JAFO

Being I work here in Thailand I see this all the time. While some spout its about sex and other things, it is just how the society behaves. They clearly do not want to pay more (No different then other countries). They also look at hire younger single women in office jobs as an opportunity to develop them. Also, consider what jobs are available. Most or service/office jobs and not many older women want that type of job and the hustle, especially with husband and children.

15 minutes ago, johng said:

I can understand that fear..given some of the very shoddy workmanship..

also ceiling fans are harder to clean..( yeah just don't clean them or get someone else to do it)

+ I found ceiling fans to be much noisier than a pedestal fan.

I can agree with the workmanship concern. I installed my own and the 3 others was present and assisted with the install. For me, I have no worries just like I did not worry in the states.

As for cleaning, Its the same as any fan, just wipe the blades. The pedestal fan is quicker for sure but I find them to be much louder, especially on high and the small blades move far less air. All our ceiling fans are 52" and 55". They move a lot of air on a much lower speed. Plus I have to say I hate hearing people drag around pedestal fans all the time. 

I have always personally felt that moving anywhere outside your home country takes a solid plan and means. The expat that planned to pack up camp in his home country and flee to another in hopes his life will some how be magically better was flawed from the outset. There are many lost souls that wash up here sadly and then it unravels and they have no financial means to sustain themselves. Then the government changes the rules and this pushes them over the edge. 

As to the OP question, Hmmm, would I recommend Thailand to another expat....??? Yes and No. If coming here to retire, I'd say NO!, Stay a tourist and visit. The current immigration rules for retirees is not very favorable unless you have no concerns about tying up some cash and dealing with what appears to be constant rule changes. The unknown speculation of medical insurance plays a role in it as well. I know I would not personally do it even though I have the means.  However If coming here for employment opportunities I'd absolutely say YES!!!. Lots of perks and very affordable COL. If the expat is married to a Thai, again I'd say Yes. Why not. The marriage visa extension is easy to acquire and your cash outlay is far less then the retirement rules plus I seriously suspect they will not mandate med insurance for the expat married to a Thai. It just doesn't seem to be on their radar. 

19 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Yes it is; however, the comfort comes from the lower humidity inside compared to outside. The power is not expensive because the compressor will only kick in occasionally.

Yep, That's the true advantage of the AC, Its called "Air Conditioning" for a reason and why I use them, it stabilizes the air. If you want to be cold, get a swamp cooler. 

20 hours ago, Thainesss said:

 

No idea why ceiling fans are so unpopular in thailand. Ive got one in every room and they circulate the air fiercely. Blows the doors off of any regular fan. 

I have reversible ceiling fans in every room and use them constantly. They are WAY better then floor fans and far more quiet. I use the AC minimally, I prefer fans over AC and a nice 100% cotton sheet. 

As for Thais and ceiling fans, my wife told me that the reason Thais do not use ceiling fans is they are afraid they will fall and cut and kill them. No kidding! I couldn't stop laughing. My FIL has one in his room as we had all the rooms installed with them, he has never turned it on. 

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

My wife cooks me good food at home nearly all of the time I'm not one for eating out really food is not a priority to me.

While not keeping with the content of the thread,  you covered it for me as well. Food is not a big priority for me. I prefer to eat when I am hungry, not on a schedule. For Thai's it is everything to them all the time.

My wife cooks very very well and we seldom eat out but we do try and make it out once or twice a week and it roughly lands on a bill of 300 bht to 400 bht for 2. Water is our beverage of choice 

2 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

The advantage of the CRV is that it is on a car chassis and you don't have to climb into it like a pick-up truck... it still rides higher than a car but not as high as the Pajero, I would think... 

 

Whichever way you go, enjoy!

Thanks Ken,

I agree. The Honda is lower for ease of getting into and drives more like a car. The problem with the CRV IMHO is that they say 7 seater but I sat in the far back of the CRV at the motorshow and it is not really practical. Maybe 10 minutes or so.  The Pajero clearly is bigger but the trade off is it will sit high like a truck. Reminds me of the Toyota 4 runner in the US. Its basically a SUV truck. 

3 minutes ago, geoffbezoz said:

My Brother-in-Law has one. Loves it but he is Thai.  As a non Thai all I can say is it's handling and dynamics is still like a truck.  But if you are used to driving pick-ups then it appears to be an "ok" motor. Inside has all the knobs and gadgets that Thais like.  Don't think he has had any issues with it mechanically.  Not for me but a good utilitarian vehicle if that is what you are looking for.

Thanks for the response. I am a truck owner and always have been. My wife has always had cars. The platform, like all the SUV's here, is truck based. While the trailing arms and rear suspension are different to enhance ride quality a bit the rest remains a truck. Having 4 wheel disc brakes is a plus versus the standard ol Truck big drum brakes.

