Show me a corruption free country anywhere in the world. Seriously. Good luck.

What makes you think I'm trying to ?

Edited December 18, 201213 yr by Trembly

I can't take that. Again it all depends on where you are. The UK's healthcare system still provides a large proportion of the leading medical research in the world along with superb professionals. Some hospitals in the UK do fall below the mark, but a lot of the UK's hospitals rank amongst the best in the world.

I spent 3 years working providing software solutions into the NHS and, as such, have been around a large quantity of the UK's healthcare trusts as a guest of the trustees. I have seen the good and the bad. I have also traveled the world and seen healthcare all over the world. What the UK has is still world class and, more importantly, available to all.

------EDIT - Just remembered------

Trembly. I remember you stating Staines, Sunbury and Ashford. Unfortunately your experience of the NHS will not have been good if you had ever been to Ashford Hospital as Ashford and St Peter's Hospital Trust is not (by a long stretch) the best in the country. Nearby Heatherwood, Upton Park or Windsor Hospitals are no better either.

You have to balance this with a hospital like Addenbrooke's (Cambridge). I was unfortunate enough to leave the side of the road at 70mph in my car and land in a field. From that point on I got more and more fortunate. I was taken to Addenbrooke's which just happens to be one of the best A&Es in the country. In another example I took a friend with a dislocated shoulder (rugby injury) to Kingston A&E at 10pm on a Saturday night. They took one look at him and he was in the theater within 30 minutes, jumping a queue of undeserving drunkards. These 2 hospitals can show you why the NHS is so good (you don't want to be ANYWHERE other than Kingston if you have a neurological problem....ANYWHERE).

The only criticism I can give of the NHS is that the treatment is not consistent throughout the country. Again this is something you can choose. Live in Kingston-Upon-Thames and you might have some crime issues but you can have access to 2 top ten government schools (Tiffin Boys and Tiffin Girls) and a world class hospital.

Kingers is just generally rather good.

Are you saying

a ) that corruption is a good thing, and one of the advantages that Thailand has over the West?

b ) that corruption is a bad thing, but the UK is more corrupt than Thailand?

I disagree on both counts, but I have never seen anyone change their mind on the internet, so perhaps we'll just leave it there

SC

For the defense:

Over the years, to my own surprise, I've come to view corruption in Thailand in a more favorable light. It's an honest corruption, open rather than hidden as it is in the West with politicians creating bureaucracies and paying off constituencies with taxpayer dollars. It implies funding via user fees--essentially--rather than via taxes on those who won't benefit from a particular service, i. e., everyone. Hence taxes remain lower, regulations less onerous, and everyone has greater financial freedom. Though it leads to some notable boondogles and inefficiencies, Western gov'ts are known for the same.

Flame away.

Off topic post removed, this thread is not about US gun laws.

Apologies.

I thought the topic was about leaving Thailand because OP though it's not the best place to bring up their kids, and to quote OP he saw it as "an uphill battle having to fight against culture, TV and people as a whole"

Someone raised the gun issue which as a parent I thought was valid. My wife and I were discussing where best to bring up our kids last night, and both agreed we wouldn't want to raise them in the US. US has guns as part of its culture, in a way that's not part of our culture in Thailand or UK culture. We see guns as part of US culture, frequently on TV and many Americans as a whole see guns as a right that is enshrined into their constitution. Unfortunately, regardless of whether someone is pro or against guns they have the ability to escalate the adverse impacts of racism and corruption which OP highlights.

While I see many of the points raised by OP, it's important to look at the values and culture of what he considers alternatives.

Anyway apologies if someone thinks it's off topic or not relevant.

Edited December 18, 201213 yr by fletchsmile

If your kids are partly Thai and you can afford private education and private healthcare, I think Thailand is a better option.

Otherwise I'd head back home.

Having said that, I guess that depends where home is.

If your kids are partly Thai and you can afford private education and private healthcare, I think Thailand is a better option.

Otherwise I'd head back home.

Having said that, I guess that depends where home is.

We tick those boxes. Like OP though I often wonder about is Thailand the right place. Anyone that thinks it's black and white - either way - is kidding themselves.

