elektrified Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have never been to the States but it does seem to be a vast country with a great variety of scenery, wildlife, climates and people. If I came from there I can't imagine why I would want to live here. America seems to have everything; mountains, beaches, deserts, wildernesses and big cosmopolitan cities. Yet there does seem to be a lot of Americans living here. I can't understand why they would want to leave all that and come and live in a condo or mooban in Chiangmai. It's because of our intrusive government of course! California is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Colorado mountains, Florida beaches, and on and on are beautiful, but....the government.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mstribling Posted February 25, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have never been to the States but it does seem to be a vast country with a great variety of scenery, wildlife, climates and people. If I came from there I can't imagine why I would want to live here. America seems to have everything; mountains, beaches, deserts, wildernesses and big cosmopolitan cities. Yet there does seem to be a lot of Americans living here. I can't understand why they would want to leave all that and come and live in a condo or mooban in Chiangmai. It's because of our intrusive government of course! California is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Colorado mountains, Florida beaches, and on and on are beautiful, but....the government.... Very true. I love America, love American women, love my fellow Americans. Despise my intrusive, weakening, American government. I voted with my feet. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anselpixel Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Just for the record, I've lived in Mexico, and can assure you the people there highly resent citizens of the US declaring themselves as "Americans." They much prefer that you specify, as they consider themselves to be from America too. I've been here a couple of years, and know people from a lot of different countries who stopped in Chiang Mai and stayed. My initial perception was that the British and Australians dominated numerically, but I came to understand that was a direct result of where I happened to be when I arrived. When I moved to Bangkok, I seemed to see a lot more US and Japanese expats, again thanks to the specific area I lived in there. In other words, it's all anecdotal until someone talks Thai Immigration into opening their files and letting us see the numbers. It's only logical that North American and UK natives will come out on top in the numbers. Listening to voices on the street is a pretty thin strategy for coming to an informed conclusion. Even if it were worth a try, most people have a hard time distinguishing US English from Canadian English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) ... Just for the record, I've lived in Mexico, and can assure you the people there highly resent citizens of the US declaring themselves as "Americans." They much prefer that you specify, as they consider themselves to be from America too. ... Yes, it becomes a political and diplomatic issue south of the border of the U.S.A. In Thailand, it is NOT an issue. In any case, Mexicans and all Latin Americans might be annoyed but they STILL know what you mean. Edited February 25, 2012 by Jingthing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have never been to the States but it does seem to be a vast country with a great variety of scenery, wildlife, climates and people. If I came from there I can't imagine why I would want to live here. America seems to have everything; mountains, beaches, deserts, wildernesses and big cosmopolitan cities. Yet there does seem to be a lot of Americans living here. I can't understand why they would want to leave all that and come and live in a condo or mooban in Chiangmai. It's because of our intrusive government of course! California is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Colorado mountains, Florida beaches, and on and on are beautiful, but....the government.... Very true. I love America, love American women, love my fellow Americans. Despise my intrusive, weakening, American government. I voted with my feet. I too think the USA has everything and if one has enough money I would definitely choose it over Thailand. I maintain my position that most people move here because it's cheap, but I do also know some people that hate the US government with a passion. I've heard various reasons for this, but never really had it defined exactly how they spoil a person's life so much that they have to leave? I have some friends in the USA, who are happy and content, not right wing and to be honest I've never heard them complain about the government (apart from the usual which every country does) to the point of wanting to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I have never been to the States but it does seem to be a vast country with a great variety of scenery, wildlife, climates and people. If I came from there I can't imagine why I would want to live here. America seems to have everything; mountains, beaches, deserts, wildernesses and big cosmopolitan cities. Yet there does seem to be a lot of Americans living here. I can't understand why they would want to leave all that and come and live in a condo or mooban in Chiangmai. It's because of our intrusive government of course! California is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Colorado mountains, Florida beaches, and on and on are beautiful, but....the government.... Very true. I love America, love American women, love my fellow Americans. Despise my intrusive, weakening, American government. I voted with my feet. I too think the USA has everything and if one has enough money I would definitely choose it over Thailand. I maintain my position that most people move here because it's cheap, but I do also know some people that hate the US government with a passion. I've heard various reasons for this, but never really had it defined exactly how they spoil a person's life so much that they have to leave? I have some friends in the USA, who are happy and content, not right wing and to be honest I've never heard them complain about the government (apart from the usual which every country does) to the point of wanting to leave. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anselpixel Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 ... Just for the record, I've lived in Mexico, and can assure you the people there highly resent citizens of the US declaring themselves as "Americans." They much prefer that you specify, as they consider themselves to be from America too. ... Yes, it becomes a political and diplomatic issue south of the border of the U.S.A. In Thailand, it is NOT an issue. In any case, Mexicans and all Latin Americans might be annoyed but they STILL know what you mean. A lot of people have no idea Thailand and Taiwan are two different countries. That still doesn't excuse their ignorance, and certainly won't lead to any useful dialogue with citizens of either country. Everything is political and diplomatic. Or, in some cases, quite undiplomatic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 ... Just for the record, I've lived in Mexico, and can assure you the people there highly resent citizens of the US declaring themselves as "Americans." They much prefer that you specify, as they consider themselves to be from America too. ... Yes, it becomes a political and diplomatic issue south of the border of the U.S.A. In Thailand, it is NOT an issue. In any case, Mexicans and all Latin Americans might be annoyed but they STILL know what you mean. A lot of people have no idea Thailand and Taiwan are two different countries. That still doesn't excuse their ignorance, and certainly won't lead to any useful dialogue with citizens of either country. Everything is political and diplomatic. Or, in some cases, quite undiplomatic. Totally different things, dude. Americans calling themselves Americans is not ignorant in the slightest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hml367 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) So what is American football? MSPain Americashort for the United States of America Also called:the American continent, including North,South,and Central America The problem is that the definition is probably from an American dictionary Edited February 25, 2012 by hml367 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoodMaiDai Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 We're like a virus. Today Chaing Mai, tomorrow... Iran. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackjones Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Quite a few people said they were here because of the " intrusive " government back in America. How bad is it and how did it actually affect you? Just interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackArtemis Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I kinda miss some of it actually, you know, Cops who actually do their jobs and might pull you over. Standards and regulations, But I hate those same standards that keep away so much great street food in some many areas. Government is not one of my reasons for leaving though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expatmakmak Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) Most of the american farrangs here are missionaries, friends of the missionaries or fat. Edited February 27, 2012 by expatmakmak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mcgriffith Posted February 27, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted February 27, 2012 Most of the american farrangs here are missionaries, friends of the missionaries or fat. Nice troll, expatmakmak. Who pissed in your cornflakes this morning? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daoyai Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Most of the american farrangs here are missionaries, friends of the missionaries or fat. ....and you forgot to say "mak mak" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgriffith Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Most of the american farrangs here are missionaries, friends of the missionaries or fat. ....and you forgot to say "mak mak" lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onthedarkside Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 All the recent off topic posts weeded out. Stay on topic please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMX Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The Thai government requires 800,000 baht sitting in a Thai bank or an equivalent amount in secure retirement funds for those with assured incomes (such as government pensions). (Folks married to Thais half that I understand.) Anybody who supposes that one can live in a magnificent beauty spot away from extremes of temperature in the U.S. nearly as comfortably as in Chiang Mai either is squandering finances here, or has not lived in the United States, or has different standards of living for different nations IMHumbleO. And please let nobody harp on the cost of imported automobiles or meats to disprove the overall point. Eat delicious Thai produce and meats - and take advantage of fuel-efficient new cars - or maintain second-hand vehicles over time - and one is ahead there as well. Condos are expensive for their size, to be sure, but that's just us foreigners puffing up the market; housing leases are run-away bargains, if one shops wisely. Moreover, while they are not good investments for apparent profit, they can provide cost-efficient lodging. Which is why I think that all of us ex-pats are living in Chiang Mai, relatively, high off the hog, as we say in our trailer parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The Thai government requires 800,000 baht sitting in a Thai bank or an equivalent amount in secure retirement funds for those with assured incomes (such as government pensions). (Folks married to Thais half that I understand.) Anybody who supposes that one can live in a magnificent beauty spot away from extremes of temperature in the U.S. nearly as comfortably as in Chiang Mai either is squandering finances here, or has not lived in the United States, or has different standards of living for different nations IMHumbleO. And please let nobody harp on the cost of imported automobiles or meats to disprove the overall