Are expats being tempted by Thailand?

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

tanomazu: whilst noting your quite different take on the two countries, your comments on “ pointless” Roman History and doing “any sport” in thailand are quite wrong. No civilization in SE Asia remotely, even now, approaches the Roman or Spanish Empires in terms of world class greatness, achievements, longevity & power / reach/ land held. 

 

Building great Temple Cities alone in parts of SE Asia is insufficient for comparable greatness.

Spain was partly occupied & civilized by Phoenicians / Carthaginians from 800 bc before Rome replaced them around 150 bc. Native Spanish Culture started in the North hundreds of years before the  Muslims were ejected completely around 1500 ad when the Great ( size / reach) Spanish Empire & Culture commenced.

 

Thailand has zero world class Sport except Muay Thai & Badmington. Humidity just kills Sport here……Spanish Football & Spanish Olympic Sport diversity ( Athletics, Sailing, Hockey, Horse Riding, etc.) capability is far above all SE Asia combined.Thailand has no Great Artists or Musicians or Theatre.

 

Thai Ancient Cities are indeed marvellous…..unlike their Modern Cities unfortunately.

[Cherrytreeview]

On 9/16/2021 at 7:36 AM, Tanomazu said:

Really.
 

"The Policia Nacional has taken down an international pickpocketing gang which preyed on tourists in Mallorca.

 

A total of 34 members, all of Romanian nationality, were arrested during multiple raids across the island yesterday."

 

https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2020/08/12/police-arrest-34-members-of-romanian-pickpocketing-gang-who-preyed-on-tourists-in-spains-mallorca/

 

Crime gangs with 34 members, all Romanian, not a problem. Okay. That's probably why the police arrested them then, because they're not a problem?

 

"Palma caught up in Romania mafia ring

 

SPANISH police have arrested a mafia ring of nearly 300 Romanians, two being picked up in Palma, in one of their biggest operations against foreign criminals. The network was organised by one leader, known as Iorgu I or Talanu, with several lieutenants, and operated in eight of Spain's 17 regions, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. “The crimes for which these mafia groups are accused include violent robbery, forgery and fraudulent use of credit cards, drug trafficking, falsifying documents, illegal possession of weapons, prostitution and offences against worker rights,” Interior Minister Jose Antonio Alonso told a news conference."

 

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2013/03/23/13582/palma-caught-romania-mafia-ring.html

 

So organized Romanian crime gangs of THREE HUNDRED Romanians engaging in violent robbery not a problem then. Okay. That'll be why the Spanish police conducted a nationwide operation to arrest them then, because they're not a problem.

 

"A united nations of crime’: how Marbella became a magnet for gangsters"

 

The new international crime organisations have made Marbella their centre of operations. And as violence rises, the police lag far behind.

 

“The Costa del Sol is a kind of hub, or ‘coworking’ space, where almost every major criminal group in the world has some sort of presence,” a senior National police agent investigating organised crime told us.

 

The rise in lethal violence is worrying the region’s security forces. “

 

Last August was an especially bad month: “Eastern European gangs were breaking into homes all the time,” Álvarez-Ossorio said. “There were robberies and assaults happening constantly. We call it ‘black August’, and I think it was really a turning point.”

 

A resident of an upmarket suburb in Marbella, who asked not to be identified by name, said she’s afraid to leave anything of value in her home. “I wear a lot of bracelets,” the woman said, showing off each one and noting its value, each in the tens of thousands of euros. “And when I go running, I cover them up with a wrist band. I don’t leave them in the house.” Asked if she ever thinks about moving, she said: “Yes. In fact, I’m sure that’s what I’ll end up doing.”

 

The Costa del Sol is home to more than 100 different criminal organisations. They range from extremely powerful, tightly structured mafias, like the Serbian, Morrocan and Dutch groups, to gangs of small-time burglars.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/may/20/a-united-nations-of-how-marbella-became-a-magnet-for-gangsters

 

It's so bad in Spain even the mafiosi themselves are scared. Of other mafiosi.

