My Thai Life

In the months prior to this post I have been increasingly irritated by the goings on in Thailand, the so called Land of Smiles. Some of you might find this posting a bit bitter and hard to swallow and for the most part, it’s true and exactly what I’ve cooked up. Take it for what you will and I’m sure that I’ll soon get over it but life in Thailand at times isn’t a bowl of cherries. It’s more like a bowl of shit. I’ll explain…

As a expat living in Thailand I have grown used to the Thai price and the Farang price. If you don’t know what a Farang is then look it up. This used to be isolated to zoos and parks but has increasingly grown in size to include just about anything you buy these days. For example, last week I took some clothes to the cleaners and they charged me 3 times more than a Thai and he had more clothes than I did. This wasn’t dry cleaning, this was clothes to be washed and folded. I paid 3 times more and that fucking pissed me off. I know that Farangs here make more money than Thai people but that doesn’t give you the right to rip off every Farang that comes through the door.

I’m also noticing a lot of other things besides laundry. I found out that Farangs are paying more for condos than Thai people. One case in particular is a condo at The Trendy on Soi 13. I had called about a condo that was for rent there because a friend of mine was coming in to Thailand and needed a 6 month contract. The cost was 34,000 baht. I thought I would test my “Rip Off” theory and had a Thai friend of mine call to ask what the rent was for that condo and I wasn’t surprised when she told me the owner told her that the rent was 24,000 baht. That is a 10,000 baht difference. That was complete bullshit.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the Thai people but I’m growing more more angry over the whole “Lets rip off the farang” concept here in Thailand. It grows more and more each time I hear about it. It’s growing with condos, food, clothing, parks and just about any recreation.

What’s the deal with crimes against farangs going unnoticed and in some cases unpunished? What’s up with that?

That’s my rant for this month. I’m sure it will turn out just fine in the coming months but how much can a expat take of being fucked over every where he turns?  I know that some of you might say if I don’t like it then leave Thailand and trust me, the thought has crossed my mind. There are many other beautiful places in this world you know…

MyThaiLife

Yes, I know, it’s been quite a while since my last post. Bunch of things have gone on lately.

As of today, the State of Emergency has been lifted and things seem to be returning to normal. If there ever is a normal for Thailand. While some streets still have some troops on them for the most part it’s all gone. The violence from last week only lasted a couple days at best and the red shirts have all gone home.

So, we’ve just started our monsoon season here and it’s been quite nice. We had a nice electrical storm here the other night and got some cool shots of it. Below is the video from it.

Well, Songkran sure was different this year and you can blame the red shirts for that. But despite all the drama that was being created, people were still having some water fun. You can’t stop the fun no matter where you are. It was quite fun to see the Thais and farangs walking around getting soaked. What is really funny is that you have farang expats getting off of work all dressed up only to be drenched in water by the time they get home. Got to keep those laptop bags up high!!!

Since this is my first post in a long time, I’m going to try to update more often. There are a lot more things happenening now so I’ll be sure to post them here. Oh, and it’s still hot as hell!

MyThaiLife

Sawat Di Khrup (Hello) and welcome to MyThaiLife.com

My name is Michael and I created this site so that I could blog about my Thai life in Thailand. I don’t post everyday but I do post somewhat often. Maybe couple times a week or a few times a month. Mostly it’s when I have something to say or have experienced something new in Thailand. In some cases you’ll find some really cool photos that I’ve taken here in Thailand. If you get a chance, find the Femle Muay Thai photo that I took while at a Muay Thai event in Bangkok. It’s very interesting.

I’ve been living in Bangkok, Thailand for about 7 years now and I would not change it for the world. I have grown to love Thailand and its people and amazing culture. From its beautiful beaches to it’s amazing food. From Chiang Mai to Trang and all the places in between. I love everything Thai.

Feel free to Contact Me to discuss anything about Thailand.

Khap Kun Khrup (Thank You),

MyThaiLife

It’s been a couple weeks since I got back from Phuket. I like many people i know was stranded in Phuket due to the occupation of the airport in Bangkok. Not that it’s a bad thing but I really wanted to get back home and I wasn’t about to sit on a cramped bus for 13 hours. So, like most of the tourist I was hanging with at the Le Meridian hotel in Phuket, I just sat on the beach and got a tan.

