15 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Did you watch it? Any of it?

Yes I did, did you?

On 9/17/2025 at 11:58 AM, Patong2021 said:

Thailand has a serious human trafficking problem. The sex industry depends on it

I cannot speak for the Thai-oriented sex industry,  as I know very little about it, but regarding the sex industry catering to farang, that's wrong. 

 

 

Fernandel’s horse-smile and his forty thieves come to mind.

Two objects — one a cocktail in Pattaya, the other a Tesla on the street.
Both are easy enough to enjoy when you have access, but almost impossible to crack without it.

And that’s the point: the real hustle isn’t on the street, it’s on our screens.

From cocktails in Pattaya to crowbars on Teslas, the spectacle sells.
But sensational storytelling doesn’t always tell the truth.

So when we watch yet another “dark side” exposé, maybe the question isn’t what’s on camera — but who profits from the clicks.

 

She a hard listen too at times Zara, but most of the stuff true anyhow, though in fairness pity they dont mention what its like for real thai  familys living in the countryside / poor villages. Those youtubers also (moronic?) , is there any expats in real jobs? Pity she didnt get a chance to meet one (then again maybe a cannabis shop owner is a "normal" job in Thai).

 

Thai no longer the flavour of the month these days and this docu I guess doesnt help !!!   Next up Cambodia--now thats a sink hole !!!!!!!!!

I understand now ... 😎

 

26 minutes ago, IrishInThailand said:

She a hard listen too at times Zara, but most of the stuff true anyhow, though in fairness pity they dont mention what its like for real thai  familys living in the countryside / poor villages. Those youtubers also (moronic?) , is there any expats in real jobs? Pity she didnt get a chance to meet one (then again maybe a cannabis shop owner is a "normal" job in Thai).

 

Thai no longer the flavour of the month these days and this docu I guess doesnt help !!!   Next up Cambodia--now thats a sink hole !!!!!!!!!

Farangs are banned from having many kinds of jobs in Thailand.

I don't really see what people are complaining about. Other than the tall tale from the Scottish girl about her friend's experience in a massage parlour, it seemed an accurate portrayal of nightlife from various young British tourists perspective. The flashpackers getting drunk on Khao San Road, the Party goers heading to the island for the Full Moon Party, and the randy young lads shagging in Pattaya. 

 

Did people miss the bit about the youngsters enjoying an affluent lifestyle living in modern Bangkok condos and, socializing in the city's sky bars ?

 

How many posts are " I didn't watch it but .... "

 

 

2 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

Farangs are banned from having many kinds of jobs in Thailand.

Only in some interpretations.  There are many Europeans working here in certain types of jobs and professions 

1 hour ago, kinyara said:

the city's sky bars

What/where are these, please? 

3 hours ago, Unamerican said:

What/where are these, please? 

I think you might be new to Thailand .

On 9/16/2025 at 3:59 PM, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

"Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise," a documentary released by the BBC, has stirred significant controversy and backlash. The documentary set out to critique Thailand's tourism industry, but it has been met with strong defensive reactions from both Thai nationals and foreigners who hold the country in high regard. The discontent centers around the documentary's portrayal, which many argue is distorted and lacking in balance.

 

The criticism began with the choice of Zara McDermott, a former contestant on "Strictly Come Dancing," as the documentary's presenter. Without a background in journalism, McDermott’s selection raised questions about the BBC's decision-making, especially given the sensitivity of the topic. This decision has led to a broader scrutiny of the BBC's perceived biases, particularly towards Asian countries, with some alleging that its coverage often carries racial, regional, and political prejudices.

 

The documentary trailer’s release provoked a storm of responses, particularly from foreigners living or having lived in Thailand. These individuals have come forward to share their experiences, which starkly contrast with the documentary's narrative. Many have expressed that Thailand is a safe, welcoming place, and the documentary’s focus on negative aspects does not reflect the country they know.

 

This response has not just been about defending Thailand but also about challenging what they see as an unjust portrayal. Critics of the documentary have drawn parallels with historical narratives, particularly colonialism, where media representations often carried racial undertones. This analogy is rooted in the ways colonial powers, like Britain, used race and media to justify their actions and superiority. These historical contexts continue to influence perceptions, leading to skepticism about the intentions and accuracies in media portrayals of non-Western countries.

