timtscott

I know that there is no perfect place. I don't expect perfection but from what I have learned from my research and in country experience is that Thailand is less and less welcoming. I realize this a general statement and I have met some very nice Thai people over the years. But even the ones I have come really close to I find there is always an invisible barrier. I will never be Thai to them and thus never an equal. I know this exist in other cultures and it certainly exist in my own. Also I have traveled all over Thailand not just the sex tourist locations. There are parts of the country I truly love. But you should never confuse the words " I love you" with "I want to marry you". Thailand is a lot of fun. For me personally, it is best as a vacation destination and not a permanent home.

Oh by the way cost of living does play a role in my decision as well but it is not the deciding factor.

I have been coming here (Thailand) for almost 30 years with the intent to retire here. I have spent hours on same days daydreaming of this move. But now that the time has actually arrived I have decided to look elsewhere. It's not just one thing. Its many things mostly small things. Thailand have changed over the years and so have I. For example, chasing 25 year old women is no longer a top priority for me. I don't like being subject to being stopped by police just because I am a farang. If I wanted to live in a xenophobic state I would remain in the US. But mostly, I have just tired of it. To me the land of smiles is really the land of fake smiles. Maybe it always had been but I refused to see it. It's a beautiful country and exciting for a young man first exploring the world. I may still visit sometime, but I'm not sure. The 27 hour flight is getting harder and harder. Also, Many other places to see, I will retire somewhere warm and cheap likely in South America. I will miss Thailand or the Thailand I had put on a pedestal. I guess it's a good thing I reached this decision before actually moving.

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"God save the Queen?" No thanks. Granted we Americans are pretty dysfunctional but one thing we almost universally agree on is our disdain for monarchies, even if they are only ceremonial.

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Back in the Kingdom after a two year break and it seems tattoos are running rampant especially with women. Not small cute tattoos but large ones covering arms, chest, backs and so forth. Is this a new trend or something I am just noticing?

A small, discrete tattoo on a woman can be very sexy but now women are looking like sailors. Can't say it's a trend I find very attractive.

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I am still in my home country (US) just bidding time to retirement. I can retire in 2016 but may work a couple more years after that. Once I move to Thailand or the Philippines I don't plan to return under any circumstances. My only living family member is my older brother. I told him should I expire in Thailand to just leave my body there. He quickly agreed.

I mentioned this in a different thread but meet a Chinese woman on line. We Met up in BKK. We were in a restaurant and had just placed our order. Anyway, she saw a dish being served across the room and asked me what it was. I said I had no idea. There was a couple the next table over who were looking at their menus trying to decide what to order. Anyway, without saying a word, my date snatched the menu from the guys hand and start searching for her answer. Never so embarrassed in my life. There was no second date.

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Salma Hayek

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People who believe any of those fairytales are not too bright to begin with.

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I live in the US but will be moving thee next may when I retire. The farang shake down episodes gave me pause tho. I thought about central and South America but let's face it Thailand is unique. I have been to Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil , Colombia as well as Costa Rica & Mexico. All nice places to visit but boredom sets in quickly. I am still considering the Phils as I consider it the next hear thing to Thailand. But all things being equal I still would choose LOS. Easy for me to say I know since I am on the outside looking in.

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Sounds worthy of a follow up date. I could write a book on bad first dates. Sounds like you had a good time and I think she sounds ok so far. Feeding you in public is a little weird...next time tell her if she wants you to lose weight she should stop feeding you!

Met this Chinese lady in Phuket once. On our first date At dinner, she grabbed a menu out of another customers hands (a complete stranger sitting at a different table)while he was trying to decide what to order. Never said a word to him, just grab it from him and started reading it. Oddest and rudest thing I had ever seen. Her name was Yi Mo. My friends a tease me

About her. What a nightmare.

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Good luck OP! I live in Ft. Thomas. I plan to check out Pattaya in July. I have been to LOS 10 or 12 times but haven't made it to Patts yet. I can't seem to get much further than Nana lol. Well I am happy to have someone to watch reds and bengals games with!

