Leaving Thailand after 13 Years..

[JAFO]

1 hour ago, LomSak27 said:

Now You are just cherry picking for the sake of argument. Toss out the tourists, leave Pattaya. And there you have a glittering Thailand of the Future.

Thais have been thinking this way for a long time. Last year a very religious nationalist type was telling me just how undeveloped and primitive Laos was. His vision of the future; a mix of Pattaya and Bangkok natch. No surprises with that comment  

What Thais want is like what everybody typically wants. Opportunity to make money, have a nice house and nice things.  That is not what Pattaya is.  It's a tourist place. I seriously doubt that Thais want hundreds of thousand westerners in their town polluting it with trash.  Setting up brothels and loads of Western fast food joints.  They can just visit it for a few days and leave.  

 

Pattaya Is comfortable for western travelers because of all the western comforts and what they see as pretty and clean beaches.  I get it.  However when I see posters that live here go on and on about all of the the things that drove them away I find that many live in Pattaya and my point is Pattaya is not Thailand.  It's the furthest thing from it.  Its loaded with filth, scamming, severe double pricing, gangs, drunks, rip offs, prostitution. etc.  If thats all I saw I would leave too.  

[Gecko123]

2 hours ago, JAFO said:

What Thais want is like what everybody typically wants. Opportunity to make money, have a nice house and nice things.  That is not what Pattaya is.  It's a tourist place. I seriously doubt that Thais want hundreds of thousand westerners in their town polluting it with trash.  Setting up brothels and loads of Western fast food joints.  They can just visit it for a few days and leave.  

 

Pattaya Is comfortable for western travelers because of all the western comforts and what they see as pretty and clean beaches.  I get it.  However when I see posters that live here go on and on about all of the the things that drove them away I find that many live in Pattaya and my point is Pattaya is not Thailand.  It's the furthest thing from it.  Its loaded with filth, scamming, severe double pricing, gangs, drunks, rip offs, prostitution. etc.  If thats all I saw I would leave too.  

I agree with the above and would add that, left to their own druthers, the vast majority of Thais would prefer to live in rural and semi-rural Thailand, which is still where most Thais were born and raised. Pattaya is known amongst Thais for one thing: a place to make a fast buck. Bangkok and other urban centers attract millions looking for employment and educational opportunities, but are not perceived as attractive environments for living or raising families. Any skeptics need only ask any Thai city dwellers where they were born and observe how their eyes and faces light up when they start talking nostalgically about their hometown.

Edited July 28, 2018 by Gecko123

[totally thaied up]

2 hours ago, Batty said:

But for the time being, here I am.  Just a bloke who didn't plan and stumbled here, for a long time.  Its not a bad life, dont get me wrong - I own a house, a couple of nice cars and bikes, owe no money to anyone and have potential to make a living.  I just feel a bit bored and lost here these days. It suddenly feels arbitrary, my living here.  I feel silly for not predicting this years ago, and stupid for not being wiser with my money. 

Planning is important.

 

Since I was 15 years old I was a saver. When I was 30, I had made my first million but I never spent that much; I was the opposite to you. At 38, a business partner did a job on me. I lost more than most could believe and then some. I owed my parents a massive sum of money that I paid back this year. I would have loved to have partied, done business class and just spent say just a million or so on myself but I didn't. I got nothing from all that work. Sure, I am going to get much more back in an inheritance from my parents (they are very old now; over 80) but I missed out on the best years of my life working and in the end, got very, very ill and now what dreams I had for a good 'old' life (I am 49) are gone.  Sure, I have like you money in the bank and a pension now and life is not so bad but this is a good story (both of ours) to show things don't plan out like they do. While as this went on I worked a boring life in Australia until I started to work in Asia and that is what changed my life for the better. Sure I cannot work now but hell, if it was not my trips to Asia and meeting some old guy at a venue I worked at in Australia 20 years ago telling me about his trips to Thailand and Japan, I would have never left. Just a chance meeting changes it all. Just like your Orange operator. 

 

The best of planning can go astray. I am not whinging; like others here, stating facts. Life just goes on. The best thing that came to me was my wife, so I am happy about that. The rest is now the future and I am sure you are smart enough to start again.

 

Best of luck.

[JLCrab]

And as the old saying goes, wherever you go, you are where you weren't.

[xylophone]

Planning is important................

