Americans in Thailand, how do you feel?

[willyumiii]

Being an American resident in Thailand, I am not as comfortable here as I have been in the past.

With recent international developments involving both Thailand and my home country I am no longer confident my future in Thailand will continue to be as comfortable as it has been.

Because of past good relations between Thailand and the US, I have had the feeling that we were maybe treated a little better in some situations than expats from other counties.

That was a good feeling.

Relations are not as good now and may get worse, even bad in the not to far future.

If I were young and single, I would not give it much thought. I could just up and go if things got worse.

I am not.

I am in my sixties and have a wonderful Thai family, both immediate and extended.

To restart my life at this point would not be an easy or pleasant task.

I was just wondering if other Americans residing in Thailand are having the same thoughts and what you will do if things go sour.

[harryfrompattaya]

Eighty Five years ago I felt with my Hands

Today I still feel with mine hands

[MrTee]

"I have had the feeling that we were maybe treated a little better in some situation"s than expats from other counties."

[SoiBiker]

What situations were these?

[aTomsLife]

Haven't noticed anything different in my interactions with Thais.

Yet I do feel an increase in hostility, mostly from those Brits and Aussies who disliked us in the first place.

[DP25]

Because of past good relations between Thailand and the US, I have had the feeling that we were maybe treated a little better in some situations than expats from other counties.

I've felt that way too.

I don't think most people are aware of the diplomatic spat between the two governments, it's still pretty minor, so I haven't felt any difference. Hopefully it won't get worse. But even if it does I don't think it will have any major negative effect

[pigeonjake]

so bloody dramatic,,

drama queens

yes im a brit if it helps

[rgs2001uk]

I have had the feeling that we were maybe treated a little better in some situations than expats from other counties.

Another from the nanny state with a sense of entitlement complex.

Please tell me why you should recieve preferential treatment, does your $$$ buy more baht than mine.

Head back to Obama land and gives us an update after a few months, I hear Ferguson is a nice place to be these days, especially with an attitide like yours.

[Jingthing]

Well at this point it wouldn't even occur to me to hide my nationality from a Thai. To some other nationalities ... that's another story.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Jingthing

[mrtoad]

I have had the feeling that we were maybe treated a little better in some situations than expats from other counties.

Another from the nanny state with a sense of entitlement complex.

Please tell me why you should recieve preferential treatment, does your $$$ buy more baht than mine.

Head back to Obama land and gives us an update after a few months, I hear Ferguson is a nice place to be these days, especially with an attitide like yours.

I am surprised the OP was able to fill out the passport application form.

Think he needs to return to Iowa for a bit of poultry pleasure

[ronthai]

Really, big surprise Americans are complaining.

All these years all the advantages over other European Nationalities.

At least you could and can still open your business 100% owned by you.

ALL OTHERS CAN NOT, 51%Thai - 49%Me

Typical American, always complain, let me guess Republican and loves FOX

Give it a rest, The GREAT USA, is slowly going down, economically, why, they do NOT understand real democracy.

WHOM ever has money gets to be in charged (puppet presidentS).

The BIG CORPS control the USA and sponsor both parties, so they (no need to explain who they are, if so BUSH, HUBBY, OBAMA and all next ones) OWE them.

If all those senators would for a changed work together for a better USA and WORLD, instead for themselves?

Well guess that is where the American DREAM started, hundreds of years ago.

We all know they lost their way, but I am still happy the USA is there to PROTECT,

because how f ...ed UP all is, I do believe the USA controls the peace on earth, not perfectly, but we need them.

Any 3 letter word agencies, not CIA or NSA, the secret ones of which we do not know the letters ...

I am harmless, just very opinionated

Edited February 5, 2015 by ronthai

[sdanielmcev]

Bwanas' wallet no hansum? There is no spat between the 2 governments. The current US administration is in its' lame duck years. And, how is the op an American resident if he resides in Thailand?

[Jingthing]

Bwanas' wallet no hansum? There is no spat between the 2 governments. The current US administration is in its' lame duck years. And, how is the op an American resident if he resides in Thailand?

