Trouble in paradise: Thailand and the expatriate experience

[JLCrab]

ThaiVisa could have a slogan: No matter what it is about Thailand, read here why it should be something else.

It doesn't need to be something else and it can only ever be Thailand.

The feudalism and criminality of the corrupt can go and what will be left will be something much better for all citizens, expats and tourists.

Maybe it will go in the rinse cycle.

[Psychic]

This article seems to sum up the entire attitude towards coming here to live.

The anonymous government official seems to be promoting the idea that foreigners are welcome to come spend money but not recognize the reality of living here.

There's a retirement visa...in other words when you get old, come live in our wonderful country and spend your money.

But don't get sick.

While private insurance is available, the government won't regulate it so it is not guaranteed for life and the premiums can be arbitrarily raised.

If you want retirees here, then why not set up a government insurance plan for them?

Foreigners married to Thais, supporting families and pouring money into the economy. You're only guests in the country. Spend 30 years here and if you are unfortunate enough to have your spouse die you have absolutely no rights to stay on the land you bought together and if the 400K you both lived on is all you have for yourself then goodbye we don't want you here anymore.

I'm fortunate enough to have a wonderful Thai spouse. Her daughter is an exceptional young lady and her family are wonderful people.

I love it here and don't want to be anywhere else.

But the attitude that this article has, that I'm basically only a guest here and an unwelcome, barely tolerated guest is xenophobic and insulting.

And it is insulting not only to the foreigners but to the Thai nationals who marry them.

[hansnl]

The wife if my mate came back to Thailand to retire.

Lived in Europe for nearly 20 years.

She is shocked about all the change in Thailand, in a very negative way.

She is shocked about the way the Thai treat her, as if she is a kind of "alien".

She is shocked about the treatment of the expats and herself by the authorities.

After reading this piece of "blame the farang for all that has gone wrong in Thailand", she thinks that Thailand should blame itself.

The authorities for doing wrong and the Thai for accepting it.

[Bobotie]

This article seems to sum up the entire attitude towards coming here to live.

The anonymous government official seems to be promoting the idea that foreigners are welcome to come spend money but not recognize the reality of living here.

There's a retirement visa...in other words when you get old, come live in our wonderful country and spend your money.

But don't get sick.

While private insurance is available, the government won't regulate it so it is not guaranteed for life and the premiums can be arbitrarily raised.

If you want retirees here, then why not set up a government insurance plan for them?

Foreigners married to Thais, supporting families and pouring money into the economy. You're only guests in the country. Spend 30 years here and if you are unfortunate enough to have your spouse die you have absolutely no rights to stay on the land you bought together and if the 400K you both lived on is all you have for yourself then goodbye we don't want you here anymore.

I'm fortunate enough to have a wonderful Thai spouse. Her daughter is an exceptional young lady and her family are wonderful people.

I love it here and don't want to be anywhere else.

But the attitude that this article has, that I'm basically only a guest here and an unwelcome, barely tolerated guest is xenophobic and insulting.

And it is insulting not only to the foreigners but to the Thai nationals who marry them.

But one presumes said foreigners, being the all knowing individuals they claim to be already know the pit falls of living in Thailand but yet they do it anyway and then complain about it

A lot of people whinging on here sound like people i have been involved with hiring over the years, in the interview they are asked if they are happy with the terms and conditions of employment, say they are, take the job and the first thing they do is start whinging about the terms and conditions

[Thian]

It would be nice if Thailand had a Western neighbourhood somewhere, something like Chinatown.

They have - it's called Pattaya

What i like about Pattaya is the foreign restaurants (even Indian, Lebanese or whatever) and that they speak better english than Bangkokians.

If Bangkok had a Western neighbourhood it would also attract many Thai to learn english,hygiene/butchering/medical/safety/efficiency/high quality and so on. But since Westerners are not allowed to work here it will never happen.

The Thai like to build small villages in Western Style (like in Khao Yai area) but they can't produce the same atmosphere/quality there, no matter how hard they try.

If there was a nice Western neighbourhood (not only nightlife like in Pattaya) it would even attract many extra tourists from neighbouring Asian country's.

Not only is there not a nice western neighborhood in Thailand, neither is there a single uniformly nice neighborhood OF ANY TYPE in Thailand.

There is a nice house here and there, but nothing uniformly nice. Khao Yai probably comes closest but even it isn't very nice.

I don't agree on the houses, there are great moobaans in BKK.

And also this looks nice : https://www.google.co.th/search?q=champs+elysees+bangkok&rlz=1C1CHWL_nlTH663TH663&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9jqyM3NHLAhVCI44KHf-XBhwQ_AUIBygB&biw=1366&bih=643

But this needs a bakery/foodshop on every corner, not a group of motocy taxi's in a dirty cheap tent.

