Is There Something The Matter With Me?

[IanForbes 449]

I never seem to have any of the problems that seem to befall everyone else. I travel all over Thailand from the rural districts to the heart of the various cities with nothing more than the usual problems: missed busses or planes, long waits in airports or the occasional upset stomach from eating bad food. And, that can usually be rectified by Imodium.

I wander around long after midnight in what are supposedly dangerous parts of Bangkok and Pattaya, and all that seems to happen is getting propositioned by some ladyboy... which I graciously decline. I never get mugged or even threatened despite being in the seedy parts of Pattaya or Soi Cowboy. I am still waiting for my first pickpocket to get me on a baht bus. I live in what is supposed to be the roughest part of Chiang Mai but I never have any problems despite drinking occasionally at the Thai Kareoke bars. The pretty Thai girls try out their broken English and we all have a laugh... but I never proposition any of them. They are for the Thai boys..

When I get a flat tire on my motorbike, or have mechanical problems, there always seems to be a helpful Thai nearby to fix my bike. Even when I have the occasional motorbike accident there always seems to be someone nearby to help patch me up.

If one of my girl friends gets married or moves back home there are always two more waiting to take their place. I get invited to private home parties by hookers and high society alike. We go dancing, bowling or out to the lake and there never seems to be any tension. I always pay my own way, but never seem to be treated like an ATM and expected to pay for everyone. Yes, I DO treat all women with respect, and usually buy the working girls an occasional drink, but I don't over-do it. I'm not a great pool player, but I can usually hold my own and the girls all want to play me.

Although I drink a bit, I never get drunk and that might save me from being a victim. I'm also athletically fit and bigger than most Thais so that might also be a factor in not appearing to be a potential victim. Although chronologically I'm old (70), but people usually take me for someone much younger... despite my bald head and white beard. Maybe it's just because I bounce around with a big smile on my face that I don't get taken advantage of. Who knows.

Of course I don't invest any money in Thailand other than what I spend on enjoyment. My two motorbikes that I leave with friends when I'm away are expendible if the worst case scenario were to occur. I just tell my friends that if anything were to happen to me then they've just become the owner of anything I've left behind.

I don't worry if I have to pay more for visiting a Thai national park, and I don't care about two tier pricing in some restaurants. Maybe I pay a little more at markets than I should, but I figure the Thais need the money more than me. It doesn't bother me if a taxi driver charges a little more money than he should. I just figure the value for my money and decide if it is worth it or not.

I've been accused of wearing rose coloured glasses, but it seems to have worked for the 14 years I've been coming to Thailand. I'll know when it's time to retire to a rocking chair. And, Judging by how fast the past the last 14 years went, I am only too aware how much time I have left.

[Jingthing 89006]

You just JINXED yourself, big time!

Next ...

[onnut 98]

I hope you was touching wood while you wrote this post!

after living here for nearly 8 years I can say the same as well on nearly all accounts. I think some people bring a lot of bad luck on themselves by being pessamistic and doubtfull all the time.

its not all roses but most of the time I am enjoying it here.

[Fookhaht 3281]

So, the fact I've been robbed twice, scammed about a dozen times, and slapped around by immigration means......oh gosh, I just don't wanna get into that.....

[Forethat 2515]

Don’t worry, Ian, you're not alone! To your list I want to add having had numerous items shipped to Thailand via DHL, FedEx and a few others without EVER being subject to anything that even resembles corruption or attempts to scam the farang. I tried telling that to a few posters here on TV and got the same treatment as you.

Just smile and live with it - remember that you make your own luck in this world, people tend to forget that every now and then.

[tigerfish 231]

and of course Ian, you get the pick of all the lovely women out there.

lucky sod !

[roamer 1212]

I had the mouthpiece for my snorkel stolen on a bus to CM in 1984.

[mca 4275]

When I hear both on here and in real life about some of the debacles that occur between westerners and their Thai spouses it makes me query my own normal life as abnormal.

" So MCA, what'd you get up to at the weekend?"

"Nothing special mate. Needed a new telephone so took a stroll down Tukcom and then had a picnic at Ubolratana Dam on Sunday. How about yourself?"

