Living in Thailand [Archive] - Page 6

Bumholes1

04-25-07, 05:09

PT

Permanent resident, i.e. holder of Thai ID card, gets loan for condo, but cannot own land/house under his/her name. Also no visa applies, but work permit is required (if work).

JB

I obtained permanent residence 15 years ago. It cost me 25000bt then. Don't however have a Thai ID card. Like most PR holders I have an Alien registration Book (bigger than a passport) which has my photo which has to be changed every 5 years. I show this when visiting national parks and other places with dual pricing, with a 90% success rate of gaining entry at Thai prices. Bangkok Pattaya Hospital however would still charge me farang prices if I still went there!

Not sure that any farang other than one who has become a citizen can get a loan from a Thai bank. Some overseas banks will however lend money for condo purchase. But as you say cannot own land, although I believe any non tourist farang is able to own a house - but it entails a lengthy argument with the amphur boys!

Apart from not having to renew a visa annually, I don't think there is any real benefit in having PR, unless of course annual visa fees rise astronomically in future years.

Jungle Bluebird

04-25-07, 07:16

Interesting. Now the permanent residency application is THB 190,000. Difference other then less visa headaches is indeed the right to get a loan for condos from Thai Banks. This was possible until recently on a work permit alone. Given that sufficient income was evident. Banks now draw the line at the Permanent resident status.

But like many things in Thailand, not the same law applies for all. Good bank connections certainly help.

Just curious. Why you never applied for a Thai passport?

JB

I obtained permanent residence 15 years ago. It cost me 25000bt then. Don't however have a Thai ID card. Like most PR holders I have an Alien registration Book (bigger than a passport) which has my photo which has to be changed every 5 years. I show this when visiting national parks and other places with dual pricing, with a 90% success rate of gaining entry at Thai prices. Bangkok Pattaya Hospital however would still charge me farang prices if I still went there!

Not sure that any farang other than one who has become a citizen can get a loan from a Thai bank. Some overseas banks will however lend money for condo purchase. But as you say cannot own land, although I believe any non tourist farang is able to own a house - but it entails a lengthy argument with the amphur boys!

Apart from not having to renew a visa annually, I don't think there is any real benefit in having PR, unless of course annual visa fees rise astronomically in future years.

Mc Gee

04-25-07, 07:25

Living in Phuket for the past seven Years the Police becomes obscurer with every day.

We live in a Soi sideways from Soi Saiyuan in Nai Harn, in which nearly every House has been broken in the past, Included mine. Procedure was that a Look at the Place has been taken, Fingerprints collected and Form was filled out and that was all Action been taken.

But it seems that those kinds of Crimes running out of Hand and so common that even those basic Procedures are not performed anymore.

Yesterday evening my Neighbor came home, opened his House and found some of his valuables ready for takeaway and the Thief still hiding in one Bedroom.

Sometime after calling the Chalong Police a single Policeman arrived at the Scene, had a quick look in the Bedroom and asked for what he has been called.

His comments where: Nothing is stolen, nobody hurt or murdered, for what did you call us?

He wends on his Bike and drives of, leaving the Culprit in my Neighbors Bedroom.
So there was nothing left for my frightened Neighbor to open Doors and let this Guy disappear.

If it not the Police, whom should we call?

Mc Gee

04-25-07, 07:26

Bumholes1

04-25-07, 09:24

Just curious. Why you never applied for a Thai passport?

JB

I belive one has to have had PR for 10 years before being elegible for citizenship.

Not seeing much benefit from having PR except for not having the annual visa hassle, there would seem to be no real additional benefit from being a Thai citizen. I could of course vote in an election, being able to put my "X" against the name of a corrupt politician in exchange for the 500bt handed out to every villager, but I am not as hard up as all that. Unfortunately, I would not be eligible to stand personally for election, even if having the educational qualiifications, so, sadly Thailand will never benefit from having one of its best Prime Ministers ever!

Retired Army

04-25-07, 18:50

Jungle Bluebird

04-26-07, 03:51

Gunter

You mis-read the police in Thailand. It is not as in Europe where tax payers feed the police apparatus. In Thailand the Police is truly entrepreneurial. Low salaries only allow for limited public service.

Look closely at the police. No standard guns (self bought), various types of motorbikes etc.. Every police station is a franchise and financially pretty much independent.

For example police officers must bid to be placed in financially rewarding stations. Then they start with the dirty work, money collection etc.. If smart and scrupulous they will make their way up. Mostly wife’s broker the deals.

Once you understand the system it truly provides an advantage to those who can pay up. You may ask for a motorbike escort to the airport, body guards or paybacks.

My suggestion though. Best stay away from them.

Living in Phuket for the past seven Years the Police becomes obscurer with every day.

We live in a Soi sideways from Soi Saiyuan in Nai Harn, in which nearly every House has been broken in the past, Included mine. Procedure was that a Look at the Place has been taken, Fingerprints collected and Form was filled out and that was all Action been taken.

But it seems that those kinds of Crimes running out of Hand and so common that even those basic Procedures are not performed anymore.

Yesterday evening my Neighbor came home, opened his House and found some of his valuables ready for takeaway and the Thief still hiding in one Bedroom.

Sometime after calling the Chalong Police a single Policeman arrived at the Scene, had a quick look in the Bedroom and asked for what he has been called.

His comments where: Nothing is stolen, nobody hurt or murdered, for what did you call us?

He wends on his Bike and drives of, leaving the Culprit in my Neighbors Bedroom.
So there was nothing left for my frightened Neighbor to open Doors and let this Guy disappear.

If it not the Police, whom should we call?

Phantomtiger2

04-26-07, 23:29

My suggestion though. Best stay away from them.

In general that's true,

Too bad Not many places have the Thai Tourist Police (mainly in BKK) as I never had an problems with them and they were always more than helpful whether I needed them or not.
The regular police is a mixed lot--some may help and others are worthless( until money is offered of course).

PT

Bumholes1

04-27-07, 00:34

20 years ago, when I first settled in Thailand I built a house in Jomtien - jut 200 metres from the sea. At that tiome Jomtien was completely undveloped, and my house was about the only one in the area.

Within 6 months we suffered a burglary. Only a VCD player was taken. It was on Loy Kratong night. My alarm went off, and although there was nobody nearby to hear it, clearly it frightened off the burglar(s) The Police were called around 1am when I returned home. A total of 13 Police Officers turned up, took photographs, reports etc, and required my immediate presence at the Police station which I declined due to my innebbriated state.

The crux of the issue was that they would easily track down the burglar, but to enable them to do so, they would require a cash injection of 5000bt. Not only was the VCD broken, but only cost 4000bt when new. I wasn't going to pay, either more than the value of the property stolen (which was insured), or for the corrupt police to do what is in effect their job. I realise that Police do not earn a particularly large salary, but like every other employee worldwide, they are not forced to accept the job. They apply and accept voluntarily. If it's not to their liking they can [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) off!

LittleBigMan

04-28-07, 13:24

Gentleman,

LBM, is not very computer oriented just starting to look into a laptop. My computer in the U.S. is getting old and would like to get it replaced in the next few months. My basic needs are that I would like to take my laptop back and forth and my main purpose is just to surf the web, email, and watch some DVD'S on the airplane. I have been checking into the Sprint, Verison, and Cingular broadband service but they all tell me that there isn't a satitlite in Thailand for their service.

Is there such a service in Thailand where you can just insert a broadband into your laptop and be able to surf the web? Should I purchase a laptop in Thailand instead of the U.S.?

Need some helpful hints!
Thanks

Duniawala

04-28-07, 16:35

Traveler1234

04-28-07, 17:52

Dinghy

04-28-07, 18:24

Check the specials at OUTPOST.COM - avoid "great quality GQ " though, because it ISN'T "great" in the least. (my problems have been with the screen)

This week it's a COMPAQ for $650 or so - 512mb, DVD, vista and whatever they load as standard supply software. There are also some good units on e-bay - but that's a rat race there with scams etc

Try PRICEWATCH.COM as well - but usually nothing "special". Great though if you are looking for something specific - they organize by category - IF they only didn't allow "bad category" posting

you can buy broadband (or what thai call broadband, anyway - DSL) or go hook up at some cafes. Since I remember you mentioned Pattaya - try the small cafe just beyond Soi Buakhao on Soi Diana Inn. it's on the left, 25m from the intersection going away from buakhao. 800B for 14 hours of connect. (your own DSL would be cheaper if you can get it - supposedly it isn't easily available except in the "major" house areas and it's about 1000B/month. i think you would still need to buy your own DSL modem, though)

Animby

04-28-07, 19:40

Should I purchase a laptop in Thailand instead of the U.S.?Very unlikely you will find a brand name laptop for less money in Thailand than in the US. And if you do, you may find part or all of it to be counterfeit. And just because the box has a holographic seal on it, don't mean it's authentic. *****s and pharmaceuticals are much more costly in the US. Electronics and gasoline are cheap.

As for telephonic braodband, I'll have to let someone else help you there but I never had any problem finding a free WiFi connection in BKK.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you want to use Vista. If you do, and there doesn't appear to be any major reason not to, you may want to wait three or four months until the first service pack is released. That's basically good advice on ANY Microsoft product.

If you do buy overseas, make sure you buy from a reputable dealer and only buy a major namebrand. And then get on the web and make sure the model you are buying is sold in the US. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a system that cannot be repaired in the US.

I'd buy at home.

Crypton

04-29-07, 00:23

Get a MacBook, the lowest price version (doesn't have super drive, i.e. DVD burner), upgrade to at least 1 GB ram and you've got pretty much all you need. Best place is on-line in states, shipping usually free, no sales tax.

http://store.apple.com - for model, price reference, etc. but buy at smalldog.com, maczone.com, even amazon.com.

PM if you need more help.

I couldn't agree more. Macs are so amazingly stable and refined. I just laugh when I see that hardly anyone is upgrading to Vista either because of security issues or their existing computers cannot handle it. The organization I work far in fact prohibits anyone from buying a Vista-based machine. Microsoft is so pathetic.

Retired Army

04-29-07, 05:42

Gentleman,

My basic needs are that I would like to take my laptop back and forth and my main purpose is just to surf the web, email, and watch some DVD'S on the airplane. I have been checking into the Sprint, Verison, and Cingular broadband service but they all tell me that there isn't a satitlite in Thailand for their service.

Is there such a service in Thailand where you can just insert a broadband into your laptop and be able to surf the web? Should I purchase a laptop in Thailand instead of the U.S.?

Laptops are laptops and one bought in the U.S. is the same as one bought in Thailand with a few exceptions. The one bought in Thailand is going to have a Thai keyboard and all the documentation and operating manuals may be in Thai. Prices of laptops in Thailand are about the same as the U.S. plus 10%. Thailand has a Value Added Tax on imports.

Given your requirements you want the smallest, lightest laptop available. Something like the smallest Sony Viao and an extra capacity battery. Unless you fly business, economy doesn't have power ports and battery time is hugely over rated and diminishes quickly the more times the battery is recharged to where it is next to nothing after about a year.

As for broadband access it's pretty universal in BKK.

Timber Tree

04-29-07, 12:22

I couldn't agree more. Macs are so amazingly stable and refined. I just laugh when I see that hardly anyone is upgrading to Vista either because of security issues or their existing computers cannot handle it. The organization I work far in fact prohibits anyone from buying a Vista-based machine. Microsoft is so pathetic.

I just really can't help it when MAC says they are so superior with PC. MACs are built more for multimedia and home. If they so great why don't they make a tool that a programmer can use that will easily integrate with all systems. The reason MAC has very little issues is there is very few companies has an ALL MAC infrastructure. And looks who talking about Vista, Apple has MAC OS 10, I think it's up to 11 with Tiger.

Animby

04-29-07, 12:48

I just really can't help it when MAC says they are so superior with PC. MACs are great. I love 'em. But I work in the international field and it's not always easy to get a MAC repaired OR to find software you need. And there's the issue of proprietary (ie Expensive) peripherals. The OS question? The Apple OSes are almost always a delight ot use, unlike new releases from MS. On the other hand, Apple doesn't have to support the thousands of legacy devices MS does. And that's the real strength of the PC - you can use anybody's gear on it.

And, yes, the computer is likely to be close to the same in Thailand as it is in the US - they're all built in the same Asian factories. Mine has Arabic characters as well as English since I bought it in Egypt. No problem.

Read recently the place to get a bargain is in Beijing at the computer malls there. There's a big computer mall in BKK (I can't remember the name) but I saw a lot of counterfeit gear there.

Ah, computers. My SECOND favorite mongering.

I still maintain, buy closer to home. You'll appreciate the better access to support and probably save money in the US!

Traveler1234

04-29-07, 13:04

I just really can't help it when MAC says they are so superior with PC. MACs are built more for multimedia and home. If they so great why don't they make a tool that a programmer can use that will easily integrate with all systems. The reason MAC has very little issues is there is very few companies has an ALL MAC infrastructure. And looks who talking about Vista, Apple has MAC OS 10, I think it's up to 11 with Tiger.

FYI, we call them Macs, not MAC. Original OP wanted a simple cost efficient laptop and I made a simple suggestion.

Let's just stop here And no one is starting a war btwn Mac vs. PC. :)

LittleBigMan

05-01-07, 11:13

Thanks, fellas

My head is going to exploded! I will have to take the great suggestions and take my time to do more research which I have! One thing I decided to purchase the computer when I return home in late June.

Not sure if I got this answer. I live outside of Pattaya towards the Siam Country club. I use only my cell phone and have no land line connection to my house. Is there a broadband insert like Sprint etc.. into the computer offered in the Pattaya area?

Thanks, LBM

Ibeme

05-01-07, 18:49

Giotto

05-02-07, 02:48

Now I get an email asking me to help her out. She says her daughter (which I never even knew she had) is 3yrs old and living with her parents in her hometown and now all of a sudden she HAS to come up with 7000 baht for school. Is this even a reasonable request?...Ibeme,

3 yrs. old, school, upcountry - no.

pre-school, Kindergarten, in Bangkok - yes, can easily be more than that.

Giotto

Jungle Bluebird

05-02-07, 07:26

i got so the wrong job :-)

full article at http://www.nationmultimedia.com/auto/

the f1 connection

a senior drug-squad officer loves his two ferraris for the racing-car technology on which they're based

a senior drug-squad officer loves his two ferraris for the racing-car technology on which they're based

there are many reasons that supercar collectors love their vehicles. for some it is because of the powerful engines, while for others it is the use of the same technology as racing cars.

a super car is a sports car, typically an exotic or rare one, whose performance is highly superior to that of its contemporaries.

police lt-colonel chattham promnog of the narcotics suppression bureau is one among many hard-core fans of supercars, and his preference for cars with engineering technology inspired by racing cars is one reason behind his passion.

chattham recalled how he started driving supercars when he was studying for a master's degree in the united states.

"i love driving cars that have the same technology as racing cars. for example, ferrari's technology has been developed from formula one racing cars," he said.

"it is my personal love, because i feel that driving cars that won many world championships makes me feel that i am part of formula one. the lamborghini is as difficult to drive as its logo - a bull - would be," he said.

driving new-model ferraris is easier and women can also drive them like regular road cars, he added.

chattham now regularly drives a ferrari 512 tr and he has just bought an f430, with a six-speed manual gearbox and a 4.3-litre v8 engine that gives 490 horsepower.

with its unique, sleek aerodynamic design, the ferrari f430's firm grip during high-speed driving has been improved. it is equipped with 19-inch mag wheels, while its front and rear brake calipers are six- and two-pots, respectively.

it is necessary for ferrari owners to drive their cars at least once a week because their fuel-injection system needs regular use.

"without regular use, the fuel-injection system might break down. if the engine doesn't start after you try it five or six times, it is highly likely that you're in trouble. parking is another important aspect of maintenance - keeping the car in an air-conditioned room can prolong the life of rubber and some mechanical parts.

"if we keep the car in a normal parking lot, the hot weather in our country can destroy rubber parts. good maintenance helps get a better resale price," he said.

"used supercars should be bought from owners who have paid attention to good maintenance because it can save future repair bills."

thanadol rila

the nation

Happy Bigamist

05-02-07, 07:55

I'm afraid my "good thing" is turning sour. BG I met on holiday last month has sent me the dreaded email asking for money. We had a great time and she never asked for anything "extra" during our time together. Of course I paid for everything, but it was very much a GFE. I am planning to go back in 3 months (which she knows about).

Now I get an email asking me to help her out. She says her daughter (which I never even knew she had) is 3yrs old and living with her parents in her hometown and now all of a sudden she HAS to come up with 7000 baht for school. Is this even a reasonable request? Sounds like a lot of money for a small Thai school. I'd like to help her out, but this just seems like a scam. She even emailed her banking info to wire the money which by the way HAS to be there by May 5th.

It looks obvious to me, but I respest your guys' wisdom and experience. Let me know. Is it possible to not send her the money and still have fun in 3 months or is this the deal-breaker?Pretend you did not get the email and don't contact her until after May 5, which is a weekend Saturday and hardly a legitimate deadline. Wait for about a week then tell her you were out of town on business or fishing. If she did not reply, say you are glad you got the money. If she did reply again, fend her off. Say there is no Western Union near you, or you will try next week to find one on the way back from viisting your dying mother in jail. (in for killing your father, don't want to talk about it).

Promise her the earth, moon sun and stars in 3 months' time. Make as many excuses as you like. But send her nothing. Also, you wanted a non baby lady, not sticky seconds. As she did not meet consumer's demands, stamp her as reject. You deserve better.

LittleBigMan

05-02-07, 08:22

Ibeme,

Please take the time to reference back to some of the old writing particular in the Thai women opinion thread. Your question is a common one! Regarding to your experience GFE, and too little time has gone by to trust her with such a request so my opinion is that her request to you is being made to several other individuals. For example if she makes 10 request for 7,000 each and 50% respond with the money that is 35,000 baht for a few minutes of email! not a bad days work.

Move on pretty more fishes in the sea! LBM

JackTheLad2

05-02-07, 11:11

I'm afraid my "good thing" is turning sour. BG I met on holiday last month has sent me the dreaded email asking for money. We had a great time and she never asked for anything "extra" during our time together. Of course I paid for everything, but it was very much a GFE. I am planning to go back in 3 months (which she knows about).

Now I get an email asking me to help her out. She says her daughter (which I never even knew she had) is 3yrs old and living with her parents in her hometown and now all of a sudden she HAS to come up with 7000 baht for school. Is this even a reasonable request? Sounds like a lot of money for a small Thai school. I'd like to help her out, but this just seems like a scam. She even emailed her banking info to wire the money which by the way HAS to be there by May 5th.

It looks obvious to me, but I respest your guys' wisdom and experience. Let me know. Is it possible to not send her the money and still have fun in 3 months or is this the deal-breaker?Don't even think of sending money - it is a scam that is worked daily. Previous advice was sound - string her along. There is no way she will not see you in 3 months time - you gave her a good time and it cost her nothing. She will bve looking forward to a re-run, believe me. I have seen exactly the same scenario over and over - they must all go to the same school on how to extract cash from willing participants.

Daddy07

05-02-07, 14:53

Is it possible to not send her the money and still have fun in 3 months or is this the deal-breaker?

Yes, of course it is possible, and, IMHO probable. Why not just tell her the truth that you are not going to send her any money, but will compensate her well for her time and GFE when you see her again in 3 months. These girls respect guys who have the balls to say "no." If she gives you the brush off then you will know for sure that it was a scam and be happy that you didn't fall for it. If she is still happy to see you again when you go, you will know you have a good girl who likes you for more than just the prospect of your money. Either way you have nothing to lose. If you give in to this demand, you can rest assured that there will be more.

Regards,
Daddy

1Ball

05-02-07, 16:33

Ibeme,

All posters below make a good point.

School fees for a 3 year old? I don’t think so.

Before I traveled with my laptop, I used to use the internet cafes. Nearly every time I was in there, there would be at least one or two TG sitting at their screen, composing emails to Tom, Dick, and Harry. It is all a game of copy / paste. Just change the name, and these girls can fire off a couple of dozen emails in an hour. If the TG stays with a punter for several days, and the punter really likes her, they will exchange emails, and there you have it. Another guy to add to the list. So if she hooks up with 4 or 5 long timers each month, that means she has a replenishing supply of guys to whom she can tell her sob story. That is 60 men per year, from whom she can ask money. The ones she hasn’t seen in a while will eventually fall off, only to be replaced by the new ones.

I don’t think 50% of the guys will send money, but if only 10% do, that is 6 guys who send 4000 Bt for example, let’s say 4 times a year. That comes to 96,000 Bt. Sounds too high? Ok, cut it in half. Still excellent money, and she can now “cherry pick” her customers, as she now only needs a few good ones to make up the rest of her monthly financial needs

I am certain there are many BGs who are now EX BGs, who now, instead of prowling the bars and discos, now spend a couple of hours a day online, working sitting up, instead of on their back. They sit online, chatting to these guys, and watch them jerk off on cam, while typing, "mmmmmhh, Tee rak, i miss your big banana", all the time giggling with their friend sitting next to them.

IMO, you are being taken, no flame intended, and if you give in this once, a star will be put against your name, so she can turn on the tears, and special needs again in a couple of months. And if this is the “deal breaker”, as you put it, then may I suggest you be the one to break it, not her. Have some hand.

Let her go, there are thousands more out there.

Good luck.

LittleBigMan

05-03-07, 07:58

True story!

Each person has to make their own decision. When the little head does the thinking it usually says to the friends that are giving the advice " she is different "

I have a friend that came to LOS, and met this girl in a bar. She told him that she had just broken up with her husband and just came to Pattaya to work and support her 7 year old son. Well she hit jackpot because my friend is a good guy, too guy for his own self sometimes. Now after several trips to Thailand he barely see her! She always has an excuse why she can't meet him in Pattaya. Wedding to attend, got sick, got real sick and had to go to hospital. So sick she could call to have him send money to pay for the hospital bill! While you are sending me money for the hospital how about some school money for my son. He is going to go to summer school! The excuses go on and go and he defends her so much it is hard to sit and listen but I do because he has been told and as a friend after a while all you can do is listen. Those of you that have been in LOS for a while have heard and seen it all before. Just another love sick puppie on her list of puppies that got a great bbbj and now the little head is making all the decision. Get out now before you regret it!!!

Retired Army

05-03-07, 15:54

Now I get an email asking me to help her out. She says her daughter (which I never even knew she had) is 3yrs old and living with her parents in her hometown and now all of a sudden she HAS to come up with 7000 baht for school. Is this even a reasonable request? Sounds like a lot of money for a small Thai school. I'd like to help her out, but this just seems like a scam. She even emailed her banking info to wire the money which by the way HAS to be there by May 5th.

It looks obvious to me, but I respest your guys' wisdom and experience. Let me know. Is it possible to not send her the money and still have fun in 3 months or is this the deal-breaker?

This is the oldest scam in the book. Once she plays you for a sucker it will never cease. Next it will be a sick relative, then the water buffalo.

Cut her lose and don't respond. You can always get a replacement during your next visit.

Jungle Bluebird

05-04-07, 09:26

Ibeme, your mail is kind of sweet, and rather innocent. Also don't take my response as an attempt to ridicule your post, but really...

All humans, well except if ur name is mother theresa or ghandi, are opportunistic. Not sure why you feel the need to support the locals, but damn, don't get taken for a sucker.

Monies from overseas, transfer fees paid, tax free. Not bad..not bad! She probably has already 3 guys wiring funds. She is harvesting now, planting seeds in the Thailand high tourist season. Many of these mails are not even written by the girls. They got form mails in internet cafes.

Some of the girls have quite a dbase and mail out CC (some even figured out how to use mailing programs). Best of all, some hustling Thai boy then gets your money. So he can buy a fancy motorbike, only to cheat on her like crazy.

Oh well, sorry don't want to be to hard. Who knows, I may be wrong and it is true love.

JB

I'm afraid my "good thing" is turning sour. BG I met on holiday last month has sent me the dreaded email asking for money. We had a great time and she never asked for anything "extra" during our time together. Of course I paid for everything, but it was very much a GFE. I am planning to go back in 3 months (which she knows about).

