JAFO

The sooner this guy lets it go, the sooner he can get back to normal life. People forget. Honestly, nobody cares yet he keeps surfacing crying make him a fool. 

49 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

The air pollution and the smells and filth in the streets really getting to me. Both on my quiet Soi and main road. Inexcusable this is central BKK. Grease from vendors, spewage leaking from garbage bags and the trucks. Foul smells from fetid food waste dumped by vendors around MRT.

While I agree on the smells of BKK, have you ever been to NY, SF or Philadelphia? Same smells, filth and garbage. Each of our experiences and comments are completely based on where each of us lives. So it goes back to choices of location. Would I live in BKK, NY or SF....No and for the reasons you stated. 

While I do not know the demographics of the posters, It always appears to me that a large majority live in Pattaya, CM or BKK hence their dissatisfaction living here.

I am still enjoying my 15 year holiday....

I am quite content and happy living here. My wife and I designed and had a nice home built. We have no debt and live an extremely easy life. I work here in Thailand for a US based company so its all upside. 

The Visa process is noise in the big picture. But like anywhere in the world, you make it what it is. 

10 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

We’re all just frogs in a pot of water slowing heating up.  We can hop out anytime—but we stay and adjust to hotter and hotter water...

Obviously we all have choices. I choose to live and call Thailand home. But then again I do not experience any of the problems most go on and on about here on TVF. It all boils down to where a person lives and their expectations. I guess i'd leave too if I was saddled with all the bad things that all the posters go on and on about here albeit my personal opinion is that many post all the bad stuff because they are bored and have little to do. ????. Its easy to complain.

2 hours ago, jimn said:

Basically the OP is getting old and wants to go home.

After reading the OP and then his subsequent responses I agree. Nothing wrong with it. We all make choices based on our needs and expectations.

Who knows maybe when I am much older my wife and I will move back to the U.S. 

Wish you the best OP. 

Sheryl's first 2 paragraphs are exactly why they deny people. I know at least 6 Thais that worked it for months, finally got their US Visa and never came back to Thailand and have been in the states for a numerous years now.

Unfortunately the screening process can be rather discouraging because it really is a "Call" made by the agent. Facts, documents or not, its all about the perception in the interview. 

Hope it all works out for you.  

17 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I like to ask how many guys here worked hard all their life without enjoying life at that time?

Was it worth it for you to spend the best 30 years working and then retire as an "old" man

I saw so many doing that when I was just about 40. I put a plan in play to get off the hamster wheel. Some need to work, its a huge part of their life and wouldn't know how to enjoy retirement. Recently a few of older colleagues I know retired and one died, the other wanted to go back to work and couldn't and was saddled with depression. 

I love life way more being its all on my terms.

46 because I could. 3 years later was recruited by former colleagues to join the company they worked for. Did a 2 year stint and retired again. After that I have been on and off for contract purposes. Always on my terms and do not need to work. Its just for play money.

I personally think you are fighting 3 normal issues. New Family, Moving one partner to a different country and the endless cultural challenges. 

I can speak to the latter 2

My wife was very reserved at first when we moved to my home country. It took about 6 months for her to settle in. Regardless the 5 years we lived in the states we always had random cultural differences. I will say we have had far less cultural differences with us living in Thailand. It just seems to be easier. 

I wouldn't over analyze it. Just go with the flow and remember that having a new born is always a challenge for everybody.

Good Luck and be patient.

My wife and I purchased our SUV at the last show.  The price was reduced a bit at show. Then with some pretty good negotiating I think we shaved off over 100K baht more, got a gas card and some backpack with cups (HAHA). The deal was a "Show Promotion" only and you had to put a deposit down at the show. Additionally we chose the 0% interest for 3 years but had to put 50% down. Decided to let the money work for us rather then pay all up front and we can pay off anytime with no penalty.

As a side note, I recommend you go near the last day. They clearly have a quota and seem to negotiate better to meet a number. That's what we did.

Good Luck

Every time this topic hits the the board its the same responses and debate. IMHO no matter how they spin this, its all nonsense. It doesn't matter the nationalities, Thai hospitals absolutely mandate that a deposit is paid for any services for anybody without a Thai ID, whether cash or credit card. When the patient leaves they pay in full. I work here and have had a few visiting colleagues with serious medical issues that required going to the hospital. They checked in and first was payment. Both used their CC.  When they left they put it all on the card and got the receipt and would receive reimbursement from the med ins company through our company.

The only issue on non payment they may experience is if someone gets hurt so bad and is in ICU and then passes. But how often does that happen? 

The debate continues.

While I am always reluctant to post specific details on a forum, I can say that I enjoyed a very good life for a host of reasons. I grew up lower middle class but as a kid we never really know it because we just live life. It only becomes apparent after you leave and look back. But I wouldn't change a thing. I have done so much and threads like this are fun to think about it all. I was and still am extremely fortunate. 

Like everyone we all have ups and downs during the course of our lives. From the down times we learn how to improve, from the up times we learn how to appreciate. 

Now I am heading towards the 3rd segment of my life and am extremely happy living in Thailand with a nice home, a very caring, funny wife, lots of toys and hobbies, a couple of crazy funny big dogs and my health.