Living in 'Paradise'

[Panama Hat]

How many of us would have thought that one day we would live in a place like Thailand? No, not the tourist brochure Thailand of pristine beaches, lovely locals and peace and serenity, rather the real Thailand as we see it now.

The dusty, underdeveloped, soi-dog over-run military dictatorship where we seem to accept the fact that we are considered a second class sub-group of 'migrants', beholden to the vagaries of corrupt officials and ever-changing rules concerning our stay, be it property-, visa- or any other laws which make our existence precarious?

Admittedly I got out when I realised what the real Thailand was like, but the ones who stayed?

[Texpat]

Most farangs who don't have to work are able to build a bubble for themselves.

Cherry-pick the best parts of living here to incorporate into their lives and keep out the garbage. No soi dogs in my neighborhood. No karaoke joints or blaring advertisement trucks either.

I agree that the visa rules are nonsense, but I've yet to hear of a foreigner who is able to clear the (low) bar being denied a visa. Property rules haven't changed much. If you're married, put the land in the wife's name and the house and car into your name.

As for martial law, I haven't noticed any significant change in my life. I watch craziness on TV and read the forums about the circus in Bangkok, but none of it has impacted me personally. If it does, rest assured you'll hear about it. Cops don't do piss tests here. In fact, the notion of any sort of test sends them scurrying like scalded dogs. I took a 6-hour road trip last weekend and wasn't pulled over once -- waved through the only checkpoint. It may be different in Bangkok. I don't live there. Reading the forums, you might think Thailand has changed wholesale. Very little has changed from my personal point of view. I do wonder why oil is down below $60 a barrel and the price of diesel hasn't budged.

As long as you know how society operates, you need not bother with the pettiness and fragile egos. Some people simply can't adjust to an Asian lifestyle and others try and fail. Yet others learn to roll with the punches and find their niche -- non-competitive and non-threatening. Like Tom Sawyer convincing his friends to whitewash the fence, it's not difficult to get what you want, it just takes a little ingenuity. I would never solicit a Thai to work for me in the garden, for example, or paint the house. If they don't refuse outright, they would certainly overcharge me. So I don't try -- leave that sort of thing to the wife, and stay out of the picture while the work is being done. They feel belittled and insulted if they are working for paleface. They will gladly work for the wife for a fair price.

If you approach living here without the expectation of paradise you gain a much more sober assessment. The alternative is to dust off the 10-year-old resume, go shopping for a pair of shoes and a suit, and buy an airplane ticket to ... paradise?

[Jackthelad]

Good post Tex so very true, for all the time I've lived here never once been done by the cops, only ever had positive experiences with them.

Most farangs who don't have to work are able to build a bubble for themselves.

Cherry-pick the best parts of living here to incorporate into their lives and keep out the garbage. No soi dogs in my neighborhood. No karaoke joints or blaring advertisement trucks either.

I agree that the visa rules are nonsense, but I've yet to hear of a foreigner who is able to clear the (low) bar being denied a visa. Property rules haven't changed much. If you're married, put the land in the wife's name and the house and car into your name.

As for martial law, I haven't noticed any significant change in my life. I watch craziness on TV and read the forums about the circus in Bangkok, but none of it has impacted me personally. If it does, rest assured you'll hear about it. Cops don't do piss tests here. In fact, the notion of any sort of test sends them scurrying like scalded dogs. I took a 6-hour road trip last weekend and wasn't pulled over once -- waved through the only checkpoint. It may be different in Bangkok. I don't live there. Reading the forums, you might think Thailand has changed wholesale. Very little has changed from my personal point of view. I do wonder why oil is down below $60 a barrel and the price of diesel hasn't budged.

As long as you know how society operates, you need not bother with the pettiness and fragile egos. Some people simply can't adjust to an Asian lifestyle and others try and fail. Yet others learn to roll with the punches and find their niche -- non-competitive and non-threatening. Like Tom Sawyer convincing his friends to whitewash the fence, it's not difficult to get what you want, it just takes a little ingenuity. I would never solicit a Thai to work for me in the garden, for example, or paint the house. If they don't refuse outright, they would certainly overcharge me. So I don't try -- leave that sort of thing to the wife, and stay out of the picture while the work is being done. They feel belittled and insulted if they are working for paleface. They will gladly work for the wife for a fair price.

