OK I approach this as a UK national.

I think Thailand should be approached as an extended holiday and not retirement. Go at retirement, enjoy it and partake of what you like and enjoy. Then in much older age, go back home to your own country. and don't sell your house if you own it - rent it out. Plan ahead, plan a plan B, have an escape route. 

 

 

 

I guess it might depend somewhat on what aspects of living here draw you in... 

 

Basically, you get back what you give out... be friendly and smile and you will be treated well by Thais... learn some language, be accepting and interested in their customs and what makes the place unique and you will likely have a great time. I am fascinated by the people and mostly find a poor Thai to be happier than an upper middle class Westerner.. I would never want to live anywhere else.. and I have been here a long time. 

 

ps - Immigration has never been a problem for me, I actually have found them helpful through the years... people who have trouble qualifying have problems and complain here.. 

Edited August 8, 20205 yr by kenk24

52 minutes ago, Clive said:

Thank you for you replies so far.
I love Thai food and that is the main attraction for me as well as the weather. Although Im not religious I like to see the temples as for me it gives the country the foreign Asian aspect. There are many places in S/E Asia that have the weather, the girls etc but not the culture that Thailand has to offer.
I suppose as I get older I have to look at what life will be like for me in say 20 or 30 years time regarding healthcare or ability to stay in the country. I have a friend that loves the phillipines but he doesn't like asian food as I do but I don't think that Id be happy there as the food is not so good generally.
Seriously considering Cambodia or Vietnam if Thailand becomes to difficult to live

 

First i say , home is there where your heart is. To me anyway. You really want eat western food after year or even sooner.

Even you love Thai food, taste between dish not chance much. After time all taste almost same! After you visit few temple you have seen them all! Weather is fine if you like, sometimes hot like hell! If your friend love Phil but not asian food, i can't plaim him/her coz Phil food not taste nothing! Been married whit filipina  9 years. Im not city person and i have really good wife and family(own opinion) , to me life is great! But every place in asia you have to have enough money. Even in western world need pay to be man. But here is more important to show you take care your woman. If you fancy about relationship whit thai lady. Good woman take care of you and you can feel like king!

3 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

Basically, you get back what you give out... be friendly and smile and you will be treated well by Thais... learn some language, be accepting and interested in their customs and what makes the place unique and you will likely have a great time. I am fascinated by the people and mostly find a poor Thai to be happier than an upper middle class Westerner.. I would never want to live anywhere else.. and I have been here a long time. 

This should be printed and handed out at Immigration to everyone in line for a long-stay extension.

2 hours ago, Bramley said:

It's just a bunch of bitter twisted expats getting older and more bitter. They complain about everything, but they don't leave. Ignore.

Yes, Thailand has always been a nice place to live. Are you a nice person that should also be a question ask in relation to this question of whether Thailand is still a nice place to live.

In fact in many countries life will be wonderful if you have lots of money. I live for a year in Japan, oh, how I wish I have money to live there. I wouldn't say it's perfect country, but the street foods are so clean, so delicious. And you only  have to speak ordinary conversational level japanese you will find them very helpful. I don't care if the japanese are xenophobic that's their problem. I was there to enjoy myself not dealing with social problems they have. Isn't it right?

I really believe that it all boils down to money. Very much so I must say.

The concierge at my condominium always smiles when he sees me. Because when I asked him to do anything for me I tip him well,(e.g. getting a taxi, unloading my heavy bags). And his smile is genuine.

1 hour ago, Clive said:

what life will be like for me in say 20 or 30 years time

too many x factors for anyone to know...

 

the largest factors in this equation, which is a calculation that you would be unable to make for any country, are not easily calculated... if you walk out the door one day and turn left and that leads you to meeting a wonderful life partner or turn right and get hit by a bus... chance might be the great decider... 

