How Many Expats Are Married?

[pete98146]

I'm a 43 year old American from Seattle currently married to a 24 year old lady from Philippines.

Although my wife is certainly no prude, she would prefer that I don't hang out in the bars to socialize. But that is ok, she is absolutely stunning so no chasing girls for me!

I doubt CM is overflowing with married ex-pats, but I'm curious what percentage are married? We'd love to socialize with other married folk.

[p1p]

Must say almost all my expat friends are married, about 50/50 to Thais and non Thais.

[ThaiPauly]

I am happily married to a Thai Girl.

I think she is warm, caring & beautiful with a very sunny dispostion, but thats only my opinion!

Cheers

TP

[bggg]

I think there is a sizeable married expat community. They seem to segregate into western couples and 50/50 couples groups. A lot of socialization revolves around other parents at your childrens school (if you have children), work, sports.

[earlofwindermere]

I'd have to agree with p1p. Most expats I know are married as well. We're one of the "non-Thai" brand as mentioned above.

[Pantip]

I'm a 43 year old American from Seattle currently married to a 24 year old lady from Philippines.

Although my wife is certainly no prude, she would prefer that I don't hang out in the bars to socialize.  But that is ok, she is absolutely stunning so no chasing girls for me!

I doubt CM is overflowing with married ex-pats, but I'm curious what percentage are married?  We'd love to socialize with other married folk.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am married to a Thai lady and we have been living in Chiangmai for many years. A contributor to this forum mentioned the other day – “most expats keep very much to themselves and their small circle of friends” – I am in that category. 80% of our friends are Thai and the rest are expats of many nationalities.

Although I am listed as a “newbie” I (and I suspect there are many others) have been “lurking” this forum for a while. It’s not that we are antisocial, it’s just that we are leading a happy, relaxed and rewarding existence, catching up with our friends when in the mood at the many friendly non girlie bars and restaurants around town.

[loong]

Of the farangs I know, about 50% are either married or in long term relationships.

Of the farangs I know who actually live in Thailand, nearly all are married or in long term relationships.

I'm not sure if you are focusing on legally married couples or not.

I'm not married legally to my lady, but she does refer to me as her husband. So do I count as married in your mind?

Despite the perceived reputation of farang in Thailand, in my experience most men (and farang women) seem to want to settle down after the initial 'kid in a candy shop' thing.

[wincen]

Despite the perceived reputation of farang in Thailand, in my experience most men (and farang women) seem to want to settle down after the initial 'kid in a candy shop' thing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like the way you said that. Its exactly what happend to me. I've decided to live in Chiang Mai and have been here three months. After going to pattaya on vacation a few times in the past and having fun ('kid in a candy shop'), I decided to go last week for the first time since I've been here and the whole thing made me sick.

I just want to meet the the right lady and settle down. I know all the warnings.

[pete98146]

It’s not that we are antisocial, it’s just that we are leading a happy, relaxed and rewarding existence, catching up with our friends when in the mood at the many friendly non girlie bars and restaurants around town.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Going out with a small circle of good friends sounds exactly what we are looking for in CM. I'm just hoping that my Filipino wife can mix it up and make friends with the Thai girls.

My guess is that my wife will learn to speak Thai about 10 times faster than I'll be able to learn so I really don't worry.

Thanks for the replies guys!

[OxfordWill]

There is a chance that there are other fili girls in CM..might be worth investigating!

[jaloochapurr]

You know I hear all the stories here.

I met my wife in BKK where she was at univ. She was really getting tired of study.

We met and were married. We both went back to Chiang Mai where she went to work at Majeo where she had finished school. We did go to her home town (SATUN) where we had a party and married. Now I feel that I am a lucky guy for finding such a lovely southern girl. Her family wants nothing from me because of my falang status.The times we had visited there have all been good. Well we are now in the USA working togeter and she is trying to get her citizenship here. We will return to Chiang Mai and live someday and all the stories here are the best of all infromation.

[ThaiPauly]

Make sure you attend the CM piss-up, you will surely make new freinds ther. You dont have to get on with all of us , but i am sure you will strike an accord with a few (Make aure you bring the trouble and strife)

Wife.

