4 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

How Did You Actually Make It This Long in Thailand?

Easy answer: I just stayed, and it all sorted itself out. 😉

Best answer yet! 🏆

4 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Plenty of farangs have failed to learn basic manners. I see it all the time. Probably why some Thais hate them.

Focusing on foreign misbehavior has one dismissing locals doing the same thing, a thousand times more. There's no way of telling who hate who and how many unless you actually talk to many of the locals.

Prejudice itself has some disliking foreigners. A learned behavior, just as you see it when children look at us as aliens, even though foreigners have been here a very long time. Learned prejudice.

I would think most here tolerate us or actually like certain foreigners they've interacted with. It also goes the other way. If a local has had a bad experience with a foreigner or two, they might lump all of us into a disliked group, much like a couple here dislike Americans, all because of a few who have done wrong, either to them or politically.

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Focusing on foreign misbehavior has one dismissing locals doing the same thing, a thousand times more. There's no way of telling who hate who and how many unless you actually talk to many of the locals.

Prejudice itself has some disliking foreigners. A learned behavior, just as you see it when children look at us as aliens, even though foreigners have been here a very long time. Learned prejudice.

I would think most here tolerate us or actually like certain foreigners they've interacted with. It also goes the other way. If a local has had a bad experience with a foreigner or two, they might lump all of us into a disliked group, much like a couple here dislike Americans, all because of a few who have done wrong, either to them or politically.

Of course there are bad Thais but the average Thai is 5x better than many farangs.

9 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Of course there are bad Thais but the average Thai is 5x better than many farangs.

So now you've decided to poison the thread by making sweeping negative generalizations about farangs.

There's a ton of farangs raising families and not causing problems too.

Last time we were shopping at Makro, I met a foreigner who came in wearing only socks, dirty socks, sleeping shorts, and no shirt. He had a bottle in his hand, and was obviously intoxicated.

I think his time is up soon, and he did for sure not holding up!

There is a few good ones who continue to keep foreigners credit score up, and have certainly done his part.

14 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Of course there are bad Thais but the average Thai is 5x better than many farangs.

The average foreigner is also 5x better than many Thais. Both statements mean nothing as there are good and bad here and elsewhere, and you can't compare any men from anywhere for that reason. If you look at how westerners take care of their children you would see a major difference, especially regarding paying support, whether it's enforced or not. Locals here are more likely to cheat on their women than in the west, which shows how many think.

24 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I have a few foreign friends here that live close by, that are very decent family men with good wives. There's a few here I would like to know better, in person,, as they act decent here and mirror some of my life and interests.

You would think foreigners here would be more accompanying to others, seeing we're the minority and can somehow relate, but sometimes long held prejudice comes up and they can't get past that and take a person how they are as individuals. I miss my friends back home and they are yet another reason we will return.

I've met more that few foreigners when in Udon, having a very social forum, and a monthly get together. A few became friends, as in, visited each other's homes, sporadically. All more acquaintance than friends.

None I'd lend or give much money to, with exception of one, which I did lend/give a bit to, as in major Imm trouble, long overstay fine & flight money to get home and to avoid detention center. Actually didn't expect to get paid back, and he didn't ask for it, but I new he needed it, to avoid the detention center.

Couple years later, after getting his sh!t together, he did return to TH, met him at BKK for beers & munch, and did repay me+.

Can't say I've ever spent much time in any one place long enough to develop any real friendships such as that. People I'd trust with money or partner. With exception of a few hometown friends, I still keep in touch with via FB.

At around 24 yrs old, I was always off somewhere, doing my own thing. Only other friends(non childhood) were from work, NWA, when in PHL, but revolved around hobbies, and we'd plan trips together, canoeing, white water rafting, and a lot as scuba trips.

Lived in Memphis area for 5 yrs, work again, and only bonded with 2 people. Still in contact with one, and he's the one suggested TH to visit.

Lived at PKK for 9 ish yrs now, and haven't met any foreigners. A couple groups meet surfside, almost nightly, but sipping alcohol, enjoying the surf breeze, and probably fine folks. Just think I wouldn't click, since not drinker, and prefer to be home with wife & dog.

I notice their significant others, if having, are never there. Plus about Udon meet ups, the wives or GF were always in attendance, so partners were never bored, and not held at a bar venue.

5 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I've met more that few foreigners when in Udon, having a very social forum, and a monthly get together. A few became friends, as in, visited each other's homes, sporadically. All more acquaintance than friends.

None I'd lend or give much money to, with exception of one, which I did lend/give a bit to, as in major Imm trouble, long overstay fine & flight money to get home and to avoid detention center. Actually didn't expect to get paid back, and he didn't ask for it, but I new he needed it, to avoid the detention center.