 

I know for myself, that my odds of happiness are far greater here than in the West.. or in my home country... 

not for me as its too boring and too many chiselers about ,,,but i still have my house to visit..its not cheap any more so pensions dont go far...the land of seargent bilko

an old pal of mine who retired to pitsanalok comitted suicide by jumping in the river when he was retired from his  english teaching job RIP

Edited August 8, 20205 yr by 3NUMBAS

1 hour ago, Clive said:

Thank you for you replies so far.
I love Thai food and that is the main attraction for me as well as the weather. Although Im not religious I like to see the temples as for me it gives the country the foreign Asian aspect. There are many places in S/E Asia that have the weather, the girls etc but not the culture that Thailand has to offer.
I suppose as I get older I have to look at what life will be like for me in say 20 or 30 years time regarding healthcare or ability to stay in the country. I have a friend that loves the phillipines but he doesn't like asian food as I do but I don't think that Id be happy there as the food is not so good generally.
Seriously considering Cambodia or Vietnam if Thailand becomes to difficult to live

 

Thai food is great but after a few years of it you will be looking for the old Meat n 3 veg or a meat pie and as for the weather the two seasons here are great also..Hot and Hot and wet. I love it. My advice not that it counts for much come on over try it but don’t build a house rent a condo.Test the water before you take the plunge.

Try somewhere else. If you can't find anything suitable, then try Thailand. It's on a downward trajectory and hanging out with losers ain't a winning formula.

2 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Just to add balance OP, I would do none of the things listed above by BritManToo.  I told you; you will not get any useful information here. We on TVF constantly spend our time contradicting each other and rubbishing each other's opinions. After all, that's what forums are for.   It's quite fun, but not very informative. 

Have been following Brit Man's advice concerning Thai-Ladies religiously. He puts a Farang/Thai relationship into a realistic frame work. Has kept me away from "pitfalls" and unrealistic expectations.

----------------------------------------

Lots of contradiction here for the sake of contradiction.
I could post "the sky is blue". 5 minutes later, a guy would claim that the sky is green.

 

PS: If I could get a plane at this time, I would be in Thailand. (Isaan, one of the safest places concerning COVID19).

2 minutes ago, swissie said:

Have been following Brit Man's advice concerning Thai-Ladies religiously. He puts a Farang/Thai relationship into a realistic frame work. Has kept me away from "pitfalls" and unrealistic expectations.

----------------------------------------

Lots of contradiction here for the sake of contradiction.
I could post "the sky is blue". 5 minutes later, a guy would claim that the sky is green.

 

PS: If I could get a plane at this time, I would be in Thailand. (Isaan, one of the safest places concerning COVID19).

He may also have kept you from finding a meaningful long term relationship? Just saying .

 

The sky is actually not blue at all. It appears so because of the scattering of the suns light rays, that is the frequency of light being reflected by the atmosphere. ????

46 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

He may also have kept you from finding a meaningful long term relationship? Just saying .

 

The sky is actually not blue at all. It appears so because of the scattering of the suns light rays, that is the frequency of light being reflected by the atmosphere. ????

I know that. For example: Honey-Bees see the word mainly by Ultraviolet Light.  A red flower may look blue to a bee. I wonder if they see the sky as green? But the bees don't post here.

Warning! 

Moving to Thailand may turn you into Victor meldew ????

op..just try it. Everyone is different and wants different things in life.

 

Personally, I have been here since I was 30 years old and only been back to my native UK for 1 visit of a week. 

 

I have travelled around the world and for me Thailand is where I feel at home.

 

I am far from rich....so I disagree with posters saying you need to be rich to enjoy it here. 

 

I live in a rural village in Chiang Mai. I live a simple life, keep chickens and ducks, have an orchard and grown organic vegetables. 

 

I eat mostly Thai food. I disagree with posters saying all the Thai food is boring after a time. I am still finding new foods. I suspect these posters only eat the basic Street foods or at Thai restaurants. There is even more dishes that are local and home cooked and you never see them in restaurants.

 

For me I love the weather, culture, the average Thai person (not rich or snobby) the beauty of the countryside, mountains and sea, the animals and wildlife (I am a zoologyist), the food and freedom to be myself and not have to conform. 

 

I think if you like the Thai way of life and the food, that will go a long way to make you happy here.

 

If you want to keep your farang food, lifestyle and values or think you can change your Thai partners to be more western than you will not be happy long term.

