My online income has made me more critical of Thailand

[mike787]

8 hours ago, Naam said:

my time is too valuable to discuss "investments" pertaining to the peanuts amount of THB 800k throwing in "since inception", mutual funds (yuck!) and ol' Warren Buffet.

There are people that cannot meet the Visa requirements or continue maintaining a living in Thailand due to inadequate finances.  Mathematics demonstrates one may want to consider "options" which are dependent on the choices one makes, and this is all very important because "...time is too valuable...(borrowing from your statement)" to waste. The point is to bring an awareness, when an individual decides to stay or leave in Thailand (or any country).  Many variables are considered, ie emotional, financial, etc. Through amortization, one can see how their decision will impact them.  Just as many TVF members are engaging in an inteletcual exchange in deciding where to live out heir lives; while striking a balance of quality of life, finances, and etc.  It is obvious none of this matters to you, WONDERFUl.  We are all thrilled. 

 

Edited June 4, 2019 by mike787

[grifbel]

On 6/3/2019 at 2:51 PM, BritManToo said:

On 6/3/2019 at 2:48 PM, simon43 said:

My stone barn house cost 15,000 euro to buy outright (1 rai of garden).  I checked recently and similar stone barns for DIY conversation are still available at the same price.... (Note - this is a very basic barn to convert with strong DIY skills [which I have from building my little hotels in Phuket] - but being built of stone, it will outlast my lifetime).

I'll go halves with you one one, money and labour, we can camp while we build.

I'm great at traditional stonework, plumbing, wiring and tiling but total shit at plastering and painting.

Thanks for these great laughs, you got me in stitches here!  UR going to spend the golden years in a 15,000 euro horse stable, and now have people wanting to coinvest.  You cannot make this stuff up.....Next we will have  shared living retirement rock piles in Afghanistan?

Livin' large, livin' large????

[SheungWan]

I really wouldn't want to live in the middle of nowhere, whether in France, Spain, Andorra or Portugal. There is a reason why those places are cheap.

[BritManToo]

14 minutes ago, grifbel said:

Thanks for these great laughs, you got me in stitches here!  UR going to spend the golden years in a 15,000 euro horse stable, and now have people wanting to coinvest.  You cannot make this stuff up.....Next we will have  shared living retirement rock piles in Afghanistan?

Livin' large, livin' large????

It's bigger than most peoples Bangkok condos .............. and I can own it, and the land.

As for co-owning, as I won't be living there much (and mainly want the permanent EU address), it seems a good idea to split all the standing fees.

 

When I was living in the UK, I had a house in the country by a river (no longer affordable to me in the UK), a wood burning stove, and a chainsaw, I used to pull trees out of the river as they floated past, saw them up and provide for all my heating, just by the petrol in the chainsaw and it was really good exercise with the axe. I never understand people that want to judge a persons life by how much they spend. Almost nothing I enjoy doing costs me any money at all, hiking, swimming, cycling, reading, music, movies, TV shows. The French countryside is great.

Edited June 4, 2019 by BritManToo

[LivinLOS]

50 minutes ago, simon43 said:

@edgarfriendly, I'm right up by the Mekong, so no chance to meet up.

 

Interesting that you mention a motor-home.  I would love to drive leisurely around the Pyrenees, but my online teaching job makes that a little impracticable.

Might be surprised.. 4g video calls easy and 150 gb per month is like 30 euros.. 

I spend summers bouncing all round europe and 4g cell is my backup and works fine. I could probably do with it as my primary with care (or 2 sims). 

[simon43]

One point that I've touched on is that the timezone in Europe makes some of my current online teaching schedule a little 'anti-social'.  All my students are in south-east Asia or China, and my current morning lessons would have to start around midnight European time....

 

However, I also have plenty of afternoon and evening classes, so would simply have to drop my morning classes and add on some late evening classes.

 

I did check out the 4g coverage in the Pyrenees.  As might be expected, it's fine in the small towns and villages, and up on the mountains (clear line of sight to the cellphone mast), and with limited to zero coverage in the valleys.

 

Some might laugh about living in a 15,000 euro stone barn.  When I lived in Europe, I had a beautiful stone barn conversion in Somerset, as well as my 'cheap' barn in France that was minutes from the ski stations.

 

Just because it's cheap, don't knock it.  IMHO, there's nothing more relaxing and cosy than a roaring wood fire and a glass of port, whilst admiring the view from one's balcony.

[SheungWan]

One doesn't knock it for being cheap, but rather for the reasons why it is cheap.

[simon43]

1 minute ago, SheungWan said:

One doesn't knock it for being cheap, but rather for the reasons why it is cheap.

Based on my experience of living and travelling in that region, it's cheap because there is insufficient local employment, and many people have migrated to the larger cities.

