Are expats being tempted by Thailand?

[Tanomazu]

8 minutes ago, Misty said:

I don't disagree with your post, although I'd say my experience is a bit different.  Nearly all the folks I know back in the US remain married to their first spouse, who is about the same age.  Largely these folks are my former classmates, and they are mostly men, although a couple are women.  The marriages seem to work.

 

I agree that people should marry whom they choose. Age shouldn't be a factor.  In Thailand, many of the long-term expat folks I know are married to younger Thais.  The marriages also seem to work.

 

You stated: "But It is virtually impossible for a 60 year old man in the US, Canada, the UK, most of Europe, OZ, or NZ, to hook up with a 36 year old woman, unless she is very fat or very ugly, or he is a centi millionaire, or is famous. Period. It just does not happen in this day and age."  This would seem to be true. 

 

But flipping your statement on its head, it's probably at least equally impossible for a 60 year old woman to hook up with a 36 year old man in the US, Canada, the UK, etc.  Although I've seen this happen in the emerging world (SE Asia, Africa, India). 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a question of money and opportunity isn't it, if you look at Bezos, Gates, etc, once the woman gets older they switch to a younger model. Statistically over 50% of marriages in the US do not work.

[Tanomazu]

32 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

So you cant name any. OK.

David Beckham owned a house in Samui.

 

https://www.horizonhomes-samui.com/beckhams-house-upsets-monks/

[Misty]

4 minutes ago, Tanomazu said:

It's a question of money and opportunity isn't it, if you look at Bezos, Gates, etc, once the woman gets older they switch to a younger model. Statistically over 50% of marriages in the US do not work.

Correct, it does seem to be a question of money.  Although in Bezos & Gates situations, who initiated the divorce?  And was it about money, I wonder.

 

50% of marriages in the US do not work, yet only 41% of first-time marriages do not work.  Which means, 59% of first-time marriages do work.  So the majority of Americans stay with their first spouse.  Surprising, no?

[JustAnotherHun]

1 minute ago, Misty said:

Which means, 59% of first-time marriages do work.  So the majority of Americans stay with their first spouse.  Surprising, no?

Maybe they can not afford a divorce... ????

[Isaan sailor]

13 minutes ago, Misty said:

I don't disagree with your post, although I'd say my experience is a bit different.  Nearly all the folks I know back in the US remain married to their first spouse, who is about the same age.  Largely these folks are my former classmates, and they are mostly men, although a couple are women.  The marriages seem to work.

 

I agree that people should marry whom they choose. Age shouldn't be a factor.  In Thailand, many of the long-term expat folks I know are married to younger Thais.  The marriages also seem to work.

 

You stated: "But It is virtually impossible for a 60 year old man in the US, Canada, the UK, most of Europe, OZ, or NZ, to hook up with a 36 year old woman, unless she is very fat or very ugly, or he is a centi millionaire, or is famous. Period. It just does not happen in this day and age."  This would seem to be true. 

 

But flipping your statement on its head, it's probably at least equally impossible for a 60 year old woman to hook up with a 36 year old man in the US, Canada, the UK, etc.  Although I've seen this happen in the emerging world (SE Asia, Africa, India). 

 

 

 

 

 

Before I came to Thailand, I was thrust into the dating game after a divorce that removed half of my savings.  Dated some women in my age group—mid fifties.  Then got lucky and dated an attractive 34-year old.  Such a difference.  She finally dumped me (her mom thought I was too old).  Walk into any dating bar in America in your fifties—you become invisible.

Fast forward to Thailand ten years later—got the dream girl.

[DrPhibes]

3 hours ago, bendejo said:

 

22 hours ago, DrPhibes said:

And your point is... (miss Robert Palmer RIP):

 

Expand  

Is this the Russian band Kutcherpeckeroff?

 

Yes, with their hit singles "knock your dick in the dirt" and "Bobbit and lob it"

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Tanomazu said:

Thanks for posting an informed view of the Phil.

