12 Things I HATE About Thailand

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

How about you? What points do you agree/disagree with? Thanks to Ling App for supporting this channel. Start your language learning today: ling-app.com/?referrer=ThaiTalkPaddy

[@StephenMcGowan-ly6of]

Great video. Very honest. The only drama for me in Thailand is the humidity. I live in Melbourne. So I pretty much cook anytime I'm travelling through Asia. Tuk Tuk taxi drivers are best avoided in any country. I found Bolt was great in Thailand. The traffic in Bangkok is something you need to prepare yourself mentally for. But as most people are on holidays and/or retired. You just need to be patient.

[@NaviNaas]

I agree with all points, especially number 12 hahaha

[@NaviNaas]

Also use of single plastics is awful here!

[@Misterstinkfinger]

The general transactional nature of Thai culture even amongst themselves. The way women look up to some beautiful bar girls that are shallow, vapid, and devoid of any real sense of actual love. 🤷

[@InphyFWT]

The social media obsession is very intense. When I'm out with Thai friends and I take photos with my phone they demand the photo sent to them IMMEDIATELY so they can post on fb/insta. It's like bruh, you can't wait til the evening or what....

[@MarkBlackMigo]

3rd world countries in general spend way more time on social media.

[@beau_de_jour]

for real, that’s insane, and they should be the buddhists, yeah, right…

[@decodingthai]

It’s to the point that they have to post every little thing about their lives. Sometimes I feel like I’m not Thai enough cause I don’t post anything about myself 😂 but I’d rather stay private

[@kritsn]

Lol 😂 I'm Thai and can think of someone relatable

[@markseymour8365]

Get some more intelligent friends.

[@nellekx]

So glad you're calling out the creepy foreign men! I personally hate how cheating is normalized there. When i lived in thailand i met a guy who i dated for a month before i found out he had a wife. I told this to another thai friend and she said it happens a lot (cheating is more like an open secret in many thai relationships)

[@beau_de_jour]

are you a western woman? wow the cheating thing is real then, makes me sick tbh

[@user-to6we3om1g]

Been coming here for 25 years, and i never meet these creepy men you talk of.

[@black_knight_1975]

For me, the lack of road safety in Thailand is a critical issue

[@namesurname7332]

Absolutely, the mortality rate is as worse as it gets in Africa

[@iceberg420boi]

@@namesurname7332 cap

[@ThomasJacobsen-h8d]

very much so

[@BryoMoss]

As a Thai, I don’t know if I’m going to live to see the day people would stop riding a damn motorbike on a Walkway, maybe something will never change

[@golden166]

As a Thai, Only drive a car do not drive motorbike at all. Im even never use motorbike taxi(Vin).

[@Nordic_Sky]

My wife is Thai. We live in the US. This video is spot on. The only thing I would add is the Thai education system. I am constantly amazed at how little most Thais know about the rest of the world, history, etc. I have had fairly well-educated Thais ask me if there is a king in the US, or whether it is possible to drive from the US to Thailand. Seriously.

[@macabeemagid6126]

Hi Paddy. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand in the Early 70’s. I am fluent like you are and married to a Thai. My hatred or dislikes about Thailand, where the same 50 years ago it’s sad to say, even though things have Changed none of this has. I learned long ago that it’s not what you have, but who you are. Beauty comes from the inside out.

[@beau_de_jour]

@iclaudius9954if it is out of necessity there is no choice mate, sorry to say that

[@beau_de_jour]

the arts and self criticism are definitely born in state out of necessity. music, arts, philosophy do not came out from a country which is in the necessity phase. thailand isn’t the poor country that used to be in the 70s, in some dynamics people and society still behaves like it’s poor, i mean very poor. i’m not complaining, this are just different, you have to accept that and i don’t want to be the smart westerner that teaches other how to live the good life, but that tell me the story about necessity. cause it’s just a choice to be, it’s choice to cover your ass with lies, it’s a choice to stare at the phone all day even tho their may even go thru reel where they it literally says that stare the phone too much is dangeraousfor you eyes, they choose and don’t do nothing about being addicted to social media. it is what it actually is, i don’t drink the bullshit “it’s the culture here”, because this stuff does exist cause there none degree of self accountability, and that’s where the saving face asian thing came into place as well. don’t take me wrong, i love thailand although i’ve been quite harsh, but tell me a society that has been properous without discussion and self criticism and growth.

[@silasketgaskets8709]

@@beau_de_jour lack of critical thinking, image over substance, inordinate worship of money, ignorance ; like a planet unto itself

[@kirk5826]

Now that I am retired I come to Thailand 1-2x per year for 30-60 days at a time. I can't be bothered with areas like Patong, Pattaya, and lower Sukhumvit. I love trying out areas in Thailand that aren't "typical" places to visit and actually now have a system for where to go each time I return...one time North, next time South, then East Thailand and so forth trying out medium sized cities and towns and have been rewarded by awesome experiences. The 20-30 Thai words I know get me a lot of good will and I try to add a little more each time...I am in awe of your abilities and have a lot of respect for your Thailand experiences!

[@beau_de_jour]

can I ask you which cities or areas have you like the most so far?

[@kirk5826]

@@beau_de_jour Hello, I have enjoyed Nan, Trat, Koh Kood, Nakhon Phanom, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Koh Lanta, and Hat Yai are some of my most favorite places...there are so many awesome places to explore in Thailand!

[@beau_de_jour]

@@kirk5826 thank you mate 😁 have you even been in Khon Kaen?

[@kirk5826]

I spent 10 days there a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it!

