How Many Among US Hope to Die Here in Thailand? (This is my hope; I've Seen the World out there.)

[JohnBarleycorn]

I have lived in Thailand for a few years, more than five. Some people like to go from country to country in their retirement.  But not I.

During the past 40 years, I have been searching for a culture in which I feel at home and content. Over five years ago, I knew that I had found what I was looking for, right here in this Lanna Land of a million rice fields, where the Thai myna bird is everywhere singing so sweetly, and where the people in my neighborhood know me, and call me by my first name.  They call me by my first name, and even though I do not recall ever having told anyone my name, yet they were kind enough to discover it.  They went out of their way to learn my name so that they could address me properly as Khun "so and so".

 

My plan, for some time, as been to die here of old age, and I can think of no finer place to live and die, not even in the heart of Texas. I don't come from Texas, but I would prefer to die here than there, I have no doubt.

 

So, the question here that I am posing is "Will you be content to die in Thailand, of old age, and in some city or village in Thailand that you prefer most?" 

Are you sure that when the time comes for you to take your last gasp of breath, and others around you hear that rattle of death emanating from your throat, the last thought in your mind will be: Thank my lucky stars that Thailand will be my last resting place.

 

Sometimes I also wonder what I should do about my corpse, what would be most fitting for my dead body.

I still have not decided for sure.

 

However, I think that it might be good to donate it to Chula (Chulalongkorn University).

Why?

Here is why:

I just read an article in the Bangkok Post titled "The final act of kindness:

It's a very nice article.  And here is the text from the first sentence in the article. So this option struck my fancy. I like to think that one day I will attend Chula, albeit posthumously:

 

"Corpses are the most valuable part of Durongrit Sawangnet's job. Every day he tirelessly walks in and out of cold storage rooms looking after dozens of dead bodies awaiting dissection."

 

Edited May 5, 2020 by JohnBarleycorn

[Keyser Soze666]

I'll let you know when I'm hoping I will die.

[RoadWarrior371]

..... and do they intend on paying their final hospital bill? ????

[CharlieH]

The issue that concerns me, and I suspect a lot of folks here is will you be allowed to ?

 

The ever shifting sand of immigration, the ever increasing requirements and what appears to be purposeful obstacles created.

 

Just think of those who are perhaps in their 70's with another probably fifteen years or more in front of them. They have built a life and possibly have families here. The bridges and connections with their homeland long gone. Their life and all that encompasses is right here.

 

Then they hit 75 or maybe 80 and all of a sudden the rules change !! The Insurance is compulsory for all and yet not available due to age, what then??

The criteria changes and through no fault you are facing having to LEAVE everyone and everything you've known for the past 25 yrs or more. Not a nice situation and one that quietly is a deep concern to many in this land.......what if ?

 

So, its not a case of "where will you die" its more a case of "where will you end up" because there are no certainties here ! 

For some, that prospect is deeply disturbing but nevertheless has to be contemplated.

 

[timendres]

This is a question I have contemplated often. If I were given a "three months to live" sentence from a doctor here, I suspect I would return to my home, as I have an exit strategy that really appeals to me. However, if I were suddenly extinguished here, I would have no complaints. My Thai friend has my will, and my instructions, in the event that happens.

[Kwasaki]

25 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

The issue that concerns me, and I suspect a lot of folks here is will you be allowed to ?

Yeah I'm gonna place this newbie on my ignore list because if I answered all his posts the way I would like too I would get a holiday.  ????

[impulse]

There's a rule of thumb for driving and bike riding...  No matter where you intend to go, you're going to end up wherever you focus.

 

Do I need to explain the implications in a thread on dying in Thailand?

 

[DeusExMachinaBKK]

15 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Yeah I'm gonna place this newbie on my ignore list because if I answered all his posts the way I would like too I would get a holiday.  ????

How do I find this ignore button? Plenty of red font I wish to have disappear.

[twocatsmac]

Oh boy, you guys are really living the dream, cough,choke...splutter

[daveAustin]

Dunno, maybe if I had no relies left in the real world then yes - preferably while dragging a huge spliff atop a mountain. If you pop off in Muang Thai when all yours are westside, major hassles for them and a little bit selfish methinks.

