Expats who want to leave, if they could

[AYJAYDEE]

3 hours ago, Weasel100 said:

I am by no means "infantalised" although I do understand what you mean. I am my own man and the sole boss of my finances which is I admit something that my Thai wife has had trouble understanding over the years that we've been together. I often have to remind her that she has absolutely no place in my financial affairs and that her thoughts and opinions about how I should spend my money are neither wanted nor welcome.
Nonetheless, as I've said, she is the most honest person I know (including yours truly) and has never once in nearly six years tried to take any money from me that was not freely given. I am very fortunate to have someone like Noo to help me cope with all that life in Thailand throws at me (not to baby me).

and do you insist on a say on how she spends the money?

 

[Weasel100]

3 hours ago, altcarrbob said:

Nothing is everything,and everything is nothing,sums up Thailand,I just want stability in life again,something I admire and keep whatever standards I was born to believe in...here its <deleted> Mickey Mouse at play,just a pair of women's tits and arse on show keeps the pecker up...I'm <deleted> well sick of it,just want out even for a short spell

I am genuinely sorry to hear that you're that unhappy. I have my times when I get low and very very down on this "new" life of mine in Thailand.
But this is mostly how I cope as best I can:
1  I don't go out if I don't have to - I stay at home as much as possible. A good book and movies and TV series on TV or disc are therapeutic. Days pass quickly and pleasantly
2  I don't socialize with Thais at all

3  I socialize when I want to or need to only with falang people. They're not all nice of course but I find that just about all Westerners have similar values. I have only one good falang (British) friend who lives anywhere near me in my part of Thailand. I value his friendship very highly. Cultivate a few good friendships with falang people 
4  I stay away from bars and restaurants - there's nothing wrong with having a drink or three at home, even if I'm alone

5  I am trying to learn to play guitar. This also occupies the mind and helps to pass the time that I might spend alone. So, take up a hobby.
6  if you own a house or a condo, try to avoid having work done around the house or condo by Thai people. My experience is that they are most often pretty poor at their work and they have frequently ripped me off. Just my experience. If others have had good experiences then you are I think lucky

All in all, that makes for a pretty pleasant life. Or at least it suits me.
I hope this will be of some help to others out there who might, like me, have a hard time dealing with Thais and Thailand.
 

[Weasel100]

1 minute ago, AYJAYDEE said:

and do you insist on a say on how she spends the money?

 

I don't understand the question. I've already said that my wife has no involvement in my finances. Are you asking whether I try to involve myself in how she spends her money. If so, the answer is a clear no. If I don't want my wife telling me how to spend my money, then I would hardly expect her to tolerate my interfering in her financial affairs

[AYJAYDEE]

Just now, Weasel100 said:

I don't understand the question. I've already said that my wife has no involvement in my finances. Are you asking whether I try to involve myself in how she spends her money. If so, the answer is a clear no. If I don't want my wife telling me how to spend my money, then I would hardly expect her to tolerate my interfering in her financial affairs

your married, its "our' money

[Weasel100]

Just now, AYJAYDEE said:

your married, its "our' money

So, I receive a pension from Australia after 30 years of hard work there. And THAT becomes my wife's money when I come to Thailand and marry her. Forgive me but that's a very old fashioned way of looking at it.
As it is, I provide for both my Thai wife and I very well. She has nothing to complain about  

[AYJAYDEE]

12 minutes ago, Weasel100 said:

So, I receive a pension from Australia after 30 years of hard work there. And THAT becomes my wife's money when I come to Thailand and marry her. Forgive me but that's a very old fashioned way of looking at it.
As it is, I provide for both my Thai wife and I very well. She has nothing to complain about  

No, it's you who has a very old fashioned way of looking at it.

