I love all the "If you don't like it, then leave" comments coming from the same people that took issue with Trump saying the same thing recently. 

I moved to Thailand over 20 years ago and I am still happy here. For me personally nothing got any more difficult than it was years ago.

And about corruption: The only experience which I have with corruption are traffic cops collecting a few hundred baht cash every couple of months. I never had any official, i.e. at immigration, demand cash. In fact its seems the Thai immigration is (almost) corruption free, at least in Bangkok. If the documents are not 100% ok they reject and don't ask for money.

 

When I moved to Thailand there were two main reasons: I felt comfortable in Thailand (after 3 holidays) and I didn't like many things in my home country. I.e. I didn't like the cold climate, the unhappy people everywhere, the attitude to safe money for the future instead of enjoying life here and now, the fat women at home with the bad attitudes, etc.

I think many people who are not so happy in Thailand anymore forgot the reality of the place where they came from. If you would have been happy at home then you wouldn't have made holiday in country far away and you certainly wouldn't have moved from a wonderful country to any other country. 

And about problems and bureaucracy for foreigners: Try to bring your Thai girlfriend to your "home" and look what happens. Will she be allowed to go at all? Will she be allowed to stay? And how much bureaucracy is involved in all this.

 

Thailand is not perfect but I never heard about a perfect place in this world. And if too many foreigners with an attitude would move to that perfect place it wouldn't be perfect anymore.

My advice: Relax! Fill in that form every 90 days and enjoy the rest of the time. If you are not even willing to spend 1% of your time to follow the rules of the country you choose then maybe the problem is YOU and not that country.

Im of the exact same position as alot of people here. I have grown to really dislike living here, and preparations are currently underway to move back to the US. Theres really only 2 reasons that I do live here. One is the wife and our house, car, bikes are all paid for - second is the tax break that I get for staying out of the US. 

 

I should have left a few years ago, but its been easier to just keep coming back here instead of taking on actually re-locating. 

 

Ive crunched the numbers about a hundred times and for my standard of living - most things are cheaper and of better quality in the US compared to Thailand. The overall costs are more expensive at home, but the return on the money is light-years better than any return I get here. 

 

And ill be honest, the expat communities here are TOXIC. 

11 hours ago, faraday said:

Because it's a lovely country, bought a house for us that is very considerably cheaper than the UK, & my wife is loving & caring.

 

And, unlike the UK it doesn't piss with rain all the time.

It was pissing down here in P'lok yesterday....and 30 odd degrees in England !

12 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think many people who are not so happy in Thailand anymore forgot the reality of the place where they came from. If you would have been happy at home then you wouldn't have made holiday in country far away and you certainly wouldn't have moved from a wonderful country to any other country. 

 

I never left because I disliked my home country, I left because it was (and still is) strategically easier to live here rather than fly home multiple times a year. Then life and women happened. Every time I fly home and walk out of my regional airport I feel a sigh of relief. It feels comfortable and familiar. 

11 hours ago, steven100 said:

you either need to get some ear muffs / headphones or move to the village where all I hear is crickets  !

and roosters every early morning and all day.

3 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

and roosters every early morning and all day.

and the every now and then speaker pickup selling watermelon, maybe once every three or four days.

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I don't agree with you.

People lecturing expats that they need to leave if they have criticisms of things here are just obnoxious. Period. Such posts have NO VALUE whatsoever. 

Also they are dull and redundant. Completely unoriginal. The intellectual level of slugs. What percentage of the posts on this forum are variations of such dreck?

 

Yes you get the same thing with expats everywhere. 

I'll agree it's not exactly the same thing as talking about your home country, but it's a variation on a theme of bullying idiocy. 

The topic is, " Why you as a farrang live in Thailand."  I wonder why the same posters try to turn every topic into "why not leave Thailand." And when told to get back on topic - the off topic posters try and reprimand them.   Clearly, "Why you as a farrang live in Thailand." is not a topic designed to criticize Thailand.

19 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

It was pissing down here in P'lok yesterday....and 30 odd degrees in England !

And as always, der Englander's can't cope with anything other than dull & overcast.

 

Remember the 'wrong sort of snow' by Blitish Rail?

22 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Thailand is not perfect but I never heard about a perfect place in this world. And if too many foreigners with an attitude would move to that perfect place it wouldn't be perfect anymore.

My advice: Relax! Fill in that form every 90 days and enjoy the rest of the time. If you are not even willing to spend 1% of your time to follow the rules of the country you choose then maybe the problem is YOU and not that country.

The same "discussions"  go on and on here on thaivisa.      I agree with OMF in his summation above.  

Never have I seen anyone change their opinion .  Opinions of members here are as fixed and immovable as any immigration officers.

