48 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

Fantasies are great. 🤣

Getting free food and transport is not hard if you know how to communicate with Thais. You become like part of the family.

10 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

Sorry to burst your bubble matey, but I'm neither in Thailand nor staying in a hotel. I'll let you use your tremendous maths and skills of deduction to figure out the rest. But since you're batting a thousand already, go for it, up 2 u nah. And Bob sends his regards.

Don't forget that...

15 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

This topic is meant to be a bit of a piss take, so don't get your panties in a bunch about it.

10 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

Yep changing the wallpaper is always good and healthy. But if you can't stand being in a place for more than six weeks then perhaps the issue comes down to "no matter where you go, you're always there." 😂

I think you've nailed it. Thailand doesn't use wallpaper.

7 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Don't forget that...

Absolutely on point. And thank you for your service, sir.

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I think you've nailed it. Thailand doesn't use wallpaper.

Indeed. But when the paint get old and full of air pollution dirt streaks, combined with the uneven concrete walls, it does start to look a bit wallpaperesque.

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I think you've nailed it. Thailand doesn't use wallpaper.

Or toilet paper for that matter!

I like being back in Australia. I have, until stopping work recently, associated Thailand with freedom and fun and Australia partly with work and not so much fun. Now I have to weigh up the upside of each - right now cold and wet in Melbourne so the upside of Thailand fairly apparent but things like having an established life, lack of pollution and constant heat, and having a comfortable familiar life in Australia keep me wanting both.

Low season in Thailand is good during Melbourne winter so will go back in a month or two.

2 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

Accrington Stanley !!!! who are they.

The losing side (again) yesterday.

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Or toilet paper for that matter!

Good point! I must admit, I do greatly miss the bum gun when I'm away. It's perhaps the one thing I miss the most. Thank goodness they at least sell packs of wet toilet paper in some Western countries. A bit like wet wipes, but it's simply biodegradable wet paper sold in packages. It helps prevent those friction burns from the dry stuffs!

5 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Or toilet paper for that matter!

Toilet paper is very much available in Thailand. There are aisles full of it at your preferred supermarket. It's not all bum gun heaven you know.

The reason they don't have much wallpaper in Thailand is because the roll falls over too easily on the restaurant table.

3 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I like being back in Australia. I have, until stopping work recently, associated Thailand with freedom and fun and Australia partly with work and not so much fun. Now I have to weigh up the upside of each - right now cold and wet in Melbourne so the upside of Thailand fairly apparent but things like having an established life, lack of pollution and constant heat, and having a comfortable familiar life in Australia keep me wanting both.

Low season in Thailand is good during Melbourne winter so will go back in a month or two.

Good points. I agree. No place is ever perfect all year round, except for maybe Hawaii. Even the other places I love the most in Europe and Asia (outside of Thailand) do have their seasons of bad weather where I do prefer to be in Thailand. Having options are great. Some people aren't able to move around though because of financial, health, family or other constraints. So not everyone is blessed with the same options or choices.

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I think you've nailed it. Thailand doesn't use wallpaper.

Or toilet paper for that matter!

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Toilet paper is very much available in Thailand. There are aisles full of it at your preferred supermarket. It's not all bum gun heaven you know.

The reason they don't have much wallpaper in Thailand is because the roll falls over too easily on the restaurant table.

I was referring to you saying that "Thailand doesn't use wallpaper".

I was not referring to its general (non) availability!

3 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

I haven't seen any changes in people there in all my 69 years. It all depends on the people you hang around with, and family. America hasn't changed as far as humor. In fact, comedy has increased in the last 2 decades, where more and more people enjoy the comedy clubs that weren't around as much back then. When I'm back, I'm home, and it' s a huge relief being in a place where everything feels normal, the smiles are real, as well as the scowls, which are honest.

The weather back home of course is much better, especially if you live not too far north. 4 seasons, unlike 2 here, hot and too much rain, with less things to do in both unless you live at the beach. Staying inside you can do anywhere. If you love the beaches and islands, I see that as a positive, but take away those younger girls and what else is attractive?

It's always been a friendly place, with people talking to you who are strangers, whereas here with the language, unless you really are fluent, you can't have a real conversation.

People here aren't as happy as you think, as poverty is felt all over. Gossip is huge here because of this, as gossip comes mainly from people who are angry and or bored. Lakorns are just as big as they are back home, and it's a fake fantasy many live for, and it ruins relationships as it's not how normal people live. Happens back home also, but here with the lower wages, jealousy rears it's head a lot more.

The country people don't do much besides tend to farms 6 days a week, with vacations happening once in awhile, usually locally. A pretty boring existence for millions, with many seeing what those who have foreign husbands have and want it for themselves. Again the jealousy is there, and those smiles you see aren't happy ones. What's true is that those who never see or have, won't miss it, but it's becoming less and less with all the foreigners having wives and girlfriends here, along with children who also have more, and half foreign kids aren't treated the same, as this link shows............https://counsellingthailand.com/luk-khrueng-%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B6%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%87/#luk5.

