49 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Very shallow answer – just quoting a dictionary doesn't even mean you understand, let alone anyone else ... you need to relate the definitions to context. The fact that you had to look it up (and haven't bothered with a citation) shows you didn't know yourself. Take a look at my definitions, as they are far more workable.

I don't quote anything unless I already know it. Assuming you know more than others is just an assumption. I posted that as sarcasm, and I'm sure most members here already knew the definitions.

7 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

I don't quote anything unless I already know it. Assuming you know more than others is just an assumption. I posted that as sarcasm, and I'm sure most members here already knew the definitions.

Curious you're in denial about 2 quotes and the irony is you also don't appear to know what sarcasm is?

they;re in yellow in case that's another thing you didn't know...

to combine things into a whole, mix people together equally, or find a mathematical total....

assimilate

/əˈsiməˌlāt/

Assimilate means to take in and fully understand ideas, to blend into a new culture or group, or to absorb food and nutrients into the body.

THanks for the phonetics - /bʊt//aɪ//ɪkˈspɛkt//juː//njuː//ðæt//ɔːlˈrɛdi/ 

Edited July 27Jul 27 by kwilco

4 hours ago, kwilco said:

Curious you're in denial about 2 quotes and the irony is you also don't appear to know what sarcasm is?

they;re in yellow in case that's another thing you didn't know...

to combine things into a whole, mix people together equally, or find a mathematical total....

assimilate

/əˈsiməˌlāt/

Assimilate means to take in and fully understand ideas, to blend into a new culture or group, or to absorb food and nutrients into the body.

THanks for the phonetics - /bʊt//aɪ//ɪkˈspɛkt//juː//njuː//ðæt//ɔːlˈrɛdi/ 

I'm in denial about nothing. You think you know more than others and you don't. Assuming what others know is ignorance. When I post something and make quotes, it's to verify what I said, proof thereof. I already knew the definitions, as I'm sure most here already did also.

On 7/23/2026 at 7:22 AM, ravip said:

Should foreigners try to integrate into or change Thai culture?

Fortunately, Europe and the UK has already spent years producing a very expensive, highly visible answer.

For some people, even the most obvious truth is simply too offensive to accept, especially when it inconveniences their preferred version of events.

On 7/23/2026 at 7:11 PM, Patong2021 said:

Despite your impressive language skills and your ease of circulating with the locals, you have not integrated. Integration requires one to become part of the local society and culture. Integration requires a physical presence within the institutions and life of the community. A person who serves in the local government or public institutions is integrated. We see that in western countries where immigrants are elected as MPs or appointed to government committees, or elected to school boards etc. Of more importance is understanding one's place in the social hierarchy.

These are merely YOUR opinions. Others have different opinions about the definition of integration. When questioning somebody's integration into another culture, I don't think the answer is a black or white yes/no (he has / has not integrated). It's more along the lines of to what 'degree' or 'level' has he integrated. To be successfully integrated, I don't believe they have to achieve 100%, nor be elected to the local school board.

On a separate note, despite your impressive writing skills, if you would break your ideas down into separate paragraphs, it would make the experience much more pleasurable for your reader.

Edited July 28Jul 28 by ColeBOzbourne

8 hours ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

These are merely YOUR opinions. Others have different opinions about the definition of integration. When questioning somebody's integration into another culture, I don't think the answer is a black or white yes/no (he has / has not integrated). It's more along the lines of to what 'degree' or 'level' has he integrated. To be successfully integrated, I don't believe they have to achieve 100%, nor be elected to the local school board.

On a separate note, despite your impressive writing skills, if you would break your ideas down into separate paragraphs, it would make the experience much more pleasurable for your reader.

The position I provided reflects the commonly accepted assessment of integration, and while it may be my "opinion", it is based on the measurements and assessments used to determine the level of integration in a society. It is also common sense. There are two components to integration; One is how society treats the person and the other is how the person is part of the society. The first component is more easily measured through things like access to social services including health care, equal treatment by the judiciary and law enforcement, and equitable treatment by society in general. A farang who is subject to double pricing or unfair treatment in the courts because he/she is not Thai has not integrated. It may not be the person's doing, but it reflects the society's reluctance to accept the foreigner as an equal. The second component, is how how the person has become part of the community. Some believe that if they wear an amulet, or go to a wat and wai that they have integrated. Integration is more than that. It is demonstrated by participation in local governance and administration. It is also demonstrated by social participation in governnce activities.

The concept of integration in a local community is evident and measurable. The use of terms such as "degree of integration" are not helpful and are used to excuse or to justify exclusion. Integration means that one has become part of the social construct of the host society. One does not have to be an immigrant to be excluded. Examples are the mentally ill, the physically impaired, and people of lower socio economic positions who can be excluded from society.