[Weasel100]

Let's just agree to disagree here.
If you were me and chose to hand over your pension money to a new Thai wife, that's your decision. It's not one that I've made or will make in the future.
Through the extraordinarily beneficial superannuation scheme under which my Australian Government pension is paid, if we are still married at the time I pass from this world, my Thai wife will be entitled to 67 per cent of whatever benefit I receive at the time of my death, subject to CPI adjustment twice a year.

So, she will be well cared for financially by me before I go and by the Australian Government when I'm gone.
Not a bad outcome for a Thai lady I'd suggest. 

[AYJAYDEE]

7 minutes ago, Weasel100 said:

Let's just agree to disagree here.
If you were me and chose to hand over your pension money to a new Thai wife, that's your decision. It's not one that I've made or will make in the future.
Through the extraordinarily beneficial superannuation scheme under which my Australian Government pension is paid, if we are still married at the time I pass from this world, my Thai wife will be entitled to 67 per cent of whatever benefit I receive at the time of my death, subject to CPI adjustment twice a year.

So, she will be well cared for financially by me before I go and by the Australian Government when I'm gone.
Not a bad outcome for a Thai lady I'd suggest. 

I don't know about you, but I figure its me who got the good outcome too

[tropo]

39 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

41 minutes ago, Weasel100 said:

I don't understand the question. I've already said that my wife has no involvement in my finances. Are you asking whether I try to involve myself in how she spends her money. If so, the answer is a clear no. If I don't want my wife telling me how to spend my money, then I would hardly expect her to tolerate my interfering in her financial affairs

your married, its "our' money

She probably feels it's her money.

[AYJAYDEE]

2 minutes ago, tropo said:

She probably feels it's her money.

no she doesnt

[Spidey]

1 hour ago, Weasel100 said:

I am genuinely sorry to hear that you're that unhappy. I have my times when I get low and very very down on this "new" life of mine in Thailand.
But this is mostly how I cope as best I can:
1  I don't go out if I don't have to - I stay at home as much as possible. A good book and movies and TV series on TV or disc are therapeutic. Days pass quickly and pleasantly
2  I don't socialize with Thais at all

3  I socialize when I want to or need to only with falang people. They're not all nice of course but I find that just about all Westerners have similar values. I have only one good falang (British) friend who lives anywhere near me in my part of Thailand. I value his friendship very highly. Cultivate a few good friendships with falang people 
4  I stay away from bars and restaurants - there's nothing wrong with having a drink or three at home, even if I'm alone

5  I am trying to learn to play guitar. This also occupies the mind and helps to pass the time that I might spend alone. So, take up a hobby.
6  if you own a house or a condo, try to avoid having work done around the house or condo by Thai people. My experience is that they are most often pretty poor at their work and they have frequently ripped me off. Just my experience. If others have had good experiences then you are I think lucky

All in all, that makes for a pretty pleasant life. Or at least it suits me.
I hope this will be of some help to others out there who might, like me, have a hard time dealing with Thais and Thailand.
 

Well, I'm deliriously happy in Thailand and we couldn't be more different!

 

1. I don't feel satisfied if I don't go out at least once every day. Today, bought a new mouse at Tukcom, had lunch at the Beer Garden and took my wife to the dentist. Every day is different.

2.. I mainly socialise with Thais, don't have any close Western friends.

3. I socialise most days with Thai friends.

4. I very rarely drink at home but do visit restraunts a lot but only have the odd beer.

5. My hobby is Gym/sauna which I try to visit as often as I can. made several Thai friends there (some of them senior BiB - could be useful!)

6. I've just bought a house and had extensive work done on it, all by Thais, some bad, most good, some a rip off. most not.

 

On the subject of providing for my Thai wife, I have left her all my monies in my will. My UK wife of 30 years gets my pension. Seems fair to me.

Edited July 20, 2018 by Spidey

[balo]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones since I have a Norwegian passport,  Which basically means I can go back to Norway any time and find a place to stay for minimum 3 months and get back into the welfare system , free healthcare and all that.  Even without an income there's always help if you ask for it.  

