Peregrine

How long is a piece of string?

I know people retired in Thailand on a fund that I would not be able to sleep nights through worry. They seem to be as happy as Larry.

There are two problems I see with retiring on the minum visa requirement.

1. What happens as inflation eats in to your lifestyle.

2. What happens if you settle with a younger woman and along comes the younger woman's needs.

I take the view, retire in Thailand on what you need to retire back home and live very much better in Thailand, with the option, because you can afford it, of going elsewhere if the need arrises.

Agreed,...you are wise Man.

Great post, and think San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the US. Living in San Antonio, Texas. is only about 60 percent of the cost of SF.

No more rate cut's by the Fed, if Democrats win WH...Rate in March 09 34.5 to U.S.D.

Anyone seen this guy??? When they catch this guy, he will return to U.S. military status. Military Disciplinary Command Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

From the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations

Saner Wonggoun

Matter Investigated: Murder

Alias: Buck, Shorty

Race: Asian

Sex: Male

Height/Weight: 5'0" (150cm), 135 lbs (61kg)

Eyes/Hair: Black, Black

Scars/Distinguishing Features: 3.5cm scar on chin, scar on left wrist

Prior Occupation: Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, California

Last Known Location: Thailand

Hometowns: Nakon Nayok and Prachinburi, Thailand

Remarks: Wonggoun is wanted in connection with the murder of his wife who was 8 months pregnant. Wonggoun can speak English and has worked as an artist, gardener. May be residing / hiding in Thailand.

Age: 59 (as of Sept 2006)

Date of Birth: 22 Jan 1947

Place of Birth: Nakon Nayok, Thailand

Citizenship: Naturalized U.S. citizen

Last Base: Travis Air Force Base, Calif

Date of Desertion: 14 Jan 94

NCIC #: W786249308

You can help bring wanted fugitive Saner Wonggoun to justice. If you have any information on his whereabouts or activities, please contact the US Embassy Security Office at 02-205-4108, or Email [email protected]. Your identity will remain strictly confidential. Information leading to the apprehension and successful prosecution of Wonggoun may be worth up to US $25,000. Justice rewards everyone. *catchy phrase, eh?*

Age progression photographs of what Wonggoun may currently look like today at 59 years of age.

Looks like every Tuk-tuk driver I have ever had...and every tout on Patpong.

i think 35-37 in a year or so after the dems win the election.

I think you are right, will be beginning of the end, of 12 Billion a month war.

120 000 baht per month affords you quite a reasonable standard of living, some would even classify it as luxurious. Depends on your perspective and what you are used to.

Many people rent a house outside of town for around 5000 - 10 000 baht per month - these are basic houses but all the same quite liveable. If you want a large furnished house in very good condition, expect around 25 000 per month.

(These are guidelines, I know there are exceptions).

Local food in a simple restaurant with plastic chairs, i.e. fried rice, noodle soup, dishes over rice: 20-50 baht.

Thai food at guest houses/places geared towards limited budget tourists: 30-70 baht.

Western food at guest houses/places geared towards limited budget tourists: 60-200 baht.

Japanese food for two, simple restaurant: 250 baht.

Japanese food for two, air-conditioned franchise restaurant: 300 - 1200 baht (if you splash out with the highest grade of sashimi).

Internet:

Dialup ?

GPRS ?

Satellite ?

ADSL/Cable Internet, cheap consumer package w. restrictions and high sharing ratio for the same bandwidth: 300 baht/month

ADSL/Cable Internet, mid-range consumer package w. fewer restrictions and mid sharing ratio for the same bandwidth: 1000 baht/month

ADSL/Cable Internet, small business package w. no or few restrictions and low or non-shared bandwidth: 2500 baht/month

ADSL/Cable Internet, corporate business package w. no restrictions and non-shared bandwidth: 4500-6000 baht/month

...feel free to copy and edit and add, maybe we can help each other out to make a semi-permanent list to refer to for future queries?

How about A/C furnished two bedroom condo(Western Style) I am a Texan(LOL).

Just to kick it around for some fun, what do you think the exchange rate between USD and Baht will look like a year or two down the road.

My question is, what kind of accommodation could i expect on about 120K a month.

120K is more than I have heard of anyone spending on rent here. I am not sure there are even any places that cost that much.

Sorry, what type of standard of living could you expect, i might like to purchase a good used vehicle.

Would like to relocate to Chiangmai for a year or two on retirement visa, do some light travel in Asia. My question is, what kind of accommodation could i expect on about 120K a month. I would also like an idea of start up cost. Thank you.

Unless you have lived in Thailand before or need to specifically locate in BKK, then there are 2 things you must do to maintain your sanity and life;

1. Reside anywhere but Bangers for some time until you are acclimatized and have an opportunity to visit Bangers. Unless you have lived in midtown Manhatten, it's a culture shock. I can't stand the crowds, the pollution and the lack of greenspace. If after visiting Bangers you like, go for it. Just remember that if you want American accoutrements you will pay for it and all the small things add up. For example, washing machines here are those crappy tiny plastic jobs from japan and China. A real washer has to be imported from Europe and it's a small fortune. Sure you can send the laundry out, but sometimes it comes back worse than before having been washed in dirty water or not having the cheap suds not fully rinsed out. If you want nice 600 count cotton sheets, good luck. My friend has his mom bring them over.

2. Do not drive in Thailand unless you have had experience driving on the "wrong" side of the road and have an understanding of traffic signs and traffic patterns. Continental Europeans and North Americans have higher rates of motor vehicle fatality because of their inexperience with driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Wait a bit before you drive and start somewhere out of Bangers first.

Sorry if this sounds negative, but an American relocating from a beautiful city like Phoenix or a midsized town in the suburbs usually starts having a crisis after 2 weeks of Bangers.

Thanks for the good advice and info. I have also thought of Phuket, i am open to any advice or suggestions. I would like a quite base, to travel S.E. Asia. Thank You.

Thanks for your time and gracious replies. I would like to ask what is a ball park figure for owing and operating a vehicle(SUV) in Bangkok.

125,000/month.

No problemo.

40,000 for rent/utilities and 15,000 a week to play/eat.

25,000 left over for toys etc.

What type of accommodation, could i expect for 40,000 rent and utilities.

I made my first post today in the Bangkok forum, i am seriously thinking of retirement in Thailand. I have been reading this forum for a couple of months, and have really enjoyed it. "Well Done".

Would like info. on the cost of living in Bangkok, what could you expect from income of about 125,000 baht a month. I am not sure this would be a permanent move, but i would like to try it, for at least a year. I have U. S. Government Retirement with C.O.L.A. I was also thinking of Phuket. P.S. Any info would be great. Thank You.