Gary Wilkins
@Soundspeed
Australian expat in Thailand
Forum
21 posts
Contacts
4
About me
Australian
Lives in Chiang Mai
Registration: 02 May 2013
Activity
Sense of humour in Thailand by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Should we set out to explore Thais culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas. What is ...
Noel Coward once remarked that " You can't tell jokes to foreigners." By that I took him to mean that many jokes are language based as a play on words or double meanings. So to share a joke like that with someone who is not fully ... Read More
Sending and receiving packages in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in Thailand? Is the public ...
Time wise it usually takes ten days from Australia for airmail to reach me and about the same for sent mail. I guess it depends on whether they are busy or not. Also be aware that some things will not be carried by air and so will go sea mail which ... Read More
Sending and receiving packages in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello, As an expat, there are inevitably certain items you might want or need from back home, and around the holiday period, many people like to send gift packages. How easy is it to send and receive packages in Thailand? Is the public ...
As an expat retiree living in Chiang Mai for over seven years now my experience of the Thai postal system has been very good overall. I found them to be very helpful and most of the staff speak very good English. Thai Post seems able to handle ... Read More
living in Thailand as a foreigner, looking back on ten years by bkk tea blog
A recent anniversary and talking about Thai culture on Quora started me thinking about what I've experienced over ten years in living in Bangkok (from the US). None of it would be all that novel for other expats. People are kind of similar ...
I completely agree with Villagefarang. You can't change Thailand - looks like you'll have to change yourself. Relax go with it. I would prefer that Thais were better drivers - because I hate to see people I like being killed and injured ... Read More
Retiree for Chiang Mai? by Janehunt
Hi, I live on the Gold Coast and am a retiree in Australia, thinking seriously of coming to Chiang Mai to retire so I would love to hear from anyone who has done the big shift! I will be making a trip there just after Christmas, and it would be ...
Hello Jane, I have been retired here 5 1/2 years now so I'm well settled in. The advice to come over first and have a look around, taking your time, is good. I love it here but have been married to my Thai wife for 26 years and been working here ... Read More
Dealing with homesickness in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being an expat in Thailand can turn out to be a wonderful human, social or professional adventure... with potential moments of nostalgia and homesickness along the way. What are your personal tips to prevent ...
I fully agree with BKK Tea Blog above. Circumstances differ for every person. If you were a refugee and unable to return to your home the homesickness might be a very powerful emotional wrench. If you are an expat in business or working then you ... Read More
Customer care in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in Thailand and ...
Hey hey Guys! Whose country is this? When someone migrates to your home country do you expect them to speak your language? I am a migrant / guest in this country and they have made me feel pretty welcome compared to some nearby places I have lived ... Read More
Customer care in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in Thailand and ...
Hi I have lived in Chiang Mai for four years now and found the customer service overall to be excellent. Chain Stores vary from place to place but a lot depends on your attitude. Many young Thais are afraid of looming, red faced Farangs and their ... Read More
Keeping up with the news in Thailand by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Thailand provides countless occasions to browse local newspapers, listen to local radio stations or watch local TV shows. As everywhere else in the world, local media play a key role in informing the public. What are ...
Being a news junkie I read the Bangkok Post on line. And have ABC News Australia delivered by email twice a day. At night also use my internet radio to listen to Local radio 774 in Melbourne Australia, Radio National Australia as well as ABC News ... Read More
Moving to Thailand from Australia - About Pension by patsisilia
Hi everyone,I am looking for some reliable advice,on moving to Thailand to retire,from some Australian Expats,and more specifically as far as receiving the Australian pension. I have been told different stories from different people within ...
If you can, you should get all Centrelink information in writing. Then it is official not just what somebody on the phone "thinks" is right - to your eventual cost. You will need a Retirment visa in Thailand and that requires 800,000 ... Read More
Essentials to live in Thailand by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Thailand, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Thailand? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would ...
Yes good luck Thailand For Me. I'm sorry you did not find happiness here. It will be interesting when you return home. As Aristotle, I think it was, said. " You cannot step twice into the same river." I hope your home country has not ... Read More
Essentials to live in Thailand by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Thailand, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Thailand? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would ...
I agree with you on that one. Thai drivers are mostly only taught how to operate the car and very little about safe driving. Luckily before moving here my wife and I were given defensive driving courses in Australia. What I learned there changed ... Read More
Essentials to live in Thailand by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Thailand, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Thailand? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would ...
I agree with barrytaylor. Remember that Thais are riding on scooters even before they are born and immediately after. They grow up with them and on them and think nothing more of it than we do about switching on the electric light. The attitude is ... Read More
Tips and advice to thrive in Thailand by Priscilla
Hi, When living in a foreign country, you have to adapt to a new environment, various cultures and different social codes. How did you manage to adjust to Thailand? How long does it take to feel at home? Would you say it is an easy ...
I live very well here in a beautiful house with my Thai wife. We have been married 24 years. As I said it is your attitude that is the problem not Thailand. I would never consider living in the USA. The first night I arrived in San Francisco there ... Read More
Tips and advice to thrive in Thailand by Priscilla
Hi, When living in a foreign country, you have to adapt to a new environment, various cultures and different social codes. How did you manage to adjust to Thailand? How long does it take to feel at home? Would you say it is an easy ...
I have been traveling and working in Thailand for nearly thirty years and have been retired and living happliy in Chiang mai for the last four. The simplest advice I could give is to look for the great things about Thai culture and life and adopt ... Read More