Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Western fast food

By Pranot, Created on: 02/07/2009, Last updated on: 29/07/2009

» Today Western fast food is popular because there are many branches of this food everywhere and it is comfortable to buy and eat them. In my opinion, we should not buy Western fast food for three reasons: First, Western fast food is expensive. It has less quantity because a raw material in production...

• stilljustbrowsing commented : What on earth is it with this food thing? More people seem to be making money about "nutritional diets" and such like than people who actually sell food. Wine is good for you. alcohol kills. Cheese is good for you. Cholesrterol kills. I could go on. What I have found out is that we are all different. As such our diets need to be personalised. Generalisation and scare factors help to make certain establishments a lot of money. If there were no obese people, health clinics would not exist. I eat a lot of meat, vegetables and fruit are only a side issue to me. I drink full fat milk. Finally, I eat when I am hungry, rather than time based eating, when my stomache tells me it is full, I stop eating, irrespective of how much food there is still on the plate. Take a truck load of McD to some African states and start explaining why such food should not be eaten.

• stilljustbrowsing commented : [quote="Noaksy":23uwfous] And potato chips are made from potatoes and [color=#FF0000:23uwfous]hamburgers are made from ham[/color:23uwfous]. But like soy sauce and fish sauce, they contain plenty of salt. But you don't need to believe me, a quick google will tell you all you need to know. FYI, fish with nothing added to it contains salt. Again, don't believe me, check the facts out from a source more reliable than you or I.[/quote:23uwfous] Hamburgers are made of beef, the original recipe coming from Hamburg in Germany. Roman soldiers used to get paid in 'salt', rather than metal or paper.

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Perhaps this where the misunderstandings start. Customer "I want hot chips, french frie lhon, mie nhow." person behind counter.. "Ok, mie nhow mie?" Customer "Chie, mie nhow, ow lhon." Half an hour later, customer "where are my french fries?" person behind counter "you want nhow?" Customer "no you idiot, I want them hot and I want them nhow!!" Person behind counter dissappears!.....?

• 22 replies, 521,558 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Can't take it anymore

By trojan, Created on: 21/07/2009, Last updated on: 01/01/2011

» I'm curious to know if anyone feels they can't take anymore of the lack of freedom of speech and corruption in Thailand. Maybe you've already packed up and moved on or are seriously contemplating it because of the above reasons or even know people that have left for similar reasons. Personally I've...

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Hi Trojan, a teacher once taught me that the day good news makes the head-lines will be a sad day for us all. For as long as bad news makes the head-lines then at least it is still frowned upon and not normal. What is bad that is now considered normal?... motor car/cycle accidents, barley a word is said now in the media. (unless it is some 'hi-so' person) Take your child to the wrong school in the UK and they will learn far more about racial hatred and the great divide than they ever will here. Just my tuppenceworth, hope it helps.

• stilljustbrowsing commented : [quote="trojan":3nib08su]The tips on bringing up my kid were not necessary or comments like corruption doesn't effect your children quite obvious. Although you could argue that the money i flitter away to officials in business and immigration could be contributing to my kids International school bill. Actually where I live there is not an International School, and for the record I don't live in Isaan. What I was more interested in is whether people have left Thailand or were considering it because of the lack of freedom of speech and corruption. And I agree it might be better than Laos or Cambodia or wherever but that's not where we live. For instance I would be reluctant to visit China because of their appalling human rights record and by staying here I start feeling like I'm giving my blessing to corruption and imprisonments that I find very disturbing. Maybe I already got my answer, most people don't care as long as they are ok then why worry about anyone else. If I needed some advice on how to raise my kids this would be the last place I would be looking.[/quote:3nib08su] Trojan, I personally was trying to give advise based on my 7 years continueous living here in sunny Thailand. I would suspect others were/are trying to do the same. You mentioned your child and I latched onto that aspect of your post because I assumed you can take care of yourself, having moved here in the first place. Freedom of speech has always been a relative term, better you look to responsible speech. In England, human rights currently favours the criminal.

• 13 replies, 48,430 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

The Farang Myth Match

By JUSTDIS, Created on: 24/07/2009, Last updated on: 10/11/2010

» An expat musician who leads his own band here was heard to claim he supports no less than 12 Thais who allegedly make a living from his efforts as their leader, him finding gigs and getting top dollar for their efforts as he does. An expat publisher retired in Isaan claims to all who will listen...

• stilljustbrowsing commented : I thought Thaksin was the biggest 'band' leader in Thailand?

• 3 replies, 10,465 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Children and Abuses in Their Name

By spoon, Created on: 29/07/2009, Last updated on: 31/07/2009

» It is obvious children here have little or no real protection from paedophile predators in places like Pattaya, an ongoing horror story. But did you know that Save The Children finance four separate representative offices here in Bangkok, at least one of whom [i:3qpzr7z2]gets a huge allowance just...

• stilljustbrowsing commented : I just had a look at the UK web site and Thailand is not listed there?

• 2 replies, 5,361 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Are Farang invisible to Thai?

By Jason McDonald, Created on: 21/06/2009, Last updated on: 15/12/2010

» I ask this to find out if farang are really invisible to Thai. This has happened to me many times and I was wondering if it happens to other Westerners who live in Thai areas of Bangkok (or maybe elsewhere). When I am out with my Thai wife, especially shopping, I find that, Thai people refuse to...

• stilljustbrowsing commented : It's all a matter of perception and confidence/experience. (IMHO) I see some looking at me and I think "he/she looks stern" by the way they look at me, I have also been told I always look too serious as well! Anyway, I smile as I pass by and 99% of the time I get a smile back, lovely! (there will always be one, Mr. Grumps, anywhere) Speaking some Thai does help, even if you get the tone wrong and instead of asking "where have you been?" (bhie nhie mha?) you accidently say "where you dog/horse?" (low tone or high tone instead of flat tone) My friends laugh at me when I use english tone for Thai sentences. As Monty Python sang, always look on the bright side of life. Enjoy.

• 29 replies, 50,831 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Land purchase through Thai spouse forbidden: Land Dept

By Suttisan, Created on: 28/05/2009, Last updated on: 02/10/2016

» -- Land purchase through Thai spouse forbidden: Land Dept The director general of the Land Department has reiterated that foreigners using Thai nominees to buy land anywhere in the country will have their land title deeds revoked if caught – even if the nominee in question is a lawfully wedded...

• stilljustbrowsing commented : [quote="elportoed":3nss2v3b]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:3nss2v3b] Nice post Mr. Ranter. And your superior advice is? Better we follow the flow and forget about laws hey? AH 9th magnitude. You are, care must we take when reading your rants, for thoughts you have none.

• stilljustbrowsing commented : 1. avoid wardrobes and string 2. Stay with friends and avoid strangers 3. Dont talk to strangers 4. Why are you asking me considering the previous 3 points?

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Seems to me that the only difference between Thailand, Burma, and North Korea is that at least the two latter mentioned countries are open and honest about the way they are run!

• 186 replies, 1,555,754 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Foreigner buying lands through a Thai company

By charlie, Created on: 07/06/2009, Last updated on: 25/06/2009

» [b:1ek82v4c]FACTS:[/b:1ek82v4c] Most foreigners legally married or not with Thai spouses, are buying small or large pieces of land in Thailand (Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui) by setting up Thai companies and are buying 2-3 rais of land in order to built several houses for rent or sale in order to have...

• stilljustbrowsing commented : [quote="MTT":w7ohjjkw] A 99 year lease should be enough since Bangkok is supposed to be under water in 50 years anyway![/quote:w7ohjjkw] And there was me thinking you didn't have a sense of humour, silly me!

• stilljustbrowsing commented : EU has no control here, talk to the CIA>

• 11 replies, 15,424 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Market segmentation or price discrimination

By bitchnomore, Created on: 16/02/2009, Last updated on: 09/05/2009

» I find that there is a lot of farangs here who are complaining about double pricing standards here in Thailand where they have to pay the often more expensive "tourist rate" rather than the "local rate". They should simply stop bitching, period. Why? 1. If you open your big...

• stilljustbrowsing commented : The sooner "money" is abolished the better. Let's go back to the "I can help you, you can help me system!" For those that disagree, you must be "money merchants" and can do nothing at a practical level.

• stilljustbrowsing commented : [quote="bitchnomore":3ufh48d3] So please let the Thai earn some cash from tourists and the few extra dollars from market segmentation. After all, [b:3ufh48d3]the white people that are here are still paid much higher than the locals with the same qualification[/b:3ufh48d3]! If you don't like it, you can sit at home with your windows opened with the ceiling fan on and continue to sip your gin and tonic while ordering your little Asian servant around to do things for you![/quote:3ufh48d3] Absolute rubbish! (at least where I work) I get a Thai salary and pay Thai taxes. (I have the documents to prove it) So as long as I take all this stuff with me, I can go to these "special" places for free? Perhaps your "parachute" has not yet opened? Sorry to dissappiont you scy, but in essence I agree with with you! The barterring system is, IMHO a much better way to go.

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Hello scy, I am not content with my Thai salary. Money has always been secondary to satisfaction and happiness of life to me. There always is a compromise, I love it here in Thailand, as such, I will always accept what is the norm here, that does not stop me from thinking, does it? I am employed as a result of my knowledge, being, as stated by you "Working in a profession that is outside Thai general knowledge". I do not make this as a derrogatory statement and hope, as a result of my teaching, I will, one day, become redundant. If that day ever happens, it will mean that my efforts have not been in vain.

• 11 replies, 12,828 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

IS Thailand Safe?

By Wally, Created on: 08/11/2008, Last updated on: 07/12/2008

» Thailand is relatively safe, many of the statistics you cite are largely Thai-Thai. All countries have areas best avoided, Thailand is no different, but for the most part I think it is quite safe. Mind you this will vary depending whether you are in Chiang Mai or Pattaya.

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Safest place I've ever lived! (lived in 26 countries before, so don't start!) The only thing gauranteed about living is that one day you will die! A whole family on a motorcycle, wow, maybe you should extole the dexterity of such people!! (I have a job taking care of a motorcycle when I am the only one on it!) Think positive, unless you want the PC briggade here as well! Ever go to Italy and see how many they can get on a scooter?

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Why was my post removed? Someone insulted a subject that is very dear to me, his statement stays yet mine was removed, by whome? The majority of aircraft that fly internationally, regionally, and domestic are maintained to the highest standards. This applies to most countries!

• stilljustbrowsing commented : somebodies mind set is such that they should never get out of bed! (Just in case something might happen )

• 13 replies, 20,072 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

The Value of a Tourist.

By Sean Moran, Created on: 18/01/2009, Last updated on: 15/12/2010

» What are some of the most common positive and negative results of foreign tourists from overseas visiting Thailand? Thai opinions welcome, kap.

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Yeah seems the "higher" one becomes, the more addictive "it" becomes, and ain't that the truth!

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Post removed by SJB for it no longer makes sense as the post refered to has been removed

• stilljustbrowsing commented : Foreigners bring alien diseases with them, like money! Positively negative perhaps?

• 85 replies, 111,416 views

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