wwest5829

Agree as to different tastes/likes. Grew up in South Jersey in the Philly area but spent my working life in Western Kentucky on the Ohio River. Contemplating retirement I made 4 trips to Thailand, spending a month each visit while traveling around the country. It was the mountain North for me, with annual pilgrimages to the sea. Did not want any big city but Chiang Mai felt right. After a total of 11 years in Thailand, I am a happy camper (oh, I recognize issues but they present only moderate issues ... knock on wood).

Hmmm, as always, subject to the fine print. On the surface, a ten year, long term retired resident Visa @ 10,000 baht a year is doable for me (no 90 day reporting and including at least one annual exit-reentry). Include an option to join the national healthcare system at an additional reasonable annual premium and I would definitely see a benefit. Financial benefit for Thailand and for this long term retiree with Thai family. Hmmm, nice plastic wallet card (stating name, issue, expire date) to be presented with my Passport when entering national parks (thus no dual pricing), exit & re-entry to the country, annual address reporting (or during the year if changing address), presenting for national healthcare service. Yes, I know dream on ...

I do not think it is “common knowledge”. I am aware that it is commonly claimed by the Thai government and I allow it may be true bu we have not seen the documentation as to which groups are primarily responsible for unpaid medical bills. I do not know the facts but it appears to me, in the pre-Covid tourism, a good deal of potential unpaid medical bills were from those not having insurance covering motorbike accidents. In whose interest is it to keep the facts hidden? This is an issue which has logical means to be addressed … yes, I know … logical, not of financial interests …

Yes and taught 41 years in US. Middle school, high school, undergraduate required history survey courses.

After having taught US middle school, high school and undergraduate students for 41 years, I just make the observation that Thailand is not alone in this regard. It was rare but I recall having a Pricipal (my boss, if you will) explain how it was best not to hold back a failing student with a class of younger students. Another Principal who, bending to parental pressure suggested I change a student's grade ... I replied he was the Principal and if he wished, he could change the grade that I had fairly determined. Later, incoming undergraduate student, fresh out of high school were asked to evaluate our teaching, which was figured into pay raises ... no pressure there to inflate grades?! I loved teaching students to better understand the world around them but ... teaching will, at times, break your heart.

Why limit the greater knowledge to be gained through the use of technology. Having taught during the technological revolution, while I could tach history by the means you state, I could make history much more interesting for students having today's access to broader resources via computers/internet. I have certainly been impressed with Thailand's wide availability of internet access.

I do think that throughout Asia when faced with, "a loss of face" students are very hesitant to practice using their English language knowledge. I was impressed when studying in Shianghai decades ago with a taxi driver listening to the government supplied English lessons over the radio who wished very much to try out his English while I struggled with the Mandarin I was studying.

Supportive of your comments.

Agree with recommendation for Rutnin. I wore glasses from 5th grade on, high index bifocals. In 2017 I had both natural lens replaced with prescription lens placed in my eyes. I now use only reading/computer glasses. No more glasses first thing on in the morning, last thing off at night.

As a retired member of the working middle class, I already made the choice to retire to a lower cost country. Here in Thailand I have a comfortable working middle class retirement not available to me in my home country. I have also looked at long term facilities if needed later. With the caring Lanna culture and being outpriced at home, I believe these facilites, combined with the excellent health care available in Thailand are a potential win-win for retired westerners and Thailand.

I can understand his dismay. I find that our household seems to be able to spend most of the 65K a month but, usually, I can put some aside for the "vacation/extras" savings account. My transfer is made after my US bank sends the deposit message as a result of my SS check arriving (thus my reminder). Actually, my transfer each month is $2200 so, usually more than 65K arrives into my Bangkok Bank Account. Ha! $65.00 raise this year. Not the rich and famous but a comfortable working middle class retirement that I could not sustain in the USA. As you say circumstance conditions and outlook varies.

My funds are invested and making money annually. No way would I park 800,000 baht in a Thai bank. This is the reason I use the 65K minimum monthly income method brought from abroad. It has worked for me for over a decade now.

I have no problem with Thailand demanding tourists be required to purchase medical insurance the same as is need for a Schengen Visa in Europe (and the same coverage). Thailand wants to have those insurance profits, again no problem as long as the prices and coverage is commensurate. Additionally, for those of us full-time retired residents, work up the documented costs and work us into the national healthcare program with the costs being covered by the insurance. It is not brain surgery to work out a beneficial program for all concerned. The way Thailand is proceeding, tourism, advertising, public relations ... a negative response.

I am curious to taste the KFC/Beyond product. Same as wanting to taste the Burger King/Beyond burger (can't seem to find here in Chiang Mai).

I cannot comment as I use US all the time …

My list was much shorter due to economic considerations. A sustainable $2400 USD per month so my own country was not feasible (OK, could have a rusting out trailer in Arizona or Florida. So, cost of living, medical care (heart cholesterol issue), safety, climate, culture ... OK, OK, I favor the asian female look ... and I lean toward Buddhism philosophically. Here a decade now, plan to go up the chimney at the local Wat at the end.

Dominican Republic springs to mind.

Agreed. I looked at Mexico, Ecuador, Panama along with Thailand when facing retirement over a decade ago. While those other countries may well have provided for my retirement needs, Thailand overall got the nod and I am very pleased.

We eat salmon quite regularly. I buy the cooked salmon cuts from Rimping here in Chiang Mai.

Lanna Expo is on at the Chiang Mai Exhibition Center, January 7-16. Proof of vaccination required for admittance (& the usual, masks, distancing). Traditional crafts, textiles, food, ... the usual. We always enjoy the walk through.

I acknowledge that we all may have different experiences. Just used Booking.com again for a Koh Samui holiday. I have not had ay issues with the website.

Fair enough to say they are between a rock and a hard place ... and do not know what to do ...

My thought upon retiring to Thailand was that the best scenario would be finding a sterile orphan, but loving Thai female.after Five years here I have a wife, 26 years my junior with a teen Daughter but th family is Eat of Bangkok, independently rich in land and my wife is not close. So, she and the Daughter visit for a day when we travel to Samui but otherwise, no drama. Very fortunate …

Pre-Covid, we had many Expats here in Chiang Mai who would spend part of the year here and part of the year in their native country. I am thinking that this may serve your likes well, once we have gotten past the Covid closings.

You would know better than I, it has been awhile since I was in Udon Thani. Chiang Mai is a different story.