Four Years In Thailand

Before I start this story I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Stick for an excellent website. There really is no other in terms of representation and quality.

OK, here goes.

This story does not contain any tales of heroism in the face of adversity, nor is it a story of failed romance. It is quite simply a description and my views of 4 years spent working and living in the Far East, but mainly Thailand. By far the best 4 years
of my life.

Some info about me…I’m a normal sort of guy from Scotland UK. I’m 31 years old, of average looks and build. I work in the oil industry and that’s what got me to the Far East. For the 4 years I was working over there I was typically
clearing about 4 to 5 thousand pounds every month, hence the reason I was able to afford some of the “activities” mentioned in this story.

I suppose I’m writing this because I am now living in the UK. I left Bangkok for good in April 2004, just a few months ago. My wife had been on holiday twice. Once during the summer of 2003 and Xmas 2003. She loves it and has made a couple of really
good friends amongst the local Thai community. For me, all the differences are now crashing in. Although my wife loves Scotland, I often think of those excellent times over in the Far East and although I’m very happy with my current situation,
I sometimes can’t help thinking of those balmy nights in Bangkok with my wife, going for nights out, sometimes going to Patpong or Nana for a laugh and a bit of a “people watch”. Initially my wife was horrified at the goings
on at these places and we actually had a minor fall out over it but my wife is quite switched on and just took it for what it is…..escapism from reality.

Almost 4 years ago to the day my boss said to me “John, I’m sending you to Singapore on a shipyard structural survey job”……. Those immortal words changed my life forever, and for the better I might add!!

When I first touched down at Changi Airport 4 years ago little did I know I was about to embark on a life changing journey. I was only supposed to be away for a couple of months!!

I got a taxi from the airport to the company apartment in Oxford Road and that night I was on the town with a couple of fellow workmates (good friends of mine also). We ended up at a place called Orchard Towers, a place I would frequent numerous times
during my first year away from the UK.

If you have money and are not afraid to spend it Orchard Towers is the place for a good time in Singapore. Bars I remember most there were the “Banana Bar, the two “Crazy Horse” bars, the “Green Mango” and of course
“Ipenema”. The Crazy Horse bar on the 4th floor was lady boy central (not for me) and the one on the 1st floor has now changed its name to Queens. I remember about 3 years ago my friend and I would go to the 1st floor Crazy Horse
bar in the middle of the afternoon to play pool and the staff there would let us put on our own music. Great times!!

There are lots of other bars in Orchard Towers but I forget the names.

Muddy Murphy’s would also become one of my regular haunts along with various bars down near Boat Quay. Obviously for those of you who know Singapore you will know Orchard Towers is seething with “ladies” and I had my fair share of
them, I can tell you. I make no bones about this. I knew the score and so did the women. Absolutely great it was!!! Considering the amount of money I spent during that first year in Singapore there are probably hospitals and community centers
in small villages all around Asia named after me!!

About a year into this “routine” I started making trips to Bangkok during my between job spells and it was during one of these trips that I met my wife. To cut a long story short she had been treated very badly by her then boyfriend and
had moved out of their home. She had recently started to work in a restaurant as the boyfriend would no longer support her. Luckily for me she was taking English lessons at some school or college somewhere and could speak quite basic English.
I say lucky for me because I could not date a woman who could not speak my language. I think this is very important if a relationship has got any chance of lasting years, rather than months.

I first saw this stunning lady who would much later become my wife while waiting at a bus stop. This was my first attempt (and the last) to navigate across Bangkok by bus with the aid of a guide book. Total disaster. Anyway, later on that day I went into
a seafood restaurant quite near where the bus stop was and lo and behold here was the same lady serving in the restaurant. I struck up a conversation with her and arranged to meet her after work. We “dated” for about a year and a
half before I asked her to marry me. We got married in her village just outside of Buriram. I had to pay a relatively small dowry of 100,000 baht and, guys, I’m sure many of you will have different views regarding this topic but let me
tell you, this is a deeply ingrained Thai custom and you really have to pay it to avoid big time offence.
The way we reached my figure was by both discussing an acceptable amount which would not totally beggar me and would look acceptable
to her family.

After reading some of the stories on this website I think my wife’s family must be unique. They do not smoke or drink and, besides the dowry, there is no monthly allowance or anything like that going to them. They are hard working content people
and always treat me with the utmost respect.

I had a little bit of hassle with the boyfriend to start with i.e. talking to me on the phone, telling me to go away etc etc but nothing too much. In fact, much to my amazement, we have never heard from him ever since we got married.

