The thing you miss the most?

[TingTongJohn]

Well you have bitten the bullet and now live the life in Thailand and or Hua HIn. What do you miss what do you not miss? What things gnaw at your soul in regards to Thai life? I have not began my life totally in Thailand I just visit for 2-3 months a year so I guess I am a semi-Expat? I have been about 20 times now to the land of smiles so am figuring things out slowly.

My Thai is passable and my understanding of the culture is enought I stay out of trouble for the most part. Some things I have noticed that my rub me the wrong way are as follows.Thai Family visits all the time and I buy even when I am not there I buy. My wifes parents are pretty well off but you would think they are on the poke. My wife has to give her mom 1000-2000 baht every visit(grrr)

Rules are different for non Thai even when it is a an unwritten rule. And it would appear that me being non thai I am basically stupid and will never understand. Rules as in government seem to change every month and from one area to the next even one police station to the next. I could go on.

[Siani]

If the parents are well off, why do you have to give them money? It sounds unfair

[buksida]

Marmite.

Everything else is awesome in comparison.

[NOKYAI]

If the parents are well off, why do you have to give them money? It sounds unfair

That's how they became well off

[PeteC]

1) Four seasons. The longer you're here the subtle changes in foliage, animal habits and temperatures is recognizable. The further north one is the better of course. It's not even close though to full blown seasonal changes that most of us grew up with. I really miss a year being separated in that way with all the rage, calmness, rebirth etc. A real treat for the senses.

2) Good sports programming on demand.

3) Years ago I would have said a good selection of western food when a craving hits. That's not true any longer as you can now find anything and everything usually of good quality in major cities and tourist resort areas.

4) As a last one I'll throw in western logical thinking. I've understood Thai thinking for a long time and can appreciate it as it fits for them. It doesn't mean I have to agree with it though. Pete

[pharvey]

Difficult for me to comment on HH - I come here to stock up!!

[hhfarang]

Family
Friends
Seasons
Logic
Cheap golf
Good, reasonably priced wine
Disposable income
Health insurance
Homeowners insurance
Vacations to Thailand
Vacations to anywhere else
and last but certainly not least:
Costco!

[bozzman101]

nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Coldmike]

HHF, with a list like that, what could possibly make you choose to live in LOS. Whoops, I see... only one major item missing from your list.

[margaretcarnes]

When living in the LOS I missed friends most - and later - strangely - the changing seasons and lack of ability to get anything to grow!
Some foods of course, but these days you can get pretty much anything except Liquorice Allsorts, and waiting for the occassional visitor bearing mushy peas and Paxo mix just made the stuff taste better.
Food wise though overall I didn't - and still don't on visits - feel the need for big roast and yorkshire pudd type meals. I don't think that's the way to eat in that climate, which is much better suited to smaller and a bit more frequent meals.
Best thing to do IMO is try to find Thai food which can substitute, and get used to it if you can.

You mentioned the variation in government and policing. There was a good article in the Bangkok Post recently (I'm pretty sure it was last Saturdays') about backhanders paid by owners of late night clubs in Bangkok. The article did highlight the variation in 'charges' and methods used by police in different areas within the BMA, and is worth a read if you can find it.

[Takiap]

Don't really have any likes, dislikes, or longings which cause a lack of sleep, but if I had to mention a few it would be.......


What I long for:


1) Bobotie. A very popular South African dish. Any volunteers in Hua-Hin?.....lol
2) Boerewors. Traditional South African sausage.
3) Peck's Anchovette fish paste. Couldn't find this in the UK either, although it is available there now.


What I miss:

1) African wild life
2) Abundant rock and surf angling
3) Opportunities to camp in the wilds as I could in South Africa and in Scotland
4) Snowboarding in Scotland


What I dislike in Thailand:

1) Any attempt to make Thailand more like the west
2) The cold weather we're having now
3) Expats who moan about the most trivial things imaginable
4) Soi dogs, but only on the rare occasions they annoy me
5) You're only allowed one wife..........lol. There are just so many more potential candidates...lol


What I love about Thailand:

1) The freedom we have here
2) The people
3) The attitude
4) The total chaos....lol.



Let's just say, I could never settle down in the west again....

[barrys]

Let's just say, I could never settle down in the west again....

I'll drink to that

[barrys]

2) Boerewors. Traditional South African sausage.

Sounds like an assignment for the excellent sausage maker at Naab Thong

[Dr Mike]

What I miss from Canada--the discipline, order and predictability..
What I like about Thai --lack of the same.

[hollister]

If I weren't married to my Thai wife - who I don't want to miss - I would have bought a house on sunny Florida's west coast. Florida is sunny, warm, well maintained and most things are cheap as well. I can buy cloth there that fit and last more two washing cycles.

For the european price of a thai quality villa you can buy a very nice american quality villa, for the price of a japanese compact car in Thailand you can buy a full size american sedan overthere .... The cute college student waitresses speak English and lets not forget blazing fast Internet and any TV program you like.

The only thing I'd miss would be thb 250 oil massages.