 

Now, I have been the opposite of this poster and had never planned for a thing in my life and everything has turned out fine.

 

At 15 I left grammar school with no qualifications because I didn't like it; took the first job that came along which was an electrical apprentice at a brickworks and completed my apprenticeship there before being made redundant at the age of 22 and with no job in sight and no money.

 

Put the word around and was employed again within a couple of months but at another brickworks and found it boring.

 

Got talking to a guy at a party who was working on oil rigs and he gave me an address to contact in London, so I did and got a job working in the Sahara desert for three months although the heat bloody near killed me.

 

Took a long holiday after that and spent much of my hard earned money on booze, parties and women before heading off to Nigeria for another contract (four weeks on, two weeks off) so was able to save quite a bit of money and came back to the UK and spent it all on a wild lifestyle.

 

Had a couple of other jobs before heading back to Libya in 1975 for another stint and did exactly the same thing by spending my money when I came back to the UK, although I did put a deposit on a small house with some money I'd saved, but the rest I blew again.

 

Out of work and looking for oil work, so I got a job in the North Sea on a temporary basis and then another one offshore Norway, still managing to spend any money I saved, on booze, parties, women and cars – but all that was stopped when I got married (why oh why did I do that?).

 

Made some good money working for Xerox selling the very large photocopiers (some of the money was unbelievable) however a lot of that went when I got divorced and it left me with not much at all and anyway I was bored with the unethical nature of the management, so I got a job in New Zealand and emigrated, never thinking I would return, so I didn't.

 

Went from a director of sales and marketing in American Express to a national manager in a large bank and started an investment advisory division – – all the time not saving anything and still enjoying myself with fine wine and expensive cars, not to mention travel.

 

I did end up with quite a large house and when I decided to quit my high stress job due to health issues, it came in handy because I could sell it for a lump sum and put that money away for the future.

 

I also did some consultancy work for a property investment company and made a lot of money at that, before retiring here in Phuket.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I never planned for anything in my life and went wherever life took me and if one door opened then I would explore what was on offer and if I liked it I would take it, otherwise I would look for something else.

 

Maybe I've been lucky, however there has been one edict I have followed my life which I believe has been responsible for much of what I've written – – – whatever I did, no matter how lowly the job, I did it to the very best of my ability and tried to excel at it and in doing that was able to step into good positions because of recommendations.

 

Finally, someone mentioned "downsizing" in a previous post and I always thought that that was something that I would investigate, although I never actually got round to it, but in effect that is what I have done by ending up in a nice large house in my home country and being able to sell it and bring that money to be put to use here, thereby constituting a nice lump sum for my retirement.

 

I'm not saying don't plan, but it doesn't have to be the be all and end all..........enjoying the journey was a major part for me, and not thinking too much about the destination.

 

Finally I do believe that going back to one's own country can be a huge challenge because of the "missed years" but good luck to those that do try it.

[JLCrab]

14 minutes ago, xylophone said:

... national manager in a large bank and started an investment advisory division – – all the time not saving anything

and dispensing sound investment advice.

[Don Chance]

I just spent 3 month in Nepal, the feeling is much better than Thailand. People speak English and are super friendly, playful, joke around. Sure Nepal has  a lot of problems most of you probably won't like and for long term it would be difficult. But the comparison in how people treat you as a farang is huge.  Main thing is speaking English makes all the difference.

 

The thing i notice back in Thailand is the hostility some Thai's can show to farangs is unnerving. They can be down right rude.  In Nepal i have friend for years, that remember my name, the guesthouse owners are thrilled if i return, they don't even ask for payment until i leave, even for weeks and weeks. People are always easy to deal with and never hostile or rude, easy to bend a little.

 

Edited July 28, 2018 by Don Chance

[luk AJ]

Planning is important.
 
Since I was 15 years old I was a saver. When I was 30, I had made my first million but I never spent that much; I was the opposite to you. At 38, a business partner did a job on me. I lost more than most could believe and then some. I owed my parents a massive sum of money that I paid back this year. I would have loved to have partied, done business class and just spent say just a million or so on myself but I didn't. I got nothing from all that work. Sure, I am going to get much more back in an inheritance from my parents (they are very old now; over 80) but I missed out on the best years of my life working and in the end, got very, very ill and now what dreams I had for a good 'old' life (I am 49) are gone.  Sure, I have like you money in the bank and a pension now and life is not so bad but this is a good story (both of ours) to show things don't plan out like they do. While as this went on I worked a boring life in Australia until I started to work in Asia and that is what changed my life for the better. Sure I cannot work now but hell, if it was not my trips to Asia and meeting some old guy at a venue I worked at in Australia 20 years ago telling me about his trips to Thailand and Japan, I would have never left. Just a chance meeting changes it all. Just like your Orange operator. 
 
