It is getting embarassing to say I live in Thailand

[simon43]

No, not because of the sex-pat comments and sniggers about ladyboys.

It is because this country is rapidly becoming the laughing stock of the world.

Reviewing many news stories over the past few months, not just the political farce that's going on, I have come to the conclusion that Not The Nation wacky news reports are actually far less crazy than the real world in Thailand.

Can The Nation and Not The Nation please swap places?

Simon

[cashpower]

Big silver bird in sky take white man to land far away

[Lancelot]

Thailand has its ongoing political problems, but I am noticing many foreign tourists here in Chiang Mai- and they are main stream folks

Taking the long view, the Thais just might work it out

The hype of the sensational stories might be amusing but the mundane every day stuff is more of an issue for me: poor traffic regulation, tiny or non existing side walks and trying to cross the street

[JLCrab]

If someone really wants to dwell on the world's problem-countries these days, I would say Ukraine and Sudan and a few others might crop up well before Thailand for whom many the response is "Thailand -- where's that?"

[h90]

Well friends asked me interested questions. But well it is difficult to explain it.

A few people from both USA and Europe actually told they would need the same in their country to oust all the corrupt politician and start from zero and their people need to wake up.

[NCC1701A]

Thailand is so far off anybody's radar it is funny.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Yes, yes.

Though if you meet that many people that you need to tell where you live, then you don't live in Thailand.

Also, in response to <insert any and all criticism here> :

"I know it's not Sweden. But if it WAS Sweden then I wouldn't want to live there."

But if it ultimately gets too much, then there is an also slightly embarrassing but still quite functional airport not too far away.

Edited January 24, 2014 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Ajaan]

If someone really wants to dwell on the world's problem-countries these days, I would say Ukraine and Sudan and a few others might crop up well before Thailand for whom many the response is "Thailand -- where's that?"

Exactly. Here in the US nobody gives a shit or knows anything about Thailand, and NOTHING about the recent troubles makes the news, at all. The only ones of us who care are those who have lived there or visit regularly.

[wym]

Exactly. Here in the US nobody gives a shit or knows anything about Thailand, and NOTHING about the recent troubles makes the news, at all. The only ones of us who care are those who have lived there or visit regularly.

Might be small mentions, but the protests and current violence are certainly in the media each day, even made it into my small-town paper back home.

The country's sex industry and katoey reputation is certainly more widespread though, sometimes results in joking smirking, but more often snubs, especially by religious conservatives and traditional first-wave feminists.

[JLCrab]

Exactly. Here in the US nobody gives a shit or knows anything about Thailand, and NOTHING about the recent troubles makes the news, at all. The only ones of us who care are those who have lived there or visit regularly.

Might be small mentions, but the protests and current violence are certainly in the media each day, even made it into my small-town paper back home.

The country's sex industry and katoey reputation is certainly more widespread though, sometimes results in joking smirking, but more often snubs, especially by religious conservatives and traditional first-wave feminists.

I have no problem with the religious conservatives as my first extended trips to Thailand were to work as a volunteer with US Government certification * at a Christian NGO for the disadvantaged to the extent that I was often asked if I was a missionary. No sh-t.

* Library of Congress

Edited January 24, 2014 by JLCrab

[sam sen]

at the moment there seems to be very little coverage of thailand in the UK news media, my friends rarely mention it and when they do the coverage is very superficial. and to be honest they are only interested in thailand because i'm here...

[OxfordWill]

Taiwan? Is that in China?

[i claudius]

If someone really wants to dwell on the world's problem-countries these days, I would say Ukraine and Sudan and a few others might crop up well before Thailand for whom many the response is "Thailand -- where's that?"

Exactly. Here in the US nobody gives a shit or knows anything about Thailand, and NOTHING about the recent troubles makes the news, at all. The only ones of us who care are those who have lived there or visit regularly.

I have American friends ,but to be honest i have spent time in America and most have not a clue where anywhere is or what is going on there ,and care even less i once told a woman i came from London and she said "oh thats in Paris isnt it" Amazing America.

[eeeya]

when I was a kid about 6 or 7 years old I heard about a place called Thailand, Unfortunately all I could hear was Toyland (there was a chain of toy stores in Australia called toyland, my god when that toy catalog came in the mail it was like porn.) My God, I just couldnt believe it, just like in a fairy tale... a land of toys!

most people these days probably still think similar except it just invokes feelings of beaches, beers and relaxation.

Edited January 24, 2014 by eeeya

[Showbags]

I had friends contact me with concern recently and offers of accommodations back there if we needed to evacuate.

I sent them the dancing navy video and told them this is what the armed forces are up to currently.

[SpokaneAl]

I always get a chuckle out of reading posts that start out in the vein of "I have a couple of friends or know some people who think or say . . ." and then extrapolate that thought process into a conclusion about an entire country, people or culture.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[cashpower]

I have American friends ,but to be honest i have spent time in America and most have not a clue where anywhere is or what is going on there ,and care even less i once told a woman i came from London and she said "oh thats in Paris isnt it" Amazing America.

This is a nation of people that voted Dubya as their president. And believe in Mormonism. And Creationism. Whose "celebrities" include Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian. Their "culture" is the trailer trash of the civilised world

[Berkshire]

Not sure where the OP is coming from, but most of my friends and family in the US are still insanely jealous that I get to live and work in Thailand.

[DiamondKing]

Gonna get worse this weekend when CNN will air a special investigation documentary on the plight of the Thai Fishermen with accusations of kidnapping torture, held prisoner and murder of workers being tossed overboard from the fishing vessels. CNN says Thailand is one of the biggest fish exporters in the world.

[HardenedSoul]

As far as those who matter to me back home (and many who don't) are concerned, I am living the dream out here and, were it not for careers, spouses, kids, lethargy and/or fear, they'd trade places with me like a shot; political upheaval or not.

[h90]

I had friends contact me with concern recently and offers of accommodations back there if we needed to evacuate.

I sent them the dancing navy video and told them this is what the armed forces are up to currently.

One of my customer thinks Taiwan and Thailand is the same country.

The nice lady in the bank in Farangland, asked me how good I can speak Chinese now as I live in Thailand.

Another customer who knows that I always do the R&D work over public holidays, gave me a ton of work to do over the Chinese New Year holidays.

Beside the bank lady, the other two hold university degrees and are in management positions.....

For most people Thailand is just an exotic country somewhere in Africa or Caribbean somewhere near Cuba and Jamaica....

[smokie36]

We should have a temple fair at Siam every weekend.... beats the traffic jam!

[Briggsy]

No, Simon, you were right first time, it IS the sexpat thing.

[JoeThePoster]

I've no problem at all. Once people see my Beer Chang tank top, I don't need to explain anything.

[cup-O-coffee]

I have American friends ,but to be honest i have spent time in America and most have not a clue where anywhere is or what is going on there ,and care even less i once told a woman i came from London and she said "oh thats in Paris isnt it" Amazing America.

This is a nation of people that voted Dubya as their president. And believe in Mormonism. And Creationism. Whose "celebrities" include Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian. Their "culture" is the trailer trash of the civilised world

A lot of good solid bricks that make the USA still great in many, hard to find respects (getting harder to find, I fear). Regrettably the mortar is everything you say.

[EBlair48]

Legions of tourists and expats who jump through just about any flaming hoop to stay here really says all one need know about Thailand.

(Or about them? )

[Asiantravel]

If someone really wants to dwell on the world's problem-countries these days, I would say Ukraine and Sudan and a few others might crop up well before Thailand for whom many the response is "Thailand -- where's that?"

There is even deep-seated anger and resentment between supporters of the two political parties in USA

which is also effectively split 50-50 except you only see it in the form of exceptionally dirty deeds and dirty politics instead of violence.

[swissie]

Let's face it, with regard to the never ending Polit-Burlesque-Show, if Thailand was geographically located in Central-America, it would be called a "Banana-Republic".

Cheers.

[kurnell]

I'm embarrassed that my mates still live in Australia. What a dump

[recycler]

If you feel like that there are not a lot of countries left to be proud of!

Antarctica?