2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1.5 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 1000 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

It is a very personal choice. I have friends who seem to be dropping like flies. I could be dead next year. You just don't know. I am not extravagant, but I live very, very well. A nice house, a new car every few years, new motorbikes for my gal and I every few years, a great art collection, plenty of good wine in the wine cooler, a new 77" OLED TV, a world class home theatre, plenty of international travel, etc. For me, it is a great lifestyle, that I could only dream of in the US. Well worth the expense and very easy to justify. Life is way too short.

I have never been a person of extreme thrift. To each his own.

I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak.

Beautiful post, Spidey. Rings true for me!

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I am not answering your baits, or your attempts to frame the topic around me or anyone else you want to connect me to.

Your attempts at the psychological frame are weak and very easy to read. Everyone sees the pattern in every thread you appear in, so why keep pretending this is about honest debate?

Why do you believe the picture has any other meaning than me cutting some roses and picking some cherries in the garden?

It was a moment of positivity, something beautiful, with no hidden meaning. But even that gets twisted into something negative.

New day, new possibility.

You are "not answering my baits", but you are answering something else? Do you mean that you are avoiding certain questions? Swerving? Deflecting?

Your brain is rotting. You seem unable to post cogently without the use of ChatGPT. Was ChatGPT involved in the composition? Let's see if you can be honest, truthful or whether you continue to try to protect your ego, your fake persona.

You use it to think for you and to frame your arguments. There cannot be honest debate, when one side is cheating.

But of course, like your BBF @fredwiggy the rules that you create don't apply to you 😊 Another hypocrite. Losers cheat and you are a cheater.

9 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Gardening is good for you. Get in touch with nature.

He's a bondeknold...

7 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

You are "not answering my baits", but you are answering something else? Do you mean that you are avoiding certain questions? Swerving? Deflecting?

Your brain is rotting. You seem unable to post cogently without the use of ChatGPT. Was ChatGPT involved in the composition? Let's see if you can be honest, truthful or whether you continue to try to protect your ego, your fake persona.

You use it to think for you and to frame your arguments. There cannot be honest debate, when one side is cheating.

But of course, like your BBF @fredwiggy the rules that you create don't apply to you 😊 Another hypocrite. Losers cheat and you are a cheater.

This is your game, not mine. Good luck using those tactics elsewhere with other posters.

Attacking Spider Mike was just another low level from you.

3 hours ago, Wingate said:

Misogyny oozes out of every thread of this type.

"Western women", noted in a disparaging manner, is code for "failed back home, but Thai women are clever enough to see my value that those 'feministas' couldn't see. Plus I show them who's boss and keep them in line."

LOL!

If you failed with women "back home" then you're a chump in Thailand, whether you know it or not.

Didn't anybody ever work with successful woman back home? Back on the trading floor, I paid my female secretary $200K a year in salary and bonus. Even though her hubby worked for Goldman Sachs, she had no need to beg him for anything. The non-clerical women in my firm all made 7 figures in USD. Their partners or lovers were not in any danger of being scammed. Of course, they had expectations of the men they would consider as partners. They wanted an equal, not a patriarch or paymaster.

There are precious few female members in this Forum, but I suspect the ones who are here (e.g., mod Sheryl) roll their eyes seeing the constant misogyny and faux Alpha male-ness so many try to project.

Hard to believe as it may be for many here, there is no one size fits all, either of women---Western or Thai---or of men. Some women are manipulative and some are not. Some women are quite successful without any male's help. Thai women, as well as Western women, run the gamut of self-driven successes to manipulative scammers. Yes, it's tougher for a female in Thailand to reach the same career heights and income as a woman in the West, but in a relative sense many Thai women can be as independent and self-reliant as any so-called 'feminista'. They, too, want an equal, not a master.

It's more a reflection of the male in a relationship if he either gets scammed or proudly boasts of "keeping her in her place". Plus, if a man was a success, whatever amount he might shell out to make life as comfortable as possible for his partner in Thailand is a pittance.

A true relationship is a partnership. Nobody has to work to maintain control over something where both people should treat the other as an equal, perhaps adjusting as need be for life's inherent unfairness (place and manner of birth).

Just sit back and enjoy each other's company, and don't waste time trying to get the upper hand.

I bet Sheryl’s smart enough not to read our drivel!

I had a wonderful marriage for 23 years in Canada. I spent a lot of time here and fell in love. I married her. My wife in Canada accepted that I also was married in Thailand for three years.

Then she mentioned our situation to her female friend…who told all the others. “That scumbag, how can you let him get away with this" aso and soon I got divorce papers. I guess I knew it was too good to last.

At 76, I’m glad to be trapped here instead of there. My wife makes all our income and keeps my pockets full. We share every chore, still enjoy each other's company and play like kids. I doubt I could be happier.