The best of planning can go astray. I am not whinging; like others here, stating facts. Life just goes on. The best thing that came to me was my wife, so I am happy about that. The rest is now the future and I am sure you are smart enough to start again.
 
Best of luck.

Also from Belgium and quite similar life style with one difference, I accepted for myself that, to maintain such lifestyle, I would have to continue to work beyond retirement age. This way I continue to make money and stay “connected”.
To make this happen , I run my own company. Of course this creates a lot of stress but in exchange I am freed from wacko bosses, fixed working hours and stupid company rules.
I do make free time for myself and enjoy my condo, my car friends etc..but no big money pile. Yes it is risky but so far I had the best time I could wish!


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Jdiddy]

Thailand has always been a "good to come, good to leave place" for me

Dont burn bridges and keep options open

 

 

[Shiver]

We've got it easy - cost-less or near to cost-less communication, and the opportunity to do business online if so inclined.  Doesn't have to be a bricks and mortar operation.  Couldn't say that 20 years ago.

[Small Joke]

On 7/22/2018 at 12:52 AM, sirineou said:

 Forget what you read. You need to decide for yourself. Just don't burn your bridges in case it is not for you. Give it a shot but also leave a way back. If you own a home don't sell is yet, Rent it and use the proceeds to subsidise your move here, after a while if you think Thailand is for you , you can always sell it if that's what you want , and by that time it might even be worth more. I have being coming to Thailand for a long time now, we have build our own home and I love it here . are there challenges? sure there are, but they are manageable and part of the charm IMO.

I am also retiring next spring, and will live in Thailand full time, but I am not selling one of my FL home. perhaps I will rent it  , unless my daughter wants to stay there and take care of it  (as of now she does not want) and as I have said before , if  at some point Thailand is not for me anymore, or old age medical complications demand it. I will go back. I recommend  that my wife does the same after I am gone, but it is up to her.

Medically,  you'll be better off here in terms of cost,  and even treatment. Why do you think westerners and Arabs flock to the 5 star hospitals here for almost any serious procedeures? 

[sirineou]

17 minutes ago, Small Joke said:

Medically,  you'll be better off here in terms of cost,  and even treatment. Why do you think westerners and Arabs flock to the 5 star hospitals here for almost any serious procedeures? 

 Most of as have medical insurance,and  social services   back home  .

I had a congenital heart condition that cost $240.000 to repair in the US , my out of pocket cost was $1200. , my med insurance pict up the rest. I doubt I would have being better of in Thailand  cost wise.

But when I hit oil , perhaps I will join the Arabs at the 5 star hospitals.    

[Gecko123]

On 7/22/2018 at 12:52 AM, sirineou said:

 Are there challenges? sure there are, but they are manageable and part of the charm IMO.

So glad you said this. People would be so much better off here if they looked at the challenges to adjusting to the culture here as learning and growth opportunities instead of seeing them as annoyances and irritations.

[Hugh Cow]

Coming back to Oz is dependent on your income. If money is no problem its great. If you are renting and on a limited budget it becomes harder. The increase in political correctness is getting almost oppressive. It is no longer the free and easy country of my youth. You also need in demand skills if you intend to work. Many middle aged to older workers (over 45) find it increasingly difficult to find work as they age. The over 55s have a very low re-employment record after retrenchment. The horrendous number of migrants is not helping.

[BradinAsia]

4 hours ago, sirineou said:

 Most of as have medical insurance,and  social services   back home  .

I had a congenital heart condition that cost $240.000 to repair in the US , my out of pocket cost was $1200. , my med insurance pict up the rest. I doubt I would have being better of in Thailand  cost wise.

But when I hit oil , perhaps I will join the Arabs at the 5 star hospitals.    