[@visitstomyneighbours]

0:17 "I speak the language to a degree of fluency..." I'm pretty sure that's what's called an "understatement" 😆

[@mayp7129]

As a Thai person, though living in Canada now, I agree with many of those points. The underdevelop waste disposal infrastructure, the pollution, the traffic, the self-image issue, also frustrate me everytime I go back. The sex industries, and subsequently the sex tourists I think is less of a people problem and more of a systemetic/regulation issue. Case in point would be to look at Amsterdam's red light district. I think if the ministry of tourism was to regulate it for benefit of the workers, it would resolve a lot of this and everyone would benefit from it. I think the workers feel like they need to hustle because they don't know when they'll get shutdown. It also puts the workers in a precarious position without worker protection of any kind. And then there's also a lot of corruption from police or local mafia they have to deal with. I think simply accepting and regulating the industry is the only way to ensure everyone will be happy. I think the obsession with taking pictures and using of cellphones while at a group hangout might just be specific to the demographic of people you hangout with (young people 🤣?) I definitely pullout my phone to show pictures or lookup things but they are more to enhance the conversation. I am guilty of taking pictures but my justification is because I want to share it with my friends who aren't there. I think motivation matters though. That said I'm usually a one-snap person. I don't need 15 takes of a same photo. The Thai people obsession with Thai food is definitely not something I've run into. If anything, I would say my friend circle is obsessed with Japanese food! I wonder if that's your experience because the people around you feel the need to flex Thai food to sell you Thai culture.

[@beau_de_jour]

such a clever comment, you have few good point. every culture like to flex whatever they can flex, but the food thing is real, especially between thais. i’m talking mostly thai wifeys in farangland they love to post thai food they cook on their FB

[@kerrieross9327]

Deregulation, make it legal, great points you have made.

[@God66]

>Uses Amsterdam as a positive example Wrong, the Netherlands is one of the worst trafficking hubs of Europe

[@garyaltenburger6667]

I am a LONG time Thailand expat. I am an introvert, maybe nearly a hermit. I actually enjoy my own company and enjoy our many small animals. My Thai wife is a very social person and she has many friends. I never go to her family gatherings and am happy to see her socialize. That allows me to have plenty of time alone. There are very few expats in this area of the upcountry boonies. One used to visit regularly and he is a chronic complainer. Since he manages his money poorly, he frequently runs out of money. I finally quit lending him money and now her no longer visits me. That suits me fine.

[@kanister21]

The phone addiction is crazy. The first time I did go out with only Thai people, everyone was on there phone all the time, except me, because in my western country it considered to be rude. So after a while they asked me, if I don't have any friends, because I'm not on my phone.

[@Ulbre]

Do you have any friends? Because you weren't on your phone......haha just kidding and I'm hearing you!

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

People who are on their phones all the time don't have friends.

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

Let me guess. Your Thai friends were also wearing their masks too, in addition to staring at their phones and they all use QR code payments as well.

[@beau_de_jour]

that’s pretty annoying, long telephone usage is a thing all over, but those guys are on another level, i don’t see any awareness about this stuff among thais

[@rickfreunde5957]

They like to show what they do, where they go, what they have got to the group. Not to be known is a shame in Thai society. They only way they can address with the group is through phone.

[@nickybyrne4961]

You forgot 'Thai time'.

[@angiealves]

What do you mean?

[@Ulbre]

I'm so glad you just said traffic and not Thai driving because as a fellow Aussie driver I will say that I much prefer driving here compared to Australia because even though it can seem a little crazy sometimes more often then not if you put your indicator on then you will be allowed to merge whereas back in OZ I think more often than not they will accelerate to not let you merge. I love riding my step-thru's too.......used to have large bikes in Oz but now I just love Thai style. Once again another awesome video from the guru :)

[@golden166]

yep but in bangkok is different story. No one will let you in.

[@Jacksamurai1213]

The immigration system is terrible as well. No matter how long you live, how fluent you are in Thai, you will have no more rights than a tourist just out of the airport. Thi really sucks! The process of getting a residence permit is absolutely impossible

[@Shaz-Daz]

Thais only want foreigners in the country to boost the economy and nothing else. Simply to bring in that lovely 🤑🤑🤑. It's sad, but true.

[@rainyseason4581]

That is one of the reason I would like to tell foreigners don't move to Thailand, better go to other countries,

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

Well unless you become a permanent resident or citizen though I'd argue anyone on a 1 year visa has somewhat more rights than a tourist though not by much. Of course a work permit holder has more rights than a tourist.

[@golden166]

That great for Thai people. If you all can get a citizen. All things will be more expensive because of you guys money even now it already happen.

[@beau_de_jour]

that’s something that i really find very sickening. i really this that a thai can fit way better in whatever western country, be accepted and get citizenship as well way better then a westerner in thailand. Which means never get accepted not even a bit more as stepping out of the airport not even talk about the citizenship, which i find quite unfair. i don’t know if this dynamic changes but the kind of people that lives in the country, or rather the government that makes close to impossible getting the permit. smart move from the thai government, but they act like they only have the pussy in the whole world. Or maybe the stupid ones are the western countries that give their permits for close to free sometimes, ffs, we should learn from the thais then

[@English4Executives]

I just moved to Phuket 3 months ago from Portugal and I'm loving it. I agree with you about Patong and the creepy men. I stayed in Patong for a week when I first arrived to be near my visa agency and was so depressed! But I'm now in Chalong, have made friends with some fabulous very positive minded women and am enjoying my new life. I also agree about the heat but prefer it over winter in Portugal any day. 😊 I just get up early and go for a long walk along the beach before it starts getting hot. The food is a bit too sweet for me, too much sugar so I often buy and cook my own food. I'm studying Thai furiously and hope to be reasonably fluent one day and I'm planning to buy a flat and stay here for a looooong time. 😍

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

Sounds like you’re having an amazing experience! Good luck with the Thai learning 👌

[@BURRBO]

Heyy would you mind if youre ok with it to talk about how and why you moved to thailand was it for just short term or are you living there infintely if that soo how's the work market there espicially for younger people thx

[@ma3stro681]

Creepy men? You were in Patong, the party zone, ffs Karen! Stick with your “positive minded woemyn” over in Chalong, sweetie … 😂

[@johnnysukhumvit9242]

I hate a certain type of people from a certain country who have 5 or 6 guys going up to women on Beach Road in Pattaya ostensibly looking for a group discount. It is just these guys.

[@InphyFWT]

Don't worry. The Thai women hate them also :o)

[@beau_de_jour]

hahaha chicken masala

[@adamclough3486]

Yep definitely agree

[@jamestruss1791]

Indian 🤷‍♂️

[@neilyounan3241]

Let me guess ??? The Curry crew !!!! 😂😂😂

[@KB-pk5ze]

Congrats on 200K 🎊

[@jackabean3080]

I think You pretty much nailed it mate . The food I haven't really experienced it in that way but the general obsession with food does get to me sometimes.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

I love the "fuck off, I don't care" 😂😂😂 you're definitely one of the great men out there Paddy.

