The Inquisitor has been without inspiration as a blogger for a while, he has had that before. But now an underlying feeling is the cause. He is a bit fed up with the constant negativity on Thailandblog. Probably the zeitgeist because other media, from newspapers to the illustrious Facebook, are also subject to it. Yet.
The Inquisitor assumes that makers, those responsible, the bloggers, the readers and those who respond - are interested in Thailand. Nobody is going to read a website about Nigeria, or Ecuador, so to speak, if you don't have a connection with it. But he feels that the blog is slipping into a kind of complaining forum about Thailand.
The Inquisitor does not want to make a statistic about how many negative and positive messages appear, and certainly not to divide the reactions in that way. It's just a gut feeling. And that makes him less eager to write contributions. Yes, the comments on his own fantasies often surprise him, but as a blogger you have to be resistant to that.
Still, he imagines that someone who is going to consult this blog might want to come to Thailand on vacation. Or want to stay there for a long time. Even want to live there. After reading a dozen blogs and the comments, he immediately changes his mind. Nothing is good in this country.
Cannot make good agreements because of no sense of time. Indifferent staff. You are constantly being cheated on purchases. Traffic is dangerous. Thai ladies or men are greedy for money, moreover they just whore and burp. Thai are lazy, Thai are haughty towards farangs. Unhygienic food, dirty toilets. You are cheated and lied to. Renting or buying something valuable – things always go wrong.
The Inquisitor is not blind to the shortcomings here. But he just likes it now. You can't expect a country, still in full development, to change its habits, its culture, its mentality, ... for the benefit of tourists and expats? Even if they generate income from it, it makes up just under 6% of their GDP – a lot of money, yes, but we are not that important despite all the stories. You come here by choice and you adapt.
We're going to meddle in everything in this country. We want things to be just as 'well' organized as there in north-western Europe. Road safety, pricing system, consumer guarantees, medical care, yes, also their education system, their social security. We all have good (?) advice. But the day they go as far with government interference here as they do in their home country, The Inquisitor will be gone. He likes the low regulation, he likes to take care of himself, to navigate between all those snakes in the grass.
Everyone is looking for good advice on this blog but is inundated with strange stories of cheating. That's not how you help people. You scare them off, farangs relegate themselves to victims here.
The Inquisitor has been coming to Thailand since 1990, often three times a year. And came to live here permanently in 2005.
He has never been the victim of anything serious. Only two minor traffic accidents, despite the fact that from his second holiday he started riding a motorcycle and a car at a ratio of ten thousand kilometers per year.
Enjoy life, enjoy, go out, go out by boat, train, plane, ... - and never been robbed, never robbed, never cheated. Never penalized by police or anyone, yes, he has been fined – all justifiable for not wearing a helmet or speeding. Never any problems with Immigration and/or the conditions.
Despite the fact that De Inquisitor has done a lot in this country: bought and renovated two houses in Pattaya and sold them with a profit, on company name, a Ltd, never had any problems with it, because it neatly drew up a balance sheet and paid a little tax. Bought three condominiums, rented them out, and later sold them again, all in their own name. With profit. Bought and sold cars and motorcycles.
Fallen in love, beautiful Isan as a partner, and yes, twenty-two years younger than him. And yet have a fantastic relationship, two people who realize that you have to adapt to each other, show understanding, give and take equally.
Built a new house here in the countryside, yes, on the girlfriend's land, but regulated by law, a shop was added for a year.
Has become seriously ill here, hospitalized for thirty-six days with various operations and is now in an extremely good condition due to the excellent medical care of Thai doctors. No problems with the insurance – private, limited because only valid in Thailand and neighboring countries.
So quite a bit done, some big risks in Thailand? And if you do get into trouble, think twice before complaining. Is everything that goes wrong with Thailand or the Thai people? Have you really not gone wrong yourself? You can also just report what went wrong so that others know about it, but don't always blame the natives!
It just depends on your behavior. Act normal, adapt, watch your caps - and be happy. Anyone who wants to stay in a distant country with a completely different culture, short, long or permanent, must have a bit of an adventurer's spirit. Don't expect guidance from cradle to grave here. And if you can't handle that, stop complaining and find another destination that better suits your personality.
It had to be De Inquisitor's heart, hopefully the lack of inspiration will disappear now and he can blog about positive things again.
Dear Inquisitor, let it be a comfort to you that those complainers are not exactly the brightest. Read the reactions to the article about the exchange rate of the baht and the chatter about the Euro and the European Union again. How much nonsense is not brought up in many comments. So it is not only about complaining about Thailand but also about one's own motherland. Keep writing and let the simpletons smother in their fat. You do a lot of others a favor with your wonderful stories.
Certainly Joseph, completely justified comment. If you love and are welcome in a country, don't complain about customs and customs. We also ask our immigrants here in Belgium to adapt to our way of life.
Dear Inquisitor, continue to concentrate on those wonderful stories from your Isaan. I've been missing them lately!
By the way, Joseph, happy birthday tomorrow. Have a nice day.
Michael VW
The irony of this story is that the inquisitor himself will now complain about other complainants 😉
Complaining and whining is of all times. According to psychologists, it even has an important function. To complain is to express your annoyance. That in itself is healthy, because it is better not to bottle up negative feelings or negative emotions.
It is a well-known fact that complainers always have the upper hand. Someone who has had a positive experience will pass it on to an average of 1 person. Someone who has had a negative experience told this to an average of 7 people.
There was once an initiative to create a newspaper in which only positive news would be reported. That died a soft death, no one was interested.
The editors of this website have to navigate on a tightrope, if we mainly write positive articles about Thailand, we will be accused of being an extension of the Thai tourist office. If it's too negative, it's not good either.
There are some notorious complainers among the commenters who are known to the moderator. These comments will be moderated. Of the average 100 responses per day, at least 20 to 30 go straight into the trash.
I do agree with the Inquisitor that if you accept certain things that you cannot change anyway, your life will become easier for yourself and those around you. Complaining about the weather, for example, is of little use.
A 50/50 balance between positive and negative experiences on Thailandblog is a utopia, as said, because people are more inclined to share negative experiences.
Anyway, the moderator and the editors will take an extra critical look at the postings and the reactions.
It is important for the balance that the Inquisitor continues to share his positive experiences with us. So I hope you get inspired again soon!
I agree with Peter. Complaining indeed has an important function in our society and this blog can partly fulfill this function.
