vagabond48 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 After living almost 9 years in Chiang Mai, we decided with mixed feelings to return to the US. I wanted to take the opportunity to thank many of the TV members, who, through the years, brought laughter, entertainment and provided great advice. Perhaps, I will return to Chiang Mai every so often to see the natural beauty and enjoy the wonderful culture I have grown fond of. So, I leave you with this song from the Sound of Music, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Good luck to you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven100 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 ok bye ... don't forget to write !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar2 Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Can i come, safe journey. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circusman Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Odd you never mention why the move. Adios Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooked Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Actually I for one would be interested in your experiences of reverse culture shock, keep us up to date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyecatcher Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Hey Vagabond If I ever said anything to offend you, it was purely intentional. Good luck in your new venture; but going the other way??????? Sorry but if I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong Safe travels bud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo the Face Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Feel sad for you. I know what I would feel like if I was to find it necessary to return...... But don't be down about it as far as the forum goes....... I hear that they now have internet in the US and with all the political correctness going on, you can still post from there and feel that you are still here.... Where to, back in the states ???? Have a safe journey and let us hear from you. Gonzo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 For many retirees such as myself, without a wife and young family, the idea of having to return to life in the USA as an old person is pretty dismal. However, I can see how expats who have families here in Thailand face really hard choices when they consider their children's future. Unless hey have the considerable resources it takes to pay the huge tuitions of the few truly competent International Schools, they must accept the reality that their kids will suffer lifelong consequences from the totally inadequate educational opportunities available here. I don't just mean "the three R's". The entire passive, Confucian system inculcated here, of accepting what you are told without challenge, to never question authority and to pay undue respect to tradition stifles dynamic and original thinking. Ambition is viewed as a negative trait as is individuality. Kids reared in the educational system here face the real risk of being trapped here, despite having Western passports simply because they will lack the personal skills; not to mention linguistic skills it takes to forge any kind of successful career in the competitive Western environment. For many parents, the only means to decent education for their kids is to return to their home countries. I can understand it being a wrenching decision, especially if one parent is Thai. It is probably very difficult for the kids as well who have to make huge adjustments to life in countries that may be openly hostile to anybody viewed as an immigrant. Tough, tough choices I feel lucky not to have to face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Dave in many cases it's the Thai Wife's bloody feckless Kids that makes many of us ask Why stay here. I sent hers to bording school, but they still get on my nerves 20 years late.No Work Ethic pisses me off bigtime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetlejuice Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 That`s one less in the queue at Immigration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Dave in many cases it's the Thai Wife's bloody feckless Kids that makes many of us ask Why stay here. I sent hers to bording school, but they still get on my nerves 20 years late.No Work Ethic pisses me off bigtime Yup; that too. No wife, no live-in girl friend, occasional guests when I so desire= contentment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
napoleon3 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Bye bye and good luck to you all. Very nice song ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthai Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 (edited) Why TV members ask questions. He said his goodbyes. VERY SMART MAN, because for the past 5-10 years this country has gone to ........ <it will be deleted> Edited June 29, 2015 by ronthai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkup Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Good luck, I'd like to hear about any withdrawals after 12 months being back home. Normally after 1 week being at home I'm over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallGuyJohninBKK Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Bon Voyage, Vagabond!!! Every part of life is a new adventure, and it's good to shake things up now and again for a fresh and different perspective -- just like some of us did when we made the original decision to move from the U.S. to Thailand. After living here for a lot of years, I'd imagine moving back would certainly take some getting used to. I mentioned this anecdote before here... But last Christmas, I went back to visit with my remaining family, and rented a car upon arrival. The rental car guy handed me a key fob with the buttons for locking and unlocking the doors, but no ignition key. So I was fumbling around for a bit, thinking maybe he'd left the ignition key in the car separately, or under the visor, or something like that... And after rooting around, couldn't find anything. So a bit sheepishly, I called the rental guy back over and said, "Hey, where's the ignition key?" And his answer was, "It doesn't need a key. You just get in and turn the starter, and that's all!" Wow... I felt pretty embarrassed. That's what happens when you have forsaken driving pretty much and only been taking BTS, MRT and taxis for the past XX years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just1Voice Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Just 'cause you're "going home" doesn't mean you can't still be a part of TVF. They have this wonderful invention called "the internet", which I hear is also available in the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godden Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Good luck buddy and don't forget the 8 yr over stay fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
does Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Why do you think Thailand has gone to <...> in the past 5 -10 years. Just curious. It seems to me it's in the eyes of the beholder. As for your tag line - some people think Pattaya is Paradise in Hell. Outside of BK it must have the largest numbers of expats in Thailand. Why TV members ask questions. He said his goodbyes. VERY SMART MAN, because for the past 5-10 years this country has gone to ........ <it will be deleted> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingstonkid Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Best of luck. At l;east you are going back when it is almost warm LOL Please do not be a stranger let us know how you are doing BEST OF LUCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradenroger Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Thanks for writing. All the very best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winstonc Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 me and mrs winston c are also leaving in july to live in ireland...it is she who has had enough of thailand ..happy days and lots of the black liquid ...so 2 less at immigration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quandow Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 I'm headed for Mexico in a few months. They tell me the internet works over there, too, and I can still have shouting matches pleasant conversations with TV members. Travel safely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernphil Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 2 days ago a very good friend of a lot of ferlung up here in the far north went back to Melbourne Aus. He had all the good reasons for going back so if you read this Clayton you are missed already. He was looking forward to going back too. If I had to go back to England I think suicide would be a better option. I love it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gandalf12 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Are we all invited to your going away party? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weegee Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Have a safe trip home....and thanks for your input on here from time to time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Having just come back I found quality there is cheaper than here. I just love USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotpoom Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Safe journey and may you and all the family have a happy and prosperous new life.....God Bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MESmith Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Safe journey and may you and all the family have a happy and prosperous new life.....God Bless. Who's god? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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