13 hours ago, swissie said:

lost all credibility in my eyes.

Strange eyes, it seems?

That ASOS guy was worth over 15 million pounds.

I would not choose Thailand if I was wealthy.

It's not that great and there are many places where it's much safer and better and you won't stick out like a sore thumb being a multi-millionaire.

7 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Running from a crazy gf ending up here, classic!

Not only that, but she was broke and he still never even paid once for dinner for his crazy ex.

I've settled on a tropical "paradise" island because I hate the cold winter in my home country – this island happened to be in Thai waters, but could have been somewhere else – local women is an extra nice benefit, but they are also availble in multiple other places than Thailand. However, I don't regret that I chose Land-of-Smiles.

PS: The local food is not that important to me, I enjoy mainly Mediterranean supper, but dining outdoor with candles on the table most of the year, is another cozy benefit.

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Not only that, but she was broke and he still never even paid once for dinner for his crazy ex.

I met 'crazy' ex at work. She had her own apartment. It was her treat on our first date. It was quite stressful, as she planned a date at a certain restaurant, but when we got there, there was loads of other girls dining on that floor. She grabbed me, stating that we aren't dining there and so we moved to another floor. That was my warning of what was to come 😊

2 hours ago, save the frogs said:

That ASOS guy was worth over 15 million pounds.

I would not choose Thailand if I was wealthy.

It's not that great and there are many places where it's much safer and better and you won't stick out like a sore thumb being a multi-millionaire.

Even if you are a multi-millionaire, it's your choice if you want to stick out like a sore thumb.

On 2/22/2026 at 11:57 AM, 123Stodg said:

If you strip it back and answer without any fluff, would you honestly have ended up living in Thailand long term if you had zero interest in the women?

I came here to work offshore Songkhla a couple of decades ago, in my 30's, I soon got interested in the fluff.

2 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

When I first came here in 2011 I didn’t realize that Thailand was known for their ladies I know that sounds strange but I just never knew that I’m trying to think before I came here if I ever really met a Thai person I once went in Arizona to a Thai restaurant but other than that I was pleasantly surprised TIT

I can concur. I actually didn't have a massage over nine years of visiting Thailand, because I wouldn't allow anyone but a girlfriend to touch me. Going with filthy prostitutes didn't even cross my mind. There were lots of travelling women with whom to engage.

47 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

I met 'crazy' ex at work.

So then you stopped dating women and jumped ship to ladyboys?

7 hours ago, simon43 said:

The aspergillos caused Bronchiectasis, which is widening of the bronchi. Unlike COPD, this illness, although uncurable, doesn't progress if I avoid further infections, pneumonia etc, (the previous pneumonia already did the physical damage). So I do lung exercises every day and have some mucus medicines to help to cough up the gunge. It's not so bad :)

The Myanmar situation is very frustrating, because the military have made it very hard for schools to employ foreigners. I'm getting old anyway! So I've made siem Reap my 'base' and I plan to enter Myanmar on 28-day tourist visas, (and see if I get arrested for teaching in a voluntary capacity...)

2 advantages of not having a partner is that I spend less money, and I am not 'tied' down geographically. Neither of my Thai exes would ever contemplate giving charity to any Burmese people......

How does the burning season affect your lung condition?

Having been here at Korat with the US military mid 70's I was familiar with many things Thai. The ladies beautiful 'come here' smiles, long flowing hair, cost of living, the year-round warmth, the foods, the music and traditions and so much more. I had worked in various countries, not living there but getting a general feel of what it might be like to live there. Over time numerous trips to Thailand for extended holidays including a 3-month long leave of absence from my work allowed me to experience much more of Thailand's many wonders. But the real and probably most important reason, as an avid SCUBA diver was the quick, cheap and easy access to some of the best diving sites in the world. The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand itself. The flights were very cheap and often nearly free due to my frequent flyer miles accumulated during my last 20 years of working. And they were maybe 6-10 hours instead of the 32-36 hours from the USA. All my diving was done from a large ship with about 20 divers plus excellent crews and food on board. I lived aboard the ship for from 5 to 9 days a trip. I met some wonderful people on these trips, underwater photographers whose images and stories were published in international SCUBA diving magazines, one man on many of my trips was KING RAMA IX's personal photographer, another and once my roommate was a retired Thai Army General. Beautiful people. At almost 86 now my diving days have been over for about 4 years now. I surely do miss it. I do make an annual trip to Bangkok for the TDEX (Thailand Diving Exposition) trade show just to visit with vendors at the show that always includes the one I made almost all of my trips with. Vendors come from many countries, and I often meet with people I have been diving with from those countries. From recollections of my early days near my home, people maybe 55 and older read the morning newspapers while having coffee, meeting with friends later at the local Dunkin Doughnut shops discussing local issues but otherwise leading sedentary lives. For some time, I lived at Jomtien Beach. People age 55 and above were riding bicycles along the beach, many power walking, some still running 5K and 10K marathons. They were reliving beautiful and active lives again. Keeping one's body and mind active here once fully retired can be a challenge but it is very important. However, that's a story for another day. Thanks for reading!