 

Learning the basics of speaking and reading also is a huge step into making you feel like here is home and you will gain more understanding of things and avoid misunderstandings .

 

Edited August 8, 20205 yr by jak2002003

3 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Not always as after 22 years of setting up a home here and the last 5 years since I retired I've been told to leave Thailand before the 26th September because I've used my 60 day extension which ran out just after the borders closed,I have all the amnesty stamps but can't get the year extension for marriage because my visa has expired.I've now got the money in the bank and an embassy letter for a last ditched attempt if that fails I will have to just walk away from it all.

Wow really sorry to hear that. What absolute bs.

Once again a question is asked that will have  multiple correct answers and just as many incorrect answers. The three determining factors are;

 

1. Financial status: If you do not have enough money to  give you the quality of life you are used to, don't go to Thailand. It will cost just as much as in the west if you like A/C, quality western food, underwear and shoes that fit etc. The one recommendation I was given and it is often repeated in TVF, is don't invest  in anything Thai (real estate, business, relationships etc.) that you are not prepared to either lose or to walk away from and to not look back on with regret.

 

2. Health: If you  are physically impaired (in a wheelchair and like to roll about and to be independent), or if you have a chronic health condition which requires state of the art expensive treatment, Thailand is not for you.  

 

3. Emotional  Stability/ Mental health:  if you are unable to remain calm and to accept Thailand's deficiencies or your own inability to communicate,  or you have an underlying mental illness, then Thailand is not for you. The peculiarities of Thailand often trigger mentally ill foreigners.

 

The  people who are unhappy in Thailand  always have one of these three  characteristics. The more of them you have, the more miserable you will be.

 

The common characteristics of westerners who are happy in Thailand are those who have a social circle, interests, are in stable health and who have a secure financial status. Thailand won't cure what you don't have. If anything you need more of those things  if you are to  enjoy life to the fullest in Thailand.

 

I used to love Thailand 22 years ago (and really enjoyed BKK back in the day). There are still things I like about it, but it's not the place I fell in love with. While still reasonably priced, the costs have gone up a great deal. The night life is not what it was although I am not much interested in that anymore. Health care costs continue to climb and, without insurance, if you have a serious problem and use the private hospital, it would be quite expensive. Also, with the current government, the visa situation is more difficult/complex than it used to be; I feel less welcome here by them than the government/immigration before. I was on my way out on March 29 but then everything came crashing down on March 18, and I got stuck here (of course could be much worse I could be back in the US)

 

I much prefer Laos now, but the big problem there if you are getting on is that the health care there is poor and you would need to come here for it. If you speak some Lao, I find the people to be friendlier there and more like it was here in years past.

 

i'm often asked by thais, unprompted, why i love thailand, my reply is always that i dont love thailand i love my own country. i'm lucky enough to have a home in a most beautiful place in my homeland. thailand is ok, i've been to better and worse places, it happens to suit my current needs and i enjoy being there. for now.

5 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Just to add balance OP, I would do none of the things listed above by BritManToo.  I told you; you will not get any useful information here. We on TVF constantly spend our time contradicting each other and rubbishing each other's opinions. After all, that's what forums are for.   It's quite fun, but not very informative. 

Come on Pilot, we are the expert informants...I say yes to this guy moving back and enjoying this rich and diversified culture. We all have, obviously, survived the rigours of living here under such harsh conditions for such a long sustained period so, I think that the OP needs to test his metal and do so him self...???

1 hour ago, vermin on arrival said:

I used to love Thailand 22 years ago (and really enjoyed BKK back in the day). There are still things I like about it, but it's not the place I fell in love with. While still reasonably priced, the costs have gone up a great deal. The night life is not what it was although I am not much interested in that anymore. Health care costs continue to climb and, without insurance, if you have a serious problem and use the private hospital, it would be quite expensive. Also, with the current government, the visa situation is more difficult/complex than it used to be; I feel less welcome here by them than the government/immigration before. I was on my way out on March 29 but then everything came crashing down on March 18, and I got stuck here (of course could be much worse I could be back in the US)

 

I much prefer Laos now, but the big problem there if you are getting on is that the health care there is poor and you would need to come here for it. If you speak some Lao, I find the people to be friendlier there and more like it was here in years past.

