WinterGael

Why? Unless speaking to the unaware, I have used Krungthep for years.

They are talking of upping required medical to 3 million baht and or having incredible assets for self insuring. On top of that, they are also thinking of upping the retirement funds from approximately 23,000$US to 45,000$US. As I said, being marriage has cheaper costs, but if that goes south, I will likely leave as already retirement requirements here are not cheap.

I swear to god when it comes to mentioning Thailand in retirement conversations, they just pull out the decade old data and go with it. In the last two years I have read many retirement planning magazines that list off countries around the world with respect to affordability, convenience, etc. Thailand is not in the top 10 for any of them. However, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia are. Going up the ladder, Malaysia always beats out Thailand. Throw in Sri Lanka, and Thailand is sucking hind tit. Why? Cost, for one. I live here, not cheap. I'm married, and hope to god they don't do to married men what they've done to retirees over the past few years. Honestly, if I was not married, I'd have to leave because the requirements are starting to get too expensive. Anniversary thing, as a tourist, this is the land of smiles - they bend over backwards for your tourist baht. Living here, this is not a smiley face place. Thais are not the warm, welcoming people that the ads would have you believe. I have friends living in Mexico, Central America, and the Philippines who go on and on about how wonderful the people are and how well treated and helpful they are. I can't say the sane. Yes, Thailand has good healthcare, at a cost. So my advice to anyone e thinking about retiring here (or anywhere) do tons of homework.

Where I come from she would likely be charged with assault as her actions were unnecessary and she is a trained muay Thai boxer. Her actions were reprehensible as while the poor man showed a gross lack of intelligence, he did not physically injure her in any way. Unfortunately, I find this sort of response to insults more the norm in Thailand than the exception.

Where did you hear that. Most tour, travel analysts expect international tourism to remain low for the next few years. Already the stats show that Europeans are staying in Europe, North Americans there, Asians here. And what tourism there is will likely increase or decrease with the costs of flights. Last week I read that airfares are expected to rise by 7% per month over the next year. The type of global mass tourism qe saw in 2019 is not likely to return soon or rapidly.

Of course they will... By 2010, western tourism had stagnated at around 20 million per year. Many years leading up to 2012, Thailand was not even a top 10 destination. I've read demographics and studies that show even as late as 2018, the majority of tourists were males, most coming here for the sex. I can believe that... But things changed after 2010. Thailand went seeking tourists from China. Between 2012 and 2014, tourist numbers more than doubled, and the Chinese really have been the driving factor behind Thailands tourist economy. From what I've seen and heard from friends and family, Thailand is great, buy it's a seen it once or twice, there's a hell of a lot more world to explore, and the majority have not come back. And to quote my niece and her husband who live for travel, Thailand is not cheap anymore.

This totally flies in the face of other reports over the past few years. But beyond that... retirement here? I started visiting here regularly as a tourist and absolutely loved this place. I'm not going to say it was cheap, because it isn't, but everything was always great, the people friendly and hospitable. So I retired here rather than my Thai wife and I staying in Canada. So how do I feel now. Insurance is not an issue as married extension does not have the same requirements (yet). But everything else. As a resident, living here, I have learned to beware the fabled Thai friendliness. It's a myth. When you're not a tourist, not a walking bank, you are of no interest. I've also noted a certain degree of racism directed my way and no longer accept being referred to as farang as most times, it is derogatory. As far as healthcare goes, it can be cheap and even good, but going by my wife's experience this past year, I think I'd be wiser to have more serious health issues attended to in a trip back home. I'm not going to go into all the immigration issues and costs (90 day reports, easy, extension of stays total nightmares). Thailand is still a nice place, but it is not a place I would recommend to anyone as a cheap, quality retirement destination. I have friends who have retired in other countries with extensive knowledge of Thailand, as well. Like they say, there's a reason they've chosen those countries over Thailand. This country wants your money, and not much else.

You got that right.

Because of the number of breakthrough infections, both in vaccinated and those already having had COVID, herd immunity has been dropped as a possibility by many health jurisdictions. Endemic means that this is now established within the population and like the flu, will likely be with us for decades to come. People seeking herd immunity seem to forget that we have not developed herd immunity to influenza, common cold viruses like rhinoceros and other coronaviruses and community acquired pneumonias.

Looking back, this should be about normal for Thai tourism. Back in the 2000s Thai tourism had peaked at around 18 to 20 million visits a year, a number that had been stagnant for roughly a decade. Looking at global numbers, Thailand rarely made it into the top 10, often below top 15. All this changed when TAT and company decided to push Thailand as a destination to Chinese tourists. In less than two years, tourism doubled and Thailand routinely a top 10 destination. So basically, this really is nothing more than a reset. And Looking at the country pre-COVID, many aspects of this country will be better off with lower numbers (and don't believe all this tripe about lost jobs, etc. I've seen what many have done since, and they are not suffering).

According to Western economists, 2022 is likely to see inflation rise above 7% per annum. Highly unlikely wages and income will increase in line with such a rise. Now we see increased tensions around the globe... there is a cycle to history. And humanity has yet to learn how to break the cycle. Soon... nothing to laugh at.

