Avoiding 'iffy' expats......

[ThePlant]

There is a constant debate as to what constitutes the 'right' of 'wrong' type of expat.

How does one differentiate?

The standard gauge is based on appearances insofar as blokes in shorts, tattoos and Singha vests, Flip-flops (thongs for the corkheads); however I've known too many villains in suits over the years to know better than to not apply looks when weighing a person up.

When we get new staff in the office I tell them not to get involved with groups like the 'rotarians' or various 'expat clubs' and whatnot.

They always seem to be run by villains who wind up being written up by Drummond often as a front for their scams and rip off schemes. They always seem to me to be an attempt to present an illusion of respectability for all manner of broke, low paid, low income expats striving for a degree of respectability in their otherwise desperate lives.

To be honest you're better off finding a decent expat boozer with a good crowd. Even there you can soon wheedle out who are the 'iffy' characters and who are the 'straight arrows' if you have an ounce of common sense or street smarts.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Don't forget British Legion,

Thoroughly infiltrated by scoundrels, with a false "hail fellow well met" performance.

Shirts with collars, ties, overly firm handshakes and false bonhomie.

[mrtoad]

It does seem pretty sad that most of these clubs / organisations are full of people who are either on the make, or trying to make themselves look good.

Many of these chancers would never ever get to be members of Rotary / Lions / Round Table in their own countries. Most of the decent people I have met here have been pretty low key, but involved in sports clubs of which I've been a member, and funnily enough some thoroughly decent people who I've met through the forum.

[NancyL]

Excellent point Mr. Toad. I hadn't thought about it in those terms, but yes, having been involved in these type of clubs in my home country, I've been a little surprised with what I've heard about them in the beach resort areas of Thailand.

I've heard other expats say this happens in other expat parts of the world, too -- in Spain, the Middle East, etc. It seems to be a British problem, where British con men gather to try to pry money out of their fellow countrymen. Maybe has something to do with the way their pension system works. Doesn't much matter with U.S. expats -- we're going to owe Uncle Sam taxes no matter where we live.

[benalibina]

It does seem pretty sad that most of these clubs / organisations are full of people who are either on the make, or trying to make themselves look good.

Many of these chancers would never ever get to be members of Rotary / Lions / Round Table in their own countries. Most of the decent people I have met here have been pretty low key, but involved in sports clubs of which I've been a member, and funnily enough some thoroughly decent people who I've met through the forum.

Low key.....being the operative word.....

[David48]

Nice post, subtle, but a poignant message.

'Corkheads' ... oh, the ignominy ...

.

[mrtoad]

Excellent point Mr. Toad. I hadn't thought about it in those terms, but yes, having been involved in these type of clubs in my home country, I've been a little surprised with what I've heard about them in the beach resort areas of Thailand.

I've heard other expats say this happens in other expat parts of the world, too -- in Spain, the Middle East, etc. It seems to be a British problem, where British con men gather to try to pry money out of their fellow countrymen. Maybe has something to do with the way their pension system works. Doesn't much matter with U.S. expats -- we're going to owe Uncle Sam taxes no matter where we live.

Actually, you might find that there are also US expats of the same ilk operating in a Thailand , and prominent in such organisations. That's not to have a go, just an observation. Pretty much all of my family have been involved in such organisations back in the UK, but the entry to such, is generally pretty difficult and there is a thorough vetting process.

[mrtoad]

It does seem pretty sad that most of these clubs / organisations are full of people who are either on the make, or trying to make themselves look good.

Many of these chancers would never ever get to be members of Rotary / Lions / Round Table in their own countries. Most of the decent people I have met here have been pretty low key, but involved in sports clubs of which I've been a member, and funnily enough some thoroughly decent people who I've met through the forum.

Low key.....being the operative word.....

Never quite sure if you are being sarcastic or being serious.

[mrtoad]

BTW Nancy, your post seems to have an Anti British slant to it.

[ThePlant]

The bottom line is that we see in the local 'papers' all these photos of these villains cosying up to the mayor/head copper only to see a few weeks later in the real papers they've been pulled for being villains...

Give me the much maligned 'sex tourists' sexpats' over these jokers anyday....

[mrtoad]

A crook is a crook, no matter what he wears, or where he is from

[sdanielmcev]

Nice post, subtle, but a poignant message.

'Corkheads' ... oh, the ignominy ...

.

Isn't that supposed to be "caulkheads?"

[Satcommlee]

Dont write off the Singha Vest guys too soon.... Most are very decent people... As you already pointed out - the ones that pretend to be well connected ie: expats/lions/rotary clubs etc.. are the ones that do the most damage..

