Posted on 12/23/2006 5:15:33 PM PST by Dallas59
BANGKOK (AFP) - "I could not find anybody in the States. There was nothing in America for me. That's why I'm here," says the clean-cut 52-year-old bachelor, who bears a passing resemblance to Hollywood actor Michael Douglas.
Sullivan, an emergency nurse from Florida, is one of a growing number of foreign men seeking young and beautiful Thai brides via the Internet.
Speaking at the Bangkok office of Sweet Singles, a Thai bride-by-Internet company, Sullivan says he has decided to "go beyond boundaries" in his search for a wife after a futile quest in the United States.
"American women in my age are, basically, a wreck. They are physically and emotionally beaten up from relationships and life. They are untrusting," says the well-built Sullivan, sporting a pink shirt and white pants.
"I think the feminist movement in America in the 60s really trashed American feminism. American women lack a certain femininity about them that women of other countries have," he laughs.
Sullivan contacted Sweet Singles six months ago and was introduced to Yoshita Tongsalee, an attractive 27-year-old teacher of traditional Thai dancing.
After corresponding with her via e-mails for three weeks, Sullivan decided to meet her and flew to Bangkok in early December.
"Just from e-mails, I knew she was the one. I just knew," says the American, his emerald earring dazzling.
"I find Thai women in general to be less self-centered and more family-centered than I find in western women," he says. The couple plans to marry next year.
John, a 43-year-old Briton who got married to a Thai woman four years ago via an Internet bride agency, also has grievances about western women.
"English women are very demanding and they expect you to be good-looking and have plenty of money and give them lots of attention. They drink a lot and they smoke a lot and they eat a lot," says John, who declined to give his last name.
"I am not very good at getting women anyway. I'm not the best-looking guy in the world. I'm quite short and it's very hard for me to find an English woman who is shorter than me," he says on the telephone from London.
Before marrying his Thai bride, John dated six British women, but his relationships with them were anything but happy.
"I'm just fed up with British women. They are not so loyal," he says.
When he met six Thai ladies in Bangkok via the Internet, including a 32-year-old business woman who later became his wife, John says he was struck by their kindness and family-centered values.
"I think Thai women are more loyal to their husbands. They are not just 'take, take take.' Also they have old-fashioned family values, which we used to have in this country," he says. John and his wife now have two young boys.
John and Marc declined to say how much they paid to get their Thai wives. Sweet Singles says it can charge a foreign man up to 1,700 dollars for a three-year membership to meet Thai ladies.
Some 10,000 foreign men have signed up with Sweet Singles over the last decade, and nearly half of them were previously divorced, says Bee, the company's customer service manager.
Some 80 percent of them get married to Thai women through the agency.
Americans account for 60 percent of the company's male clients, with the rest mostly from Australia, Britain, Germany and Scandinavian countries. Their average age ranges from 55 to 60.
Some 20,000 Thai women have also joined Sweet Singles, with their ages ranging from 20 to 40. The company charges a Thai woman 700 baht (20 dollars) for membership.
Bee, a petite 40-something, says Thai woman often have a favorable impression of foreigners.
"Many Thai girls were disappointed by Thai men who are famous for womanizing, drinking and gambling. Thai woman believe Caucasian men are more responsible and sincere and not playing around with other women," she says.
Thanitchaya Buaban, a striking 26-year-old beauty from Thailand's northern tourist spot of Chiang Mai, says she used to have a Thai boyfriend but he cheated on her many times.
"I was heart-broken. After I joined Sweet Singles, I started meeting foreigners and they were very kind and polite," she says at the firm's office.
Thanitchaya says she now has many American suitors who are trying to win her love with diamond rings and necklaces.
"I'm going to choose the best one," she says with a big smile.
For Sullivan's fiancee Yoshita, her experiences with Thai men were more traumatic.
"I was planning to marry my first Thai boyfriend, but he did not show up on our wedding day. He embarrassed me and my family," Yoshita says. "My second boyfriend cheated on me and impregnated another woman."
But Yoshita, who wears a golden heart necklace, says she is looking forward to living in Florida with the man of her dreams -- even if she still refers to him by his last name.
"I believe Mr Sullivan is a gift from God. He is really a good man and respects me. Every day I pray and thank Buddha for giving me Mr Sullivan," she says.
Sullivan nodded and held her hand.
"I have to step outside my own culture to find someone with whom I am compatible. I am not narrow-minded in that regard," he smiles.
I have to say I agree with him
American males have to deal with women who get their hair cut off (and all their femail friends tell them 'how cute' it looks) and gain 40 pounds by the time they are 40.
So.. they marry a petite long haired beauty, and end up 10 years later with a fat short hair guy.
Who can blame them
American men can be slobs too- i know...
My asian woman will never cut her hair because she knows I love it long. I will never get a fat tummy because I know she does not like that. It is called mutual respect.
American women want everyhing , and eng up gettin it in courts
I'm happily married to an American woman for 33 years now, so I wouldn't be inclined to agree with the premise that American women are so obnoxious. OTOH, the female comments on this thread are pretty damn shrill.
I think I'm in love with you. LOL.
Soon as I saw the title, I knew this would be a good thread. Its been awhile since I've seen a mail order bride thread
And some of the male comments aren't shrill? Or is shrill a comment reserved for us mouthy women?
Ah. I'm trying to keep caught up. Really.
Cuz' what the Western World needs now is less children, less dinner with the family and more bitchy old female attorneys.
It should be a song:
What the World Needs Now
Is Less Dinner....
Ohhhh, what the world needs now
Is less children....
Whoaaaaooooaaa what the world needs now
Is more bitchy female attorneys!!!!
Whoa oh oh!
It's a million seller....
LOL...try that one on a 900 line...
Stay away from the Russian, Moldovan or Croatian women, they will slice you up and leave with your dough!
Tough women.
LOL
The recent reauthorization of the Violence Against Women's Act included an ugly little rider. Its intent was clear to stop American Men from Finding Foreign Brides to bring home to the US. If Men were only interested in the Sex Trade there is plenty available in Thailand. These Men are looking for Wives.
The comments here reflect a prejudice towards the Men seeking more Traditional Women. The fact is that the rate of Divorce for Foreign Wives is 20% in the US. This dispite all the laws rewarding Women who "Cash Out" in Divorce. Still much lower than the US Divorce rate. Since 2003 to 2005 the Marriage Rate to Foreign Women has doubled in the US.
So those who want to cast aspersions on Men who want to avoid the Misandric US Women, who have been indoctrinated for Decades is falling on deaf ears. Men could care less what US Women think. After decades of being impugned Men are doing their own thing and rejecting US Women. Feminism is freeing Men from Marriage and relationships to US Women. Tell me Ladies do you like this trend?
Yeah, I know, bitchy female attorneys like Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham have been such a horror for the conservative movement. We should all just go home and make dinner for you.
I'll remember that next time I am asked to take a pro bono case for a conservative cause...I'm a bitchy female attorney, and darn it, the Sith doesn't like me. I should just go make dinner for my man.
(watching diamond commercial on TV now)
Wow! You really ARE a waste of time!!>>
I am sorry but unless you are being a willing accomplice he is totally getting the best of you with his sarcastic humor.
I do :)
She isn't a nag, but she is a thoroughbred ha!
Ann Coulter is a woman?
That adam's apple of hers really creeps me out.
...then you don't understand sarcasm....
Amish and Mennonite sometimes wear pink, yellow or green shirts. Though, black pants are obligatory. As for earrings, there are a few fellows around here who'd cause your dentist to become wealthy should you question their manliness due to ear apparel. :-)
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