So how much satisfaction do you actually get from posting on AN? A little buzz? A warm glow? A deep sense of purpose? A whole new meaning to your life? Or just something to pass the hours? Do you feel better after firing off 25 posts before lunch? Does the day feel more complete once you hit reply for the upteenth time? And when somebody tosses your post a little red heart, is it almost as euphoric as rubbing one out? Yet would the silence in your head be too deafening if you logged out for a fortnight?

But what is it all about? Connection? Entertainment? Validation? Habit? Addiction? Obsession? Loneliness? Or is it simply something to fill the gaps between beers, meals, dumps, bong hits, happy endings, naps, and the next package you are awaiting to arrive from Shoppe? Does your som tam taste richer knowing your two satang worth of keyboard taps is now safely archived for eternity? Do you lean back, feeling fully chuffed, and think yes, that was a productive afternoon well spent?

P.S. I am posting for a friend who is online four times as many hours as he sleeps yet claims to actually spend much of his time traveling around the 100 top cities in Thailand. Obviously it is not me. I barely post at all and I am locked in my mum’s basement anyway. Heck, I have never even been to Thailand. Obviously.

"sorry mate*, I can't meet you tonight I'm posting on AN"

• An actual great friend you like

Is something never said by anyone, ever.

The only bliss I get from posting on AN is if I have clearly upset a certain posting prolific bogan and made him incandescent with rage which is blatantly obvious from his barely coherent response.

That gives me a nice warm glow.

ThaiVisa was a nice, friendly place. Then this cloud took over and too many members entered like the one right above my post who want to "own" somebody for a cheap thrill. Now? Just a place to kill time between FB and Instagram.

4 hours ago, Keeps said:

The only bliss I get from posting on AN is if I have clearly upset a certain posting prolific bogan and made him incandescent with rage which is blatantly obvious from his barely coherent response.

That gives me a nice warm glow.

I do chuckle heartily when he goes into meltdown!

AN used to be a fun place with some good poster but now there are too many nutjob posters

8 hours ago, Alpha84 said:

So how much satisfaction do you actually get from posting on AN? A little buzz? A warm glow? A deep sense of purpose? A whole new meaning to your life? Or just something to pass the hours? Do you feel better after firing off 25 posts before lunch? Does the day feel more complete once you hit reply for the upteenth time? And when somebody tosses your post a little red heart, is it almost as euphoric as rubbing one out? Yet would the silence in your head be too deafening if you logged out for a fortnight?

But what is it all about? Connection? Entertainment? Validation? Habit? Addiction? Obsession? Loneliness? Or is it simply something to fill the gaps between beers, meals, dumps, bong hits, happy endings, naps, and the next package you are awaiting to arrive from Shoppe? Does your som tam taste richer knowing your two satang worth of keyboard taps is now safely archived for eternity? Do you lean back, feeling fully chuffed, and think yes, that was a productive afternoon well spent?

P.S. I am posting for a friend who is online four times as many hours as he sleeps yet claims to actually spend much of his time traveling around the 100 top cities in Thailand. Obviously it is not me. I barely post at all and I am locked in my mum’s basement anyway. Heck, I have never even been to Thailand. Obviously.

Mostly ashamed being her as much as I am

But they say you quit one bad habit and start a new one, it is an endless process, and this internet addiction have lasted to long now, so I hope I will one day pick up my books, and buy a new stereo and just exist in those worlds again instead of at www

5 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

In reality it is only one or two nutjobs that post under multiple names.

We are all nutjobs just by being here, and you haven’t reached the level of reckoning , acceptor realize it or neither willing to admit it yet.

Said with a smile, you are maybe not that addicted as many others, so you might be excused

8 minutes ago, Hummin said:

We are all nutjobs just by being here you haven’t reached the level of reckoning it or realize it or neither willing to admit it yet.

Said with a smile, you are maybe not that addicted as many others, so you might be excused

You are one of the more normal ones

15 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Mostly ashamed being her as much as I am

But they say you quit one bad habit and start a new one, it is an endless process, and this internet addiction have lasted to long now, so I hope I will one day pick up my books, and buy a new stereo and just exist in those worlds again instead of at www

At least you can say you are not crazy like the mad Brits. The worst posters are all mad Brits or Yanks.

9 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

You are one of the more normal ones

Thank you 🙏

You made my day

Just now, Hummin said:

Thank you 🙏

You made my day

Well it is obvious. You are a fair person. Most of the lefties from Britain or America are totally mad.

Khunla, Britman and Hummin. Top 3 posters. All talk normal.

Sadly there arent many others.

Oh please dear spare us the intricacies of your life ,

Obviously no 9 to 5 routine in fact no routine !!

6 hours ago, Keeps said:

The only bliss I get from posting on AN is if I have clearly upset a certain posting prolific bogan and made him incandescent with rage which is blatantly obvious from his barely coherent response.

