A bitter pill to swallow .

[wwest5829]

14 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Selling off your property in homeland to fiancé new life in Thailand is definitely not a sound move. What seems like an adventure slowly turns into extreme boredom and isolation. The old fellow who builds retirement home in rice paddy in Issan is a prime candidate for resentment if he has spent most of his cash money and can't afford to get up and leave.

No offense to those of you who are happy and content in this lifestyle. 

So, just my observation. I did my reading before coming to Thailand made 2 visits in 2009 and another 2 in 2010 , staying for a month each vist. Traveled, ate, explored the possibilities. Sold all property in the US and went to investment to finance a comfortable life here. A consideration for selling all was, I am not a resident of any US state, thus no state tax. I do pay federal income tax as required of all US citizens worldwide. Approaching 7 years without regrets. Just one man's experience.

[arithai12]

I am usually happy here, with two footnotes:

1) I didn't marry a Thai woman (no offense to those who did and are happy, I just think it wouldn't work for me)

2) I spend about 50+ days/year elsewhere.

[gamini]

Most of the people who regret moving here, did so for the wrong reasons. i.e. Finding the sort of girl who wouldn't give them a second look in their own country, cheaper cost of living, and to avoid having to work by trying to live on some savings etc..  I chose Thailand as my home because I love the Thai people and their happy-go-lucky lifestyle. I have a good life because I have so many nice Thai friends who are always ready to help me out with any problems and frankly I enjoy their company  more than  expats with a few exceptions.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, ubonr1971 said:

you couldn't pay me to live in the nanny state of oz.....

nor me in the UK.

[smotherb]

I see several different problems with those who complain about living in Thailand, and several more problems with those who commend living in Thailand.

1—Those who have come here and really know very little about the place—they may have come for holiday a few times and decided to come live here. There are different issues here; they may never be able to acclimate themselves to Thailand, they have burnt their bridges at home or worse yet, they have miscalculated their finances and ability to live well here. They simply have a hard time doing without their accustomed amenities and familiar surroundings. As they do, prices for everything increase and exchange rates are likely to decrease. And, having left no return path, lead a miserable existence.

2—Those who came and spent much of their fortune on property and/or business here—they may have known little about property ownership here or running the business they entered. Again, there are several scenarios, they place the property and/or business into a Thai’s name or enter a quasi-legal arrangement for occupancy. They miscalculate the location, for home or business. They find they cannot achieve the Thai dream and want to leave, but cannot possibly sell the property and/or business at anything near what they paid.

3—Those who came for love and a lasting loving relationship, and a subset of this, those who came only for sex, but found heartache, cuckoldry, and unfulfilled desire; even if they did have some sex. They found their feelings were not reciprocated by their partners, that the never-ending outstretched hand was their only bond, that their partners consider them only as customers rather than life-partners or even sexual-friends; making them virtual walking ATMs; buffaloes with plastic, if you will.  

All three may have other issues and complain of immigration hassles, traffic problems, Thainess, dual pricing, days without alcohol, etc, ad infinitum. 

Of course, the worst lot are those who achieved the trifecta; they managed all three. However, there seems to be an outlying group; ones who may have even achieved the trifecta, but still swear to love Thailand and vocalize their contentment for being here.

On the flip-side, there are those who really enjoy it here, who have settled into a comfortable home or business, who have found their life-partner, or their sexual desire, and still have the wherewithal to enjoy a decent lifestyle here. My question is, how many of these are really members of the outlying group mentioned above?

Edited March 30, 2018 by smotherb

[HAKAPALITA]

2 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

nor me in the UK.

I often wonder how this nanny state thing has mushroomed into that the Men who made the state great cant to live there in peace..New Zealand has gone down that road too.

[sanemax]

Whilst living back home , people may view Thailand as having Christmas everyday , an abundance of food, drink and woman and hot weather as well .

   The wish of "Christmas everyday" became a reality .