If you approach living here without the expectation of paradise you gain a much more sober assessment. The alternative is to dust off the 10-year-old resume, go shopping for a pair of shoes and a suit and buy a ticket to ... paradise?

[Texpat]

I've had a few very bad experiences with Thai cops -- one shaking me down for a silver on the elevated near Don Meung. That was eight years ago and I didn't quite understand how things worked, it wouldn't happen to me today. They are, in the main, incompetent and corrupt. Steer clear of them, however, and they don't seem to bother you. They are not here to help. This is part of knowing your environment.

[peterplonker]

but I've yet to hear of a foreigner who is able to clear the (low) bar being denied a visa.

I was denied a marriage exnt for a marriage visa at immigration 12 month ago. so went to savanakhet in Lao where they issued one without a problem. The first time I have had a problem with immigration, later I was told I was supposed to grease their filthy palms.
Well stuff that! so I went to a savanakhet.

But I have to say I keep my head down and a low profile now, keep my money over seas, make sure my will is up to date and the only beneficiaries are my daughters, thereby reducing my wife's temptation to knock me over the head in favor of a toy boy.
I have discussed all this with my girls and wife and every one is cool with that.
I have had a gutful of police, don't and cannot drive any more, get taxis If I need to go any where.

[Norton]

No matter where I have lived all were paradise. Paradise is easy to attain. Don't let the small shit get you down and ffs use your head for something other than a hat rack.

[sabang]

Paradise (from Paradais)- Persian, a term used to describe a Rich mans walled, private garden- viewable only to his Family/ harem, & close friends.
Shangri-La- a mythical valley in the high Himalayas, invented by novelist Joseph Conrad.
Nirvana- This Buddhist concept of 'Paradise' involves you dying, and your matter being scattered to the cosmos.
Serendipity- the old name for Ceylon/ Sri Lanka.


'Paradise' exists only in the minds of poets, dreamers, hopeless idealists, and religious nutters (after they die). For the rest of us, we just make do with striving for excellence on Earth. Long way to go.

[Texpat]

No matter where I have lived all were paradise.

hi-moose-jaw.jpg

Beaut, ain't she?

[serrollt]

Yeah, good post Tex.

Overall I was happy in the mooban, and shall return when my tasks in the fatherland will be done.
The lack of nearby quality medical facilities is the only thing which really bugs me, doesn't matter now, but 20 years down the line...
Authorities can be a bit of a pain, but it is also advantageous to know a police officer or two. The missus is much better at public relations.
Fitting in and accomodating local customs and peculiarities is something one needs to learn, after a few years it becomes second nature. I don't always get it right, but then one can claim the "farang bonus", the downside being that one is never fully accepted as belonging.

[peterplonker]

Don't let the small shit get you down and ffs use your head for something other than a hat rack

thanks for telling me NOW, after I lost a lot of money trying to set up a worth while and viable business Here so now I have what money I have left, back in OZ accessible on at the push of a mouse.
20 plus years ago, the only internet communication was by email and script, even photos took minutes to load.

[Panama Hat]

Don't let the small shit get you down and ffs use your head for something other than a hat rack.

Are you dissin' me, dude????

[Guest]

Are you dissin' me, dude????

I reckon he is...ya'll should toddle back to da doggyhouse and abuse JJ some mo and suck on peewee penis.

[Raven]

I never thought I would live in Thailand until just before I did. It's funny how one's life marches on and meanders - and takes unexpected twists and turns.

[Raven]

One more thing, if I ever make it to a real 'Paradise', I hope it's the kind of place that doesn't allow dogs to bark all night and most of the day without a courtesy bullet through the head (for the dog).

[Wilson]

How many of us would have thought that one day we would live in a place like Thailand? No, not the tourist brochure Thailand of pristine beaches, lovely locals and peace and serenity, rather the real Thailand as we see it now.

The dusty, underdeveloped, soi-dog over-run military dictatorship where we seem to accept the fact that we are considered a second class sub-group of 'migrants', beholden to the vagaries of corrupt officials and ever-changing rules concerning our stay, be it property-, visa- or any other laws which make our existence precarious?

Admittedly I got out when I realised what the real Thailand was like, but the ones who stayed?

Yes, smeg.