That is just bloody sad mate!!! I hope you get better soon. You either love Thailand for what it is or just <deleted> off and stop bloody whining about it!!! <deleted>!!!

I was wondering if you would recommend retiring in Thailand now but scouring the internet there seem to be so many negative comments regarding visa/ Thai people etc. with coronavirus thats about all I can do at the moment.

 

You'll be negatively surprised. Thailand, 14 years ago, was way more relaxed than it is now.

 

 Anything you need is quite expensive now, and good looking girls are more difficult to find.

 

What you paid for a night 14 years ago might be short, let's say a very little companionship now.

And the chances that it's a fake girl, a man in a skirt, got much higher.

 

The problem isn't COVID 19, which goes around the whole world.

 

If I were you, I'd plan an extended holiday, but with a plan B to leave within days if you don't like it.

 

If you don't have any Thai friends now, it isn't easy to befriend one.

 

It seems that most Caucasians are unfortunately often seen as a sort of monsters, who do all kinds of illegal activities. 

These white, usually older men take away the ordinary women from the male Thai population, which's very difficult for them to live with.  

 

Give it a try, read all you can, what interests you, and then decide. It's not Thailand you were in love with; I'm reasonably sure. 

 

But you never know. It all depends on living in the right area and knowing the right people.

 

Forget it if you can't afford it to buy proper health insurance and keep it. 

And if you have to turn each baht around to survive until your next money comes in, please forget it. 

 

 Best of luck. 

 

 

 

  

Thank you very much for all of your advice. Theres a lot of information here and it seems that there is some difference of opinion as expected but most of it is mainly positive but warnings regarding finances. What I didn't mention earlier is I have 2 Thai children so any house building if I ever decide will be put in their name once they become old enough as being late teenagers they're not old enough for this.
A friend of mine told me years ago when I was living in Thailand nor to put into Thailand what your not prepared to loose and I have followed this advice religiously. Its got me out of trouble on a few occasions as Ive heard too many horror stories in the past. Im 53 and when Im 55 I will be able to draw on my private pension giving me around £55k annually.
I have never been into the bar girl scene. I don't believe that its good to start a romantic relationship starting with a financial transaction, there will always be the exception to the rule of course but many of these relationships fail. Im looking for a normal rural kind of living as that is what I enjoyed so much previously embracing the Thai culture giving me a n enjoyment I had never experienced before and the Thai people I found so friendly.
Theres always an escape route but I believe with a relatively good pension and funds from rental property in the uk It wouldn't too difficult to set up elsewhere if it became absolutely necessary but Thailand is where my heart has been for many years now.

 

1 hour ago, Clive said:

Thank you very much for all of your advice. Theres a lot of information here and it seems that there is some difference of opinion as expected but most of it is mainly positive but warnings regarding finances. What I didn't mention earlier is I have 2 Thai children so any house building if I ever decide will be put in their name once they become old enough as being late teenagers they're not old enough for this.
A friend of mine told me years ago when I was living in Thailand nor to put into Thailand what your not prepared to loose and I have followed this advice religiously. Its got me out of trouble on a few occasions as Ive heard too many horror stories in the past. Im 53 and when Im 55 I will be able to draw on my private pension giving me around £55k annually.
I have never been into the bar girl scene. I don't believe that its good to start a romantic relationship starting with a financial transaction, there will always be the exception to the rule of course but many of these relationships fail. Im looking for a normal rural kind of living as that is what I enjoyed so much previously embracing the Thai culture giving me a n enjoyment I had never experienced before and the Thai people I found so friendly.
Theres always an escape route but I believe with a relatively good pension and funds from rental property in the uk It wouldn't too difficult to set up elsewhere if it became absolutely necessary but Thailand is where my heart has been for many years now.

 

 

What a rubbish punchline.

 

Thoroughly un-worth waiting for.

 

Glad I skipped straight from page one to here.