Edited December 18, 201213 yr by fletchsmile

OP writes:

Adultery. Not to get into ones sex lives,, but lets face it, anyone with a little girl here must be worried about their little princess' future.

so... you are worried about your little princess' future because of extra marital sex during her marriage?

OP writes:

Adultery. Not to get into ones sex lives,, but lets face it, anyone with a little girl here must be worried about their little princess' future.

so... you are worried about your little princess' future because of extra marital sex during her marriage?

I think he's worried about her grassing him off to her mother

SC

If your kids are partly Thai and you can afford private education and private healthcare, I think Thailand is a better option.

Otherwise I'd head back home.

Having said that, I guess that depends where home is.

We tick those boxes. Like OP though I often wonder about is Thailand the right place. Anyone that thinks it's black and white - either way - is kidding themselves.

It's not black and white and I have at times thought about it but, all things considered, I believe Thailand remains a better option for my kids at the present time.

I can only go on the hospitals I've seen in the UK and other peoples many complaints. Anyway, you don't make a decision to live somwhere just because you might be sick one day. Some people go their whole lives without going into hospital, plus as an expat you should have health insurance anyway. Certainly NOT a reason to go home if you are a healthy person.

It's not black and white and I have at times thought about it but, all things considered, I believe Thailand remains a better option for my kids at the present time.

I think Thailand is a great place for kids.

In the UK, my kids wouldn't be having much fun, now or in the future.

As the OP seems to be talking about returning to the UK, let me point out bullying in UK schools is endemic. As your kids are half-Thai they will be mercilessly victimized. Not only the racist insults, but my mum says your mum was a hooker, etc. I used to work in schools in the UK, and it's a pretty nasty scene.

Edited December 18, 201213 yr by TommoPhysicist

It's not black and white and I have at times thought about it but, all things considered, I believe Thailand remains a better option for my kids at the present time.

I think Thailand is a great place for kids.

In the UK, my kids wouldn't be having much fun, now or in the future.

As the OP seems to be talking about returning to the UK, let me point out bullying in UK schools is endemic. As your kids are half-Thai they will be mercilessly victimized. Not only the racist insults, but my mum says your mum was a hooker, etc. I used to work in schools in the UK, and it's a pretty nasty scene.

'your mom is a hoe' that's been goin on since I was in school and many years previous to that. it's not new.

i have heard some reports of 'buggery' in the uk which would disturb me if i had kids there.

It's not black and white and I have at times thought about it but, all things considered, I believe Thailand remains a better option for my kids at the present time.

I think Thailand is a great place for kids.

In the UK, my kids wouldn't be having much fun, now or in the future.

As the OP seems to be talking about returning to the UK, let me point out bullying in UK schools is endemic. As your kids are half-Thai they will be mercilessly victimized. Not only the racist insults, but my mum says your mum was a hooker, etc. I used to work in schools in the UK, and it's a pretty nasty scene.

yes bullying in schools is endemic and not just confined to the UK....gingers-fat kids-weird quiet kids-you name it I took the piss out of them and also suffered a fair bit back myself, it's all part of growing up and toughening up...

you lot over there can wrap your leuk krueng kids up in cotton wool and have all the old hags pinching their cheeks saying narak mak mak and all that.....when your kids are old enough to go to school on their scooter and somchai and his teenage gang don't like the look of them cos they are prettier and paler skin than him and his cretin mates how you going to handle that situation...I know of full thai kids no half breed that returned to Thailand after a couple of years over here and they had a terrible time when they went to see their old school friends...one was told you are a farang in our eyes now and not wanted back here...he cut his trip short and returned to the cold and som tum less land of the UK.

I find the racism back home far worse.

My son ( Half Thai / Half Caucasian ) endured more than 10 incidents during our last year in the UK.

These were sometimes violent and always very unpleasant.

On another note, I also teach over here and agree about the schooling scenario ( my son is 14 )

For this reason we will probably move back next year

I'm very sorry to hear of your Son's experiences,which is despicable to say the least.