Now I get an email asking me to help her out. She says her daughter (which I never even knew she had) is 3yrs old and living with her parents in her hometown and now all of a sudden she HAS to come up with 7000 baht for school. Is this even a reasonable request? Sounds like a lot of money for a small Thai school. I'd like to help her out, but this just seems like a scam. She even emailed her banking info to wire the money which by the way HAS to be there by May 5th.

It looks obvious to me, but I respest your guys' wisdom and experience. Let me know. Is it possible to not send her the money and still have fun in 3 months or is this the deal-breaker?

Retired Army

05-04-07, 12:55

Many of these mails are not even written by the girls. They got form mails in internet cafes.

Some of the girls have quite a dbase and mail out CC (some even figured out how to use mailing programs).

JB

JB is correct. Unfortunately my TGF had an internet shop before she met me and a good part of her income was writing letters for these girls. She basically had a form that she changed the guy's name, girl's name and the reason for needing money. Sick mother on one, sick baby on the other and water buffalo on the third depending which had the most sucker appeal.

Oh, the I'm pregnant and we were together on such and such a date was a winner. Send 40,000 baht so I can get an abortion, etc, etc, etc...

Don't be a sucker!

Dinghy

05-06-07, 07:52

RA is right - I was sititng in a Pattaya Inet cafe listeneing to 2 BGs chat talk to at least 6 different guys with the same story with only a few words different. Last trip I also was listening to one do a navy officer and then another guy about 10 mins apart "Love you, miss you... can you send me some money ...only you..." blah blah blah...

IF yu didn't ride in on the TURNIP TRUCK use your HEAD (THE BIG ONE) It's a scam - and you are the scammee 3F is the only way (might do a repeat day or 2 though)

NicFrenchy

05-09-07, 05:04

NicFrenchy

Thai guys are very sweet with girls. I watch these guys in my office. Very smooth, unlike most of felong guys I know.

For example watch the stunners these guys pull out of the Emporium at shift closure. You can see them driving off on the back on motorcycles.
Where felongs have to pay top coin to get laid, Thai guys are compensate by just being nice. Case in point, many sex workers do support their Thai boyfriends. They may tell you that Thai guys are lousy, yet truth is that your money flows in their pocket.I am not impressed by this at all... they speak the language so it is easy to pull women... especially when they are from the same culture.
any Farang could do that in his own country.

Higher up in society Thai girls do really stick with Thai guys. No chance for Felongs, and if only for short period of times. Again Thai's win as they are simply sweeter with the girls. Of course cultural parallels and language certainly are the main reason for same race marriages.I fully agree with you here

Trust me, I think Thai guys are all lazy and spoiled. I rather hire Thai women anytime. But I do give credit to their technique when it comes to chatting up girls.They are just immature kids. I will never hire or have a Thai man in my team at work. It creates some tensions with my human ressources department because they see it as discrimination.... fuck that. I have deadlines and Targets I have to meet, how can I manage it if half my team does not show up for work because they are too hanguver from the last night of drinking?

Besides, Thai men will tell you "yes yes" to everything even if they did not understand what you asked... they just want you out of their face.

Thai Girls are far more reliable and responsible, they have a stronger character than men and are much better workers.

Any man can be a "Paak Waan" (sweet mouth), Thai or Farang. I think the difference is not that the Thais are better at it, it's that the Farangs, when in Thailand are too lazy to invest time & effort in dating and courting when they can fuck almost any girl they want for a few bucks ;)

NF

Opebo

05-09-07, 09:34

Regarding the previous post:

It is certainly true that some Thai men are good with women, and many of them even live off their women. These are pimps (they exist at home as well, though they're a little less pervasive). We are johns, gentlemen. We pay them to do that nasty work. Just think we get the same service they get for merely paying money, while retaining our dignity. They're involved, the poor bastards.

Never envy the poor pimp, gentlemen. It is like envying the farmer as you eat a good meal in a restaurant.

Jungle Bluebird

05-10-07, 03:39

NF

Seems you had a bad day with the HR department :-) I must have hired severeal hundred employees over the last few years. Much negative is said about Thai HR. It's a tricky subject and requires tip toeing all the time. Mind you, it sharpens your people skills :-)

But how about making passes at female employees? Anyone....comments?

JB

I am not impressed by this at all... they speak the language so it is easy to pull women... especially when they are from the same culture.
any Farang could do that in his own country.

I fully agree with you here

They are just immature kids. I will never hire or have a Thai man in my team at work. It creates some tensions with my human ressources department because they see it as discrimination.... fuck that. I have deadlines and Targets I have to meet, how can I manage it if half my team does not show up for work because they are too hanguver from the last night of drinking?

Besides, Thai men will tell you "yes yes" to everything even if they did not understand what you asked... they just want you out of their face.

Thai Girls are far more reliable and responsible, they have a stronger character than men and are much better workers.

Any man can be a "Paak Waan" (sweet mouth), Thai or Farang. I think the difference is not that the Thais are better at it, it's that the Farangs, when in Thailand are too lazy to invest time & effort in dating and courting when they can fuck almost any girl they want for a few bucks ;)

NF

NicFrenchy

05-10-07, 05:11

Ha!

I'm always nice and sweet with my employees, take them to lunch, go bowling (team building) but I am demanding as well. They seem to appreciate this, I ask them to work hard and they get rewarded if they do.

One rule of mine though: NEVER show any interest or date any of my employees. There is too much at stake. You'd lose the respect and impartiality in your decision making process... also, the trust with others will be gone.

Plenty of girls in Bangkok for me to have if I want, but I prefer the Hassle free life of P4P. Thai girls (or girls in general) are too much of a headache for me at the moment. ;)

Jungle Bluebird

05-10-07, 11:56

Ah, now I understand your sudden comittment to this webboard. Of girls aren't we? I hope the shopping assistant has nothing to do with it :-)

Back to work. Yes, the rule is not to make passes. But a hard rule to maintain. Very sweet some of the staff. On the other hand I've been told that Thai bosses do take ample advantage. But then again, Thai companies...

I've have a feeling that a number of the female staff are not into affairs, but rather looking for b/f, husband. The boss is certainly a valid target, I suppose.

JB

Ha! I'm always nice and sweet with my employees, take them to lunch, go bowling (team building) but I am demanding as well. They seem to appreciate this, I ask them to work hard and they get rewarded if they do.

One rule of mine though: NEVER show any interest or date any of my employees. There is too much at stake. You'd lose the respect and impartiality in your decision making process... also, the trust with others will be gone.

Plenty of girls in Bangkok for me to have if I want, but I prefer the Hassle free life of P4P. Thai girls (or girls in general) are too much of a headache for me at the moment. ;)

Zarnon

06-15-07, 14:34

Hey Gents!

I'm new to the board but not new to T'land. I used to go by Dr. K on TSM way back in the day (also Casper on FLB).

I've been to Thailand many times over a 15 year period and speak Thai. I have had a chance to volunteer over there and see 'another side' of life. Also having a few GTG helped.

While some may decry the 'sell all and get out' I think it's very laudable if you do it with the right planning. People retire all the time overseas who aren't semi- or committed mongers, why not we?

I'm at the point where I can feel it. The plans I made 7 years ago when I finished school are coming around. I have about 4-5 years to go where I can realistically retire with a good nestegg. I'll be 50 then, great health, never married, no kids. Although I really enjoy life here I think I'll like it a lot better over there.

Re: Business. Would I start a small start-up in Thailand? Hell yes! People bemoan the corruption, difference in culture, et al, but after owning my own business in the States, I'm looking forward to some open corruption. At least I know which pocket my money's going into! LOL

My ex Thai/Chinese girlfriend and I have remained friends over the years. She runs the marketing dept for a Thai computer company and I write software. Her dad owns a large tile company and has a fair number of connections. No, I would not own a beer bar, but if the deal was right I'the be very happy to live in BKK running a biz.

I'the also be happy not to and use my time to take classes (like Thai writing, cooking, etc) I've always wanted to but never had the time.

Anyways, I can't wait to start 'chart nah' (next life).

Zarnon

06-15-07, 14:57

Higher up in society Thai girls do really stick with Thai guys. No chance for Felongs, and if only for short period of times. Again Thai's win as they are simply sweeter with the girls. Of course cultural parallels and language certainly are the main reason for same race marriages.Lightening does strike. I was North (Chiang Mai) and at the end of my three months there was asked out by this stunning admin secretary. Her mother was a newscaster and her father was in the Govt.

We had a lunch (non chaperoned, which was a suprise) and then a dinner.

She drove a better car than I did in the US and picked me up at the Porn Ping.

I knew I would never be going out with her again. She had a LOT of rules, which over time translates into a royal pain in the ass (I thought I was pretty polite, but I heard 'Mai supaap, ka! ' too many times that night).

Although she was a GTG on the surface, she mentioned she was going to Ko Samui for vacation and asked if I would be going there anytime soon.

But for the most part, you're correct. There's a lot of room to pick up the non-pro cuties of low to middle class esp if you're introduced from another Thai gal. There's a lot of curiosity when you 'stand out', esp if you have a job there. One of my buddies worked for the Dept of Defense, spoke fluent Thai and had no trouble scoring women of many different stripes.

As far as Thai laziness. I'the probably hire Thai women over men and keep it in my pants. I know my experience is limited but I've seen some hardworking women and slacker guys at all strata of society.

Lazy Lover

06-19-07, 19:27

Anyone have any experience with TEFL schools in Thailand, specifically Chang Mai? I am looking into taking a 4 week course with Text-And-Talk Academy / http://www.teflteachthai.com which has a 25% off special right now and is in an area of Thailand i really want to visit.

Are TEFL courses overseas as good for getting a job somewhere as the courses in the States? T&Talk acad. promises a job, says there is a teacher shortage in Thailand right now. My long term goal is to float around the world teaching English for some years or until i find a good paying job in aplace i love.

Sansai

06-20-07, 10:42

moutain peep.

as a chaingmai semi resident, i would caution about getting too excited re: english-language teaching jobs in the chaingmai area.

yes, there are certainly jobs available, but unless you can speak reasonable thai and are familiar with thai culture and customs, then securing a decent paying job is very difficult.

i do know europeans that teach in university that earn good salaries, but they are fluent in thai and can also read/write a little.

i know of others that accepted teaching jobs in government schools for salaries of around b 12,000 per month ( ie. local level ) . as a falang you cannot live a reasonable life on that level of income, let alone have money available to explore the local area.

The Traveler

06-20-07, 12:56

The plans I made 7 years ago when I finished school are coming around. I have about 4-5 years to go where I can realistically retire with a good nestegg. I'll be 50 then, great health, never married, no kids

Zarnon,

you quit school at the age of 38 ? :(

The Traveler

06-20-07, 12:57

mountain peep,

search the forum (search --> advanced search at the top of this page)
old thai hand posted a lot about teaching in los, tefls and so on.

Drblue

06-21-07, 03:25

By 30,000 TBH monthly, what kind of apartment can I rent in the center of BKK?

Member #2041

06-21-07, 08:15

By 30,000 TBH monthly, what kind of apartment can I rent in the center of BKK?

That rate will get you a REALLY nice 1 BR (in a complex with a pool, gym, and 24 hr security) or a pretty decent 2 BR in the heart of Sukhumvit.

My Thai GF was paying 30K/month for a really nice 1 BR in a high rise on Soi 4 right next to the Dynasty Grande, with a nice pool and gym, 24 hour security, and concierge service on a month to month basis. If she had committed to a 1 yr. lease, she could have had the same place for 25K/mo. The apartment was around 70 square meters, with kitchenette full bath, and a nice view from the 12th floor.

Old Thai Hand

06-24-07, 03:48

mountain peep

i just came across your post about teaching english in cm. while i don't doubt that sansai has a friend making 12,000.month, his friend is obviously an unqualified loser to be making so little. his comments re: having to speak thai etc. are completely wrong.

the standard salary for teaching esl is 30-35,000/month at government schools. you need a ba and a tefl.
if you want to teach university, you can get by with a ba and a tefl, depending on the university. but, will generally make only a little more than 35,000 with those qualifications. an ma will get you more.

chiang mai has an aua branch that would likely pay you 300/hour weekdays and 500/hour on weekends. if you worked a full load with them, you would likely make 35-40,000/month.

there are 3 universities in chiang mai. chiang mai u., payap u. and maejo u. i suspect the salaries would be comparable - again - 30-40,000/mo. range, but with less of a workload probably than at a language school or a government high school.

Jungle Bluebird

06-24-07, 09:49

sorry, not related to the post. just a note to say good to see you back oth. the thailand thread is not the same without out.

jb

mountain peep

i just came across your post about teaching english in cm. while i don't doubt that sansai has a friend making 12,000.month, his friend is obviously an unqualified loser to be making so little. his comments re: having to speak thai etc. are completely wrong.

the standard salary for teaching esl is 30-35,000/month at government schools. you need a ba and a tefl.
if you want to teach university, you can get by with a ba and a tefl, depending on the university. but, will generally make only a little more than 35,000 with those qualifications. an ma will get you more.

chiang mai has an aua branch that would likely pay you 300/hour weekdays and 500/hour on weekends. if you worked a full load with them, you would likely make 35-40,000/month.

there are 3 universities in chiang mai. chiang mai u., payap u. and maejo u. i suspect the salaries would be comparable - again - 30-40,000/mo. range, but with less of a workload probably than at a language school or a government high school.

Chairman59

06-24-07, 18:22

Catmonger

06-24-07, 19:22

anyone have any experience with tefl schools in thailand, specifically chang mai? i am looking into taking a 4 week course with text-and-talk academy / http://www.teflteachthai.com which has a 25% off special right now and is in an area of thailand i really want to visit.

are tefl courses overseas as good for getting a job somewhere as the courses in the states? t&talk acad. promises a job, says there is a teacher shortage in thailand right now. my long term goal is to float around the world teaching english for some years or until i find a good paying job in aplace i love.
from your link:
"ours is the only tefl certificate accepted for a teacher's license and work permit by the thai ministry of education, bangkok."

is that claim fact? i wonder...

Zarnon

06-26-07, 02:33

Zarnon,

You quit school at the age of 38 ? Woe to be overeducated. Without getting into detail, I've finished 3 degrees and 4 years of post-graduate training. I had a few years after my master's I worked so it wasn't all study.

I'm already enrolled to go back part-time this fall while I run my business. I study languages in my car. I don't think I'll ever quit LOL.

I've just bought my ticket for Thailand, coming in August 25 or so. I'm getting some dental work done and meeting my ex-gf to talk about business (I met her in the US, her father is Chinese-thai and owns a large tile company), but I'll def be hanging around BKK. I'the love to meet up w/ someone that can speak Thai too.

Zarnon

06-26-07, 02:40

That rate will get you a REALLY nice 1 BR (in a complex with a pool, gym, and 24 hr security) or a pretty decent 2 BR in the heart of Sukhumvit. I'm pretty sure that's all he's got. At that rate he'll be begging for leftover Somtam. LOL.

Old Thai Hand

06-26-07, 13:40

I wonder about the penetration of the usage of the English language in Thailand and especially in resorts such as Phuket with a large amount of foreign tourists.

Is English taught as a second language in schools in Thailand and what is the English literacy rate among Thai nationals? My friend argues that those WL that speaks English learn English from their customers and not from their school education. Since English is universally spoken throughout the world, is it a fair comment that if a WL in Phuket speaks English, then she is a seasoned hooker?

English is the official second language of Thailand and is taught in school from an early age. Too much emphasis on grammar with virtually no speaking in class combined with the overall abysmal state of the Thai education system, with it's heavy reliance on rote learning means that after years of learning English, most Thais still can't speak it (although many can write it well enough). In fact, most Thai teachers who teach English in Thai schools can't even speak it properly.
Therefore, if a TG speaks English well, it means that either she studied at an International School or in an English program in a top Thai school (out of reach for the majority of TGs, especially girls from Isaan), or more likely learned from foreigners in other ways (i.e. - working in bars in tourist areas).

Member #3173

06-26-07, 14:17

I find the standard of English in Thailand terrible.Im my experience, the best ones are the so called skanks at Beach Road in Pattaya where I went for the first time 2 weeks ago.In Jomtien they can speak Russian too...ha ha

Chairman59

06-26-07, 17:26

English is the official second language of Thailand and is taught in school from an early age. Too much emphasis on grammar with virtually no speaking in class combined with the overall abysmal state of the Thai education system, with it's heavy reliance on rote learning means that after years of learning English, most Thais still can't speak it (although many can write it well enough). In fact, most Thai teachers who teach English in Thai schools can't even speak it properly.
Therefore, if a TG speaks English well, it means that either she studied at an International School or in an English program in a top Thai school (out of reach for the majority of TGs, especially girls from Isaan), or more likely learned from foreigners in other ways (i.e. - working in bars in tourist areas).Old Thai Hand,

Thank you for your informed comment, I shall show your reply to my friend.

I have another query relating to TG and their usage of computers. To what extent is the rate of computer literacy among TG and their use to correspond and email with their customers? What is the percentage of ownership of computers among TG working in Phuket?

I ask this as this same friend says that TG are too poor to own computers and use cybercafes to email their customers. Since computers are so cheap nowadays, I believe that many TG own their own computers and have an internet connection in their homes. How correct is this assumption?

Opebo

06-26-07, 18:51

Therefore, if a TG speaks English well, it means that either she studied at an International School or in an English program in a top Thai school (out of reach for the majority of TGs, especially girls from Isaan), or more likely learned from foreigners in other ways (i.e. - working in bars in tourist areas).

I know lots of university educated girls from Isaan, OTH. Also it is my understanding that Thai universities - even Thammasat and the other one - are something like a few hundred baht per credit hour.

What do you think of 'Mahidon' (Mahidol?)?

I find the standard of English in Thailand terrible.Im my experience, the best ones are the so called skanks at Beach Road in Pattaya where I went for the first time 2 weeks ago.In Jomtien they can speak Russian too...ha ha

Absolutely correct, Member #3173. The beach road girls in general were some of the most intelligent, interesting girls I've ever met, and they certainly spoke English well. I'm partial to society's outcasts.

Old Thai Hand

06-27-07, 01:08

I know lots of university educated girls from Isaan, OTH. Also it is my understanding that Thai universities - even Thammasat and the other one - are something like a few hundred baht per credit hour.

What do you think of 'Mahidon' (Mahidol?)?

Of course there are university educated girls from Isaan. Khon Khaen University is considered one of the best in the country. But, that doesn't mean that they can speak English. There are students in the Thai program at Chulalongkorn who can't string two words together and that's the best uni in the country.

Cost depends on the program. Generally in most Thai programs it is around 800 baht/credit hour. But, in an international program, like those in which I teach it's at least triple that. I can confidently say that there are few if any Isaan girls studying in International programs at Thai universities; certainly not at any of the top schools. I also doubt that there are any at international elementary or high schools.

Mahidol is one of the first-tier unis, especially known for medicine and pharmacy among other things.

Jungle Bluebird

06-27-07, 11:49

Opebo. Please define ..'The beach road girls in general were some of the most intelligent, interesting girls I've ever met,..'. Are you referring to P4P girls? :-)

The beach road girls in general were some of the most intelligent, interesting girls I've ever met, and they certainly spoke English well. I'm partial to society's outcasts.

Khun Larry

06-28-07, 16:43

The beach road girls in general were some of the most intelligent, interesting girls I've ever met, and they certainly spoke English well. I'm partial to society's outcasts.

What? How can that be? Beach road Pattaya, yes?

Well the girls are interesting for sure, as are you!

Thailand has some interesting folk.

Stannyboy

06-28-07, 20:38

Tiger 888

06-29-07, 07:57

What? How can that be? Beach road Pattaya, yes?

Well the girls are interesting for sure, as are you!

Thailand has some interesting folk.
Come on guys, just take a look from whom this statement comes. No further comments.

Jungle Bluebird

06-29-07, 12:12

Hi there

Sathorn Road is pretty much all business. It is also one of the most congested areas, traffic wise. With that comes even more pollution and noise.

Best areas to stay are Thonglor, Soi Langsuan or Sukhumvit east of Asoke. If you can, look for close proximity to the BTS. Will save you loads of traveling time and stress. Bangkok is always hot and dirty, so walking distance to the BTS helps loads.

Have a look at a decent BTS map and plan from there.

JB

Hi there,

I am a new traveler coming to Bangkok. I've found an apartment ready in Sathorn Road. Before I check in, do you think Sathorn Road would be a good place to stay for the average traveler? As in is it near the happening areas, pick up places, etc. Or is it a boring place?

Thank you

Khun Larry

06-29-07, 15:45

Come on guys, just take a look from whom this statement comes. No further comments.

Wisdom, finally

Escort Fan

08-19-07, 06:00

Retired Army

08-19-07, 08:01

Retired Army

08-19-07, 08:07

Hi there,

I am a new traveler coming to Bangkok. I've found an apartment ready in Sathorn Road. Before I check in, do you think Sathorn Road would be a good place to stay for the average traveler? As in is it near the happening areas, pick up places, etc. Or is it a boring place?

Thank you

Depends where on Sathorn Road you are located. BTS may not be conveniently located and there probably won't be any of the kind of entertainment you are looking for within quick walking distance.. However, a few blocks over is Silom Road with Patpong. With taxis as cheap as they are in BKK, it really doesn't matter that much. I personally think you would be more satisfied with an apartment closer to Sukhumvit.

2Cool

08-19-07, 18:45

English is the official second language of Thailand and is taught in school from an early age. Too much emphasis on grammar with virtually no speaking in class combined with the overall abysmal state of the Thai education system, with it's heavy reliance on rote learning means that after years of learning English, most Thais still can't speak it (although many can write it well enough). In fact, most Thai teachers who teach English in Thai schools can't even speak it properly.

Therefore, if a TG speaks English well, it means that either she studied at an International School or in an English program in a top Thai school (out of reach for the majority of TGs, especially girls from Isaan), or more likely learned from foreigners in other ways (i.e. - working in bars in tourist areas).English is the official second language of Thailand?

LOL, I certainly couldn't tell. I have lived in Thailand for the past two years and my experience has been that most Thai's do not speak english and do not want make any effort at all to learn english. Jeeesus Christ

PinkPearl

08-19-07, 21:24

Hello,

I read on various weather sites that the rains in september are terrible! it's like the worst month of the year by far!

I want to know if it's really an issue on a daily basis, or it's just some very heavy rain but during a brief period or during night, so that you can do regular activities during the day like sun bathing or swimming :)"Rainy season (May until November)

The rainy season is characterised by frequent torrential downpours. In Bangkok this can mean the flooding of many streets and areas close to the river. If your visit coincides with the rains being at their heaviest in Bangkok , do not be surprised if you find yourself imitating the locals by doffing your footwear and hiking up your pant legs in order to cross a flooded area. Despite the frequency of the rains they tend not to last for a long time and have a welcome cooling off effect on the weather in Bangkok . The rainy season still produces plenty of hot sunny days where the temperature is often well over 30C/85F and made worse by 90 per cent humidity or more but there are also long overcast periods. Showers can occur at any time of the day but usually arrive in the late afternoon as convection builds up. Typically they are over within half an hour but rainfall can be heavy. The wettest months are usually July and September and it’s not uncommon for showers to carry on for hours."

http://www.1stopbangkok.com/about_bkk/seasons/

Biz99

08-20-07, 15:35

Hi there

Sathorn Road is pretty much all business. It is also one of the most congested areas, traffic wise. With that comes even more pollution and noise.

Best areas to stay are Thonglor, Soi Langsuan or Sukhumvit east of Asoke. If you can, look for close proximity to the BTS. Will save you loads of traveling time and stress. Bangkok is always hot and dirty, so walking distance to the BTS helps loads.

Have a look at a decent BTS map and plan from there.

JB

Agreed that those are good locations, but also worth looking at the stops on the BTS when the line turns north from Siam. The Asia hotel at the Ratchethewi station (among others) and also one stop further at Paya Thai. Easy cab back home late if the skytrain has stopped and good access to the massage places on Petchaburi. Some late night action around the Siam hotel on Petchaburi as well.

The Subway line up through Ratchada has some options as well and a quick run to Sukhummvit on the subway.

