Expat Wives in Thailand

General chat about life in the Land Of Smiles. Discuss expat life, relationship issues and all things generally Thailand and Asia related.
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PeteC
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Expat Wives in Thailand

Post by PeteC »

A letter extracted from the Pattaya Daily News. It can and does apply to expat wives here regardless of location. Would be interesting to hear some views, either from the wife herself, or her husband.

I can sympathize in that I can imagine a foreign woman here having little to do, as the scope of things to do is so much different and in a way much less than in the West. If the husband is working, she's alone. If he's retired, she's alone also if he's out doing boy things. If they live in a location where there are no lady clubs or organizations, she's really alone. Striking up a good relationship with a Thai woman who could really be called a best friend is doubtful, although possible. Probably more possible than a western man becoming best friends with a Thai male.

Planning the move here was probably very exciting and stimulating with visions of everything wonderful. I wonder though how many weigh the reality of this particular subject and the other minus factors which become evident once here for awhile. Pete :cheers:
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"We all know that the male Expats settle down well here in Thailand, but what of the wives and partners? I for one have only recently found the PILC, but prior to this, I found Thailand to be a pretty lonely place for the Ferang female.

On our arrival, it was great, the best thing we ever did, but after the first six months, once the novelty had worn off and I’d shopped myself silly, I began to wonder what else was in it for me. My husband loved it then and still does today, but then he always did liked sitting with a beer in his hand doing nothing all day and night.

If we are not spending time together relaxing at home, we go to a bar where we have made friends, but all these friends are male, with Thai woman, mostly from the bars. A percentage of people we have met are married to Thai women so the majority of them can speak a bit of English although some are still hard to understand.

These days, I do not follow my husband to the bars, as I find it totally boring sitting there amid cigarette smoke which makes me physically ill being an asthmatic and listening to the guys bullshit each other, talk incessantly of football, books, films and their conquests since being here, some I might add, in graphic detail.

I have sat there in the beginning, people watching and believe me there are some strange people, but mostly, I watch the Thai girlfriends who do not speak much English if any, sitting there all night, sometimes four to six hours with no one to talk too, bar the staff, who if busy do not have time to stop and chat and if there are available men in the bar, they don’t want to spend their time making idle chit chat with other females be it Thai or otherwise. Also, I am not a great drinker so again, sitting sober whilst everyone around you are drunk and loud is not my idea of fun.

So, unless a female joins these clubs and activities, which I might add is not cheap, what else is there? Not a lot unless one wants to sit in the cinema, go bowling or shopping, sun bathe till the cancer cells mount up. Joining these clubs is not really my idea of fun, but at least one gets to practice your own language instead of talking in pigeon English, which I find myself doing to any one that happens to speak to me.

Am I the only one here that feels this way or are there other females out there. Perhaps I am just strange, I feel like I’m stagnating."
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Post by lomuamart »

I wonder about the percentage of ex-pat couples who make it through any time here. Anyone know?
I've known a number of relationships that have gone sour and that's extremely hard for the lady to take.
That's all.
It's much easier to come over here and make your choices without any marriage situation..
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Post by Randy Cornhole »

All fair and valid points as far as im concerned.

Her husband must be a bit heartless if he cannot see his wife struggling to cope with the enviroment in which she finds herself...? But then thats a man for you... :mrgreen:

It seems to me perhaps one day she will just have had enough and up sticks back to whence she came. Regardless if he follows or not...! and to be honest I woudn't blame her one bit.

would he leave as well? Now thats another story... :twisted:
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Post by Georgy Porgy »

I think men are bored too, but they just ''don't think too much'' :? There have been bored blokes complaining on this very forum.
Men usually drink more than women, and when you find someone down the pub at 10am every morning, you could well say they are bored/depressed.
What would that Pattaya wife be doing at home in the West? She agreed to come over here knowing she was leaving extended family.
I would actually say she should do what the men do - go find herself another, less boring, partner who is not blind to her needs :roll:
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Post by margaretcarnes »

I've also known 2 such situations go pearshaped. One wife went home alone, the other stuck it out - because she was more established and had a circle of friends there for support.
I do think the key is being the sort of female who can do her own thing. It really isn't difficult to get involved in the community and find things to do IMO. Running a business of course helps, and that maybe isn't an option too often for an expat wife. But many of us saw the work Dawn and her mum were able to do in HH for example.
It's true the husband in this case seems a bit heartless, but the wife needs the confidence to get out of the rut she finds herself in. Not all expat men fit her perception by a long way. I had male friends in both Pattaya and HH - no problem at all - and female friends both farang and Thai.
The sad thing is that this lady would probably behave in much the same way, and have the same expectations, back home. Too dependant on the hubby and a 'cosy' family life.
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Post by Takiap »

I can't help but wonder what she would do back in her own country. Sure, she could visit friends and family but when they moved here surely she was aware of the fact that her family would not be around. Friends......of course you can make friends here in Thailand. both farang and Thai. The Danish couple next door to us have hoards of friends. To be honest, I think the woman in question is simply having problems with living a retired life and in that case, only she can solve her own problems. With that said, visiting a place and living in a place are two very different things and I think many people don't realize that until they make the move. To simply pack up and leave your home country is not something everyone can do, and to a certain extent, I think it takes a special sort of person to do so. All through history there have been explorers and there's been those who prefer the security of staying where they are.