 

8 minutes ago, DeusExMachinaBKK said:

How do I find this ignore button? Plenty of red font I wish to have disappear.

Hover over nik, hit 'ignore user'.

 

[Puchaiyank]

I'll venture to say you are the life of the party.  I sure hope you get your wish...

[2 is 1]

Really need to start think...... hmm im not sorry!

[brokenbone]

my plan  was to die here before i even came here,

just a shame im not ded already.

normally im no religious but i think if youre freezing when you die you are going straight to hell

[richard_smith237]

Absence from my family for a couple of months (due to lockdown) has given me rise to contemplate similar topics - i.e. reliable long term solution for the family.

 

The UK has Schools, NHS, and family rights (a family has rights not to be separated), Thailand lacks these civilized measures. At the moment, I can't get to Thailand, had my Wife been on a Spouse Visa (or ILR) she would be permitted entrance to the UK.

 

There are differences in the manner in which a country treats its citizens, I think the UK wins on this point, yet, Thailand remains the place I wish to live. If I can afford it the International Schools are better than the regular comprehensive Schools in the UK, private medical care in Thailand is better than the NHS in the UK.

 

With enough funds Thailand is better, but as we age, emergency care becomes critical, the insurance may no longer cover us. Long term plan - the UK could well win especially when there is strong family network already there.

 

 

Edited May 5, 2020 by richard_smith237

[Odysseus123]

I am planning to do it in reverse-so to speak...

 

When I die I hope that some of my ashes will be scattered on a beautiful Aussie river near my home and the rest returned to Thailand and placed in the family funeral monument in my Thai village.

 

Well..that's the plan anyway.

[Damrongsak]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

There's a rule of thumb for driving and bike riding...  No matter where you intend to go, you're going to end up wherever you focus.

 

Do I need to explain the implications in a thread on dying in Thailand?

 

I have a lifetime Thai motorcycle license.  And the amulet.  But being cautious, I live in the U.S. and don't have a motorcycle.

 

I one time focused on the two kids on a motorbike who cut across the road in front of me.  I hit them dead center between their legs.  But I ended up in a ditch about 10 meters beyond that I wasn't focusing on. 

[yogi100]

3 hours ago, CharlieH said:

The issue that concerns me, and I suspect a lot of folks here is will you be allowed to ?

 

The ever shifting sand of immigration, the ever increasing requirements and what appears to be purposeful obstacles created.

 

Just think of those who are perhaps in their 70's with another probably fifteen years or more in front of them. They have built a life and possibly have families here. The bridges and connections with their homeland long gone. Their life and all that encompasses is right here.

 

Then they hit 75 or maybe 80 and all of a sudden the rules change !! The Insurance is compulsory for all and yet not available due to age, what then??

The criteria changes and through no fault you are facing having to LEAVE everyone and everything you've known for the past 25 yrs or more. Not a nice situation and one that quietly is a deep concern to many in this land.......what if ?

 

So, its not a case of "where will you die" its more a case of "where will you end up" because there are no certainties here ! 

For some, that prospect is deeply disturbing but nevertheless has to be contemplated.

 

I holiday in Pattaya and two ex pat pals of mine have seen the writing on the wall and are back in the UK. One who I'm in touch with is currently paying £210 (9,000 B) a week to stay in a cheap B&B hostel in London.

 

He came back to sort some affairs out and can't now return. He does not know what the future holds. All of a sudden he's more concerned about where he's going to live than where he's going to die.

 

His life has been turned upside down with his belongings in a hotel room 6,000 miles away.

[Relocated]

I would be more concerned about where I will be born than where I will die. I don't want to be born again in the middle of rice field, I had enough.   

[Ron jeremy]

13 minutes ago, yogi100 said:

I holiday in Pattaya and two ex pat pals of mine have seen the writing on the wall and are back in the UK. One who I'm in touch with is currently paying £210 (9,000 B) a week to stay in a cheap B&B hostel in London.

 

He came back to sort some affairs out and can't now return. He does not know what the future holds. All of a sudden he's more concerned about where he's going to live than where he's going to die.

 

His life has been turned upside down with his belongings in a hotel room 6,000 miles away.

So sad to hear your friend didn't have a backup plan , sold up back home and is now in this predicament . When dung hits the fan, back home is where you want to be. Never mind the stress you put on your family, heirs, trying to get u home, and selling up your assets in banana land. 

