Just now, Stressed Eric said:

I don't argue with them, they just can't help but chime in on my threads with misinformation and positive bias...

 

Let them be, they have a right to their opinion as I do mine, no matter how skewed it may be.

 

That is the beauty of free speech.

 

Eric.

Ever picked up at a train station? I might try it. When I asked for directions two women gave me the eye.

I admit Thailand has lost a lot of its charm. Years ago, its selling points were its liberal visa situation, cheap cost of living, friendly locals, and the fact that it was so easy to move here and settle in. You can rent a fully furnished apartment no questions asked for much less than in most other countries and the big cities catered to foreigners, no matter what their situation.

 

Also, it was inherently interesting because it was so different from the West, the sights, the smells (not including the garbage), the atmosphere. It had a uniqueness that you didn't find anywhere else.

 

But prosperity has changed all that. Now the poor have been driven out of the city, in most places the vendors are gone, and the central part of the city has become just like big cities anywhere else. The visa situation is ridiculous -- not just financial requirements but the constant eviseration of your freedom, the need for long-term leases, the useless 90-day reports, frequently shifting rules, and now the tax situation.

 

You can defend these practices if you like but this isn't the Thailand that many of us signed up for. Unfortunately, Thailand is not the only place that has changed. The debt tsunami has swept the world, bringing overdevelopment tomost places, a rising cost of living, cities that now mainly pander to the rich. As a result, I think, many of the older foreigners remain out of inertia and the reluctance to master the learning curve that would required somewhere else. Or maybe out of nostalgia for the way life used to be. And you can't be sure you'll actually be happier anywhere else.

Just now, Stressed Eric said:

I don't argue with them, they just can't help but chime in on my threads with misinformation and positive bias...

Let them be, they have a right to their opinion as I do mine, no matter how skewed it may be.

That is the beauty of free speech.

Eric.

Up to you of course - but I dont waste my time/life debating with ****s (anymore).

1 minute ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Up to you of course - but I dont waste my time/life debating with ****s (anymore).

Your choice

2 minutes ago, jaywalker2 said:

Thailand has lost a lot of its charm.

Buddy you can say that again!!

 

Eric.

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Your choice

are you admitting that you are one of what he is referring to?

 

time you down soi six (patts) tonight??

 

Eric.

Just now, Stressed Eric said:

Buddy you can say that again!!

 

Eric.

Chiang Khan is charming. Go there.

Just now, Stressed Eric said:

are you admitting that you are one of what he is referring to?

 

time you down soi six (patts) tonight??

 

Eric.

We all see the world thru biased lenses.

Just now, Harrisfan said:

We all see the world thru biased lenses.

I am as impartial as it gets!

 

Eric.

Just now, Stressed Eric said:

I am as impartial as it gets!

 

Eric.

Go to London and hang out

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Go to London and hang out

I'm not a muslim.

 

Eric.

36 minutes ago, marin said:

I make it a point to stay well clear of naysayers like this. 

Can't stop replying to my posts though, can you?

 

Eric.

1 hour ago, Stressed Eric said:

With the constant changing of the laws, the ever more regressive policies being announced/implemented, the dual pricing, the pollution, the constant ripping off, the fake smiles & the passive aggressive behavior of the locals (or even overt aggressive behavior, see Miss Universe), one really does have to wonder - why on earth would anyone want to holiday/live here these days?

 

Thailand is not what it once was, it is a shadow of it's former self and anyone who can't see that is living in denial imo.

 

Eric.

I agree with you, if I wasn't already here with a house, local wife and kids, I wouldn't be coming now as a newly retired person.

 

The Philippines and Vietnam have just been trashed by storms.

Cambodia is deep in the dodo from the border closures.

 

There must be somewhere better for n00bs, but I don't know where!

1 minute ago, Stressed Eric said:

I'm not a muslim.

 

Eric.

Hire a ladyboy and relax

Isn't it time to check yourself back into rehab bob smith?

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Hire a ladyboy and relax

Is that what you do?

 

 

Eric.

Just now, BritManToo said:

I agree with you, if I wasn't already here with a house, local wife and kids, I wouldn't be coming now as a newly retired person.

 

The Philippines and Vietnam have just been trashed by storms.

Cambodia is deep in the dodo from the border closures.

 

There must be somewhere better for n00bs, but I don't know where!

Everywhere is half crap.

Just now, connda said:

Isn't it time to check yourself back into rehab bob smith?

I think you are confusing me with susan.

 

Eric.

Just now, Stressed Eric said:

Is that what you do?

 

 

Eric.

I drink diet soda and read Tolle.

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Everywhere is half crap.

....some places are three quarters!

 

Eric.

Just now, Stressed Eric said:

....some places are three quarters!

 

Eric.

Ubon 92% crap

Just now, Harrisfan said:

I drink diet soda and read Tolle.

...before or after you let the LB top you??

 

Eric.

Just now, Stressed Eric said:

...before or after you let the LB top you??

 

Eric.

Im straight

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Ubon 92% crap

UK wins at 97% poop!

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I agree with you, if I wasn't already here with a house, local wife and kids, I wouldn't be coming now as a newly retired person.

 

The Philippines and Vietnam have just been trashed by storms.

Cambodia is deep in the dodo from the border closures.

 

There must be somewhere better for n00bs, but I don't know where!

If I had to do it over again, I would have done it differently.  But I'm here.  Here is where I stay unless forced out.

1 hour ago, Stressed Eric said:

Thailand is not what it once was, it is a shadow of it’s former self and anyone who can't see that is living in denial imo.

Always refreshing to hear from someone who knows better than everyone else. Curious though — where’s your new paradise, or would sharing that take more courage than typing here?

 

 

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Im straight

yeah, right, that's what they all say!

 

Eric.

Just now, connda said:

If I had to do it over again, I would have done it differently.  But I'm here.  Here is where I stay unless forced out.

Grow a pair and leave. You still have time. Don't let Thailand swallow you up!

 

Eric.

Despite not being what it was, Thailand is still on orders of magnitude better than my neck of the woods. I’ll have a whinge, typically regards the shysters in control here, but feel lucky to be able to stay here all the same. The alternative is unthinkable. 

1 minute ago, Stressed Eric said:

yeah, right, that's what they all say!

 

Eric.

You must ask a lot of guys for sex