I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my life than I am here in Hua Hin.
That said, I am not so sure how much Hua Hin, or even Thailand has to do with that. I AM sure that having followed the love of my life ( 10 years now) here and daily watching that love grow stronger accounts for most of it. (And that could be true anywhere in the world. .and might have happened in America if the Immigration laws there were not so draconian & jingoistic!) I admit to being very fortunate and I am always very sorry to hear of couples in trouble.
I also love parts of the town and life here in general. (Back in the US, getting to a decent restaurant or a decent mall took me 1 to 3 hours of driving.) Of course, without TV and the internet, I might be a bit less comfortable.
I do love the climate here though, my garden and home and the Thai people are mostly kind and gentle. Having just returned from a vacation in Greece, I can honestly say that there is a HUGE difference in the way tourists and foreigners are treated here and all Thai people tend to be kind. It is built into their culture after all. ( Which is not to say that other not so nice traits are also there . .but IMHO kindness goes a long way to mitigate such things as stupidity and ignorance. . .and the total lack of driving skills.)
While I realize and applaud the motivation for your comments Earth, the ONLY way for a farang to "get involved" in anything here without risk of violating visa regulations is to donate money to something worthwhile. Doing ANYTHING else . .even for free . .lays you wide open to visa violations and expulsion from the kingdom. This is very clear in the law and includes even such things as beach cleanup or amateur theatre or as you suggest teaching English for free. Thai Immigration doesnt care if it is for free. . . if others are paid for it or if you MIGHT be paid for it . . .it counts as work.
I would LOVE to volunteer. I have a number of skills I would like to use and plenty of time . ..but I just wont risk deportation. Sorry. All I can do is give money when and where I can. If Thai people expect farangs to "pitch in" here they have to change the visa laws.
Are You Happy Here?
I am happy
Thank you ozuncle and wanderlust, yes, make things right need to do it right...
Just let me know what i could help for a better Huahin..to all of us.
Cheers,
Just let me know what i could help for a better Huahin..to all of us.
Cheers,
Positive ideas Earth!
But unfortunately very difficult if not impossible to implement in Thailand.
Years ago when I lived in Pattaya there was a project run by Thais but with also three or four female farang volunteer teachers. Thais had to pay a 50 Baht registration fee, after that unlimited free English courses. They could attend whenever and as often as they wanted. It was very popular and soon there was a waiting list.
But after approximately six months the school was closed over night.
Reason: official schools and professional (private) teachers had complained. Loss of potential income of course.
This "school" had no official approval/status and the farangs did not have work permits so reason enough to close it immediately.
(Luckily the teachers were informed beforehand to stay away so there were no arrests/deportations).
With regard to the beach cleaning. I remember from Pattaya that every last Wednesday of the month hundreds of school kids cleaned the beach.
Could be an idea for Hua Hin.
But unfortunately very difficult if not impossible to implement in Thailand.
Years ago when I lived in Pattaya there was a project run by Thais but with also three or four female farang volunteer teachers. Thais had to pay a 50 Baht registration fee, after that unlimited free English courses. They could attend whenever and as often as they wanted. It was very popular and soon there was a waiting list.
But after approximately six months the school was closed over night.
Reason: official schools and professional (private) teachers had complained. Loss of potential income of course.
This "school" had no official approval/status and the farangs did not have work permits so reason enough to close it immediately.
(Luckily the teachers were informed beforehand to stay away so there were no arrests/deportations).
With regard to the beach cleaning. I remember from Pattaya that every last Wednesday of the month hundreds of school kids cleaned the beach.
Could be an idea for Hua Hin.
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
Satisfied in Thailand
Add me to the list of Generally Pleased with living in Thailand. When I came here I did so I could live a good life on my limited retirement income. One failed love and another happy relationship and marriage later and I am as pleased as I could expect to be in a country that lacks direction, lies are common and corruption in government. Amazing it runs as well as it does. Just have to understand limitations and try to work with or around them.
Yes Hua Hin has gotten very touristy but our living 6km outside of town allows us the benefits of the country living with the Thai's and the city when we chose to go and shop there.
Would be nice to see the country progress but don't think the politicians will allow this to happen. As long as they don't bother me and my wife is happy I am happy too.
Yes Hua Hin has gotten very touristy but our living 6km outside of town allows us the benefits of the country living with the Thai's and the city when we chose to go and shop there.
Would be nice to see the country progress but don't think the politicians will allow this to happen. As long as they don't bother me and my wife is happy I am happy too.
