Why Are There So Many Muslims In Bangkok These Days?

[WebBangkok]

I have also seen drunk people hassle Muslims in Nana calling them all sorts of immature names. What the hell is up with that?

This old American man was giving real dirty looks at this muslim girl for no reason at the traffic lights, funny thing was his Thai girlfriend slapped him a few times to put him back in line lol.

How did you know he was American? Did he have that tattooed on his forehead?

Just an educated guess from the accent and yes I can tell the difference now with Canadians, a few of my American friends helped me. No it wasnt one of my friends who was giving them the dirties

[StreetCowboy]

Summer holidays.

Maybe Malaysia is relatively expensive this year.

I'm surprised they don't delay till Ramadan, though.

Actually, I've not noticed many ME tourists here (KL) this year; I didn't see a single dish-dash at the football this afternoon.

Anyway, I've always seen loads of ME tourists around Sukhumvit, to the extent that I could not imagine many more - only less of other nationalites.

Maybe the OP should consider whether his question should really be "why are there so few christian tourists here now?"

SC

[Max2010]

Here"s my 2 cents to the question posed by the OP regarding the sudden number of us Muslims in Bangkok:

1. Because we can. Just like any Westerners, we visit Thailand any month of the year.

2. For medical reasons. Healthcare is of poor quality in most developing countries. People who can afford go to India and Thailand for medical care. It is not only Muslims who go abroad for treatments as well. I have seen large number of Westerners being treated in india when I took my parents for treatment. High medical costs in America makes it extremely difficult to afford medical care there. I paid $5000 for heart surgery and intensive care expenses for one month. The doctors in London wanted $25000 just for the same operation.

3. Because of the rise of Xenophobia and Islamophobia in the West. As a Muslim, I am automatically treated as a terrorist in Western airports. Therefore, I refuse to travel there. I would rather spend my hard earned money in countries where I am welcomed and treated with respect. Many middle-class Muslim families feel the same way. Thailand respects me and therefore I come here very often for leisure with my family. I have never been mistreated here nor picked for "random search" in Asian countries.

4. Visa issues. Even before Sept. 11th, getting visas to go to the West has always been difficult. Is is much easier to travel to places like Thailand where visas are issued on arrival to most nationalities. India requres visas but they don't hassle you and don't require many documents to present to the embassy visa officers. Even the Saudis get 15 days on arrival in Bangkok. As a naturalized Canadian, my passport has not shielded me from being "randomly picked" from Western airports simply because of my Arabian race, so I refuse to be humiliated and help their depressed economies at the same time, by boycotting Western destinations.

5. If you paid attention to your geography classes in school, you would have learnt that not all Muslims live in the Middle East. And not all Muslims are devout just like not all Christians go to church. Also, there are many Arabs in the Middle East who wear what is considered an Islamic style of clothing though they practice Christianity or other faiths. The garment is just seen as a national dress rather than a religious dress. Many Africans and Indians in Africa wear Kanzu or male version of Hijab, especially when they celebrate weddings or go to Friday prayers.

6. I respect and learn alot from Bina from Israel. Though Ramadhan is in August, we do not have any special plans for wedding ceremonies prior, at least in Africa. We marry whenever we want or find the right partner. I will go for my holidays in the middle of Ramadhan and will have quite a few glasses of cold Heineken. I have married an Atheist and we never had a wedding celebrations. It is 27C in Tanzania, but I chose the beautiful beaches of Thailand to spend my time and money this summer. My brother will have an Islamic wedding in December in Australia.

Max20107

"Because of the rise of Xenophobia and Islamophobia in the West. As a Muslim, I am automatically treated as a terrorist in Western airports."

I take exception to that statement.

Most Christian western countries allow large Muslim populations to live unhindered amongst them ( unlike Saudi with Christians, for instance ). One only needs go to London to see that. In fact, western Christian people go out of their way to avoid offending other cultures, even to the extent of suppressing their own, something that would never happen in any Muslim country that I know of. Countries like Saudi actively suppress Christianity and other faiths, while expecting to be able to build mosques in London. As a Christian I always felt badly treated at Riyadh airport.