An even bigger reality is that people get bored of Christmas after a week and cannot wait to get back to the real reality

 

[George Aylesham]

I'm perfectly happy here - one or two minor irritations but that's true of every country. I fell in love with Thailand 40 years ago and been living here in Chiang Mai for three years with no regrets. Even fewer regrets since a bad fall at Christmas when I was moved by the kindness of strangers - Thai and farang - who helped me, as well as the surgeons and staff of the hospital too.

[FolkGuitar]

Life is what you make it. It's that simple.

If you are not content here, the odds are you won't be content anywhere.

You don't 'find' happiness... you create it for yourself.

First become comfortable inside, then surprisingly, all the outside stuff becomes comfortable too.

That may sound too Zen for your liking, so put it into words that you will be comfortable with. The words aren't important. The actions are.

[masuk]

4 hours ago, LennyW said:

Philippines LOL!!! The Zimbabwe of Asia...no thanks!!

Years ago, I started reading forums (fora?) from Thailand and from CEBU - Philipines.

The CEBU forum was full of moaning, complaining expats, and there seemed much less in TVF, so I accepted an English teaching job in Chiang Mai.

I won't start on that particular scam, but by and large, my time in Chiang Mai has been pleasant enough, the folk in the condo are friendly, a nice pool,  store at ground level, fresh fruit and veg across the road, malls and cinemas 10minutes in either direction.

It's not too bad, apart from the very late sunrises (10:00 this morning).  Only a few more weeks for the rain to fix that!   

[Thingamabob]

First came to Thailand late '60s, visited many times on business/ holiday after that, worked here from 1983-1987, married a Thai lady in Taiwan in 1990, and retired to Thailand in 1994 where i have stayed ever since with occasional visits to the UK. Still happily married to the same Thai lady. Absolutely no regrets.

[Gruff]

2 hours ago, maximillian said:

Yes, after 8 years non-stop living in LOS, it sometimes sucks.

Been living in the Philippines but see little to nothing that I would prefer there over Thailand.

Malaysia, Lao, Cambodia, Indonesia would be no alternative for me either.

I'm looking towards Europe; Spain maybe.

I spent as much time in Europe (primarily Bulgaria and Cyprus) as i did in SE Asia last year. Cyprus is more expensive for sure than Thailand but food for example is superior quality and you can buy a pint of beer for Euro 2. In  Bulgaria accomodation is almost as cheap as Thailand and everything else significantlly cheaper. If someone has freedom there are options.

[Brunolem]

3 hours ago, uffe123 said:

It used to be a nice place to retire, but now you cant breathe the air, vegetables, fruit and rice will kill you being heavily sprayed with paraquat. Beaches are full of garbage, and the water is full of sewage. Traffic is horrible, price of food is now comparable with my home country, if not exceed the the prices. Got screwed out of a million+ in such a good land deal, that went bad due to military take over. Immigration fees have triple since I came here.

 

But now that the pollution, and pesticide poisoning  is so bad, 

I would agree with most of that, but no one seems to mention the social issues, such as integration.

As a "farang", you always stand like a sore thumb (except in Pattaya, which is not really Thailand) and will be treated as such no matter how long you stay.

Imagine the outcry if all black people in Western countries were called "african" and fingered as such by children and local hillbillies!

This to say that, given the massive cultural gap, it is very difficult for a farang to be integrated here, which is why farangs in Thailand, for the most part, live among farangs.

I don't think that many farangs could share, in a forum such as this one, the latest interesting conversation they had at dinner with their Thai wife's family, or with a group of Thai friends.

For this reasons, a number of foreigners prefer to retire in Central or South America, where it's easier to mingle with the local population.

Edited March 30, 2018 by Brunolem

[Gruff]

38 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

Life is what you make it. It's that simple.

If you are not content here, the odds are you won't be content anywhere.

You don't 'find' happiness... you create it for yourself.

First become comfortable inside, then surprisingly, all the outside stuff becomes comfortable too.

That may sound too Zen for your liking, so put it into words that you will be comfortable with. The words aren't important. The actions are.

 And that is equally an argument for somebody to move on elsewhere if budget is their main issue with Thailand. If they take your approach they will be just as happy in Cambodia or Phils.