 

More than 100 crimininal organisations operating in Spain not a problem. Okay. Robberies and assaults happening constantly not a problem. Okay. A rise in lethal violence that is worrying even the region’s security forces, but not a problem. Okay. So many crime gangs that even the criminals themselves are scared, but not a problem. Okay. Residents wearing their jewellery to avoid it getting stolen in a break-in in their home and saying they will move away. But not a problem. Okay. Just my "worldview". Okay, genius.

 

Well, clearly you know Spain so well. And btw, Gamberros, youth hooligans, are a problem in Spain due to the 20% plus unemployment, they don't just stay in a neighbourhood, they have scooters and cars and go shopping where you do.

 

And yes, housing qaulity is a lot poorer in Spain than in Thailand, where the standard of housing in CM, BK, and Ko Samui is considerably higher than in most Spanish cities. I know, cause I lived in both.

 

Canary Islands? Lol, yes, winters are great there. Ideal if you like black ash beaches and being bored out of your mind.

 

And cultural life in Spain has been severely limited by animal rights fanatics and left wing extremists, one of the crowns in the jewel of Spanish culture, Tauromaquia, is now barely hanging on by a thread due to the prohibitions on bullfighting in many Spanish cities. As someone who grew up learning horse riding from a Rejeoneador I can tell you that it is a sad time for Spanish culture. Sure, Spain has better museums and opera than Thailand, but it does not have Buddhist monasteries, a Lantern festival, ancient Thai ruins etc.

 

Madrid airport is very limited, all Spaniards know this. Nobody wants to fly to Caracas, everyone wants to fly to Bangkok or Tokyo. But they often have to go to Frankfurt to fly there, because Iberia, the Spanish airline, is very poor and limited in its offering, and even if they offer flights they are wildly overpriced compared to what's on offer in Frankfurt.

 

Outside of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, in the smaller cities, btw Spain offers far less in dining options than Chiang Mai, Bangkok or Ko Samui. It's just a fact. It's mostly Spanish, which is great of course, but if you want to try a range of other cuisines, bad luck.

 

Choice of Shopping in Spain is better? Far from it. In Thailand you don't just get a range of malls Spain can only dream of, you also have Asia's largest market, Chatuchak (and it will be back), where you don't just get designer clothes, but unique items, where in fact the designers from Gucci go to be inspired. Shopping in Thailand is better.

 

And the weather in Thailand is better, btw, because in winter it is TEN degrees warmer than in most of Spain and a winter in Palma, Barcelona, Madrid or Valencia will see your furniture moulding green from the humidity which the Winter causes. It's horrible. I lived it for 8 years.

What utter tosh.

Thailand has 2 seasons, very warm and very warm with high humidity a la Bangkok in March or April.

Unbearable.

Why do you think many of the local expats head for the aircon malls.

In Ireland, we had a lovely spring and summer, while i have watched Thailand battered and flooded by monsoons.

Co Mayo's scenery would blow Thailand's out of the water.

Ever been to Isaan?

Flat, dull and same same.

Instead of writing your tedious essays, that nobody reads, why don't you just admit you come for the ladyboys.

[Tanomazu]

On 9/19/2021 at 1:51 PM, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

tanomazu: whilst noting your quite different take on the two countries, your comments on “ pointless” Roman History and doing “any sport” in thailand are quite wrong. No civilization in SE Asia remotely, even now, approaches the Roman or Spanish Empires in terms of world class greatness, achievements, longevity & power / reach/ land held.

 

Well that just shows your staggering ignorance of South East Asia's history. In fact when Angkor Wat was taking off Spain had to roll over and be colonised by Arab invaders. There was nothing even remotely comparing to Angkor Wat in Spain at the time.

 

It also shows your ignorance of Spanish history, the Spanish empire was not long-lived. In fact the south-east Asian Kingdom of Srivijaya was in Philippines long before the Spanish found it. They also colonised Africa long before the British.

