I’ve done quite a few interviews with Thailand bloggers over the past months to give you all a different perspective on Thailand, Thai culture and Thai-Farang relationships. Today I have another interview for you except it’s not another blogger. Today’s interview is with James Turner, the author of the book “Beyond The Comfort Zone”; an auto biographical account of the time he was living in Chiang Mai.

The book is quite good and well worth reading and as you’ll see below James is quite well spoken and still maintains a strong connection to Thailand. In fact her wrote the previous post on Thailand Musings called Thai Cultural Observations, a bit of a teaser and lead in to this interview. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed conversing with the interviewee.

When you moved to Thailand in 2002, what made you choose Chiang Mai as your home?

I’d read quite a lot about the best places to live in Asia and at the time Chiang Mai was in the top 10 list. I wanted to live in a place where I wasn’t going to be swamped during the tourist season, somewhere more akin to the real Thailand.

Did you plan on staying longer in Thailand? What made you leave in 2005 rather than staying on in a country you seem to love so much?

I did plan on a longer stay but I got offered a job in the US which was too good to turn down. That combined with some personal circumstances and the sense of a new adventure made it the right time for a move.

Based on your book it seems as if you are fairly fluent in Thai. Did you find the language easy to learn? How long did it take you to become at least conversational?

Well, I’m not sure I would claim any fluency in Thai, but yes I can have a reasonably detailed conversation. I found the language extremely challenging, certainly the most difficult language I’ve ever attempted. It took a long time to become anywhere near conversational and even then you would have to define ‘conversational’. I still have difficulty with the TV news for example. Having a Thai girlfriend helped enormously and I refused to speak English in my day to day life in C.M. which made for some very amusing exchanges! It was perhaps a year and a half of that kind of daily determination before I could hold down a conversation.

Would you consider moving back to Thailand full time? Why or why not?

Absolutely. I certainly want to get a base back in Thailand in fact I’m considering properties right now. It’s still my favorite place in the world and I would probably move to Bangkok next time I think. For all its faults it is one of the world’s great city’s.

Do you ever get back to Thailand? How often and for how long typically?

Less and less these days unfortunately. I haven’t been back for about two years due to my filming commitments. My last time there I think was for six months. My shortest time visiting will usually be a couple of months, so eight weeks or so.

I have to ask because so many of my readers are interested in Thai-Farang relationships; what is it

about Thai girls that make them so attractive to Western guys in your opinion?
It is different things for different people I imagine. Certainly they are more respectful and demure than women have become in the west and I think that is appealing to some. Although I personally think that Thai women are anything but subservient. I think their gentle demeanor is sometimes mistaken for that, but in my opinion it is (or should be) a two way street of mutual respect. Compliment a Thai girls respectful nature with some reciprocal manners and life can be very nice indeed. Don’t…and be prepared for fireworks!

What things do you feel have changed the most in Thailand since the time you lived there?

I think there is more understanding of westerners now, of our cultural differences. Obviously there has been a drive to modernize the outlying provinces in many ways. What has continued in Bangkok and Chiang Mai is the relentless upward trend of consumerism. I hope that last one doesn’t de-rail the Thai sense of ‘Sanuk’ because that would be a shame.

I see on your website that you are trying to establish a charity to help the children in Thailand who have little or nothing. I think this is a very worthwhile endeavor and wish you all the good fortune in the world in making it happen. Can you tell us a little more about the charity, what you’ve done so far and what your plans are for expanding it in the future.

At the moment I have just established the mechanism for fulfilling the objective. So, we are ready to start accepting donations. The idea is to grow it according to the resources. As you say, It is focused on children. In the first instance we will probably be supporting existing structures in Thailand (Orphanages for example) to provide additional food, clothing, educational material etc; But the hope is to be able to provide our own infrastructure to facilitate growing the child’s own capability to provide for their own future. That would include access to education and trade skills, technology, that sort of thing. It’s a long road to get to that point and we may struggle to get there. But, I think it is important to help in areas where small things could possibly make a big difference.

At the end of “Beyond the Comfort Zone” you allude to further stories from the Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated parts of southern Thailand in December 2004. Are you currently working on that book and if so when do you think it will be published?

I was toying with the idea of a fictional book centered around the event. But I have several T.V. and film projects in the works at the moment as well as two other book ideas, so I don’t think that the Tsunami idea will be something that is going to end up on that list. But, never say never!

What further advice can you give to someone who is planning on living in Thailand long term? What things should they focus on and which can they say “mai bpen rai”" to?

I think one has to try and maintain a sense of self which, on the face of it, should seem an easy thing to do but isn’t. At the same time one has to try to embrace the Thai way of approaching things. Avoid direct confrontation and always, repeat ALWAYS leave people a way out of a situation with their feelings and face intact. Learn the language – that should be an imperative. Say “Mai bpen rai” to as much as you can get away with; the heat, the rain, the illogical approach to problem solution and the fact that your thirty five year old girlfriend is always going to cover the bedroom in stuffed toy animals and hello kitty memorabilia.

One can walk down a soi in Bangkok complaining about the smell and the cockroaches and the heat – or – one can look above the smell and admire the spirit houses, bougainvillea, coconut palms, blue skies and even in Bangkok everyone is always smiling. I know which version of that walk I will be focusing on.

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Over the course of the past few months I’ve done several Thailand bloggers interviews that have been quite fun and informative. Today the mirror has been turned on me as Jon from Jonny Foreigner blog has posted his interview with none other than me!

To say that I am flattered is quite an understatement. This marks the first interview I’ve given online and I have to say it was fun for me and also a bit enlightening. It made me think about things that sort of sit in the back of the head, but never get fully examined and I feel like it was a good exercise for me as well as making sure the interview itself turned out to be full of useful content and interesting. Of course the bulk of the credit for that goes to Jon who came up with very insightful and probing questions.

So, if you have a few minutes why not head on over to Jon’s blog where you can learn a bit more about what makes me tick as well as having the chance to see never before published photos of both myself and Golf. Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that…I think it could end up driving people away :>)

Anyway, just go check out the interview, leave a comment there and then come back here to let me know what you think or what questions might have been left unanswered in your mind.

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Earlier in the week the online version of Newsweek released their list of the World’s Best 100 countries and Thailand ranked #58 overall on this list. The ranking was based on data from 2009 and is based on the following five criteria (ranking within criteria shown in parenthesis):

Education (#57) – Determined using combined universal score on TIMSS and/ or PISA tests or by doing a regression of literacy rate (CIA World Factbook) and average years of schooling against the universal score for those countries that don’t administer these tests. The score is meant to measure educational achievement and differentiate between developing countries.

Health (#66) – Based on healthy life expectancy and meant to capture the efficiency of the health care system. It takes into account years that are lived in less than full health due to disease or injury.

Quality of Life (#55) – Measured by five different criteria. Inequality as measured by gender, extreme poverty defined as the percent of the population living on less than $2 a day, standard of living which is determined by private consumption, physical environment determined by homicides per 100,000 population as well as air and water pollution levels and economic security which is measured through the countries unemployment rate.

