traveller123

I don't think it is wise to talk politics in Thailand unless you are agreeing with The Boss

Moses, have you ever stayed at The Best Bed Inn? The prices seem very reasonable but there are few reviews on Trip Advisor. I understand it is under the same ownership as the restaurant next door where I have had a couple of nice dinners

I still get this from my partner of getting on for 8 years and it still annoys me. Yesterday was typical when we went to the bank in our local town: Partner - can we go to eat some lunch. Me - no problem, where do you want to go? Partner - Up to you. Me - you are hungry, tell me where you want to go Partner - Up to you. I will balance it out, he knows I only like very mild spicy food so he thinks he is being considerate

I think we should remember that Numazu is posting for our enjoyment his experiances on his trips to Thailand ( let me add my thanks to the many he has already received). The great thing for any first time visitor to Thailand reading this forum is there are many many postings about the good times with really nice guys here. Numazus postings are perhaps one of the best examples, one negative warning from a guy set against some amazing reports about other guys. Scams happen everywhere we all know that, in any group of people there will be some bad guys amongst the good guys.The phone scam sounds entirely plausible and is worth repeating not as a turn off for visiting Thailand but as a warning it could happen anywhere in the world.

Vinapu, I also don't think it is the idea of being seen with a much older farang. I think it is a combination of: As Alexx says the thought of what he could do with the extra money. A fear the restaurant would only serve farang food which he doesn't like or has never tried. He's frightened of displaying his ignorance of using western cutlery

I went to Bali with my partner June 2015. We had a great guide for several days. He asked us if we knew what we wanted to see, we didn't so we asked him for recommendations. He came up with several itineries from which we choose four full days which were varied and we really enjoyed. He is gay, but similar to Mose's business sex is not on offer (unless perhaps you are a great deal younger and fitter than me). He speaks fluent English and French. He is a genuine nice guy and was a fantastic guide. If anyone would like contact details please pm me.

Firecat, could you copy me your pm. I have a big birthday next year (70) and I feel I should visit my sister in Spain who is not in the best of health and family in the UK,---but I would love to do a trip to South Africa while I am able.

As a young man I never agreed with Enoch Powell but I am very sad to say his words are coming to pass

In Thailand it is all about 'face' It is very rare for a Thai to say "i don't know" which is particularly annoying when it is my partner giving me directions while I am driving.

The minimum wage in Thailand in theory is 300 baht per day, but in the area of Isaan where I live this is a notional rate. We are close to the Cambodian border and because of job competition from illegal Cambodian workers (where have I heard a similar story?) may be offered 225/250 baht per day for 7, 8 or more hours per day. This will very often be for strenuous building or farming work in the hot sun. If they work 6 days a week say 26 days a month at 250 baht a day = 6,500 baht a month. Even allowing for paying rent in a shared room you can see why 15,000 baht a month would still be attractive when you compare the income and lifestyles.

I think you are doing yourself an injustice. I, for one, enjoy reading your reports. The only downside is making me realise what my younger self missed. Keep it up ----pun intended

We are all so different in our tastes. The last two posts do absolutely nothing for me.

Do you want to share your options? In my case the years were passing and you only live once.

I was advised that the lease is legally binding, however this is Thailand and one should be aware that a land owner could make life unpleasant or even worse. It will make some members laugh, but I am a trusting individual and, in my case, believe my partner when he said if we ever separate he would sell the land and expect me to make him a financial settlement based on the length of our relationship. He has told me many times that because I looked after him and his family when he needed it, he will always look after me. My oft repeated mantra of taking relationships slowly and making sure you have met the right guy is why I totally believe him.

You are correct. In my partner's name with a 30 year lease assigned to myself ( not that it would be of any practical use if, god forbid, anything happened to our relationship).

Definitely. I think it would also be different if you are younger. For me I am happy to go with my partner on as many holidays and short breaks as I can afford and then relax here. Before making the financial commitment to our home and land I was also 100% sure my partner and I would be happy together. That involved 3 years of holidays twice a year here followed by 2+ years of living together in the UK. My mantra take it slowly if you're looking for a permanent relationship. I also found it very illuminating to watch him during our initial time together in his family environment in his village.