[@gavreynolds2689]

Hey guys when's the next video from you, it's been a while. Hopefully I will see 1 soon now that it's low season? Take care.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@gavreynolds2689 yes yes yes 🙌 thanks for asking... I hope I can start posting again in May. Big hugs and talk soon!

[@Farang_Lifestyles]

Paddy,,,, awesome video,,,,, especially #3 Lower Sukhumwit, Pattaya and Patong.... creates a lot of the other issues you mentioned....congrats on 200K

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

Thanks a heap for the support 🙏

[@_chillblaine]

Thai TV would be my #1 thing. The crazy random cartoon-like noises in almost every TV show is so distracting I can't watch for more than two minutes.

[@ronnachaiaramraks3336]

What thai tv show you often watch

[@TheBloggme]

Thai tv was so weird lol i was hooked on thairath tv, just random people punching on 🤷‍♂️🤣

[@tapping.powertochange7129]

Overall very good video, like someone that commented I think 'hate' is too harsh. I live in Thailand and agree with your list but I wouldn't say hate, but it is a good word for clickbait. Don't misunderstand me, I am a long time subscriber and love your videos. Instead of 'hate' I might say dislike, annoying, tiresome, but that wouldn't get anyone interested. That's why I don't hang around with expats, too much complaining from them or like you said the way they talk about the women. Anyway, keep up the great work and congrats on 200k! 🙂

[@mrb8993]

We always love your content Paddy. Over the years it's great to see your honesty and personality develop. Thailand has it's problems ,but like you, it's our second home too.

[@mikecarton6994]

Hey bro, just came across your channel. Your Thai is great! I have been here almost the same time as you, but my Thai isnt anywhere near as good. Your a great motivator to get better at the language, thanks!

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

Means a lot! Good luck with the Thai learning journey Mike 🙏

[@tg916.th.21]

Hi Paddy! Love your channel, been a fan for a long time now. I'm a Thai studying in London, and every year when I go back to visit my family, I... 1) always trip on the broken footpaths 2) see creepy men all over- the conversations I hear whilst walking through tourist areas are weird to say the least. 3) want to shout at everyone for using plastic excessively 4) want to shout at everyone for using their phone all the time- even though we're at a family gathering 5) wish the Thai cops and govt would do more to tackle littering and road safety

[@beau_de_jour]

i always thought that most of the times the behaves i dislike about thais comes down to education. i’ve met some educated thais that were way close to my way of thinking and doing think instead of the isaan wife of some of my friends

[@malkov0001]

I agree with you 100%. I love Thailand but the hot temperature, humidity and monsoon annoy me the most. That's why I only go there during December or January (same as Lao and Vietnam).

[@biravijnya]

not all thais are obsessed with thai food. some of them also love western, japanese, korean, chinese, mexican food and so on. maybe you haven't met them yet xD source: me and my friends, im thai and as much as i love thai food, i also enjoy sushi, tonkatsu, sukiyaki, shabu shabu, korean bbq, pasta, steak, pizza etc. it really depends on the day and how broke i am 😭😭thai food is relatively cheaper here of course

[@Shaz-Daz]

Thais always like to think how their durian (eg. Monthong) is so much better than the Malaysian Musang King variety. But if you know a good durian, nothing beats the Musang King!! 👌🏼

[@vassanab4243]

@@Shaz-Daz​​⁠I think it’s opposite, i usually see the comments of Malaysian saying how their Durian is better than Thai Durian even the video have nothing to do with Malaysian durian (your comment is one of that) in the video about Thai durian, you will see rude comments from Malaysian saying that their durian is better (but we don’t see Thai people do the same in the video about Malaysian durian). I tell them many time it’s about preference, we don’t like Plara Durian which refer to strong smell, strong taste, too soft durian (Plara mean fermented fish) Monthong is famous for Thais for their soft smell, firm outside, soft inside, but we also have many kind of durian that’s like Musanking for example Chanee which have strong smell and taste with soft texture but general Thais prefer Monthong. Even we like our Durian and think it’s better than other countries we don’t go saying that because it’s basic manner to not do that, except when the Malaysian start the war so we just talk back. There are seller in south part of Thailand said if they got Plara durian and have to throw as garbage because Thai people don’t eat them, luckily there were Malaysian tourists come and bought that plara durian.

[@golden166]

@@Shaz-Daz malaysian dont know how to eat durian bro. Their durain stink.

[@beau_de_jour]

every country think their own thing is the best, depending on the degree of the country’s proudness varies also the eye-blindness. I’m been raised in Italy, a very proud country, but my parents are from Albania and Greece, two other proud countries. And each one of them swear to say they have the best olive oil, the best tomatoes, the best wine and stuff like that.

[@rickfreunde5957]

ซื้อกินเป็นบางครั้งมันก็อร่อยน่ะนะ ลองกินทุกวันสิ แค่กินซูชิ 2 วันติดกันไม่ต่อเนื่องนี่ก็ไม่อยากกินแล้ว

[@pookadarling]

I'm half Thai and I've had the blessing of being able to visit and meet family there over the past few years, mainly staying in Nan. I can't speak Thai. I grew up in America, and the differences between the cultures is amazing and humbling. I wish I could speak it. I understand it nitnoy.😅 I took several hundred pictures the times that I went, over a thousand, I'm sure, each month I got to stay. I love how a lot of cafes are over the top in their ideas, like the place in the mountains between Chaing Mai and Nan where you can ride bicycles on zip lines - not that I've done it, but I got coffee and watched. Or the cafe that is recessed in a giant koi pond where there are hundreds of koi as long as your forearm.😆 And believe it or not, I commiserate with you. Only sometimes can I pass as a Thai person - but only if I keep my mouth shut.

