... in response to Thailand Info Needed, posted by fishtiger on Aug 11, 2004[This message has been edited by don2222]
Hi Fishtiger,
I have been to Thailand twice, and the economy is not as bad as the Phils or Colombia. A one month visa is automatic at the airport.
I live in the Phils, but I cannot see living in Thailand, and I would be hesitant to find a wife from Thailand .
Just my humble opinion, but I have the impression that most Thai's are very proud of their country, and most have no desire to leave. Also, most Thais seem very mercenary, it is ALL about the money. Foreigners are allowed into Thailand, of course, but one gets the impression that they really do not want us there. While walking the streets the street vendors would sometimes shout names at us if we did not buy anything. Most commonly we would be called water buffaloes (in Thai).
Foreigners are called that because we are bigger physically than the Thais, and the Thais may be physically intimidated by us, but we are supposedly easily led around by the nose. In other words, calling us big dumb animals. Actually, I talked to a lot of ex-pats in Thailand that are leaving because the Thai government is really making life difficult for ex-pats because they just want the foreigners to visit, spend money, and then leave.
I was also told that Thai women with foreigners were really looked down upon. It was not acceptable to most Thais for a foreigner to marry a Thai and that only a prostitute would be seen in public with a foreigner.
The food is great there, it is a good place for shopping, and there is a crazy nightlife, if you are looking for that.
About 90% of Thais do not seem to speak English.
Sorry about the blunt negativity, but Thailand is just not a place where I felt very welcomed to stay for a long time.
It really is the LOS (land of smiles) due them smiling to save face. But once you start talking to the other Americans that live there, and after you read how they feel about us in their newspapers, then your perception of the place changes.
I do not know of anyone here at this board that has gone to Thailand for a wife. There might be better boards out there for the information you seek.
Most of the guys here have relationships with Filipinas
IMHO, and my experiences only,
Don