Negative stories and bad experiences in Thailand are usually posted so that readers of this forum are alerted to what might happen. Protecting others from potential unpleasant surprises is something I personally experience as positive. It's just how you feel about it. I myself have never had the feeling that people here on this forum are always whining and that everything is bad in Thailand, on the contrary.
Keep up the good work
I actually wanted to write the same thing, it is wonderful to read the positive stories of “the inquisitor”, and even suspect that he himself has also learned a lot from the “negative” reactions… otherwise you regularly fall for those cases where “negative” being talked about. A man forewarned is worth two…..and can we be doubly happy….. And that there are whiners on the forum…..like everywhere I think…..Blessed are the poor in spirit, they will see the kingdom of God hahaha
Some people miss a wailing wall in Thailand, for which the Thailand blog is sometimes used.
And moreover “Good news is no news!”
That's why I'd like another story from the Inquisitor to keep the balance in balance!
Good news is always news in Thailand. Just look at what the government officials and others bring out every day through the media. Never even a realistic, well-considered, in-depth analysis, but always positive growth figures, rankings, measurements, achievements and more. Reality is never told. And that is why we, down-to-earth Europeans, are here to rebalance the representation of Thai reality.
So totally agree with Khun Peter.
With that complaint, I think it's not too bad. The real more sour than sour comments that everything in Thailand is *censorship* don't get through the moderation. Nothing wrong with expressing criticism, whether it concerns something in the low countries or Thailand. There is also nothing wrong with contributing ideas or visions. When I read a piece about how the Thai can benefit from a better social system (safety nets), reforms for education, agriculture, police, traffic, etc., I see that as well-intentioned and therefore certainly not something negative . In the end, it is the Thai who, by looking around, get ideas and determine where the country is headed. If they see Europe as an example on some fronts, fine. Thailand will also change, so more rules and facilities. In the longer term, I see our countries growing closer together, simply because of human qualities such as justice and wanting to help the weak.
Thailand is different but it is not a completely different world. If you are a little flexible, you can live well there and anywhere in the world. The rigid grumps who want to see everything their way, they really don't last long. Whether that is a stiff Thai, Dutch or Belgian who has changed his country of residence. You will automatically lose the 'everything has to be my way' audience. Similarly, 'everything must remain as it is, otherwise Thailand will no longer be Thailand and the Netherlands will no longer be the Netherlands'. The world is changing day by day, getting smaller. I mostly see similarities. My Thai family and friends are basically and often on the surface just as similar and different as my friends and family in the Netherlands. I enjoy the similarities, also enjoy the differences because otherwise it would just be a boring mess.
And those grumblers? Yes, there are also a few here on the blog who have soured just like a club from the rose-colored glasses brigade that thinks everything here is top notch and did not want to see any criticism. But 90% of the commenters here and actually all the piece writers I think are fine people that I can't get annoyed with. I sometimes laugh my ass off and then think 'what a strange bird' but that arouses my curiosity to ask questions. Or I sometimes keep my mouth shut, if only so as not to give the moderator gray hairs for chatting. They're not chasing me. So relax, enjoy the differences, have a laugh and go your own way. Chok dee! 🙂
Don't think everyone experiences life in Thailand the same as the Inquisitor. He sees everything from the positive side and that is his right. He can count himself lucky that he does not experience less pleasant and less good things. But think that he also accepts that other people experience Thailand differently and write about it differently. Perhaps they have experienced the less pleasant and less good things and want to write this off. One writes positively, to let others share in his/her happiness and the other writes a little less positively to let others share in their less good experiences with Thailand. To immediately say that those who complain the loudest are the least smart, I also don't like writing on a blog.
Oh yes, I have only been in Thailand since 1990 on average 3x a year, I am happily married to a Thai beauty and have only lived fully in Thailand for 4 years and I am glad that I can occasionally vent my heart on such a blog and my share bad experiences with others. I share my good experiences with my wife and daughter and friends, unfortunately I'm not that good at making a nice story out of it.
In my opinion, the Inquisitor is right when he states that there are many complaints.
From his enumeration of things that all went well for him or at least ended well, it appears that he himself has little to complain about.
Then it is relatively easy not to complain.
It only becomes an art not to complain when there is something to complain about.
If there really is something to complain about, someone can do that, but it is mainly the many generalizations that irritate me, such as 'Everyone drives without a helmet.'.
If I then do a – fun but correctly counted – study into compliance with the helmet obligation, and find that 87,5% of motorcyclists do wear a helmet, the reactions are not from the air: Stood in the wrong place, on counted the wrong time, 'Yes, but with us', and on and on. I don't lose any sleep over this, but according to some people it must not be good, otherwise they will not like it, and they continue to believe that everyone rides without a helmet.
Fortunately, all complainers are stupid, as I read in an earlier response, and the brother-in-law of the sister of my neighbor's cousin by marriage and his girlfriend think so too, and many agree with them! And I know many more! Like everyone else in the street, they are considering reading a blog about Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam. There are far fewer idiots there and the weather forecast is just as good.
Those helmets, yes. I once did the same thing on a terrace in Chiang Mai. It turned out that about 90% of the Thais wore a helmet and only 50% of the foreigners! (I also regularly drive short distances to the market without a helmet). But those Thais always have to pay for it…….that is what sometimes bothers me more…
According to Asia Injury Prevention, less than 50% of people wear helmets on average in Thailand.
Dear Inquisitor,
Khun Peter has already laid it out well. I like the complaining. I also read a lot of positive stories. Both should be possible. Just funny stories is also boring.
Let me point out that the Thais themselves complain even louder on all kinds of websites, blogs and forums than those damn foreigners. The government has launched an attack on Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani. When I read the reactions of Thais about this, for and against, the swear words fly around your ears. What emotions! Compared to that, this blog is an oasis of calm and civility.
Inquisitor,
Beautiful stories from your side and life in the isaan, have followed them all. This piece surprised me a bit. You allow yourself to be discouraged by what others write, but you never do that. Everyone has their own responsibility and if it gets too rude then the moderator is there to put a stop to it.
The fact that some people have been cheated and do not have a good experience with Thailand is not always due to the people themselves, you have that in every country. However, some people are naive and too biased.
The diverse cultures here and especially in tourist places do not bring value to the country in itself, yes economic value but no value to the culture. But you would also notice that when you return to Belgium or the Netherlands, norms and values fade, respect is sometimes hard to find and appreciation even more so.
You live in friendly Isaan, with girlfriend and family, not everyone can do that and you can't fully because every now and then you have to relax in the somewhat western culture in Thailand.