[Scully]

Excellent point Mr. Toad. I hadn't thought about it in those terms, but yes, having been involved in these type of clubs in my home country, I've been a little surprised with what I've heard about them in the beach resort areas of Thailand.

I've heard other expats say this happens in other expat parts of the world, too -- in Spain, the Middle East, etc. It seems to be a British problem, where British con men gather to try to pry money out of their fellow countrymen. Maybe has something to do with the way their pension system works. Doesn't much matter with U.S. expats -- we're going to owe Uncle Sam taxes no matter where we live.

The first I've heard of it being a British problem, in fact most organisation's in the UK ie round table etc do lots of charitable work. As drummond was mentioned you will find he's at war with a yank who uses organisation's to network.

[David48]

Excellent point Mr. Toad. I hadn't thought about it in those terms, but yes, having been involved in these type of clubs in my home country, I've been a little surprised with what I've heard about them in the beach resort areas of Thailand.

I've heard other expats say this happens in other expat parts of the world, too -- in Spain, the Middle East, etc. It seems to be a British problem, where British con men gather to try to pry money out of their fellow countrymen. Maybe has something to do with the way their pension system works. Doesn't much matter with U.S. expats -- we're going to owe Uncle Sam taxes no matter where we live.

The first I've heard of it being a British problem, in fact most organisation's in the UK ie round table etc do lots of charitable work. As drummond was mentioned you will find he's at war with a yank who uses organisation's to network.

Agreed Khun Scully ... that comment does have a whiff of British (UK) Bashing about it.

.

[jspill]

Perhaps ask yourself why in the back of your mind you're looking for faults in other expats as soon as you come across them, sizing them up, wondering what they're doing here, what their work is, are they 'straight arrow' etc., instead of just giving them the benefit of the doubt.

The wise man looks for faults in himself not others. If you find yourself being suspicious of others maybe it's a reflection of yourself.

I see this 'anti-expat' phenomenon a lot, essentially I think it stems from insecurity and not wanting an influx of other expats on your 'patch' making you feel less unique. So the tendency is to want to convince yourself they're below you in some way, broke, a criminal, desperado, 'iffy'.

[David48]

Nice post, subtle, but a poignant message.

'Corkheads' ... oh, the ignominy ...

.

Isn't that supposed to be "caulkheads?"

I modelled this earlier ...

Keeps the flies off the Meat.

[David48]

Perhaps ask yourself why in the back of your mind you're looking for faults in other expats as soon as you come across them, sizing them up, wondering what they're doing here, what their work is, are they 'straight arrow' etc., instead of just giving them the benefit of the doubt.

The wise man looks for faults in himself not others. If you find yourself being suspicious of others maybe it's a reflection of yourself.

I see this 'anti-expat' phenomenon a lot, essentially I think it stems from insecurity and not wanting an influx of other expats on your 'patch' making you feel less unique. So the tendency is to want to convince yourself they're below you in some way, broke, a criminal, desperado, 'iffy'.

Did you get ignored in TESCO again?

Sorry about that ...

.

[cobra]

Agreed, no collars,

tunics or nero jackets only,

[jspill]

A great way to differentiate would be if we had access to things expats write on the internet, sadly that's difficult. Some of OP's posts, classic anti-expat syndrome:

'Just another cheap, broke no skills loser Thailand clearly doesn't need.

these Digital Nomarks....

he tries to make out he's not paying for it and has the hot HiSo women kicking his door down as they do with every unemployed tourist who has no visible source of income or zero status here, as they're such a catch...

The reason you don't 'date' Bangkok girls is because you have no verifiable, regular source of income and probably live in some dump, so most - not even the bar girls - wouldn't give you the time of day you deluded fool.

I think the fragile reality of your situation makes you sweat with fear.

Why can't you lot just admit you are here illegally without dragging others down to your level in the gutter? You're all as bad as each other in my eyes.

You can try and fob off the blame onto others yet retain the arrogance to think you are above them and are somehow above Immigration's rules and radar. You are still a part of the problem no matter how smart or above the other cheats are. You should feel more ashamed for not having the tools to operate here legitimately.

To paint a worst case scenario I could well see a day in the future when the Authorities' patience just runs out and it's that's it! 14/30 days maximum per year for everyone who has no legitimate reason for being here.

When that day comes I'll be having a real chuckle at all those who thought themselves oh so smart for the system while the getting was good....and that includes you Bucko...

You are frothing like some poor unfortunate who has to grub around in the gutter trying to feed on the scraps which drop from the high table.