 

The media portrayal has opened up old wounds related to British colonialism, where racism was systematically employed to exert control. The empire’s policies often used pseudoscience to justify racial hierarchies, seeing non-white individuals as inferior. This historical backdrop provides a lens through which many critics view the documentary, interpreting it as an extension of these outdated narratives.

 

Within the context of personal experiences, numerous expats have shared positive and reassuring stories about living in Thailand. Their narratives emphasize feelings of safety and respect, areas they argue are not adequately represented in the BBC’s portrayal. Comments from foreigners suggest a preference for walking the streets of Bangkok over those in many UK cities, where they feel more vulnerable to crime and violence.

 

For these individuals, Thailand represents more than just a travel destination; it’s a place where they have built lives and communities. Many have expressed pride in the culture and hospitality that Thailand offers, feeling misrepresented by the litany of negative press.

 

Moreover, these reactions highlight a deeper issue within media practices today. As digital platforms increase competition, there is an ongoing struggle between maintaining journalistic integrity and drawing audiences with sensational content. This tension raises important questions about the role of media in shaping perceptions and the ethical responsibilities in reporting.

 

The controversy surrounding "Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise" shines a light on these critical discussions, reminding us of the importance of critical evaluation of the sources of information we consume. It serves as a call to action for media outlets to present more nuanced and fair narratives that accurately reflect the diversity and complexities of countries and cultures.

 

Ultimately, this situation underscores the depth of affection and loyalty that many foreigners feel towards Thailand. Their defense of the nation goes beyond mere sentiment; it represents a commitment to ensure that voices of truth and fairness are amplified. As the debate continues, it’s clear that respect and understanding across cultures remain essential, particularly in an increasingly interconnected world.

 

The backlash to the BBC documentary also highlights the broader implications of media representation in shaping public perceptions. As stories circulate globally, they can influence opinions and shape how countries and cultures are understood across different contexts. Inaccurate or biased portrayals can perpetuate stereotypes and lead to misunderstandings that are difficult to correct.

 

Given the rapid dissemination of information in today’s digital age, the stakes are higher than ever for media outlets to prioritize responsible and accurate reporting. More than just providing entertainment or information, media narratives have the power to influence perceptions and shape societal attitudes. Therefore, the responsibility to ensure integrity and accuracy in reporting is not only a professional obligation but a societal one.

 

Looking forward, it’s essential that media organizations strive to balance engaging storytelling with factual accuracy, especially on topics that impact entire nations and cultural identities. Achieving this balance requires a commitment to diverse perspectives, rigorous fact-checking, and an awareness of the broader historical and socio-political contexts in which stories unfold.

 

In the case of "Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise," the global reaction serves as a powerful reminder of the need for empathy and understanding in storytelling. It highlights the importance of incorporating diverse voices and experiences to provide a fuller picture of a nation’s reality. This holistic approach not only enriches the narrative but also contributes to a more informed and equitable discourse.

 

As discussions continue and more voices join the conversation, the hope is for increased collaboration and dialogue between media creators, audiences, and the subjects of their narratives. By fostering these connections, media can play a crucial role in promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect.

 

In conclusion, the response to the BBC documentary reflects a broader desire for truth and fairness in media portrayals. The collective voices rising to defend Thailand emphasize a commitment to these values, highlighting the critical role of media in shaping our understanding of the world. As audiences, creators, and consumers, the opportunity lies in working together to advocate for narratives that reflect the true diversity and richness of human experiences.

 

Key Takeaways

• Foreigners with experience in Thailand refute BBC's portrayal.
• Concerns are raised about bias in media, especially related to colonial history.
• The situation emphasizes the need for balanced and accurate reporting.

 

Related Stories

Thailand's Tourism Booms with 22M Visitors in 2025

British TV Star Zara McDermott’s Filming Fright in Thailand

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-09-16

 

 

 

The view of a country is determined by the viewer and their own particular activities.

