Was whiling away a wet Sunday by reading A Certain Other Newspaper (as one does) when I stumbled upon an article concerning farangs sleeping rough in Pattaya. A quote from Lt. Col. Aroon: "Farang bah (crazy foreigners) is one of the biggest problems damaging Thailand's tourist image."

So there we have it, folks. Forget rip-off joints, machete-wielding Thais high on drugs, cheating taxi-drivers, jetscam frauds and all the rest.

It's us. And it was us all along.

No just add them to the rip-off joints, machete-wielding Thais high on drugs, cheating taxi-drivers, jetscam frauds

He said "one of" not "the only."

Do you know the difference between the two?

This one was my favorite quote:

"When they enter Thailand, they are still normal," he said. "But once they stay here for a while they become crazy or homeless. I think it's because of illegal drugs; they may use too much so they become mentally ill and run out of money."

This one was my favorite quote:

"When they enter Thailand, they are still normal," he said. "But once they stay here for a while they become crazy or homeless. I think it's because of illegal drugs; they may use too much so they become mentally ill and run out of money."

He must know thailand inside out to make that statement !

He said "one of" not "the only."

Do you know the difference between the two?

I was refering to the OP :

Forget rip-off joints, machete-wielding Thais high on drugs, cheating taxi-drivers, jetscam frauds and all the rest.

It's us.

Edited August 25, 201312 yr by FritsSikkink

When a country provides a "service" then the tourists will come. In the case of Pattaya the "service" is young, reasonably attractive women at a reasonable price. Take away the attraction and the tourists leave... along with their money. There are many kilometers of beautiful deserted beaches in Thailand with not a tourist in sight. Those deserted beaches add nothing to Thailand's economy.

In Chiang Mai the local police close the bar scene in the Loi Kroh area about midnight, and in so doing chase away a certain segment of the tourist trade. How does that affect Chiang Mai's economy?

I don't profess to know what drives Thailand's economy, but I can see what can derail it. The few tourist-expats down on their luck will have little or no impact on Thailand's economy, or reputation as a tourist and potential business destination.

And here I was thinking that it was only Asian cultural norms to ignore the bleeding obvious.

This one was my favorite quote:

"When they enter Thailand, they are still normal," he said. "But once they stay here for a while they become crazy or homeless. I think it's because of illegal drugs; they may use too much so they become mentally ill and run out of money."

We bring the drugs with us.

He said "one of" not "the only."

Do you know the difference between the two?

I was refering to the OP :

Forget rip-off joints, machete-wielding Thais high on drugs, cheating taxi-drivers, jetscam frauds and all the rest.

It's us.

The 'He' in my post is Lt. Col. Aroon and my question was directed to the OP.

Apols for not making that clear.

And he was also no too happy with how easy we get our Visa's and that is BAD news for us.

This one was my favorite quote:

"When they enter Thailand, they are still normal," he said. "But once they stay here for a while they become crazy or homeless. I think it's because of illegal drugs; they may use too much so they become mentally ill and run out of money."

So, basically they adjust very well.

Prime examples of integration.

Slowly but surely. Time to leave the paradise? Those farangs that have kept their assets overseas can leave without ever looking back.

Any investors left as far as Thailand is concerned? (Your Thai-Wife/GF's opinion is of absolutely no relevance regarding this matter).

Cheers.

I am staying, do not let the door hit you on the butt on your way out.

Have a safe trip home!!

Cheers: