Expats and boredom.

[Jip99]

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 !

I would venture to suggest that the ratio of pissed up Thais in the villages is greater than Falangs in tourist areas.

[whooshbang]

Get yourself hooked up to the internet and do some online courses in your spare time. There's a lot free or very cheap online courses out there! Get that GSCE or A-Level you always wanted.... Learn to speak a bit of Thai, perhaps an hour per day. Learn to cook Thai food (very satisfying and the locals will love you)

All can be done when its too wet or too hot.

Good Luck

[kokesaat]

I've been here for nearly 18 years....could count my 'bored' days on one hand, and none of them in the past 10 or so years.

A few ideas:

- get some acreage outside the city (any city).......a half rai or a few rai. You can landscape here for a fraction of what you'd pay back in the US. Enjoy the birds, butterflies, lightning bugs, and all the creatures that a jungle provides.

- start learning Thai. You'll never be bored again!!

- True UBC and internet offer lots of opportunities for viewing, reading, etc.

My opinion.....if you're bored here, you'll likely be bored elsewhere.

[pigeonjake]

i have to much to do on the farm when im at home to get bored,

pigs/ducks/chickens/pigeons/budgies/dogs

and dont forget my fruit trees to look after,

and grow veg,,

wow go to sit down im tired at just looking at all that,,lol

lifes great in the country

jake

[canarysun]

I have been living in Thailand and have never once been bored. I live alone and have just a few friends.With lovely hot sunny days i am out all day in the sunshine. I like to get up at 06.00 every morning and during the morning go for a 10KM walk. Afternoons normally on the beach walking ( with cool tunes ) and swimming and spend the evenings at home.I watch very little TV and don't go to bars ( my worst nightmare would be to be trapped in a bar full of farang "shouting at a football match on the TV ") also i don't drink! (only water ) But have loads of hobbies : Photography,Train Journeys,walking,swimming,sunbathing,music and cooking and chatting.I have been " doing nothing " for years and to be honest there are never enough hours in the day!

[amykat]

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 !

I would venture to suggest that the ratio of pissed up Thais in the villages is greater than Falangs in tourist areas.

Thanks for saying that Jip99, because that was exactly what I was thinking when I read the above! As well as the one-upsmanship (no idea how that is really spelled) but I would think if these things bother a person, and then they went to live in Thai small town, they will only find these same things, but much worse, and without the same shared culture, this will seem even more shockingly bad/ boring!!

It is difficult for amost everyone, to deal with retirement and boredom issues. Moving to Thailand can make it better at first, but then later, it will probably be worse. Later you will be looking for like-minded farangs, after you have washed out with the Thais ...gotten bored, figured it all out, gottten sick of it, realized they are not something so special, etc.

I met many farangs who I didn't really like at first, and didn't really have anything in common with. That problem, was mostly due to the fact, that I was meeting farangs FROM my THAI (bullshit) friends. I was really limited in that way. On my own, and after dumping all Thai friends, I have met many good farang people here. In fact, once I stopped going places with Thai people, I met many, many more farang people. I think my Thai" entourage", was actually discouraging other farangs from meeting with me???

Anyway, I know when one is new here, we think we should "hang" with Thai people as much as possible. I think this is a mistake, other than you will learn that, and be sure of it, after you have deeply done that! Now I am all for the farang ghettos, please, the bigger the better! At least where I live, they are A-Okay!!

[Jip99]

I think that once things have settled down - that phase is important - you tend to gravitate towards people with whom you have common ground. Or, maybe you just enjoy their company.

I read recently about a quote from someone who said "I used to enter a room and worry if people would like me. Now I enter a room and worry if there is anyone there I will like".

I have discovered that Thais will never be my company. I have no desire to mix with them but will always be courteous to them, their country and their belief/culture. I won't get wrapped up in the claptrap that exists at least in rural Thailand.

I have found myself becoming slightly anti-social since moving into the middle of a rice field. I no longer need a regular buzz of meeting fellow Farangs but I do ensure that I maintain regular contact with my closer Farang friends. Mental stimulation will only come from them.

I avoid Thai weddings/funerals/house-warmings/going to be a monk party/tamboon parties etc like the plague. The is the time for my missus to enjoy with her family and culture without having to keep one eye on the Farang.

I love living where I am (it is in a field NOT in the village) but i will occasionally take short breaks to Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Pattaya for a change of scenery and get some relief from the heat.

[MrWorldwide]

I'm fine by day - less so when the sun sets and the neon beckons. That said, nothing beats waking up with a clear head and a decent night's sleep under your belt - just hard to tell yourself that at 9-10pm the previous evening. Daytime drinking holds zero appeal for me - if that starts to change, I'll know its time to re-examine my options.

[1FinickyOne]

Boredom and loneliness are 2 different issues… and the third issue is hanging around with people who are annoying… I find it quite easy to avoid people who I don't care for and spend time with people I like, even if that means using skype or email conversations w/people with the same interests… I too live in a small village and take my breaks when needed but am involved with life here too… as my interests won't necessarily be yours, no need to recite them. A good interent connection brings much of the world to me.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Plenty to do and keep oneself occupied. No need to ever be bored.

However, if you are looking for a bit of culture, your options will be quite limited. I guess that's not what most people are here for but I do miss it personally.

[stoneyboy]

Plenty to do and keep oneself occupied. No need to ever be bored.

However, if you are looking for a bit of culture, your options will be quite limited. I guess that's not what most people are here for but I do miss it personally.

One could always have a game of Cluedo,to pass the time.

[whiteman]

Shares (Thai) not trading but keeping an eye on things also Ausy and N.Z. Shares vi cat internet.