I agree that comedies are very popular in America, and it's partly because Americans just don't laugh otherwise. We live in a very different world, when I go back there I'm surrounded by wonderful people, but I see joylessness everywhere I look, and it's not my perspective because I see nothing but light-heartedness and humor here.

If you haven't seen any changes in America in your entire lifetime you're just simply not looking very hard, or you're living in a cave. The place is a pal shadow of what it was even 20 or 30 years ago.

You love America and I love Thailand, that's the big difference.

10 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I agree that comedies are very popular in America, and it's partly because Americans just don't laugh otherwise. We live in a very different world, when I go back there I'm surrounded by wonderful people, but I see joylessness everywhere I look, and it's not my perspective because I see nothing but light-heartedness and humor here.

If you haven't seen any changes in America in your entire lifetime you're just simply not looking very hard, or you're living in a cave. The place is a pal shadow of what it was even 20 or 30 years ago.

You love America and I love Thailand, that's the big difference.

Trust me, I was out and about around thousands of people from big and small cities and the countryside, from all nationalities, creeds and races for 62 years, and the people I still know and knew then were all happy people. Very well off to poor, cops, firemen, lawyers, businessmen, business owners, hunters, fishermen, construction owners and workers salesmen, tradesmen, and stay at home people with children. The people I've known all my life are still the same as far as laughing and having fun, no matter what life throws them, as that's life.

I sold guns for years to all these types and interacted daily all those years with countless people, and the only things that have changed is population growth and higher prices. All my life I've seen people acting the same. laughing, crying, happy and sad but still the same.

Economy hits everyone, especially the poor, and they are the ones who are affected and more likely to have more anger from not being able to make ends meet. Still, they find times to have fun. Only those with depression are the ones who are sad most of the time, as money isn't going to make people happier. Just a little less worried.

You can't judge people by how they look on the outside, as everyone doesn't smile all day unless they're doing drugs. I've seen more sad faces here in 8 years than anywhere before, and many times it's the same people. Outside tourist areas is where you see real life. Fake smiles abound in all tourist places as it's the only way you'll stay employed. I've been to many funerals, weddings and receptions here, and the faces are always the same. A few smiles when they're drinking, but a look of melancholy most other times. The people I've talked to, including my girlfriend and ex, said much the same things. Boredom and living on phones, especially outside the cities as there's nothing much to do.

I love America because it has more than Thailand does in all aspects, and it's always been home. This isn't really home no matter how long you live here, unless you're a citizen and hate your home country, which some do which is very strange, unless of course you lived in a place that was freezing cold most of the time or was a desert environment. If I didn't find my ex here, I would have left Thailand and visited more of Asia, then went back home, as America has everything the whole world does in one place, especially when you include Canada and Mexico.

49 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Or toilet paper for that matter!

I was referring to you saying that "Thailand doesn't use wallpaper".

I was not referring to its general (non) availability!

And I was suggesting that Thais don't use arse wipe in the same way as farangs do.

1 hour ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I like being back in Australia. I have, until stopping work recently, associated Thailand with freedom and fun and Australia partly with work and not so much fun. Now I have to weigh up the upside of each - right now cold and wet in Melbourne so the upside of Thailand fairly apparent but things like having an established life, lack of pollution and constant heat, and having a comfortable familiar life in Australia keep me wanting both.

Low season in Thailand is good during Melbourne winter so will go back in a month or two.

Rainy season is great in Thailand. Less pollution, greeny areas, cheaper prices, less farangs and it normally rains at night. June and July are probably the best months.

44 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Rainy season is great in Thailand. Less pollution, greeny areas, cheaper prices, less farangs and it normally rains at night. June and July are probably the best months.

The rainy season blows. Wind, floods, power outages and the heat combined with the dampness causes mold and mildew.

37 minutes ago, BilllyGOAT said:

The rainy season blows. Wind, floods, power outages and the heat combined with the dampness causes mold and mildew.

I love rainy season. Green, fresh air, clear skies, usually. If not, then cooler temps since sun blocked. Could do without the occasional week of annoying light drizzle.

Give me a nice storm, downpour, then clear skies with while puffy clouds for contrast. LOVELY

edit: just read above post, forget about less tourist and cheaper hotel rates.

Does a recovered alcoholic miss alcohol? Yeah, probably the same way I miss Thailand..... fondly, until I remember the choking pollution and the swarm of mouth-breathing expats who infested it.

Yes, I miss it sometimes. I have been commuting. I go through alot of airports, and Bangkok is one of my favourites. Most everyone is polite and kind with me, unlike my experience in some other countries. Thailand is still relatively affordable, but it too is getting expensive. Unfortunately, the environmental neglect is catching up and making life unpleasant.

I miss the place when I am gone for more than a month. Thailand reminds me of my youth with the emphasis on families and school friends. It is an homogeneous and cohesive society that offers a sense of security.