Just now, save the frogs said:

So then you stopped dating women and jumped ship to ladyboys?

No, that may have been you. I stayed with women. Ones that actually like me, rather than the ones you pay to touch you.

Key insights about people who constantly make assumptions:

• Relationship Damage: They often create friction, leading to misunderstandings, mistrust, and the breakdown of relationships.

• Emotional Insecurity: They may be defensive or anxious, using assumptions to feel in control or protect themselves.

• Lack of Genuine Connection: By reducing others to one-dimensional characters or stereotypes (pigeonholing), they fail to truly listen or get to know people.

• Emotional Impact: This behavior can result in low self-esteem, depression, and a sense of loneliness for themselves.

• Cynical/Negative View: They often assume the worst of others and may be viewed as cynical, "Negative Nancys," or judgmental. 

Key Aspects of a Guilty Conscience:

• Definition: The internal, nagging sense of guilt, shame, or regret over past behavior.

• Physical/Emotional Effects: It can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, and a "bad feeling" or inner turmoil.

• Behavioral Signs: People with a guilty conscience may act defensively, use avoidance, lash out, change subjects, or exhibit high levels of judgment toward others.

• Purpose: While uncomfortable, this emotion can serve to motivate behavior change, prompting an individual to correct mistakes, apologize, or act more ethically in the future.

19 hours ago, khaosokman said:

80% of the game is the women. Not sure what the other 20% is.

Kite surfing, scuba diving, freediving, kayaking, climbing, base jumping, trekking, touring (motorbikes), boxing, rehab from injury, party (could involve women or not, done both), and yes I have done all of it in thailand. I didnt become involved with local woman before many years after my first visit.

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Key Aspects of a Guilty Conscience:

• Definition: The internal, nagging sense of guilt, shame, or regret over past behavior.

• Physical/Emotional Effects: It can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, and a "bad feeling" or inner turmoil.

• Behavioral Signs: People with a guilty conscience may act defensively, use avoidance, lash out, change subjects, or exhibit high levels of judgment toward others.

• Purpose: While uncomfortable, this emotion can serve to motivate behavior change, prompting an individual to correct mistakes, apologize, or act more ethically in the future.

You don't think it's weird that you are attributing your thoughts on to someone else of whom you know nothing at all?

On 2/22/2026 at 8:57 AM, 123Stodg said:

If you strip it back and answer without any fluff, would you honestly have ended up living in Thailand long term if you had zero interest in the women?

No attraction. No wife hunting angle. No romantic curiosity. None of it.

Would the food alone have done it. Or maybe the markets, the temples, the elephants, the beaches, the pad kra pao and mango sticky rice. The Thai smile. The chaos. The heat. The lower cost of living. The rhythm of it all.

Or would this have stayed a holiday destination you visit for two weeks, take photos, tell your friends about, and then fly home?

I am not judging, but often people talk as if they moved here purely for the culture, the cuisine, the spiritual depth. Yes, there is something addictive about the energy here. The mix of serenity and madness. But would that alone have been enough to uproot your life?

For some people, maybe yes. If you are deeply into Buddhism, photography, food culture, language learning, tropical living, or wanted a lower cost base and a different pace, that is fair enough.

For others, if we are being real, the women were at least part of the initial spark. Maybe the whole reason. Maybe not. Maybe not even the main reason long term. But the spark.

The more interesting question might be this. Even if that was the initial magnet, is it still the reason you stay?

But take romance completely off the table. No dating. No relationships. No flirtation.

Would you still have built a life here?

Be honest.

Yes. I have traveled and worked from Canada to PNG and for me Thailand is the best.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

Kite surfing, scuba diving, freediving, kayaking, climbing, base jumping, trekking, touring (motorbikes), boxing, rehab from injury, party (could involve women or not, done both), and yes I have done all of it in thailand. I didnt become involved with local woman before many years after my first visit.

Visiting the Bridge on the River Khwae, Death Railway, War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, Erewan National Park 7 Waterfalls, Crossing the borders into Laos and Cambodia for Visa run and shopping, Beach Walking, Staying across the Mekong River from Laos, Visiting Vietnam with my girlfriend here, eating many various Thai and Isaan dishes, Khao Phra Wihan park and temple, walking up the Wat Phu Tok stairs- 7 levels in Bueng Kan, Huay Wang Yai and Samrong Kiat Waterfalls in Sisaket province, teaching English at my friends English Camps, planting and harvesting Rice and Cassava.

Climate, lifestyle, culture, ease of movement.

