When Will You Call Thailand Your Home?

[up2you2]

This is dedicated to those that still have a packed suitcase at the bottom of their beds, ready to depart at a moments notice.

I suppose some may comment what's your definition of home.
Well let me tell you mine.

I first came here physically, solely vacations, and then one early morning flying into Don Muang looking out at the rice fields below, I don't know why but I thought to myself I'm coming home.
This was the emotional stage.
Next up after my Mother passed away I thought to myself, well lets see if I can handle the humid monsoon season. As a couple of mates of mine said they actually preferred it.
Not so bad, and it's true with time you do adjust.
So now this left the physiological stage, could I in theory, let alone in practice divide my heart between two continents. Sit on the fence, run two homes with all the inherent costs that are involved.
For the first ten years I didn't have a choice as I couldn't sell my home, so I rented.
Finally I did sell, so this left the last decision to make, the financial one.
Importing committed funds into Thailand to establish a home.
These are the steps I took on this staircase to contentment, I recommend them to others as they served me well.

[DrAndy]

and I hope it lasts and you don't get disappointed

I have three homes, and feel "at home" in all of them

each country has positives and negatives, you just learn to focus on the positives and enjoy them

[Loy Toy]

When Will You Call Thailand Your Home?

Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home.

The world is my oyster.

[Grower]

Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home.

The world is my oyster.

I can second that; after 10+years in, it's here; the chimney will likely be my exit...

[xanax]

When I don't have to go to bloody immigration every 90 days to tell them I am still living in the same place after many years!

[DrB0b]

I called Thailand my home since I started living here. Now that I'm leaving I will have another home. Wherever I settle for a while is my home. Home is a state of mind as much as it is a geographical location.

[somtamslap]

When Will You Call Thailand Your Home?

When I don't spend the lion's share of my waking hours sitting on the fucking toilet, a la today.

[KhonKaenDan]

This is interesting and thought provoking. July 2013 will be six years for me living in Thailand and calling it home. I think the things that caused me to look at my remaining years were certainly a deciding factor to pickup and leave the U.S.A.

But the thing that really caused me to think of Chaiyaphum, Thailand as home is when I spent two to three weeks back in the states, year before last. At the end of the 2nd week, I really got home sick. Home sick for my own bed, my own toilet, homesick for my wife's cooking and in general, being able to look ahead at the things I wanted to see and do the rest of my life.

Certainly we would all love to be able to discontinue the 90 day reports, be able to feel comfortable complaining to someone about poor service, but as my wife says, "Darling, you are living in Thailand now".

[the dogcatcher]

I hav'nt got anywhere else to live.

[ossierob]

Like the good Dr I have 3 homes in different places and feel very comfortable but as I am now retired the question is a topical one where I will possibly rent 1 or 2 of my homes and move to our place in Sampran on a more permanent basis. Either way I will keep at least 1 home back in Aust as I do love options

[Fondles]

When I don't have to go to bloody immigration every 90 days to tell them I am still living in the same place after many years!

You do not have to do that in person.

[Rural Surin]

I might wonder less than occasionally....
But Thailnd and SE Asia is home.

Instinctive.
Don't have to give it too much thought.

[xanax]

When I don't have to go to bloody immigration every 90 days to tell them I am still living in the same place after many years!

You do not have to do that in person.

No, but it's advisable when the post office fail three times to return your form resulting in Police reports and much tut tutting next time your visit immigration, complete waste of time to no purpose whatsoever.

[nedwalk]

one day...and that day can not come soon enough, for now just the planning

[Fondles]

When I don't have to go to bloody immigration every 90 days to tell them I am still living in the same place after many years!

You do not have to do that in person.

No, but it's advisable when the post office fail three times to return your form resulting in Police reports and much tut tutting next time your visit immigration, complete waste of time to no purpose whatsoever.

I was not talking bout using the post office.

[nigelandjan]

one day...and that day can not come soon enough, for now just the planning

Same same Ned

[Yasojack]

home is where my family are and that's Thailand.

[trabant]

This is dedicated to those that still have a packed suitcase at the bottom of their beds, ready to depart at a moments notice.

are you collating these for a book?
same post on four forums

Not that there's anything wrong with that

[Lorenzo]

A farang cannot call Thailand home unless he is a fool.

When the shit hits the fan you all will run to "home" like kids to their mommy

Home is the country on your passport

[Storekeeper]

^ Amen.

[DrB0b]

A farang cannot call Thailand home unless he is a fool.

When the shit hits the fan you all will run to "home" like kids to their mommy

Home is the country on your passport

Rhodesia? Bugger!

[Dillinger]

Thailand was my home for a good while. I understand fully what the OP says about flying into Don Mueang and realising Thailand is home now. I had the same feeling at Swampy. As soon as I walked out of the airport, the heat, the stink, the dodgy taxi bastards trying to disturb my cigarette....

Loy Toy hits the nail on the head with the Paul Young song, dont really see the relevance in the One Night in Bangkok tune.

For me, my main home is Malaysia now, Thailand is my second home, Uk my 3rd, and my final home is probably the most remote spot in the world

I have an affection for all those places, so home for me, is

[toddaniels]

Dunno really...

After going on 8 years here with the last 6 totally in country I'd like to think this is my home but at the end of the day it's really just another country I've chosen to live in because I can. I'm not Thai, never wanna be and am happy being an American here.

Not having a thai significant other to "speak for me", I had to learn to speak to these people in their language to get things done. Now my Thai is coarse, blunt, terse, and much like I speak English, but that's fine by me. Not being Thai also gives me the freedom to not conform to the often mindless things Thais get so caught up in culture wise. I don't have ANY problem interacting with all levels of their society, from the Soi side fruit vender to the Police, Immigrations officials right on up to Managing Directors of Thai companies.

I complain about the things I see which are wrong, but people everywhere complain about stuff like that. It's more a coping mechanism than anything else. After all, what I ain't ever gonna do is change how these people think.

About the only up-side to living here so long and interacting with Thais is; they're so predictable in given situations. I studied Thai culture inside, outside, upside down until I figured out ways to manipulate Thais within the cultural restrictions they operate inside of so I could get my way. I mean you can't fault someone for knowing the culture well enough to exploit it for their own benefit now can you?

Interestingly enough the other day at the local Police Station, the second in command gave me his card and said, "Mr Tod, if you have any problems with Police have them call me on my mobile." However right after that he said, "BUT, if you have a dead prostitute in your bathroom, don't call.." He said it with such a deadpan expression that all I could say was, "Ummm, good to know, thanx."

Someday, I might actually feel like this is home, but it ain't today, and from where I sit it ain't visible on the horizon yet. Thankfully I am secure enough in my position here that I don't have a "bug-out-bag" packed at the foot of the bed for a hasty exit. Still I do wear a one baht gold ring "just in case".

[peaches]

When Will You Call Thailand Your Home?

When I can ( hand on my heart ) sing the Thai national anthem, repeated every
day at 6 am & 8pm.

The first 2 verses translated into English (Wikipedia 3rd English translation ).

Thailand embraces in its
bosom all people of
Thai blood.

Every inch of
Thailand belongs
to the Thais.

Makes you feel welcome, dunit.

[nevets]

That is some anthem a bit warey realy , but Thailand is my home although for the next 3 yrs i do go and work a bit in England or where ever the contract is.