If there were wide clean pavements with shadetree's we wouldn't need motocy taxi's anyway.

Bangkok also has Western malls like "the Circle" on Ratchaprueck or "the Avenue" on Chaeng wattana but it's still no fun to shop there.

What i miss the most is nice places to hang out and relax with nice outdoor terraces and no busy traffic/noise/vendors. Khao San road has terraces but still far from relaxed.

[JAG]

The rehash of the same theme and then published here is making Thavisa tedious, is this really the best you can do, trying to pit resident expats against newbie nomads and trolls!

Yes, this is one of the most depressing threads I have read on this forum for a long time.

As some one said earlier on,some westerners here are drunks, some have unhappy marriages or their marriages have crashed and burnt, some have failed businesses;

but then you know, some people in western countries are drunks, some have unhappy marriages or their marriages have crashed and burnt, some have failed businesses.

A lot of us aren't drunks (well only sometimes ), have happy marriages and fulfilled lives.

And as for a "farang quarter", heaven forbid, imagine living surrounded by drunks, guys with unhappy marriages or those whose marriages have crashed and burnt, and who have failed businesses!

The real problem is in the title "Trouble in Paradise". It's not paradise (that comes, for those who have faith, after you die)! It's not paradise, but on balance it is an agreeable and for me entertaining place to live a lifestyle which I could not afford in the west, as long as you don't get too wound up about some of the downsides.

Edited March 21, 2016 by JAG

[trogers]

He said that many farangs expect the same cultural standards here in Thailand as they have within their home countries.

Like a properly functioning police force, fair and impartial Judiciary, and an effective democratically elected government - who aren't in their positions for the sole purpose of amassing grotesque levels of personal wealth? Yep, guilty as charged...

Why are you here? I am sure you already have the above where you come from...so go to your Nirvana...

So you believe Thais do not want the things jamesbrock mentioned?

What they want and what they do don't agree many a times.

They detest police taking bribes, but when they are caught with a traffic offence, there is no hesitation to pull out a few red notes.

[geriatrickid]

It would be nice if Thailand had a Western neighbourhood somewhere, something like Chinatown.

It does. Pattaya and Patong would be considered low end ghettos in the developed world. Chiang Mai has its concentrated zones, as does Udon town.

[malagateddy]

Thailand is a basket case, anyone who finds this place their dream destination and plan to spend the rest of their lives here needs serious help..I bitterly regret spending so much of my life here and like many I am constantly calculating my options but at my age life itself is against me.

Luckily I never burnt my bridges and all my assets are still in Europe, assets I had here I have liquidated over the past 18 months and transferred all back to Europe.

Unlike many I came here with work, I never got into the bar and prostitute scene and never married a bar girl… I am not clouded by the rose tints a great many seam to experience and totally know what this place and its people are all about; its 3^rd world and will never change

If you like it enjoy; but if you could experience what I have over almost 5 decades you would be crying in you Sigha

Hello terryp,

if you do not like it here, you could always go back to the UK, if that's where you're from,

and live in a total cesspit.

[DrTuner]

It would be nice if Thailand had a Western neighbourhood somewhere, something like Chinatown.

It does. Pattaya and Patong would be considered low end ghettos in the developed world. Chiang Mai has its concentrated zones, as does Udon town.

Low end ghettos with McVillas. Aight.

[quandow]

It's not surprising if you don't have the tenacity for the culture nuances here

Thailand on the surface is perfect for vacations

To stay Long term and with a Thai family depends very much on the person ability to adapt

I really gave that my damnedest, trying to blend in with my gf's family. I just couldn't get them to use my name, I was always "the farang."

Now I rent. Owning isn't worth the headache.

[MaeJoMTB]

A lot of people whinging on here sound like people i have been involved with hiring over the years, in the interview they are asked if they are happy with the terms and conditions of employment, say they are, take the job and the first thing they do is start whinging about the terms and conditions

It's probably better to be inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.

Edited March 21, 2016 by MaeJoMTB

[Bobotie]

It's not surprising if you don't have the tenacity for the culture nuances here

Thailand on the surface is perfect for vacations

To stay Long term and with a Thai family depends very much on the person ability to adapt

I really gave that my damnedest, trying to blend in with my gf's family. I just couldn't get them to use my name, I was always "the farang."

Now I rent. Owning isn't worth the headache.

Most dont own, their wives and GF own the property, Mr Farang velly good at giving gifts of houses and cars to thai lady..

[anto]

>>To stay Long term and with a Thai family depends very much on the person ability to adapt <<

​Exactly ,and it can take years to adopt fully .I think i have .Living frugally and i dont want to return to the harsh reality of my own Country .

[quandow]

Thailand is a basket case, anyone who finds this place their dream destination and plan to spend the rest of their lives here needs serious help..I bitterly regret spending so much of my life here and like many I am constantly calculating my options but at my age life itself is against me.

