When we return from our extended trips outside Thailand, it's all good for a while but the needle begins its inevitable slide back to zero.

 

My personal tether seems to be about 12 months, then I'm looking for the exit. ????

 

1 hour ago, Nyezhov said:

I am paying 18K plus elec/water at real rates.

My internet is paid in full till February, 1500B

My cell phone is paid till Feb, 1800B.

 

so I have a nut of say 19K a month. All the rest is food, transport, fun.

19,000 baht or ?

Best part of being here is my Thai wife. She is joyful, playful and light hearted. The same lovely woman from one day to the next. She has a smile on her face when she wakes up in the morning. Never experienced that in the states. Some Thais manifest that unbearable lightness of being, that is so delightful to be around. I cannot really get enough of that spirit, and feel so blessed to be around that, and to have found such a well adjusted and delightful creature. 

 

Granted, even though she is very smart, I do not get much intellectual stimulation from the relationship. But, I get so much else. And in all of the relationships I was ever in with really smart women, who I got intellectual stimulation from, back in the US, there was also so much grief to contend with. Such combative women. So much competition. Yikes. Thrilled to death to have left all of that behind. 

 

When I was only in the relationship for a year or so, I had dinner with a very sharp American friend. I asked him about that. He laughed. He said, when you feel the need for intellectual stimulation, call me. We can hook up for the meal, and break down the origins of the cosmos. Do not fret. That same brain that gives you that stimulation, also tends to give you so much grief, it is not worth it, on any level. Get over it. Enjoy all of the other qualities, that make your day so delightful and fulfilling. Great advice, that I have followed to this day. Some guys say that intellectual stimulation is a must, and they could not deal with having a limited number of topics to talk about. I could say alot of things about that attitude, but I will say it is a fairly typical view of a western man, who has suffered a lifetime of indoctrination. No, it is not about cooking and cleaning. We have a very good maid. So my wife does not have to clean much. We have no children, and we are very fortunate in that regard, so no child rearing required. She is a gourmet cook, so whenever I want, she is thrilled to whip up an incredible meal. But, mostly it is about outstanding companionship, being with a kind, loving woman who always has my back, as I always have hers. It is the most satisfying relationship I have ever been in. We have fun, we talk, but we don't try to break down the origins of the universe, and the conversations are lovely, but not particularly deep. She speaks very good english, but is not fluent, so that is one aspect of it. But, the primary aspect is just a lack of interest on her part, in the deeper subjects, (such as astronomy, physics, science, botany, theatre, independent film, etc.), which I find to be the case with alot of Thai women, and I am fine with that. 

 

I have met very few Thai women that I would describe as philosophical, or intellectual. Most Thais simply do not have inquiring minds. Most are not taught to be curious souls, as youngsters. This does not mean they are not smart. But, most of the intellectual kind of stuff I like to discuss with my friends, my wife considers bizarre, and uninteresting. And that is not even one iota of an issue for us. I learned long ago that an intellectual woman, who can match me intellectually, also tends to be a combative woman, and the chance of harmony is low. I for one, love a harmonious house, where my woman is joyful and light hearted, with a great sense of humor, and an amazing attitude toward life, and us. Just my point of view. Whatever works for you, stick with it.

 

My second favorite thing about being here is the cost of labor. I had some trees trimmed yesterday. The guy was here for a couple of hours. Asked him how much and he said up to you. Gave him 400 baht, and he was happy. In the US? $200-300.

I had my motorbike seat redone. 400 baht. In the US a friend had a comparable seat recovered. $275.

A plumber here. 500 baht. In the US, $250 minimum.

Had some minor body work done on my car, with some touch up paint. They did a great job. 8,000 baht. In the US, about $1200 to $1500.

Had my attic insulated  2,000 baht labor. In the US. $800 and up. 

Movies here with my Major discount card, are usually 90 baht. Plus 50 baht for a bag of potato chips. In the US? At least $20 for a ticket and a snack. Another $5 or $6 if you want a drink. I bring my own!

Restaurants? I can get a good meal here for 200 baht or less. In the US at least $30-40. You have to add in 30% for tax and tip!

A trip to the hospital here, to see a specialist. Usually no more than 2,000 baht. In the US, $150 to $250 for a normal doctor, and $2,000 minimum for an emergency room.

I rent a very nice 3 bedroom home in a smaller town. 10,000 baht per month. A comparable home in Los Angeles is $2900 to $4000 per month! 

 

I could go on and on. The prices in the US now are stunningly high. On a relatively modest income, I live very well here, and my wife does not have to work. 

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Best part of being here is my Thai wife.

I have similar feelings toward my wife of 22 years.  We just got back from a great day hiking in the mountains.  Nothing intellectual about our day but it was filled with joy, caring, sharing and a lot of exercise.

 

 

It's warm, I run around all year in t-shirt. I like that.

Good food. It can be street food for 35B or a big buffet in a good restaurant. 

Lots of coffee shops with good espresso almost everywhere.

Low crime - at least where I go.

Many friendly people everywhere.

Little hassle with visa, work permit, etc. (for me it's 1/2 day a year, I can live with that).