[ToddinChonburi]

I think there is a few that have come here thinking that life would be different.  Seems they just brought the problems in their head with them.

Edited March 30, 2018 by ToddinChonburi

[PerkinsCuthbert]

Not me; moved to Thailand in 1987, burned my bridges back in the UK property-wise then, make the trip back once a year to see family, after two weeks I'm ready to go home to where I've lived two-thirds of my adult life.

[zaZa9]

10 years here in the South , and no regrets.

I came from a generation wherein our grandfathers longed for retirement ,  finally achieved that at 65 , and were dead by 68.

It didnt seem like much of a reward for a life of toil at the railways , laying bricks , or working a machine in a factory. 

So I retired at 50.

To retire at that age , I had earnt good money , but more importantly I had taught myself to be happy with what I had ... I  never  bought a brand  new  car or  played the pokies or horses , always built/painted/landscaped the  'do-er upper'  houses I acquired..  and even stripped and restored much of the furniture I put in them. 

My only splurge was travel , and so I eventually returned to Thailand as I'd liked it when I  was a kid backpacking here  in the 80's. In fact , I think that the backpacking taught me a huge tolerance for other cultures , and it certainly showed me how people could have so little but still have a great attitude to life.

 

I still like it for the same reasons , and mainly because I can have a pretty simple life here in the Southern islands. Im a water/beach lover , never owned a suit ,  and despite what is said , I can still find some near empty beaches not far away , where the sea  is crystal clear ... and the water  is warm enough to allow swimming , snorkeling and diving   , all year round. Even some surfing !

 I  could live in a lot more basic house than I do , and still be happy here , because Im never cold.

And the rent I pay is the envy of all my friends back home , so Im not real stressed about money.

If a  roof over ones head is usually lifes biggest cost  , then having the rent I pay is a real blessing.

 

I had a great time selecting my common law Thai "wife"  once I moved here btw - all that trial and error... now that was a good time ! She is a kindred spirit ,  actually talks me out of buying stuff  , but theres not a doubt in my mind that should she leave  I think I  could find ready 'comfort' within the week.. ( try that back home ! 555 ) 

As Ive never given  her the incentive to leave by puting a house and car in her name  to help expediate her "independence" , I think she will stick around. We have lots of laughs and good times with friends.  She doesnt have to work.

 

But what struck me the other day , and it does so a few times  a week , is the Thai willingness to hand out huge smiles for free , to crack a joke , to have a laugh. Happens a lot more than back home !

Im staying ... sure prices have climbed and my currency dropped , but Ive always been  capable of living to my means and still being happy.

It doesnt seem that hard to me...

[heybuz]

3 hours ago, ubonr1971 said:

you couldn't pay me to live in the nanny state of oz.....

That's alright they pay me instead

[JSixpack]

1 hour ago, Brunolem said:

As a "farang", you always stand like a sore thumb (except in Pattaya, which is not really Thailand) and will be treated as such no matter how long you stay.

 

You stand out, but as a fat wallet, not a sore thumb. We have countless testimonies from farang on the forum of being treated well by Thais and that's been my experience as well. Thais are normally welcoming enough. I find them pleasant to deal with and enjoy having them around, esp. all those lovely ladies. Speaking some Thai helps immensely; problem is, too many expats are too stupid and lazy to learn any and expect the Thais to all learn English for them. Colonial mentality.

 

Quote

Imagine the outcry if all black people in Western countries were called "african" and fingered as such by children and local hillbillies!

 

Have you been fingered lately? Need to know the circumstances. The term farang has been discussed here ad nauseam. It isn't derogatory in normal usage. In the West we do commonly say "black person" and "white person, without negative connotation, though it's racial. But being too sensitive can be an obstacle to adaptation to a different culture, yes.

 

Quote

This to say that, given the massive cultural gap, it is very difficult for a farang to be integrated here, which is why farangs in Thailand, for the most part, live among farangs. . . .

 

For this reasons, a number of foreigners prefer to retire in Central or South America, where it's easier to mingle with the local population.