Integration of foreigners in Thailand is neither easy, nor common. The exclusion is attributable to the intentional obstacles and the social culture that does not accept most foreign cultures, especially non regional.

Thank you for your unsolicited suggestions on writing technique. In respect your view that I should have structured my comment into paragraphs, I ask if you know what a paragraph is? It is usually a construction of 3-5 sentences. The first sentence introduces the main point or key issue. The next component sets out the information that supports the point made. The paragraph then ends with a sentence that ties the aforementioned together. The paragraph you criticized was 5 sentences, and followed the format described.

12 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

The position I provided reflects the commonly accepted assessment of integration, and while it may be my "opinion", it is based on the measurements and assessments used to determine the level of integration in a society. It is also common sense. There are two components to integration; One is how society treats the person and the other is how the person is part of the society. The first component is more easily measured through things like access to social services including health care, equal treatment by the judiciary and law enforcement, and equitable treatment by society in general. A farang who is subject to double pricing or unfair treatment in the courts because he/she is not Thai has not integrated. It may not be the person's doing, but it reflects the society's reluctance to accept the foreigner as an equal. The second component, is how how the person has become part of the community. Some believe that if they wear an amulet, or go to a wat and wai that they have integrated. Integration is more than that. It is demonstrated by participation in local governance and administration. It is also demonstrated by social participation in governnce activities.

The concept of integration in a local community is evident and measurable. The use of terms such as "degree of integration" are not helpful and are used to excuse or to justify exclusion. Integration means that one has become part of the social construct of the host society. One does not have to be an immigrant to be excluded. Examples are the mentally ill, the physically impaired, and people of lower socio economic positions who can be excluded from society.

Integration of foreigners in Thailand is neither easy, nor common. The exclusion is attributable to the intentional obstacles and the social culture that does not accept most foreign cultures, especially non regional.

Thank you for your unsolicited suggestions on writing technique. In respect your view that I should have structured my comment into paragraphs, I ask if you know what a paragraph is? It is usually a construction of 3-5 sentences. The first sentence introduces the main point or key issue. The next component sets out the information that supports the point made. The paragraph then ends with a sentence that ties the aforementioned together. The paragraph you criticized was 5 sentences, and followed the format described.

You set a high bar for integration. In your opinion, are you integrated into Thai society?

Interesting, because according to your opinions, after over 50 years back in my home country, I was never integrated. I was a bit of a lone wolf, but held a respectful job, had a good standing in the community, and thought I was a productive member of society. Yet I never did, nor wanted to do, many of the requirements that you suggest as mandatory for integration. If I didn't want to do them there, why would I do them here?

Not sure where you from but let's say the UK...

So when you overhear someone at a restaurant or pub speaking the King's BBC English and you look over to see who they are and their face looks South Asian....

Do you think:

A. Posh British

B. Toffee nosed P-word

Same for you in Thailand, regardless of the level of integration.

You will always be judged by your looks.

If you look Thai, only then can you pull it off mate.

Sorry that's just human nature. 🍒

22 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Not sure where you from but let's say the UK...

So when you overhear someone at a restaurant or pub speaking the King's BBC English and you look over to see who they are and their face looks South Asian....

Do you think:

A. Posh British

B. Toffee nosed P-word

Same for you in Thailand, regardless of the level of integration.

You will always be judged by your looks.

If you look Thai, only then can you pull it off mate.

Sorry that's just human nature. 🍒

I don't evesdrop on other people, that's a commie trick!

You forgot option

C. Report them to the police for hate speech.

Neither.

On 7/22/2026 at 6:05 PM, simon43 said:

But not being a Thai citizen doesn't exclude you from the vast majority of activites, basically not owning land and that's about it.

Being a citizen means you can practise as an engineer, taxi driver or any other occupation reserved for Thais.

Yes one can work as an engineer sponsored by a Thai company but one cannot start/own their own engineering company or get long-term employment security.

Important if one is young enough and wishes to stay until retirement age.

Of course this being Thailand one can always find a way around this at a price but... There are a few "freelance" engineering types here.

Edited July 29Jul 29 by VocalNeal

On 7/24/2026 at 8:41 PM, Keeps said:

Does it really come as a surprise that a Brit would prefer Brit food over Thai food having been brought up in Britain? Brits are not weaned on Larb Moo or pad kra pao.

I would also argue that Brits in Thailand have a far better mental capability than many nationalities (particularly more so than Aussies) to pick up the lingo if they see fit and many do. I do not dispute that a fair number of Brits who reside in Thailand end up in the likes of Pattaya but I would still say that is in the minority.

Many, many Brits enjoy a life outside of the tourist hotspots with loving partners and have brought up families and are now enjoying seeing their grandchildren blossom.

With regards to Brits being thin skinned - that could not be farther from the truth. Quite frankly, we rarely give a flying what other people think. We leave that to people with an inferiority complex.

