I guess I would still be considered a 'newbee' on this site, compared to some who have been here for years. I only started last September; a mere 9 months ago.

From the outset, I really only wanted an opportunity to meet some new, quality Thai people, because I have chosen to make my life here, as best I can. I feel I must remind myself of this now.

Thailand is where my heart has always felt happiest. I have never really enjoyed the 'expat scene' in any country I have lived, and besides, I already have so many wonderful 'farang' friends from all over the world, some of whom have been like my family for over 20 years. I see no need to come to live in such a foreign country and to spend most of my time with Westerners, doing Western things. To me, this would defeat the very purpose of living here.

It's been a constant surprise to me that this site has given me much more than I ever expected or could have imagined possible.

I met a girl, six months ago, who seemed to come from nowhere, when I wasn't even looking. Every day we become closer in our hearts and we are very happy on our journey together. We are best friends, best lovers and best partners. Anyone who has met us can clearly see this.

Since meeting my girlfriend, my only TF activity has been in forums and, for the most part I've enjoyed it immensely. But really, to be honest, if I were to count all the hours I have spent on forums, I would say a large proportion of that time would have been wasted frivolously.

During the whole time I've been here on TF, I've also been busily setting up my own company and work here, and anyone who has done this alone would understand what this takes. But, now I'm finally all set up, I have a great house and work-space and enough clientelle to see me into the future. Life is looking rather good.

TF has been like a friend at times, and this is a strange phenomena that's hard to explain. I admit that when times have extremely hard, and i have felt so bitterly lonely, I've used TF as a kind of surrogate buddy; always there 24/7, always someone to talk with, even if the talk was mindless. But, this is something that can become a habit and i recognise that it's not a good habit to nurture. This aspect of TF can tend to make one both overly introspective and isolated and that, to my mind, is unhealthy. 'Cyberworld' can pull one into a meaningless vortex. Now I know.

My Dad used to tell me that one way to look at people is like a natural curve of distribution: There will always be a few people on one side who actually hate and despise you, no matter what you do. There will also be a few at the other side of the 'curve' who truly love you and all that you are. And then there is the vast majority in the middle of that 'curve' who just dont give a toss either way. Its taken me many years, but I do accept this and that's the way it seems to be. So I choose to spend my time with the few people who truly care and love me, and disregard (or at least not be concerned about) the rest.

And so, finally to the few wonderful new Thai friends (and farang friends) i have made here, I want to say thanks for coming into my life. You know who you are. I mean that from deep in my heart. I hope we can continue to get to know each other and spend many happy times over many years to come.

It's now a year since i moved back to Thailand and now I take stock of all I have achieved in this time. I have to say i am astounded that i seem to have achieved so much.

Now i think its time to switch off my profile and say farewell to TF (at least for a while anyway) so that i can spend as much quality time as I have to nurture, grow, enjoy, appreciate and give to all that I have gained and to the new people who mean so much to me.

Chok dee na krup.

Love always,

Marc