Where Am I?

[Thakkar]

People keep talking about stuff on this forum, stuff that, after ten years in Chiangmai, has never happened to me.

I have only once been stopped by a traffic police officer—to be reminded to switch on my headlights, and then I was sent on my way. No bribes, no hassles, no checking of papers, no nothing.

No one at immigration has ever asked me for a bribe, treated me with disrespect or been less than efficient in dealing with my case. The last item: things could be changing. I have an appointment coming up, we'll see.

I was once over charged for drinking water. In the shop's defense, we were living at a hotel across the shop for a month and the shop keeper would see us coming in and out of the place and we had "clueless tourist" written all over us and the first time we bought something there, I may have gone overboard with my expression of surprise at how cheap it was.

I don't have noisy neighbors who burn trash. They don't have late-night parties, unruly dogs, or have the kinds of spouses for me to have affairs with.

We once reported a crime. The circumstances of the crime were recorded, the culprit was caught, end of story. No bribes, no revenge, no threats. No story.

Mrs T was once nipped by a neighbor's dog whose business she was sticking her nose into (the dog's business, I mean. She's always getting involved in whatever politics is going on among the dogs in the area). The owner apologized profusely, paid for all her shots and medicine (at Chiangmai Ram, no less) and even offered further cash compensation. No drama, no guns, no feud.

I've not been seduced, cuckolded (that I know of), overcharged, disrespected, scammed, threatened, robbed, extorted or had a gun pointed at.

My question is: am I living in the same Chiangmai everyone else is or am I living in a parallel universe and that ThaiVisa is the portal between us?

T

[Ulysses G.]

You are living in the same Thailand that I am.

[USNret]

lol, great post. I'm obviously too bored because I enjoy all the drama on these TV pages and sometimes participate. But I'm with you on this one... none of these dire things have happened to me.

I rented a condo from a private owner. When the lease was up, she came over, inspected & immediately refunded my full deposit in cash.

I've never been in a fight, or even in a situation that remotely seemed like it was heading in that direction (of course, I don't hang around places where drunk farangs usually congregate).

Never spoken to a cop in any capacity whatsoever. Or a Russian. Or a Nigerian.

Never been scammed through fake ATMs, bank fraud, etc.

In general, I enjoy Thailand, I particularly enjoy the people of Thailand. I find them warm & engaging. Maybe I took a wrong turn & I'm really in Laos? Who knows.

[Genericnic]

Thakkar, while I have only been here a little over two years, my experience (absent a wife ) mirrors yours. No bribe requests, no bad treatment, life no worse than back in the states and in many ways much better. Of course, not everyone is the same. My late brother probably never did anything as bad as some of the things I did in my youth. In his case though, he seemed to always get caught. My mother said I led a charmed life. It seems that was and still is true.

David

[Commander Tamson]

Are you trying to imply that TV contributors are making these stories up? Well I have to say that I'm shocked and somewhat disappointed / disillusioned.

PS Can you elucidate on that parallel universe and the inter dimensional portal you've been using. Sounds like the subject of a really good thread to me

[ripstanley]

I would say that the majority of members can relate to the OPs observations. I know I can.

[Loptr]

My question is: am I living in the same Chiangmai everyone else is or am I living in a parallel universe and that ThaiVisa is the portal between us?

No, Thai Visa is the parallel universe and your computer is the portal to this alternate reality. Either that or everything you read on the internet is true and we are all just figments of your imagination.

[Thakkar]

My question is: am I living in the same Chiangmai everyone else is or am I living in a parallel universe and that ThaiVisa is the portal between us?

No, Thai Visa is the parallel universe and your computer is the portal to this alternate reality. Either that or everything you read on the internet is true and we are all just figments of your imagination.

Believe me, if you all were figments of my imagination, you'd all be a lot more attractive!

T

[Commander Tamson]

You lot are starting to scare me into thinking I'm figment of my own imagination!

[transam]

I have nooooooooooooo problems, don't know why, they just wave me through.

[rideswings]

You must be in kansas...

[Loptr]

You lot are starting to scare me into thinking I'm figment of my own imagination!

Well, according to the latest physicist theories, we are all just holographic manifestations of our own psyche.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_principle

[true blue]

ye some times los can be quite boring,and since blether has taken a sabbatical,tv is quie boring now as well.

[Commander Tamson]

You lot are starting to scare me into thinking I'm figment of my own imagination!

Well, according to the latest physicist theories, we are all just holographic manifestations of our own psyche.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_principle

Hey, link that to T's interdimensional portal & I'm fan already

[elektrified]

I've never had a single problem with anyone in Thailand in over 25 years of visiting/living here.