 

The medical insurance companies back home are obvious not all the same. As a retired U.S. gov't employee, during my last

4 year stay in Chiang Mai, I had no problem submitting my Chiang Mai hospital bills to my GEHA health insurance. Even the

most expensive hospitals. Of course, I paid up front and then submitted the bill to GEHA by mail for reimbursement.

 

In the long run, the results were much the same as if I had been living in the U.S. But, maybe some insurance companies

won't pay for overseas medical care, I don't know. GEHA was happy to pay bcoz they saved a lot of money.

[sirineou]

13 minutes ago, BradinAsia said:

 

The medical insurance companies back home are obvious not all the same. As a retired U.S. gov't employee, during my last

4 year stay in Chiang Mai, I had no problem submitting my Chiang Mai hospital bills to my GEHA health insurance. Even the

most expensive hospitals. Of course, I paid up front and then submitted the bill to GEHA by mail for reimbursement.

 

In the long run, the results were much the same as if I had been living in the U.S. But, maybe some insurance companies

won't pay for overseas medical care, I don't know. GEHA was happy to pay bcoz they saved a lot of money.

Unfortunately, If I understand it correctly, this insurance is not available to the general public. The insurance available by my trade union is only available to me in the US, I could purchase supplemental insurance to cover thailand , and when I am there full time, I will , but it will not cover preexisting conditions. At age 65 my medical coverage, and if I understand it correctly ,the medical coverage of most americans is turned over to the federally administered MediCare program . Since I am back and forth between the US and Thailand a couple of times a year, this is not a problem for me now, but next year when I fully retire , it will be.

I need to do  More research on the issue of the pre-existing condition coverage. .

[manjara]

On 7/27/2018 at 4:04 PM, tomas557 said:

 

Why?

....

I recall him telling me 10 years ago that he couldn't imagine to live in UK ever again.

 

I recall saying the same thing about 10 years ago! (not to you! ? ) 

 

I should say, I still love Thailand, but it just frustrates me so much to live there.

My wife bought a large house when she moved back and got a large extension done as well. The number of problems that she has had with contractors is just crazy. I'm sure almost everything, from electrics to plumbing to plaster and flooring, has been done at least twice, and it's still not right!  

I love cooking and although you get amazing seafood, and cheap beef/pork/chicken, there is just a lack of variety in what you can buy in the supermarkets (compared to Europe), or you end up in Villa market and paying more than you would at M&S Food in UK! I once bought a loaf of bread there in desperation for almost 500thb!

If I go out to a restaurant for food I can see that I'm being served the same stuff I was looking at that morning in Makro, but didn't get because it looked pretty awful! (and I'm now being charged western prices for eating it!?).   

Perhaps this will get better as the Asean region opens up, but while it's Thais doing these jobs, then things are unlikely to get much better! The majority don't seem really interested in improving how they do things, it's the Thai-way or the Hai-way!

The first step in fixing yourself is to admit you have a problem, and Thailand is way too proud for that!

  

[teatree]

Something people should bear in mind is that you will tire of living virtually ANYWHERE given time.

 

The secret for me is frequent holidays.

[The manic]

On 7/28/2018 at 5:27 AM, JAFO said:

What Thais want is like what everybody typically wants. Opportunity to make money, have a nice house and nice things.  That is not what Pattaya is.  It's a tourist place. I seriously doubt that Thais want hundreds of thousand westerners in their town polluting it with trash.  Setting up brothels and loads of Western fast food joints.  They can just visit it for a few days and leave.  

 

Pattaya Is comfortable for western travelers because of all the western comforts and what they see as pretty and clean beaches.  I get it.  However when I see posters that live here go on and on about all of the the things that drove them away I find that many live in Pattaya and my point is Pattaya is not Thailand.  It's the furthest thing from it.  Its loaded with filth, scamming, severe double pricing, gangs, drunks, rip offs, prostitution. etc.  If thats all I saw I would leave too.  

Pattaya is a major weekend destination for Bangkokians and an important destination for many Thais.  It's a fun house.  The first time I went to Pattaya in 1990 I was taken their by Thais. 

[The manic]

On 7/28/2018 at 1:49 AM, BritManToo said:

What if the rest of your life is 6 months?

What use will the extra money be then?

A shroud has no pockets!

[xylophone]

On ‎7‎/‎28‎/‎2018 at 7:49 AM, BritManToo said:

What if the rest of your life is 6 months?

