Stickman Readers' Submissions November 5th, 2009

What a Big Decision!

I am happily married to a beautiful Thai lady and have been for maybe 5-6 years. We get along very well, her having an MBA from the US and me owning and operating a business manufacturing various optical devices used within the world militaries. Her previous
employ has been purchasing (8-12 years experience) so she is now our Materials Manager. Things have worked out pretty well.

I am almost 50 and have reached the notion I am no longer interested in my current “venture” and will be placing the company up for sale in the next 1-3 years. The transition will add another 1-2 years before I am finally free
to do whatever I want. I have come up with few ideas for small businesses in the US and Thailand and will pursue those when the time comes. My sister in law lives in Australia, also with a graduate degree (from Australia), in Computer Science.
My idea is to involve her in the business, pay her a nice salary, and get her back up to Thailand. None of this has been discussed but only mentioned to my wife.

He Clinic Bangkok

My big problem now is do I really want to live in Thailand? I despise what I see as an epidemic of corruption, prejudice in every branch of government, and a country that will always be a mess. I cringe at the thought of building a big house
and having a garbage dump pop up over night next door or across the street. I have never been one to attract “problems” of any type but what if I were to be involved in an automobile accident with a Thai? I know it won’t be
handled in a fair manner. <You might be surprisedStick> These realities are consuming my thoughts and eating away at my “shaky” desire to move to the LOS. I want to add to the Thai economy by building
a strong small business, employing a few dozen Thais, and paying them an above average salary (I really don’t care to make any profit for myself but only enough money to travel with) but I keep thinking of the negatives.

I am sure I am not the only one in a similar predicament. A large business employs many individuals but normally focuses on the bottom dollar and don’t place a great amount of thoughtfulness when accessing a particular employee. Successful
small businesses are the ones that provide the average employee the opportunity to grow and make something of themselves, earn a higher than average salary, and a feeling of comfort that they are not just another number.

Finally, and on a personal note, I am a speed freak. What I mean is I love racing cars, Road Racing or Auto-X. I have investigated the cost of transporting some of my cars to Thailand and I know it will cost. However, are there any performance
shops in Bangkok or any other part of Thailand? Are there any Road Racing tracks? If yes, what is the quality? I can do without most anything but I won’t give up my cars or my hobby. In a case of “Do as the Romans do”, my
wife has an Uncle whom was apparently a big wig in the Thai Customs Department so he maybe able to help (along with half her family being involved in the military) get my cars in at a decent price.

CBD bangkok

What is the meaning of this post? Well, I don’t know. I am one man speaking of some (what I consider to be) good reasons why moving to Thailand is a difficult decision. I am happily married and don’t need to seek out my love,
I already have it. I guess I am trying to determine if one can live a “normal” life in Thailand. Given the current state of affairs in the US (yes – many of us don’t care for the past or present administration, personally
I don’t know which one is worst but I would expect it is the latter) – it may be a good idea to get the hell out but is Thailand really the place to be.

I thought the readers may appreciate some eye candy…

The second “race ready” car is a Porsche 997 TT with 650 HP and 650 Ft-# Torque complete with ungraded suspension, turbos, air box, intercooler, etc.

My wife calls them my “Mia Nois”.

wonderland clinic

BTW: My last post was June 22, 2004 “Through the Gauntlet to Heaven”.

Stickman's thoughts:

For sure, if things don't go your way in Thailand there's not always a lot you can do about it. Attempting to get that yellow baby into Thailand would make the Customs Department's day!

nana plaza