charleskirk commented : My wife and I have been married for 34 years and look forward to the rest of our lives together. Our marriage has been wonderful and we have experienced the same trials and triumphs of any marriage. We are both christian now and enjoy working together in ministry as well as continuing to care for our children and grandchildren. I would not change any part of our life together and love my wife very much as she also loves me and has proven so many times during our marriage. We have two sons and several grandchildren with another on the way which we are looking forward to. I couldn't imagine life without my precious Song and hope to continue together for many years to come. The only problem we have is with the governments of the US and Thailand. The US is a hassle because we have to pay dearly to maintain her green card as she never applied for US citizenship and Thailand will not recognize our marriage legally even though she is now legally registered with my last name. It's all about paperwork issues and even the embassy people at Bangkok are sympathetic to our issue but can't do anything to help because of the immigration rules established after the 911 attack in the US. I would advise to make sure all your Thai paperwork is in order to save the hassles of not having a properly documented marriage in Thailand. Other than that give your love and be faithful and your Thai wife will be as great as a wife can be.

charleskirk commented : I don't believe how this has become a political debate over a simple tee shirt. I am an American who served in Thailand during the VietNam conflict and while I am proud to have served my time in the military for my country it is appauling how some Americans act when overseas. America is special in that we have attributes that are superior to what others have but that is for our country and to be respected in our country. These things are not shared by all other countries and each country has a soveriegn right to do things their way just as America has a right to do things our way in our country. Other countries have special attributes that Americans don't enjoy in America. I don't believe we should expect other countries to be America any more than we expect America to fall in line with other countries. Each country is an independant soveriegnity so let's back off the country bashing and get back to the original issue which was an offensive tee shirt. Did anyone bother to speak with the store owner and explain that the tee shirt was offensive and why. If so the owner would have probably have apologized for the offense and moved the shirt. Also the "flipping off symbol of the middle finger" is not well known or understood in most countries by the common folk. I remember a friend in Germany when I was stationed there told me that you could "flip off" all the locals and most would think you were waving hello because the offensive gesture to them was pointing the index finger to your forehead and they had no clue about the "American middle finger flip off". It is doubtful the shop owner has a clue about what the tee shirt means and if he/she does know probably has good reason to display it publically. Let it go and get on with life. Enjoy Thailand and ignore the few that might dislike you.

charleskirk commented : Our family in Bangkok (my wife is Thai and I am American) has a maid and I talk to her every time we visit and no one seems to mind or has had anything negative to say about it so whoever is saying something negative about you talking to the servants has a personal problem borne out of prejudice, not protocol. I also try to converse with vendors and other people I meet on the street or in the village where my wife is from as a matter of being neighborly and promoting good will toward the Thai people which I love dearly. Proper attitude and conversation have always been well received and I believe most Thai people appreciate those of us who are friendly without seeking something in return. It is difficult in a culture where most foriegners are tourists seeking something for themselves to prove you are simply being friendly and not trying to get something but once the people of the area get to know who you are and what you intend it gets easier to overcome the distrust of some. Keep on being friendly and speaking to those arround you and enjoy Thailand with an open heart. It will pay off in the grattitude of those who find not all foriegners are scheming for an advantage but can actually be good people.