kowpot

After the Island of Okinawa was given back to Japan. A few years later they changed from driving on the right to driving on the left. It was a nightmare. It all changed in one day. Needless to say, there was a record amount of accidents. Plus all the traffic lights and road signs had to be changed. There were also a great number of "right side "cars. Just think about it. You come home from work one night on the right side of the road and the next morning, you have to remember to drive on the left side.

Firstly, let's look at the official development assistance given by different governments around the world. This is a measurement of money given by official government organisations that goes towards economic development and welfare. It is the United States who gives most of any country, with approximately $29 billion donated a year. This is more than double the next countries on the list, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, all of which give $12 billion.

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The USA is the largest importer of foreign goods of any country in the world. By 2017 it will be the largest exporter of energy. It has been weaning itself away from imports from the middle east and will be self reliant in a few years. It has discovered more oil and natural gas than Saudi Arabia. It has more refining capabilities than any country in the world. The USA is still the richest country in world. It gives more foreign aid than any other country. It receives no foreign aid from any country. It's citizens donate more to charities through out the world than any other country. It has repatriated and set free more of the worlds people more than any other country.

Say what you want, but the U.S. isn't done yet. At least not in your lifetime or your grandchildren's.

At least you better hope not. Why, is all this possible. Because the American people with all their own problems want it this way. Those of you that knock the "Yanks", should thank god that they came to the rescue of your country men with their unselfish commitment when it was needed.

If you think the USD is done, maybe you should tell your governments to stop relying on it. I am sure the American people could put their money to better use.

Just to correct a few errors: the US is not, by any meaningful measure, the richest country in the world; it does NOT provide more foreign aid per capita( way down the list, in fact), it's citizens do NOT donate more to international charities , again WAY down the list per capita. There is a common misconception that the US does all these things, the reality is different. I don't believe the US is going to suffer any imminent collapse but it does face very significant headwinds notwithstanding energy self sufficiency

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The USA is the largest importer of foreign goods of any country in the world. By 2017 it will be the largest exporter of energy. It has been weaning itself away from imports from the middle east and will be self reliant in a few years. It has discovered more oil and natural gas than Saudi Arabia. It has more refining capabilities than any country in the world. The USA is still the richest country in world. It gives more foreign aid than any other country. It receives no foreign aid from any country. It's citizens donate more to charities through out the world than any other country. It has repatriated and set free more of the worlds people more than any other country.

Say what you want, but the U.S. isn't done yet. At least not in your lifetime or your grandchildren's.

At least you better hope not. Why, is all this possible. Because the American people with all their own problems want it this way. Those of you that knock the "Yanks", should thank god that they came to the rescue of your country men with their unselfish commitment when it was needed.

If you think the USD is done, maybe you should tell your governments to stop relying on it. I am sure the American people could put their money to better use.

Wearing a Sarong doesn't make you Thai.

Just as putting on a Cowboy Hat doesn't make you a Texan.

There was a problem communicating because they didn't speak English? How about there was a problem communication because they didn't speak Thai!

Teach Thai's to stand in line and to understand "first come, first serve". Not everyone rush to the front when the ticket window opens.

That is all I want.

Does anyone remember the Choke Chai Steakhouse in Bangkok? I am not sure if it is still there or not. I use to love that place. The few times I went to Bangkok from Ubon back in the early 70's I would go there. But, if it is. I would like to go back when I return.

wamberal

I was not referring to the Massacre of Oct, 1976. I had left Thailand the month of January, 1976.

I was talking years before that. I mean why don't you bring up the 80's and 90's for that matter.

Thailand has had some turbulent years. I remember having to come to Thailand and fly members of the Thai army (General Staff) out of Thailand to Singapore until things cooled down. This was in the early 90's.

I was referring to a different time. You can call me what you want if it makes you sound more important. But, you are losing the tranquility of the thread.

I think the whole idea of writing this post, was to show why a lot of people chose to retire in Thailand. It was not to have Walmart, Tesco, Big C and all of the fast food places. It was to show how a less fast pace world around us is a good thing too. Yes, there have been vast improvements, but the old ways were good also.

Admit it. Isn't there a day when you think about the good o' days?

Neeranam,

Your absolutely right. It was 40 years ago. How time flies. Somewhere I lost 10 years. I was thinking of the 70's.

But even 30 years ago. Up country was still far from much technology and they didn't have the swarm of retirees

they have now. No cell phones, no internet. not that many cars. It was still a grand place.

Maybe this is how a lot of Thais feel about Farangs moving into their neighborhoods. Ever think about that?

Wouldn't it be nice if after living in Thailand for let's say 10 years, the Thai government would let you get a permanent visa. I don't mean that you are a citizen or anything like that. Just that you would no longer need to get an annual visa. They could still have you report every 90 days.

Let's face it. Someday all will be old or ill and it will be such a hassle to keep renewing a retirement visa.

But, let me play devil's advocate. You will still need to show somehow that you have income somehow and have not emptied your bank account and that you will not become a burden on the system. I would think that if you have been showing a pension or SS that they would know that is going to continue.

They are even trying to have everyone show in person when doing the 90 day immigration check. That can be tough when you are in your 80's.

Speaking Thai is like dancing. You are much better at it if your about half drunk. Or at least you think you are.

I think the reason I asked this question is because I do want a plan B option. I have a pension from the military and will collect Social Security when I retire. I would like to be able to live on my military pension and bank my Social Security for any emergency. That being said, I don't know what it will be like in two years.

I lived previously in Thailand for a total of 6 years. I don't want to go native and be able to enjoy life. My wife is Thai. We have been married for 23 years so I don't think she is going to bail on me. At least I haven't given her any reason to do so. We should be able to live pretty comfortable but not extravagant. Thanks for the replies. I guess it's all in what your looking for.

It seems that most of the post about retiring in Thailand have to do with visa's and how much money will I need.

The one I would like to address is, the cost of retiring to Thailand. Most of the questions are, how much does it cost and how much will I need a month to live in Thailand.

My question is. Does anyone save any money having moved to the LOS? I may be reading more into it than I should but it seems to me, when you ask questions like that. It seems that many are living paycheck to paycheck or to rephrase it, retirement check to retirement check. That to me sounds like a dangerous way to go.

I mean if something unexpected were to happen, do you have emergency funds. I lived in Thailand for 6 years many years ago and plan on going back and retire there in 2 more years. I would not even fathom the idea, could I not put a little money away for a rainy day. So, if you are able to retire and save money and build a nice savings, I would like to hear from you on this post.

Just wondering.

Long term solution for a short term problem.

I was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam war. I was there from 1972 until 1976 when the U.S. forces were leaving Thailand. The problem was, many GI's did not go home. Those that were eligible for retirement, retired and stayed in Thailand. Many just went to California and processed out of the military and came right back to Thailand. There were so many Americans still around, the Thai authorities didn't know who was there legally and who was not. After all the bases were closed down, the authorities looked around and saw so many foreigners were still living there. Most had overstayed any visas that they were on.

Then the Europeans showed up. To the Thai people the looked the same so they just figured they were still left overs.

Thailand had to move on. But, many of these Expats were living there with no income. They started a lot of bar business's with no permits. Many were drug addicts that knew they would not make it back home.

The Thai government had to do something. So, they began tracking these people. Those that were allowed to stay first were the one's supporting a Thai family. There was no retirement visa at the time. Everyone was doing visa runs. Many were fake or you just paid someone to do it for you.

To keep order and to know just who is living in the country legally or if someone has left, the 90 day reporting came into effect.

Now I may be wrong about some of the timeline, but you get the point.

I would love to have the same program in the USA, but that will never happen.