And why are we not allowed to read the negative things through Thailandblog that people experience, sometimes touch their hearts, personally I think that's good, it keeps you awake. I myself wrote a 10-part piece about 12 years of Thailand, only had positive reactions. I know you personally and you have also been negative about Thailand or the women or about places to go out, you have also expressed yourself, perhaps not on this blog, but I think it's the same.
As I wrote in my piece you should always keep protecting yourself in everything, you do and I do and so do so many others. That makes life in Thailand easy for us, but people who don't have that gift will always experience difficulties and also complain. And you can write about the complaining farrang, but what does the Thai complain about, if only you knew. Thais are also very needy among themselves, but also terribly hard, I can't even be that hard. And the Thai doesn't matter family or no family. Will write a self-experienced piece about that on this blog, that is not negative, but more how the Thais interact with each other.
I think you hit the nail on the head here.
– Often the cause of the complaining / cause lies with the complainant himself that he has already made a mistake himself or has stepped into a relationship with both eyes closed and has blindly given his trust to someone without research or inquiry about that person without anything of to have a security or backup.
– NL is already very good at complaining, especially now before the elections, about how bad we are, while we should actually be proud of what we have achieved in the past 8 years.
– I do think that the inquisitor meant the comments and not the posts on the blog.
Judging from his story, the Inquisitor seems to me to be the handy business broker type, who doesn't let himself be cheated anywhere. And his girlfriend may therefore be of the same type.
Buy, sell, make a profit and spend a lot of time doing that. People who are not as handy and alert as the Inquisitor and girlfriend are perhaps more vulnerable in a society like Thailand than in the Netherlands.
In other words, the Inquisitor should not view his experiences as normative and generalize them for all foreigners here. We are not all Inquisitors.
Mr. Inquisitor, for an inquisitor, officer of the inquisition, THE man who was in charge of the ecclesiastical courts and the prosecution of heretics, you set the bar low. I think it's okay here.
Can you name a few media where 'grunting' and 'complaining' are part of daily activities and I don't notice that here. Comparing always has an element of complaining about it because there, at the neighbor's house, the grass is greener and so I have to complain about my own lawn with the sign 'Forbidden to be on the grass', which sign I do not yet have in Thailand found. Good thing, too.
If by 'complaining' you mean that people do not like or like a procedure at the embassy or the Immigration, then you are, I repeat, setting the bar too low. I would only call it complaining if I came to tell Khun Peter that there is nothing to do here in this blog. Well, at least that's not the case today.
I am pleased to see that this blog is well-maintained, limited in language errors, properly documented with backgrounds and web links, that articles about culture and places of interest appear and that there is some wrath about the course, come on, we are Dutch and strong wallet-focused.
If you are flexible, you adapt a bit to the country of residence, in this case Thailand, you have a good life. Another 4 years and then ….. retired and we (thai woman) will move to Thaland.
Nice temperature, freedom, dividing time between family and round trips and looking for a nice future place for ourselves. Preferably somewhere on a coastal area.
Not because it is bad in the Netherlands, but life in Thailand is so much more relaxed.
And yes, complainers are everywhere and you shouldn't worry about them.
So please keep writing Inquisitor!!
Dear Inquisitor, I am always quickly done with all those stone and bone complaining people who are unfortunately there. My advice then is plain and simple, if I felt the way you did I wouldn't want to spend another day here. So I really don't get why you're facing this. And with that, the complaining in general has come to an end. Perhaps these words are helpful to you or you are already responding in exactly the same way.
I thought it wasn't too bad with complaining, come on, or don't come on the English-language Thaivisa, because that's terrible, hope Thailandblog won't look like that, because then I won't be here anymore either.
What a relief, that piece of the Inquisitor! And he's right!
I too often get tired of the nagging, the complaining, and the moaning! And about the many negative pieces on this blog and on many other blogs that I also read. It drives the tourists away!
I myself have been living in Thailand for 10 years, and have been coming there for 40 years. I enjoy every day!
I also have a Thai partner, the same for 8 years, married, and 32 years younger than me. But both worked hard to align our lives, be open to each other's cultures and mindsets, and cross paths where it goes too far or you can't reconcile. We are GUEST in this country!
If you come or live here you have to accept and respect the country and the people as they are. Otherwise, stay in the Netherlands, where complaining is the number 1 national sport! Even worse than here…
So my advice: look positively around you, enjoy what is there, otherwise: just leave!'
Oh well, a bit of complaining and grumbling is part of it. On the blog, I think the acidity of the grumbling is acceptable. Nothing and nowhere is perfect and then it's good to blow off some steam and who knows, see changes in the longer term. I don't come across any more sour than sour grumbling here, unlike ThaiVisa, for example. Negative through and through, knocking others down, not being able to do anything else. We don't see that here, nor does it get past the moderators (kudos to them, I don't want to think about having to approve all responses, although there will probably be sour pearls that make the moderator fall off the chair laughing in disbelief).
I shrug my shoulders at that bit of grumbling here. And it is nice to read negative and positive things about Thailand, the Netherlands, Belgium and so on. So different opinions, experiences. hearing news and facts I can understand people better and enjoy all the beauty even more myself.
The average tourist does not hang around on blogs, which, in addition to personal preferences, will fall back on generalities that are circulating about a country: 'Switzerland and Japan beautiful but expensive', 'Thailand, Vietnam, etc.: the Asian world, friendly and affordable', etc. .
What we are in Thailand? Some live and work here on a residence permit, a few have (also) Thai nationality, many spend the winter here or live there semi-permanently, a large number still come regularly, many have a partner, friends and/or family here. We are not all equally involved or part of Thai society, but you cannot say that we are all 'guests'. The majority may be a frequent or long-term guest, but they too often feel involved in beautiful Thailand. Some grumbled freely, others expressed their criticism politely. Should all be possible. Fuck off? None of that. Nobody has to leave any country if they don't like aspects of a country.
Only if someone can really only curse, whine, complain and be negative 24/7 and proclaim that it is all better elsewhere, yes then I would advise that person to pack their bags to experience in practice whether the grass is greener elsewhere . In my world the grass is pretty nice everywhere but nowhere perfectly green, so grumble and price is both the Netherlands and Thailand. I feel involved with both countries, I am sometimes negative about aspects of both countries, but the bottom line is that I enjoy more in both countries than I have to complain about and ideas on how things can be improved. Yes, a positive view of the world and being able to shrug your shoulders make life so easy / bearable.
