How do you break the news to your friends and family about moving to Thailand?

[Exp12345]

I’ve been wanting to move to Thailand for a long time now and I’m getting closer to reaching my goal. I’d say in about 2 years I will be able to make the move. With that being said, my parents and family members have zero clue about this and I feel like they will react very negatively about it. Anytime I’ve tried to get them to visit Thailand (or really any SEA country) they frown upon the thought of ever visiting and they believe all SEA countries are gross, poor, unsafe, dirty etc. I know they will get very angry when I break the news, however have any of you people on here experienced a similar situation as me? I’m very young (in my 20’s) so certainly I’m going to receive more backlash from my parents than if I was much older. Any insight would help thanks!

[WineOh]

I received the exact same response from my snobby family members when I first moved to Thailand. I was also around your age when I made the jump.

 

That was many moons ago, most of the family members who were against it have since died poor and lonely, I haven't spoke to my father in the best part of 10 years and never plan to reconnect with him again.

 

I could not be happier at the decision I have made, though if I had my time again I probably wouldn't choose Thailand.

Living here is not all it's cracked up to be.

 

Best of luck to you!

[colinneil]

1 minute ago, WineOh said:

if I had my time again I probably wouldn't choose Thailand.

Living here is not all it's cracked up to be.

Disagree mate, life here is fantastic, in my case, stuck in a wheelchair, or on my bed, life is wonderful.????????

Got a great wife, who is always there for me, what more could i want?

When i get down...... I just sing to myself, no no regrets..... by Edith Piaf.????????

[MRToMRT]

EVERYONE thinks you are a sex tourist or a perv, just get used to it. Live your life not theirs.

[poskat]

Part of growing up is learning how to not care what other people think, especially when they dont really know what they are talking about.

 

I dont think anyone lays on their deathbed and thinks "I wish I never went for what I really wanted and just did what others thought I should do.

 

more specifically, being able to present a well thought out plan on how you will make the move and how you will make a living here, including doing some if/then planning may make the convo with them go smoother.

 

another point to bring up would be that your home country will still be there if you decide that you want to come back. Also, the current state of technology allows for face to face chats anytime you want to have them while being big distances apart.

 

the only real drawback to moving here in your 20s is how to make enough money to save/invest for the future, rather than just making enough to live a decent lifestyle here

Edited June 24, 2021 by poskat

[Surelynot]

YOLO for sure...

 

I just tell them I am going for very long holidays, one to two years at a time, and will be popping back for a few weeks every now and again.......that seems to have fooled them for now.

[audaciousnomad]

Tell them you're heading out here to learn about International Business, since the world is trending towards globalization. And also, you plan to pick up a language or two.

It's ok if not all are supportive. At least you gave them the opportunity to wish you well. Follow your heart!

[clivebaxter]

Tell them you are going to Taiwan, they won't know the difference anyway ????

[The Cipher]

What are your reasons for making the move? And what do you plan to do here?

 

I turned 30 a few months ago and moved out this way late last year as a remote worker. Post-Covid I intend to split time between my home city of Vancouver and Bangkok - ideally with 60-70% of my time spent here.

 

I got some curious questions at the time but justified it as a way to escape restrictions at home as there was no Covid in Thailand then. Everybody accepted that.

 

Since then I've changed my messaging to explain to others that I'm getting significantly better monetary value here than I would be getting in Vancouver. I'd be classified as a relatively high earner, and even then it was difficult meaningfully get ahead in an expensive city. I have an arguably better life here for a fraction of the cost. That message really strikes a chord with other young people.

 

If you live in a high cost of living city and you have a way to earn good money in Thailand, you just tell people that you're moving abroad to have a good life while also being able to save more money and build your future, many should understand.

 

Since coming over I've actually had a couple of friends in similar situations ask me about my experience to explore whether a similar arrangement might make sense for them as well.

 

(Also are your parents aware that Singapore in in SEA lol.)

Edited June 24, 2021 by The Cipher
Edited to fix a garbage sentence that I wrote.

[bkk6060]

If you are coming from a western country and are male just tell them you are sick of all the BS, politics, attitudes, bad weather, cost of living, and fat stuck up females.   Too bad, if they don't get it.

Edited June 24, 2021 by bkk6060

[ezzra]

If you ask me, ( and probably many others) now it's not a good time to come to Thailand, (probably early next year i would imagine)  or to anywhere for that matter, but this is my opinion...

[WineOh]

37 minutes ago, clivebaxter said:

Tell them you are going to Taiwan, they won't know the difference anyway ????

my uncle always gets confused with Thailand & Taiwan.

