@Kathere ***

What's your point?

@Paul ******

I have to consider that you're living in a bubble or you're just obdurately contrary - not uncommon in BKK . I just bought Strongbow Cider near Convent. Both Villa and Foodland sell Somersby, as well as half a dozen bars along Sukhumvit. I'll take some photos when I go to the BKK derby tomorrow.

Your thinking around Thai doctors is wildly inaccurate - speaking from first hand experience. Also, I have to assume you're just hopeless with women, period. I lived with a HiSo uber-white, old money Bangkokian for five years. She was educated in America. Dishonest, divisive vermin. I've had 5 HiSo partners - all the same. Isaan women will take liberties if you appear like a guy who liberties are taken with, otherwise, they'll try and make a relationship work, like all women.

Get rid of your British(presumably)thinking. Doctors in many countries are seen as charlatans. Thailand certainly doesn't sit them on a pedestal.

You're sounding like an old gasser on Buakhao who exists on the periphery of Thai society regurgitating passed-down, contradictory "morals" as mitigated racism. Have a word with yourself, son.

@Paul ******

Where is the Thailand you live? It's certainly not central BKK. stocks cider everywhere. Good product range - CJ's; Tawandang is the best beer in SEA. Made with hops, so no gut sting. You also have foodland and villa, both carry enormous product ranges.

Thai monopolies are running out of market. Soon, monopoly practise will be burdensome. ThaiBev is losing market share hand over fist to Tawandang et al.

Thais respect people who live a virtuous life. I know a few doctors who are less than wholesome and have very few allies. I also know recyclers, cleaners etc who are regarded as village deity.

At the end of the day, you're unlikely to run into ruinous relationship issues in KL, but the city has very little to offer that isn't Western Consumerism.

The unpopular opinion you cite may very well just be that. Most Isaan females are highly moral and deeply religious. As with the fairer sex, WW, you need to be careful. I've certainly lost millions of dollars to western wimmin. To Thais: basic subsistence, and great value. Golden rule: never get into a relationship where you care too much.

I almost never associate with Farangs here. I came here for work, decades ago. The Farangs I see, I wouldn't give the steam off my piss back in Blighty.

@Paul ******

My lengthy, considered reply was declined. Let's try this...

KL convenience stores are a joke. Alcohol is relatively easy to find, but the whole of KL normally only stocks the same 4 beers, at $15 a pint. Food is generally foreign and mediocre - exceptions exist.

I've lived and worked there on and off for 30 years. It's gone from my favourite to least favourite Asian city. Islamification(2004) has not helped.

My advice to anyone getting screwed over by a Thai is - learn Thai. Thais will never mess with someone who can hold their own linguistically and culturally. Here's also a good rule of thumb: Thai women who are well thought of by Thais, are generally good people. Beware of Thai women who are kept at arm's length by peers and associates - regardless of professional.

Thais are moral and conservative people who refuse to fraternitise with lowlife. I've seen this distancing even towards doctors, teachers, nurses who turned out to be scheming vermin.

I lived and worked in KL. It's a physically pleasant and clean city. Malaysians are also wonderful people. In terms of nightlife and decent food, it's the end of the earth.

Bars, Clubs, and Restaurants are generally poor. Nightlife is so restricted, it's like a school youth club. 95% of restaurants are Western owned. Malaysian food is very difficult to find.

On the positive side, dating is much more straightforward than Thailand. Malaysian women aren't interested in money. They're friendly and share a British sense of humour. The local Muslim Malay women are very Western thinking - you'd never know they were practising Muslims.

In short, Western ownership of commerce, plus huge taxation and control around alcohol and nightlife make KL one of the dullest cities I've ever lived in. It's also more Western than London.