Basically, I fell head over heels for this beautiful woman over a short period of time and, believe it or not, totally changed my ways. You see, I am the first to admit I have few scruples and will do most things, but the scruples I do have are set in
granite. Amongst them are “never cheat on your partner” and I can honestly say on my mother's life I have not.

As things progressed I moved over to Bangkok to live permanently with my wife for a couple of years while commuting back and forth to Singapore when work called for me to do so. Sometimes during long shipyard jobs in Singapore my wife would come over
to join me, usually on a 2 week visa.

At this point I sold my flat in Scotland and with the profits bought a superb motor, a Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8E. Yes, in hindsight I was mad to buy a new car in Bangkok but it was very handy for my wife and her work (I bought her a small hair salon type
thing) and also good for touring around Thailand. I have been to some far flung places such as “Poo Chee Fah”, the “3 Pagodas Pass”, HM The King's Mother's House (up north, can’t remember the name)
and many other places, most of which were quite off the beaten track.

I also enjoyed my nights out in Bangkok. My wife and I would typically go out on the town usually once a week, sometimes twice. Mostly we would go to a restaurant for a meal and a few drinks before going on to a few bars, and then home. Sometimes though
my wife and I would venture to the “farang” areas such as Nana and Patpong. I would quite often bump into a fellow Brit and would chat for a little while about nothing in particular, just lightsome banter between a couple of semi
– pissed blokes.

I especially enjoyed “people watching” at the start of a night out. My wife and I would typically start off at the Bamboo Bar, then proceed up to Nana where we would sit at that bar right on the corner at the entrance to the complex (can’t
remember the name, its on the left hand corner as you walk into Nana,) have a few drinks and just watch the world go by.

I also used to frequent Henry J beans at the Amari Hotel, although this place is quite expensive when making a night of it, even on my budget.

I enjoyed the likes of Nana, Patpong and Soi Cowboy. Guys, don’t take these places so seriously. Open your eyes and keep your wits about you and you will have a great time. The women are there for the greenbacks and probably a bit of a laugh at
your expense. No matter what they tell you, you are not different and they cannot tell whether or not you have a good heart. Take everything they say to you with a laugh and a pinch of salt. If you’re lucky you may even get a night of good
(protective) sex out of it….most probably nothing more.

My permanent residence was at a place called Ratchada Orchid Building, in Sutthisan. Quite basic but excellent value for 7,000 baht / month. I was all for splashing out on a swanky pad in Suhkumvit but my wife wouldn’t hear of it. She can be quite
the miser sometimes.

I stayed at Ratchada for the 2 years I was living in Thailand. As I mentioned earlier I took my wife back to Scotland for 3 weeks in the summer of 2003 and again during Xmas 2003. It was shortly after this last visit that we both seriously stared thinking
about moving back to the UK. You see, although my wife had her salon she wanted to be independent, make a proper financial contribution to our relationship. This aspect of things didn’t really bother me but it bothered her. Profits from
her salon would maybe total 300 to 400 pounds per month if she was lucky. Back in Scotland she could make a lot more than that, especially where I’m from. After a couple of months of serious thought we decided to go for it. I could see
the opportunities it would give her and this combined with some other factors (my parents not getting any younger, my new contract in Russia) made our minds up.

The visa process for moving back to the UK – you need plenty of information to submit to the Embassy, and I do mean plenty. Everything you can lay your hands on you must have. All in all though my experience was quite painless. From submitting
the application form to getting the visa took a total of just 5 days, and this was during Songkran as well. I think the fact we had been married for close on 2 years already, I had been living in Bangkok for all of that time and the fact we are
both the same age (she’s 3 months older than me) really helped our cause.

So now we’re back in the UK and despite the obvious differences to Thailand (taxes, fuel prices etc etc) I can honestly say life is great. My wife has landed a good paying menial job (factory work) and I’m currently working month on / month
off in Russia on a 5 year contract. We both live with my parents but will be out of there soon as we’re in the process of building a house. Incidentally, my folks think my wife is great, and a few of my old mates are more than jealous.
I can see them thinking “how the hell did he do it??” as I do most of the time!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Far East. How did I achieve this? Well, there was no set plan. I did not go looking for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I did not remotely consider having a bargirl as a serious girlfriend. I looked forward
to each and every day, never knowing what to expect. I kept my wits about me and treated people the way I would want them to treat me.

That’s all folks. Thanks for reading my short story.

P.S. Dana, great articles. Keep them coming. Probably some bullshit involved, but entertaining nonetheless.

Stickman’s thoughts:

Great stuff. It is always nice to hear stories from blokes of successful relationships.