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Why is there such aggressive behavior in expat groups discussing Thailand?

Feb 20, 2025
2 days ago
Hi! I just joined this group. I just wanted to say, it is odd to join a group for giving advice/sharing experiences if you find people seeking advice/sharing information "stupid" or "inept." I've refrained from asking questions because the aggression in some of the responses is unhinged and unnecessary. Hope this helps šŸ«¶
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around the aggressive behavior observed in expat groups focused on Thailand, particularly those seeking visa and immigration advice. New members express frustration over negative responses and the seemingly rude attitude of some experienced contributors. Many participants highlight the importance of research and self-help, encouraging individuals to utilize official sources like government websites before posting questions. However, the discourse also reveals a call for better community management, including potential restrictions on anonymous posts, to foster a more supportive environment.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Karl *****
it's much quicker and clear to type into Google "visa for Thailand for British citizens"

if you can't figure that out , you deserve to be absurd for being stupid
Helen ********
It's unfortunate that pretty much all social media platforms have trended this way in the past years. Since there are no consequences to bad behaviour people feel free to be bitter, nasty and plain old mean. Add to that a lot of people don't stay up to date on entry and provide their advice based on something that was in force a couple of years ago, can't mentally adapt to the fact that Thailand is changing and implementing stricter policies or they are just upset that the DTV actually exists. It's the just because they've never been hit by a bus doesn't mean it never happens debate.

Then you have the people asking questions who don't like the answers and get nasty which just circles back. I'm not innocent in it, I try to give advice based on my experience but when someone comes back at me and tells me what I actually experienced is incorrect, well it can be frustrating when you've taken the time to provide an answer. My personal favorite is when people post a question, get the same answers on what to do and three hours later post again saying they did the complete opposite of what was advised and have now run into a problem šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø .
Mar *****
The best way to cope with certain aspects of this ask is it more than likely Common sense or in plain site on the Website from.which ever Consulate or Embassy your applying through ..
Lee ***********
Firstly your anonymous and criticising others who help. You said you have just joined, but form an opinion based upon what and you hide. Really, it's people like you that are the frustration.
Peter ********
@Lee **********
You're. šŸ˜ Just in the spirit of this thread.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lee **********
Are you a cartoon lion? Which of us is anonymous lol.
Kimberly ********
Agreed. Iā€™m not sure what it is about the expat groups that have to do with Thailand specifically but whether itā€™s this page or the expat specific pages, the amount of snarky people highly outweighs the helpful ones. And itā€™s not like that on other countries visa pages lol

I do my best to stick to the nomad girls groups when I need information (if possible) because theyā€™re a lot more supportive and helpful than other groups.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kimberly *******
Which groups?! (I'm a woman lol)
Helen ********
Anonymous participant
@Kimberly *******
also check out Chiang Mai Nomad Women.
Kimberly ********
Anonymous participant haha! Well Iā€™m in Chiang Mai so iā€™m a part of Chiang Mai Nomad Girls and then a Chiang Mai moms group!

Iā€™ve seen some for Bangkok too!
Charles **********
I found the search feature ultra helpful in this group. It answered all my questions. Then, after I got my DTV, I added my own unique experience. This seems like the best way for the group to operate: search ā€”> ask (if needed) ā€”> give back
Jonathan *********
Just be clear, complete, donā€™t assume we know where you are starting from, and use some basic common sense, and youā€™ll do great here and in Thailand. Helps if you do a little research first instead of asking blanket questions like please do all my trip planning for me.ā€ We canā€™t predict the weather a year or months from now, we can only tell you whatā€™s typical for the time of year. And finally, Thailand is one of the most visited countries on the planet. Bangkok is in the top five of the most visited cities on the planet. So you can rest assure that the powers that be are going to make getting here and back as easy as possible considering that tourism makes up probably more than the states 20% of the economy. Youā€™ll be visiting a very advanced country with roots in the ancient and parts of the country still very undeveloped. But most of the places tourists go are very developedā€¦ for tourists. Think of it like going to Greece or Mexico, only the Thai food is better and the Greek/Mexican food is more expensive. And itā€™s a Buddhist countryā€¦
Henrik *****
Then there is all the anonymous people, that donā€™t contribute to the group, but only takes.

