Yes, many have wonderful Thai wives and families, and yes, we look after them, but so too, very much viz a versa.
Many also have no family and just a very few friends back in Blighty, and it would be impossible to even exist there, and also no way can get a spouse there. Well, not any more and it was very difficult 21 years ago!!
Maybe sell some land, but like other places, not in our names and also, they seem reluctant to sell, but if we run short, then some of us may be lucky,
Yes, been here 18 years, and an amazing place, but hard on fixed income like frozen State pensions and yes, families can be expensive but do not feel stuck and the same as if one gets an emergency but one has a little set by,
Also, some Thais think old Blighty is great, but one has to remind them of all the taxes and they think one can get a job and yes have a couple of friends and they get told how very hard it is and yes the same everywhere.
The answer is how can we exist on a very small amount and no thanks.
We also keep up with the news in the media too.