Always remember my first visit to Arenal,Spain and the locals were out with knives, sticks,bats and shouting where are de english bastards.

Not surprised, that's the German section.

Reasons being Thai women arent what theyre cracked up to be

And which woman ever was?

I could see the appeal of leaving as it's easy to let things pile up here, but I think the pluses are bigger pluses than the minuses.

Best of luck to those knocking it on the head

I like it here. I find the Thai people to be the same as any where else - good & bad, but I must say the majority of Thai people I personally have had contact with are very friendly. I firmly believe that people tend to treat you the same as you treat them. I know I do.

As for the authorities, well, they're pretty much the same wherever you go, no such thing as a free country anymore.

I still love Australia but unfortunately the overbearing "Big Brother" style of government there means I won't be going back in a hurry.

Give it a few years and then post again. People are not the same the world over. There are massive cultural differences. That's one of the beauty's in life.