My Thai wife doesn't like Thailand

[Jomtien2649]

My wife & I have been married for 18 years, four .years of which were in Thailand. We recently returned to Australia as we jointly concur that the quality of life is better in Australia and more 'secure'. Primary reasons being no exposure to corruption by government/law enforcement personel (wife hates the corruption in Thailand even at the lowest level in the Amphur), cleanliness of the environment e.g. clean seas and beaches, quality of food, no noise pollution and equal rights for her & I etc. This is not to say that she or I will not return to Thailand in the future as we have a house and so in in Thailand. However, when I die she will return to Thailand to be near to her close family.

I know many Thais living in Australia and the large majority prefer Australia for the reasons given above, including better opportunities for their children.

Simple 1, your absolutely correct. How can anyone compare the life style between the U.S. , Canada or Australia with Thailand.. Thailand is a 3rd world county with many problems, corruption, poor infrastructure, hot weather, disease carrying mosquitos, pollution, un-educated population living in poverty, uneducated people who are very poor do desperate things to survive, life is cheap in Thailand, dangerous driving conditions, get involved in a serious vehicle accident and see how long it takes police or emergency services to arrive, if your involved in an accident with a Thai wait and see who the police will claim is wrong no matter what the evidence proves the foreigner is always wrong if a Thai hits and kills a foreigner the Thai will leave the scene immediately, no enforcement of drunk driving, running red lights or speeding.... Thailand is a safe haven for criminals... Thailand's police departments are primitive they lack the tools and skill to investigate serious crime especially murder ... Anti foreign mentality exists in many areas of Thailand especially Pattaya. No board of health to inspect the restaurants thus no health standards.. The Thai restaurants cook with the worlds most unhealthy cooking oil it will clog your arteries quicker then any other oil, they deep fried most of their food and rarely or never change the cooking oil.. Corruption is rampant in their government their have been numerous coups over the last 20 years...The current political situation is a good example of governments failure to resolve their problems......It's sad because Thailand could be a great country the majority of Thai's are good people, but with little opportunity it is hard for them to provide for their families and improve their life styles.. If Thailand's government could unite and work together and had a vision for the future they would draw many international investors and corporations to Thailand, they could lift Thailand out of that 3rd world status and create a better life style for their people....... I understand Thai's who live abroad missing family and life long friends, but under the current atmosphere it is hard to view Thailand in a positive way....The Thai's seem to be their own worst enemies, very sad for a country with such promise...

[benalibina]

My wife & I have been married for 18 years, four .years of which were in Thailand. We recently returned to Australia as we jointly concur that the quality of life is better in Australia and more 'secure'. Primary reasons being no exposure to corruption by government/law enforcement personel (wife hates the corruption in Thailand even at the lowest level in the Amphur), cleanliness of the environment e.g. clean seas and beaches, quality of food, no noise pollution and equal rights for her & I etc. This is not to say that she or I will not return to Thailand in the future as we have a house and so in in Thailand. However, when I die she will return to Thailand to be near to her close family.

I know many Thais living in Australia and the large majority prefer Australia for the reasons given above, including better opportunities for their children.

Simple 1, your absolutely correct. How can anyone compare the life style between the U.S. , Canada or Australia with Thailand.. Thailand is a 3rd world county with many problems, corruption, poor infrastructure, hot weather, disease carrying mosquitos, pollution, un-educated population living in poverty, uneducated people who are very poor do desperate things to survive, life is cheap in Thailand, dangerous driving conditions, get involved in a serious vehicle accident and see how long it takes police or emergency services to arrive, if your involved in an accident with a Thai wait and see who the police will claim is wrong no matter what the evidence proves the foreigner is always wrong if a Thai hits and kills a foreigner the Thai will leave the scene immediately, no enforcement of drunk driving, running red lights or speeding.... Thailand is a safe haven for criminals... Thailand's police departments are primitive they lack the tools and skill to investigate serious crime especially murder ... Anti foreign mentality exists in many areas of Thailand especially Pattaya. No board of health to inspect the restaurants thus no health standards.. The Thai restaurants cook with the worlds most unhealthy cooking oil it will clog your arteries quicker then any other oil, they deep fried most of their food and rarely or never change the cooking oil.. Corruption is rampant in their government their have been numerous coups over the last 20 years...The current political situation is a good example of governments failure to resolve their problems......It's sad because Thailand could be a great country the majority of Thai's are good people, but with little opportunity it is hard for them to provide for their families and improve their life styles.. If Thailand's government could unite and work together and had a vision for the future they would draw many international investors and corporations to Thailand, they could lift Thailand out of that 3rd world status and create a better life style for their people....... I understand Thai's who live abroad missing family and life long friends, but under the current atmosphere it is hard to view Thailand in a positive way....The Thai's seem to be their own worst enemies, very sad for a country with such promise...