You're wrong. There is a spat. It's more one sided though. The U.S. government is acting predictably and presented some mild criticisms. Thailand's government overreacted for pretty obvious internal reasons. The OP is an American national who lives in Thailand. He said that clearly. Perhaps you are not a native English speaker?

Edited February 5, 2015 by Jingthing

[Anthony5]

Haven't noticed anything different in my interactions with Thais.

Yet I do feel an increase in hostility, mostly from those Brits and Aussies who disliked us in the first place.

Don't forget the Iraqi's and the Iranians and the Afghani's and the...................................

[Beetlejuice]

I have two nationalities, American and British, a right Yanker some may call me, but if anyone asks; I am firmly making my British side the priority and leaving my American passport at home. Even at Immigration I always go as British rather than American.

My guess is that the most despised nationalities worldwide are Americans and Israelis, any countries that bear a grudge it`s usually aimed at them first hand. I think the OP is quite right to have concerns and the way tensions are building in the world, especially in the middle east, I can see the situation becoming much worse before it gets better.

[FACTOR]

Much ado about nothing. Typical American over-reaction due to overinflated opinion of self.

(I'm American)

[SoiBiker]

Haven't noticed anything different in my interactions with Thais.

Yet I do feel an increase in hostility, mostly from those Brits and Aussies who disliked us in the first place.

well screw them anyhow they are only jealous.

jealous, of what may i ask,,

Presumably we're all jealous of these unspecified situation that the locals treat them better than us in.

Personally, I've always got the impression that the locals find Americans a little loud and overbearing.

[NeverSure]

Haven't noticed anything different in my interactions with Thais.

Yet I do feel an increase in hostility, mostly from those Brits and Aussies who disliked us in the first place.

There is another thread where a non-American mentioned how many expats were losers in their own countries.

The UK and Aus. are tiny with combined populations about 1/4 of the US. Yet they are vastly overrepresented as expats in Thailand. That's because they hate themselves and their countries. As bitter old men they are jealous and have to be bitter toward others.

In 30 years their countries will be muslim due to immigration and breeding rates. They know it. They are powerless to do anything about it because their governments disarmed them.

They actually hate their countries and it shows in a multitude of posts. They have nowhere to go home to. They don't recognize their countries due to immigration and PC governments.

They've given up their sovereign borders to an international group and they no longer can claim patriotic pride. All they can do is criticise those who have an independent country with patriotism and who do have the power to change things. They criticize America AND their own countries. They are lost and broken.

They no longer understand being patriotic and think that those who are have lost the plot when in truth they have lost the plot and have lost their way. They are people without a country. They drink their days away in Thailand realizing that the old saying is true: "Wherever you go, there you are."

[MrTee]

Haven't noticed anything different in my interactions with Thais.

Yet I do feel an increase in hostility, mostly from those Brits and Aussies who disliked us in the first place.

There is another thread where a non-American mentioned how many expats were losers in their own countries.

The UK and Aus. are tiny with combined populations about 1/4 of the US. Yet they are vastly overrepresented as expats in Thailand. That's because they hate themselves and their countries. As bitter old men they are jealous and have to be bitter toward others.

In 30 years their countries will be muslim due to immigration and breeding rates. They know it. They are powerless to do anything about it because their governments disarmed them.

They actually hate their countries and it shows in a multitude of posts. They have nowhere to go home to. They don't recognize their countries due to immigration and PC governments.

They've given up their sovereign borders to an international group and they no longer can claim patriotic pride. All they can do is criticise those who have an independent country with patriotism and who do have the power to change things. They criticize America AND their own countries. They are lost and broken.

They no longer understand being patriotic and think that those who are have lost the plot when in truth they have lost the plot and have lost their way. They are people without a country. They drink their days away in Thailand realizing that the old saying is true: "Wherever you go, there you are."

You think too mutt!

