Expatitis in Thailand, Is Your Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

[kannot]

This is all well and good but some of us here encounter situations that make one despair. I am heavily involved with cycle-sport here. I am a coach trainer, in a personal voluntary and free capacity, to Thai kids. I have spent five years trying to help them progress in this sport as much as I can. This year the Thai Cycling Association has defied their undertaking to the Union Cycliste Internationale and to the Olympic movement by introducing higher fees to 'farangs' for their UCI cycle racing/coaching licence. Under UCI rules the country in which you live MUST provide you with this licence. However this year the TCA want to charge 'farangs' 5 x more than Thais. This is against Article 3 of the UCI as well as the Olympic Charter's articles on equality. They also want proof of residence (fair enough) except when that proof is provided they still will not issue the licence. Why? The Thais are fed up of the foreign riders here some of whom (not me) are stronger than the Thais. Thus when UCI ranking points are on offer, the Thais don't get them all. Their answer a) doctor the results so that no foreigner appears on the official results that the UCI receives (easily checked as the podium pics and the official results don't match) and deny them a race licence. When I see this unsporting practice and the extent to which the Thais go to cheat and lie their way through my beloved sport, I just want to call it a day. If anyone tries to speak to the Police General who is the TCA's head honcho, then he just cuts the call. My Thai wife is also appalled at how Thai society (in her view) has deteriorated and people, she says, are more dishonest than ever, more greedy than ever and so on. Our house is for sale. When someone buys it, we'll go. Enough is enough.

You don't have a work permit, they don't want you doing it.

I think it's their right to choose who they want training and interacting with their youngsters.

(Do you have the police check required to work with youngsters in western countries?)

Not sure why you think you have the right to do this sort of stuff in a foreign country.

You aren't allowed to own a house in Thailand either "our house" sounds a bit like proxy ownership.

Crap, you ARE allowed to own a house 100% but you cannot own the land.....get your facts straight

[kiwikeith]

I came here thinking it was a country full of dangerous roads, scammers and hookers. I wasn't expecting the military Junta. But apart from that, no surprises. I tell a lie, only one surprise, the litter and debris scattered everywhere, beauty spots, temples, roads, beaches, sea ...... it's everywhere.

Every road is dangerous, and if you want to find scammers and hookers go to any red light district anywhere.

If you keep your nose out of trouble ok but hard for any.

I have noticed many more scammers and baddies in the LOS over the last decade, this is also a reflection of the state of the world in general which is in a state of murder theft and corruption, unfortunately the LOS gets more of the rubbish each year that tries to escape from these imposed austerity pits that create poverty and crime.

[TheWizardofRnR]

I love the Thai People who I have lived here with as friends since 1988 to '93 in Phuket - -Patong Beach '93 til 2013 then Naklua near Pattaya for 2 years in June and here they always offer to help Flower with my WC stuff , getting in or out of the Cart ! So , this article is about Mentally Un-Happy People , who have gone to a dark place of old age ! I myself think the Internet helps keep our minds a bit more active , but I think that may be Good , now if they get more replacement parts for our Bodies , I might get to my 100+ Target....stop Laughin' ! Here's a really old Rock-Hard Pic :

[Beng]

The words that kept me here for over 3 decades: thank god they are not as good as us.

[mikeinbangkok]

A well written article and to the point. Life is all about choices we made and the decisions that we take. I have lived in Thailand as an expatriate for 20 years. I have had a wonderful experience, my family is happy, we had a very comfortable life. I have numerous friends from different parts of the world who, like me have lived here for many years and appreciate the good things. As an International company, we have never had any shortage of applicants for any vacant position that would be available. So much so, our company, once even had to force long staying expatriates to move to other locations so that new comers could have a chance to work here in Thailand.

Of course you have negatives, like anywhere else. I have lived in several countries and we have experienced problems that we have not experienced in Thailand.

The Thai people have treated us with respect, taken care of me and my family and our company is very happy to have operations here. Most of us have purchased apartments here where we live which is proof of our contentment and living conditions here.

So the glass , even if not full, has never been empty. Wherever you go, I doubt of you could find a full glass. C'est la vie! Such is life...