My opinions as i state are just OPINIONS.  That is all anyone can offer.  I always keep in mind the saying:

"I can explain it to you...... but I can't understand it for you"

9 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

weird. i have heard that are other things to do.

 

live in Hollywood all my life. been there, done that.

 

i just like Thai girls now.

I can fully understand your program. Oh to be single with a pocket full of money and Viagra. Talking to new chicks and not caught up can be always invigorating. Hollywood has its own scene that can never match here in a one to a zillion. So much more above board face level fun here. Funny things is as was your comment the other day which I had already thought the same of with the new AI hitting the streets quite a few months ago. The one you joked about leaving Soi 6...…...

It is 1/4 the cost of my home town.

Housing 1/5 to 1/8th less.

I can well afford the company of a young sexy girl everyday if I like.

And for me good choices of affordable golf.

 

I do not see it as underdeveloped at all.  

 

Politics?  That is peoples minds problem..

I came here to not think anything about it, so I don't.

11 hours ago, steven100 said:

you either need to get some ear muffs / headphones or move to the village where all I hear is crickets  !

yeah those  bludddy  crickets I swear Im gonna  kill em all on the way out

I live here because I love it, while I disagree with the graft/corruption, really bad attitude of some thais(especially drivers/riders) and the lack of honest police, I would much rather live here than back in Australia. I love my wife and have a  great relationship with her, her family and her friends, the majority of people smile when you are around them and I feel very comfortable in general. The govt doesnt make it easy for us but that does not stop us from doing what we want in general, people have to remember this is not the west and Thailand is closer to third world conditions in many areas so we need to make allowances. I do have the occasional bitch about things here but I did that back in Australia as well, doesnt change how I feel about being here, Thailand is my home as far as I am concerned

6 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

The expectation of equality under law,

Not even the Thais have that

8 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

Not even the Thais have that

Didnt say they did, but the post I was replying to was what rights do you get in US / EU 

Its those kind of things, which leaves a fundamental insecurity, which do make me question if I want to spend the next couple of decades here. Generally I quite like life here, maybe a little less than I did, but day to day things are good. However I also enjoy life in Europe, could easily see myself living successfully there and have those things I list which will possibly become more important over time. 

Problem being I doubt my wifes ability to really enjoy life there. Great for a few months, but longer ?? 

 

13 hours ago, Parsve said:

where you not have to pay more for getting street food or get into for example a museum or a national park just because you are a “farrang”,

People seem to post occasionally about getting charged different prices for street food so it must happen. But I really can't recall a time it has happened to me.

 

The other point is regarding the dual pricing for services like national parks. I was transferred to to a holiday location in a western country for a few years and there were an abundant amount of locals pricings for all the local attractions and services. All you did was show proof of living in the region. Savings were massive based on tourist prices.

 

I recall a friend to upped and moved the family to the Gold Coast in Australia telling me that they get locals discount cards and pricings for all the attractions there including the theme parks and The Warner Brothers movie park and the like. This is not a Thai centric thing.

 

I was in India recently and all the of the attractions were charged at 10x the local price for non Indians. All you can really do is decide if the price you are asked to pay still makes the visit to the attraction worthwhile.

 

When riding the bike around Thailand I often get in at locals pricing for national parks. I just speak in Thai and offer the Thai amounts. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

 

1 hour ago, Thainesss said:

Every time I fly home and walk out of my regional airport I feel a sigh of relief. It feels comfortable and familiar. 

Not too much 'Thainess' working here for you anymore... you have decided it is better back "home" - - why would you be offended by people agreeing with you - for you to go back home? 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Farangwithaplan said:

This is not a Thai centric thing.

Totally agree with your post - - there are countless examples of similar pricing in USA too... and yet people come here and interpret this as 'not being wanted' - - probably feel not wanted because they whine about it forever and everyone gets sick of a whiner... and yet, in their home country, it doesn't bother them at all.... 

I consider myself very lucky because I'm no longer married, and therefore have no responsibilities to consider any other person in my decisions.

 

I'm also very fortunate in that I have 'engineered' a very portable job over the past year.  Rather than teaching in a 'bricks and mortar' international or private school, I now only teach students online.

 

Put those 2 facts together, add in a sprinkling of TM30 requirements, 90 day report requirements, 800,000 baht visa/extension requirements/ ever-fatter P4P (I've slimmed down!), rude IOs, and it's no wonder that I'll be leaving Thailand in about 3 weeks from now.... ????

10 minutes ago, Farangwithaplan said:

The other point is regarding the dual pricing for services like national parks. I was transferred to to a holiday location in a western country for a few years and there were an abundant amount of locals pricings for all the local attractions and services. All you did was show proof of living in the region. Savings were massive based on tourist prices.

 

I recall a friend to upped and moved the family to the Gold Coast in Australia telling me that they get locals discount cards and pricings for all the attractions there including the theme parks and The Warner Brothers movie park and the like. This is not a Thai centric thing.