PinkPearl

08-25-07, 19:27

The law is that, if you are resident here for more than 6 months, you are required to pay taxes, regardless of whether you are retired and living on a pension or running some kind of business either here or offshore.I wonder if that would exempt such persons from paying taxes in the country where their income is coming from, such as in the case of a US pension, or investments through a UK bank, or a business in another Asian country.

If not then they would be paying taxes twice in two separate countries and retirement in Thailand would look much less attractive. Since that would mean paying tax on the same income twice.

A way to get around this, obviously, would be to spend 6 months less a day in LOS. Then if one wanted to stay in the SE Asia area for business &/or women, and/or retirement, it should be easy to spend the rest of the year in other countries.

PinkPearl

08-25-07, 21:46

My GF, and I'm sure Retired Army's wife are anything but golddiggers. You make assumptions about them, which are just wrong and plain insulting. Your brain is so screwed up by paying for it all the time, that you've forgotten that some women actually stay with men for reasons other than money.No doubt some women do stay with men for reasons other than money. The problem is it is impossible to know who they are, assuming no one can read her mind or know if she is not just an oscar calibre actress, unless she never asks for or takes any of your money. To say otherwise, one is just fooling themselves like an ostrich burying its head.

Finrod

08-26-07, 02:38

I wonder if that would exempt such persons from paying taxes in the country where their income is coming from, such as in the case of a US pension, or investments through a UK bank, or a business in another Asian country.

If not then they would be paying taxes twice in two separate countries and retirement in Thailand would look much less attractive. Since that would mean paying tax on the same income twice.

A way to get around this, obviously, would be to spend 6 months less a day in LOS. Then if one wanted to stay in the SE Asia area for business &/or women, and/or retirement, it should be easy to spend the rest of the year in other countries.
The US has income tax treaties with a number of other countries that control how taxes are paid to the US and to the treaty partner. The main goal is to avoid double taxation situations and the publications describing these treaties are up front about that.

The Philippines and Thailand are included in the list of countries with which the US has reciprocal tax treaties. If you enter "income tax treaties" in Google, then click on the first IRS link that comes up, you will see this list of countries and you can click on the one you're in to see the provisions for your situation. The treaties and their technical explanations are a bit dense and there's a lot of detail so chances are good your situation is covered.

For you Brits, I worked in the UK for awhile so I know that the UK also has tax treaties with many other countries besides the US. You can find them through Google UK.

Old Thai Hand

08-26-07, 03:40

No doubt some women do stay with men for reasons other than money. The problem is it is impossible to know who they are, assuming no one can read her mind or know if she is not just an oscar calibre actress, unless she never asks for or takes any of your money. To say otherwise, one is just fooling themselves like an ostrich burying its head.

You're responding to a relatively old post.

But, in any event, if you've been here for any appreciable amount of time and mix with a wide assortment of Thai women, who are outside P4P and who have had a decent upbringing, you get to know the intracacies of how real Thai women think, pretty well. It is extremely easy to spot fakes and golddiggers, in pretty short order. P4P is dead easy. So, I reiterate that in my case, my GF is with me for very legitimate reasons, having little to do with money, not least because she comes from a good family and therefore doesn't really need my money. As well, given the number of women that I know and circles in which I move, she knows that she could easily be replaced.

It is true that they are large numbers of Thai women looking to part Farang from their money and many of them are quite adept at doing so. But, they tend to be of the type that most mongers on here are used to encountering (i.e. P4P) and they tend to prey on newbies and the ill-informed, not veterans who can suss them out from the get-go. For example, on the very rare occasion that I am ever in a bar, the minute a BG finds out that I can speak Thai, work here and have been here a long time, she will make her excuses and move on knowing full-well that I am a very unlikely score because I know the game and have heard it all a thousand times before.

PinkPearl

08-26-07, 18:13

What I try to come to terms with is WHY living in Thailand, or Bangkok for that matter? I lost my fascination for palm trees and beaches years ago. Girls, oh well, had loads but I surely can get as easily laid in Europe. Living properly here with all foreign amenities is at least as costly as Europe. So what is the attraction of living in the LOS?For me it is, in theory, mainly to do with the cost of pooning which, for the same quality, is at least 3 times more expensive in Canada. And arguably 5-10 times as costly. Since women are by far my most major expense and interest, living in Thailand seems like a great deal. Rent and other costs are comparably low in either nation for my needs, which do not include a vehicle, alcohol, or fancy restaurants. When I am alone in either cuntry I spend my time with the newspaper, TV, PC, radio, & walking. Life is good.

PinkPearl

08-26-07, 22:15

Escape? Most likely it will end up in tears.

As mentioned before, the idea to sell all and to move to Thailand, is rather naive I think. OTH works here. This means his mind is occupied, and he is in a position where he needs to give intellectually. This keeps him sharp (or so I would hope).

To think one can come over here and be forever happy without work is just crazy. For a western mind there is hardly anything to feed on. Once the blue sky, palm trees, big teeth smiles have worn off, life quality is well below western standards.

That bring us to the issue or work. You won't find anything as an employee (not in your age, sorry:-). OTH is again lucky. Or you open up shop. Forget that too, as the very thing you love about this country, being just sooo sabai, works now against you.

Will your 25 year old sweet heart keep you happy. Possible, yes. But tough. You will not be able to reminisce about the good old days as she most likely has no comprehension socially, politically and or cannot relate to any cultural fodder you have been brought up with. Well unless you like Britney Spears.

And last, this heat. After years in this country my idea of a comfortable place is inside, air-conditioned, or better even my car as I can bring down the temp. down to 18 degrees celsius.

But hey, each his own. My advise: yes retirement here is great! Big house, servants, great views mountains or beach, with a second home in Europe.

If the money is not there. Stay where you are and come over here 2x a year and enjoy.

JBPersonally I don't find my mind being occupied a problem in LOS, as mentioned in my previous post. One does not need to be working to do that, just a PC or TV. Add DVD player, radio, newspaper, and there is material for lifetimes of mental sexercise. Others have mentioned classes. Learning the language, Thai cooking, etc. It is endless.

What do you mean by "life quality is well below western standards"? In 2 months there I found the Thai people, in particular the P4P ladies, to be a lot of fun. I already have reservations for another 6 months of bliss. Sure, life in Canada is good, but in Thailand it is even better. I wish I had cum there years ago.

Will my 25 y. O. Sweetheart keep me happy? For me that would be sweet- hearts {plural}. True, she may not make a good sound board for reliving the past, but conversation is not the point of my interactions with women, anyway. I prefer them to use their mouth for other purposes, and I find it a big plus that I cannot understand their language when they are yacking on the cell phone, cussing me out, or have Thai music on. Then I can fill my brain with what I want it occupied with, such as through the aforementioned vehicles. Those who need a farang to chat with about ancient history might try the bars. I do this in my own head while listening to foreign songs.

The heat is only a problem when outside of air-conditioned places. My habit was to be in AC hotel, internet cafes, taxis, restuarants, malls 22-24 hours a day. At night it was cooler for walks to shop for eye candy & clothes, but if one wanted to avoid the heat for exercising then an AC gym would work. Canada is hot now & with fans but no AC I am missing my hotel in LOS. Then there is the Canuck winter which I will take a complete pass on, unless you like constant rain or snow.

Old Thai Hand

08-27-07, 01:14

Personally I don't find my mind being occupied a problem in LOS, as mentioned in my previous post. One does not need to be working to do that, just a PC or TV. Add DVD player, radio, newspaper, and there is material for lifetimes of mental sexercise. Others have mentioned classes. Learning the language, Thai cooking, etc. It is endless.

What do you mean by "life quality is well below western standards"? In 2 months there I found the Thai people, in particular the P4P ladies, to be a lot of fun. I already have reservations for another 6 months of bliss. Sure, life in Canada is good, but in Thailand it is even better. I wish I had cum there years ago.

Will my 25 y. O. Sweetheart keep me happy? For me that would be sweet- hearts {plural}. True, she may not make a good sound board for reliving the past, but conversation is not the point of my interactions with women, anyway. I prefer them to use their mouth for other purposes, and I find it a big plus that I cannot understand their language when they are yacking on the cell phone, cussing me out, or have Thai music on. Then I can fill my brain with what I want it occupied with, such as through the aforementioned vehicles. Those who need a farang to chat with about ancient history might try the bars. I do this in my own head while listening to foreign songs.

The heat is only a problem when outside of air-conditioned places. My habit was to be in AC hotel, internet cafes, taxis, restuarants, malls 22-24 hours a day. At night it was cooler for walks to shop for eye candy & clothes, but if one wanted to avoid the heat for exercising then an AC gym would work. Canada is hot now & with fans but no AC I am missing my hotel in LOS. Then there is the Canuck winter which I will take a complete pass on, unless you like constant rain or snow.

Sorry PinkPearl

But JB has got it right. With a mere 2 months under your belt as a visitor, you haven't got a clue about the reality of life in LOS for a Farang. If I think about my first two months here, way back when, I find it laughable what I thought about the place then compared to now. My opinion now is different than what it was even two years ago, when I still kind of liked the place.

While there are a few Farang who have been living upcountry or in that shit-hole Pattaya with their little brown hos for upteen years and have managed to dumb themselves down into thinking that this is bliss, most Farang here with any brain cells eventually "hit the wall" overwhelmed, or at the very least just fed-up with the rotting environment, the lack of quality services, the lack of anything resembling real culture, the xenophobic, racist anti-Farang sentiment and the sheer ignorance and mind-numbing stupidity of the people with their cloyingly fake smiles.

Now, it's only my friends, my GF (on occasion) and most importantly my job, that keep me here, as I earn more real income here than I would back in Canada because of the taxes and cost of living in the "Great White North". Also, I have been here so long that I'm not sure that I could survive in Canada anymore, as I don't like it there very much, either. I and several friends, who feel the same way have dubbed this condition "Statelessness" because we don't like it here, anymore, but can't fathom returning home, either.

I am casting my eye around looking for another locale to live for a few years. But, I wonder more and more whether I could actually take coming back here to retire. The attraction of endless poon ( and I get some pretty high-quality poon) wears thin very quickly after awhile, when there is little else of value in the place.

Member #3200

08-27-07, 04:52

I Always Find Oth Very Informative How It Really Is Over There In The Los
But As A Younger Canadian(39) Who Is Sick & Tired Of The Shallow Bs From North Americanized Women Here-i Love Thailand & Take It 4 What It Is-a Trip Away From Reality

Next Trip In January Will Be My 3rd Trip In 15 Months,this Trip Will Be 4 Weeks In Durations Because I Dont Want 2 Deal With The Dead Of Winter In Toronto
2 Retire There Might Be A Dream 4 Me,but From A Few Of The Senior Members Here I Have Great Regard 4,this Might Not B A Great Ideal Retirement Destination
I Do Hope 2 See A Few Of You During My 4 Weeks In Bkk & Pattaya(yes-the Shithole)

======================================

Hi Member #3200,

I sincerely appreciate your reports, but...

Would you please refrain from capitalizing the first letter of EVERY word in your reports!

It's difficult to read, it's time consuming to fix, and it takes you more work to write like that.

On behalf of myself and your fellow Forum Members: Thank You!

Jackson

Opebo

08-27-07, 05:28

Retired Army

08-27-07, 07:58

...most Farang here with any brain cells eventually "hit the wall" overwhelmed, or at the very least just fed-up with the rotting environment, the lack of quality services, the lack of anything resembling real culture, the xenophobic, racist anti-Farang sentiment and the sheer ignorance and mind-numbing stupidity of the people with their cloyingly fake smiles.

... I have been here so long that I'm not sure that I could survive in Canada anymore, as I don't like it there very much, either. I and several friends, who feel the same way have dubbed this condition "Statelessness" because we don't like it here, anymore, but can't fathom returning home, either.

I am casting my eye around looking for another locale to live for a few years. But, I wonder more and more whether I could actually take coming back here to retire. The attraction of endless poon ( and I get some pretty high-quality poon) wears thin very quickly after awhile, when there is little else of value in the place.

OTH has nailed it on this one. After living in Thailand for five years I had had enough of the heat and pollution and opted for a job in Europe where the air is clean, streets not full of shit, trains run on time, they drive on the correct side of the road, don't eat bugs on the street, etc, etc, etc. And, I have a Thai wife who, by the way, is also happy not to be in Thailand. We still visit LOS about twice a year, but we are always glad to get on Lufthansa heading back to civilization. Sure it's more expensive here, but quality of life is better. Not being one to hang out at Nana, Soi 7 Bier Garten or Cowboy there wasn't much for me to do when I wasn't working. Once you have seen one temple you have seen them all. What I do miss are my Thai friends. Simple people who go out of their way to welcome me into their homes and treat me like royalty. Not because I am farang, but because I treat them with respect and conduct myself in a proper Thai manner.

As far a OTH being "stateless" I can certainly agree with that also. I don't like Thailand all that much anymore and avoid the US so I have decided that home is where I am at the moment. My wife and I might still retire in Thailand, but not in BKK. More likely in Chiang Mai, but that decision is still 10 years away. Australia is looking good for a few years after retiring and them possibly Thailand.

PinkPearl

08-27-07, 10:16

Sorry PinkPearl

But JB has got it right. With a mere 2 months under your belt as a visitor, you haven't got a clue about the reality of life in LOS for a Farang. If I think about my first two months here, way back when, I find it laughable what I thought about the place then compared to now. My opinion now is different than what it was even two years ago, when I still kind of liked the place.

While there are a few Farang who have been living upcountry or in that shit-hole Pattaya with their little brown hos for upteen years and have managed to dumb themselves down into thinking that this is bliss, most Farang here with any brain cells eventually "hit the wall" overwhelmed, or at the very least just fed-up with the rotting environment, the lack of quality services, the lack of anything resembling real culture, the xenophobic, racist anti-Farang sentiment and the sheer ignorance and mind-numbing stupidity of the people with their cloyingly fake smiles.

Now, it's only my friends, my GF (on occasion) and most importantly my job, that keep me here, as I earn more real income here than I would back in Canada because of the taxes and cost of living in the "Great White North". Also, I have been here so long that I'm not sure that I could survive in Canada anymore, as I don't like it there very much, either. I and several friends, who feel the same way have dubbed this condition "Statelessness" because we don't like it here, anymore, but can't fathom returning home, either.

I am casting my eye around looking for another locale to live for a few years. But, I wonder more and more whether I could actually take coming back here to retire. The attraction of endless poon ( and I get some pretty high-quality poon) wears thin very quickly after awhile, when there is little else of value in the place.Oth, surely "sheer ignorance and mind-numbing stupidity" is not necessarily a bad thing. I am picturing in my mind a big breasted blonde beauty. I guess that rules out most of the Western world as your future destinations.

Maybe you could use a change of scenery, as variety is supposed to be the spice of life. Or could it be that you are afflicted with "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" syndrome, and need to spend a few weeks elsewhere to appreciate how good you have it in the City of Angels?

I may not have much of a clue about life in LOS, but after 2 months in BKK, with another 6 cumming, I certainly have a taste of the NEP area. I seldom strayed out of this hole, that is, one mile in any direction, and it is likely that will be the game plan again this time around. In fact I would be quite content to shack up in my hotel room for weeks at a time. Laundry service, food, & females are only a phone call away.

Having regularly picked up SW ladies in Vancouver for the last 3 years, BKK is merely continuing the same lifestyle across the Atlantic. So I feel confident in saying that I will not becum bored of the intimacy or sex. The only really significant change will be that I will be getting much more bang for my loonie. Of course airfare & hotel costs will suk into that in a major way these first two trips, but after moving they would be non factors. There is both white & dark meat to enjoy on either side of the water. So, aside from what I already know about LOS, by experience & reading, how much more of a clue do I really need? In my P4P world, I think not much. In your "good girl" world, well, that may be another story.

Not to say that BKK was a utopia. Far from it, as I have touched upon in some of my reports. But overall the service and attitudes of the younger hotties I met was at least on a par with those I've been with in Canada. Having constantly dealt with the drug addicted, scams, bed bugs & cockroaches here, it was much easier to handle them on the right side of the ocean. Sure, some of the people were at times quite rude. Which may or may not have been my fault due to an ignorance of Thai customs, e. G. Sometimes I forgot not to point at people. But this is a worldwide epidemic, and on the whole they were like a good BJ. I can't wait to return. Still, as a Cheap Charlie, my eyes are ever gazing with fondness at Phnom Penh.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.

PinkPearl

08-27-07, 10:29

PinkPearl, keep in mind that the two naysayers are employed. I've worked and been leisured in Thailand, and it makes all the difference. Whether you live in Canadia or this place, you'll be miserable if you work, and happy if you don't.I have also found that to be true. Though retired 3-4 years ago, I have at times done some work since then when I really didn't need to, and find myself more content when I cease. Being at leisure is enough effort in itself without adding labour to it.

Daddy07

08-27-07, 15:54

...The attraction of endless poon ( and I get some pretty high-quality poon) wears thin very quickly after awhile, when there is little else of value in the place.

Thanks for another depressing but thought provoking report enumerating all of the horrible disadvantages of living in Thailand, OTH. Listening to you and Retired Army makes me wonder if only morons believe that LOS is a nice place to live. Oh, well ... This moron still intends to find out for himself. I’ll rent a place for at least a year, and if it turns out that you guys are right, I’ll just move back to the U.S. where the mind numbing superficiality and crushing boredom of American culture has been elevated to an art form. I wonder how can Thailand be any worse than this?

But, tell me, OTH ... If you are so sick and tired of all the endless variety of quality poon, (something most of us on this board would gladly give our left nut for), what exactly is it that you are looking for in this world? What kind of cultural experiences to you crave? What is so lacking in your life that you would actually consider coming back to North America where life is shit?

Where is Paradise?

Regards,
Daddy

Opebo

08-27-07, 16:04

But, tell me, OTH ... If you are so sick and tired of all the endless variety of quality poon, (something most of us on this board would gladly give our left nut for), what exactly is it that you are looking for in this world? What kind of cultural experiences to you crave?
Daddy

Elderly johnson failing
He craves the opera and ballet
real men maicowjai

Old Thai Hand

08-27-07, 17:13

Elderly johnson failing
He craves the opera and ballet
real men maicowjai

Sure. Like you would know you pathetic, disease-ridden looser.

Daddy07

I'm not intending to return to N.A. as I feel about it the way you do. I don't have an answer as to where is better. Maybe nowhere. Everywhere gets "old", eventually. It could be that I'm just going through a phase, as things here are quite tough at the moment.

But, I think you and guys like you, who have only experienced this place on an extremely limited plane, as vistors suffer from a "grass is always greener" syndrome, thinking that somehow it's better than the West. Unless one is living in some kind of drug or pussy-induced haze, (and God knows, a lot of Farang are, especially in Pattaya) one can't help but be affected by the current political situation, the anti-Farang feelings which are there and stronger than ever, whether people here want to acknowledge or not, and the general uncertainty of the place.

Opebo is correct in his his rare display of intelligence below, in that Farang working here probably do see things differently (and far more seriously) because we are hard-wired into the system, for better or worse. Working here offers its own unique set of often frustrating challenges.

Ignorance is bliss, I guess. If I had endless supplies of money, I might be able to rise above it all and just enjoy an aimless life of debauchery somewhere in LOS, like so many do in their own little la-la land, Pattaya. I'm not sure I could do that, though, as I actually like working a lot. I don't like to be idle. So, when you work here, especially in my kind of situation, you get caught up in a lot of Thai-induced shit that makes you start to really hate the place and the people.

If Pattaya is your Heaven on earth, as it appears to be from reading your posts, you might do ok there for awhile. The place seems to be awash in Farang, of a certain type oblivious to everything but their immediate environs, and only concerned with girls, booze and food, in that order. It would be nice to be that easily satisfied. Nobody in my circle of acquaintenances would be happy with that. But, I can see how some might be, particularly those still "fresh off the plane".

Pattaya provides an extremely bizarre, and strangely unique locale totally at odds with the rest of the country and the reality of what Thailand is actually like. It's a sort of low-rent, poon-filled version of Brigadoon, except that unfortunately it doesn't rise from the mist only every hundred years, but sits like a festering boil on the ass of the country. It is so symptomatic of the Thais' short-sighted, unbridled greed for a quick "Baht", at the expense of their own cultural integrity.

One could just go blindly on and stop caring about everything around him, but his own pleasures and he might get on ok. It depends on how well you can turn your head off to everything here. I unfortunately can't, because I still care enough and know the true reality of the situation here that it concerns me to no end.

AsiaTraveler2

08-27-07, 17:36

Thanks for another depressing but thought provoking report enumerating all of the horrible disadvantages of living in Thailand, OTH. Listening to you and Retired Army makes me wonder if only morons believe that LOS is a nice place to live. Oh, well ... This moron still intends to find out for himself. I’ll rent a place for at least a year, and if it turns out that you guys are right, I’ll just move back to the U.S. where the mind numbing superficiality and crushing boredom of American culture has been elevated to an art form. I wonder how can Thailand be any worse than this?

But, tell me, OTH ... If you are so sick and tired of all the endless variety of quality poon, (something most of us on this board would gladly give our left nut for), what exactly is it that you are looking for in this world? What kind of cultural experiences to you crave? What is so lacking in your life that you would actually consider coming back to North America where life is shit?

Where is Paradise?

Regards,
Daddy

Daddy07,

Good luck with your planned moved. As a frequent visitor, I may have joked from time to time about moving to Thailand, but I can't imagine actually moving there. The P4P is a draw and the number of attractive single woman in the non-P4P arena is also nice, but the number of drawbacks are too numerous to mention. The year round heat, lack of high paying jobs, limited business opportunities for Farang, barriers to the real estate market, poor infrastructure, limited access to cultural experiences, polution, etc. etc. etc. would be too big a deterent for me.

I am happy with visiting a few times a year and never for more than 2 weeks. That's my limit, before I get bored of it and am happy to move on to another destination or back home.

AT2

Piper1

08-27-07, 17:40

Sure. Like you would know you pathetic, disease-ridden looser.OTH - that's "loser". :D

Opebo

08-27-07, 18:02

Sure. Like you would know you pathetic, disease-ridden looser.

It was genuinely meant in fond fun, OTH. I so rarely get to try my hand at haiku.

Terry Terrier

08-27-07, 22:09

Pattaya provides an extremely bizarre, and strangely unique locale totally at odds with the rest of the country and the reality of what Thailand is actually like. It's a sort of low-rent, poon-filled version of Brigadoon, except that unfortunately it doesn't rise from the mist only every hundred years, but sits like a festering boil on the ass of the country.

Translation into plain English: "Pattaya is a downmarket tourist resort."

It is so symptomatic of the Thais' short-sighted, unbridled greed for a quick "Baht",.....

Yes.

.....at the expense of their own cultural integrity.

Hahahahaha. Their cultural integrity :D. You can be so dry at times OTH.

One could just go blindly on and stop caring about everything around him, but his own pleasures and he might get on ok. It depends on how well you can turn your head off to everything here. I unfortunately can't, because I still care enough and know the true reality of the situation here that it concerns me to no end.

So your plan of action to right all the wrongs in Thailand is to take the [CodeWord140] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140) out of sextourists on an internet forum that is predisposed to sextourism? And?

Old Thai Hand

08-28-07, 02:33

It was genuinely meant in fond fun, OTH. I so rarely get to try my hand at haiku.

perhaps I should rework my response in Haiku, then. :)

Actually, it was a bit strident. I was in a pissy mood last night when I wrote it. I don't like a lot of what you say and you anger me, at times. But, that was uncalled for. Appologies.

Piper...thanks. LOSER. Extremely tired and not thinking straight at the moment.

Terry...no, I don't want to right wrongs, so much as just live my life without having so much hanging over my head. The political situation and all of the other stuff (anti-Farang sentiment etc.) just contributes to a feeling of being on a slippery slope. It is too long and boring, (not to mention irrelevant to most) to go into here. The only impact, though that it could have on those wishing to live here in leisure is that, they may not be able to do so as easily in the future. The visa rules are tightening more and more. So that, for example in my case, even with connections, one has to jump through hoops to get sorted for work. The documentation now required to secure a work permit is twice as much as it used to be.