The only reason you may be singled out at western airports is that Muslims are the only people that currently blow themselves up to kill innocents. Till that stops, Muslims should expect to be given more attention than others, and I, and I expect eveyone else, hope that continues, as I have no wish to be killed by a suicide bomber on a plane, because the security became too PC to do their job properly.

I agree that Mulims in the Western world live freely, much more than in the Middle East. You cannot pay me enough to persuade me to pack up and live in Riyadh. My personal feeling is that, one must respect the cultures and rule of law of your host nation or of a place where you live. I don't personally believe in multiculturism. Even as a Muslim, I agree with the French government and other European countries who insist the Muslim women take down the veil when they drive, take a passport photo or in need of police inspection at airports. No exceptions. What I am against is, being put in the same catagory with murderers I have no connection with other than my skin color. When Timothy McVeigh killed hundrends of innocent children in Oklahoma with a car bomb, no one pointed fingers at Americans in foreign airports as possible terrorists. Those Saudi soldiers who crossed their borders into Bahrain to repress the will of the Bahraini people to live freely are trained and equipped by the Amnericans and British governments. Their soldiers attend the best military academies in the West. I won't even start with Al Ghraib Prison torture in iraq.

I understand where you are coming from. People must be protected at all costs, including picking up all Muslims for further checks at the airports. I think that those who blow themselves and kill innocent civilians could be avenging against NATO bombs which could have wiped his whole family or in his twisted mind, it is the only means for him to fight " foreign invaders". if we ignore the fact that innocent civilians, whom we never read much in westren press, are killed whenever "Smart" bombs are dropped in their villages, then we will never live in peace and the violence and death will surely come to your shores. Like any decent human being , I condone all forms of terrorism, from BOTH sides.

Max2010

"When Timothy McVeigh killed hundrends of innocent children in Oklahoma with a car bomb, no one pointed fingers at Americans in foreign airports as possible terrorists"

While not wishing to get into a tit for tat situation, it is only fair to mention that caucasian American terrorists normally target their own country, while Muslim terrorists are attacking other countries and aircraft. There has been no evidence that Christian Americans or Britons are boarding planes with the intent of immolating themselves, no matter how much the overly PC British airport security services target white middle England mothers with breast fed infants and their families in attendance.

BTW, I sincerely hope you meant to say that you CONDEMN terrorism, not condone it.

Thank you for correcting my English (my third language). I meant to say I CONDEMN all forms of terrorism from both sides. My apologies.

Max2010

[Max2010]

I walked around Paragon today and I too noticed a large number of Middle Eastern folk mooching around the shops amongst the Thai's and Westerners of many other nationalities.... I also noticed a lot of attractive women wearing very short skirts and shorts (but thats for a new topic)....

I like this level of multiculturalism - If ever regular Middle Eastern people felt they were unwelcome in Thailand then it also might not be the place that welcomes me as a Westerner. I feel comfortable and happy here, and I'm sure many other nationalities do too.

This topic is an interesting one and I must say its a pleasure to read the comments of those posters such as Max2010 and also some views of others on this subject, especially as some might consider this a somewhat taboo topic in rather excessively politically correct times, while at the same time recognizing a certain level of paranoia generated by Western Tabloids.

It's good to read of many opinions and that not every westerner is a bigot, in the same manner not every Arab is a potential terrorist threat - I appreciate reading these points of view especially when the topic can remain civil.

Isn't it all about achieving a healthy balance? I for one would severely miss the Middle Eastern influence in Bangkok as much as I would miss the Japanese influence, the Italian Influence, Korean, American, Indian influence - Of course I'm talking about restaurants..... and thats is some of the small benefit multiculturalism brings us.... The fanatics of any nationality or religion can go jump and leave the rest of the world in tolerant peace.