[retarius]

I've lived in several different cultures over the years. English speakers who don't learn the local language seem to struggle. Sad but true, you get out what you put in and it is much more rewarding and there are far fewer misunderstandings if you learn the language. I have also been invited to parties with English speakers over the years...I now don't go but they so often turn into the type of native bashing that the OP described. If you don;t like it here <delete> off home,

[captspectre]

Well, some druggies and drunks aren't broke and are quite positive and happy/successful people.

Maybe don't ride shotgun in their car, but no need to tar people with the negativity brush just because they aren't your typical teatotalling snooty pants.

a drug addict is a drug addict and a drunk is a drunk no matter how you paint them. they are disfunctional and get away with it here. I have never met a happy drug addict or a drunk unless he is drunk!

[shaggy28303]

Allot of the un happy people you talk about are the ones that come here and can barley make ends meet due to a low income level (small pension). The corruption they piss about is the ticket that allows them to stay in the first place, ie retirement visa and show no money just pay 20 plus K to an agent. So they have no one to blame but them selves .

[micmichd]

I love the Thai People who I have lived here with as friends since 1988 to '93 in Phuket - -Patong Beach '93 til 2013 then Naklua near Pattaya for 2 years in June and here they always offer to help Flower with my WC stuff , getting in or out of the Cart ! So , this article is about Mentally Un-Happy People , who have gone to a dark place of old age ! I myself think the Internet helps keep our minds a bit more active , but I think that may be Good , now if they get more replacement parts for our Bodies , I might get to my 100+ Target....stop Laughin' ! Here's a really old Rock-Hard Pic :

girlsnick.jpg

[captspectre]

This is all well and good but some of us here encounter situations that make one despair. I am heavily involved with cycle-sport here. I am a coach trainer, in a personal voluntary and free capacity, to Thai kids. I have spent five years trying to help them progress in this sport as much as I can. This year the Thai Cycling Association has defied their undertaking to the Union Cycliste Internationale and to the Olympic movement by introducing higher fees to 'farangs' for their UCI cycle racing/coaching licence. Under UCI rules the country in which you live MUST provide you with this licence. However this year the TCA want to charge 'farangs' 5 x more than Thais. This is against Article 3 of the UCI as well as the Olympic Charter's articles on equality. They also want proof of residence (fair enough) except when that proof is provided they still will not issue the licence. Why? The Thais are fed up of the foreign riders here some of whom (not me) are stronger than the Thais. Thus when UCI ranking points are on offer, the Thais don't get them all. Their answer a) doctor the results so that no foreigner appears on the official results that the UCI receives (easily checked as the podium pics and the official results don't match) and deny them a race licence. When I see this unsporting practice and the extent to which the Thais go to cheat and lie their way through my beloved sport, I just want to call it a day. If anyone tries to speak to the Police General who is the TCA's head honcho, then he just cuts the call. My Thai wife is also appalled at how Thai society (in her view) has deteriorated and people, she says, are more dishonest than ever, more greedy than ever and so on. Our house is for sale. When someone buys it, we'll go. Enough is enough.

You don't have a work permit, they don't want you doing it.

I think it's their right to choose who they want training and interacting with their youngsters.

(Do you have the police check required to work with youngsters in western countries?)

Not sure why you think you have the right to do this sort of stuff in a foreign country.

You aren't allowed to own a house in Thailand either "our house" sounds a bit like proxy ownership.

Crap, you ARE allowed to own a house 100% but you cannot own the land.....get your facts straight

that was the most assisine statement i read today! "you can own a house and not the land"? pray tell me what happens if some govermnent tells you to "get" your house off our land? what you going to do sucker? pack it up? mail it? or just leave it?

[micmichd]

I love the Thai People who I have lived here with as friends since 1988 to '93 in Phuket - -Patong Beach '93 til 2013 then Naklua near Pattaya for 2 years in June and here they always offer to help Flower with my WC stuff , getting in or out of the Cart ! So , this article is about Mentally Un-Happy People , who have gone to a dark place of old age ! I myself think the Internet helps keep our minds a bit more active , but I think that may be Good , now if they get more replacement parts for our Bodies , I might get to my 100+ Target....stop Laughin' ! Here's a really old Rock-Hard Pic :

girlsnick.jpg

[micmichd]

Yeah,

if you keep slightly under weight, keep swinging with the music, and make your blood flow in the body regions where the ladies like it, you might as well get 120+ yo

[Bkungbank]

The government should amedment law to protect farang husband where buying house only control 49% for tourist it's okay not alowed to buy property but with those invest in Thailand should be protected if law protected them from being throw out from the house by thier wife if they hold power to sell it. It would not be the same faith as most of the expat facing suicide or depression.

