Whom of you lived in Thailand but not anymore, what's your vision now ?

[Thai at Heart]

@WPRIME From an outsiders perspective we differ opinions. You state that, if asking the proletariat, they are happy for most part. IMO they do not know any better. It would need thinking abillities, education !, and the experience to have been regularly, or lived in, other countries. This in order to be able to compare. Thailand is indeed not a country like North Korea but the lese majeste laws in place here say enough. The classsystem too. The fact that the automatic respect for elders and the 1s higher up in the social hierarchy is so apparant proves it too. Familystructures ! The fact that progress is taking place slowly, as you stated, because the people are not ready yet and therefore it needs to go slowly, is only out of selfinterest by the ruling elites. MONEY WEALTH AND CONTINUING INFLUENCE for them. FEAR of the possibilities of a truly educated and outspoken proletariat. To keep them stupid, so to speak, is in their favour and there is nothing altruistic or visionary about that. The reason why many love Thaksin is IMO because he publicly reflects the bad sides of human mentality of greed/dishonesty. Many can relate to that. Same as in Italy with Berlusconi though. Anyway TIT !!

There are several issues that come out of the way that society is structured here.

A. Inequality. The little man has no chance to legally redress damage by the big man.

B. Corruption. The big men are untouchable

C. Good of the country. This statement is trumpeted to make people feel that the big man's benefit outweighs the benefit of the general population.

Now I could go on and on, but, inevitably the little folks will get wise to what is going on here because you can only patronise someone for so long. The system is not being relaxed to help the lower end of society. It is being relaxed by natural occurrence.

[Time Traveller]

wprime, the elite to this day do continue to try to keep the proletariat uninformed. How else do you explain their action blocking youtube and other websites, censorship and banning books and simple discussion of ideas and free speech, and of course the draconian sentences for the Lese Majeste offences. Yes it's an elite ruling the country through fear.

The proletariat of Thailand is far more informed than the average proletariat of Thailand 80 years ago, as I said the development of the proletariat has been slow and steady. There's no point in freeing all this information because they're not educated enough to deal with it - that's what they're working on first. What simple discussion of ideas and free speech are illegal in Thailand yet legal in the western world? Free speech doesn't exist anywhere, you're always limited by defamation laws. As for lese majeste, the King is the country - desecrating national symbols is illegal in almost every western country - yes the sentences seem draconian in Thailand but they are never served - the King has always pardoned individuals for lese majeste.

It's funny that you actually believe what you're saying.Maybe you've been in thailand too long and need to step outside and see what the rest of the world is like.

[krisb]

Thailand - Good food, bad police, bad traffic. Great if you are single, difficult if you have children.

...many of us would also object to the 'good food' myth..

Just because you don't like it doesn't mean that no one does - to say the food is good (as many do) is not a "myth", it's an expression of an opinion.

Think they mean the general quality of food in Thailand. Compared to countries like Australia, it's terrible. When you look at things like how meats stored in Thai markets it's pretty disgusting. Green looking chicken, flies on food, cooked products left out in the heat for sale. Love to see the stats on food poisoning in Thailand. Ever been to an all you can eat in Thailand restaurant? Piles of meat at room temperature left out. Yuck.

[somtampet]

Thailand - Good food, bad police, bad traffic. Great if you are single, difficult if you have children.

...many of us would also object to the 'good food' myth..

You can object all you want but it is just your opinion. What are your complaints about Thai food? While not important, the general consensus amongst travelers is that Thai food is extraordinary.

Personally, I have to only pity someone who dislikes Thai food. It boggles my mind. What kind of food do you like?

sounds like he is a fish and chips man,swallowed down by a cup of tea lol. Thai food is amazing,but,again,he could have had chicken fried rice from a stall.

[davidst01]

Lived for 7 years there. Left 2011. Come to thailand since dec 1994. Reason for leaving; soc and for kids future education in home country.

Changes over the years have been the same as in western countries. Modernization, more traffic, more expensive, more greedy, no improvement in services. IMO its all gone to fast in LOS the last 15 years for the average thai. Thais and Thailand are closed, the present openness in the world through internet and social media is something thais have problems to deal with.

