Anything missing in your life?

[Fairynuff]

On 3/25/2021 at 10:33 AM, colinneil said:

I find your post funny, but as Britman says, retired plenty of time, might as well do something useful and productive.

Myself just waiting for bread to come out of the oven, next pizza and  a cheesy garlic bread, maybe we are cheap Charlies, but hey homemade tastes damn good.

Even at ridiculous prices from fancy bakeries I’ve never found really good bread here. It’s only since lockdown that I discovered that I can bake my own and it’s better than anything I’ve ever bought here, plus I have more types of bread than I ever thought possible, and all from a very adaptable single recipe.

[Fairynuff]

Because I live in a condo I can’t have the 3 or 4 Soi dogs I’d love to have. I do however have a parking space for the Aston Martin I’m never going to buy here 

[newnative]

International travel and my siblings in America.

[1FinickyOne]

Why do you ask? 

 

Did you find my HS class ring that I lost in Fla.. 50 years ago? 

[malibukid]

good wine, Blondes, BMW's and weekends in Monterey. 

[geronimo]

I have absolutely everything a man could possible want and have to repeatedly pinch myself on the cheek to make sure this wonderful life is not a dream!

[TooBigToFit]

Too much. Thailand hasn't really improved in all my time here. Bangkok and the farang areas are bit better for living but Thailand still has all the old problems with the laws and development. You can find more fat food but decent western food really isn't available in most urban areas. Plus I can't find quality clothes here for my size. Plus the roads are worse than ever with traffic. Prices go up and up and the supermarkets are crappy. Tops is a joke. It has more chocolate and snacks than any real food. It's product choices haven't really changed in 20 years! It only deals with the same stupid companies probably because those companies are owned by people in or partnered with the Tops owner's clan.  A lot could be better here.  Thailand just doesn't change in many positive ways.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 4/3/2021 at 10:29 PM, TooBigToFit said:

Too much. Thailand hasn't really improved in all my time here. Bangkok and the farang areas are bit better for living but Thailand still has all the old problems with the laws and development. You can find more fat food but decent western food really isn't available in most urban areas. Plus I can't find quality clothes here for my size. Plus the roads are worse than ever with traffic. Prices go up and up and the supermarkets are crappy. Tops is a joke. It has more chocolate and snacks than any real food. It's product choices haven't really changed in 20 years! It only deals with the same stupid companies probably because those companies are owned by people in or partnered with the Tops owner's clan.  A lot could be better here.  Thailand just doesn't change in many positive ways.

I don't understand why you live in LOS when apparently you want it to be just like back home, where you chose not to live.

Personally I liked that LOS WASN'T just like the PC, over regulated place I chose to leave.

[TooBigToFit]

On 4/8/2021 at 7:46 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

I don't understand why you live in LOS when apparently you want it to be just like back home, where you chose not to live.

Personally I liked that LOS WASN'T just like the PC, over regulated place I chose to leave.

Actually, I haven't left Thailand for 10 years and have lived here for almost 30. I guess I miss some things. When I first came of course, I enjoyed the culture and all the rest. Over a long time anywhere most people want some kind of change. I'm sure if I went back the US, I'd get bored with a lot there after a decade or so. I do think of going back to stay more these days. No place is perfect though.

[thaibeachlovers]

21 minutes ago, TooBigToFit said:

Actually, I haven't left Thailand for 10 years and have lived here for almost 30. I guess I miss some things. When I first came of course, I enjoyed the culture and all the rest. Over a long time anywhere most people want some kind of change. I'm sure if I went back the US, I'd get bored with a lot there after a decade or so. I do think of going back to stay more these days. No place is perfect though.

While I never thought LOS was perfect, it was as close to as I was ever going to find.

 

The only place I loved more was Antarctica, and that was truly amazing, but when I was there there weren't any women in winter to spoil things. Actually there were a couple during summer, but only for a few months. 2 women and about 40 guys- it made for interesting times. 

[simon43]

On 4/2/2021 at 9:27 AM, artotle said:

Generally reflection in this manner, public reassurance and listing just the positives speaks of an impending existential crisis.

 

Are things really so good, are you okay?

