What Problems Will My Gf Have In Aus?

[reggae77]

Soon, I will have my gf with me in Perth. I was wondering what problems we may encounter. Does anyone have any unusual stories regarding food, entertainment, Buddhism, climate etc.

[neverburi]

What type of visa did she receive

Don't no much about Perth but Sydney in some arears

same as Bangkok from food to thai video's although food they have to

prepare themselves

[Sporting Dog]

My gf stayed with me for 2.5 months from March this year. She had no real problems at all tho she does speak passable english.

We found the local buddhist temple - the one in ?Nollamara seems to be mainly for Thai people and they were really friendly and welcoming.

We ate out a few times - in her view the Thai restaurants were just OK but all the restaurants were WAY too expensive - she preferred to cook herself and was able to get all the necessary ingredients.

We had a bit of a look around the countryside - she liked M.River area (loved the caves near Augusta). Whenever we were out in the bush she would point out plants and stuff and ask "why don't people eat this" or " in Thailand we would eat that." She couldn't understand why people had lawn around their houses when they could be growing vegetables or raising animals. (she may live in BKK but you can't take the Issan out of her)

Did a bit of swimming. Yes she did swim, unusal for a thai girl - even taught her how to bodysurf and she learnt to never turn your back on the sea and how embarrassing it is to lose your bikini at a packed beach and that waves can deposit sand in EVERY part of your body.

She's a pretty homely type and didn't want to go nightclubbing, partying etc. She was happy to run the house, do the cooking (her choice, not mine) and get to know the rest of the family.

I got her a phone card (SHOUT Card 18c/min to mobiles) so whenever she needed to blather away in her native tongue she could ring friends and family in Thailand.

All in all she loved it and would come back tomorrow if she could....you may have a few problems with boredom, food etc., (maybe even a few of the ozzie racists might give you a bit of angst) but they will pale into insignificance because you will be RAPT that your gf is with you.............the worst thing will be when it comes time for her to leave!!

[eyespan]

Ahhhh the racism.... me and my GF were on tour in Darwin and she was told that she should go back to where she came from cause she couldn't even speak proper English....tch tch tch. The way some people mar their own image.

That said, the local policeman let her off twice (same guy...small town isn't it) on account that she is not local and therefore unfamiliar with the traffic rules. First for speeding and then for having the high beam on at night. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to driving long distances. Anyways, kudos to the boys behind the badge.

Oh yes and keep her away from full cream milk. Something in the milk is just totally different from the Meiji in BKK. Suddenly became lactose intolerant. Was alright after we came back.

[Thetyim]

The usual problems include begging letters from the family back home.

[snoophound]

Lack of thai food and ingredients.

If she is a bargirl background not being able to just jump out on to the street and eat.

Leering Falangs.

Missing her family

Make a budget for phone calls.

Make a budget and agree what you send back each month.

No Ting tong thai TV.

Their are shops in melb and syd that rent thai news and soapie videos....very popular.

Thai Friends.

[snoophound]

oh two more

boredom if you are at work all day

and a word of warning

DO NOT REPEAT DO NOT TAKE HER ANYWHERE NEAR THE CASINO

[penelope]

You don't mention what the background of your gf is ? Different types of thai female will adapt/fit in differently.

If your thai gf/partner is well educated(in thailand and/or overseas),has a career and work experience to get a position in Aussie, has already been overseas and is more worldy, can drive, speaks reads and writes english well,is financially independent etc.... then the previous posters suggestions don't really apply.

[reggae77]

OK. my Fianc'e is 21 and SUAY. She was brought up in SiSaket. I think she won't have too many problems because she's so cool.

I reckon it might be hard to find green mango's and green papaya in Aus.

I have bought dozens of Thai and Western movies and Documentaries and music in Thai on Vcd. I also bought a rice cooker and a new television.

I want her to get her drivers lisence asap, but does she have to first be able to read the questions in english or What?

She might miss the latest from Thongchai, Loso, clash, hyper or Palmy.

[Dutchy2]

I want her to get her drivers lisence asap, but does she have to first be able to read the questions in english or What?

Your suay girlfriend should immediately apply for the Thai language driving test in Australia, don't wait too long before applying in case they change the regulations again.

Good luck!

Dutchy

[AndamanPost]

You should have no problems in Perth as there is a growing population of Thais.

The Thai - Australian Association (0402 111 8076 Patricia [Thai] or Sunan on 9364 3435) is quite active and can help out. They look after most of the Thai students studying there.

Pick up a copy of the Andaman Post from many outlets there (it's now coming from Phuket but it started out as the Thai News in Perth 6 years ago, so most know about it there and it has the Thai - Aust Assoc. news in it [www.andamanpost.com or www.thainews.com.au]). You can also hook up to TGN, the Thai channel for expat Thais.

There are 3 major Thai video shops in the city - 2 are close together in Northbridge (Forbes St. I think) and the other is in Dane St. Victoria Park (more of an Isaan one too).

Hook up with some of these people and you will get invited to quite a few dos around the place. Thais like to gather together and so there are plenty of parties on.

But as one of the other posters said NEVER EVER take her or let someone else take her to the casino. My Thai wife went with some of the others there and AUD$250,000 later I had to say enough was enough. There is a sad and sorry bunch of disaffected ex (or current, but aging) bar girls that go everyday and think they are going to make a big killing without thinking that if they had never gone there they would have had more than they would have dreamed of. BE WARNED

[snoophound]

Is the TGN Channel available in sydney?

Do you require a special satelitte dish for this?

[reggae77]

Thats great about the drivers lisence.

I,ve seen the Thai Australian Assoc. web site and have been meaning to join.

I would like some more info on TGN too. How do I get this service in Perth? Who provides this service? Is it news only channel? or entertainment also?

I can find plenty of Asian supermarkets in perth, but is there one that has mainly Thai products?

Thanks all.