 

If you're looking for cultural activities, such as opera, theatre etc, then you're in the wrong place.

 

If you are a nature lover, a fitness lover, walking, cycling, climbing, bird watching, skiing (in winter), or a lover of good food and wine, then you're in the right place!

 

If you like water activities, such as white-water rafting, swimming in the Med or Atlantic oceans, then you're in the right place.

 

If you like casinos, duty-free etc, then Andorra is nearby as well.

 

If you are looking for cheap hookers, then you're definitely in the wrong place!

[Chazar]

24 minutes ago, simon43 said:

One point that I've touched on is that the timezone in Europe makes some of my current online teaching schedule a little 'anti-social'.  All my students are in south-east Asia or China, and my current morning lessons would have to start around midnight European time....

 

However, I also have plenty of afternoon and evening classes, so would simply have to drop my morning classes and add on some late evening classes.

 

I did check out the 4g coverage in the Pyrenees.  As might be expected, it's fine in the small towns and villages, and up on the mountains (clear line of sight to the cellphone mast), and with limited to zero coverage in the valleys.

 

Some might laugh about living in a 15,000 euro stone barn.  When I lived in Europe, I had a beautiful stone barn conversion in Somerset, as well as my 'cheap' barn in France that was minutes from the ski stations.

 

Just because it's cheap, don't knock it.  IMHO, there's nothing more relaxing and cosy than a roaring wood fire and a glass of port, whilst admiring the view from one's balcony.

Good  for you I agree  wholeheartedly except I dont drink.

[simon43]

17 minutes ago, Chazar said:

Good  for you I agree  wholeheartedly except I dont drink.

Actually I haven't had a glass of port for well-on 20 years.....  ????

[ThaiPauly]

21 hours ago, 4675636b596f75 said:

No one has mentioned air pollution.  

 

In deciding where to live, or where not to live, this ought to be a huge consideration.  

I mentioned it in post #3

[marcusarelus]

3 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

The economic changes I outlined in my post can't be disputed. To say that diminished financial opportunities hasn't affected how people behave goes against what most of us know about human nature. If some want to posture that their personal charm has immunized them against these macroeconomic forces, so be it.r example. Nor do some people have the language, cultural sensitivity, or perceptual skills to truly assess what's going on around them.

What economic changes?  You mentioned in passing that some currencies had dropped in value.  Sure.  But if one had moved his funds to Thailand when the exchange rate was much higher they would not be effected.  Or because there are less Farang there is less competition. 

 

I don't see a problem. 

 

Maybe you should post those economic changes again because they don't seem major to me except that my shopping has gotten better because there are more products on the shelves and my Thai wife is making more money. 

[SheungWan]

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

Based on my experience of living and travelling in that region, it's cheap because there is insufficient local employment, and many people have migrated to the larger cities.

 

If you're looking for cultural activities, such as opera, theatre etc, then you're in the wrong place.

 

If you are a nature lover, a fitness lover, walking, cycling, climbing, bird watching, skiing (in winter), or a lover of good food and wine, then you're in the right place!

 

If you like water activities, such as white-water rafting, swimming in the Med or Atlantic oceans, then you're in the right place.

 

If you like casinos, duty-free etc, then Andorra is nearby as well.

 

If you are looking for cheap hookers, then you're definitely in the wrong place!

The older you get the more you need to be closer to urban resources and other people. Close enough to walk preferably.

[simon43]

8 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

The older you get the more you need to be closer to urban resources and other people. Close enough to walk preferably.

That is probably true for many but not everyone ????  I'm 60 years old in a couple of weeks and was (until I returned to Thailand late last year), the fastest 10 Km runner in Myanmar in my age group ==> 47 minutes. 

 

I hope to maintain my fitness and independence into my dotage.

[Chazar]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

Actually I haven't had a glass of port for well-on 20 years.....  ????

Yeah ,much easier just to drink from the  bottle  and saves on washing up????

[SheungWan]

22 minutes ago, simon43 said:

That is probably true for many but not everyone ????  I'm 60 years old in a couple of weeks and was (until I returned to Thailand late last year), the fastest 10 Km runner in Myanmar in my age group ==> 47 minutes. 

I hope to maintain my fitness and independence into my dotage.

Don't we all, but that doesn't bypass the reality that proximity to hospitals and other resources is something to anticipate when thinking of moving. Those having access to those nearby facilities in either Bangkok or Pattaya might make the mistake of overlooking the equivalent if making a move to Europe. The older one gets, the nearer one should be, assuming one has finances to make a choice IMHO.