Not sure who your comment/question is aimed at, but IMHO this statement "listing just the positives speaks of an impending existential crisis." is total <deleted>!!!  It's the sort of woke-speak that is making so many mental health problems in western countries....

 

My life has very, VERY few negatives ????

[daveAustin]

Anything missing in your life?

 

Being surrounded by Thais.

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Anything missing in your life?

 

Being surrounded by Thais.

I'd agree with that as long as it referred to Thai women. I was never interested in Thai men.

[Leaver]

On 4/8/2021 at 7:46 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

I don't understand why you live in LOS when apparently you want it to be just like back home, where you chose not to live.

Personally I liked that LOS WASN'T just like the PC, over regulated place I chose to leave.

 

To be fair, the member didn't mention PC.  I agree with you, my home country has become ridiculously PC, and that's why I prefer Thailand / South East Asia, however, the member has a point, Thailand is stuck in its old ways of 20 years ago, or longer. 

 

For tourists, it's the same old scams and extortions.  For expats the same old outdated visa and property laws.  

 

Corruption, and the incompetence at the top that corruption allows, is holding back Thailand's progress.

 

Thailand has been able to get away with this for decade, but now there is genuine competition in the region, particularly from Vietnam.    

 

Vietnam is progressing rapidly, so much so, it's making Thailand look like it's going backwards.  

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, Leaver said:

 

To be fair, the member didn't mention PC.  I agree with you, my home country has become ridiculously PC, and that's why I prefer Thailand / South East Asia, however, the member has a point, Thailand is stuck in its old ways of 20 years ago, or longer. 

 

For tourists, it's the same old scams and extortions.  For expats the same old outdated visa and property laws.  

 

Corruption, and the incompetence at the top that corruption allows, is holding back Thailand's progress.

 

Thailand has been able to get away with this for decade, but now there is genuine competition in the region, particularly from Vietnam.    

 

Vietnam is progressing rapidly, so much so, it's making Thailand look like it's going backwards.  

Given I hate the way the world is going- over regulated, PC, far too technology dependent, too fixated on growth at all costs, polluted and economies dependent on planned obsolescence and waste, I loved that LOS WASN'T "up with the times". I'm just sorry it has started to become just like a western country with an obesity problem and far too dominated by corporations that care nothing for people.

 

As I can't change it, I'm just happy I won't be around too much longer. I really pity kids growing up now.

[Leaver]

9 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Given I hate the way the world is going- over regulated, PC, far too technology dependent, too fixated on growth at all costs, polluted and economies dependent on planned obsolescence and waste, I loved that LOS WASN'T "up with the times". I'm just sorry it has started to become just like a western country with an obesity problem and far too dominated by corporations that care nothing for people.

 

As I can't change it, I'm just happy I won't be around too much longer. I really pity kids growing up now.

 

Thailand isn't "up with the times" due to the massive corruption here.  No problem for me, but it's holding Thailand back.

 

If you look at Vietnam, for example, there's plenty of corruption there also, but at least the infrastructure gets built.  

[ThaiPauly]

On 3/23/2021 at 8:35 AM, Sticky Rice Balls said:

coming last is fine if you did your best.....

 

Is exactly what granny said to me after my oil massage on loy kroh the other day... ????

How course ????????????????????

[thaibeachlovers]

8 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

Thailand isn't "up with the times" due to the massive corruption here.  No problem for me, but it's holding Thailand back.

 

If you look at Vietnam, for example, there's plenty of corruption there also, but at least the infrastructure gets built.  

Don't know why you think the infrastructure isn't being built. Many massive projects have been constructed since I first arrived in LOS, and most of the intercity roads are pretty good. The railways could be better, but the prices are so low it's no wonder they don't have a lot of money to spare.

 

I wonder exactly what you think could be done that's not been, or done better.

[BritManToo]

Just now, thaibeachlovers said:

Don't know why you think the infrastructure isn't being built. Many massive projects have been constructed since I first arrived in LOS, and most of the intercity roads are pretty good. The railways could be better, but the prices are so low it's no wonder they don't have a lot of money to spare.

 

I wonder exactly what you think could be done that's not been, or done better.

