I was having a chat with my Mum about Thailand, she's been twice, still doesn't love the place, although she is improving.

First time was my brother's wedding on Koh Samui, brother and his now ex wife rode in on Elephants and had a monkey carry the rings, yes I know what your thinking(shaking your heads), I wouldn't trust anyone with a red bum to carry our rings either.

So Mum says "the airport was lovely, but outside of that, awful place"...Please don't be offended if your a local there, I liked it.

"What was wrong with it?" I asked..

"Just dirty and messy, your Father refused to eat anything but what the hotel served, he even bought in his own honey from Australia"she says.

My Dad likes to eat honey you see, in fact he loves the stuff, but believed Thai honey was gonna be sub standard ...Dad never wants to see Issan sadly. Mum has been to the village, let's just say she found it interesting, and somewhat life changing in her own way.

I've got 4 brothers and 1 sister. 3 of the brothers and my sister love Thailand. The other brother Sam who's only 25 will possibly never go back. He is just like my Dad, but now has a paranoia complex from the place. I asked him why he won't go back? His exact words were..

"Cause those bloody b!tches that just sat with me that night in Chum phae charged me 1000baht each and I never asked them too, and they never said it was costing" Plus the foods harsh and everyone wants my money"

He's the type that prefers western food, not that foreign stuff.

The others in my family must have holidayed in Thailand more than 30 or 40 times by now and we love it, really love it.

Point is, Thailand has that effect on people. It's certainly not for everyone. Not many come back and say "yeah, it was ok I suppose"

It seems it's either beautiful or ugly, no real in betweeners.

So what's your family think of your little spot in Thailand when they visit?

My brother said, when he first heard I was coming to Thailand he had nothing but negative comments, how the place was filthy, full of hookers, drugs and theives, he was extremely negative and thats putting it mildly. I asked "oh, when did you go" he replied " I havnt and never would, not based on what I have heard and read about the place, its the bowel of Asia.

So, sometime later when I announced I had a Thai g/f and would probably marry, and live there he said I was an idiot and would live to regret it, I havnt spoken to him from that day to this.

My Mother simply said, "I wish you luck, happiness and you find whatever you are looking for, be careful stay safe" , she died a short time later and never got chance to meet my wife.

My brother said, when he first heard I was coming to Thailand he had nothing but negative comments, how the place was filthy, full of hookers, drugs and theives, he was extremely negative and thats putting it mildly. I asked "oh, when did you go" he replied " I havnt and never would, not based on what I have heard and read about the place, its the bowel of Asia.

So, sometime later when I announced I had a Thai g/f and would probably marry, and live there he said I was an idiot and would live to regret it, I havnt spoken to him from that day to this.

My Mother simply said, "I wish you luck, happiness and you find whatever you are looking for, be careful stay safe" , she died a short time later and never got chance to meet my wife.

Gee that's tough mate. Maybe try ringing him up and say 'Hi" one day.

I have never met anyone that didn't enjoy Thailand. I have met some that had serious preconceptions about the stereotypes and some did nothing but try and reinforce them, but for the most part most find it to be like I do a very comfortable and easy place to live filled with very sincere and honest people.

My family absolutely love it. I do have one brother that will most likely never visit but he just prefers to live in his hometown. He goes to vegas once a year but that is about all the travel he does.

Yes it s full of go-go. So what?

Europe is full of prostitutes, USA full of drugs.... So what?

many people think its one big brothel ,my life here is just drinking some cocktail getting blowjobs on the beach all day from scores of young ladies ........

wish it was lol....

their imagination is much better than the reality

who cares, I live for myself, my wife and my own family. I rarely saw or spoke to them(brothers and sisters)when I lived in Australia(different states) apart from weddings and funerals plus after our parents had died the one thing that kept us together was no longer there. I love it here, thats what matters to me but I am sure they would like it if they ever visited.

Actually let me re phrase that, I lived most of my younger life worrying about my family and doing what was right by them, now it is time for me to enjoy my life and what I want

Edited March 2, 201412 yr by seajae

Actually let me re phrase that, I lived most of my younger life worrying about my family and doing what was right by them, now it is time for me to enjoy my life and what I want

I've always been honest with the folks back home that I'm in Thailand for the girls.