I appreciate your comments richard_smith237. I accept that embracing multiculturalism benefit countries to a certain extent. However, I feel that a nation must hold a dominant culture/s and a set of values in order to maintain a unified nation. In this respect, probably America came closest in achieving this goal. Assimilation becomes difficult because we are too busy protecting differences instead of encouraging togetherness as a nation in the West. The results are unemployment and poverty in ghettos of minority communities. rejection of common values, break down of law and order, increase in right wing politics and increase in extremism amongst the disaffected. My opinion remains the same; if you leave your country and migrate, you should have the right to maintain your identity and practice your faith freely in your adopted country but laws of your host nation must not be changed to reflect your beliefs or customs in the name of tolerance. I quote Chancellor Angela Markel of Germany, that multiculturism has "utterly failed" in Germany. Gert Wilders in the Netherlands and Jimmie Akesson in Sweden, have made major electoral gains by stroking fears of multiculturism. Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain said recently that "the doctrine of state multiculturalism" had encouraged segregation and failed to supply "a vision of society" to which people want to belong.

Max2010

[StreetCowboy]

I walked around Paragon today and I too noticed a large number of Middle Eastern folk mooching around the shops amongst the Thai's and Westerners of many other nationalities.... I also noticed a lot of attractive women wearing very short skirts and shorts (but thats for a new topic)....

I like this level of multiculturalism - If ever regular Middle Eastern people felt they were unwelcome in Thailand then it also might not be the place that welcomes me as a Westerner. I feel comfortable and happy here, and I'm sure many other nationalities do too.

This topic is an interesting one and I must say its a pleasure to read the comments of those posters such as Max2010 and also some views of others on this subject, especially as some might consider this a somewhat taboo topic in rather excessively politically correct times, while at the same time recognizing a certain level of paranoia generated by Western Tabloids.

It's good to read of many opinions and that not every westerner is a bigot, in the same manner not every Arab is a potential terrorist threat - I appreciate reading these points of view especially when the topic can remain civil.

Isn't it all about achieving a healthy balance? I for one would severely miss the Middle Eastern influence in Bangkok as much as I would miss the Japanese influence, the Italian Influence, Korean, American, Indian influence - Of course I'm talking about restaurants..... and thats is some of the small benefit multiculturalism brings us.... The fanatics of any nationality or religion can go jump and leave the rest of the world in tolerant peace.

I appreciate your comments richard_smith237. I accept that embracing multiculturalism benefit countries to a certain extent. However, I feel that a nation must hold a dominant culture/s and a set of values in order to maintain a unified nation. In this respect, probably America came closest in achieving this goal. Assimilation becomes difficult because we are too busy protecting differences instead of encouraging togetherness as a nation in the West. The results are unemployment and poverty in ghettos of minority communities. rejection of common values, break down of law and order, increase in right wing politics and increase in extremism amongst the disaffected. My opinion remains the same; if you leave your country and migrate, you should have the right to maintain your identity and practice your faith freely in your adopted country but laws of your host nation must not be changed to reflect your beliefs or customs in the name of tolerance. I quote Chancellor Angela Markel of Germany, that multiculturism has "utterly failed" in Germany. Gert Wilders in the Netherlands and Jimmie Akesson in Sweden, have made major electoral gains by stroking fears of multiculturism. Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain said recently that "the doctrine of state multiculturalism" had encouraged segregation and failed to supply "a vision of society" to which people want to belong.

Max2010

If you want your country to hold a dominant culture, then I suggest you do that for yourself. Culture is not an easy thing to force on a country, and if people in a given country don't want to go to church, are happy with Christmas as an excuse for indulgent excess, and forget why a catholic is not allowed to become King (or whatever quaint and archaic restrictions your own country has) then I suggest you hold your hand up and explain what you personally have done about it.

Culture is what people do, and what they believe. Is the limit of your culture a grumbling islamophobia and a desire to leave the cold weather?

SC

[thaibeachlovers]

I walked around Paragon today and I too noticed a large number of Middle Eastern folk mooching around the shops amongst the Thai's and Westerners of many other nationalities.... I also noticed a lot of attractive women wearing very short skirts and shorts (but thats for a new topic)....

I like this level of multiculturalism - If ever regular Middle Eastern people felt they were unwelcome in Thailand then it also might not be the place that welcomes me as a Westerner. I feel comfortable and happy here, and I'm sure many other nationalities do too.