No more ?

[dighambara]

You must be a lucky guy to have a wife like that.

Most thais living abroad only put up with living there because of monetary reasons.

Probably your wife has a strong mindset and there are, most likely, not to many thais living in your area to influence her.

Good luck !

This is untrue. I lived in the US with a Thai woman who refused to return home, except for limited famiy visits.

During thatt time, I met many Thai with exactly the same attitude - they hated the limitations to freedom in Thailand. Abroad, a lowly born erson may climb the ladder to success -'by his bootstraps', while in Thailand the law supports the wealthy and Royals above all others.

[benalibina]

You must be a lucky guy to have a wife like that.

Most thais living abroad only put up with living there because of monetary reasons.

Probably your wife has a strong mindset and there are, most likely, not to many thais living in your area to influence her.

Good luck !

This is untrue. I lived in the US with a Thai woman who refused to return home, except for limited famiy visits.

During thatt time, I met many Thai with exactly the same attitude - they hated the limitations to freedom in Thailand. Abroad, a lowly born erson may climb the ladder to success -'by his bootstraps', while in Thailand the law supports the wealthy and Royals above all others.

I only stated my personal observations based on living with a thai woman for 3 years. Over a decade ago. All her socalled friends told me explicetely that upon their own or husbands retirement, they would go back to thailand. Also if given the choice, money ofcourse, they would prefer to live in thailand.

A thai woman, 42 yrs old and close neighbour, is divorced and lives here with her son of 9 . She stays here for her sons education, she says. Although whilst speaking more with her...if she had options, she would want to go back to thailand. But 42, hardly educated and 2 kids to support in issaan, going back is no option.

By reading this thread i am quite surprised many posters's wifes opt for living abroad and show a dislike of how things are dealt with in thailand. Wonder what their socio-economic background is.

[Scarpolo]

You must be a lucky guy to have a wife like that.

Most thais living abroad only put up with living there because of monetary reasons.

Probably your wife has a strong mindset and there are, most likely, not to many thais living in your area to influence her.

Good luck !

This is untrue. I lived in the US with a Thai woman who refused to return home, except for limited famiy visits.

During thatt time, I met many Thai with exactly the same attitude - they hated the limitations to freedom in Thailand. Abroad, a lowly born erson may climb the ladder to success -'by his bootstraps', while in Thailand the law supports the wealthy and Royals above all others.

I only stated my personal observations based on living with a thai woman for 3 years. Over a decade ago. All her socalled friends told me explicetely that upon their own or husbands retirement, they would go back to thailand. Also if given the choice, money ofcourse, they would prefer to live in thailand.

A thai woman, 42 yrs old and close neighbour, is divorced and lives here with her son of 9 . She stays here for her sons education, she says. Although whilst speaking more with her...if she had options, she would want to go back to thailand. But 42, hardly educated and 2 kids to support in issaan, going back is no option.

By reading this thread i am quite surprised many posters's wifes opt for living abroad and show a dislike of how things are dealt with in thailand. Wonder what their socio-economic background is.

substantially improved, after leaving thailand

[ZigZagMan]

A lady friend of mine returned to Thailand after a few months in the USA.

She then came to realize how immoral/unethical Thai people behave.

Not too impressed with her own country after her travels she says.

[thailiketoo]

You must be a lucky guy to have a wife like that.

Most thais living abroad only put up with living there because of monetary reasons.

Probably your wife has a strong mindset and there are, most likely, not to many thais living in your area to influence her.

Good luck !

This is untrue. I lived in the US with a Thai woman who refused to return home, except for limited famiy visits.

During thatt time, I met many Thai with exactly the same attitude - they hated the limitations to freedom in Thailand. Abroad, a lowly born erson may climb the ladder to success -'by his bootstraps', while in Thailand the law supports the wealthy and Royals above all others.

BS. I know a couple of thousand Thai women who never want to leave Thailand except for travel or education. It was like that in 68 when I first came and it's like that now.

If you spoke Thai you would have a clue what they were really saying.

[ToddWeston]

You must be a lucky guy to have a wife like that.

Most thais living abroad only put up with living there because of monetary reasons.

Probably your wife has a strong mindset and there are, most likely, not to many thais living in your area to influence her.

Good luck !

This is untrue. I lived in the US with a Thai woman who refused to return home, except for limited famiy visits.

During thatt time, I met many Thai with exactly the same attitude - they hated the limitations to freedom in Thailand. Abroad, a lowly born erson may climb the ladder to success -'by his bootstraps', while in Thailand the law supports the wealthy and Royals above all others.