point. Eat delicious Thai produce and meats - and take advantage of fuel-efficient new cars - or maintain second-hand vehicles over time - and one is ahead there as well. Condos are expensive for their size, to be sure, but that's just us foreigners puffing up the market; housing leases are run-away bargains, if one shops wisely. Moreover, while they are not good investments for apparent profit, they can provide cost-efficient lodging. Which is why I think that all of us ex-pats are living in Chiang Mai, relatively, high off the hog, as we say in our trailer parks. Bringing it down to its simplest form; most foreigner's live here because it's much cheaper (possibly warmer) than living in their own country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expatmakmak Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Most of the american farrangs here are missionaries, friends of the missionaries or fat. Nice troll, expatmakmak. Who pissed in your cornflakes this morning? For your information, nobody pissed in my cornflakes or farted in my jok! I had a run in with some missionaries on the weekend that got me riled! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post WinnieTheKhwai Posted February 27, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) I've been waiting for six pages for this topic to go off the rails but it's just not happening. Valiant effort by Expatmakmak I have to say. Edited February 27, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) Anyway, seriously: There are a quite a lot of American expatriates here, because Thailand is everything that America claims to be and aspires to be, but has ceased to be for quite a while. Edited February 27, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gladiator Posted February 27, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted February 27, 2012 I have hesitated before joining this Posting but here goes… I am a dual-national, American/British, a son of a US military soldier. As a child I had cause to be raised in a number of countries – perhaps good and bad. But it did open my eyes to the world that existed outside the British Isles and Continental North America and this perhaps instigated wanderlust, I first visited Chiang Mai in 1976 to meet with my blood and Thai family, and since then have made repeated visits until my migration in 2001. Land of Honey and Roses – No. But today, in a vis-à-vis perspective, I would take Chiang Mai and Thailand, warts and all, over my previous life in both the U.S., Europe and England. Why? Many of the reasons have already been posted. But briefly – Wife, Family, Weather, Easy Going, Easy access to may other locations within Thailand, Food, Good Restaurants and Entertainment, A degree of freedom. Anyway – That how I feel Gladiator 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elektrified Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The Thai government requires 800,000 baht sitting in a Thai bank or an equivalent amount in secure retirement funds for those with assured incomes (such as government pensions). (Folks married to Thais half that I understand.) Anybody who supposes that one can live in a magnificent beauty spot away from extremes of temperature in the U.S. nearly as comfortably as in Chiang Mai either is squandering finances here, or has not lived in the United States, or has different standards of living for different nations IMHumbleO. And please let nobody harp on the cost of imported automobiles or meats to disprove the overall point. Eat delicious Thai produce and meats - and take advantage of fuel-efficient new cars - or maintain second-hand vehicles over time - and one is ahead there as well. Condos are expensive for their size, to be sure, but that's just us foreigners puffing up the market; housing leases are run-away bargains, if one shops wisely. Moreover, while they are not good investments for apparent profit, they can provide cost-efficient lodging. Which is why I think that all of us ex-pats are living in Chiang Mai, relatively, high off the hog, as we say in our trailer parks. Bringing it down to its simplest form; most foreigner's live here because it's much cheaper (possibly warmer) than living in their own country. I believe you are correct. I don't know about the weather as I adapt to the weather anywhere I live. I guess it's an issue for some. I know I would still be in Europe if I could be... I really miss Europe. Well I guess I still could be but...oh never mind, I've had a few, I'll leave it at that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mcgriffith Posted February 27, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted February 27, 2012 I have hesitated before joining this Posting but here goes… I am a dual-national, American/British, a son of a US military soldier. As a child I had cause to be raised in a number of countries – perhaps good and bad. But it did open my eyes to the world that existed outside the British Isles and Continental North America and this perhaps instigated wanderlust, I first visited Chiang Mai in 1976 to meet with my blood and Thai family, and since then have made repeated visits until my migration in 2001. Land of Honey and Roses – No. But today, in a vis-à-vis perspective, I would take Chiang Mai and Thailand, warts and all, over my previous life in both the U.S., Europe and England. Why? Many of the reasons have already been posted. But briefly – Wife, Family, Weather, Easy Going, Easy access to may other locations within Thailand, Food, Good Restaurants and Entertainment, A degree of freedom. Anyway – That how I feel Gladiator You have no reason to hesitate, Gladiator. Don't worry about the yank-bashers, it comes with the territory when you are a US citizen. I am an American, and my maternal grandfather enlisted in the RFC (Royal Flying Corp) during the Great War (World War I). I have all his pilot logs and uniform insignia. He was English, from East Anglia. He spent most of his youth flying reconnaissance against the Germans in Belgium and France. My father was in the US Navy in the South Pacific in WWII as a Pharmacist's Mate First Class. Fancy name for a hospital medic. He was on an aircraft carrier, and later on some islands in forward combat areas. He treated many British POW's who were rescued after being treated very harshly in Japanese labor camps towards the end of the war. We don't expect the younger generation to know about, or even care about these long ago events. The ties that bind the UK and the US are very strong, but fraught with a lot of resentment and rancor. The US fought the English, in a revolution, and won their independence. The English saw their Empire wither to nothing after 1945...and then these brash upstarts started talking big and loud, and pushing their weight around the world. Now it's our turn, Pax Americana is slowly shriveling away, and there is more than a little sense of schadenfreude attached to this on the part of our British brethren. No worries. Let's just whistle a happy tune- and try to get along. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Awwww.. you big hippie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgriffith Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Love you too, dude.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Love you too, dude.... As my daughter would say......Get a room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mestizo Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I have never been to the States but it does seem to be a vast country with a great variety of scenery, wildlife, climates and people. If I came from there I can't imagine why I would want to live here. America seems to have everything; mountains, beaches, deserts, wildernesses and big cosmopolitan cities. Yet there does seem to be a lot of Americans living here. I can't understand why they would want to leave all that and come and live in a condo or mooban in Chiangmai. It's because of our intrusive government of course! California is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Colorado mountains, Florida beaches, and on and on are beautiful, but....the government.... Very true. I love America, love American women, love my fellow Americans. Despise my intrusive, weakening, American government. I voted with my feet. I too think the USA has everything and if one has enough money I would definitely choose it over Thailand. I maintain my position that most people move here because it's cheap, but I do also know some people that hate the US government with a passion. I've heard various reasons for this, but never really had it defined exactly how they spoil a person's life so much that they have to leave? I have some friends in the USA, who are happy and content, not right wing and to be honest I've never heard them complain about the government (apart from the usual which every country does) to the point of wanting to leave. Its no one thing. Its more like death by 1000 paper cuts kind of thing. Like the walls are very slowly closing in around you. The US is slowly, but surely drifting away from the founding ideas and principles which made it so great. We are transforming from a freedom loving, small government, libertarian society to an overprotective, controlling, semi-socialist, nanny state, where nobody takes responsibility for themselves or their actions. When I was a kid, we rode our bikes with no helmets. We could set up lemonade stands and sell to our neighbors. We could sit in the front seat of the car. Now all those sorts of things are highly regulated and policed. Perfect examples of this can be seen in this video here (assuming you are open minded enough to look past the Fox New icon): And its not limited to one political party or president. Think of Clinton preaching that "its only fair" that everyone should be able to own a home and forcing lending institutions make risky loans they normally wouldn't. And Bush's Patriot Act was a huge affront on personal freedom. And now Obama's retarded health care mandates. Just a general decline into a overprotective, controlling, semi-socialist, nanny state over the span of my lifetime. Unfortunately, I don't see things improving. Electing Ron Paul in the upcoming elections would go a very long way towards righting America's sinking ship. Unfortunately, the average American voting habits now are more influenced by pop media and comedians like Jon Stewart, than by what the candidates have to say in debates, campaign speeches, and policy outlines. The election of media darling, Obama, was a prime example of that. So, to get this back on topic, one of the attractive things about Thailand is despite alot of its political short comings, the personal freedoms and liberties are still there (lese majesty rules aside, of course). If I want to walk down the road drinking a beer, I can. If my Thai children want to open a lemonade stand, they can. I can eat cheap/ affordable and semi-healthy food from a road side stand. For the most part, due to legal regulations there are no road side stands in America. If you want cheap food, then you have to go some place like McDonalds, Burger King, etc. Anyway, I hope that sheds at least a tiny light on how the US govt is ruining the American way of life (slanted from my own vantage point, of course). -Mestizo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyInCM Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 ... Just for the record, I've lived in Mexico, and can assure you the people there highly resent citizens of the US declaring themselves as "Americans." They much prefer that you specify, as they consider themselves to be from America too. ... Yes, it becomes a political and diplomatic issue south of the border of the U.S.A. In Thailand, it is NOT an issue. In any case, Mexicans and all Latin Americans might be annoyed but they STILL know what you mean. A lot of people have no idea Thailand and Taiwan are two different countries. That still doesn't excuse their ignorance, and certainly won't lead to any useful dialogue with citizens of either country. Everything is political and diplomatic. Or, in some cases, quite undiplomatic. a·mer·i·ca/əˈmerikə/ A landmass in the western hemisphere that consists of the continents of North and South America joined by the Isthmus of Panama. Used as a name for the United States. From dictionary.com I'd be very surprised if the OED didn't also include it as a name for the USA. Sorry, I forgot, who were you saying is ignorant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts