[Twendypreency]

Why Thailand?

[LesLattis]

why not?

[Twendypreency]

Hahahaha! Reminds me of my Philosophy Teacher's final exam question, "Why?"

I was going to leave it a broad question, but maybe I'll give some guide points.

Why are you in Thailand? Why are you spending time on a forum about Thailand? What is it that is Thailand for you? Why the interest, the focus, the passion?

We could all be chatting on the Finnish forums, but no we're here on the Thai forums, why? (And I'm sure Finland is wonderful...just using a random country as example. )

[adverwork]

Why are you spending time on a forum about Thailand?

Because my wife and son (and mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, friends...) are Thai or Cambodian.

David

[NutChusty]

Well it was the place I had my only long distant relationship.

[LesLattis]

honestly, sometimes I have no idea. I guess I got stuck here after a number of coincidences. you gotta be somewhere, unfortunately. and it is sort of bearable to be here, as opposed to where I was coming from. I don't have passions anymore. I just enjoy having a good job, good salary, good weather, good people, and good holidays. and being left alone to do what I like to do. could be anywhere tropical or subtropical as well, with a good job. there must be good jobs everywhere. eg. Australia.

[zueqhbyhp]

Because its where I feel most at home

[imporesweemo]

Because! :-)
Thailand is a beautiful country and I love the mentality of the people here.

[Twendypreency]

For me, it begins and ends with my Thai family.

I did not select Thailand as my exchange program location, the exchange program chose it for me. (I asked for some place far from home with a difficult language). There were only 25 of us that went that year from the States and within a year back home, most of those 25 had lost all contact with their family. I, however, had such a transforming experience with them. ...and throughout my life they have been there for the good, the bad, and the really bad. They took care of me in a hospital, celebrated my Master's Degree, mourned the loss of my American mom, sent crazy fun notes and photographs, offered advice when the world collapsed, etc. ...and because of this marvelous relationship, they have shown me their country, their language, their community.... I have been back to work, to tour, to visit...always to recapture that warmth and love and store up for cold days back home.

[HexcewlyRette]

Speaking only of the forums and chatroom , because it's my only connection to Thailand, it's a place where misfits fit, as long as you are family friendly of course.

[AutocadOemM]

Trying to narrow it down to a single reason is very difficult. Most of the time, it just slowly grows on me. It is like having a seed lying dormant in your heart. When it meets the right conditions, it starts to germinate and grow.

[Twendypreency]

Most of the time, it just slowly grows on me. It is like having a seed lying dormant in your heart. When it meets the right conditions, it starts to germinate and grow. That's a really beautiful description...

[HRCPda7R]

My first visit to Thailand was decided after having a chat with a retired couple by the pool at a hotel in India. I love culture,photography,spicy food, the outdoors and wildlife and exploring.They said,you realy must visit Thailand,it is so beautiful.It is now ten years on and i can only say that they where right! I wish them both well. I can honestly say that, the one hour conversation we had played such a major part in the last ten years of my life. I have been to,and seen some of the most beautiful places i could only have ever dreamed of seeing during my travelles.I have met and made so many friends in Thailand also.The Thaichatbox has been a great asset and help to me during my visits to Thailand! Thanks so much everyone.

[tLO0hFNy]

I keep going back, time and time again, burning nearly all my vacation time in one country. I've made large investments to learn the language, understand the culture, make friends, and getting to know the country. Bangkok won Travel & Leisure's top spot for world's best city. All of the things you can do from the countryside, to the mountains, to the beaches, to the city.

Like Betti asked, why not?

[InsManKV]

.....within a year back home, most of those 25 had lost all contact with their family. I, however, had such a transforming experience with them. ...and throughout my life they have been there for the good, the bad, and the really bad.

In my case I regret that I squandered a good opportunity to develop a long term relationship with my Thai family. I arrived in LoS as an immature, self-centered and arrogant 22-year-old who did not understand the sacrifices my Thai family were making in accommodating, feeding and entertaining me, which they did extraordinarily well. I took it all for granted and after leaving them for my up-country assignment I never bothered to re-establish contact with them, or thank them for what they had done. Now many years later I am ashamed to say that I deeply regret my thoughtless and selfish behaviour. I would not even know how to contact them now.

[Sandvikla]

Because it's meant to be...

[Oswczrdz]

Pure accident.
Unless it is really true that there is no such thing as an accident.

[Twendypreency]

I read last night that Thailand receives more repeat tourists than any other country in the world. Maybe that explains why we're all on Thai forums...and not, say, um...Finnish ones.




(from the book Retiring in Thailand -- was doing some wishful thinking last night )

[LesLattis]

repeat visits? haha. definitely sounds like all the expats who were forced to do 30-day visa runs because there was no way to make their stay legal personally, I have been in and out of Thailand on tourist visas a lot more times than I would ever have wanted to because of the aforementioned regulations (about 13 times from 2001 to 2006.) also, I remember a certain SiamJai at these forums who must have added to the statistics considerably!

[Twendypreency]

That's a good point. I was wondering how they were counting.
When I arrived back in the States after an ... um... extended... um... visit to Thailand, I had many many man in and out stamps. The immigration folks did not take to kindly of me going into and out of a "drug producing nation" (their words) on a regular schedule.