Thailand's internet and mobile phone service is certainly better than Vietnam.

The hospitals are supposedly better in Thailand.

i wonder what infrastructure does Leaver think is better in Vietnam?

Edited April 11, 2021 by BritManToo

[Leaver]

42 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Don't know why you think the infrastructure isn't being built. Many massive projects have been constructed since I first arrived in LOS, and most of the intercity roads are pretty good. The railways could be better, but the prices are so low it's no wonder they don't have a lot of money to spare.

 

I wonder exactly what you think could be done that's not been, or done better.

 

I'm in Pattaya.  

 

A few things that come to mind.  They have been pumping sewage into the ocean here for decades, no progress.  I know many outer tourist places in Thailand are the same.  

 

Parts of Central Pattaya still flood after a downpour, no change, despite promises from officials.    

 

Still no metered taxis in this so called world tourist destination.   No change in decades.  Transport being an essential service.

 

Thailand "not up with the times" was fine for tourists when Thailand was a cheap holiday. 

 

As I have said before, people could put up with the nasty, because it was cheap.  Now Thailand is not so cheap, that just leaves the nasty, so where is all the money going?  

 

 

[Leaver]

51 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Thailand's internet and mobile phone service is certainly better than Vietnam.

 

I consistently get around 100Mbs on my trips to Vietnam.   That's about what I get in Thailand, even to my own condo.  

 

52 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

The hospitals are supposedly better in Thailand.

 

Not supposedly, definitely.

 

No doubt medical is better in Thailand.  

 

53 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

i wonder what infrastructure does Leaver think is better in Vietnam?

 

Flood mitigation.  Roads.  Beach and water quality.  Land transport in the form of metered taxis.  eVisa. Etc, Etc.

 

They are building bigger and better there, despite apparently being "poorer" than Thailand.

 

A few example are:

 

Record breaking cable car.

 

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/vietnam/articles/guide-riding-ba-na-cable-car-vietnam/

 

Las Vegas style casino beach resort.

 

https://thegrandhotram.com

 

They are building an underground railway (tube) system in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/a-glimpse-inside-saigon-subway-terminal-4090740.html

 

Formula 1 race circuit. (cancelled due to covid in 2020)  

 

https://www.formula1.com/en/information.vietnam-hanoi-circuit-hanoi.4dTJ7lJsL0yxRND5xFxMqe.html

 

A lot of this is geared towards tourism, and truly "high end" tourism.  Vietnam is doing everything Thailand should have done, but Thailand thought the tourists would just keep coming, because Thailand is Thailand. 

 

Thailand's tourism industry may end up like the Nokia phone company.  They had the biggest share of the market in South East Asia, rested on its laurels and did nothing for decades, and then went broke.    

 

 

 

 

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, Leaver said:

Flood mitigation.  Roads.  Beach and water quality.  Land transport in the form of metered taxis.  eVisa. Etc, Etc.

Can't see that myself,

Beach and water isn't really infrastructure, it's there or it isn't.

Never used a taxi, I take the bus, train or walk, same as everywhere else.

eVisa, not required free VISA waiver for Brits.

Didn't notice the  roads were any better than any other Asian country, the more rural you go, the worse the roads (same as UK).

[Surelynot]

A jab....at the minute would be nice.

[thaibeachlovers]

31 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

I'm in Pattaya.  

 

A few things that come to mind.  They have been pumping sewage into the ocean here for decades, no progress.  I know many outer tourist places in Thailand are the same.  

 

Parts of Central Pattaya still flood after a downpour, no change, despite promises from officials.    

 

Still no metered taxis in this so called world tourist destination.   No change in decades.  Transport being an essential service.

 

Thailand "not up with the times" was fine for tourists when Thailand was a cheap holiday. 

 

As I have said before, people could put up with the nasty, because it was cheap.  Now Thailand is not so cheap, that just leaves the nasty, so where is all the money going?  

 

 

Fair enough, but Pattaya is a local problem. I was considering infrastructure on a national scale, and they are doing quite well, except for the Swampy airport, though that abomination was caused IMO by a certain PM stealing too much money that should have been used to build an airport as good as Changi.