[micmichd]

This is all well and good but some of us here encounter situations that make one despair. I am heavily involved with cycle-sport here. I am a coach trainer, in a personal voluntary and free capacity, to Thai kids. I have spent five years trying to help them progress in this sport as much as I can. This year the Thai Cycling Association has defied their undertaking to the Union Cycliste Internationale and to the Olympic movement by introducing higher fees to 'farangs' for their UCI cycle racing/coaching licence. Under UCI rules the country in which you live MUST provide you with this licence. However this year the TCA want to charge 'farangs' 5 x more than Thais. This is against Article 3 of the UCI as well as the Olympic Charter's articles on equality. They also want proof of residence (fair enough) except when that proof is provided they still will not issue the licence. Why? The Thais are fed up of the foreign riders here some of whom (not me) are stronger than the Thais. Thus when UCI ranking points are on offer, the Thais don't get them all. Their answer a) doctor the results so that no foreigner appears on the official results that the UCI receives (easily checked as the podium pics and the official results don't match) and deny them a race licence. When I see this unsporting practice and the extent to which the Thais go to cheat and lie their way through my beloved sport, I just want to call it a day. If anyone tries to speak to the Police General who is the TCA's head honcho, then he just cuts the call. My Thai wife is also appalled at how Thai society (in her view) has deteriorated and people, she says, are more dishonest than ever, more greedy than ever and so on. Our house is for sale. When someone buys it, we'll go. Enough is enough.

You don't have a work permit, they don't want you doing it.

I think it's their right to choose who they want training and interacting with their youngsters.

(Do you have the police check required to work with youngsters in western countries?)

Not sure why you think you have the right to do this sort of stuff in a foreign country.

You aren't allowed to own a house in Thailand either "our house" sounds a bit like proxy ownership.

Crap, you ARE allowed to own a house 100% but you cannot own the land.....get your facts straight

that was the most assisine statement i read today! "you can own a house and not the land"? pray tell me what happens if some govermnent tells you to "get" your house off our land? what you going to do sucker? pack it up? mail it? or just leave it?

[micmichd]

If I own a house and some officials tell me I have to get off because they need the land, I would demand compensation or another house in exchange.

Hang on, they have infrastructure projects in Europe, too.

[Plutojames88]

I will begin by saying some observations here , have been enjoyable to read and thought provoking. The article itself achieved its goal by this response to it alone.

Some people thoughtfully considered the stereotypical image of the pictured man. Evoking concern at a spiral that perhaps can lead to an outcome .

Others observed "the man who needs to solve inner conflicts "

And expressed rationale along those lines .

That alcoholism , sadness and isolation were a condition far deeper than surface plights of day to day living.

Others hinted at attitude adjustment required from the individual .

And supported the premise to conclusion that its a perceptive matter.

I seem to see" curious conflicts " within a narrow definition of what constructive criticism and non constructive criticism may even look like.

To expand this in a climate politically where criticism is not really a free choice to make , it then becomes complexing to set it into a defined narrow prospective.

The expat.

Should the Expat have or be free to have opinions and complaint?

Without being questioned about his or hers attitude or need for ""adjustment?"

It then hints at a futuristic possibility that ""political" adjustments may extend to westerners who are residing in Thailand.

That penalties could well become law.

Education and or tests required to stay further.

The very innocent simple article is hinting far more deeply perhaps at xenophobic traits?

And this is just the beginning?

Should westerners living there have opinions on matters Thai?

Can we define those opinions in a manner of who is who?

Quality Expats ?

It might follow if complaint by Thais are made officially , ( in this futuristic setting) a test might be required ?

An adjustment to ""better understanding""

Polls that support this .

Expats who fail might have property seized and sold as compensation to the ""Thai people""

All sounds silly and paranoid right now.

And the article asking about your perception harmless enough?

After all the gent in the picture might have long standing issues or indeed be just having a bad day?

He may well be a happy guy , or not even an Expat.

But the face of accusation is cast.