Couple years later, after getting his sh!t together, he did return to TH, met him at BKK for beers & munch, and did repay me+.

Can't say I've ever spent much time in any one place long enough to develop any real friendships such as that. People I'd trust with money or partner. With exception of a few hometown friends, I still keep in touch with via FB.

At around 24 yrs old, I was always off somewhere, doing my own thing. Only other friends(non childhood) were from work, NWA, when in PHL, but revolved around hobbies, and we'd plan trips together, canoeing, white water rafting, and a lot as scuba trips.

Lived in Memphis area for 5 yrs, work again, and only bonded with 2 people. Still in contact with one, and he's the one suggested TH to visit.

Lived at PKK for 9 ish yrs now, and haven't met any foreigners. A couple groups meet surfside, almost nightly, but sipping alcohol, enjoying the surf breeze, and probably fine folks. Just think I wouldn't click, since not drinker, and prefer to be home with wife & dog.

I notice their significant others, if having, are never there. Plus about Udon meet ups, the wives or GF were always in attendance, so partners were never bored, and not held at a bar venue.

Most of those I know are bar people, and I'm not, so getting together is at the houses infrequently. I did go with a friend to a bar here that served decent foreign food a couple of times, and played pool.

On 5/28/2026 at 6:27 AM, atpeace said:

First figure out how to be happy being alone and once you have that semi-figured that out, make some friends and enjoy whatever interests you. Many on here will never get out of their own deficient head and fix the issue which is "them".

It isn't that complicated as the OP suggests. Being obnoxious on this forum and hating on Thais is a tell. Fix yourself and then enjoy life.

Somebody once said to me "If you can't stand your own company, how can you expect others to like it?"

And in a similar vein, once, when I was a teenager and moping over a girl who rejected me, my wise old Dad said "Better an empty house than a bad tenant, son"

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

Most of those I know are bar people, and I'm not, so getting together is at the houses infrequently. I did go with a friend to a bar here that served decent foreign food a couple of times, and played pool.

At Udon, there was one bar, friends would frequent, and if we drove by and there, we'd pop in, for munch & chit chat. We were actually most of the customers, daily thing for friends, and would easily pass as local watering hole back in USA.

Again, wives in attendance, open air, as I can't sit in a closed in bar/pub, and at the time we liked the owner, and we picked the music along with pool table to enjoy. But not really a regular thing for us, as wife and self, simply not bar people. Wife as chauffer, since didn't indulge, or I'd never sip in town.

Edited May 29May 29 by KhunLA

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

Most of those I know are bar people, and I'm not, so getting together is at the houses infrequently. I did go with a friend to a bar here that served decent foreign food a couple of times, and played pool.

I won't hang out with anyone that chronically complains or treats Thais poorly. That greatly limits the possibility of making friends in remote parts of THailand. In my area there is a guy that seems cool but he is French and speaks little English. He also has a big family and a business so doubt he is interested in making new friends that don't speak his language. The other ones I've met are strange IMO and I quickly distance myself from them.

My wife is a good friend and she is beautiful which helps but it would be nice to have a few guys in the area to meetup with on occasion but that isn't happening. Friends from other parts of Thailand come to see me a couple times a year which is nice.

2 minutes ago, atpeace said:

I won't hang out with anyone that chronically complains or treats Thais poorly. That greatly limits the possibility of making friends in remote parts of THailand. In my area there is a guy that seems cool but he is French and speaks little English. He also has a big family and a business so doubt he is interested in making new friends that don't speak his language. The other ones I've met are strange IMO and I quickly distance myself from them.

My wife is a good friend and she is beautiful which helps but it would be nice to have a few guys in the area to meetup with on occasion but that isn't happening. Friends from other parts of Thailand come to see me a couple times a year which is nice.

I've met a few that were friends of friends that were kinda strange at first impression, and others who were very congenial and talkative. I'm the only foreigner in my village but there are a few that are fairly close, who are also part of a clique. Bar goers when they get together, although a few do visit the local pizza restaurant operated by a German and his wife. I was hoping to find other hunters or fishermen close but there's only one, who's a good man with a good wife. originally from Ohio, then to Sweden then here. He goes on mini vacations with other foreigners and their wives to the islands. couples he's known for years.

It is easy. I have been here 40 years. Go with the flow. You should not want to change a country as you never will but you wont enjoy it if you are looking for everything you don't like about it.

Learn the language and be respectful to everyone.

Criticism implies your home country is better. If this is actually true why did you leave it?

On 5/28/2026 at 5:29 AM, khunPer said:

Just been here permanently now for 20 years.

