The Point of No Return in Land of Smiles (LOS)

This refers to the mental transition that takes place after one comes to "Land of Smiles" (LOS or Thailand) and the visitor starts to see his life in his home country through jaundiced eyes.

It may happen during the first visit or after a traumatic event like a divorce or during a mid-life crisis.

The first time visitor who decides to move may be a young man who’s not tied down and wants to explore.

He sometimes takes a TEFL course and teaches English to make ends meet which is possible.

An older man will start to question his long-held beliefs about his life, his marital life and feel his mortality and wonder if he’s wasted it doing what others have told him to do.

A bad divorce or even a life which a man has accomplished what he’s set out to do (CEO, fancy house, vacation home, children graduated from college) may bring on serious retrospection.

In the case of the successful man who’s achieved his goals he may turn and wonder if that’s all there is to his life.

He may feel empty and unfulfilled.

He may come to LOS for the first time, is fascinated and attracted by the thought of living here and makes his move.

The low cost of living, low rate of crime, warm weather and the beautiful friendly available women attract him.

The point of no return occurs when he’s adapted to his new country, is at ease with the culture and people and has little desire to return to his native land.

He sees life in LOS as healthy and normal and life in his native land dysfunctional and sick.

He may seek to convert his male friends who may likely reject the notion of living in LOS as it threatens their comfort zone.

He finds he has to keep his plans to himself and trusted friends and family.

Jealousy and envy occur amongst his casual acquaintances. He finds that he has little support from most of his female friends.

Western women seem to be threatened by the thought of a heterosexual man going to a foreign land and finding a life of freedom, dignity and respect.

I’ve seen many flashes of anger and envy from farang women glancing at men (older men especially!) walking down the street with a sweet, pretty Thai girl as they happily hold hands.

I’ve also seen farang couples on holiday on Walking street in clubs and discos.

The woman with a tight smile pretending to enjoy the show, the man with downcast eyes pretending not to be stimulated and devising excuses to leave his mate in the hotel room.

His past life in his native country seems like a bad dream.

His hard reality is now living in paradise!

He’s finally arrived!

Related Stories - Pattaya First Time Visitors Advice

Why Thailand? From a Happy Expatriate.

Reader's comments:

You are right on the money! I m an 18 year old male living without ties too strong to hold me here. I took my first trip to Thailand April of 08 and I m moving ther in September. I d say the main reasons I m moving is because I m looking for adventure. I m disgusted with America and where it is going and can t stand the thought of living here any longer when Amazing Thailand is just a 30 hour series of flights away! Seriously I hate it that I m so predictable but I m impressed. Added by: Shadygrey    Report abuse

ill second that Bruce. Nice one claw Added by: madforit    Report abuse

Yeah, good writing! :-) Added by: RussianGuy    Report abuse

Wow! What a great literate description of an expatriate's love and commitment to living a good life in Thailand! Added by: Bruce    Report abuse

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