Many European countries already have assumed that COVID is endemic, meaning heard immunity is highly unlikely and COVID will be around for the foreseeable future. I read this past spring about the Spanish flu, that the pandemic ended in 1919/1920, having become endemic and not officially ending until 1959/1960. Even then, a variant od the same flu was the cause for the flu pandemic of the late 2000s, early 2010s

Who writes this <deleted>. Over the past 2 years I've read a number of financial planning magazines regarding retirement destinations. In each of them, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines have rated in the top 10, Malaysia in the top 15. Thailand either mentioned in past tense, not at all, or in the top 25. World wide, maybe Vietnam in the top 25. Too many countries in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Latin America, and South America leading the ranks as quality retirement destinations. Please give us a break from this sort of drivel.

Totally agree with you. At this time not only is travelling absurd, it is selfish... stupid is as stupid does.

Same here... especially if you are a local and they know you as part if the community....

Booking.com sucks. Agoda sucks. The reviews are horse<deleted> and the pictures you see photoshopped. The only way I can explain my experience with them. 5*, rave reviews, beautiful pictures. Arrived there 3 weeks later and the place is a dump... we won't even talk about agoda.

No they are not. I've never paid more than a local Thai pays. I've heard of double pricing, seen it once, told them I'd pay the ๒๕ baht price, and they fine with that... 50 baht in English... ????????????

Don't worry, I had to go back to Canada in January 2020, came back in December 2020. First time my wife ordered out I was like, "What do you mean 100 baht per bag?" Used to be 60 baht from same restaurant.

Satisfied is about right. Everyone talks about how friendly and politeThais are. Where tourist dollars are concerned, they should be friendly, their livelihood depends on it. So from my insight, I would expect more than just "Satisfied." I've been to other countries where "exceptional" is the word I'd use. Outside tourism hotshots, Thais are just people. They can be nice, they can be rude, they can ignore you. Politeness seems to be just matter of fact, so makes the concept of politeness questionable. Take away the business aspect of it, and Thais are okay, which is about how I would sum up most people in the world.

As to the mortgage, I've asked my wife the same thing. Also, why we are not paying 13.9% interest from GHB. As for water and electricity, there's been posts about the rise in prices on here already, so I was expecting that.

From all these posts, I guess it depends on where you live. Personally, over the past five years I've seen just about everything rise in price. 91 gas used to be average 26 baht, now 31 to 33. Mortgage started out at 8600 baht, now 10600 baht as of last year's renewal. Shopping and eating at home used to be easy at less than 1000 baht per week, now same type of shopping coming in at around 1500 per week. Hot-period electric bill used to max out at 1500/1550, this year two months at 2200 (with new efficient air conditioners). Water has doubled in cost. Cable/Internet up about 100 baht. The good news though, still cheaper than Canada. ???????? Then there are the entertainment things like eating out. My wife and I treated her brother and his wife to authentic Japanese sushi bar. Shocked to find the cost for 4 was more than a similar restaurant in Canada. Last time in Pattaya my wife and I grabbed a couple of bottles of Chang (small) at 130 baht each. Last time in Canada (Nov 2020) a small bottle of Chang cost me about 115 baht (crazy) at thai restaurant (can by half sack for about 52 baht per bottle). My favourite farang food is pizza. In Canada I get a 14" all meat for about 15 Canadian. Bought a 10" all meat from Pizza Company and did the exchange... <deleted> 17 Canadian. And eating out here has definitely gone up, depending how you want to eat. If Street food, yes cheap but beware. There's a growing trend towards processed cooking sauces vs prepared on the spot (even my wife is moving away from homemade to pre prepared to save money), which means added ingredients that should be avoided (she thinks made in Thailand means healthy despite what the ingredients are). Also, more of a reliance on noodles and rice (friends have pointed that out). Then there are my friends and family who last visited before COVID. One common theme noted by all, "Wow, Thailand sure isn't as cheap as it used to be." I have some consummate travelers I my family who used to use Thailand as their starting and finishing point for time spent in Southeast Asia, now they prefer Cambodia. COVID has brought down the price of travel here, but I do not think that will last. Lost ground cam only be made up through increased prices.

What's the problem? What are you doing wrong? I'm double vaxed, and respect process seamless. Will get my 3rd when needed without any worries. My wife was double vaxed before me, and got her third booster this month. Again, seamless. So many people complain about how hard it is to get things done here, but I find everything as easy as being back in my home country. I don't get the problems...

Great idea... not. Coming from a province in Canada where forestry is a major part of the economy, and forest fires a huge problem, all I can say is satellites have been important for detection for years. Usually by the time a satellite picks it up, it's too late.

This is Thailand. It's not an immigrant nation like US, Canada, Australia, NZ, or even the UK and Europe. What need has Thailand or any ASEAN nation or African nation for multicultural ideals outside their own internal cultures. Multiculturalism is a colonial concept.

Okay... been trying to register, but using the link on the article just gives me a forbidden message. Go to the website, get to the part about click apply... but cannot find an apply button. ????????????