Why did you come to Thailand in the first place?

[Rhys]

.. the p tang.

[KhunFred]

I came here first in 1998 after trips to Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Thailand filled the bill for me. I made 18 more trips before retiring here in 2015. Wish I had gone to the Philippines instead. That move is on the drawing board, post-Covid.

[Hanuman2547]

I first came to Thailand in 1983 with my Thai wife.  We had met in the US where she was a graduate student.  A little different than most posters on here.  

[Lacessit]

11 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand has to be one of the easiest places to find good action, in the world. Whether you are paying or not. As long as you are assertive, confident and have something to say. The hurdles for sex here seem to be incredibly low. 

One of the factors that tipped the scales in favor of Thailand was eating in the hotel restaurant when a couple came in. I was here as a consultant at the time.  The Thai woman was DDG. The Caucasian guy was clearly older, and ugly as a hatful of bums. She was all over him like a rash. I thought, I could live here.

[Lacessit]

11 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

When people ask me why I chose Thailand, (especially American women, who assume they know) I tell them I have always been an archeological enthusiast and that I especially love Sukhothai temples. I am particularly passionate about the mandapa (porticos), chedi (stupas) and viharns (assembly halls) and have been studying them for 40 years now. 

 

Talk about stopping them in their tracks and making them question their preconceived notions about me! Fun, fun. 

I don't care what Australian women think, when I get the same question from them I just say I chose Thailand because the women there have not forgotten how to be feminine, or how to please a man. Most times, end of conversation.

[roo860]

First came to Thailand on my way to Macau for the Grand prix in 1979, stopped in Pattaya for a week. Came back in 1997 after spending 2 yrs in India, was looking to buy silver jewellery for a business venture in the UK. Was here when the Thai baht crashed. Decided Thailand was right for me as I only worked in the summer in the UK. Been spending 6 - 7 months a year here since then. Met my wife in 2002, I have a condo in Chiang Mai and to cap it all a wonderful daughter and a great bunch of in-laws! 

My wife loves England when she arrives here on holiday friends look forward very much to the food she cooks at bbq's.

Edited January 13, 2021 by roo860

[spidermike007]

The women. Period. That has always been factor number one. One of the most wonderful things about Thailand, is that the judgment level of couples with signifiant differences in age, is not as harsh, as in the west. My wife is quite a bit younger than me. It works really well for us. When I dated women close to my age back in the US, it rarely ever worked out. Most were very rigid, closed minded, and set in their ways. Plus, many liked to go to bed very early, and behaved as if they were 20 years older than they were. That was not fun. I find younger women to be far more vital, more vigorous, and if you are fortunate to find one, far more open minded and adventurous.

I find when we are out in public many men stare at her, as she is still very attractive and fit, and look at me with envy. Women here seem to be fairly neutral. In the US we get some attention. She gets alot of looks, and the guys look at me like they presume I am a centi-millionaire. The gals look at me like I a felon, and have committed a major crime, by refusing to jump over the hurdles prescribed by them, and instead taking a shortcut to heaven. That is so much fun. It is a wonderful feeling to watch the Western women squirm and to witness their confusion, judgment, and disapproval.

 

In terms of the states, nearly everyone I know in the states tells me that their wives do not try as hard, once they are married. That the motivation to be all they can be just sort of disappears. I can see if for myself. They often do not seem the same as they were before. And this especially applies once the kids were born, though that might happen here, to some extent too. Fortunately, I do not know about that part of the equation. My wife became a better version of herself once we were married. For many reasons, the cultural differences here allow the women here to flaunt their femininity, and develop such a lovely comfort level with it.

 

I realize if you are a Western woman, it is not easy reading this stuff. And certainly this does not apply to everyone, either here or there. Some in the west are just exceptional, and capable of rising against the tide. But, it does apply to most, from my point of view.

Another fascinating thing about Thai women, is that they are nearly all of mixed ethnicity. Few know it, and few will admit it. But it is nearly 100%. Going back to the days of ancient Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, Thailand was a major trading nation. And people from all over the region came to trade, many of whom stayed. Producing the most astonishing women as a result. Indians, Sumatrans, Burmese, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Turks, Persians, and more. Over the generations they blended and mixed, and what we have today is a wonderful mixture of it all. They do not know it. But, you can see it. Combine their innate femininity, and the level of comfort they have in expressing that, it makes them very appealing. I see a  Western woman sometimes, who is beautiful, but cold as ice, and more masculine than I am, and there is no appeal, whatsoever. 
 