They've never expressed an opinion about that, and I haven't bothered to ask.

None have any interest in visiting, which is fine with me, if I want to see them I go home to do so.

Hi

Just read your posting, and my Family just love it,

I have had my Mother over, quite a few times, and she finds it faultless, sometimes moans about the heat, but she always leaves feeling so much better..

My niece and nephew were over too, and they just loved it as well, infact my ''Nephew (21 years old), thought it was the most beautiful place he had ever seen ....

I live in ''Phuket'', and it works for me, and my situation...

Life is all about choices, and this is my choice and like i said, it works for me..

all the best, and enjoy life,

I've always been honest with the folks back home that I'm in Thailand for the girls.

They've never expressed an opinion about that, and I haven't bothered to ask.

None have any interest in visiting, which is fine with me, if I want to see them I go home to do so.

Lol. At least your honest wym.

My familly love it ,my mum and dad never came here ,but they knew my wife well in the UK and really liked her ,she got on with them really well , my daughter is British my son 50/50 in the uk he was her young brother we all lived together ,now he lives in Thailand they speak all the time on the internet.and her her husband and daughter come over regularaly,so do my brother and my niece.

Brother and Sister-in-Law came for a holiday last year, first of the family to visit in the six odd years i've been here. Brother loved it and would like to live here but Sis'-in-Law hated it and just really wanted to stay inside our house all the time. Too hot for her as she is obese and only likes eating junk food, so the wife had to cook her sweet&sour chicken every day because that's all she liked. Apart from that she stuffed herself with fizzy drinks, crisps, white bread and peanut butter followed by doughnuts and chocolate, so we went out to restaurants and left her at home. Don't think she will be back; and i'm happy about that !

Brother and Sister-in-Law came for a holiday last year, first of the family to visit in the six odd years i've been here. Brother loved it and would like to live here but Sis'-in-Law hated it and just really wanted to stay inside our house all the time. Too hot for her as she is obese and only likes eating junk food, so the wife had to cook her sweet&sour chicken every day because that's all she liked. Apart from that she stuffed herself with fizzy drinks, crisps, white bread and peanut butter followed by doughnuts and chocolate, so we went out to restaurants and left her at home. Don't think she will be back; and i'm happy about that !

Your brother might come back alone?

Brother and Sister-in-Law came for a holiday last year, first of the family to visit in the six odd years i've been here. Brother loved it and would like to live here but Sis'-in-Law hated it and just really wanted to stay inside our house all the time. Too hot for her as she is obese and only likes eating junk food, so the wife had to cook her sweet&sour chicken every day because that's all she liked. Apart from that she stuffed herself with fizzy drinks, crisps, white bread and peanut butter followed by doughnuts and chocolate, so we went out to restaurants and left her at home. Don't think she will be back; and i'm happy about that !

Your brother might come back alone?

He is coming back alone in 2016 !

Lol. At least your honest wym.

Not always possible 100%, but I do try.

many people think its one big brothel ,my life here is just drinking some cocktail getting blowjobs on the beach all day from scores of young ladies ........

wish it was lol....

their imagination is much better than the reality

I did that for years and got bored. I switched to wine.

My sister booked me and my wife a trip to Pattaya 25 years ago. We loved the place and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. After my divorce, brought my kids over on holiday. They love the place.

Just lucky I guess.

My up herself sister who has a' biuseness' selling second hand clothes in the us,called me selfish because i left my kids behind in Aus,she has none and knows nothing of the hell i went through,we no longer speak and will never do again after she called my wife,a low class hooker,my father was aghast,your marriying a thai woman' she only wants you to get to the uk and ply her trade there,in fact my wife has no intention of ever leaving thailand,sure she was a bar girl,but what choice did she have with kids to support,i never told my family what she HAD to do,but still they loosed their western morals like a storm on me,the only people who have been suportive,have been my step mother and my eldest son,now 14,i no longer speak or e mail either my father or sister,they for me can live in their narrowminded, uninformed world,it's up to them, small minded fools who really have never tested themseleves and never left their local comfort zone.