" Well, the wife accused me of having a bit on the side on Saturday morning and went for me with a kitchen knife. After I'd been stitched up and had a blood transfusion I had to report to the police station becuase she'd filed a report saying that I hit her. On the way to the cop shop I had an accident and because I was drunk did a runner and hid in a ditch for 3 hours. Then on Sunday I was kicked out of our house due to the fact that without my knowledge the missus had remortgaged the place to pay off her gambling debts and hadn't paid the repayments for 6 months. Oh and her "cousin"is in fact her Thai husband and she's pregnant by him. Pretty quiet really"

Edited September 16, 2010 by mca

[Forethat 2515]

When I hear both on here and in real life about some of the debacles that occur between westerners and their Thai spouses it makes me query my own normal life as abnormal.

" So MCA, what'd you get up to at the weekend?"

"Nothing special mate. Needed a new telephone so took a stroll down Tukcom and then had a picnic at Ubolratana Dam on Sunday. How about yourself?"

" Well, the wife accused me of having a bit on the side on Saturday morning and went for me with a kitchen knife. After I'd been stitched up and had a blood transfusion I had to report to the police station becuase she'd filed a report saying that I hit her. On the way to the cop shop I had an accident and because I was drunk did a runner and hid in a ditch for 3 hours. Then on Sunday I was kicked out of our house due to the fact that without my knowledge the missus had remortgaged the place to pay off her gambling debts and hadn't paid the repayments for 6 months. Oh and her "cousin"is in fact her Thai husband and she's pregnant by him. Pretty quiet really"

[Daffy D 2674]

I feel prety much the same as you Ian.

I had been living and traveling in Thailand quite happily for several years before I settled down got a computer and found this site before realizing what a terrible place this Thailand is

[BillR 57]

I never get drunk and that might save me from being a victim

Bingo

[harrry 4924]

usually I would agree and say there is something wrong with you but your experience with Thai people is more like the one I have than of the ones I read here.

[rixalex 5561]

I never get drunk and that might save me from being a victim

Bingo

Not being drunk helps you avoid the small pitfalls, but if you want to avoid the big ones you need to be thinking with the brain in your head, not the one between your legs. That's usually the root of men's problems in Thailand.

[neverdie 8096]

Eeean,

You must just be a bit of a cruiser, happy go lucky, not too fussy, expectations arnt real high, nothing matters hairless dude, with a fishing rod. I have a few mates like that, they will never die from stress. Good for you.

[JUDAS 702]

I feel prety much the same as you Ian.

I had been living and traveling in Thailand quite happily for several years before I settled down got a computer and found this site before realizing what a terrible place this Thailand is

+1 on that.

[Samuian 28]

Agreed, think it's one very own nature, mood displayed and how one interacts with the surrounding world and the people.... and much of those "Halloween stories" do lack the background, I believe it's always only half the story.

Living here for almost 2 decades I have seen a lot of people and how they got themselves into trouble, but then they are always pleading innocent.

[mca 4275]

You must just be a bit of a cruiser

That definitely has 2 meanings where I come from

[Loz 80]

I never get drunk and that might save me from being a victim

Bingo

Not being drunk helps you avoid the small pitfalls, but if you want to avoid the big ones you need to be thinking with the brain in your head, not the one between your legs. That's usually the root of men's problems in Thailand.

Agreed, but I can't think with the head between my legs, cos it's not mine. When it comes up for air (or some impromptue dentistry ) I have been know to ask its opinion but I am always mindful to weight the answer according to the percieved IQ of said head and potential ulterior motives.

Being sober is a great bit of advice for thailand, you are right! Sadly, being mullured is half the reason many chaps cum here.

The other half we read about on here for shits and giggles.

[neverdie 8096]

You must just be a bit of a cruiser

That definitely has 2 meanings where I come from

Really? <deleted>? Okay, now that I've thought about it, it also has two meanings where I am from. A 'Cruiser' is someone that takes it easy OR a Toyota Landcruiser.

Anyway, I hope that has cleared this up for you.

[canuckamuck 30672]

Being wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove is the path to peace in LOS.

I imagine Ian has some of that going on.

That and the fact that he's a canuck - we're ridiculously polite(usually).

Polite goes a long way in every culture.

[mca 4275]

You must just be a bit of a cruiser

That definitely has 2 meanings where I come from

Really? <deleted>? Okay, now that I've thought about it, it also has two meanings where I am from. A 'Cruiser' is someone that takes it easy OR a Toyota Landcruiser.

Anyway, I hope that has cleared this up for you.

The urban dictionary is your friend

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cruiser

[geriatrickid 21399]

You must just be a bit of a cruiser

That definitely has 2 meanings where I come from

Really? <deleted>? Okay, now that I've thought about it, it also has two meanings where I am from. A 'Cruiser' is someone that takes it easy OR a Toyota Landcruiser.

Anyway, I hope that has cleared this up for you.

Actually a cruiser can have a much different meaning. It also involves wearing multicoloured hankies in your back pocket. Al Pacino classic scene shown below. Which colour are you? I have seen the dew rags on hiso heads in Thailand, usually the yellow ones.

Warning: Do not blame me for the ensuing nightmares after viewing this clip.

[leon1503 0]

i know how you feel . i,ve spend the best part of 4 years coming to thailand . with about 2 years spent altogether in that time .. i never had any problems or even must a bus or plane . nothing even went wrong for me. but of course one of the reasons is that i never drink . so i,m not around bars at all . and i smile alot and so fouth . respect goes along way in thailand . thats what you have for thais and they can see it.

[DP25 2579]

I'm permanently pissed and I've never had any problems either

[Kwasaki 19241]

I like this bit Ian :-

( I'm not a great pool player, but I can usually hold my own and the girls all want to play me. )

I find that too !! and when I am not playing pool.

[Thakkar 8400]

Ian, I always suspected you lived in a parallel universe where pretty girls are attracted by loud shirts.

Now my suspicions are confirmed.

[somtampet 421]

I hope you was touching wood while you wrote this post!

after living here for nearly 8 years I can say the same as well on nearly all accounts. I think some people bring a lot of bad luck on themselves by being pessamistic and doubtfull all the time.

its not all roses but most of the time I am enjoying it here.

We seem to be similar people to the poster onenut lol.

I have encountered one problem in 7 years and it was a stupid,drunk english guy who was being nasty to a thai girl.Am i doing something wrong,should i get realy pissed and shout and scream at thais or be a nice guy to them.I have many friends who are thai and i think they are wonderful people.Cannot do with all the moaning an whinging of some people on here,but i do retaliate when some nob comes on and says Pattaya is a shithole and Bangkok is wonderful.Both can be a huge shithole and both can be perfect to live in.

[JiveTalker 28]

With all due respect I think you miss the point of a discussion forum. It's foremost a place to discuss problems, issues and difficulties we face as foreigners in Thailand. Therefore it's obvious that you'll see more negativity than you'll generally encounter in day to day life. If someone has a problem with a corrupt official or an overcharging business then they need to vent. Within Thailand we are often powerless to question or challenge what happens to us. Thaivisa is the perfect place to discuss and resolve (to some extent) any issues we have.

There are many on this forum that feel the discussion and reactions to any issues are an insult and offensive to Thailand. They're not. It's what a discussion forum is, and always has been. Sure you'll get the odd nutcase and troll, but you should be able to see these guys a mile off.

I appreciate your post telling us how wonderful your life is, but we'd all find another site to use if all posts were in similar ilk.

Edited September 16, 2010 by JiveTalker

[exterminator 3]

"We go dancing, bowling or out to the lake and there never seems to be any tension. I always pay my own way, but never seem to be treated like an ATM and expected to pay for everyone."

You must be abnormal.

[JiveTalker 28]

With all due respect I think you miss the point of a discussion forum. It's foremost a place to discuss problems, issues and difficulties we face as foreigners in Thailand. Therefore it's obvious that you'll see more negativity than you'll generally encounter in day to day life. If someone has a problem with a corrupt official or an overcharging business then they need to vent. Within Thailand we are often powerless to question or challenge what happens to us. Thaivisa is the perfect place to discuss and resolve (to some extent) any issues we have.

There are many on this forum that feel the discussion and reactions to any issues are an insult and offensive to Thailand. They're not. It's what a discussion forum is, and always has been. Sure you'll get the odd nutcase and troll, but you should be able to see these guys a mile off.

I appreciate your post telling us how wonderful your life is, but we'd all find another site to use if all posts were in similar ilk.

This is a forum, we talk and are friends in the main but never meet face to face. It's nice on occasions to read something eeer nice, instead of reading problem after problem so l really don't know where your coming from. Perhaps your a lonely person and has never experienced friendship, l don't know, but from your comment you really should mix more.

"You're"

I use real life to experience friendship. You may need to use the Internet to meet people, but others have an active social life already. I enjoy reading the forum, and find it useful at times, but it's not something I use for social needs.