wwest5829

Agreed. It has been awhile but not too much of a bother for me once every 10 years.

Anticipating retirement, I did what I was educated to do and read some three dozen books about Thai history, society, culture in general and books just set in Thailand to gain a bit of “flavor”. One of the things I read was that in the Thai culture I might well be asked my age (age generally, is more respected in Asian culture), my occupation, my income, and education. Other things that would come into play was skin color (as darker skin was equated with working manual labor outdoors), and nationality. What was advised was not to get upset at this probing as Thais would be trying to ascertain where you fit in the “pecking order”. Reflecting on this before retiring, I was feeling rather secure … retired, so I would have some age, being an educator, holding an M.A. + additional study in six countries, Caucasian, and American (remember this was pre-Trumpism). I do point out that I am retired in Thailand, in large part, due to having worked as an educator on Kentucky so … not wealthy (I count myself able to have a sustainable monthly income at $2400 usd).

I enjoyed hearing Bannon go off on the assassination plot. But most enjoyed a commentary that the raid was specifically timed for when Trump was not going to be there.

I am thinking he screwed up that defense but not cooperating but rather resisted returning the material. Bit of a difference with Bide … say what?

Raised in the multiethnic Philadelphia metropolitan area. Drive the highway and the sign reads “leaving …”, close by is the sign saying, “entering … “, virtually no break in the houses, buildings. OK … college in Western Kentucky, never mind the culture shock of moving to the agricultural middle of the county culture shock. I lived in the 3rd (now 4th) largest city in Kentucky. Including the county, afterall we Americans oft live outside the city and drive in. I had 18.4 acres about 9 miles out of town. Lake, woods, deer, raccoons, coyotes, etc. Loved it. Retiring to Thailand … no Bangkok but on the fringe of Chiang Mai has met my needs (which include world class healthcare). Yea, yea smoke …

It helps me understand you. You must have had a challenging childhood never knowing the love of a parent without having to pay a price (since nothing is free).

Just curious, you hold a history degree? “Biden is the worst President the U.S. has ever had”.

That is my assessment. Trump will again renege on promises made. The conditions as to the debate were already agreed to … now Trump wants to throw doubt and use it as an excuse not to have to debate the issues.

Agreed. My eldest Son was in Thailand for a year in CM. Out in the wee hours, 3 Thai boys wanted his bag. His journal of experiences, past ravels was in the bag, as well as Passport, mobile, etc. No way was he giving it up. One of the Thais had a piece of wood or metal (I don’t know which). Thai went t strike my arson, he raised an arm to block … hospital with a broken arm needing a metal reinforcement surgery. What he was doing out? What was said? What exactly happened? I have no ides but he was diagnosed as having PTSD as a result. His decision to be out and about … his resulting problem.

Part of my selling all in the USA included the sale of my paid for 38 ft. Diesel pusher. Contemplated working Disney type park in the winter, maybe forest campground host in the Noth during the summer. Your obervation of associated costs made a stronger argument for Les troubles retiring to Thailand.

Anticipating retirement in 2011, I did the background reading for retirement in Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, the Philippines and Thailand. I was familiar only with Mexico. Language would have been easier in the Latin American countries. Cost of living was a major consideration as I thought my sustainable monthly $2400 usd would not allow a working middle class life style in the USA. On the academic year, so I had unemployed time to make two trips in summer and winter months in 2009 & 2010. (I certainly would recommend exploratory trips no matter which country someone is considering for retirement). I traveled around Thailand and continued my background reading in the US (history, society, culture … language, I waited to take classes here). Medical care was a major consideration as I had already had 5 by-passes in 2005. While I found that, I think, I could live in a number of Thai cities (no Bangkok), I found Chiang Mai a comfortable fit where I could find anything I needed, plenty of English spoken (I did hire someone to help me in a potential car purchase). And being single since 2007, well … damn Nancy Kwan for my attraction to the Asian female look. Sold all in the USA, shipped 5 pallets (1 of 298 books donated to CM Univ. Library, 1 of books retained in my library, 3 of personal items including collectibles gathered in my previous international travel). Been here ever since, married to a Thai girl 26 years my junior (yo! Do try and remember I was already retired when we met so … no chippy). Still quite happy to be here going on 13 years in July. Driving comments … sure test for Alzheimer’s … no accidents = no dementia as your brain must be firing on all cylinders. Threatened Thai taxation? We’ll see … I read the Treaty = SS not taxable nor is other government retirement … I am advised by my tax preparer not to worry (keep in mind I am an economic refugee (IRS Tax Return = no U.S. tax owed). So, as the Zen Master said … we’ll see (quote from movie, “Charlie Wilson’s War”).

I seem to remember that during the Vietnam War, Soth Korean and Thai soldiers were very tough fighters?

Being a student of American History, a predominantly Christian nation with a high number of gun deaths … I cannot comment on tying religious teachings versus not living in accord with the teachings.

.?? Thus, acknowledging the need for a mobile phone these days. I too use technology getting long in the tooth and my car is 22 years old. Difficult and more costly having neither. I think we can agree on this.

I’m thinking this would be an additional draw for Chinese tourism …

Whatever we jointly spend as a family of three … same as I experienced in past relationships … you?

Good for you. My forebears came in the 1600s. Farmers, shipyard owners, refugees from religious persecution. I retired after 41 years of teaching as an Emeritus Professor of history of History in a poor state in the USA. Retired along with millions of of working middle class Americans in a lower cost country.

Expect an uphill walk. Young? Pretty? Single? Without solid ties demanding that she return to Thailand? Slim to no chance. Unfortunately far too many such over stay if granted access. Oh, it is possible but not easy to convince the immigration representative that she will return to Thailand.

Probably true as in authoritarian countries, you conform or else … None of this mamby Pamby stuff. Thanks, I’ll pass … If I wanted to live under such regimes I would seek life in Russia, China, N. Korea or several other nations that come to mind.

Love it! My girl is 26 younger than me (kind of a Michael Douglas -Katherine Zeta Jones thingy). Yes, all depends … we did not meet until past our primes.

Good to know that equal education is available to all, no matter which state or community they reside in … I seemed to miss that during my career as an educator. Oh, I am fine, not being able to live in my own country on my earned retirement. I compensated by retiring to a lower cost country.

Thought I would read about this for the humor I expected to see in the comments … you do not disappoint.

I put the bid in at worse … due to the air pollution here in Chiang Mai. Riding on the motorbike feels like driving into the mouth of a blast furnace. Last time, when I arrived home actually felt weak and a bit dizzy. The Weather Channel said it felt like 44C that day = so over 110F! Yikes!

Ha! Yes, I have had those. At the end, I am asked if I feel better … to myself I think, yes … after you stopped. I am, however, a foot massage addict.

I can only identify as a retired working middle class American. The working middle class gets stuck again. I have been most sorry when I learned that your state pensions were frozen if living outside the UK. First the system does not allow for a reasonable working middle class retirement in our own countries and then there is a withholding of earned benefits when we move to a lower cost country. You guys get hit with the pension freeze, we Yanks cannot use Medicare (even though costs are much lower outside the USA).