I saw young children, whole families living under bridges in Phil, it was heart breaking. It may exist in Thailand, maybe I just never saw it. But the poverty in Phil is such that one feels a little unsafe sometimes.

 

Clearly Thailand's infrastructure is a lot better than Phil, the internet can not even be compared, unless you talk Quezon City. And it is vastly more expensive in almost everything.

 

The people are wonderful and  you have the added advantage of speaking English, the country is more beautiful than Thailand.

 

However, pricing, crime and poor internet, lack of western amenities, for a Westerner I'd say Thailand is usually better.

 

Many of us prefer Thailand. Security, food, infrastructure, etc. And the PI has alot of poverty. 

 

However, Thailand is catching up. The economic regression brought on by a highly incapable leadership here is moving the nation backwards. Many will blame Covid. But quality tourists were diminishing long before the Zombie Apocalypse and now homelessness, suicides, and unemployment are at previously unheard of levels. Thank you Prayuth. You have brought untold unhappiness to your people. 

[VBF]

10 hours ago, NanaSomchai said:

F L O R I D A /thread

Sadly, at present, we Brits cannot go to USA either. Despite being vaccinated, USA regards us as unclean too!

I had planned to go to Austin (for the music) last year, then this. ????

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Isaan sailor said:

I always return to Thailand with a few bottles of Napa or Sonoma Valley wines. You’re allowed one bottle anyway.

I prefer to bring in a few bottled of high end tequila. Lasts a long time. And I can make a variety of nice cocktails, or just sip it. Gorgeous stuff. 

[Tanomazu]

1 minute ago, Misty said:

Correct, it does seem to be a question of money.  Although in Bezos & Gates situations, who initiated the divorce?  And was it about money, I wonder.

 

50% of marriages in the US do not work, yet only 41% of first-time marriages do not work.  Which means, 59% of first-time marriages do work.  So the majority of Americans stay with their first spouse.  Surprising, no?

In Gates' case it was Melinda. Not sure about Bezos. In both cases the advanced years and declining sexual attraction most likely led their husbands, who had plenty of opportunity to sexual infidelity. If you look at Brigitte Bardot or Pamela Anderson, even the greatest sex symbols decline physically to an extent that no man would willingly chose to be with her if he could be with a younger and attractive woman. It was not about money.

 

Actually the 50% of marriages fail was indeed only applicable to people who married in the 70s in America, 48% got divorced. Apparently the numbers are falling and more recent stats say 16.7 per 1,000, in 2016 divorced. For the ‘first divorce rate,’ or the number of marriages that ended in divorce per 1,000 first marriages for women 18 and older, the figuer was 15.4 in 2016, according to research by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at the Bowling Green State University. So yes, marginally lower.

 

As an overall, if you follow marriages over time, the figure is still 45%.

 

https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/what-is-divorce-rate-america/

 

Of course a cynic might say that divorce rates are falling because the number of marriages are falling.

 

 

 

 

[VBF]

8 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Of course, as the old adage goes, I have to spend a bit of money on them here, and usually I want to. 

Now I have not been to the UK for a couple of years now, but there is a plague of obesity that makes a lot of them repugnant to me... that was my recollection. I would also expect a far better attitude and service level in Thailand. Not being there in the UK, perhaps I get it wrong, but generally even attitudes to elderly men would hardly support a pretty girl on each side of me enjoying myself in the local Wetherspoons. Not many Go-Go bars in my home town, maybe a lap dance joint, no touch place, designed to empty your bank account. 

Oh it's definitely absolutely nothing like Thailand, obviously and none of what you mention is available,  but there are "ways and means" that make having fun possible, all of which are well  for this forum.

 

Were you to PM me, I'm sure I could divulge some more details, but unless you're planning to visit, I doubt it'd be of much interest!

