Because the economy in China is tanking. Even the cheapest of Chinese can't do Thailand on the cheap Whoever does visit Thailand will barter down prices for tourists. Futhermore, whoever does have serious money wants to travel to Thailand to tourist with thousands of cleap bastards trashing the beaches, and behavior that trashes them.

6 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

 

The landlady has rented vendor stalls below the window. She also has a betting line.

On 1/6/2019 at 1:33 AM, mauGR1 said:

I'd say it's very difficult you'll get hard numbers.

How many old foreigners married with a much younger Thai lady would be willing to admit that their marriage has failed ?

They'd be lucky enough if they don't get kicked out of the house they bought.

Sorry if my comment sounds a bit cynical to some, it's just my impression, not supported by any real knowledge of hard facts.

Less than 50% of marriages succeed in the US. Of those, there's another percentage who while speaking the same language don't speak the same language or don't speak to each other. Forget sex. Even than men are on ED meds. Good luck. It's on the man.

In some states in the US in a divorce a wife will get the house or the house will be sold 50\50. Then there's alimony, the life styles require equalization, try half your pension and compensation for Healthcare. Suck it up, a man owns his share of a failed marriage or he wasn't man enough in keeping the marriage.

And in the US unless you have deep pockets, you are not marrying a woman half your age nor dating one. With the age gap even for safe sex with a working girl would an expensive release and even then that might not be of much quality. 

What a bar load of limp dick expats

17 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

The Carolinas are quite affordable and the weather is decent depending on where you live

Look hard: You go any further West or Remote. You are in Opioid-palachia. For sure, you can find low budget places in the US. Tents, So remote, no running water or electricity. Buy guns and hunt bear. Rooming Houses. Parents. Mobile homes aren't even cheap anymore. Try Section Eight, fake a disability and receive Medicaid. Cross the Mexican Border.

The average family income is $61,372

Consumer Prices in Greensboro, NC are 58.85% higher than in Chiang Mai

Consumer Prices Including Rent in Greensboro, NC are 74.79% higher than in Chiang Mai 

Rent Prices in Greensboro, NC are 138.58% higher than in Chiang Mai

Restaurant Prices in Greensboro, NC are 197.62% higher than in Chiang Mai

Groceries Prices in Greensboro, NC are 41.52% higher than in Chiang Mai

Local Purchasing Power in Greensboro, NC is 279.19% higher than in Chiang Mai

2 hours ago, Rayscape said:

Hmmm! A Samsung Phone! I have a feeling there might be a clue here?? Just cannot quiet remember what that might be?? Can someone help me out?? Sherlock!!  Help?

The last text was to you. There's a selfie with him and you. And, yes, if they want, they can break into the phone. Though, I doubt they will bother. A Sony MPC Player, that is old tech.

On and off, I have been reading this post and maybe I have missed points. Maybe it's meant to be an entertainment Travel Log. To be serious about the best affordable places to live the US, considerations would be better framed with defined and prospects of income and assets, and healthcare. For example, no assets, only social security and Medicare, no connections and no prospects, forgetting dreams, that would narrow your wish list and lifestyle. Even worse poor health.

On the other hand, you might have $300K, other assets, social security, maybe a pension, possibly work part-time, a community, and Medicare, now, that would make for more affordable and lifestyle possibilities. 

What does affordable mean to you,  what is your lifestyle. Otherwise you are kicking tires. 'Cause wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin, That won't get you far'.

5 hours ago, Wilsonandson said:

Teaching in Thailand below International school level where you get highly paid and full respect is akin to picking grapes in the outback of Australia.

It's usually a job for the Uni gap year student, traveller, relationship with a Thai hopefuls and the retired expats. That's why the crackdowns on people without WP's never happens.

Also the average school salary for foreign teachers is low. Pay peanuts and you get a monkey.

The only reason the Thai's might crackdown on teachers working without proper paperwork is:-

1) To gain face and promotion.
2) To show they are doing something.
3) Xenophobia rises and jealousy reigns
4) To mirror similar policies in neighbouring countries.
5) A powerful elite player with a grievence.

So all in all, nothing changes really. They still need backpackers to teach as they need qualified public school teachers in International schools.

Tighten the rules to much and whose gunner pick the grapes?

If you dislike Thailand leave. You are not a citizen of Thailand. They are an autonomous country. Let's stretch, they could throw you out of Thailand or seize your property. They can change their laws. They can permit only people with high pensions or assets, and only if they don't work or work. No extended visas for people younger than 55. You are there at the will of their country. You can take your complaint to this forum at the will of Thailand. They don't hsve to listen. And, if they do listen they can make miserable for you. Good luck pissing off a older person who might employ you or fire you.

They can use a FBI Identity History Summary or the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). These systems would also include purged information and include OUI's. Some people use a simple and shallow state or local background check for extended visas. They won't cut  it, if authorities want a deep dive. I would aspect like other developing countries, if you are from the US, if you have dirt, Thailand will find you.

Putin says Russia has the best prostitutes. Trump should get a few to go. There's Tinder. Who cares who he's screwing. I got my bonus with tax reform. My 401k is up for the year and even bigger for last year. Off to Russia.

2 hours ago, norrska said:

Well put and thanks for sharing the experience.

Speaking for myself, Thailand has a plus. Like right now, I am shoveling snow that could pull my back and at times using a snow blower that could chop off my fingers. When I worked in Thailand I was on a large companies 'high flyers' expense. Good duty. I am also a Vietnam War veteran with a disability and aside from Medicare I can receive VA healthcare. Speaking for myself, most people, with perseverance, a social network, and a will to live won't do without healthcare in the U.S. I don't claim to speak for anybody else.