What's not to love about Thailand!

If one turns a blind eyed to the following of course:

1. Poor service

2. Horrific traffic

3. World class risk of death in a road accident

4. Highest risk of being murdered (Australian visitors)

5. Impossibly difficult visa regulations

6. Endemic corruption

7. A facile police force

8. Environmental degradation

9. Unplanned and illegal overdevelopment

11. Disdain towards foreigners

12. Poorly educated hosts

13. Extortion under threat of violence if one wants to visit a public beach

14. Extortion under threat of violence if one chooses not to use a taxi

15. Risk of rape or extortion if one choose to use a taxi

16. Risk of injury or death from travelling in a bus

17. Risk of injury or deat if travelling in a ferry

18. No consistency in the application of government policy

19. No accountability

20. No rights for a foreigner who has an complaint arising out of 18 or 19 above

21. Sin sot

22. Forced visa runs

23. Protests

24. Dual pricing

I am bored now...anyone want to continue on with my list...

À couple of weeks ago I got chatting to a group of English tourists who were here for a wedding they had been to Samui for the wedding then moved to Kata beach and I met them in Patong on a night out there.

The mother of the Bride had a Bar business in Tenerife and she did not like Thailand at all her description.

Smelly, Dirty,Bad roads and traffic.

Edited March 2, 201412 yr by jocko

Folk in farangland seem to not see whats going on there, but are quick to point out what is going on here via what they have heard.

We all have one "individual life", nothing to do with anyone else, same as I/we would not interfere with other folks life.

My own ex UK wife, after 25 years tried to stitch me up for her gain. Sooooooooo, get on with what you want to do cos NOTHING is certain in the end.

What's not to love about Thailand!

If one turns a blind eyed to the following of course:

1. Poor service

2. Horrific traffic

3. World class risk of death in a road accident

4. Highest risk of being murdered (Australian visitors)

5. Impossibly difficult visa regulations

6. Endemic corruption

7. A facile police force

8. Environmental degradation

9. Unplanned and illegal overdevelopment

11. Disdain towards foreigners

12. Poorly educated hosts

13. Extortion under threat of violence if one wants to visit a public beach

14. Extortion under threat of violence if one chooses not to use a taxi

15. Risk of rape or extortion if one choose to use a taxi

16. Risk of injury or death from travelling in a bus

17. Risk of injury or deat if travelling in a ferry

18. No consistency in the application of government policy

19. No accountability

20. No rights for a foreigner who has an complaint arising out of 18 or 19 above

21. Sin sot

22. Forced visa runs

23. Protests

24. Dual pricing

I am bored now...anyone want to continue on with my list...

Rotten Rice

What's not to love about Thailand!

If one turns a blind eyed to the following of course:

1. Poor service

2. Horrific traffic

3. World class risk of death in a road accident

4. Highest risk of being murdered (Australian visitors)

5. Impossibly difficult visa regulations

6. Endemic corruption

7. A facile police force

8. Environmental degradation

9. Unplanned and illegal overdevelopment

11. Disdain towards foreigners

12. Poorly educated hosts

13. Extortion under threat of violence if one wants to visit a public beach

14. Extortion under threat of violence if one chooses not to use a taxi

15. Risk of rape or extortion if one choose to use a taxi

16. Risk of injury or death from travelling in a bus

17. Risk of injury or deat if travelling in a ferry

18. No consistency in the application of government policy

19. No accountability

20. No rights for a foreigner who has an complaint arising out of 18 or 19 above

21. Sin sot

22. Forced visa runs

23. Protests

24. Dual pricing

I am bored now...anyone want to continue on with my list...

Your family knows a lot about Thailand

It tends to be quite polarized with the (non-Thai) members of my family; some have quite a rose-tinted view of the country and culture, how beautiful everything is/ or must be -- others seems to merely zoom in on the unpleasant sides of it and see it as a rather boring if not horrible place. Interestingly this is across the different generations and across those who have actual and direct experience and those who don't. Overall a mixed bag, but slightly distorted towards extreme views.

Edited March 2, 201412 yr by Morakot

What's not to love about Thailand!

If one turns a blind eyed to the following of course:

1. Poor service

2. Horrific traffic

3. World class risk of death in a road accident

4. Highest risk of being murdered (Australian visitors)

5. Impossibly difficult visa regulations

6. Endemic corruption

7. A facile police force

8. Environmental degradation

9. Unplanned and illegal overdevelopment

11. Disdain towards foreigners

12. Poorly educated hosts

13. Extortion under threat of violence if one wants to visit a public beach

14. Extortion under threat of violence if one chooses not to use a taxi

15. Risk of rape or extortion if one choose to use a taxi

16. Risk of injury or death from travelling in a bus

17. Risk of injury or deat if travelling in a ferry

18. No consistency in the application of government policy

19. No accountability

20. No rights for a foreigner who has an complaint arising out of 18 or 19 above

21. Sin sot

22. Forced visa runs

23. Protests

24. Dual pricing

I am bored now...anyone want to continue on with my list...

No P.C bullshit crap

no parking wardens

no councill tax

no wardens watching to fine you if you drop a fag end

no spy cameras on every corner

no spy cars trying to catch you parking

need i go on?

What's not to love about Thailand!

If one turns a blind eyed to the following of course:

1. Poor service

2. Horrific traffic

3. World class risk of death in a road accident

4. Highest risk of being murdered (Australian visitors)

5. Impossibly difficult visa regulations

6. Endemic corruption

7. A facile police force

8. Environmental degradation

9. Unplanned and illegal overdevelopment

11. Disdain towards foreigners

12. Poorly educated hosts

13. Extortion under threat of violence if one wants to visit a public beach

14. Extortion under threat of violence if one chooses not to use a taxi

15. Risk of rape or extortion if one choose to use a taxi

16. Risk of injury or death from travelling in a bus

17. Risk of injury or deat if travelling in a ferry

18. No consistency in the application of government policy

19. No accountability

20. No rights for a foreigner who has an complaint arising out of 18 or 19 above

21. Sin sot

22. Forced visa runs

23. Protests

24. Dual pricing

I am bored now...anyone want to continue on with my list...

No P.C bullshit crap

no parking wardens

no councill tax

no wardens watching to fine you if you drop a fag end

no spy cameras on every corner

no spy cars trying to catch you parking

need i go on?

there actually is fines for littering and parking actually if you do either in the wrong spot

What does my family think of Thailand? No idea they have never been, except my septuagenarian aunt from Ireland, and she loved it.

However, because of the typical stereotypes of those that have never been, I had little support in regard to the other half, except one friend, and that lady is still my best friend after all these years.

My brother said, when he first heard I was coming to Thailand he had nothing but negative comments, how the place was filthy, full of hookers, drugs and theives, he was extremely negative and thats putting it mildly. I asked "oh, when did you go" he replied " I havnt and never would, not based on what I have heard and read about the place, its the bowel of Asia.

So, sometime later when I announced I had a Thai g/f and would probably marry, and live there he said I was an idiot and would live to regret it, I havnt spoken to him from that day to this.

My Mother simply said, "I wish you luck, happiness and you find whatever you are looking for, be careful stay safe" , she died a short time later and never got chance to meet my wife.

Gee that's tough mate. Maybe try ringing him up and say 'Hi" one day.

You know Steve, I agree with Kris. He might be regretting his words, feels unable to call you first and you have the high ground. Call him, you have nothing to lose, except putting the phone down.

Yes it s full of go-go. So what?

Europe is full of prostitutes, USA full of drugs.... So what?

When I was a young man and I carried my pack, I lived the free life of a rover. Wherever I went, into every pub, tavern or saloon people were drinking and carousing, but when I wasn't in a pub, tavern or saloon, they were not carousing.

I had better explain my analogy just in case!! Thailand is not full of Go-Go's, Europe is not full of prostitutes and the USA is not full of drugs, but if you decide to frequent this side of each country, you may think that they are.