Thread: What I Dislike About Thailand

5555 Hard not to dislike the pious expat pissing contests.....

Anyways it sort of begs the question: Why do we live here or keep coming back?

Okay given there is the detailed study of alcoholic ,gynecological and in some cases proctological subjects.......plus wives, sweethearts etc

Methinks Thailand, and Asia for that matter, like many alien cultures,has a way of growing on most of us, warts and all?

Originally Posted by crepitas

5555 Hard not to dislike the pious expat pissing contests.....

Anyways it sort of begs the question: Why do we live here or keep coming back?

Okay given there is the detailed study of alcoholic ,gynecological and in some cases proctological subjects.......plus wives, sweethearts etc

Methinks Thailand, and Asia for that matter, like many alien cultures,has a way of growing on most of us, warts and all?

....and what if Asia/Thailand isn't alien or foreign to some?

Deeper perspectives will vary greatly.
Quite obvious by the general punditry found amongst Thai-centric forums.

Again - if you are overtly conscious about being a stranger, you'll always see yourself this way and subsequently be treated in this manner.

Originally Posted by UdonForever

Originally Posted by RickThai

Originally Posted by Rainfall

I asked you not to post this bullshit religious propaganda. You don't quit. There we go.

Are you referring to me?

Buddhist doctrine teaches that many times the dhamma will "be unwelcome and attacked", but I find it strange that someone would feel so threatened as to try and squash a poster's comments about Buddhist dhamma on an open forum.

The real beauty and power of an open forum is the exchange of different views and opinions.

Are there other topics, that bother you so much?

Chok Dee,

RickThai

What if I started preaching Christianity? Would you be just as open to that? It teaches that the world will hate Christians. (john 15:21)

What is this on and on crap about Buddhism? A bunch of que sera sera spook believers? I saw a monk the other day absolutely loaded down wearing gold while many Thais who give to them are impoverished.

If it makes Thais feel that all is sorted when they give money they can't afford to people who won't work, up to them. I certainly wouldn't promote it.

It would appear that you are very much on the same wavelength as Dr Bob in his post #265 and of course no arguments on that score at my end ,from what I have seen here,and I live only 200 yards from the local Wat Buddhism is on the decline with nearly all the "worshipers" consisting of old women ,with hardly a man or young kid insight

^and RickThai

And yeah, dude, I have a problem with you. You're a phony Buddhist. You remind me of phony Christians.

Originally Posted by The Fresh Prince

So what you really hate Rick is the Thai inability to hide their shit?

Do you think that government corruption, double pricing, extreme poverty, substance abuse, Prostitution and hierarchy don't accrue in your home country?

Just because it's seen on an everyday level docent mean its exclusive. You've outlined the very obvious problems with a lot cities in the world.

So true

Originally Posted by gaysexbyproxy

^and RickThai

And yeah, dude, I have a problem with you. You're a phony Buddhist. You remind me of phony Christians.

Another "Prissy Little Missy" post from the guy who "feels the pain" of the homosexuals so much that he has "gay sex by proxy".

You seem to be as confused about Buddhism and Christianity as you are about your sexuality.

I hope your potential wife is an understanding and forgiving type (maybe she will turn to Buddhism in order to cope with your lack of contentment). Wouldn't that be ironic?

Santi,

RickThai

I don't like the need to check in every 90 days. If you have a legal job with a WP; a retiree visa or married to a Thai then once a year should be enough.

I don't like the flooding problem during rainy season.

I don't like the way motosai drivers merge into traffic without looking for oncoming vehicles.

I don't like the fact that emergency services are basically non-existent.

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

I don't like the fact that emergency services are basically non-existent.

It's getting better - see more ambulances, tow trucks around now than a couple years ago.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

I don't like the fact that emergency services are basically non-existent.

It's getting better - see more ambulances, tow trucks around now than a couple years ago.

Yeah, shooting at each other over turf..

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

I don't like the need to check in every 90 days. If you have a legal job with a WP; a retiree visa or married to a Thai then once a year should be enough.

I don't like the flooding problem during rainy season.

I don't like the way motosai drivers merge into traffic without looking for oncoming vehicles.

I don't like the fact that emergency services are basically non-existent.

You bring up some good points.

In Bangkok there is (or used to be), "body snatchers" that drove around in HiLux pickup to claim the bodies of those killed in traffic accidents.

Some people believe that not all of the dead people were actually dead when picked up by the "body snatchers'.

Still, could you imagine what it would be like to drive an Ambulance in Bangkok traffic?

RickThai

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

I don't like the way motosai drivers merge into traffic without looking for oncoming vehicles.