 

Srivijaya, Khmer, Majapahit, Shailandra, Sukhotai, Dvaravati, Langkasuka, all these empires mean nothing to you because you're simply ignorant and uneducated. However, in fact the achievements in south-east Asia far outshine anything done in Rome or Spain.

 

We now know that it was in fact south-east Asians who colonised not just all of the South-east Asian archipelagos but also most of Polynesia, up to Hawaii.  Furthermore evidence is emerging that the Native American Indians may have got there not just via a land bridge, but also across the seas, namely from south-east Asia. South East Asians thus discovered Africa, North America, Hawaii and Polynesia fantastically early, far, far earlier than when the Spanish arrived, and they did so on rudimentary sea vessels in much more difficult conditions then the Spanish endured.

 

The achievements of South East Asians are just never recognised because they are not taught in schools and largely ignored by the west. However, empires there have been, explorations too, and in fact if it had not been for South-East Asia we would not have the corporation or Christmas as we know it today. The difference is that the South-East Asians always enriched the lands they ended up in, whereas the Europeans took from them and left them poorer. However, this is no doubt all too hard to comprehend for you.

 

Spain may do better in Sport today, but it was not always thus, for a long time Spain was insignificant in terms of sports, only when money poured in did Spain start to excel in sport. However, if you walk around Thailand today and see young men play foot-volleyball you can't help but think that is so much more skillful than any sport done in Spain today. Just a question of money. My point in any event was that you can play any sports you like in Thailand, which btw, now has world class golfers. Again, a question of money. Hard to concentrate on horse-riding (where btw Spain does not excel at all in modern equestrian sport) when colonial exploitation has left the countries so poor that most of the people can not afford the basics of life. And that exploitation continues today.

[Tanomazu]

On 9/19/2021 at 2:08 PM, Cherrytreeview said:

What utter tosh.

Thailand has 2 seasons, very warm and very warm with high humidity a la Bangkok in March or April.

Unbearable.

Why do you think many of the local expats head for the aircon malls.

In Ireland, we had a lovely spring and summer, while i have watched Thailand battered and flooded by monsoons.

Co Mayo's scenery would blow Thailand's out of the water.

Ever been to Isaan?

Flat, dull and same same.

Instead of writing your tedious essays, that nobody reads, why don't you just admit you come for the ladyboys.

County Mayo, lol, that scraggy little, moss covered, mud brown, wind beaten backwater, lol....as if it could ever compete with the beauty of a full on rain-forest in Thailand, you're clearly trolling. County Mayo is completely out of contention, nobody in their right mind would move to a place like Ireland, the whipping boy of the English.

 

Ever been to north Thailand mountains? The rain forests? Scenery that far surpasses anything you'd see in Ireland ten times over.

 

And certainly a lot warmer, thank God, than these cold backwaters in Ireland. The ice-cold winter being the price of your very short spring and summers. No thanks. Give me the consistently warm Thai weather any day.

 

I wouldn't touch ladyboys with a barge pole, I come to Thailand for the culture, the weather, the food, the people the shopping, all of it miles better than anything Ireland, Britain or Spain can offer.

 

But nice of you to comment on my post, which you obviously didn't read, 5555...

[jacko45k]

14 hours ago, Tanomazu said:

I come to Thailand for the culture, the weather, the food, the people the shopping, all of it miles better than anything Ireland, Britain or Spain can offer.

Sorry, but someone claiming the beauty of remote Thailand,  the very pretty Nan area for example, to then compare food, shopping, culture, with say London, Barcelona or Dublin, is really losing the discussion. 

[Rampant Rabbit]

It was the choice between being impaled  in the rear end with a 10 foot  spike or  Thailand............the spike wins

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

It was the choice between being impaled  in the rear end with a 10 foot  spike or  Thailand............the spike wins

That explains a lot - some people are just into that kind of thing I suppose.

