thai price" never buy anything that doesn't have a price label on it.

"Genuine friends" I have no interest in friendships with people that didn't finish high school.

 

Been here 11 years, always had a great time (old age allowing).

Can't think of anywhere I'd be having a better time.

Even immigration is easy now COVID has cleared out all the other foreigners that clogged up the place.

Edited November 4, 2020 by BritManToo

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

5 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Oh, and don't be a show off with your language skills. I have a friend who does that and it seems to annoy many locals. 

A story I've heard many times:

 

Farang goes to immigration. Sits at a desk with an officer. Busts out his Thai. Says "I've been here for X years, you know I've been having these problems, yadda yadda". Officer nods and listens for several mins. Finally he replies, "Speak English, I don't understand you".

[Mike k]

5 hours ago, Grumpy John said:

I am not really a people person so not having a good command of the language I see as a plus.  if I want something at the hardware store or the cooks supply shop or the auto parts shop I can take a pix.  They all seem to know how to say "No Hab" when they don't have it.

I have a hard time learning foreign languages I use my phone with pictures of what I need and google translate 

[PatOngo]

16 hours ago, Greenside said:

Still living the dream after 13 years.....

 

 

 

 Bet you did'nt find her at Nana Plaza!

[KhunFred]

16 hours ago, J Town said:

 

I highly suggest you don't burn this bridge. The majority of expats who grew weary of Thailand's quirks then moved to the P.I. lamented that decision. Do a search on that very topic here on TV.

Not burning any bridges, but I need a country that doesn't gouge me for every cent just to stay and take nothing out of the economy. Cambodia or Vietnam would be acceptable, but they have Covid-related policies that are not conducive to living, at the present time. Vietnam makes you leave after thirty days and Cambodia wants a 2000 dollar deposit to enter. Not going that route. I will wait for the Philippines to re-open.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, KhunFred said:

Vietnam makes you leave after thirty days and Cambodia wants a 2000 dollar deposit to enter. Not going that route. I will wait for the Philippines to re-open.

Probably cheaper to enter Cambodia, than it is to enter Thailand.

And in Cambodia you might get the $2k back.

 

IMHO at the moment easiest is to just stay where you are.

Edited November 5, 2020 by BritManToo

[madmitch]

I found the article very superficial. It's impossible to describe living as an expat in a few paragraphs? Those that have been here twenty years or so probably have enough material for a couple of books!

[GinBoy2]

 

This topic goes around and around endlessly.

 

Thailand does have the 'bright shiny thing' about it, and that shine can wear off for many.

 

When we (I) decided to move from Singapore when I was getting ready to retire my wife said I'd be tired of it by 10 years.

 

She got it wrong by 11 months.

 

I already spoke both Thai and Lao before we arrived so language was never a problem. But I think it started around year 7 when those minor irritations; traffic, power outages, internet inexplicable slowdowns, water shut offs, general bureaucratic nonsense just started to get to me.

 

I would also say I got bored. I wanted to volunteer at the local school to coach English and/or Spanish or Mandarin, Of course I was denied. I dont play golf, not a barfly, and there is only so much gym, TV and books to read

 

My wife never really wanted to move back to Thailand, so that coupled with her wanting to get her career back on track was an added catalyst, plus the fact our son decided he wasn't coming back after college in the US.

 

I 'think' most people that call it quits in Thailand actually go back to their home country, rather than go somewhere else.

 

In my experience the expats that do go the distance tend to be single and may or maybe not, have burnt bridges that they couldn't get outta Dodge even if they wanted to.

 

Don't get me wrong, still love Thailand, we still keep out house, but it's a vacation location now rather than a full time residence

 

Edited November 5, 2020 by GinBoy2

[AlfHuy]

19 hours ago, Natai Beach said:

20 years+ 

You will be fluent by now. 
Right?

Yes, fluent on knowing each 7/11 and knowing each girl by her nickname.

