My name is Fredy, this is my Thailand story
This is how it all began
Many of my friends repeatedly told me about Thailand, and I became increasingly interested in the Land of Smiles. After the 2004 tsunami, I was deeply affected and donated money. After this disaster, I desperately wanted to see this country. So, in 2005, I traveled to Thailand for the first time, to Phuket, with a friend. From the very first moment, I was captivated by the nature, the climate, the food, and the people. Everything fascinated me. Before that, my longest trip was to Ibiza; I could never have imagined traveling so far. For me, Thailand was at the end of the world and unattainable.
Since 2005, I have traveled to Thailand every year. Initially, I went to Phuket, and later I met friends in Pattaya and have been going there ever since. I have a lung disease and Polyarthritis (Rheumatism/osteoarthritis). In Switzerland, I experience pain every day, especially during the cold season. In Thailand, I can partially discontinue the medication after about a week; I'm a completely different person.
I meet my Thai wife
Through my many visits to Thailand and the warmth and friendly nature of Thai women, I soon felt that I wanted to try my luck again with a Thai woman. I started searching online and met a wonderful Thai woman. Orn lives in Ubon Ratchantani, comes from a modest background, and a few years ago lost her parents, whom she had been caring for, in quick succession. That's why she gave up her job in the pharmaceutical industry so she could care for her mother and then her father at home. After her father's death, she and her brother managed a rice farm. We wrote and spoke on the phone every day for months. Unfortunately, a meeting was out of the question at the time due to the pandemic, and we had to be patient.
Everyday life in Thailand
Today, we occasionally visit my Thai wife's relatives in Thailand. It's very interesting for me to observe their simple and carefree lives. They have only the bare necessities, take it from day to day, and are always happy despite everything—that's Thailand. I can now imagine emigrating to Thailand after I retire. I want to spend a carefree and happy life with my dear Thai wife, a new life. I want to leave my old life behind, as it was fraught with many setbacks.
Everyday life in Switzerland
My dear Orn loves Swiss food, especially fondue and raclette. She had never eaten cheese before. In Switzerland, she can get most of the ingredients for her Thai cooking, as she sometimes prepares Isan food. She is in the garden every day and takes care of her Thai chilies and other vegetables, which she then uses for her national dish (Papaya salad). She is impressed by the traffic behavior; cars stop when pedestrians want to cross the street, and there are far fewer traffic jams. She loves nature and especially the mountains. The biggest highlight is the snow. She also likes how she has been welcomed and accepted in Switzerland. Everyone is friendly, says hello, and talks to one another. That is not always the case in Thailand. It is not always easy for Orn in Switzerland. She faces challenges every day because everything is new to her. She attends a German course every week. She has a lot of willpower and perseverance to learn German. I am very proud of her because she is making great progress, both in speaking and writing; she has a talent for it. For me, the reverse would be impossible. I can speak and understand a few words in Thai, but writing is just a train station for me.
Professional help with marrying a Thai woman
I can only advise anyone planning a future with a Thai woman to seek support. Swiss Helping Point is the right place for that. Obtaining the necessary documents for marriage in Thailand is not easy. You have to know what is needed and where to get it. It also requires a lot of patience. Swiss Helping Point helped us a lot and guided us through the entire process, avoiding misunderstandings. Without this knowledge, you lose a lot of time and money.
Marrying a Thai woman in Switzerland
Orn and I married in Switzerland on June 26, 2023. It was a wonderful day. In the morning, we made preparations. Orn went to the hairdresser, then had lunch, and at 15 p.m., we went to the registry office. At 16 p.m., it was all over, and we drove home, where the family welcomed us. In glorious weather, we took photos and enjoyed a Thai buffet with 10 different dishes in the garden patio, toasting until it got dark.
Orn's entire family reacted very positively to our wedding and wished us much love and mutual respect. We married in a small, intimate setting; Orn's aunt, who has been married in Germany for 25 years, served as maid of honor. My mother and brother have been happy for me from the very first moment. My mother, in particular, immediately embraced Orn. All my friends reacted positively, even though I surprised them somewhat with the secret wedding. I have found the happiness I've been searching for for years.
Future
We regularly go together Pétanque play. I quickly got Orn excited about this game, and she always accompanies me. We always have fun, as my wife has unconsciously given most of the people a new name based on their pronunciation. Here are a few examples: When someone says "Pillon," she says "Buillon," when someone says "Beat," she says "Bet," and Alfons is called "Fon." Everyone is enthusiastic about her, and not just about her progress in the game. Her cheerful and cheerful nature is contagious. Orn also wants to hunt for mushrooms every day; Thai women love to hunt for mushrooms.
My sweetheart takes care of my mother during the day. After retirement, we plan to look for an apartment in Thailand, especially to spend the colder months there.
Today, through my marriage to my wonderful Thai wife, I feel completely happy.
Fredy, January 2024
Photos: Fredy & Orn
