23 minutes ago, faraday said:

Can't talk about the SAS on here - way too many guys were in the Special Forces......

 

Mr Faraday , surely you mean all the guys are ex SAS or hard case mobsters , ( but i have met some good guys here but it is a rarity ) 

4 hours ago, Mario666 said:

"- the Chinese "invasion" already discussed in other threads, which is only beginning

- the financial situation of the West...Western currencies going down against the baht, and likely to keep on doing so...and bankrupt or nearly bankrupt pension funds (like it or not, the next and unavoidable financial crisis will translate into severe cuts in pensions, this is actually already happening in parts of the US, and socialist Europe will have no choice but to follow)."

 

If Western pensions are severely cut most could not afford to live back in the West. Unless there is some economic miracle (55555) in the Thai economy I think it will always be cheaper to live in Thailand than in my home country (UK) at least in my lifetime so regardless of where the funds come from and what the exchange rate is I am staying for the conceivable future.

 

Apart from that Have your ever experienced the UK Weather

I said that the weather was among the advantages of living in Thailand rather than in Northern Europe...no question about that.

 

Regarding pensions, when the funds will go bankrupt, the concerned governments will react accordingly, not only by cutting said pensions but also probably by adding conditions such as, for example, having to reside and pay taxes in your country...you can count on it...

When everything's fine, no one cares, but when the money runs out, everything changes, quickly...

3 minutes ago, Brunolem said:

I said that the weather was among the advantages of living in Thailand rather than in Northern Europe...no question about that.

 

Regarding pensions, when the funds will go bankrupt, the concerned governments will react accordingly, not only by cutting said pensions but also probably by adding conditions such as, for example, having to reside and pay taxes in your country...you can count on it...

When everything's fine, no one cares, but when the money runs out, everything changes, quickly...

Are you referring to Government Pensions or Private Pensions?

 

I have a sizeable private pension pot which I am in the process of extracting from the UK as "Tax Efficienty" as I can.

 

I am only 60 and cannot draw my UK State Pension for another 7 years at least (they may change the rules again before then so you have to be even older) in any case it is such a pittance I don't care.

 

As for telling me where I have to reside they can "Fick Off"!

 

 

16 minutes ago, The manic said:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/london-stabbings-knife-crime-deaths-murders-three-days-teenagers-statistics-a8281756.html/

60 knife murders in London alone. No thanks. Europe, especially UK is very violent and cold and expensive and boring

UK will soon not be part of Europe anymore (but probably of the Middle East).

 

Now, take a look at Portugal, notably the Algarve region where many Europeans, especially British, chose to retire...fine weather, fine food and probably cheaper than today's Thailand...

 

Finally, don't worry about knife attacks in London, the mayor has confiscated all the knives! No need for knives to eat porridge!

 

You'd rather worry about your minister of foreign affairs...is there a brain under this explosive hairdo?

Good rant. A bit too mild IMO. The author, Dan C, was very kind. Going back 10-20 years ago for me...

 

it was all cheap, great, smile and wai

party, drink and mai pen rai!  

 

Little things didn't bother me back then. Was having too much fun. Now Thailand has changed. I've changed. We've also both gotten older and that usually isn't a good thing. The difference is...I've gotten older and wiser. Thailand has not. It's a huge charade and bad joke here. Another difference is service was great back then. When out and about...I'm still and just as nice, happy and smiley as 25 years ago. Many times it is not reciprocated. "Baditude" abounds now, sadly. 

 

It's home and I still like it and have no intention of leaving, but it can be a real test at times.  

11 hours ago, catman20 said:

rooster 59 i think you've nailed it.

 

i feel the same way really, been here 18 years and the less you have to deal with anyone here Thais or farangs the better off you are.

 

i still enjoy my life here very much and dont intend to leave. just keep yourself to yourself and enjoy your life.

I'd hate to have to come to the conclusion that I shouldn't interact with anyone else.

We're social animals, some good some bad, but to give up on socializing is giving up on life as far as I'm concerned.

Now, take a look at Portugal, notably the Algarve region where many Europeans, especially British, chose to retire...fine weather, fine food and probably cheaper than today's Thailand...

Portugal in general has a great deal to be said for it and would be my number one choice in Europe. If it wasnt for the tax issue I would probably be living there now. Though personally I preferred the Atlantic coast and inland areas to the Algarve.

45 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

Portugal in general has a great deal to be said for it and would be my number one choice in Europe. If it wasnt for the tax issue I would probably be living there now. Though personally I preferred the Atlantic coast and inland areas to the Algarve.

Yes a truly beautiful country with such friendly people and really cheap if you stay away from the tourist hotspots.

 

Been many times and loved it,. Piri Piri chicken and barbecued sardines that had just been pulled out of the harbour before your eyes, mmmmmmmmmmm!

17 hours ago, Brunolem said:

Now, take a look at Portugal, notably the Algarve region where many Europeans, especially British, chose to retire...fine weather, fine food and probably cheaper than today's Thailand...

 

56 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

Portugal in general has a great deal to be said for it and would be my number one choice in Europe. If it wasnt for the tax issue I would probably be living there now. Though personally I preferred the Atlantic coast and inland areas to the Algarve.

 

I lived in Portugal for many years before I came to Thailand, and I agree it is the country with the most lovely people I have ever been and cheap to live....................in those days.