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OP where are you in Ohio? I am in Cincinnati. I can retire next may at 55. I don't have any advice but just wish you luck and this has been helpful to me as well. I will be going thru this process this time next year.

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Men getting fleeced by women is not limited to LOS. Happens everywhere. Let the ladies reach in your pocket, just not too deep.

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Obviously has own political agenda and seeking US financial/military support. Like Maliki did before the US invasion of Iraq and that turned out really well.

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For what it is worth (not much) here is my list from the counties I have visited.

1. Colombia

2. Dominican Republic (Especially Santiago)

3. Brazil

4. Thailand

5. Norway

6. The Philippines (especially Cebu)

7. Vietnam

8. Canada

9. Costa Rica

10. United States

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I haven't moved there yet but will in a year or two. The appeal to me is cost of living, climate, women and being far away grin a world I have grown tired of.

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I am 54 and healthy. I have never had children. I regret it at times. In some ways I think I would be a perfect father. When I retire in a few years I would have all the time in the world to spend with a child and raise them. I would not have had that luxury as a younger working man. At the same time, I'm not sure I would have the energy to raise a child. Perhaps I would catch my second wind and be renewed who knows? I have a decent pension and savings so I think I would be able to care for my child financially. I think though if I decided to be a parent at this age it would be through adoption or as a step father. That is just me. I try not to pass judgement on what paths others may choose.

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I can not understand how anyone can possibly try to justify this murder. It is clear the cop shot the VICTIM as he was fleeing. The cop clearly picks the taser and lays it by the VICTIM. The cop clearly falsifies the the police report by claiming he shot the VICTIM once. If this video did not exist the cop would have walked.

I am so sick and tired people justifying the murder of citizens of any color by cops. There are serious problems with the justice system here in the United States.

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I could never support the death penalty. I realize that puts me in the minority here but so be it. The State should not have the right to take a life no matter how heinous the act.

I have no sympathy for this guy. He should be punished and should spend the remainder of his life in a 8' x 8' cell.

There are also members of the current and previous administration who authorized even worse offenses and deserve a similar fate.

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Never lived in either placed but have been visiting both for 15 years or so..will retire to one or both in next few years. In terms of costs, I haven't noticed a big difference between to two, both are affordable once you get out of the capitals. The Phils are easier for me to enjoy because everyone speaks English. However, I find Thailand more exotic and is easier to explore neighboring countries. My plan is to continue to enjoy both countries. I suppose at some point I will marry a Fillipina or Thai and then settle in one spot.

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I can't speak for English guys Never Been to England. But as an American I plan to retire in Thailand for the women, cost of living and climate. Just never really been attracted to American women. Sure I could find a thai woman here but why not go to the source?

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I was going to pass on Thailand this winter after reading so many reports about the cops in Bangkok. But starting to reconsider. I have been coming to Thailand the past 15 years or so and know I would miss it if I went somewhere else. Still I don't like the idea of being a target for some cop who wants to supplement his income by harassing me. In all of my years coming to LOS I have never been to Pattaya. So I am thinking about skipping bkk and going directly there. How does Pattaya compare to Bangkok in terms of entertainment and have there been any reports of farangs being harassed by cops there lately? I am assuming this problem is primarily limited to Suk in Bangkok? Thank. you i. appreciate any replies.

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I have been coming to Thailand for 15 years or so. I was planning on retiring there in a couple years. My last visit was in January during the protests. I was planning on coming over for a couple weeks this coming February but I have to admit LOS is rapidly losing it's appeal. Think I will vacation in the Philippines this winter and hope things improve before I retire or I will be looking at other retirement destinations.

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I am by no means a young man but marriage really does not appeal to me. I was married for 14 years to a lovely Cambodian lady I met here in the United States. When we decided to call it quits some 9 years ago I was sure I would be re-married in a couple of years. I have dated some very beautiful and sweet women from all over the world. But at 53 now I no longer feel the need to get married. I was very lucky the first time around and we ended our marriage as friends and on very fair terms. But who knows what would happen had it been someone else. Also I enjoy my freedom and own company a great deal. Hell I don't even like sleeping with someone. I'm not talking about Sex but actually sharing bed space. Lol.

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