thai tips

[thaiguest]

A friend, newly arrived in Thailand, asked me for some tips on carving out a long and happy life here.
I put together the following; (additions welcome)

Learn Thai.
Practice Safe sex.
Be wary of foreigners esp. re. property deals.
When taking off boys/girls err on the older side. There are plenty of sexy 20 year olds.
Don't do drugs or mix with druggies.
Get to know a high ranking policeman or someone who knows one.
Do some business with a lawyer and get to know him/her.
Get registered with a hospital.
Shut up about Thai politics and religion esp. within earshot of Thais.
If you're rich don't flaunt the fact.
Don't be a fool with your money.
Don't be too mean.
Expect the unexpected.
Expect to be misunderstood very often.
Don't work, this is an idler's paradise.

To be really safe stay in your room, like me.

[painai2]

I notice you put Learn Thai at the top of the list. I think it should be number one and is a necessity for communicating with the very guys we like to have fun with. However, it amazes me how few Farangs here in Pattaya learn Thai or even try to express a few words. Learning a new language opens up a whole new world with Thais and is good exercise to boot for the brain (if you're 60+ years).

[bigaussieal]

Why bother learning Thai if you're going to "stay safe in your room????"

[Lester]

A few more, in no particular order
1. Try and enjoy Thai cuisine.
2. Make friends outside the farang gay community.
3. Dont get stuck in the same old handful of restaurants.
4. Try some charity work
5. Join a health club because you will find that your physical fitness will deteriorate.
6. Get your own transport. A reliance on baht buses will restrict you.
7. Visit neighbouring Asian countries.
8. Try and befriend ordinary Thai people and not just the Thais who work in bars.
9. If ever you wake up not knowing what you are going to do that day, or worry about money, or when to have that first drink, plus any other depressing signs that you are under stress, than that is the time to RETHINK.

[anakot]

Some great ideas Lester.

My input. I use buses bigtime and walk lots. What never ceases to amaze me and enchant me is the way these folk can turn a street side pavement into a place filled with fun and enterprize. Of course other places too but in western countries there are all sorts of insurance hangups and it is mostly too cold!

Yes walking is one of the great pleasures particularly in the older areas.

[Wesley]

Why bother learning Thai if you're going to "stay safe in your room????"

LOL"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsss how true what a paradox.

[WhiteDesire]

where the tourist spoke to 2 local guys asking them where the nearest cash machine was - the tourist spoke in 7 languages and the locals still did not understand. Afterwards, one local said to the other "you know we must try and learn to speak a new language, it will help us", to which the other local guy replied "why bother, the tourist could speak 7 languages, but it didn't help him".

[thaiguest]

Why bother learning Thai if you're going to "stay safe in your room????"

But i not stay in my loom khundiow. Kow jai?

[thaiguest]

A few more, in no particular order
1. Try and enjoy Thai cuisine.
2. Make friends outside the farang gay community.
3. Dont get stuck in the same old handful of restaurants.
4. Try some charity work
5. Join a health club because you will find that your physical fitness will deteriorate.
6. Get your own transport. A reliance on baht buses will restrict you.
7. Visit neighbouring Asian countries.
8. Try and befriend ordinary Thai people and not just the Thais who work in bars.
9. If ever you wake up not knowing what you are going to do that day, or worry about money, or when to have that first drink, plus any other depressing signs that you are under stress, than that is the time to RETHINK.

Excellent additions, thank you. Now I'm afraid I'll have to RETHINK.

[z909]

A few more, in no particular order
1. Try and enjoy Thai cuisine.

I've tried Thai cuisine twice on this holiday. The first time was like a mild dose of laxitive and the second was very messy & uncomfortable.

How long does it take one's system to become resistant to infected food?

[Dani69]

Stayed in Pattaya for five weeks having only just returned to a cold but sunny España.
Had the same Thai boy for most of the time and he took me to some of his friends food halls.
I have to say i didn`t have any bad experiences after the food, then again I did stay well clear of the over spicey stuff.
Maybe having a nice boy to help you choose and translate the menu would be a suggestion.
Having experienced food poisioning once here in Spain my sympathy goes out to you -not very nice at all.

[z909]

Stayed in Pattaya for five weeks having only just returned to a cold but sunny España.
Had the same Thai boy for most of the time and he took me to sum of his friends food halls.
I have to say i didn`t have any bad experiences after the food, then again I did stay well clear of the over spicey stuff.
Maybe having a nice boy to help you choose and translate the menu would be a suggestion.
Having experienced food poisioning once here in Spain my sympathy goes out to you -not very nice at all.

A boy who I spent 4 nights with took me to this restaurant & ate there himself too.

[allieb]

A few more, in no particular order
1. Try and enjoy Thai cuisine.

I've tried Thai cuisine twice on this holiday. The first time was like a mild dose of laxitive and the second was very messy & uncomfortable.

How long does it take one's system to become resistant to infected food?

You've obviously never eaten arse

[Gone Fishing]

A golden rule should be to avoid any gathering where there are more than 3 Farangs present

Ditto - though maybe I would reduce it to 3 or more!

[Curious]

I would be interested in knowing how many of the Thai speakers on this Forum have discussed the global financial crisis and its implications for Thailand, in Thai, with their boyfriends.