 

Some peoples view is of bars and prostitutes and that is what they think the whole of Thailand is about, what they fail to see that view is a reflection of their own life and not the 99% of Thais who are not involved in that market.

 

I had a a large Thai restaurant in an affluent city in England for over 22 years (I never worked there but I enjoyed the food), the vast majority of guests who had been to Thailand mentioned the art, the culture, the beaches etc and not about the minority of the country where the bars/bar girls exist as that is not what they went there to see. The comments were from couples, families and mixed groups of people who make up the vast number of tourists to Thailand.

 

I have met some guys who think the whole of Thailand is about bars and pros as that is what they were there to see. They mixed with bar girls as did their friends and that for them was the norm.

 

There are prostitute areas in most free countries in the world so a a personal view of a country is really a view of your own life and activities.

 

I have met many Arabs on holiday in London who think all English women can be bought and are prostitutes as those are the only type of people they mix with.

 

 

 

21 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Although I hold Thailand, the country and the culture, in extremely high regard....

 

I hold Farang TOURISTS in extremely LOW regard.

 

Here is why:

 

 

 

You must be mixing with the wrong type of tourist, don't believe the rubbish you see on YouTube for example if that is your only source of info?

 

I was in the Central Shopping centre in Kathu, Phuket yesterday, it was full of clean cut farangs with wives and children as was the case today in the Jungcelon shopping centre in Patong, the same scene. 

 

The number of restaurants, shops, hotels vastly outnumber the number of bars in Phuket and has been the case for over fifteen years.

 

Phuket is reassuringly expensive as it keep the riff riff bar monkeys away. 

 

 

 

15 hours ago, Johno57 said:

Why do you think Western men prefer Asian women ?? Simple, they don't have the mindset of Western women, and thai women  treat you a hell of a lot better...thats why I married one 10 years ago and she still says she loves me almost  every night

 

No. The women that the western men  attract occupy the lower socio economic tier of society. It is unusual and infrequent to see any  Thai of social standing and education take up with the majority of farangs that have asian partners. If and when it does occur, the high tier Asian joins with a farang of similar background and status. For example, a Thai physician or lawyer is not going to  take up with 60 year old lorry driver from Swansey or a 50 year old inked up construction worker from Brisbane.

You assume that the Asian women don't have the mindset of western women. Poverty and lack of opportunity are a major factor. These women are on the lower rungs of the socio economic ladder, so westerners are picking up the discards that thais do not want.

 

The situation is no different than the western women who go to Cuba, Egypt, the Dominican Republic and come back with young men. It ends just as badly for the women as it does for the western men  who do that in Thailand. The argument the women use is that the men are not judgemental and value the women for their personality etc. It's all a delusion, much as what you claim in respect to the "Asian mentality".

 

On 9/16/2025 at 9:31 PM, ronnie50 said:

Aside from the trailer, I couldn't watch it - even with a VPN pointed at UK it knew I wasn't in its broadcast region. So I guess everyone that is defending this or that has watched the series?

I watched the show on Koh Phangan, Full Moon Party, etc. It was standard fair. Nothing "salacious" or "sensational" at all. Very run of the mill. They had some tidbits that were a bit interesting. But not really much of anything that anyone living in Thailand for more than 6 months wouldn't likely know already, unless of course they knew nothing about the Full Moon Party scene, which I wouldn't blame them. I only had the misfortune of coming across it when traveling to the island one time. That's more than enough, one time, for that island. The show wasn't even hardly "dark" at all. I'm guessing maybe it was a bit more so in the show that covered Soi Cowboy, etc. But the show I saw was almost more like an invitation to enjoy Thailand than anything, just with some small disclaimers about how you enjoy yourself and what should be obvious anyway, not particularly "dark" - be careful when partying in a place that is foreign to you, wear a damn helmet, be careful riding a scooter on roads that you aren't accustomed to, and that sort of common sense sort of thing. It wasn't in bad taste at all and not demeaning. 
From the single show I saw, the commenters on here, going off about how ridiculous the show is.... I have no idea where they're coming from. It was an average (or below average), not terribly interesting show where they threw a clueless girl, who didn't seem to know anything about Thailand, into the mix with a script to pull off. But not "dark", "salacious", or "sensational" at all. It's pretty much what you'd expect from your average influencer being fed a script by her handlers, most definitely NOT a professional documentary. And of course it's being presented by a western woman, so they will have that bias that so often shows when they seem to feel threatened by western men preferring some of the attributes of other cultures that haven't been somewhat destroyed by entitled feminists and the beta males that are lapping at their heels.