To give you an example of the "threat" (at least to my kind), that I'm talking about, I'll provide a little anecdote. The Ministry of Education has come out recently and blamed Native English Speaking teachers for the deterioration in the use of the Thai language among the young. Thai teenage slang is heavily peppered with English, many can't speak or write the language properly (according to the language police) and consequently, they trot out the usual suspects....US!, not bothering to consider more logical factors like the Internet, pop music, the media and globalization in general. It’s all part of a campaign by some, to eventually get rid of all Farang teachers here and replace us with largely incompetent Thais.

More close to home as it relates to this forum, the Thai authorities have long clung to the myth that the sex industry and its problems have been caused by sex-tourism (chicken and egg??) and the evil Farang, not admitting to the fact that places like Nana, not to mention numerous brothels and MPs are owned by the Royal Household Bureau and the rest by the Thai-Chinese elite.

AsiaTraveler2

08-28-07, 06:17

More close to home as it relates to this forum, the Thai authorities have long clung to the myth that the sex industry and its problems have been caused by sex-tourism (chicken and egg??) and the evil Farang, not admitting to the fact that places like Nana, not to mention numerous brothels and MPs are owned by the Royal Household Bureau and the rest by the Thai-Chinese elite.

I think something as simple as the layout of the MRT and BTS routes, tell you all you need to know about the rich/powerful and their thoughts on the sex industry. It's all $$$$$$$$$$.

AT2

SE Asia Joe

08-28-07, 07:56

OTH:
I’ve been following your writings for the longest time – initially attracted by your posts of some of the most beautiful Thai Girls here – and have high regards for your observations and opinions etc on Thai society, mores, economy etc. And suddenly …. THIS! What happened man? Look-it, everybody bounce up AND down – but are things really all that bleak? I mean, look-it, do you REALLY want to expose such anger and anguish in such a public forum as these pages…. When you are still going to be in the country for at least a bit longer?

Please don’t take this in the wrong way – and God knows that I’ve been skewered in the past on these pages… when all I wanted to do is to keep the peace – but I think you gotta re-examine your situation – and Thailand - a bit better. I’ve only got a small hint as to your present state of mind, but can detect that unless you STOP only looking at the dark side, you’re really gonna drive yourself nutso!

I’ve lived in many different parts of the world, East, West, North AND South and- the conclusion I’ve come to is that one must weigh ALL the pros and Cons, decide on a place with more Pros than Cons and then work hard on making myself very at home. But then, there comes changes to the place that start to gnaw and bother me – well – then I start the whole exercise over again… but guess what? The bother eventually starts all over again! So now, I just park myself right where I am and MAKE THE BEST OF IT AND MAKE MYSELF FEEL ALL CONTENTED! I’ve discovered that that’s “the only way.”

Specific to Thailand, and what you’re experiencing now; Can you not make the allowance that all this is happening because Thailand is quickly becoming richer and can now afford to be a “ bit more” Nationalistic? You have to accept the fact that not all Farangs in Thailand are as gentlemanly as you are – and that in many cases, Farangs in Thailand are very loud, boorish, condescending and just general assholes? What if you were Thai? Would you not also feel that is about time that these Farangs start to clean up their act? Yes, it stinks for you right now – and you do have to understand that it will take time before things will get sweet and light again.

I’ve observed this gradual assimilation of foreigners into society in many different places – to where everybody starts to act and look at each other as just plain human beings – and it is always preceded by a period of much resentment from everybody. Hong Kong – which used to have some of the most uncouth “Colonial Masters” strutting their stuff, then the Chinese started to make some real $$, breaking down ‘anti-Chinese’ barriers, putting these old colonialists in their place and now…. Hardly any xenophobia. China – used to be the Taiwanese and Hong Kongers – with their investment dollars - came over there and acted like Lords of the Universe; And then – and it wasn’t long at all – the Chinese started to make some real $$ and BINGO, Down to Earth Taiwanese and Hong Kongers in China nowadays! Vancouver – first they welcomed the Chinese and the money, then the Chinese started building all those garish homes and spend their hard earned money (flaunting their wealth in the eyes of the Canadians) and resentment starts and it’s been at least a 20 year process, but in Vancouver, all races are starting to become mainstream and living in harmony “just” a bit better.

The example/list goes on, but what I’m trying to put across is the fact that these things DO happen and if you analyze it and try to understand what all is happening right now in Thailand, you will be more accepting as to what all is happening to YOU! Yes, the Thais are making all sorts of mistakes and in trying to assert their own Nationalism right now – but can you blame them for feeling;
- That their daughters – so used to easy money by spreading their legs to farangs – are just getting to be tooooo cheap? That there are now other jobs, opportunities, and a better FUTURE instead of just ho-ing? That its time they should clean up their act?
- And foreign investors – why are they allowed to practically own THEIR properties by skewing existing Thai Laws?
- And why does their young need to speak Thainglish – when their own rich language is right there! Hmmm. … just like the French (and even Quebecois!) I guess.
- Why are Farangs – lavishly spending money on girls, flash cars, maids, booze, designer gears - so privileged in THEIR Thailand? Let’s get those jobs for ourselves. Hey, we should be like those Japanese, Singaporeans, Hong Kongers etc – importing foreign workers to only do the most demeaning and menial labour instead of having furreners working only at plum jobs.
- Thailand is now a World class country with World Class industry, world Class Labour Force – Thailand no longer needs foreigners (wrong – all countries needs foreign workers of all stripes – but this realization will not come in Thailand until much later.

OK ‘Nuff said, OTH cheer up and start posting some more of your World Class beauties instead please! Old pictures if need be – heck always good to reminisce and reflect upon how good you really do have it after all!!

SE Asia Joe

Old Thai Hand

08-28-07, 08:39

Joe

Nice Post.

Here's something for you.

SE Asia Joe

08-28-07, 08:59

Joe

Nice Post.

Here's something for you.
OMIGAWD!!!! She's absolutely, stunnigly, beautiful!
Soft, fresh, porcelain like skin,
Just the right wisp of pubic hair where I could bury my head in for hours, I could practically smell her sweet fragrance,
Large, firm breasts that is just sooooo suckable and would bounce ohhhhhh so nicely when she's on top,
The harshness of her stockings on my back to contrast the softness of her thighs on my girth,
Her long locks swaying gently as I pound her,
The grunting, oh yes the laborious grunting I KNOW she will make as she accepts my member hungrily,
And her face, oh her face sooooo smooth and young and proud and ooooops - where's her face??? I don't see her face!!

Oh Well - eveything else is perfect so her face must be perfect too.
Think about it OTH - you are one lucky Dawg down there. So Enjoy OK?
And lots of thanks for the pix - its really beautiful
SE Asia Joe

Daddy07

08-28-07, 14:29

Joe

Nice Post.

Here's something for you.

That's much better, OTH. You have restored my desire to live in paradise, where poon like this can make an old man like me forget about a lot of the potentially nasty drawbacks of the LOS.

Regards,
Daddy

Old Thai Hand

08-29-07, 00:16

where poon like this can make an old man like me forget
Regards,
Daddy

Except, that "poon like this" is not that easily attainable here.

Daddy07

08-29-07, 01:24

Except, that "poon like this" is not that easily attainable here.

Well, I suppose you are right if she is Hi-so, like the kind you are used to. Can't see her face, but the rest of her is certainly top quality, that's for sure. There ARE a few stunningly beautiful girls available to guys like me, however, which clearly approach your girl in looks. I described two of them in detail in my report: "A Tale of Two Tens," posted about six months ago. http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showpost.php?p=579301&postcount=1508

The last one gave me a birthday present I'll never forget.

My job in Thailand will be to find and sample more of the same. Your picture proves that no matter how bad the political situation is in the LOS, the "poon" alone is reason enough to live there. Add to that the low cost of living and the tropical exotic atmosphere and you have as close to paradise on earth as there is IMHO. But if I'm wrong, I'll just return to Hell where I reside now.

Regards,
Daddy

Piper1

08-29-07, 12:02

Joe

Nice Post.

Here's something for you.OTH - the (ahem, unattainable) girl looks fine, but you really need to redecorate your bedroom. ;)

Old Thai Hand

08-29-07, 13:28

Well, I suppose you are right if she is Hi-so, like the kind you are used to. Can't see her face, but the rest of her is certainly top quality, that's for sure. There ARE a few stunningly beautiful girls available to guys like me, however, which clearly approach your girl in looks. I described two of them in detail in my report: "A Tale of Two Tens," posted about six months ago. http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showpost.php?p=579301&postcount=1508

The last one gave me a birthday present I'll never forget.

My job in Thailand will be to find and sample more of the same. Your picture proves that no matter how bad the political situation is in the LOS, the "poon" alone is reason enough to live there. Add to that the low cost of living and the tropical exotic atmosphere and you have as close to paradise on earth as there is IMHO. But if I'm wrong, I'll just return to Hell where I reside now.

Regards,
Daddy

I didn't mean you couldn't get someone like this. Just, that's it's quite difficult....for me too, BTW. It does require you to first re-tool your thinking a bit. If you want someone like this, you have to move past the P4P scene, IMHO. Guys that get stuck in that cycle never can get beyond it. It requires more time and effort. But, I think the pay-off is worth it most of the time.

Here's something for you.

Old Thai Hand

08-29-07, 13:31

OTH - the (ahem, unattainable) girl looks fine, but you really need to redecorate your bedroom. ;)

What's wrong with Minnie and Mickey? Those sheets are a veritable chick magnet! :)

Gangles

08-29-07, 14:20

I think OTH is right in that if you want to get involved with regular women who are stunners, then you have to get out of the bar girl P4P mentality.

This mentality is that it is all about money, and you getting what you want, the focus is on yourself. And getting it immediately.

But in a relationship, the focus is on giving your lady what she needs, and her focus is on giving you what you need.

And patience to let feelings grow is essential.

I have been introduced to a stunner through a mutual friend. She was very slow and reserved at first, but threw off her inhibitions at last and has blossomed as a lover and a friend. What a woman.

Gangles

NicFrenchy

08-30-07, 05:38

I didn't mean you couldn't get someone like this. Just, that's it's quite difficult....for me too, BTW. Funny read.

Can you tell me why Thailand would be different than any other country when it comes to nice looking women? In my (limited) experience, Every Stunner is a difficult girl to get, you always have to invest time and money.

Sure the ladies in the pics look ok, but far from being Model types (I guess we'll have to put this one as a difference in taste).

Old Thai Hand

08-30-07, 09:28

Sure the ladies in the pics look ok, but far from being Model types (I guess we'll have to put this one as a difference in taste).

True....difference in taste. (although how can you tell, when you can't see their faces?)

While perhaps not model types according to Western taste, they are model types according to Thai taste (and my taste).

The stunners so often spoken of on the Thai board would never be to local tastes at all.

These kind of discussions ultimately lead to some sort of disagreement or even fight.

So, all I'll say is to each his own.

Daddy07

08-30-07, 18:59

... Here's something for you.

Thanks. Lovely bracelet on her right wrist ... Is that jade? :D

Regards,
Daddy

Thaid Up

09-11-07, 03:26

They are just immature kids. I will never hire or have a Thai man in my team at work. It creates some tensions with my human ressources department because they see it as discrimination.... fuck that. I have deadlines and Targets I have to meet, how can I manage it if half my team does not show up for work because they are too hanguver from the last night of drinking?

Thai Girls are far more reliable and responsible, they have a stronger character than men and are much better workers.

Any man can be a "Paak Waan" (sweet mouth), Thai or Farang. I think the difference is not that the Thais are better at it, it's that the Farangs, when in Thailand are too lazy to invest time & effort in dating and courting when they can fuck almost any girl they want for a few bucks ;)

NF

I have exactly the opposite experience. In my company we have 30 people 5 which are girls. Most of my problems are with the girls. They are such a pain in the ass. First, they have serious problems dealing with each other, all but one end up hooking up with the male staff and then when they finally get trained up they end up getting knocked up and leaving to have a baby.

I do not think my male staff could find NEP or Soi Cowboy even with a map and they seem content to drink on Friday night in the company canteen while playing ping pong.

I love my Thai male staff and plan on hiring more men as the need arises and limit my female employment.

I do agree with you that you should NEVER get invovled with any of your female staff.

NicFrenchy

09-11-07, 03:44

The stunners so often spoken of on the Thai board would never be to local tastes at all.Well, that's swell then, since there are no locals on this board (that I know of anyhow).

Jungle Bluebird

09-13-07, 13:02

Sorry to be the one to tell you. Even with 'good girls' you can have all, it's just a matter of money.

Regardless if Europe, the US or Thailand, use $$$ wisely and unless you look like a complete bum you will get lucky. Yes, an intelligent approach does help.

But I think you knew all this already :-)

JB

I didn't mean you couldn't get someone like this. Just, that's it's quite difficult....for me too, BTW. It does require you to first re-tool your thinking a bit. If you want someone like this, you have to move past the P4P scene, IMHO. Guys that get stuck in that cycle never can get beyond it. It requires more time and effort. But, I think the pay-off is worth it most of the time.

Here's something for you.

Unemployed

10-27-07, 20:13

i was trying to find out if a farang **** 50 can retire in thailand. in my initial research it looks like the answer is no. it looks like there is no type of residency for farang and no long term visa. i would have the resources not to be able to work so i do not have to be employed. unless employement is the only way to stay and again i wouldn't need high paying job. the only reason for the job would be to amuse myself and stay in the country.

am i correct on this? any loop holes or work arounds that i may be missing? thanks in advance for any info.

Forever69

10-29-07, 03:30

It is easy to stay in Thailand if you have money, just check thaivisa.com. Or just go there with a touristvisa, get three enties for starters and figure it out there.

Dinghy

11-04-07, 23:23

Lets say "yes" and "no" both - the visa rules are a bit convoluted but easy enough to understand

"YOU" are allowed to spend 90 days out of every 180 "in country" on tourist visas - those "free" tourist visas are good for 30 days so that you need to leave and re-enter the country

So it works out like this arrive 1 Jan, leave 31 Jan (go somewhere else, say Cambodia, for 30 days - or 60 since you can "extend" their visa for 30 additional days by paying another $20... but anyway come back to Thailand say, 2 Mar and leave 1 APR for 30 days, back in 1 May and out 30 May.

Now here's the "hook" - leave for ONE day and come back and the clock starts again at that return day and stay 30. Leave again for 1 day and come back and the clock starts again THAT RETURN DAY - YOU WILL NEED TO LEAVE FOR THE REST OF THE TIME UNTIL THE SIX MONTHS IS UP - you can spend HALF of it "in country" - ONLY HALF - how you calculate that HALF is up to you.

Choices - get "work visa", get "marriage visa", be old enough to get "retirement visa" (and there are probably other choices as well but these are the ones I know about and can describe. In practice, it can work out to shuttle back and forth to Cambodia in 30 day segments. The language is nowhere near the same, though. I seem to remember something about a multiple entry tourist visa available from Penang but I don't know anything about it since I generally don't stay over 28 days - 30 MAX anyway)

I'm trying to stay "legal" - if you want to spend "more" money, the rules are "different"

Freeler

11-05-07, 00:50

Dinghy,

It is very simple: Get a 60 day visa outside Thailand, stay 60 days, come back on a 30 day visa, stay 30 days, get a 60 day visa outside Thailand et cetera.

Regards,
Freeler

Old Thai Hand

11-05-07, 00:59

Get a Permanent Residence, if you can afford it. 195,000 baht. No 90 day reporting, no visa. good for life.

PinkPearl

11-05-07, 08:34

Dinghy,

It is very simple: Get a 60 day visa outside Thailand, stay 60 days, come back on a 30 day visa, stay 30 days, get a 60 day visa outside Thailand et cetera.

Regards,

FreelerHow many months a year can someone do this and stay in Thailand? For example, would a Thai consulate outside Thailand issue as many 60 or 90 day tourist visas as a person wants?

Why not come back on a double or triple Tourist Visa rather than 30 days?

Jungle Bluebird

11-05-07, 13:03

Well, not that easy to get. Min. requirements:

3 years steady employment with work permit. Min salary THB 80 k per month. Must be able to speak reasonable Thai.

Time line from application to approval about 1-2 years (min 1 year).

Sure for all things they are exceptions in Thailand. So I guess some members here got it quicker. But usually its quite a pain.

Once you have permanent residency next step is Thai ID card. Can apply straight away after Permanent Residency has been approved. After 3 years of holding the Thai ID card, one can own land! And that's what it is all about.

JB

Get a Permanent Residence, if you can afford it. 195,000 baht. No 90 day reporting, no visa. good for life.

Blunderer

11-05-07, 15:30

. After 3 years of holding the Thai ID card, one can own land!

...and after 30 years one can get into the Ko Samet national park for the Thai price of just 40 baht*+, as opposed to the foreigner price of 400 baht*.

* These numbers may be badly remembered, or, just plain wrong!
+ 40 baht entry fee is conditional on a 360 baht Thai ID card recognition fee

M P Lurker

11-05-07, 15:41

...and after 30 years one can get into the Ko Samet national park for the Thai price of just 40 baht*+, as opposed to the foreigner price of 400 baht*.

* These numbers may be badly remembered, or, just plain wrong!
+ 40 baht entry fee is conditional on a 360 baht Thai ID card recognition fee
I thought it was absolutely heroic :-) that I got into the Thai wax museum for the Thai price, because I spoke Thai and claimed I lived in Thailand.

On the other hand I was really pissed off when they insisted I must wear hired shoes and socks, in order to show my respect, on a very hot day, to enter the Emerald Buddha Temple "Wat Phra Kaeow" when sandals were just fine for all the Thais. Any respect I had, clearly vanished promptly.

Kanpo

11-05-07, 19:53

Wondering about bringing in a laptop for resale while on my extended trip there. A quick google search is not yielding laptop prices in Thailand. Anyone know what a Dell with the following specs, brand new might fetch there if I were to try and sell it? Any other feedback about the project?

The specs:

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TK-55 (1.8GHz/512KB)

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition, English
Jet Black Color with Matte Finish

Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280 x 800)
NO WEBCAM OPTION

1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 Dimm

160G 5400RPM SATA HDD

ATI RADEON® Xpress1270 HyperMemory™

8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability

Thanks

Dinghy

11-06-07, 18:56

maybe 20,000B or so tops - Dell's a better model but nothing "spectacular". A bit limited a only 1GB but the 160 is nice. It also has built in "g" wireless BTW. For the "THAI" market it would need the "keyboard stickers" (cheap enough - 50B or so. Local consumption has Thai alphabet on the keys)

Available in the US for maybe $700 (saw 1 on sale Sunday for $699 - HP though, a similar Toshiba was about $50 more)

Old Thai Hand

11-07-07, 00:51

Kanpo

I wouldn't bother. Dell is not a popular model here and most things IT are actually cheaper here (with the exception of MAC stuff) particularly because of the proximity of China.

Retired Army

11-07-07, 05:28

PinkPearl

11-07-07, 09:23

In LOS I've recieved the best hair cuts I've ever had anywhere. In the past I regularly got barbers and stylists who did not do what I asked or did a lousy job. This lady does everything well, is very thorough, & has a great attitude. Her name is Ms Tan and the shop is beside Villa Market, Sukhumvit 11, BKK. Phone 086 978 5837. The salon also offers various other services such as massage.

Jungle Bluebird

11-12-07, 07:15

Old Thai Hand

11-12-07, 10:43

1Ball

11-12-07, 11:08

Old Thai Hand

11-12-07, 13:18

I must say, I have never had the pleasure of witnessing this.

but in the words of a living tennis legend......."YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS" !!!

I have witnessed it all too frequently.

In fact last year, Opebo took me to task because I had sicked the cops on a low-life backpacker conning money out of people at Promphong station beside the entrance to Emporium. His sign read, "Need money for air ticket home." My opinion now, as then is if you can't afford to come here, have a holiday and fly home, then don't come.

A favorite place for this is Central World. I don't know how many times I've had (usually Brit) tourists come up to me on a Friday evening claiming to have been mugged and not to have money to get through until the Embassy opened again on Monday.

I used to know a guy who had been a full-time English teacher, but quit his job to beg full-time at The World Trade Center (now Central World) because he said he made far more money from Farang and Thai alike. His claim was that he averaged about $400 US/week. This was about 9 years ago when that kind of money could really afford you a nice life in BKK. Even now you could live reasonably well on that.

Finally, as I was going down Rama IV today, I saw a dishevelled Farang backpacker begging outside Wat Hualamphong.

Disgusting!!!

Tiger 888

11-12-07, 13:27

I have witnessed it all too frequently.

In fact last year, Opebo took me to task because I had sicked the cops on a low-life backpacker conning money out of people at Promphong station beside the entrance to Emporium. His sign read, "Need money for air ticket home." My opinion now, as then is if you can't afford to come here, have a holiday and fly home, then don't come.

A favorite place for this is Central World. I don't know how many times I've had (usually Brit) tourists come up to me on a Friday evening claiming to have been mugged and not to have money to get through until the Embassy opened again on Monday.

I used to know a guy who had been a full-time English teacher, but quit his job to beg full-time at The World Trade Center (now Central World) because he said he made far more money from Farang and Thai alike. His claim was that he averaged about $400 US/week. This was about 9 years ago when that kind of money could really afford you a nice life in BKK. Even now you could live reasonably well on that.

Finally, as I was going down Rama IV today, I saw a dishevelled Farang backpacker begging outside Wat Hualamphong.

Disgusting!!!But there are exceptions. I met a German girl in Malaysia Hotel about 10+ years ago, quite desperate, because she lost her purse in a taxi. She said she was flying back to Germany the same night. I figured that she needed about 1000 baht to get around. I thought if it is real, she is in trouble. if not, 1000 baht wouldn't kill me. I had a good feeling about it. Gave her the 1000 baht and my account number in Germany. Believe it or not, I got the money back plus a huge tip.

Member #3200

11-12-07, 15:27

that kind of stuff sickens me here in canada because we all know 90+% of them do it because they are too lazy to get off their asses & do something about it,but it sickens me more that they do it in Thailand,they needed more money than the average Thai to get there in the 1st place,they all need a boot in the ass or round them up & made into dogfood.

Opebo

11-12-07, 16:35

Thailand tourist season must have arrived. Increasingly I see on Bangkok's streets foreigners begging.

Personally I feel offended when I see farangs squatting on the pavement, asking for money. Thais feel genuine sorry for these loosers and are happy to give.

Amazing... JB

Your racism is showing, JB (yours too Old Thai Hand). There is no reason to be 'offended' because other whites are begging. Lots of white people are poor, and though I'm sure you don't like to see the imperialist 'face' let down by them, I can assure you it is decades too late for that. Please, in future, do not assume that begging is appropriate only for the swarthier races.

I particularly like your mention of 'squatting', JB. Very telling! I think code words are so interesting (after a lifetime of being inundating by Republican campaign advertising).

Giotto

11-12-07, 18:35

Your racism is showing, JB (yours too Old Thai Hand). There is no reason to be 'offended' because other whites are begging. Lots of white people are poor ... Opebo,

It's enough. It's really intolerable, what you write here sometimes. I meet a lot of arseholes in my life all the time, and from now on I will call them 'Opebo', each single one of them.

In this case - yes, there are poor white people. But they don't necessarily need to beg in Thailand. There are many poor Thai people here.

May I remind you of what you wrote a few days ago in another thread:

... The majordomo tried to sell me a condom when I paid for the room (the little lady was in the shower), but I claimed 'mee' or have. Of course I didn't! I was surprised that she didn't complain much, just asked me to pull out. Alas, she was a starfish, but a very cute young one with an unburst seedpod (no kid). I managed to blow my load inside her.
...
It is not only stupid to write something like that, it is 'menschenverachtend', a German term, for which I did not find any translation in the dictionaries. The closest one might be 'inhuman'.

I have no idea why we have to read this your shit again and again.

Giotto

Member #2041

11-12-07, 21:52

Terry Terrier

11-13-07, 01:45

I actually quite enjoy Opebo's take on expat life in Thailand in the same way that I enjoy a good comic-horror movie. And, unlike the movies, he includes a fair bit of useful info in a lot of his posts. He is a man on his own uniquely personal mission. And I don't envy him or any of his sexual partners.

JB bristles with half-baked, cynical, drone drone ennui. Expat bores like him just don't seem able to accept the fact that they moved to a third world country full of mostly poorly-educated locals, mostly third-rate expats and mostly third-rate tourists. Why? What's so complicated about the circumstances in which they have put themselves? If things really are that crappy there, get a well-paid job/business in the West and travel to your fave third world shithole whenever you feel in the mood to enjoy cherry-picking it's delights. Simple. And no more day-to-day lifestyle droning on ISG.