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lindosfan1
- Deceased
- Posts: 4069
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:26 pm
- Location: uk
Greece. . and tourist life elswhere
Lindo . .it was a mixed bag really. We met a few wonderful Greeks . .our hotel owner on Mykonos was like a long time friend and many of the people we met were very kind and helpful.
But it was nothing like Thailand as far as general friendliness. Not many smiles and several very rude people, especially in Athens. ..and these were people who were selling tickets and stuff to tourists. A couple of them pretty much told us to go away when we asked questions even about merchandise they were selling. We ended up joking about it . ."Toto, we are not in Thailand anymore!" Became a too common refrain.
Here you always and I mean always get a smile at least. You may not get anything else, but at least you get that smile and this is one of the nice things here.
The two other negative (IMHO) elements of Greece ( I will add that we want to go back again next year despite these) first, the constant cigarette smoke everywhere! There is apparently some Greek law that Greeks have to smoke two packs a day . .and they take it very seriously . .even in restaurants. The last element may delight you bike fans, but we were appalled at the size of Greek motorcycles and their noise! Immense beasts, the size of small cars with decibel levels to match.
To conclude right on topic here ( and this is MY opinion which is probably not shared by all) . . however you might disparage Thailand . .at least we dont allow smoking in restaurants and we limit motorbikes to a "sensible" size! Go Thailand!
But it was nothing like Thailand as far as general friendliness. Not many smiles and several very rude people, especially in Athens. ..and these were people who were selling tickets and stuff to tourists. A couple of them pretty much told us to go away when we asked questions even about merchandise they were selling. We ended up joking about it . ."Toto, we are not in Thailand anymore!" Became a too common refrain.
Here you always and I mean always get a smile at least. You may not get anything else, but at least you get that smile and this is one of the nice things here.
The two other negative (IMHO) elements of Greece ( I will add that we want to go back again next year despite these) first, the constant cigarette smoke everywhere! There is apparently some Greek law that Greeks have to smoke two packs a day . .and they take it very seriously . .even in restaurants. The last element may delight you bike fans, but we were appalled at the size of Greek motorcycles and their noise! Immense beasts, the size of small cars with decibel levels to match.
To conclude right on topic here ( and this is MY opinion which is probably not shared by all) . . however you might disparage Thailand . .at least we dont allow smoking in restaurants and we limit motorbikes to a "sensible" size! Go Thailand!
Double post!
Not sure what happened but that last one posted twice! Sorry!
Re: Greece. . and tourist life elswhere
Hmmm. Pity they don't educate or limit the riders to a "sensible" level.Chas wrote:...........and we limit motorbikes to a "sensible" size! Go Thailand!
Right about the smoking though. Though the Greeks are not the only offenders on that front.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
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lindosfan1
- Deceased
- Posts: 4069
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:26 pm
- Location: uk
greece
Chas
To cheer you up from June the 30th this year there is a smoking ban in bars and restaurants.
I agree with you bout Athens but that is like a lot of other big cities, I tend to stay away from Athens. Every island I have been to the locals are friendly and polite.
Motorbikes silencers are emoveved makes more noise
But I do not think it is as bad as Thaland with scooter riders they seem to obey no law at all.
To cheer you up from June the 30th this year there is a smoking ban in bars and restaurants.
I agree with you bout Athens but that is like a lot of other big cities, I tend to stay away from Athens. Every island I have been to the locals are friendly and polite.
Motorbikes silencers are emoveved makes more noise
But I do not think it is as bad as Thaland with scooter riders they seem to obey no law at all.Woke up this morning breathing that's a good start to the day.
Well, I could understand on the difficulty living with extension of visa apart from your own personal life problem then cause less happiness occurred, I do believe that it is going happen like this no matter where you are going to move to!!….Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, Laos, China, Vietnam, etc, otherwise you are already move!! Or we can see farang all move out to stay where they feel comfortable and happyier.
However have to understand the government why issue tough rules for farang to stay in Thailand for good reason!!. (As I mention in Potential Expat in Thailand topic, Huahin earlier like 10-20 years ago, most of farang are German retiree, (some are from Norway)They were all impressed, good mature people, remain good reputation till today about living together with Thai by respect each other and very peaceful, not a bit chaos like today, you can read from web or newspaper concerning crime or gray biz
The government is trying to “separate” the “sick” fishes out of the water, rather than put the sick fishes to together with the healthy good fishes….that is mean the good healthy fishes is going to call sick, sick into or doubtful to be! by the way!