[@sukphan5352]

Hi Paddy, agreed with everything you say, I been married with my Thai women almost 35 years, now we are retired and live in Thailand since 2020. In my opinion the worst thing about life in Thailand is the excessive and antiquated bureaucracy which not only affects foreigners, but also very frustrating for Thai people themselves, Thailand loses billions of Thai baht every year just because of the bureaucracy inefficiency

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

Yes, the bureaucracy is a major issue in Thailand. Not just immigration but a lot of other things as well.

[@beau_de_jour]

same shit in europeans counties, but i bet thailand is even worse

[@consulthai]

Hi Paddy. You have one of the best Thai focused channels on KZbin . Hate should be replaced by dislike . The traits you highlighted about Thai people relate to lack of depth . That's the message you sent without spelling it out. The culture isn't about intellectual discourse . How many Nobel prizes did they win? They won culinary prizes, beauty pageants , artistic rewards . Whatever they excel in is related to their culture. Furthermore their traits are formed by educational standards and focuses. They may not be clued up about Western history but then again are we in the West truly tuned into Eastern cultures and history? We are who we are because of the environment we're born into. Food is the cornerstone of Thai's mindset. Beer drinking is like a religion in Australia . Horses for courses. Is anyone,like you, become fluent in Thai they aren't outsiders. They just don't look like the locals . All Thais don't look alike either . From my observation people of Thai/ Western ethnicities are fully integrated into Thai society . Anyway, keep up vlogging, you're very talented.

[@villagefarang]

I seldom agree with you but on this I do. I might add that life here can be amazing once one stops the comparisons and judgements about the place but that is so hard for people from the west to do. The only thing that affects me much is the heat and pollution but I have workarounds which limit the effects on me.

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

Very good observations/analysis. Indeed, Thailand isn't an intellectual culture, though there are a few scientifically minded Thais that go on to become quite successful. I agree that Thais of mixed heritage are fully integrated into the country and its culture and that Eurasians will become a major ethnic minority in the years to come as more and more Thais marry people of European origin. Eventually there will be over a million "luk khrueng". Already now there are probably several hundred thousand. Yes

[@consulthai]

@@ThePatriot-gm1fg Thai culture is an innate culture about respect they grow up with . Western culture abandoned that. Westerners like to say, you got to earn respect but in Thailand it's a birthright . And a hierarchical right. It's more like a class system which we used to have a hundred years ago. That's one reason we can't integrate backwards . If we can, adopt Buddhist mindsets and understand where we are in a pecking order we will be accepted . It's really mostly up to us as quasi immigrants. If we decide to be in a Western bubble ,like in the lower Sukhumvit Paddy pointed to, we can be tolerated . Arrivals into a different culture face this dilemma. I always say, to a great extent we are the architects of our own lives . I made choices here, I don't blame others for it .

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

@consulthai Thai culture is pretty much about following the leader. Thais are forced to respect those in authority, as that's what they're taught to do and not doing so can mean serious legal trouble. However, when laws aren't enforced, Thais can be remarkably selfish. They will drive as they wish and will burn their garbage or their fields without consideration how this affects their neighbors.

[@beau_de_jour]

not all westerners countries are not the same, just because the UK and Usa and the fellas gets screwed up it’s not all of us. Italy here. Maybe they may pay respect for the elders, which is great, but the society acceptance of cheating, man walking out from the family and generating single mom without consequences is thailand too, don’t forget that

[@FonKii]

I’m Thai American and honestly I agree with all of your points. Thailand’s not perfect but it works somehow for me. The best point you made was #1. I can accept everything else if Bangkok could have the traditional four seasons (SSFW) 😢

[@Ulbre]

no no no.....I'm an Aussie and hated the one traditional season called winter.....and it's not even close to your American seasons of ice :( After first coming here in Jan84 and living here since Apr06, I love the climate here :) :) :) I understand what you're saying though...I think for most americans and europeans doing the long haul thru winter and a fair whack into spring and then FINALLY have that first glorious Spring day so full of the promise of summer......well that's not something Aussies truly get to appreciate :(

[@FonKii]

@@Ulbre lol can’t argue with an Aussie. Unfortunately I’ve never been to Australia but have heard of the drastic seasons there (and the scary outback animals ha) I grew up in the south of the US and our winters weren’t so bad (doesn’t snow every year) and the smell of the changing seasons were something I grew up with and miss quite a bit since I’ve left home *sigh

[@beau_de_jour]

⁠​⁠@@Ulbrei’m from italy but live in perth. Oz since a year, and to be honest they are the same. Italy gets colder, with snow and below 0 sometimes, Perth is drier some days and a bit more sunnier as well.

[@beau_de_jour]

i don’t know where about you are in australia cause it’s such a big country, but unless you are from some mountains from Victoria or Tasmania, winter are one of the mildest you can have in the areas of the world where you have 4 season, I guess so

[@JD-jdeener]

I've always appreciated your videos. I have nixed my plans to retire there mostly due to to air quality. I still enjoy the fine coverage of the people and culture you and others like you provide. You're a class act, Paddy don't ever change.

[@TheJerrycon]

You are a wise person.

[@marcp108]

The air quality does vary - No matter what the authorities say - there will always be a burning season in Chiang Mai,

[@jasonryer]

Sidewalks: Try Chiang Mai where there are NO sidewalks! - esp Nimman (And: I didn't like dodging motorcycles on sidewalks in Bangkok either!)

[@siebmic]

#13, "Street dogs" Nothing against them as a whole but there are some mean and nasty ones. My time in Thailand I was bitten by a street dog and a monkey.

[@SuperHfhgfh]

absolutly👍

[@Shaz-Daz]

14. Thais who just generally dislike Farang people and don't really want to associate with them. There's more of these people than you would think 😅

[@Chronicstate187]

@iclaudius9954 which country?

[@Chronicstate187]

@iclaudius9954 Thais don’t even like each other bro. Why are you trying to make them out to be more accepting than Vietnamese or Australians? They’re not, they’re just shrewd and not stupid enough to bite the hand that feeds them.

[@Chronicstate187]

@iclaudius9954 lol

[@JustMe-ib9uo]

Thanks for turning on "CC" again Paddy! 👍 Great vid + the first one l've been able to enjoy in quite a while. 😁

[@destinationsroadslesstraveled]

I agree with you 100% about everything having lived here twenty four years myself. #3 I have often said those exact words on forums regretted mentioning later. Phuket, Koh Samui, Pai , Khao San Road or about anywhere foreigners hang you will never see me there. In my opinion they are all tacky and phony.