[BritManToo]

34 minutes ago, simon43 said:

That is probably true for many but not everyone ????  I'm 60 years old in a couple of weeks and was (until I returned to Thailand late last year), the fastest 10 Km runner in Myanmar in my age group ==> 47 minutes. 

 

I hope to maintain my fitness and independence into my dotage.

I thought that until April this year (age 63) ..... then I couldn't wee any more.

From athlete to invalid in less than one month.

Stuff goes wrong when you're over 50, nothing you can do to stop it, healthy lifestyle doesn't help[, it's the luck of the draw.

Not sure I can recover from this one, not to my previous levels of hiking and cycling anyway.

Anyway didn't need a hospital near, I just flew back to Thailand and used my local hospital, had a 2-4 day window before I was dead.

 

[simon43]

The older one gets, the nearer one should be, assuming one has finances to make a choice IMHO.

 

Of course one should consider medical facilities etc.  I have very good medical insurance.  But I have zero intention of restricting myself to living within sight of a hospital.  I prefer to live my life to the full, climbing mountains, cycling, jogging etc. 

 

If I drop dead at the top of a mountain that I've just climbed, at least I'll die with some great memories of my life and experiences.

 

Several years ago on this forum, I announced my intention to improve my fitness, take up jogging etc. Several (more than just a few members) were critical of me and basically said that at my age I should start to slow down, not speed up!  That lifestyle IMHO, is what leads to boredom, depression and early death.

 

It's not for me...  ????

[jessebkk1]

14 hours ago, ParadiseLost said:

Nice to read about all these posters with so many 'choices'. Try existing on a South African passport in today's world ...suddenly all the choices you once had are gone and well it's either a shitty existence here or get murdered in your only other choice.

 

I've been here 15 years now and can only say it has been a steady decline - much like the GBP it is now only 50% as enjoyable. Maybe that is age creeping up but mostly I put it down to each successive generation becoming more and more entitled and self obsessed - across all nationalities.

   Sucks really! however the only way to guarantee that you remain stuck with only 2 options FOREVER is to continue to stay here. Actually, all things considered, if they keep pushing these visa laws you could lose the "stay in thailand" option WHEN YOU'RE LEAST PREPARED TO LEAVE (Hopefully not). 

 

   Honestly, I think a person with your kind of passport is supposed to be the kind of person who really shouldnt be here. Think about everyone else you know who left south africa 15,10 or even 5 years ago and they're probably citizens of somewhere in the west, while you are still on yearly visas and not even very certain of your next 1 year thailand visa.

 

  Here is a REAL story to encourage you. I know a South African family of four of whom the dad's non b visa was denied after their 5th year of staying in thailand back in 2014, the gentleman went back to pretoria many times to bring more supporting documents and the immigration just wouldnt budge. The family applied for a German Immigration visa here in bangkok before their thai visa expired and got it, and all left for Germany. Spoke to them recently and they all applying for their German citizenship this year. I remember watching them and encouraging when they were about to leave, it felt like the end of the world for them. They'd come here with hopes of staying forever.

 

 You can do it too buddy! Don't settle until you're settled!

 

  

 

[jessebkk1]

And to those mocking the OP's decision to rather leave thailand (and spend their days in a brick semi-furnished house in the villages of Europe) really do not understand the true meaning of the word FREEDOM & Peace of Mind.

 

  Any other place that offers security, safety and a realistic path to become one with the community is better than Thailand. You can own the house and the land on it - pass it on to your children's children without having to circumvent government laws. You can sit down all day and bird watch all you want without having to set an alarm for a 90 day report, or worry about a TM30 every time you go to the bathroom or have to pray and have a night vigil once a year for the God of Visas (aka the 30year old immigration officer who graduated from uni 4 years ago) to grant you another 1 year visa to stay in paradise. And Oh, you can now really plan far ahead because you are no longer worried whether or not another madman will wake up one morning and squeeze the visa requirements a bit further such that it knocks you out from qualifying. No more keeping up with TVF visa Updates and crackdown news, because you're now in a society that thinks of you as a person and not a scapegoat. True freedom is when your existence is no longer attached to someone else's clock.

 

  A person or people who sacrifices their freedom for security deserves neither - Thomas Jefferson.

 

 To OP I say go for it, don't know much about Andorra. Actually all I know about that country is that I had a 3 day fling with a woman from there many decades ago. She had the body of a water goddess, and a vagina that looked perfectly symmetrical - it looked designed or should I say constructed. I had to stare at it for a good 5 mins. Wonder if that country is as perfect as that woman's body and vagina.

