How can I assimilate myself more into Thai culture?

[bob smith]

Some recent developments have happened at the smith household.

 

I have now resigned myself to a life in Thailand,

and failing that a life in South East Asia in general.

 

I have some questions.

 

I want to be a better Thai person.

I want to try to assimilate as much as humanely possible into this culture.

Maybe one day I will renounce my citizenship of birth and become 100% Thai.

 

Has anyone got any pointers?

what can I do to be the best Thai that I can currently be?

should I become a monk?

help those in need?

study Buddhism? 

 

any info from anyone that has extensive experience of assimilating into Thai culture would be greatly appreciated.

 

bob.

Edited March 14 by bob smith

[marin]

not a chance in hell.

bob.

[connda]

Move to North Hollywood.

[bob smith]

1 minute ago, marin said:

not a chance in hell.

bob.

that sounds pretty dismissive.

 

People can and do change.

 

bob.

[bob smith]

Just now, connda said:

Move to North Hollywood.

what's going on there?

 

bob.

[marin]

1 minute ago, bob smith said:

what's going on there?

 

people are sick of your nonsensical trolling?

 

🤪

[Trippy]

Definitely become a monk, it will open your eyes in ways you couldn't imagine.  

[bob smith]

6 minutes ago, marin said:

people are sick of your nonsensical trolling?

 

🤪

I'm actually asking a serious question,. due to severe changes over the recent days.

 

I am an alcoholic and I have had a moment of clarity.

 

I now know what I want.

 

sorry if this comes across as trolling but my mind has been in a thousand different places at the same time over the past few days.

 

bob.

[bob smith]

Just now, Trippy said:

Definitely become a monk, it will open your eyes in ways you couldn't imagine.  

have you done it yourself?

 

bob.

[marin]

Just now, bob smith said:

I'm actually asking a serious question,. due to severe changes over the recent days.

 

I am an alcoholic and I have had a moment of clarity.

 

I now know what I want.

 

sorry if this comes across as trolling but my mind has been in a thousand different places at the same time over the past few days.

 

bob.

 Nah bob, too many times. You are the little boy who cried wolf. 

[pgrahmm]

Buy a bar..... Introduce pole dancing into your "hood".....

That'll give you immediate status & identity....

[bob smith]

2 minutes ago, marin said:

 Nah bob, too many times. You are the little boy who cried wolf. 

OK, you are entitled to your opinion.

 

now that you have expressed it, do you feel better about yourself?

 

bob.

Edited March 14 by bob smith

[sqwakvfr]

It's really up to the people in you circle to embrace you or not. Good luck. Have you mastered the language?  I mean can you pronounce Thai words with the proper tone?  Yesterday I was told by a local in Chiang Mai that when I said "Niman Soi Hoke" I was completely wrong.  It is "Neeeemaaan Soeeeee Hooooook".  I will never master this language.  I hope you are successful in your attempt at assimilating. I tried and failed miserably. As a native English speaker I do not use tonal inflection to speak but it is important in speaking Thai properly. 

[bob smith]

1 minute ago, sqwakvfr said:

It's really up to the people in you circle to embrace you or not. Good luck. Have you mastered the language?  I mean can you pronounce Thai words with the proper tone?  Yesterday I was told by a local in Chiang Mai that when I said "Niman Soi Hoke" I was completely wrong.  It is "Neeeemaaan Soeeeee Hooooook".  I will never master this language.  I hope you are successful in your attempt at assimilating. I tried and failed miserably. As a native English speaker I do not use tonal inflection to speak but it is important in speaking Thai properly. 

Thanks for your kind words.

 

I can speak Thai but I am not fluent in the use of tones.

 

bob.

[Trippy]

Just now, bob smith said:

have you done it yourself?

 

bob.

No, but I did study Buddhism many years ago. I was invited to be a monk but I declined, too many no-no's for me. But if your really looking at a way to assimilate into Thai culture as the title states, then I think it's the best way for you. Even just for 3 months will cleanse your body and soul.

[bob smith]

1 minute ago, Trippy said:

No, but I did study Buddhism many years ago. I was invited to be a monk but I declined, too many no-no's for me. But if your really looking at a way to assimilate into Thai culture as the title states, then I think it's the best way for you. Even just for 3 months will cleanse your body and soul.

any temples that I could look into?