[AlfHuy]

18 hours ago, J Town said:

I got the 7-year itch, so I pulled up stakes and moved to Mexico. I was back in 6 weeks with a newfound appreciation and haven't felt I made the wrong choice since. Is Thailand perfect? Damned near for me!

I know why you came quickly back.

Hi, I am Mandy. I am Mexican, living in Mexico City.

22 years old, 45kg (1leg), very sporty, well educated. Looking for my prince in white with a good sense of humour.

Her profile picture looked quite different than the real one????

[AlfHuy]

13 hours ago, Mike k said:

I have a hard time learning foreign languages I use my phone with pictures of what I need and google translate 

How much

Short 200

Long 275

Very long: give me you credit card.

[sandyf]

18 hours ago, douglasspade said:

My wife does the talking. I smile, wai and go "Khap khap khap" - like a duck especially when I see she is getting through. Many of middle aged people and youngsters can converse some broken English. Some actually like it as they achieve to communicate in English with a foreigner.

As an introvert I'd like to be left alone to do my thing. I will never be seen as "one of the people" because I am not, just a harmless, common and poor foreigner. And that's just how I like it.

 

 

Bit the same for me, and at the moment things couldn't be much better with the government travel scheme and the "half & half". In the last few weeks we have had 12 nights away on the travel arrangement.

Each day now it is something on the half price scheme, couple of days ago we stopped for lunch on the way home, couple of kapow's, large Chang and a water for 80 baht, what's not to like.

[BritManToo]

13 hours ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

A story I've heard many times:

 

Farang goes to immigration. Sits at a desk with an officer. Busts out his Thai. Says "I've been here for X years, you know I've been having these problems, yadda yadda". Officer nods and listens for several mins. Finally he replies, "Speak English, I don't understand you".

The IO's I meet don't seem to speak English at all.

Best not to chat with police/immigration/government officials in any country, they ain't your friends.

Easier in Thailand, I can just repeat, "I don't understand" as many times as they want to hear it.

Edited November 5, 2020 by BritManToo

[owl sees all]

13 hours ago, Mike k said:

I have a hard time learning foreign languages I use my phone with pictures of what I need and google translate 

There was a TV show in England, where the contestants would have to mime a word or phrase. They were so good. Could get what they were on about in a few seconds. Not 'what's my line' but a later show.

 

Miming is far better than learning the local language. Which most of the time is impossible to understand as they are walking away from you. But in saying that; I've learnt how to count to ten (sib). From then on it's easy. Just put 'sib' in front; as in sib song (12) or sib ha (15), until 21, which is ye-sib ed.

[sungod]

19 hours ago, KhunFred said:

Terrible advice. I refuse to learn a language which consists of a tonal collection of grunts, squeals and squeaks.

The Thai language sounds like a gaggle of donkeys on amphetamines. Thailand's time as a cheap retirement paradise for expats, has run its course. After five miserable years here, I am setting my sights on the Philippines.they, at least, speak HUMAN English. I am not at all charmed by Thailand anymore.

Lets see if you are still posting on here next year ????

[rumak]

19 minutes ago, madmitch said:

I found the article very superficial. It's impossible to describe living as an expat in a few paragraphs? Those that have been here twenty years or so probably have enough material for a couple of books!

True.   But people's attention span is very very short.  Especially when they are the one's listening or reading ????       Let's test my "theory"  out :

 

I have been through so many phases (expat life in Thailand) :

1. Come here as newbie in my 30's .  Paradise found.   Young, dumb, and full of cum

2. Rose colored glasses fully on,  plans to stay here and live a life of adventure  

3. Touring the country,  on the road like Kerouac ,  ladies come and ladies go .  But do they really

    love me?   555    learning the language tells me      they  " go 6 "   

 4. OK OK   try the relationship thing.   Do the child thing.   Move to home country thing .  What have I got myself into ??       " I want to go back to Thailand ! "     ( me speaking  ????

 5.  Western life is not for me.   Unfulfilling marriage, not for me .   In my 50's , time for one last   roll on the roulette wheel of  vanishing youth.   A bumpy ride it is,  trying to hold on to that which never lasts.  ( you young uns  will not be spared .    enjoy today,  tell your tales of bravado on TV . )

6.  And so the last phase finds me in disbelief.   How did this happen?   What do I do ?  I would write a book , but nobody cares.   My one liners get a laugh or two.   Longer than that the stones will fly.   No world for old men.   But,  when i compare,  i think i made a good choice of which country to hide out in .     Each man's story is different.    All end the same

 

[BritManToo]

19 hours ago, KhunFred said:

Terrible advice. I refuse to learn a language which consists of a tonal collection of grunts, squeals and squeaks.

The Thai language sounds like a gaggle of donkeys on amphetamines. Thailand's time as a cheap retirement paradise for expats, has run its course. After five miserable years here, I am setting my sights on the Philippines.they, at least, speak HUMAN English. I am not at all charmed by Thailand anymore.

Couple of my pals went to PI after the exchange rate reduced their pensions to below the 'retirement extension' requirements.

They seemed happy enough there, but are both in Cambodia now.

Not sure why, they never gave a coherent reason.

Prices were about the same.

 

PI very easy as everyone speaks English and understands our culture, they even listen to the same music as us.

I like Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam/Philippines and could probably live in any of them (without speaking the local language).

Edited November 5, 2020 by BritManToo

[ravip]

19 hours ago, KhunFred said:

Terrible advice. I refuse to learn a language which consists of a tonal collection of grunts, squeals and squeaks.

The Thai language sounds like a gaggle of donkeys on amphetamines. Thailand's time as a cheap retirement paradise for expats, has run its course. After five miserable years here, I am setting my sights on the Philippines.they, at least, speak HUMAN English. I am not at all charmed by Thailand anymore.

I dread to think what Thai's and other non-English speaking human beings say about the English language! After all, the English language is not something the humans need to breath comfortably, isn't it?

 

After five miserable years here... I guess you were miserable in your own country, hence your move to Thailand? May the good God help you and bless you to find eternal bliss in the Philippines.

 

Note to self: Your miserable life in Thailand in no way makes Thailand a bad country.

[ravip]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Couple of my pals went to PI after the exchange rate reduced their pensions to below the 'retirement extension' requirements.

They seemed happy enough there, but are both in Cambodia now.

Not sure why, they never gave a coherent reason.

Prices were about the same.

 

PI very easy as everyone speaks English and understands our culture, they even listen to the same music as us.

PI very easy as everyone speaks English and understands our culture, they even listen to the same music as us.

 

With these conditions, would not ones own country be the best? Why be miserable in a foreign country, blaming all the natives about their food, tastes, language etc etc...?

 

I guess we don't all age gracefully...

[rumak]

Just now, BritManToo said:

Couple of my pals went to PI after the exchange rate reduced their pensions to below the 'retirement extension' requirements.

They seemed happy enough there, but are both in Cambodia now.

Not sure why, they never gave a coherent reason.

Prices were about the same.

 

PI very easy as everyone speaks English and understands our culture, they even listen to the same music as us.

 

i just had this thought.  MAYBE,  the girls that are easily available to guys serve one main purpose.

Talking to them is actually more of a pain than just living on basic instincts.   Though one or two guys here always insist what a wonderful relationship they have with their Sig Others..... personally i have never witnessed one that would work for me .     

Of course,  mine is different  !

[BritManToo]

Just now, ravip said:

With these conditions, would not ones own country be the best? Why be miserable in a foreign country, blaming all the natives about their food, tastes, language etc etc...?

I can't afford to live in a nice house in my own country, maybe I could just manage a trailer or a bedsit, but I'd still need to work.

Not sure why anyone would complain about the food, you can cook any style of food you like, the ingredients are the same.