 

 And to the other Guy who keeps claiming he hasnt noticed any changes towards foreigners here - Then I guess when they changed the Visa Laws, the immigration had to call you directly to tell you that it doesnt apply to you. And you're probably the only foreigner who can go in and out of thailand on a tourist visa as many times as possible without ever worrying about being stopped. Pfff! Please! Anyways I know you're thai. You're not fooling anyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4, 2019 by jessebkk1

[balo]

On 6/3/2019 at 6:49 AM, simon43 said:

Is anyone else in the same boat as me?  No longer 'tied' to living in Thailand, and living here purely out of choice?

I have an online job too, and can work from anywhere. Right now back in Norway, but I do consider another destination than Thailand next year. 
I like Portugal , but the cost of living will always be higher there than in SE Asia. We'll see, maybe try it for a few months.  

[Chazar]

9 hours ago, simon43 said:

 

 

 

Of course one should consider medical facilities etc.  I have very good medical insurance.  But I have zero intention of restricting myself to living within sight of a hospital.  I prefer to live my life to the full, climbing mountains, cycling, jogging etc. 

 

If I drop dead at the top of a mountain that I've just climbed, at least I'll die with some great memories of my life and experiences.

 

Several years ago on this forum, I announced my intention to improve my fitness, take up jogging etc. Several (more than just a few members) were critical of me and basically said that at my age I should start to slow down, not speed up!  That lifestyle IMHO, is what leads to boredom, depression and early death.

 

It's not for me...  ????

Just  keep  busy doing anything except  watching tv  all  day.

[Chazar]

4 hours ago, jessebkk1 said:

the body of a water goddess

a  whale???

[simon43]

1 hour ago, Chazar said:

Just  keep  busy doing anything except  watching tv  all  day.

I don't have a TV... ????

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I don't have a TV... ????

How are you posting then?

There is no longer any significant difference between a computer screen, smartphone and Television.

This message typed using my 60" LG TV screen.

[geoffbezoz]

10 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

How are you posting then?

There is no longer any significant difference between a computer screen, smartphone and Television.

This message typed using my 60" LG TV screen.

So it's true, you do have a big one then  ????

[marcusarelus]

12 hours ago, simon43 said:

 

But I have zero intention of restricting myself to living within sight of a hospital.

 

I felt that way till my first heart incident and then was very glad to get to the hospital in time for treatment and no lasting damage done. 

 

I've lived 10 years since then and have a moderately active lifestyle.  I could be an invalid or dead if I had been further from a cardio unit at a hospital. 

[GinBoy2]

13 hours ago, SheungWan said:

Don't we all, but that doesn't bypass the reality that proximity to hospitals and other resources is something to anticipate when thinking of moving. Those having access to those nearby facilities in either Bangkok or Pattaya might make the mistake of overlooking the equivalent if making a move to Europe. The older one gets, the nearer one should be, assuming one has finances to make a choice IMHO.

I've had this thought before.

 

Unless you live in Bangkok, what happens when you call for help?

 

The chances are you 'may' get attended to by the local volunteers, but unlike calling emergency services in the West, these guys ain't paramedics, they're just guys trying to help!

 

They do their best, but they have zero training. So live within easy access to a decent health care facility, and drag yourself there if at all possible

[grifbel]

17 hours ago, BritManToo said:

It's bigger than most peoples Bangkok condos .............. and I can own it, and the land.

As for co-owning, as I won't be living there much (and mainly want the permanent EU address), it seems a good idea to split all the standing fees.

 

When I was living in the UK, I had a house in the country by a river (no longer affordable to me in the UK), a wood burning stove, and a chainsaw, I used to pull trees out of the river as they floated past, saw them up and provide for all my heating, just by the petrol in the chainsaw and it was really good exercise with the axe. I never understand people that want to judge a persons life by how much they spend. Almost nothing I enjoy doing costs me any money at all, hiking, swimming, cycling, reading, music, movies, TV shows. The French countryside is great.

Sorry that don't impress me much.  Had you said log cabin or eco-friendly solar powered yurt with recycling systems, rather than a pile of 15th century rubble, I might take notice.  The yurt would be way more economical for cheap charlies as well.

[marcusarelus]

2 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

I've had this thought before.

 

Unless you live in Bangkok, what happens when you call for help?

 

The chances are you 'may' get attended to by the local volunteers, but unlike calling emergency services in the West, these guys ain't paramedics, they're just guys trying to help!

 

They do their best, but they have zero training. So live within easy access to a decent health care facility, and drag yourself there if at all possible

1.  You put the ambulance number of the closest hospital on the speed dial of your phone.  2.  Know where the closest cardio nurse lives.  3.  Happened to me a couple of times.  Once on the 4th floor of a building with no elevator.  Students carried me 4 floors down on a board stretcher from the local's truck.  4.  If you live on the East coast the industrial expansion is creating a big market for new hospitals and they are going up all over the place because the new employers all pay for medical care.