My Canadian wife, the mother of our grown children has never remarried (I often feel bad she is alone). Nevertheless, we are in pretty constant contact. We grew up together. We love each other. And I think we are still very much in love.

The heart has many rooms…

2 hours ago, marin said:

Do you ever post something that is not a troll? Lets look back a couple of months, not only living but investing in a $hithole.

May 14

• Popular Post

I'll be back in Thailand by the end of 2027. I will be fulfilling my lifelong dream of opening a 7/11 franchise. The real win though? No more stressing about getting old as a foreigner and getting denied health insurance. Once I’m in the system I’ll actually have proper social security coverage.

This is a great idea that will keep us busy while still having a comfortable life with our savings.

7-11? Can I get a discount?

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

This is your game, not mine. Good luck using those tactics elsewhere with other posters.

Attacking Spider Mike was just another low level from you.

Unable to tell the truth as you don't want people to see the real you.

It's your game, you use ChatGPT to frame your arguments and your almost every post.

You aren't genuine, you aren't authentic. Just a sad and inadequate character IMHO. You won't ever be anything more than that.

20 minutes ago, Hummin said:

This is your game, not mine. Good luck using those tactics elsewhere with other posters.

Attacking Spider Mike was just another low level from you.

Spider Mike seems nice but his posts depress me so I don't read them anymore. Feel bad that he sees the world in such a negative way. I get what you are saying though. Nice to see that Freddy isn't interacting with him and hope he can refrain from engaging.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by atpeace

7 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Spider Mike seems nice but his posts depress me so I don't read them anymore. Feel bad that he sees the world in such a negative way. I get what you are saying though. Nice to see that Freddy isn't interacting with him and hope he can refrain from engaging.

His posts on Thailand are great. But his USA ones are negative.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by Rockyroad

1 minute ago, Rockyroad said:

His posts on Thailand are great. But his USA ones are negative.

Thailandtourism packages

I disagree. Go to his profile page and read his posts. I'm having an incredible day and now way in helll am I going to d it :) His Thailand post are arguably the most depressing. I try not to get involved with the political stuff that he likes. As I said earlier - he seems like a good guy.

9 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Spider Mike seems nice but his posts depress me so I don't read them anymore. Feel bad that he sees the world in such a negative way. I get what you are saying though. Nice to see that Freddy isn't interacting with him and hope he can refrain from engaging.

We do not need to agree on everything to still get along. Most of the time, most of us choose to disagree and move on. The next day, we have most likely already forgotten we even had a disagreement.

3 hours ago, Wingate said:

Misogyny oozes out of every thread of this type.

"Western women", noted in a disparaging manner, is code for "failed back home, but Thai women are clever enough to see my value that those 'feministas' couldn't see. Plus I show them who's boss and keep them in line."

LOL!

If you failed with women "back home" then you're a chump in Thailand, whether you know it or not.

Didn't anybody ever work with successful woman back home? Back on the trading floor, I paid my female secretary $200K a year in salary and bonus. Even though her hubby worked for Goldman Sachs, she had no need to beg him for anything. The non-clerical women in my firm all made 7 figures in USD. Their partners or lovers were not in any danger of being scammed. Of course, they had expectations of the men they would consider as partners. They wanted an equal, not a patriarch or paymaster.

There are precious few female members in this Forum, but I suspect the ones who are here (e.g., mod Sheryl) roll their eyes seeing the constant misogyny and faux Alpha male-ness so many try to project.

Hard to believe as it may be for many here, there is no one size fits all, either of women---Western or Thai---or of men. Some women are manipulative and some are not. Some women are quite successful without any male's help. Thai women, as well as Western women, run the gamut of self-driven successes to manipulative scammers. Yes, it's tougher for a female in Thailand to reach the same career heights and income as a woman in the West, but in a relative sense many Thai women can be as independent and self-reliant as any so-called 'feminista'. They, too, want an equal, not a master.

It's more a reflection of the male in a relationship if he either gets scammed or proudly boasts of "keeping her in her place". Plus, if a man was a success, whatever amount he might shell out to make life as comfortable as possible for his partner in Thailand is a pittance.

A true relationship is a partnership. Nobody has to work to maintain control over something where both people should treat the other as an equal, perhaps adjusting as need be for life's inherent unfairness (place and manner of birth).

Just sit back and enjoy each other's company, and don't waste time trying to get the upper hand.

I slept with more women by age 30 then you ever had. Women chase after me more than I chase them.

If moving to Thailand means failure with women then you failed. I can see why.

6 minutes ago, atpeace said:

I disagree. Go to his profile page and read his posts. I'm having an incredible day and now way in helll am I going to d it :) His Thailand post are arguably the most depressing. I try not to get involved with the political stuff that he likes. As I said earlier - he seems like a good guy.

