'What does a farang look for in such a peasant from Isaan?'
Thailand is a country where social hierarchy and class have a significant impact on daily life and social interactions. In this class society, individuals are expected to choose a marriage partner from the same social class. Many Thais are therefore surprised about the relationships between Thai women from the Isaan region and Western men.
Isan women, the raw reality (final)
We continue with more examples of Isan women. The sixth example is the eldest daughter of my eldest brother-in-law. She is 53 years old, married, has two lovely daughters and lives in the city of Ubon.
Isan women, the raw reality (part 2)
In part 2 we continue with the 26-year-old beauty who works in a jewelry store. As already mentioned in part 1, it concerns a farmer's daughter, but a farmer's daughter who has successfully completed a university study (ICT).
Thai men can cry too
A Thai couple has been living together for over a year. The special thing is that we have known the woman for over ten years and the man for about six years. And without our interference they still found each other, even though they didn't exactly live in each other's neighborhood. So a big coincidence.
Why is it that so many Western men turn to foreign women with a low level of education and all the associated limitations in communication and the difficulties that cultural differences entail?
This personal anecdote, submitted by GeertP, takes us on a thirty-year journey through the fascinating life of Fa, a woman from the Thai village near Khorat. Raised under difficult circumstances, Fa showed incredible smarts and determination to change her destiny early on. Using her charms and the possibilities of the digital world, she navigated a series of marriages, traveled the world and transformed her life. This story sheds light on Fa's peculiar path and the cultural differences in perception surrounding her actions.
Pieter, a 43-year-old businessman, leaves his predictable life in Groningen for an adventure with 25-year-old Noi in Pattaya. He leaves his wife and children, but the dream quickly turns into a nightmare. Plagued by regret, alcoholism and abandonment by Noi, he ends up in a downward spiral of loneliness and isolation.
My call to participate in a documentary series about the personal and social adventures of Thai-Dutch relations has caused quite a stir (mainly positive). In addition, I have already received a number of nice responses by email.
About bad Thai women and naive men
Are foreign men who fall prey to overly greedy Thai ladies themselves (partly) guilty of that or not? Do they make wrong choices when entering into relationships? Is it naivety, bad luck or a lack of people skills? Can this happen to everyone or just those who like the wrong women?
Good or bad? Say it!
A story about Thai ladies who don't take fidelity too seriously. Of course there are also foreigners who copy that behaviour. Gringo wonders whether or not sex with another partner is acceptable within a relationship?
Thai gold digger on the road
Nui and I have been living unmarried and happily together for 10 years. Without (major) problems thanks to clear agreements. This piece is about a friend of Nui, friends for 15 years. I call her Sasa, unmarried, 40 years old now and well educated. Share a lot on Line, exchange photos about restaurants and the meals there, among other things. Innocent pastime.
Koos from Beerta, a real unlucky one
Gringo describes the adventures of Koos, an acquaintance who came to celebrate in Pattaya but came home with a rude awakening. A story about love, lust and sorrow.
A classic love story from Thailand
Thousands of stories have been written about how to deal with Thai ladies, even many books can be found in the store and yet….some never learn. You and I, as experienced Thailand visitors, know the ins and outs, but for newcomers it is yet another classic example of what threatens to turn into a “love drama”.
Stef, the jealous friend
Not only Thai women can be extremely jealous. This story by Gringo is about Stef who, blinded by jealousy, can no longer see the truth and makes a big mistake.
It is one of the well-known clichés about Thailand: Old men walking hand and hand in the street with much younger Thai ladies. An interesting question is, of course, how Thais themselves think about this? And if the image is correct why older Western men choose Thailand? In 'Thai Talk with Paddy' Paddy interviews a number of Thai people on the street about this subject.
Reader question: Is it culture that the Thai man pays for the costs in a relationship?
Is it really Thai culture that the Thai man has to bear all or almost all costs in a relationship? Or is this region specific? Or depending on upbringing and habits? Use within a family? Or personal conviction of individual women?
My Thai wife and I have been married for 6 years and have 2 children together. Now, after living in Belgium for 6 years, she wants to go back with the children and stay there to take care of her parents. I want to come along, but I have my business here in Belgium and know that I wouldn't be able to find work there right away. I also don't want a divorce and the children are only 5 and 7 years old, so the plan would be to go to Thailand regularly during holidays. Does anyone have experience with such a situation, can this continue? Does it make sense for me to keep putting my money into that?