Oh, I just discovered that she does have a blue book. I never knew that. She never mentioned it. She also has a Thai ID card even though we've been living in the US for the last 14 years, but I didn't know that I needed one also. Thanks. We won't be coming until February, but I need to learn as much as possible now.

@Jeremy *******

Oh, OK. We own a condo in Hua Hin. I paid for it, but put it in my Thai wife's name; perhaps that was a mistake regarding the yellow or blue book. We've been there several times, including a month and a half last Winter, but never bothered with any of the residence registration.

Ok, so what is a blue book? If it comes from the bank, how can you get one before you can open an account?

What is a yellow book and what is a pink ID card? I assume that a drivers license would be an ID card, but it's not pink.

I have had dental work done several times by BIDC (Bangkok International Dental Clinic), mostly dental implants. They are not the cheapest place, but still better than in the US. Six floors of dentists all part of one company; most specialize in only one thing and many are trained and certified in the US. All the latest technology and equipment. I highly recommend them.

@Marney *******

It seems that many Thai men treat women rather badly. Before meeting my wife, I chatted with a number of middle aged to older Thai women. All were well educated and professional and all were either widowed or divorced. I asked each of them why they were interested in meeting a farang. The replies were somewhat different, but much the same; they all thought that farang treat women better than Thai men do and they all had stories of bad experiences. After their previous experiences, they had no interest in another relationship with a Thai man. I happen to know a few Thai men who treat their wives quite well, but there are quite a few that do not. My wife is well educated and professional and her family is not poor. She had two previous relationships with Thai men that turned out very badly. At that point, she had decided that she simply was not destined to be in a good relationship and didn't even want to try. Her sister tried very hard and finally convinced her to reluctantly try meeting a farang online. I'm very grateful that she did.

@Richard **************

Thinking about moving to Thailand at the first of next year.

If you hang out in American or European bars and strip joints, it is highly unlikely that you will meet the sort of woman that you would like to take home to mother. Thailand is no different and there's no reason that you should expect it to be. However there are many other Thai ladies whose primary interest is not monetary. You can't judge all Thais based on those you encounter while partying in Thailand; most are quite different. I suspect that most of the cynics on this page had a fling with a bargirl that ended badly. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

@Ellen ************

One last question; I'm rather curious. Since you're so authoritative, do you actually live in Thailand or have you spent much time there?

@Peter ******

OK, yes I agree that it is often the case, but I also believe that it is often not. I would agree with "many", but not necessarily with "most." Also, I don't think that there is anything unique about Thailand or relationships between Thai women and farang men. I've seen many situations where an American woman is mostly interested in the wealth of an American man (and in one case, vice versa), but I also know of many where the money is irrelevant. I don't think that we can generalize.