The article suggests or hints at many things .

The alcohol consumption , and attitude being linked to observation.

Quality is being defined subtly and defence of ones own postion.

Even on this forum it has been suggested those against marshal law are just ""discontented fools without proper understanding""

I have sold up ..so maybe my understanding is based on ""other considerations"" like free speech and direction?

But I wonder where we are heading .?

How many Thais post here who are Government employees and take on western ID handles .

Certainly by what's written one must ask or wonder?

Is it not strange how some seem so similar in referencing reminders that we are ""just guests" ..""have no influence "" and ""don't understand"" ....when dealing with some subjects like elitism in Politics unfair prosecution of opponents and importance of Elections and free media and opinion?

Now we are being placed under the micro scope .

Is it us ?

Are we this person?

Do we represent poor quality Expats ?

A poll will inform us that 97.5% want unhappy Expats gone perhaps ?

Who knows what's next?

In this double speak climate , where even "thought crime is manifesting" and big brother love desired to be "compatible for future residence here.." ....could the vocal Expat days be numbered ?

That aspect of the article scares me most.

Justification ignored.

Is being critical of a Jet ski Pattaya operator in the future paramount to anti - Thai positioning that will earn you a ticket back to "adjustment class"" or deportation .....

Stay tuned and enjoy the next instalment of "" Love me or else"

83% in a poll do ...so why not you ?

[lvr181]

Uh? This page linked to:

• Must read Thai authorities order release of gorilla after 20 years caged in Bangkok mall zoo

[Naam]

Haha haha Love it......it's pretty much described about 70% of the TVF posters.

why only 70%?

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

"Is your glass half full or half empty?" "Expatitis" Allow me to answer.

Is is evident that whoever wrote this is bias since they are precluding their Thai hog wash with "most foreigner" which I'm sure most foreigners would be insulted by the writers erroneous analysis. It is evident that the writers knowledge of the English language is inadequate for their own understanding of a this rhetorical question:

Is the glass half empty or half full? is a common expression, generally used rhetorically to indicate that a particular situation could be a cause for optimism (half full) or pessimism (half empty), or as a general litmus test to simply determine an individual's worldview.[1] The purpose of the question is to demonstrate that the situation may be seen in different ways depending on one's point of view and that there may be opportunity in the situation as well as trouble.

This idiom is used to explain how people perceive events and objects. Perception is unique to every individual and is simply one's interpretation of reality. The phrase "Is the glass half empty or half full" can be referred to as a philosophical question.

Engaging the listener obviously wasn't the purpose. For if utilized correctly this idiom would initiated constructive dialog.

The writer is blind to the contributions that warrant complaints holding foreigners to a double standard. Living in denial that many foreigners are victims to deception and greed and the obvious lack of leadership to address this only brings depression and anger. There is such a thing as "Cause and Effect". As with any disease it is acquired and can't exist without a cause. Finally,the writer concludes If you already suffer from the idea that Thailand and Thai people have victimized you and you are a whining machine, there is only one possible cure. Go back where you came from. "If you already suffer from the idea that Thailand and Thai people have victimized you and you are a whining machine, there is only one possible cure. Go back where you came from." Priceless.

[malcoml]

I started half full and over time became half empty.

I think if you take away the cheap women and 24hr a day happy hour beer a lot of foreigners would head back home.

I have met many people who wear the blinkers and whinners. I find the whinners to have a more accurate account of Thailand.

The average expat in Thailand is also very varied. You have the pattaya sexpats who have a very different experience to a guy living upcountry or a guy working a corporate job in Bangkok.

I think the hardest part of Thailand is the locals never really let us integrate with them.One thing I can say is that after living here for five years I never really made one close male Thai friend, I had no mates except for expats.

This is the first country I have lived where that has been the case.

