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#1
15-01-2006, 21:42
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For UK Expats
When you first moved to LOS, what were the most difficult things you found it hard to adjust to in Thailand.The obvious ones are heat ,language, nightlife etc But once you got over that initial change what were the hardest things to deal with on a day to day basis compared with the UK?.
Was it frustration with the Thai Official System,pace of life etc.Also,if you had to say there was one thing that would make you think about returning to the UK what would it be? I know everyone is different so I would appreciate a wide range of answers. Thanks  
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#2
16-01-2006, 04:05
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The hardest, well probably not the hardest but the most frustrating thing that you have to deal with everyday, is the kamakazi driving habits. Thai official system, well thats what the misses is for to handle that. The number of stray dogs, "the dog mafia", makes it really hard when out walking the dogs. If you just accept that things arent as they are where you come from, then you will be OK.
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#3
16-01-2006, 06:06
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For me
The heat & humidity in phuket & bangkok can be wearing at times, u always feel a bit sweaty Never knowing for sure where u r with Thai people, even after knowing them a long time Sometimes that feeling of being an outsider 'the farang' The underlying feeling of Thai loves Thai 1st and foremost, makes u wonder if they can truly commot outside thai culture Dealing with the lies at all levels and what lies behind that smile!!!! the fcuking flies when food is around the dogs!!! totally insane in Isaan, sometimes u cant get to sleep for them howling and fighting probably lots more but no big deal, oh and yeh the x pats in Patong who lead u astray!!!!! wont name names G
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#4
17-01-2006, 11:23
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There's nothing that means enough back in Blighty to make me want to go back there, if had to move out of Thailand (civil unrest etc) then would rather head somewhere warm - Oz or California.
As far as hardest things to deal with here; most things not too problematic - I agree with G in that you do never really know where you are with Thai's - all too often there is some angle or other they will try and pull and level of patriotism would make most western far right parties look tame in comparison. Driving is better if you have a car - but as ever if you have an accident it is always going to your fault (being farang) - infra structure has improved and can get most thengs needed somewhere on the island (except Ribena!). Food - sometime miss proper western grub, but now (at last) found Faulty Towers that is solved. Islander also does good Brit Grub. Unless you take time/effort to learn to speak and ideally read Thai will always remain someone an outsider, but depends how deeply you wish to become embedded in Thai life/culture.
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Its My Life ..........!
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#5
17-01-2006, 15:53
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Back to UK -never
Even with all the minor irritants of living as a foreigner in Thailand I would never consider returning to UK.
 I went there on a family visit last October and found the whole place to be depressing.Most people I spoke to were hoping to get their redundancy and jump ship to somewhere else.  At least here in Phuket we have the good weather and a relaxed pace of life. The best thing to have is a project or interest that keeps you occupied. 
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If you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined up!!! 
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#6
19-01-2006, 12:19
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Marmite
[quote=K2].
Driving is better if you have a car - but as ever if you have an accident it is always going to your fault (being farang) - infra structure has improved and can get most thengs needed somewhere on the island (except Ribena!). QUOTE] And Marmite Where ,oh,where can we get it otherwise I'll have to start importing 5 gallon drums and selling spoonfulls 
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#7
19-01-2006, 22:36
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i dont know why i jumped in here but was looking around
why does it seem that guys from UK really dont like it there? also, i always thought it would be more frustrating driving a car then motorbike
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#8
20-01-2006, 00:41
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[quote=Wellington]
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Deli breifly had vegamite (marmite barrel scrapings) and it is sold in BKK IIRC in foodland.. I have a few tubs brought out from the UK every once in a while.. Love the stuff..
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
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#9
20-01-2006, 00:55
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Why we dont like the UK
The weather is shit most of the time Successful people get put down (everyone hates to see people doing well) Control freak government - the tony blair show, more air time than sky tv OK salaries but high high direct & indirect taxes Ubelievable house prices Rip off Britain, almost everything is more expensive than US, Germany & France Stress stress stress, work work work........................what a fcukin life just a few observations & im just back 5 weeks G
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#10
20-01-2006, 02:07
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again, by no means am i being negative towards any of you or your country.
only reason i asked is because from all the people ive met from all over the world, its the guys from UK who seem to have the most dislike of their country another interesting item. i hear nothing but rave reviews from anyone in no america who has spent considerable time in London
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#11
20-01-2006, 04:09
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[quote=LivinLOS]
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Dont knock the vegemite, thats the reason I moved back to Oz. (only joking) Nothing better than a toasted muffin with vegemite in the morning.
