WinterGael

Where do they come up with these misinformation studies. Bangkok is not cheap, unless you're making 80, 90, 100,000 baht per month. I was looking at renting a condo. Yep, lots, but I'm not going to pay 20/25,000 a month. That's the reason so many available. The monthly rent more than the average Thai salary in Bangkok. My family who live and work here live in the outskirts, in old buildings, and pay 2 to 3000 baht a month. So do my wife and I. But there are other issues. Pollution can be horrendous. Owning a car nice, but Bangkok not ser up for the number of cars people own here. Then there is work if a digital nomad. My income from such has declined by 50% in the past three years because the two highest paying companies no longer allow me to work from Thailand because they see Thailand as a security risk when it comes to personal information, especially with personal information out of the European Union. I think before making such broad statements as this, reality checks need to be made. This week I watched a similar video that put Thailand high on the list for digital nomads because you can live here on 500$US a month... really? ????????????

I do not think Thais watch porn anymore than any other group. Porn is out there, some people enjoy it, some don't. Based on my circle of friends, here and in other countries, it is highly probable that the majority don't watch it, therefore could care less about legalisation. Talking to friends, Japanese and Americans seem to watch it more than Thais and continental Europeans, simply because in countries where access to sex seems to be common, porn doesn't seem to be needed. As for viewing porn, the Internet pretty much negates any means of control, because there's just too much out there, from FansOnly to Pirate Bay. I think the biggest thing about legalising it here would be making porn. The sex industry is large and a problem already. Producing porn movies would only add to the problem.

We all knew tourists were staying away. That was predicted by every major tourist agency in the world. Predictions of tourism recovery is anywhere from 2 to 5 years. Has nothing to do with alcohol bans, PCR tests, or anything else. Testing on arrival is just plain smart, as is limiting the sale of alcohol (sorry, the rich have shown why that is needed here). As for Cambodia, well, I'd say its likely returning expats just like everywhere else... so no surprises there.

I'm sorry... but I find most replies to this post show a marked degree of nonsense. Just like in my home country, shop owners and businesses are taking the necessary steps to ensure the success of reopeningand hopevthat further lichdowns will be avoided. These actions are not foolishness. They are the reality of the age we live in. By suggesting otherwise is showing a certain degree of selfishness on the part of tourists (tourism in and of itself right now is a selfish axt), and farang who reside here who suggest otherwise forget that this is not their country. So it is deplorable that such comments ate made suggesting that we farangs may know better. We don't. Our self serving attitudes and elitist attitudes made western democracies a laughing stock, non more so than the US. THIS is Thailand, support these actions or say nothing. Personally, I do everything in my power to abide by Thai rules, do not criticise, and slowly but surely, I'm being welcomed back into my village community. It is the only sane thing to do.

Not stupid by any means.

Out of Phuket sandbox. A number of incoming people tested positive. As a result they were put in full quarantine, as were all the other passengers on the plane. This was reported in 2 or 3 separate newpapers here.

If like before, yes. Upon arrival, and at the hotel, all my documents were checked again, not just the COE.

News reports said all...

Neg test only good if you've quarantined yourself after taking your test. Vaccinated, you can still catch COVID after your initial test, so that's why they test you here, too. Look. They found positive tourists in Phuket sandbox (whole plane load then quarantined), and Isreal tests on arrival too. That's how the US now knows they have Delta plus, too. So hope everybody quarantined before their flight. Thai Consulate in Canada actually told me to quarantine for a week before my flight.

There is one hot potato to all these desperate for tourists reports. Most Thais in three consecutive polls are not happy that tourists are coming back, nor are doctors and some sectors of the tourism industry. That said, I'm sure those who can't see beyond tourism will be happy to see them back. But going by personal experience and in conversation with a few others I know here who returned last December, this is not the same welcoming country. My wife warned me not to come, that our neighbours would not welcome me. But I had no choice as my money in my home country ran out and I have bills and responsibilities here, so I came home. And she was right. I've been back almost a year now, and only now are neighbours starting to be friendly again. And still, only one family invites US over for dinner and drinks. Everyone else welcomes wife but not me. And as for the markets where people know me and have always talked and joked with me, it's all business now. Other than อยากมี...ครับ and เท่าไร, very little said. And as I said, I'm not the only one noticing this... so tourists may be in for a bit of a shock.

They have an army, which seemed to be pretty much who was policing BKK on my return.

Would it be the big a loss? Not if you look globally. In the US, UK, Europe, Canada, the number of nightclubs and bars has dropped dramatically over the past 20 years. For years they were fuelled by the younger generations, the under 30 group, but no longer. And it hasn't hurt tourism or the economy the way everyone fears here. The question is not will they recover, but how does the country move away from the sex for sale, beer guzzling, party type tourist and more towards a style of tourism that other countries thrive on. Outside the present tourist oriented business pre COVID, most Thais do not like the sort of tourists that come here for sex, beer, and partying. We frown upon such actions in our home countries, deplore tourists and immigrants alike who come to our home countries and "abuse" our notions of correctness, so why bring it here. You know, after 5 years of marriage, my Thai wife still not believe that I never came here for sex and party before I met her. When she gets upset, she still accuses me of such because, in her view, that is they way farangs are. Unfortunately, in talks with my neighbours and family here, that is pretty much the image that most Thais i know seem to have of farangs. And it is amazing how many ask my wife about such things. I never thought about all this before COVID, but I see the changes, and I think the changes are for the better. It's time Thailand moved away from the Vietnam era "Thailand is a big brothel party town for fatangs to relax" image. And frankly, that is how many if my male friends in Canada view it because when I'm back there, that's all they want to know...

It is a stupid idea. Look at other countries that allow foreign ownership, like Canada. A few made a lot of money quick, and now it is a total nightmare. Places like Vancouver, Calvary, and Toronto a Canadian can barely afford to buy. Provincial governments now putting restrictions, stopping the renting of foreign owned properties, adding extra taxes, especially if it is known the property is not a principle residence, all in an attempt to make housing (both renting and owning) more affordable for Canadians. Even all federal parties have made it an election issue. This is a Pandora's box that the average Thai does not need to see introduced here...

Hmmm... I have a few friends that left Thailand for Cambodia. They have nothing but good things to say about it. One lived in Thailand for 12 years and has no intention of ever returning. Both they it's cheaper, the women are nicer, visas are a breeze,and the one guy was offered a job three weeks after moving there. He loves it, as his pension now goes into his home bank every month and he lives off of his income there. Sure as hell can't do that here. At least not legally.

Well, it is interesting coming from a country where the number of bars and nightclubs has been going down for the last 15 to 20 years, it is amazing that businesses here think alcohol sales are necessary to their survival. Now, I enjoy a beer or whiskey with the best of them, but as I've learned here, going to a bar is not the way to do it. Why, because we can go to one of the small shops in the village and buy a large beer for 55 to 60 baht versus going to a restaurant or bar and paying 90 to 100 baht (if lucky) up to 130 baht. At a couple of places in Pataya, paid 110 for a small bottle of beer. That makes a small bottle of Chang more expensive than a small bottle of Chang at the Thai restaurant I like in Canada (4.10$C vs 4.00$C). Nuts to that... Yes, young people like to go and party, but tourists have no idea. This is Thailand. My wife's family and we went to Pataya for Songkran a few years ago (big mistake). Drink parting tourists having a blast everywhere. My family were not impressed, in fact disgusted, and felt that the way Songkran was being celebrated by tourists was insulting. So looking from the outside out, it is a sad fact tourism in Thailand seems to be about things other than seeing the sites. Even my family touring here from Canada were dismayed by the way so many westerners act in this country.

Odd... this week I read Bangkok, phuket, and a couple of other places 60 to 70 percent vaccinated, Thailand as a while on 38% vaccinated. And COVID plus is being watched very closely in UK as over the last two weeks has gone from 6% of new cases to 8% and rising with some indication of vaccines resistance...

Citizenship... yeah. I talked to a long term teacher here (40 years) about permanent residence in Thailand (does have some benefits, like no money in the bank, only need 30,000B a month, and you get the same medical as your wife). He said that no one he knows has ever been able to get permanent residency, let alone thai citizenship. Crazy...