 

Right now I am happy here in Thailand , but I have a dream when I retire to live 6 months in Norway during the summer season and 6 months in Thailand. 

The amazing nature , mountains and fjords , and the fresh air, it's something special that Thailand can never give me. But the cold winters I will not miss. 

   

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2018 by balo

[tropo]

40 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

no she doesnt

Of course she does.

Edited July 20, 2018 by tropo

[AYJAYDEE]

6 minutes ago, balo said:

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones since I have a Norwegian passport,  Which basically means I can go back to Norway any time and find a place to stay for minimum 3 months and get back into the welfare system , free healthcare and all that.  Even without an income there's always help if you ask for it.  

 

Right now I am happy here in Thailand , but I have a dream when I retire to live 6 months in Norway during the summer season and 6 months in Thailand. 

The amazing nature , mountains and fjords , and the fresh air, it's something special that Thailand can never give me. But the cold winters I will not miss. 

   

 

 

 

as a canadian I understand your dream and can assure you that it's even better than you imagine.

[AYJAYDEE]

1 minute ago, tropo said:

Of course she does.

no she doesnt

 

[tropo]

12 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

no she doesnt

 

Yes, she does. LOL. You must be very confused.

Edited July 20, 2018 by tropo

[Spidey]

14 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

no she doesnt

 

 

1 minute ago, tropo said:

Yes, she does.

Yes and no!

With my wife she thinks it's hers but I know it's mine.

[The manic]

5 hours ago, altcarrbob said:

Nothing is everything,and everything is nothing,sums up Thailand,I just want stability in life again,something I admire and keep whatever standards I was born to believe in...here its <deleted> Mickey Mouse at play,just a pair of women's tits and arse on show keeps the pecker up...I'm <deleted> well sick of it,just want out even for a short spell

Wherever you go you take your emotional baggage with you. You create your own reality.

[AYJAYDEE]

6 minutes ago, tropo said:

Yes, she does. LOL. You must be very confused.

no I'm not

[tropo]

1 minute ago, Spidey said:

 

Yes and no!

With my wife she thinks it's hers but I know it's mine.

That's good that you have it under control.

[AYJAYDEE]

Just now, tropo said:

That's good that you have it under control.

not a matter of control, just good judgement

 

[gentlemanjackdarby]

8 hours ago, fathersicksendmoney said:

 

 

 

 

I guess you just ignored the junk to the right of the pic? that toilet brush says it all really ?

 

And thats just one pic. The rest of the village will be the same...ENJOY

Hmmm..I guess each person sees what they want to see.

 

When I first looked, all I saw were two middle-aged ladies with what seem to be genuine smiles.

 

It took me a couple 'looks' and I had to look hard to see the toilet brush

 

Such is life I guess

[swissie]

Maybe it's more a question of "having to leave", rather than "wanting to leave".

-At a certain age, a decent internationally recognised "health-insurance" becomes very expensive in Thailand for a Farang. Plus: Any cough that one had as a child will be qualified as a "pre-existing-lung-condition".
To self-insure is an option. But as long as anyone has a "loved-one", would it be desirable to spend millions of Bht on hospital bills, leaving the "loved-one'(s)" with nothing in the end?
- This was a factor (not the only one), that made me decide to re-locate back to my home-country after many years in Thailand. Nowadays, I spend my winter months in LOS, covered by my standart home-country health insurance.
-------------
Interestingly enough: Even during my stay in Thailand, the subject of "health-insurance" was not a very popular subject to be discussed with fellow Farangs. This is being confirmed by the fact, that this issue has not been adressed in this thread, concerning "having to leave" or "wanting to leave" so far.

To be sure: If "long-term" Farangs would be included in some sort of "National-Health-Scheme", I might take up residence in Thailand again. This will happen, as soon as the Water-Buffaloes in the Isaan have learned to play the piano.
Cheers. 

