On 1/5/2025 at 6:55 PM, Rob Browder said:

"Millions of families" or "half" of them - who said that?  Straw-Man much?

The fact is, a LOT of families in Issan are supported by funds we spend into the Thai economy, which make their jobs exist.  That is 100% True.

 

Let's take Sakhon Nakhon province for an example;

 

Population of about 1,200,000 people

 

Expats is guestimated at 300

 

Pray tell me you don't think those 300 are supporting over a million people, and their jobs?

I agree with big3116: 

 

Mainstream Thai society would be very happy to say good-bye to the long-term Western ex-pats in Thailand, and give preference to the genuine tourists who come once or twice a year for a couple of weeks.

 

The average Thai tolerates the long-stay Western expats -- but do not kid yourself that they want us here.

2 hours ago, TaoNow said:

The average Thai tolerates the long-stay Western expats -- but do not kid yourself that they want us here.

Clearly I live/move in different circles than yourself.

 

I feel extremely welcome everywhere. Always have.

Especially when we return to places where we stay often and for extended periods. 

Also living where we do Bangkok.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Clearly I live/move in different circles than yourself.

 

I feel extremely welcome everywhere. Always have.

Especially when we return to places where we stay often and for extended periods. 

Also living where we do Bangkok.

 

You are old enough and wise enough to know

 

They tolerate expats with a fake smile

 

You are welcome because you have money, try getting the same reception if you are begging

 

Don't get me wrong, there are of course, some who make friends on a personal level, but at a national level, Thais can be some of the most xenophobic people on earth.

On 1/6/2025 at 3:09 AM, Luuk Chaai said:

I don't see what everyones complaint is..    it's 5 minutes at the local amphur to get your KR2  maybe 20 mins at the bank to get your

2 month letter ,  and what   15-20 minutes to take 5 photo's around the house ( that includes changing clothes )

the usual time at immigration is 1/2 hour in front of the I/O ( I've never waited more than 45 minutes for my # to be called )

they came to the house 1x to take pictures ..   that was a ten minute visit ..  all pleasant. otherwise the  I/O calls at 5pm and takes  photo's over the Line app ..   so easy peasy ..  Hua Hin Imm is absolutely easy to deal with !

For us, it was a long drive, and literally the entire day at Immigration - 3 officers reviewing the paperwork/pics/etc.  Then for the home-visit, need 2 witnesses - so, must pay 2 local Thais (not family members) to show up and sit around eating/drinking until immigration arrives, gets their id/housebook info, etc.

On 1/7/2025 at 2:46 PM, bigt3116 said:

 

Let's take Sakhon Nakhon province for an example;

 

Population of about 1,200,000 people

 

Expats is guestimated at 300

 

Pray tell me you don't think those 300 are supporting over a million people, and their jobs?

Nice straw man - implying every Thai job.  In any case - the expats living in the sticks spend locally - which is helpful, but not the majority of the support-funds.  Many of the family members of those Thai households work in tourist areas, and send part of their earnings (derived from tourist's and expat's funds) home.  Other family-members are gf/wives of expats living in tourist-areas, and those expats fund the "send home" money. 

On 1/7/2025 at 6:27 PM, bigt3116 said:

 

You are old enough and wise enough to know

 

They tolerate expats with a fake smile

 

You are welcome because you have money, try getting the same reception if you are begging

 

Don't get me wrong, there are of course, some who make friends on a personal level, but at a national level, Thais can be some of the most xenophobic people on earth.

That is not the case at all - that most Thai smiles to us are "fake."  Thais are generally very kind, nice people.  Everywhere has some jerks/racists, and those concentrate in certain govt-depts here, IME.

 

As far as how customers are treated, of course business-owners/staff "smile" at customers for business reasons.  Staff complaining about customers out of earshot?  Same as anywhere else.  Customers are often a PITA - especially those who never worked retail/restaurants/etc themselves / stood in the other's shoes. 

 

Of course, "beggars" should not be here at all - should not be Thai's responsibility to pay for them - and the same attitude should prevail in our passport-countries, if "our" govts respected us / our interests at all.