So your claim is 60yo Brits in Thailand should eat what they ate as 10yos in the UK. That makes no sense whatsoever.

I was brought up on cereal but don't eat it now cause I prefer real food.

Given you can barely speak the language what would you know about farangs speaking Thai? You would not have a clue.

5 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

So your claim is 60yo Brits in Thailand should eat what they ate as 10yos in the UK. That makes no sense whatsoever.

I was brought up on cereal but don't eat it now cause I prefer real food.

Given you can barely speak the language what would you know about farangs speaking Thai? You would not have a clue.

If a Thai visited or lived in England or Australia for example, they are only allowed to eat sausage and mash or meat pies with tomato sauce or similar? They are not permitted to eat any Thai food? That is how your logic works.

I speak Thai perfectly well, probably more proficiently than yourself. You constantly embarrass yourself on many threads trying to demonstrate your prowess (I use the term very, very loosely) in the language.

45 minutes ago, Keeps said:

If a Thai visited or lived in England or Australia for example, they are only allowed to eat sausage and mash or meat pies with tomato sauce or similar? They are not permitted to eat any Thai food? That is how your logic works.

I speak Thai perfectly well, probably more proficiently than yourself. You constantly embarrass yourself on many threads trying to demonstrate your prowess (I use the term very, very loosely) in the language.

You can barely speak Thai at all. Lots of Thais go abroad and eat Thai only which shows they lack imagination.

I'm happy to meet you and bet 1m baht I speak better Thai than you. Thais can be the judge.

Easy win for me but you won't show up. You did not even know how to say Pattaya.

50 minutes ago, Keeps said:

they are only allowed to eat sausage and mash or meat pies with tomato sauce or similar?

Most Aussies rarely eat meat pies. They eat steaks, chicken and other things a lot.

I see your knowledge of Australia is very limited.

8 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

You can barely speak Thai at all. Lots of Thais go abroad and eat Thai only which shows they lack imagination.

I'm happy to meet you and bet 1m baht I speak better Thai than you. Thais can be the judge.

Easy win for me but you won't show up. You did not even know how to say Pattaya.

Firstly, you would have to drop the 'm' from your '1m baht' stake. I know you are a potless peasant.

Secondly, why on earth would I want to meet you? I could not think of anything more horrific. Your offline persona cannot be so far removed from your online one that you could be even remotely likeable. I will politely decline your kind invitation. You might be happy to meet me but I can't say the same about meeting you.

Lastly, what are you babbling on about regarding pronunciation of Pattaya? When have you heard me say the word Pattaya?

Once again, you are embarrassing yourself. Back to your big handed LB Rocky.

12 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Most Aussies rarely eat meat pies. They eat steaks, chicken and other things a lot.

I see your knowledge of Australia is very limited.

I am immensely thankful for that.

Your culinary knowledge is boundless. You know steak, chicken and, ermm other things. You really should open a restaurant rather than your current role of washing dishes in one.

52 minutes ago, Keeps said:

You constantly embarrass yourself on many threads trying to demonstrate your

6 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Firstly, you would have to drop the 'm' from your '1m baht' stake. I know you are a potless peasant.

Secondly, why on earth would I want to meet you? I could not think of anything more horrific. Your offline persona cannot be so far removed from your online one that you could be even remotely likeable. I will politely decline your kind invitation. You might be happy to meet me but I can't say the same about meeting you.

Lastly, what are you babbling on about regarding pronunciation of Pattaya? When have you heard me say the word Pattaya?

Once again, you are embarrassing yourself. Back to your big handed LB Rocky.

You are a fake person. Total coward.

3 minutes ago, Keeps said:

I am immensely thankful for that.

Your culinary knowledge is boundless. You know steak, chicken and, ermm other things. You really should open a restaurant rather than your current role of washing dishes in one.

Too busy laughing at a lame Brit acting tough online.

18 minutes ago, Keeps said:

Lastly, what are you babbling on about regarding pronunciation of Pattaya? When have you heard me say the word Pattaya?

Well then champ tell me how to pronounce the following words

Pattaya

Koh Chang

Bueng Kan

Kanchanaburi

Koh Pha Ngan

Lampang

Phrae

Kaeng

Gym

Edited July 30Jul 30 by Rockyroad

9 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Well then champ tell me how to pronounce the following words

Pattaya

Koh Chang

Bueng Kan

Kanchanaburi

Koh Pha Ngan

Lampang

Phrae

Kaeng

Gym

I just said them out loud. How did I do? Full marks?

24 minutes ago, Keeps said:

I just said them out loud. How did I do? Full marks?

Free fish n chips for you

On 7/26/2026 at 12:08 PM, KhunLA said:

I don't ... BUT ... if you are going to collect USA benefits, sometimes because you can't find employment, then yes, you should be able to speak English, as probably needed to be employed, if you are going to collect bennies for not being employed.