Given a choice, I'd still be coming to Pattaya in December but it'd be the pre-Covid Pattaya I'd be looking for, and at present......... ????

[Kadilo]

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I prefer to bring in a few bottled of high end tequila. Lasts a long time. And I can make a variety of nice cocktails, or just sip it. Gorgeous stuff. 

Yeah likewise 

 

 

[smutcakes]

1 hour ago, Rookiescot said:

So you cant name any. OK.

Owner of Pandora Jewelry lives here.

I know a fairly large group of wealthy expats here in BKK. Some multi millionaires through business. They could if they choose live anywhere in the World, but are happy here. Personally i could live practically anywhere in the World financially, but i like it here. Sure it has its faults, but it still has plenty of positives to.

[Tanomazu]

Belinda Carlisle, net worth 14 million US$, lives in Thailand with her film producer husband Morgan Mason, 65.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9259929/The-one-lesson-Ive-learned-life-Belinda-Carlisle-says-dont-run-youll-pay-price-later.html

[VBF]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Nearly every friend I have in the US is single. Why? Because for a man in the US, who is past the age of 50, unless he is willing to get with a woman at least his age, his prospects are dim for finding love, or companionship. Some guys like me, simply prefer younger women. Not kids, but women who are 10, 15, even 20 or 25 years younger than us. For a dozen very valid reasons. I could break them down, but why bother? The PC crew will jump on this and say it is not right. You should not be able to have this kind of life, without jumping over ridiculous hurdles! Means nothing to me. I do not do PC.

 

Why be with a woman our age, if we do not need to? Nothing wrong with it, if it works for you.

 

But It is virtually impossible for a 60 year old man in the US, Canada, the UK, most of Europe, OZ, or NZ, to hook up with a 36 year old woman, unless she is very fat or very ugly, or he is a centi millionaire, or is famous. Period. It just does not happen in this day and age.

Here it is possible. Granted he will likely get with a woman of lesser means, who needs a guy who can provide some financial stability. So what? Who cares? Most women want financial stability anywhere in the world, whether they admit it or not. The difference is here the women are more honest about their financial needs and desires. I know a lot of men who have engaged in relationships with lovely, kind, supportive, humorous, and sexy women here, who are no longer lonely. We have very good lives. Fulfilling lives. Lives we could never dream of having back in the US, Oz, NZ, UK, Canada, or Scandinavia.

 

<snip>

 

Here is where I respectfully disagree with you, except for where you imply that some men like older women - there I agree.

My last several Thai "girlfriends" have been 35 plus and still 30 years younger than me!

 

You suggest that being single is undesirable: I disagree - I have no wish to have a permanent partner under my feet, I'm far too busy being a selfish **** so in my case  "guys just wanna have fun". 

 

See my avatar..."Young once juvenile forever"  and  my reply to @jacko45k above - 'nuff said! )

 

As regards "PC", and "Woke" I'm with you 100% - they can all stick that where the sun don't shine.

 

( but just finished watching a Roy "Chubby" Brown VDO - about as non-PC as one can get.  Search for him if you're interested or PM me and I'll send you a link to one of his concerts)

 

Edited September 11, 2021 by VBF

[Kwaibill]

On 9/10/2021 at 2:51 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

That's true, but when I reached the age it was difficult to get medical insurance I left. I might get free hospital treatment here, but anything before that ( GP, physio etc ) costs a heap. The NHS is the ONLY reason I'd like to live in the UK.

Similar with the US medicare. The "co-pays" and "uncovered" expenses were bankrupting me. Good care at Sirikit after my stroke ran a bit under 14,000 baht. They did not do the promised "home visit", but I staggered out under my own power, so no foul in my opinion. I figured out what had changed and what to do on my own. Wandering around Paris a couple of months later with the doc's ok.

Working on my wife's visa, so when the time comes...