Retired Army

11-13-07, 08:03

I have witnessed it all too frequently.

In fact last year, Opebo took me to task because I had sicked the cops on a low-life backpacker conning money out of people at Promphong station beside the entrance to Emporium. His sign read, "Need money for air ticket home." My opinion now, as then is if you can't afford to come here, have a holiday and fly home, then don't come.

A favorite place for this is Central World. I don't know how many times I've had (usually Brit) tourists come up to me on a Friday evening claiming to have been mugged and not to have money to get through until the Embassy opened again on Monday.

I used to know a guy who had been a full-time English teacher, but quit his job to beg full-time at The World Trade Center (now Central World) because he said he made far more money from Farang and Thai alike. His claim was that he averaged about $400 US/week. This was about 9 years ago when that kind of money could really afford you a nice life in BKK. Even now you could live reasonably well on that.

Finally, as I was going down Rama IV today, I saw a dishevelled Farang backpacker begging outside Wat Hualamphong.

Disgusting!!!

If someone is from one of the major western countries all they have to do is go to their embassy and tell them that they have no means of support and the embassy will get them a ticket home. They will have to pay the money back of course.

Retired Army

11-13-07, 08:07

Opebo,

It's enough. It's really intolerable, what you write here sometimes. I meet a lot of arseholes in my life all the time, and from now on I will call them 'Opebo', each single one of them.

In this case - yes, there are poor white people. But they don't necessarily need to beg in Thailand. There are many poor Thai people here.

May I remind you of what you wrote a few days ago in another thread:

It is not only stupid to write something like that, it is 'menschenverachtend', a German term, for which I did not find any translation in the dictionaries. The closest one might be 'inhuman'.

I have no idea why we have to read this your shit again and again.

Giotto

What he writes is crap and very disrepectful to Thai people. Why don't you just ignore him as I do? if he hates Thais and Thailand so much why doesn't he go home. Or has he burned so many bridges that he has no home to go to anymore?

Old Thai Hand

11-13-07, 10:58

What he writes is crap and very disrepectful to Thai people. Why don't you just ignore him as I do? if he hates Thais and Thailand so much why doesn't he go home. Or has he burned so many bridges that he has no home to go to anymore?

By his own admission, he can't save enough for a ticket home. IMHO, nobody should be given a work permit in this country unless they earn enough to buy a ticket home. Then again, Thai employers are to blame, as well because they should provide repatriation tickets as a guaranteed benefit when they hire Farang.

Jungle Bluebird

11-13-07, 13:27

Terrier

Not sure what got into to you. I merely described what now happens to be a daily occurrence. A foreigner, sitting on the side walk, with a sign reading 'need work'. I think there is no need to ponder why etc... fact is that this asshole is squeezing a few THB out of people under the blanket of not being able to find work.

It's simple. Anyone and I repeat anyone who is reasonable healthy, not mentally or physically challenged can and will find work. Other then that such individuals are lazy, crooks or social parasites.

JB

I actually quite enjoy Opebo's take on expat life in Thailand in the same way that I enjoy a good comic-horror movie. And, unlike the movies, he includes a fair bit of useful info in a lot of his posts. He is a man on his own uniquely personal mission. And I don't envy him or any of his sexual partners.

JB bristles with half-baked, cynical, drone drone ennui. Expat bores like him just don't seem able to accept the fact that they moved to a third world country full of mostly poorly-educated locals, mostly third-rate expats and mostly third-rate tourists. Why? What's so complicated about the circumstances in which they have put themselves? If things really are that crappy there, get a well-paid job/business in the West and travel to your fave third world shithole whenever you feel in the mood to enjoy cherry-picking it's delights. Simple. And no more day-to-day lifestyle droning on ISG.

Opebo

11-13-07, 16:35

By his own admission, he can't save enough for a ticket home. IMHO, nobody should be given a work permit in this country unless they earn enough to buy a ticket home. Then again, Thai employers are to blame, as well because they should provide repatriation tickets as a guaranteed benefit when they hire Farang.

OTH, if you elminate farangs who earn too little to easily buy a ticket home, very few will be left. I do not think I am unusual in that I cannot save any money on the typical farang salary of 35,000 baht per month. That said, every Thai I know thinks my salary is 'huge', of course.

I suppose that most fellows who for some reason want to go home save up enough to get through the usual wait for a flight (what is it, a week or so?), take their last salary, and go buy a ticket. Though with oil prices going up, I fear a one way ticket may soon be more than one months farang-salary, and you will be seeing more of the white beggar-men you and Jungle Bluebird so resent.

Mouse1

11-13-07, 17:33

May be true for a lot of countries, but I am pretty sure that the UK will not do this, unless you can show exceptional circumstances such as being hospitalised through mugging, etc. The normal route is to help you phone home so that one of your family can wire some money to you. If you don't have family, then you might well be left on your own (although I would like to think that help would eventually be given). If you have family and they refuse to send money then you will be politely shown the door.

If someone is from one of the major western countries all they have to do is go to their embassy and tell them that they have no means of support and the embassy will get them a ticket home. They will have to pay the money back of course.

Freeler

11-13-07, 17:36

Opebo,

You actually WORK for 35,000? Jeez, I'll be damned if I get out of bed for that little. Anywhere!
But hey, it explaines why you can't afford condoms...:(

Blunderer

11-13-07, 18:04

OTH, if you elminate farangs who earn too little to easily buy a ticket home, very few will be left. I do not think I am unusual in that I cannot save any money on the typical farang salary of 35,000 baht per month. That said, every Thai I know thinks my salary is 'huge', of course.

Well.. if you hunt around down at Khao San, you can find a one way back to Europe for 14k without much difficulty (probably even get it down to 11-12k with a lot of flexibility).

Hmm.. let me simplify this into point by point steps.

How to leave Thailand from Bangkok with minimal funding, to get back to somewhere that you can get a well paying job or, more likely mooch off your family/friends/government.

Method #1

1. Shower
2. Wash clothes.
3. Haircut
4. If male, shave. Probably wouldn't hurt if female again.
5. Shower again.
6. Find job teaching English for at least 30k/month.
6a. Don't forget to keep showering at least daily while looking for work
6b Clothes only stay clean for one day, they will need washing daily if you only have one set
7 Stay in the cheapest room you can find (with a shower or shared shower - see point 6a)
8 Do not blow all your money on beer and women. 200 baht daily is plenty for food and water - this isn't about fun, it is about getting home.
9 When pay comes, spend it on essentials (assuming you needed a small advance for food and accom). Discharge any debt incurred to Thai creditors (ie, the school) with first months wages (they'll probably force you to anyway).
10 Take 2nd month's wages. Go to Khao San, buy flight.
11 Remember not to blow all your money before you leave.
12 Pay 500 baht departure and fucking depart already.

Method #2

1 Ring parents
2 Beg
3 Live on parents couch

I've no fucking sympathy for farang beggars. They've been afforded massive advantages by way of education and various levels of social security (if they can get home). Fuck em. Don't climb a tree you can't climb back down.

My feeling is the issue with these guys is that they don't want to go home and find a job, so begging is a stop gap measure to stay away for a bit longer.

Opebo

11-13-07, 19:27

...at Khao San, you can find a one way back to Europe for 14k without much difficulty...

To the US is around 30,000 or more.

...I've no fucking sympathy for farang beggars. They've been afforded massive advantages by way of education and various levels of social security (if they can get home). Fuck em. Don't climb a tree you can't climb back down.

My feeling is the issue with these guys is that they don't want to go home and find a job, so begging is a stop gap measure to stay away for a bit longer.

Your judgements of your brother workers imply a misunderstanding of the social hierarchy and your own place in it, Blunderer. But aside from that please be aware that there is no 'safety net' in the United States, perhaps unlike your home island.

You actually WORK for 35,000? Jeez, I'll be damned if I get out of bed for that little. Anywhere!

Freeler, the great majority of farangs who work in Thailand (teachers) work for about that amount - a little more or a little less. But one MUST get out of bed for it, or expire from want, you see (perhaps you have been sheltered and are unaware of why people toil?).

Blunderer

11-14-07, 00:13

Your judgements of your brother workers imply a misunderstanding of the social hierarchy and your own place in it, Blunderer. But aside from that please be aware that there is no 'safety net' in the United States, perhaps unlike your home island.

I'm not sure how? These are people who have found the money to have the luxury of a trip to SE Asia. Further, I'd make 2 points:
1) Running out of money in SE Asia is something pretty easily forseeable. Check daily rate of decline of bank balance. Check funds required to get back to where you came from. Do some high school arithmetic and you have your maximum possible number of days left. Unlike a hell of a lot of other people in the world, their problems were both easily forseeable, and, trivially preventable.
2) There's a simple, honest way out without asking someone else to foot the bill for their folly. Even better than that, if they really want to stay, then they can earn it. I don't know of one English speaking farang who has been unable to find employment in BKK if they try, as long they aren't scared of basic hygiene rituals on occasion.

With respect to US unemployment allowance - huh? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_insurance#United_States

Granted I've no idea how it works in detail, but it appears to be there. Do feel free to correct me if I've misunderstood this because I really have no idea.

With respect to flights, I've American friends who've flown home for a hell of a lot cheaper than 30k. A v quick look online found flights from LAX -> BKK for 20k ($650) - granted it is the other direction, but indicative nonetheless.

Freeler, the great majority of farangs who work in Thailand (teachers) work for about that amount - a little more or a little less.

This I do agree with. There are certainly people making a lot more, but, 90ish % of my farang friends are in the 30-50 range (30 plus a few k more per year of experience on average). The idea of sky high farang wages for anybody asking is a nice fantasy though :)

1Ball

11-14-07, 00:56

just did a quick search.
BKK LAX via MNL on PR is 14,000 Bt. At a 30,000 bt per month salary, that is 2 weeks wages. Anybody who wants to, can save 1 weeks salary in a month, and 2 months later, have the cash to go.

Of course, one needs to want to go. But that is another story.

Old Thai Hand

11-14-07, 01:11

This I do agree with. There are certainly people making a lot more, but, 90ish % of my farang friends are in the 30-50 range (30 plus a few k more per year of experience on average). The idea of sky high farang wages for anybody asking is a nice fantasy though :)

As I've said a million times---qualifications, qualifications, qualifications!!!! You can make more if you are qualified to make more. In BKK, it is quite easy for a qualified teacher to rack up 100,000/month. With the number of International programs now at various universities, one can freelance as an adjunct and make quite a bit of extra money. I teach 1 day/week at another uni and make 10,500 for the day...x 4 weeks=42,000/month for 4 days work. I do two 3 hour overload classes at my full-time uni and get 12,000 for the day...x 4 weeks=48,000 (tax-free, btw)/month for another 4 days work. So, that's 90,000/month already on top of my regular salary (2 days/wk) of 80,000/month.

Those making 30-35,000 only do so because they can't be bothered to find something else, or aren't qualified to make more. Thailand is full of Farang with only a BA or even less whingeing about not making any more that 35,000. Well, these people make what they're worth.
While, Opebo does have an MA, it's in a discipline that's not exactly marketable. But, still he could be making more than he is if he was to get into a good university language institute like Chulalongkorn or Bangkok U. I know English teachers at Chula who with O/T are making 200,000+/month.

I'm quite tired of his crying poor all the time. Stop moaning Mr. O and get out a get a decent job.

My attitude is that if you can't live here as well as you would live back home (which, among other things means not settling for a whole-in-the-wall 20 sq.m. studio), then you shouldn't be here.

Member #2041

11-14-07, 02:09

i still think that opebo should claim that he raped and murdered jonbenet ramsay in order to get his free air ticket home. given his published writings and known attitudes, i have no doubt that he could be at least as credible as john mark karr was in making such a claim.

then once he is back in the u.s., he can offer his dna up for testing, and, in all likelihood, he'd be exhonerated and free to live as a blight on his own home country, rather than the kingdom of thailand.

Retired Army

11-14-07, 02:42

Opebo

11-14-07, 06:54

Those making 30-35,000 only do so because they can't be bothered to find something else, or aren't qualified to make more. Thailand is full of Farang with only a BA or even less whingeing about not making any more that 35,000.

So we are in agreement - the great majority of farang working in Thailand make around that 35,000 mark.

Opebo ...could be making more ...I know English teachers at Chula who with O/T are making 200,000+/month.

OTH, I would not care to teach English, nor would I care for 'overtime', as I find the regular work schedule tremendously oppressive.

My attitude is that if you can't live here as well as you would live back home (which, among other things means not settling for a whole-in-the-wall 20 sq.m. studio), then you shouldn't be here.

Good heavens, OTH, I'm not complaining! I make FAR more here, relatively speaking, than I could in the United States, where I would be employed as a retail clerk or somesuch. Making 35,000/month where the apartments are 2,800 is a lot better than making $8/hour where they're $600/month.

Freeler

11-14-07, 09:16

Jungle Bluebird

11-14-07, 10:20

naaa... lets make him beg for it :-)

I say we take up a collection to send Opebo home. That way he won't infect any of the women we want to shag. Any takers? However, after hearing him describe his women I doubt we would be doing them anyway.

Old Thai Hand

11-14-07, 10:27

Good heavens, OTH, I'm not complaining! I make FAR more here, relatively speaking, than I could in the United States, where I would be employed as a retail clerk or somesuch. Making 35,000/month where the apartments are 2,800 is a lot better than making $8/hour where they're $600/month.

Aren't you the under-achiever, then?

I think in his recent post where he used the term, "third-rate expats", despite his apparent admiration for you, Terry Terrier must have been thinking of Expats like you.

Jungle Bluebird

11-14-07, 10:32

Opebo, why you always make it so easy for members to throw mud at you..

Majority of my Thai employees get more than THB 35 k per month. Don't measure your salary against shopping mall assistance etc.

Intro salary in Bangkok (with BA), THB 18-25k. Age around 28-35k, ok English skills with BA on the way to management THB 25-35k. Lower management starts at THB 30 up. Specialists such as IT, management is about THB 40-80 k.

You need to re-evaluate your situation. You should not work for THB 35k. This also indicates that you have no work permit. Thus additional fees for frequent visa runs apply. Min. for work permit THB 50K.

So either you are illegal in this country or undersell yourself. In any case you seem to be wasting your time. And all that for Thai pussy...?

JB

OTH, if you elminate farangs who earn too little to easily buy a ticket home, very few will be left. I do not think I am unusual in that I cannot save any money on the typical farang salary of 35,000 baht per month. That said, every Thai I know thinks my salary is 'huge', of course.

Opebo

11-14-07, 16:40

Opebo,
$6 as a retail clerk? Does that mean you actually have to do someting for that money? Here, $6 an hour isn't even as high as the social minimum (ie welfare), even IF dollar:Euro was 1:1... It means that you're very poor.

Actually, the amount I stated in my post was $8 per hour, Freeler, but it is certainly common knowledge that worker income levels are much higher in Europe than the United States. This is especially true of wage incomes - america has an extremely inequitable distribution of wealth and income.

But as for being 'very poor', I will certainly admit to and embrace that designation. Keep in mind that a huge portion of the population back home is 'very poor', and that there is no 'social minimum' or welfare there.

Majority of my Thai employees get more than THB 35 k per month. Don't measure your salary against shopping mall assistance etc.

I don't personally know any Thai who is not a high school teacher, university lecturer, or prostitute, JB.

You need to re-evaluate your situation. You should not work for THB 35k. This also indicates that you have no work permit. Thus additional fees for frequent visa runs apply. Min. for work permit THB 50K.

So either you are illegal in this country or undersell yourself. In any case you seem to be wasting your time. And all that for Thai pussy...?

Of course I have a work permit, JB! How bizarre that you would think otherwise. Respectable institutions do not wish to run afoul of the authorities; they also do not wish to pay more than necessary to get their token farangs, and 35,000 does the trick. As for 'wasting time', I have pointed out before that my economic condition would be much worse in the United States (as is that of so many americans).

Blunderer

11-14-07, 19:09

Those making 30-35,000 only do so because they can't be bothered to find something else, or aren't qualified to make more. Thailand is full of Farang with only a BA or even less whingeing about not making any more that 35,000. Well, these people make what they're worth.
While, Opebo does have an MA, it's in a discipline that's not exactly marketable. But, still he could be making more than he is if he was to get into a good university language institute like Chulalongkorn or Bangkok U. I know English teachers at Chula who with O/T are making 200,000+/month.

I'm quite tired of his crying poor all the time. Stop moaning Mr. O and get out a get a decent job.

When I said 90% of farangs are in the 30-50k range (or something like that), I wasn't commenting on the merit of it, nor was I commenting on how they might rectify the situation. I was simply making an informed guess as to the numbers as they are now without any comment on what they mean whatsoever.

Do you disagree with these numbers? I could of course be wrong, and your perspective will vary wildly with you social circle etc..

Giotto

11-14-07, 20:40

...
Of course I have a work permit, JB! How bizarre that you would think otherwise. Respectable institutions do not wish to run afoul of the authorities; they also do not wish to pay more than necessary to get their token farangs, and 35,000 does the trick. As for 'wasting time', I have pointed out before that my economic condition would be much worse in the United States (as is that of so many americans)....work permit ... THB 50 k minimum salary ... Thai law.

Giotto

The Traveler

11-14-07, 22:39

You need to re-evaluate your situation. You should not work for THB 35k. This also indicates that you have no work permit. Thus additional fees for frequent visa runs apply. Min. for work permit THB 50K.

So either you are illegal in this country or undersell yourself. In any case you seem to be wasting your time. And all that for Thai pussy...?

JB
Jungle Bird,

maybe his qualification doesn't allow a higher salary.

Jungle Bluebird

11-15-07, 02:54

Opebo. 50,000 THB monthly in min. for a work permit. Just checked with my HR Manager.

I hope for your own sake you are around max 30 years old and hang out in Thailand just for fun. This is understandable. After all lots of pussy and easy living. Or you may have retired early and just enjoy life. That's perfectly ok as well.

However if you are a mature individual, with no savings and you sell your time/existence at discount prices in this third world country, then you are either delusional or just plain stupid.

Sorry to be so direct. But as I said, it is never to late to turn it all around.

JB

.. Of course I have a work permit, JB! How bizarre that you would think otherwise. Respectable institutions do not wish to run afoul of the authorities; they also do not wish to pay more than necessary to get their token farangs, and 35,000 does the trick. As for 'wasting time', I have pointed out before that my economic condition would be much worse in the United States (as is that of so many americans).

Old Thai Hand

11-15-07, 10:21

...work permit ... thb 50 k minimum salary ... thai law.

giotto

teachers are exempt from this minimum to allow thai government schools to retain farang english teachers for around the amount (30-35,000) that opebo states is his salary. there are some teachers even making 25,000/month upcountry who still get work permits. also, some schools will falsify documents in order to get a work permit and still pay a paltry amount.

i will concede that the majority of jobs held by farang here are as english teachers at the salary range of 30-50,000/month. there are some making even less. the point is though, that most of these are making this amount because they are either unable to make more because of their low or no qualifications, or are uninterested to make more because they are either lazy like opebo or don't need to because they have resources already (such as retirees working to keep busy).

if the farang making this low amount is young (at the most in his late 20s) and doing so to get experience and enjoy life in a different culture, then i think it's fine. i've known a few who were doing this before they returned home to pursue a master's degree. but, unfortunately, the majority of english teachers are older guys some even in their 60s (and not retirees) without any other means of income scraping by on this lowly amount. these guys, imho are losers. included in this category are guys who may have started out as young english teachers in their 20s, but who somehow forgot to go home when they should have and are now in their 40s. my gf's last english teacher turned out to be a guy who i knew and worked with briefly 11 years ago when he was in his late 20s. he's now pushing 40 and doing the exact same thing he was when i knew him. he does manage to earn about 60,000/month now. but, for that he has to teach 46 hours/week - a staggering amount for a teacher. he'll never do any better because he's only got his a levels and can therefore only get a job at a language school, not a university.

not to flog a dead horse, but if you are qualified you can make a good salary here as a teacher - as good or better than you could make back home. but, one really needs to assess the reasons for staying here, if you don't fall into that category and are just surviving (and that's all it is) on $1,000 us/month.

Opebo

11-15-07, 19:22

Gentleman, no one decries my lack of income more than I (after all I have to live with and within it), but I would like to point out that A) nothing can be done about it (other than to outlive the progenitors), and B) the situation would be even worse working back home.

You fellows seem to assume that just because I'm a white of high verbal/cognitive aptitude and considerable education that this will automatically mean a nice income from toils. I can assure you it does not, and wonder if any of you ever heard the fine old Randy Newman song 'Its Money That Matters (in the USA)'?

Of all of the people that I used to know
Most never adjusted to the great big world
I see them lurking in book stores
Working for the Public Radio
Carrying their babies around in a sack on their back
Moving careful and slow

(Chorus)
It's money that matters
Hear what I say
It's money that matters
In the USA

All of these people are much brighter than I
In any fair system they would flourish and thrive
But they barely survive
They eke out a living and they barely survive

When I was a young boy, maybe thirteen
I took a hard look around me and asked what does it mean?
So I talked to my father, and he didn't know
And I talked to my friend and he didn't know
And I talked to my brother and he didn't know
And I talked to everybody that I knew

(Chorus)
It's money that matters
Now you know that it's true
It's money that matters
Whatever you do

Then I talked to a man lived up on the county line
I was washing his car with a friend of mine
He was a little fat guy in a red jumpsuit
I said "You look kind of funny"
He said "I know that I do"

"But I got a great big house on the hill here
And a great big blonde wife inside it
And a great big pool in my backyard and another great big pool
beside it
Sonny it's money that matters, hear what I say
It's money that matters in the USA
It's money that matters
Now you know that it's true
It's money that matters whatever you do"

Member #2041

11-15-07, 19:40

You fellows seem to assume that just because I'm a white of high verbal/cognitive aptitude and considerable education that this will automatically mean a nice income from toils. I can assure you it does not....

Hardly. It's well known that in addition to intellect and education, a major contributor to your earning power would be your people skills and the respect with which you hold those you deal with on a daily basis, and the manner in which you communicate your actual attitudes.

Terry Terrier

11-16-07, 00:19

whole-in-the-wall 20 sq.m. studio)

OTH, I'm going to be blunt with you here. How do these elementary spelling mistakes come about so frequently in your posts?

Old Thai Hand

11-16-07, 00:58

OTH, I'm going to be blunt with you here. How do these elementary spelling mistakes come about so frequently in your posts?

because I'm overly tired, stressed and distracted at the moment, and not paying attention when I'm typing. sorry. hole-in-the-wall. It is kind of funny though. Maybe I have early-stage senility. :D

Old Thai Hand

11-16-07, 01:04

I would like to point out that A) nothing can be done about it

Sorry. I don't buy that. Even you could manage to make more money by working harder and taking on freelance work. The first step is to move to Bangkok from whatever upcountry shit-hole (or shit-whole for Terry Terrier) in which you currently reside.

Jungle Bluebird

11-16-07, 04:44

Ok, I rest my case. Opebo, you are simply delusional.

JB

Gentleman, no one decries my lack of income more than I (after all I have to live with and within it), but I would like to point out that A) nothing can be done about it (other than to outlive the progenitors), and B) the situation would be even worse working back home....

Opebo

11-16-07, 11:21

Sorry. I don't buy that. Even you could manage to make more money by working harder and taking on freelance work. The first step is to move to Bangkok from whatever upcountry shit-hole (or shit-whole for Terry Terrier) in which you currently reside.

Working more hours is not a solution to the problem of low pay, OTH. And living in Bangkok would be far more expensive and of course far more unpleasant than living upcountry.

Ok, I rest my case. Opebo, you are simply delusional.
JB

JB, the deal allowed foreigners teaching in Thailand is an excellent one - 35,000 baht/month is a comfortable living compared to the near-minimum wage job I would have back home. Look at it this way - one makes $1,000/month, but one's rent is only $100 (or less). Back home one may make $1,600/month after tax, but the rents are around $600/month. Food is of course less here, as well as much higher quality, and lastly one can get by with a motorbike and using public transport, avoiding the huge expense of a car.