Today in term of farang in general, the reputation are less than ever Thailand used to have, then can’t deny occurred by many bad farang cause Thai people have bias in mind. Yes, farang are like Thais are good and bad in mix bag. I believe that was the reason why the government issue more strict or stupid rules(by farang’s eyes) to all farang
Just be fair, imagine, why do many all of farang stay in Thailand? Apart from “real” loving Thai women and married, low cost of living using there higher value of their own currency to stay at the country that has lower cost of living or using Thai women to be a guarantee that he could stay in Thailand, do business with their benefit from developed country-such as skill, language, view etc to do biz with varieties of farang that come later on.. I DON’T MIND farang doing business in Thailand but don’t make it bad under the name of Thai law, by using Thai people!! Who have already have some difficulty to earn money for living to work for bad farang. Have to accept Thailand is not rich country, many are poor, till very poor. By the way not counted to the “bad” Thai people who are real bad in their own instinct not feel enough even how much do they already had or wealthy already ( Include, Thais who know well about laws and used that benefit to cheat good people who trust and sincere) .
Yes, I do like Huahin, Thailand that’s why I won’t choose to stay somewhere else another country. Reason? Cause lots of more higher cost of living, plus people so stressful, even though Thai people seem to forgetful easily when someone doing things wrong, or even lots of corruption, un organized,….and ….so on
**Refer to Roel
Good example, Roel, experience from one place, I see it a good example to another places especially Pattaya, a lot like and unlike Huahin, Refer to Pattaya, lots of eng private school their unable to perform eng in city for charity, as loss of benefit cause!! I believe and agree with that not get in to the tumble by wrong action or movement, For Huahin I guess teaching eng, should be further to the mountain or behind the mountain-HuayMongkol, Pa-la-U, up there or further down to the very far from city!!— away from everythings except generous and care!! By the way, if you happy you can do so, if not then should not….
For our beloved community that we live!!, depends on us what we want it to be..
However I do believe Thailand is the place that I can live and stay happy easier!!….
About Greece, Athen big city less smile, but lots of charming on those many islands.. colorful place
However have to understand the government why issue tough rules for farang to stay in Thailand for good reason!!. (As I mention in Potential Expat in Thailand topic, Huahin earlier like 10-20 years ago, most of farang are German retiree, (some are from Norway)They were all impressed, good mature people, remain good reputation till today about living together with Thai by respect each other and very peaceful, not a bit chaos like today, you can read from web or newspaper concerning crime or gray biz
The government is trying to “separate” the “sick” fishes out of the water, rather than put the sick fishes to together with the healthy good fishes….that is mean the good healthy fishes is going to call sick, sick into or doubtful to be! by the way!
Today in term of farang in general, the reputation are less than ever Thailand used to have, then can’t deny occurred by many bad farang cause Thai people have bias in mind. Yes, farang are like Thais are good and bad in mix bag. I believe that was the reason why the government issue more strict or stupid rules(by farang’s eyes) to all farang
Just be fair, imagine, why do many all of farang stay in Thailand? Apart from “real” loving Thai women and married, low cost of living using there higher value of their own currency to stay at the country that has lower cost of living or using Thai women to be a guarantee that he could stay in Thailand, do business with their benefit from developed country-such as skill, language, view etc to do biz with varieties of farang that come later on.. I DON’T MIND farang doing business in Thailand but don’t make it bad under the name of Thai law, by using Thai people!! Who have already have some difficulty to earn money for living to work for bad farang. Have to accept Thailand is not rich country, many are poor, till very poor. By the way not counted to the “bad” Thai people who are real bad in their own instinct not feel enough even how much do they already had or wealthy already ( Include, Thais who know well about laws and used that benefit to cheat good people who trust and sincere) .
Yes, I do like Huahin, Thailand that’s why I won’t choose to stay somewhere else another country. Reason? Cause lots of more higher cost of living, plus people so stressful, even though Thai people seem to forgetful easily when someone doing things wrong, or even lots of corruption, un organized,….and ….so on
**Refer to Roel
Good example, Roel, experience from one place, I see it a good example to another places especially Pattaya, a lot like and unlike Huahin, Refer to Pattaya, lots of eng private school their unable to perform eng in city for charity, as loss of benefit cause!! I believe and agree with that not get in to the tumble by wrong action or movement, For Huahin I guess teaching eng, should be further to the mountain or behind the mountain-HuayMongkol, Pa-la-U, up there or further down to the very far from city!!— away from everythings except generous and care!! By the way, if you happy you can do so, if not then should not….
For our beloved community that we live!!, depends on us what we want it to be..
However I do believe Thailand is the place that I can live and stay happy easier!!….