[pigeonjake]

never sure

your right i dont like england, ill always be british,

but i will tell you one thing, and weve known each other a long time on here,

im jealus of no one on here, no matter were they are from,

you americans are patriotic ill give you that,

but some are also drama queens as i put in another post or rambos,

what i said still stands with me,

if the good old U S of A is that good whay are so many here, ? and then moan that the think there not being tret as they think they should be

no one going to kiss there a## just because there american

[SoiBiker]

Patriotism is overrated. Particularly amongst people who no longer live in their home country anyway.

[fey]

i don't need to worry about it. i stopped answering the 'where are you from?' question long ago.

[mogandave]

Ahhhh, Europe, where the women are women and the men are too!

[Beetlejuice]

Haven't noticed anything different in my interactions with Thais.

Yet I do feel an increase in hostility, mostly from those Brits and Aussies who disliked us in the first place.

There is another thread where a non-American mentioned how many expats were losers in their own countries.

The UK and Aus. are tiny with combined populations about 1/4 of the US. Yet they are vastly overrepresented as expats in Thailand. That's because they hate themselves and their countries. As bitter old men they are jealous and have to be bitter toward others.

In 30 years their countries will be muslim due to immigration and breeding rates. They know it. They are powerless to do anything about it because their governments disarmed them.

They actually hate their countries and it shows in a multitude of posts. They have nowhere to go home to. They don't recognize their countries due to immigration and PC governments.

They've given up their sovereign borders to an international group and they no longer can claim patriotic pride. All they can do is criticise those who have an independent country with patriotism and who do have the power to change things. They criticize America AND their own countries. They are lost and broken.

They no longer understand being patriotic and think that those who are have lost the plot when in truth they have lost the plot and have lost their way. They are people without a country. They drink their days away in Thailand realizing that the old saying is true: "Wherever you go, there you are."

NeverSure, I think most of what you say is a wee bit brutal and if anyone sounds bitter in parts, it`s you. But the parts of your post I have highlighted you are spot on, sad to say.

True, especially regarding Britain, where the heritage has been eroded over the years, I doubt that many Brits these days can feel patriotic. Strange actually, because in Thailand I am proud to be classified as a farang. I am perceived as a white European and it`s not considered a taboo subject describing myself as a white European whereas in my home country being proud of who and what I am is discouraged. I think that if I had to return to my country it would prove a huge reverse culture shock for me, I very much doubt that I would be able to fit in there now.

I am still patriotic, but prefer to be a patriot from afar, just left with fond memories of how my homeland used to be back in the old days. So yes, you are absolutely right.

[SoiBiker]

We all share the same planet. Who cares which bit of it you happened to be born on?

[ukrules]

We all share the same planet. Who cares which bit of it you happened to be born on?

This is more like it, the whole patriotism thing is very overrated.

It's there for people who are generally incapable of independent thought and are easily lead by someone who's probably 'waving a flag and carrying a cross'.

[losgrad]

I think it's broader than just Americans, but all Western Expats vs. the hordes of Chinese tourist now being welcomed into Thailand. As those in political power follow the money, they may favor mainland Chinese politics (and now Hong Kong) and possibly governmental design to reach their favored image of Thailand.

I hope I am wrong, but with censored news, it's more difficult to discern reading between the headlines.

Edited February 5, 2015 by losgrad

[Rangsitreppin]

pattaya attracts more nutcase americans than ever .

A big african american approached me in macdonalds near the beach and told me to be weary of the lost souls in pattaya and told me to by an amulet for protection.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I think the OP is pretty much over-worrying the current situation.

There were some similar tensions between the US government and Thailand after the first Thaksin was booted the first time.... And I'm sure there will be in the future again, considering how often Thailand has military coups... But it's pretty minor stuff in the big picture sense of things.

And probably more importantly regarding the OP's concern, most average Thais seem to folllow political intrigue almost not at all, and pay virtually no attention to international/foreign affairs issues.

What they do, however, pay attention to are more basic things like: how much money does a person or country have, what color is your skin (white or dark), and does your body have a strong smell or not. Those are the things that influence Thai opinions of people more than political scuffles.

[Rooo]

Deleted several racist posts.

Moved to Expat Life.