Economic Dynamism (#39) – Also measured by five different criteria. Productive growth which is the growth in GDP expressed as an incremental US$ growth per person over the past 10 years and extrapolated forward for the next 10 years, diversification which measures the percentage of GDP that comes from services and manufacturing, innovation which measures the amount of capital invested in R&D throughout the manufacturing, university and government as well as the availability of scientists and intellectual property, business vitality which measures the ease of doing business in each country including the time required to start a new business and the number of bankruptcy filings and finally stock market capitalization which measures the equity market capitalization as a percentage of GDP.

Political Environment (#74) – Measured by three different criteria. Freedom house rating which is based on a variety of things and is meant to assess the perceived level of democratic freedom in a country, global peace index’s political participation rating which measures voter turnout and citizens participation in the political process and political risk service’s political stability rating which is a measure of the risk to individuals, businesses and the government due to political decisions and actions.

As you can see this survey and determination is based solely on the conditions for the countries citizens, not tourists and expats. Even so, I think it sheds some light on what life in Thailand is like for those of us visiting or living there permanently, even though we are simply guests.

Even though Thailand ranked #58 overall I found that digging a bit deeper into the numbers painted a slightly different picture. For example, when sorting for just the low income countries (defined as Gross National income per capita under $3946) we find Thailand ranked #4 out of 38 countries. Ukraine, Jordan and Albania are the top three, however you find many Asian countries including China and India ranking lower than Thailand.

When looking at the ASEAN countries Thailand ranks 3rd, only Singapore and Malaysia (both former British colonies) rank higher than Thailand. When including all of East Asia and the Pacific Rim Thailand drops to #7 out of 11, but all of the countries above them are considered to be “developed” nations (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, S. Korea, Singapore and Malaysia). What this indicates to me is that Thailand is likely much closer to developed nation status than many other countries in SE Asia. Of course only time will tell and considering the current political climate in Thailand this could be delayed or derailed for some time, but overall it gives me hope for better conditions for the majority of Thai people in the near future.

While no list like this can be perfect I think it is a fairly good representation of the quality of life around the world. Even more interesting to me will be follow up surveys, assuming Newsweek chooses to repeat this on a yearly basis. I am very curious to see how the rankings change for each country as the world economy changes. After looking at the rankings how do you feel Thailand should stack up against other countries? What about future rankings, do you think Thailand is gaining in each area or do you think they are falling behind?

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It seems as if the rumors of filming The Hangover 2 in Thailand have turned out to be true. That’s right people, what happens in Thailand stay in Thailand and starting this fall the cast of The hangover 2 will be arriving in the Land of Smiles for another smash comedy romp. Yes I said “Smash comedy romp” so remember that you heard it here first! The initial confirmation of the Thailand destination comes from Comingsoon.net

In case you missed the original (and how could you have possibly missed the top grossing R rated comedy of 2009?), it focuses on the adventures and misadventures of 3 guys at a Las Vegas bachelor party. The Hangover had no huge A list stars, but served to help catapult Bradley Cooper to fame as well as getting huge recognition for Zach Galifianakis (my favorite) who plays the grooms socially awkward brother. And honestly with a name like ‘Galifianakis’ he belongs in Thailand home of the tongue twisting names. It has also made Asian comedian Ken Jeong quite famous after his role as the bad ass guy who jumps out of the trunk of a car naked and proceeds to beat the crap out of the three hungover party guys.

Even though director Todd Phillips has denied rumors of Thailand as a possible location since last March, it now looks as if this was just a bit of misdirection on his part. Shooting is supposed to start in November and the film is due to be released on May 26, 2011, just in time to open the summer comedy season.

Now all we need to know is the plot and where in Thailand the raucous gang will end up. Partying on Sukhumvit in Nana Plaza? Possibly kidnapped and taken to Pattaya or Samui by the Russian mafia? Or off to Patong Beach on Phuket for some Soi Bangla fun with the ladyboys? It all remains to be seen, but you can be sure that the combination of these three guys, the awesome backdrop of Thailand and the smiling help of the Thai people themselves will help make this another “have to see” movie when it’s released.

One can hope it will also put Thailand back into the forefront of travelers’ imaginations and boost tourism revenue for the Kingdom next year. Personally I’m looking forward to seeing not just the comic antics of this group, but also the stunning scenery that I’m certain will feature as part of the film’s appeal. And if they include another cute baby that would be cool :>)

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Today I bring you another great Thailand blogger – Martyn (aka Hoo Don) from Beyond the Mango Juice. I truly enjoy Martyn’s humor and photography and if you head over to his blog I think you’ll find that you will as well. Martyn is actually quite popular this month having been featured in an interview on the Jonny Foreigner blog a couple weeks ago. So, if you missed that interview here’s another chance to get to know this engaging Thailand blogger.

1. What is your name, the name of your blog and the subject matter of the Thailand blog (language, food, general life, nightlife, etc)? If you don’t mind, please provide a photo of yourself so I can share it with my readers. We all like to see who it is that we’re talking to.

Name: Martyn
Thailand Blog: Beyond The Mango Juice

Subject: My thoughts and experiences on Thailand with Udon Thani and the Isaan people being foremost in my selection of subject matter.

2. How long have you been blogging about Thailand ? What was your inspiration to start Beyond the Mango Juice? Did you (or do you) blog about any other subjects?

Since August 2008. Not that long really but I do enjoy it although work does tend to limit my time spent working on the blog. I don’t have another blog just a type of photo site called Photo Caption which takes very little input to update. My big passion in life is sport and one day I’m gonna knock out a sports blog, wow, just the thought of doing that makes me excited. Unfortunately the project will have to wait until I can actually live in Thailand and spend lots of free time writing.

Inspiration…I think that stuff comes in a bottle and I drank mine many years back. Simply put, I love writing so I started a blog and decided it would be about the one place in the world I really like to be. Inspiration…..perhaps I should have drank it with coke, it might have lasted a bit longer.

3. Obviously you are not Thai and have chosen to expatriate to Thailand . What country are you from originally? What made you choose Thailand as your home away from home?

I’m not an expat. I live in the UK, the place where they sold all the milk and traded the honey for a huge soapbox. It’ll probably be about 4-5 years before I can call myself an expat. You never know I might grow into a cynical bugger by then.

4. How long have you been visiting and/or living in Thailand ? If you’re currently living in Thailand , what part of Thailand do you live in? Why did you choose this city/province over others in Thailand ?

I’ve been visiting Thailand for just over 10 years. Nowadays due to work commitments and a foreign voice on every street corner I’m forced to hold down my present job. That severely restricts the time I can spend in the Land of Smiles. Years back I would go for at least a month at a time with my longest trip lasting four and a half months. Happy memories that are only broken by the sound of foreign voices through shivering teeth.

5. From the south of Thailand to Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the NE provinces of Isaan Thailand is very different depending on what part of the country you’re in. What is your favorite region in Thailand and why?

For the last six years I’ve been visiting Udon Thani as that’s where Wonderful Wi hails from. I love the village life and the occasional run into Udon Thani city. It’s just the snakes that scare the ass out of me.