 

I've been back after it joined the EU, and was then much more expensive to live than my home country or Spain/ France.

 

I doubt prices for food and drinks have decreased since.

 

Property prices in the days I lived there were already sky high, unless you decided to live inland, where there is as much to see as in Isaan.

 

The Atlantic coast is even more expensive than Algarve.

 

Yes I still consider Portugal, but if you think it is cheaper than Thailand, I suggest you go have a look for yourself today, instead of talking about 20 years ago.

 

I still have close Portuguese friends, so I know the prices of today.

 

Property prices did fall almost a decade ago, but are fast rising again, and are not comparable with Thailand.

 

 

 

6 hours ago, KittenKong said:

Portugal in general has a great deal to be said for it and would be my number one choice in Europe. If it wasnt for the tax issue I would probably be living there now. Though personally I preferred the Atlantic coast and inland areas to the Algarve.

Portugal is tax free for European retirees...

5 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

 

 

I lived in Portugal for many years before I came to Thailand, and I agree it is the country with the most lovely people I have ever been and cheap to live....................in those days.

 

I've been back after it joined the EU, and was then much more expensive to live than my home country or Spain/ France.

 

I doubt prices for food and drinks have decreased since.

 

Property prices in the days I lived there were already sky high, unless you decided to live inland, where there is as much to see as in Isaan.

 

The Atlantic coast is even more expensive than Algarve.

 

Yes I still consider Portugal, but if you think it is cheaper than Thailand, I suggest you go have a look for yourself today, instead of talking about 20 years ago.

 

I still have close Portuguese friends, so I know the prices of today.

 

Property prices did fall almost a decade ago, but are fast rising again, and are not comparable with Thailand.

 

 

 

I was talking with a Portuguese acquaintance a few months ago.

He told me about the average income over there, which is not much...people like bus drivers making around 700 euros (25,000 baht) a month.

Obviously the cost of life has to be related to what people earn, otherwise they would be homeless and starve.

 

I have checked for real estate on the internet...difficult to make a direct comparison with Thailand, because there are so many factors involved, but it is certainly much more affordable than in neighboring European countries.

 

Now, as I explained in my post above, I am looking beyond that.

 

Portugal has the advantage of being in the EU and using the euro (plus it is tax free for retired EU citizens).

This means that there is no exchange rate issue to worry about.

Exchange rate differences may not mean much for retirees with 5,000 to 10,000 euros per month, but they can mean a lot for those on 2,000 to 3,000 euros per month.

On top of that, while it could be possible for EU governments to put restrictions on their retirees willing to retire abroad, they couldn't stop them from moving to Portugal which is part of the EU.

 

Once again it all depends on how old (and wealthy) one is.

If one is 75 or older, with a comfortable pension, then one may be on the safe side, wherever one choses to live.

Now, if one is in one's early 60s, then one must try to think beyond one's immediate satisfaction, and give a very close look at the dark clouds that are accumulating on the horizon...

Seems the surf is quite good in Portugal too! World Record set and stay tuned to about 50 sec for Wipe Out of the Year!

 

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/04/surf-biggest-wave-record-breaking-award-culture-spd/

 

 

On 4/30/2018 at 6:10 AM, meechai said:

Thailand is very much like the Hotel California

You can check out anytime you want but you may never leave because when you do for 2 week vacations you

just want to get back to LOS asap. Like you need a hit,dose,what ever it gave

 

But, if you do leave for a repatriation the first few months will be rough especially if you lived in LOS more than 6+years

but then something strange starts to happen.

 

You start to see again & realize it was just a very strong mirage that made a pile of crap shine brightly

You start to notice what true quality means. Quality in food,services,people

You also start to notice it costs about the same as it did in LOS except now you have that quality

 

Your mileage may vary but at the end of the day if you get past the withdrawals you may find it is true.

 

You were right on one thing - a dose haha

On 4/30/2018 at 7:38 PM, duanebigsby said:

I'd hate to have to come to the conclusion that I shouldn't interact with anyone else.

We're social animals, some good some bad, but to give up on socializing is giving up on life as far as I'm concerned.

I agree however in Thailand I now mostly restrict my socializing to young non-English speaking Thai females.

10 minutes ago, JLCrab said:

I agree however in Thailand I now mostly restrict my socializing to young non-English speaking Thai females.

 

+1 ?

The Pound at 42 baht leaves the writer in the OP with one view of Thailand. But if it was at say 75, would that view change and would the lack of a service culture etc suddenly become acceptable or very minor I wonder! If you take the cost of things out of the equation, Thailand really hasn't changed that much in the past twenty years - sure it's grown its infrastructure,  more people have cars and more people have money, but we said we'd take money out of the equation! From the sounds of things Dan's opinion of Thailand is that it's probably an entirely acceptable place and far far better than the UK, if the Pound is at 75 - at 42 it's borderline based on an individuals tolerance for bad weather and their desire to be surrounded by a long faced moaning population.

15 hours ago, Skeptic7 said:

Seems the surf is quite good in Portugal too! World Record set and stay tuned to about 50 sec for Wipe Out of the Year!

 

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/04/surf-biggest-wave-record-breaking-award-culture-spd/

 

 

Wow those guys have either got "SERIOUS BALLS" or are doing some "SERIOUS DRUGS"....either way I want some!