 

A number of foreigners will always prefer somewhere other than where another number reside. Australia has the largest number of Brit expats. They mingle well there, except Australians do satirize their usual whinging.

 

I find Thais friendlier and less gruff than Mexicans, for example. And I did get cheated out of my $5 water bottle deposit in Mexico. Plus all that noise disturbance. I could continue. But I could adapt to Mexico same as I have to Thailand. One reason I like Thailand better is that it's more of a challenge. Meeting challenges and overcoming them--I find it rewarding. Others of course very much don't.

 

The difference is then that everywhere else in the world an expat never runs out of money or decides to return home for any reason. Right?

 

Edited March 30, 2018 by JSixpack

[Mac98]

I told my kids long ago that they might have to repay my efforts on their behalf; that someday I would move into their basement and they could just toss down the table scraps after meals, so I do have a backup plan.

[JSixpack]

Well, this was our schadenfreude thread of the week complete with a fantasy scenario. There's no evidence that more are leaving than ever before, percentage-wise, or that the more exceeds the number arriving. Been hearing the everybody's heading for the exits shit-stirring for years.

 

Many an expat leaves simply because he needs the "free" healthcare back in the nanny state or the free education for the kids. Nothing new there. I know some who never intended to stay but just find a girl and bring her back home--and they did.

 

And the strength of the baht has had some impact, no question. However, the exchange rate issue could have been managed had the expat invested wisely in, and managed, Thai assets earlier, such as shares of good companies on the SET, instead of listening to--or even enjoying making--doom predictions about the Thai economy.

 

I might point out that more people are reaching retirement age and so more have looked at Thailand as a retirement haven. Of the more, more, in absolute numbers, would be leaving. Another issue is that then a higher number arriving are suffering from mental disorders

 

Over 20% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental or neurological disorder (excluding headache disorders) and 6.6% of all disability (disability adjusted life years-DALYs) among people over 60 years is attributed to mental and neurological disorders.

     --http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs381/en/

 

and can't adjust themselves to a different culture and environment. And this fact is obvious from the curmudgeon infestation on the forum, whose whinging and finger pointing depress those already on the edge.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 30, 2018 by JSixpack

[FolkGuitar]

2 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

Life is what you make it. It's that simple.

If you are not content here, the odds are you won't be content anywhere.

You don't 'find' happiness... you create it for yourself.

First become comfortable inside, then surprisingly, all the outside stuff becomes comfortable too.

That may sound too Zen for your liking, so put it into words that you will be comfortable with. The words aren't important. The actions are.

 

2 hours ago, Gruff said:

 And that is equally an argument for somebody to move on elsewhere if budget is their main issue with Thailand. If they take your approach they will be just as happy in Cambodia or Phils.

 

Very true. If you are comfortable with yourself, you will be comfortable most anywhere. Sure, there may be the odd bits that you don't care for in one culture or another... You can't please all of the people all of the time. But generally speaking, a happy person is going to be happy anywhere. A disgruntled person won't be happy anywhere.

 

I know a fellow who moves house every year or two; San Sai, Hang Dong, Nong Hoi, Doi Saket, back to Hang Dong again, etc. Never stays home at night, instead is out at the bars, anywhere there are lots of people. He complains that he can't find 'peace' and is constantly reading books from one Guru or another. The man is not comfortable just being alone with himself. He travels to Pattaya, Phuket, or Cambodia every month or two so he can 'relax' but comes back complaining that the vacation wasn't particularly relaxing. Are there really so many uncomfortable houses, so many uncomfortable vacations? Or is it him? Until he becomes comfortable with himself, he's not going to be comfortable anywhere.

[stropper]

5 hours ago, Farang99 said:

I only regret not making the move to Thailand sooner.

ya i am the same, now 71, but i can see the finish line looming, just back from aus and if i had to live there i would have finished years ago, thailand is a great place to retire, i could not see myself in an old peoples home surrounded by poker machine playing old women,i too wish i had made the move years earlier

[DJ54]

US citizen I’ve lived in Northeast Thailand full time 2 years and in the big picture I have no regrets. I’ve spent a lot of time in APAC over the last 20 years but very few 2-3 day visits to Thailand on business.  Before Thailand 10 years I lived full time in China so was indoctrinated to culture shock. 