On 2/16/2018 at 5:34 PM, mogandave said:

 

Well it is a crap shoot. I’ve been here 16 years and the cost of my insurance is always significantly more that what I have claimed.

This year, my premium more than doubled and my deductible jumped to $9k.

I have a bit of dough set back and over a $100k of credit cards I can use in a pinch.

 

Why so defensive and sensitive, is this topic troubling to you. It's a generalization to make a point and not directed specifically to you and you also seem not to have read the article that I linked in my first post.

Most people would like to die in their sleep there, here, no matter your healthcare coverage. In Thailand if you require long term healthcare or care for a serious health condition without insurance I would imagine you would need a decent bank account or line of credit. Depending on the extent of these assets, they might expire with no safety net. Beats me there might be other options. One might be a loving spouse. It's your choice.

Like all developing countries, it's only a matter of time, Thailand will require healthcare, maybe not in your lifetime,, but at some time.

If you are living your dream in Thailand and content with your healthcare coverage, live on, enjoy. Relax, it's better for your heart.

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Good luck. 

We all need it. 

As they say, it always happens to someone else, like illness, until it happens to you. Eat well, exercise, hope for good genes, and before you are out of money, live well, follow your dreams, and hope to unexpectedly die in your sleep. Good luck.

37 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Explain how you are better off with low income on Medicare in the U.S. rather than high income. 

I've read in many sources that the average lifetime out of pocket expenses for an older American on Medicare (obviously you need to pay premiums for the supplemental part(s) as well) is about 150,000 dollars. 

For starters: There are others.

Low-Income Subsidy -- Medicare Extra Help Program

https://www.ehealthmedicare.com/medicare-part-d-prescription/low-income-subsidy/

The other, hardcare option, you can 't get money, if you have no money. This assumes you are renting, have limited money or assets. The challenge is having a place to live, a supporting social network, and some means of transportation. I live in Metro Boston, not cheap, my place to livel, $421.00.

I am not paying $150K. Most people with large assets would want good coverage so they don't lose those assets 

I suggest, if you want to expat back to the U.S, you motivate yourself as you want to succeed with your goal.

This is my case, in reverse, as I am trying to succeed to expat back to Thailand. My challenge is overcoming healthcare options for being over 65 in Thailand. 

Thai Health Insurance: Here’s What You Need to Know as an Expat.

https://www.thailandstarterkit.com/money/thailand-health-insurance/

I can't attest to the accuracy of this article. However, finding healthcare insurance for someone over 65 would be prohibitively near impossible or expensive. Unless, you had a previous plan that would cover you into old age. That's a huge consideration. If you are young, who cares. Well, everyone will meet the fate of time.

In the U.S. while not a perfect system you would have Medicare and the lower your income the better off for you. If you worked most of your life with S.S. and with modest savings and assets there's little reason you can't find a low cost location in the U.S. Being involved in the community would also be helpful. I know, I am living this life. 

I would love to live in Thailand, been there for many extended times. Though Thailand might be 'a No Country for Old Men'. You would need a exit plan.

6 hours ago, Jingthing said:

 

https://www.salon.com/2016/04/14/death_on_the_street_americas_homeless_population_is_growing_older_and_sicker_partner/

 

Salon, "As research shows, homeless people in their 50’s and 60’s have similar or worse health problems than people in the general population who are in their 70’s and 80’s.". I hope they didn't spend too much money on this research. Homeless people their 50’s and 60’s with worse health problems don't live to their 70’s and 80’s."

On 1/18/2018 at 11:16 AM, Jingthing said:

This might not directly relate to this topic, but I think it's still related.

Amazon is going to build a major new HQ and these are the finalist cities.

Amazon surely would only consider cities with a decent quality of life.

On the other hand, Newark? Some on the list are not super expensive by U.S. standards, such as Atlanta  and Indianapolis.

 

My wild and very likely wrong guess about their final choice is Raleigh NC.

 

 

Not a guess. Any city sector that hosts Amazon will see increases in property and rental values. Then dozens of 'over priced' boutique restaurants and shops. Congested Traffic. Gentrification that displaces low income and the elderly. If you knew the city, invest in property. If you have property, sell and retire.

Impeach the Wall.

A day ago, here and elsewhere, Bannon was a disheveled purple faced bloated drunk. Who knows, other than following the wind in your direction. Regardless, I did think, he had a very good and varied resume and a very smart man. Great schools, a military officer, then a partner, not a easy task, at Goldman's. And, an entrepreneur, not matter your thoughts, without Bannon, Trump would be Presidently- Homeless.

After Adolescences. You can place your money that Heavy Booze is in middle of a fight. 

The History of the Thai Stick ( I was in Nakhon Phanom )

"The strain “Thai Stick,” grown by the hill tribes in northeast Thailand was some of the highest quality marijuana found in the ’70s. The hill tribes of Thailand generally used silk line to hold “Thai buds” together around either bamboo sticks or hemp stalks.

I’ve heard many incredible stories from various veterans, my father included, who engulfed himself within this rich untold history. I would hear stories of such sensational highs about these opium dipped thai sticks."

The Evolution : "Using the basic method of applying cannabis to a stick, he was able to transition this old school trade to the clean and all natural pure cannabis cigars you can find today."

https://hightimes.com/grow/the-history-of-the-thai-stick/

When I was stationed in Thailand in the late 60's access to opium laced Thai sticks was easy,  the Thai authorities didn't care, as long, as you were discreet and not high on duty the military didn't care. Bamboo bongs were popular. They could even pack the weed in sealed packs of branded American cigarettes. A brick might run a few US dollars. The drinkers were the Juciers, While high, the girls would playfully mess with head and they packed a good bong. Great throat hits. Oh, well ole War Stories. 

Trump won't be impeached, as he told 'Rocket Man', he's got a bigger button, and his works. Dare me .