I'm very careful of which ladies I see and have never had a problem with any of them.

I do worry about the ATM scams and other fraud but that is a global scam and not unique to Thailand.

The only time I was a little worried was once 25 years ago on Koh Samui at a waterfall, a Thai guy, high as a kite on heroin told me in perfect English that he liked and wanted my gold ring. I told him politely that it was only 14K, wasn't for sale, and was a gift from my grandmother. This started a 20 minute back and forth of how many grams of heroin he wanted to give me for the ring. I insisted it was not for sale and that I was not interested in heroin. He had some other guys with him. Indeed I was worried. In the end the guy approached me closely, looked in my eyes, shook my hand and said "O.K., no problem" and walked away.

[Thighlander]

Let me guess.....you're a missionary, living in a western styled house, surrounded by other westerners, send your kids to private international schools, shop at Rim Ping for 180 thb jars of mayonnaise; all at someone else's expense, and I forgot the UBC platinum and the SUV.

[iainiain101]

Can you see Doi Suthep clearly in your universe?

[puukao]

my experience is very slightly different....

I was drugged in a BKK airport bathroom upon arriving, ending up in Roi-ET after 44 hours and held against my will by five beautiful women. I was tattooed for 2 weeks, and then put into a trunk of a car heading for Chiang Rai. I endured elephant attacks, anaconda strangle holds, and tossed over 4 waterfalls that left me slightly confused. I had my head shaved, lived in a temple, and tied to a tuk-tuk for 19 days. I lost all my money, and now have 3 kids. I forgot how to speak English, use the internet, or a phone for 2 years. However, I do own 2 cellphones and have 1,343 new messages......

(please say you believe this so my wife will know i'm telling the truth!!!!)

[Thakkar]

my experience is very slightly different....

I was drugged in a BKK airport bathroom upon arriving, ending up in Roi-ET after 44 hours and held against my will by five beautiful women. I was tattooed for 2 weeks, and then put into a trunk of a car heading for Chiang Rai. I endured elephant attacks, anaconda strangle holds, and tossed over 4 waterfalls that left me slightly confused. I had my head shaved, lived in a temple, and tied to a tuk-tuk for 19 days. I lost all my money, and now have 3 kids. I forgot how to speak English, use the internet, or a phone for 2 years. However, I do own 2 cellphones and have 1,343 new messages......

(please say you believe this so my wife will know i'm telling the truth!!!!)

You had me at Roi-ET—nobody ends up there unless they were kidnapped.

T

[Thakkar]

Let me guess.....you're a missionary, living in a western styled house, surrounded by other westerners, send your kids to private international schools, shop at Rim Ping for 180 thb jars of mayonnaise; all at someone else's expense, and I forgot the UBC platinum and the SUV.

Think about it: If I were a missionary, would I have left the hotel to buy water from a shop instead ordering it from room service?

Jars of mayonnaise: you've ruined my breakfast by mentioning this. Let me explain. I once watched a documentary about the making of porn movies. Using a large jar of mayonnaise and a sausage, they demonstrated how they make the ubiquitous squishy noises in those movies. Since then, I've never enjoyed mayonnaise, or porn as much as I used to. Thanks for reviving that image in my head.

T

[bobl]

You must be in kansas...

Nope, even in Kansas you have these neighbours...

[CMNightRider]

No offense but "LA LA Land" comes to mind

[weary]

Sounds like you are doing many things right, and also like you've been lucky. Whatever you are doing seems to be working, so keep it up.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

You need a hell raising wingman to show you around town.

Get out more. I know expats who stay home all day. Maybe go to the store or coffee shop and that's about it.

[doji]

You need .....

Get out more. I know expats who stay home all day. Maybe go to the store or coffee shop and that's about it.

What’s wrong with staying at home, we like staying at home and very much enjoy it.

We get along so well together (too well infact), that sometimes we think something must be wrong with us LOL... as we don’t seem to need any friends 90% of the time.

You’re right one thing tho, we do need to get out for a cup of mojo more, instead of our every day the instant RedCup..haha

Oh btw…we are in the same bubble as the OP…….<group hugs>

Edited April 5, 2013 by doji

[WinnieTheKhwai]

You need a hell raising wingman to show you around town.

Get out more. I know expats who stay home all day. Maybe go to the store or coffee shop and that's about it.

Yes, I read it as a cry for help, too.

If you can't get in trouble in Thailand, something is terribly, terribly wrong.

Edited April 5, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[chiang mai]

You are living in the same Thailand that I am.

+1

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

You need a hell raising wingman to show you around town.

Get out more. I know expats who stay home all day. Maybe go to the store or coffee shop and that's about it.

Yes, I read it as a cry for help, too.