What use will the extra money be then?

Provided I get a bit of notice...………..finest food and wine, parties with great looking women, trip or two to stay in the BEST hotel in Thailand, plus a little foray to Vietnam or similar.

 

And see the delight on my ex g/f's face and that of her/our daughter when I hand over a nice lump sum to them!

[LomSak27]

On 7/28/2018 at 3:45 PM, Don Chance said:

The thing i notice back in Thailand is the hostility some Thai's can show to farangs is unnerving. They can be down right rude.  In Nepal i have friend for years, that remember my name, the guesthouse owners are thrilled if i return,

 

Fortunately, or unfortunately I worked for 5 years here in the 80’s. It wasn’t a paradise but significantly different than today. This “hostility today” is mostly the result of Government “unofficial” polices post 1997 economic collapse. They decided to discourage farang and both color parties and the people in charge now have adhered to it. Won’t argue the point, it is a fact.
 

On this turn in country, lived and worked here for 15 years, hoop jumping year in and out. Now they are making me jump through more hoops for retirement. I should be the guy they welcome with open arms, heh, Not rich but also not in the skint retiree group. Six months ago I was looking forward to retire here, now …. hmmm
 

And now what … well storing the possessions, likely travel SEA in winter then North America in summer, looking into Indonesia retirement or Portugal, or Greece. Some friends who lived in Chiang Mai for 7 years are now in Portugal. Likely visit them.The Thai G friend holds a Euro passport so. By the time the Thais finish with the hoop jump, good chance they may have lost me.  Just tired of the bullpucky and if your indexed Mutual funds are healthy, no reason to play hoop jump with Thai Immigration and assorted clowns. There are lots of countries that will treat you like an adult and have a happier less manipulated populace.
 

I still might retire here, but I suspect it is running at 50/50 or less now.

Edited July 30, 2018 by LomSak27

[blackcab]

A troll post and two replies to it have been removed.

 

I have to say this is an excellent thread I have thoroughly enjoyed reading.

[xylophone]

1 hour ago, LomSak27 said:

looking into Indonesia retirement or Portugal, or Greece

Nice post...……..and several people on these threads have mentioned Portugal as a place to retire.

 

Have now searched the net for info...………………...

 

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 2018 by xylophone

[Poottrong]

On 7/28/2018 at 3:45 PM, Don Chance said:

I just spent 3 month in Nepal, the feeling is much better than Thailand. People speak English and are super friendly, playful, joke around. Sure Nepal has  a lot of problems most of you probably won't like and for long term it would be difficult. But the comparison in how people treat you as a farang is huge.  Main thing is speaking English makes all the difference.

 

The thing i notice back in Thailand is the hostility some Thai's can show to farangs is unnerving. They can be down right rude.  In Nepal i have friend for years, that remember my name, the guesthouse owners are thrilled if i return, they don't even ask for payment until i leave, even for weeks and weeks. People are always easy to deal with and never hostile or rude, easy to bend a little.

 

"Hostile" is not a word I would use to describe Thais at all. On the whole I would describe them as mellow and tolerant. In relation to foreigners, outside of economic interactions, I would describe them more as uninterested or indifferent if anything, hardly a great flaw apart from perhaps damaging our collective egos ?

 

Also, any country that has experienced mass tourism for so long and on a such as scale as Thailand is bound to have a jaded quality to it on the side of the local operators.

 

[Dick Crank]

22 hours ago, Hugh Lao said:

Coming back to Oz is dependent on your income. If money is no problem its great. If you are renting and on a limited budget it becomes harder. The increase in political correctness is getting almost oppressive. It is no longer the free and easy country of my youth. You also need in demand skills if you intend to work. Many middle aged to older workers (over 45) find it increasingly difficult to find work as they age. The over 55s have a very low re-employment record after retrenchment. The horrendous number of migrants is not helping.

where im from finding a good job over 50 combined with a decent gap in work history from living in pattaya is near impossible unless your applying to be a walmart greeter.

[Dick Crank]

On July 27, 2018 at 8:18 PM, Batty said:

 

So your calling me a cock.  Thanks.

 

You are analyzing with cliches and sound like an student physiologist and I dont mean to be rude in suggesting that error as many people do the same.  But I must be honest and say Its such a boring, well trodden reasoning to suggest "there is another guy, running from his problems, head buried in sand, scared to go home".  Christ mate its so dull and predictable and its almost always the first port of call when two chaps on a bar stool (or concrete table outside a maa paa shop) are blasting a fellow ex pat.  This guy has issues.  Clearly here to escape something.

