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Why do friends react differently to moving to Thailand compared to a European country?

Cultural PerceptionsExpat ConcernsSafety in ThailandTravel ExperienceVisa and ImmigrationMoving AbroadLiving in Thailand
Jul 10, 2023
a year ago
Leo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
How come when you tell friends you're moving to Thailand they ask if you're nervous and if I told them I'm moving to a European country they'd be fine?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around why friends express nervousness when someone mentions moving to Thailand, contrasting with their more positive reactions to moving to European countries. Various commenters discuss perceptions of Thailand as a 'third world country,' misunderstandings due to lack of travel experience, and the assumption that living in a Western country is inherently safer. Some expats share their own experiences, noting that they feel safer in Thailand than in the U.S., highlighting the misconceptions that contribute to others' concerns.
Mitchell *******
My first trip, I didn't tell a soul except my parents that I was travelling to SE Asia (Hong Kong, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Phuket last minute).

I will be honest, I have been to Shanghai a few times, and I felt safer roaming about there at night than I did in most of the US cities I have roamed.
a year ago
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Sam *****
About 30 years ago when I first started travelling Thailand and Asia in general, my father would say to me. Just remember where you are girl. And I would tell him I feel safer in Bangkok at 2 in the morning than I do in Perth. Yeah sure there is a chance someone may hold you up for your things. But that’s logical. People in Perth just beat people up for no reason at all.
a year ago
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Brian ********
I live in the US, where every crazy person has multiple firearms, and people wonder how I'll feel safe in Thailand. Think about that. Take as long as you need.
a year ago
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Tom ********
@Brian *******
 people have guns here, maybe not as many, but don't kid yourself
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Tom *******
 not even close to as many. And they don't shoot up schools, stores, malls, churches, parades, etc. on a regular basis.
a year ago
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Tom ********
@Brian *******
 instead a violent insurgency in the south that has claimed 10's of thousands of lives. Sure America has a few shootings, but with a population of 340 million you get that.
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Tom *******
 and 21,000 murders by firearm in a single year is hardly "a few".

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/26/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-u-s/
a year ago
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Tom ********
@Brian *******
 The survey fails to tell us how many lives have been saved by guns. I can safely say that I have personally defended both my families lives and property, by simply brandishing my weapon. Has this ever occurred to you LIB
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Tom *******
 I live in a not so good area of Long Beach, Ca. right now. Have for 30 years. I've lived in Chicago in the 80s. Been all over the world. Never had the need for a firearm. If you have needed to pull a firearm twice, man, I hope you intend to move from wherever it is you live! It's dangerous there!
a year ago
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Tom ********
@Brian *******
 I grew up on a ranch in Northern California, even in High School it was a Rifle, Shotgun and a 4WD. Nobody ever got shot, a gun can be a tool when used responsibly
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Tom *******
 it can be a tool. I grew up hunting in rural New England and spent 12 years in the Navy. Been around guns my whole life. Here's the thing. No civilian needs a semi automatic firearm for anything. Best home protection if that's what you're looking for? 3 round pump shotgun. If you need more than a 3 round capacity for hunting, you are a bad shot and maybe too dangerous to own a firearm to begin with. The only thing an AR 15 or a handgun is goid for is shooting as many people as possible in as short a time as possible. Period.
a year ago
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Tom ********
@Brian *******
 I will have to agree that a saw offed or shortened shotgun is more deadly than a machine gun at close range, but with regards to my semi-autos, being shot gun, rifle and pistol. I prefer tp keep them all, as I'm a law abiding citizen and don't want to be told by others what I can or can't own.
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Tom *******
 you realize in Thailand you are being told you can't own a firearm, right? It's restricted to only Thai citizens. We expats can't.
a year ago
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Tom ********
@Brian *******
 I certainly don't own weapons here, what kind of fool do you think I am. But as a law abiding citizen of the USA, I excercise all my rights back in the USA, still enjoy hunting and keeping the neighbors at bay
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Tom *******
 you need firearms to keep your neighbors at bay? Man, I don't know where you live, but you need to move. Your neighborhood is dangerous! I've never lived in a neighborhood where I needed firearms to protect myself, and I've lived in some pretty sketchy places!
a year ago
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Tom ********
@Brian *******
 when you compare how many people there are in the USA, 21,000 DEAD from guns is a drop in the bucket as most of these cases are inner city, gang and drug related. The fact is that Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun, still hasn't changed
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Tom *******
 okay, let's talk about how gun deaths are now the number one cause of death for children in the US, surpassing automobile deaths last year.
a year ago
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Brian ********
@Tom *******
 only a problem if you settle in the south where it's going on. No insurgency where any expat actually lives.
a year ago
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Brian ********
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Crystal ***********
Haven't ever gotten that from people or family. They get more jealous than anything.
a year ago
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Stephen *******************
A lot of people in the UK think the whole of Thailand operates like Pattaya, sex drugs and scam merchants.

In fact 20 years ago I was asked before I moved here “What language do they speak there”

Wow! If it doesn’t happen in Benidorm it doesn’t happen at all for some folk 🤣🤣🤣
a year ago
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Jessica ******
Lack of travel experience and believing that “first world countries” have it better even though most from the West are typically more stressed and unhealthy.
a year ago
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Cherie ********
Yeah, I got that too…when a former coworker found out I was moving to Thailand, she said she’d never been to Thailand or read anything about it, but it sounded dangerous…..and I’m originally from the USA, daily mass shootings and she thought Thailand was dangerous…WTF
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Cherie *******
 there are more mass shooting, or any shootings for that matter in A DAY in US than have seen in my 20 odd years living here

Thai's don't own guns and certainly aren't violent....just the opposite.
a year ago
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Cherie ********
@Steve *********
 I know…I go for a run at 5am and don’t worry about anything..I can walk on basically deserted streets and still feel safe
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Cherie *******
 not just feel safe...be safe.
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Thomas *******
@Cherie *******
 it sounded dangerous because leaving your home and moving overseas is something so alien to her that she couldn't begin to comprehend it. I work on a military base where most are well traveled and when I mention moving to Thailand next year, I usually get " that sounds so awesome "
a year ago
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Thomas *******
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Ruth *******
I actually don’t get that from folks. They generally know people who have lived in Thailand. They DO, however, assume that I don’t know “what (I’m) in for”. I’m amazed how people assume others have as little experience as themselves and that clearly they are the only ones “in the know”. 🤣🤣🤣
a year ago
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Carlos *********
Because Europe isn't considered a third world country.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Carlos ********
 Europe is moving towards 3rd world status though. London for example looks like a Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nigerian city all rolled into one.
a year ago
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Lee *****
@Carlos ********
 it is
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Carlos ********
 who said ?
a year ago
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Srini ******
@Carlos ********
 The concept of third world no longer exists... everyone has moved on from it.. Try to keep up. It's developed and developing..
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Carlos ********
 either is Thailand. And Europe isn’t a country. But a quick visit to Kosovo, Albania, Belarus, Romania, Bosnia, Serbia might help with your geographical and geopolitical awareness
a year ago
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Darren *******
@Todd ********
 add the UK to that list too, certain parts moreso than others!
a year ago
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Todd *********
@Darren ******
 haha! Fair enough. It looks it sometimes
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Thomas *********
Because a lot of them have not left their mother's basement since birth.

Ignore other people's advice and just live your best possible life. Love Thailand
a year ago
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Thomas *********
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