Six: Don't forget that you are a guest, respect the locals — especially the elder people — and their culture, then you can be accepted as almost one if them, even you are a farang; and they will also accept that you might have a different culture and life-style...

Good advice from an experienced person- I would just add keep a low profile- showing off really is counter productive here I feel

9 hours ago, Hummin said:

Best answer yet! 🏆

Thanks! ❤️It is really easy to stay here. I don´t know why so many people have so many problems and feel the need to complain so much. The only thing we need to do, is to live up to the requirements and be respectful. Only two little things, and then Thailand will love you!

Edited May 29May 29 by Gottfrid

Just an observation. @fredwiggy I can see you are trying to take over the topic again, and convert to whole membership of AN. God bless you,boy!

54 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Thanks! ❤️It is really easy to stay here. I don´t know why so many people have so many problems and feel the need to complain so much. The only thing we need to do, is to live up to the requirements and be respectful. Only two little things, and then Thailand will love you!

Just imagine where the world would be without towering intellects like yours generously raining down wisdom on the rest of us, despite our obvious unworthiness. Truly, civilization itself hangs by a thread without your groundbreaking revelations. What ancient enigma will you solve for us next? That fire is hot? That umbrellas help when it rains? Please, don’t keep humanity in suspense too long. We wait, breathlessly, for your next dazzling contribution to human knowledge.

8 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Just an observation. @fredwiggy I can see you are trying to take over the topic again, and convert to whole membership of AN. God bless you,boy!

I've never tried to take over any topic, but you do keep assuming, boy.

9 hours ago, BilllyGOAT said:

Just imagine where the world would be without towering intellects like yours generously raining down wisdom on the rest of us

Forrest Gump in Thailand.

Thailand is like a box of chocolates.

4 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

I've never tried to take over any topic, but you do keep assuming, boy.

Yeah, you make it so easy do such little thing. 🤣

12 hours ago, BilllyGOAT said:

Just imagine where the world would be without towering intellects like yours generously raining down wisdom on the rest of us, despite our obvious unworthiness. Truly, civilization itself hangs by a thread without your groundbreaking revelations. What ancient enigma will you solve for us next? That fire is hot? That umbrellas help when it rains? Please, don’t keep humanity in suspense too long. We wait, breathlessly, for your next dazzling contribution to human knowledge.

We wait???? Dear Mr. Goat (Baaaaah) Seems to me, judged by the thumbs, that it´s mostly YOU waiting? It might also be that it was so much over you, so you didn´t understand the difference between a revelation and pure facts, that it seems so many don´t understand. I think we better, and more correct, put the title information advice on my post that you so graciously quoted. Please just take the advice now, and be over and done with it. 🤣

On 5/28/2026 at 9:35 AM, Rockyroad said:

Drinking beer and watching football is only fun for so long. More fun in a massage shop.

I personally prefer watching footie with a can in my hand, <deleted> next month will be expensive!

Much better than an hour's painfull rubbing and hurting parts of me, five minutes for Happy Ending, and then a Bht 2000 bill. My Mrs does it for free!

Edited May 30May 30 by wil iam not

3 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I personally prefer watching footie with a can in my hand, <deleted> next month will be expensive!

Much better than an hour's painfull rubbing and hurting parts of me, five minutes for Happy Ending, and then a Bht 2000 bill. My Mrs does it for free!

Are you sure it's really free...!

3 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Forrest Gump in Thailand.

Thailand is like a box of chocolates.

that would be...'melted chocolates'

3 minutes ago, Off Piste said:

Are you sure it's really free...!

Well I do still have to pay her 'salary' so may as well get a J Arthur thrown in for good measure.

2 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

Well I do still have to pay her 'salary' so may as well get a J Arthur thrown in for good measure.

Absolutely, I admire your openness..............you're a braver man than me...............!

13 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

I personally prefer watching footie with a can in my hand, <deleted> next month will be expensive!

Much better than an hour's painfull rubbing and hurting parts of me, five minutes for Happy Ending, and then a Bht 2000 bill. My Mrs does it for free!

A massage with happy is not 2000.

1 minute ago, Off Piste said:

Absolutely, I admire your openness..............you're a braver man than me...............!

She doesn't read AN, or even knows how to turn the PC on, so no worries.

3 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

She doesn't read AN, or even knows how to turn the PC on, so no worries.

I was actually referring to opinion from fellow members on here.........!

On 5/29/2026 at 6:30 AM, Ralf001 said:

Been living in Pattaya for 20+ years, Its the reason I stay... well work too of course.

Oh please enlighten us on what work an Academic your qualifications does?

Oh please

,tell em the job son . Tell em the price son