Multiple off topic, trolling and bickering posters removed. Discuss the topic and not other posters.

4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

That ASOS guy was worth over 15 million pounds.

I would not choose Thailand if I was wealthy.

It's not that great and there are many places where it's much safer and better and you won't stick out like a sore thumb being a multi-millionaire.

Most Thais won't know him and easy to blend into society.

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Visiting the Bridge on the River Khwae, Death Railway, War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, Erewan National Park 7 Waterfalls, Crossing the borders into Laos and Cambodia for Visa run and shopping, Beach Walking, Staying across the Mekong River from Laos, Visiting Vietnam with my girlfriend here, eating many various Thai and Isaan dishes, Khao Phra Wihan park and temple, walking up the Wat Phu Tok stairs- 7 levels in Bueng Kan, Huay Wang Yai and Samrong Kiat Waterfalls in Sisaket province, teaching English at my friends English Camps, planting and harvesting Rice and Cassava.

I , like many others on here I am sure, have live a varied and interesting life

But Thailand just has what it takes for me to feel happy and at home

23 minutes ago, Legal Lifeline said:

I , like many others on here I am sure, have live a varied and interesting life

But Thailand just has what it takes for me to feel happy and at home

Friendly nature of people, things to do.

On 2/22/2026 at 3:27 AM, Alpha84 said:

Let’s be honest, I didn't come for the soi dogs, the ladyboys, the illegal gambling dens, the tattoo culture, and to experience life in the money laundering capital of the world.

Didn't know they had soi dogs and ladyboys in London.

I just realized that I actually forgot to answer the question in my own OP... I only chose Thailand for two reasons... Botany and pick-up trucks.

On 2/22/2026 at 8:57 AM, 123Stodg said:

If you strip it back and answer without any fluff, would you honestly have ended up living in Thailand long term if you had zero interest in the women?

No attraction. No wife hunting angle. No romantic curiosity. None of it.

Would the food alone have done it. Or maybe the markets, the temples, the elephants, the beaches, the pad kra pao and mango sticky rice. The Thai smile. The chaos. The heat. The lower cost of living. The rhythm of it all.

Or would this have stayed a holiday destination you visit for two weeks, take photos, tell your friends about, and then fly home?

I am not judging, but often people talk as if they moved here purely for the culture, the cuisine, the spiritual depth. Yes, there is something addictive about the energy here. The mix of serenity and madness. But would that alone have been enough to uproot your life?

For some people, maybe yes. If you are deeply into Buddhism, photography, food culture, language learning, tropical living, or wanted a lower cost base and a different pace, that is fair enough.

For others, if we are being real, the women were at least part of the initial spark. Maybe the whole reason. Maybe not. Maybe not even the main reason long term. But the spark.

The more interesting question might be this. Even if that was the initial magnet, is it still the reason you stay?

But take romance completely off the table. No dating. No relationships. No flirtation.

Would you still have built a life here?

Be honest.

It was the low heating cost that swung it for me.

.

The point is what's left in Thailand ?

Prices have increased from anything to everything. Not rare to see many things costing same or more then in the west.

Visa immigration hassles and getting more and more severe with excessive red tape that seems to harm mostly the decent foreigners.

No visa incentive and facilitation for the foreigners owning property, unlike many other countries that hand out 10 year or 5 year multiple entry visas to any foreigner who owns property.

Over strong Thai Bhat giving less spending power.

Unpleasant attitudes from various officials in govt agencies when dealing with foreigners.

17 hours ago, sidjameson said:

How does the burning season affect your lung condition?

Not so bad actually - Brochiectasis is widening of the bronchi airways, which causes the lungs to produce more mucus than normal. Unless that is coughed up by doing regular lung exercises etc, it can become an ideal habitat for bacteria growth and viruses, leading to bronchitis, pneumonia etc. So whilst I do wear a mask during the worst of the burning season, I just carry on with my daily lung exercises and hope for the best!

I realized that my case is a bit different. I came here in HS in 1988 as an exchange student and lived with an amazing Thai family in Udornthani. I fell in love with my family, the Thaipeople, the culture, food and way of life. I came back as an exchange student at Khon Kan university and later to teach and do translation work. I have lived with my Thai family several times over the years and they have litterly changed my life. I did not return to Thailand for many years (almost 20) due to life and work circumstances, but always dreamed of retiring in Thailand. I am now blessed to be able to live here half time, share my love of Thailand with my spouse and give back to my Thai family. I will admit that Thai culture has changed in ways that are not always positive (nothing stays the same), but I still love the people, the simple life and enjoy the ability to travel. I am not sure if I will ever make Thailand my only permanent home and give up my life in the states (it is a bit more difficult if you are not married or living with a Thai partner) but I love being here and feel blessed that I was given the opportunity to get to experience the place.