Edited September 11, 2021 by Kwaibill
Typos

[Joules]

When I first came to Thailand 20 years ago, I thought it was Shangri La -- and maybe it was, back then.  I have lived here for 15 years, am 70 years old and now committed to stay, but the shine has worn off.  I know many, many expats from around the world.  All of us have built houses (which we cannot own!), pay taxes and are law abiding citizens.  NONE of us would pick Thailand if they had it to do again.  The country is run by several wealthy family cartels with the military at their backs.  There are constant protests in the streets against the government for its alleged corruption, rigged elections and mishandling of the pandemic.  Us expats have been officially warned by the Thai government that if we participate in any of these demonstrations, we will be arrested, jailed, then deported and blacklisted from ever returning.  

 

Expats are only tolerated here.  Few Thais can speak or understand English and the Thai language is one of the hardest in the world to learn.  We are second class citizens.  We cannot own property.  The Thai government uses dual pricing.  In national parks, Thai citizens typically pay a 40 baht entry fee, while expats pay a 400 baht fee.  The government hospitals set prices for expats at ten times the the scheduled price for a Thai citizen.  Oh, and if you think you can get permanent residency or citizenship, think again.  There is a method, but getting either is both costly and rare.  Instead, we typically have to go through the process of begging for a visa renewal every year.  We also have to file a report with the government every 90 days declaring that we still live in the same place, much as a sex offender must do in the US.  

 

Farmers are constantly burning their fields and hill tribes burn the forests.  That makes for dangerously bad air quality most of the year.  I have developed a chronic cough over the last four of five years from all the smoke and dust in the air here (I am not a smoker).

 

I should also mention the gratuitous noise.  It is unbelievable.  the Buddhist temples are all ever the country in every village.  When it is a temple day, they blast out music at 100 decibels or more beginning at 4 a.m.  Ditto if their is a monk ordination.   Pick-up trucks advertising a politician or selling something are constantly driving around blasting away on a oud PA system.  People blast loud music from their houses early in the morning and late at night.   If you like quiet, Thailand is NOT for you.

 

If you live in a rural area, overloaded dump trucks may be driving by your house spilling dirt all over the road in front of your house.  Nobody cleans it up, so you must if you do not want it to end up as clouds of dust blowing over your house (rather, your wife's house -- you can't own it).   The truck drivers would not dare behave this way in the cities, but they do as they please in the rural areas and nobody says squat.

 

Most jobs are reserved for Thais only.  Thus, forget about working and consider that 95% of all restaurants serve Thai food only (no foreigner cooks).  International foods such as Mexican, Italian, American, Japanese and Korean are difficult to find at best and completely unavailable in most places.  It is even difficult to find Chinese food here!  So, if you care about food variety, look elsewhere.  Plan on doing all your own cooking -- that's what I do.

 

Other than the few things I mention above, Thailand is a great place to live!!!  If anybody reading this is thinking about retirement here, let me caution you to look real hard before you leap.  Maybe try Panama.  Stable government.  Many English speaking people there.  Virtually anybody can get permanent residency.  The cost is comparable to Thailand, maybe even cheaper.  You can work if you wish and can find any kind of Western and Asian foods.  Oh, and did I mention plenty of sun and beaches? 

 

And if you are filthy rich, the kind the Thai government hopes to attract, the world is your oyster.  Why settle for a shell when you can have a pearl somewhere else?   

 

Edit:  I have an expat friend here who has one of those "convenient visas for the wealthy."  He leased a piece of land from a  Thai friend (long term 30 year lease) and built a beautiful high end teak house on the land.  One day a dozen government officials showed up.  It seems that they have decided there is some irregularity with the land title and the national forest people are claiming the land.  They are in the process of confiscating it.  He is fighting for his future.  the house cost many millions of baht to build and he is faced with losing it all.  And to add insult to injury, they also claim he owes millions of baht for damage to the land caused by putting a house on it!  He did everything he could to be 100% above board and is blindsided by all this.  This is only one story.  There are so many others.