It all seems like a great place until that day comes. And it comes for everyone.

[Yankeesvsredsox]

  

I live and have a very good life here in Thailand with my wife and step daughter ! Everything I have here,is here,except for the majority of my savings and my two  adult kids back in the states.

I do think of how it will occur! I don't want to linger and be a burden!

 

  I don't have the virus but it has kept me from visiting the doctor for this and that. Hopefully,soon ,I can get busy living again! 

 

 

[TommyBlue]

Judging by the amount of medications and blood tests and scans that my parents both have (in 80s) then me think back home is way to go. I couldnt afford all those pills and tests if I had to pay for them - neither could they.  Subsidised medical care is back home - here would be very expensive and long trips to hospitals/clinics for scans and other tests. I reckon both would have been dead long ago if not for all the medications and stuff. The issue is when to leave and go home 75? 80? 85? 90? I guess if something happens that decision is made for you. But seems more often than not Expats get sick and cant leave - then too late. No matter where or when, my ashes will be in wife's village, she has a spot already for us both. 

[impulse]

58 minutes ago, TommyBlue said:

Judging by the amount of medications and blood tests and scans that my parents both have (in 80s) then me think back home is way to go. I couldnt afford all those pills and tests if I had to pay for them - neither could they.  Subsidised medical care is back home - here would be very expensive and long trips to hospitals/clinics for scans and other tests. I reckon both would have been dead long ago if not for all the medications and stuff. The issue is when to leave and go home 75? 80? 85? 90? I guess if something happens that decision is made for you. But seems more often than not Expats get sick and cant leave - then too late. No matter where or when, my ashes will be in wife's village, she has a spot already for us both. 

 

I think my folks were on the flipside of that.  Pills for this, pills for that, then more pills to counter the side effects of pills they probably didn't need.  What was missing was physical activity.  They got to feeling tired, so they quit exercising.  So they felt worse, and went in to get pills.  Which had the side effect of making them more tired, so they exercised even less.  I think they'd have lived a lot happier (and probably longer) if they couldn't count on easy access to subsidized medicine.  And daytime TV and easy chairs.

 

[BritManToo]

6 hours ago, JohnBarleycorn said:

where the people in my neighborhood know me, and call me by my first name.

Yeah, I though of changing my name to 'Farang' too.

Edited May 5, 2020 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, TommyBlue said:

The issue is when to leave and go home 75? 80? 85? 90?

You guys are all planning on living a long life.

All the guys I've known died before reaching age 70.

Dave2 made it to 71.

 

I'm 65 years old now, I'm OK with that.

[Why Me]

I actually died last Wednesday. But jeez being dead sucks. You think lockdown's bad? Try dead. There's nothing to do. By nothing I mean nothing. Nada. Zero. Zip. No internet. No TV. No beer. No boom boom. No nothing. Just other dead people complaining about being dead.  

 

So here I am back again. Yeehaa!!

[meechai]

6 hours ago, CharlieH said:

The issue that concerns me, and I suspect a lot of folks here is will you be allowed to ?

 

Hammer meet nail ????

[meechai]

2 hours ago, Ron jeremy said:

When dung hits the fan, back home is where you want to be.

Stick had a great article years ago called something like....When Somchai Pulls the Trigger

 

Basically it was as you say

Quote

It all seems like a great place until that day comes. And it comes for everyone.

Best to think ahead ????

[ThailandRyan]

Boy o boy, I read CharlieH post and I started to get depressed.  Walked out to the Balcony, looked 45 floor's down, and said, "nope, still got a lot of life left".  No way the world will be ending anytime soon for me, at least that's my view, nor would I become a flyer.......just barbeque me, after I have been propped up by the Jukebox, and then spread me over the ocean, not ever going to spread myself on the concrete....

 

Sat back down at the keyboard, drank some of my Bailey's laced coffee, and looked out my big windows at my view of BKK.  All is right with the world again, happy as a clam.  

[Kwasaki]

9 hours ago, DeusExMachinaBKK said:

How do I find this ignore button? Plenty of red font I wish to have disappear.

Click your profile photo name top right and fine it on the drop list. ????

[euroflash]

Count me in. Not in a hurry, though...