My personal vision has changed but by joining TV changed again. More balanced i like to think. In the personal problematic situation i am in, most would become a thaibasher. Would like to be 1 as well, but that is too easy. So am not. It all depends on the circles 1 chose to join, knowing or unknowingly. I made a bad choice. So cant generalize. It was me who made the mistake, with huge consequences though. IMO nothing to much will change in LOS. It will be for many generations before 1 will see an improvement regarding the negative aspects of thai society; saving face, lack of empathy, selfishness, educationlevels etc.

I have been visiting Thailand regularly for the past 10 years.. Own a house with my partner in Bangkok .. I agree in general with the view above. A Thai graduating with a bachelor's degree from a local university is not able to speak English... The Thai PM and senior members in government are not able to converse or conduct an interview in English...

Thais are extremely insular and isolated in their thinking. Most of them are driven by money and will do virtually anything to extort it from unsuspecting tourists and foreigners. Once you have broken through the veneer of the smile they are actually unscrupulous and a devious culture. Saving face in my opinion is often a simple reflection of the lack of emotional intelligence most Thais suffer from.

As a regular driver in Bangkok and frequently long distance to Phuket and Krabi etc.. I find their behavior on the road appalling.. white lines separating lanes have no meaning, emergency lanes are used by normal traffic.. weaving through the traffic on the highway at high speed creating risk for the lives of all the motorists that are passed is normal practice. Slow moving heavy trucks and busses occupy the right hand lane and refuse to let traffic through. It is not out of the ordinary to witness a number of incidents that will result in the suspension of a driver's license in Europe, UK, Canada or US...The risk of driving in Thailand is supported by the recent bus accidents in which dozens of tourists were killed. Thais are selfish and poorly disciplined and in generally lack ethics.

Thailand is spoiled by the influx of millions of tourists whom quite often receive shoddy service and end up paying for poor quality. Given the increase in attacks on tourists in Patong and elsewhere in Phuket, I can only urge visitors to not drop their guard and be aware of the underlying risks. It won't happen overnight but the tourists will eventually learn to appreciate the risks exposed to and once that happens numbers will decline.

I have to agree with the above comment. Im currently taking a holiday away from the LOS travelling Lithuania and Latvia.

In Lithuania a few days ago, I went to chain a push bike to a tree outside a block of flats and a 10 yr old boy walked up to me and said in reasonable english 'my grandmother would not be very happy that you are putting your bike there'. I thought to myself I could not imagine a 10 yr old thai kid being able to say that let alone some of the uni graduates in bangkok.

Ive taken some long bus trips in both countries here in the Baltics and the drivers are careful and drive at a normal speed. On another trip I was thinking how unsafe Ive felt on several trips from bkk to Hua hin.

It is strange how reckless the thai drivers on the road are. Why are they like this??

[Loptr]

So many generalizations, so little time to address them. Then there is the will to respond, which frankly on this thread, would be a waste of time.

[farang000999]

Lived for 7 years there. Left 2011. Come to thailand since dec 1994. Reason for leaving; soc and for kids future education in home country.

Changes over the years have been the same as in western countries. Modernization, more traffic, more expensive, more greedy, no improvement in services. IMO its all gone to fast in LOS the last 15 years for the average thai. Thais and Thailand are closed, the present openness in the world through internet and social media is something thais have problems to deal with.

My personal vision has changed but by joining TV changed again. More balanced i like to think. In the personal problematic situation i am in, most would become a thaibasher. Would like to be 1 as well, but that is too easy. So am not. It all depends on the circles 1 chose to join, knowing or unknowingly. I made a bad choice. So cant generalize. It was me who made the mistake, with huge consequences though. IMO nothing to much will change in LOS. It will be for many generations before 1 will see an improvement regarding the negative aspects of thai society; saving face, lack of empathy, selfishness, educationlevels etc.

I have been visiting Thailand regularly for the past 10 years.. Own a house with my partner in Bangkok .. I agree in general with the view above. A Thai graduating with a bachelor's degree from a local university is not able to speak English... The Thai PM and senior members in government are not able to converse or conduct an interview in English...

Thais are extremely insular and isolated in their thinking. Most of them are driven by money and will do virtually anything to extort it from unsuspecting tourists and foreigners. Once you have broken through the veneer of the smile they are actually unscrupulous and a devious culture. Saving face in my opinion is often a simple reflection of the lack of emotional intelligence most Thais suffer from.

As a regular driver in Bangkok and frequently long distance to Phuket and Krabi etc.. I find their behavior on the road appalling.. white lines separating lanes have no meaning, emergency lanes are used by normal traffic.. weaving through the traffic on the highway at high speed creating risk for the lives of all the motorists that are passed is normal practice. Slow moving heavy trucks and busses occupy the right hand lane and refuse to let traffic through. It is not out of the ordinary to witness a number of incidents that will result in the suspension of a driver's license in Europe, UK, Canada or US...The risk of driving in Thailand is supported by the recent bus accidents in which dozens of tourists were killed. Thais are selfish and poorly disciplined and in generally lack ethics.

Thailand is spoiled by the influx of millions of tourists whom quite often receive shoddy service and end up paying for poor quality. Given the increase in attacks on tourists in Patong and elsewhere in Phuket, I can only urge visitors to not drop their guard and be aware of the underlying risks. It won't happen overnight but the tourists will eventually learn to appreciate the risks exposed to and once that happens numbers will decline.

I have to agree with the above comment. Im currently taking a holiday away from the LOS travelling Lithuania and Latvia.

In Lithuania a few days ago, I went to chain a push bike to a tree outside a block of flats and a 10 yr old boy walked up to me and said in reasonable english 'my grandmother would not be very happy that you are putting your bike there'. I thought to myself I could not imagine a 10 yr old thai kid being able to say that let alone some of the uni graduates in bangkok.

Ive taken some long bus trips in both countries here in the Baltics and the drivers are careful and drive at a normal speed. On another trip I was thinking how unsafe Ive felt on several trips from bkk to Hua hin.

It is strange how reckless the thai drivers on the road are. Why are they like this??

1. Fines for driving offenses are trivial in Thailand. Police are corrupt. This creates an enviroment of "do anything". In the Baltics, driving offenses are taken more seriously I imagine. Violators will face large penalties. A professional driver may even be penalized by his employer.

2. Poor infrastructure and general poverty result in more motorcycles on the road. Motorcyclists create a "do anything" atmosphere as they drive anywhere on the road and follow no rules.

3. Professional Drivers in the Baltics undergo training and will have a generally higher educational level than Thai drivers. They probably listen to political talk radio and will tell you how terrible foreigners are in the Baltics (just kidding). The drivers themselves have enjoyable lives and are not living each day from the perspective of "who cares?"

4. Passengers are more educated and living happy lives and are thus more concerned about their own safety and will stand up to reckless driving whereas many Thai passengers approach each day from the perspective of "Whatever who cares?"

I agree though, driving/parking/safety on the roads is definitely one of the worst things about Thailand if not the worst.

[metisdead]

A number of off topic posts and replies have been removed (finally). Posts unnecessarily bringing the Royal family into the discussion have been removed as well.

[yooyoo]

I am planning to return home after 18 years for something similar to those issues as above.

However, I am getting completely disillusioned with where the country is going. Things are not adding up financially for the country, and the violence appears to have increased massively in the last few years. The corruption and hoops I have to jump through to run a business here have also got me down in recent times and it just doesn't represent the opportunity it did in my eyes even a few years ago.

However, I have been badly let down by some very long standing friends and this has probably hurt more than anything. I finally feel like just any other farang to be used and that is in the end enough.

The ridiculously tough immigration and fixed paternalistic business structure has finally driven me nuts. It seems they would rather prevent foreigners getting ahead, than allow us to contribute to building the country.

I used to think I clearly understood how Thailand worked. Increasingly, I feel I understand less and less.