BS. I know a couple of thousand Thai women who never want to leave Thailand except for travel or education. It was like that in 68 when I first came and it's like that now.

If you spoke Thai you would have a clue what they were really saying.

BS, in 68 did they even have phones ? today with all the free technology it makes it much easier for them to see what's beyond their doorstep & to be connected to family.

My SIL leaves in 5 weeks to work in Greece with her husband and two of her three children, everyone of her friends and co workers are envious, over 600 applied for the position. Will she return ? perhaps for a short trip but I doubt resettlement in Thailand as she wants a better life for her family.

This thread was started for those of us that are currently dealing with a spouse the has lived aboard, the contstant bickering and your so called life experiences are of little interest to me and are simply noise amongst those of us that would like to hear how to cope.

[benalibina]

You must be a lucky guy to have a wife like that.

Most thais living abroad only put up with living there because of monetary reasons.

Probably your wife has a strong mindset and there are, most likely, not to many thais living in your area to influence her.

Good luck !

This is untrue. I lived in the US with a Thai woman who refused to return home, except for limited famiy visits.

During thatt time, I met many Thai with exactly the same attitude - they hated the limitations to freedom in Thailand. Abroad, a lowly born erson may climb the ladder to success -'by his bootstraps', while in Thailand the law supports the wealthy and Royals above all others.

BS. I know a couple of thousand Thai women who never want to leave Thailand except for travel or education. It was like that in 68 when I first came and it's like that now.

If you spoke Thai you would have a clue what they were really saying.

BS, in 68 did they even have phones ? today with all the free technology it makes it much easier for them to see what's beyond their doorstep & to be connected to family.

My SIL leaves in 5 weeks to work in Greece with her husband and two of her three children, everyone of her friends and co workers are envious, over 600 applied for the position. Will she return ? perhaps for a short trip but I doubt resettlement in Thailand as she wants a better life for her family.

This thread was started for those of us that are currently dealing with a spouse the has lived aboard, the contstant bickering and your so called life experiences are of little interest to me and are simply noise amongst those of us that would like to hear how to cope.

Well stated....wont stop him though.

[thailiketoo]

This is untrue. I lived in the US with a Thai woman who refused to return home, except for limited famiy visits.

During thatt time, I met many Thai with exactly the same attitude - they hated the limitations to freedom in Thailand. Abroad, a lowly born erson may climb the ladder to success -'by his bootstraps', while in Thailand the law supports the wealthy and Royals above all others.

BS. I know a couple of thousand Thai women who never want to leave Thailand except for travel or education. It was like that in 68 when I first came and it's like that now.

If you spoke Thai you would have a clue what they were really saying.

BS, in 68 did they even have phones ? today with all the free technology it makes it much easier for them to see what's beyond their doorstep & to be connected to family.

My SIL leaves in 5 weeks to work in Greece with her husband and two of her three children, everyone of her friends and co workers are envious, over 600 applied for the position. Will she return ? perhaps for a short trip but I doubt resettlement in Thailand as she wants a better life for her family.

This thread was started for those of us that are currently dealing with a spouse the has lived aboard, the contstant bickering and your so called life experiences are of little interest to me and are simply noise amongst those of us that would like to hear how to cope.

BS. Yes, the American Army brought phone service to Thailand in the 1960's. Today if you spoke and wrote Thai you would only have to look at social media sites to find the great majority of Thai women don't want to leave Thailand except for short periods of time. If you don't read Thai you might try google translate to understand facebook a bit better.

My wife says some things because she knows some things please me. I also know not everything she says to me is the way she feels because I read her facebook page and listen to her chat with friends.

This thread is about, "I wonder if there are a lot like her she actually prefers Canada," And the answer is undoubtedly, no with a capital N.

There are a few Thai women out there who do prefer not to live in Thailand. Granted. A few. There are many women from the Philippines who don't prefer the Philippines. Many.

Because I disagree with you does not make me wrong or off topic. The OP proposed a question, "I wonder if there are a lot like her, she actually prefers Canada,"

We both answered that question differently.

[ToddWeston]

Missed the edit window and wanted to add.

The PM function only allows 10 users sadly, if anyone is interested in setting up a chat lets get one going, I think we can learn a lot from each other.

[A1Str8]

She is not the only thai who doesn't like it. But she admits it instead of saying with the other sheeps: I looove my country. Respect for that

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[khunpa]

The first thing and condition my girlfriend gave to when dating, was that she would never want to leave Thailand. She loves traveling, but this is where she wants to live. I recently considered moving to Dubai and asked her opinion. She was not happy about it, but said she would move if we had to.