Excuse me, but Cambodia is quite a bit cheaper. Yes COVID made living in some of these places difficult, but that goes for Thailand, too. I've done a lot of research on this, and if my marriage goes south I will be leaving Thailand in all likelihood. And it is not just 1900 for an extension of stay in Thailand. It now means having proof of 400,000 baht in your account year round, and 2 months prior and 2 months after, 800,000 baht, or 400,000 plus the equivalent of another 400,000 in monthly income. At the present time, that is roughly 26,000 US a year. But there is talk of raising that to a minimum of 40,000 US a year (almost everyone I know does not make that in retirement). They are also talking about raising the minimum health insurance to 3 million US in coverage (I have 1 million now and that is expensive enough). You can retire in Cambodia no money in the bank, and work if you want to. Not so in Thailand. You can get a retirement plan in the Philippines that includes medical, and I am told that is the same for Malaysia (where you can also legally buy a home). As for people leaving Vietnam, yes they are, and planning on going back. I also have spoken with a lot of people who have left Thailand. Some have lived here 20 to 30 years, still like the country, but no longer find it welcoming, accommodating or cheap to live in. And as for amenities... really, what does Thailand have that other countries don't? Maybe better medical, but not cheap for some procedures. For some stuff, I'd save money by hopping a flight home for two weeks because guess what, my medical insurance doesn't cover it. Or going to India where there are better doctors and costs are amazingly affordable.

Where do they get this info? The last three retirement blogs/reports published in retirement and financial mags didn't even have Thailand in the top 12. In Souteast Asia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia all listed in the top 10. By reports, their requirements are less stringent, they are cheaper while still having comparable amenities (although health care is a work in progress), they have more vibrant economies, etc. All one has to do is look at the present situation in Thailand with all its schemes to realise that even the government here knows that they have dropped the ball and now must try and play catchup.

Simple answer... they already are. I've friends in Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. All used to live in Thailand. Now brag about life in their new homes. Go beyond retirement, and Thailand is becoming the lane duck in the region. Mt neighbours used to brag about Thailands lead in ASEAN, now they complainan about how the country is slipping.

Don't write off Malaysia. In many ways, it is already ahead of Thailand and growing. For the most part, my family is fairly wealthy, and for the past 4 or 5 years, have been ignoring Thailand. As wealthy individuals, they find other countries in the area more desirable and easier to deal with. They know about the 5-year visa scheme, and have no interest because all it is designed to do is make money for the government while letting you forgo many of the inconveniences now associated with living in Thailand. It does not address the many negatives that Thailand has with regard to being a home for rich people. The question that this article doesn't ask, is why are so many expats leaving Thailand?

Depends on how you look at it... the assumption was, "Oh boy, tourists again." The reality was, people just taking advantage of the situation to come home. In that regard, I certainly would not be spending my time like a tourist, I'd be doing exactly what I did upon return, getting caught up with life here.

Yeah... I'm married to a Thai, and she won't leave. Know too many who have, though... Thailand does not even make at a top 10 retirement destination in many arettickes now.

This is exactly what they are saying out of Europe just with better example. I have read a report and seen a video, and based off of all technical information, many western experts are saying herd immunity is a pipe dream, just like the flu. You can catch COVID more than once, you can have COVID and spread it even after being vaccinated. It mutates, and like the flu vaccine, you get vaccinated for one strain, and end up catching another strain. So herd immunity is not going to happen.

You've noticed that, too. I had to leave January 2020 for business and family in Canada. Return was Scheduled April. We all know how that went. ???????? But this is not the Thailand I left. My wife seems embarrassed to have a farang husband. All the neighbours I called friends and ate with and talked to are distant. Unlike the other two farangs in the village, I was well liked and welcomed. Now, I feel like an outsider... my wife gets invited over all the time, but she tells me I can't come. Crazy. And it's not just the village. When I go into town to the larger markets, people are distant. I'm used to everyone chatting me up with a million questions. Not any more. Needless to say, our marriage is strained. And I am seriously thinking of another country. Friends tell me to come to go to the Philippines, no problems there. Another friend took off to Cambodia end of 2019. Tells me to forget Thailand, go there... much better treatment all around. So I don't know... just don't feel welcome or wanted here anymore. (No, this isn't a tourist town).