This topic is an interesting one and I must say its a pleasure to read the comments of those posters such as Max2010 and also some views of others on this subject, especially as some might consider this a somewhat taboo topic in rather excessively politically correct times, while at the same time recognizing a certain level of paranoia generated by Western Tabloids.

It's good to read of many opinions and that not every westerner is a bigot, in the same manner not every Arab is a potential terrorist threat - I appreciate reading these points of view especially when the topic can remain civil.

Isn't it all about achieving a healthy balance? I for one would severely miss the Middle Eastern influence in Bangkok as much as I would miss the Japanese influence, the Italian Influence, Korean, American, Indian influence - Of course I'm talking about restaurants..... and thats is some of the small benefit multiculturalism brings us.... The fanatics of any nationality or religion can go jump and leave the rest of the world in tolerant peace.

I appreciate your comments richard_smith237. I accept that embracing multiculturalism benefit countries to a certain extent. However, I feel that a nation must hold a dominant culture/s and a set of values in order to maintain a unified nation. In this respect, probably America came closest in achieving this goal. Assimilation becomes difficult because we are too busy protecting differences instead of encouraging togetherness as a nation in the West. The results are unemployment and poverty in ghettos of minority communities. rejection of common values, break down of law and order, increase in right wing politics and increase in extremism amongst the disaffected. My opinion remains the same; if you leave your country and migrate, you should have the right to maintain your identity and practice your faith freely in your adopted country but laws of your host nation must not be changed to reflect your beliefs or customs in the name of tolerance. I quote Chancellor Angela Markel of Germany, that multiculturism has "utterly failed" in Germany. Gert Wilders in the Netherlands and Jimmie Akesson in Sweden, have made major electoral gains by stroking fears of multiculturism. Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain said recently that "the doctrine of state multiculturalism" had encouraged segregation and failed to supply "a vision of society" to which people want to belong.

Max2010

If you want your country to hold a dominant culture, then I suggest you do that for yourself. Culture is not an easy thing to force on a country, and if people in a given country don't want to go to church, are happy with Christmas as an excuse for indulgent excess, and forget why a catholic is not allowed to become King (or whatever quaint and archaic restrictions your own country has) then I suggest you hold your hand up and explain what you personally have done about it.

Culture is what people do, and what they believe. Is the limit of your culture a grumbling islamophobia and a desire to leave the cold weather?

SC

I'd rather hold to this definition <The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group> ( Wikipedia ), with the emphasis on "shared" and expand it to cover the country.

[lopburi3]

There are tons of them at Vejthani Hospital. Full Darth Vader dress and face shields. (Nice one btw )

They are medical 'tourists'.

Must agree many, many are families of medical patients here for treatment. As a user of Vejthani for the last decade believe the numbers are way above (3 to 5 times) previous years at that hospital alone. Last week I even got asked if I speak English. A limited sit at front entry will seen multi van loads directly from airport arriving - most will then travel to downtown hotels after drop off of patient. From reporting this seems to be the case at other top hospitals too so must account for a huge number of off-season travelers in Bangkok.

[SomTumTiger]

Why so many Christians in Thailand??

Alright, Im going to answer this little troll question of yours.

If you look at statistics or just use common sense and knowledge, you'll know that there are in fact

not that many christians in Thailand right now.

During the rain season (now), western (christian) tourism goes down by 60 - 70 %.

I am so sorry, but your witty atempt at beeing funny kinda failed.

Were you perhaps trying to take a swing at me for being here? Sorry but I am an atheist.

Who took a swing at Muslim religious attire first? Ok for me, but not for you. Gotcha.