You put that down beautifully Rob V. there is nothing to add. live the way you want to live. many of us have our wheels in Holland or Belgium, but are still attached to the beautiful Thailand. let's all turn the negative things (which are both in Europe and Thailand) into positive energy. It makes life a little easier for everyone. gr. Oscar
We also like to come to Thailand every year. And then we usually stay in Changmai. We have never felt unsafe or unpleasantly treated there. To be honest, I feel safer in the dark on the street than in the Netherlands. different and you have to adjust if you don't want to or can't, you have to stay home. And of course it's a pity if the exchange rate is unfavorable, but you take that risk yourself if you go to a country with a different currency. 1 and hope to come often.
If you are in a country of your choice, then also adapt, at least learn the language and intrigue.
The complaining is well known, sometimes the colonial family tree resurfaces and then the missionary behavior comes with a touch of arrogance.
Those who are complaining would say, return to Europe, where they will also come home from a rude awakening.
Enjoy beautiful Thailand while you still can.
Dear inquisitor, I'm going to complain if you don't send in any more pieces, whether it's your beautiful literary feast stories or a striking characterization of your gut feeling. Write for the sake of writing, not for the responses you receive.
hello Inquisitor
not a long story from me
i think you are absolutely right
I hope you will continue with your interesting stories soon
I have always enjoyed it
Unfortunately, I agree with the Inquisitor that many reactions to this blog are often negative about Thailand, but on the other hand (too) positive about the Netherlands.
It sometimes seems as if many people who respond here regret coming to Thailand.
Many have taken off the pink glasses for Thailand and replaced them with very dark black ones. They only put on the rose-colored glasses to look back at the Netherlands. The country where it once was really good.
Unfortunately, those rose-colored glasses have a very dark spot somewhere. That stain covers the misery that is going on in the Netherlands. It covers the cause of, for example, the fall of the Euro and pensions.
My advice to those people is: Take off both glasses, or even better; destroy them and throw them away.
Take a clear look at life and don't just see the negative of Thailand and the positive of the Netherlands. See the reality of both countries and find out that nowhere is perfect, but certainly not in the Netherlands and no longer better than in Thailand.
Thailand is a wonderful country, of course with its quirks, just like any country, but just stop seeing the negative things here or go back to the Netherlands. Then you will find out very quickly that Thailand is not as negative as you thought until now.
The Netherlands is currently much worse than Thailand, just like when you left. You did not leave the Netherlands for nothing then, and you did not choose Thailand for nothing.
I totally agree with this story. . I've lived here for almost seven years now. Have a steady relationship with my Thai partner (Thai friend). Have a Condo in Pattaya and em house in Buri Ram province (Ban Kruat).
I like life in Asia, so again I live now. For this every winter came on holiday for 3 weeks. Before that from 1963 for my work spent most of my time here ( wtk KPM and KJCPL)
You have to take everything as it is in Thailand and if you don't like this just stay in Europe
I only go on holiday (20 times) and then everything is fun. never go to a big chain, but go to the stall on the road to get a coke from my hotel, but after 3 days I don't have any, so I'll ask for a standard answer tomorrow, maybe to then not have a coke for 3 days, have a drink stall and no drinks I can laugh about that, but I understand that if you have that every day you are still just a Dutch person and you wonder why he is there. I like to read things without complaining, they are often funny. but just this, my daughter went to live in Spain when she was 19 and everything was perfect, no paying for TV, going into town to eat in the evening. Who did we think we were in the Netherlands? Always call late and ask, are you already in bed, this is just where it starts.
but slowly the phone conversation changed. that doctor thinks I'm a crazy foreigner, he doesn't understand me, my friend shouldn't think that I'm still going to eat at 9 o'clock in the evening, we Dutch eat at 6 o'clock. Spanish people are secretive and they don't trust their own family. and especially what are they thinking here? You understand, it's the same everywhere, you can't get rid of being a Dutch person anymore, that's something you know, a habit…………..just like that, after 6 years she moved back to the Netherlands to live with a Spaniard here. work .well
I always enjoy reading your stories.
And like to come to North and Northeast Thailand.
And yes there were some negative experiences.
But that does not outweigh all the positive things I have experienced with the Thai in Thailand and also in the Netherlands.
In short, I see Thailand as my second homeland.
I have very good friends with whom I only have very positive experiences.
I therefore hope that you will continue to write about this beautiful country.
Hendrik-Jan
Well, at least you can't complain about attention. But I agree with you, there are many here who indeed only want to see the lesser sides of Thailand. And I don't know if I'm allowed to say that here? If you don't like it, fuck off. When Mark Rutte said it, the very left of the Netherlands fell over him. I myself have been living here for over 17 years now and I don't want to go back for anything. Of course there are things that don't make me happy. But I hardly ever have problems myself. If there is a Thai person I don't trust or don't like. Do I do as I did in NL. Do I just ignore him or her. I have a fantastic wife here.
Who works very hard. And my in-laws have never asked for money. I have very nice neighbors who
never bother me either. I know several people who left here and said I'm going home.
But after 4 months they were back. Because in NL or England, and France they couldn't find it (anymore). And now it looked like a cold beer on the terrace
I've always believed that if you don't like Thailand, maybe you should go somewhere else.
Going to Thailand is not mandatory.
I've hardly had any bad experiences in Thailand, just being polite and friendly to the Thai.
What also plays, of course, is that many of the complainers never get further than the tourist areas where they live, Pattya, or one of the coastal towns on Phuket.
Those are precisely those areas where all the bad people from Thailand also go, because there is money to be made there.
So yes, you are probably bad off there, if you live there and you will probably meet bad people too.
All typical Thai habits and quirks are fun to write about, including the negative ones, but you need to be a little relaxed about it. Playing lightly with the language is a good start. Always try to put a wink in your writing, that puts things into perspective and then makes good progress in that direction. When you can cause a smile through your story or comment, Master Khun Peter can and should do a lot, I have the impression
The Inquisitor can consider himself a lucky man and I now understand that I am actually a schmuck because it is due to my own behavior that I have been robbed and have regularly contributed to lining the pockets of countless 'traffic cops'. I shouldn't have put my passport and money in the hotel safe in my room, which was suddenly completely empty. And certainly not in the reception safe, where 20.000 3 Bath notes of a round amount (1000 Bath) had 'flown away' the next day. That, unlike The Inquisitor, I have punctured the police officers' 'teapot' dozens of times over the past 18 years, sometimes as many as 4 times! one day, I can blame myself too. I made the mistake of traveling through Thailand by my own (rental) car, around noon near Khorat. Although I have not posted any stories about this on Thailandblog, I have occasionally mentioned it in comments on other articles, not so much to complain but more to draw others' attention to it. Now I realize that I did The Inquisitor no favors. It only suits me to remain silent. By the way, I am sincerely happy for The Inquisitor, and this is certainly not meant as a sarcastic, that he has been cured of his serious illness. With VR. greetings to everyone on this blog and especially to the moderators.
