Expats and boredom.

[davo2212]

Hi again all, after many trips to LOS i have come across this scenario alot. Firstly i have in the past few years done my best to avoid touristy areas of Thailand even when in Phuket i stay in Rawai/ Chalong/ Nai harn. I recently went up to Amnat Cheoron and Ubon and Mukdahan ( gday Don). PS mukdahan b&b is a great little spot to have a cold beer and watch the nrl. Back to my question, because of my plans to move here one day i ask alot of questions to the expats.

But i find alot of similar stories if actually spoken or body language, these guys are lonely when i approach a group of expats having a beer they seem happy enough to give some advice but recently i asked a few about visa's and employment and they argued between them selves for about 2 hours.I find it like a sort of power struggle between them as to who knows whats best.

So any of you expats out there found some good hobbies ie golf,gardening, reading, how do you fill your days procuctively or do you meet at the same bar and talk about the same things with the same small circle of friends each day?

Thank.

.

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[CharlieH]

Steer well clear of any groups of expats, in my experience they allplay the one-upmanship game. There is always one who knows it all and done it all. Most are piss-heads and pass there day drowning in there own glory.

Walk into any bar in the main tourist areas and you'll see them.

Thats precisely why I live in a small village where there arent any !

Edited May 20, 2014 by CharlieH

[davo2212]

And your not lonely?

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[CharlieH]

And your not lonely?

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Nope not in the slightest, I have a few select friends around the region that we share an evening meal with our wives occasionally. I also have other friends who dont live here full time but have homes here and we enjoy time together when they visit.

[Swiss1960]

getting bored after retirement is a potential problem with all retirees, no matter whether they retire in their homecountry or abroad. Retirement needs preparation and planning, so that you know how you can / will / want to fill your days. Of course, retiring to a foreign country needs even more of such planning, as you will not anymore have your usual social environment around you (i.e. no more social clubs, no more grand-kids, no more friends) and have to rebuild your new life.

Now, having said all that... maybe for the expats you met in the bar, this might be EXACTLY what they had in mind when they retired to Thailand and they feel neither bored nor lonely and it IS their favorite hobby to drink and bicker around with their friends... who knows...

[davo2212]

Thanks charlie. Can I ask what part of Thailand

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[CharlieH]

Thanks charlie. Can I ask what part of Thailand

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No problem, its on my profile, I am up in Phetchabun, 5 hrs North of Bangkok in Central Thailand.

[Ace of Pop]

Ive been a bit bored through this 40C weather were having. To Hot to go Walkabout , sit outside etc.As for Expats they seem a jolly lot in generall.

[Jack Mountain]

Most of the time i feel more lonely and bored when i am surrounded by people of my home country then when i am alone ...

Being with 'strangers' feels not to bad as long as they not talk about footbal ...

[davo2212]

Just goes to show how different we all are hey

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[n210mp]

Must admit to occasionally feeling a bit bored but its usually when the weather is too hot or wet to do anything other than doss.

I find that doing some form of early morning exercise makes the day go a bit quicker and easier though, if I have done a good walk or cycled for a couple of hours I sort of feel some self satisfaction that the day isn't wasted and the balance of my body IE mental stress against physical exertion is in equilibrium.

Dont frequent too many bars for the reason that I could end up a manic depressive talking to some of the ageing Lothario bar flies who seem to be obsessed with Manchester United, Liverpool, the exchange rate or where the latest and nicest bit of young pussy is available for a cheap charlie.

Having aid that there are some good lads around the dark side who can make a dark day brighter, also the bars where there are things like golf societies or pool leagues make for meeting a better and more balanced type of Ex Pat.

Edited May 20, 2014 by n210mp

[stiggy]

Loads of alternatives to becoming a borderline functioning alcoholic as many do.I did around the 7 year mark, then one day realised I was missing out, getting even more bored, getting fat and unhealthy and surrounded by mostly bored people with nothing else to do.

Get into fitness

Rescue a dog and take it out

Diving/ swimming/Snorkelling

Gardening

Books/Art

Cycling

Volunteer work

Main tourist Beaches for some quality entertainment

Golf

Explore the country by Motorbike or Car, finding some cool resorts(cheap on the way)

Learn to cook always a challenge with different supplies in season

Pre book Air asia flights, for short breaks well in advance cost's very little

[HeijoshinCool]

Don't listen to these guys who tell you they aren't bored.

Why else do you think we spend time on ThaiVisa?

[marko kok prong]

I must admit,at this time of year i find it difficult to move away from the A/c comfort of my study,so yes it can get a bit boring ,i live up country in Petchabun province too like Charlie,though i live in the south of the Province Wichianburi is our nearest town ,there is a surprisingly large population of Falangs here and a lot go to the local market in town on a thursday,also one chap has a annual party on Christmas day, and another on new years,and often people have parties,so it,s pretty good,but it does get very hot here from march through to end of may/early june,i am talking over 38c most days,so it even becomes unpleasant to go to the bar on thursday,as it is not a/c,and to me it is just not fun sitting in that heat,the rest of the year is okay,wet,and cool season.

[swissie]

Don't listen to these guys who tell you they aren't bored.

Why else do you think we spend time on ThaiVisa?

[weegee]

When you have a large lawn to take care of.....you dont have time to get bored. The grass is green again....after 3 afternoon storms a week ago.

[Deaw]

Steer well clear of any groups of expats, in my experience they allplay the one-upmanship game. There is always one who knows it all and done it all.