It's not just motosai drivers.....and yes, it's simply daft.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

I don't like the fact that emergency services are basically non-existent.

It's getting better - see more ambulances, tow trucks around now than a couple years ago.

Yeah, they look great....sirens blaring, lights flashing...but always stuck in a fucking traffic jam. Nobody even thinking to make way for them, like in normal countries.

Originally Posted by RickThai

Still, could you imagine what it would be like to drive an Ambulance in Bangkok traffic?

Bring a good book to read

Just the lack of respecting traffic rules and road courtesy.
Red means go and green means go if you feel like going and fcuk off if you get in my way because i am not insured and will not be here when the ambulance arrives.

You order food in a restaurant,are the only customers,after waiting half an hour you enquire about the order and they say they forgot it. I think they sent a runner to go get supplies.

^Funny that, it's happened a few times in Thailand. They act like nothings wrong and that you're odd for getting annoyed

What about that annoying Thai habit of no meaning yes and vice versa?

''So you have no fries?''

''Yes''

''Then you do?''

''Yes, no hab''

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by crepitas

5555 Hard not to dislike the pious expat pissing contests.....

Anyways it sort of begs the question: Why do we live here or keep coming back?

Okay given there is the detailed study of alcoholic ,gynecological and in some cases proctological subjects.......plus wives, sweethearts etc

Methinks Thailand, and Asia for that matter, like many alien cultures,has a way of growing on most of us, warts and all?

....and what if Asia/Thailand isn't alien or foreign to some?

Deeper perspectives will vary greatly.
Quite obvious by the general punditry found amongst Thai-centric forums.

Again - if you are overtly conscious about being a stranger, you'll always see yourself this way and subsequently be treated in this manner.

think you are over analyzing a touch, admittedly very profound...post was somewhat tongue in cheek....
By alien I meant it in broad terms ie totally different environment and culture..seem to remember I was categorized as "Alien" on my South African visa .
Hey but I am a strange stranger in a strange land...

I fcuking hate it when nobody ever turns up on time. Never early. Always late. Plus they can lie to your face without laughing.

I do not like the lying.

I don't like the lying either.

I think farangs regard truth in generally black and white terms (OK, I know there are sometimes 'white lies' told) and are certainly principled in their beliefs (sometimes to a damaging extend) but it seems as though the Thais have a certain latitude when it comes to telling the truth and telling lies.

At work, I used to think the cause of the telling of lies by Thais was a misunderstanding of what I had asked/told them to do, but after a few years of working with them, I'm not so sure. I certainly think that Thais agree with what is asked of them and then blatantly go and do what they think should be done, and then lie to justify their actions. This has resulted in me refusing to work with certain people as I do not trust them to be truthful.

In social settings, I think the lying is accepted by Thais as a way of impressing people ("My husband's/boyfriend's got this much money...") and I seldom listen to or believe what I am told about happenings in the village. However, I must say that farangs in the bars have a loose interpretation of the truth also!

bobforest

Thai culture and western culture differs dramatically on the concept of lying. We (westerners) see it as a "bad thing". Thais more generally see it as an important social mechanism to avoid discord or disharmony.

If a Thai lies to another Thai, they both know it, and the person lied to graciously accepts it, only farangs are boorish enough to call bullshit on the lie.

Often, when a Thai lies to a farang, it is to avoid upsetting the farang - its to mask something unpleasant that the Thai feels would upset the farang. The rationale is often to protect the farang from some unpleasant reality.

The cultural problem is that to farangs its the worst possible route to go - give us the truth - the unvarnished truth - if its horrible we will deal with it.

It really is a major cultural divide that causes most of the farang/thai problems.

(and to be clear here, I am NOT talking bar girl lies - but normal social/work interactions)

Originally Posted by gaysexbyproxy

You're a phony Buddhist.

Every time I see RT sanctimoniously reminding everybody what a Buddhist he is I think of these two:

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

I fcuking hate it when nobody ever turns up on time. Never early. Always late.

Just a different understanding of time and whatnot.

Deal with it or these social elements will send you insane.

.....or, reside in a culture where all is timed perfectly and constipatedly robotic.

Up to you.

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Deal with it or these social elements will send you insane. .....or, reside in a culture where all is timed perfectly and constipatedly robotic. Up to you.

I said "I hated it", but knowing how Thais work I can live with it.

Rick, some lack of consistency in your post. You complain about poverty and some Thai women escape this by indulging in prostitution - they sometimes meet and marry farang - about which you also complain. I know several examples.

The yaa baa use is really a major problem with users killing people in road accidents, as well as themselves, but it is an inconvenience not being able to buy wine most of the day.