 

Most Pattaya people know why Pattaya is a disaster, and I don't need to put the reason on here. Unhappily that isn't going to change any time soon.

 

You can take comfort in knowing that Chiang Mai is just as big a disaster, and completely devoid of sanuk, and has no night life worth the name. At least Pattaya was a fun place before corona.

[Leaver]

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Can't see that myself,

Beach and water isn't really infrastructure, it's there or it isn't.

Never used a taxi, I take the bus, train or walk, same as everywhere else.

eVisa, not required free VISA waiver for Brits.

Didn't notice the  roads were any better than any other Asian country, the more rural you go, the worse the roads (same as UK).

 

My post wasn't directed at yourself personally.  It's about the masses.  

 

For how many more years does Thailand expect tourists will put up with it?

 

Edited April 11, 2021 by Leaver

[Leaver]

5 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Fair enough, but Pattaya is a local problem. I was considering infrastructure on a national scale, and they are doing quite well, except for the Swampy airport, though that abomination was caused IMO by a certain PM stealing too much money that should have been used to build an airport as good as Changi.

 

Most Pattaya people know why Pattaya is a disaster, and I don't need to put the reason on here. Unhappily that isn't going to change any time soon.

 

You can take comfort in knowing that Chiang Mai is just as big a disaster, and completely devoid of sanuk, and has no night life worth the name. At least Pattaya was a fun place before corona.

 

If you take a look at most of Thailand's tourist destinations, you will see a common theme. 

 

It's all about getting the tourist's money in, whilst spending no money on what attracts them in the first place.

 

For how long do they think they can fool the tourists?  

[thaibeachlovers]

40 minutes ago, Leaver said:

As I have said before, people could put up with the nasty, because it was cheap.  Now Thailand is not so cheap, that just leaves the nasty, so where is all the money going?  

We obviously have a different outlook on life. I never considered Thailand to be "nasty" in the 90s. It wasn't covered in concrete and the beach accommodation was unsophisticated, but that was fine. I didn't need AC, tv, 24 hour electric, hot water shower, but I got a decent bed, an en suite bathroom and an on site restaurant for 300 baht a night- can't beat that.

By the time I stopped going to the beach, all the decent ones were ruined by concrete and flashpacker hotels. Yes I could have hot water shower and AC, for 4 times the price, but the beach experience really was "nasty". So, it actually got worse instead of getting better.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 minutes ago, Leaver said:

 

My post wasn't directed at yourself personally.  It's about the masses.  

 

For how many more years does Thailand expect tourists will put up with it?

 

The Chinese tourists will keep coming so why would the Thais care?

 

The beach experience was a million times better in the 90s when there were way less tourists, so less now would be a good thing IMO.

[Surelynot]

3 minutes ago, Leaver said:

For how long do they think they can fool the tourists?

Forever.....tourists (two week tourists) don't 'see'  these problems......... 

[Leaver]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

We obviously have a different outlook on life. I never considered Thailand to be "nasty" in the 90s. It wasn't covered in concrete and the beach accommodation was unsophisticated, but that was fine. I didn't need AC, tv, 24 hour electric, hot water shower, but I got a decent bed, an en suite bathroom and an on site restaurant for 300 baht a night- can't beat that.

By the time I stopped going to the beach, all the decent ones were ruined by concrete and flashpacker hotels. Yes I could have hot water shower and AC, for 4 times the price, but the beach experience really was "nasty". So, it actually got worse instead of getting better.

 

As said to BMT, I am not posing the question, or scenario, to yourself personally.  It's about the tourists. 

 

For example, what are they to think when they walk up o a taxi on the road and say, "Do you know ABC location?"  the driver says, 'Yes."  So they get in.  The driver then says, "500 baht" and refuses to use the meter.

 

It's been going on for decades, and during the 2020 high season, just prior to covid, you could really see the lack of western tourists in Pattaya.   

 

Could all their BS here have finally pushed the market past what it's prepared to pay?  

 

Here's Vietnam's tourists stats just prior to covid.  Up 32% over the previous year.  

 

  https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/index.php/statistic/international?csrf_test_name=8e73140777ccc5dfda26360c198c60ec&txtkey=&year=2020&period=t1