Joh what a story grabbed my heart, has been staying here for 12 years for three months now, it's almost over now and like to go home, but like to come back later, if health allows, as an 80 year old you just have to to be visible with to look ahead
Lee Nell
I have been happily married to my Thai wife for years, and enjoy the beauty and benefits of the country even longer. Only I do not go so far in my declaration of love for Thailand, that I call everything good, and even find it better than in the home country, so many commenters on Thailandblog.nl like to proclaim this. I myself am proud that I belong to these people, who not only walk around with pink glasses on their nose, so that I also like to report about the not so beautiful silk. Moreover, I believe that honest reporting, where the negative sides must also have a place, is more interesting for those who want to travel the country, or even choose it as their new country of residence. Stories of beautiful nature, good food, and beautiful beaches, with only friendly people, can be found in every tour office or travel magazine of Arke and Neckermann.
I don't know why the Inquisitor calls himself that. I cannot sympathize with him as to why he can hold out in Isaan, so I don't know. I certainly understand that he is tired of his fellow countrymen (who complain from their gut feeling), but he can avoid them here - far from home - right? If you take yourself seriously, you make it clear to yourself and others where you stand. Maintaining social contact with your compatriots, but at the same time being tired of them because of their complaints, their standards and interference, that is not possible. Thailand would be even more fantastic than it already is if all Dutch people who move here would immediately lose their old-man smell, or call it their anger. On the other hand, they have all brought themselves to their host country and brought with them their pretense that they - and they alone - are completely fine with their norms and value judgments (a pretense that is rather undemocratic, not to say rather anti-democratic; a democracy is unity in diversity). In fact, we, the expats, cannot even get along with each other, let alone with the population here. The fantastic thing is that Thais can really deal with us.
Returned yesterday from traveling around Thailand for another month. It doesn't even feel like a vacation anymore, but more like coming home. Could write many a blog post by now.
Know a lot of thai by now and always feel welcome. Love driving around by car. Always in the back of my mind the reactions about the traffic in Thailand on this site - it is a different country than the Netherlands, with different rules and manners. Matter of adjustment. Be it traffic, etiquette or class system. Do not deny your own culture and norms, but do behave like a guest in another country and enjoy the positive differences. It is understandable and sometimes frustrating that things are more bureaucratic and less efficient than in the Netherlands, but the combination of smile & patience sometimes works wonders.
I read thailandblog regularly and understand some complaints well and others not at all. In my opinion, the whining and grumbling makes the site a typical Dutch affair. It's part of the job, as Dutchmen among themselves, 'we' just do this. Salt on snails, magnifying glass on details. Called rose-tinted glasses here many times. And always woven away with a smile, just like a Thai would.
Keep writing!
You should not only complain but also not only cheer. Just call a cat a cat. Some things are more fun in Thailand than in B or NL…..other things are just not.
Everyone has to decide for themselves what you find most important in life… That is why I choose to spend 75% of my time in Thailand, but I also like to stay in the West during the summer.
The author of the article has no point here. Thailand has many bright sides, but just as many dark sides. Not only the beautiful and eye-catching make Thailand as it is. Also the common and common deceptions. The fact that attention is given to both sides of Thailand's spectrum is what makes Thailandblog so strong. I gladly refer friends, family and acquaintances who tend to idealize Thailand to Thailandblog. And often that people then admit to having a more realistic picture.
That the writer of the article says he is uninspired cannot be due to others. Just when you think that a negative image predominates too much, it can be a challenge to draw from your own positive experiences. The author of the article calls himself De Inquisitor. I've asked about the reasons for this naming before. At the time an institution that pre-eminently condemned.
Thailandblog offers a broad view of Thai society in many areas. It is clear that in Thailand you should keep away from politics and power struggles. Despite this, this phenomenon also determines the attitude of those who chose to settle. Thailand turns out to be not that easy, easygoing and sexy at all. The experiences in this regard are a good source of information. But you should read with restraint, filter, nothing is absolute, and never forget the context from which it is written and asserted. This also applies to the stories of De Inquisitor. So a good piece of advice: write for yourself, not for the response of others. Share your experience with others, but don't expect the other person to have the same experiences. Keep writing and enrich the colorful palette of colors with which Thailand has been built up as an image. If you only want to add bright colors, do so. But don't grumble if dark sides are also added.
What has also often struck me is that it is mainly the people who have been permanently residing in Thailand for years who start grumbling about everything… even about the lump of sugar. In fact, these people have it way too good and no longer realize what makes it all so nice in Thailand. They have, so to speak, all come to find it 'very' normal.
A while back to the cold expensive distant west is the best remedy.
I personally think ThailandBlog is not a wailing wall web blog about Thailand at all , if I may call it that .
When introducing his own personal story, the inquisitor indicates how wonderfully everything went for him. However, there are also many fellow bloggers who have had different experiences.
That is why it is also very valuable that everyone is warned about the many pitfalls that exist in Thailand from their experiences.
And I certainly don't call this complaining.
Jan Beute.
Complaining is in human nature. I can really empathize with the feelings of the author of this article. Many who leave for Thailand, whether temporarily or not, think that they have the wisdom and that they will explain to the local population what they are doing wrong and how it should be done.
This happens in every Asian country that we Dutch people go to. I have spent many years in Indonesia myself, and there are also blogs about that country and what is written by Dutch people there is much worse than on this Thailand blog.
I always say, live and let live. The country's wisdom, the country's honour. After all, we are guests/temporary residents of the country. Adapt, accept and don't judge.
Can't or don't you want to? Then go back or don't start the adventure.
Totally agree, that's what I think too. I have been traveling to Asia for 40 years, I have lived in Thailand for 10 years, and I respect the Thai people and their culture. I enjoy every day. I also often come to Isan, because my boyfriend's parents and family live there, sweet, caring, hard-working people.
I never complain about Thailand, I'm having a great time, I adapt to the standards and values here in Thailand, it's just not the Netherlands.
I am here for my peace and health, I have no relationship with a Thai lady.
I only have a good girlfriend who does a lot for me and I support her a little bit financially.
I only foresee some problems with that new income statement that I think is coming.
And not just me I think?
For the last few years I haven't been able to get that 800.000 baht income plus some savings.
but since I enjoy my retirement I have already handed in 1000 euros per year in taxes and discounts.