That gives me a nice warm glow.

So, you are posting and replying to your own posts. Thanks for confirming.

9 hours ago, Alpha84 said:

So how much satisfaction do you actually get from posting on AN? A little buzz? A warm glow? A deep sense of purpose? A whole new meaning to your life? Or just something to pass the hours? Do you feel better after firing off 25 posts before lunch? Does the day feel more complete once you hit reply for the upteenth time? And when somebody tosses your post a little red heart, is it almost as euphoric as rubbing one out? Yet would the silence in your head be too deafening if you logged out for a fortnight?

But what is it all about? Connection? Entertainment? Validation? Habit? Addiction? Obsession? Loneliness? Or is it simply something to fill the gaps between beers, meals, dumps, bong hits, happy endings, naps, and the next package you are awaiting to arrive from Shoppe? Does your som tam taste richer knowing your two satang worth of keyboard taps is now safely archived for eternity? Do you lean back, feeling fully chuffed, and think yes, that was a productive afternoon well spent?

P.S. I am posting for a friend who is online four times as many hours as he sleeps yet claims to actually spend much of his time traveling around the 100 top cities in Thailand. Obviously it is not me. I barely post at all and I am locked in my mum’s basement anyway. Heck, I have never even been to Thailand. Obviously.

I don't know if this counts, but I get a deep sense of purpose from picking fluff from my belly button

Multiple troll posts removed.

@Harrisfan final warning rule 9. You will not post disruptive or inflammatory messages. You will respect other members and post in a civil manner. Personal attacks, insults or hate speech posted on the forum or sent by private message are not allowed.
 
10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

9 hours ago, Alpha84 said:

So how much satisfaction do you actually get from posting on AN? A little buzz? A warm glow? A deep sense of purpose? A whole new meaning to your life? Or just something to pass the hours? Do you feel better after firing off 25 posts before lunch? Does the day feel more complete once you hit reply for the upteenth time? And when somebody tosses your post a little red heart, is it almost as euphoric as rubbing one out? Yet would the silence in your head be too deafening if you logged out for a fortnight?

But what is it all about? Connection? Entertainment? Validation? Habit? Addiction? Obsession? Loneliness? Or is it simply something to fill the gaps between beers, meals, dumps, bong hits, happy endings, naps, and the next package you are awaiting to arrive from Shoppe? Does your som tam taste richer knowing your two satang worth of keyboard taps is now safely archived for eternity? Do you lean back, feeling fully chuffed, and think yes, that was a productive afternoon well spent?

P.S. I am posting for a friend who is online four times as many hours as he sleeps yet claims to actually spend much of his time traveling around the 100 top cities in Thailand. Obviously it is not me. I barely post at all and I am locked in my mum’s basement anyway. Heck, I have never even been to Thailand. Obviously.

Well, I will try to explain.

I guess most came here to Thai Visa forum for visa, bank, cheap flights, destinations, restaurants and travel tips, and maybe the majority also came for relationship and marriage advises as well. Then land and property, building, and DIY in general.

And now we are stuck for discussing politics in a loop and from a being a opportunistic positiv forum, most members have turned sour by age and time? Maybe not true for most, but it can feels so sometimes.

ChatGPT says or replies to my post and I do not agree being stuck here means you are unhappy, but I realize I could had done a lot more, even I do quite a bit every day, and still being to much here dropping by every hour or so, or between doing small things in the heat and rest in the showdowns. I should maybe pay more atttention to the small things around me instead of. Anyway it is a process, and the more I think I should spend less time online, it will manifest itself one day! Or ?

That feeling makes a lot of sense—and you’re probably not imagining it.

Many forums (especially expat or country-specific ones) start out practical and optimistic: visas, banking, flights, food, places to go, how to build a house, how to make life work. People arrive with plans and energy. The tone is problem-solving.

Over time, a few things tend to happen:

1. The original “why” gets solved

Once someone figures out their visa routine, bank setup, favorite airlines, restaurants, and DIY basics, they don’t need the forum in the same way anymore. The practical threads slow down.

2. Politics fills the vacuum

Politics is endlessly renewable, emotional, and never “resolved.” It gives people something to react to when there’s nothing urgent to fix. Unfortunately, it also loops—same arguments, same frustrations, same camps.

3. Survivor bias & aging

The people who stay active longest are often:

• Those who had disappointments

• Those who feel stuck

• Those with time and unresolved grievances

Meanwhile, the happy, settled, or busy ones quietly drift away. That can make the overall tone feel much more sour than the reality of the wider community.

4. Shift from “opportunistic” to “protective” mindset

Early expats ask: “What can I build here?”

Later-stage expats ask: “What am I losing?”