 

Some of us just stumbled here through, I admit, absolute ignorance at worst and lack of planning at best.  I am here after 15 years because... it just happened.  Cant that be a reason?  Must I be a social misfit who didn't fair well back home with people?  Or a fat stinking mess with zero charm, unable to chat up the birds back home and bailed to Thailand heading straight to the go go bars?  Make sure to wai the mamasan on your way in you know, respect local culture.  Then see how many fingers you can get up number 32.  Go on lad.

 

I had a pretty good life back home, quite eventful and dam good fun.  I had a mobile phone dealership selling contract phones on-line from 2001 through 2003 and in July of that year the business imploded for reasons out of my control.  I walked away with 30 grand, a rented house (no ties) no kids, and a car.  I thought sod it, I am 30, lets do a bit of traveling, spend 20 of the 30 grand I have and then come back and start another business.  I needed a break.  America sounds fun and I had visited a few times as a kid.  And with very little planning I decided on flying to Los Angeles and starting there.  Only I didn't.  During my final customer credit check with Orange on the phone (cell/mobile phone company in UK) I got chatting to the agent about moving to America.  He had just come back from Thailand, and told me about the way of life there, the cheap villas on the beach you can rent.  Fried rice and chicken with a beer for a pound.  Friendly locals. The beautiful women who love westerners.  Amazing islands and adventurous mountain destinations. And all around it, you have these mad countries to explore like Vietnam, Loas, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong. I randomly searched 'house for rent in Thailand' and this amazing 3 bed house popped up, surrounded by coconut trees, 5 minutes from a beach. 300 pounds a month.  I had spent that much the night before on a bender in London, I remember thinking.  300 pounds!  For a villa!  On an island!

 

I remember sitting on expedia website with two browser windows open, one for a L.A flight and one for flight to Koh Samui, undecided.  Eventually I chose koh Samui, booked a flight, put my furniture, car and electrical stuff in a lock up on a 6 month contract and buggered off to Thailand, telling my pals and family I would see them at the end of the year.  Everyone was surprised I was doing it, but pleased for me.  It was In hindsight looking back, totally random, deciding to travel.  I suspect if I had put more thought into it I would have stayed back home.

 

They call it chaos theory, dont they?  How a single small event can change the course of humanity?  I ponder that from time to time.  The Orange call center had 500 agents.  If I hadn't spoke to that one particular guy, at that very time, i would have never traveled to Thailand.  I wasn't even sure where it was to be honest.

 

I had so much fun in koh Samui, 6 months turned into 2 years but I burnt out.  I had spent a lot of time on the beer and partying I needed to move on.  So I went to Bangkok for a year and did even more partying.  How does that make sense?  Burn out in Koh Samui, so move to Bangkok?  I have no idea what I was thinking in that decision. So, even more burnt out after a year living just off Soi 4 and now at 33, I decided to move to kanchanaburi where it is green, lush, laid back, and cute.  A perfect place to slow down a bit.  I stayed there for 5 years and played golf in the day, and set up an on line business that I worked on at night, which did very well.  During no point in this first 8 years did I ever think 'ok, what am I doing?' Is this my life now?'.  Family and friends always pestered me about coming home.  What are you doing out there?  Why are you still there? But I never had an answer.  Its honestly something I never thought about.  I took everything day by day and just figured one day I will go home, when I feel like it.

 

More years went past and eventually I met a great girl, moved North and got married, brought a house and settled down.  My dad died 3 years ago and during that time I went home 3 or 4 times a year while he was sick and it was at this point that I woke up a little a realized that I had pretty much abandoned my country and suddenly missed it.  I would land at Heathrow and there would always be 2 or 3 friends waiting for me, before we headed off to the pub to meet more friends and have a great night.  I would spend the days visiting my Dad and family and aimlessly driving around the countryside, remembering how nice it is back there, wondering why I abandoned it, and the nights in the pub with mates having a great laugh.  It just suddenly happened over those 2 or 3 years of visiting the UK - I became uber home sick - and every time I returned to Thailand I felt bummed out to be back.

