Why has Thai Visa become so negative?

[seajae]

I moved here because I wanted to, I actually love living here love the climate, the food, love my wife as well as what she and myself can do in our spare time(travel etc) as well as the results of my hobby, in fact I think many of the tv members are in the same boat. Most people also have opinion on things, whether it is right or wrong they are entitled to express them. Being able to see faults and talk about them openly isnt whinging although there are those that actually do whinge about everything but I just put it down to their own personalities and they would do it no matter where they lived. Unfortunately there are many things in Thailand that do lead to complaints, even the thais complain about them but as this is an english only section they are not in here doing it. When you see corruption openly practiced, people openly not following laws and blatantly ignoring them etc etc then taking about them is to be expected or do you simply ignore everything happening around you and hide from the truth. Having somewhere that we can come and discuss these things is good as is having some where we can get advice if needed or even help. Thailand has its faults and its good side, you simply have to accept that and move on, if you want to ignore the truth about what happens here that is your choice but you cant really say no one else has the right to express their opinions just because you chose not to.

[Jip99]

I moved here because I wanted to, I actually love living here love the climate, the food, love my wife as well as what she and myself can do in our spare time(travel etc) as well as the results of my hobby, in fact I think many of the tv members are in the same boat. Most people also have opinion on things, whether it is right or wrong they are entitled to express them. Being able to see faults and talk about them openly isnt whinging although there are those that actually do whinge about everything but I just put it down to their own personalities and they would do it no matter where they lived. Unfortunately there are many things in Thailand that do lead to complaints, even the thais complain about them but as this is an english only section they are not in here doing it. When you see corruption openly practiced, people openly not following laws and blatantly ignoring them etc etc then taking about them is to be expected or do you simply ignore everything happening around you and hide from the truth. Having somewhere that we can come and discuss these things is good as is having some where we can get advice if needed or even help. Thailand has its faults and its good side, you simply have to accept that and move on, if you want to ignore the truth about what happens here that is your choice but you cant really say no one else has the right to express their opinions just because you chose not to.

A very well balanced post.

I too chose Thailand (or it chose me).

It is not perfect (nowhere is) and it is less perfect the more you learn about it.

That said, it is as perfect as it needs to be for me to see out my remaining years. I am content in my own location (and my own skin) and I take the opportunity to visit other parts of South East Asia whilst I am here.

I admit to suffering daily frustration with the Thais - mainly from inabilities/lack of education with driving/planning/service etc. However, I do my best to work within those failings as I sure as heck do not wish to return to my home country where a different set of frustrations would cause me extreme issues.

I do not subscribe to 'Thai bashing' as an internet sport, any more than I do Farang bashing. There are a mix a good, bad and ugly on all side and we must all choose the company we wish to keep.

[Briggsy]

The demographic has significantly shifted.

I would wager that compared with 10 years ago, there is a far higher percentage of the following groups.

1. Non-working/Retired

2. Not mixing with educated Thais/Only points of contact are bar girl/taxi driver.

3. Over 60.

4. Unable to communicate in Thai.

5. Just about keeping one's head above water financially/hand-to-mouth/on the bones of one's arse/scrounging off mates.

Some posters may belong to all 5 groups.

Members of these groups are likely to see less of Thailand's good points and so have a narrower field of experience.

[Happy Grumpy]

What's wrong with negativity?

Is it better to hold it all in, push it down deeper, smile like a s.h.i.t-eating idiot, then suddenly snap and go Bruce Lee on someone because they flashed their headlights at you?

Sounds like a pretty retarded way to live.

Perhaps the OP would be better off learning Thai and sticking to Thai social forums that aren't generally used by non-Thais.

[SoiBiker]

Life's what you make of it. You can face the world with a smile, or let it grind you down.

Personally, I feel the former is a better option.

[JLCrab]

Au contraire, Briggsy, most the lifestyle negativity I encounter on here seems to come from the younger affluent crowd

[SoiBiker]

Au contraire, Briggsy, most the lifestyle negativity I encounter on here seems to come from the younger affluent crowd

Really? I know plenty of them, and they love it here.

[Berkshire]

Au contraire, Briggsy, most the lifestyle negativity I encounter on here seems to come from the younger affluent crowd

Absolutely not true. Did you just make that up?

[Berkshire]

What's wrong with negativity?

Is it better to hold it all in, push it down deeper, smile like a s.h.i.t-eating idiot, then suddenly snap and go Bruce Lee on someone because they flashed their headlights at you?

No, it's much better to go the heck back home.

[JLCrab]

Au contraire, Briggsy, most the lifestyle negativity I encounter on here seems to come from the younger affluent crowd

Absolutely not true. Did you just make that up?

No -- I could name names and specific postings but I don't think Forum rules would allow it. Google cache is forever.

However,

JLC: when I came here for work, I found that, to Thai women who spoke no English, I had a lot going for me.

Other poster fitting above description a few months back: (Modified) Sure -- they're more attracted to your money than to you and, if you're able to deal with that, no problem.

[Happy Grumpy]

What's wrong with negativity?

Is it better to hold it all in, push it down deeper, smile like a s.h.i.t-eating idiot, then suddenly snap and go Bruce Lee on someone because they flashed their headlights at you?