Again, the caveat that perhaps the show on Soy Cowboy, etc., may have been a bit more on that "dark" end of the spectrum, but I doubt it's anywhere near the realities of what goes on in the truly dark side of those places. Maybe I should look it up and watch it, just to see what these commenters are getting all bent out of shape about.

By the way, I found it on YouTube! I also couldn't get it with a VPN to London.

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

No. The women that the western men  attract occupy the lower socio economic tier of society. It is unusual and infrequent to see any  Thai of social standing and education take up with the majority of farangs that have asian partners. If and when it does occur, the high tier Asian joins with a farang of similar background and status. For example, a Thai physician or lawyer is not going to  take up with 60 year old lorry driver from Swansey or a 50 year old inked up construction worker from Brisbane.

You assume that the Asian women don't have the mindset of western women. Poverty and lack of opportunity are a major factor. These women are on the lower rungs of the socio economic ladder, so westerners are picking up the discards that thais do not want.

 

The situation is no different than the western women who go to Cuba, Egypt, the Dominican Republic and come back with young men. It ends just as badly for the women as it does for the western men  who do that in Thailand. The argument the women use is that the men are not judgemental and value the women for their personality etc. It's all a delusion, much as what you claim in respect to the "Asian mentality".

 

 

And that is the basic truth and logic.

 

Lower educated Western guys are with lower educated Thais as that is the only group who will accept them, most of them after the old guys for their money.

 

They do not seem to realise the educated professional Thais interact and marry Thai or farang guys with a similar background and would not mix with the lower tier of Thais or lower tier farang, these guys just do not understand that.

 

Who are the female doctors, dentists, lawyers etc in this country, they are Thai. Who are the Thais driving Mercedes and living in big houses?

 

If the dim farang think all Thai women are dim then in turn they are dim, and dim farangs with their dim wives etc will never come across the more educated Thai, I wonder what Thai universities are for, they must think they are for show. 😄

 

I also avoid dim farangs as well as their dim partners.

 

6 hours ago, Sig said:

By the way, I found it on YouTube! I also couldn't get it with a VPN to London.

Good review. And thanks for the YouTube tip. Someone else said they also found it on one of the video channels.

19 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Wrong, what part of Darkside alludes...it is very specific....geez, some people are illiterate fools.

You, for instance.

22 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

Even AI knows the difference...

Nice that you have access to artificial rather than real intelligence.

Part 2 she went to Pattaya,

Fernie Thai at the gyno lab was ...err different.

 

but not as "different" as the  one time I was watching a satellite feed for a CNN news piece about an eastern European clinic it was full on 100% see everything...I can only assume they blurred the naughty bits when it actually "aired"

On 9/17/2025 at 6:20 AM, BritManToo said:

Who are these people?

Thailand is dangerous, Brits are 20x more likely to die on holiday in Thailand than any western country.

Yeah, well Brits...

10 minutes ago, Card said:

Nice that you have access to artificial rather than real intelligence.

That is the default result of a Google search these days.

Google applies there AI program to the results of s search and gives a summary.

 

 

5 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

And that is the basic truth and logic.

 

Lower educated Western guys are with lower educated Thais as that is the only group who will accept them, most of them after the old guys for their money.

 

They do not seem to realise the educated professional Thais interact and marry Thai or farang guys with a similar background and would not mix with the lower tier of Thais or lower tier farang, these guys just do not understand that.

 

Who are the female doctors, dentists, lawyers etc in this country, they are Thai. Who are the Thais driving Mercedes and living in big houses?

 

If the dim farang think all Thai women are dim then in turn they are dim, and dim farangs with their dim wives etc will never come across the more educated Thai, I wonder what Thai universities are for, they must think they are for show. 😄

 

I also avoid dim farangs as well as their dim partners.