We could all be more positive.

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

We do not need to agree on everything to still get along. Most of the time, most of us choose to disagree and move on. The next day, we have most likely already forgotten we even had a disagreement.

Politics(Right)

I actually learn arguably more from those that disagree. The trick is not to let it spike your cortisol levels. I have these stupid rants sometimes and then in a moment of sanity realize that I'm acting like an idiot. Embarrassing but it is what it is....

Nil, my GF has a Gouvernment Job, she earns more than I do with my retirement income.

2 minutes ago, atpeace said:

I actually learn arguably more from those that disagree. The trick is not to let it spike your cortisol levels. I have these stupid rants sometimes and then in a moment of sanity realize that I'm acting like an idiot. Embarrassing but it is what it is....

I honestly have to thank Isme. His way of responding has made me more aware of my own way of responding. So, not bad for nothing.

8 minutes ago, atpeace said:

I actually learn arguably more from those that disagree. The trick is not to let it spike your cortisol levels. I have these stupid rants sometimes and then in a moment of sanity realize that I'm acting like an idiot. Embarrassing but it is what it is....

Can always learn from others. Just ask the right questions.

14 minutes ago, atpeace said:

I disagree. Go to his profile page and read his posts. I'm having an incredible day and now way in helll am I going to d it :) His Thailand post are arguably the most depressing. I try not to get involved with the political stuff that he likes. As I said earlier - he seems like a good guy.

I agree. I've always liked Mike here, even though he spends a lot of time on Trump's insanity and how the US devolved, but if he's truly happy here, he's home, and you can't argue with that. The US is and always will be home to me, as that's my deal, and Thailand never has been as you have to be comfortable wherever you lay your hat.

23 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Western women work, pooling resources, or are housewives, doing the house thing while the man works. The only women who charge are hookers.

Thai women work too. When you get away from bar girls, you'll discover just how hard they work and struggle to make a living. My gf works 6 days a week, 9 to 6... and then comes home to prepare dinner. You won't find many Western women (or men), if any, who work harder.

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I agree. I've always liked Mike here, even though he spends a lot of time on Trump's insanity and how the US devolved, but if he's truly happy here, he's home, and you can't argue with that. The US is and always will be home to me, as that's my deal, and Thailand never has been as you have to be comfortable wherever you lay your hat.

Funny, I just read his last post in this thread and wasn't depressing at all. I enjoyed the read. Maybe it was just a bad phase and now he is grateful to being living the dream in Thailand :) As for the politics, I don't waste my time.

2 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

Thai women work too. When you get away from bar girls, you'll discover just how hard they work and struggle to make a living. My gf works 6 days a week, 9 to 6... and then comes home to prepare dinner. You won't find many Western women (or men), if any, who work harder.

Trust me I know. I helped out on my ex's farm for a number of years and saw firsthand how hard farm work was.

My girlfriend now who works for the government here doesn't have a physical job, but the crapola she goes through has me even more of a listener than before. She also has to work sometimes on weekends, even though her parents need her helping on the farm, so when she's done with a meeting, on go the farm clothes and gloves. Every funeral in her district has to be attended, along with driving around looking for people who struggling to help a little. I've been to more funerals here than I ever will , along with the get togethers after those and weddings she has to attend also. She also has to cook for her teen kids, even though they can themselves, as they can't match her skills and like what she makes, as do I. Always have an ear when she needs to talk about her job or parents nonsense.

No matter what, I give credit where due, and the typical rural or country workers here go through a lot for just a few baht to make it to another day.

Edited 14 hours ago14 hr by fredwiggy

36 minutes ago, Hummin said:

We do not need to agree on everything to still get along. Most of the time, most of us choose to disagree and move on. The next day, we have most likely already forgotten we even had a disagreement.

Liar 🤣

But nice to see that you are learning 😊

10 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I agree. I've always liked Mike here, even though he spends a lot of time on Trump's insanity and how the US devolved, but if he's truly happy here, he's home, and you can't argue with that. The US is and always will be home to me, as that's my deal, and Thailand never has been as you have to be comfortable wherever you lay your hat.

When did you arrive in Thailand? You have had a bumpy ride here :)

I arrived in Thailand in 1998 (29yo) and met my wife and what a mess that turned into but it wasn't as if she changed. She just wouldn't evolve into what I wanted - HaHa. I realized my stupidity within a year and made sure not to complicate our relationship with kids. Think that is what saved my butt!

I had a great life, almost 20 years, in spite of her temper . At the end, I actually told her I contacted the embassy and told them if anything should happen to me she would be the reason. Then gave her all my three properties in Thailand and went on my merry way. Still embarrassed to this day but oh well. One of those properties I really loved ;(

First step to redemption is blaming no one but you. My life has always been wonderful but now I never have to worry about waking up without parts I enjoy having.