6. Even though Thai food is really built upon the same 4 precepts as Chinese food (sweet, sour, spicy and salty) Thai food is known throughout the world for its spicy component. Do you like spicy food? What is your favorite Thai dish?

I just knew you were going to throw in a difficult question. In a word no, but…
I’m slowly getting used to eating spicy food, but it doesn’t really float my boat. If it’s too spicy then I’ve got to leave it alone but medium I’m starting to handle. There are some dishes which I really enjoy but I wouldn’t call them ultra spicy as such. A good green chicken curry I adore, but forget the rice as it has to be accompanied by chips (french fries). A bit barbaric I know but I’ve always said when in Rome eat potatoes.

7. Thailand is known to be very affordable as a tourist destination and as a place to live. What things do you find to be the biggest bargains in Thailand?

Hotels, cigarettes, Pattaya bar girls, clothes, beer and coach travel.

8. Even though there are bargains to be had, some things are certainly more expensive than others. What do you find to be most expensive in Thailand ?

I don’t think air travel is overly cheap by Thai standards and a walk into a Boots chemist makes me wonder if I can afford to be clean shaved, smelling like roses and germ free. As far as food goes I think cheese is expensive in Thailand so I always take a couple of blocks with me. On my recent trip I was amazed to discover that our new puppy dog Pepsi loves the stuff. I’ll have to take an extra chunk next time. He’s only four months old and I’m praying that when he reaches doghood he doesn’t start drinking and smoking.

9. There are many good reasons given by those who live in Thailand for settling in the Kingdom. What do you feel is the best part of living in Thailand ?

I love the Thai’s mai phen rai way of life and also the fact that if someone does stand on a soapbox I can’t understand a word they are saying.

10. One group that’s easy to find online are the complainers who live in Thailand , but seem to feel that the Thai’s should change to accommodate their Western guests. What things do you feel are frustrating for foreigners living in Thailand ? Do you think these aspects of Thailand should change or that they are simply part of the culture?

My answer to the question is quite simple. It’s their country and their rules, if you don’t like it then turn off the lights and shut the door when you leave.

11. Considering the last few years especially it’s evident that Thailand is a country in flux. Western thinking and Western customs are rapidly invading the Kingdom. The Thai people seem to be looking for change and the political leadership in Thailand is constantly changing. How do you think Thailand has changed since the first time you visited, both positively and negatively?

I’m not a political person at all although being involved with Thailand I can’t obviously help but notice the country has been split in two since my early days in the Kingdom. I don’t know the answer to the current problems and can only say that I’d much rather wear red socks than yellow ones.

As far as non political changes to the country goes then I can’t say as I’ve noticed anything major in my 10 years of travel. The people tick along and take whatever comes their way. As I said earlier, mai phen rai.

12. Even with all the changes in the past decades, it’s safe to say that Thailand is very different from any Western country. How is your life in Thailand different from your life in the West?

As you know I live in the UK and so the question takes on more of a holiday perspective to me. My money goes a whole lot further in Thailand so that makes me feel good straight away. I feel comfortable amongst the Thai people and the way they view life. Sure they want a good car and a nice home but it just ain’t going to happen for the majority of them, so they handle it in their own special way. With a smile and a mai phen rai. I feel a lot more like that when I’m in Thailand than I ever do in the UK. Thailand relaxes me in a way the western world has never been able to do.

12. Please tell us about 3-5 of the best posts from your blog.

Crossed Wires – It’s a short post in a play format about a strange telephone conversation I had with Wilai.
The Beginning Part Two – This one tells the story of my very first day in Thailand which was over ten years back.
Being Frank, Regrets I’ve Had a Few – I borrowed the famous song lyrics for this one and laid out a story amongst it.
Two Cakes and One Schizophrenic – This was my joint birthday bash post and gives a bit of background to myself and my blog.
Traveling Thai Style With An Old Friend – This is a recent one and was written on my recent holiday and I enjoyed writing it. I also like the photo of the bus conductor doing his balancing trick.

If you liked this interview why not go check out all of my Thailand blogger interviews.

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I want to take a moment today to introduce Golf’s new Thai food blog – Awesome Thai Food. You may have seen some of her recipes posted here on Thailand Musings before and some of them have been very well received. Now that she is off work for the summer we both thought it was time for her to head off on her own with her awesome Thai recipes and so the new blog has been born.

You’ll notice there isn’t much content yet, but don’t let that discourage you. Golf has been working very diligently researching, writing recipes down and most importantly (from my perspective) cooking! Some very delicious dishes have been made over the past few weeks and all will be shared.

In addition to simple recipes there are great photos detailing the process of making each dish from beginning to end. And if that’s not enough, Golf will be adding not only recipes, but will be teaching about all the great local Thai ingredients from fruits and vegetables to herbs and spices.

So please, take a minute to head over to Awesome Thai Food and leave a comment there for Golf (she loves hearing from her readers) and subscribe to her feed so you won’t miss a single great recipe. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

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I’m not sure who came up with this phrase, but perhaps you’ve heard it before; “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans”.

While that may be true in many respects, sometimes what happens to you in life is well planned and the end results can be both beautiful and life changing. Such is the case right now for the Thailand Musings family.

On June 1, 2010 Golf and I became the proud parents of a darling baby girl!

Naturally this changes many things for us, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our resolve to move back to Thailand as soon as possible. Both of us want our daughter to grow up within the Thai culture with a healthy dose of western culture and values mixed in for good measure.

We hope that we can instill in her the best of both cultures, the fun and relaxed Thai attitude along with a more western work ethic; the Thai respect for family along with the western desire for independence; Thai spirituality along with western logic.

Most importantly though is that she grow up healthy and happy and surrounded by the love and nurturing of her parents and family. This is something we can certainly provide to her no matter where we are located.

While financially it may make more sense for us to stay in the U.S. we both feel that many other aspects of all of our lives will be improved by making the move to Thailand. After all, money is not everything.

So please join me in welcoming Alivia Walters to the world. I hope that all of you out there reading this are as happy as Golf and I are at this time.

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Another Thailand blogger I like is Talen from Thailand, Land of Smiles. I have found his blog to be a great resource and source of both information and inspiration. If you haven’t been there before I highly recommend you check it out. I think you’ll agree that the writing and information provided is top notch.

1. What is your name, the name of your blog and the subject matter of the Thailand blog (language, food, general life, nightlife, etc)? If you don’t mind, please provide a photo of yourself so I can share it with my readers. We all like to see who it is that we’re talking to.

My name is Tim but I go by Talen which is a combination of my first and middle names. The name of my Blog is Thailand , Land of Smiles. I write about a little bit of everything from rural life to food, language and all the great sights Thailand has to offer.

2How long have you been blogging about Thailand ? What was your inspiration to start Thailand Land of Smiles? Did you (or do you) blog about any other subjects?

I started blogging about Thailand in 2007 after my second trip to the Kingdom. I really fell in love with the country, it’s people and the culture and I wanted to share my experiences with anyone that might be interested in Thailand . I’ve played around with a few other blogs on different subjects but I found out that you really have to have a passion for what you’re writing about or it’s really not worthwhile so Land of Smiles is my baby and I tend not to stray much from it.