[hellodolly]

regular Middle Eastern people felt they were unwelcome in Thailand

that not all Muslims live in the Middle East. And not all Muslims are devout just like not all Christians go to church. Also, there are many Arabs in the Middle East who wear what is considered an Islamic style of clothing though they practice Christianity or other faiths

exctly. one of the girls who works with me, her mother was raised in a christian convent in israel although her parents are from two different large muslem 'hamula' (clans) in our nearby muslem city/town (ottman and abdul rahman in abu gosh)... she wears regular western israeli teenage girl clothes; sister chose to wear head covering as do others of the women working here (and which, btw, they wear when working in our kibbutz kindergarten. one parent objected. the parent's child does not continue in our kindergarten.)... there are several christians in nearby town, and also in nazareth and the women wear 'modest' dress; no diffent then the israeli orthodox jews visitinf in thailand, headcoverings/wigs long sleeves long skirts and all (hot as hell, i must say)...

anyhow, among our muslem workers here, most fast and dont touch alcohol; some just during ramadan, others eat here but not at home during ramadan (out of sight of grandparents,just like i eat on yom kippur, not in front of everyone to be provocotive)...

the guys from the local village here go in the winter to thailand for the sports as ive said before; they can eat hallal or bring with them (one guy brought all instant food); some drink, majority dont.. some dont go with woemn before mariage, others do... but the wedding thing is an absolute fact around here-- one a night until ramadan. then we have quiet until the end of the fast days ....

cant understand the big fuss either way;

not sure who regular middle east people are? im a regular middle east person (israeli) ; i might be unwelcome due to the actions of after-army kids on treks in khoa san but other then that? felt definately more unwelcome in uzbakistan airport; felt welcome in the sinai and taba no problem...

seems like people who dont live in the regular middle east make more of a fuss then those that do....... btw, plenty sudanese muslems here also, and none of the women wear the 'modest' clothing although the men will , as mentioned above, wear the various typesof robes on holidays etc...

the funniest thng was watchng epressions of the muslem guys when i showed them pics of thai muslems (whom they never knew existed for that matter)... it was a revelation... and here, btw, brides are chosen by parents but final choice is the girl/guy for the most part apart from the beduin groups, and aprt from the more citified modern folks; and the christian arabs are a bit more lenient in all ways... just like differences between small town bible belt attitudes and new york soho attitudes; or bannork issan/khmen vx. big city types....

totally off the subject but the subject was basically a non subject to begin with...

bina

israel

To be honest with you I think it was a honest subject that deserved a answer.

I live in Chiang Mai and have for five years. The amount of Muslim tourists is way more this yer than in past years.

The answer of it is cooler here really lacks substance. It is the rainy season.

The question is why all of a sudden has Thailand's popularity grown in the Muslim world?

[robblok]

I appreciate your comments richard_smith237. I accept that embracing multiculturalism benefit countries to a certain extent. However, I feel that a nation must hold a dominant culture/s and a set of values in order to maintain a unified nation. In this respect, probably America came closest in achieving this goal. Assimilation becomes difficult because we are too busy protecting differences instead of encouraging togetherness as a nation in the West. The results are unemployment and poverty in ghettos of minority communities. rejection of common values, break down of law and order, increase in right wing politics and increase in extremism amongst the disaffected. My opinion remains the same; if you leave your country and migrate, you should have the right to maintain your identity and practice your faith freely in your adopted country but laws of your host nation must not be changed to reflect your beliefs or customs in the name of tolerance. I quote Chancellor Angela Markel of Germany, that multiculturism has "utterly failed" in Germany. Gert Wilders in the Netherlands and Jimmie Akesson in Sweden, have made major electoral gains by stroking fears of multiculturism. Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain said recently that "the doctrine of state multiculturalism" had encouraged segregation and failed to supply "a vision of society" to which people want to belong.

Max2010

His name is Geert not Gert Wilders but i am amazed anyone from a foreign country would have even heard of the guy. I am happy with the guy not because i support all his beliefs (i dont) But at least because of him we can freely discuss the problems we have wit moslims in Holland.

Anyway i believe you can never change you will always stay who you are. I have been now 6 years here in Thailand and I haven't assimilated and never will. I try not to offend the Thais, but in my home i have my opinions and rules. Outside ill live with the Thai rules even if i think they are crazy.

You just can't change someone because its impossible but you can expect them to respect the new countries laws and expect that they wont trouble the locals.