Old Thai Hand

11-16-07, 11:44

the deal allowed foreigners teaching in Thailand is an excellent one - 35,000 baht/month is a comfortable living compared to the near-minimum wage job I would have back home. Look at it this way - one makes $1,000/month, but one's rent is only $100 (or less). Back home one may make $1,600/month after tax, but the rents are around $600/month. Food is of course less here, as well as much higher quality, and lastly one can get by with a motorbike and using public transport, avoiding the huge expense of a car.

First. I'm also a foreigner teaching in Thailand and I wouldn't fucking get out of bed for a paltry 35,000/month.

Can you honestly tell me that you are content to live in one of those shitty Thai rooms for 3,000/month? What a life you must lead!!!

As a friend of mine used to joke (not meant to really be racist, either), "I won't stay here unless I can live like a white man" - meaning he wasn't prepared to compromise to the extent you apparently are in some delusional belief that this is an aceptable way for an educated Farang to live.

Opebo. You have an MA, for gawd's sake, even if it's in some shitty and useless liberal arts discipline. Sorry, you could do a lot better than you are.

Finrod

11-16-07, 16:48

A teacher just starting out can do better in the US than $1600/month after taxes in the US. Unless they want to live in the far out boonies. And even your $600/month apt in the US will still be better quality than your hole in the wall upcountry. You would also have health insurance benefits and a retirement plan in addition to your base income, neither of which are available to you now. Do you wonder what you'll do when you're too old and tired to continue teaching up country, but you haven't saved anything for that day?

Opebo

11-16-07, 18:54

Can you honestly tell me that you are content to live in one of those shitty Thai rooms for 3,000/month? What a life you must lead!!!

As a friend of mine used to joke (not meant to really be racist, either), "I won't stay here unless I can live like a white man".

I don't find the rooms here any worse than the apartments I had back home, OTH. Have you never seen efficiencies or other less-expensive apartments in North America? They're no better than the air-and-hot-water places here, in fact in most places quite a bit worse (and yes, white men do live in them). My place here is quite new, slick, and easy to take care of. I like it.

A teacher just starting out can do better in the US than $1600/month after taxes in the US. Unless they want to live in the far out boonies. And even your $600/month apt in the US will still be better quality than your hole in the wall upcountry. You would also have health insurance benefits and a retirement plan in addition to your base income, neither of which are available to you now.

Teaching in the US requires a specialized 'teaching qualification', Finrod, requiring a couple of years of preparation. Not really worth it when you consider what an awful job it is.

Do you wonder what you'll do when you're too old and tired to continue teaching up country, but you haven't saved anything for that day?

I presume I shall perish from want, Finrod, unless some provision has been made for me by the State. Seriously, though, if I make it to old age surely I shall have come into my patrimony by then. Or at least so the actuarial tables lead one to hope.

The Traveler

11-16-07, 22:09

JB, the deal allowed foreigners teaching in Thailand is an excellent one - 35,000 baht/month is a comfortable living compared to the near-minimum wage job I would have back home.
Opebo,

I have been offered a few jobs in LOS without providing any documents to prove my qualifications with a salaray of over 50.000 baht/month about 15-20 years ago. This was a very decent payment back then but I happily declined because it was chump change compared to what I have been able to earn back home, even though I have to pay higher prices for all items, income tax and social here.

The fact that you wouldn't get any better payment back home is a clear indication that you don't have the qualification and skills to earn more

... Working more hours is not a solution to the problem of low pay.

Having said the above, I agree with you that you can't do anything to increase your income as you obviously lack the ability to multiply number of working hours with salary per hour.

Old Thai Hand

11-17-07, 03:27

Traveler

I actually know what Opebo's qualifications are: he has an MA. So, with a Master's degree, he could make much more than he is now, if he would work in Bangkok. There would be better opportunities and more chances in general to earn more which would far outstrip the higher cost of living here vs. upcountry. The problem with him is that he hates Bangkok and insist on working upcountry (I presume in Isaan somewhere), that he's lazy and wants to work the minimum amount to get by. So, his paltry salary is his own doing and personally I'm tired of hearing him moan about it.

Opebo

You keep talking about the fact that you would not be able to make much back in the US. I am curious about this. While a Master's is no big deal in the US, there are tons of people with less qualifications making far more than you insist would be your salary there. Again, is it that you just completely lack any ambition whatsoever and above all are a lazy ****? I think this is the root of it all and therefore totally discredits all your arguments.

Jungle Bluebird

11-19-07, 08:49

Old Thai Hand

11-19-07, 10:57

oth

not sure how people can claim thailand is cheap. i tend to disagree.

anything of quality is imported. think food, wine, furniture clothes etc.. of course cars. one can live on the cheap, eat at food stalls and sweat the night away without air-con. but what a life is that.

min. salary for foreigners to live somewhat decent is thb 80,000 in bangkok. looking at living costs and quality of life, the us or europe is a much better place to be. we surely all have our own reasons for staying here. but to claim that thailand is cheap is simply rubbish. after all, you always get what you pay for.

jb

i agree with you, which is why i wonder how farang getting by on paltry teaching salaries of 35,000 can be happy here. while i don't spend 80,000/ month here, i do spend near enough (55-60,000 minimum) to agree with your main contention. i don't think one has to spend tons on clothes, though for example and overpay at central or emporium, unless one wants designer labels. i get most of my casual wear at the export shop at mbk and have my shirts and trousers custom-made which is relatively cheap here. but, you're right about food and wine. i can't live without things like cheese and reasonably decent wine, both of which are expensive here. i do a lot of cooking and it actually costs more for good quality ingredients here than it does in canada. while thai food may be the preference for the visitors, it gets pretty tired, pretty fast and i think that a lot of it is not that healthy, even when eaten in decent restaurants - lots of impure oil, starchy rice, sugar, salt, msg and over-cooked veggies. as for accommodation - maybe opebo is content in his cheap little studio room. but, i couldn't stand anything less than a decent 1-br condo in a good location and with hi-speed internet and platinum (if still shitty) cable tv.

personally, i think that a lot of guys delude themselves into thinking they have it better here because they spend a lot of time in a fog of cheap-pussy (and even that's not cheap if you're paying for it all the time) and thus put up with a lifestyle they wouldn't find acceptable at home.

PinkPearl

11-19-07, 12:05

OTH

Not sure how people can claim Thailand is cheap. I tend to disagree.

Anything of quality is imported. Think food, wine, furniture clothes etc.. of course cars. One can live on the cheap, eat at food stalls and sweat the night away without air-con. But what a life is that.

Min. salary for foreigners to live somewhat decent is THB 80,000 in Bangkok. Looking at living costs and quality of life, the US or Europe is a much better place to be. We surely all have our own reasons for staying here. But to claim that Thailand is cheap is simply rubbish. After all, you always get what you pay for.

JBThe only reason I am in Thailand is because it is dirt cheap. As a foreigner my main expenses here by a mile are hotel and pussy which have been averaging 30, 000 and 50, 000 monthly.

In Canada my rent is about equal for a bigger place, but not nearly so convenient as concerns distance from the P4P scene, security, laundry and food services. An equivalent hotel would be a hell of a lot more. And, if I wanted to, for the same 30, 000 in BKK I could find an apartment far superior to mine overseas.

Regarding the pussy, I would spend 3-10 times as much for similar looks, attitude and service. This represents a 30 day savings of at least 100, 000 which more than covers airfare expenses. After the first month here it is all gravy.

I have no need to buy a car or furniture. Everything I need is within walking distance or a few minutes on the BTS. I don't drink booz anymore, which is a good thing since if I did I'd likely end up in the BKK Hilton. Food and clothes are comparable in price, except in my hometown I would be eating hotdogs instead of steak everyday.

Freeler

11-19-07, 16:35

JB, OTH,

Last time I checked, Thailand was a nett exporter of food.
All major brands have their clothes manufactured in Thailand.
Thailand is home to many car manufacturing plants.
In Thailand a clean, decent hotel room starts at B250/day.
Half decent rooms in Europe start at B1,500/day.
Thai cuisine is amongst the best on the planet - if not the best.
I rest my case.

Member #2041

11-19-07, 18:33

Thai food is certainly healthier for you than a typical western diet loaded with fatty dairy products. I like cheese as well, but I can do without it when I am in Thailand where it costs double. I do wonder, however, why one cannot get good wines inexpensively from a nearby place like Australia.

Opebo

11-19-07, 18:40

Not only is Thai food much better than Western food, there is no difference between a 'food stall' and a so-called 'better restaurant'. Usually the worse a place looks, the better is the food.

I will say that I find middle eastern, Mediterranean,and Indian food easily as good as Thai, but nothing in the US compares. The few exceptions would be those ethnic places that one has to drive for an hour to seek out.. in Thailand good food is found all around you.

But of course tastes differ.

Also, why would anyone have to do without air conditioning on the teaching salary of 35,000/month, JB? Ones electric bill using air only runs around 500-1,200/month.

Lastly, I will say that nothing about my lifestyle here is inferior to the one I had at home, even aside from the fact that sex is more available and cheaper, other than of course the annoyance of not being able to easily communicate.

Retired Army

11-19-07, 20:20

You bet it is if you want to live a Western lifestyle. I found it difficult on a six figure US $ income. Too many good times to be had. Now that I've moved to Europe I actually end up saving money because there aren't that many temptations and I would rather stay at home. The only thing I do miss is the cheap food from the stalls. A damn schnitzel, fries and beer will set you back at least $30 with the dollar being so weak.

Terry Terrier

11-20-07, 01:11

I do wonder, however, why one cannot get good wines inexpensively from a nearby place like Australia.

It's not the transportation costs, it's the huge import duties levied: Over three hundred percent on imported wine, if I remember correctly.

Old Thai Hand

11-20-07, 04:15

Last time I checked, Thailand was a nett exporter of food.

Yet, Thai food for export and of course western food is expensive here and most Farang that live here tire of Thai food after awhile. It starts to taste all the same, if you've been eating it for as long as I have. I still eat it every day. But, at home it's strictly a Mediterranean diet which, BTW according to a number of studies is the healthiest diet on the planet.

All major brands have their clothes manufactured in Thailand.

Yes. But, in stores at Emporium, Paragon or at Central, you pay western prices for clothes with labels that say, "Made in Thailand". As I said, I buy factory over-runs at The Export Shop which has all the name brands at a fraction of the cost.

Thailand is home to many car manufacturing plants.

Again, true. But, this definitely does not translate into cheaper cars. The cars manufactured here are all for export and those for sale are all imported, even those (strange as it may seem) that are manufactured here.

In Thailand a clean, decent hotel room starts at B250/day.

Where in Bangkok, could you get a decent hotel room for 250B/day? Even in bargain-basement Pattaya, a good room will be close to 1000. But, I guess it depends on what you'll put up with. Personally, I like a modest amount of luxury. Aircon a bed and a shower doesn't quite cut it for me.
Anyway, we're talking about living accomodation, not hotels. A decent 1-br condo in Bangkok depending on location will start at 12,000/month (maybe way out around Ladprao, or Rangsit) to 30,000+ along Sukhumvit. I only pay 20,000 and I'm near Asoke. But, that's because I rented privately directly from the owner. Normally in this area it would be a lot more. I recall that Jungle Bird pays something like 80,000 for his place. It's all about quality and location, like anywhere else. It's true that there's a glut of small, 1-room studios with basic amenities for as low as 2,000/month. So, sure you can live like a poor Thai office worker. But, who wants to do that? Trust me. Opebos rants about how he lives modestly are really the exception. While most Farang English teachers live in crappy little rooms so out of the way that they have to take several of those dirty non-air buses to get to their jobs, they surely would kill for something better.

Half decent rooms in Europe start at B1,500/day.

Well, generally true. Although last summer, I had a nice apartment in Milan near the centre of the city for 2 weeks for about 25 Euros/day.

Thai cuisine is amongst the best on the planet - if not the best.

In theory, Thai food is healthy. But, in reality it's not. There's a high incidence of heart disease and cancer here (not caused by MacDonald's either). Most of this disease is upcountry where people eat only Thai food. For example, Pra-ra, the quintessential Isaan food has been linked to stomach cancer. My ex-GF's father died of it and years of eating huge amounts of pra-ra was probably the main cause of his death. The type of cooking oil Thais use is full of impurities. Since a large amount of their food is stir-fried, those impurities get into the food. Add to that the fact that street vendors re-use oil over and over again, then the amount of carcinogenics in your food is quite high, not helped by huge amounts of exhaust fumes and pollution. Thai cooking also contains a lot of processed sugar and msg. While jasmine rice is ok, white rice is not good for you. It has very little nutritional value.
Personally, I eat salad and vegetables most of the time, when I'm at home. I tend to cook a lot and mostly Mediterranean food. I eat imported black olives, olive oil, and feta cheese all which are expensive. Good vegetables, especially organically grown are also expensive. Go shopping for produce at Villa, Emporium or even Carrefour and you'll see what I mean. I spend on average about 2,000/week on groceries and that's just for me. If I go out, I only eat at restaurants which, through the experience of living here so long I know have good quality food. Opebo is 100% wrong here in his assertion that street vendors have food as good as restaurants. The best Thai restaurants, like Blue Elephant, Papaya, or Vientinne Kitchen, for example are far superior to anything on the street. Noodle dishes at Noodle House in Siam Square are among the best I've ever tasted in this country. Even MK Suki, which isn't all that cheap is far better than street food. Street food generally sucks. Thais eat it because it's cheap and plentiful. I've heard lots of complaints from Thai friends about street food. But, the cost and the amount you get can't be beat. Given a choice, though I think they'd rather eat elsewhere. That Farang may like it is only because they don't know any better. To them, it's all a new and exotic experience.

I rest my case.

Rest away. But, in the end, despite you having been here numerous times, you're still a visitor and therefore it's all something different than what you're used to and therefore your argument isn't really all that valid compared to experiences of those who live here day in day out - Opebo's an exception because he's plainly a bottom-feeding freak.

At the end of the day, we're comparing apples and oranges. It is simply a different secenario for those who live her all the time. Few Farang who have lived here any amount of time, do so on the cheap anymore.

Jungle Bluebird

11-20-07, 04:39

Living costs, Thailand.

Need to differentiate here. 3 groups.

Tourists who stay a few weeks
Expats who stay a few month/years but do not commit. Ie. no furniture, car, condo etc..
Expats who do commit. Buy a car, may get married, kids etc.. and yes who do rent or buy a decent condo.

Prices: I am referring to the need of expats who do commit. Living here for many years I do eat Thai food, sometimes. Mostly I do enjoy western food. I do drive a car, own a condo etc.. Even without owning a condo rents are about THB 40-80,000 per month for a decent property. That is what you pay in Europe or the US.

Gasoline is about the same now in Thailand as in the US. Europe is more expensive. But you get better roads overseas. Insurance is cheaper in Thailand for Japanese cars. Mercs/Beamers etc.. just about the same as overseas.

Cars! Japanese cars sold in Thailand are in general sub standard compared to same makes in the western world. Door seals, brakes etc.. are local made and lousy. Name brands suffer loads of quality problems as well as imported in kits and assembled in Thailand. Plus roads are in such bad shape that driving is no fun in Thailand.

Girls. Ok, Thai girls are sweet but... P4P yes, that is certainly more expensive in the US/Europe. However non P4P, with a bit of money, living in the US/Europe should be no problem.

Thing is when you want more then average from life in Thailand, one discovers quickly that just about everything is sub standard, despite being more expensive. Add the low life quality in Bangkok, pollution, traffic, plus the lack of proper parks, then life becomes indeed quite expensive. Another aspect one forgets is that being daily confronted with poverty and depressed economic outlook on life, one naturally adjusts. Not always for the better.

But hey... each his own.

JB

Old Thai Hand

11-20-07, 04:52

Living costs, Thailand.

Need to differentiate here. 3 groups.

Tourists who stay a few weeks
Expats who stay a few month/years but do not commit. Ie. no furniture, car, condo etc..
Expats who do commit. Buy a car, may get married, kids etc.. and yes who do rent or buy a decent condo.

Prices I am referring to are for the expats who do commit. Living here for many years I do eat Thai food, sometimes. Mostly I do enjoy western food. I do drive a car, own a condo etc.. Even without owning a condo rents are about THB 40-80,000 per month for a decent property. That is what you pay in Europe or the US.

Gasoline is about the same now in Thailand as in the US. Europe is more expensive. But you get better roads overseas. Insurance is cheaper in Thailand for Japanese cars. Mercs/Beamers etc.. just about the same as overseas.

Cars! Japanese cars sold in Thailand are in general sub standard compared to same makes in the western world. Door seals, brakes etc.. are local made and lousy. Name brands suffer loads of quality problems as well as imported in kits and assembled in Thailand. Plus roads are in such bad shape that driving is no fun in Thailand.

Girls. Ok, Thai girls are sweet but... P4P yes, that is certainly more expensive in the US/Europe. However non P4P, with a bit of money, living in the US/Europe should be no problem.

Thing is when you want more then average from life in Thailand, one discovers quickly that just about everything is sub standard, despite being more expensive. Add the low life quality in Bangkok, pollution, traffic, plus the lack of proper parks, then life becomes indeed quite expensive. Another aspect one forgets is that being daily confronted with poverty and depressed economic outlook on life, one naturally adjusts. Not always for the better.

But hey... each his own.

JB

Dead on. But, JB, they'll simply never get it. I feel that these arguments, along with those about the rising cost of P4P continue because people don't want to face up to the fact that Thailand is not really a bargain. The only difference between the west and Thailand is that here you do have the option to live more cheaply, if not well, which in the west is difficult to do. It is simply that to do so is to lower your standard of living to such an extent as to compromise your quality of life.

Retired Army

11-20-07, 06:20

I buy factory over-runs at The Export Shop which has all the name brands at a fraction of the cost.

Few Farang who have lived here any amount of time, do so on the cheap anymore.

Where is the Export Shop, I'm not familiar with it.

Once you get use to a certain lifestyle it's hard to go back to living like a college student. What do you do with all the "stuff" you have collected over the years?

Jungle Bluebird

11-20-07, 08:54

import duties explained: http://www.aseansec.org/14302.htm

JB

It's not the transportation costs, it's the huge import duties levied: Over three hundred percent on imported wine, if I remember correctly.

Old Thai Hand

11-20-07, 09:08

Where is the Export Shop, I'm not familiar with it.

Once you get use to a certain lifestyle it's hard to go back to living like a college student. What do you do with all the "stuff" you have collected over the years?

There are Export Shops all over Bangkok. MBK has 2 plus it's large size version the XL shop - 2nd floor and 3rd floor, I think. They carry all top brands - Old Navy, Columbia, Lacoste, Izod, Arrow, Daniel Hechter etc. Typically an Izod polo shirt, for example will be 320 B. The same polo shirt at Central would be 1500-2,000 B.

As for all the stuff... I've lived in a few places and usually always travel light. I don't accumulate much other than what I need. I've had several households in my life, even a few here. That kind of stuff is pretty cheap here. So, I usually just give it away.

Opebo

11-20-07, 09:47

The best Thai restaurants, like Blue Elephant, Papaya, or Vientinne Kitchen, for example are far superior to anything on the street. Noodle dishes at Noodle House in Siam Square are among the best I've ever tasted in this country. Even MK Suki, which isn't all that cheap is far better than street food.

Of course I don't know those first four restaurants as I only eat in Chinatown when in Bangkok (and anyway I don't particularly like noodles/kway tiow, etc.), I have seen the horrible chain 'MK' in the malls. My god man, that is a chain, and by definition crap. It is very unlikely for food to be good in any establishment where those cooking it are mere hirelings.

I think I should clarify - I don't often eat at 'street stalls' in the sense of those little noodle carts. I mostly eat at old, shabby, family-owned restaurants, so I'm not literally on the street. However, the very best food I have ever had in Thailand is in some of those street stall style places where the ladies bring the food from home. It is displayed in trays - various kinds of gang, pad, and usually the fish/vegetable/hot sauce type meal. There is one in Pattaya (of course I've never seen another farang there) which is literally the best food I've had in the country, and the bill never exceeds 100 baht even with my large appetite. Ultra spicy and yet very subtle - and always a long line of Thais.

As for the healthfulness of food, quite honestly I couldn't care less, but I must say the large amount of leafy green vegetables I eat here compared to back home seems to agree with me.

There are two main rules about food in Thailand:

1) Tastiness is in inverse proportion to appearance, and
2) Never eat where other farangs eat.

Lastly, I would like to note that all the comments of our well-heeled contributors - OTH, JB, and RA - refer to the cost of living in Bangkok. It is certainly true that Thailand isn't much good anymore - costs going up, Police crackdowns, availability of girls way down, but there is still some enjoyment to be had outside of Bangkok, either in good old embattled Pattaya, or upcountry.

Old Thai Hand

11-20-07, 12:47

I have seen the horrible chain 'MK' in the malls. My god man, that is a chain, and by definition crap. It is very unlikely for food to be good in any establishment where those cooking it are mere hirelings.

If you're going to pass judgement, maybe you should know what you are talking about, first. No 'hirelings' do the cooking at MK as it is the customer that cooks at his table. Suki AT MK is absolutely among the freshest food in the country, as it consists largely of raw vegetables and fish that is cooked by those eating, to their personal taste. It is one of the few truly healthy Thai foods and quite low in calories.
The kind of food you describe is the kind of food found at university canteens. The taste is often good, if predictable. But, I'd say, like the Mom and Pop hole-in-the-walls that you describe, hygiene is at best iffy and fat and sugar content is high.

You write such shit most of the time. You live here, but know virtually nothing about the country.

Anyway, to each his own. But, I couldn't imagine living upcountry, particularly in Isaan. B-O-R-I-N-G!!!!!! I'd rather have a lobotomy. I lived in Hua Hin for 4 years before it got as developed as it is today. That's about as 'country' as I ever want to get here.

For all it's noise, pollution and general chaos, Bangkok at least has some interesting things to do, far beyond listening to too-kaes singing as they crawl up the side of some Isaan hovel, eating som tam on the floor, and in your case fucking those horrible low-rent skanks found there.

Retired Army

11-20-07, 12:52

There are Export Shops all over Bangkok. MBK has 2 plus it's large size version the XL shop - 2nd floor and 3rd floor, I think. They carry all top brands - Old Navy, Columbia, Lacoste, Izod, Arrow, Daniel Hechter etc. Typically an Izod polo shirt, for example will be 320 B. The same polo shirt at Central would be 1500-2,000 B.

I've seen those shops and always thought they were knock-offs. I did go to a factory outlet mall outside of Bangkok once and bought some Izod shirts. Bought XL and after they were washed once they were size S.

Retired Army

11-20-07, 12:55

Lastly, I would like to note that all the comments of our well-heeled contributors - OTH, JB, and RA - refer to the cost of living in Bangkok. It is certainly true that Thailand isn't much good anymore - costs going up, Police crackdowns, availability of girls way down, but there is still some enjoyment to be had outside of Bangkok, either in good old embattled Pattaya, or upcountry.

For once I agree with you. When I am back in Thailand I spend minimal time in "Old Smokey." I usually head up to Chiang Mai as soon as possible.

Retired Army

11-20-07, 12:59

The best Thai restaurants, like Blue Elephant, Papaya, or Vientinne Kitchen, for example are far superior to anything on the street. .

Blue Elephant is highly over rated. $200 for four people. Food was good, but after dinner we had to go to a noodle stand to get something else to eat.

Vientinne Kitchen. Not familiar with this one unless it's the one on Suk Soi 36. And the food there was almost too spicy to eat. lots of cold Singha with ice needed to cool off the tongue.

Old Thai Hand

11-20-07, 13:07

For once I agree with you. When I am back in Thailand I spend minimal time in "Old Smokey." I usually head up to Chiang Mai as soon as possible.

CM is as polluted as Bangers, has traffic jams in a relatively confined space and a lot more Farang per capita. The food is crap, too. I've been there many times and when I finally took my GF last year, she hated it and gave it the thumbs down on all counts. The only good thing about it is the countryside is nice to visit and the women are the most beautiful in Thailand.