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

The women. Period. That has always been factor number one. One of the most wonderful things about Thailand, is that the judgment level of couples with signifiant differences in age, is not as harsh, as in the west. My wife is quite a bit younger than me. It works really well for us. When I dated women close to my age back in the US, it rarely ever worked out. Most were very rigid, closed minded, and set in their ways. Plus, many liked to go to bed very early, and behaved as if they were 20 years older than they were. That was not fun. I find younger women to be far more vital, more vigorous, and if you are fortunate to find one, far more open minded and adventurous.

I find when we are out in public many men stare at her, as she is still very attractive and fit, and look at me with envy. Women here seem to be fairly neutral. In the US we get some attention. She gets alot of looks, and the guys look at me like they presume I am a centi-millionaire. The gals look at me like I a felon, and have committed a major crime, by refusing to jump over the hurdles prescribed by them, and instead taking a shortcut to heaven. That is so much fun. It is a wonderful feeling to watch the Western women squirm and to witness their confusion, judgment, and disapproval.

 

In terms of the states, nearly everyone I know in the states tells me that their wives do not try as hard, once they are married. That the motivation to be all they can be just sort of disappears. I can see if for myself. They often do not seem the same as they were before. And this especially applies once the kids were born, though that might happen here, to some extent too. Fortunately, I do not know about that part of the equation. My wife became a better version of herself once we were married. For many reasons, the cultural differences here allow the women here to flaunt their femininity, and develop such a lovely comfort level with it.

 

I realize if you are a Western woman, it is not easy reading this stuff. And certainly this does not apply to everyone, either here or there. Some in the west are just exceptional, and capable of rising against the tide. But, it does apply to most, from my point of view.

Another fascinating thing about Thai women, is that they are nearly all of mixed ethnicity. Few know it, and few will admit it. But it is nearly 100%. Going back to the days of ancient Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, Thailand was a major trading nation. And people from all over the region came to trade, many of whom stayed. Producing the most astonishing women as a result. Indians, Sumatrans, Burmese, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Turks, Persians, and more. Over the generations they blended and mixed, and what we have today is a wonderful mixture of it all. They do not know it. But, you can see it. Combine their innate femininity, and the level of comfort they have in expressing that, it makes them very appealing. I see a  Western woman sometimes, who is beautiful, but cold as ice, and more masculine than I am, and there is no appeal, whatsoever. 
 

Great post, and it proves the value of hybridization. Or ask Tiger Woods.

There's another variant in Yangon. The Burmese and Indian immigrants have intermarried. The result is women with, IMO, the most beautiful bums on the planet.

[bwpage3]

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The women. Period. That has always been factor number one. One of the most wonderful things about Thailand, is that the judgment level of couples with signifiant differences in age, is not as harsh, as in the west. My wife is quite a bit younger than me. It works really well for us. When I dated women close to my age back in the US, it rarely ever worked out. Most were very rigid, closed minded, and set in their ways. Plus, many liked to go to bed very early, and behaved as if they were 20 years older than they were. That was not fun. I find younger women to be far more vital, more vigorous, and if you are fortunate to find one, far more open minded and adventurous.

I find when we are out in public many men stare at her, as she is still very attractive and fit, and look at me with envy. Women here seem to be fairly neutral. In the US we get some attention. She gets alot of looks, and the guys look at me like they presume I am a centi-millionaire. The gals look at me like I a felon, and have committed a major crime, by refusing to jump over the hurdles prescribed by them, and instead taking a shortcut to heaven. That is so much fun. It is a wonderful feeling to watch the Western women squirm and to witness their confusion, judgment, and disapproval.

 

In terms of the states, nearly everyone I know in the states tells me that their wives do not try as hard, once they are married. That the motivation to be all they can be just sort of disappears. I can see if for myself. They often do not seem the same as they were before. And this especially applies once the kids were born, though that might happen here, to some extent too. Fortunately, I do not know about that part of the equation. My wife became a better version of herself once we were married. For many reasons, the cultural differences here allow the women here to flaunt their femininity, and develop such a lovely comfort level with it.

 

I realize if you are a Western woman, it is not easy reading this stuff. And certainly this does not apply to everyone, either here or there. Some in the west are just exceptional, and capable of rising against the tide. But, it does apply to most, from my point of view.

Another fascinating thing about Thai women, is that they are nearly all of mixed ethnicity. Few know it, and few will admit it. But it is nearly 100%. Going back to the days of ancient Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, Thailand was a major trading nation. And people from all over the region came to trade, many of whom stayed. Producing the most astonishing women as a result. Indians, Sumatrans, Burmese, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Turks, Persians, and more. Over the generations they blended and mixed, and what we have today is a wonderful mixture of it all. They do not know it. But, you can see it. Combine their innate femininity, and the level of comfort they have in expressing that, it makes them very appealing. I see a  Western woman sometimes, who is beautiful, but cold as ice, and more masculine than I am, and there is no appeal, whatsoever. 
 