Edited September 11, 2021 by Joules

[Joules]

On 9/10/2021 at 7:39 AM, Mike Teavee said:

On balance if you're able/willing to put the money into Thailand, it's relatively straight forward to live here. 

 

No matter how wealthy one might be, why would any reasonable person allow themselves to be compelled to tie up any amount of their wealth for the privilege of living in a country.  There are too many other choices around the world where this kind of nonsense is not required.   People that think that just because you have a lot of money, you'll be willing to have some of it locked up probably do not have any themselves.  Easy to spend somebody else's money!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Almer]

21 hours ago, KannikaP said:

I agree, £200 a year will really change my way of life here.   LOL

Or in many peoples case in excess of £2000 pa and growing.

[Isaan sailor]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

I prefer to bring in a few bottled of high end tequila. Lasts a long time. And I can make a variety of nice cocktails, or just sip it. Gorgeous stuff. 

Not a bad idea—will try the good stuff next trip.  So tired of the cheap sh__.

[Rookiescot]

3 hours ago, Tanomazu said:

Damien Hirst owns a property in Thailand.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3149726/Damien-Hirst-art-building-150milllion-property-empire-Former-enfant-terrible-British-art-extraordinary-portfolio-mansions-manor-houses-farmland.html

OK you have managed to find 2 or 3 then.

Contrast with somewhere like the Bahamas. 

 

List of Bahamians - Wikipedia

 

The rich can go anywhere. Very few of them choose Thailand.

[Misty]

1 hour ago, Tanomazu said:

In Gates' case it was Melinda. Not sure about Bezos. In both cases the advanced years and declining sexual attraction most likely led their husbands, who had plenty of opportunity to sexual infidelity. If you look at Brigitte Bardot or Pamela Anderson, even the greatest sex symbols decline physically to an extent that no man would willingly chose to be with her if he could be with a younger and attractive woman. It was not about money.

 

Actually the 50% of marriages fail was indeed only applicable to people who married in the 70s in America, 48% got divorced. Apparently the numbers are falling and more recent stats say 16.7 per 1,000, in 2016 divorced. For the ‘first divorce rate,’ or the number of marriages that ended in divorce per 1,000 first marriages for women 18 and older, the figuer was 15.4 in 2016, according to research by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at the Bowling Green State University. So yes, marginally lower.

 

As an overall, if you follow marriages over time, the figure is still 45%.

 

https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/what-is-divorce-rate-america/

 

Of course a cynic might say that divorce rates are falling because the number of marriages are falling.

 

 

 

 

Well, I suppose to some degree it is personal preference.  Imho neither Gates nor Bezos are physically attractive to an extent that a woman would willingly chose to be with either of them if she could be with a younger and attractive man.  So if it's just considering physical attractiveness, being with either of them would be about the money.

 

Here's where the 41% first time divorce figure comes from:  https://www.divorcesource.com/blog/divorce-and-marriage-rates/#:~:text=Currently%2C in the United States%2C 41% of first,20 to 24 have the highest divorce rates.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Tanomazu said:

Belinda Carlisle, net worth 14 million US$, lives in Thailand with her film producer husband Morgan Mason, 65.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9259929/The-one-lesson-Ive-learned-life-Belinda-Carlisle-says-dont-run-youll-pay-price-later.html

Along with four other foreigners worth over $10 million, likely. 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, VBF said:

Here is where I respectfully disagree with you, except for where you imply that some men like older women - there I agree.

My last several Thai "girlfriends" have been 35 plus and still 30 years younger than me!

 

You suggest that being single is undesirable: I disagree - I have no wish to have a permanent partner under my feet, I'm far too busy being a selfish **** so in my case  "guys just wanna have fun". 

 

See my avatar..."Young once juvenile forever"  and  my reply to @jacko45k above - 'nuff said! )

 

As regards "PC", and "Woke" I'm with you 100% - they can all stick that where the sun don't shine.