No, it's much better to go the heck back home.

Why?

If one is comfortable showing negative emotions, they might as well do it in a skewed culture that forces regression of such natural emotions, and thus has negative effects on the mental health of those unfortunate enough to have been born into it.

Educate them about such things, help their culture progress and develop.

[SoiBiker]

There's a reason to be cheerful right there - there are few things funnier than the delusional farang who think's he's going to educate the locals into his superior culture.

[thehelmsman]

I'm sure everyone from time to time posts negatively on here. What's wrong with posters sharing their views? I thought that was what this is all about. Having a rant shouldn't be looked down upon...laughed at..yes but, it shouldn't be censored or condemned. It's what makes this entertaining. It also seems poppa bear allows some to go above and beyond the "rules"

[Happy Grumpy]

They certainly need all the help they can get.

The more exposure, the better, Khun Soi.

[Berkshire]

Au contraire, Briggsy, most the lifestyle negativity I encounter on here seems to come from the younger affluent crowd

Absolutely not true. Did you just make that up?

No -- I could name names and specific postings but I don't think Forum rules would allow it. Google cache is forever.

However,

JLC: when I came here for work, I found that, to Thai women who spoke no English, I had a lot going for me.

Other poster fitting above description a few months back: (Modified) Sure -- they're more attracted to your money than to you and, if you're able to deal with that, no problem.

I'm not following you. Anyways, my experience, firstly, is that there isn't a huge number of young AND affluent folks. But I've met a few young professionals and they really don't complain about Thailand the way these other malcontents do. Now the young dudes just barely getting by who can't even figure out a legal way to stay in Thailand, yeah, there's a lot of those kinds of folks.

[Happy Grumpy]

I'm sure everyone from time to time posts negatively on here. What's wrong with posters sharing their views?

Some posters have been exposed to Thai culture too much. Anything negative, any constructive criticism, is to be abhorred.

You need to pity them, really. Being so delicate and having such issues isn't an existence you'd wish on anybody, to be perfectly honest with you.

[SoiBiker]

Pitying the happy?

Yeah. Because that makes sense.

[Berkshire]

What's wrong with negativity?

Is it better to hold it all in, push it down deeper, smile like a s.h.i.t-eating idiot, then suddenly snap and go Bruce Lee on someone because they flashed their headlights at you?

No, it's much better to go the heck back home.

Why?

If one is comfortable showing negative emotions, they might as well do it in a skewed culture that forces regression of such natural emotions, and thus has negative effects on the mental health of those unfortunate enough to have been born into it.

Educate them about such things, help their culture progress and develop.

It's one thing to complain about specific situations and daily occurrences. We all do that. It's another to have nothing but contempt for all Thais and the whole of Thailand. Of all the complaints I read about or hear, rarely do I ever see "constructive criticism." It's mostly just pure hate and racism. That's what I'm talking about.

[JLCrab]

Au contraire, Briggsy, most the lifestyle negativity I encounter on here seems to come from the younger affluent crowd

Absolutely not true. Did you just make that up?

No -- I could name names and specific postings but I don't think Forum rules would allow it. Google cache is forever.

However,

JLC: when I came here for work, I found that, to Thai women who spoke no English, I had a lot going for me.

Other poster fitting above description a few months back: (Modified) Sure -- they're more attracted to your money than to you and, if you're able to deal with that, no problem.

I'm not following you. Anyways, my experience, firstly, is that there isn't a huge number of young AND affluent folks. But I've met a few young professionals and they really don't complain about Thailand the way these other malcontents do. Now the young dudes just barely getting by who can't even figure out a legal way to stay in Thailand, yeah, there's a lot of those kinds of folks.

What's to follow? There are several younger affluent posters on here who routinely like to say that, if an older farang guy is with a younger Thai girl, she is either ugly or only in it for the money. The above was an actual post a few months back. You said I made it up.

[Happy Grumpy]

Absolutely not true. Did you just make that up?

No -- I could name names and specific postings but I don't think Forum rules would allow it. Google cache is forever.

However,

JLC: when I came here for work, I found that, to Thai women who spoke no English, I had a lot going for me.

Other poster fitting above description a few months back: (Modified) Sure -- they're more attracted to your money than to you and, if you're able to deal with that, no problem.

I'm not following you. Anyways, my experience, firstly, is that there isn't a huge number of young AND affluent folks. But I've met a few young professionals and they really don't complain about Thailand the way these other malcontents do. Now the young dudes just barely getting by who can't even figure out a legal way to stay in Thailand, yeah, there's a lot of those kinds of folks.

What's to follow? There are several youngster affluent posters on here who routinely like to say that if an older farang guy is with a younger Thai girl, she is either ugly or only in it for the money. The above was an actual post a few months back. You said I made it up.

Really?

There was a thread not long ago about how local councils often refuse to repair the public road leading to a farang's residence, unless they pay for it.

There were a number of posters on the first page (4 or 5, iirc) that all had the same experience.

One of those was a Global Moderator who said it happened to him only 2 weeks before.

Berkshire came on and declared the whole lot as made up BS.