[@prome666]

yaya and the reasons why you just happened to choose Thailand are pure and virtuous, and nothing to do with the women or finding a place where dating is easier.

[@poorlybuffalo555]

@@prome666 The cost of living is far cheaper than the west - so careful with your blanket assumptions...555

[@destinationsroadslesstraveled]

@@prome666 Guess what no. Had nothing to do with women. Not into sleaze and Thai bars.

[@destinationsroadslesstraveled]

@@poorlybuffalo555 What does that have to do with trashy foreigners?

[@stevens1041]

@@prome666 you must be a teenager if you think all people think about is women and dating.

[@2GringosOnTheGulf]

Wow great vid 💯👏🏼👏🏼 Thanks for sharing your time with us all. Cheers from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in Mexico. 🇲🇽🥰✌🏼

[@maikeweige1548]

these are all pretty common for a lot of Asia. I'm right up there with you on about 100% of these

[@beau_de_jour]

where about are you?

[@Cookieboymonster1962]

About the footpaths, I have often wondered how people in wheelchairs cope. I can't see how they could possibly manage.

[@nantaneepon5816]

ฉันเป็นคนไทยและเห็นด้วยทุกข้อ ดีใจที่คุณกล้าพูดออกมา 👍👍

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

ขอบคุณที่ชมครับ

[@ryanperrett3740]

"Saving face" annoyed me greatly while living in Thailand. It's fantastic to have pride, but I experienced many times people who demanded and received respect from others who clearly didn't deserve it. Often met with the "mai bpen rai" attitude from those being taken advantage of.

[@beau_de_jour]

saving face is definitely the most annoying thing above all

[@neilmckenzie4692]

Hey Paddy love your channel keep up the good work fellow Sydney sider! Just got back to Oz from Thailand 2 weeks ago after spending 2 months there with my Thai partner of 6 years who is an Australian citizen and has no intentions of moving back there full time even though her family live there in a nice house in Sa Kaeo province. 1. Heat and Humidity this year was a shocker 39+ everyday pretty much for 2 months 🥵, that was the last time we go back in March April had my many fun years of Songkran, November December from now on only. 2. Maniac Drivers so many with no F-----g idea on how to drive no such thing as road rules in Thailand. 3. Rubbish, plastic ect ect surely a few more bins around the place wouldn't hurt, never a bin to be seen anywhere when you need one.

[@beau_de_jour]

where about in Oz mate?

[@neilmckenzie4692]

Central Coast

[@sophalenz5893]

ชาตส

[@decodingthai]

As someone Thai, these are all something I agree with. Every time I go back to visit Thailand, everyone at the table is on their phone. No one talks to each other. I hate it. It’s so so rude

[@shanghaidiscovery2664]

I agree with most of what you mentioned, especially lack of sidewalks and also how crappy places like Patong and Pattaya represent Thailand for some. So much more to discover. I would add 4 things that Thailand should improve: - Zoning: there is some charm to "real life" but zoning or planning is needed. Look at Phuket these days. Still some nice places in north west of island and also in th south around Rawai and at the very tip but for the rest you have uncontrolled development and I think the island lost its charm. but then again maybe the locals like it better now. - lack of investment in public transport: some will point to the BTS but even that is too little for a city like Bangkok. needs many more lines (and also what is it with trains that seem half the length of platforms??). this is especially a visible issue when you compare the situation in China, Japan and Korea where mass transit is really developed. also better train links between cities would be great - Scams and no regulations: seems like you always have a few scams. but perhaps the most annoying for tourists is in places like Phuket where now you have restaurants advertising price exclusive of service and tax. Not huge amounts but feels like taking advantage and not good for the country's image - lastly, road safety.... And here always pisses me off to see foreigners being idiots on scooters with no helmets, flipflops, top off and driving erratically... but yeah this is a big one since well without public transport in most places outside Bangkok, you gotta drive to get around

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Paddy

[@megahern8467]

I appreciate your thoughtful and judicious takes!

[@SoCalMike2]

Great video! Good points and I laughed along the way!

[@chawalitD]

I agree with just about every point there Paddy. As a Thai born Australian I can see it from both sides. Growing up in Australia there are a few things I dont like about this country but am happy to overlook some of them due to the way of life we lead here and the stuff you mentioned about Thailand are very pertinent too. That being said, some of the points about Thailand could relate to some of the things us Australians do. I guess over time I have learnt to let bygones be bygones whether here in Australia or Thailand. There are some freedoms in Thailand that I envy that we dont get here in Australia due to over regulation in my honest opinion. Then when it comes to healthcare that is something I dont like about Thailand too. i.e. Money talks there. I digress though. I still think all of your points hit home for me. All valid to some degree, but I can easily over look some of these things and stay away from Bangkok to avoid most on that list. Out in the outskirts or more rural areas I find are more rewarding and closer to the culture most tourists look for.

[@tbadj649]

In order of what I think needs improvement: 1. Foot paths/sidewalks 2. Thais' phone addictions (don't think this can be helped) 3. Traffic 4. Excessive trash in ecosystem

[@Sahaphap_2000]

As a thai you right

[@iceberg420boi]

พูดเกินจริงไปหลายอย่าง เสียภาพลักษณ์เกินจริงผมรู้ว่าประเทศแย่ แต่มันไม่ได้แย่ไปหมดทุกอย่างจนอยู่ไม่ได้นะ

[@walking_in_the_shade]

I agree on all 12! I think you could add the non-existent driving standards, Thai politics and the truly awful lese majeste law. The food one really struck home, Thai's whole frame of reference is around food. For example if you ask for directions often you will get something like " go straight up the road until you reach the noodle shop turn left then go past the rice congee shop and turn left again" 🤔

[@trevh1400]

Currently my only hate is how much difficulty I am having in learning the language! My wife is Thai and we plan to retire there but I can’t understand a word my mother in law says to me! (And don’t say that’s a good thing!)

