So do you have a place in Oz, what will you be doing if you retire there, how far will your money go.
Pattaya I have visited once while down Rayong way, dont think I will go back. Chiang Mai was ok for the year I spent there
There are numerous places to base yourself that isnt a tourist trap, you can then you can go and visit lovely beaches or mountains or anything you like, it will all be new and fresh to you.
you could also find like minded people and help out at schools or businesses or a vast array of things.
But to each their own, I visited Oz last year to go on a cruise, only part I enjoyed was visiting Narrabri where real people still live, I dont miss the rest and was happy to come home