Well, I mentioned 4 restaurants in BKK as a sample. There are lots of other good ones. Vientienne Kitchen is on soi 36 and although the food is good, the place is now overrun with Japanese and thus the prices have shot up. Papaya on Rama 9 is a better bet. Another favorite place is Bangpoo in Samut Prakan for seafood (about an hour from BKK). Good food can also be had at the Food Hall at Central Chitlom and Food on Fifth at MBK. Even the Food Court at MBK is pretty good as is the one at Emporium - and not too expensive, either. The point is that lots of places have very good food, are extremely clean, not so expensive and often totally unknown to Farang.

Also...further note to Opebo. There is nothing wrong with some of the Thai chains. Mk Suki is very good as is Daidomon, Yayoi, Oishi and Yum Saap; all places that are almost exclusively filled with Thais.

Opebo

11-20-07, 14:41

Also...further note to Opebo. There is nothing wrong with some of the Thai chains. Mk Suki is very good as is Daidomon, Yayoi, Oishi and Yum Saap; all places that are almost exclusively filled with Thais.

I'm just skeptical of chains in general, OTH. The idea that a large corporation is the best possible provider of cooked meals seems dubious to me.

But I forgot that 'MK' is one of those places where you cook your own food (of course I have never eaten there). I hate those places! What a rip to have to cook it yourself. I order suki at the little family owned place and its around 25 baht, and I don't have to cook it.

Regarding clothes - it is hard to find good cheap clothes in Thailand, no doubt about it. I find that the only way to get good quality is to find farang-sized clothes from North America in the second hand markets.

Old Thai Hand

11-20-07, 15:01

Opebo

You really are just a vagabond, aren't you? ;)

PinkPearl

11-20-07, 21:07

Is a working visa or letter from a foreign consulate in Thailand necessary to open a tourist account at your bank? Two other banks in Bangkok required a working visa. But your website says a tourist may open a Resident Baht Account. And makes no mention of any requirements for this, such as a consular letter or working visa.

"I am a tourist and want to deposit and withdraw cash while I am traveling in Thailand. Can I open an account at Bangkok Bank?

"Yes, you can open a ‘Resident Baht Account’ and make transactions via any Bangkok Bank’s counter or you can apply for a Bualuang ATM card to use within Thailand. This account provides you with access to your funds from any ATM machine in the country however, you will not be able to access your funds from overseas.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+Bank/Personal+Banking/Foreign+Customers/Frequently+Asked+Questions.htm

Dear customer,

Thank you for your interest in opening an account with Bangkok Bank.

To ensure the highest level of protection for your personal account information, you can only open an account in person at Bangkok Bank in Thailand .

Subject to the terms and conditions, foreign nationals without a long stay visa or work permit may open a Resident Baht Savings Account upon the following documents:

- A current passport

- A letter of recommendation from a reputable embassy, located in Thailand .

The letter should clearly confirm your identification document (passport) and be certified by authorized officers of the Embassy

After opening a savings account, and you will be offered a choice of our Be1st card. With your Be1st Bangkok Bank Visa Electron card you can buy goods and services at more than 40,000 establishments in Thailand and eight million outlets worldwide.

It can be used to withdraw funds, not only in Thailand , but worldwide, wherever you see the PLUS sign. It only costs 100 Bt to get your own Be1st card with an annual fee of 200Bt.

The original documents with true certified copies must be submitted at the time an account is opened. We reserve the right to refuse any application with incomplete applicant information or deemed to be inconsistent with our policies and regulations.

We regret that applications submitted by mail, e-mail or facsimile are not permitted. To ensure the highest level of protection for your personal account information, you are required to bring the required documents and apply in person at any Bangkok Bank Branch of your choice. Our Marketing Officers will be happy to help you open an account and pleased to assist you in any way possible. We will be pleased to serve you during your stay in Thailand .

Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can also contact our phone banking center at +66-2645-5555 (from the overseas) or 1333 (from within Thailand ), a 24/7 service to acquire more information. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Web operations

Jungle Bluebird

11-21-07, 05:06

one thing. most street food stalls use monosodium glutamate extensively. not sure if you are familiar with this stuff. invented by the japanese for their troops in ww2, it can cause severe allergic reactions. starts with numb lips, swelling of the face to brain damage (o**** - this would explain some issues :-)

what msg does is to fire off taste receptors, so boring rice dishes taste great. when the food tastes really great, bit salty though, it’s due to msg. proper restaurants use it as well, however in lower quantities.

one more note on food stalls. fact is they are dirty due to lack of access to fresh water. all dishes are washed in the same water bucket. food stalls are a great contributor to my employees 'down time'. msg is another.

see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/monosodium_glutamate

jb

i'm just skeptical of chains in general, oth. the idea that a large corporation is the best possible provider of cooked meals seems dubious to me.

but i forgot that 'mk' is one of those places where you cook your own food (of course i have never eaten there). i hate those places! what a rip to have to cook it yourself. i order suki at the little family owned place and its around 25 baht, and i don't have to cook it.

regarding clothes - it is hard to find good cheap clothes in thailand, no doubt about it. i find that the only way to get good quality is to find farang-sized clothes from north america in the second hand markets.

Opebo

11-21-07, 08:19

One more note on food stalls. Fact is they are dirty due to lack of access to fresh water. All dishes are washed in the same water bucket. Food stalls are a great contributor to my employees 'down time'. MSG is another.
JB

JB, I've only had a 'miss-work' level of gastrointestinal ailment twice in Thailand, in six years of spending time here, and on both occasions it did follow dining at a higher-end farang oriented restaurant.

In fact I haven't been even mildly sick here in years. Certainly my stomach was upset far more often in the US, land of the chain corporation, the heavily processed foodstuff, and the (understandably) hostile food-worker. I suspect your employees are just giving you an excuse, and I fear that you are being presumptious to advise these fine professionals on their cookery.

That said, you may have a point about MSG - I imagine it is on balance a negative health-wise. Still, so are many other things in both Asian and Western cooking, and I've never felt any ill-effect. Did you mean to say your employees miss work because of MSG?

Old Thai Hand

11-21-07, 11:57

JB

I should think that given his other activities, slow death from an unhealthy diet are the least of Opebo's worries.

Jungle Bluebird

11-22-07, 09:09

Different banks, different rules. In case you have no work permit I figure it depends how much money you want to deposit. Let's say you offer THB 1 million, you will see banks moving. Banks are quite flexible in Thailand. Also note that each branch has it's own rules.

Give it a try with money in hand with a good story, a big smile, at multiple branches. Pretty sure you will get your account. Mind you interest sucks.

JB

Is a working visa or letter from a foreign consulate in Thailand necessary to open a tourist account at your bank? Two other banks in Bangkok required a working visa. But your website says a tourist may open a Resident Baht Account. And makes no mention of any requirements for this, such as a consular letter or working visa.

"I am a tourist and want to deposit and withdraw cash while I am traveling in Thailand. Can I open an account at Bangkok Bank?

"Yes, you can open a ‘Resident Baht Account’ and make transactions via any Bangkok Bank’s counter or you can apply for a Bualuang ATM card to use within Thailand. This account provides you with access to your funds from any ATM machine in the country however, you will not be able to access your funds from overseas.

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+Bank/Personal+Banking/Foreign+Customers/Frequently+Asked+Questions.htm

Zarnon

11-22-07, 14:50

I haven't had the chance to live in Thailand longer than 3 months but I've really enjoyed my time in both the N and NE part.

I'd agree about Chiang Mai central. I really hate what they've done to the PornPing river.

I've been to Isaan a number of times, and enjoyed it. Enough so that as I'm trying to decide where I'll 'land' I want to check it out for awhile.

I know it's hot, there's not a lot going on there, and the people are 'country'. I guess that's part of the charm.

I even like 'Luuk Toong' and just finished learning 'Luuk Sow Nai Jang' (my ex-gf who works computer in BKK helped me).

Before any number of people rush in and say "It's not the same to visit as to live". I know. That's why I would suggest anyone learn the language, customs, visit places, find one that resonates and choose something temporary wherever you are for the first 6 months.

Opebo

11-23-07, 17:53

...Isaan...

I know it's hot...

Actually Isaan is much cooler than Bangkok, Zarnon. Right now it is wintertime in Isaan, so it is very pleasantly cool. Around 85 degrees during the day and down to the mid-sixties at night, and should get cooler Dec/Jan. Bring a jacket!

Kurtweiler

11-23-07, 19:55

Daddy07

11-25-07, 15:18

The old corpse and his dog arrived in LOS on October 14th on a type “O-A” retirement visa good for one year and renewable easily at low cost I am told each year hereafter. This pleasant situation presents a new dimension for my mongering activities in Thailand as I now have all the time in the world to experience the charms of Siam without the need for frequent visa runs or other irritating hassles. Now that I’ve been enjoying myself here for the last month and a half, I figured it was about time I filed a report.

The Thai Airways flight from JFK is non-stop and only about 17 hours in duration as opposed to the United Airlines flights which all stop in Tokyo for a 4 or more hour layover and drag on for a minimum of 22 hours. The dog rode along with me in the cabin in a crate in front of my seat and withstood the ordeal without incident or accident the whole time. Immigration, animal quarantine office, and customs officials presented no obstacles and we soon found our way to Pattaya, the premiere mongering capital of the planet. I’m renting a small 2 bedroom bungalow just off Tappraya Rd only a few hundred meters from beautiful Jomtien and Dogtan beachs where baht busses pass only a few feet from my door. Central Pattaya and Walking Street are only 10 minutes away. I also rented a motorbike on a monthly basis for only 100b per day. It’s great for getting around in the thick traffic here. What a wonderful change from my sterile existence in the USA. Here, Americans represent only a small minority of the legions of expatriates in Pattaya and I can enjoy meeting people from all over the world.

As expected, this place is also crawling with pretty young girls all begging to be plucked from the vine and fucked in good time. So far, I have sampled the sweet sexual services of beer bar girls, go-go bar girls, blowjob bar girls, massage parlor girls, and freelancer Beach Road girls, from 19 to 29, leaving only the good girls in the shops, hospitals, schools and offices which I may or may not decide to pursue as I am currently not interested in acquiring a girlfriend to complicate my life and penchant for butterfly activities. Believe me; it is hard enough to juggle the affections of the naughty girls let alone adding a nice one into the fold. They call at all hours of the day and night begging to be bar fined or to meet during the day for their fix of cash. I simply cannot keep up with all of them. The selection is virtually unlimited, but in time I’m sure I’ll gravitate to the prettier more expensive girls for short time sessions two or three times per week which is more than enough sex for me. The retirement visa permits me this luxury.

Of course, there have been one or two disappointments, (no one bats 1000), but for the most part all have been willing, sweet, kind and loving little service providers. One very cute little 20 year old go-go dancer even paid her own bar fine just for the opportunity to go see where I live and to play with the dog. Yes, every last one of them just loves the dog. He is a certified chick magnet for sure. Another 24 year old favorite beauty with whom I had earlier reported some frustrating times on previous visits has turned into an angel and great performer now that I told her firmly what was expected from her.

One interesting thing I have noticed is that it is apparently cheaper to eat delicious food at a full service restaurant here than to buy the same kind of food at a market for preparation at home. Almost everything is cheaper here than in the states. One exception is wine and spirits which can be very expensive. A glass of wine at a restaurant, for example, can cost nearly as much as your meal. Lady drinks in the bars average about 100b or more (about $3 US) which can add up rather quickly if you tend to be generous like me in buying for several ladies at a time. It’s a great way to make friends though.

Life in Paradise is good.

Regards,
Daddy

Unemployed

11-26-07, 02:28

Get a Permanent Residence, if you can afford it. 195,000 baht. No 90 day reporting, no visa. good for life.OTH, don't you have to have a work visa or put a certain amount of money into the back to get residence? In my research i guessed i missed where you could spend 195,000 baht and get permanent residence. Is there a place you know of where I can read about this? Thanks.

I have to agree with you guys after spending a few weeks in Bangkok, I don't see the cheap in order to live well. If you can get by without a car maybe you can save some there. The only thing I've noticed that is cheaper are taxis.

Zarnon

11-26-07, 04:05

Thanks Opebo;

I haven't been there during cool season. The times I've been there it seems it's been hotter than BKK (Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin).

I remember living in W. Texas where the summers were very hot and the winters very cold. While I doubt Isaan gets as cold as Lubbock, the wide variation in temp may be similar.

Zarnon

11-26-07, 04:08

Kurtweiler,

You're right. I put it in wrong. It's actually called the Mae Ping river and the hotel was PornPing.

It'll be nice when I can edit my mistakes. LOL.

Zarnon

11-26-07, 04:27

I wanted to check out a little weather comparison.

http://www.worldweather.org/089/m089.htm

PinkPearl

11-27-07, 10:10

They call at all hours of the day and night begging to be bar fined or to meet during the day for their fix of cash. I simply cannot keep up with all of them... I am thankful for the mute button on the cell phone.

20 missed calls.

Kiwi 69

11-28-07, 23:45

Do any of the resident Members have any suggestions for reputable, English speaking contacts in the real estate business, any areas? If so, I would appreciate if you could PM me info and contact details.

Also, a friend has just returned from BKK and had heard people there talking about a likely drop in property/currency values in the not too distant future, due to political circumstances. Any of the residents have thoughts on this scenario, or is this just " situation normal "?

Thanks

Old Thai Hand

11-29-07, 01:49

OTH, don't you have to have a work visa or put a certain amount of money into the back to get residence? In my research i guessed i missed where you could spend 195,000 baht and get permanent residence. Is there a place you know of where I can read about this? Thanks.

You need to have a minimum running balance of 400,000, and a work permit for at least 3 years, although I know of retirees that have gotten it without having ever worked here. I think in that case, they still had to be in the country for at least 3 years and have minimum running balance of more (800,000, I think).

Just do a serach on the Internet. There is lots of info.

Dinghy

11-30-07, 00:07

Isaan - mid 60's at night bring a jacket - that's a lot better than low to mid 30's (where I NEED a jacket)

Opebo

11-30-07, 11:50

Isaan - mid 60's at night bring a jacket - that's a lot better than low to mid 30's (where I NEED a jacket)

I need one at 70, Dinghy, particularly on motorbike. It has been down to upper fifties here at night, and should get down to upper fourties in December. There have been many days already when it didn't reach eighty in the day! It is fun but you'll catch a cold if you don't prepare.

The best 'gear' for Isaan winters is 1) zippered sweatshirt and 2) windbreaker. And please, forget about shorts.

Member #2041

12-01-07, 02:35

The weather is even shockingly pleasant in Bangkok currently. Highs in the low 80s Fahrenheit, getting down to the upper 60s at night, and very low humidity.

Animby

12-01-07, 08:59

You need to have a minimum running balance of 400,000, and a work permit for at least 3 years, although I know of retirees that have gotten it without having ever worked here.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd3

Old Thai Hand

12-01-07, 09:47

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd3

Although I was talking about Permanent Residence, not retirement visas, I would guess that the 800,000 running bank balance or income of 65,000/month required for a retirement visa would probably be the same for permanent residence.

Jungle Bluebird

12-03-07, 09:08

Link to the immigration site (ref. residency) http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/doc/declaration4extend.doc

JB

Although I was talking about Permanent Residence, not retirement visas, I would guess that the 800,000 running bank balance or income of 65,000/month required for a retirement visa would probably be the same for permanent residence.

PinkPearl

12-03-07, 10:51

Heading over to the internet shop today via the steep stairs at the Nana BTS {skytrain} station, as usual there was some fine ass to see two feet in front of my face. Sure beats bird watching. Moving a bit closer I would have loved to examine things with my tongue.

For newbies I can tell you that these ladies, at least the P4P ones, dress as sexy as they do in Miami and other warm climates of the world. For example, they often wear very short shorts that show off their legs and bum. They exhibit a lot of skin. In fact if they are fully dressed and covered in this climate, that may be a clue that they are probably not available, or are of a middle eastern origin. So, unless your initials are OTH, don't bother even trying.

For those who are wondering if TGs {Thai Girls} are hot, the photo gallery does not do justice to what you will find here, at least in BKK. Both the night P4P and non WG {working girl} day crowds are full of gorgeous, sexy, mouth watering good babes. Of course the latter are only available to bright people like OTH, but for the rest of us morons, have no fear, there are five ladies for each of us.

Old Thai Hand

12-05-07, 12:42

PinkPearl

12-08-07, 14:06

What should one expect to pay for medical coverage living in LOS full time or most of the time, and as a result losing coverage in Canada?

Old Thai Hand

12-10-07, 05:27

What should one expect to pay for medical coverage living in LOS full time or most of the time, and as a result losing coverage in Canada?

It depends on what you want and how old you are - anywhere from 30,000 up to 75,000.

Check out BUPA Blue Cross.

LittleBigMan

12-10-07, 15:07

Insurance!

There are many companies but the problem is not knowing generally how much some of these policy covers because we are not familiar with how much a procedure, hospitalization, etc... might cost.

Medical policies coverage seem to be sold in catagories.
1. Hospitalization, only if you are sick and need to stay overnight.
2. Hospitalization with outpatient visits
3. Accident insurance
4. Term Life insurance

Some policies are sold with Term Life Insurance like a company called AIA, from my personal experience I wouldn't touch this company with a 10 foot pole! They have Term Life Insurance of 300,000 baht included in their medical policy and their sales representative tell you it is free but in fact it isn't because they might be the only company that requires a physical. They required the money up front but they will pay the physical and you have the option of selecting how much coverage. The physical is half ass depending where your rep takes you. But from what I have seen they are looking for the young and healthy. I'm in excellent health and they turn me down, even the doctor that examined me indicated that at 55 I was in excellent health but AIA turn me down and when I wrote the Bangkok Headquarters requesting an explaination I never got a response. So on a personal note F--- Them!

So for the last year I have been looking and looking and being on a budget I was able to obtain some insurance to balance my needs and budget. But personally the issue of health insurance keeps me on my toes too much at times!

As OTH, indicate Bupa, which is another name for Blue Cross, is expensive compare to the others but what I like to see in a policy is on the major coverage it says " Full coverage "!

Heres a sample: Platinum Plan 56-60 years old, 1 million coverage, 44,625 baht a year. 2 Million coverage, 47,143, 3 million coverage 54,700 and these prices do not cover Outpatient visits!

Good luck, LBM

Old Thai Hand

12-10-07, 17:12

Having had two surgical procedures here with a stay in the hospital both times, I agree with LBM to not go with any Thai company such as AIA. The coverage is only half-way adeqate but, only if you subject yourself to a Thai hospital, many of which would not be out-of-place in the Middle Ages. For international ones like Bangkok Hospital or Bumrungrad you need good coverage. Costs at these two hospitals, in particular Bangkok Hospital are almost equal to what you'd pay in the US. The only way to go is with an international health insurance company like Blue Cross (BUPA) or New York Life (which is through Siam Commercial Bank) and to buy the optional out-patient package because OPD can cost a fortune here.

Not too long ago, good healthcare at both Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital was relatively cheap as they were both marketing healthcare tourism, mainly to western countries. But, those days are gone as they now target Arabs from the Gulf States and Japanese and have subsequently drastically raised their prices.

For example, I recently had an MRI at Bangkok Hospital because of a knee injury. The MRI cost me 13,000 baht, about the same as it would cost in the US. I was quoted 350,000 for the knee surgery, if I opt to have it. This is actually double what it would cost in the US. Interestly, Bumrungrad quoted 180,000 for the same procedure. I suspect that these hospitals have become victims of their own success and now are just using creative pricing to gouge people.

Starchild2012

12-10-07, 18:50

Traveler1234

12-10-07, 20:07

The only way to go is with an international health insurance company like Blue Cross (BUPA) or New York Life (which is through Siam Commercial Bank) and to buy the optional out-patient package because OPD can cost a fortune here.

I got coverage for my son who moved to HK after graduating college. COBRA coverage under my plan was like $400-500/month (!!) and I found hthworldwide.com, signed him up as 'student' (he was taking classes in HK), yearly deductible of $500, monthly cost $146.

Earlier this year, he went to emergency room at local govt hp in HK, stayed for 3 days, and subsequently got second opinion/checkup at Sanatorium (most expensive hp in HK)...total cost US$1600. File with hthworldwide, 20 days later, full reimbursement.

Btw, excellent customer service, etc. When my son was in emergency room, called carrier, they had their Shanghai office followup in the middle of night (my local time back stateside) w/ docs, etc. I would highly recommend them from our limited experience.

Customer Service
HTH Worldwide
888.243.2358
610.293.3529 (fax)
One Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087

Bumholes1

12-10-07, 23:27

I can recommend Exeter Healthcare from the UK. All nationalities welcome www.exeterfriendly.co.uk

The 2 main advantages

1) you can obtain cover for life (even if you make 100) -most medical insurance ceases at 65 or 70

2) Premiums do not increase with age - you remain at the same age you were when you took out the insurance.

LittleBigMan

12-11-07, 01:30

Insurance, As for Worldwide.com which I research for insurance relating to coverage outside the U.S. the cost was way to much for a expat on a budget. From my quote it was 360.00 USD a month. As for the other Exeter more research on my part is needed since the company is in UK, and payment quotes were in Sterling!

As for OTH, other recommendation insurance through the Siam Commercial Bank, New York Life, I will do some research when I return to Pattaya. In the past I have visited the Bangkok Bank Headquarter in Pattaya and they also offer Health Insurance but the cost was expensive and it again wasn't clear on what or how much they are going to cover. No physical was required from them.

My limited research has been for only Thailand. the Pattaya Expat Club offers to their member reasonable benefits at a very low cost for a 1 million baht policy through Thai Health Insurance Co. LTD, but again the problem is not knowing what a normal procedure will cost you if you had to stay overnight and have a operation? What is certain is like AIA, and Thai Health the overnight room charge coverage is 4,000 Baht and with the raising cost in Hospital like Pattaya/Bangkok the charge per night is near 10,000, and I have a feeling Bumrungrad might be in the same range.

I have done some research on other companies like Swiss Insurance, LMG Pacific Healthcare so far and will continue my search to look for a company that doesn't seem to talk out of the side of their mouth. Like Bumrungrad my research visit to the Billing office last year found that they don't do direct billing with many companies outside Thailand particularly U.S. because they are slow in payment! So you must pay first and get your own reimbursement.

I just hope we can hear more from other Expat in Thailand that might have experience what we are looking for in insurance. The next year when I return I certainly will be doing more research on how much certain procedure cost and whether some of these Insurance Companies polices offer the necessary coverage. But right now Bupa seem to be on the right track.

In search of real Medical coverage / LBM

PinkPearl

12-12-07, 08:51

Thanks for your replies. Presently I only have CDN insurance at about $53 a month or 600 annually and whatever my airline Cathay Pacific sold me before leaving the cuntry. If I spend more than 6 months outside of Canada a calendar year coverage is forfeited.

Jungle Bluebird

12-20-07, 08:02

Thought I start a series of postings abt Bangkok life with ‘good girls’. Had some time over the last few weeks, and pressed my luck.

The waitress.

Going to this same restaurant for months. Noted this one waitress. Actually noted that black bra she is wearing when reaching over to serve plates. It’s the little things after all. Average face, very white, cute ass, slim, little English and quite reserved. The other day I ask for her mobile number. Without hesitation I got what I needed to file her and make a move when the mood is right.

Abt a week later, first meeting. I am past the phase of shy and prompt her straight away on my search for a regular sex partner against pay – i.e. gig. She understands fully she explains, but I notice that she is really not into the sex talk business. I invite her for lunch, i.e. a bit of a detour and thinking about my car parked in the mall parking deck.

Once in the car I immediately reach out and move her face towards mine. No resistance, while I kiss her she is shaking all over. My hand drives right between her legs, she open up wide and ‘accidentally’ her hand falls on my pants. I start to finger her and she is very, very wet. 5 minutes later she gives me an ok B/J with CIM.

After lunch I drop her at her place of work. Looking for a new restaurant now :-)

JB

Old Thai Hand

12-20-07, 13:52

PinkPearl

12-20-07, 20:03

JB

Nice report. There's something infinitely more rewarding when you break down the barriers, so to speak, of a regular, conservative TG. It's a much bigger turn-on, IMHO when there's some uncertainty going in, which you then overcome. It beats the crap out of P4P where there's no real surprise other than the negative one of some over-priced bad performer with attitude.