I think your Thai-wife is kind of unique when it comes to wanting to live abroad and especially in cold climate. The reason why I also will not want to leave Thailand is actually the weather.

[khunpa]

The first thing and condition my girlfriend gave to when dating, was that she would never want to leave Thailand. She loves traveling, but this is where she wants to live. I recently considered moving to Dubai and asked her opinion. She was not happy about it, but said she would move if we had to.

I think your Thai-wife is kind of unique when it comes to wanting to live abroad and especially in cold climate. The reason why I also will not want to leave Thailand is actually the weather.

[Scarpolo]

very good point,

66 degrees is considered freezing to a thai girl

[Loles]

I'm on a road trip in the US right now. I stopped for lunch at a Thai restaurant in a small and rural town in Western cattle and wheat country.

The Thai owners had been there for about 20 years and wouldn't go back to Thailand. Maybe it's just because their restaurant is obviously very successful, but I don't think so. They like it here for themselves.

I took a cell phone shot down the street just because my mind was whirling with what the differences were for them, even in a dumpy, far rural Western town in the US.

- There wasn't a jumble of overhead wires. Most are underground.

- The was no clutter on the sidewalks. It's not only the law, but it's cultural. It's rude to block wheelchairs and even just people trying to walk along.

- There was absolutely no litter. If there was, a good citizen would pick it up.

- Any food carts were in parking lots out of the way of foot and vehicle traffic. Those would be mostly hot dog carts.

- There is clean safe water to every home and business, and sewage is piped to the local sewage plant.

- Traffic was moving smoothly and sanely and obeying stop signs and lights. Drivers were courteous.

I could go on, but those Thais like it.

Nothing fancy here:

IMG_3.jpg

I am going to now go to my local Thai restaurant, and greet them with my first Sewadee Krup, and see how they react.

They have known me 15 years, and I have never mentioned anything about Thailand, until 15 min from now

Funny.

In Europe there are many Thai restaurants too and my mate (who works here as a diver instructor from every Oct - March) has visited the biggest. He went inside and screamed: Sawadee Krab ! Than he has seen just flabbergasted faces (owners) cause they weren't Thai at all, they were Vietnam and Chinese.

[JO1973]

It's the little stuff that bothers mine -- traffic, rudeness, people being completely obliviousness to others. But she's lived in the US and Australia and has traveled and understands the differences between developed and developing countries -- which goes far beyond just economics. I wouldn't be surprised if that's how many feel.

[digibum]

You must be a lucky guy to have a wife like that.

Most thais living abroad only put up with living there because of monetary reasons.

Probably your wife has a strong mindset and there are, most likely, not to many thais living in your area to influence her.

Good luck !

This is untrue. I lived in the US with a Thai woman who refused to return home, except for limited famiy visits.

During thatt time, I met many Thai with exactly the same attitude - they hated the limitations to freedom in Thailand. Abroad, a lowly born erson may climb the ladder to success -'by his bootstraps', while in Thailand the law supports the wealthy and Royals above all others.

BS. I know a couple of thousand Thai women who never want to leave Thailand except for travel or education. It was like that in 68 when I first came and it's like that now.

If you spoke Thai you would have a clue what they were really saying.

To be fair, he said "Most thais living abroad" and you're referencing Thai women living in Thailand. Apples and oranges.

[Mr Worldwide]

This may be the exception but the majority of Thai women I know in the UK are on benefits or earning a sideline in massage parlours. Others have cleaning jobs etc. Almost without exception they are either divorced or having affairs. They would prefer to be back in Thailanď in the ban but that doesn't pay as well as UK benefits or the massage parlour. They have to keep on earning money for their lottery tickets, loans etc. I don't have any axe to grind as I have never made the mistake of getting involved with a Thai girl. Just as I see it. I'm afraid they don't have a very good name in the UK.

[Scarpolo]

This may be the exception but the majority of Thai women I know in the UK are on benefits or earning a sideline in massage parlours. Others have cleaning jobs etc. Almost without exception they are either divorced or having affairs. They would prefer to be back in Thailanď in the ban but that doesn't pay as well as UK benefits or the massage parlour. They have to keep on earning money for their lottery tickets, loans etc. I don't have any axe to grind as I have never made the mistake of getting involved with a Thai girl. Just as I see it. I'm afraid they don't have a very good name in the UK.

Not so in the US

here they rise as any american

they get into restaurants and work

they get into massage places and work

many become owners

they become successful here, and would never go back

[digibum]

What percent% Philippines 99% want to leave. Hill tribe people 99% want to leave. Rohingya 99% want to leave. Thai women 1% want to leave. Of Thai women married to Farang 10% want to leave. Still the overwhelming majority want to stay given they could find a decent husband who would also stay.