Motorcycle taxis - I am sure I would miss them in many other places in this world.

No problem with too much political correctness. A guy can look at girls and tell them they look good and they smile at him. It seems in other countries guys better don't do that anymore.

And many many other reasons.

Is Thailand perfect? Obviously not. But is there any other place where I would prefer to live? No!

35 minutes ago, villagefarang said:

I have similar feelings toward my wife of 22 years.  We just got back from a great day hiking in the mountains.  Nothing intellectual about our day but it was filled with joy, caring, sharing and a lot of exercise.

 

 

Nice. Gorgeous area. Where is that? What a lovely spot you found.

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Nice. Gorgeous area. Where is that? What a lovely spot you found.

This is the new, soon to open 104 Trail at Pha Tang here in Chiangrai. More photos on the link I posted further up the page.

1 hour ago, villagefarang said:

I have similar feelings toward my wife of 22 years.  We just got back from a great day hiking in the mountains.  Nothing intellectual about our day but it was filled with joy, caring, sharing and a lot of exercise.

 

 

Gorgeous. If I wasnt so wildernessed out, I would move up there.

Always Always something going on, present, part of the future.

Life is good

Heifer calf bred by my hard working beautiful wife

 

 

 

1 hour ago, villagefarang said:

This is the new, soon to open 104 Trail at Pha Tang here in Chiangrai. More photos on the link I posted further up the page.

 

I searched, but didn't find your link...

7 hours ago, 55Jay said:

Finally relented, clicked on Dunkirk last night.   About 30 minutes later, loaded another bowl of muddy homegrown, and watched Pineapple Express and Sicaros instead.

 

Imported snacks were good. Thank you Thailand for Tops and Gourmet Market. ✅

hahaha bamboo boiiiii

Well I spoke too soon. Life sucks. It took me 18 minutes of the game to find a good stream. And I tried a new Gai Yang dude and his Gai was just not spiced enough altho it was Yanged nicely. And his sauce was waaay too insipid, lacking that smokiness characteristic of a top notch Gai Yang sauce. But, Im spoiled by the regular trips Over to Som Tam Jay So in Silom for the best Gai Yang in town. So maybe it wasnt that bad. And the stream is nice now. So never mind. The Mango sticky rice wasnt sold out tonight and that was great.

19 minutes ago, dimitriv said:

 

I searched, but didn't find your link...

Post 25 on this thread

Villagefarang i like your style.

 

i chose malaysia over thailand at this point of my life. But im jealous of how you have found a nice way of life there.

Hey mate, could you please let me know where is this ' Som Tam Jay' located please? Shifted to Silom from Suhumvit 23 so looking for a place for good kai yung. Thanks in advance

19 minutes ago, Emmess said:

Hey mate, could you please let me know where is this ' Som Tam Jay' located please? Shifted to Silom from Suhumvit 23 so looking for a place for good kai yung. Thanks in advance

Soi Phipat 2 between Soi Convent and Silom 3. Hardly any English. Extremely busy

2 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Soi Phipat 2 between Soi Convent and Silom 3. Hardly any English. Extremely busy

Thanks, not a problem, can speak Thai.

Just now, Emmess said:

Thanks, not a problem, can speak Thai.

Perfect... its total local style, dont sit down and expect to be served like in a falang joint ????

 

The Grilled pork is killer too.

 

its Very popular among the Thais in the area. They do enormous numbers of Take Out, Ive seen Motosais leave there with a dozen plus orders. The auntie that makes the SomTam is a character, she hits the bottle while shes pounding away at the mortar. I try to get there at either 11:30 or 1:30 otherwise its too busy.

 

Somtam Der is another good one in the area but its upscale. There is a joint close to it thats more shopfronty, cheaper and just as good. There is a great Fish Place around there too

its not usually possible to deny all the problems here and just declare paradise.

 

could work for awhile but sooner or later your going to have to face reality.

 

would be great if we could actually do that, but baring being a monk or saint or just walking around drunk, its just not something the typical person can do.

2 minutes ago, fhickson said:

its not usually possible to deny all the problems here and just declare paradise.

whos doing thaat? We just aint sweating the little things.

 

Maybe Ive gone native. While waiting for my food the other day, a Soi Dog was sitting there and then a piebald exczema rat walked in front of it. And the dog did nothing.

 

And all I could think of was NOT ewwww a rat, how could I be eating in a place like this, but Jeez dog, you are so lazy you wont even chase a rat in front of your nose.

Just now, Nyezhov said:

whos doing thaat? We just aint sweating the little things.

 

Maybe Ive gone native. While waiting for my food the other day, a Soi Dog was sitting there and then a piebald exczema rat walked in front of it. And the dog did nothing.

 

And all I could think of was NOT ewwww a rat, how could I be eating in a place like this, but Jeez dog, you are so lazy you wont even chase a rat in front of your nose.

Clearly a Thai dog, live n let live....????

Happy ??

 

Yup, very !!

 

Life is relaxing, bit of work on the house and garden, gf has her home based job.

Live in a quiet area but close to the city if we want it.

