The Guide to Happy Expat Life in Thailand

[flyingsaucersarereal]

1. Live alone (don't live with the family) I have tried this before and it will never work. People are always making noise always eating all your food and never considerate of your belongings. Living alone saves you from all this madness by all means have friends a GF if you wish but living alone will make you much happier in the long run.

2. Drive yourself. Driving yourself is a big one because once you drive yourself you don't have to deal with taxi's not using the meter and fighting with negotiating fairs. You don't have to fight with drivers taking you in the wrong direction all the time and then charging you more for purposely taking the longer route. Safety is another one when you drive yourself you don't hit the gas and then slam on the brakes for no apparent reason like most drivers do around here. Or weave in and out of lanes like a madman. Although it is always dangerous driving in Thailand this is the safer way to go.

3. Don't lend money. Lending money to people here is the kiss of death it will never be paid back and it will put a strain on any relationship. If you are going to give money just give it to them as a gift and write it off as a loss.

4. Speak the Language. This one is HUGE if you speak the language naturally you will have a better time because you will know whats going on. It also puts you at a advantage because you can listen quietly observing what is going on when everyone thinks you don't understand. Speaking the language saves you money and time in so many ways and is a definite must.

5. Remaining calm. It is always best to remain calm in even the most stressful and difficult times. Use your money as the ultimate weapon if the service is bad don't come back shop somewhere else. Tip for good service and give no tip for bad service.

6. Get in shape. Working out has so many advantages it is impossible to list them all. If you are a huge scary looking dude people don't want to mess with you and life is better as a result. Thieves and criminals are looking for the easy targets the little old ladies or the drunk tourists no one is going to mess with a huge ripped dude. Also isn't it better to not look like all the fat bar stool expats that drink all day.

7. Stay away from drama situations. Stay away from situations involved with family drama like my mom needs this or my dad has this problem. These are your problems call me or come on by when it is sorted out that's why I live alone.

8. Get a hobby. Having a hobby is a good thing we all like bars and women but really if you are here for a long time there is more to Thailand than that. Go on a road trip see the sights take up painting or play a instrument something that you like. Better than being a person that sits on a bar stool for his whole life.

9. Don't over stretch your finances. There is no need to buy things you can't afford like a brand new car just to flaunt your wealth just get something that is reliable and won't break down. I would be so worried driving a nice car in this country imagine having a Mercedes Benz and parking it somewhere I would be a constant worried wreck of someone leaning on it hitting it that it wouldn't be worth having it at all. Not to mention looking rich is not the smartest thing to do if you are trying to get a good price on something. Hey why 100 Baht and your driving a 80k car.

10. Remember its Thailand not your country. This is always good to remember Thailand is a great place but of course like anywhere in the world there are negatives don't expect anything to be like it is in the west. If you adopt this philosophy you will be a much happier person.

[DD13]

A lot of good advice there......

Just one other point.......

Here "kindness" can be seen as "weakness"......

[meatboy]

last but not least don't read crap like that.

[kurnell]

3 and 9 i agree with. I should add that having a job is better than any hobby.

[i claudius]

As to not having to good a car ,yesterday i saw a guy driving a brand new Bently ,very slowly down Sukhumvit ,my first thought ,love it ,second thought ,never drive one on Thai roads,

[Pattaya Pat]

As to not having to good a car ,yesterday i saw a guy driving a brand new Bently ,very slowly down Sukhumvit ,my first thought ,love it ,second thought ,never drive one on Thai roads,

That was me. Say hello next time.

[Loptr]

3 and 9 i agree with. I should add that having a job is better than any hobby.

To hell you say...

[Franky Bear]

Make sure you have enough money to stand up, get in a Taxi, get to the airport and go back to your home country in a hurry

[Bulldozer Dawn]

11. Wear sun screen

[kurnell]

3 and 9 i agree with. I should add that having a job is better than any hobby.

To hell you say...

I think the saying is 'the hell you say'

[Rimmer]

Not specific to Pattaya moved to General Forum

[Berkshire]

Pretty good, actually. I can't say I disagree with any of those....although the married guys may not agree with number 1.

[KittenKong]

Such a long list.

This does it in one:

[Cypress Hill]

Outstanding OP

[TPI]

The OP seems to have it nailed! I think the idea is to live with the GF but as far as possible away from the family?

[thailiketoo]

3 and 9 i agree with. I should add that having a job is better than any hobby.

Get the wife a job and stay home and watch the dog. My dog sleeps most of the day but I watch her nevertheless.

When the wife asks me if I want to go see the family I tell her I have to watch the dog.

[belg]

super easy for everybody right ?

learn the language, get ripped (body, not your wallet)

555

did you mention the small fortune you need to support your lifestyle ?

[cornishcarlos]

Pretty good, actually. I can't say I disagree with any of those....although the married guys may not agree with number 1.

I'm married but I still like the thought of No.1

[Pappap]

Absolutely spot on, especially speaking the language, and read if you have the time, another hobby! And of course always smile!!

[HUAHIN62]

Pretty good, actually. I can't say I disagree with any of those....although the married guys may not agree with number 1.

I don't agree with number 1 infull. I would say: If you are married don't stay within 5 hours drive from the family. Fortunately my wife loves her family but don't allow any meddling in our affairs, they visit a few days in the year and then go back home. They never ask for money and respect our belongings. To be honest I think they are @#$% scared of me and I am okay with that.

[thejcb]

Or, easier and cleverer, simply go to the airport and get a one-way ticket out.

[HerbalEd]

3 and 9 i agree with. I should add that having a job is better than any hobby.

Personally I find not needing a job and having multi-interests is superior to having to work. But, each to his own.

[HerbalEd]

The OP seems to have it nailed! I think the idea is to live with the GF but as far as possible away from the family?

You know, not all Thai relatives are a problem. Yeah, I've had relative problems with a former girlfriend, but my present girlfriend ... fiancee actually ... has a wonderful family who show me a lot of respect and don't ask for money ... and they are simple sugar cane farmers in Issan. Lucky me.

[HerbalEd]

Absolutely spot on, especially speaking the language, and read if you have the time, another hobby! And of course always smile!!

Good advice no matter where you live.

[Emster23]

Generally agree, but not #2. I let others drive. Less cost, less aggravation, and I still have most of my hair. Also good to be far from her family (and old friends)... trying to rework old adage "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer sweeties family farther?

[geronimo]

I'd say that is the best I've seen so far!

[whiteman]

I drive a Merc I say if it rocks your boat go for it and my partners father lives 6 hours away and has not been to see us in 10 years we visit him so easy to jump in the Merc and wizz off when I say so.

In 10 + years never had a driving problem. My hobby is my 3 dogs and 7 cats and the fish in the Klong right out side our new house.

Each to your own and I do not care what people might say or speak when I get out of the Merc.

[lostmebike]

You forgot to mention you microscopic nob mercman!

[johnnygimbo]

Pretty good, actually. I can't say I disagree with any of those....although the married guys may not agree with number 1.

I don't agree with number 1, I live with my wife and her two adult kids, her family come in the house from time to time, and my food is never touched, there's never any alcohol as no one drinks, I always eat Farang food and the family only eat Thai food, so my food is always separate, although I do remember a Farang who was always complaining that when his wifes brothers come to his house they always go into his fridge and eat his food and drink his beer.

[Morakot]

11. Change your shirt everyday.