CaptainJack

3 minutes ago, Snow Leopard said:

No offence but Culture Shock? 11 Months is a long holiday. I have worked in over 70 countries over 35 years. Some I have been in longer than others obviously. There are many more countries out there that offer a better culture shock experience than Thailand. 

I know your reply is to another poster, but Thailand for me was easy as to culture. That I will miss....

8 minutes ago, HLover said:

Poor planning usually results in failure.

Or worse. I own i missed way to much in my plans.   Yes, this was a failure.  I am dealing with it.

57 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said:

Have you considered becoming a monk to save money for your trip home?

Needed a laugh. Thanks.

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

No doubt Thailand is getting more expensive by the day. However, I think I'll rather teach English than leave if poop hits the fan.

If your here on a work Visa,  that is a possibility.  For retirees,  no dice.

22 minutes ago, HLover said:

Obviously.

Yep. I have a suspicion that may be more the norm then not. 

43 minutes ago, WyrldTraveler said:

What many fail to realize is the value of experience.  People "Back Home" will try to shame you, but the reality is that you had the courage to do something which they do not have the courage to do - move someplace else.  Having done so, you now know that it can be done.  Remember the expression, "Been There, Done That"?  Your neighborhood now extends to the entire planet.

 

They are intimidated by that, so they go on the attack, as they are 'threatened'.  By thoughts in their own minds.

 

"If So-and-So can do it, why haven't I done it?"

 

This thought is behind every unhelpful comment.  I visited the US temporarily and the assumption was that I was "back" and that my journeys were "a catastrophic failure".  Nothing was farther from the truth.

 

But that didn't stop them.

 

Because it's about THEM, it's not about US.  We're just the stimulus for them to examine themselves.  And when they look, they do not like what they see.  So they blame us.

 

Most of my consulting work is to establish the correct mindset for being successful in an alien environment.  Having left, now one is a 'new and improved' version of the one who left.  As a result, one is 'new' once again.  People want you to be the person they remember, not who you are.  It's their problem, not ours, but we have to deal with their behavior if we want to be around them.

 

Psychological preparation is just as important as packing your suitcase and getting your documents in order. 

 

 

Thank you for that comment.  I have been preparing for this since the first week of December.  I even detoured for a month to visit Sydney and the Blue Mountains and three weeks exploring the south island of New Zealand.  I put on a good face, but it is hard.  I have battled depression (something I don't normally have) everyday since getting back.  I'm safe, with my best friend and his wife, secure, have money and a rent car.  I miss my girlfriend terribly and still, I made the right decision for me.

The psychological and emotional are the hardest. Today was a milestone for me. I have decided where to go, what is involved and have already got enough solid evidence and research it is the right place in Latin America. 

There is nobody I could talk to here, except my best friend that could ever understand.   I guess that would be my biggest contribution to the topic.  All the plans, logistics and strategic thinking did not save me from my emotions.   Anyone leaving needs to be ready for that, the best they can.

1 minute ago, Gecko123 said:

This thread has definitely gotten off on the wrong foot. If we set aside the usual arguments about whether Thailand is better than country xyz, a thread exchanging tips on how to smoothly leave Thailand (if that's what you've done or are planning to do) could potentially be very useful, and it's a topic that I haven't seen covered here before.

 

Tip #1 from me:

 

1. The longer your lead-up time frame, the more money you can save.

 

You can defer vehicle and house maintenance, time replacement/non-replacement of car tires, leave just before a vehicle registration or visa renews, avoid the purchase of durable goods which will be costly to ship home, maximize depreciation of electronics and appliances, arrange for the sale of items you want to liquidate in a more leisurely manner, and time currency conversions for maximum benefits.

 

 

 

Thanks!

2 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

Jet-lag problem coming to Thailand from the US was never a problem, but upon return to the US the jet-lag was always absolutely brutal: leadened limbs/crushing fatigue during the day, insomina at night. Five days to recuperate was very common. Much worse than the jet-lag between Thailand and Europe.

I'm just now starting to feel normal.   Thanks for the comment. 

2 hours ago, tingtongtourist said:

I know this wont help but dont you will find no answers here.

 

If you burned your bridges at home, moved away with little money, to a place that has virtually zero money earning potential (for most expats)

well, the writing was always on the wall.

 

Sounds like you have to start over again, thats a hard one and sorry to hear you must go through this, but maybe your story will help others to see that saving (or at least having) WELL OVER 400-800k baht might be a good idea towards preventing disaster.

 

anyways you are only gone 11 months. its nothing compared to some who have been here YEARS and have to do the slow march home.

Good comment.   Yes, you are absolutely correct.  I can't speak to those who have been here for years, only they know their circumstances,  but i think it should be an absolute minimum of one million baht in savings if moving to Thailand.   Other countries,  especially closer ones where access to home country services might be needed may change that formula. 

Fortunately for me, i did not burn any bridges.   My family is all passed away and because of my life style and work, i just don't have many real friends back here in the USA.   That's not such a big deal for .e, except i don't have any place to hokd up for long.  It simply adds to my expense profile. 

Thanks for your contribution....

CJ

Just now, Puchaiyank said:

let's try to not track off to other issues and discussions and just ignore those who are bitter and angry and thrive on creating discord and distraction. 

 

Wow...you have just insulted scores of potential posters...

I am so glad i happen to check in before my first margarita.  That is funny. Lol

Hi,

I'm running two topics that both centrally revolve around health insurance.  I researched this until i gave up. In reviewing a dozen local and international plans, the absolute least expensive that will even insure me, and no coverage for preexisting conditions was 700 usd a month.  It only went up from there.  If your over these magic ages, any money saved living in Thailand is wiped out.