 

Many people (who may have lived here for some time) have very limited experience of Thailand and think all of Thailand is what they have experienced.

The largest number of replies to any post I have made on AN was when I asked if motorcycle sidecars are numerous in Thailand because I seldom see them.

I got numerous (dozens?) of replies implying that I was stupid, unobservant or never went anywhere.

 

I have a job and travel to it 5 days a week, apparently, unlike many on AN.

Since this episode I make it a point to look for motorcycles with sidecars,

I see fewer than one each week.

 

The thing is I live and work in a fairly affluent suburb.

It is not like where these opinionated respondents apparently live.

On the street where I live there are more sedans than motorcycles.

There are no food carts.

All the houses are surrounded by gaited fences.

There are no Burmese laborers living 10 to a room.

The area where I live is accessible by two sois which have attended guardhouses.

My Thai neighbors all speak some English and are obviously educated, many are retired with good pensions.

The only loud music at night comes from one of the nearby Mosques, the call to prayer.

 

The point is that my experience of Thailand is different from (and apparently unimaginable to) the experience of those who just couldn't conceive of living in Thailand and not seeing motorcycles with sidecars frequently.

 

As you describe them, there are here on AN a lot of "lower tier farangs".

 

 

 

10 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

No. The women that the western men  attract occupy the lower socio economic tier of society. It is unusual and infrequent to see any  Thai of social standing and education take up with the majority of farangs that have asian partners. If and when it does occur, the high tier Asian joins with a farang of similar background and status. For example, a Thai physician or lawyer is not going to  take up with 60 year old lorry driver from Swansey or a 50 year old inked up construction worker from Brisbane.

You assume that the Asian women don't have the mindset of western women. Poverty and lack of opportunity are a major factor. These women are on the lower rungs of the socio economic ladder, so westerners are picking up the discards that thais do not want.

 

The situation is no different than the western women who go to Cuba, Egypt, the Dominican Republic and come back with young men. It ends just as badly for the women as it does for the western men  who do that in Thailand. The argument the women use is that the men are not judgemental and value the women for their personality etc. It's all a delusion, much as what you claim in respect to the "Asian mentality".

 

I find your ideas a little bit vague as for the fact you actually live in Patong & only witness the dregs of tourist thailand & tend to apply this to the values of all thai people, as there are actually a huge amount of rich & educated thai people & not just the ones you have chosen, to live in an area that a majority would be from issan who are only farm girls trying to provide for their families...the mindset i was talking about has nothing to do with a thai lady's bank balance & is  a cultural ingrown idea  that they should follow & nuture their husbands, to walk behind behind their husbands, to respect their partners decisions which, as I said was completely  the opposite of western womens mindset...it was explained to me once as '( an Asian lady views her husband as a large tree who she has to take care of and feed and will therefore produce fruit, being the children') this is the mindset...

A lot of thai women will accept older foreign men as husbands for security in life, and the fact thai men treat them badly, drink too much thai whiskey, beat them and not financialy support them when a child is involved, and cheat on them, so an older foreign husband is really a popular choice..

As for my wife she was very poor when she was young, but worked her way out of a hopeless situation, firstly by selling food on the roadside at 12 years old.

She entered a temple at 17, and headshaved, studied Bhudist religion for 2 years..

She then became a live in housekeeper & childminder...

She began selling things at the thai markets, opened 2 clothes shops,then a successful restaurant in Bangkok for 12 years, bought her own land, built a house, bought a new car, and all of this as a single parent, because, her partner left her as thai men often do...

Since I met her she has always put me first, she cooks,cleans, maintains a casual job in my country, massages me , cuts my finger & tow nails, is always happy and follows my decisions, and tries to improve herself by studying English for the last 4 years, and has made many friends in both our countries, and we visit Thailand for 5-6 months every year..

I think you should look a bit further than the streets & bars of Pattaya and maybe not judge every book by the same cover...

 

6 hours ago, cdemundo said:

Many people (who may have lived here for some time) have very limited experience of Thailand and think all of Thailand is what they have experienced.