Walk into any bar in the main tourist areas and you'll see them.

I made a post about this recently, the "I have been here longer than you" crowd. Yawwwnnn.

My attitude towards boredom is this; I would be bored back home as well, so why not be bored somewhere cheap and with nice weather and beaches?

I mean, I am post-50 now same as many of us are and my days of partying seem to be well behind me. I don't drink at all {I know, boring to many of you but I genuinely don't like the taste or the feeling} and I rarely go out late at night; I have a select group of friends from many different countries and I like hooking up now and again and having a chat over a nice dinner. American football is one of my favorite topics, good books and music as well. I like swimming and using my pool and I live a mile from the beach.

In the fall I greatly look forward to football season, and I always follow the sports talk shows from Boston; evening here is morning there so I get to hear sports talk anytime I want to. Essentially, I can be bored in Boston or bored here for half the price. The decision is easy.

[amykat]

Snapshot_20140520_1.JPGWhen you have a large lawn to take care of.....you dont have time to get bored. The grass is green again....after 3 afternoon storms a week ago.

Are you sure that isn't a city park somewhere?? If not, Good Job Weegee! That yard must be a lot of work! I hope you have you have a lot of dogs who can enjoy that too??

[Pinot]

It's awfully easy to become an alcoholic here. A regular exercise program, reasonable bar visits, cheap trips on AirAsia.

I can't imagine having a better social life or having more great places around me to enjoy life. There is a waterfall in back of my house.

I occasionally get bored but then I grab my beautiful Thai wife's bum and...go take a nap.

[Benmart]

Boredom can be found in any bar, lounge or booze club worldwide. There are many options that aren't centered around alcohol and the effects it has on certain resident groups.

There are plenty of fraternal groups and social organizations that are involved in many interesting activities that are not centered on a barstool.

One only has to seek productive and enjoyable alternatives to self-destructive pastimes.

Good luck my friend.

[slipperylobster]

My question is ....what were the bored buys doing back in their countries that was more exciting than hanging out in Thailand? Perhaps they were Glider Pilots, Rock Climbers and Surfers? I bet most just had boring jobs and a boring home. Much more interesting here..... But I do find it hard to get friends who are not in the bar every single day. I had one guy move next door, and he lasted about it week before he literally ran back to the one street that had a few bars on it. He has not been off that street for a year now.

[weegee]

Snapshot_20140520_1.JPGWhen you have a large lawn to take care of.....you dont have time to get bored. The grass is green again....after 3 afternoon storms a week ago.

Are you sure that isn't a city park somewhere?? If not, Good Job Weegee! That yard must be a lot of work! I hope you have you have a lot of dogs who can enjoy that too??

No it's not a park, it's the back yard. Yep have got 2 dogs that love me for it......and they surely don't let me get bored.

[freezacrowd]

When the temp is 36 degrees with a feel like of 47 even the most motivared of us get a bit slack.

Normally i have " Projects" in my workshop like building a chest of drawers or a cupboard. I am not a carpenter but have always had tools on hand.

Then there is my 1952 jeep to keep on the road and to go camping with.

I spend a lot of time by myself as my wife is a very hard working farmer, what with 40 pigs and rice and Soy been and cassarver plus her son manages a small rubber plantation. She gets home after dark most days.

I guess by know you have realised I live far from the madding crowd.

The village life suits me fine, but it;s not for every one.

[chrisinth]

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Don't listen to these guys who tell you they aren't bored.

Why else do you think we spend time on ThaiVisa?

I was going to say he has taken his first step into life in Thailand by starting this topic, bored before he knows it......................

[3NUMBAS]

yes theres lotsa hobbies but farangs dont do anything as they suffer in the mornings with hangovers and heat exhaustion and dehyrdation so just lay around in a hammock sweating like a pig, and dreaming of back home

[maximillian]

My age is 23.757 days. Maybe 7.000 left. No time for boredom.

My wife is exactly 8.000 days younger than me. That helps to feel good and happy.

[Birdman]

Playing guitar at campfire on the beach, grilling fish and crabs and potatoes, and beautiful people around, under the bright stars

[JesseFrank]

Steer well clear of any groups of expats, in my experience they allplay the one-upmanship game. There is always one who knows it all and done it all. Most are piss-heads and pass there day drowning in there own glory.

Walk into any bar in the main tourist areas and you'll see them.

Thats precisely why I live in a small village where there arent any !

Thats precisely why I live in a small village where there arent any !

Worried about the competition

[Old Stud]

We all have a talent. Some ex-pats think the only talent they have is drinking and bitching about things. What a waste of life. I write books. I have no idea if I will ever sell one - I hope so - I am starting the 5th book of a five book series. Point is - that is my job every day. I don't go to bars, I go to coffee shops and write for hours on end. There are so many things you can focus your attention on - like learning to speak Thai, or building muscles at a gym, exploring the country, learning to cook Thai food, or mastering an instrument. There is no excuse for boredom.

[swissie]

There are 2 kinds of boredom: The Tourist-Hub boredom and the Rural Thai Boredom.

Tourist-Hub: Not my Farangs can afford to go snorkeling, sky-diving, golfing in the morning and playing polo in the afternoon all the time.

Rural Thai: Most Farangs living in the sticks will readily admit that without wife/family, they could not live in this environment for any lenght of time.

To quote an old expat: "A boring day in Thailand is a lot cheaper than a boring day in my home country."

Cheers.