[Naam]

This is all well and good but some of us here encounter situations that make one despair. I am heavily involved with cycle-sport here. I am a coach trainer, in a personal voluntary and free capacity, to Thai kids. I have spent five years trying to help them progress in this sport as much as I can. This year the Thai Cycling Association has defied their undertaking to the Union Cycliste Internationale and to the Olympic movement by introducing higher fees to 'farangs' for their UCI cycle racing/coaching licence. Under UCI rules the country in which you live MUST provide you with this licence. However this year the TCA want to charge 'farangs' 5 x more than Thais. This is against Article 3 of the UCI as well as the Olympic Charter's articles on equality. They also want proof of residence (fair enough) except when that proof is provided they still will not issue the licence. Why? The Thais are fed up of the foreign riders here some of whom (not me) are stronger than the Thais. Thus when UCI ranking points are on offer, the Thais don't get them all. Their answer a) doctor the results so that no foreigner appears on the official results that the UCI receives (easily checked as the podium pics and the official results don't match) and deny them a race licence. When I see this unsporting practice and the extent to which the Thais go to cheat and lie their way through my beloved sport, I just want to call it a day. If anyone tries to speak to the Police General who is the TCA's head honcho, then he just cuts the call. My Thai wife is also appalled at how Thai society (in her view) has deteriorated and people, she says, are more dishonest than ever, more greedy than ever and so on. Our house is for sale. When someone buys it, we'll go. Enough is enough.

You don't have a work permit, they don't want you doing it.

I think it's their right to choose who they want training and interacting with their youngsters.

(Do you have the police check required to work with youngsters in western countries?)

Not sure why you think you have the right to do this sort of stuff in a foreign country.

You aren't allowed to own a house in Thailand either "our house" sounds a bit like proxy ownership.

Crap, you ARE allowed to own a house 100% but you cannot own the land.....get your facts straight

that was the most assisine statement i read today! "you can own a house and not the land"? pray tell me what happens if some govermnent tells you to "get" your house off our land? what you going to do sucker? pack it up? mail it? or just leave it?

it is most asinine (not assisine) to call a fellow TV-member "sucker".

p.s. pray tell me what happens to your right owning a home if you die tomorrow?

[EmptyHead]

download.png

Out of interest, how many years would you say it took you to become stable?

[hawker9000]

You don't have a work permit, they don't want you doing it.

I think it's their right to choose who they want training and interacting with their youngsters.

(Do you have the police check required to work with youngsters in western countries?)

Not sure why you think you have the right to do this sort of stuff in a foreign country.

You aren't allowed to own a house in Thailand either "our house" sounds a bit like proxy ownership.

Crap, you ARE allowed to own a house 100% but you cannot own the land.....get your facts straight

that was the most assisine statement i read today! "you can own a house and not the land"? pray tell me what happens if some govermnent tells you to "get" your house off our land? what you going to do sucker? pack it up? mail it? or just leave it?

it is most asinine (not assisine) to call a fellow TV-member "sucker".

p.s. pray tell me what happens to your right owning a home if you die tomorrow?

Are you suggesting that a government grabbing the land you thought you paid for out from under you so you can't LIVE on it, and DYING (!), are the same thing? One of the lamest & silliest interrogatories I've seen so far on TV. And I just love the guys who fancy themselves "scoring points" by correcting someone else's spelling or grammar. It does seem like kind of a sucker's bet to be forced into spending money to build or buy a house on land you can't own. Still, as long as everyone knows the rules going in, and they don't get changed mid-game, you have the right to spend your money any way you want. Some are obviously going to think it's foolish; their right to think what they want, too. Don't really see the point in arguing about it: everybody's heard it.

[BlackJack]

Yes you are right.

You know the other day I was talking about quantum physics with a motor cycle taxi guy and he said its all relevant as in a parallel universe it is the Farang that is in a developing World and it is the Thais that put the first man on the moon.

Your words = "Thailand to be corrupt or in an economic downturn or experience other problems. Then the expat can laugh a bitter angry laugh and say, “See, just what I told you.”

So is Thailand corrupt? yes no -

Do Thai people support corruption - 85 % do as long as there's something in it for them

Economic down turns yep! 1997 2008 and 2015

Other problems yep! jail terms for Ex PM's impeachment of sidelined PM's corrupt politicians rice pledging schemes reds yellows coups

This is the reality we live in.

[SoiBiker]

I think if you take away the cheap women and 24hr a day happy hour beer a lot of foreigners would head back home.

It's got to be worth a try at least.

[KarenBravo]

download.png

Out of interest, how many years would you say it took you to become stable?

It hasn't happened, because it appears you are talking to yourself........