The largest number of replies to any post I have made on AN was when I asked if motorcycle sidecars are numerous in Thailand because I seldom see them.

I got numerous (dozens?) of replies implying that I was stupid, unobservant or never went anywhere.

 

I have a job and travel to it 5 days a week, apparently, unlike many on AN.

Since this episode I make it a point to look for motorcycles with sidecars,

I see fewer than one each week.

 

The thing is I live and work in a fairly affluent suburb.

It is not like where these opinionated respondents apparently live.

On the street where I live there are more sedans than motorcycles.

There are no food carts.

All the houses are surrounded by gaited fences.

There are no Burmese laborers living 10 to a room.

The area where I live is accessible by two sois which have attended guardhouses.

My Thai neighbors all speak some English and are obviously educated, many are retired with good pensions.

The only loud music at night comes from one of the nearby Mosques, the call to prayer.

 

The point is that my experience of Thailand is different from (and apparently unimaginable to) the experience of those who just couldn't conceive of living in Thailand and not seeing motorcycles with sidecars frequently.

 

As you describe them, there are here on AN a lot of "lower tier farangs".

 

 

 

 

Yes, Thailand has a very clear set of social levels, most of the farangs will never see this as they only deal with the lower level in general as far as I have seen, but there are some exceptions.

 

I live on a gated private road estate with about 350 detached houses, 99% of the people living in it are Thai, it seems both husband and wives work, not a bar girls in site, all decent hard working Thai families.

 

I remember going to dinner with an Australian once and he introduced me to four of his friends , various Western nationalities, who all knew each other well.

 

They were talking about how much they give their Thai wives who were all from Issan, the car they had bought them, the house they had build on her land in the sticks in the middle of nowhere, the money they gave to the wife's family etc, they said, " you know the normal".

 

I said that is not normal, I said as far as I can see most of the Thais I had mixed with is where couples both work and contribute, I said I do not give an allowance to my Thai partner as she has her own income, property etc, and as far as sending money to the extended family I said I had never heard of it.

 

They thought I was lying, I just laughed to myself.

 

They also told me of how their wives like to party and booze, get drunk etc, "you know as most Thai women do" they said, I just laughed to myself as I was not going to waste my time with them.

 

I also laugh when the farangs talk big and then leave on a motorbike.

 

4 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Yes, Thailand has a very clear set of social levels, most of the farangs will never see this as they only deal with the lower level in general as far as I have seen, but there are some exceptions.

 

I remember going to dinner with an Australian once and he introduced me to four of his friends , various Western nationalities, who all knew each other well.

 

They were talking about how much they give their Thai wives who were all from Issan, the car they had bought them, the house they had build on her land in the sticks in the middle of nowhere, the money they gave to the wife's family etc, they said, " you know the normal".

 

I said that is not normal, I said as far as I can see most of the Thais I had mixed with is where couples both work and contribute, I said I do not give an allowance to my Thai partner as she has her own income, property etc, and as far as sending money to the extended family I said I had never heard of it.

 

They thought I was lying, I just laughed to myself.

 

They also told me of how their wives like to party and booze, get drunk etc, "you know as most Thai women do" they said, I just laughed to myself as I was not going to waste my time with them.

 

I also laugh when the farangs talk big and then leave on a motorbike.

 

I see this so much on social media. Farangs who think their experiences are normal. Most Thai women around here work and contribute, and are often the bread winners. I know some farang guys who actually have their gf paying bills for them because the gf earns more than he does. 

 

Also the going out and getting drunk "like most Thai woman". Almost every family I know here, the man drinks, and the wife doesn't. You see some young women in the bars (well dressed middle class women, not bar girls, we don't have them in my town), but very rarely ever see married women drinking here.

1 minute ago, Oz82 said:

I see this so much on social media. Farangs who think their experiences are normal. Most Thai women around here work and contribute, and are often the bread winners. I know some farang guys who actually have their gf paying bills for them because the gf earns more than he does. 

 

Also the going out and getting drunk "like most Thai woman". Almost every family I know here, the man drinks, and the wife doesn't. You see some young women in the bars (well dressed middle class women, not bar girls, we don't have them in my town), but very rarely ever see married women drinking here.