And now that the Bath is so low compared to the euro, it is already becoming difficult.
But I'll figure it out, I hope.
I also agree with the Inquisitor!
I do wish to add that things are still fairly quiet on this Thailand blog, thanks to the more than decent moderation.
My sincere congratulations to the entire team.
The inquisitor had a good time complaining, he is now hopefully ready to present us with a whole series of reading material 🙂
I believe that it should be noted that there is something wrong (both in/with Thailand and the blog.)
Where else should improvements start?
'Where else should improvements start'………that is exactly what annoys me sometimes: the thought that 'we' know how things can be done better and that the Thai would be wise to listen to 'us'.
I love coming and staying in this country because it is Thailand and I would not want it to become a clone of the Netherlands / Belgium - but with better weather.
I still belong to the category of rose-colored glasses wearers for 20 years. I have the same experiences as the inquisitor: never been robbed or cheated, never had an accident, Very good experiences with medical care, always meet kind and warm Thai people. And every time I get homesick for Thailand when I'm back in Holland. Am I lucky? No, it's up to you, I have always had a positive attitude towards life, despite the negative things that I also see. If you have the idea that as a foreigner you are going to tell the Thais that they are not doing well, then you have no business there. Should you just accept everything? Of course not, you have to remain yourself and a smile, sincere or not, can go a long way. You do indeed have to be a bit flexible and accept that life in Thailand is completely different in many areas. I like to read the inquisitor's stories because of his positivity and I have the strong feeling that he has his affairs in order in Thailand now. In a relationship there is indeed give and take, but that is no different than in the Netherlands, possibly a little more complicated due to the major differences in culture. Please keep writing articles, if only because I enjoy reading them.
There is always a reason to complain, but if you don't like it, don't you just leave? I have lived here less than eight months and, although it is not the Netherlands in terms of facilities and I only live in a small one-room studio with few possessions, life really suits me: nice people, beautiful nature, good weather, good and very cheap food. Where I live may not be typical Thailand, but that doesn't make the tropical feeling any less. When the grind of working (yes, unfortunately I still have to do that with my 37 years old) gets too much for me, I get on the scooter and explore the beautiful surroundings. What to complain?
Personally, I think first of all that many interesting things appear on the forum, which are actually more informative than complaining.
But it would be strange if farrangs didn't complain in Thailand.
I have been living in Thailand Pattaya for almost 8 years now, and this is my experience
1: Eight years ago, 1 euro was 50 Baht. Now 36.80 baht.
2:I see that farrangs are either moving, or have plans to be forced back to Europe
3. Everything has also become more expensive.
4. People are starting to keep a big chaste in the so-called companies, so that a farrang could still be the boss of his house.
5. If more, the two-price system will be introduced. Farrang pay a lot, Thai a little bitch.
6 For reasons that are unclear, there are suddenly no sun loungers on the beach on Wednesday. Tourists must sunbathe standing up.
7.Police wants the sex industry (main attraction point for many, because he believes that tourists like nature.
8 Obtaining vsia is becoming more and more complicated. They are always inventing something new.
It seems to me that you cannot blame Thailand for all the points you mention.
Point 1. That the Euro plummets is Europe's fault, not Thailand's.
Point 2. If Farangs have not planned their money properly – for whatever reason – it is not Thailand's fault.
Point 3. Yes, everything is getting more expensive.
This has to do with the fact that prices in the world are growing towards each other.
For example, this has to do with the fact that people like to go on holiday to a cheaper country, which makes the poorer country richer.
Point 4 is a good point.
Point 5. is partially true.
But the Netherlands, for example, has a tourist tax.
This applies not only to foreigners, but even to Dutch people.
Point 6 is a good point and also incomprehensible to me.
Point 7. The sex industry is a bit of a double story.
It brings in a lot of money, of course, but also an enormous amount of human misery.
That the argument that people come to Thailand for nature and not for sex is of course a bit weak.
This is probably caused by the draconian laws about slander and defamation.
Thais are just lousy liars, because they are not used to being called a liar, because whoever says that about the wrong person goes behind bars for years.
That's why they have such a hard time with social media.
Point 8. That story about visas is partially true.
It seems that Thailand is increasingly selecting who they want to let in.
Harmful for the people affected.
But a visa exempt or a 30 or 90 day visa has never been intended to stay here 12 months a year.
Abuse is obviously not the right word, but let's say accidental use.
The difference between the complainer and the non-complainer is the personal attitude.
everyone experiences something unpleasant sometimes, I don't immediately feel the need to spit my bile.
Furthermore, the complainers often live in their own world when they experience something you can counter it with as many positive things as you want in their eyes it is not true.
Then give me those rose-colored glasses instead of a sour attitude.
Wow. Lots of comments. Thanks to everyone - it gives me a good feeling and a better understanding of how Thailandblog is created and maintained, and how readers view and treat it. And apparently I was a bit wrong, my previous gut feeling was possibly a bit too negative.
I just want to say that I also regularly experience less pleasant things. That my 'good life' didn't come naturally, and that it won't last by itself. But I treat negative experiences with a smile, then they are solved more easily, I learned.
Oh yes, and that nickname. That has already been explained. I'm not changing it. 🙂
I travel by bike every day. I invite all rose-tinted glasses to do the same and take the ride from Chiang Mai to Mae On along the new track 1317. admire the beautiful Thailand that annoys me. Be sure to check the roadsides. This is the landfill par excellence. Take the exit to San Kampaeng. There is a household waste collection service every week, but apparently it is easier to throw it next to the road between the bushes. The irrigation canal to supply the rice fields with water is also a dumping ground. Thailand is full of plastic bags, drinking cups and foam saucers flying everywhere. Nature deserves more respect from the Thais.
This is not complaining, these are the findings that the Inquisireur also makes. If you are here on leave for a short period of time, you see this and you know that you are going home after the holiday, if you live here it will annoy you. But it doesn't change anything.
Read Thailandblog, among many other blogs, for years. I don't like statistics so I have no insight into the progress of bloggers / commenters on this blog. Over the years I have seen a number of quality bloggers leave Thailandblog. And no, by qualifying “quality” I do not mean the quality of the bloggers who are still active on Thailandblog. This just to be sure, because otherwise negative. The reasons for their departure remain a guess for us, but the feeling in my very sensitive gut tells me that they are "rubbing" against those of the Inquisitor.
