Trolling nonsense posts have been removed. If the trolling continues, a holiday may be coming.

<Where did you all go wrong?>

<pay the elders extra in off rice season and life could not be better.>

Obviously I went wrong because I didn't bribe the elders.

Its all about the money.

Funny thing is in the same environment back home, in same same situation...the elders would help out for free generally.

As long as the OP keeps paying over the rates, he will be loved.

Haha. The house was finished 4 Years ago and no dramas or money given out since. They love it when I arrive. We all sit down for day 1 feed bibs and elders and I only see them when I need something. I must be in a rare village or they got the hint early. If my bike needs anything fixed, I pay locals price, at the hardware shop I never pay price advertised, I get a cash discount, loyalty program, return business. Yes haggler tight ass but if they can, they lower prices for me. Goes around comes back for more. I like it like that.

No I don't bribe, I just use my $$ wisely.

Kitsune, your the negative type of person that does not understand life. Another miserable person that has an excuse for everything and tries to bring others down to your level, won't work with me sunshine. Keep thinking negative about things in life that you have no power over and keep complaining about them. One day someone will listen, but frankly, you really do sound like you should just keep your head in the sand so we all don't think how much of a jerk you must be, first opinion.

I raise my glass to Ozybear!...

I hope it doesn't contain alcohol..

totster

My wife taught me the value of the $. So not as many toys and can feed the village if need be. We don't go without

nor do I waste money anymore. Work hard, play a little, share a bit more. To easy bro

You won't see alcohol at my place as I keep the doors closed. Lol.

You won't see alcohol at my place as I keep the doors closed. Lol.

I'm confused ...

What doors do you keep closed?

Do you keep the doors closed to hid the alcohol?

.

You won't see alcohol at my place as I keep the doors closed. Lol.

I'm confused ...

What doors do you keep closed?

Do you keep the doors closed to hid the alcohol?

.

Noooooooooo, he has learned a lesson I learned.

Haha. The house was finished 4 Years ago and no dramas or money given out since. They love it when I arrive. We all sit down for day 1 feed bibs and elders and I only see them when I need something. I must be in a rare village or they got the hint early. If my bike needs anything fixed, I pay locals price, at the hardware shop I never pay price advertised, I get a cash discount, loyalty program, return business. Yes haggler tight ass but if they can, they lower prices for me. Goes around comes back for more. I like it like that.

No I don't bribe, I just use my $$ wisely.

That is fantastic

You must be so good at business

So this Farang double pricing thing TV's finest rant and rave about must be myth then ?....

The ironic thing about this post is than received a phone call from a mate of mine in the last couple of hours who has been doing something similar for about 5 years with a certain Thai lady, ie flying in from the UK for a few months a year and being treated as the lord of the manor during his stays, life in Thailand is wonderful, the natives are great, built the Isaan manison etc, and has just been stitched up by his teerak for the house and a few other things etc...

Dont have all the details but this guy is not a pensioner, earns a good living in the UK and is by no means an idiot, but the one thing he didnt do when he first started coming to Thailand and started seeing his daarling...was to take old Souties advice and not get involved with houses/car's etc in Thailand, certainly in the case of a long distance relationship.

I will however give his due, as the first thing he said to was.."I should have listened to you"...

I enjoy the 'Village' Lifestyle, even though I am in outer suburban Bangkok. It is what I find most attractive about it. In some ways it reminds me of an Australia that I grew up in that no longer exists.

There are a lot of Thais who are aware that their Village lifestyles are under threat in todays modern world. it should not be taken for granted.

The one thing mostly older Singaporeans complain about it the loss of their Village style of living. I was knocking around Singapore when they still had village and kampongs and it was a better place than it is today. The people were a lot happier and less stressed than today. Some make as much money as they can and then head to Malaysia to retire in a Village environment.

I have been living in this same Moo Baan for 10 years. When I finally bought a house last year they all rallied to assist. A friend and neighbour who has his own commercial electrical company who ordinarily only does commercial, big jobs, not residential, did a 'one-off for me, he ripped out the entire electrics, everything back to the pole. Redid the whole lot, including Ethernet, SAT & Cable TV, Internet cabling, home theartre etc. At cost for materials, nothing for him, and mates rates for his employees. (although I did give his wife a 7" Android Tablet)

Always barking at me when I wanted to buy something they reckoned I was paying too much for. (I was shopping at homepro).

I have a great life. it is almost one to feel 'guilty' about. As quite a few back home in Australia have tried to make me feel over the years. They want me to be miserable like them.

So you go for it mate, enjoy it. Embrace it. Learn something new everyday. Sure there are 'worst case scenarios', but not all of them turn out that way. There are 63 Million people in Thailand, the majority of whom are good people.

You won't see alcohol at my place as I keep the doors closed. Lol.

I'm confused ...

What doors do you keep closed?