If you have a serious question, then you should also be able to show your identity.
Chris ******
@Henrik ****
Is there a way to disable the ability for anonymous participant posts? Like they can lose the ability to unless they wanted to show their real profile?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *****
Your profile picture is of land, so this would apply to you as well. What are you so upset about? Are you okay?
Chris ******
Anonymous participant Yes and I have my name at least and it is a pic of land. Not complaining just inquiring. And this inquiry wasnā€™t aimed specifically at you (whoever you are) its more the anonymous posts in the past. Yeah totally fine not getting wound up here unlike someone elseā€¦
Henrik *****
Yes, the administrators can block all anonymous posts.

And in some groups there even have to be a real picture on the profile, or they will be blocked.

But it is more work for the administrators.
Chris ******
@Henrik ****
I have never posted but would be open to the real pic thing if it required it.
Christopher ********
It's the "anonymous people" that get negative responses ...
Sharon ***********
It's everywhere sadly šŸ˜ž

There are always unhelpful rude comments or laughing emojis it's ridiculous! It does make me question my intentions to move there, I don't want to be in an environment full of such people šŸ˜
Thomas ********
Question to everyone saying ā€œpeople keep asking the same questionsā€ā€”

What are you expecting? New never-before-seen questions and experiences?
Chris ******
@Thomas *******
That is actually pretty fair.
Anonymous ******************
A big part of the problem is many people are not even doing the basics which is to google "DTV Thailand" and click on the official gov website which would answer some of the questions asked.

This comes down to some being extremely lazy, which is annoying to see.
Lee ***********
Anonymous participant 496 well said, why you anonymous, be proud šŸ‘
Henrik *****
The Thai Embassy website in their own country, would also give insight in the basics.

Multiple Thai Embassy websites can broaden that view.
Anonymous ******************
@Henrik ****
exactly.

I applied for mine in the UK as soon as it was announced. Had a look on the UK Embassy website, gave them a call to query a couple of things before I applied.

Applied online and received it in 3 days.
Carlo ******
it's an old white man thing
Lee ***********
@Carlo *****
there is always one plank that pulls the race card, your in Thailand ftlog, accept all, how on earth do you bring that into it.
Chris ******
@Carlo *****
Oops I guess I donā€™t qualify thenā€¦
Todd *********
@Carlo *****
itā€™s a cartoon caricature thing. Almost guaranteed level of cluelessness
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carlo *****
I've noticed that correlation as well
George **********
Theres a bunch of jobsworths in this group with ā€˜Rising Contributerā€™ or ā€˜Group Expertā€™ next to their name that donā€™t seem to have much of a life šŸ¤£ Good luck with the DTV sir, Welcome to the Fbook group šŸ˜
Henrik *****
People can not appoint themselves to be Group experts.

Itā€™s done by the Group administration, or the Facebook algoritme.
Steve *******
Just block the braindead dinguses. Every expat group in the world has those dummies who think writing negative comments make them look cool.

The irony is that lots of them ask the same questions when they're new and then laugh at people who ask the same thing that they already know, after this group has already helped them.
Clement ****************************
True, but those groups desperately need a FAQ feature though.
Henrik *****
Just use the search function.
James ********
@Henrik ****
Correct āœ…
Clement ****************************
@Henrik ****
You're missing the point of my message.

I don't have to search, I got a DTV already. I participate to help those in the process of getting one.

Forums would have pinned "meta posts" that people could read before asking a questions, where information was curated and stayed up to date.

Yes, as it is now, people have to use the search function. It's far from optimal though.
Henrik *****
Some groups actually have those functions, but nobody reads them, since you need to access the group through the frontpage of the group.

Most people enter directly through a question / thread.
Andreu ***************
Yeah, this happens a lot unfortunately. I noticed this pattern: if the question is perceived as "obvious" to other people, some of these individuals will assume it should be obvious to the person asking as well, therefore they're entitled to disrespect and even insult. Something I can't find an explanation for, other than these people reflecting unattended personal traumas, most likely acquired in our imposed schooling sistem, which mostly teaches to feel stupid when unable to reply.
Ouafa ********
I noticed the same. People are rude and mean. It's a pity because there is good advise and info given here.