I know which group I'm in.... :thumb:
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Post by PeteC »

I don't want to get this too turned around or diluted but who fares better adapting, expat women here or Thai women there? Pete :cheers:
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Post by Big Boy »

I can't think of any female expats that I currently know, so my views are one sided.

I would think Thais who have moved to Western culture should fare a lot better. My reasons are that they experience a much better support mechanism eg:

- (In the UK) they have the NHS.

- They can work.

- There is the husband's family network, who at least will be curious, and from my experience very supportive.

- My wife could take advantage of a free education system - don't know if that facility still exists.

- Thais can become citizens of their chosen country.

- They can own property.

- They have protection of the social services system.

I could go on, but I'd be interested to hear what similar support there is for a Farang female in Thailand.
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Post by ladybiker »

I am an expat wife, we have been here for nearly a year, I am retired whilst my husband is younger than me and very glad to have been able to give up work early.

We have a better social life than we did in the UK, more friends and obviously more hours to cultivate the friendships. Most of the friends we have made are from the housing community were we live, they are a mixed bunch but all very friendly and outgoing. Several couples are farang/Thai and there can be a slight language problem, but with patience that is overcome.

I can honestly say I have never been bored or homesick since arriving, but perhaps I am lucky as my husband does not spend hours in bars with his mates. Neither of us plays Golf, but we do go to the Gym, go swimming and play badminton together.

We take advantage of the opportunity to travel to adjoining countries and generally think Thailand is the best thing since sliced bread we're always ready to go home [to Thailand] at the end of the break. Regrets none what so ever.

Life is what you make it.

from a British Expat wife now living in Thailand.
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Post by Big Boy »

Thank you for that ladybiker. It's always good to hear the other side, and it is just as good to hear that you are enjoying your new life. I hope I am as happy when I make the move.

From what you have written, you are obviously in touch with a lot of other expat ladies in a similar position. In your personal opinion (and only if it wouldn't put you in an awkward situation) how do you perceive the feelings of your other expat lady friends?

- Would you say everybody is as happy as you are?

- If not, what percentage would you put in to the same bucket as you? What percentage are happier? What percentage do you think are tolerating the life? What percentage are unhappy with their new life?

I apologise if you think my questions are too intrusive, but I am genuinely interested to hear your thoughts.
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Post by PeteC »

Norseman, see if you can give a knudge to some of the Scandinavian wives in the Nordic section to give their opinion. :D We may find that their social outlook and interaction is different from others. Pete :cheers:
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Expat wives in Thailand

Post by margaretcarnes »

Takiap makes a very important point there about maybe 'problems living a retired life'. Those problems can hit people even when they stay in their own country, and moving abroad at the same time maybe isn't the best idea.
There's an awful lot of people in Western countries retiring at the moment - especially women - due to the baby boomers - and from experience I think you need to carry on with some form of work, albeit part time and/or unpaid, to maintain some kind of routine and social network. It also helps if you've had other interests outside of work and family.
Re Big Boys question on Thai wives abroad yes - he's right IMO - certainly in the UK there is much more support for them, plus the husbands family. That kind of support is lost to both of an expat couple in LOS, so there have to be other interests - shared or not. Plus of course a lot of trust both ways.
BTW Big Boy I'm surprised you don't know any expat wives? Plenty around! :cheers:
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Post by PeteC »

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Post by Big Boy »

BTW Big Boy I'm surprised you don't know any expat wives? Plenty around!
That was an honest statement at the time of writing. I have since remembered one expat wife that I know. She certainly seems very happy with her lot. She has a young family, and a supportive husband. She obviously has built up a young mum's network, and she keeps busy in the community.

This lady has both natural (kids) distractions, which in turn creates a form of support system and self-built interests to keep her interested.
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Post by Sydney Jed »

With out going too deep,was the relationship any different back home?By that I mean did they just go to the pub there(or did he?)Do or did they interact together(e.g. play bowls.golf or go to the movies)If the social life just revolved around socializing around a hard core group of relatives and friends she's known for most of her life..well of course this sort of thing is going to happen!Do feel sorry for her and maybe a clear the air with the other half can turn things around!
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