3. Obviously you are not Thai and have chosen to expatriate to Thailand . What country are you from originally? What made you choose Thailand as your home away from home?

I’m American. I’ve been fascinated with Asia since I was young and after a lot of research it seemed to me that Thailand would be a great first step into my Asian exploration. It’s hard to put a finger on any one thing that makes Thailand home for me, certainly the culture and sense of community is a huge draw. And although it may sound odd, I feel like a better version of myself when I’m in Thailand.

4. How long have you been visiting and/or living in Thailand ? If you’re currently living in Thailand , what part of Thailand do you live in? Why did you choose this city/province over others in Thailand ?

I made my first trip to Thailand in 2006 and have been coming back every 6 months or so since. Sometime within the next 8-10 months I’ll be making the move to Thailand and living between Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom. I love the tourist areas of Thailand such as Bangkok and Pattaya but I’m not sure I could live there full time, Nakhon Phanom though seems to be a great combination of city life mixed with a more relaxed rural setting. While you won’t find Starbucks and Burger King there you can pretty much find what you need and the people are just so amazingly nice.

5. From the south of Thailand to Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the NE provinces of Isaan Thailand is very different depending on what part of the country you’re in. What is your favorite region in Thailand and why?

I’d have to say the North East area of Isaan has to be my favorite. I love to visit all the other areas of Thailand but Isaan gives me that sense that this is the real Thailand and the people are just so warm and inviting that it’s hard to believe there is any other place on earth like it.

6. Even though Thai food is really built upon the same 4 precepts as Chinese food (sweet, sour, spicy and salty) Thai food is known throughout the world for its spicy component. Do you like spicy food? What is your favorite Thai dish?

I never used to like spicy food until I came to Thailand and it’s been a very tasty learning experience. Being American I’ve never been exposed to curries much and I’ve really grown to love the Thai green and red curries. I think my favorite dish would have to be Pla Kapong Keemao which is fish with garlic sauce and just the right amount of peppers and fish sauce to make it spicy but not too spicy.

7. Thailand is known to be very affordable as a tourist destination and as a place to live. What things do you find to be the biggest bargains in Thailand?

Definitely the food. If you stick to the places the locals eat you can eat like a king for a few dollars a day. Entertainment is usually a good bargain in Thailand too, you can always find something fun to do without breaking the bank.

8. Even though there are bargains to be had, some things are certainly more expensive than others. What do you find to be most expensive in Thailand?

Electronics, Thailand is definitely not the place to go to find a deal on computers, phones or anything else that has a plug or needs to be charged.

9. There are many good reasons given by those who live in Thailand for settling in the Kingdom. What do you feel is the best part of living in Thailand?

Great question, I think for me it’s the sense that Thailand is still growing and becoming what it’s meant to be. There is still a real sense of community and you have the feeling that you can be part of something. When you walk down any street people smile at you and say hello. Maybe it’s a case of the grass is always greener but for me it’s something America has lost because everyone seems so consumed with themselves.

10. One group that’s easy to find online are the complainers who live in Thailand, but seem to feel that the Thai’s should change to accommodate their Western guests. What things do you feel are frustrating for foreigners living in Thailand? Do you think these aspects of Thailand should change or that they are simply part of the culture?

I’ve never understood people that move to another country and then expect their hosts to change their ways for them. I think a lot of foreigners are frustrated with the visa rules constantly changing and being limited in what fields they can legally work as well as land ownership rules. I can understand Thailand protecting their own in this regard though. . Thailand isn’t a large country and if these things changed in the ways many foreigners would like then Thailand would be over run. It wouldn’t be Thailand anymore but Britain/America East.

11. Considering the last few years especially it’s evident that Thailand is a country in flux. Western thinking and Western customs are rapidly invading the Kingdom. The Thai people seem to be looking for change and the political leadership in Thailand is constantly changing. How do you think Thailand has changed since the first time you visited, both positively and negatively?

My first trip to Thailand was 2 weeks after the 2006 coup, since then it’s been a roller coaster ride politically. There have been some positive changes like Bangkok starting to work towards removing elephants from the streets and getting sex education and information out to the masses but overall the political problems have really hurt Thailand and outweighed any positives.

12. Even with all the changes in the past decades, it’s safe to say that Thailand is very different from any Western country. How is your life in Thailand different from your life in the West?

Like I said before I feel like a better version of myself when I’m in Thailand. I don’t feel as stressed as I do in America and there is an overwhelming sense that I can accomplish more. There are some difficulties but overall I feel like I’m a part of something which is getting harder and harder to find in America these days.

13. Please tell us about 3-5 of the best posts from your blog.

These are some of the posts I’ve written that seem to have struck a chord with a lot of people.

Western Perceptions and Thai Realities
Cold Economic Realities…for Some”
Hazzars of the Hongnam
Reality of Rural Thailand
I Learned to Speak Thai and So Can You

If you liked this interview why not go check out all of my Thailand blogger interviews.

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I hate to look like a “me too”, but looks as if I’ll be jumping on the bandwagon of recent theme changes amongst the Thailand blogging community.

Early in the week we got a new theme on the ThaiPulse blog and then a day later or so a change from Jonny Foreigner. Not to be outdone I decide to jump on the bandwagon and do some spring cleaning and put a new coat of paint on Thailand Musings as well.

Honestly I was already working on these changes before the prior two were live (honest I WAS), so I don’t feel too much like a copycat.

Hope everyone likes the new look and please drop me a line if you find anything out of whack such as broken links, elements not displaying properly, etc.

In other Thailand Musings news Golf and I are still awaiting the birth of our first child…and Golf is getting pretty darn anxious to get this pregnancy over with. Well, I can’t blame her and am looking forward to meeting our little peanut myself as soon as possible. Updates will be forthcoming as I have them.

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Today’s featured Thailand blogger is a fine young chap from the U.K. with a strong interest not only in Thailand, but also in social media. Jon runs not just one blog, but several. The Thailand blog is a personal blog, but you can also find links to his blogs on social media and technology in SE Asia.

1. What is your name, the name of your blog and the subject matter of the Thailand blog (language, food, general life, nightlife, etc)? If you don’t mind, please provide a photo of yourself so I can share it with my readers. We all like to see who it is that we’re talking to.

I’m Jon Russell, aka Jonny Foreigner which is the name of my Thailand blog while my new, way more exciting, project is a blog devoted to social media in Thailand.

2. How long have you been blogging about Thailand? What was your inspiration to start Jonny Foreigner? Did you (or do you) blog about any other subjects?

I started Jonny Foreigner back in November 2008, a month or so after arriving in Thailand initially to keep friends and family up to date, then it became an outlet for digesting life and events out here. My blog is quite unashamedly personal, it doesn’t always feature the latest news but if something has stirred me one day (as often happens) you can be sure to read it there.

My social media blog began back in December last year, almost by accident though I had been trying to start a new project around work. I was in the digital media industry in London so, after getting to know the web in Thailand from a year of residence and a few interesting interviews, it seemed like a good idea. To the best of my knowledge I’m the only social media blogger devoted to Thailand – take that as you please I guess

I like the concept of photo blogs though mine, Something Beginning With T, needs a little work and more content.