If you can't get in trouble in Thailand, something is terribly, terribly wrong.

Would make a funny reality show.

Scene -- Cobwebs growing on aging expat using an ancient PC to post on TV

Smash cut -- S.W.A.T intervention team busts thru the door. They break open emergency drugs and alcohol kit. IV optional.

Smash cut -- Lampshade wearing expat howling at the moon with a two naked strippers on his lap

Epilogue --- we saved another one but can't get to them all

"Friends don't let friends die of boredom in Thailand"

[Commander Tamson]

If you think the Chaingmai forum is getting boring, you should have a look at the Isaan forum.

And I don't see Thakar's post as a cry for help - just a contented individual in the Land of Smiles.

You want/need some action/aggro - that can be found too

[orang37]

Khun Thakkar,

Your words are truly inspirational, and reading them: I forget about the two-inch scar on my skull, where I was hit from behind with a beer-bottle in a certain venue in Bangkok (eleven years ago) because a young woman thought I was her ex-farang-boyfriend who "done her wrong."

I forget about the twenty-four-inch scar on my right leg from the surgery to repair multiple fractures caused by a stoned or drunk hit-and-run motorcyclist who crossed over to the wrong side of the road to run me down "broadside" while I was riding my (well-lighted) bicycle home about 7PM.

I forget about the desk clerk at the Singapore Thai Embassy who wouldn't even open and read a letter from Chiang Mai Ram to the Thai Ambassador detailing why, for medical reasons, I needed an extra entry visa to complete rehab on my leg, and who threatened to have me thrown out by the police for demanding to speak to a supervisor.

And, to be fair, I should forget about these things; they could have happened anywhere in the world.

What I can't forget about is the lives of farangs I've known, personally, that were ruined by extortion: some of those lives were ruined because they involved collusion between a notorious predatory farang working in collusion with a certain official.

With hindsight it's easy to be judgmental, and say: "oh well, they took undue risks, or, even acted foolishly, by assuming that 'business' here is done the same way it is done back in their home countries." But, I am talking of people who became victims of predation when they were sick, weak, or having a temporary bout of insanity, or mental dis-orientation.

While I wouldn't want to appear to be interfering with your deeply delicious reverie of admiration of yourself as an exemplar of being smarter, more adaptive, cleverer, etc.; I believe your experience is not typical, but it may be typical, perhaps, of those who have higher-income, who are stably married to Thais, who are not engaging in high-risk behavior, who are not extremely wealthy, and who can use their money to insulate themselves to some degree from dangers other face.

All of which, as I have seen personally, can be destroyed in a short period.

In my opinion we live (here) in a violent society (with a seductive veneer of social calm, and high empathy ... in the immediate interpersonal sphere of personal interaction), a highly corrupt society, and a society in which hyper-vigilance, bordering on paranoia, is required, on the part of expats, to survive here long-term.

But one can ... and I do ... live "outside" that; I live in an old Chiang Mai neighborhood very modestly, and my neighbors are great people, really sweet, and I am very comfortable, and feel quite safe here. I had six years of experience living in Asia before I moved here; I had some sense of how to maintain boundaries, and, in small ways, over time, by consistent politeness, and genuine interest, I think I've earned the relative acceptance of my neighbors. Which doesn't mean that if I died suddenly they might not have a field-day looting my house, if they could get there before the "official looters."

The best advice I ever had about living here was from the author, Christopher Moore; he said to me, when I was talking with him about moving here many, many, years ago: "make your money outside this country; keep it outside this country; bring in only what you need; and, don't let anyone know what you have in terms of re$ources; if you live in a poor neighborhood: on the outside look like you're poor; and, avoid wealthy Thais."

While hypothetical alternate universes do have value as thought experiments (gedanken), entertainment, distracting novelty, and, yes, our cultural identities do imply we can be living, psychologically, as if we are in very different realities, I think it can also be valuable to imagine we live, as social primates, in a world where certain universals of "human nature" show through: which can include violence, greed, and (praise be) altruism, and empathy.

But, when there is a vast quantum difference in wealth, opportunity (you know: we could go back where we came from), access to food, shelter, medical care, security in old age, between farangs and the Thais they live among: I believe there is ... also ... a potential for danger which it would be foolish not to pay attention to. I personally believe that this is becoming more salient as an issue because of the increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of the few here, and the "squeezing" of the middle-class, and the reduction of opportunities for social upward mobility, not to mention the degradation of the environment, and the apparent general failure of the educational system that should be preparing future generations of Thais for a competitive pan-Asian economy dominated by China.

Meanwhile, you just can't beat fresh soy-milk at 5 baht per approximately 250 gram bag !

yours, ~o:37;