I, like many here, don't "pay" my wife anything and it's the wrong word... we do things together and talk about what needs sorting out to further our future together. She is cared for under the general umbrella of being married to me and whatever she earns is hers.

I dislike this idea that men have to pay their partners or meet some fantasy monetary requirement level that is becoming increasingly popular on social media with women from everywhere, and the entitlement of many women with their bucket lists of what a man has to provide/do to be accepted and graced, just by their presence, that bring little/nothing to the table... modern younger guys are done with it and keeping their wallet in their pocket now.

Any wonder so many men are walking away from marriage and relationships that just want to drain them of money? Men are starting to wise up to this nonsense, same here in Asia too... and so many western women are freaking out about men withdrawing or being labelled "Passport bros" etc., when it's just a decision because, after looking at the deal, it's just not worth it anymore. It's true that many foreigners here in SEA are wising up to things too as they see how it works.

20 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

Liar 🤣

But nice to see that you are learning 😊

Learning from the best Isme, from the best 😉

6 minutes ago, atpeace said:

When did you arrive in Thailand? You have had a bumpy ride here :)

I arrived in Thailand in 1998 (29yo) and met my wife and what a mess that turned into but it wasn't as if she changed. She just wouldn't evolve into what I wanted - HaHa. I realized my stupidity within a year and made sure not to complicate our relationship with kids. Think that is what saved my butt!

I had a great life, almost 20 years, in spite of her temper . At the end, I actually told her I contacted the embassy and told them if anything should happen to me she would be the reason. Then gave her all my three properties in Thailand and went on my merry way. Still embarrassed to this day but oh well. One of those properties I really loved ;(

First step to redemption is blaming no one but you. My life has always been wonderful but now I never have to worry about waking up without parts I enjoy having.

Visited Thailand in 2013, met my now ex, came back to stay 2018. I complicated our relationship with my daughter, so it was worth the aggravation. I didn't see the signs until I actually moved here and built the house. My family hated her, along with some of her own.

She, like so many I hear about here, did come at me with a knife three times. Something she did to a few others from what she and her family said.

Going back and forth from the US to here, and staying only a month at a time for a couple of years, I only saw a few red flags, as most anyone can put on a facade for a short time, but the real her came out once the house was finished. The main thing is my daughter will have a much better life in Texas, and I'll be able to enjoy my hobbies and still work to keep busy. Can't change others into what you want. They can only be themselves and what they learned growing up. Mistakes made, but children came from them, and they're happy. Always take as much time to vett a potential partner as possible, which was my mistake.

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by fredwiggy

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Can't change others into what you want. They can only be themselves and what they learned growing up. Mistakes made, but children came from them, and they're happy.

Cool - kids are great as long as they aren't mine. You like having children so in that sense it worked out ;)

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by atpeace

20 minutes ago, atpeace said:

When did you arrive in Thailand? You have had a bumpy ride here :)

I arrived in Thailand in 1998 (29yo) and met my wife and what a mess that turned into but it wasn't as if she changed. She just wouldn't evolve into what I wanted - HaHa. I realized my stupidity within a year and made sure not to complicate our relationship with kids. Think that is what saved my butt!

I had a great life, almost 20 years, in spite of her temper . At the end, I actually told her I contacted the embassy and told them if anything should happen to me she would be the reason. Then gave her all my three properties in Thailand and went on my merry way. Still embarrassed to this day but oh well. One of those properties I really loved ;(

First step to redemption is blaming no one but you. My life has always been wonderful but now I never have to worry about waking up without parts I enjoy having.

What work did you do?

1st wife didn't work, fairly unskilled and trained in low paying job sector. I was raised to be the provider, so irrelevent.

2nd wife made considerably more than myself. Nuff said

3rd wife, wanted me to help support her family. Not happening and part of her unhappiness. Marrying a farang who knows how to say 'NO'. Yea, that one ended quick.

2 live ins were (between # 2 & 3 wife) were mutual existence, and basically shared living expenses.

Current wife (20+ yrs), has saved me as much as it would have cost to live here, if not being with her. A few million THB of rent free living, with assets worth the same few million baht, here for her, after I depart this dimension of existence.

Financially, I think I got the better end of the deal, being with her, while alive. She'll enjoy the benefit of our finances, after I croak.

Our existence together, frees up a lot of pocket money for us to enjoy life. Spending on us, instead of an exisitence.

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by KhunLA

3 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Cool - kids are great as long as they aren't mine. You like having children so in that sense it worked out ;)

Been raising them over 40 years now, and will for at least 10 more. Put my bucket list aside awhile but when we're back home, I'll have more time to get it done. Hardest job anyone can do, especially with 5 girls. Hair still isn't gray though.

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by fredwiggy