Thailand is the same as every other country. The elite who own the wealth and have controlled the country for centuries live in fear of the proletariat who will one day overthrow them. The only two ways to hold on to power is through an iron fist to any dissenting opinion and secondly through creating a fear in minds of the masses over an imagined enemy, who the elites then come to be the hero when they save the proletariat from this enemy. Foreigners and minority groups are an easy scapegoat.

Your disillusionment is because you want to be part of the club that doesn't want you as a member.

Well, there are other issues beyond this. Just read the headlines. Foreigners stabbed to death for not getting off a stage in a beach bar, for example. It is getting increasingly out of control. Education is a massive problem here, and I feel i would be doing my kids a diservice. Nationalism that is being pumped into my kids heads, which is genuinely disgusting to me.

But yes, I don't doubt that there is an element of not wanting foreigners to get to integrated into society. But I really have to say, and I will probably get shot down for it, but the Thai Chinese already run this country, and the people are being absolutely lied to. They are being conned, and have essentially become little more than bodies to feed profits to oligarchy.

I have bent my way over backwards, and largely enjoyed my time here, and attempted to integrate as much as possible, but at the end of the day, it isn't to be. So be it. I will leave, and there will be some tears from some other genuine Thai friends, but there is a growing resentment towards "farangs" and I really don't like it. That is their perogative, but at the end of the day, it will not do Thailand one bit of good, there will be a net loss. I feel very fortunate that I have an option to get my kids out of here, because, as talented as they may or may not be, to deny them the chance to a better quality education would be extremely selfish on my part. They deserve better than the level of education that they are being provided, and believe me, they aren't in some cheapy government school.

And then corruption. It is truly on an epidemic scale at the moment, and literally everyone is at it. It doesn't matter how good a product you sell, how good a service you provide, how beneficial what you do may or may not be, there is little or no way to get ANYTHING done without paying, and I cannot play that game. All this fake love of one's country, fake pride, fake nationalism comes down at the end of it, to "what is in it for me". It is too much, and I will go and play my game in a part of the world where it is not the norm to have to give away 30% of something to someone simply because they hold a stamp. Many a great civilisation has been brought down by corruption, Thailand will inevitably tear itself to pieces one day over this issue alone.

I really worry where this place is going, and I have argued that Thailand won't implode financially as in 97, but what is going on now, is truly approaching excess in terms of borrowing and construction. The rising political tensions and the muppets that are in this government are I fear going to cause this country to explode, and I don't want to be holding the financial baby if it all goes wrong. I will sell up, depart, and try to reminice about a time when I did enjoy living here more than I do today.

Well written... the Thais have always been insular but I sense that lately this combines with a fruitless arrogant justification .. I am more then happy to leave Thailand to the Thais and the fake smile to the unsuspecting farrangs.. I will be spending my tourist $$$ somewhere else...

[PoodMaiDai]

I've been here for about a decade and will be heading on my way in a few more years if my plans work out. The world is changing rapidly, but Thailand is heading in a direction I really don't like. Not to mention the increase in violence and drug use, which breeds more violence. All governments are out of control, but the Thais are delusional and beyond corrupt, and getting worse. I've always enjoyed the care free lifestyle here, but I also know when it's time to move on, and that time is coming soon. Also, I thought over time I would be better equipped to deal with the fact that we are all living in a country where they don't want us and we're really not welcome. They don't want us to live here, to open businesses, or to succeed. All odds are against foreigners here, so kudos to those of you who have done well in business and made money.

Prior to living in Thailand I lived in S. America, and that is probably where I'll return. I came here for a unique job offer that was too good to pass on, and it has served me well. It's just time to write another chapter in the book.

I doubt I'll return after I leave.

And as a side note, heaven only knows what is going to happen to this place when the unspeakable unfortunately happens. I'd rather not be around for that, as it's probably going to be the largest bloody power grab this nation has ever seen in its entire history. I've always believed Thailand is just a few poor military decisions away from become what Myanmar has been for the past decade.

