Old Curmudgeon

+1 to @suzannegoh Based on recommendation here from @FolkGuitar, I ordered for delivery from Gekko Garden. Bah! Not worth eating. No more Gekko Garden for me. This thread asks for suggestions of independent restaurants in CM that offer home-style farang food, not detailed restaurant reviews. So I won't post details.

Regardless of personal feelings and beliefs, that upside-down chart in the opening post on this topic shows what is actually happening. Who was it who wrote, "You can ignore reality, but you can not ignore the consequences of ignoring reality." This thread is an attempt to look carefully at reality of expat life in Thailand if the international currency system implodes.

@fredwiggy, would you kindly explain to me how your post is on-topic? Or even near the topic? Thank you.

@sandyf, when you make that prediction, I can't help but wonder if you are aware of the situation in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe over the past 20 years. Inflation rate as high as 89.7 sextillion percent (8.97 × 10^23) per month. ("Sextillion" is a real number ... I didn't make that up.) And I hope your explanation is interesting, because even today nobody in Zimbabwe wants their national currency, not for anything. They use the US Dollar and the SA Rand. If something similar happens in this part of the world, and you are (I assume) an expat living here, what will you do?

Thank you, @ericbj for thoughtful comments. I assume you are an expat in Thailand. If any money you have coming into Thailand from your investments or your home country becomes worthless, what will you do? You can't work here, not as an expat on retirement extension of visa. Similarly, can't do any business here, not even informal business. Very much frowned on. So, even though local communities in Thailand follow the examples in France and create their own "grains of salt" trading currencies, what will you do to acquire some of that salt?? Looking forward to your further comments.

Yes, lots of post about BRICS, but this thread is NOT about BRICS. Not about other countries. Not about "emerging markets" either. This thread asks what will you -- as an expat in Thailand -- do when money dies in every currency, everywhere in the world. So, @MarkyM3, on topic if you will. What will you do?? And I assume you are an expat in Thailand.

@soi3eddie, this question, if I may: When that gold in hand is confiscated by the local government, or taken by local robbers, then what is your plan?? Even if you are successful at hiding that gold, but anyone who trades anything for any gold is subject to severe punishment, your gold will be good for what? And you are an expat in Thailand yes?

A major effort by @ericbj. Or perhaps by an astute A.I. bot. I can't really tell. But I thank you for taking the time to post all that. As the OP here, I just wish you'd read the opening post more carefully and thought more thoroughly before you went off on that tangent about gold, silver and uranium. (In fairness, you have a lot, really a lot, of company on that tangent on this thread.) I now wish I'd started the opening post something like this: "Imagine that you've saved and saved and acquired a healthy amount of gold, silver, whatever. And then comes the day the money dies. All money. Everywhere. You've got your gold, silver, whatever, but nobody wants it. Nobody will trade you anything for it. Nothing!! Because it's no good to them. Your "stash" won't/can't buy anything. And add to that you are an expat living in Thailand, where foreigners are prohibited from doing almost any job, or operating almost any business. What will you do?? Back over to you @ericbj for any further thoughts, but without any gold, silver, or uranium.

Very good idea. This ?? I'd go just for that ! (Yummy photo from TripAdvisor.)

I'd like to hear more about Butter is Better. Used to go there frequently for breakfast when I lived in that general vicinity. And still remember they had a really nice, homemade chocolate cake. But I have not been in some years. What are your favorite items? Advice on any menu items to avoid? Photos?

I agree with @BritManToo: Route 66 is not a budget restaurant. I, for one, am quite happy to pay extra price for good quality and good taste. Always looking for other restaurants in CM of similar caliber, especially of the type that are "owner-operated", not a chain, not in a mall. Suggestions and opinions for more would be welcome.

Good point and close, but not exactly. The real value is only what someone else is willing to pay or trade with you. For labor or production of any kind. And if no one else is willing to part with any money, or trade any hours (barter) for what you offer, then the real value is zero. What worries me -- specifically for retired expats here -- is when the total financial situation in this region is so dire, that our production is of no value at all. Plus, visa regulations here against working or doing any business (retirement visa extension) are a double whammy. So if the world economy does "hit the fan", the locals will be scrambling to sell some vegetables, or make noodle soup, or take in washing or sewing, while we expats can only sit on our hands doing nothing to create any economic value.