Luckily I never burnt my bridges and all my assets are still in Europe, assets I had here I have liquidated over the past 18 months and transferred all back to Europe.

Unlike many I came here with work, I never got into the bar and prostitute scene and never married a bar girl… I am not clouded by the rose tints a great many seam to experience and totally know what this place and its people are all about; its 3^rd world and will never change

If you like it enjoy; but if you could experience what I have over almost 5 decades you would be crying in you Sigha

Hello terryp,

if you do not like it here, you could always go back to the UK, if that's where you're from,

and live in a total cesspit.

Terryp, ANY country in the world is a basket case to some. I used to whinge about Thailand, then I tried Mexico. I was supposed to stay at least three months but after three WEEKS I knew it wasn't for me. Now I'm back in Thailand. I was reminded almost immediately why I left Thailand in the first place but now have a new appreciation for the place. It's warm, there are beautiful girls everywhere, the rent is VERY cheap, there are beautiful girls everywhere . . . giggity giggity.

[quandow]

It's not surprising if you don't have the tenacity for the culture nuances here

Thailand on the surface is perfect for vacations

To stay Long term and with a Thai family depends very much on the person ability to adapt

I really gave that my damnedest, trying to blend in with my gf's family. I just couldn't get them to use my name, I was always "the farang."

Now I rent. Owning isn't worth the headache.

Most dont own, their wives and GF own the property, Mr Farang velly good at giving gifts of houses and cars to thai lady..

When I said "rent," I wasn't referring to the property . . .

[anto]

It's not surprising if you don't have the tenacity for the culture nuances here

Thailand on the surface is perfect for vacations

To stay Long term and with a Thai family depends very much on the person ability to adapt

I really gave that my damnedest, trying to blend in with my gf's family. I just couldn't get them to use my name, I was always "the farang."

Now I rent. Owning isn't worth the headache.

Most dont own, their wives and GF own the property, Mr Farang velly good at giving gifts of houses and cars to thai lady..

You have got to protect yourself legally ,but more important than that is choosing your Thai partner carefully .Many good Thai ladys out there ,but hard to find in places like Pattaya ,Patpong ,Soi Cowboy ,Nana etc .

[ggt]

Trouble in paradise...What was the question here?

[Bobotie]

Trouble in paradise...What was the question here?

Or reading some of these posts...the non natives are getting restless

[nemrut]

He said that many farangs expect the same cultural standards here in Thailand as they have within their home countries.

Like a properly functioning police force, fair and impartial Judiciary, and an effective democratically elected government - who aren't in their positions for the sole purpose of amassing grotesque levels of personal wealth? Yep, guilty as charged...

Do you think you could afford to live here if Thailand had that level of infrastructure?

You do know youre in a developing country right?

[Psychic]

This article seems to sum up the entire attitude towards coming here to live.

The anonymous government official seems to be promoting the idea that foreigners are welcome to come spend money but not recognize the reality of living here.

There's a retirement visa...in other words when you get old, come live in our wonderful country and spend your money.

But don't get sick.

While private insurance is available, the government won't regulate it so it is not guaranteed for life and the premiums can be arbitrarily raised.

If you want retirees here, then why not set up a government insurance plan for them?

Foreigners married to Thais, supporting families and pouring money into the economy. You're only guests in the country. Spend 30 years here and if you are unfortunate enough to have your spouse die you have absolutely no rights to stay on the land you bought together and if the 400K you both lived on is all you have for yourself then goodbye we don't want you here anymore.

I'm fortunate enough to have a wonderful Thai spouse. Her daughter is an exceptional young lady and her family are wonderful people.

I love it here and don't want to be anywhere else.

But the attitude that this article has, that I'm basically only a guest here and an unwelcome, barely tolerated guest is xenophobic and insulting.

And it is insulting not only to the foreigners but to the Thai nationals who marry them.

But one presumes said foreigners, being the all knowing individuals they claim to be already know the pit falls of living in Thailand but yet they do it anyway and then complain about it

A lot of people whinging on here sound like people i have been involved with hiring over the years, in the interview they are asked if they are happy with the terms and conditions of employment, say they are, take the job and the first thing they do is start whinging about the terms and conditions

Yes, but a job isn't a life.

I'd happily go through an immigration process that would give me some rights to residency, health coverage etc.

Except for the lottery plus payoff for Thai citizenship that's not available.

I'm not whinging, just suggesting that some rules and regulations need to bee revisited and amended.

Unfortunately, while the kind of nonsense spouted in this article seems to represent the official mindset it isn't likely.

So, I hope, if enough decent, responsible expats continue to ask for a reexamination of official policy that change might come.