[@Ahm.nae-fou]

Don't worry, I can't understand a word my mil is trying to communicate to me either, we are both from Glasgow.

[@roderick3778]

100% agree with all 12 mate. Especially the growing disrespect from foreigner's towards Thai women. My girlfriend is sick of it. Some are that fucked up they hit on her when we are together lol. They think every Thai woman is a bar girl

[@andrewdunbar828]

Not everywhere is polluted. I was in Nong Khai for a couple of months and it never looked, smelled, or felt polluted. Also it was hot but not too most days and some nights I needed two blankets. I stay away from the more touristy areas and one of the reasons is I don't want to bump into the creepy foreign guys. I did stay in Sukhumvit before the pandemic, having no idea of its reputation. I just wanted to stay somewhere that's not the Khaosan Road for once.

[@CaptainKremmen]

Chiang Rai is quite clean too. And likewise cooler than much of the country.

[@iceberg420boi]

farang always say Thailand is full with pollution yeah because you spent all day in Chiang Mai and Bangkok and never leave to discover another part of Thailand

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

Try visiting Nong Khai now and it's a polluted mess. Terrible air quality. During the rainy season and in the immediate post rainy season period (mid to late October until maybe December) the air quality there will be quite good but from January through early May, it generally will be quite poor due to burning.

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

​@CaptainKremmen Oh no it's not..worst air quality in the country during the burning season.. last year you needed a gas mask just to breathe.

[@CaptainKremmen]

@@ThePatriot-gm1fg I was referring to litter on the ground, not to air pollution. The whole of Thailand cops that and much of it comes from Laos and Cambodia.

[@dimplypaprika7693]

I want to retire in Thailand so badly, but as an American, the thought of learning that language scares the heck out of me. I want to try to learn the language of whatever country I end up moving to. I guess that is the main reason I am seriously considering the Philippines, because communication would be easier. I really want to give Thailand the first shot though.

[@chunfeichang1994]

I think you love Thailand and Thai people, you want them to improve. If you don’t love Thailand and Thai, you wouldn’t learn and speak Thai. I’m Australian too, go to Jomtien Pattaya every year, have a beach front holiday condo at Jomtien beach, I can never afford a beach front luxury condo with conveniences in Australia. It’s very nice seeing young local Thais doing aerobic every evening at beach. A very wholesome view from the balcony. I’m grateful being able to afford this lifestyle.

[@sujoyinvietnam]

Love your content mate! 🤟

[@marhar39]

Paddy, don't worry that there might be hate comments... your heart is always in the right place. That is what makes your videos so enjoyable to watch. :)

[@robertgroves391]

I agree with you 100% Paddy on all your observations, as a Westerner who has lived here for decades I have seen all the things you mentioned.

[@beau_de_jour]

where about did you lived mate?

[@robertgroves391]

@@beau_de_jour we live in Cha-am, we were married 35 years ago, and have lived here for a long time.

[@TheListPlanet]

I hate the online obsession with foreign men dating bar girls, it's not even a little bit interesting. All these KZbinrs talking about it constantly. "Today, I'm interviewing Steve and he dated a bar girl for 3 years and it ended badly" NO SHIT

[@beau_de_jour]

actually they are addicting lol way better than fake latin soap operas. some maybe are fake, but i reckon some are truth and heartbreaking as well. but definitely some youtubers are trying to capitalise on that. the one that i hate more are americans passport bro that say how good is this country and how good is that other 3rd world countries cause the chicks just want us foreigners, which isn’t true at all

[@TheListPlanet]

@@beau_de_jour Oh, I agree with you that the passport bros who think every Thai woman lusts after them are cringe, I've met several of them, and they aren't just American

[@marclajoie5185]

Being with my Thai wife for over 20 years now we had been thinking about retiring there. No longer! Between the new tax on money coming from out of the country, air quality, increased cost, excessive tourist ( mostly Russians now), paying 10 times more than a Thai for entry in parks( it’s more than a Canadian park which takes 4 days to cross compared to an avg of a few 100 metres in Thailand) amounts to to many negative things. I love the people and culture but as a foreigner we just get the feeling that the country just wants us to send the money and stay home.

[@timg63]

This is a very interesting watch being somebody who has been through an extremely similar trajectory but in Brazil. I can say that every single point you made applies heavily to my relationship with the country, which I also regard as a second home. Even the 'always' feeling like an outsider' part. I am now a citizen, and although ethnically pretty much anybody could pass as a Brazilian, if you have green or blue eyes they will like to focus on that and 'other' you for it even though there are loads of people with light eyes in the South.

[@dtester61]

I haven’t come across too many Thais who aren’t keen to try different cuisines and all that I know are pretty big fans of Japanese, Korean and Italian in particular. And regarding all the social media/phone/photo obsession, all I can say is as a 62 year old (Australian), I thought that was just common to everyone in the world under the age of about 45. The younger the age the more intense the obsession. I work with people from all over the world, mostly under 40, and their phones are surgically attached to their hands I’m sure.

[@beau_de_jour]

the thai wifeys i’ve met they just care about their som tam and sticky rice, but maybe privately they would like to try something else when they don’t meet up all together

[@dtester61]

@@beau_de_jour I don’t know so many people from Isaan, but the few I know are less likely to stray off anything without pla ra. Ironically my girlfriend is from Bangkok, and doesn’t like Isaan/Lao food so much, preferring what she calls real Thai (central Thai) food. Personally I prefer Isaan/Lao food which annoys her a bit. She’s not too keen on Lanna food either, although she does like southern Thai food. I like Southern food too but we differ on preference. For example she loves naam ya pu but I love gaang tai pla. Gaang tai pla is too spicy for her and naam ya pu is just too insipid for me. Each to their own. But my girlfriend and her family eat lots of different cuisines. Here in Sydney we often go to restaurants that do both Lao and Thai food. I usually order things like raw beef larb and sup nor mai (bamboo salad) or gaang om or tom zaap. And she’ll have something Thai and not so spicy. Sometimes she’ll just have pad see yu. 🤣🤣🤣

[@highbrand]

Most definitely lower Sukhumwit can get annoying. Many years ago I lived near Asoke, so if I went somewhere on Sukhumwit, it meant going the direction of Thonglor, Ekkamai, Phra Khanong.

