TotallyOz Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 Based on what your have experienced in LOS or that you have seen others experience, what would you say are the best lessons to be learned by someone coming here for the first time? Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 Based on what your have experienced in LOS or that you have seen others experience, what would you say are the best lessons to be learned by someone coming here for the first time? Patience, patience, patience and not to forget that you are a GUEST here and behave accordingly. I could elaborate, but I am sure 99% know what constitutes being a guest is all about. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 I agree with lvdkeyes. I would also say to think with your brain, not your crotch, and definitely obey the age 18+ rules. Another lesson I think many ought to learn is Thailand is much more than boys, bars, and beaches. Quote
Guest jomtien Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 and not to forget that you are a GUEST here and behave accordingly. I'm hardly a GUEST here. I'm a paying temporary resident. When I have guests stay they don't pay me. Or look at me like a walking ATM. Or ask me for bribes. Quote
Guest pingalicker Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 I started a post approximetly last November titled "Lesson's Learned" about parking my motorbike next to a red and white stripped painted curb for about 4 minutes, to find it in the process of being towed away via the back of a pick-up truck. I fully admitted I was at fault, just wanted to warn others of the troubles to get the motorbike back. However, some posters thought I was complaining, which I wasn't, but I caulked it up to "Lesson's Learned". No harm done, and can now laugh about it, but it wasn't funny that night! Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 I'm hardly a GUEST here. I'm a paying temporary resident. When I have guests stay they don't pay me. Or look at me like a walking ATM. Or ask me for bribes. Even though you pay your way you are still a guest here; break the law and you will quickly find out how fast your guest status will change. It sounds like you don't like it here, so why stay? Quote
Guest HeyGay Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 Based on what your have experienced in LOS or that you have seen others experience, what would you say are the best lessons to be learned by someone coming here for the first time? 10 OF THE BEST:- 1). Do not inflict western Ideas onto Thais try to find out what they want to do and not always what you want. remember if you buy a motor bike for your boy, he may want to be away from you most of the time. long time boys specials are different, Invest in computer game, if you want him around you for regular fun. 2). If you buy jewelry Thais look on it like a hamster, money for when they are broke and that could be 5 days after you gave it to them, they have no sentimental value with presents. its money to live or have fun with. 3). Do not leave any money laying around or anything they could get money for, like your mobile phone, remember its your fault if they steal from you, because you put temptation under there nose. well untill you have been with him long enough to trust him many never steal I have been lucky with my boys but casual's yuk. 4). If you come to live in Pattaya or Bangkok Chiang Mai, make sure you have enough funds for regular 4 monthly trips away, or you may start to go mad and start bickering and bitterness does set in, if your not careful, but not with every one, and its so nice when you come back after you have charged your batteries, remember your in the center if Asia, :- Laos. Cambodia,Vietnam,Indonesia,Malaysia,Bali,Hong Kong,China, Australia, all there waiting to be explored. 5). Be very careful of the traffic in Thailand more people being killed and maimed there then murdered or attacked, it safe apart from the traffic, more than you can say about most countries. If you ever have a Road accident don't fight it yourself, your find your self in chains being shipped out of the country, let your Insurance company deal with it. once when a motor bike ran into me and flew over the top, I was parked waiting to turn right, the police said "I PUT MYSELF IN A POSITION TO CREATE THE ACCIDENT" IF I HAVE FOUGHT IT IN COURT, I WOULD HAVE LOST, GOT A 2500 FINE AND SHIPPED OUT OF THE COUNTRY, I LEFT IT, COST ME 40,000 BAHT HOSPITAL FEES. But I was free to stay and live happy in the, 'land of smiles.' 6). Never I mean never, if you see Thais fighting any one, never get involved, you can stand and watch your be safe, but as soon as you get into the action, your be maimed or even killed as well. they fight in packs to kill, not alone. 7). Remember if you promise a boy 800 baht dont give him 300 and tell him he was no good because he said he would do this and that when you met him, I have known guys Killed or badly beaten later, when he was not expecting it, they all have friends and never work alone. and will not say anything at the time only "its up to you". or tell him if he goes with you and he does not do this or that, he will only get 500 baht, . Dont shout and get aggressive to a Thai or you could end up with a bloody nose, as one well known Bar owner does regularly when he is on the juice. even from a lady boy who can be murderous if your not careful. 9). Have rules. Like no drugs, no drunkeness, clean your room, but dont exspect them to be on time, remember if you buy a mobile, to keep in touch and mother wants money, it will be sold as mother runs the family even if the boys is away from home, what mother wants mother gets, so make it clear if they have to pay the family money, they save from the money you give them, as they believe, if you take them on, you take on the whole family and the Village in some cases, so make your rules about that, either you give separate money for family or none at all, if so make it clear from the start. 10). Try to have his friends around, remember in reality thai Boys can only stand to be with a farang a third of the day, they do need to be with their thai friends, even if they have become westernized, so suggest he brings some with you and you go to where they like to go, Karaoke. late night disco, XRAY DAVES< DUDES<NAM, Thai meals, Molum night, Pattaya Park, Tiger Zoo, so many places, visit Kho Chiang, Hong Kong. visit their village it will be fun, but I would need another post for all that, your find it will be one of the best nights or days you can have, I could go on and on, but this will keep you in good fun times for your vacation or on coming retirment, Thailand is paradise if you know how to have fun, but what ever you do don run out of money it is Hell. Quote