My 'ordained right' comes in the form of my WP and visa which you clearly lack but probably dream about.

I hope he remains calmer as he nears the Immigration desk after his next border run, more so when the officer starts counting his stamps....

Real ones with things like salaries, visas, Work Permits etc; lives where we can get tables at a food court....'

[Squeegee]

Others were being too polite:

Excellent point Mr. Toad. I hadn't thought about it in those terms, but yes, having been involved in these type of clubs in my home country, I've been a little surprised with what I've heard about them in the beach resort areas of Thailand.

I've heard other expats say this happens in other expat parts of the world, too -- in Spain, the Middle East, etc. It seems to be a British problem, where British con men gather to try to pry money out of their fellow countrymen. Maybe has something to do with the way their pension system works. Doesn't much matter with U.S. expats -- we're going to owe Uncle Sam taxes no matter where we live.

This is a blinkered, ignorant and offensive post that is saying "The British seem to pry money out of each other... whereas it doesn't apply to Americans because they have to pay taxes to their government."

Apart from the xenophobic slant and grossly generalized world view, it's attempting to claim American people are better than British yet, highly ironically, only based on being forced to pay money to their government.

I wonder what kinds of gross generalizations this poster would make behind closed doors about all kinds of other people.

[Beetlejuice]

I have mentioned in these threads many times in the past regarding unregistered self appointed do gooders that are not regulated and answerable to no one, seem to have their fingers in many pies and could be placing the too trusting and the vulnerable at risk.

This is something I find very concerning, especially when these outfits start becoming businesses and more on a commercial level rather than just social activities completely run on a voluntary basis

As regards the OP, my opinion is; never judge ex-pats we don`t know on face value and to treat with caution, especially when money is involved, the simple solution being once money is demanded for whatever reasons is to walk away and don`t become involved with these outfits and people.

I am at a loss to understand NancyL comments that ex-pat conmen is a British problem? Total nonsense. Those who are credible, seen to be credible and who`s organisations have good reputations have no need to be constantly on the defence by hitting back with smart answers.

[David48]

Don't vote for NancyL.

Vote for a friendly Aussie ... we like the British (unless it's the Ashes ... then the gloves are off).

Vote David48 ...

[Kudel]

I find it very concerning that so called miffy expats the op talks about exposed by drummond are allowed to advertise on thailand centric fora including this one,buyer beware.

[Been there done that]

Others were being too polite:

Excellent point Mr. Toad. I hadn't thought about it in those terms, but yes, having been involved in these type of clubs in my home country, I've been a little surprised with what I've heard about them in the beach resort areas of Thailand.

I've heard other expats say this happens in other expat parts of the world, too -- in Spain, the Middle East, etc. It seems to be a British problem, where British con men gather to try to pry money out of their fellow countrymen. Maybe has something to do with the way their pension system works. Doesn't much matter with U.S. expats -- we're going to owe Uncle Sam taxes no matter where we live.

This is a blinkered, ignorant and offensive post that is saying "The British seem to pry money out of each other... whereas it doesn't apply to Americans because they have to pay taxes to their government."

Apart from the xenophobic slant and grossly generalized world view, it's attempting to claim American people are better than British yet, highly ironically, only based on being forced to pay money to their government.

I wonder what kinds of gross generalizations this poster would make behind closed doors about all kinds of other people.

No need to wonder, she puts it all out in the open on here. Just use your imagination. She fits right in on here though. Narrowminded and so on.

[Kudel]

@David could you and your bunch of merry jokers who have nothing to ad to this topic but inane drivel from dusk till go back to poster of the year topic.

[bendejo]

Brings to mind the rascally Masons in "The Man Who Would be King."

And that was 19th century!

[Beetlejuice]

Don't vote for NancyL.

Vote for a friendly Aussie ... we like the British (unless it's the Ashes ... then the gloves are off).

Vote David48 ...

I am half American, half English, a total yanker.

What does it matter? We all speak the Englishese.

[fey]

treat people as you would in your home country

many expats expect you to relate here and you dont have to play the tourist role and prove anything to anybody

learn to not just give out personal info on why your here and how. its bs. you dont have to answer this stuff just because your in a new location. thailand is one of the best places there is to practice that skill of being your own man and not explaining everything to everybody. makes bar chatter difficult though, learn to have a conversation about something interesting

when you learn to be your own man and dont feel like you have to explain or give whatever is asked you become an extremely difficult target for scammers, in fact they will likely move to a softer target.

Edited December 23, 2014 by fey

[Mossfinn]

Not forgetting the Irish language..................

http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/03/09/bsp/irish.html