In the west, people are brought up thinking a 60 year old with a 20 year old is just plain wrong. 

 

Maybe a multi-multi millionaire rare occasion if ever.

 

For that reason, men have zero opportunity to find someone that isn't someone else's baggage, set in their ways, and inability to change.

 

Also, you have to admit, the men are no prize either. Either old, out of shape, financial insecure, lots of reasons.

 

I am always shocked seeing outrageous beautiful women in Florida working extremely menial jobs like waitressing. No education, no future ahead of them, nothing but outrageously fit and good looking. You would think they would be over-joyed to have a sponsor, but it certainly does not work that way.

 

It is all about the way people in the west are brought up. Most, not all believe that age gap is wrong. The "gold digger" scenario, the sneers, dirty looks, talking....

 

Thailand offers a trade off because women will take a chance to better themselves with someone they probably wouldn't be caught dead with, if they couldn't better themselves.

 

It really is no one else's business what 2 people choose to do with their lives and each other.

 

Finding any kind of happiness for both parties should always be the goal.

 

 

 

 

[Ventenio]

I was on an undercover operation , chasing a mob informant who left encrypted messages that led to uranium.   This first clue was very complex....  Ayattap og won.  

 

I spent over 11-years trying to apprehend her, as it was clear she was disguised as a bar girl working in a massage shop.    I have over 10,976 leads and I'm certain now he is picking strawberries from a tree while riding an elephant.  code word:  short emit  

 

it is very hard work

[talahtnut]

I came from Planet Covid 23 years years ago to observe the collapse of the Baht.

I have returned home to observe the destruction of the Pound, the economy and

civilization 'as we knew it', and I love the rain, snow, and the minus 6 degrees at night.

Good isn't it?

[spidermike007]

And how about the standard of living. For those of us who have a relatively modest income, and are not wealthy, Thailand is still reasonable. Especially when it comes to labor!

 

I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. That is 120,000 baht!

I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275.

I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 and up.

I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $500 and up.

An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $75.

When I travel here I stay in nice four star hotels in Bangkok. Usually 1800-2000 baht. Now, during Covid. Great hotels for 1,000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room.

I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 150-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip.

I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-2000. An anecdote on this subject. A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1,400,000 baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a good friend of his, in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, he knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1,400,000 at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at Vejthani Hospital, and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 31,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery.

Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 1500 to 2500 baht. In the US? $800 an hour now for a pretty gal, with alot of attitude, rules, regulations, guilt and shame. 

I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative.

[Chooky]

I first used it as a stopover to break up a flight backpacking to Europe and Africa in 1979 and thought Wow this is different I like this..weather superb beautiful girls cheap great tasting food stayed for only 1 week but vowed to return.12mths later I started to frequent the gorgeous Koh Samui found a girlfriend and like most young blokes was Struck..I remember when I used to wander why would anyone put a 5 star hotel or a airport on such a pristine island.i haven't been back there since but my love affair with Thailand never ended.I married and divorced in Australia to a Aussie girl had two beautiful daughters(who I bought here on holidays when they were young) and made my way back to Thailand met a beautiful lady who I married in Thailand my family came and Im sure the Thailand they saw made it one of the favourite destinations as well.Many people never see the real Thailand only the bars(mind you Nana is one of my fav places for a beer always buzzing and different) .Ive travelled to more countries that I can remember and Thailand will always hold that special feeling of being keen to return.I live  between Australia and Thailand and I know where ill be spending the majority of the next few years I still have left where I can feel I enjoy life and eat fresh...Salmonella at fresh markets in Thailand?..maybe..But in Woolies in Australia how many times in past 2-3 yrs definitely!

Edited January 15, 2021 by Chooky

[Leaver]

On 1/14/2021 at 10:52 AM, spidermike007 said:

The women. Period. That has always been factor number one. 

 

+ 1

 

If members were honest with themselves, whether first visit, last visit, or when living here, if it wasn't for Thai women, none of us would be here.  

[Captain Monday]

On 1/12/2021 at 8:54 PM, Captain Monday said:

Reading Lonely Planet in the early 80s, knew about jet skis, gem scam and Wat Po is closed BS for maybe 15 years before I ever arrived in BKK. Why why would anybody rent a jetski anyway? So I found myself recently divorced with not much money but could fly free  just appearing at the gate.  No reservation, no hotel. First night in BKK followed the crew to the  Hilton on Wireless road. Conrad now the pool is epic.  Second night on bad advice from a naughty man,  Nana Hotel. I was afraid to pull the covers down, never stayed  in such a place before. Spent next few years exploring much of Kingdom on vacation time.

Had an original copy of this book. Cant believe it would be worth this much it got ripped off in a roommate situation.