On average my wife and I spend about 300bht for a nice Thai style dinner for 2. I say average. Now to be clear, we seldom ever eat western foods. that can triple or quadruple a bill. 

In fact the other night with customers (9 of us) the bill was 28,238 bht for Thai Western Fusion food in BKK. Personally to me the food was crap. But then again I do not like Foo Foo fusion food. 

All I can say is you get what you pay for. Some have nice small screens but the video quality play back is horrific.

Blackvue is good, Cobra 840 is nice and small. Thinkware is good also. I'd do a YouTube vid search for a comparison. 

Good Luck

17 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Your welcome, there are many post on TV about the old Pajero I should think the new one would be much the same. They seem to be reliable.

I'm sure you will get some feed back later. At least you have seen the new design front end. I thought it was a big improvement. Hope you enjoy if you get one.

Thanks. We do like the new front body styling. I have seen the older ones and they didn't catch my attention.  Wife originally wanted a Honda CRV but was not impressed with interior ergonomics and price.  The seating for passengers in back wasn't practical for an adult.  Then we happen to see that Pajero Sport and took a look.  Far better interior ergonomics and better appointed.  

The new 2019 comes with 5 year 100,000km warranty and full service which is nice.  

At guess at this juncture most vehicles are very reliable, suspect it boils down to what one likes.

27 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

I can read. Also referred  that I cant answer his question. I just pointed out that there is a new one out now, as it might have been of some interest to the OP. If he's thinking of owning/buying one.

Thanks for the response.  We saw at the 2019 Motorshow.  Looked very nice, well appointed and comfortable to sit in.  Priced well for options. Of course no test ride available at motorshow. We locked one in at a special show rate plus a tremendous amount of other perks were offered.  Have until end of April to decide. 

Was hoping to get owner feedback on road worthiness and handling etc.  General reviews from Aus were quite favorable. 

My wife and I are considering a Pajero Sport. I would like to hear from some owners on their feedback. 

Thanks

1 hour ago, KKr said:

what is the alternative then, hand pumped like the crop pest-spray devices ?

Don't burn shit at all would be a start. If a forest fire have a airplane drop fire retardant. If they have airplanes to salt clouds for rain, they can drop other stuff.

Thank God I work here, All you "The sky is falling" panicked, border running, agent using foreigners will have a lot to lose sleep over. 

I cant wait for the endless follow on threads loaded with endless speculation coupled with confusion then followed by the next wave of "I am leaving Thailand because they don't want me here, they just want my money" threads.

Yawn.....

52 minutes ago, bbbbooboo said:

Hmmm..... Thailand has never represented value for money. Only people thinking with the little head believe this to be true.

I find my value for the money here quite rewarding. One cannot put a price on retiring early and being debt free. Sure there are a few trade-offs but they are noise in what I have in return. If I was in the states I would have to work another 10+ years. I find the states offers very little value for the money.  

The OP sounds pissed off about something. Best to just let it go and move to a place where he finds it more suitable. No one is telling him he has to stay. Maybe the ranting on and on helps him feel better. Carry on.

I am bouncing back and forth on a Yam R6 or getting an AWD Utility ATV to mess around on.

I looked online and found a few places but in typical fashion the website is not very user friendly and shows little about availability

Anybody know of a Good Utility ATV business in Northern Thailand. I'd like to get ideas on manufacturer, models and CC's and have a few other questions as well. This is for personal use 

People that do well here are adaptable types and typically do not complain much,  They go about their lives like they would anywhere in the world.  They are likely not "trapped" with no means to move somewhere else should something change. Life here is what one makes it. You can be miserable or enjoy life, choice is yours.

At CNX airport. Left my house drove over mountains to CM only to see temp jump to 39c and the air is unbelievably bad.  Lord.  

They say 39 but feels like 42 and no air moving at all.

As I said, for the folks here that do not like heat, it must be utter hell. Its all manageable for me. I don't mind it and never have.

3 minutes ago, CGW said:

Not for me ???? very comfortable actually ........

I know some folks that hide away in a place with AC on at 22C all day, all night every day.

Just now, Pilotman said:

My hero. Must be nice to live in the 1960s, calming somehow. 

 

It's fans all day for me and air-con just to sleep. 

Same here. Its not bad. A good fan in the heat of the day works perfect. A bit of Air Con at night to make it comfy and all good. I set AC temp at 25-26C. Light sheet on top. Wife and I sleep great.

Man bunch of whiners.

No AC, Simple fan, relax in shade. Easy day. Must be terrible to live here and do not like the heat. Its either hot or REALLY hot Living indoors with 24 hr AC must suck.