You know you’ve been in Thailand too long when you find out through Wikipedia that you’re father has become a Lib Dem politician and last year stood in a local election for a council seat.

He didn’t win the election, but there are more than 800 people in his particular ward who had faith enough to vote for him. My dad was involved in a close-fought battle for third place, which he ultimately lost, coming in fifth of seven.

While this may not be the groundbreaking news I am making it out to be, I haven’t spoken to my dad in something like 10 years. I have no bones about this – it’s not a big deal – but I think all expats can relate to the odd feeling of so much happening at home while you have been away.

This is the choice we make – we choose to live away from home – but it’s hard to appreciate that life goes on without you. I’ve lost count of the number of friends I have who are now parents or married or both.

I am glad that I am in Thailand, rather than being back home, where everything seems relatively normal.

Life goes on. Can anyone relate?