gohmer commented : [quote="Hard_done_by":3mn3j5ld][quote="Na Fianna":3mn3j5ld] ... I would tend to consider your comments in line with the brain washed anti-communist rhetoric of Senator McCarthy and others, again i dont intend that as a personal attack, more the left over feeling of a lot Americans who were raised in a time of constant propaganda. I think if you read some more S.E. Asian history you shall discover that Ho Chi Minh himself came to The United States and the UN in order gain support for a democratic Vietnam, a chance that unfortunately due to France's standing was never grasped. What did happen was that Vietnam defeated an ex-colonial, weak, overstretched France to gain a semblence of freedom until America meddled in affairs(in the name of stoping the reds of course) with puppet governments that infuriated even the south Vietnamese to the point of rebellion. ...[/quote:3mn3j5ld] Well posted.[/quote:3mn3j5ld] This is another example of how Europeans view Americans, which is just as ignorant as you all claiming we are ignorant about the rest of the world. First, the vast, vast majority of Americans today believe McCarthy was an outright idiot. You'd have to dig hard with someone over 65 to find a believer there, and there's a crap load of documentaries shown on American TV daily about that era and how wrong crazy he was. Second, I too am Irish (1 of the 30 million that choose America over the 5 million that chose to stay in Ireland). Third, I actually believe that communism is a quantum leap forward for countries like China and Vietnam compared to the brutal colonialism of the French or the greedy, power hoarding land-owners of China during the various dynasties. I will tell you also that I think, despite his completely idiotic policies that led to millions dying, Mao is a hero of China. He ended forced marriages and brought love to China for the first time in its history, an unintended consequence of shipping millions of youth off to co-ed work camps. Forth, regardless of past brain-washing, it is historical fact that the Soviet Union took over eastern Europe, lied to the allies and had its own agenda for extending its power. If you read Harford MacKinder's essay on Geographical Politics (1904) - [url:3mn3j5ld]http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safti/pointer/back/journals/1998/Vol24_3/8.htm[/url:3mn3j5ld], which is credited for being one of the most influential theories of world dominance, and what guided Hitler's military agenda, and later Stalin's, you will see that McCarthy actually had good cause for worrying about communism. Fifth, there are small countries around the world that America is credited for having a bad reputation due to intervention, Chile, El Salvador, Iran, etc; however, all of these are unfortunate collateral damage due to the bigger picture of the conflict with Stalin and other Soviet leaders. For those affected in these countries, America will always be view as the bad guy, but bottom line is that every western country was dependent on the US for stopping them (Soviets). And, I would argue that had the Soviets not been a world threat for 50 years, there would have been drastically different agendas in Asia. Consider the fact that the Marshal Plan completely rebuilt Japan - and Germany - after WWII. That was to bring peace and stability. Fighting the Soviets was the end game, and thank god we won.

jackmatt2 commented : Initially I was against this post as I felt it violated free speech for the Thai people but after reviewing some of the comments I have to say that I now agree with you entirely. We must remember that this is NOT the USA and Thailand does not have 'freedom of speech', therefore, what would be acceptable in the USA is not acceptable here in Thailand. It is a flawed argument to compare Thais going to America burning American flags and Americans coming to Thailand to Burn Thai flags as the latter would be sent to Jail and the former would be protected under freedom on speech in the USA. It is therefore a total an utter double standard to allow the degradation of the flags and administration of another country when it is a criminal offense to do the same to the flag and administration of the Thailand. Imagine passing a law in the US that said you can burn as many foreign flags as you want but your will be sent to jail if you insult the USA flag - there would be a total outcry. Once Thailand opens their system up for criticism by others, only then should they be able to mock and criticize others. Fair is Fair! As for Europeans, I too have felt their hatred for Americans (I am not American or European). We had a 16 year old German exchange student living with us that utterly hated Americans for no apparent reason. I think it is the "in thing" in Europe at the moment and if you want to be hip you have to fit the stereotype. Personally I think it may be a loss of face when they became second in prestige to the USA after World War 2. It also may be a reaction to the "America is the best country in the world" comments made by many stupid Americans. Although the USA has contributed a lot to the world including feminism, gay rights, human rights etc - it is totally untrue to claim the USA is the best country for the "Average" citizen because it is not.

micheal326 commented : Unlike most countries in Europe and Asian the USA,as a country, has never been ruled by a monarchy. Most Europeans and Asians do not understand this. The USA government is also different, the USA does not have a parliamentary government. The USA has elections for the House of Representatives every two years, Senators every 6 years and President every 4 years. Also there is a significant amount of envy and jealousy from some in Europe. If not for the USA the Europeans would all be ruled by the Nazi and Asian by the Japanese and if not that then Russian and Chinese. America is isolated from Asian and Europe each by an ocean. Americans are a generous and compassionate people and has helped almost every country at one time or another. America is not socialist country, another thing Europeans do not understand. I could gone on, but this gets the point across.

Bone Head commented : Majoy, What are you saying? Did you even think for a minute before getting into all this trouble with the neighbors, police etc. and then deciding to post it. This isn't about you being a foreigner. It is about common sense. I have seen, read and heard many similar instances with neighbors in America, UK, Europe etc. And hey being foreign doesn't mean you have descended from heaven...Remember you are (like me) a guest here. We are all guests here and we must respect that. They never requested and pleaded you to come here and take a house. Did they? You came here looking for it. and do visa runs like a rat every 3 months because you like it better here than you 'foreign' land. And now you moan like a spoilt child whose candy has been snatched away? It is about being a sensible person and making relationships come what may. You will NEVER have perfect neighbors any where in the world. BUT you have to learn to adjust where ever you are... If you have a real problem quietly move away to a new location. OR if you are brave enough, get a pet tiger. And learn to be kind to yourself and others. Else, this is a guarantee: Where ever you go...you will have trouble. Good luck

GerBo commented : [quote="elportoed":37p1rtt5]I'm Thai born and raised, but now living in the US. I have to admit, living in a foreign land is not easy, since you have to learn and adapt to the local culture and laws which may be greatly different than your country of origin. You don't always get the preferencial treatments like the locals. If you can adapt and follow the culture and the law of the land, then you can get along peacefully with the locals. That's why this post bothers me a bit, as I'm reading the posts for all the complainers and whiners about this subject. I only have one comments, why can't you just repect the law and culture of the country that you are visiting and/or would like to live? If you don't think it's fair for you, please LEAVE. No country or culture is perfect. There's nothing for you to do here, you can't change the law, since you cannot vote. And to be fair, Thailand isn't the only country in the world that have laws against foreigners owning her land, or other quirky laws that prevent foreigners from doing certain things. Obviously all you whiners here, regardless of what you said how bad the government was, like the counrty and the people enough to actually consider settle here. If you want to live happily in Thailand, adapt to the culture and follow the law.[/quote:37p1rtt5] Nice story... but a Thai never see the problems foreigners see in their daily life in Thailand. See for instance the visa-paperwork. To stupid for words, but it's only for one reason: money! every 3 months go to the immigration-office: 1.900 baht in case u have a single entry visa. Opening a bankaccount is a tragedy in this country... again to stupid for words. Only to open an account to put ur money on for the time u stay in Thailand. I want "Mr. Thai born" give an advise. Go to my country in Europe. When entering u get a visa for 90-days. When u want to stay go to immigration office and aply for a long-stay visa. First u get for 1 year, then another 5 year and when u want it for longer aply again. Want to open a bank account? go to a bank and open it. What I want to say is this: It can be so easy for everyone!