Out on the bicycle for a run out amongst the rice fields, or jump in the car to a nearby temple, she can do her Buddha stuff while I wander around always searching for interesting photo opportunities.

Enjoy a night market, a quiet beauty spot with great scenery or just each others company.

Having the freedom to jump in the car and drive ( no lead weights !! ) is great, hardest part is deciding where !!

Chiang Mai, Petchabun, Mae Hong Son, Prachuap, Rayong.

Everywhere is easily reached when you have no commitments.

I even enjoy driving here !!

Always entertaining !!

 

5 hours ago, 55Jay said:

When we return from our extended trips outside Thailand, it's all good for a while but the needle begins its inevitable slide back to zero.

 

My personal tether seems to be about 12 months, then I'm looking for the exit. ????

 

After a decade of full time in the Kingdom, I now find my personal tether seems to be about 12 weeks a year, during which I love it.

 

But by week 12, just about ready to get back on the plane before I go crazy!

 

Curiously my wife's tether seems to run out at about week 8, at which point, after enjoying being with family at week 1 is now ready to murder them all in a bloody massacre LOL

Happy is a big word

i am not sure it's the right one for me

however yes a lot of good times here in Thailand

(Of course i had my ups and downs like many of us)

and the balance is still positive, as long as its last!

 

40 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Happy ??

 

Yup, very !!

 

Life is relaxing, bit of work on the house and garden, gf has her home based job.

Live in a quiet area but close to the city if we want it.

Out on the bicycle for a run out amongst the rice fields, or jump in the car to a nearby temple, she can do her Buddha stuff while I wander around always searching for interesting photo opportunities.

Enjoy a night market, a quiet beauty spot with great scenery or just each others company.

Having the freedom to jump in the car and drive ( no lead weights !! ) is great, hardest part is deciding where !!

Chiang Mai, Petchabun, Mae Hong Son, Prachuap, Rayong.

Everywhere is easily reached when you have no commitments.

I even enjoy driving here !!

Always entertaining !!

 

Ah yes - Thailand is great for keen photographers. My favourite subject is my partner, and Thai girls are like cats, sitting and looking pretty, then suddenly getting bored or hungry.  But also street photography, temples, sunsets and the weird and wonderful life in Bangkok parks.

5 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

19,000 baht or ?

Thats the nut. All I have to do thereafter is feed and amuse myself. What am I gonna spend tons of money on? Booze? Dont drink. Ladies? Too busy enjoying myself. Shopping? Yeah for what, Tshirts? Rolexs at twice the price of the States? OK Ill buy a lens. Hell, if im not being a filthy disgusting food slut Melvin, what does it cost to eat here when you got your own crib, $10 a day? Some of the rural guys here with wives and big fridges and farms I bet are eating gourmandishalicious for $5 a day. Whats a watermelon cost on the side of the road in rural Thailand? Its wonderful!

1 hour ago, Nyezhov said:

whos doing thaat? We just aint sweating the little things.

 

Maybe Ive gone native. While waiting for my food the other day, a Soi Dog was sitting there and then a piebald exczema rat walked in front of it. And the dog did nothing.

 

And all I could think of was NOT ewwww a rat, how could I be eating in a place like this, but Jeez dog, you are so lazy you wont even chase a rat in front of your nose.

That is a great example of what happens over time in Thailand.

 

I remember once at some resort at one of the outdoor restaurants watch some guy directly from cooking to the bathroom right next to where he was cooking watch him take a p**s, then go straight back to cooking, and I remember thinking 'don't they provide towels to dry his hands'...even though he never washed his hands.

 

Your brain can get re-calibrated after a few years in Thailand!

10 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

Ah yes - Thailand is great for keen photographers. My favourite subject is my partner, and Thai girls are like cats, sitting and looking pretty, then suddenly getting bored or hungry.  But also street photography, temples, sunsets and the weird and wonderful life in Bangkok parks.

yeah dude, I love hauling the Lumix about....thats why I might be dropping some coin on new lens LOL

1 minute ago, GinBoy2 said:

That is a great example of what happens over time in Thailand.

 

I remember once at some resort at one of the outdoor restaurants watch some guy directly from cooking to the bathroom right next to where he was cooking watch him take a p**s, then go straight back to cooking, and I remember thinking 'don't they provide towels to dry his hands'...even though he never washed his hands.

 

Your brain can get re-calibrated after a few years in Thailand!

Really, when you get down to it its like a wierd movie here. Just random wierdness everywhere. Thai people are like the original stoners, its like wow, this dude is covered in magic tattoos and is wearing sacred amulets and hes like riding a motorcylce barefoot with some hot babe sidesaddle, and then there are like all these exotic symbols everywhere, and the writing is like something out of Middle Earth and everywhere you turn there is like some god checking you out, and then they have critters everywhere, even carniverous ones, and the music is hypnotic and everybody is loud and shouting with whistles and horns, and they eat and party a lot, just total cheech and chongness without even a lot of weed being smoked, which I know thai folks do a lot regardless.

 

 

It's after midnight, must be kicking in.  ????