[Seekingasylum]

Having recently escaped I can say I miss nothing at all apart from being able to take a daily swim in my condo pool. I am just so relieved to be able to shop in a decent supermarket where infinitely superior products can be bought at half the price and be assured they are fit for consumption. Actually having the luxury of getting everything I need from just the one place is still a novelty I cannot easily take for granted. Not sweating all bloody day is a joy too as is the simplest feat of walking about on decent pavements.

But I suppose the greatest joy is that no longer do I have to put up with the sheer stupidity of Thailand and its awful society.

In all my travels I don't think I've come across a sillier place which has been utterly despoiled by perhaps the most devious, deceptive, greedy and unscrupulous folk on the planet. Their only saving grace is that by dint of genetic chance they endlessly produce the most consistently beautiful women in the world even if most of them are as daft as brushes.

[benalibina]

Different culture, different morals. Who is right ? All in the eye of the beholder !

[rayongchelsea]

Lived here 30 years. Will not retire here..

However everybody tells me I will be back..they maybe correct..

[MacChine]

I am planning to return home after 18 years for something similar to those issues as above.

However, I am getting completely disillusioned with where the country is going. Things are not adding up financially for the country, and the violence appears to have increased massively in the last few years. The corruption and hoops I have to jump through to run a business here have also got me down in recent times and it just doesn't represent the opportunity it did in my eyes even a few years ago.

However, I have been badly let down by some very long standing friends and this has probably hurt more than anything. I finally feel like just any other farang to be used and that is in the end enough.

The ridiculously tough immigration and fixed paternalistic business structure has finally driven me nuts. It seems they would rather prevent foreigners getting ahead, than allow us to contribute to building the country.

I used to think I clearly understood how Thailand worked. Increasingly, I feel I understand less and less.

I think you are understanding more, more like it just plain doesn't work- it's a disaster and I agree business rules are nothing but timewasting, paperchasing, border running harassment, unless you cheat, then you are open to extortion , it's just horrid. What a mistake it's been. I love the country, just too many... Thais.

[yooyoo]

I've been here for about a decade and will be heading on my way in a few more years if my plans work out. The world is changing rapidly, but Thailand is heading in a direction I really don't like. Not to mention the increase in violence and drug use, which breeds more violence. All governments are out of control, but the Thais are delusional and beyond corrupt, and getting worse. I've always enjoyed the care free lifestyle here, but I also know when it's time to move on, and that time is coming soon. Also, I thought over time I would be better equipped to deal with the fact that we are all living in a country where they don't want us and we're really not welcome. They don't want us to live here, to open businesses, or to succeed. All odds are against foreigners here, so kudos to those of you who have done well in business and made money.

Prior to living in Thailand I lived in S. America, and that is probably where I'll return. I came here for a unique job offer that was too good to pass on, and it has served me well. It's just time to write another chapter in the book.

I doubt I'll return after I leave.

And as a side note, heaven only knows what is going to happen to this place when the unspeakable unfortunately happens. I'd rather not be around for that, as it's probably going to be the largest bloody power grab this nation has ever seen in its entire history. I've always believed Thailand is just a few poor military decisions away from become what Myanmar has been for the past decade.

You hit the nail on its head... they have no idea where they heading and no clue of the world .. its all about satisfying their own selfish devious nature ..

[farang000999]

Having recently escaped I can say I miss nothing at all apart from being able to take a daily swim in my condo pool. I am just so relieved to be able to shop in a decent supermarket where infinitely superior products can be bought at half the price and be assured they are fit for consumption. Actually having the luxury of getting everything I need from just the one place is still a novelty I cannot easily take for granted. Not sweating all bloody day is a joy too as is the simplest feat of walking about on decent pavements.

But I suppose the greatest joy is that no longer do I have to put up with the sheer stupidity of Thailand and its awful society.

In all my travels I don't think I've come across a sillier place which has been utterly despoiled by perhaps the most devious, deceptive, greedy and unscrupulous folk on the planet. Their only saving grace is that by dint of genetic chance they endlessly produce the most consistently beautiful women in the world even if most of them are as daft as brushes.

