How do the bards on the forum feel now about the term LOS. As the latest news come's in that another farrang has been shot dead is it still fare to compare Thailand as The Land of Smile's. I don't think it deserve's that title anymore, murder is on the increase muggings,theft ,scams, need I go on. The police sem not to concerned if there is nothing in solving a crime because there is nothing in it for them, the gov't crackdown is a disgrace ,mobs rule when they take over official building's whty were the main PAD members not arrested for the damage they caused.
Is it honestly the land of smiles. Or a country on the decline into mafia and mob rule even the local paper on phuket will not report the local crime scene anymore ( i wonder why ).

Vlad, There's another topic about the sincerity of the smiles!!

LOS - Should we call it the land of smirks?

Or LOFS = Land of False Smiles.

Also, it's invariably the bad things that one hears about, not the good things.
E.g. Izzix wouldn't be posting news items like: "Thai ladies/Ladyboys help farang who fell down in the road."

What's that expression? - "The grass is always greener on the other side".

When one has been here a long time, one can get somewhat cynical. I admit I do. Nevertheless there are still many plus points about living here, and living with one's teerac, close to where she comes from and feels happiest. So there are still quite a few silver linings in amongst the many clouds!

I'm one of those that if I didn't have something to moan about, I wouldn't be happy!!

OK must get back to the Hermitage now quick, before anyone spots me out and about socialising again.

I feel it should be left the way it is..LOS.
Each member can have their own take on the LOS lettering.
these letters can stand for many thoughts.

land of smiles
land of sun
land of sex
land of scams
lack of security
lack of sense
lots of singa

Look Out... Shotgun!
Leave Off... Shirtlifter!

Lots of Sex.

Lights out suddenly.

Lots of Sausages.

vlad wrote:How do the bards on the forum feel now about the term LOS. As the latest news come's in that another farrang has been shot dead is it still fare to compare Thailand as The Land of Smile's. I don't think it deserve's that title anymore, murder is on the increase muggings,theft ,scams, need I go on. The police sem not to concerned if there is nothing in solving a crime because there is nothing in it for them, the gov't crackdown is a disgrace ,mobs rule when they take over official building's whty were the main PAD members not arrested for the damage they caused.
Is it honestly the land of smiles. Or a country on the decline into mafia and mob rule even the local paper on phuket will not report the local crime scene anymore ( i wonder why ).

My question is:Why do so many people associate a great smile with great friendliness??

Another transference of Western thinking ???

Lets see now,I want to scam,cheat or get something of value from you ,whether legitimet or not,I'm not going to give you my best smile???

When you hear ''welcome'' or ''you are our guest'',do you automatically assume that you have preferred status????

Stan I have preferred status it called go home yankee but leave your USD here. I am surprised you
did not recognize it Stan.

LOSA = land of smiling assassin's

"RRRRRRRRRRRRR'

is the money safe? as the thai family look on

aznyron wrote:Stan I have preferred status it called go home yankee but leave your USD here. I am surprised you
did not recognize it Stan.

Oh,I agree Ron,but I was thinking in terms of being a ''guest'' by Western thinking!

Smiles ,welcome and guest do not translate the same in Thai,falangs need to realize that and deal with it in a manner that allows them to have a good life here,just different than maybe some of their thinking and ideas,when they decided to come here.

My first exposure to Thailand was GoGo bars and persistent scamming from vendors in Patpong.The beautiful girls with smiles definitely got my interest ,but the ''scene'' turned me off.and still does!

Then I went to Koh Chang and fell in love with quiet,beautiful paradise!Although a Psych Nurse at the time,I had an extensive experience in the ''nightclub bar/resturant'' business,plus management experience in both manufacturing and grocery retail business!
I immediately saw the lack of customer service and appreciation in the business scene of Thailand in general and the bar/resturant business specifically!
My immediate thinking was that I had more than enough capital and experience to build and run a nice facility on Koh Chang.I immediately decided to pursue this idea which would include early retirement which I had already been contemplating anyway prior to coming to Thailand!

I am thankful that I decided to spend some time traveling and investigating Thailand for an understanding of the hows and whys involving business,because I saved myself alot of problems if I had attempted my ideas.

I realized my naivity and assumptions made from a Western perspective over the first year!My arrogance has taken a longer time and I have been able to translate mine and others individual experiences to be able to see the reality of my position here as a falang!

Thai culture does not appeal to me in the least!My only interest in understanding some of it ,is to be able to adjust,accept and live my life in a way that doesn't have constant conflict with it!

I have now processed most of this an accepted the reality of the situation.I have learned to live in Thailand under this reality because their are many advantages to living here versus Falangland,for me!

I verbalize my frustrations and dislikes as therapy for me and sharing information for other that choose to listen or not,agree or not and find some use of not!

I attempt to be a good neighbor as much as possible,but I stand alone if needed because I am debt free,mentally free and ,hopefully will stay physically free.

In my working life I did a brief spell dealing with Japanese business men.Before setting out my American company sent me on an acclimatisation course.The single most important thing the instructors taught was about the Asian smile.Never take it sincerely, if it means anything at all its that the person smiling thinks he has got your measure.Beware when he is smiling he is at his most dangerous.
I have never forgotten that and it has stood me in good stead here in Thailand as well.

trubrit wrote:In my working life I did a brief spell dealing with Japanese business men.Before setting out my American company sent me on an acclimatisation course.The single most important thing the instructors taught was about the Asian smile.Never take it sincerely, if it means anything at all its that the person smiling thinks he has got your measure.Beware when he is smiling he is at his most dangerous!
I have never forgotten that and it has stood me in good stead here in Thailand as well.

Succinctly and concisely said!

I think that we should remember that the slogan ''LOS'' is Thailand selling Thailand to Falangland!

Goodness, I always thought L.O.S. stood for the "LAND OF SHE-MEN"? That's the trouble
with these pesky acronyms, you can never be quite sure what they actually represent.

That being said, I've been trying especially hard to be super polite. A nice sawadee krraap,
occasionally a wai, and if they've still got their face twisted-up in displeasure, then so be it.

Lots Of ( Bull ) Sh*t.........LOS.....

Land Of Sex-Change.

Land Of Siam-Sunray.

TAT have a new slogan 'LOSE YOUR HEAD IN THAILAND' @