Pretty spot on. Very few Thai women want to leave Thailand permanently and of those who do, majority are dirt poor and/or from dysfunctional families. Can't blame them, I suppose.

I would argue that many educated Thai will not want to return if they have been away for any reasonable period of time; several years up. The percentage will go up if they are working, and not housewives. Not working for a Thai boss for many years has made my Mrs. completely anti having a Thai boss.

If Thailand had not lost its moral compass and it's police force was less of a negative force than it is, I might think differently.

Sent - how is not that important...

My wife has never come out and said it but I can tell from things she's said over the years but I think Thais are sort of fed a fantasy where living outside of Thailand is very dangerous. Yes, sure, I guess we all have some of that fear when we move outside of our own countries. Our parents and friends are worried. They want frequent updates to make sure we're okay and all.

But in Thailand, I've heard women say that they're afraid of being kidnapped or killed by their husbands overseas. Even if they're not worried, 100% their family is going to be crazy worried about it. They think they're going to be sold into prostitution. They're told that wherever they go people will look down on them. They're told that police and the governments in other countries won't take care of or help them.

Part of that is because they only hear about these type of things. The women who move overseas, have a great life, and don't want to return to Thailand, don't write books or receive coverage in the Thai media. Thais who have had success overseas know that they're speaking to a brick wall. They know they can't explain it even to other Thais.

I've seen my wife's attitudes change. She can't stand many of her friends anymore. She loves them to death but she simply can't relate to them anymore. Whenever we go back to Thailand, there is about 2 or 3 days where she is in heaven getting to catch up with her old friends but it wears off quickly when she realizes she has nothing in common with them anymore.

Once they get out of Thailand, and if they get a chance to be somewhat independent and get a job, make friends, etc, etc, I think their attitudes about Thailand change greatly. It becomes obvious that they were sold a load of BS about how great Thailand is and they begin to see the same flaws that us farangs see. Even worse, they understand the culture even better than we do and they see a lot more of the flaws.

[bmanly]

My wife has never come out and said it but I can tell from things she's said over the years but I think Thais are sort of fed a fantasy where living outside of Thailand is very dangerous. Yes, sure, I guess we all have some of that fear when we move outside of our own countries. Our parents and friends are worried. They want frequent updates to make sure we're okay and all.

But in Thailand, I've heard women say that they're afraid of being kidnapped or killed by their husbands overseas. Even if they're not worried, 100% their family is going to be crazy worried about it. They think they're going to be sold into prostitution. They're told that wherever they go people will look down on them. They're told that police and the governments in other countries won't take care of or help them.

Part of that is because they only hear about these type of things. The women who move overseas, have a great life, and don't want to return to Thailand, don't write books or receive coverage in the Thai media. Thais who have had success overseas know that they're speaking to a brick wall. They know they can't explain it even to other Thais.

I've seen my wife's attitudes change. She can't stand many of her friends anymore. She loves them to death but she simply can't relate to them anymore. Whenever we go back to Thailand, there is about 2 or 3 days where she is in heaven getting to catch up with her old friends but it wears off quickly when she realizes she has nothing in common with them anymore.

Once they get out of Thailand, and if they get a chance to be somewhat independent and get a job, make friends, etc, etc, I think their attitudes about Thailand change greatly. It becomes obvious that they were sold a load of BS about how great Thailand is and they begin to see the same flaws that us farangs see. Even worse, they understand the culture even better than we do and they see a lot more of the flaws.

Excellent post old mate and I totally agree. My Thai wife has been living in Australia for 26 years now and has become a citizen and holds an Australian passport. She reads all the Thai newspapers online and just shakes her head reading about what's going on in Thailand. There are many farangs who love to live and retire in Thailand for the rest of their lives, why is it so hard for some people to believe that there are 1,000's of good Thai women (and men) who want to do the same and live in 1st. world countries?

[Scarpolo]

My wife has never come out and said it but I can tell from things she's said over the years but I think Thais are sort of fed a fantasy where living outside of Thailand is very dangerous. Yes, sure, I guess we all have some of that fear when we move outside of our own countries. Our parents and friends are worried. They want frequent updates to make sure we're okay and all.

But in Thailand, I've heard women say that they're afraid of being kidnapped or killed by their husbands overseas. Even if they're not worried, 100% their family is going to be crazy worried about it. They think they're going to be sold into prostitution. They're told that wherever they go people will look down on them. They're told that police and the governments in other countries won't take care of or help them.