I’m going to rant a bit about what experience I had while in Phuket. Over the last 7 years I’ve noticed a lot more Russians down there. Not that it’s a bad thing but seriously, they do NOT know how to shop and bargain properly. I’ve also noticed a huge increase in price over the last year. I have noticed in a lot of situations that there was a increase of about 35% in charges ranging from simple t-shirts and restaruants. It’s not what it used to be and I suppose because of the economy it’s just going to get worse.

One other thing that has really upset me is the fact that my favorite hotel “The Beach Resortel” has been replaced with a Starbucks. Yep, it was on the beach there in Patong and now it’s gone and there is a huge Starbucks in it’s place. I dare not go in!

I’m also noticing a lot more western companies popping up in Patong. It’s too much if you ask me. I for one still love Trang. Still love the Amari Trang Beach Resort and still love the fact that it’s not so metropolis and it’s still a simple Thai lifestyle down there.

Oh well, life is still the same here in Bangkok. But for how long…

MyThaiLife

America was heading down a dark road and has been for the last 8 years. That’s a lifetime to most people and a long time if you ask me. Bush has done more damage to our country in 8 years and I for one am glad for the change. America has always been a shining light for those who seek a path of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Bush took that away. He also caused the death of over 3000 American soldiers in an unjust war. That’s not counting the lives he has snuffed out because of the war. Innocent women and children are dead because of him. But that is done now. It’s over. Bush can no longer cause more pain. It was time for change and change is what America got.

I wish Obama God speed in his new job. America is damaged but she is not defeated. It will take a lot of work to undo what Bush and company has done. America has stumbled but she is on her feet and she will again be that shining light that so many people look for in a dark moonless world. She will shine brighter than before. There hasn’t been this much confidence in a president since John F. Kennedy. JFK was a great leader and while his life and term was cut short, his words, in my humble opinion have been passed on to President Elect Obama.

Race should know no color, no creed, no religion. While Obama is a African American, he is a man. He is a leader. I watched his speech last night from Chicago. I haven’t heard a man talk like that since Kennedy. He reminds me a lot of JFK. He WILL do good things and America needs it.

To all the nay sayers and all the racists people out there. Your words are not harmful. I am from the south, Texas to be exact and I grew up with a society that hated anyone that wasn’t white. I attribute this to a lack of education. Because the simple fact is that if you hate black people or any other race besides your own then that shows a lack of education. You are ignorant and just plain stupid. You have no right to be in a country that was founded on the right to liberty and happiness. I won’t go further on that.

Again, I wish President Obama God speed in his quest to change America. Change that America needs. America threw her hands up and demanded change. America has spoken. It is time for change and change is what is coming.

MyThaiLife

I know a lot of people were a bit nervous to travel to Thailand because of the politics and the demonstrations but believe me, they were small. Sure a person died but to be fair, hundreds more die everyday in Thailand. Not to sound evil or anything but it’s just the facts.

Thailand is safe to travel to. Samak, who has since been forced out by the High Court for having taking a job with another company, which is against the rules of being PM as well as the PAD wanting him gone because he was just another Thaksin wannabe. People were concerned because he issued a State of Emergency. This was only to try to save his ass which didn’t work. So, that will be lifted in a couple days and it’s back to business as usual. So, don’t worry about Thailand. I live here and it’s been safe for over 7 years. Even the Military Coup that happened 2 years ago was really non-eventful. I was on the streets that night and I saw the takes rolling into the capital but it was only about 3 takes and that was it. No one died and nothing really happened.

Thailand is safe so do Thailand a huge favor and help out the economy. Make that trip. Spend a little bit of money and help the Thai people out. They have such a beautiful country and beautiful people, it’s only right.

MyThaiLife

I’m a huge fan of South East Asia. I have traveled all over South East Asia and I have come to love the Asian people and their culture. Don’t like China though. Been to many cities in China and it’s the same thing over and over. Rude and disgusting. But anyway, back to my story.