 

 

 

10 hours ago, Pilotman said:

I have yet to see an opinion, idea, view point, experience, attitude, feeling, on here that hasn't been contradicted by someone else. Even 'facts' are a movable feast on TVF, as indeed they are on all media platforms, worldwide. Trust no one believe no one 

PILOTMAN is absolut correct.  People will NOT like it but he is right.  TVF is a Akin to water boarding simply tortuous place.  VERY bitter/angry people.

6 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

op..just try it. Everyone is different and wants different things in life.

 

Personally, I have been here since I was 30 years old and only been back to my native UK for 1 visit of a week. 

 

I have travelled around the world and for me Thailand is where I feel at home.

 

I am far from rich....so I disagree with posters saying you need to be rich to enjoy it here. 

 

I live in a rural village in Chiang Mai. I live a simple life, keep chickens and ducks, have an orchard and grown organic vegetables. 

 

I eat mostly Thai food. I disagree with posters saying all the Thai food is boring after a time. I am still finding new foods. I suspect these posters only eat the basic Street foods or at Thai restaurants. There is even more dishes that are local and home cooked and you never see them in restaurants.

 

For me I love the weather, culture, the average Thai person (not rich or snobby) the beauty of the countryside, mountains and sea, the animals and wildlife (I am a zoologyist), the food and freedom to be myself and not have to conform. 

 

I think if you like the Thai way of life and the food, that will go a long way to make you happy here.

 

If you want to keep your farang food, lifestyle and values or think you can change your Thai partners to be more western than you will not be happy long term.

 

Learning the basics of speaking and reading also is a huge step into making you feel like here is home and you will gain more understanding of things and avoid misunderstandings .

 

Awww makes me wanna cry ...So sweet. 

11 hours ago, Why Me said:

Pure rubbish. We don't contradict each other all the time.

oh  yes  we  do???? (your turn)

Edited August 8, 20205 yr by bodga

5 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

i'm often asked by thais, unprompted, why i love thailand, my reply is always that i dont love thailand i love my own country. i'm lucky enough to have a home in a most beautiful place in my homeland. thailand is ok, i've been to better and worse places, it happens to suit my current needs and i enjoy being there. for now.

I fail to understand this "needing to love" to be able to live anywhere. I dont need to love Thailand or its people/culture to be ok with living here.

12 hours ago, Bramley said:

It's just a bunch of bitter twisted expats getting older and more bitter. They complain about everything, but they don't leave. Ignore.

and they are all members of ThaiVisa !!

4 hours ago, Clive said:

Thank you very much for all of your advice. Theres a lot of information here and it seems that there is some difference of opinion as expected but most of it is mainly positive but warnings regarding finances. What I didn't mention earlier is I have 2 Thai children so any house building if I ever decide will be put in their name once they become old enough as being late teenagers they're not old enough for this.
A friend of mine told me years ago when I was living in Thailand nor to put into Thailand what your not prepared to loose and I have followed this advice religiously. Its got me out of trouble on a few occasions as Ive heard too many horror stories in the past. Im 53 and when Im 55 I will be able to draw on my private pension giving me around £55k annually.
I have never been into the bar girl scene. I don't believe that its good to start a romantic relationship starting with a financial transaction, there will always be the exception to the rule of course but many of these relationships fail. Im looking for a normal rural kind of living as that is what I enjoyed so much previously embracing the Thai culture giving me a n enjoyment I had never experienced before and the Thai people I found so friendly.
Theres always an escape route but I believe with a relatively good pension and funds from rental property in the uk It wouldn't too difficult to set up elsewhere if it became absolutely necessary but Thailand is where my heart has been for many years now.

 

This post is for attention BritManToo.....Please note a word printed on line 7 of the above post those Aussie posters must have learned it from this U.K. countryman of yours.

13 hours ago, Clive said:

I lived in Thailand about 14 years ago

What was your experience like 14 years ago ? Where did you live and what lifestyle did you have ? Depends on what you think Thailand is like vs what you really will be doing in retirement. I know a few guys who partied here when they were 30 and now at 60 they hate the place...because they never really had any frame of reference besides party life. They came back at 56 or 57, installed themselves in a condo in Pattaya and picked up where they left off....even though they lived in Thailand previously, they never really 'lived' in Thailand and hence were very disappointed in their retired life.