That shift alone changes how discussions sound—even if nothing objectively got worse.

5. Negativity is louder than contentment

People rarely post:

“Still happily married, visa works fine, food’s great, life’s okay.”

They do post when something annoys them. Over time, that skews perception.

Is it really that bad?

Probably not for most people living their lives—but it can feel that way inside a forum that’s become:

• Politically circular

• Emotionally fatigued

• Dominated by long-term voices rather than new arrivals

Forums don’t always age gracefully.

A quieter truth

Thailand (and life there) didn’t suddenly become joyless.

But forums often reflect unresolved emotions more than lived reality.

If you still see occasional:

• Genuine travel tips

• Newcomers asking earnest questions

• People building, fixing, adapting

Then the “old spirit” isn’t gone—it’s just buried under a lot of noise.

If you want, we can also talk about:

• How to mentally “use” such forums without absorbing the bitterness

• Or why relationship/marriage discussions tend to turn especially cynical over time

You’re definitely not alone in noticing this shift.

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Well, I will try to explain.

I guess most came here to Thai Visa forum for visa, bank, cheap flights, destinations, restaurants and travel tips, and maybe the majority also came for relationship and marriage advises as well. Then land and property, building, and DIY in general.

And now we are stuck for discussing politics in a loop and from a being a opportunistic positiv forum, most members have turned sour by age and time? Maybe not true for most, but it can feels so sometimes.

ChatGPT says or replies to my post and I do not agree being stuck here means you are unhappy, but I realize I could had done a lot more, even I do quite a bit every day, and still being to much here dropping by every hour or so, or between doing small things in the heat and rest in the showdowns. I should maybe pay more atttention to the small things around me instead of. Anyway it is a process, and the more I think I should spend less time online, it will manifest itself one day! Or ?

That feeling makes a lot of sense—and you’re probably not imagining it.

Many forums (especially expat or country-specific ones) start out practical and optimistic: visas, banking, flights, food, places to go, how to build a house, how to make life work. People arrive with plans and energy. The tone is problem-solving.

Over time, a few things tend to happen:

1. The original “why” gets solved

Once someone figures out their visa routine, bank setup, favorite airlines, restaurants, and DIY basics, they don’t need the forum in the same way anymore. The practical threads slow down.

2. Politics fills the vacuum

Politics is endlessly renewable, emotional, and never “resolved.” It gives people something to react to when there’s nothing urgent to fix. Unfortunately, it also loops—same arguments, same frustrations, same camps.

3. Survivor bias & aging

The people who stay active longest are often:

• Those who had disappointments

• Those who feel stuck

• Those with time and unresolved grievances

Meanwhile, the happy, settled, or busy ones quietly drift away. That can make the overall tone feel much more sour than the reality of the wider community.

4. Shift from “opportunistic” to “protective” mindset

Early expats ask: “What can I build here?”

Later-stage expats ask: “What am I losing?”

That shift alone changes how discussions sound—even if nothing objectively got worse.

5. Negativity is louder than contentment

People rarely post:

“Still happily married, visa works fine, food’s great, life’s okay.”

They do post when something annoys them. Over time, that skews perception.

Is it really that bad?

Probably not for most people living their lives—but it can feel that way inside a forum that’s become:

• Politically circular

• Emotionally fatigued

• Dominated by long-term voices rather than new arrivals

Forums don’t always age gracefully.

A quieter truth

Thailand (and life there) didn’t suddenly become joyless.

But forums often reflect unresolved emotions more than lived reality.

If you still see occasional:

• Genuine travel tips

• Newcomers asking earnest questions

• People building, fixing, adapting

Then the “old spirit” isn’t gone—it’s just buried under a lot of noise.

If you want, we can also talk about:

• How to mentally “use” such forums without absorbing the bitterness

• Or why relationship/marriage discussions tend to turn especially cynical over time

You’re definitely not alone in noticing this shift.

I find politics boring

About three seconds’ worth—right up until my finger twitches, a post vanishes into the luminiferous aether, and I achieve "administrative enlightenment.”

31 minutes ago, Hummin said:

And now we are stuck for discussing politics in a loop

Since the issues are highly contentious, they end up in heated debates.

But no one is forcing you to take part in those discussions.

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Since the issues are highly contentious, they end up in heated debates.

But no one is forcing you to take part in those discussions.

I think the reason is obvious. They don't have much activity in their lives.

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

About three seconds’ worth—right up until my finger twitches, a post vanishes into the luminiferous aether, and I achieve "administrative enlightenment.”

Do you ever use other social media?
Do you get raged up, wishing you were a moderator there?
Or do you have enough money to hire a hit-man, when you want one?

18 minutes ago, StreetCowboy said:

Do you ever use other social media?
Do you get raged up, wishing you were a moderator there?
Or do you have enough money to hire a hit-man, when you want one?