I can relate to his gut feeling. Ask for advice on building a house and you will receive a wide spectrum of unsolicited, often even offensive "advice". For example, your Isan wife, with whom you have been sharing happiness for years, suddenly becomes a swindling whore, who promptly kicks you out of your house after delivery. Fortunately, Thai contractors can't build, so A will never finish your house; or B you will be saved, willingly or not, by that swindling whore from certain death through collapsing fronts and roofs. If for some inexplicable reason all this does not overtake you, then the next law will come into effect, namely, plundered by your fortune-hungry in-laws.
If you respond to these rude insinuations, you are by definition wearing the well-known “pink glasses”. Do not make any comparison with the Netherlands, because this is A a THAILAND blog and B is the Netherlands the land of abundance, happiness and prosperity, where you can fully enjoy all the pleasures that life in a welfare state even with your increasingly eroding old age pension. has to offer.
In short: I understand the lack of inspiration of the Inquisitor! Fortunately, he now has more time to enjoy the beauty of his current homeland.
Your gut is wrong. The so-called quality bloggers do not leave because there would be too much complaining on Thailandblog. There are several reasons for this, such as a different view on editorial content and composition. But also jealousy and envy. Normal human emotions that you see more often among the expats in Thailand.
This is one of the best pieces I've ever read here.
Just keep whining and complaining, and write down all those mistakes, otherwise it will become a really boring affair.
H.
Dear Inquisitor,
As a frequent blogger here I can quite understand your article. Every “writer”, and, you may call yourself a good writer, has one of those periods. Me too, what you had told has been told and if no new facts arise, well, then you can, as some do, make something up and tell a story that every Thailand expert knows is something fictional. That is not in our nature. We try to teach people something, to tell them OUR experiences and that may well be a bit glossed over. That is the author's full right. That you wrote this article now, there is nothing wrong with that because it is the absolute truth, not a word has been lied to.
Even your choice of name poses a problem for some people: INQUISITEUR. They don't even bother, if they don't know what it means, to associate anything negative with it, not knowing that an inquisitor is, in the first sense of the word, simply an "investigator."
Complainants are of all times and will always be. That's just the nature of some people. Others never complain and feel happy with what they have, what they experience, are happy with every new day, wherever they stay.
The complainers, we know them and know why, there is "something" that some claim not only makes them happy, but they forget that not having that "something" makes them even more unhappy. I sometimes feel like writing an article about that too, could even write a book about it, but like the Romans, first turn your tongue around twice in your mouth before you speak, or as a writer, take a second pen write something for the first time.
We can already see the trend coming: the Euro is not doing well against the THB…. there will be more complaints and the blame, according to some, of course lies with Thailand because they should devalue by 20% … man man man …. they consider themselves international financial specialists.
I have seen many farangs come and go. I have already seen many living in conditions and places where I would not even want to bury my cat and I do NOT mean Isaan. They complain about anything and everything, but that they themselves are often the cause does not occur to them.
Dear Rudy, this is about … don't worry too much about it and just, if something comes up again, write about it in your beautiful Flemish style.
Lung addie.
Three factors:
1. A Dutchman is only satisfied when he has something to complain about (Rentes do Carvalho).
2. Many Dutch people come here with unrealistic expectations. No wonder people get disappointed..
3. Many big things like democracy and social fairness are also really wrong in Thailand. But it is easier to complain about trifles.
Dear Inquisitor,
I have a very small mini, mini, dwarf site compared to this blog, and I was very surprised to read your piece here, and why surprise? Because I wrote almost identically the same thing this morning!!!
I can sometimes also be extremely annoyed by the same category of complainers over and over again, nothing is good: the beer here is either much too cold or much too warm, and to make matters worse, that pint is always empty much too quickly and much too expensive, when it rains it's a wet mess, and that wet rain is still warm too!!! If there is plenty of sun, much too hot and too dusty, and of course the rotary air conditioner is not working again, what quality is that again. The beaches are way too busy every time I want to go there, that motor driver is asking extra again because I can't really explain where I actually want to go, that street vendor has me by the rags again because I actually have no idea what I am buying and have no idea of its value, how dare he!!!
And I could go on and on, the list is almost endless. And it's always the same notorious complainers, never even any constructive criticism, never even any understanding or any attempt at integration into a totally different culture, much older than ours, no attempt at integration into a totally different way of life and way of life. think, but want understanding of the Thai!
In short, I sometimes really wonder what those kinds of people actually come here to look for. If they just stayed in their home country, they would do us and the Thai a great favor!
But then again, it's not good there, is it?
In short, do us, and certainly myself, a huge favor, and absolutely keep writing, I know you're going to read this.
The first thing I always do here is look for your piece, and I've really been missing that lately, and I was very sorry about that, so I'm excited to read something from you again!
Your pieces are an enrichment for Thailandblog, a wonderful site by the way, to whom I owe my new life in Thailand and the Thai woman of my life, for which I am still grateful, thanks to this site I am a “Thailand addict” I have found my new home.
And just as I love “my” Pattaya, I really enjoy your stories about “your” Isaan!!!
I hope to see you very soon man, think of the many who enjoy your beautiful, visually visible stories here or in their homeland, don't let it touch your cold clothes man!!!
Greeting.
Rudy.
“Still, he imagines that someone who is going to consult this blog might want to come to Thailand on vacation. Or want to stay there for a long time. Even want to live there. After reading a dozen blogs and the comments, he immediately changes his mind.”
On the contrary.
I just got back from my first trip to Thailand (Bangkok, Koh Chang, Pattaya)
Partly thanks to this blog, which I have been reading for about a year and a half now, I have been able to prepare myself well.
The varied opinions here from lyrical to negative give a good idea of what you can find.
Share great stories but also keep complaining for a fair balance.
Stories about deceit or abuses are important not to walk around blind like a farang. As a reader you automatically filter the information that is important to you. A moderator only has to moderate untruths, but I don't think negative opinions.
Understanding the culture gives you the strength to deal with it and to make differences smaller.
For example, I didn't have a suit fitted, found the best exchange rate, learned to negotiate about the price of a product or a baht bus trip.
I had a great holiday and met only sweet and helpful people.
A beautiful country.
As a holidaymaker, that will undoubtedly be different than if you live here longer.
Many thanks for the wonderful stories here.
Bob
The objections to complaining are not a new or original topic. The complainers, like me, also repeat themselves. Yet nothing amuses me so intensely as grumpy reactions. Black humour, gallows humor suits me. Much nicer than keep it up Inquisitor or "can we come over" The complainers are just the salt in the porridge. One shouldn't get too personal, of course. I can imagine that would be irritating for the Inquisitor. Direct criticism of him I hope I have always managed to avoid.