[@leechau5355]

love your video paddy, great scene , great interview, any chance going back to thailand ?

[@ThaiTalkwithPaddy]

plans on the horizon!

[@pinkybrain2627]

I am Thai. I agree with all your list. Hopefully you don't get too many hate mails from this clip :)

[@chronic2023]

I just got back from 4 weeks in Thailand, with mixed feelings. It was my first time. The pollution, heat, and grit in some parts were hard for me to handle. The traffic could be insane. 😅 I wasn't, unfortunately, as enamored with Thailand as I thought I would be, though the Thai people were great and the food was really good. I wish I had left with a "I'll be back soon" feeling but I didn’t. 😢

[@ilseh2970]

Pollution is getting a breaking point after 8 years Thailand. Being in my own country for a holiday felt like being in a sanatorium.

[@wytchend]

G'day mate, awesome video Paddy. No chance of a defamation case coming your way! 555 Always tastefully done.

[@TurboThailand]

RN it's so fkn hot man. it's comparable with Melbourne but with double the humidity. When you get involved in business here it's so so next level frustrating and depressing. It can pull you into a hole where you just don't want to wake up every day. Just last week I have spent hours in a police station fighting extortion where I found a mother/son combo stealing condo deposits....to cover their ass they reported me to the police for them 'losing face', so, even though I had 10k stolen, evidence out the yingyang showing they've done this to more than 20 people... the cops want me to "make a deal" of paying her and them off. Fkn joke.

[@woollyclouds2677]

Damn, sorry to hear this, that's kinda fucked up

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

How did that happen? Did you report them? Otherwise that couldn't have happened.

[@TurboThailand]

@@ThePatriot-gm1fg I went to them and demanded my money back. The mother is a shaved headed fat divorced psycho. She went off at me and then has a vendetta. Aka they have no income stream as her husband left her. They changed all his properties into a family trust name to steal them from him. They want their scheme quiet as they have no chance to make money to survive. The son has also acted as agent for other owners rooms then pocketed all the money.

[@beau_de_jour]

thais doing what can they do best, earning money in the worst way and saving their ass with whatever excuse can make kinda sense but still isn’t enough.. what a country. sad to hear that tho

[@sterlingranne2202]

Thai Food - As someone from small town America I find Thailand's lack of culinary diversity shocking. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Bangkok, but get outside the megalopolis. Go to Surin and come back, we'll talk. If you can find a place, take someone to a nice sit-down Italian or Spanish Restaurant, and all they order is what was for sale from the street cart right outside.

[@beau_de_jour]

ahaha is that a true story?

[@beau_de_jour]

people from villages are ignorant, what you expect, not even basic culture or basic math thinking, definitely some meth tho

[@sterlingranne2202]

@@beau_de_jour Oh yeah. Wife, Wife's Family, Wife's friends. Take any of them to JSM, Pizza Company, or a farang cafe, and they only order off the back of the menu. Get outside the big city, and they eat ONLY Thai. Well, Thai, and KFC.

[@sooantonysolotraveler]

What I agree with you was their footpaths only some certain place were having well maintain footpaths but still there were many uneven and broken tiles including the broken slove especially made it hard to push along any trolley and luggage also caused damage to the wheels walking on their footpaths and had to walk careful on the footpaths too especially at night.

[@panosliakos3653]

Hypocrisy... This is what I hate the most! "Thailand: The Land Of Smiles"... The employees, the clerks, the stuff, smile to you, because they get paid to do that. The businessmen, the managers, the stores owners, smile to you, because you will sleep at their hotels, you will eat at their restaurants, you'll make your shopping from their shops. I live here for the last two years and I never received an honest, sincere, true smile... Everyone is looking at me as a giant wallet and not as a character, as a personality, as a human being. It's ALL about the money!

[@beau_de_jour]

that’s true, and technically it’s the land of smiles cause they really mastered it, but they aren’t the land of genuine smiles. are you greek?

[@panosliakos3653]

@@beau_de_jour Yes, I'm from Greece...

[@Shaz-Daz]

Thanks for being real and just say it as it is. Only tourists will believe that whole crap about Thailand being the "land of smiles" when anyone who has lived in Thailand for quite some time will tell that it is complete rubbish. You nailed it on the head! 👌🏼

[@informative_wanderlust]

It's not the land of smiles, they all wear masks

[@rickpugliese1682]

Excellent 😀

[@1stMilcom]

I LOVE and HATE Thailand at the same time just like you mate! 2 years into Thai dating culture and the emotional rollercoaster and toxicity of dating Thai girls is absolutely unmatched by anywhere else on planet earth!

[@beau_de_jour]

ahaha that’s true, try not to date bar girls and maybe educated girls as well, things may change

[@1stMilcom]

@@beau_de_jour I never went even close to the bar girl scene. Those are town bicycles and guaranteed STD traps. I only dated uni grads and nurses. Still toxic A.F. But I loved every minute of it. LoL

[@629th]

#14 noise always loud music blasting every where you go! as a thai I am totally agreed on the garbage it's so annoying to garbage pile up every corners of the street in BKK and the beaches

[@codrin1862]

Keep up the good work 🙂

[@kerrieross9327]

Great, great feedback. I have hindered myself as to language learning, it can really set you back. Probably can't disagree with social media use. I live near Patong but no longer go in there. Unless I must. Learning the language is the secret 👍🏼

[@jeanninesounth8360]

I totally agree with you , Im thai but I grew up in the united state, goes back home once a year that's all I can take it hahaha

[@trickolas78]

Congratulations on 200k

[@martinmatters5806]

I have lived here for five years, and I can only agree with every single point. It is very well observed and well summarised and not at all exaggerated, it is simply the truth. I have had similar experiences with integration and it is a bit frustrating, but you have to recognise that Thailand is not the western world in this respect and it is just developed differently.

[@yuugen999]

Thailand seems like such a spiritual and humble place when you look at the temples and the people who go there... I would never guess it's so status driven...