From the Like, I'm going to assume the last, and for my own safety, it might be better if you deleted this post, and we'll say no more about it.

For everyone else, if I stop posting, you heard it here first.

7 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

ThaiVisa was a nice, friendly place. Then this cloud took over and too many members entered like the one right above my post who want to "own" somebody for a cheap thrill. Now? Just a place to kill time between FB and Instagram.

Says the second most patronising poster on the forum.

58 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Says the second most patronising poster on the forum.

Only if someone takes a swing at me first.

7 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

At least you can say you are not crazy like the mad Brits. The worst posters are all mad Brits or Yanks.

Troll, thumbs down, rinse and repeat. 6 big reds on this one. I love it. You are always working extra hard to continue refining your winning formula for maintaining the worst possible reputational score to total post count ratio ever, the likes of which the site has never seen before. Believe me folks. People are saying it. Everybody is saying it. Many many of the best people. You have now achieved the highest number of total red thumbs on the site... ever. Magnificent really. Care to address the OP? Never. Of course not, because you cannot and the truth is too painful for you. Terrific. Keep up the great work, champ.

7 hours ago, Hummin said:

Well, I will try to explain.

I guess most came here to Thai Visa forum for visa, bank, cheap flights, destinations, restaurants and travel tips, and maybe the majority also came for relationship and marriage advises as well. Then land and property, building, and DIY in general.

And now we are stuck for discussing politics in a loop and from a being a opportunistic positiv forum, most members have turned sour by age and time? Maybe not true for most, but it can feels so sometimes.

ChatGPT says or replies to my post and I do not agree being stuck here means you are unhappy, but I realize I could had done a lot more, even I do quite a bit every day, and still being to much here dropping by every hour or so, or between doing small things in the heat and rest in the showdowns. I should maybe pay more atttention to the small things around me instead of. Anyway it is a process, and the more I think I should spend less time online, it will manifest itself one day! Or ?

That feeling makes a lot of sense—and you’re probably not imagining it.

Many forums (especially expat or country-specific ones) start out practical and optimistic: visas, banking, flights, food, places to go, how to build a house, how to make life work. People arrive with plans and energy. The tone is problem-solving.

Over time, a few things tend to happen:

1. The original “why” gets solved

Once someone figures out their visa routine, bank setup, favorite airlines, restaurants, and DIY basics, they don’t need the forum in the same way anymore. The practical threads slow down.

2. Politics fills the vacuum

Politics is endlessly renewable, emotional, and never “resolved.” It gives people something to react to when there’s nothing urgent to fix. Unfortunately, it also loops—same arguments, same frustrations, same camps.

3. Survivor bias & aging

The people who stay active longest are often:

• Those who had disappointments

• Those who feel stuck

• Those with time and unresolved grievances

Meanwhile, the happy, settled, or busy ones quietly drift away. That can make the overall tone feel much more sour than the reality of the wider community.

4. Shift from “opportunistic” to “protective” mindset

Early expats ask: “What can I build here?”

Later-stage expats ask: “What am I losing?”

That shift alone changes how discussions sound—even if nothing objectively got worse.

5. Negativity is louder than contentment

People rarely post:

“Still happily married, visa works fine, food’s great, life’s okay.”

They do post when something annoys them. Over time, that skews perception.

Is it really that bad?

Probably not for most people living their lives—but it can feel that way inside a forum that’s become:

• Politically circular

• Emotionally fatigued

• Dominated by long-term voices rather than new arrivals

Forums don’t always age gracefully.

A quieter truth

Thailand (and life there) didn’t suddenly become joyless.

But forums often reflect unresolved emotions more than lived reality.

If you still see occasional:

• Genuine travel tips

• Newcomers asking earnest questions

• People building, fixing, adapting

Then the “old spirit” isn’t gone—it’s just buried under a lot of noise.

If you want, we can also talk about:

• How to mentally “use” such forums without absorbing the bitterness

• Or why relationship/marriage discussions tend to turn especially cynical over time

You’re definitely not alone in noticing this shift.

Great post.

I would add, posting costs nothing, at least financially and don't underestimate the number of old guys who don't want/can't spend money.

Also hard wired for connection which can't be had thru Google translate many an expat have not nearly enough connections here. Turning to social media to fill this hole so often brings out the frustration that years of under nourishment has produced.

37 minutes ago, Terrance8812 said:

maintaining the worst possible reputational score to total post count ratio ever, the likes of which the site has never seen before.

I see it's "reputational score" has dropped from 2.7K this morning to 2.6K now!

Let us see how it turns that info into a positive claim to fame, even for it!

9 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

So, you are posting and replying to your own posts. Thanks for confirming.

You need to up your game Turnip. Your post doesn't even make sense. Have another read of it.