My own Thai English Daughters experience of UK Life are quite the complete opposite,she is doing excellent at school,is very popular,and saught after by her many friends,and couldn't be more happier! I take it your Sons experiences did not happen in the school environment? as Bullying or Discriminating are taken very seriously,and would definately be sorted out with the child and Parents of the perpetrater. My advice would be:take it further,your Son doesn't need to suffer in silence.

OP writes:

Adultery. Not to get into ones sex lives,, but lets face it, anyone with a little girl here must be worried about their little princess' future.

so... you are worried about your little princess' future because of extra marital sex during her marriage?

I think he's worried about her grassing him off to her mother

SC

that does make more sense indeed.

Edited December 18, 201213 yr by manarak

enjoy your life and you are great family and family man to think of his family first i wish my time would come quicker.

I wish the OP well and hope he finds what he is looking for.

It's not black and white and I have at times thought about it but, all things considered, I believe Thailand remains a better option for my kids at the present time.

I think Thailand is a great place for kids.

In the UK, my kids wouldn't be having much fun, now or in the future.

As the OP seems to be talking about returning to the UK, let me point out bullying in UK schools is endemic. As your kids are half-Thai they will be mercilessly victimized. Not only the racist insults, but my mum says your mum was a hooker, etc. I used to work in schools in the UK, and it's a pretty nasty scene.

yes bullying in schools is endemic and not just confined to the UK....gingers-fat kids-weird quiet kids-you name it I took the piss out of them and also suffered a fair bit back myself, it's all part of growing up and toughening up...

you lot over there can wrap your leuk krueng kids up in cotton wool and have all the old hags pinching their cheeks saying narak mak mak and all that.....when your kids are old enough to go to school on their scooter and somchai and his teenage gang don't like the look of them cos they are prettier and paler skin than him and his cretin mates how you going to handle that situation...I know of full thai kids no half breed that returned to Thailand after a couple of years over here and they had a terrible time when they went to see their old school friends...one was told you are a farang in our eyes now and not wanted back here...he cut his trip short and returned to the cold and som tum less land of the UK.

norrona - nice try, but a pretty weak effort to be fair..

It's not black and white and I have at times thought about it but, all things considered, I believe Thailand remains a better option for my kids at the present time.

I think Thailand is a great place for kids.

In the UK, my kids wouldn't be having much fun, now or in the future.

As the OP seems to be talking about returning to the UK, let me point out bullying in UK schools is endemic. As your kids are half-Thai they will be mercilessly victimized. Not only the racist insults, but my mum says your mum was a hooker, etc. I used to work in schools in the UK, and it's a pretty nasty scene.

yes bullying in schools is endemic and not just confined to the UK....gingers-fat kids-weird quiet kids-you name it I took the piss out of them and also suffered a fair bit back myself, it's all part of growing up and toughening up...

you lot over there can wrap your leuk krueng kids up in cotton wool and have all the old hags pinching their cheeks saying narak mak mak and all that.....when your kids are old enough to go to school on their scooter and somchai and his teenage gang don't like the look of them cos they are prettier and paler skin than him and his cretin mates how you going to handle that situation...I know of full thai kids no half breed that returned to Thailand after a couple of years over here and they had a terrible time when they went to see their old school friends...one was told you are a farang in our eyes now and not wanted back here...he cut his trip short and returned to the cold and som tum less land of the UK.

norrona - nice try, but a pretty weak effort to be fair..

a try at what exactly?

One question for the OP: if he has been working in schools for the last 11 years, why is his spelling so awful?

Thailand is not for everybody. You either love it or hate it. I have been here a long time and love it.

Two of my children were born and brought up in England during the early part of their lives and my third child was born and raised in New York and in Spain during the early part of his life.

All my children are now well integrated into Thai society. They are both very westernised and also very Thai, whatever it suits them to be, plus fluent in English language and Thai. My daughter can speak, English, Thai, Chinese and French, because she received a fantastic education at a Thai International school and at a Thai University. My family and I have a lot to thank Thailand for.

All are fairing extremely well here, one of my sons being a policeman in Chiang Mai and my daughter is soon going to be a coordinator for a large Thai International company in Bangkok. My point is, that it is possible to succeed here and be happy and content.

When people decide to move over here, they should focus on making the best of it and not ponder on the bad things.