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#12
20-01-2006, 04:29
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Are these US guys paying UK taxes Paul. Have they bought a house and all the overheads that go with them. No disrespect,but I am guessing the guys who lived in London had money,very good money,and for them,the changes have not affected them in the way it hasMr Average . Even the rich guys here are not too badly affected by the high direct and indirect taxation. You know when the affluent guys here are not doing so well,they sell the Merc and downgrade to a Beemer  You really needed to be here when the times were good (circa late 1960s) and grow with the changes that have taken place to appreciate how things have gone downhill. Graham summed up what its like in the UK now perfectly and we don't like it. Voting another party in at the next election can't change what has been done already. We were shafted a long time ago
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I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers Last edited by dawsey : 20-01-2006 at 05:04.
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#13
20-01-2006, 04:44
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good reply dawsey. and yes, they all were well-off. but actually my point was when i was younger for some reason london was potrayed in my part of the world as drab. it justs seems in the last 10 years it has gotten a much better reputation. more cosmopolitan. again, take it with a grain of salt, yanks commenting on London
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#14
20-01-2006, 05:02
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Hey Paul you can comment on London or anywhere if you have been there Its true that London can be a great place to be for the visitor,a vibrant place with much to do. It was a drab place,and in certain parts still is, but things have changed there and its a good if expensive place to visit. I no longer live in London(thank god) and I'm lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful and affluent parts of the UK. Still don't like it though!  .I have only ever visited Florida so I can't comment at all about the States
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I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#15
20-01-2006, 05:18
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The point Dawsey is making Paul is people cannot comment on the entire country because they have been to London.
My thoughts are could we are dejected because we have gone from a mightly commonwealth super power to a bit player? the most annoying thing that has happened over the last few years is the indirect taxes, not british ol boy, and they have gone overboard on indirect taxes just so they can say how well they are doing keeping the general tax rate at 20%. We also do not like the inbalance between benefits for asylum seekers and British Nationals, you know reckon its time for us to go to war again, churps us up a bit. But saying all that, it is really just because we like a bit of doom and gloom and moaning about stuff, in reality try putting the country down to a few Brits and you will see how patriotic we still all are.
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If I havn't done it already, then i'm gunna do it today.
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#16
20-01-2006, 05:23
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i have never been to England. the people i were referring to were a good size of people and lot of them actually lived in London for a decent length of time. but come to think of it, the tourists ive known from the states have raved about it too. just trying to give you guys soem positive feedback.
and id love to see London and other parts of England. from what ive read, seems you can from being right in London out to beautiful country in not too long of a time? is that correct?
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#17
20-01-2006, 05:26
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55555555 mate but its the bloody scottish and regiment from anywhere but england that get thrown into the front line  Of course the english front line being outside some football stadium in Germany G
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#18
20-01-2006, 05:28
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I've been to London quite abit, and i dont like it that much. I think my favourite western world cities to visit would be, in no particular order, Madrid, Rome, Vancouver, San Francisco, San Diego, San Juan, Zurich
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#19
20-01-2006, 05:30
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Thats correct Paul. Within 10miles of "Inner London" you can be in some lovely countyside,even within range of the underground railway,so from being in the city its easy to get away in a short time. I'm sure you would enjoy London,but even more so with someone who knows the "places to go". I'm totally out of touch with the place now. The UK is a very diverse country with something for everyone,beaches countyside,small villages and big cities, not forgetting lakes,mountains and rivers.
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I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#20
20-01-2006, 05:35
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steve: great idea for a post!
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#21
20-01-2006, 06:15
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And why do you reckon that is Graeme? because they need cheering up the most!!!555555555555555
__________________
If I havn't done it already, then i'm gunna do it today.
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#22
20-01-2006, 11:48
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Just in case any of you blokes work; Don't........................  There is a dangerous virus being passed electronically, orally, and by hand. This virus is called "Worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer" (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you should come into contact with WORK put your jacket on and take 2 good friends to the nearest pub. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolator-Neutralizer-Extractor(WINE). The quickest acting WINE type is called Swift-Hitting-Infiltrator-Remover-All-Zones (SHIRAZ) but this is only available for those who can afford it. The next best equivalent is Cheapest-Available-System-Killer (CASK). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system. Forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life. This virus is DEADLY! Update 05-01-2006: After extensive testing it has been concluded that Best-Equivalent-Extractor-Remedy (BEER) may be substituted for WINE but may require a more generous application.
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#23
25-01-2006, 20:17
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Thanks for all the info guys although the thread got a little bit hijacked.The earlier comments were very useful.
Just a final thought, anyone know who named the sois in Phuket, I just cannot get my head around things like Soi Eric etc who the hell was ERIC???
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