I love Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Korea. Now, I especially love Thailand where I have lived for the past 7 years. I love the Thai people and I really like their Thai Girls but again, on to my story about Burma. LOL.

Burma, not that new name that I will NEVER mention, but Burma, it’s a very beautiful country to the North of Thailand. The Burmese people are being repressed and no one is doing anything about it. Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest and now it appears she is on a food strike. Not good. She is the only democratic voice of the Burmese people. If she dies then you might as well say that all the people in Burma have died. What the hell is being done about it? Why aren’t other countries doing shit about it? In the recent months and years for that matter, many Buddhist Monks have been killed and imprisoned and it’s not right people. It’s so wrong and we aren’t doing shit about it.

America is a very large country. We have over 140,000 soldiers fighting a STUPID battle in Iraq. We had no business being there. Sure Saddam was a bastard but WTF? If I were president I would have invaded Burma and released Aung San Suu Kyi and done away with the Junta. They don’t deserve to be in power. They lost the election in Burma and the United States will not do anything about it. I do appreciate Laura Bush’s interest in Burma and I know she wants Aung San Suu Kyi out of house arrest and she wants Democracy back in the country. Laura, tell your husband to invade Burma and get rid of the Junta. LOL, like that will ever happen. Will Obama do it? Who knows.

One thing that I can’t stand is that powerful countries have the power to do this. To get rid of the Junta and have the Burmese people have their Democracy. But no one does anything. China won’t do it because the Junta buy weapons from them. It’s all about power and money. When do the people have a say in their country? They did, it just got suppressed. It’s wrong people. It’s wrong down to the core.

Change can happen and I suppose it can only happen within. Junta, lay down your arms and fight with your people. The name is Burma and nothing else…

MyThaiLife

Well, it’s official. I’ve gone to Trang again! YEAH!!!. The last time I was in Trang was for New Years this year and that was amazing. This time I took some time off from my busy schedule and spent 7 days at the Sukorn Islands again. Below is one of my favorite pictures.

The last time before New Years was a couple years ago where I spent a week down in Trang. I stayed in some small fishing village. I remember it well. That’s because lightning struck the small building I was sitting under having lunch. One of many monsoons that hit Thailand.

Trang will always has a special place in my heart. If you want secluded, quite beach time then check out Trang. There are so many islands off the coast that you can hop on that you could spend months exploring them. Some islands have people and some don’t. It’s really a great trip.

So, if you are wanting to hear what waves sound like as they lap onto the beach and hear nothing else, then you need to visit Trang, seriously…

Michael
MyThaiLife

First of all, long live the King and Queen but this morning when I got up, as I always do, I checked out the BangkokPost.com and on the front page was a lovely purple image of Her Majesty the Queen Sirikit with a date at the bottom that read 12 August 2008. I mistook that for her dying. While not paying attention to the actual date and today’s date, I thought she had passed. What a twat I was for thinking that.

It took about 5 minutes for me to figure out that I was absolutely 100% wrong and that she is fine and doing well. I searched high and low for the obituary and couldn’t find anything at all. Nothing on BangkokPost, National Multimedia, nothing anywhere. Then I got to looking at the photo and saw 12 of August. Then it hit me. Ahhh, her birthday is August 12. WTF was I thinking? Did I have too many Singhas last night? Well, it’s easy to see why because when the Kings sister Princess Galyani Vadhana died this past January, they all put a photo of just like this one. See how easy it was for me to think that?

Anyway, her Majesty the Queen is doing just fine and it was all me just overeating a bit. But all is well that ends well. Long live the King and Queen and I wish her the best birthday ever!!!

Chok Dee Mak Mak and Khap Kun Khrup for listening.

MyThaiLife

Well, if you are in Bangkok like me then you really won’t get to see it but if you are in Chiang Mai today you will see a partial eclipse of the sun. Now, the folks in Canada will get about a good minute of nighttime where the moon will pass fully in between Earth and the sun. It’s a great thing to see. I’ve listed a link below where you can see a video of some Canadians that were up in a plane about 27,000 feet and took some really cool video of the eclipse. It’s really cool to watch so enjoy it.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=04a_1217608584

Not sure when we will get a chance to see something like that but it is a pretty cool thing.

MyThaiLife