[NCFC]

I am going to open a escorted service for sex pats and tourist, I won't come cheap and I expect all my expenses paid for, but in the long run it may save them losing the lot in the future.

Anyone want to join up with me, on here we have so many wise expats I am sure we could cover the demand.

Sorry, Nev, I don't want sex with you.

[Psychic]

He said that many farangs expect the same cultural standards here in Thailand as they have within their home countries.

Like a properly functioning police force, fair and impartial Judiciary, and an effective democratically elected government - who aren't in their positions for the sole purpose of amassing grotesque levels of personal wealth? Yep, guilty as charged...

Do you think you could afford to live here if Thailand had that level of infrastructure?

You do know youre in a developing country right?

Didn't notice any reference to infrastructure there.

[Roomuck]

Thailand is a basket case, anyone who finds this place their dream destination and plan to spend the rest of their lives here needs serious help..I bitterly regret spending so much of my life here and like many I am constantly calculating my options but at my age life itself is against me.

Luckily I never burnt my bridges and all my assets are still in Europe, assets I had here I have liquidated over the past 18 months and transferred all back to Europe.

Unlike many I came here with work, I never got into the bar and prostitute scene and never married a bar girl I am not clouded by the rose tints a great many seam to experience and totally know what this place and its people are all about; its 3^rd world and will never change

If you like it enjoy; but if you could experience what I have over almost 5 decades you would be crying in you Sigha

We are not stopping you. Go on leave.

Seriously, I am sorry it didn't really work out for you and you feel as though you never fit in and are bitter.

I am very happy wearing my rose tinted contacts and my rose tinted sunglasses when I go outside into the third world.

[lkv]

I am going to open a escorted service for sex pats and tourist, I won't come cheap and I expect all my expenses paid for, but in the long run it may save them losing the lot in the future.

Anyone want to join up with me, on here we have so many wise expats I am sure we could cover the demand.

Sorry, Nev, I don't want sex with you.

You haven't even met Nev.

[lostinisaan]

I was intrigued to learn that playing music very loud is culturally acceptable in Thailand.Perhaps someone could explain that to Thais in my moobaan who are very quick to complain vociferously if neighbours' noise levels are too high.

Smith & Wesson, perhaps?

[stickylies]

I have family and a large number friends whom I'd like to be able to drive, ride or catch a bus without dying or being permanently maimed due to ineffective policing and lack of government will - is that really too much to ask?

Yep, it is too much to ask.

Basically you are asking the whole nation to change their corrupted culture overnight.

This will take 50 years starting from now only if new generations change their mentality, and they're not in a hurry.

The West is also full of corruption the difference is that here it is in your face and in the West it is carefully concealed

Some parts of the west are yes but where I come from its all by the book, trust me. And if it ain't then rest assured that it will eventually become public because everybody is watching everybody. Sick. If I go into a bar and have a beer and pay correct change and clearly say I dont need a receipt, even then they will book it fearing taxman and his Gestapo tricks. Sick.

As for Thai nationalism. That was a smart idea back in the days but nit anymore. The world is just a village now and nationalism is contraproductive. The problem is armies need nationalism in order to survive and the army around here loves its role/presence.

[NCFC]

I am going to open a escorted service for sex pats and tourist, I won't come cheap and I expect all my expenses paid for, but in the long run it may save them losing the lot in the future.

Anyone want to join up with me, on here we have so many wise expats I am sure we could cover the demand.

Sorry, Nev, I don't want sex with you.

You haven't even met Nev.

I have a feeling it won't be the Girlfriend Experience.

[stickylies]

It's not surprising if you don't have the tenacity for the culture nuances here

Thailand on the surface is perfect for vacations

To stay Long term and with a Thai family depends very much on the person ability to adapt

I really gave that my damnedest, trying to blend in with my gf's family. I just couldn't get them to use my name, I was always "the farang."

Now I rent. Owning isn't worth the headache.

Most dont own, their wives and GF own the property, Mr Farang velly good at giving gifts of houses and cars to thai lady..

You have got to protect yourself legally ,but more important than that is choosing your Thai partner carefully .Many good Thai ladys out there ,but hard to find in places like Pattaya ,Patpong ,Soi Cowboy ,Nana etc .

True. But At home also very good females who have same culture, know difference between Brussels and brazil, who have heard of Mozart or coltrane, who don't become infantile when visiting a waterfall, who suhpeak same language, who don't believe in ghosts, etc. Not bashing Thai women perse here, just pointing out the differences I could never adjust to. But then maybe I'm just too young and more demanding than mist retirees living a 2nd youth here with younger women. Maybe in 20 years I ll be able to do the same. Maybe....

[CoreanoOzzie]

It would be nice if Thailand had a Western neighbourhood somewhere, something like Chinatown.

Been to Sukhumvit/Nana? Westerners everywhere.