 

Every time I go back to the UK he asks 'how's life in Taiwan', and every time I have to tell him it's Thailand, not Taiwan.

 

The man is a bona fide idiot ????

[RafPinto]

Give them a choice.

Either Thailand and if not accepted, tell them you move to North Korea.

 

On which visa you intend to move here?

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, Exp12345 said:

I’m very young (in my 20’s) so certainly I’m going to receive more backlash from my parents than if I was much older. Any insight would help thanks!

 

Can one enquire as to your reasoning to want to move to Thailand, that way I can get a clearer picture and be able to respond more responsibly. 

 

Edited June 24, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[Captain Monday]

Early 20s? That was the time I made the best decision of my life. No longer listening to my parents instructions at all or caring what they think about it. Just tell them you are moving they probably will get used to it eventually. 

[BangkokReady]

56 minutes ago, MRToMRT said:

EVERYONE thinks you are a sex tourist or a perv, just get used to it. Live your life not theirs.

 

Wait, we're not all perverted sex tourists here?  ????

[colinneil]

5 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Wait, we're not all perverted sex tourists here?  ????

You talk for yourself mate.????????????

[rumak]

15 minutes ago, ezzra said:

If you ask me, ( and probably many others) now it's not a good time to come to Thailand, (probably early next year i would imagine)  or to anywhere for that matter, but this is my opinion...

 

Yes, pass the word to everyone :  "don't come to Thailand ! "

 

heck,  we just managed to get a good number to leave.   (you know,  the ones who post saying 

how so many things suck here )    Save yourselves the trouble,  just don't do it 

[Chris.B]

"I’ve been wanting to move to Thailand for a long time now and I’m getting closer to reaching my goal. I’d say in about 2 years I will be able to make the move. With that being said, my parents and family members have zero clue about this and I feel like they will react very negatively about it. Anytime I’ve tried to get them to visit Thailand (or really any SEA country) they frown upon the thought of ever visiting and they believe all SEA countries are gross, poor, unsafe, dirty etc. I know they will get very angry when I break the news, however have any of you people on here experienced a similar situation as me? I’m very young (in my 20’s) so certainly I’m going to receive more backlash from my parents than if I was much older. Any insight would help thanks!"

 

What Visa will you obtain to be able to live in Thailand?  ????????

 

 

[NCC1701A]

 

15 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Wait, we're not all perverted sex tourists here?  ????

Hi.

Edited June 24, 2021 by NCC1701A

[rumak]

6 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Wait, we're not all perverted sex tourists here?  ????

 

but our friends back home are sooooo jealous thinking that we are !

[Chris.B]

18 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Wait, we're not all perverted sex tourists here?  ????

 

I knew someone who had a friend who went to Thailand.... ahem!  ????????

[Salerno]

23 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Wait, we're not all perverted sex tourists here?  ????

 

Certainly not, most on here appear to be perverted sexpats not lowly tourists!

[Pravda]

Do you depend on mommy and daddy to trust-fund your trip?

 

If no then why do you care what they think since it is... you know.... your life?

[OneMoreFarang]

Start with: I have to tell you something. I met this great Thai girl. She is different! ???? 

 

Personally I told friends and family many years ago that I decided to move to Thailand. It was a statement. I didn't ask them about their opinion and I didn't care about their opinion. 

[MRToMRT]

38 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

Wait, we're not all perverted sex tourists here?  ????

Catch a plane, go to somewhere you've never been before. Start up a conversion with a stranger, tell them you live in Thailand. Watch for look in their eye. :+)

Edited June 24, 2021 by MRToMRT

[Caldera]

In my case: I told them that I'll go to Thailand for yet another 2-week vacation. Little did I know, little did they know, that I would decide to stay. 14 years and counting. 

[nightfox]

I moved to Thailand in my early 20s and never looked back. Sure my parents told me to come back home etc....but after my dad came to visit me for the first time and me taking him out at night to go go bars, ping pong shows and even got him a soapy massage he realized its another world out here and never mentioned to me to come back home ever again.......

[Surelynot]

3 minutes ago, MRToMRT said:

Catch a plane, go to somewhere you've never been before. Start up a conversion with a stranger, tell them you live in Thailand. Watch for look in their eye. :+)

.............it goes green?

Edited June 24, 2021 by Surelynot

[Surelynot]

1 minute ago, nightfox said:

I moved to Thailand in my early 20s and never looked back. Sure my parents told me to come back home etc....but after my dad came to visit me for the first time and me taking him out at night to go go bars, ping pong shows and even got him a soapy massage he realized its another world out here and never mentioned to me to come back home ever again.......

He didn't just stay then?