Uptooyoo

Pattaya will change or it will die. Tourists from other parts of Asia don't want to sit on a bar stool and drink their day away smelling sewer gas while looking out over a putrid sea they wouldn't dare swim in. The Chinese are shifting to Vietnam, and to Cambodia where they're building world class hotels and casinos next to clean beaches. 

3 hours ago, Martyp said:

Not having contributed to a retirement plan is pretty much the majority of the US population. Not unique to Thailand. 

But they've paid into social security, it's mandatory. Average monthly check is about $1,400. Not much, but you wouldn't starve.

I've followed this guy for a while and he puts out some good information, but beware, he makes his living selling Thailand; and being a pitchman, he touts the superficial aspects of his product, much like a car salesman focusing your attention on the shiny paint job and the chrome rims; but when you point out the bald tyres, the oil puddle, and the black tape over the "check engine" light, he falls back on his "values pitch."  

So he's 45 years old. Culturally he's an American; the same as taking any American who's never been to Thailand and just droppin' him in to fend for himself. He'll never make it, without help. Very little english is spoken here. A life of poverty awaits.

I've read on other threads that one needs to report to immigration within 24 hours upon return to one's home residence, even from an overnight stay at a local hotel. Is this true???

 During film production, these American cars with modern emission control devices will emit less pollution together, than will a single Thai Tuk-Tuk. 

I've read that a two-stroke engine emits as much pollution as 30-40 cars.

Look into the pictures and see a world filled with gentle, soft spoken people. Tourists and natives mingle, being respectful and curious of one another. A civilized world. A world relatively free of crass western influence, cyber-bullying and plastic waste. Take me back.

Obviously a deep-fake video. If you look closely, you'll not see one shred of plastic waste anywhere.????

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

Or, like many of us, you could consider the glass half full, enjoy living here and look forward to living here for many years to come.

 

I came here 6-8 years ago, put 800k aside as I knew it would be required in one way or another, a yearly visit to immigration to extend. I meet all my other immigration requirements on-line. I own a property and have legal title to it. I have no reason to believe I will ever be denied entry or forced to leave with no explanation and no recourse. (has that ever happend to anyone on a long stay) My status is very different to a tourist, a tourist has a limited stay that cannot be extended beyond 90 days. I have a stay that can be extended indefinitely. I sleep really well.

 

 

I am happy for you and hope things continue to go great in the future.

I recently read a story about a lady with Alzheimer's disease and her caretaker daughter who were economically forced out. She couldn't cover the new financial requirements for the both of them, no exceptions, so immigration forced them to leave. They weren't on tourist visas, She was spending $3000 dollars a month at a care facility in Chiang Mai. Yesterday they left for the Philippines. Remember, what hasn't happened in the past doesn't mean it can't happen in the future.

Also, one must consider the current U.S.- China political climate that could lead to a major crisis: the ongoing trade war could turn into a hot war.; a direct military conflict over the South China Sea or the Taiwan independence issue. Also, China's increasing influence gained from the "Belt and Road initiative" and the resulting heavy debt load it creates on Thailand. If Thailand is forced to choose sides, who will they choose? A capricious United States eight thousand miles away, or their neighbor and creditor, China, having the world's largest population and soon-to-be largest economy in the world? Would western expats be welcome anywhere in Asia, under Chinese domination, if casualties were to mount during a conflict? Something to consider.

   In regard to real estate, foreigners may have legal title to a condo, or own the structure (house) that sits on the land, but as an individual, foreigners can never own the land on which it sits. No exceptions. Sure you will find lawyers who will set up leases, businesses, etc. to try and get around the law. But you will never own it 100% 

But I don't have to own anything to enjoy my time here. Yes, the glass is more than half full, any less, and I'd be outta here. 

There will never be security for non-Thais in Thailand. Thailand hasn't forgotten Europe's colonial past in Indochina, especially France's. Thailand was the only country to avoid colonialism and still does so by restricting foreigners rights and banning land ownership. If they had allowed foreigners the same rights as Thais, most tourist areas, including the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket, would be foreign colonies. There is a saying here: Thailand is for Thais. This is why I will never invest here because the attitudes will never change. There will always be uncertainty. I can't imagine sleeping peacefully while having 800k in a Thai bank, 4 million in a condo, and 1 million in a car when your status is no different than a tourist. This means accepting the risk of losing everything at a moments notice. As a "guest" you can be denied entry or forced to leave with no explanation and no recourse. You have no rights. You are living at the whim of a Thai immigration officer. If you can accept this, fine; some are wealthy enough to accept the loss and recover somewhere else, but most can't. 

For these reasons, I never allow myself to forget that no matter how long I've been here, my legal status is no different than the 18 year old backpacker getting off the plane for the first time. I haven't fooled myself into thinking I am anything more in the eye's of the Thai government. So I'm just a long-term tourist with an eye on the exit.

Would travel insurance be accepted as well as health insurance? There is a difference. I think travel insurance might be accepted since coverage is normally 3 million baht and provides for medical evacuation back to ones home-country; however, it doesn't cover illnesses. If I were to be diagnosed with a catastrophic health condition, I would either go back home or pay out of pocket for treatment in Thailand. If unsuccessful, I have enough for palliative care at hospice before I die and go up in smoke at the local temple. We eventually have to go sometime.

I've been to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize. I chose Thailand because I feel safer. I can ride my motorbike anywhere anytime and not feel threatened. Unlike in Mexico where it is highly advised to stay on toll roads and avoid secondary roads where bandits, cartels, and killers roam. The paranoia and fear is very real and justified when travelling in Mexico. The military does patrol the main roads, but it's unnerving while being approached by armed, camouflaged 18 year olds at check points. Some would argue that traveling in some gringo enclaves is safe. But who wants to feel like a prisoner in their host country? Another issue that contributes to my general feeling of uneasiness in latin american countries is when I see doors and windows fitted with prison bars and walls topped with glass shards. It kind of kills the community spirit. Thailand isn't perfect. No place is. But at least I don't have to worry about someone beheading me because my family didn't send the ransom money quickly enough. So when everything is taken into consideration; cost of living, health care, infrastructure, culture, friendliness, safety, I'd rather be here. But this is just my opinion.