Neither an apologist nor malcontent

[Rotweiler 501]

Yes, the number of Thai-bashing posts has decreased lately.  But there still are – many.  There are times I get so po'd at some of the posters here that I actually stop coming to the site.  Sometimes for weeks at a time.  Yes, I do realize that most of the Thai-bashers are not even IN Thailand, and that the owners of the site get paid by advertisers for hits, and the more controversy, the more hits.  But.

 

I personally am neither a Thailand apologist nor malcontent.  I see my adopted village and country as they are, smiles, warts, and all. 

 

Yes, the air is really bad at times; but then there are those mornings when I am humbled by how beautiful everything is.

 

Yes, sometimes I wonder if this adopted country of mine actually wants me here; then a neighbour pops over unannounced with a bag of fresh vegetables from their garden (“for the farang”). 

 

Yes, I worry at times that the Government will make life here more difficult or even impossible in the future.   Then my annual visa extension took all of 15 minutes – the only time I will see Immigration officers for another year.  Same as last year.  And I remember that my birth country’s government shoved thousands of my fellow Canadians into prison camps during the 1940’s because they or their ancestors weren’t born there.  Or were born in the wrong parts of Europe or Asia.   I’m still here - not imprisoned - yet.

 

Thirty-one years ago I visited Thailand for the first time.  Six trips later - just over 16 years ago - my wife and I decided to spent 2 months each winter in Northern Thailand instead of in Canada.  Thirteen years ago my wife passed away (much to early) and I decided to make it permanent.  Except for one trip back 10 years ago to dispose of what I still had left in Canada, Thailand has been my permanent home. 

 

Do I complaint about anything here?  Damn right I do!  About the smoky air.  About the heat.  About sloppy workmanship that can appear during a simple, routine project.   About the local Khao Soi stand being out of chicken last Wednesday.   About my wife switching back and forth between Lanna, Thai and English – often in the same sentence.  If I were back in Canada I would not have complained about these things!

 

I would have complained about ever-increasing property taxes; about having to shovel snow off the sidewalk during the winter; about Quebec separatists being in the Nation’s Parliament; about the monthly water, sewer, electric, and natural gas bills that each approached or far exceeded my Thai neighbours’ monthly income; about the Roughriders having another <deleted> year; about the Government not being mine - not the ones “I” voted for.

 

Have I regretted it (moving here)?  Occasionally, I wonder what it would have been like if I had stayed in Canada.   Or moved to Germany.  Or India.  I also wonder what it would have been like to be a billionaire.  Or still have all of my hair. 

 

I made the decision to be here.  And I am here to stay.  I will not complain about what I cannot change here (well, maybe a little…).

 

My 50 satang worth.

 

[kenk24 6,687]

4 minutes ago, Rotweiler said:

like to be a billionaire.  Or still have all of my hair. 

Complaining is easy but not a lot of fun for other people to listen to... 

 

If you were a billionaire you would have a line out the door hoping to borrow money... hair is overrated... 

 

Enjoy your choices, and keep your 50 satang... you can use it to fill your gas tank. 

[NCC1701A 52,245]

28 minutes ago, Rotweiler said:

Or still have all of my hair. 

i still have all my hair. it's great. but i do still have to buy Just for Men Dark Brown every month. 245 baht. the secret is to only leave it on for 3 minutes instead of 5 like the instructions say. it looks much more natural that way.  

Edited April 22 by NCC1701A

[villagefarang 15,784]

I have dealt with more bile and vitriol on this little sub-forum than perhaps anyone else, yet I am still positive and still here.  I am the only one I have any control over and I control how I respond to the stuff I read online.

 

Just maintain your center, your convictions and don't allow the negativity to change your actions or outlook.  Don't give others any power over how you feel about your life here in Thailand.

[NCC1701A 52,245]

14 minutes ago, Rotweiler said:

Yes, the number of Thai-bashing posts has decreased lately. 

this forum is full of haters. 

there is a topic right full of comments about hating Songkran. 

 

one of the first topics i started on this forum 8 years ago was asking about moving to Thailand. One of the every first replies I got was telling me to not move to Thailand because I would be killed. 

 

if you express any positivity on this forum you will be attacked. 

good luck.   

 

[NCC1701A 52,245]

1 minute ago, villagefarang said:

I have dealt with more bile and vitriol on this little sub-forum than perhaps anyone else, yet I am still positive and still here.  I am the only one I have any control over and I control how I respond to the stuff I read online.

 

Just maintain your center, your convictions and don't allow the negativity to change your actions or outlook.  Don't give others any power over how you feel about your life here in Thailand.

actually i was thinking about you while i was writing my comment. you really take a hit here. but you are more brave than i am. 

[villagefarang 15,784]

I wrote the following recently.

 

"There are literally hundreds of topics out there proclaiming and championing the ugliness of the world we live in and filled with hateful combative language.  It is a virtual race to the bottom, to see who can be the most hateful, negative, vindictive and spiteful.  Look at how sad my life is, how mistreated and misunderstood my existence is.  Come one, come all, and celebrate my misery and affliction.

 

I have simply chosen to carveout a tiny space where I can share how I look at the world and live my life."

[BritManToo 43,902]

16 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

I have dealt with more bile and vitriol on this little sub-forum than perhaps anyone else, yet I am still positive and still here.  I am the only one I have any control over and I control how I respond to the stuff I read online.

No point in dealing with it, just hit the 'ignore' button.

I've got 3 pages of posters I never have to read anymore.

 

My current gripe is posters hating on foreigners trapped in Thailand by the flight cancellations.

There's no need for it, people make bad decisions and run out of money all the time, all over the world.

Be human, give them a bit of support, don't hate them.

Edited April 22 by BritManToo

[villagefarang 15,784]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

No point in dealing with it, just hit the 'ignore' button.

I've got 3 pages of posters I never have to read anymore.

The thing is, Chiangrai is a small place and I inevitably bump into some of these people at social gatherings so I find it prudent to know what is being said about me.  There is no ignore button in real life.

[BritManToo 43,902]

1 minute ago, villagefarang said:

The thing is, Chiangrai is a small place and I inevitably bump into some of these people at social gatherings so I find it prudent to know what is being said about me.  There is no ignore button in real life.

Best to keep yourself anonymous.

I'd never admit to anyone I posted here.

There are some real nutters out there, I've had a couple of threats by PM in the past.

Edited April 22 by BritManToo

[cranki 346]

This post won't get many responses......it's too positive...

[NCC1701A 52,245]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Best to keep yourself anonymous.

I'd never admit to anyone I posted here.

There are some real nutters out there, I've had a couple of threats by PM in the past.

me too. i had someone ask me to meet up for a "Pint." what does that mean? 

[villagefarang 15,784]

6 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

me too. i had someone ask me to meet up for a "Pint." what does that mean? 

½ a quart?

[OneMoreFarang 24,740]

9 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

me too. i had someone ask me to meet up for a "Pint." what does that mean? 

I googled it for you. It seems they want to swing with you.

[NanLaew 21,985]

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

i still have all my hair. it's great. but i do still have to buy Just for Men Dark Brown every month. 245 baht. the secret is to only leave it on for 3 minutes instead of 5 like the instructions say. it looks much more natural that way.  

Yeah, natural. I bet that's what all the girls (used to) say.

Edited April 22 by NanLaew