My one take away is that Thailand has found its feet. Foreigners don't interest the people quite like they did 50 or 25 years ago. The novelty has worn off, and the country is relatively prosperous and educated. Visitors are welcomed, but they are not needed to the degree many foreigners think they are.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I love rainy season. Green, fresh air, clear skies, usually. If not, then cooler temps since sun blocked. Could do without the occasional week of annoying light drizzle.

Give me a nice storm, downpour, then clear skies with while puffy clouds for contrast. LOVELY

edit: just read above post, forget about less tourist and cheaper hotel rates.

Yes June and July are awesome. The worst storms are Aug to Oct. Rainy nights on the bungalow porch, geckos, cold drink. I love it. 30 minutes later it stops go for a ride. Sunshine in the morning. Fresh and green.

im freezing indoors every day of the week,

so thats a yes, id rather be a climate refugee in LOS

Many of us are here, at least partly because it is affordable. I come from America, and it is no longer affordable for most and the quality of life continues to deteriorate.

Dana Eble and Tyler Marcus are finally looking for a second car. But as they jump into the market, the young married couple isn’t sure what they can afford.

“I just keep seeing a lot of different aspects of life getting more expensive, and it’s harder,” said Eble, an account manager for a public relations agency.

Car ownership has long been integral to the American dream. But as automakers slash the production of inexpensive models to cater to customers who can afford oversized pickups and sport utility vehicles, buyers find themselves facing sticker shock at the same time they are already frustrated by the lingering effects of high inflation.

Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March, (a government lie, likely closer to 15%) the biggest yearly increase since May 2024, while new car prices were up 12.6% from a year ago, the Labor Department reported Friday.

The rising cost of cars is contributing to increased concerns about affordability throughout American life. Consumers, especially young people, say they feel like everyday needs like housing, food, utilities and child care are getting costlier and wages aren’t keeping up.

It is a vulnerable position for Republicans ahead of this year’s midterm elections, especially as the Iran war has pumped up gas prices that makes getting behind the wheel even more expensive.

Meanwhile, government data shows that car insurance prices have soared 55% compared with six years ago, or just before the pandemic, driving up the number of Americans going without. Car repairs, on average, are 48% more expensive.

https://apnews.com/article/car-shopping-affordability-midterms-83ae4eb1a57056539d42bb330fa4dfbd

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Many of us are here, at least partly because it is affordable. I come from America, and it is no longer affordable for most and the quality of life continues to deteriorate.

Dana Eble and Tyler Marcus are finally looking for a second car. But as they jump into the market, the young married couple isn’t sure what they can afford.

“I just keep seeing a lot of different aspects of life getting more expensive, and it’s harder,” said Eble, an account manager for a public relations agency.

Car ownership has long been integral to the American dream. But as automakers slash the production of inexpensive models to cater to customers who can afford oversized pickups and sport utility vehicles, buyers find themselves facing sticker shock at the same time they are already frustrated by the lingering effects of high inflation.

Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March, (a government lie, likely closer to 15%) the biggest yearly increase since May 2024, while new car prices were up 12.6% from a year ago, the Labor Department reported Friday.

The rising cost of cars is contributing to increased concerns about affordability throughout American life. Consumers, especially young people, say they feel like everyday needs like housing, food, utilities and child care are getting costlier and wages aren’t keeping up.

It is a vulnerable position for Republicans ahead of this year’s midterm elections, especially as the Iran war has pumped up gas prices that makes getting behind the wheel even more expensive.

Meanwhile, government data shows that car insurance prices have soared 55% compared with six years ago, or just before the pandemic, driving up the number of Americans going without. Car repairs, on average, are 48% more expensive.

https://apnews.com/article/car-shopping-affordability-midterms-83ae4eb1a57056539d42bb330fa4dfbd

I'm pleased that Thailand provides an excellent opportunity for low-income Americans seeking an affordable lifestyle.

11 hours ago, Celsius said:

Does a recovered alcoholic miss alcohol? Yeah, probably the same way I miss Thailand..... fondly, until I remember the choking pollution and the swarm of mouth-breathing expats who infested it.

Travel 1 hour SNEW they are gone

Well, i don't miss the UK, that's for sure.

18 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

I like being back in Australia. I have, until stopping work recently, associated Thailand with freedom and fun and Australia partly with work and not so much fun. Now I have to weigh up the upside of each - right now cold and wet in Melbourne so the upside of Thailand fairly apparent but things like having an established life, lack of pollution and constant heat, and having a comfortable familiar life in Australia keep me wanting both.

Low season in Thailand is good during Melbourne winter so will go back in a month or two.

I would rather winter ,your in Melbourne, unfortunately in northern Australia it hits 45 degrees

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

I would rather winter ,your in Melbourne, unfortunately in northern Australia it hits 45 degrees

No it doesn't. The south hits 45 and the north is 37 and humid.

Simply put, many western elderly mongrels, miss the cheap hookers, the cheap food-court over-oily food and of course we all miss the climate. But not much more, considering how prices are rising more and more in Thailand.

6 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

No it doesn't. The south hits 45 and the north is 37 and humid.

I never seen Melbourne hit 45 degrees in a long time !