3. Obviously you are not Thai and have chosen to expatriate to Thailand. What country are you from originally? What made you choose Thailand as your home away from home?

I’m English was living in London where I met my girlfriend (now wife) who was student. When we found out we were expecting a child we decided to move to Thailand so that he could experience Thai culture and learn to read and write Thai as well as English.

My missus spent close to three years in London so she was also keen to see her family and friends again, I was also keen as I had always wanted to live and work abroad but never had a reason.

Our plan is to move back to London in a few years for the little one’s schooling, but then again you never know do you?

4. How long have you been visiting and/or living in Thailand? If you’re currently living in Thailand, what part of Thailand do you live in? Why did you choose this city/province over others in Thailand?

I live in Saraburi, a medium-sized town around 100 km north of Bangkok in central Thailand. Monkey-infested neighbour Lopburi gets most of the tourists, Saraburi is much a quieter place.

This city chose me as it is where my wife was born and her family lives.

I enjoy the laid back lifestyle but increasingly the lack of major facilities is beginning to grate and explains why we are often in Bangkok over the weekend or overnight during the week.

5. From the south of Thailand to Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the NE provinces of Isaan Thailand is very different depending on what part of the country you’re in. What is your favorite region in Thailand and why?

I’m a city-lover at heart so Bangkok, with its rich, diverse culture is my favourite place. The coast is beautiful though, Pattaya has a naughty reputation but the family friendly parts are great for us.

Further north of Saraburi is the national park and the namtoc chet sao (seven sisters waterfalls) which are a set of seven natural pools, linked together with the falls. On a hot day (plenty to choose from) there are not many better places for some food, sunshine and a splash.

6. Even though Thai food is really built upon the same 4 precepts as Chinese food (sweet, sour, spicy and salty) Thai food is known throughout the world for its spicy component. Do you like spicy food? What is your favorite Thai dish?

I like to think I’m pretty good with the spices though I’m not foolish enough to take on a Thai pound for pound.

I can eat somtam, nam prick and other spices dishes though m favourites are all pretty basic: khao pad moo (fried rice with pork), pad ka pao moo (pork stir fry and rice), guayteo moo (pork noodle soup), geng keow wan (green curry) and massaman curry are my choice cuts.

As you can see, I’m not a fan of chicken in Thailand, pork is far better and more common than in the West.

7. Thailand is known to be very affordable as a tourist destination and as a place to live. What things do you find to be the biggest bargains in Thailand?

Food is unquestionably the best bargain. Not only is it freshly cooked but it rarely costs more than £1 (50 baht).

You can find cheap clothes here but be warned, the cheaper they are the quicker they will wear out.

8. Even though there are bargains to be had, some things are certainly more expensive than others. What do you find to be most expensive in Thailand?

Anything imported will retain its original cost with a little extra in Thailand

As a parent I must admit that most of our big spends are on our son. We prefer good quality items for him – cot, buggy, etc – which are of poorer quality in Thailand. There is also less of a selection so we have bought and shipped a lot of stuff from the UK.

Electronics, phones, computers, cars are the kinds of things which are expensive here, particularly for a resident who is earning baht. Even if your salary is good for Thailand the prices are proportionately more of your wage than you are used to at home.

9. There are many good reasons given by those who live in Thailand for settling in the Kingdom. What do you feel is the best part of living in Thailand?

Weather, food, lifestyle are three universal appeals. I also think there is a lot of opportunity here too. As a foreigner, networking is easier and Thailand is very much a who you know kind of place.

Many expats here start business or run internet-related companies here as the low cost of living will give them more for their wages.

10. One group that’s easy to find online are the complainers who live in Thailand, but seem to feel that the Thai’s should change to accommodate their Western guests. What things do you feel are frustrating for foreigners living in Thailand? Do you think these aspects of Thailand should change or that they are simply part of the culture?

Thailand can be frustrating but the best solution is mai pen rai (it doesn’t matter) jai yen, jai yen (stay cool).

What bugs me though, as someone with a small child, is complete strangers approaching wanting to hold, hug, kiss or even just touch my son. They find me grumpy when I turn them away but it is something I’m not comfortable with. I’m sure you’ll find this and agree in due course, Steve.

11. Considering the last few years especially it’s evident that Thailand is a country in flux. Western thinking and Western customs are rapidly invading the Kingdom. The Thai people seem to be looking for change and the political leadership in Thailand is constantly changing. How do you think Thailand has changed since the first time you visited, both positively and negatively?

A few months after I moved to Thailand the PAD staged brought Suvarnbhumi airport to a standstill with a blockade. As a former Politics student, I was immediately interested in Thai politics and all this drama only made it more compelling and different the bland goings on of London.

Politics in Thailand is complicated and at difficult to predict. I keep my eye on several key blog (Bangkok Pundit, Absolutely Bangkok and New Mandala) which help keep balance and perspective on the goings on.

There is little doubt that the political mess has affected Thailand adversely though it is hard to see what can be done to immediately remedy the situation.

12. Even with all the changes in the past decades, it’s safe to say that Thailand is very different from any Western country. How is your life in Thailand different from your life in the West?

For me life here is hugely different to my life in the West as in Thailand I became a father. That aside, there are a million things different here, often they are minor and it takes someone from the West being over here to point it out.

13. Please tell us about 3-5 of the best posts from your blog.

My rant about Maxnet’s internet service gets regular traffic as many agree although the post isn’t the reason the company has renamed itself.

This introduction to Saraburi (town) is the only one of its kind on the web, rightly or wrongly.

This post demonstrates the goodness (as well as stupidity) of people in Thailand.

As a learner of Thai I occasionally blog about the subject, here is one post with suggestions on speaking Thai and one on suggestions for reading Thai. Posts like this are useful as they also help tighten your Thai too.

This social media post announcing Indonesia as the Twitter capital of Asia has been most viral, getting close to 50 mentions on Twitter and a huge amount of visits (though it was originally posted on Posterous here).

If you liked this interview why not go check out all of my Thailand blogger interviews.

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Apparently not satisfied with simply dispersing after their leaders surrendered to the Royal Thai Police, some red shirt protesters added to the destruction of Bangkok by lighting the Central World mall complex on fire. This 8 floor shopping complex, the second largest of its kind in Asia, collapsed later in the night taking with it one of the centerpieces of Bangkok’s business district.

And the aftermath…

It is so surreal what has been happening in Bangkok over the past two months and this final destruction on the cusp of a peaceful end is just like adding insult to the injury already caused by the protests in Bangkok. In addition to Central World fires have also been started at the Thailand SET (stock exchange), several banks in the area, Siam Theatre in Siam Square, Siam Paragon and several Provincial headquarters. Also reported but not confirmed are fires at the Bangkok Post building, TV channel 3 headquarters and the Bangkok Metropolitan Electricity Authority.

My prayers go out to all those who have been injured and even killed throughout this tragedy in what was once one of the most peaceful of nations. I can only hope that Bangkok returns to normality and is able to recover from this.