Before i thought it was easier to change people but after having lived here i know you will always hold your own ideas and identity. Your a result of your upbringing and experiences so am I. I do adopt Thai habits / idea's if i think they are superior to my own.

[StreetCowboy]

...

To be honest with you I think it was a honest subject that deserved a answer.

I live in Chiang Mai and have for five years. The amount of Muslim tourists is way more this yer than in past years.

The answer of it is cooler here really lacks substance. It is the rainy season.

The question is why all of a sudden has Thailand's popularity grown in the Muslim world?

Maybe because oil prices have recovered a bit, and Arabs feel safer travelling now than they did for the last couple of years.

I'm assuming that the OP is discounting the arabs who come here drinking and whoring, who generally forego the dish-dash when out and about.

Or maybe Arabs feel less discriminated here than in other holiday destinations where they might historically have felt welcome.

SC

[BuckarooBanzai]

Some male Muslims, probably a small minority, but indeed some, are looking for wife number 2, 3, or 4. They find Thailand a good haven for this pursuit as culturally the Thai's overlook bigamy even though it is against the law. Whilst most of the world has concerns of overpopulation, some "cultures" promote high birth rates to further well thought out goals. Having 4 wives certainly gives one the potential for a very large family. My Thai niece was just recently picked up by one of these bigamists and it was of course willingly. Money will buy you about everything - and this is made apparent almost everyday here in los. Would be very interesting to get one of the Muslims posting on this thread to comment on this practice. Speaking from personal experience, my niece was not a rare exception and often times the bigamist is quite affluent. I personally find the practice unsettling.

[robblok]

Some male Muslims, probably a small minority, but indeed some, are looking for wife number 2, 3, or 4. They find Thailand a good haven for this pursuit as culturally the Thai's overlook bigamy even though it is against the law. Whilst most of the world has concerns of overpopulation, some "cultures" promote high birth rates to further well thought out goals. Having 4 wives certainly gives one the potential for a very large family. My Thai niece was just recently picked up by one of these bigamists and it was of course willingly. Money will buy you about everything - and this is made apparent almost everyday here in los. Would be very interesting to get one of the Muslims posting on this thread to comment on this practice. Speaking from personal experience, my niece was not a rare exception and often times the bigamist is quite affluent. I personally find the practice unsettling.

I dont see a problem there. the girl wants money the guy pays both adults and both happy. Its a bit like prostitution. I dont see a problem.

[thaibeachlovers]

Some male Muslims, probably a small minority, but indeed some, are looking for wife number 2, 3, or 4. They find Thailand a good haven for this pursuit as culturally the Thai's overlook bigamy even though it is against the law. Whilst most of the world has concerns of overpopulation, some "cultures" promote high birth rates to further well thought out goals. Having 4 wives certainly gives one the potential for a very large family. My Thai niece was just recently picked up by one of these bigamists and it was of course willingly. Money will buy you about everything - and this is made apparent almost everyday here in los. Would be very interesting to get one of the Muslims posting on this thread to comment on this practice. Speaking from personal experience, my niece was not a rare exception and often times the bigamist is quite affluent. I personally find the practice unsettling.

FYI The practice of having multiple wives was originally so that the wives and children of men killed in battle could be taken in by a relative, and not left to fend for themselves.

Saudi kings used multiple marriages as a means of unifying the kingdom.

Of course, like most things, time changes everything, so now men will have multiple wives for less altruistic reasons.

They had better be either affluent or peniless, as they have to treat them all equally. So rich men have to provide a house etc for each wife, while the Bedouin just stick up another tent.

[edwardandtubs]

Some male Muslims, probably a small minority, but indeed some, are looking for wife number 2, 3, or 4. They find Thailand a good haven for this pursuit as culturally the Thai's overlook bigamy even though it is against the law. Whilst most of the world has concerns of overpopulation, some "cultures" promote high birth rates to further well thought out goals. Having 4 wives certainly gives one the potential for a very large family. My Thai niece was just recently picked up by one of these bigamists and it was of course willingly. Money will buy you about everything - and this is made apparent almost everyday here in los. Would be very interesting to get one of the Muslims posting on this thread to comment on this practice. Speaking from personal experience, my niece was not a rare exception and often times the bigamist is quite affluent. I personally find the practice unsettling.