Hope 2 C U there

TP

[frankafey]

Why Thailand and not the PI? check me off off for married to Thai 20 plus years, I like the food more. My Thai wife has many friends from the Philippines from our days in San Diego.

[pete98146]

Why Thailand and not the PI?  check me off off for married to Thai 20 plus years, I like the food more.  My Thai wife has many friends from the Philippines from our days in San Diego.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah, very good question! I MUCH prefer Thailand for many reasons. I've visited my wife's hometown of Cebu three times and I don't think I'd want to live there.

Here are my main reasons for choosing Thailand over The Philippines:

1. Appalled over the sheer number of unemployed people that line the street in Phils. These folks are everywhere!!! It made me feel very unsafe and claustrophobic. I was wondering how many times your house would be broken into in a given year?

2. Thais seem to be more acclimated to foreigners. I stand 6'4 and tend to stand out in the crowd. At first I was flattered, but I got tired of the Filipinos staring at me.

3. Thai food is soooo much better than Filipino food.

4. I want a bit of separation from my wife's family. She comes from a nice middle class family but there always relatives who are seeking handouts for education, loans etc etc. It's easier to say NO when living in Thailand.

5. Last but not least, I REALLY LOVE Thailand!

[jomama]

I just want to meet the the right lady and settle down. I know all the warnings.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm married to a Thai. It took me almost a decade to find her, and it's the first time I've been married (I must not be very charming). She is absolutely great.

There are lots of good, and attractive, women who would be fine settling down with a farang, so patience...most of them you won't meet in bars, so perhaps a workplace or study group. Best of luck!

[chanchao]

> My guess is that my wife will learn to speak Thai about 10 times

> faster than I'll be able to learn so I really don't worry.

Ehh.. why? Or is she just younger and/or better with languages? It learning Thai never struck me as particulary easy for philippino people. It will require abig effort on her part as well.

For me I'm married. Not legally though, for various reasons. I fully believe in marriage, just not that it's any of the government's business.

Cheers,

Chanchao

[WhiteShiva]

I just want to meet the the right lady and settle down. I know all the warnings.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm married to a Thai. It took me almost a decade to find her, and it's the first time I've been married (I must not be very charming). She is absolutely great.

There are lots of good, and attractive, women who would be fine settling down with a farang, so patience...most of them you won't meet in bars, so perhaps a workplace or study group. Best of luck!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Could not agree more. Took me (only) 4 years of searching here before I found my woman, but it was worth it.

Guess that means I am 2.5 times more charming than you, jomama?

However, if you asked my wife, she will probably say it was because she felt sorry for me......

[jomama]

Actually, now that I REALLY think about it, the wife and I have been togther more than 5 years, so that makes it about 8 years...the margin is narrowing! You're only 2 times more charming.

[WhiteShiva]

Actually, now that I REALLY think about it, the wife and I have been togther more than 5 years, so that makes it about 8 years...the margin is narrowing! You're only 2 times more charming.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

D@mn - you are catching up fast....

[x-pat]

The question is really: how long can one manage to stay unmarried in Thailand? Given various factors, such as countless opportunities for socialising, the onslaught of attractive single women, long-haired almond-eyed armies, the daily struggle to keep up with the dates, the monthly change of your mobile's SIM card..., okay, okay... I am exaggerating. Anyway, most single expats finally give in to the overwhelming female power and get hitched within two years (including myself although it took eight years in my case).

Any die hard bachelors out there?

Cheers, X-Pat

[JuniorExPat]

Despite the perceived reputation of farang in Thailand, in my experience most men (and farang women) seem to want to settle down after the initial 'kid in a candy shop' thing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like the way you said that. Its exactly what happend to me. I've decided to live in Chiang Mai and have been here three months. After going to pattaya on vacation a few times in the past and having fun ('kid in a candy shop'), I decided to go last week for the first time since I've been here and the whole thing made me sick.

I just want to meet the the right lady and settle down. I know all the warnings.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, yep and yep! My first year in Thailand was spent in a well paid job in Bangkok and the candy shop definitely enjoyed my bahts. Now I am almost embarassed to admit to people that it took me nearly 2 years to discover and settle down in Chiang Mai.