[@tsmiguel]

All your comments are true and me being only a Thailand lover and not having your experience i can’t disagree with any of them. I will add one more, Thai love to save face about everything, so no matter how serious or hard is the event that just happened they will continue their lives as nothing at all happened, and it will get very worse if you try to start an argument about it…this is what i learned. Foreign feel like in limbo when this happens haha 😊

[@tobyprice1092]

13. Money - How many times a day do you hear the word baht? I live in a small village here and I hear that word more than any other.

[@orenschulman4554]

Long time lover of Thailand, lived there for years. You are pretty spot on with all the things that I dislike about Thailand. The class distinction is a big one for me. The Thai 'hi-so' are a bit too into their status, while many of them would not even be wealthy outside of the country. It also seems like there could be better opportunities for the average Thai people to advance. It would be nice to see the average Thai with better earning opportunities. Great country, great people.

[@stuharris9993]

I've loved and remembered every moment I have been in Thailand, as a boy and a man, since 1969.

[@woollyclouds2677]

Brilliant takes on the country Paddy, agree with mostly all of these especially the heat, my god Thailand weather is its own hell🥵

[@bernardlaverton9077]

hello from a village in rural nongkhai province. nothing seems to be done about farmers burning crops. it is completely unnecessary to burn the stubble. why don't the authorities just visit the farmer when they see smoke? motorcycles not keeping the rules ( do they know the rules? ). almost non existent recyling from the authorities, only private people who make some money are doing this. soooo difficult to be allowed to feed in electricity to the grid. a lot of food eaten daily by thais is not healthy, for example rice and noodles. but the ingredients to make healthy food are readily available. obsession with signing paper document copies with no time to read them. I regularly walk the length of my soi to pick up rubbish. cars changing lane right in front of and close to my car.

[@Codikas]

The government doesn't have a good system in place to allow for the farmers to use more modern techniques to clear the stubble. If they wanted to they'd invest in cleaner agriculture practices like they use around the world. The farmers don't have any reason to change or the means to for that matter. The Thai government is really the crux of the entire problem, until they acknowledge and start to address the problem, things won't change.

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

​@Codikas the government doesn't care. As simple as that.

[@beau_de_jour]

the saving face shit is real even in the government, thinking like psychopaths

[@beau_de_jour]

but that’s right, everything comes down to the government for real

[@bernardlaverton9077]

@@Codikas what are the cleaner agriculture practices (I'm not a farmer)? can the stubble simply be plowed down into the soil?

[@leestephenfitzpatrick6373]

My Mrs is from Suphanburi, been living in London for 11 years now, rarely will she eat anything other than Thai food, wether it's at home or eating out. If I book holidays outside of Thailand, I have to do my research on Thai restaurants in the area, no Thai restaurants, we're looking elsewhere. We went to Malta one Christmas, an absolutely terrible Thai restaurant, I cook better Thai, but we still ate in there every day.

[@muayboran6111]

Thais will say "Indian food is smelly, western food is bland" but they people who say this have NEVER tried Indian food before. They avoid it like the plague. Another thing is, they don't understand that indians and arabs are different

[@JasonVerney]

Brilliant points & happy that yours are pretty much mine… even though I too don’t like to ‘hate’. I’m in Korea part of each year but in Thailand for most of it… so believe me, for these 2 countries populated by naturally good looking people and seeing what they are doing to themselves (surgery.. without thinking of the future, bloodlines or the damage) it makes me sad… and I’m obsessively observing what I witness. And yes, regarding the sex industry and those who drone in about it, maybe they would think twice if they look at how it all became so popular here (and other countries)… essentially grown out of war. Good video & proud to be your 100th thumbs-upper on this video (yes, I too am affected by social media… 555;)

[@beau_de_jour]

I may understand Laos and Vietnam, but Thailand didn’t had any war back then, they just capitalised on the free time of american’s soldiers. Especially combined with the prostitution culture that Thailand/Asia has (I guess all asia but I might be wrong), and that’s it.

[@beau_de_jour]

I’m 25 and never been to thailand yet, but i love to surf the internet lol so i’m not the old farang trying to cover my ass but blaming the war to build few entire spots on basically prostitution i don’t think it’s fair either, there is something more about that. Could be a bit of the society, a bit the Buddhism believes, the family structure and dynamics and all that. It’s called far asia for a reason, cause a lot of thing are quite upside down to what we westerners believe (it’s a generalisation i know, but if you think about it in some cases it’s true)

[@Frostenheim]

Maybe it's just my social circle but on food, I actually find it to be quite the opposite. I'm Thai but many of my friends say they prefer Japanese or Korean food to Thai food. Some even say they don't like Thai food at all, but they were from international schools so they were very rich and probably didn't grow up eating Thai food

[@Shaz-Daz]

I don't think I've ever heard a Thai person say they don't like Som Tum 😒

[@beau_de_jour]

@@Shaz-Dazbecause you have deal with isaan dumbies

[@lonamisa_]

100% agree with all your points - esp plastic surgery & status virtue signalling points. Love this "Paddy unhinged" version too! Will you be doing a "12 Things I LOVE About Thailand" video?

[@Mahaochannel]

I disagree with #10 that we are too obsessed with thai food . We have many kinds of food in Thailand. Where is your stat from?

[@flamingsjack]

As a thai person, yeah, I agree.

[@franek1643]

Being married with a Thai woman, I can confirm most of your criticism. Especially social media, ถ่ายรูป, food obsession.. Have you ever eaten ตูดไก่ ? I could not do this.

[@beau_de_jour]

the social media thing is real, and the gossip thing too

[@sholaebofin6090]

Pretty accurate description I find it difficult going jogging as the street pavements are dodgy and barking wild dogs can freak you out on an early morning run..

[@ront3136]

Lived in Thailand (BKK) for 6 years many moons ago. Agree 💯 with every point you make. That said, I'm now retired and moving back!

[@bugzymaccode]

I disagree with any part of the video that "hated" anything that other people were doing without hurting anybody. Thailand's beautiful, and I find that when I'm judging something negatively, I'm often bringing my own American hang ups into the mix. I've got a 10 gallon hat full. If I try to look at things from a different perspective, I always find that the problem is me.

[@flashpeter91]

air pollution, heat, and plastic usage can be incredibly overbearing sometimes