 

location isnt an issue.

 

bob.

[VocalNeal]

The best way to assimilate into Thai society is to pay for the upkeep of your wife/girlfriend's family and extended family🤔 

[bob smith]

1 minute ago, VocalNeal said:

The best way to assimilate into Thai society is to pay for the upkeep of your wife/girlfriend's family and extended family🤔 

is that what normal Thai men do?

 

I know a few hardworking Thai males and they don't do this,

 

bob.

[VocalNeal]

38 minutes ago, bob smith said:

Maybe one day I will renounce my citizenship of birth and become 100% Thai.

 

Has anyone got any pointers?

 

Get a job and a work permit and apply for PR. After that, you may apply for citizenship. 

[VocalNeal]

1 minute ago, bob smith said:

is that what normal Thai men do?

 

I know a few hardworking Thai males and they don't do this,

 

bob.

 

You're not much use to me are you, Turkish😋

[bob smith]

1 minute ago, VocalNeal said:

 

Get a job and a work permit and apply for PR. After that, you may apply for citizenship. 

I am married.

 

No need for PR. I can go straight to citizenship after 3 years of paying tax.

 

bob.

[thaitom]

23 minutes ago, bob smith said:

what's going on there?

 

bob.

It's where startrek was produced paramount studios.

[Lacessit]

The OP can never be 100% Thai, it's a fool's errand. We are farang, and will always be classed as such.

 

Far better to adjust sensibly. Learn as much of the language as you can. Accept you will be told what a Thai thinks is the answer you want to hear, when you ask any question. Respect Thai customs, even if you think they are stupid. Have a sense of humor, Thais love a joke. Learn what are cultural no-no's, such as shouting, patting the head of a child, or pointing the feet at anyone.

 

IMO trying to assimilate into Thai culture would be like trying to clean a battleship with a toothbrush.

[VocalNeal]

3 minutes ago, bob smith said:

I am married.

 

No need for PR. I can go straight to citizenship after 3 years of paying tax.

 

bob.

 

If you are currently paying taxes then you are already assimilated.🧐

[nikmar]

simples - learn a little Thai  and talk to folk. Even giving the appearance of trying to fit in goes a long way. 

[bob smith]

1 minute ago, nikmar said:

simples - learn a little Thai  and talk to folk. Even giving the appearance of trying to fit in goes a long way. 

I have tried that a lot in the past.

 

Sometimes it didnt go down well.

 

I have been blown out many times when I was just trying to be pleasant with the locals.

This makes me reluctant to keep trying.

 

bob.

[FritsSikkink]

"Has anyone got any pointers?

Yes, start with better posts instead of very low-quality ones, you have until now. 

[Gottfrid]

26 minutes ago, bob smith said:

is that what normal Thai men do?

 

I know a few hardworking Thai males and they don't do this,

 

bob.

Ok, I give you the scoop, Bob. This is really going to hurt, and something that you should think very hard before trying.
 

1. Talk only Thai, and refuse to use any other language.
2. Do not think about drinking any imported beers or other alcohol. It will be Chang and Lao Khao in your future.
3. Roll you own cigarettes.
4. Throw out you washing machine and clean in a bucket with cold water only using your hands.
5. Remodel your toilet to an old Thai style #hole in the floor" version.
6. Only cook food in a terracotta oven using charcoal.
7. Build a new house, but totally ignore the shape of electricity, and do never paint or decorate your inside and outside walls.
8. Start planting rice.
9. Change your bar going attitude. Now it will only be full blown parties screaming into a microphone in the local karaoke.
10. Always walk in flip flops.

On the upside, Bob. You will according to customs have as many mia noi´s as you wish. However, if you wife is into this change as well, she will later feed your precious to the ducks.

[worgeordie]

Bob. you do more U-turns than the Government , I am going , no I'm not,I am going,

no I am not , get off the booze could be a start for you ,but I don't think you would last...

 

regards Worgeordie

 

 

[G_Money]

Another one of these guys.  Should make for an entertaining read.