One wonders how long the cleanup from these protests will last and at what additional cost? Will I return to Bangkok next year to see the burned out remnants of Central World still standing in Pathum Wan at the Ratchaprasong Intersection? I sincerely hope not and would be thrilled to see construction taking place for a replacement to Central World commemorating all those who lost their lives during the worst time in Thailand over the past 2 decades.

I’m not a huge fan of shopping, but enjoyed simply walking about and people watching at Central World in the past. I also enjoyed the luxury seats at SF World Cinema. The spacious reclining leather seats were always a treat to me compared with the movie theaters here in the U.S.

The past three years have seen Central World as the home of the New Year’s celebration in Thailand and that is now at an end and more importantly Central World generated over 7 billion baht in sales last year. What a huge hit to the retail sector of the Thai economy. Combined with the drop in tourism revenues I can only imagine how long it will be until Thailand fully recovers.

As a memorial here is a video of Central World as we remember it:

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So, my good friend Vern over at ThaiPulse has been writing lately on the merits of Thailand blogging and even going as far as disclosing some traffic figures. He’s also done a post discussing how he thinks Google sends search traffic to your blog. And finally, he’s done a redesign of the ThaiPulse blog and I have to say it looks pretty darn cool. If you haven’t seen it yet, then head on over and check it out. I especially like the look of the new header, good font choice.

So, I wanted to comment a bit on what Vern’s been saying and add my voice to the conversation. And since he is being upfront about the traffic to his site I thought I would do the same.
In his post “Thailand Bloggers – Heads Up” he discusses his current traffic, not just to Thai Pulse, but to ALL of his sites, in an effort to let you know that just as you won’t get rich working in Thailand you also won’t get rich blogging about Thailand.

Based on the traffic and earnings of Thailand Musings I’m inclined to agree with Vern that unless you’re very lucky you won’t get rich blogging about Thailand. I have a bunch of sites, maybe 35 or so and only 2 of those are Thailand focused and guess what? Even though 35-40% of my traffic comes to these 2 sites, only 12% of my Adsense income comes from those 2 sites. The problem is that Thailand focused keywords just don’t pay. The takeaway: If you’re looking to make an online income to live in Thailand your best bet is to focus on something non-Thai related. Here you can see the past 30 days traffic for Thailand Musings:

Vern also suggests focusing on making videos rather than writing as a way to generate online income. I personally can’t comment on that as I don’t currently use YouTube to generate income. However his argument certainly seems valid. I guess the determining factor is twofold; what niche are you working in and what do you enjoy more, writing or making videos?

Vern also posted today on the sometimes confusing subject of search traffic from Google. He claims that Google somehow metes out their traffic to sites in an effort to somehow throttle the amount of visitors you’re getting. Since I don’t work for Google I have no way of know whether or not this is true, however I can agree with his observation that traffic seems to grow slowly on any site. I know I have sites that I haven’t touched in over a year and yet the traffic on those sites slowly builds over time. Conversely the sites that I have been active on, while showing faster growth than the non-active sites, still seem to grow at a very measured pace.

Vern says his traffic has not really varied from year to year much and I have the same experience here at Thailand Musings…with one caveat. Vern’s second year traffic numbers for ThaiPulse were in the 250 unique visitors a day range. My second year traffic seems to be more in the 300-350 a day range. And that’s actually a drop over the past 6 months as I have changed the focus here at Thailand Musings a bit. Why the difference? Vern has probably twice as many posts on ThaiPulse blog as I do here. The only difference I can see is the subject matter and what keywords we are being found for. As I said, my traffic dropped about 100 visitors a day when I stopped focusing Thailand Musings so much on a single group of keywords. See the image below to see the drop since January. Which brings us back to the earlier takeaway: If you’re looking to make an online income to live in Thailand your best bet is to focus on something non-Thai related.

I certainly don’t want to be a downer or rain on anyone’s parade. The fact is, most of us that blog about Thailand do it because we love the country, we love the people and we love writing. So, for us the ‘profit’ we get is being able to help others learn about this fascinating country and culture as well as being able to connect with like minded people. So, I for one will continue to blog about Thailand and will also continue to enjoy the connections I’m making immensely. Will I be able to retire off of Thailand Musings? Probably not, but I’ll be having fun and that’s really what’s important.

Want to learn about some other Thailand bloggers? Then why not go check out all of my Thailand blogger interviews where you’ll get an indepth look at a variety of people who are blogging about the beautiful Land of Smiles.

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After a bit of a layoff here I’m back with another Thailand blogger interview. Today we focus on Mike Rose from My Thai Friend. Mike is retired in Thailand for a couple years and writes on a diverse variety of subjects at his blog My Thai Friend. You’ll also find that he has several other blogs and is an avid photographer. Sounds to me as if Mike is living a pretty darn good life in his retirement in Thailand. Check out My Thai Friend and be sure to check out his other sites as well by clicking the links at the top of My Thai Friend.

1. What is your name, the name of your blog and the subject matter of the Thailand blog (language, food, general life, nightlife, etc)? If you don’t mind, please provide a photo of yourself so I can share it with my readers. We all like to see who it is that we’re talking to.

My name is Mike Rose aka The TEFL Don and my main Thailand blog is My Thai Friend. Originally it started as a personal diary of my life as a retiree in Thailand, then focused on useful expat and tourist information. I now seem to have gone full circle focusing more on a personal diary again.

2. How long have you been blogging about Thailand? What was your inspiration to start My Thai Friend? Did you (or do you) blog about any other subjects?

I started my blog in June 2007 prior to attending a TEFL course in Thailand to share my experiences with friends and family. I have several other blogs one of which, My Thai Photo Blog, covers images and commentary about places I visit in the country. I have recently started another photo blog, Canon Capture, which focuses on my world travels but also has a Thailand section. Add to this English Conversation Online and Bucket List Blogs. The former is a TEFL orientated blog while the latter is about blogger issues. I guess you can see how I spend a fair bit of my retirement.

3. Obviously you are not Thai and have chosen to expatriate to Thailand. What country are you from originally? What made you choose Thailand as your home away from home?

I am from the UK and chose Thailand as a second home for a number of reasons. Before making the move I visited the country on several occasions, holidays and a TEFL course. I liked what I found, but I mainly moved here because of the good weather and cheap cost of living.

4. How long have you been visiting and/or living in Thailand? If you’re currently living in Thailand, what part of Thailand do you live in? Why did you choose this city/province over others in Thailand?

I first came to Thailand in 2000 as part of a trip to the Far East. I have since had two holidays here in different parts of the country and attended a TEFL course in Phuket. I accidentally chose Prachuap Khiri Khan to settle. I had originally intended to work here teaching English and was offered a job in PKK in January 2008. The job never materialized but I stayed, bought a house here and as they say the rest is history.

5. From the south of Thailand to Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the NE provinces of Isaan Thailand is very different depending on what part of the country you’re in. What is your favorite region in Thailand and why?

I very much like where I live on the Gulf of Thailand, it has beautiful unspoiled beaches and very few foreigners. However if I had to choose somewhere else then it would be Chiang Mai or the Kanchanaburi area. I have trekked up North and enjoyed it very much. The River Kwai and Kanchanaburi are equally interesting but have a lot of tourists. No seaside like here but beautiful hills and mountains and cooler too. The high humidity here gets me down occasionally.

