Met the gf's son on 3rd occasion today.

[Supaluke]

When I first met my Thai wife, who was 48 and looked early 30's, I had some concerns over the fact that she had a 25 year old son. I was in for a shock. One of the most polite young men you could ever want to know, CMU graduate as an Advanced Thai Language teacher, who had classes of students who totally loved him. About 2 years into our marriage we were having dinner with a few of my wife's friends who, fortunately for me, all spoke English (well, Thaiglish. lol) At one point in the dinner, one of the woman turned to Peter and asked if he ever missed his father. Peter leaned forward and placed his fore arms on the table and spoke slowly and clearly and told her, that he didn't miss his father, as he saw his father every day, then flatly told them: "Dean is my father". I admit that I had to hold back the tears.

3 years ago I asked him if I could formally adopt him. He said he would be very happy if I did that. So, off to the Amphur office go the three of us. Took maybe 20 minutes to do all the paperwork and forms. As we got up to leave, my son then asked me and my wife to wait outside. Another 15 minutes or so passes, and he finally comes outside and hands me his Thai ID. He had legally changed his last name to mine. When he was appointed to a new Gvt school in Arunothai, Chiang Dao, we went with him on his first day. Typically, all the students sit outside, the head master has his say, then introduced Peter, the new teacher. Peter told them "good morning", then said his name was Thapornchai "Peter"...short hesitation....Marsh, with a grin. That brought laughter from the students. Later the students asked him why he had a farang name. My wife translated and told me he said he had changed his name to honor the man who was his father.

When the 3 of us are together, he will remind his mother to speak English whenever possible so that I can understand what they are talking about. When I first wanted to buy a CBR 250, my wife was reluctant. In front of me, he told her, in English, that dad has given us everything. We have a life we never could have had without him. Dad only wants 2 things. A good computer and a bike. He already has the computer, so if he wants a CBR 250, you should shut up and let him buy it without hassles from you. She went with me the next day to help me pick out the bike I wanted.

When I had my stroke, he took a week's leave from school to come stay at the hospital with me, only leaving each day for an hour or so to go home, shower and change clothes.

He has never asked me for a stang, and has actually told me he didn't need a new laptop, the old one was fine. Didn't need a new motorbike, his was only 2 years old. I sold his 125cc PCX and bought a new 300cc Honda Forza for him while he was at school. He was totally surprised, but gave me a hug and said "Thank you my dad", before driving off like a proud peacock on it.

Yeah, there are tons of "horror stories" about marrying Thai women with kids, but you know what? There are some really good ones as well. I couldn't love or respect my now 32 year old Thai son any more if he were my own flesh and blood.

Touching and heart warming story. I hope you have had a healthy recovery from the stroke.

What this attached story and the opening post can remind us is that Thailand is made up of individuals.

Some nasty, some bad, some bad sometimes, some average, some good sometimes, some good and some darn fine people.

Like myself, you have probably have met some of each. Both here in Thailand and back in our birth country.

For me, the girls that are 'bad sometimes', but in a good way, are the ones I hope to meet.

[puukao]

As someone says, "if you can help just ONE life....". Well, this is the life you must help.

Change the will immediately, leave it all to the boy.

Quit buying those beers....that means less to the boy!!!!

In fact, give it all to him now and let destiny decide your fate.....

the gf should be your wife before i hit "post" ...

[NoshowJones]

Looks like you have more problems with your drinking than the G/Fs son.

[NoshowJones]

I'm more concerned after 8 years here that the OP doesn't speak any Thai.

His English is very poor, so what would his Thai be like? Going by his username, he is British.

If English is not his first language, then I apologise.

[steven100]

When I first met my Thai wife, who was 48 and looked early 30's, I had some concerns over the fact that she had a 25 year old son. I was in for a shock. One of the most polite young men you could ever want to know, CMU graduate as an Advanced Thai Language teacher, who had classes of students who totally loved him. About 2 years into our marriage we were having dinner with a few of my wife's friends who, fortunately for me, all spoke English (well, Thaiglish. lol) At one point in the dinner, one of the woman turned to Peter and asked if he ever missed his father. Peter leaned forward and placed his fore arms on the table and spoke slowly and clearly and told her, that he didn't miss his father, as he saw his father every day, then flatly told them: "Dean is my father". I admit that I had to hold back the tears.

3 years ago I asked him if I could formally adopt him. He said he would be very happy if I did that. So, off to the Amphur office go the three of us. Took maybe 20 minutes to do all the paperwork and forms. As we got up to leave, my son then asked me and my wife to wait outside. Another 15 minutes or so passes, and he finally comes outside and hands me his Thai ID. He had legally changed his last name to mine. When he was appointed to a new Gvt school in Arunothai, Chiang Dao, we went with him on his first day. Typically, all the students sit outside, the head master has his say, then introduced Peter, the new teacher. Peter told them "good morning", then said his name was Thapornchai "Peter"...short hesitation....Marsh, with a grin. That brought laughter from the students. Later the students asked him why he had a farang name. My wife translated and told me he said he had changed his name to honor the man who was his father.

When the 3 of us are together, he will remind his mother to speak English whenever possible so that I can understand what they are talking about. When I first wanted to buy a CBR 250, my wife was reluctant. In front of me, he told her, in English, that dad has given us everything. We have a life we never could have had without him. Dad only wants 2 things. A good computer and a bike. He already has the computer, so if he wants a CBR 250, you should shut up and let him buy it without hassles from you. She went with me the next day to help me pick out the bike I wanted.

When I had my stroke, he took a week's leave from school to come stay at the hospital with me, only leaving each day for an hour or so to go home, shower and change clothes.

He has never asked me for a stang, and has actually told me he didn't need a new laptop, the old one was fine. Didn't need a new motorbike, his was only 2 years old. I sold his 125cc PCX and bought a new 300cc Honda Forza for him while he was at school. He was totally surprised, but gave me a hug and said "Thank you my dad", before driving off like a proud peacock on it.

Yeah, there are tons of "horror stories" about marrying Thai women with kids, but you know what? There are some really good ones as well. I couldn't love or respect my now 32 year old Thai son any more if he were my own flesh and blood.

not sure why ..... but that kinda bought a tear to my eye . good story

[Razzler1973]

Yes, his GF brought up a very nice young man there Should let her know that too

Good stuff