Your advice would be greatly appreciated

[Roadman]

Good luck to you as well Dave. I think you are already well on the way to being successful with your mission to Thailand.

You are not being a fool...you are going about it in the right way by writing to each other for 5 months first up, and then taking the time to go and meet.

As for the age thing...you are not being foolish there either. The thai norm for age difference is around 10 years so 14 years is neither here or there....especially where you add the most important part of your text that being "we are both mature adults".

I think that when one is not in Thailand, and is first writting to a thai girl, then there is more chance that the main brain on top of the shoulders gets a chance to activate first and take over the lead role...result...a very high chance of a successful objective.

One comment I would make is treat yout time in Thailand as a first visit. Don't panic or worry about where you or her are likely to live at this stage. Just enjoy the time together in Udon and Thailand. I and others I know have trodden the same path you are taking. Generally the future will take care of itself and the two of you will start thinking about that once time left together in Udon surpasses time spent together. It is very normal for many falang/thai couples to commit to a life long relationship on this first visit but then spend considerable time apart. During that time apart that olde favorite "absence" kicks in and what seemed to be very difficult hurdles to overcome (where to live together) are a piece of pie.

My own partner who I thought would never leave Udon lives here in NZ. The 5 years only then return to Thailand has already been replaced with 10 years.

[valentine]

[qu
good luck dave13 (is'nt 13 unlucky for some!) only joking. [/quote]
Especialy if you find out after, thats how old she was

[Alagrl]

Dave13,

Don't worry! First of all, there is plenty of advice available here from gentlemen whose Thai wives made the transition to the UK, US, Australia or New Zealand. They have been so helpful with advice on how to assist my new Thai daughter-in-law.

Second, the 14 year age difference is nothing to be concerned about in itself, even in an Anglo culture. My grandparents had a 15 year age difference, and they were married 49 years. Look around -- I'll bet you can see many, many successful marriages with age differences.

[Dave13]

Thank you
Roadman, beermonkey,valentine ,gulfcoastUSA.
for you kind words and sound advice.
What ever happens i am coming to undon thani to enjoy myself, and hope fully meet my future wife. Today I face my journey with a bit more optimism

[jrry965]

Well Boatman, while I do agree with the idea of it being very difficult to find a good Thai lady on the net, I must tell you that it is not impossible. Are they ever exactly like they seem on the net? Of course not! No one is. I actually met a Thai girl on the net, and married her. I had 2 and 1/2 great years with her living in Thailand. When I brought her to the states it was just so hard on her. Most Thais are so close to their families, it was too difficult for her to adjust. My advice (for what its worth) is for you to go to Thailand and find a lady in person, which is no great trick, and if she seems right for you, to find away to move there. I wish I could have stayed, maybe it could have saved my marriage. But I have no complaints 2 and 1/2 great years where worth it even though it had to end. Good Luck!

[ctm]

CTM - The races might all have different strengths and weaknesses, but a red-neck is a common subspecies of all of them unfortunately and I avoid them all like the plague.

Hmmm. Unfortunately, I don't think the average American can distinguish the English social classes / rednecks very well. You English guys know if you walk in a pub and a couple Londoners in football jerseys with lots of tattoos and scowls are drinking and watching a game, maybe better not to talk to them. In fact sit far away or leave is even better, especially if their team is losing. An American, not knowing any better, might walk up to them and say