Well, @KhunLA, you sure fooled me. I posted this topic on a forum about Thailand. And in my opening post I mentioned focus on retired expats in Thailand. And yet, here you are giving advice about living in the (I suspect) Southeastern USA. One moment please while I activate the ignore user feature of this forum.

Ah, finally, someone who understands the problem, AND has prepared a solution. My compliments, @KhunLA. Some questions: How will you defend/hide/camouflage your garden and your chickens? There will be marauders looking to steal what you have. You and your family can't stay awake around the clock guarding your homestead with your trusty 12-gauge pump action. And even if you tried, there would be more marauders than you have shells. What to do? Especially as expats in Thailand where homesteading is difficult and 12-guage is likely illegal. That's what I wonder. Thoughts, please.

For anyone doing home repairs or remodeling, or needing to buy tools, here is a quick recommendation of Global House. Many of my fellow expats are well aware of HomePro. Yes, they have essential tools and products. But quality is highly variable: some good, some poor, some very poor quality. Service not great. Web site confusing, distracting, and not helpful. Some expats are aware of Thai Watsadu. Caters to local tradesmen. Far better selection of tools and materials than Home Pro. Service okay. Web site okay. I like Thai Watsadu. Recently I moved from a small, serviced apartment into a 3-bedroom house. Need lots of little things and the tools to install those things. I make the trip out to Global House on the South side of town. Very happy with what I found there. More focused on essential tools and supplies than Home Pro. More careful service than Thai Watsadu. As a man who does like to "putter" around the house, Global House is my new favorite. I highly recommend it. Map location:

Wrong. Clever guess, but wrong. I pay exactly what everyone else pays. (I should have specified that in my opening post.)

Exactly the correct reply, in my opinion. So often on uncomfortable topics, there's nothing one can say to correct another person's outlook ... or lack of it. What that shows, is this topic is highly uncomfortable for many of our fellow expats. At least those who come to this forum. And that is a good warning to not rely on much help or even any understanding from a large majority of other expats, when the you-know-what hits the fan. Thanks again, @Zapitapi for your clear comments here.

@Zapitapi's thinking lines up with reality as far as I can tell. And he's correct about the "BS" ... we have a lot of that on this topic. Which suggests that the BS-ers here are unwilling, unable, or just plain afraid to consider this topic carefully. Thank you @Zapitapi for taking your time to write and post on this thread.

As expats, if that happens and we are living in our home countries, there's a chance of finding some productive work, even if very meager. Enough to survive, hopefully. But in Thailand -- and in particular for retired expats -- work not allowed. In my opinion, the money IS dying. So I do ponder a contingency plan.

Very good points. Thanks, @BritManToo for posting. Target group: - Long stay expats, retired or similar - 50+ - No tourists. - No digital nomads. Employment status: Does it matter?? Possible restaurants (subject to change): - Duke's - Red Lion - Route 66 - Sausage King Garden - Kham Saen restaurant (at Khum Paya near CBD).

By invitation only. No cost to join. Small group: limited to 8-16 (1-2 round tables). One lunch or dinner meeting per month. At relaxed and comfortable restaurants in Chiang Mai. Comfortable restaurants, not cheap restaurants. I am starting to work on a plan for an expats dining group like this in Chiang Mai. I have arranged and managed two similar groups in two other cities in years past (not in Thailand). Not a business. No commissions or anything like that. Just an informal gathering. Right now I'm looking for comments and critique on the plan. If you are interested to discuss, please use private message to exchange email address with me. After refining the plan, will post here for public viewing and further comments. Thank you.

Excellent question. I wish I'd thought of the BRICS factor. Thank you, @Presnock for posting about that.

But, but, but ... what if everything goes down, down, down? All assets fall to near zero. The velocity of money also approaches zero. All we're left with is barter. What to do then? Not an easy question to answer, I know. Not even easy to think about it.

And you are posting that on a public forum ?? ?? When the airplane runs out of fuel, a new sort of free-lance job will be lurking outside of gold shops and following customers home. Then remembering those houses. It is my opinion that owning gold, or silver, or other "assets" won't be of much value when the money dies. I have other ideas of what will have value, lots of value, but am saving those thoughts for later.

Good idea to collect gold. But is it a good idea to announce that on a public forum?? And "until things get back to normal again", doesn't enter into my planning at all. How do you think that might happen -- the getting back to normal??