[DaveinAsia]

'Avoid negative people. Negativity is a contagious disease. Also avoid druggies, drunks and people who are always broke. Most often those kinds of people are fellow expats. Be extremely careful with them – whether they are the professional type or the barfly. Most of the problems people have experienced in Thailand came from expats – not Thais'.

- How did TV even allow you to post this badly written kiddie essay? Rarely have I seen an apologist get away with so much expat bashing.

[DaveinAsia]

Having many Thai friends ,living in a small village, with expats, I hear only complaints of " its hot ! dam hot " Coming here with a plan in mind , setting myself up with my Thai wife and daughters, has been an easier struggle than anywhere else I have been in the world , love Thailand , love its people , with all its faults , i try to make little differences where i can to help eliminate any perceived ideas on expats by Thais, I give an example =

I was invited to a wedding last week , and helped out by washing glasses, picking up used cutlery , clearing tables , helping fold away the tent and tables chairs etc,

the locals where very happy to see a Farang helping out , to see that i was prepared to pitch in like them , Accepted as an equal, GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,

You sound like a great person and cannot agree more. You get out what you put in. Good luck to yer.

Sounds more like self promoting than greatness to me but hey, my glass is always in need of a refill

[DaveinAsia]

Personally, I find the 'head in the sand' brigade more annoying than the whiners. There is nothing wrong in seeing a place for what it is, to walk around with blinkers on makes people appear none too clever and somewhat in denial. The author of the article sounds like a bitter person himself, and etiquette is a word usually associated with politeness, so completely misused in the context that he chose for it.

The most miserable expats here are the ones who seem to have no interests. The happiest have at least 3 interests, perhaps 1 sporting and 2 intellectual. And often a full time job on top of that. Too much time on your hands is a big problem. Highest points on the misery index always go to the alcoholics and the old sex-pats. Those two groups just seem to be caught in a nightmare cycle of despair.

What a load of rubbish. Im retired at 47 have loads of time of my hands and love life and the people and the family around me. I have my 8 dogs and studio and drum room as interests and met my thai wife in the UK so can hardly be described as a sexpat as you put it. I have a standard of living I could only dream of back in the UK. If anyone is bitter it sounds like yourself. I dont need the money to work so choose to live me life as I wish. Now I know your comments were not directed at me but your generalisation is way off the mark. I know of many expats like me who love it here. Im not in denial nor do I walk around with blinkers on. Is it perfect? No such thing as perfect but compared to living in the UK? No contest. Thailand wins hands down.

Please read Jeremy's post more clearly mate! Jeremy said the most miserable expats are the ones who SEEM to have no interests!! Why did you feel the need to defend yourself if you don't fit the profile?

[billd766]

I started half full and over time became half empty.

I think if you take away the cheap women and 24hr a day happy hour beer a lot of foreigners would head back home.

I have met many people who wear the blinkers and whinners. I find the whinners to have a more accurate account of Thailand.

The average expat in Thailand is also very varied. You have the pattaya sexpats who have a very different experience to a guy living upcountry or a guy working a corporate job in Bangkok.

I think the hardest part of Thailand is the locals never really let us integrate with them.One thing I can say is that after living here for five years I never really made one close male Thai friend, I had no mates except for expats.

This is the first country I have lived where that has been the case.

I am a rural expat and when I first came here back in 1993 it was because I was sent here by my company, probably because it was about the furthest they could send me away.

I have been through the cheap women and 24hrs a day happy hour but that only took up the 3 month first trip, after that it got boring.

Working with Thais both in and outside of Thailand I have made some good friends and still meet with them now and again down in BKK. living in rural Thailand where there are far fewer expats and the majority of us are retired or FIFOs we tend to mix far more with Thais than farangs and though Thais do make friends with us it generally takes much longer.

If I could speak Thai properly it would help but being 30 to 40% deaf and close to tone deaf Thai is a hard language to learn but I am generally understood locally and further afield I generally make out OK. If I get really stuck I can always call my wife or a friend.

I keep myself busy most days and don't normally have my first drink until 5.30 pm or so unless I visit a mate or they visit me.

I also have a 10 year old son and my neighbour has a couple of girls and they take up some time as well.

I like cooking and I also make a lot of my own western food as I live about 65km from the nearest BigC, Lotus or Makro.

Life really is great in Thailand, even out here in the boonies, but you have to adapt to Thailand rather than trying to change Thailand to suit you.