Perhaps, when I get some time in the next couple of days, I'll add to your "series".Ha ha, OTH! Always good for a laugh.

No surprise? Over-priced? Bad performer? How many of those alleged 500 TGs you banged were P4P? Three or four? You really need to get out more.

For many of us one hour is worth 3000 Baht and up. Add to that the torture of having to spend it talking to a woman over lunch like JB did and it's even more costly. Then there's the restaurant bill.

As the saying goes, the big difference between sex for money and sex for free is that sex for money costs less.

Old Thai Hand

12-21-07, 02:20

How many of those alleged 500 TGs you banged were P4P? Three or four? You really need to get out more.

It was closer to only 400 and actually, about half were P4P. Although, I haven't shagged a P4P girl for a long time.

Add to that the torture of having to spend it talking to a woman over lunch like JB did and it's even more costly.

Some more enlightened men, who actually like to talk to women, if for no other reason than as a pleasant part of the mating ritual, would find your views sexist and antiquated. What makes it even more pleasant in Thailand is that one doesn't have to put up with ball-breaking women, as one does in the West and the whole experience of breaking down the barriers with a Thai woman is fairly painless and relatively easy. I'm sure Junglebird found his little tryst much more satisfying than simply going out and paying for some well-used hooker, if for no other reason than the girl in question was clearly fresh and relatively unspoiled. There's a sense of accomplishment in this that feeds our hunter-gatherer instincts. This simply isn't the case with paying for a hooker.

Geez, I would expect more from an air-head from God's little green acre (aka, British Columbia). I thought all you West coasters were liberal, grew pot and spent the weekend doing something positive for the environment. Or, are you one of those low-lifes who used to troll for crack *****s on Davie Street?

With your attitude about Thai women, you're just the sort of Farang the Thais 'love' having here.;)

Personally, I found JB's post refreshing after constantly reading crap about someone's experience at this or that soapie or with some SW from Nana parking lot (YAWN).

Jungle Bluebird

12-21-07, 04:35

Pink Pearl

You completely miss the point. P4P I can do ample, only have to walk 5 minutes from my office. And I had ample in the past and still have. Mind you these days I rather opt for a double (2 girls) at one of the 'spas'.

The fun is with 'good girls' to overcome ones demons. To be able to say what you think, straight out and do what you feel like - all that in a non P4P way.

The interesting part of all this is that most of these encounters end up in surprising ways. And mind you, I can bear the lunch, not all 'good' Thai girls are semi retarded, unlike nearly all P4P girls.

For me the whole money issue is irrelevant. I seek adventure, sex in most uncommon, surprising situations. But it must be ad hoc, not planned and after weeks of labor.

JB

Ha ha, OTH! Always good for a laugh.

No surprise? Over-priced? Bad performer? How many of those alleged 500 TGs you banged were P4P? Three or four? You really need to get out more.

For many of us one hour is worth 3000 Baht and up. Add to that the torture of having to spend it talking to a woman over lunch like JB did and it's even more costly. Then there's the restaurant bill.

As the saying goes, the big difference between sex for money and sex for free is that sex for money costs less.

Jungle Bluebird

12-21-07, 05:02

Sharing the empty elevator with this Chinese girl I figure I have about 30 seconds to get her mobile number. We all know the rule, say something, anything within the count of 3 or forget it. So I compliment her on her white skin, mention that she surely applies a lot of lotion and obviously takes good care of herself. She comes back with a big smile. I excuse my approach with the notion that in about 20 seconds we will part forever unless I get her mobile number. She scribbles it right into my phone, just in time for me to exit.

Some days later I ask via sms for a lunch date. Select the corner table, big tables, with loads of waiters and people around. I drive the chit chat towards the more interesting subject of masturbation. I explain that it is a not a guys prerogative to talk dirty and she should let go of all her inhibitions. To open this up further I tell her that I masturbate daily which is a complete lie, just to see her reaction. She responds and explains that she does it at least once a week and after some probing she ‘admits’ her last sexual encounter was 6 month ago.

Using this information I confess to her that I am now excited, which is true and point towards my pants which clearly show evidence of my arousal. After I asked her to move closer to the table I prompt her to feel my erection. I figure what the heck, open my pants and she actually starts playing with my member. All the while waiters come and go, loads of people around and I am sitting there with my hair on fire.

I start fingering her and she is super wet. I throw all caution in the wind and come right there, under the table, all over the floor. With luck I manage to avoid staining my pants and wow, it is at this point I figure its time to get out of here fast. ‘Check bill’ and off we go separate ways. I never met her again.

JB

NicFrenchy

12-21-07, 10:51

Personally, I found JB's post refreshing after constantly reading crap about someone's experience at this or that soapie or with some SW from Nana parking lot (YAWN).I found JB's post VERY refreshing myself! Maybe I'll also add up the "Good Girls" experiences I had ;)

Oth, in regards to the Crap reviews, no one actually forces you to read them and you of all people knows how this forum works, I am sure you even worked out the Scroll wheel on your mouse to skip quickly between posts.come on Now, tell us how you really feel. A short 2 lines and a yawn are far from your style.

Daddy07

12-21-07, 16:26

... I drive the chit chat towards the more interesting subject of masturbation. I explain that it is a not a guys prerogative to talk dirty and she should let go of all her inhibitions. To open this up further I tell her that I masturbate daily which is a complete lie, just to see her reaction. She responds and explains that she does it at least once a week and after some probing she ‘admits’ her last sexual encounter was 6 month ago... Using this information I confess to her that I am now excited,
JB

Two quite interesting, entertaining, and highly erotic reports, JB.

Just wondering -- are you talking dirty to these girls in Thai or English?

Even if I had your balls, I'm not proficient enough in Thai to emulate your method.

Also just wondering -- what is your batting average using these techniques? How often do you encounter the brush off with your fast approach?

Terry Terrier

12-22-07, 00:28

pink pearl

you completely miss the point.....

never has the point been more clear, jb. at first, i was quite bemused by the overbearing arrogance. now i can see clearly it's basis: sexually predatory behaviour of a relatively extreme kind. enjoy your journey. a couple of stops down the line is a station called '[CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123)'.

thank fuck my sexuality is sufficiently functional to not require that kind of shit in order to get my nuts off.

Old Thai Hand

12-22-07, 02:56

Sexually predatory behaviour of a relatively extreme kind.

Your reaction is a bit "extreme", don't you think?

By nature all men are sexual predators. We've been hard-wired that way for a million years.

What's your beef with JB. anyway?

NicFrenchy

12-22-07, 04:02

Thanks JB for starting this and congratulations on 2 well written reports!

I also have a few experiences I can share on the subject so here's number 1:

I work downtown Bangkok (Sukhumvit) in a 15 Storey office building where there are a lot of different companies renting spaces.

The office a few doors from ours has a lot of nice girls coming in and out all the time and after going to have a look I noticed it was a cosmetic company.

They all wear a very short Shirt/Dress like uniform (with no bottoms, you know one of them new fashion things) that makes them look very sexy.

The weekdays are very busy and around lunchtime, while waiting for the elevator, we often bump into these girls (all very pretty, White, Tall, Slim) and a lot of smiles and glances are exchanged. Some even politely Greet us.

Now on Saturdays (yes, I work Saturdays) the Building is fairly empty and so is our floor, with the exception of our office and the cosmetic office where a few ladies are on Saturday standby.

One Saturday, I was on my cell phone in the area between the restrooms and the Corridor leading to the offices when I saw that great looking Cosmetic Gal pass by me going to "freshen-up" in the Lavatory, she gives me a Broad smile as she passes. A few minutes pass and when she comes back she gives me an even bigger smile so I decide to stop her. I gently grab her wrist and ask her if I can touch the material of her uniform. She looks at me half intrigued half amused and gives me the go ahead. I caress the fabric complimenting her about its softness and how good she looks in it. I moved from just caressing the material to rubbing her waist, She was blushing and smiling but clearly looks like she was up for it.

All of this happened in the Corridor in front of the women's bathroom, but fairly safe as you would hear anyone coming down the Hall.

Split of a second decision and I moved up to her breasts, she was still smiling and I told her I am sure her breasts look great. Next thing you know she dragged me inside the ladies bathroom and into a stall. We kissed, she popped her breasts and I got hard just looking at them.

I fingered her and she masturbated me in the Stall (not to completion). My heart is still beating just thinking about it.

Fortunately, we exchanged Cell numbers and she became a steady Girlfriend for 3 months. Sex was Great, her body was perfect, so was her english and we had great conversations. It was nice while it lasted but I got bored and moved on.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here (http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?) for more information.

Terry Terrier

12-22-07, 08:54

Your reaction is a bit "extreme", don't you think?

Nope. Your fellow expat has an appalling attitude toward women. You like to diss Opebo , but you slap JB, with his disgusting modus operandi, on the back! Astonishing! Still, his respectable management job won't count for much when the brothers and cousins of one of his er, ahem, 'conquests' catch up with him.

Easy2007

12-22-07, 16:07

I've put this on the Bangkok reports thread, but I will put it here too for reference.

Amazingly there still seems to be a lot of people who are not aware that under no circumstance should you allow your bill to be converted into your home currency when you pay for it (Point Of Sale - POS).

You should be aware that Thailand has "onshore" and "offshore" exchange rates, the onshore rate is much higher than the offshore rate. For example the "onshore" rate in Thailand is around 68 Baht for pounds sterling. The "offshore" rate is around 63 Baht.

If you pay for goods or services on a credit card, and are charged in local currency (eg Baht) - you will get billed by your credit card issuer using the "onshore" rate, which is higher which saves you money, its the same rate you are changing your cash for.

If you let them charge you in your home currency, the machine will convert the Baht at the "offshore" rate (the rate of conversion you'll find in small print on the receipt, and you'll see its very low).

This is a con - and its a nice little earner for the banks whose machines are utilised to "Convert to home currency".

If you are asked if you want to pay in your home currency, say "NO".

If you are not asked, then check your receipt and see if the machine has automatically charged you in local currency - eg you have Baht and then it shows a charge in your home currency. If this is the case please tell the service person to cancel the charge, and charge again in local currency only.

I have known this for some time, but some people still are unaware of this issue in Thailand.

Please be aware !!!!!!!!

Old Thai Hand

12-22-07, 17:53

Nope. Your fellow expat has an appalling attitude toward women. You like to diss Opebo , but you slap JB, with his disgusting modus operandi, on the back! Astonishing! Still, his respectable management job won't count for much when the brothers and cousins of one of his er, ahem, 'conquests' catch up with him.

I doubt that. For one thing, the girls seem to be consenting adults and willing participants and not coerced in any way. If I add one or two stories of my own, then you can attack me as a potential predator, as well. Since your experiences here have been as a visitor and, if I'm not mistaken only with P4P, I doubt if you really know what any ordinary Thai woman thinks about sex. You'd be surprised. Thai women are emotionally overwrought and governed as they are my cultural constraints that define the epitome of Thai womanhood as being the quintessential "good girl", they tend to react emotionally and sexually something akin to Mt. Vesuvius, often going against what is expected.

Perhaps you're spending too much time in "Cool Britannia" where women's emotional range goes from bitchy to bitchier to bitchiest.

In any event, whatever your beef is with JB, I think in this case a couple of interesting stories, different from the normal crap on here don't warrant your vitriolic criticism.

Old Thai Hand

12-23-07, 03:57

Nic and JB have started what sounds like the old "Letters to Penthouse" pages. It's quite refreshing, for a change.

So with the risk of being attacked by TT, I'll add one. After 11 years, I have a million of them, actually. But, this one is one of my all time favorites.

A couple of years ago I had an accident while in Hua Hin and ended up at San Paulo Hospital, where I met a cute 20 y.o. trainee physiotherapy nurse who was on a work term from her college in Samut Prakan near Bangkok. She was quite lovely but, unusual looking for a Thai girl, in that she had a wild mane of long, extremely brown curly hair, and looked a little Indian, but was a light, honey-color and had something TGs rarely have - light freckles across her nose.

While working on my leg, she told me she had a 'thing for older men', because her father had left when she was quite young. She was looking for a 'Daddy', a term frought with meaning in Thai culture, which I explained once on here as a term of endearment used by young Thai women for an older man for whom they have some emotional/sexual attraction. However, because she was there and I was in Bangkok, I thought it too complicated and didn't pursue it.

A short-time later, I was online on a dating site and suddenly she appeared, started chatting and explained that she was back in Samut Prakan and was coming into Bangkok to see her Mum and wanted to meet me. It turned out that her Mum lived and had a shop on the same soi as my condo. I met her near Emporium for coffee and asked here for dinner, figuring this would be the first step. But, she cut to the chase and said, "Can we just go to your place, and then I'll go see my Mum?" As we walked to my place, I could see the girl was shaking like a leaf, which I later discovered was a combination of nervous excitement and anticipation. She clearly had an agenda. But, I've had false starts before with TGs, and so wasn't taking anything for granted. We got to my condo, and she immediately sat on the bed, shaking so much, she was positively vibrating. So, I decided to just go for it and she immediately went nuts (in a good way) and we were totally at it within minutes. I've met plenty of wild TGs, but this girl was insatiable. We did managed to crawl out of my place, grab some dinner near her Mum's shop, she popped in to say hello, and then she ended up spending what turned out to be quite a wild night with me.

Subsequently, she became a semi-regular, untypically never asking or expecting anything more than to be my "gig" and to see me when she and I were both free. She was very cool - completely un-Thai in her 'coolness' and laid-back attitude. It helped as well that she lived an hour from Bangkok. So, there was no threat of her dropping in unexpectedly. Usually, out of the blue I would get a text message saying, "I'm coming into to town. Do you have free time?" Even after I began dating my GF, of whom she was well aware, she still wanted to meet up occasionally, when convenient. I only ended it when things got serious with my GF.

But, we still chat from time to time and she's indicated that I have an open invitation to start up again whenever I want. Needless-to-say, I'm often tempted as she still remains one of the hottest girls, I've ever known.

Terry Terrier

12-24-07, 00:26

The only basis of any attack would be for your use of San Paolo hospital. You're lucky to have got out without your leg, arm, dick, or some such, being amputated (and settle chek bin before leave please sir).

Spot on about farang ladies.

JB nearly always warrants vitriolic criticism.

LittleBigMan

12-24-07, 03:30

Easy2007,

Although, your reference to credit cards visa seem to be related to the Euro, how is it relevant to the U.S., Although I never use my credit card how do you get away from Visa and Master Card getting their 3% on top of the purchase and 1% they charge you from the conversion of your purchase.

Every credit card or debit card that carries a visa or M/C logo is controlled by these company from my experience even when you are using your own money in a checking or saving account. What is your answer to beating them?

LBM

Easy2007

12-24-07, 03:50

Its related to all currencies, as Thailand has "onshore" and "offshore" exchance rates. It relates only to the Point of Sale consversion from Baht to your own currency.

Just keep a watch on CC slips, and make sure they are not converted into your credit card's currency and away from Thai Baht.

With regards to the percentages, you pay for the privilage, and if you don't like it, you must carry cash or withdraw from your debit card.

Easy2007,

Although, your reference to credit cards visa seem to be related to the Euro, how is it relevant to the U.S., Although I never use my credit card how do you get away from Visa and Master Card getting their 3% on top of the purchase and 1% they charge you from the conversion of your purchase.

Every credit card or debit card that carries a visa or M/C logo is controlled by these company from my experience even when you are using your own money in a checking or saving account. What is your answer to beating them?

LBM

Sanook D

12-24-07, 06:49

nic and jb have started what sounds like the old "letters to penthouse" pages. that's exactly what it reminded me of. i credit myself with figuring out right away, at about the age of 14, that no-one would take the time to write out and send to a magazine such elaborate details of sexual conquests without remuneration- i mean, why bother? now that i am older i realize that my conclusion was after all naive, failing to take into consideration ego, the craving for the recognition of one's peers, and boredom.

i used to denigrate p4p, too, and once remarked to a japanese ladyfriend that i thought the apparent japanese male preference for prostitutes over non-working girls was pathetic. her comment was that paying for sex is a hell of a lot more honest than feigning interest and affection when all one is interested in doing is busting a nut. of course, being a woman, even a wise woman, there remained some points she had neglected; not being a man she perhaps failed to realize that often there is much more involved than just getting one's rocks off (which is of primary importance to the teenager or the seaman just returned to shore, but probably secondary to those who live in place where it is possible to find assistance in getting off any time). forking over dough to a hooker gets boring rather quickly, and after all paying for it doesn't provide the ego-boost of manly conquest, nor can it really serve to compensate for or avenge all those times when those ball-breaking bitches back home made you feel small. humiliating a prostitute wouldn't, i think we can be fairly sure, provide the same satisfaction as getting over on some poor little twat who thinks she's snagged prince charming- and you won't get much applause bragging about the hooker to your mates (even though plenty of guys in this town seem to think that picking up the hottest babe in a go-go makes them casanova, much as they might think that bagging the biggest stag in canned hunt makes them davy crockett).

of course, there is no point in having a lot more money, nicer clothes, and cleverer moves than the local dudes, not to mention what little remains of our farang cachet (fading fast! ), if you can't use it. there is no reason to call it "[CodeWord123] (http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123)", but it does entail subterfuge and delusion (including self-delusion), and don't kid yourselves that no-one gets hurt and you are blameless because you never made any blatantly false claims or promises.

anyway, enjoy yourselves, fellas- been there, done that, all around the world, which is not to say i'm proud of myself for it. enough of me pretending to be jiminy cricket, although at least if i had six legs i might still have one to stand on. just remember, you really don't want to wind up like casanova.

Sanook D

12-24-07, 08:06

She was very cool - completely un-Thai in her 'coolness' and laid-back attitude. It helped as well that she lived an hour from Bangkok.She sounds quite civilized. Thanks for your very good story, which rather than being of the "pork and dump as many broads as possible" variety suggests that a grown-up, non-possessive friendship with a Thai woman that includes great sex is possible. Refreshing- I admit it is one of things I miss about Japan. In my experience, Thai women, even the ones who at first seem sane, urbane, and quite cool, generally prove, usually at some inopportune time, to be quite mad (and I don't mean P4P lassies, who are nearly all prove crazy when you scratch the surface, even the nice ones- so avoid scratching the surface). Or perhaps it is just that my cultural bias- maybe I need to recognize that acting like a lunatic could merely be proof of true love, or at least what passes for it. In general I find the Thais too childlike, or when I'm feeling less generous, childish, in their emotional responses for the kind of relationship you describe, but that doesn't mean it is entirely impossible- just rare (and once again, let me add that I came to that conclusion before I even met any P4P Thai nationals, believe it or not).

Anyway, I think you might agree that the concept of male-female friendship, let alone friendship-with-benefits, is only slowly gaining ground here. I can imagine this maybe with an older woman- a divorcee who values her independence, perhaps, and has her own financial means- but even so I'd be leery of her suddenly getting all whacky on me (such has happened recently to a mate of mine, with an older, divorced woman- a PhD candidate- he was consorting with).

Old Thai Hand

12-25-07, 02:59

Sanook

As usual your analysis is quite thoughtful. You are absolutely correct that the vast majority of Thai women are emotionally overwrought, certainly childish and as a result difficult to deal with over the long term. The reasons for this are quite complex, but derive from such influences as Thai folk theater (Likay), its modern version, the Thai Lakorn (soap opera), a paternalistic society that wants to keep women as childlike girls well past their due-date, and a culture that suppresses emotion and considers deep-thinking almost as a sin.

The "one man for life" that Thai girls buy into leads to a puppy-dog devotion that almost always ends in disaster.

Jungle Bluebird

12-26-07, 09:03

Daddy07

Approach and execution would be in English. Which does not make it easier. My Thai is simply not good enough to drill into their heads. To make the approach successful I figure it’s best to simply compliment. Initiating the execution I try to pick up signals (i.e. cut through the noise). My target is between 25-40 years of age. Prefer around 30, with an arrogant demeanor. Really love the arrogant types. Figure it’s all front anyway (arrogance after all in an expression of insecurity). Trust my instinct mostly. I swear there are days I can clearly read their sexual readiness and lust for adventure.

Don’t get brushed off, as I only make my move when I truly feel confident that particular moment. A half hearted approach surely will end up in disaster. What still takes some effort though is to talk straight, i.e. to look into a prospect’s face and announce without blinking… ‘I really would love to fuck you right now’… But I am getting better, more shameless I suppose. Truth is the more direct I am verbally, the quicker I get there. Most women I talk to clearly seem to appreciate this directness. My favorite on a first date – if they wears a skirt – is to ask whether they can take off their underwear. Wicked, most oblige.

JB

Two quite interesting, entertaining, and highly erotic reports, JB.

Just wondering -- are you talking dirty to these girls in Thai or English?

Even if I had your balls, I'm not proficient enough in Thai to emulate your method.

Also just wondering -- what is your batting average using these techniques? How often do you encounter the brush off with your fast approach?

Jungle Bluebird

12-26-07, 09:06

There she was coming towards me in Central Chidlom. We had met previously. Just for a few minutes then, but I clearly remembered her. ‘I am only a few days in Bangkok’ she announces, but lunch would be a possibility the following day. The serviced apartment has a decent restaurant on the ground floor and over buffet we studied each other. My god, is she fine! Her hair, hands, fingernails, the scent of her perfume. About 160, very slim. The sportive type really, yet well packaged with all the standard urban accessories. I asked her to sit next to me rather then opposite. I see her shiny skin, smell the lotion just applied. My eyes glance from top to toes. Her feet, immaculate, supported by delicate ankles. Not a scar as far as I can see. Overall a stunner. Damn! I try to stay cool. My insides feel like screaming sex and I seriously worry about not getting this one.

I rather refrain from obscenities, better keep my mouth shut I figure. So I just ask to see the apartment. All along I sense extreme nervousness on her part. She readily agrees to the apartment inspection and we move – her looking guilty all over – towards the card driven elevator. Cameras everywhere, so I play along. No need to embarrass her.

We enter her apartment, ever polite she offers coffee, I decline and move her closer to me. Our lips meet and it’s all passion. Not even kissing for 5 seconds she glides down, on her knees, rips open my pants and performs one of the best blowjobs ever. I stop her and point to the bedroom. Again I sense the nervousness on her part – almost guilt. Yet, she stops and asks me to wait. She returns to the kitchen with a whole array of toys. The choice is the standard well sized rubber dildo, battery driven mouse for insertion or pink size smaller dildo with structured surface. Toys are neatly packaged in a transparent bag, supported by a brand new un-opened container of Durex lube.

During the next 45 minutes nothing was left out. From oral to anal, she was beautiful all along. All complimented with a constant switch play of slave and domination. When it was over she straight away jumped up, cleaned all toys, packed them away properly, cleaned the bed and herself and got the coffee ready. Not much to say after all that. I left quickly and had a feeling she was best left alone after our temporary excursion into smut and dirty sex.

We met a few times after, but it was never as good as the first time. I later learned she was married. Probably the reason for her insecurity.

JB

Diceman

12-26-07, 19:50

EDITOR'S NOTE: This report was deleted because the content of the report was largely argumentative. Please read the Forum FAQ and the Forum's Posting Guidelines for more information. Thank You!

PinkPearl

12-27-07, 12:56

I doubt if you really know what any ordinary Thai woman thinks about sex. You'd be surprised. Thai women are emotionally overwrought and governed as they are my cultural constraints that define the epitome of Thai womanhood as being the quintessential "good girl", they tend to react emotionally and sexually something akin to Mt. Vesuvius, often going against what is expected.Maybe that explains why I've found a large percentage of P4P ladies to be so vocal during intercourse. Unless they are faking it, they sound like they may need immediate ambulatory service.

A few also seem to like the fact that I'm like the energizer bunny, able to go for an hour or three per session. I get comments from them like, "no charge if you make me cum twice again". BTW, to those who don't think there are P4P who will go for free, I've had ladies stay the night and say they want nothing, or hotties who have gone with me for ridiculously low amounts even by BKK standards.

On the other hand there are more P4Ps who do not like the energizer bunny type. I take it they prefer the typical guy who cums in an average of five minutes so they can go get their next trick and make more cash.

But then again maybe this is all bull shit BS and OTH is a seventeen year old with too much time on his hands.