I can kick this off. We live 9 km from Surin City in my partner's home village and made the chose 5 years ago. My partners mother had passed away and he wasn't close to his father so we could have lived anywhere in Thailand. He didn't own any land, so that didn't dictate the decision. My initial inclination was to live by the sea, but after looking at the price of a decent apartment with a sea view and comparing it with the price of land (we bought 10 rai) and the cost of building a spacious house we settled on the village option. I was 64 years old at the time, living in the UK with my partner, retired with no wish to continue working. I have always liked having dogs around me so a house with a big garden was a major consideration. The house build was started in October 2012 by an English builder who was expensive compared to local builders but it was massively worth paying the difference in price for ease of communication and his daily supervision of the works. We moved to Thailand December 2012 and the house was finished 3 months later. Looking back: My partners sister lives very close by and she is very helpful, she will sleep at our house when we have holidays and look after the dogs. The people in our village are very friendly, the Headman is very helpful and the village is clean. The ability to subscribe to UK TV is important. It is a very peaceful and relaxing life. Partner is happy living close to his sister and amongst friends (although he would go back to live in the UK tomorrow). Drawbacks: Only one other guy can speak English in the village and my plans to learn Thai haven't really progressed. We do meet other Farangs socially but it means one beer or glass of wine or one of us being the driver or a taxi. Guess this is similar to our own countries. Back in the UK I enjoyed playing bridge (badly) but I haven't been able to interest anyone in playing here. For us it was the right decision but it has worked principally because of my partner's personality and his wish always consider me and make me happy. I am aware that the rural life works for us but could be a disaster for others.

Very true

I don't for one minute believe it was love at first sight, but after eight years I know it has developed into a love between us. It shows in many ways, affectionate touches, hugs , always considering me (and me him), all of which is more than enough for me. I accept I am not a deep thinker and just believe in enjoying my life which I am very happily doing here in Thailand.

From my experiences in Thailand I very strongly agree with Firecat's remark. It doesn't just apply to the lads working the bars and massage places, I am always very pleasantly surprised by the genuine welcome I get when we go out with my partners straight friends who are a mixture of village Thais with not a lot of education and his long standing friends from his school days who all have professional or office jobs. For me this is a real allure to my life in Thailand - a loving much younger partner and by and large , wonderful people

We really enjoyed the trip but it was all about the ambience and the food. We didn't find any gay bars or gay massage, so sorry nothing to report in that direction. But if you are taking your special guy and want a hotel and restaurant recommendation I can supply both.

Vinapu, thanks for your reports I am sure I speak for a lot of members in thoroughly enjoying reading them. I have never been to most of the Bangkok bars or massage places mentioned but last Saturday my (Thai) partner and I had one evening in Bangkok on our way back from Luang Prabang to Isaan. I had seen a restaurant called Smoking Pug (or Pig) on Trip Advisor and wanted to try their smoked ribs and chicken and I was pleasantly surprised to see Tawan on a side street as we walked to the restaurant from BTS Salang Dang. On our way back I suggested to my partner that we take a look at Tawan, unfortunately while we were pondering going in to watch the show one of the guys on the street suggested I went for a massage next door. I told him I didn't think my partner would be too happy and he advised me to come back next time without my partner. Oh dear, that was the end of my plan to see the show at Tawan if I valued a happy partner. I love and know for a 69 year old how good my life is with my guy of 8 years, but I'm afraid I have to look for Vinapu's reports for the one little bit I'm missing

Farang in Thailand, according to my Thai partner, is a word used to describe white faced foreigners, it is not used to describe Asian foreigners. Agree Vinapu's ethnicity is of no intertest and irrelevant unless perhaps you're planning to seduce him.

I have always been happy with Bangkok Bank. I am guessing that your experience will always come down to how well run the branch is and, particularly out in the sticks, if they have English speaking staff.

Spooky, you will almost certainly be feeling your life is on the up and you'll be looking forward with great anticipation to your holiday. I sincerely hope everything lives up to your dreams but come with a certain amount of caution and don't leave your brains faculties at home. Enjoy