 

I guess I just stumbled here through blind chance, failed to plan, and woke up 15 years later thinking bugger, I am still here?  I own a house and stuff?

 

I built an amazing on-line business through my time here and now it is over, I regret squandering the money I made from it.  I could have saved easily enough to buy a bloody huge house back home but I didn't.  I was an idiot. Business class flights everywhere, hotels always had to be Hiltons, Sheratons, Mariots.  Wardrobe after wardrobe of expensive clothes. Bikes, cars.  All the trappings. I had friends in Miami and over a 4 year period I would fly there, business class, three times a year for 3 weeks each visit, blowing money. I look back on all that now and think I guess I wasn't truly happy here and filled a void with crap that I didn't need.  I got jaded with the bar scene years ago, got fed up with golf and for a good few years didn't do very much here: just a quiet life with lavish holidays back home, Miami, Caribbean, and all over S.E.Asia mixed in.  I should have been honest with myself at the time and admitted I wasn't truly happy in Thailand, time to go home.  But for some reason I just figured everything would work itself out and plodded on, with no plan, spending money.  And when you have money, it is easy to use it to fudge over problems.  And for that reason, I wouldn't blame you for calling me a cock.  It was foolish and short sighted and now the business is over and I am making a modest living, I feel stupid.  For a bright guy, I made a dumb mistake of winging it in life with zero plan.  So fair enough - call me a cock for that, because I am.

 

But I am most definitely not a cock in the way you might imply.  I am not a social misfit, I can easily sit in a bar full of strangers and tell a few stories, get everyone laughing.  I do have some measure of charm, unlike some of the morons you meet sometimes here whose soul level of concern lies with the cost of Chang going up at Dream Girl bar, baked beans in Macro being too saucy, and how Davids wife is cheating on him with a Thai guy.  I just made the mistake of taking everything for granted, failing to plan: and now i miss home, dont realy want to live here anymore, but cant just 'go back' and sofa surf with my wife who I adore, watching her suffer with the same feelings I have now in being home sick for her country and family/friends.  If I had a good few hundred grand in the bank I would buy a house back there and spend the summers there with her.  Or leave her here and get my fix of England for 3 months a year.  Either of those scenarios would be fine for me and I would enjoy the other 9 months in Thailand quite happily.  Maybe one day it will happen, I do have a track record of getting back on top financially when chips are down so maybe I will make something else work and get the money together in a few years.  Or maybe crypto currency will go up ten fold and I can cash in and do it that way.  

 

But for the time being, here I am.  Just a bloke who didn't plan and stumbled here, for a long time.  Its not a bad life, dont get me wrong - I own a house, a couple of nice cars and bikes, owe no money to anyone and have potential to make a living.  I just feel a bit bored and lost here these days. It suddenly feels arbitrary, my living here.  I feel silly for not predicting this years ago, and stupid for not being wiser with my money. 

 

Feel free anyone to analyze all this but let me be clear - you can jazz this up however you like but I am telling you now, there is no underlying reason for 'bailing' on the UK.  It just happened.

 

 

for anyone scrolling on a mobile phone i just wanted to re quote this in case you missed anything. great post!

[Don Chance]

1 hour ago, Poottrong said:

"Hostile" is not a word I would use to describe Thais at all. On the whole I would describe them as mellow and tolerant. In relation to foreigners, outside of economic interactions, I would describe them more as uninterested or indifferent if anything, hardly a great flaw apart from perhaps damaging our collective egos ?

 

Also, any country that has experienced mass tourism for so long and on a such as scale as Thailand is bound to have a jaded quality to it on the side of the local operators.

 

Just step on few toes you will see how quickly the tide changes.

[Poottrong]

1 hour ago, Don Chance said:

Just step on few toes you will see how quickly the tide changes.

And what happens when you do that in your home country?

[manjara]

Just now, Poottrong said:

And what happens when you do that in your home country?

Just as bad, if not worse! (If you were a Thai doing it!)

I've not really met any thais I would call friends though, all are at the acquaintance level. I can't, and don't, complain about that, as my thai skills are not really up to a meaningful conversation! 

If a Thai went to the UK and only spoke basic English, it would be hard for people to bond with them too! 

Perhaps it's the circles that I'm involved in, but I haven't met many Thais that are actually interested in things non-Thai, though I guess they would have to speak some English to be able to express it to me.