So why are you still posting on Thai Visa? Just to bash Thais a bit more for fun?

[stiggy]

I simply found after leaving Thailand for a long period (after 14 years full time).That I couldn't find my rose tinted glasses on returning,

I still have several business in Thailand and will continue to return fairly regularly. However my eyes are now open again, open to the fact there are a lot more places to consider, and LOS isn't the final destination I once believed it would be.

I still Thank Thailand for the mostly good times and experiences I have had here,but for now I enjoy elsewhere more.

[benalibina]

Having recently escaped I can say I miss nothing at all apart from being able to take a daily swim in my condo pool. I am just so relieved to be able to shop in a decent supermarket where infinitely superior products can be bought at half the price and be assured they are fit for consumption. Actually having the luxury of getting everything I need from just the one place is still a novelty I cannot easily take for granted. Not sweating all bloody day is a joy too as is the simplest feat of walking about on decent pavements.

But I suppose the greatest joy is that no longer do I have to put up with the sheer stupidity of Thailand and its awful society.

In all my travels I don't think I've come across a sillier place which has been utterly despoiled by perhaps the most devious, deceptive, greedy and unscrupulous folk on the planet. Their only saving grace is that by dint of genetic chance they endlessly produce the most consistently beautiful women in the world even if most of them are as daft as brushes.

So why are you still posting on Thai Visa? Just to bash Thais a bit more for fun?

If you now write an extremely positive comment than the readers will know that the truth is somewhere in the middle. Look forward to read it.

[caykay]

I moved to Thailand when I was 22 years old and lived there got about 4 years. I left to return to the US to get some more education to work on the int'l school sector. My wife and I plan to return to Thailand after I finish my education and we plan to stay indefinitely. There are things I like and dislike about the country, much the same way I like and dislike things about my own country. I want to go back for the sun schedule (great if you're a gardener), the food, and the cost of living

[yooyoo]

Having recently escaped I can say I miss nothing at all apart from being able to take a daily swim in my condo pool. I am just so relieved to be able to shop in a decent supermarket where infinitely superior products can be bought at half the price and be assured they are fit for consumption. Actually having the luxury of getting everything I need from just the one place is still a novelty I cannot easily take for granted. Not sweating all bloody day is a joy too as is the simplest feat of walking about on decent pavements.

But I suppose the greatest joy is that no longer do I have to put up with the sheer stupidity of Thailand and its awful society.

In all my travels I don't think I've come across a sillier place which has been utterly despoiled by perhaps the most devious, deceptive, greedy and unscrupulous folk on the planet. Their only saving grace is that by dint of genetic chance they endlessly produce the most consistently beautiful women in the world even if most of them are as daft as brushes.

So why are you still posting on Thai Visa? Just to bash Thais a bit more for fun?

Every one entitled to their opinion ... why don't you tell us why you disagree...?

[NeverToReturn]

After visiting and living in Thailand on and off for 13 years, i made the mistake of having a child with a Thai women who was living in England (my kids perfect).

And seeing how they behave when things don't go exactly as they want i've had my fill of all Thais and Thailand, i don't intend visiting or letting my child go to the place for a very very long time as i wouldn't want the ways of Thailand and its chosen people anywhere near my child.

Why am i still posting on here, i'd say boredom but delete my profile if you desire!

[NCC1701A]

if you keep your life very simple in Thailand, you have less stress and a really good time. don't try to change Thailand. don't invest in Thailand, don't do business here, don't think about Thai politics because it is not your country and you can't do a thing about it, be ready to leave at any time.

by the way, Brazil has a real estate for citizenship program. 100k USD investment in any type of property gets you a Brazilian passport in 2-4 years. full citizenship, no reporting, open ended, except voting rights.

[benalibina]

if you keep your life very simple in Thailand, you have less stress and a really good time. don't try to change Thailand. don't invest in Thailand, don't do business here, don't think about Thai politics because it is not your country and you can't do a thing about it, be ready to leave at any time.

by the way, Brazil has a real estate for citizenship program. 100k USD investment in any type of property gets you a Brazilian passport in 2-4 years. full citizenship, no reporting, open ended, except voting rights.