Guest kjun12 Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 I'm hardly a GUEST here. I'm a paying temporary resident. When I have guests stay they don't pay me. Or look at me like a walking ATM. Or ask me for bribes. If you don't like it, you have the right to go home. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 10 OF THE BEST:- I agree with all of those. One in particular I would like to expand upon is your Rule 7. One thing I've learned is the grapevine among these boys is just incredible. It's amazing sometimes. So many of them seem to know where I am, who I'm with, and what I'm doing any time I leave my home. Quite often boys will come up and introduce themselves to me, boys I've never seen before in my life, and tell me they are friends with this one or that one. As I said, I've never seen them before, and yet they know who I am and even where I've been. The moral of the story is that you really do need to live up to your end of whatever agreement you made with any of these bar boys. Even if he promised the world, but then turned out to be a dud, pay him what you told him you would pay and just don't take him a second time. But if you try to get away with an excuse to give him less than you promised, you're taking your life into your hands. Some things are just not worth the risk. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 If you don't like it, you have the right to go home. Be that as it may, I think Jomtien makes a valid point. The thing is, I think, if you're going to live in Thailand and be happy here, you have to be prepared to take Thailand for what it is. Despite valid arguments, nothing is going to change, even if you're absolutely right. Many of us bitch and moan amongst ourselves about certain things, but the bottom line is if you can't handle the way things work in Thailand, then you're never going to be happy here as a permanent resident. For example, this week some friends and I are about to take a road trip to Phitsanulok. I fully expect to be stopped and ripped off by the police at least once during the trip. I'll be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't happen, but I'm making the trip with the expectation that it probably will. I know that's an unfortunate part of the kind of thing that typically happens here, but I'm prepared for it and I accept it. Obviously I don't like it, but I accept it. If I couldn't accept things like that, I doubt that I could handle living here. Quote
Guest finally Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 Based on what your have experienced in LOS or that you have seen others experience, what would you say are the best lessons to be learned by someone coming here for the first time? Don t think so much, life will do it for you!! Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 Be that as it may, I think Jomtien makes a valid point. I fully expect to be stopped and ripped off by the police at least once during the trip. What point is valid? He is a guest here, albeit, a paying guest. My bf and I have taken several road trips; CM and surrounds twice, Hat Yai and to Pisacom a few times. We have never been stopped. I am not sure why. I know that pickups are particularly vulnerable since the speed limit is lower for pickups and many pickup drivers get into the right hand lane and get caught. Anyone who stays in the right hand lane except to pass is vulnerable too. Quote
Guest jomtien Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 Even though you pay your way you are still a guest here; break the law and you will quickly find out how fast your guest status will change. It sounds like you don't like it here, so why stay? Where in my post did I say I didn't like it here? Please don't put words in my mouth. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 Where in my post did I say I didn't like it here? Please don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say you said you didn't like it here. I said "It sounds like you don't like it here." There is a difference. Quote
Guest jomtien Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 I didn't say you said you didn't like it here. I said "It sounds like you don't like it here." There is a difference. My goodness. Thank you for telling me what I sound like. You seem to like doing that. I wonder why. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 We have never been stopped. I am not sure why. I have had several road trips, and the only area I have had problems with being stopped is on the more rural highways in the East and Northeast. Most of the time I think it is strictly random, but the first two we still had the red license plates (meaning new car) so they figured it was good for a couple hundred baht. All have said...going too fast...wrong lane... etc., but none of the above apply....they just want their payoff. Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 My goodness. Thank you for telling me what I sound like. You seem to like doing that. I wonder why. I just call it as I see it. When I read your post, the first thought that came to me was, "This guy is unhappy here." Quote
Guest jomtien Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 I just call it as I see it. When I read your post, the first thought that came to me was, "This guy is unhappy here." In response to a thread about Lessons learned in Thailand, I mentioned bribes and the 'walking ATM syndrome. From this I am unhappy here? Whatever do you think of the people who post dozens and dozens of complaints about moronic, idiotic, stupid Thai Gov't officials here? (Their adjectives, I hasten to point out.) Or endless roadwork that doesn't change for months. Or.....well.....you get the idea. They must really hate it here, ya think? For the record....if I was unhappy living anywhere, I'd move. :-) Quote
Guest Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 My goodness. Thank you for telling me what I sound like. You seem to like doing that. I wonder why. I think you sound sexy. Available for cocktails? Quote
Guest jomtien Posted July 12, 2009 Posted July 12, 2009 I think you sound sexy. Available for cocktails? Sorry. Judging by your avatar, you are far too hairy for me. A shame, since I recently discovered where to get a pitcher of the Thai version of fruit daiquiris for 140B. Down with sobriety! Quote
Guest joseph44 Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 we still had the red license plates Officially, driving around with red plates means that you are restricted to drive only in the province where you bought the car and maybe some neighboring provinces. So, red plates don't only mean "a few hundred baht', it may also mean a temporary loss of your car. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 13, 2009 Posted July 13, 2009 Officially, driving around with red plates means that you are restricted to drive only in the province where you bought the car I'll go even better than that. Many car dealerships don't issue real "red plates" at all. They issue plastic ones that have no technical validity whatsoever. Some give you a choice of true registered red temporary plates, but at a fee. They don't charge anything for the plastic ones until the permanent plates come in, provided you return them. Even in your home province, if you're driving around with the plastic plates, you're technically illegal. But then again, prostitution is technically illegal too. The police seem to look the other way at both. Just about everyone, Thai and farang alike, use the plastic freebie plates without any problems. Quote