If arrive to US, can't speak English, are employed, by employer or self employed, paying taxes, then fine, no need to speak English. Or self supporting with your own funds, then fine, no English required and simple enough.

Feel the same about myself in TH, as I'm completely independent of the social services, pay my way, so no need (or desire) to be fluent in Thai. I'm not costing the Thai tax payer anything with my ignorance.

So you don't use medical facilities, even private ones? You don't use the reroads or transport system? You never visit a national park or monument? Speak to a police officer, immigration police or any government official. You don't use any water or energy, never put fuel in a vehicle, fly in a plane, land in an airport, don't complain about pollution, etc. etc, don't pay income tax? and you can't read speak or write Thai - you are an illiterate immigrant?

Edited July 30Jul 30 by kwilco

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

So you don't use medical facilities, even private ones? You don't use the reroads or transport system? You never visit a national park or monument? Speak to a police officer, immigration police or any government official. You don't use any water or energy, never put fuel in a vehicle, fly in a plane, land in an airport, don't complain about pollution, etc. etc, don't pay income tax? and you can't read speak or write Thai - you are an illiterate immigrant?

Reading comprehension ...

... "BUT ... if you are going to collect USA benefits" ...

Thailand does not give me any subsidized benefits such as housing, food, medical.

I pay for everything and any government services I use is paid for via the VAT, or service charges.

Far from fluent but I speak enough Thai to get by.

Edited July 30Jul 30 by KhunLA

4 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

You can barely speak Thai at all. Lots of Thais go abroad and eat Thai only which shows they lack imagination.

I'm happy to meet you and bet 1m baht I speak better Thai than you. Thais can be the judge.

Easy win for me but you won't show up. You did not even know how to say Pattaya.

What is it with you and these big dick contests?

14 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Reading comprehension ...

... "BUT ... if you are going to collect USA benefits" ...

Thailand does not give me any subsidized benefits such as housing, food, medical.

I pay for everything and any government services I use is paid for via the VAT, or service charges.

Far from fluent but I speak enough Thai to get by.

You're just altering your definitions to suit yourself—but of course, many of those benefits are subsidized. You also need to work out what VAT pays for in Thailand. Paying for something doesn't mean it's not subsidized. You will soon be paying income tax—and your assessment of your language abilities is just apologetic.

The way expat immigrants in Thailand overestimate their self-importance is laughable—basically, many show by their self-angrandisement and self-entitlement they have a racist feeling of superiority over Thai people and beieve they are endowing the ountry with some form of benificence...in reality they are contributing nothing and ripping the country offf as a cheap place to live and have sex with young women

Edited July 31Jul 31 by kwilco

Just now, kwilco said:

You're just altering your definitions to suit yourself—but of course, many f those benefits are subsidized. You also need to work out what VAT pys for in Thailand

VAT isn't paying for my housing, food or medical. Which is what illegal aliens and lay abouts in the USA get if not working and scamming the system. What my original reply was about. Earning benefits.

I've paid VAT, which finances most of TH budget.

I pay road tax, along with petrol tax for 20 yrs

Income tax on interest earned, bank accounts

Paid excise tax on 4 new vehicles, not sure about the EV

... at least 100k per vehicle

Excise tax on 3 MBs

Taxes on house & land transfers (2 house & 11 land lots)

Whatever other 'luxury' tax added to VAT tax with purchases.

Brought in minimum of 400k or 800k every year over 25 yrs, so 7% VAT on all that, most spent. Actually all spent, at those 2 numbers.

Daughter went to private school & Uni. Thanks to me & her drive, she's not a blight on society, now earning 100k a month, with houses, car, income taxed.

Thailand hasn't given me much of anything, except the luxury of living here, which is more than enough for me, and I'm very THANKFUL.

Don't want or expect anything more, unlike some folks, that think TH owes them something, just for their presence here. Too funny.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by KhunLA

18 minutes ago, kwilco said:

The way expat immigrants in Thailand overestimate their self-importance is laughable—basically, many show by their self-angrandisement and self-entitlement they have a racist feeling of superiority over Thai people and beieve they are endowing the ountry with some form of benificence...in reality they are contributing nothing and ripping the country offf as a cheap place to live and have sex with young women

That certainly doesn't apply to me. I simply established and enjoy a comfy life here. They live theirs, and I live mine. Very mutual, and we both seem to respect each other for that.

You must travel in different circles than myslf. That's a shame, think you need better peer group to hang out with, or, be a loner like myself.

16 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That certainly doesn't apply to me. I simply established and enjoy a comfy life here. They live theirs, and I live mine. Very mutual, and we both seem to respect each other for that.

You must travel in different circles than myslf. That's a shame, think you need better peer group to hang out with, or, be a loner like myself.

Hard to find decent farangs in Thailand. So many dropkicks.