As a follow on to the expats returning to the homeland thread, I thought a thread about what is the most difficult aspect of living here would be relevant.
For me (but as I have found, this is somewhat unusual, or I am at least in the minority on this) it is the heat. I am a sweater and I am constantly wet, I mean "just walked out of the ocean in your clothes" wet. It causes me rashes in very uncomfortable places if you know what I mean and tends to make me anti social as I stay home in an air-conditioned room most of the time. I love golf and cycling but simply cannot do either in this heat. When I walk down the street in Hua Hin I have Thais look at me with sympathy and say "Mister sooo hot!" regularly. I will not go back to my home country but after four miserably hot years here, I am open to a cooler place to live.
What is the most difficult thing about living in Thailand
What's your diet?, what's your weight?
Seen a doc?
I'm by no means overweight and my diet is varied. When I first came here I used to sweat buckets but now hardly sweat at all
Seen a doc?
I'm by no means overweight and my diet is varied. When I first came here I used to sweat buckets but now hardly sweat at all
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
I love Thailand and indeed intend to stay here for the foreseeable future.
Probably the thing that winds me up more than anything is the corruption amongst public officials especially the police, with the constant demands for money.
Probably the thing that annoys me more than that is the "TIT" response and that I have to live with and accept corruption. That is probably correct, but whatever the excuse corruption is morally wrong.
Rant over
Probably the thing that winds me up more than anything is the corruption amongst public officials especially the police, with the constant demands for money.
Probably the thing that annoys me more than that is the "TIT" response and that I have to live with and accept corruption. That is probably correct, but whatever the excuse corruption is morally wrong.
Rant over
Yep, more good than bad but immigration and government policies are one of my pet hates. You're constantly reminded that your stay is temporary and you're not really wanted (hence the term 'alien'). Every year they devise more hoops to jump through just to stay here whereas logically, as in any other civilized country, the longer you live and work there the easier it should be to remain.
Last edited by buksida on Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:35 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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Guess
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Not being able to get simple things done.
I need my motorbike tuned and my truck's alternator needs a service.
Nobody understands what I am asking for.
I cannot teach a mechanic because he will lose face.
A sort of Catch 22 maybe.
I need my motorbike tuned and my truck's alternator needs a service.
Nobody understands what I am asking for.
I cannot teach a mechanic because he will lose face.
A sort of Catch 22 maybe.
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I am going to say it is THE ONLY thing that bugs me and i am 100% with Buksi but after 23 years of being married to a Thai and having lived here solid for 10.75 years i am still pfafing around going up the road of hell every 90 days .
I have i may add have had absolutely no problems with immigration they have been fine. But as Buksi says how long before i get a break from this after this length of time and jumping every hoop one visit yearly should be on the cards at the least even prisoners get time off for good behaviour it is frustrating to say the least.
I have i may add have had absolutely no problems with immigration they have been fine. But as Buksi says how long before i get a break from this after this length of time and jumping every hoop one visit yearly should be on the cards at the least even prisoners get time off for good behaviour it is frustrating to say the least.
A Greatfull Guest of Thailand
I would not go as far as SJ on constant lying as it is only about 92.7% IMO but trying to get a straight yes/no answer is near impossible( do not even go there with questions starting with when or why) eg .Why does it take a 5 minute conversation to ascertain something you knew in the first place and were only trying to be polite about before you start jumping up and down like Basil Fawlty again ? 
Crazy 88
Crazy 88
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Randy Cornhole
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For me it is the traffic. I would not have believed so many people could have so few driving skills. It is like the worst driver wins, and they all try hard to be the worst.
Most Thai drivers would be arrested or in a accident driving in the west.
To go with the drivers we have the BIB who seem to be of the same quality.
Most Thai drivers would be arrested or in a accident driving in the west.
To go with the drivers we have the BIB who seem to be of the same quality.
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margaretcarnes
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What is the most difficult thing about living in Thailand
Finding a decent lippy. 
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.
Mrs S thinks its hilarious....Richard wrote:
"What's your diet?, what's your weight? Seen a doc?"
Diet is varied, foreign and Thai food, mostly healthy but some junk. I'm overweight, but not obese, and yes, I've seen several doctors and they all laugh at me and say something like "Sweating is good, it is your body's natural cooling system."
Meanwhile, me and anyone within two meters of me are in danger of drowning whenever I am outside.
"What's your diet?, what's your weight? Seen a doc?"
Diet is varied, foreign and Thai food, mostly healthy but some junk. I'm overweight, but not obese, and yes, I've seen several doctors and they all laugh at me and say something like "Sweating is good, it is your body's natural cooling system."
Meanwhile, me and anyone within two meters of me are in danger of drowning whenever I am outside.
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Wanderlust
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hhfarang,
You obviously like Thailand, so why not just move to the north where the air is less humid and they have cooler weather generally? Other than that you may find that in time your body will adjust (I know you have been here 4 years already but I have found that I am slowly adjusting now after 10 years). I always look on the hot weather as a good excuse for another cold beer...
As far as the most difficult thing about living in Thailand goes, I think it is probably that very few Thais will accept that you know what you are talking about if you try to show them something - they will still get the job done, whatever it is, but often less efficiently and less well; maybe that is what is meant by 'sufficiency economy' - they do everything so it is just sufficient for the purpose?
You obviously like Thailand, so why not just move to the north where the air is less humid and they have cooler weather generally? Other than that you may find that in time your body will adjust (I know you have been here 4 years already but I have found that I am slowly adjusting now after 10 years). I always look on the hot weather as a good excuse for another cold beer...
As far as the most difficult thing about living in Thailand goes, I think it is probably that very few Thais will accept that you know what you are talking about if you try to show them something - they will still get the job done, whatever it is, but often less efficiently and less well; maybe that is what is meant by 'sufficiency economy' - they do everything so it is just sufficient for the purpose?
I was going to suggest that as well WL but i think while it is cooler in the winter i think it is hotter in the summer maybe someone from up that way could advise 
HH mrs sarge bought me what looks like a block of see through soda crystal its about 3or4 inches long and 2or3 inches thick it isnt smooth or wasnt until i got some fine glasspaper on but after i have soaped off i rub it under my arms and nether bits (now its isnt sharp ) and it stops me sweating touble is i dont have a clue what it is or where she buys it
HH mrs sarge bought me what looks like a block of see through soda crystal its about 3or4 inches long and 2or3 inches thick it isnt smooth or wasnt until i got some fine glasspaper on but after i have soaped off i rub it under my arms and nether bits (now its isnt sharp
) and it stops me sweating touble is i dont have a clue what it is or where she buys it A Greatfull Guest of Thailand