Do you keep the doors closed to hid the alcohol?

.

Noooooooooo, he has learned a lesson I learned.

Yep he turned the neon flashing "welcome" sign off.

You won't see alcohol at my place as I keep the doors closed. Lol.

I'm confused ...

What doors do you keep closed?

Do you keep the doors closed to hid the alcohol?

.

Noooooooooo, he has learned a lesson I learned.

Yep he turned the neon flashing "welcome" sign off.

But many don't.

A couple of weeks ago I got a big air con unit installed on the bottom deck of my 2 story townhouse. I called my Local 'Village' Air Con contractor in to do the job. When they went to fit the indoor unit they told me I had the curtain brackets too high and they would all have to be removed and refitted.

Bugger.

Thinking as though I was dealing with Australian 'Tradies' back home, I shrugged my shopulders and said to myself, no problem I guess, I will fit them again later. I wasn't in the mood to do them again.

Then after the installation was complete and I thought it was all over, and I got ready to part with my cash, I heard the sound of a masonry drill again. What the hell are they doing now I thought?

And there they were, all the curtain brackets had been relocated and screwed into place. No extra charge.

Try that in Australia!

Welcome to TV. Just keep your wits about you and you'll do well. Thailand is a great place and ignore all the naysayers a la the post above this one (but keep half an ear open because some of them do have valid points but they express them in such a polarised manner), live your life and make the most of it.

And always have a get of Dodge plan as well......as regards the naysaying...are you inferring what I was talking has never happened in Thailand or even Isaan to farang ?

Dont you think its better getting into something knowing the possible pit falls, than having the rosey spectacles on at all times ?

The key point being...dont leave your common sense head at the airport on the way in and always use the head on your shoulders to think, not the one in your trousers...

Nuh, I was implying nothing of the sort. In fact I find myself in agreement with many of your points of view in this thread and many others. My advice to the OP was to keep his wits about him and to ignore naysayers, while half listening to them because they do have valid points and advice about life and living in Thailand.

If I was implying anything at all, it's be wary of anybody that has overly polarised views about any subject because their view is often skewed by an overly negative or an overly positive experience, or outlook. The two personality extremes could be cynical and gullible. Somebody with a balanced view is able to take the good from the bad, the bad from the good and offer a balanced critique or advice, highlighting the pitfalls and benefits.

Just to further agree with you - here's my very own personal polarised view that applies in every country in the world and every conceivable personal relationship, be they son, daughter, wife, brother or sister. The key thing being ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. I will never buy a house or car or motorbike for anybody. And if I ever did build a house, buy a car for my loved one and it all goes pear shaped, you have no reason to complain unless they put a gun to your head and forced you to build it or buy it in the first place. You weren't robbed, you gave money to somebody to buy an asset in their name. The rights of complaint were lost the minute you put your hand in your pocket, extracted the cash and handed it over, regardless of the relationship.

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by Gsxrnz

As mention, I met my wife in aus. I met the family on my first visit. Totally genuine family and built the house a week later. Present for them for raising such a nice daughter, no dad he passed many years ago, we have been in aus together the whole time together. Return for visits and welcomed by all, family and villagers. No rip offs no asking, just gifts with genuine thanks. Perfect. Wholesome family with magnificent values, even though I am the only farang in the family they don't expect anything except looking after wifey. Years later same deal. No sinsot asked as they had the house already. Pure issaan people's. they do exist.

Cpifc

Looks like we are in the same boat bloke. Happy. No expectations just their to embrace and be included live it, love it.

You won't see alcohol at my place as I keep the doors closed. Lol.

I'm confused ...

What doors do you keep closed?

Do you keep the doors closed to hid the alcohol?

.

Noooooooooo, he has learned a lesson I learned.

Yep he turned the neon flashing "welcome" sign off.

That's all it was. And accepted immediately.

Welcome to TV. Just keep your wits about you and you'll do well. Thailand is a great place and ignore all the naysayers a la the post above this one (but keep half an ear open because some of them do have valid points but they express them in such a polarised manner), live your life and make the most of it.

And always have a get of Dodge plan as well......as regards the naysaying...are you inferring what I was talking has never happened in Thailand or even Isaan to farang ?

Dont you think its better getting into something knowing the possible pit falls, than having the rosey spectacles on at all times ?

The key point being...dont leave your common sense head at the airport on the way in and always use the head on your shoulders to think, not the one in your trousers...

Nuh, I was implying nothing of the sort. In fact I find myself in agreement with many of your points of view in this thread and many others. My advice to the OP was to keep his wits about him and to ignore naysayers, while half listening to them because they do have valid points and advice about life and living in Thailand.

If I was implying anything at all, it's be wary of anybody that has overly polarised views about any subject because there view is often skewed by an overly negative or an overly positive experience, or outlook. The two personality extremes could be cynical and gullible. Somebody with a balanced view is able to take the good from the bad, the bad from the good and offer a balanced critique or advice, highlighting the pitfalls and benefits.

