Il a tout vécu en 16 ans de Thaïlande

Geoffrey, a 38-year-old Belgian, has lived in Thailand for 16 and a half years. He came to Thailand initially for the women and enjoyment after leaving the army with some money. He searched on Google for places with the largest "women districts" and chose Thailand, specifically Phuket, for a two-and-a-half-week vacation with a friend. This initial trip was "incredible," leading him to return. His military service in Belgium lasted two years, a decision he made for his parents, as his stepfather was a fighter pilot. He found the military lifestyle incompatible with his way of thinking and being. Mandatory military service in Belgium ended long ago. His second trip to Thailand, alone, took an unexpected turn. While spearfishing, he felt something, and upon returning to his hotel, he collapsed. He woke up in a hospital, having been bitten by a sea snake. During his two-week hospitalization, a Thai guard from a gentlemen's club he frequented, named Wat, took care of him, even sleeping by his side and managing his medical bills, which totaled around 433,000 baht. Geoffrey's Belgian insurance required upfront payment, so Wat used Geoffrey's bank card to withdraw the necessary funds, establishing a strong bond of trust. Wat, who was in the Thai army, also helped him find a place to stay near his home and taught him Thai. Geoffrey was motivated to learn the language after a frustrating evening with Wat's Thai friends where he couldn't understand anything. He learned by asking Wat the names of objects and writing them down phonetically in his phone, reviewing them nightly. He quickly became proficient enough to communicate basic needs and hold conversations within a year. After his recovery, Geoffrey decided to stay in Thailand, calling his family and business partner in Belgium to inform them of his decision. He had a lighting business in Belgium, which his partner eventually took over entirely as Geoffrey remained in Thailand. He found Belgium's stress and taxes unbearable and was drawn to Thailand's nature, freedom, and incredible infrastructure, which he describes as "chaos" but also "liberty." He contrasts this with Europe's overly regulated environment. Geoffrey eventually left Phuket after two and a half years, finding it too small. He moved to Chiang Mai, which he considers the most magnificent place in Thailand due to its natural beauty, mountains, and cultural richness with various tribes. He also appreciated Chiang Mai's relaxed atmosphere and numerous coffee shops. He values the freedom to ride his motorcycle, a passion he developed in Thailand, through the region's stunning landscapes. He started with a Kawasaki KSR 110, then a Kawasaki D-Tracker 150, followed by a Honda CBR 500, a Ducati 899, a CBR 650, a Triumph Thruxton 1200R, and currently owns a Harley Low Rider S 2023. He advises against scooters for mountain riding due to lack of engine braking and control. He has invested in several businesses in Thailand: two villas in Northern Thailand rented on Airbnb, a boxing club in Chiang Mai (Pro Boxing) specializing in English boxing and Muay Thai, and a tattoo parlor he moved to a new clubhouse. His lifestyle is supported by these investments and the Japanese fast-food restaurant business in Belgium managed by his partner. He no longer boxes due to a torn wrist ligament. His first house in Chiang Mai was bought using an inheritance from his grandmother. It was put in his ex-wife's name, but he insisted on a "Sukapib" clause in the land office documents, granting him all benefits until his death, even in case of separation or divorce. He warns against putting all eggs in one basket, recalling how he lost his savings by investing everything in a bar and nightclub in Chiang Mai. He was scammed by the landlord and faced high operating costs and police corruption, forcing him to close the businesses after two and a half years. Geoffrey's divorce from his first Thai wife, after eight and a half years of marriage, has been extremely difficult. He is still in court, has been imprisoned twice, and has accumulated about 1,350,000 baht in lawyer fees. The relationship deteriorated due to his ex-wife's ingratitude and negative attitude towards him and his family, which was unusual as he typically experienced problems with the families of his Thai partners, not the women themselves. She also suffered from psychological problems like depression. He initially did not want children, but his ex-wife became pregnant after telling him she was on birth control. The birth of their daughter further strained their relationship, leading to a lack of intimacy and his growing impatience. After a year of marital difficulties, he sought other relationships. When his ex-wife discovered this, she initiated divorce proceedings through the court. During negotiations, her lawyer misrepresented his proposals, leading to further disputes. His first prison sentence (15 days) resulted from an altercation with police in court after his ex-wife and her lawyer made unacceptable statements, causing him to try and confront her. The second sentence (15 days) occurred when he was arrested at the airport upon returning to Thailand. The judge issued a warrant because his ex-wife claimed he hadn't provided an original birth certificate for their daughter (which he had sent a copy of), accusing him of not cooperating with the court. He maintains she simply wanted to create problems. Thai family law is heavily biased towards women, especially against foreign men. He has zero alimony obligations, having fought hard to pay nothing. At the time of the divorce, he gave her 600,000 baht and half of his assets to help her start a new life and expedite the process. He also gave her full custody, which she then abused by taking their daughter from school in Belgium and bringing her back to Thailand, preventing him from seeing her for two and a half years. He fought in court to regain visitation rights, which are now every weekend and 50/50 during holidays. He is currently in court over his mother's house, which he built for her retirement, but is in his ex-wife's name. He explains that Thai civil law is weak; court decisions are often just paper and not enforced by the police unless the case becomes criminal. This means that pursuing civil cases often only benefits lawyers. His first lawyer charged him 800,000 baht for the divorce. He describes the Thai justice system as a "circus," especially regarding family law. He recounts a tragic story of a friend who lost everything in a divorce, became depressed, and eventually killed his ex-wife and himself. Geoffrey himself almost burned down his ex-wife's house at one point due to the immense stress. He also faced another prison sentence (3 weeks) after pushing his ex-wife during an argument in a parking lot when she spat in his face. The judge was displeased by his statement that the Thai tribunal wasn't doing its job. He has experienced both "tribunal prison" (like detention) and "prison prison." The latter is described as disgusting, hot, full of insects, with a shared bucket for a toilet and sleeping on the floor with dozens of others. He found that speaking Thai helped him navigate these situations. He was once given a bail of 85,000 baht for not providing a birth certificate, while three young men who stabbed a monk received 25,000 baht bail, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Thai justice. Despite these experiences, he still loves Thailand, having traveled to 52 countries and finding none comparable. Geoffrey is also part of a motorcycle club, the "Fings," having previously been with the "Outlaws." He joined the Outlaws after being invited to a party by members he met at a red light in Chiang Mai. He started as a "support" member, then became a "probationary" member, a testing period involving various tasks, including some that are not strictly legal. His ability to speak fluent Thai was a significant advantage, allowing him to attend meetings and translate for other foreign members, though this also led to more rigorous testing. The club emphasizes loyalty, respect, and brotherhood, values that resonated with Geoffrey, who felt disconnected from modern societal norms. Being part of the club offers advantages like free lodging and meals at any clubhouse worldwide. However, it demands significant personal commitment, often making family life difficult. He is now a founding member of the Fings in Thailand. The club operates under a "1%" patch, signifying that they are the 1% who live outside societal norms and laws, adhering to their own code. The club also engages in charitable activities, like donating to disabled children. Geoffrey's future aspirations include an off-road camper trip through China, Russia, and back to Europe. He can be contacted via Instagram for those interested in his experiences.