So local residents, of any nationality or race qualify for local pricing.. 

Please explain again how thats the same as Thailand charging based purely on nationality and race ?? 

35 minutes ago, seajae said:

I live here because I love it, while I disagree with the graft/corruption, really bad attitude of some thais(especially drivers/riders) and the lack of honest police, I would much rather live here than back in Australia. I love my wife and have a  great relationship with her, her family and her friends, the majority of people smile when you are around them and I feel very comfortable in general. The govt doesnt make it easy for us but that does not stop us from doing what we want in general, people have to remember this is not the west and Thailand is closer to third world conditions in many areas so we need to make allowances. I do have the occasional bitch about things here but I did that back in Australia as well, doesnt change how I feel about being here, Thailand is my home as far as I am concerned

Yes, 100% agree. I complain constantly. All sorts of things annoy me. But I wouldn't dream of returning to life in Canberra where most of my friends are - so clean, so well-ordered, so uncorrupt, so ... so boring! My Thai b/f & his (huge) family infuriate me at least 5 times a week, but - somehow, don't know why - I love them. And will do so till the day I die, and will leave everything to them.

4 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

Isn't it part of going to another country, another culture, that things are different? 

When living multiple decades in another country (18 of my 46 years have been here) the right to the process of naturalization, and therefore security of your life and future, seems a fair expectation. 

Quote

If foreigners were allowed to buy land, then it would have been all bought-up long ago and owned by the top 1% Thai and foreigners... poor Thai would have been squeezed out of the market... and long ago. 

nonsense.. 'all bought up' and where exactly would the land have gone ?? Secondly who would have gained and be gaining the income and assets from any sales,  and what would be the wealth of any who chose not to sell and were still gaining the price appreciation ?? The price of land appreciating if thats the main point would have drawbacks as well as advantages, but lets be realistic not that many 'poor thais' buying land in phuket pattaya or bangkok now is there ?? 

In the 80's when I came here the pussy and Thai sticks where of great quality and the place was fun, today it is a complete different place, kind of lost it's soul and turned into a boring control freak police state.   

11 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I consider myself very lucky because I'm no longer married, and therefore have no responsibilities to consider any other person in my decisions.............. I'll be leaving Thailand in about 3 weeks from now.... ????

Curious where you are going to live next?  Hope it works out for you

Just now, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

In the 80's when I came here the pussy and Thai sticks where of great quality and the place was fun, today it is a complete different place, kind of lost it's soul and turned into a boring control freak police state.   

Thats the kind of feeling and fear I have.. TM30, fingerprints, report your address 3 ways in 90 days (TM6, TM30, TM47 !!).. Revenue gathering speed cameras mushrooming up which are doing nothing for road safety.. Its all getting a bit heavy handed and over the top, but without any checks and balances, civil rights, etc.. 

12 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Thailand is not what it was when many of us came, though I am still very happy I chose to come.

That is a good point. Thailand, like many (all?) places change over time - like people.

With places to live we don't say "until death do us part". We can change our mind and move to another place, another country, another continent. There are lots of options. Why should one place be the perfect place for the rest of our life?

Post and reply have been removed as they are getting off topic

I have had some good times living in Thailand, in spite of their nonsensical 90 day reporting regulation.  Unfortunately, that all changed this year when Thai Immigration came up with the 800,000 baht that has to be deposited in a Thai savings account earning little to nothing interest, and their now strict enforcement of TM forms for everything except going to the bathroom.  I recently saw where these imbeciles have even deployed what they refer to as a "smart van" in their effort to either harrass or rid Thailand of foreigners.

 

To make matters worst, several of the western embassies turned their backs on their retirees, and refuse to issue letters confirming sufficient income in western banks, and brookage firms.  

 

For several years after moving here, I saw no need in purschasing a condo or even buying a vehicle.  I traveled to Europe, America, and countries closer to Thailand, every time my nonsensical 90 day report was due, so I could have minimal contact with immigration.  Basically, I was able to limit my visits to immigration to once a year to renew my one year visa extension.  

 

Then I let my guard down, married a wonderful, educated Thai woman, and purschased a home.  As soon as the home was a done deal, immigration started their campaign to rid Thailand, of as many foreigners as possible, and fleese the ones who wanted to or had to stay because they had homes or condos, and Thai families, which would make moving from this shit hole a liitle more difficult.

 

I'm fairly certain, I'll receive a couple of idoitic comments from the western apologists and Thai's pretending to be westerners.  I can only hope the fleas of a thousand camels infest the nostrils of both above mentioned groups.

 

So in a nutshell, I have regretted moving to Thailand, and fully expect to be living some where in Europe or the US within the next couple of years, along with my Thai wife. ????