6. Even though Thai food is really built upon the same 4 precepts as Chinese food (sweet, sour, spicy and salty) Thai food is known throughout the world for its spicy component. Do you like spicy food? What is your favorite Thai dish?

No I don’t like overly spicy food. That said I can now speak enough Thai to make sure I don’t end up with chili burns! Favorite food is difficult as I like most Thai dishes. Probably it would be fish based with vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce. We have great sea food here. I also live with an excellent Thai cook so I get a great variety of dishes served up every day.

7. Thailand is known to be very affordable as a tourist destination and as a place to live. What things do you find to be the biggest bargains in Thailand?

Thai food, clothes, in fact most things that are not imported. I mean a half litre of beer is only just over £1! Although cars are expensive to buy, particularly second hand, running them is very cheap especially repairs. Getting my bin emptied every week for 30 Baht a month is the biggest bargain of all!

8. Even though there are bargains to be had, some things are certainly more expensive than others. What do you find to be most expensive in Thailand?

Electricity is relatively expensive especially running air con as are all imported goods. You can soon spend a fortune if you buy imported foods at Tesco for example. Red wine is one thing I really miss from the UK, buying it here is a rare treat since it costs 2/3 times more and doesn’t travel well.

9. There are many good reasons given by those who live in Thailand for settling in the Kingdom. What do you feel is the best part of living in Thailand?

This is difficult to answer concisely. It suits me, it’s laid back, folk leave you alone if that’s what you want. Visa regulations are quite relaxed and Thailand has provided me with an opportunity to retire early that would not have been possible in say Malaysia.

10. One group that’s easy to find online are the complainers who live in Thailand, but seem to feel that the Thai’s should change to accommodate their Western guests. What things do you feel are frustrating for foreigners living in Thailand? Do you think these aspects of Thailand should change or that they are simply part of the culture?

A few things can be frustrating here. Red tape can be tedious, but the only thing I really dislike is the Thai attitude to driving and road safety. Thai culture is a unique thing that probably attracts many expats in the first place, it would be a pity if it became too westernized. I find Western complainers far more annoying than anything that my adopted country comes up with. That’s why I don’t live in an expat enclave!

11. Considering the last few years especially it’s evident that Thailand is a country in flux. Western thinking and Western customs are rapidly invading the Kingdom. The Thai people seem to be looking for change and the political leadership in Thailand is constantly changing. How do you think Thailand has changed since the first time you visited, both positively and negatively?

To be honest it seems the same to me. True there has been a coup, lots of different prime Ministers and political colors but fundamentally Thailand remains the Thailand I first fell in love with back in 2000.

12. Even with all the changes in the past decades, it’s safe to say that Thailand is very different from any Western country. How is your life in Thailand different from your life in the West?

A lot more laid back, no pressure. My stress levels must be 100% lower. Yes I occasionally get frustrated but the longer I stay here the more enjoyable I find things. At least the country doesn’t grind to a halt when an inch of snow falls. Mind you it probably would if snow did fall.

13. Please tell us about 3-5 of the best posts from your blog.

I have selected a few posts from different aspects of my blog, this includes a little humor, some expat issues and some tourist information.

Breaking Thailand Expat Myths
Chickens in the Soi
A Guide to Prachuap Khiri Khan

If you liked this interview why not go check out all of my Thailand blogger interviews.

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The latest interview comes from Jungle Girl at My Jungle Life – Creative Living on a Tropical Island. If you haven’t checked out the blog I would recommend that you do, it’s a nice addition to any one’s feed reader, especially if you’re interested in the laid back atmosphere on the islands of Thailand.

1. What is your name, the name of your blog and the subject matter of the Thailand blog (language, food, general life, nightlife, etc)? If you don’t mind, please provide a photo of yourself so I can share it with my readers. We all like to see who it is that we’re talking to.

My blog is about living in a small Thai village, and all the colourful and interesting things that go on in this microcosm. I write a lot about cultural differences, differences in perspective and interpretation that naturally arise when two cultures meet as they do here. Most of my writing tries to be humorous observation, with the occasional impassioned political article thrown in.

2. How long have you been blogging about Thailand ? What was your inspiration to start My Jungle Life? Did you (or do you) blog about any other subjects?

I blog about my restaurant, motherhood, making a living as a writer and spirituality on occasion. My Jungle Life is about just that, life, so it encompasses all experiences of living here, and I hope people can find something to relate to whether they’ve never been to Thailand or have lived here for many years. I trained as a journalist in the west, and work as a freelance writer now, so writing about my incredible experiences here came naturally to me.

3. Obviously you are not Thai and have chosen to expatriate to Thailand . What country are you from originally? What made you choose Thailand as your home away from home?

I’m from the UK , and have lived in the United States for a large chunk of my adult life. I have a great love for Thailand and from the very first moment I set foot on Thai soil have been enchanted by this beautiful country. You can read my post about choosing Thailand here.

4. How long have you been visiting and/or living in Thailand ? If you’re currently living in Thailand , what part of Thailand do you live in? Why did you choose this city/province over others in Thailand ?

I’ve been coming to Thailand since I was a backpacker over ten years ago. I fell in love with the islands and particularly the slow, relaxed pace of Koh Phangan then, and I’ve never really fallen out of love despite all the ups and downs. I really enjoy the interesting mix of expats and the unique island characters you meet here. I’ve been lucky enough to find a community of people with similar interests and outlooks to myself.

5. From the south of Thailand to Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the NE provinces of Isaan Thailand is very different depending on what part of the country you’re in. What is your favorite region in Thailand and why?

As above.

6. Even though Thai food is really built upon the same 4 precepts as Chinese food (sweet, sour, spicy and salty) Thai food is known throughout the world for its spicy component. Do you like spicy food? What is your favorite Thai dish?

I love Thai food, adore the spicy sweet salads from Issan. At our restaurant we cook a mix of what I call eclectic western food, and traditional Thai. Probably my favourite dish is the Lamb Massaman. Its a thick, peanutty curry which is just gorgeous. You don’t often find it cooked with Lamb which is surprising because the meat lends itself to the muslim style of the dish.

7. Even though there are bargains to be had, some things are certainly more expensive than others. What do you find to be most expensive in Thailand ?

A lot of western style good are comparable prices to Europe . I think Thai street food will always be the best bargain. The yummy delicacies such as pad thai, moo yang, and much more cooked on the little stalls are almost always delicious and won’t set you back more than about 30 baht.

For some reason strange things like bedding tend to be quite expensive, and car seats for babies are an absolute rip off. We also pay about the same for our internet and phone as we do in the west.

8. There are many good reasons given by those who live in Thailand for settling in the Kingdom. What do you feel is the best part of living in Thailand ?

The lifestyle. Setting your own agenda as to what you do and how you make your living. Being able to afford property near the beach when you wouldn’t be able to afford to rent a sun lounger near the beach at home! Freedom to live creatively and make anything you dream up become a reality.

9. One group that’s easy to find online are the complainers who live in Thailand , but seem to feel that the Thai’s should change to accommodate their Western guests. What things do you feel are frustrating for foreigners living in Thailand ? Do you think these aspects of Thailand should change or that they are simply part of the culture?

Thai culture is entirely unique and will always remain that way. Many expats moving here have an initial infatuation period with the country followed by a massive falling out of love. The problems come when people expect Thai people to think like them. You have to realise that Thai people will never think like a farang, things that seem just inarguably logical to the western mind will make no sense to a Thai and vice versa. If you fight that, you’re fighting millenia of hardwiring and you’ll lose, that’s the only guarantee. The most important part of living in Thailand is accepting there’s more than one way to fry an egg, and neither way is right or wrong.

That said, I do think the Thai government is short sighted on occasion in its policies which make it harder for foreigners to live here, work here, and bring their money here.

10. Considering the last few years especially it’s evident that Thailand is a country in flux. Western thinking and Western customs are rapidly invading the Kingdom. The Thai people seem to be looking for change and the political leadership in Thailand is constantly changing. How do you think Thailand has changed since the first time you visited, both positively and negatively?

Thailand’s political system is in flux, but it’s a pretty natural state for it to be in. At one point there were 18 coups in twenty years. Power struggles and corruption are ways of functioning here and democracy is a fairly new concept so it doesn’t always look like the democracy that westerners may hold up as an ideal.

In terms of western culture invading Thailand : it’s true since I first came here the changes have been massive, mainly in terms of material possessions; but I don’t think western thinking will ever take hold here. I think most societies as they westernise/modernise go through what I call the ‘acquisition phase’, like the US in the fifties, and then slowly become more and more disillusioned with the value of material goods, like the west is beginning to now.

Eventually everything comes full circle, which you can see now in the west, as more and more people begin to search for spirituality and life fulfillment, something that Thailand ‘s people are only just starting to be removed from. The ideal of course would be balance between the two: material comfort and spiritual awareness/happiness. Its up to the individual to find that though, whatever culture they live in.

11. Even with all the changes in the past decades, it’s safe to say that Thailand is very different from any Western country. How is your life in Thailand different from your life in the West?

Life here is easier in many ways, with far less taxes and bureaucracy, and far less government control than in many western countries. But in many ways it’s harder too. Thailand is not a country of full disclosure, so there are usually a million things going on below the surface of any given situation. And where we live that can sometimes be dangerous and goes a long way to explain why Thais don’t generally meddle in each other’s business. Also here, being so isolated, the basics: clean air, clean water, clean food, can be a struggle.

12. Please tell us about 3-5 of the best posts from your blog.

The posts that probably got the most response were Joe and Egger get a Photo from Burma about my Burmese refugee staff’s children, and The Village’s Newest Prostitute, which created quite a stir so I guess sex always sells.. One of my best posts I had to take down because it was too political and there started to be whisperings of repercussions here.

If you liked this interview why not go check out all of my Thailand blogger interviews.

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Today’s featured blogger hails from England, but has made his home in Suphanburi province Thailand. If you’ve always had a yearning for the life of a pirate, then you may be interested in the Thai Pirate which has nothing to do with the Caribbean, boats or the ocean, but you may find some reference to rum…oh yes, where’s the rum?

1. What is your name, the name of your blog and the subject matter of the Thailand blog (language, food, general life, nightlife, etc)? If you don’t mind, please provide a photo of yourself so I can share it with my readers. We all like to see who it is that we’re talking to.
Ben Shingleton. The Thai Pirate. Blog about life and work from a Brit perspective in Thailand.

2. How long have you been blogging about Thailand? What was your inspiration to start ? Did you (or do you) blog about any other subjects?
I started blogging because I didn’t know how long I would be in Thailand, so I thought it would be useful to keep a record for family, and possibly future employers back in UK… I’ve been blogging about 18 months now… never blogged previously.

3. Obviously you are not Thai and have chosen to expatriate to Thailand. What country are you from originally? What made you choose Thailand as your home away from home?
I must be a bit blinkered because I still don’t consider myself expatriate. I still call England home. I moved here due to family illness on my wife’s side.

4. How long have you been visiting and/or living in Thailand? If you’re currently living in Thailand, what part of Thailand do you live in? Why did you choose this city/province over others in Thailand?
Been coming here since I met my wife to be in England. All in all around 6 years.

5. From the south of Thailand to Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the NE provinces of Isaan Thailand is very different depending on what part of the country you’re in. What is your favorite region in Thailand and why?
I love Krabi / Phuket, but only been there once.. Can’t wait to go again.

6. Even though Thai food is really built upon the same 4 precepts as Chinese food (sweet, sour, spicy and salty) Thai food is known throughout the world for its spicy component. Do you like spicy food? What is your favorite Thai dish?
Love it. Favourite dish at the moment is a baked chicken with spicy nam jim sauce from a shop in town. They won’t tell me the recipe!

7. Thailand is known to be very affordable as a tourist destination and as a place to live. What things do you find to be the biggest bargains in Thailand?
Food. Petrol. Haircuts…. Loads more.

8. Even though there are bargains to be had, some things are certainly more expensive than others. What do you find to be most expensive in Thailand?
Well, when you look at the prices in Thailand’s malls at clothing / electrical consumerables etc, they are ‘around’ the same prices as back home.. Not everything is cheaper.

9. There are many good reasons given by those who live in Thailand for settling in the Kingdom. What do you feel is the best part of living in Thailand?
I like working out here. Myself and my wife have a lot more time for my son than I would back in England.

10. One group that’s easy to find online are the complainers who live in Thailand, but seem to feel that the Thai’s should change to accommodate their Western guests. What things do you feel are frustrating for foreigners living in Thailand? Do you think these aspects of Thailand should change or that they are simply part of the culture?
I think those living abroad have a duty to respect their host culture, however, the roads are awful.

11. Considering the last few years especially it’s evident that Thailand is a country in flux. Western thinking and Western customs are rapidly invading the Kingdom. The Thai people seem to be looking for change and the political leadership in Thailand is constantly changing. How do you think Thailand has changed since the first time you visited, both positively and negatively?
For me as a relative newcomer to Thailand, I haven’t been here long enough to notice any real lasting changes, although Thailand has definitely changed me.

12. Even with all the changes in the past decades, it’s safe to say that Thailand is very different from any Western country. How is your life in Thailand different from your life in the West?
In England I would spend 3-4 hours on the train everyday. Not so in Thailand. I have more time. I also don’t spend hardly any time in the pub, which my wife will say is a good thing.

13. Please tell us about 3-5 of the best posts from your blog.
Traveling Back 1000 Years in Time – Thailand is an amazing mixture of the current and the past. Best to keep that in mind.
Bathroom Nasties – Ya never know what you might find in your bathroom whilst in Thailand.
The Winner Is – You have to play to win…
Songkhran Dinner and Festivities – A traditional Thai country Songkhran celebration, warts and all.
The Chris Kays Memorial Rugby Tournament 2009 – Rugby fun in Pattaya.

If you liked this interview why not go check out all of my Thailand blogger interviews.

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