You forgot 2 things. Not get married and dont have kids.

[benalibina]

if you keep your life very simple in Thailand, you have less stress and a really good time. don't try to change Thailand. don't invest in Thailand, don't do business here, don't think about Thai politics because it is not your country and you can't do a thing about it, be ready to leave at any time.

by the way, Brazil has a real estate for citizenship program. 100k USD investment in any type of property gets you a Brazilian passport in 2-4 years. full citizenship, no reporting, open ended, except voting rights.

You forgot 2 things. Not get married and dont have kids.

I forgot though !!

[yooyoo]

After visiting and living in Thailand on and off for 13 years, i made the mistake of having a child with a Thai women who was living in England (my kids perfect).

And seeing how they behave when things don't go exactly as they want i've had my fill of all Thais and Thailand, i don't intend visiting or letting my child go to the place for a very very long time as i wouldn't want the ways of Thailand and its chosen people anywhere near my child.

Why am i still posting on here, i'd say boredom but delete my profile if you desire!

This was exactly my mistake....having a child with a Thai woman...

[farang000999]

Having recently escaped I can say I miss nothing at all apart from being able to take a daily swim in my condo pool. I am just so relieved to be able to shop in a decent supermarket where infinitely superior products can be bought at half the price and be assured they are fit for consumption. Actually having the luxury of getting everything I need from just the one place is still a novelty I cannot easily take for granted. Not sweating all bloody day is a joy too as is the simplest feat of walking about on decent pavements.

But I suppose the greatest joy is that no longer do I have to put up with the sheer stupidity of Thailand and its awful society.

In all my travels I don't think I've come across a sillier place which has been utterly despoiled by perhaps the most devious, deceptive, greedy and unscrupulous folk on the planet. Their only saving grace is that by dint of genetic chance they endlessly produce the most consistently beautiful women in the world even if most of them are as daft as brushes.

So why are you still posting on Thai Visa? Just to bash Thais a bit more for fun?

Every one entitled to their opinion ... why don't you tell us why you disagree...?

I think it is strange for someone who has left and hates Thailand to still be posting on a Thailand talk website.

[StreetCowboy]

Having recently escaped I can say I miss nothing at all apart from being able to take a daily swim in my condo pool. I am just so relieved to be able to shop in a decent supermarket where infinitely superior products can be bought at half the price and be assured they are fit for consumption. Actually having the luxury of getting everything I need from just the one place is still a novelty I cannot easily take for granted. Not sweating all bloody day is a joy too as is the simplest feat of walking about on decent pavements.

But I suppose the greatest joy is that no longer do I have to put up with the sheer stupidity of Thailand and its awful society.

In all my travels I don't think I've come across a sillier place which has been utterly despoiled by perhaps the most devious, deceptive, greedy and unscrupulous folk on the planet. Their only saving grace is that by dint of genetic chance they endlessly produce the most consistently beautiful women in the world even if most of them are as daft as brushes.

So why are you still posting on Thai Visa? Just to bash Thais a bit more for fun?

Every one entitled to their opinion ... why don't you tell us why you disagree...?

I think it is strange for someone who has left and hates Thailand to still be posting on a Thailand talk website.

If we banned the people who were a little strange there'd be nobody left.

SC

'ceptfirmee! Nuthin'strangeabootmee!

[NeverToReturn]

Having recently escaped I can say I miss nothing at all apart from being able to take a daily swim in my condo pool. I am just so relieved to be able to shop in a decent supermarket where infinitely superior products can be bought at half the price and be assured they are fit for consumption. Actually having the luxury of getting everything I need from just the one place is still a novelty I cannot easily take for granted. Not sweating all bloody day is a joy too as is the simplest feat of walking about on decent pavements.

But I suppose the greatest joy is that no longer do I have to put up with the sheer stupidity of Thailand and its awful society.

In all my travels I don't think I've come across a sillier place which has been utterly despoiled by perhaps the most devious, deceptive, greedy and unscrupulous folk on the planet. Their only saving grace is that by dint of genetic chance they endlessly produce the most consistently beautiful women in the world even if most of them are as daft as brushes.

So why are you still posting on Thai Visa? Just to bash Thais a bit more for fun?

Every one entitled to their opinion ... why don't you tell us why you disagree...?

I think it is strange for someone who has left and hates Thailand to still be posting on a Thailand talk website.

If they've a half Thai child and are in an awkward position with a Thai then maybe they just might pick something up on here.

But isnt it strange that 1000s of grown men who dont know each other argue over silly issues on a webforum, people are strange!

[Seekingasylum]

Having recently escaped I can say I miss nothing at all apart from being able to take a daily swim in my condo pool. I am just so relieved to be able to shop in a decent supermarket where infinitely superior products can be bought at half the price and be assured they are fit for consumption. Actually having the luxury of getting everything I need from just the one place is still a novelty I cannot easily take for granted. Not sweating all bloody day is a joy too as is the simplest feat of walking about on decent pavements.

But I suppose the greatest joy is that no longer do I have to put up with the sheer stupidity of Thailand and its awful society.

In all my travels I don't think I've come across a sillier place which has been utterly despoiled by perhaps the most devious, deceptive, greedy and unscrupulous folk on the planet. Their only saving grace is that by dint of genetic chance they endlessly produce the most consistently beautiful women in the world even if most of them are as daft as brushes.

So why are you still posting on Thai Visa? Just to bash Thais a bit more for fun?

Every one entitled to their opinion ... why don't you tell us why you disagree...?

I think it is strange for someone who has left and hates Thailand to still be posting on a Thailand talk website.

Err, I rather thought it was a forum for farang who wished to discuss matters pertaining to their Thai experience. That my opinions should be somewhat negative surely doesn't preclude me from expressing them unless of course the forum were to be limited to positive views only.

I no more "hate" Thai than I hate rain on Mondays. The point seemingly lost on expat refugees subscribing to the crudity of " you no like Thailand you go home " is that for most educated Thai living abroad Thailand is a gilded cage in which the majority are imprisoned for the benefit of the few who exploit them mercilessly and without conscience. The absence of any meaningful rule of law, the endemic corruption and the ubiquity of cronyism destroying any notion of real democracy all ensure the dreadful inertia that is their rotten society persists. They are powerless to change it but unlike we farang with civilised homes to return to they must accept the fact that for them Thailand is a life sentence.

I suppose for the majority of expats in Thailand the compensations of a cut price feckless lifestyle underpinned by licentiousness and the pursuit of self indulgent ephemera is sufficient to pique their interest but in my experience these people are generally from the lower end, blue collar types who ironically are despised by decent Thai as much as they are by the upper end of the societies from where they emerged.

Frankly, no decent chap worth his salt would ever consider Thailand a worthwhile country to pitch his tent permanently.

I enjoyed my time there but it was never more than an interlude.

[tijnebijn]

After visiting and living in Thailand on and off for 13 years, i made the mistake of having a child with a Thai women who was living in England (my kids perfect).

And seeing how they behave when things don't go exactly as they want i've had my fill of all Thais and Thailand, i don't intend visiting or letting my child go to the place for a very very long time as i wouldn't want the ways of Thailand and its chosen people anywhere near my child.

Why am i still posting on here, i'd say boredom but delete my profile if you desire!

This was exactly my mistake....having a child with a Thai woman...

Everybody has the right of their own opinion . From what I have read on this thread I agree with some statements , rather because of their own experiences but also in my opinion of the lack of understanding Thais in general , they live day by day to survive , don't forget this aspect ...Anyway for my respond to this poster , in all respect , How in hell can you say that your own child with a Thai woman or not is a mistake ? I cannot and will not try to understand any motive , apart the thai-woman aspect , she still bared your child , your own blood.......Well perhaps ...maybe ...for some thinking likewise , this could well be the reason why the ignorance of the emotional part , is quietly in connection why you do not fit well with thai people in general as well .

i leave it with this , the best to all of you .