I've been to Thailand several times backpacking but I've never had a Thai girlfriend. I was either dating someone at home (yes, I'm faithful) and or was married at the times that I've been there.

I'm in my early 40's, only married for a short time, and don't have children. I'm a travel agent and I'm able to take off and travel often.

Anyway, after I returned home a few months ago from LOS, I was on myspace.com and contacted a girl on there. Since that time, we've "talked" almost daily on Yahoo IM. We both have webcams and we can see each other and talk like we're next door.

She's in her late 20's, works at a school teaching art, and is also a hairdresser. She grew up in New Zealand and has two sisters living there and married to NZ guys. Her father was an engineer and was the CEO of a railroad there. I"m guessing he did quite well for the family. He passed away a couple of years ago.

She has a twin sister who lives in San Fransisco who is unmarried. They all have NZ passports and traveling isn't a problem.

Her mother lives by herself in Trang and my new friends drives there every other weekend to visit her.

I've always been a little leary of dating a Thai girl, as many are bar girls after your pocketbook and a way to get to the US.

After reading all the danger signs, I really don't see where she's looking for anything other then a nice guy to get to know.

Any advice ? What are things Thai girls love to her you say to them or what are things they like as gifts?

Not sure that your question has any validity as the girl you are talking with has been thoroughly "westernized." She may be Thai - and may be living in Thailand - but she has no doubt carried with her the western traits that she has learned.

In short, I sincerely doubt that she is a typical Thai girl.

In general, Thai girls are the same as any other girl in the world. They all love to hear the same things.

As for gifts - all girls love gold. Some girls are more impressed with little things - whilst others go for the big ticket items. My advise is to start with small gifts, and then judge the reaction.

Ideally, if you want to know things like this - ask her. Advise that you get from others would be only suggestions - and most likely not valid as each girl's personality is different no matter where in the world they are.

I'm confused!Are you married or not?

I'm in my early 40's, only married for a short time

I would say married before but now divorced or separated.

The Thai girl is a new experience for him - just as it has been for all of us.

BKKSTAN wrote::lol: I'm confused!Are you married or not?

I'm in my early 40's, only married for a short time

Sorry, I didn't make that clear. I was married for a short time, but have been divorced for about 5 years.

She speaks great English due to growing up in NZ. She has a car and lives in an apartment by herself in BKK.

Getting to know someone over he phone is one thing, but I'm ready to get back to LOS to spend some quality time with her.

I've never meet anyone on the internet and have never been in a long distance relation ship.

I've been happy on my own and haven't wanted a relationship. I have a cabin on a river in Oklahoma and spend my weekends out there. I also bowled the regional tour in the Southwest region.

Now, I'm excited about a relationship.

Ah hell...

If I'd known it was an Okie wanting to know all of this I would have told you differently...

Doc
(From Texas)

Hose,I think this girl sounds like a great candidate for a relationship!But it is one thing to talk on a phone or computer with someone and another thing to be together in person.Sounds like you are rightfully getting excited about a relationship with someone that ,so far,is really appealing to you.

The danger signs are just guidelines from all our experience and should probably be something for you to keep in your mind.Sounds to me like she is westernized enough for you to communicate well with,which is probably the biggest problem between falangs and Thais besides dishonesty!

There is a good chance that you will not experience all the same cultural barriers that most of us have to deal with because of her time outside of Thailand,especially if she has been educated outside of Thailand.

I have a Thai friend that lived in NZ for 15 years,the cultural differences are greatly diminished!The big question will be the relationship with her family!
Best of Luck

BKKSTAN wrote::lol: Hose,I think this girl sounds like a great candidate for a relationship!But it is one thing to talk on a phone or computer with someone and another thing to be together in person.Sounds like you are rightfully getting excited about a relationship with someone that ,so far,is really appealing to you.

The danger signs are just guidelines from all our experience and should probably be something for you to keep in your mind.Sounds to me like she is westernized enough for you to communicate well with,which is probably the biggest problem between falangs and Thais besides dishonesty!

There is a good chance that you will not experience all the same cultural barriers that most of us have to deal with because of her time outside of Thailand,especially if she has been educated outside of Thailand.

I have a Thai friend that lived in NZ for 15 years,the cultural differences are greatly diminished!The big question will be the relationship with her family!
Best of Luck

omigod Stan...good reply, but where do we start