 

The only regrets were mistakes on my part and as that hat goes I own it and go on with life. 

[khunPer]

On 3/29/2018 at 8:59 AM, Once Bitten said:

Any one else seeing this possible trend ?

I believe it depend of from where the retired expat originates; some countries are not that bad to move back to, and one's governmental retirement pension may increase when returning, in my country it could easily double before taxation. Furthermore some currencies has dropped more than others, i.e. GBP compared to Euro and Euro-linked currencies.

 

Excluding the sad horror-cases, where someone has been used as ATM or worse; do I sense it's mainly British expats having that kind problems..?

 

I don't regret – so far, I have stayed here permanently for 12 years now – however I shall admit that I can afford a better life-style in LoS than at home, as my average buying power, including taxation benefits, is something like factor 2 or 3 compared to staying home. And I also admit that I'm a "financial migrant", however I could (easily) survive at home...

[Thaidream]

The only comment I have regarding Thailand was that it was so much better 50 years ago when I first arrived.  But then everywhere else ws so much better also.  The World has changed and so have I but some of the things I dislike about the West and America where I grew up are starting to 'infect' Thailand.  Indeed, there are other countries that maybe as 'nice ' as Thailand but they are also becoming copies of the West.

 

Thailand is seeing it's culture and environment being destroyed by massive tourism; globalization and trying to make its country mimic the West.  However, there are certain sections of Thailand that are still pristine and the majority of Thai people are still welcoming and do smile.  I never regretted coming to Thailand and I will always stay here no matter the exchange rate or any other irritation.

 

[Chpied]

Just for reference if Paraquat was sprayed on rice or vegetables, they would die without question, paraquat or spray seed as it's called in Australia will kill anything green, trees don't suck it up and spraying it on the trunk of a tree won't kill it, as it affects  the photosynthesis process (drawn in through the leaves),  it is extremely dangerous to the person spraying it and gets drawn in through the skin if unprotective clothing is not used.

 

Unlike round up  that has glyphosate in it, glyphosate gets sucked up by everything and was inventeded by a large seed and chemical company called Monsanto, who has absolutely in my view stuffed the western worlds food production and trying to get there hands on south east Asia by tricking uneducated farmers into buying there seeds and sparing them with round up.

 

 

[Acemaker]

16 hours ago, Bangkokhatter said:

Seems to me it's those posters who have already left that appear the most bitter.

 

Threads full of them, telling us that stay, how bad Thailand is and how great their lives are back home, if it's that great why do they waste their time posting on a forum all about Thailand ?

I guess because they want to tell you how great their life is back Home.   

[Acemaker]

4 hours ago, arithai12 said:

I am usually happy here, with two footnotes:

1) I didn't marry a Thai woman (no offense to those who did and are happy, I just think it wouldn't work for me)

2) I spend about 50+ days/year elsewhere.

Sensible Man, well done.  

[Russell17au]

6 hours ago, uffe123 said:

It used to be a nice place to retire, but now you cant breathe the air, vegetables, fruit and rice will kill you being heavily sprayed with paraquat. Beaches are full of garbage, and the water is full of sewage. Traffic is horrible, price of food is now comparable with my home country, if not exceed the the prices. Got screwed out of a million+ in such a good land deal, that went bad due to military take over. Immigration fees have triple since I came here.

If it was not for me having a Thai wife who doesn't want to leave, and a house in bk, i would have left long time ago.

But now that the pollution, and pesticide poisoning  is so bad,  and Thai government is not telling the truth on the severity of the problems, i have decided to finally leave, so I can have a few more years of life to enjoy. 

After all if you don't have good health how can you enjoy life in a hospital bed or wheel chair.

Will leave in may and come back for visits.

Just out of interest you said that if it was not for you having a Thai wife who doesn't want to leave Thailand you would have left a long time ago. Does that mean that your Thai wife is going with you or are you leaving her behind?