About Greece, Athen big city less smile, but lots of charming on those many islands.. colorful place
Hi Earth,
Very interesting post. Especially because you are - as you told in a previous post - a Chinese Thai Hua Hinian.
So do I understand correctly that basically you are saying: farangs should not blame the Thai Government for the stricter rules and regulations but blame the bad apples (or "sick fish" as you call it) amongst themselves.
But don't you think that there would be better ways to tackle the bad apple problem than through general visa regulations that effect everybody?
Could it no be that the people who have the power to tackle the problem do not have any personal interest in doing so (but at the same time of course they must keep the Thai public/voters happy with doing something).
Very interesting post. Especially because you are - as you told in a previous post - a Chinese Thai Hua Hinian.
So do I understand correctly that basically you are saying: farangs should not blame the Thai Government for the stricter rules and regulations but blame the bad apples (or "sick fish" as you call it) amongst themselves.
But don't you think that there would be better ways to tackle the bad apple problem than through general visa regulations that effect everybody?
Could it no be that the people who have the power to tackle the problem do not have any personal interest in doing so (but at the same time of course they must keep the Thai public/voters happy with doing something).
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
Cheers
Roel, what i mean is i have tried to understand that what the goverment are trying to do from the news!! I have never said farangs should not blame the Thai Government for the restricter rules and reg... Nobody do things correct all the time, have you ever try to solve one problem with many alternative, did a mistake and sad or solved and turn happy? Win win, loss winSo do I understand correctly that basically you are saying: farangs should not blame the Thai Government for the stricter rules and regulations but blame the bad apples (or "sick fish" as you call it) amongst themselves.
But don't you think that there would be better ways to tackle the bad apple problem than through general visa regulations that effect everybody?
The same things...
Send Gov your some infor or suggestion them the better way out or whatsoever incase they have got more or enough information to find good way out for good farangs.
Cheers,
I suspect that this topic is aimed at gauging the thoughts of permanent residents. We have come every year for 8 years, and over the last few years we have averaged about 2 months each year.
Yes we are happy or otherwise we wouldn’t be coming back. Yes you do see things differently the more time you spend in one place. Yes you do have frustrations but on the positive side: the pace of life is still very relaxing, the beach is very relaxing, there is a wide variety of cheap good quality food, you can shop at the local market or modern supermarkets, most things you might need can be purchased in town, the locals are pretty easy going, the overall cost of living is fairly low, the streets are safe, Bangkok is only about 2 ½ hours away should you feel the need to go there, and when you start to explore outside HH there are plenty of interesting sights to see. On the negative are the sick and malnourished dogs. Cars are a lot more expensive. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how time passes so quickly in HH when you are not really doing that much anyway.
After a couple of months away, coming “home” takes time to adjust. In particular, we find it really hard to adjust to the higher cost of living and keep thinking how do we survive at the higher cost level. We can’t yet afford to permanently retire either here or in HH, but the point when we will be able to afford to retire will be reached a lot sooner if we decide to move permanently to HH.
Some people are amazed at how we can afford to be away for so long. But what they fail to understand is that cost of being away is about 1/3 of the cost of staying at home.
With a little bit of arthritis setting in the winters are not that appealing. Who really misses cold weather with grey skies?
So do you retire at a lower standard of living in a climate which is cold in winter, or opt for the higher standard of living in a year round warm climate?
Yes we are happy or otherwise we wouldn’t be coming back. Yes you do see things differently the more time you spend in one place. Yes you do have frustrations but on the positive side: the pace of life is still very relaxing, the beach is very relaxing, there is a wide variety of cheap good quality food, you can shop at the local market or modern supermarkets, most things you might need can be purchased in town, the locals are pretty easy going, the overall cost of living is fairly low, the streets are safe, Bangkok is only about 2 ½ hours away should you feel the need to go there, and when you start to explore outside HH there are plenty of interesting sights to see. On the negative are the sick and malnourished dogs. Cars are a lot more expensive. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how time passes so quickly in HH when you are not really doing that much anyway.
After a couple of months away, coming “home” takes time to adjust. In particular, we find it really hard to adjust to the higher cost of living and keep thinking how do we survive at the higher cost level. We can’t yet afford to permanently retire either here or in HH, but the point when we will be able to afford to retire will be reached a lot sooner if we decide to move permanently to HH.
Some people are amazed at how we can afford to be away for so long. But what they fail to understand is that cost of being away is about 1/3 of the cost of staying at home.
With a little bit of arthritis setting in the winters are not that appealing. Who really misses cold weather with grey skies?
So do you retire at a lower standard of living in a climate which is cold in winter, or opt for the higher standard of living in a year round warm climate?