About crazy expats, whore runners and sluts
Do not be alarmed by the above headline because the soup is not eaten as hot as it is served. Just want to attract some attention and use a kind of Telegraaf-like headline for that.
As a frequent writer on this blog and no less interested reader, I have recently been finding myself increasingly annoyed by certain reactions and comments. Knowing better, I should let it slide down my cold clothes. Yet..
Think that a lot travelers who touch their hearts Thailand have leased and regularly return the comments, or know the even more frustrating underhanded muttering of people from their environment. If you regularly go to Thailand as a man, then you are a whore runner in their eyes. Only bitches live in that country and men who have settled there permanently are a bit loose. Leave it all for what it is and I've gotten used to that kind of silly claptrap by now.
irritation
What irritates me much more is the frequent disregard for one's own motherland. It is mainly those who have settled in Thailand or have a Thai relationship who are guilty of this. I have visited Thailand more than fifty times and dare to say that I think I know the country quite well by which I mean more than just the landscape. Yet I live in the Netherlands, and even with great pleasure. Please admit that I can enjoy a good pension and also receive my full AOW. Things that are all well organized in the Netherlands and you also took care of them yourself. Of course it is not all hosanna in the highest in our country, but in which country in the world is that the case?
Thailand vs Netherlands
There are large, if not very large, differences between the two countries. Likewise, there are -fortunately- big differences between people. Between the Thai and the Farang, but also between compatriots themselves.
In this context, do not want to go into the economic differences between the two countries and even less about the standard of living of the population. Nor do I want to elaborate on religion, politics, education and customs. It will be clear that you can write a whole book about it or philosophize about it for days. What I do want to advocate is that we should not let Thailandblog, which so many people enjoy, slide into a questionable level of silly discussions.
Appointment
Shall we make an agreement that everyone should appreciate each other?
And that applies not only on a personal level, but also for remarks that are offensive to representatives of the people and/or government beide Nations.
Free speech is not as self-evident in every country as we think. Perhaps it is wise to read Khun Peter's article that he recently posted on May 28 about the consequences that this can have for all of us, especially in Thailand. I myself promise to everyone that I will not post any negative comments. Are you also participating? Yes right.
Joseph I totally agree with you. Well said !!!
dear joseph, you only get to know thailand if you are part of the thai society. if you have a little understanding of the culture if you speak the language (which is very important otherwise you will not be able to communicate with the people).In all other fallen you are and remain an outsider who only, and the word says it all, looks at the outside. Then it makes no difference whether you have flown back and forth 50 or 150 times. It remains so. As for the second part: you have a lot to do with older people like me (slowly moving towards 80) Older people are slowly deteriorating (unstoppable) start grumbling and sometimes whining themselves.When years, years ago I started learning the thai language, a thai acharn quickly told me: "Khon thai pen khnon ki bon" Thai people are grumblers. Just like the Dutch, when it rains it's not good and when the sun shines they also complain. We are all the same. different. If everyone tries to show respect for each other, we will come the furthest. However, the Dutch do not have the best reputation everywhere, they are known as people who as soon as they notice something that is different than in the Netherlands. immediately start yapping and waving the finger. That is their Calvinist background. They easily attack people who do not have a Calvinist background. People who are different from them. everything and everyone that comes by Just ask a Belgian who also knows what "kees" is like.. On the other hand, if the collection box rattles or people are in trouble somewhere, they will remain givers. They don't give a damn where that money goes as long as they can lamb. That's crazy. More about the last part: you can't and shouldn't criticize political or social conditions here. .I once saw, for example, how Thai bar ladies put money in the pot and let a Dutchman blow off at the corner of Nana 3 and Sukhumvit in Bangkok. THEY ALSO DESERVE RESPECT.Beware Dutchmen.Let them read your post a few times . .
It's a long piece from Andrew with a lot of words.
But do you understand???
GJ
What do you actually want to say?
Yes, you are right!
Sorry!
But I wouldn't want to live in the Netherlands anymore!
walking nicely on the line, paying the bill neatly, and beaks.
thai is boss. own people first.
What is offensive and what is negative? Self-censorship? Will thailandblog.nl become a typical Thai government blog? Perhaps the Bangkok Post and The Nation will be more critical then. Lzzs their websites.
@ Will thailandblog.nl become a typical thai government blog so if you don't do one you automatically become the other? Short-sighted and rather black and white thinking.
I've said it before, start your own blog. That is easy these days, there are ready-made blogs, you can create them like this. Are you going to rage against the Thai government there? Will you also receive a one-way trip to Belgium 😉
Very well stated by Peter.
Gerrit
Why would I want to go on a rampage against the Thai government? I'll be careful;
There are also bloggers who want to be informed a bit more about the backgrounds of all kinds of phenomena instead of reading discussions over and over again about, for example, legroom and prices of planes, exchange rates, administrative matters. Also important, but also not wanting to be more Catholic than the pope and being afraid of criticism if you get postings about the social background of things in Thai society. I realize that certain topics are taboo and we just have to accept that. But don't let your blog degenerate into an extension of the TAT, Thai Authority of Tourism. Or are you, Kuhn Peter, going to advise me to start my own blog again. I think that's a reaction similar to what you sometimes hear after criticism of the country where you are staying, namely … if you don't like it, just leave….
All those professional journalists you apparently have contact with will certainly advise you to lengthen your fuse, if they are professional.
@Niek, I understand that you like to start a discussion. But I am not a pensionado and busy with Thailand blog and my work. We are often enough critical and certainly not an extension of the TAT. You will have to make do with what appears on the blog. There is no cook who cooks for everyone.
niek read that article by khun peter of May 28 and get it right. I don't want to say more. (I've seen and heard so much here already)
As a professional journalist (nearly 40 years old), I stand up for Kuhn Peter in this regard. The blog is not an extension of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), although we regularly publish positive stories about Thailand on this blog. On that note, it would be a good thing if some of the TAT money flowed into our blog instead of the usual bottomless pit.