 

( but just finished watching a Roy "Chubby" Brown VDO - about as non-PC as one can get.  Search for him if you're interested or PM me and I'll send you a link to one of his concerts)

 

I may have said I am fortunate to have a good woman, but I would never suggest the lifestyle is superior to being single. To each his own. I was single for a very long time and enjoyed it. I get it. Good on you. 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Kadilo said:

Yeah likewise 

 

 

You are the last of the big spenders. A regular Jackie Gleason type. Only the best will do! 

[Kadilo]

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

You are the last of the big spenders. A regular Jackie Gleason type. Only the best will do! 

Don’t fancy a swap then ????

[tonray]

On 9/10/2021 at 3:49 PM, kwak250 said:

Are expats being tempted by Thailand?

 

Why what are they offering ?

 

Salted Egg Lays potato chips and Tom Yum flavored everything

Edited September 11, 2021 by tonray

[Mike Teavee]

1 hour ago, Joules said:

No matter how wealthy one might be, why would any reasonable person allow themselves to be compelled to tie up any amount of their wealth for the privilege of living in a country.  There are too many other choices around the world where this kind of nonsense is not required.   People that think that just because you have a lot of money, you'll be willing to have some of it locked up probably do not have any themselves.  Easy to spend somebody else's money!

Firstly... Name 1 country that you would actually live in where "This kind of nonsense" (by that I mean some kind of investment) "Is not required"

 

Secondly... People who have money tend to keep it in different "Invest Pots", very few of them will have it tied up yielding the maximum potential because to do so would put everything at risk.

 

If you do play it so every one of your assets are yielding >8% that others have quoted in this & similar threads then hats of to you, I'd rather keep a couple of years spends in the bank earning about 1% & sleep at night... 

 

 

 

[SW Happy]

On 9/10/2021 at 2:06 AM, ChipButty said:

They have got that much money they dont care about luxury tax, when you see the amount of BMW's Merc's around where I live, Last week a German guy rented one of my apartments he turned up a brand new Merc 250 coupe, it had Bangkok plates on it and I asked him did he drive here he said no he paid someone to drive it here for him. That Merc would be at least double the price of what it would be back in Berlin,

Hmm interesting regarding driving the Mercedes to Thailand,i often pondered doing that, please can you enlighten me more.

[SW Happy]

On 9/10/2021 at 3:10 AM, Walker88 said:

Funny you say 'invest'. If you mean literal investment, as in buying a company, the visa requirements ARE difficult.

 

They would be difficult even if tributes were not demanded in a most blatant fashion, but tributes are regularly demanded. As for the official requirements---not the ones enacted merely to enhance bureaucrats' income---a typical application is more than 100 pages. It requires everything from university and grad school transcripts, lots of data re owners and directors, pages of 'action photos' of the applicant pretending to work or mulling over business ideas, lots of photos at the place of business, with the address clearly visible and staff surrounding the applicant, and other such things, all of which must be signed by the applicant.

 

In a post I made a while back, I was told or contacted about others' experiences that included such things as 'declined for not wearing a business suit in the photos' or other silly things meant to extract a payment. In my first instance, sitting with my accountant who has years of experience navigating the system, the officer thumbed through the stack of docs without even looking at them, then announced something missing, but the oversight could be ignored for a special fee.

 

For this visa, the applicant is given an initial 3 month visa, then a second one, and a third trip yields the one-year. Each application requires the same onerous document stack, despite the fact this is redundant.

 

To most people, this system would be categorized as 'difficult'. It's also quite expensive when one factors in the agent fees, 'tributes', etc. I also think the size of the tribute is a function of the amount invested, as those who put more money into the country are viewed as capable of being more 'generous' with their tributes.

 

Now if you meant 'invest' as in an Elite Visa, perhaps the system is easier, as the Elite Staff apparently handle the 90-day reporting requirements.

And not helping the declining Rainforests with there vast paper trails??