Back in the UK I mainly cooked Mexican chilli or Indian curries.

[NoshowJones]

19 hours ago, Natai Beach said:

20 years+ 

You will be fluent by now. 
Right?

The novelty has not worn off for me, I love it here, but have been sickened by the everchanging rules mostly against expats and particularly by this bunch of tinpot soldiers who do not have the education to run a country, and are more interested in sitting round tables and making rules.

[BritManToo]

Just now, rumak said:

i just had this thought.  MAYBE,  the girls that are easily available to guys serve one main purpose.

Talking to them is actually more of a pain than just living on basic instincts.   Though one or two guys here always insist what a wonderful relationship they have with their Sig Others..... personally i have never witnessed one that would work for me .     

Of course,  mine is different  !

Both single guys, alcoholics, they never needed women.

All my Thai relationships have been great, those that didn't speak English at the start spoke it very well at the end.

 

Trying to think of any complaints I have about Thailand ........... now that there's no crowding at immigration ....... not one.

Life as an expat here is great, the only times I speak Thai are at the booze shop and 7-11, maybe 60 seconds in a day.

[rumak]

Just now, possum1931 said:

The novelty has not worn off for me, I love it here, but have been sickened by the everchanging rules mostly against expats and particularly by this bunch of tinpot soldiers who do not have the education to run a country, and are more interested in sitting round tables and making rules.

the "novelty"  wears off everywhere,  with almost everything .    i came here because the western rules and regulations  and PC  were sickening to me.   thailand felt much more FREE.   it is changing some,  (yes, immig  can be a pain) ..... but again,  when i compare it to the US   i  still feel  very fortunate every time i get that one year extension.   emphasis on VERY

[CorpusChristie]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

All my Thai relationships have been great, those that didn't speak English at the start spoke it very well at the end

 

   How did you manage to teach them English in two hours ?

[rumak]

Just now, BritManToo said:

Trying to think of any complaints I have about Thailand ........... now that there's no crowding at immigration ....... not one.

Life as an expat here is great, the only times I speak Thai are at the booze shop and 7-11, maybe 60 seconds in a day.

 

I agree with you about living here , of course !     no better place ,  just wish we could hold back the

clock a bit.     ( i do enjoy speaking thai though ...  maybe cause it took me so long   lol )

[NoshowJones]

30 minutes ago, rumak said:

the "novelty"  wears off everywhere,  with almost everything .    i came here because the western rules and regulations  and PC  were sickening to me.   thailand felt much more FREE.   it is changing some,  (yes, immig  can be a pain) ..... but again,  when i compare it to the US   i  still feel  very fortunate every time i get that one year extension.   emphasis on VERY

I just refused to obey a lot of the rules in the UK and still managed to live all my life there without a criminal record, I was just getting too old to attract the younger females, and so came here to stay, and that has certainly paid off.

Edited November 5, 2020 by possum1931

[petermik]

7 hours ago, CorpusChristie said:

 

   How did you manage to teach them English in two hours ?

when they said he was a kineow he replied no just a plain and simple tight ass.....

[Anant72]

19 hours ago, KhunFred said:

Terrible advice. I refuse to learn a language which consists of a tonal collection of grunts, squeals and squeaks.

The Thai language sounds like a gaggle of donkeys on amphetamines. Thailand's time as a cheap retirement paradise for expats, has run its course. After five miserable years here, I am setting my sights on the Philippines.they, at least, speak HUMAN English. I am not at all charmed by Thailand anymore.

I am surprised you could live for so many years in a country where people speak such a language. Do you think your language sounds better (I assume it is American English because only an American could have such a moronic view of a foreign language). Thailand will not be the poorer when you leave. I pity the Philippines, though. 

[mikebell]

Thailand is a great place to live once you get over the packs of wild dogs; the lack of a police force; the constant death on the roads; the poor service; general can't-be-*rsed laziness; and red tape which ever institution you try.  Did I mention corruption?