Part of that is because they only hear about these type of things. The women who move overseas, have a great life, and don't want to return to Thailand, don't write books or receive coverage in the Thai media. Thais who have had success overseas know that they're speaking to a brick wall. They know they can't explain it even to other Thais.

I've seen my wife's attitudes change. She can't stand many of her friends anymore. She loves them to death but she simply can't relate to them anymore. Whenever we go back to Thailand, there is about 2 or 3 days where she is in heaven getting to catch up with her old friends but it wears off quickly when she realizes she has nothing in common with them anymore.

Once they get out of Thailand, and if they get a chance to be somewhat independent and get a job, make friends, etc, etc, I think their attitudes about Thailand change greatly. It becomes obvious that they were sold a load of BS about how great Thailand is and they begin to see the same flaws that us farangs see. Even worse, they understand the culture even better than we do and they see a lot more of the flaws.

Excellent post old mate and I totally agree. My Thai wife has been living in Australia for 26 years now and has become a citizen and holds an Australian passport. She reads all the Thai newspapers online and just shakes her head reading about what's going on in Thailand. There are many farangs who love to live and retire in Thailand for the rest of their lives, why is it so hard for some people to believe that there are 1,000's of good Thai women (and men) who want to do the same and live in 1st. world countries?

considering what it takes to live well in Thailand, I think any Thai, male or female if given the chance to start over in the US, would be damned foolish not to try it

whatever anyone says to the contrary, it is still the land of opportunity

thailand is not, and with the current theater of politics and demonstrations that never end,

it is headed for a crash they cant deal with

[thaibeachlovers]

I'm on a road trip in the US right now. I stopped for lunch at a Thai restaurant in a small and rural town in Western cattle and wheat country.

The Thai owners had been there for about 20 years and wouldn't go back to Thailand. Maybe it's just because their restaurant is obviously very successful, but I don't think so. They like it here for themselves.

I took a cell phone shot down the street just because my mind was whirling with what the differences were for them, even in a dumpy, far rural Western town in the US.

- There wasn't a jumble of overhead wires. Most are underground.

- The was no clutter on the sidewalks. It's not only the law, but it's cultural. It's rude to block wheelchairs and even just people trying to walk along.

- There was absolutely no litter. If there was, a good citizen would pick it up.

- Any food carts were in parking lots out of the way of foot and vehicle traffic. Those would be mostly hot dog carts.

- There is clean safe water to every home and business, and sewage is piped to the local sewage plant.

- Traffic was moving smoothly and sanely and obeying stop signs and lights. Drivers were courteous.

I could go on, but those Thais like it.

Nothing fancy here:

IMG_3.jpg

I know what you are saying about small town life, but that's exactly what causes the young to flee to the city.

It's only when I got old that I began to appreciate the benefits of small town life.

[thaibeachlovers]

It's the little stuff that bothers mine -- traffic, rudeness, people being completely obliviousness to others. But she's lived in the US and Australia and has traveled and understands the differences between developed and developing countries -- which goes far beyond just economics. I wouldn't be surprised if that's how many feel.

< traffic, rudeness, people being completely obliviousness to others.

Thailand or other countries? Sounds just like my home country!

Edited April 23, 2014 by thaibeachlovers

[thaibeachlovers]

What percent% Philippines 99% want to leave. Hill tribe people 99% want to leave. Rohingya 99% want to leave. Thai women 1% want to leave. Of Thai women married to Farang 10% want to leave. Still the overwhelming majority want to stay given they could find a decent husband who would also stay.

Pretty spot on. Very few Thai women want to leave Thailand permanently and of those who do, majority are dirt poor and/or from dysfunctional families. Can't blame them, I suppose.

I would argue that many educated Thai will not want to return if they have been away for any reasonable period of time; several years up. The percentage will go up if they are working, and not housewives. Not working for a Thai boss for many years has made my Mrs. completely anti having a Thai boss.

If Thailand had not lost its moral compass and it's police force was less of a negative force than it is, I might think differently.

Sent - how is not that important...

My wife has never come out and said it but I can tell from things she's said over the years but I think Thais are sort of fed a fantasy where living outside of Thailand is very dangerous. Yes, sure, I guess we all have some of that fear when we move outside of our own countries. Our parents and friends are worried. They want frequent updates to make sure we're okay and all.

But in Thailand, I've heard women say that they're afraid of being kidnapped or killed by their husbands overseas. Even if they're not worried, 100% their family is going to be crazy worried about it. They think they're going to be sold into prostitution. They're told that wherever they go people will look down on them. They're told that police and the governments in other countries won't take care of or help them.

