My lady has 4 best pals, one had a birthday party last night, her boyfriend showed up and gave her a Rolex for her birthday. All the ladies went dancing around the place screaming with delight and the birthday girl burst into tears.

Quietly, in a corner, so did theblether.......<deleted> Mr Thai Boyfriend Man, do your realize what you have just done!!!

This guy owns a 80 table restaurant, and obviously does well from it........and he's one of a new breed of Thais that are self made, as my ladies cousin also is, he owns a highly successful elephant camp. I say good on them A bit of hard work goes a long way so well done.

Just give it a by with the extravagant gifts eh?

I remember when I was a kid,i witnessed a similar thing,it was my mothers birthday and my old man was in the merchant navy,paid big bucks back in the day,upon his return from a six week trip to South Africa he presented to my mother an electric cooker complete with a grill,she was made up,it was her first cooker and only the third one in our street, needless to say they are still together to this day,and are happier than ever.

So... give your Thai GF a cooker and see if it's the same as a Rolex!

So what, blethy?

So... give your Thai GF a cooker and see if it's the same as a Rolex!

I think she would drop it on my head.......she must be the only girl in Thailand that can't cook.

It was funny the other day though, sitting with her Mum and I mentioned I would need to get a Mia Noi that could cook, her mother just laughed and said " Good idea, or you must eat pad Thai all your life".

That apparently is the only dish she can put together. Oh well.

So what, blethy?

It was worth starting the topic just to see the reply from stoneyboy.

Sorry for disturbing you.

So what, blethy?

It was worth starting the topic just to see the reply from stoneyboy.

Sorry for disturbing you.

No need to feel sorry. I once saved someones live, it was like his second birthday — believe me, a Rolex makes a nice gift.

he owns a highly successful elephant camp

Wondered where the source of that 'special' coffee came from.

Interesting story. If i owned an 80 table restaurant the last thing on my mind would be spending my earnings on an overpriced luxury item to my spouse. Frankly i never see these things happening in the Thai community i take part of..

Question comes to mind; Why are people happy about showing of wealth to others?

Edited October 27, 201213 yr by Dancealot

I'm not quite sure I understand what theblether is complaining about. Successful businessman buys his girlfriend an expensive present for her birthday?

Tag Heuer is a much better looking watch

Many years ago, I gave my wife (ex) an iron for chistmas. She complained!!!

You just can't please some people.

I don't necessarily see it as a complaint. Perhaps he feels many here aren't as aware as we should be just how fast and how much prosperity is increasing while the west is perceived as going to hell in a handbasket.

Or thinks that conspicuous consumption is interesting?

IMO good for them and I only hope I can hitch my wagon to that engine and maybe pick up some scraps that fall off the table.

Blether is just pointing out that the Thai bloke is raising the bar in gift giving, making it harder for the more frugal to 'compete'.

Gifts from my Dad to my Mum included a country property in New Engand, and antique car - actually a "present" for himself as he was the collector.

From her to him included an urban condo and a new SUV.

All but the last held their value over time at least as much as a Rolex will, but are now long gone, water under the bridge.

My better half has made it quite clear......should I come into some money....diamonds!

If I got her a watch, it must have diamonds....the same would go if I got her an iron, but that would be a bit silly, a diamond encrusted iron.

I don't think so.

I bought a Rolex in BKK a few years ago, looked great and ran good, for about six months. Then it quit running and everything rattled around inside it. 2,000 baht dosen't go as far as it use to.

he probably has ziltch. the thais they will go to any length to build face. running those gigs would take brains.

Most Asians do like to give expensive gifts if and when they can afford it. Although sometimes I think it's more for the show of it than the thought.

(I give my wfe tools and motor racing dvd's.)

Interesting story. If i owned an 80 table restaurant the last thing on my mind would be spending my earnings on an overpriced luxury item to my spouse. Frankly i never see these things happening in the Thai community i take part of..

Question comes to mind; Why are people happy about showing of wealth to others?

Someone dropped it in his 80 seat restaurant .hahah

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

My better half has made it quite clear......should I come into some money....diamonds!

If I got her a watch, it must have diamonds....the same would go if I got her an iron, but that would be a bit silly, a diamond encrusted iron.

I don't think so.

Had to look - and of course found it

I'd personally prefer this

More here and here

And to all you Asian culture bashers out there, note they don't actually think this stuff up, we do, lots of farang buy it.

Of course then the Asians buy it too, but don't be so foolish as to think they have any better motives or can afford it less, quite often not the case.

Stupidity knows no borders.

Edited October 28, 201213 yr by BigJohnnyBKK

My better half has made it quite clear......should I come into some money....diamonds!

If I got her a watch, it must have diamonds....the same would go if I got her an iron, but that would be a bit silly, a diamond encrusted iron.

I don't think so.

Had to look - and of course found it

I'd personally prefer this

More here and here

And to all you Asian culture bashers out there, note they don't actually think this stuff up, we do, lots of farang buy it.

Of course then the Asians buy it too, but don't be so foolish as to think they have any better motives or can afford it less, quite often not the case.

Stupidity knows no borders.

Keeping up with the Jones' is hardly an Asian concept.

I (think) understand completely where the blether is coming from, it's akin to when tourists come into your local and over tip or the complaint of the Japanese over inflating the pay to play market.

Rolexes are generally beautiful, they are well made, last forever and don't go out of fashion. If you can afford it as a symbol of everlasting love and to signify hey honey thanks for sticking by me I think we've cracked it, why not.

Sent from Android please allow errors in type or judgment.

How does the elephant camp make good money?

(This is a serous question)

Blether is just pointing out that the Thai bloke is raising the bar in gift giving, making it harder for the more frugal to 'compete'.

That's a problem with foreigners. They like to come to Thailand, play the big guy with big money ... Then they meet real wealth and they realize they are totally out of their league.

If they were honest from the beginning they would avoid themselves a lot of problems.

But it's easier to blame it on the Thais.

It's the Canadians that should be happy

I got a Rolex for my birthday from the tom & dee next door. I think they've misunderstood me when every time I met them I said "I wanna watch."

How does the elephant camp make good money?

(This is a serous question)

edit.....I gave too much detail, it doesn't take a lot of customers at 2,500 baht a day to make a good business.

Edited October 28, 201213 yr by theblether

what is the problem, by her also a Rolex....2000-3000 Baht, street price

Just because its Rolex doesnt mean its a 30grand Rolex. They start about 3 grand.

How longs he been with her for? perhaps shes worth it to him.

Perhaps its a fake? There are fake Rolexes that have the continuous second hand now.

Pretty bad choice for the gift as a face showing thing, there are so many copies running around here that nobody in their entourage will assume that the watch is not a copy.

Also, it's quite possible that the watch is just a copy, the girls would never know it. You can find very good copies nowadays. Cheap way to get them screaming and wetting their panties. Even better, it's possible the guy may have been scammed into buying a copy full price! That's what I would tell to myself

I got a Rolex for my birthday from the tom & dee next door. I think they've misunderstood me when every time I met them I said "I wanna watch."

Funniest thing i read all morning. Thanks for that. I would wanna watch too...

Serious note, I don't think Rolex are particular beautiful watches. I prefer a little Omega myself. If one feels one has to compete with gifts, one is in trouble. Just saying Rolex today, Mini Cooper tomorrow.....

A great gift is something she always wanted and never would buy for herself. Little jewellery will go a long way.

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Thaivisa Connect App