I dont see a problem there. the girl wants money the guy pays both adults and both happy. Its a bit like prostitution. I dont see a problem.

No different than Thai men with several mistresses (mia nois).

[mikecwm]

It is an offence to wonder why you are seeing more tourists who are obviously muslim than usual. To openly voice this curiosity constructively constitutes a thought-crime and is punishable by some tersely worded aspersions on your demographic.

The Oberscharführethoughtsgeschafttroppen (Volunteer) in attendance has discretionary powers to dispense guidance and re-education for compliance to regulation levels of obtuseness under the Sanctimonious &lt;deleted&gt; Act 1984.

Good reply.

[robblok]

Some male Muslims, probably a small minority, but indeed some, are looking for wife number 2, 3, or 4. They find Thailand a good haven for this pursuit as culturally the Thai's overlook bigamy even though it is against the law. Whilst most of the world has concerns of overpopulation, some "cultures" promote high birth rates to further well thought out goals. Having 4 wives certainly gives one the potential for a very large family. My Thai niece was just recently picked up by one of these bigamists and it was of course willingly. Money will buy you about everything - and this is made apparent almost everyday here in los. Would be very interesting to get one of the Muslims posting on this thread to comment on this practice. Speaking from personal experience, my niece was not a rare exception and often times the bigamist is quite affluent. I personally find the practice unsettling.

I dont see a problem there. the girl wants money the guy pays both adults and both happy. Its a bit like prostitution. I dont see a problem.

No different than Thai men with several mistresses (mia nois).

I agree.

[Huey]

its now the wedding season just before ramadan and then there are no parties, no travelling, no weddings... so thailand is honeymoon heaven... here at home (israel)there are weddings /engagement (like sin sot) parties every single night in the villages/cities close to our kibbutz, complete with shooting (revolvers, semi automatics, automatics) when the bride comes to the wedding hall /house, and finishes with fireworks; the more there are, the more money the groom and family has. and then they go for holiday. and also most families now are holiday travelling ... ramadan this year comes in august sometime which cooncides with the end of school holidays so many families aer travelling also since most of the west has school break now. the younger more modern set love thailand , the men love the sport tourism (water ski, jeep, elephant rides) and the women love the shopping...

every group has their own tourist season and favorite destinations...

bina

israel

Wonderful reply Bina. Thanks for the logical explanation, and best wishes to you!

I will just ignore the rest of the BS that was posted in this thread and move on.

Imagine how clean this could have been if everyone just stayed on topic. Thaivisa needs more moderators i.m.o.

Adios.

More Mods? No, it needs more GOOD mods like Bina.

[NanLaew]

There are tons of them at Vejthani Hospital. Full Darth Vader dress and face shields. (Nice one btw )

They are medical 'tourists'.

Must agree many, many are families of medical patients here for treatment. As a user of Vejthani for the last decade believe the numbers are way above (3 to 5 times) previous years at that hospital alone. Last week I even got asked if I speak English. A limited sit at front entry will seen multi van loads directly from airport arriving - most will then travel to downtown hotels after drop off of patient. From reporting this seems to be the case at other top hospitals too so must account for a huge number of off-season travelers in Bangkok.

Top marks to the evil Dr and lopburi for getting the answer right.

Bamrungrad does indeed have a medical health promotion running in several mid-east countries and accordingly have negotiated accommodation packages with several Sukhumvit-area hotels. I hear the Ambassador Hotel is one of these with large groups of families getting several adjoining rooms and guests wandering in and out with cups of tea while the kids play elevator races. I think it's a fair assumption that this pre-Ramadan marketing push has been mirrored by several other hospitals in Bangkok apart from Vejthani and Bamrungrad so I would anticipate that once Ramadan does kick-off, the numbers will drop to more seasonal norms. Interesting to note when I was shopping at Villa on Ploenchit how local restaurateurs in that building that adapted to the traditional Soi 3 demographic with Lebanese and other mid-eastern cuisines are making an absolute killing these days.

[BRichards]

I am open minded and I have been trying to stay open even though I am 44 and have seen good and bad in all kinds and all religions. I just find it difficult to speak with someone wearing a full feet to head custume. Someone no matter if they are Christian or Muslim wearing a mask really does puts a distance between that person and me it is like talking to another on the other side of a wall or a prison cell (seen in movies). BR

[vpi78]

It's real entertainment to sit on the perch at Strikers or Golden Bar in Nana Soi 4 and watch the parade of chicks in tents on their way to Bumrungrad. It's like the world's largest walk of shame as they simultaneously try to hide and peek out at the ongoings along Soi 4.

[WebBangkok]

I couldnt imagine having 6 wives.. My current one is a handful... 6 of her would be the death of me.

[Travel2003]

I couldnt imagine having 6 wives.. My current one is a handful... 6 of her would be the death of me.

And in addition, we all know the punishment for Bigami......................more than one Mother In law.

[bina]

max, we have that here as well in the villages surrounding us; three quarters of the guys here aer married or getting married to cousins and so , since most here have the funds, they all go to genetic testing in hadassa hosptial. however in the past, it wasnt done and there is a high rate of children born with varous and sundry health and mental health problems. as for beduins, they dont 'just put up a tent' . very few beduins can afford more then one wife;

there is a thai woman married to someone here in abu gosh; he is super rich and they built a house that has a thai like roof copared to the architecture in teh rest of the town. i've never met her.

i asked around today and all the guys here say the same thing: thailand is for eye candy, marriage is with approved mates from same social circles, religious circles and ten years younger then the guys (so are more malleable and fit in to extended family roles more willingly). btw, one of the main reasons besides sports that the guys like going to bangkok is for...........shopping for originals. jeans that cost 1000NIS here cost less there, and most of the guys here in our area are 'clothes horses' i.e. spend lots on real name brand items (not the fakes), sports shoes, jeans, watches, presents for fiances, etc. also the gold as they prefer thai gold, or at least 21 karat gold, cheaper then here.

bina

israel

[Cameron38]

I don't think the original poster was complaining about them, just asking why the sudden upsurge in their numbers. I must say, after visiting for 10 years, that I too noticed a huge increase in their numbers when I was there last high season. At MBK it felt a bit like I was in a shopping mall in Dubai.

[pauljones]

Why so many Muslims in Bangkok?

1. They are not welcome in many other places these days.

2. Hot season in their country.

3. I hear they are running some insurance scam on medical treatments at Bumrungrad.

4. Thais are good at pretending to be nice to them.

[vpi78]

I couldnt imagine having 6 wives.. My current one is a handful... 6 of her would be the death of me.

And in addition, we all know the punishment for Bigami......................more than one Mother In law.

Good one

[Bagwan]

I thought that they had nipped over from the UK to spend some of the Social Security money doled out to them.

[thaibeachlovers]

I am open minded and I have been trying to stay open even though I am 44 and have seen good and bad in all kinds and all religions. I just find it difficult to speak with someone wearing a full feet to head custume. Someone no matter if they are Christian or Muslim wearing a mask really does puts a distance between that person and me it is like talking to another on the other side of a wall or a prison cell (seen in movies). BR

I doubt that any woman "cultural" enough to wear a full covering is going to talk to anyone that she doesn't know. In saudi once I had some moron attack me because I was too close to his wife in a lift. Best day of my life that I left that country, never to return.

[vpi78]

I am open minded and I have been trying to stay open even though I am 44 and have seen good and bad in all kinds and all religions. I just find it difficult to speak with someone wearing a full feet to head custume. Someone no matter if they are Christian or Muslim wearing a mask really does puts a distance between that person and me it is like talking to another on the other side of a wall or a prison cell (seen in movies). BR

I doubt that any woman "cultural" enough to wear a full covering is going to talk to anyone that she doesn't know. In saudi once I had some moron attack me because I was too close to his wife in a lift. Best day of my life that I left that country, never to return.

Yep, the place is a shit hole other than the Taif area and perhaps yanbu/Jeddah.