Part of that is because they only hear about these type of things. The women who move overseas, have a great life, and don't want to return to Thailand, don't write books or receive coverage in the Thai media. Thais who have had success overseas know that they're speaking to a brick wall. They know they can't explain it even to other Thais.

I've seen my wife's attitudes change. She can't stand many of her friends anymore. She loves them to death but she simply can't relate to them anymore. Whenever we go back to Thailand, there is about 2 or 3 days where she is in heaven getting to catch up with her old friends but it wears off quickly when she realizes she has nothing in common with them anymore.

Once they get out of Thailand, and if they get a chance to be somewhat independent and get a job, make friends, etc, etc, I think their attitudes about Thailand change greatly. It becomes obvious that they were sold a load of BS about how great Thailand is and they begin to see the same flaws that us farangs see. Even worse, they understand the culture even better than we do and they see a lot more of the flaws.

If Thailand is so bad, why do so many of us expats want nothing more than to be able to live out our lives there?

[digibum]

My wife has never come out and said it but I can tell from things she's said over the years but I think Thais are sort of fed a fantasy where living outside of Thailand is very dangerous. Yes, sure, I guess we all have some of that fear when we move outside of our own countries. Our parents and friends are worried. They want frequent updates to make sure we're okay and all.

But in Thailand, I've heard women say that they're afraid of being kidnapped or killed by their husbands overseas. Even if they're not worried, 100% their family is going to be crazy worried about it. They think they're going to be sold into prostitution. They're told that wherever they go people will look down on them. They're told that police and the governments in other countries won't take care of or help them.

Part of that is because they only hear about these type of things. The women who move overseas, have a great life, and don't want to return to Thailand, don't write books or receive coverage in the Thai media. Thais who have had success overseas know that they're speaking to a brick wall. They know they can't explain it even to other Thais.

I've seen my wife's attitudes change. She can't stand many of her friends anymore. She loves them to death but she simply can't relate to them anymore. Whenever we go back to Thailand, there is about 2 or 3 days where she is in heaven getting to catch up with her old friends but it wears off quickly when she realizes she has nothing in common with them anymore.

Once they get out of Thailand, and if they get a chance to be somewhat independent and get a job, make friends, etc, etc, I think their attitudes about Thailand change greatly. It becomes obvious that they were sold a load of BS about how great Thailand is and they begin to see the same flaws that us farangs see. Even worse, they understand the culture even better than we do and they see a lot more of the flaws.

Excellent post old mate and I totally agree. My Thai wife has been living in Australia for 26 years now and has become a citizen and holds an Australian passport. She reads all the Thai newspapers online and just shakes her head reading about what's going on in Thailand. There are many farangs who love to live and retire in Thailand for the rest of their lives, why is it so hard for some people to believe that there are 1,000's of good Thai women (and men) who want to do the same and live in 1st. world countries?

Thanks, mate.

I would slightly disagree in saying that most Thai women don't want to live outside of Thailand but once they leave, many do not want to return to Thailand. I've met very few Thais who are dying to leave Thailand. I can only think of a handful that I've ever met over the years.

My wife has a pretty decent sized circle of Thai friends here in the US. Many are Thais from Thailand (married to farangs, here on student visas, etc) but she also has a group of American born and raised Thai friends too (which really can be an eye opener for Thais when they meet other Thais not raised on the propaganda of Thailand). My completely casual observation is that:

The women who want to go back to Thailand never establish any real ties to the US. They have almost zero non-Thai friends. They basically live their life in Thai in another country. Thai food, Thai TV, Thai friends, etc, etc. I see this a lot of Thais married to farangs where she's expected not to work, stay home and take care of the home, etc. On paper this seems like a pretty easy life but I think it ends up being very stressful because it's almost like being held captive.

The Thais who don't want to go back tend to have a lot of things going on that don't involve other Thais. They have jobs. They go to school (a very high percentage of Thais here on student visas are desperately seeking someone to marry to stay in the US). They drive. They have goals and aspirations.

I'm pretty sure my wife would have been homesick and wanting to return home in six months had I not pushed her to be more independent when she first moved to the US. I enrolled her in some English classes to help her reading and writing skills. I also encouraged her to get a job. She wound up making friends in the English class. Many of those friends she's still friends with today. She was able to find a job working with some American born Thais. She got to express herself in her native tongue but she also got a different take on things.

[digibum]

If Thailand is so bad, why do so many of us expats want nothing more than to be able to live out our lives there?

Thailand is good for expats exactly for many of the reasons that it's bad for Thais.

Eighty percent of Thais live in relative poverty. That means your typical expat can make a teacher's salary and still seem like he's doing well. I can assure you that if expats were living life on the same level as most Thais they wouldn't be flocking to Thailand the way that they do now.

