@Graham ******

proud of living off the backs of tax paying folks when you can more easily afford to pay taxes. That speaks volumes about your character.

It depends what visa you have, of course. An agent can do it better than your girlfriend. Worth paying an agent, imho.

@Graham ******

so you've always been a rich freeloader. Got it.

Get an agent.

I do know that, while sure, there are exceptions, Thais tend to move faster in relationships than most westerners. I don't know about marriage, but they pull you into their lives quickly. Mostly that can be good with a good person, but I push back. My girlfriend is understanding enough to give me some space bit I can tell it's hard for her. In many instances, like with my girlfriend, their Thai fathers and former husband's and boyfriends had multiple girlfriends on the side, so that is the first thing they think about. Make them understand that time alone or with friends does not equate with screwing around. Just send some pictures and a text now and again and you will get trust. Patience is a virtue in a Thai relationship!

@Dave *********

reading your post it looks like you don't. If you have it, why cheat?

@Paul *******

if they cannot afford basic food and shelter at home they cannot afford the plane ticket. I understand what you are saying, but none of it makes any sense as far as moving to a foreign country. Sure, you can live here cheaply, but without sufficient savings, one little emergency and you're on the street with no hope of help. And believe it or not, some things kind of are black and white. In an emergency in most European countries medical is free. In the US they will treat an emergency even if you cannot pay. In Thailand, you're stuck. And you know as well as I do that good Thai insurance is unaffordable on a low budget and poor Thai insurance is basically as good as no insurance. Do I wish everyone had what they needed to survive at home? Absolutely. Do I think someone on a limited budget should move to Thailand without an emergency fund? Absolutely not. Better off at home.

@Paul *******

what moral dilemma? It is unwise to move to Thailand from a western country if you don't have the funds to cover an emergency. That's just good decision making, not a moral judgement. Too many people wind up homeless here or begging either on the street or with a go fund me page. It is not a smart move to set yourself up for that possibility.

@Paul *******

wow, you don't know me at all! I can't even stand looking at that orange face.

@Paul *******

no one coming to Thailand from the west is a refugee. If you are from a country with a poverty problem like you mention, it is most likely as cheap or cheaper to live there. None of your arguments hold water.