Those are, 59, 64 and a few companies will insure at the 700 usd a month rate if not yet 66.  Once 66, game over.

Sorry,

I left Thailand one week ago to cut my losses and am back in the USA.   I'm looking at Panama and Costa Rica now.

Good luck.

CJ

In my original post about why i left Thailand,  there were quite a few members who expressed they too would be leaving Thailand.   I realize that nobody knows right now how many will actually leave, for their own particular reasons. 

Mine are very clear and simple to understand.  You can read through my original post and understand my reasons.

The short of it was a lack of planning on my part, insufficient money to pay for any costly medical expenses and changes in the procedures to obtain and keep a retirement visa.  I have chosen to cut my losses and leavd now before I become any further invested in living in Thailand. 

Nevertheless,  i liquidated my possessions and car back in the USA and am addressing that decision now.  This was a decision that I made.  No regrets.   Just make better decisions going forward. 

Those who expressed they are leaving,  I am hoping will participate in this topic and share what their plans are and solutions for everyone. 

As promised:

Hi!

I promised I'd create this topic. This topic is a place for those who have decided to leave Thailand,  for whatever reason, and are either going to try returning to their home country or another country,  whether SE Asia, or as in my case, Panama. Because I can, I am going to transition through a retyrn to the USA to better research and plan trying Panama. 

Let's get this first out of the way. If you don't like me or my topic, how about not saying anything and let the expats here please share their experiences and solutions,  what works, what does not and their insights.  Negativity is not helping your fellow expatriates who are considering or have made the decision to leave.

With that, I'll share this first.

I've been back to the USA almost a week. I am lucky.  I am in Austin,  Texas, and while wet and cold, it is tolerable.   I'm also fortunate that I have enough money to rent a car for a month.  No wheels in most of the USA makes coming back, I think almost impossible.   I am also fortunate that I have one really good friend who can put me up in his guest bedroom for a few weeks.  I have no family or other friends I could easily reach out to.

When i started my exit planning,  this is what I set as my essentials.  A car, a city not in the grips of a terrible winter and a safe place to stay and sleep.  The cost of a hotel here or an AirB&B would have broken me financially including a car rental. 

I'll leave my first post at that, and only add this.  The first 5 days with jet lag,  the culture shock (I was only gone a total of 11 months, 9 in Thailand) was hard at first.  I'm rapidly adjusting,  but the level of rudeness and aggression is striking compared to Thailand.  Land of Smiles fir a reason.

That's it for now. And anyone who can add to the topic,  please do, but let's try to not track off to other issues and discussions and just ignore those who are bitter and angry and thrive on creating discord and distraction. 

Cheers!

PS. Here is original topic this is a spin off from:

For reference regarding a simple "stent", which many of us end up needing.

Oh, I checked when i was doing my own research,  and if the insurance company learns you take medication for high cholesterol,  it is considered preexisting and you are likely denied coverage on new policies, some for 12 months,  others forever.  These were the proverbial "devil in the details".  This post is old, but the numbers I got a couple of months ago was if you want treatment at a western hospital,  a multiple stent procedure is about two million baht.  That is what was quoted me in an email enquiry. 

16 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

Great photo. You've got some impressive forearms, buddy, I'm sure most everyone will agree.  Inspired me to do ten pushups this morning. Happy trails wherever you land.

Thanks!  That was two years ago, just half way at at an elevation of 5,000 meters on the way to the Mt. Everest Base Camp.   I was in top shap then.  Still not bad for 64 years old at the time. I'm 66 now and need to loose about 5kg.  Got to take care of the ole bod.

Cheers!

4 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

VA provides coverage outside of the USA if you are disabled and coverage related to that disability.  You can pay cash and VA will reimburse or some Thai hospitals will charge VA direct. See VA Foreign Medical Program for details. 

Marcus,

One more reference for everyone.  I actually found this on TV! Looks lije tge FMP is extremely limited.   Thanks again for taking the time.

CJ

4 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

VA provides coverage outside of the USA if you are disabled and coverage related to that disability.  You can pay cash and VA will reimburse or some Thai hospitals will charge VA direct. See VA Foreign Medical Program for details. 

Marcus,

I think i found the answer to my own question.  As i read it, it is not the same as routine VA medical care stateside.  It is limited specifically to the disability the veteran suffers from.  Here is tge link i found most useful.   Heads up.  It will p*ss everyone off when read.  Sad.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/taskandpurpose.com/disabled-veteran-overseas/amp/

3 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

VA provides coverage outside of the USA if you are disabled and coverage related to that disability.  You can pay cash and VA will reimburse or some Thai hospitals will charge VA direct. See VA Foreign Medical Program for details. 

Hi Marcus,

It took me awhile to dig this up. You are right about medical coverage related to a VA disability.   I read it inside and out, and if disabled,  it will cover medical problems resulting from the disability.   It is not, as far as i can read, available to non disabled veterans and only coveres very specific medical issues.  I've attached a link. If you see where it coveres regular veterans and normal medical services,  please let me and all the other veterans know. 

Thanks!

https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/docs/pubfiles/programguides/FMP_Guide.pdf#

1 hour ago, Rhys said:

Capt. Jack,

 

Carry on.  The tour was up.  This is an insightful and challenging place to live, work, and experience at times.  It is what we make it.   Good for you to experience the Thailand that was kind you...learning to work the system is always a challenge, but actually a bit rewarding when done to your Max Benefit.

 

Actually not sure have you been out of BKK?  Did not the appeal of upcountry living appeal to you?  Did you not try to find a place that allows for a few hours drive to major province to food, entertainment, and supplies?

 

Anyway, all the best on your next AIT KADET... This we will defend.

Thanks!  And I love the next AIT Kadet. Lol!