There is no such place as Utopia and for me, Thailand is the nearest I will get to it. Most ex-pats that do not succeed here, do so mostly by their own incompetence and then try to blame the country as a whole for their failings.

Wherever you decide to go, I wish you good luck if you believe the pastures is greener somewhere else, and that goes for others who feel the same.

Edited December 18, 201213 yr by Beetlejuice

...Most ex-pats that do not succeed here, do so mostly by their own incompetence and then try to blame the country as a whole for their failings.

...

Not me. I blame my own personal weaknesses and the demon drink. think, in retrospect, I should've gone elsewhere, though at the time that the decision was made, on the basis of the evidence available, it was the right decision; I didn't review that decision with adequate research later, though.

Nevertheless, I still appreciate the OP's concerns, and share many of them. I am still considering relocating back to the Old Country, for the sake of freedomandsafety

I was slightly surprised with the enthusiasm which my HK friend showed for her life, and her daughters' lives, in the bosom of Aberdeenshire

SC

SC

in retrospect, I should've gone elsewhere, though at the time that the decision was made, on the basis of the evidence available, it was the right decision; I didn't review that decision with adequate research later, though.

forgive my curiosity, but what did your research tell you later and where would you rather have gone then, "if you had known"?

in retrospect, I should've gone elsewhere, though at the time that the decision was made, on the basis of the evidence available, it was the right decision; I didn't review that decision with adequate research later, though.

forgive my curiosity, but what did your research tell you later and where would you rather have gone then, "if you had known"?

Malaysia

in retrospect, I should've gone elsewhere, though at the time that the decision was made, on the basis of the evidence available, it was the right decision; I didn't review that decision with adequate research later, though.

forgive my curiosity, but what did your research tell you later and where would you rather have gone then, "if you had known"?

Malaysia

what's better there?

There is no such place as Utopia and for me, Thailand is the nearest I will get to it. Most ex-pats that do not succeed here, do so mostly by their own incompetence and then try to blame the country as a whole for their failings.

I came here to have sex with younger women, I keep succeeding.

Who are these people that fail?

Can't see my son failing either.

Edited December 19, 201213 yr by TommoPhysicist

in retrospect, I should've gone elsewhere, though at the time that the decision was made, on the basis of the evidence available, it was the right decision; I didn't review that decision with adequate research later, though.

forgive my curiosity, but what did your research tell you later and where would you rather have gone then, "if you had known"?

Malaysia

what's better there?

There was more work coming up, it's easier to do business with government, it's generally an easier place to live, the weather's better...

Im sorry to hear that about your son. My first is also a Thai/caucasian. Im not from the UK, but is it possible the racism is because the history of the UK is one of a caste system?

No it stems from the fact that at present white British people in London are now the minority,along with many other immigration problems but that's another story,good luck in your new move I hope it works out for the best for you and your family.

I don't think most Londoners have a problem with living in a multicultural society, it's the country 'tards that find it threatening.

EDIT: From wiki: According to the Office for National Statistics, based on the 2011 Census estimates, 59.8 per cent of the 8,173,941 inhabitants of London were White....

Why the colour of somebody's skin matters to you I really don't know. Does the fact that the Jamaican people that the UK welcomed (well invited over to work and then racially abused to be more accurate) in the 50s had the temerity to settle there and have children offend you in some way? Do you consider them British or does one have to be white to qualify for that dubious honour?

(Only 44.9%of white Londoners were classified as being 'white British' though, so perhaps it's the Irish that have got your goat, or the Poles maybe?)

Edited December 19, 201213 yr by inthepink

everybody is rascist against some nationality.

if you have ablack or asian friend, when you fight with them watch what comes out of you mouth, you will be shocked.

everybody is rascist against some nationality.

if you have ablack or asian friend, when you fight with them watch what comes out of you mouth, you will be shocked.

of course we are all aware of differences like skin colour, to pretend otherwise would be ridiculous. However, that has nothing to do with whining about the colour of people's skin on an Internet forum - that's a little more sinister to my mind.

I have had Asian and black friends but I never did what you are suggesting....it wouldn't have occurred to me to be honest.

I wish the OP well and hope he finds what he is looking for.

Me too.