Expats exploit an income/wealth inequality to live a life better than they could live back home. I don't mean the world "exploit" to be negative. It's simply an accurate description of why many expats come to Thailand. Any time you take advantage of a inefficiency in the market, you're exploiting it.

It's a tough question though because the dynamics of everything would change if the situation were different. If Thailand had the economy that SIngapore or Hong Kong does, expats would still come to Thailand but it would be the same kinds of expats that you see in Hong Kong and Singapore and less like the expats you see in Thailand. Many of the expats living in Thailand today might hate a Thailand that had an economy that was buzzing like HKG and Sing. They wouldn't be able to afford the lifestyle they live with their current jobs.

[Scarpolo]

My wife has never come out and said it but I can tell from things she's said over the years but I think Thais are sort of fed a fantasy where living outside of Thailand is very dangerous. Yes, sure, I guess we all have some of that fear when we move outside of our own countries. Our parents and friends are worried. They want frequent updates to make sure we're okay and all.

But in Thailand, I've heard women say that they're afraid of being kidnapped or killed by their husbands overseas. Even if they're not worried, 100% their family is going to be crazy worried about it. They think they're going to be sold into prostitution. They're told that wherever they go people will look down on them. They're told that police and the governments in other countries won't take care of or help them.

Part of that is because they only hear about these type of things. The women who move overseas, have a great life, and don't want to return to Thailand, don't write books or receive coverage in the Thai media. Thais who have had success overseas know that they're speaking to a brick wall. They know they can't explain it even to other Thais.

I've seen my wife's attitudes change. She can't stand many of her friends anymore. She loves them to death but she simply can't relate to them anymore. Whenever we go back to Thailand, there is about 2 or 3 days where she is in heaven getting to catch up with her old friends but it wears off quickly when she realizes she has nothing in common with them anymore.

Once they get out of Thailand, and if they get a chance to be somewhat independent and get a job, make friends, etc, etc, I think their attitudes about Thailand change greatly. It becomes obvious that they were sold a load of BS about how great Thailand is and they begin to see the same flaws that us farangs see. Even worse, they understand the culture even better than we do and they see a lot more of the flaws.

Excellent post old mate and I totally agree. My Thai wife has been living in Australia for 26 years now and has become a citizen and holds an Australian passport. She reads all the Thai newspapers online and just shakes her head reading about what's going on in Thailand. There are many farangs who love to live and retire in Thailand for the rest of their lives, why is it so hard for some people to believe that there are 1,000's of good Thai women (and men) who want to do the same and live in 1st. world countries?

Thanks, mate.

I would slightly disagree in saying that most Thai women don't want to live outside of Thailand but once they leave, many do not want to return to Thailand. I've met very few Thais who are dying to leave Thailand. I can only think of a handful that I've ever met over the years.

My wife has a pretty decent sized circle of Thai friends here in the US. Many are Thais from Thailand (married to farangs, here on student visas, etc) but she also has a group of American born and raised Thai friends too (which really can be an eye opener for Thais when they meet other Thais not raised on the propaganda of Thailand). My completely casual observation is that:

The women who want to go back to Thailand never establish any real ties to the US. They have almost zero non-Thai friends. They basically live their life in Thai in another country. Thai food, Thai TV, Thai friends, etc, etc. I see this a lot of Thais married to farangs where she's expected not to work, stay home and take care of the home, etc. On paper this seems like a pretty easy life but I think it ends up being very stressful because it's almost like being held captive.

The Thais who don't want to go back tend to have a lot of things going on that don't involve other Thais. They have jobs. They go to school (a very high percentage of Thais here on student visas are desperately seeking someone to marry to stay in the US). They drive. They have goals and aspirations.

I'm pretty sure my wife would have been homesick and wanting to return home in six months had I not pushed her to be more independent when she first moved to the US. I enrolled her in some English classes to help her reading and writing skills. I also encouraged her to get a job. She wound up making friends in the English class. Many of those friends she's still friends with today. She was able to find a job working with some American born Thais. She got to express herself in her native tongue but she also got a different take on things.

you bring up a good thought,

Thai girls in america desperate to stay here,

I am going to have to explore this idea more thoughtfully, as they are already partially westernized, just by virtue of their thinking

I have been told that anyone bringing a thai girl to the west is crazy, but one already here,

potentially far greater rewrads?

[ZigZagMan]

A Thai lady I know that resides in the USA started a business and is now raking in over 2 million baht a year. She will also receive the maximum social security benefits when she retires. (about 50,000baht a month)

No doubt she is a legend up country, in her village.

I'm pretty sure all her friends and relatives would like to join her.