Reader Submission: Paradise…

I usually follow Thailand blog and often read the stories and also read the reactions, sometimes good but also often negative reactions. I have never written anything on Thailandblog but I think it is appropriate to write something now in this very difficult time. Is more of a personal story about how I experience paradise and looking back at the reason for my departure from the Netherlands.

I have been a resident of Thailand since 2014, since 2011 I have discovered paradise made possible by my Thai girlfriend from the Netherlands, she was a widow and had a condo in Pattaya where we regularly went for vacation. I enjoyed the Amazing Thailand so much then. And then you start thinking about whether it is possible to live and work here.

In the Netherlands I had a company with 3 employees, with a certain high stress factor. Had lost my older brother to lung cancer in 2010 he eventually euthanized and he was basically the same as me, a workaholic. After this traumatic experience, I actually felt like, things have to change. There is so much more to life than just work.

During my stay in paradise, I noticed that the stress factor compared to the Netherlands was quite different and was at a very low level. But maybe that was seen through too sunny sunglasses. In 2013 I had made contacts with the prospect of a job in Bangkok. Everything rounded. Would promote my products and give workshops for a Thai-Chinese company. Now I've always had a certain urge for adventure and thought what have I got to lose? Company lifted suitcases packed, said goodbye to my mother of 90 years and family and hopsakee to paradise.

Once arrived in paradise when it turned out that a business partner had withdrawn and my job was not there as promised. Fortunately, I still had some reserves to sing it out for a few months. The setup was that I would work in Bangkok for 5 days and be home in Pattaya on the weekends. Now that job wasn't there so I was at home with my girlfriend and that also causes some stress because then you get to know each other really well. This was of course the case for both. Didn't turn out well in the end. Had seen Pattaya from all sides in the period that we were at home, and bought a scooter. So escape reality, wow what a freedom in paradise. Amazing Thailand!

Fortunately, there was a well-to-do friend who saw potential in my products and I supported her, started a small company in Bangkok for decorative floor and wall finishes. Then I was back to square one, but now as a farang in Thailand, do not speak Thai, so completely dependent on Thai employees and girlfriend. Stress factor and frustrations very high, despite everything I felt very comfortable and happy in Thailand. Of course I have seen bad things and the leadership of the country is also not correct and correct, corruption and rules that make no sense, bureaucracy, etc.

I went to Pattaya every weekend and life was very nice, enjoying the beach, food, drink, you know it and with a view of the sea, oh how nice that was and no stress. So why should I care what is straight or crooked.

I moved to Pathum Thani in 2018 and have been living there for 2 years now. Our company was going in the right direction, now with my new girlfriend with whom I run this company together. From 2018 I learned through 4 years of experience how to deal with the Thai people. Which used to get me very stressed, such as not being on time for appointments, saying yes and not doing it, explaining things the way I want it and then doing it completely differently. Nothing surprises me anymore and I often have to laugh about it. Let it go mentality is what I have now, because going against it doesn't yield much except stress and I don't want that.

In 2019/20 there are good prospects for deliveries to other countries, various projects abroad and Thailand. We toasted to 2020 with such good prospects in the foreview.

Had a holiday with my twin sister in Pattaya in February and enjoyed it and the covid-19 was not really a problem, only the Chinese were not there in Pattaya, so it was also nice and quiet. In mid-February I received an annoying message about a canceled project in Thailand. We work a lot for resorts and shops. This was a canceled project of a resort on a famous island. My other agent dealer has also stopped everything for the time being and we would deliver at the beginning of March. Furthermore, everything has actually been stopped and everyone is trying to survive.

Given the number of infections and deaths, it is of course very low in Thailand, but the measures they take are very heavy and sometimes incomprehensible. Wonder why such strict measures are needed, perhaps to allow the current (cabinet / government) to survive who knows. Many Thais must also be able to think that it is not all right. There is almost no testing. The rule of no alcohol since April 10 was still understandable because of Songkran. Then extended again by 10 days why that was is not entirely clear to me.

I like to drink wine and have missed this for 15 days now. I was so looking forward to buying a glass of wine today and ending this week in good health. Last Saturday I went to the Tesco to buy Heineken 0.0 but couldn't buy it, it's in the beer box and falls under the rules, some sell it and others don't. Amazing Thailand.

Today at 12 o'clock to the Tesco in Khlong Luang, grabbed wine and beer, but I was told by security that this is not allowed until May 31. I was still completely perplexed because I had read it well on Thailand blog and even asked my girlfriend. I left my cart and walked out of the store. This does mean something to me. 1 am I so dependent on alcohol? 2 Can't accept rules?. 3 stoically stubborn farang?

And yes, I think all three. That is also a reason why I live here, because in the Netherlands there are so many rules that you have to comply with and that is not the case here. Given all the circumstances with my company during this time, I still don't experience any stress. I now use the time to sell my product online sometimes for a reduced rate and in smaller packages more focused on DIY. And the whole world has a problem, some more than other countries.

Looking back on my decision to live in Thailand, it has been the right choice for me I feel comfortable in my skin here, do not experience any stress, miss my daughter and grandchild and family, but through all the internet and live chats everyone is close by. Paradise may not be the paradise of yesteryear, but I hope for everyone that better times will come again and that we can meet again in good health and hope that everyone can oversee the damage and find the strength to carry on.

I went to Ayutthaya today Tesco lotus sells alcohol there. Because Tesco Klong Luang falls in the province of Pathum Thani, the restriction on alcohol is still in force. Amazing Thailand. After a 20 minute drive we finally made it. So I can still end the week with a glass of wine in good health for the time being. Cheers! See again on Monday.

Submitted by Peter