A wonderful subject that you are not so outspoken about. Every person is different and this is reflected in his or her behavior and statements. There is a lot to find on this planet. The human psyche is an important factor and in my old profession I once conducted research into the phenomenon of complainers. Broadly speaking, you can say that a certain group of people complains (or rather makes “negative” statements) when there is a feeling of unease or otherwise unpleasant situations have occurred. In my view, this is a normal reaction and in serious cases I would advise the specialists on this block to read a piece by Frans Denkers, a police psychologist who has focused on the phenomenon of underacting. Is an i opener and recommended.
It would take me too far to elaborate on this, but as an example I will give you the situation where every day you are confronted with something that is close to your heart, but nothing is done about it. Not even by you because you adapt. How long can you look the other way and live with yourself by perpetuating the bad situation or are you going to do something about it.
There are those on this block who will say adapt to the major polluters in Thailand, but this really goes too far for me. Environmental crime should be of concern to all of us. The hinterland of Pattaya is a big garbage dump and you can judge by the smell. Many mornings I wake up to the stench of garbage incineration, especially rubber or plastic. What a mess I can share with you, but I have to characterize this as normal and enjoy this and adapt according to some!!!!. I bought my house in 2008 and it was still quiet in this neighborhood, now I am surrounded by four mosques, you know the ones where the Allah Akbar sound is blared, dozens of times a day and also in the middle of the night. I thought Thailand was Buddhist, but in certain places this really loses out. Where else can you go and then you get the second problem that your house cannot be sold without incurring a loss because there is so much for sale that you don't want to know. Anyway, as a realist I could go on and on, but you understand my complaint.
Don't put labels on people and be happy that we are not all the same but there is no harm in striving to become a better person in all the shades life has to offer. My ex always came up with this on January 1 of the new year as a good intention and somehow she was right too. Live and let live, but everything has a limit and then it's time to do something about it or complain. This is my opinion and you will have to accept it.
In any case, I always enjoy reading your blog and I hope you will continue to do so. One time I learn something from it, the next time it confirms what I already know. There will always be positive and negative reactions. I am sometimes surprised by the negative reactions. Especially if it is written by someone who lives in Thailand. Some people are just never satisfied I guess. The positive reactions ultimately confirm that you are right. Your stories have also ensured that I eventually made my own contributions to Thailandblog. Don't let the negative reactions influence you too much, and from the positive reactions you will have a group of loyal readers who enjoy sharing your adventures with them.
I understand the Inquisitor's gut feelings. Although I am not as productive as he is, I have already posted some stories here and asked some reader questions. Sometimes you only get answers to very specific questions (“Who has experience with buying a house on leased land and would like to tell us about it?”) that are not related to the question (“It is better to rent”). Sometimes you write a piece about an unexpectedly nice fishing village where you ate a fish and a commenter starts complaining about the quality of the fish. My wife asks if there are farang women living in northern Thailand who can tell about life there as a farang woman and almost only men respond. Then such a gut feeling is soon born.
But on the other hand, I realize that there are still people who make an effort to answer or respond. And they may have the question of whether they understood the story slightly differently than the writer intended. The problem with a blog is that you don't have two-way traffic. I too have sometimes responded to an article with the best intentions, after which I was virtually lynched because my response was read very differently than I intended it. Reactions that come across as complaining or negative do not necessarily have to be that way.
Hopefully inspiration will return to the Inquisitor soon. Without shorting others, he is my favorite writer here, with his pieces that give a nice insight into daily life in (the) Isaan and are both humorous and respectful. I think that respect is an important reason for the successful life he has built in Thailand. We have only lived here for a short time; hopefully we will succeed too.
Of course, it is also often rightly grumbled. There are people who marry with the best of intentions and then find out that they are expected to support an entire family financially. There are those who build a house in Isaan and are evicted by the in-laws when it is finished. A monk, an abott, in Isan, once said to me: The people here usually behave downright badly towards farangs. He spoke English and said he heard their stories regularly. The dangers are great, as are the temptations. The sausage presented to the farang is a young woman. Even without women, many traps have been set here. In business? Your money may be gone very quickly.
In addition to the success story of the Inquisitor, I have heard many stories from victims. It's dangerous here. That's why people complain. people are often ashamed to mention only the real reason, namely that they are or are being undressed. So then people will grumble about Thailand in general.
complainers? If you want to see real complainers, you should read Thaivisa. Does it bother you.
If you don't like something, try to improve it.
This is one of the rules I have set for myself in my life. Just complaining adds nothing.
Unfortunately, I also occasionally sin against my own rule(s), because nothing human is alien to me.
Someone who only complains, points an accusing finger at other people / population groups, is not prepared to take action themselves, has no right to speak for me.
Rendering a personal experience as generality can also be explained by the human need to be proven right.
This can happen in both a negative and a positive sense. I myself try to stay as close as possible to my personal experience, not to imply that I speak for “others”.
As the things that bother you are further from your sphere of influence, it becomes more difficult, but not impossible, to change things.
As a foreigner you have an additional handicap. You have to learn the language, manners and manners and customs. You may not be taken seriously.
It is therefore important to set your goal(s) realistically, to be able to withstand disappointments and to have perseverance.
Keep leading by example and take every opportunity to get your arguments heard.
So a call to all complainers:
Think about what you can do and take action to get rid of your annoyance!
It must be human nature. I also sometimes complain about things here and then I try to avoid them. I also do very stupid things, many Thai people will say that I am a strange foreigner… what do you want to do about it?
About the complaining: I was married to a Brazilian for years. Before she came to the Netherlands, she complained about the terrible conditions in Brazil.
Later she started to complain more and more about the Netherlands and the Dutch. Did she do something about it? No. Complain all the time.
I have now moved to Thailand and have been living here for four years with great pleasure and she now attracts support in the Netherlands, that “odious” country. She has also been naturalized….
But I'm not really complaining here. I always try to get the positive out of a situation. Sometimes the bad things you experience are the catalyst to do something in a completely different way and do it a lot better because of it.
A while ago, as a cyclist, I was very annoyed that so many people ride their motorcycles on the bike path between Hua Hin and Nong Hoi. However, after thinking about it a bit more, I couldn't agree more with those people. First of all, they don't really bother. And secondly, the Petchkasem Road there is so dangerous that it is much safer to ride on the bike path even as a light motorcycle / moped.
The other day when I came back I said that to my wife. I said to her, you know what honey. I have resolved not to be annoyed about that anymore and I already feel a lot better. Now I also enjoy riding that stretch of bike path again. The mopeds don't disturb anymore either!