[Tanomazu]

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Sorry, but someone claiming the beauty of remote Thailand,  the very pretty Nan area for example, to then compare food, shopping, culture, with say London, Barcelona or Dublin, is really losing the discussion. 

Nonsense, food options are greater in Thailand, food is really miles better in Thailand than London, Dublin and even Barcelona.

 

Shopping is a better experience, given the abundance of high class shopping malls in Thailand, as well Asia's largest shopping market where unique items are on sale. Designers actually go to Chatuchak to be inspired by the creativity of Thais.

 

Culturally with Buddhism, Buddhist monasteries, Lantern festival, Flower festival, Muay Thai or even Thai Dance Thailand has offerings the UK, Ireland or Spain just do not have. As early as In 1687 the then dominant world culture, France, sent envoys to study Thai performing arts in detail, so we know that Thai stage arts were already perfected at that time and compared very favourably with even French theatre performance, let alone British, Irish or Spanish.

 

"n 1687, France sent the diplomat Simon de la Loubère to record all that he saw in the Siamese Kingdom and its traditions. In his account Du Royaume de Siam, La Loubère carefully observed the classic 17th century theatre of Siam, including an epic battle scene from a khon performance, and recorded what he saw in great detail"

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Thailand#Arts

 

Obviously in terms of natural beauty Thailand far surpasses the UK, Ireland or Spain, given the mountains, rain forests and tropical paradise islands. There's a reason people prefer to come to Thailand, rather than the UK, Ireland or Spain, pre-Covid:

 

"Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, edged out Paris and London as the world’s most popular city to visit, according to a survey released on Wednesday.

 

Bangkok was named the most-visited city for the fourth consecutive year, with about 22.8 million visitors reported in the annual rankings by MasterCard Inc."

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-tourism-idUSKCN1VP2FG

[jacko45k]

11 minutes ago, Tanomazu said:

Nonsense, food options are greater in Thailand, food is really miles better in Thailand than London, Dublin and even Barcelona.

Nonsense back at you.... food choices in Issarn,  Nan for example, where seafood is not so common, is limited. To even think to compare that to the varieties, quality etc  available in London is a nonsense. 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 9/20/2021 at 12:08 AM, Cherrytreeview said:

In Ireland, we had a lovely spring and summer,

LOL. I had two summers in Ireland and it rained almost all the time. I could have stayed the winter, but I'd have had to be mad to do so instead of going to Thailand where it's never freezing.

[thaibeachlovers]

14 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Nonsense back at you.... food choices in Issarn,  Nan for example, where seafood is not so common, is limited. To even think to compare that to the varieties, quality etc  available in London is a nonsense. 

Sure, stale fish and chips, pies and chips, other stuff with chips, Maccers and every other chain restaurant known to mankind. Wonderful grub and so much better than freshly cooked fried rice with veges and a bit of chicken.

[jacko45k]

7 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Sure, stale fish and chips, pies and chips, other stuff with chips, Maccers and every other chain restaurant known to mankind. Wonderful grub and so much better than freshly cooked fried rice with veges and a bit of chicken.

Jellied eels too..... I did say it had far far superior variety. 

London has approximately 66 Michelin Star restaurants.... Nan City  has, well guess. I think fried rice and the Thai triage (broccoli, carrot and beans) and scrawny chicken feet is a 'can do better'....

This is beyond risible...

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Jellied eels too..... I did say it had far far superior variety. 

London has approximately 66 Michelin Star restaurants.... Nan City  has, well guess. I think fried rice and the Thai triage (broccoli, carrot and beans) and scrawny chicken is a 'can do better'....

This is beyond risible...

I scorn your Michelin Star restaurants. Food all looks the same when it exits. I eat what I enjoy and doesn't require taking out a mortgage to consume.

[jacko45k]

Just now, thaibeachlovers said:

I scorn your Michelin Star restaurants. Food all looks the same when it exits. I eat what I enjoy and doesn't require taking out a mortgage to consume.

Ahhh, so you have no knowledge of the subject, surprised you chose to get involved. 