[gk10002000]

gots 1 million net worth conservatively invested earning about $60,000 USD  a year in passive income, dividends/interest, much of which is tax free being municipal bonds and funds, or ROTH IRA distributions.  Still working since I get paid quite well, and medical and dental totals $84/month!  Enjoy my engineering job(s) in the USA, now living in Florida.  Loved hanging out in Thailand.  Been there 14 times, staying as much as 60 days continuously at times between contracting gigs.  Do I want to spend a lot of time in Thailand?  Absolutely.  Would I want to spend no time in the USA?  Almost certainly not.   Will make the decision next year.  I need one year to get enough time with the company to get vested in the retirement plan and keep the company matching contributions.  I don't need that, but it seems not smart to quit one year early and give up over $35,000 of 401k matching monies.  Still single, no health problems at age 61.  Social Security is looming soon.  Medicare at 65 still a few years off.  Current medical premiums if outside of work in Florida for me would be $850/month!  Crazy.  So that is a factor.  If I leave the company, I would possibly leave the USA for a few years, buy cheaper reasonable medical in Thailand for a few years.  Just a thought.

[AYJAYDEE]

6 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

gots 1 million net worth conservatively invested earning about $60,000 USD  a year in passive income, dividends/interest, much of which is tax free being municipal bonds and funds, or ROTH IRA distributions.  Still working since I get paid quite well, and medical and dental totals $84/month!  Enjoy my engineering job(s) in the USA, now living in Florida.  Loved hanging out in Thailand.  Been there 14 times, staying as much as 60 days continuously at times between contracting gigs.  Do I want to spend a lot of time in Thailand?  Absolutely.  Would I want to spend no time in the USA?  Almost certainly not.   Will make the decision next year.  I need one year to get enough time with the company to get vested in the retirement plan and keep the company matching contributions.  I don't need that, but it seems not smart to quit one year early and give up over $35,000 of 401k matching monies.  Still single, no health problems at age 61.  Social Security is looming soon.  Medicare at 65 still a few years off.  Current medical premiums if outside of work in Florida for me would be $850/month!  Crazy.  So that is a factor.  If I leave the company, I would possibly leave the USA for a few years, buy cheaper reasonable medical in Thailand for a few years.  Just a thought.

what is paying 6% interest or dividends these days?

 

[lannarebirth]

17 hours ago, Weasel100 said:

Sad isn't it that, for many of us, life here is only made tolerable by, variously it appears, alcohol or something stronger or masturbation.
Look, I'm not truly unhappy here or I WOULD pack up and go home. It's just that there is so much about Thai society and Thai people and the Thais' couldn't give a shit attitude that just drives me crazy. This could be a much better country if the majority of Thai people were honest in their business dealings, stopped lying all the time (and let's not have any of that crap about lying being acceptable in this culture as a face saving device - lying is lying is lying), if Government actually gave a shit about road safety, if the Police were not corrupt to the core and if Thailand had a forward looking attitude to the world and its place in it.
 

 

 

Speaking for myself I can't wait to get back to Thailand. I appreciate it for what is good about it, of which there are many many things. That it is not like the country I come from makes me appreciate it that much more. I am not so full of hubris that I would tell a country, much older than my own, what it OUGHT to be.

[moontang]

3 hours ago, AYJAYDEE said:

what is paying 6% interest or dividends these days?

 

DIV, SDIV, SRET, IRT, IGR, WFCpD, ..Philip Morris 5.64%, BX....

[AYJAYDEE]

Just now, moontang said:

DIV, SDIV, SRET, IRT, IGR, WFCpD, ..Philip Morris 5.64%, BX....

which one of those is a municipal bond?

[moontang]

2 minutes ago, AYJAYDEE said:

which one of those is a municipal bond?

bond ETFs:  EVV, HYT, PCI..

Edited July 21, 2018 by moontang

[AYJAYDEE]

8 minutes ago, moontang said:

bond ETFs:  EVV, HYT, PCI....

municipal bond trusts? yielding 6%. cant find em