I now live with the best girl in Thailand (and I won't accept any arguments on this!) and possibly the world - definitely in MY world . . . enough about my daughter, my wife (from Chiang Mai) is a pretty cool lady too.

Anyhow it took me more than 2 years but less than 8 therefore I must be only slightly below average on the TV charm scale. Not officially/legally married but about to rectify that in the next few days.

Our social life seems to be very equally split between Thai and non-Thai, work, social and family. There are plenty of bars that aren't THAT sort of bar, many restaurants, golf clubs, bars (pubs) - come to the p/up at the Chiang Mai Saloon on the 13th, it sounds like there will be a fair few hitched expats there to quiz about their social lives.

JxP

[pete98146]

> My guess is that my wife will learn to speak Thai about 10 times

> faster than I'll be able to learn so I really don't worry.

Ehh.. why?  Or is she just younger and/or better with languages?  It learning Thai never struck me as particulary easy for philippino people.  It will require  abig effort on her part as well.

Cheers,

Chanchao

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Generally I take to new languages like a cat takes to water. She is 19 years younger than me and and speaks 3 dialects of her native language plus english. However, I'm sure both of us will struggle with Thai like most folks.

The neat thing about retirement is having the time to take some Thai classes! Can't wait!

[thebear]

There are more probably more expat - Thai marriages/partners in CM than most people realize and it would be fair to say that there are many couples out there such as yourselves who would like to socialize in a mixed setting environment that you live. Most Thai women frown upon their husbands/partners patronizing the bars for obvious and understandable reasons.

I make no apologies or excuses for unashamedly promoting The Bear’s Den as one such venue growing popularity each week as people discover its charms. We have many such customers where new friendships are being developed each week – the guys and girls each enjoying the chance to communicate with ease in their native tongue whilst enjoying their favourite food from our brand new International/Pub Grub/Thai menu, or tipple in a great Ping river setting. The guys also get to enjoy their favourite sports as broadcast live either on the big screen in the main bar, or in the dedicated Sports Bar. With a jam session on Mondays and two live bands on Fridays and Saturdays there is something for everybody.

The pub is professionally run by my partner a long time expat with who has spent his entire career in the hospitality industry – he has a Thai G/F and I myself have been happily married to my Thai wife for nearly 14 years. Pete91846 you have a head start as one of our regular customer couples is Brit/Filipino – drop by some time to see for yourself!

[pete98146]

Pete91846 you have a head start as one of our regular customer couples is Brit/Filipino – drop by some time to see for yourself!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your establishment sounds wonderful! I especially like the part about the dedicated sports area. I may even have to pick out a British Football team as a favorite and start a following (not easy for us Yanks to do, you know!).

Anyways, thank you for the invitation. Interestingly, neither of us have ever been to CM but we plan to make a trip in late November. If so, we'll pop in and introduce ourselves to you!

[bozy]

Hello guys,

I met my wife in samui over 3 years ago we now are married and have a daughter 1 year old.We have been living in Chiang mai for the last 18 months which I feel is one of the better places to live,but I will say marriage to a young thai girl has its moments you all should no what i mean when i say this?

Darren

[SiamOne]

I'm a 43 year old American from Seattle currently married to a 24 year old lady from Philippines.

Although my wife is certainly no prude, she would prefer that I don't hang out in the bars to socialize.  But that is ok, she is absolutely stunning so no chasing girls for me!

I doubt CM is overflowing with married ex-pats, but I'm curious what percentage are married?  We'd love to socialize with other married folk.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am 100% married

and my wife is 100% married too

[Braccobaldo]

..I am happily not married...no intention to do that until I reach 65 years old.

[p1p]

..I am happily not married...no intention to do that until I reach 65 years old.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have my sincere sympathy Sir.

[Braccobaldo]

..I am happily not married...no intention to do that until I reach 65 years old.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have my sincere sympathy Sir.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...thank you, so, even you are not married??..if I may ask...

[p1p]

Happily married for many years.