[thaibeachlovers]

29 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Nonsense back at you.... food choices in Issarn,  Nan for example, where seafood is not so common, is limited. To even think to compare that to the varieties, quality etc  available in London is a nonsense. 

IMO the food I ate in Thailand was healthier than what I ate in London for 10 years. It certainly made me fat and unhealthy. Fresh food without a load of sugar and chemicals has to be better for us even if it didn't come out of the ( polluted ) ocean.

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO the food I ate in Thailand was healthier than what I ate in London for 10 years.

Oh, so now the subject is healthier food.... perhaps start another thread?

[Tanomazu]

25 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Nonsense back at you.... food choices in Issarn,  Nan for example, where seafood is not so common, is limited. To even think to compare that to the varieties, quality etc  available in London is a nonsense. 

Who is talking about Isan? Have you not been to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui? Food choices that make London look decidedly second rate culinary wise. Sure you can get Thai food in London. Of the same quality as in Thailand absolutely not. Same with Yunnanese, Burmese, Lana cuisine. As for variety, Thailand has more than three times as many restaurants as the UK, namely 320,000 in 2019, whereas the UK has a mere 88,000 in the same year.

 

"Meanwhile, some 40 million international tourists visited the country in 2019 according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Bangkok was one of the most visited cities in the world. These numbers were serviced by a highly competitive hotel and restaurant industry made up of about 320,000 restaurants"

 

https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/article/features/beating-covid-thailand-s-top-chefs-have-their-say

 

After a decline in 2009, the number of restaurants in the UK has been steadily increasing. In 2019 there were 88,130 businesses operating in the restaurant and mobile food service industry in the UK.

 

https://www.statista.com/statistics/298871/number-of-restaurants-in-the-united-kingdom/

 

 

[Gandtee]

37 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Nonsense back at you.... food choices in Issarn,  Nan for example, where seafood is not so common, is limited. To even think to compare that to the varieties, quality etc  available in London is a nonsense. 

One man's meat and all that?????

[jacko45k]

5 minutes ago, Tanomazu said:

Who is talking about Isan? Have you not been to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui?

You were actually.... 

Of course I have been to those places, multiple times....full of back-packers eating cheap food.

[Tanomazu]

Just now, jacko45k said:

You were actually.... 

Of course I have been to those places, multiple times....full of back-packers eating cheap food.

I wasn't. However, in terms of food, not only does Thailand have a far greater variety of restaurants, with 320,000 compared to the UK's 88,000, but actually the variety in categories is tremendous, you can easily find fine dining options in Thailand, not just "backpackers eating cheap food".

 

I've had some very fine Spanish food in Bangkok that was extremely expensive, also very expensive Chinese food (though to be fair UK has excellent Chinese restaurants)  and quite expensive Japanese food. There are many food options in Thailand.

 

But yes, it really shines in the reasonably priced segment, which is unbeatable in the world, and pound for pound you can't eat better anywhere in the world, except possibly Indonesia.

 

Even UK food critics agree:

 

"Chiang Mai food paradise: 'The best I've ever eaten'"

 

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/feb/24/thai-street-food-chiang-mai-tour-thailand

[jacko45k]

5 minutes ago, Tanomazu said:

However, in terms of food, not only does Thailand have a far greater variety of restaurants, with 320,000 compared to the UK's 88,000, but actually the variety in categories is tremendous, you can easily find fine dining options in Thailand, not just "backpackers eating cheap food".

I disagree.... outside of Bangkok it is a struggle and one is often limited to a deep fried fish with pickled mango draped over it.  What is on offer in rural areas is often unappetizing. I think 300,000 of the 320,000 sell pad Thai or fried rice with chicken, special menu (special prices) for farangs. Thank heavens a few good places are springing up around Pattaya now.