The blog is independent of whoever, airlines, tour operators or hoteliers. However, we are careful not to end up in the minefield of problematic reactions. Those who want to get their weight (anonymously) should do so elsewhere or start a blog themselves. And sit on the blisters when he burns his own ass. The price of being thrown out of the country or spending some time in the 'Bangkok Hilton' is too high for us. This blog is not a Volkskrant or even a Telegraaf. It is a blog by and for enthusiasts/visitors of Thailand with sometimes much-needed information.
I understand Niek a bit – my first reaction to this article was also 'please don't let things get too sluggish on this blog'. A solid discussion is sometimes quite fun. I don't really understand the approach of the writer of this article; I think Peter moderates very well, and on this blog there are not nearly as many disgruntled words as on eg a Thaivisa.com (which can be very entertaining by the way). In summary, I don't think much needs to change. Keep it up Peter!
May I add that the undersigned also blows a solid game of moderation?
Hans is allowed to do that, but I think that Peter moderates really well because he always remains neutral and never plays on the person. That's why I specifically mentioned him.
No, neutrality is hard to find for me. I usually have an opinion. But since when do I play the person?
Hans, my comment concerns Peter. I just wanted to compliment how he moderates, nothing more, nothing less. It's not about you at all here, sorry, I'm not comparing you to Peter and I've never stated or suggested that you play the person.
In the newspapers, comments are also censored afterwards, on this blog in advance.
A big difference.
right, that is unfortunately necessary to keep it decent and also the success of the blog.
After more than 20 years as a journalist at a daily newspaper, I can inform you that the reactions there are also checked for content and language use in advance.
Which newspaper was that, Hans?
First Dagblad for North Limburg in Venlo, followed by Dagblad de Limburger in Maastricht.
I agree with Andrew, if you want to get to know Thailand well, you have to be part of that society and of course speak the language. Furthermore, it makes a big difference whether you live in a protected resort with only farangs and the Thai elite or really in the middle of the Thai population. In the latter case, get to know the Thai culture really well.
I myself have been there about 30 times, but I also lived and worked there for 2½ years, so I got to know the Thai better than all the times I've been on holiday. I also have the advantage in that respect that I am a half-blood Asian myself and was also born in Asia, so I know Asian culture through and through. In short, unlike most farangs who come there for the first time, Thai culture was not alien to me. Consider, for example, things such as supporting the family. For me that is a matter of course.
Been here for 10 years now and have lived here for 8 months, daily encountering culture and other differences, also regularly fierce differences of opinion with my boyfriend, although this is starting to become less. But definitely back to the Netherlands? If you don't really have to, I'd rather not, I'm only 54 and I depend on certain things to be able to stay here but………… In any case, I now understand the immigrants in the Netherlands a bit, have always said that they have to adapt to us Now see how hard that is.
Gr Hank.
@ can be Hansy, but I'm not going to enter into that discussion. There are a number of people in my environment who occasionally give me solicited and unsolicited advice. I have a lot of confidence in them because they are professionals (journalists for example). I can't listen to all opinions and I can't please everyone. Fortunately, there are more forums about Thailand on the Internet. If they can't find what they're looking for here, they'll have to go elsewhere (or start something of their own).
Respect for everyone's opinion, that will take you a long way in life.
I myself have had many setbacks in life, a failed Thai marriage, a relationship of 61/2 years that ended abruptly, you would "hate" the land of smiles for less, but I still believe that "one day" I will meet the real one.
I often get reproaches from other people on other forums that I praise Thailand too much, but that's not how I am, I love the country, the smile of the people.
I also believe that whether you have already been to Thailand 30 times or like myself (65 times), that you are not 100% accepted by the Thai community, in their eyes you remain an outsider, but they greatly appreciate that you make the effort to learn their culture and language.
Anyway Khun Peter, I have been following you for a long time and I find what you write here in the forum that there are many truths in your thinking about the country of Thailand.
Regards: georgessiam (Buriram currently)
Speaking the language is indeed very much appreciated by the Thai people and where I am staying now there are not many tourists, and when you come to a new business, they look at you as if they hear it thundering in Bangkok when you speak Thai.
And it's not just the Dutch who complain about the Netherlands and Thailand.
If I generally listen to the Germans, they also have quite a hand in that.
Gentlemen Joseph's call seems reasonable to me. It is important that the level of this blog remains up to standard. I have no problem with strong opinions being given, as long as they are well thought out and substantiated. That is usually the case, but sometimes oversimplified cancer comes through. That Thai and Farang differ is the reason for this blog. I find Thai people pleasant to deal with. Personally, I just dislike their (I know I'm generalizing now) limited interest and knowledge of the world outside of Thailand. That is of course my problem and not theirs, but for me that is the main criticism of the Thais. Other bad qualities are everywhere. And yes, if people want to complain about the Netherlands, they complain about themselves and their origins. However, there are many objective arguments in favor of the Netherlands. Even the weather is getting better.
i live in so thailand where thai and cambodians are very cozy and have a drink together i have lived in fillipyns for 12 years, here it is much better and accept me and fillipyn never accepts you.everywhere is something
tinco
I totally agree with how Peter does this. He has to. In addition, I also want to say that I have also read the most horrible comments in the past. Extremely rude and insulting towards me or others AND definitely towards the Thai community.
In my opinion Joseph's article is about the delivery to the Netherlands. I totally agree that this is very unfair. We live in one of the richest countries in the world, with a high level of wealth and freedom of expression. The fact that you can lead a good life in Thailand even with a small Dutch pension is thanks to that.