Just to further agree with you - here's my very own personal polarised view that applies in every country in the world and every conceivable personal relationship, be they son, daughter, wife, brother or sister. The key thing being ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. I will never buy a house or car or motorbike for anybody. And if I ever did build a house, buy a car for my loved one and it all goes pear shaped, you have no reason to complain unless they put a gun to your head and forced you to build it or buy it in the first place. You weren't robbed, you gave money to somebody to buy an asset in their name. The rights of complaint were lost the minute you put your hand in your pocket, extracted the cash and handed it over, regardless of the relationship.

So true. They never asked for anything but I did gave to build a squater in the bungalow for mummzy no western loo for her. Lol.

You won't see alcohol at my place as I keep the doors closed. Lol.

I'm confused ...

What doors do you keep closed?

Do you keep the doors closed to hid the alcohol?

.

COUGH ... ... for the OP ... a question to reply to ... please ...

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by David48

Well, guess as long as you pass the cash and offer up big ticket gifts, you certainly deserve to be happy.

As did all the other posters who years ago posted similar stuff on ThaiVisa and, despite being deliriously happy and successful in Thailand, somehow stopped posting. ***

If your posts are accurate representations of you experiences, you're very likely in for a rude surprise due to naiveté.

Nonetheless, I wish you continued happiness.

***You can, you know, go back many years to TV's inception, and research this as I did, because, as it says below my posts, I'm bored.

The OP would be very surprised, if he knew, what the village folks really thought of him!

Hope the glasses don't slide of your nose anytime soon.

The OP would be very surprised, if he knew, what the village folks really thought of him!

Hope the glasses don't slide of your nose anytime soon.

Respect given, respect recieved. Maybe that's where you went wrong.

The OP would be very surprised, if he knew, what the village folks really thought of him!

Hope the glasses don't slide of your nose anytime soon.

Weeeeeeeell, I was trying to say this in a nice way. My mrs says all the time to me, ''They don't care about you, they use you (not for money ) for who and what you are''. Soooooooo, that is always in my mind. I have fun but my mrs is always thinking they laugh behind my back. I say, I don't care because I know.

The OP would be very surprised, if he knew, what the village folks really thought of him!

Hope the glasses don't slide of your nose anytime soon.

Respect given, respect recieved. Maybe that's where you went wrong.

You will learn with time.

The OP would be very surprised, if he knew, what the village folks really thought of him!

Hope the glasses don't slide of your nose anytime soon.

Respect given, respect recieved. Maybe that's where you went wrong.

Okay, did I spell naiveté with a small "n"?

Oooops.

I think the difference with me is I met my wife in au after she had done a lot of world travelling before she introduced me to issaan and the family. I had never been o/a before and I know that I struck gold immediately. No bar girl , just an ethical hard working women that realises the importance of the dollar more than I did. I do now.

Gold gold gold. Many years together and it only gets better.

Thank you mummzy inlaw, you did a great job.

Sorry guys I think this guy is a troll. So not wasting my time reading his sad drivel live too short.

+1,

+2

Well, guess as long as you pass the cash and offer up big ticket gifts, you certainly deserve to be happy.

As did all the other posters who years ago posted similar stuff on ThaiVisa and, despite being deliriously happy and successful in Thailand, somehow stopped posting. ***

If your posts are accurate representations of you experiences, you're very likely in for a rude surprise due to naiveté.

Nonetheless, I wish you continued happiness.

***You can, you know, go back many years to TV's inception, and research this as I did, because, as it says below my posts, I'm bored.

The difference is I don't have anything to lose. A gifts a gift. It's there's to do as they please.

Maybe if one has a lot and in the position to give the mother of my wife a gift, nothing to lose but a lot to gain.

The OP would be very surprised, if he knew, what the village folks really thought of him!

Hope the glasses don't slide of your nose anytime soon.

Respect given, respect recieved. Maybe that's where you went wrong.

Okay, did I spell naiveté with a small "n"?

Oooops.

As you never learnt how to spell, possibly they forgot to teach you what love is all about. All family included.

The OP would be very surprised, if he knew, what the village folks really thought of him!

Hope the glasses don't slide of your nose anytime soon.

Respect given, respect recieved. Maybe that's where you went wrong.

You will learn with time.

Why comment if your so sour ?

The OP would be very surprised, if he knew, what the village folks really thought of him!

Hope the glasses don't slide of your nose anytime soon.

Respect given, respect recieved. Maybe that's where you went wrong.

Okay, did I spell naiveté with a small "n"?

Oooops.

As you never learnt how to spell, possibly they forgot to teach you what love is all about. All family included.

Not sure what I spelled wrong, but you didn't mention that all the village elders and BIB were immediate family.

My mistake. Sorry.