Internet games = just out WILDSTAR and some others also have 2 dogs and 7 cats and we are 6 weeks from completing our new house so lots to do there. Been here 10 years never been board as long as I have a good internet im happy and cable tv. for the soccor and rugby league and the All Blacks and a new mate of mine that has just bought a ria and will build when his 13 million other house sells has heaps of dvs. I thought i had heaps till I saw his collection.

I do not go to bars been there done that. All in all life is good. It would be better if Leeds United got promoted MOT

[khunPer]

After I moved to LOS, kind of early retirement some 8 years ago, I wonder how I ever could find time to work...

[Anon999]

Bored! Chance would be a fine thing. Having said that its up to you, all you need to do is be proactive. If you own a house in your own country then you know there are always things that need doing and on a daily basis as well. Things go wrong that need fixing or replacing then there's hobbies or interests to pursue and meeting friends occasionly for a coffee and a chat. If you're into 'bars' organise a weekly darts match, play golf there are always some golfers around as there are cyclists. Go to the local gym for an hour every day during the week. How about starting on some of those projects you've been putting off for the past decade? If you're into financial things there's spread trading and buying selling shares, both need a lot of studying to be successful. The car needs to be taken for a service and needs a weekly check of the tyre pressures, oil, other fluids and the battery, you can do that yourself.

That lot should keep you out of trouble for 10 minutes of so. What will you do for the rest of the time, watch some films, sport and documentaries on TV, listen to some CD's, read a book or 3? Catalogue the 2,000 stamps that have been waiting for you to get started on? Take up photography, produce a newsletter, write a book, start an on-line business with all the income going into a foreign account.

Just make your own list and do it.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Plenty to do and keep oneself occupied. No need to ever be bored.

However, if you are looking for a bit of culture, your options will be quite limited. I guess that's not what most people are here for but I do miss it personally.

One could always have a game of Cluedo,to pass the time.

We do frequently . It's one of the family's favourites and that's why I chose the username. As i said there's no lack of activities to pass the time. Slightly more intellectual pursuits are perhaps a bit harder to find though.

[ggt]

I have found a couple of cold gin and tonics...with a massage...works wonders to relieve the boredom...I do not go to expat bars for the exact reason you outlined here...have drinks with friends...in their homes or yours...

[marko kok prong]

I like to do a bit of letching,that is the technical term for bird watching,the feathered type's.... mostly!

[mok199]

And your not lonely?

Sent from my GT-I9507 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

wow such ignorance out there...dude being alone ,

and being ``loney``are two seperate issues.....

[smotherb]

What's wrong boys? Not enough elephants to ride or temples to visit?

[Grindting]

Oh goodness I could retire right away. Wake up, go running or gym, protein smoothly and a light breakfast, 3 hours of guitar practice learning something new and practice on tightening up technique and theory, an hour or so of call of duty online (ps4). Head out for an early dinner, couple of beers, then play low steaks Texas hold-em in the casino and take the tourist for all their holiday money.

Would limit the options to Cebu/Manila though. Or vegas/sharm ES/london/Amsterdam/Macau/Bahamas etc

[AYJAYDEE]

As I am not as flexible as I once was, a morning session of yoga and stretching starts the day. And at this age I am fully aware of HOW i spent my years and now I have the time for a daily meditation in the hope of realizing WHY. Then its lunch time followed by a bike ride thru miles of farm roads and a relax before dinner. Combine this with spending time with family and friends, chores and the odd trip to the city and there is little time to be bored.

[nickmanchester2]

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

always ends up costing me a fortune when I do this

[smotherb]

I have found a couple of cold gin and tonics...with a massage...works wonders to relieve the boredom...I do not go to expat bars for the exact reason you outlined here...have drinks with friends...in their homes or yours...

Yes, groups of expats drinking in a private home must be far superior to groups of expats drinking in public places--and cheaper too.

I find no end of things to do here. Sure, tipping a few with friends anywhere is part of it, especially when you have seen all the temples and waterfalls. However, I like to be taken care of. Everyday I like to have a steam bath, be shaved, have my hair washed, and be massaged; with a manicure, pedicure, and haircut weekly. Each time my barber serves coffee or cocktails in an nice aircon salon with gold package cable TV and internet. A good start to the day, even if it does happen after noon many days. I belong to the Rotary, we meet weekly for dinner and comraderie; and are involved in community service work. My biker club goes to all local bike events and does charity work to support our local children. I ride most everyday to some out of the way place to have lunch and a beer or two. My wife and I go out to dinner with friends three or four times a week. We frequently go to one or more of the many live music clubs in town, where my bottle of Jack serves many. Every other weekend or so, we ride to a nearby town or beach resort to visit friends or attend biker meets. When it is too hot to ride, I watch people; usually at the one of the big aircon malls. These new Central Festivals are great--ever watch a Thai ice skate? Then, of course, I can stay home and play with any number of techno gadgets and try to avoid honeydos. Oh, did I mention the bars? Bored, how can you be?

[Tchooptip]

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.

And what time is it exactly?

[i claudius]

Boredom?what's that?I don't have enough hours in the day just busy doing nothingl

[ALFREDO]

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.

You live with a football-soccer field in the back yard? Good gardening than!

Edited May 20, 2014 by ALFREDO

[ALFREDO]

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.

The true meaning of life, is to enjoy, as the time goes by!

Edited May 20, 2014 by ALFREDO

[ALFREDO]

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.

Helps also against boredom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-multiplication

[ClutchClark]

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.

Are you suggesting the OP steer clear of ThaiVisa ?

[YipYipYa123]

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.

Are you suggesting the OP steer clear of ThaiVisa ?

We can but hope...