ravbrat commented : Your time in Thailand will be an adventure for and your family without doubt. I have lived and worked here for 3 years now, teaching in an international HS here and I am moving back to California in 3 weeks. Thailand is a most unique place but do not be fooled by the brochures and promises made to you by anyone. It can be more expensive living here than in the USA unless you adopt a totally Thai lifestyle, which is not an easy thing to do. I cannot get specific in this posting, so allow me to state the the grass is 'not' greener on the other side and [u:3gomom9e]whatever[/u:3gomom9e] your dermal pigmentation status is, it will be a challenge for you on a daily basis, remove your rose colored glasses as they will cause constant consternation for you. Words of advice, get GOOD health insurance and make sure it is for a HIGHLY rated hospital like Bhumrungrad or equivalent, be very up to speed on first aid & CPR because there are no paramedics here, you are the fastest transport in an emergency. For school, you MUST make sure that it has a WASC accreditation to their name so the children's credits can be transferred back to USA otherwise any diplomas are effectively useless back home. 'Religious' based schools should be avoided and vigorously inquire about their demographics. Thai law limits international schools to not more than 50% students be Thai citizens and some schools easily exceed that just for profit (my 'international' school runs 83% Thai students), also inquire into the teachers, make sure that they are Euro/USA with licenses FROM their HOME COUNTRY. Schools with many Indian or Filipino teachers are most often using just Thai teaching licenses and usually have no licenses or even teacher training from their home countries (most countries do not have a teacher licensing system like USA/Euro). My school teachers: 48% Filipino teachers, 24% Indian teachers, 23% Thai & only 5% Euro/USA and next year they will have only ONE teacher from USA (not I). There is a lot that can be said against living in Thailand just as a lot can be said FOR living in Thailand. Don't let the rhetoric of people be your guideline, use your head and you might survive the experience, let go of prejudices and you might do OK here, don't take things personally and it can be good here, be able to roll with punches and you will be fine; but always watch you back and develop an ear for those with 'forked tongues' (understand the concept of "saving face", it is HUGE here). Best of luck with your decision and enjoy your new 'adventure', for that is what it will be....

ravbrat commented : The whole 'walking ATM' is SO very true for 95% of the girls and women here. If there is ANY hint of this coming from her or her family, then WALK AWAY and find someone else - it will be the smartest thing you have ever done. Money will be the very first thing that will get in the way between the two of you and it is not worth it. Love is important but sex is a business here so please don't confuse those two things because confusing you that way is the first thing they will try to do. I have been married to a Thai lady and living in Bangkok for 3 years now and I am VERY-VERY lucky to have found her, but I worked hard to find one. I met her on the internet (along with a thousand others) and whittled the prospects down to 4 before I came her to meet them face to face. I had rules; any mention of a VISA, going to the USA, talking money or questionable employment and I totally stopped talking with them. The first meeting, 3 of them failed and 1 really stood out. A second trip and I married her (traditional Thai style) in her hometown in the South. She got a 10year USA tourist VISA on her own and came to visit me in the USA. I gave her to my Thai friends/'family' in the USA (including my ex-gf) and begged them to find something wrong.... They could not and they were so supportive of her and told me how LUCKY I was to have found her. With their approval, I legally married her in the USA and then I moved to BKK to teach here for 3 years. Our marriage is strong and wonderful and I do realize that I am truly very lucky to have found her, I could not be happier. All her family and her friends are amazing - and NO-ONE has ever talked about money, needed money or asked for a 'loan'. They do accept me 100% as a member of the family and treat me well without asking or expecting anything in return. My story is a RARE exception to the VERY common scenario of being a walking ATM, because I am not one. I just want you to know that there is a possibility, but you MUST be strong in your beliefs, who you are and do not confuse sex with love.... If you want a long term love with a Thai woman who is your partner (my choice) then work for it and If you have ANY doubt, trust yourself and walk away - there is always another one right around the corner. If you want someone just for fun, then good luck...!