Either completely delusional, or 100% troll.

You do meet and come across some oddballs in Thailand.

[Jip99]

There's a reason to be cheerful right there - there are few things funnier than the delusional farang who think's he's going to educate the locals into his superior culture.

Or the Farang who thinks he is learning from Thai 'culture'.

[Happy Grumpy]

there are few things funnier than the delusional farang who think's he's going to educate the locals into his superior culture.

Or the Farang who thinks he is learning from Thai 'culture'.

I love to see that.

Funnier than any comedy skit ever performed.

[HooHaa]

removed

So in your opinion, people should not express their opinions?

According to latest survey most do not even live in Thailand yet somehow seem to know all about Thailand.

In my opinion, when i do not like reading something , i stop, i certainly do not open YET another thread with the same rubbish but a different tone.

And considering its 3am in the morning in Thailand, i pretty much rest my case, oh before you make another observation, i am at work IN THAILAND, whats your and OP's excuse?

oh so your speculations about him being an addict were merely an opinion? i wanst aware of that.

in fact, in thailand such accusations are considered defamation but a long time resident like yourself would know that.

As for you case i wasnt aware you had made one other than the fact you work in thailand - aren't you special. some of us live here full time without that indignity.

[slipperylobster]

Too many good members have died

Why don't the bad one's ever die...?

[SoiBiker]

I'm not following you. Anyways, my experience, firstly, is that there isn't a huge number of young AND affluent folks. But I've met a few young professionals and they really don't complain about Thailand the way these other malcontents do. Now the young dudes just barely getting by who can't even figure out a legal way to stay in Thailand, yeah, there's a lot of those kinds of folks.

What's to follow? There are several younger affluent posters on here who routinely like to say that, if an older farang guy is with a younger Thai girl, she is either ugly or only in it for the money. The above was an actual post a few months back. You said I made it up.

Odd definition of 'negativity'.

[HooHaa]

The demographic has significantly shifted.

I would wager that compared with 10 years ago, there is a far higher percentage of the following groups.

1. Non-working/Retired

2. Not mixing with educated Thais/Only points of contact are bar girl/taxi driver.

3. Over 60.

4. Unable to communicate in Thai.

5. Just about keeping one's head above water financially/hand-to-mouth/on the bones of one's arse/scrounging off mates.

Some posters may belong to all 5 groups.

Members of these groups are likely to see less of Thailand's good points and so have a narrower field of experience.

completely agree.

the last 3 or so years especially.

there has also been a conspicuous culling of personalities as thaivisa becomes more of an enterprise than a community.

[JLCrab]

I'm not following you. Anyways, my experience, firstly, is that there isn't a huge number of young AND affluent folks. But I've met a few young professionals and they really don't complain about Thailand the way these other malcontents do. Now the young dudes just barely getting by who can't even figure out a legal way to stay in Thailand, yeah, there's a lot of those kinds of folks.

What's to follow? There are several younger affluent posters on here who routinely like to say that, if an older farang guy is with a younger Thai girl, she is either ugly or only in it for the money. The above was an actual post a few months back. You said I made it up.

Odd definition of 'negativity'.

One definition of 'negativity' might be when you are trying too make someone feel bad whether you feel you are justified or not. And that has been the modus operandi of many posters over the 11 years I have been aware of this website.

[konying]

removed

So in your opinion, people should not express their opinions?

According to latest survey most do not even live in Thailand yet somehow seem to know all about Thailand.

In my opinion, when i do not like reading something , i stop, i certainly do not open YET another thread with the same rubbish but a different tone.

And considering its 3am in the morning in Thailand, i pretty much rest my case, oh before you make another observation, i am at work IN THAILAND, whats your and OP's excuse?

oh so your speculations about him being an addict were merely an opinion? i wanst aware of that.

in fact, in thailand such accusations are considered defamation but a long time resident like yourself would know that.

As for you case i wasnt aware you had made one other than the fact you work in thailand - aren't you special. some of us live here full time without that indignity.

Put in your reading glasses. Addicts is a forum . Good to see your full of knowledge.

Yes you live here full time and do very little to encounter even less.

The special ones like myself get to see and experience little more than a trip to a local bar or a market

[SoiBiker]

I'm not following you. Anyways, my experience, firstly, is that there isn't a huge number of young AND affluent folks. But I've met a few young professionals and they really don't complain about Thailand the way these other malcontents do. Now the young dudes just barely getting by who can't even figure out a legal way to stay in Thailand, yeah, there's a lot of those kinds of folks.

What's to follow? There are several younger affluent posters on here who routinely like to say that, if an older farang guy is with a younger Thai girl, she is either ugly or only in it for the money. The above was an actual post a few months back. You said I made it up.

Odd definition of 'negativity'.

One definition of 'negativity' might be when you are trying too make someone feel bad whether you feel you are justified or not. And that has been the modus operandi of many posters over the 11 years I have been aware of this website.

And you genuinely believe that mostly comes from the younger posters?

[JLCrab]

I never said that it comes mostly from younger posters -- I said that the persons whom I encounter and who have replied to me directly with such sentiments over the years have mostly, if not exclusively, been younger affluent posters.