"Also the going out and getting drunk "like most Thai woman". Almost every family I know here, the man drinks, and the wife doesn't."

 

That has been my experience for the 30+ years of Thailand and the Thais I know in England, Thai women in general do not drink.

 

But sometimes at a birthday or Christmas they might have a glass of wine, they then start to giggle and it turns out to be funny.

 

27 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

Yes, Thailand has a very clear set of social levels, most of the farangs will never see this as they only deal with the lower level in general as far as I have seen, but there are some exceptions.

 

I live on a gated private road estate with about 350 detached houses, 99% of the people living in it are Thai, it seems both husband and wives work, not a bar girls in site, all decent hard working Thai families.

 

I remember going to dinner with an Australian once and he introduced me to four of his friends , various Western nationalities, who all knew each other well.

 

They were talking about how much they give their Thai wives who were all from Issan, the car they had bought them, the house they had build on her land in the sticks in the middle of nowhere, the money they gave to the wife's family etc, they said, " you know the normal".

 

I said that is not normal, I said as far as I can see most of the Thais I had mixed with is where couples both work and contribute, I said I do not give an allowance to my Thai partner as she has her own income, property etc, and as far as sending money to the extended family I said I had never heard of it.

 

They thought I was lying, I just laughed to myself.

 

They also told me of how their wives like to party and booze, get drunk etc, "you know as most Thai women do" they said, I just laughed to myself as I was not going to waste my time with them.

 

I also laugh when the farangs talk big and then leave on a motorbike.

 

One of the best factual posts I've come across.

Just because the 'bar scene' is popular in Thailand, it does not mean that all or a majority of Thai people depend on that. TBH, Thailand is not 100%, has its cons,  but a lovely country to live in. Thai people are friendly and tolerant and don't tend to 'chase behind' the first foreigner they encounter! In fact, most Thai people seems to be shy of foreigners - which IS the reason that most foreigners associate with the girls they meet at the bars.

For the last 18 years or so, I've observed how my TGF worked hard and build up her life, from almost scratch, to a quite a comfortable level now. She was never a money grabber nor did she ever consume alcohol.

Yes, Thailand and it's people are quite normal, as any other, and a great place to live in.

 

Lol, the pretentious hi-so brigade have arrived.

 

"I never pay for any woman- never heard of such a thing- my wife buys me presents"...

 

Lol, all mouth and nothing behind it. Then they go home to their 46 year old menopausal turkey of a wife.

 

No thanks.

16 minutes ago, ravip said:

One of the best factual posts I've come across.

Just because the 'bar scene' is popular in Thailand, it does not mean that all or a majority of Thai people depend on that. TBH, Thailand is not 100%, has its cons,  but a lovely country to live in. Thai people are friendly and tolerant and don't tend to 'chase behind' the first foreigner they encounter! In fact, most Thai people seems to be shy of foreigners - which IS the reason that most foreigners associate with the girls they meet at the bars.

For the last 18 years or so, I've observed how my TGF worked hard and build up her life, from almost scratch, to a quite a comfortable level now. She was never a money grabber nor did she ever consume alcohol.

Yes, Thailand and it's people are quite normal, as any other, and a great place to live in.

 

 

True.

 

Yes a lot of Thais are shy of foreigners and in most cases Thai women are married to Thai men as lets face it we farangs long term residents are just a tiny fraction of the population and most Thai women never come into contact with us socially.

 

If  a suggestion is made of going to a bar to a standard Thai they would say they prefer to go to a restaurant.

 

Thais could be world champions at eating but when it comes to a drink, they fall at the first hurdle. 🤣

On 9/17/2025 at 9:54 AM, Red Forever said:

Yes I understand that there are households in UK that are so impoverished that they cannot pay approximately £3 weekly for a multitude of radio and tv stations that the BBC broadcasts.

I wonder how many of those who rail against the “extortionate “ Licence Fee have subscriptions to Sky, Netflix etc packages at rates 10 times the perfectly justified Licence fee.

Just saying.

That's called choice! You're welcome!