 

[Tanomazu]

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

I disagree.... outside of Bangkok it is a struggle and one is often limited to a deep fried fish with pickled mango draped over it.  What is on offer in rural areas is often unappetizing. I think 300,000 of the 320,000 sell pad Thai or fried rice with chicken, special menu (special prices) for farangs. Thank heavens a few good places are springing up around Pattaya now.

 

Not really, plenty of fine dining in Chiang Mai.

 

• The Service 1921 Restaurant & Bar
• David's Kitchen
• Ginger & Kafe
• North by Four Seasons
• China Kitchen Shangri La

To name just the first that spring to mind.

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, Tanomazu said:

Not really, plenty of fine dining in Chiang Mai.

 

• The Service 1921 Restaurant & Bar
• David's Kitchen
• Ginger & Kafe
• North by Four Seasons
• China Kitchen Shangri La

To name just the first that spring to mind.

Thanks... but not a fan of CM.... used to go for The Flower Festival some years ago. 

[Cherrytreeview]

52 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

LOL. I had two summers in Ireland and it rained almost all the time. I could have stayed the winter, but I'd have had to be mad to do so instead of going to Thailand where it's never freezing.

You where unlucky. Just like the people who have had monsoon rains for the last few weeks in Thailand.

Ireland's winters are not freezing their mild. Have been for decades.

I go to Thailand when i want. Normally, during the Thai winter and spend spring and summer at home.

The climate utterances of some chip on his shoulder baiting keyboard warrior is of no interest.

 

 

[Tanomazu]

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Thanks... but not a fan of CM.... used to go for The Flower Festival some years ago. 

Whether you're a fan of CM or not, it has a very large selection of fine dining options.

[Tanomazu]

12 minutes ago, Cherrytreeview said:

You where unlucky. Just like the people who have had monsoon rains for the last few weeks in Thailand.

Ireland's winters are not freezing their mild. Have been for decades.

I go to Thailand when i want. Normally, during the Thai winter and spend spring and summer at home.

The climate utterances of some chip on his shoulder baiting keyboard warrior is of no interest.

 

 

Please, who in their right mind chooses voluntarily to spend time in Ireland?

 

Ireland's winters are mild? It can dip as low as -17 degrees in December in Ireland! What are you smoking? -19 in January!

 

[Cherrytreeview]

1 minute ago, Tanomazu said:

Please, who in their right mind chooses voluntarily to spend time in Ireland?

 

Ireland's winters are mild? It can dip as low as -17 degrees in December in Ireland! What are you smoking? -19 in January!

 

You wouldn't be going anyway, there's no ladyboys.

[Tanomazu]

3 minutes ago, Cherrytreeview said:

You wouldn't be going anyway, there's no ladyboys.

Because it's too ice cold!

 

Minus 19 in Jan, minus 17 in Feb, minus 17 in Dec, minus 17 in March...

 

How is that not ice cold?

 

Still, at least there's the great food options in County Mayo ????

[EricTh]

On 9/10/2021 at 7:39 AM, Mike Teavee said:

Thailand's Visa Requirements are not difficult, especially for the "Rich" as they have a number of options available to them (Elite/Investment Visas being the 2 obvious ones),

I haven't met any people on elite or investment visa at all.

 

If they exists, they are very rare. Most foreigners I met are on retirement visas/extension, married to Thai people, student visas or backpackers.

 

I doubt that many rich people would want to come to Thailand with its photo-copying madness, 90 days report, not allowed to buy house on land etc.

 

Let's face it, most foreigners who come to Thailand are poor or medium class.

[Tanomazu]

5 minutes ago, EricTh said:

I haven't met any people on elite or investment visa at all.

 

If they exists, they are very rare. Most foreigners I met are on retirement visas/extension, married to Thai people, student visas or backpackers.

 

I doubt that many rich people would want to come to Thailand with its photo-copying madness, 90 days report, not allowed to buy house on land etc.

 

Let's face it, most foreigners who come to Thailand are poor or medium class.

The main reason the  billionaires would not flock to Thailand is no doubt the political instability.

 

Plus they would be liable to tax of 35% after 180 days.