I read this post @The Cipher "A large portion of the forum seem generally unhappy"

 

So I thought I'd ask everyone outright.

I can't imagine being any happier somewhere else in the world, I like it here.

I like my home, pets, woman, kids, car, m/c.

I like having convenience stores all around me, I like the weather.

I am happy, and enjoy a lifestyle and freedom that would be absolutely out of reach in the nome country.

 

Yes there are gripes here, but thats all a matter of adjustment, and frankly "letting go" of the homeland and STOP making comparisons. The sooner you do that the more comfortable less stressed and happier you will be. (Imho).Learn to roll with how it is.

 

The freedoms of the rules and regs and cameras eternally in your face, the relaxed permits and licences for almost everything and so on.

ALL much more relaxed here. (depends on your location etc).

 

Isn't everyone?

Thought this was a given.

Yes, I have a much better life here than I could anywhere else... I like Thai people, love my family... enjoy my freedoms... though time is catching up with me... but that would happen anywhere...

I'm happy here, sure there are things that could be better but that's the same anywhere. Some folk just like to complain as it makes them happy, others would whinge regardless where they lived; doesn't necessarily mean they'd rather be someone else. That and people are generally motivated to post things when unhappy, they usually don't post about positive experiences. So it would be unwise to judge the general satisfaction of the posting community on the basis of what they post.

i guess if people are unhappy they need to change their life, maybe move home or somewhere else

I am not sure, 

There should had been an I am not sure choice, Because I am not. 

So I did not vote as not to screw up the results. 

We had been away for over two years stuck in the US with the pandemic travel restrictions and came back  last May 4th. 

In the past , I was working and was here for a few months at the time, so we traveled a lot and did things when I was here. ,

Now ?

well not so much, and I am kind of getting bored and restless, In addition the Thai people seem to be not as happy as I remember them to be, and it seems that they are also on edge. 

So I am not sure if I am happy here now. Lets see how things work out post pandemic, and if things will get back to close the way they used to be. 

And this is my honest assessment.

Wife wants to leave and go back to the US where we still l have property. , that's another , "we'll see". I'll give it another year. 

 

After I stopped to follow the politics here close I get more relaxed, comming from a western country where you have obligation to follow and be an active part in the democraty, I should learn to understand that its not a part of farrang living in this country.

So now I have focus on the positive things here, my wife, the low cost of living, the clima, our little farm I am basicly happy about my life here.

But still I wonder some things, I was starting comming here 10 years ago and find smiling and happy thai people, just to be together with the happy people could make me happy, this never happens any more, the thai smile and happy thai life has gone, I miss that, it was something very positive special different from my homecountry, but can live without, now more like every where.

 

I love my wife, our home and family , and the more laidback lifestyle we have here compared with the over-regulated and politically correct environment back in Australia.

There will always be some things that annoy me here in Thailand, however I am very happy here.  

I am on the fence and therefore voted unhappy. This is not so much how I'm feeling now which is ok but rather what I perceive to be coming at us.

 

I'm definitely not happy with the annual tenuous visa grubbing.

 

Not happy with the health system.

 

Not pleased with the hassles to leave and return. Here the more it changes the more it stays the same.

 

Not happy seeing insurance company scam my in-laws out of 200k.

 

Not happy new immigration bloke wants to instill a climate of fear in us.

 

Not happy the coral is all burned up.

 

I think being happy you're not somewhere else is not the correct way to look at it.

Nope, it's as boring as hell with nothing exciting to do.  Groundhog day would sum it up. The weather is also awful, it's either raining or like an oven, awful. Thai's are awfully strange people, with most completely lacking in any personality. Everywhere looks the same, no matter what province you are in. Everything also looks grey, no bright or interesting buildings. Unless you like banging cheap brasses or you're an alchie, there is absolutely no point in being here at all. Look at most Thai's, they are bored and fed up too, and most likely wonder why the hell we are living here. Friday tomorrow, would mean a good day in most countries, here just the same same.

Happy when wife is happy

Unhappy when she's moaning or in a mood

6 minutes ago, Johnny Mac said:

Nope, it's as boring as hell with nothing exciting to do.  Groundhog day would sum it up. The weather is also awful, it's either raining or like an oven, awful. Thai's are awfully strange people, with most completely lacking in any personality. Everywhere looks the same, no matter what province you are in. Everything also looks grey, no bright or interesting buildings. Unless you like banging cheap brasses or you're an alchie, there is absolutely no point in being here at all. Look at most Thai's, they are bored and fed up too, and most likely wonder why the hell we are living here. Friday tomorrow, would mean a good day in most countries, here just the same same.

Hard to keep track of what day it is, they all seem like Sunday, you just missed the rubbish, stray dogs, traffic madness and the groveling nationalism, poor education, <deleted> tv, immigration etc well the list is a long one as somebody posted earlier on another thread.

1 minute ago, clivebaxter said:

Hard to keep track of what day it is, they all seem like Sunday, you just missed the rubbish, stray dogs, traffic madness and the groveling nationalism, poor education, <deleted> tv, immigration etc well the list is a long one as somebody posted earlier on another thread.

Sure, I could have gone on and on. The stray dog situation is horrific and utterly uncivilised. Yes, there is no energy or spark here, everyone just mopes around, slowly.

 

Highlight of the week is a trip to Big C/Lotus, do me a favour.

Cannot stop laughing.........really, ... I don't know why people keep going on about the visa situation , if you have everything in order + , 2-3 hours ,1 day a year , 90 day reports , online , if that does not work pop it in the post , + retirement extension.

 

Thailand has been very good to me , I feel if I had stayed in the UK I would have died long ago, wrong food, too much  stress, and the weather.

 

All around the World there's earthquakes , Raging fires, droughts , starvation, and violence , here I feel safe, and I am very happy with my situation. 

 

regards worgeordie

covered really by the recent OP “Why Do You Stay”

1 minute ago, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

covered really by the recent OP “Why Do You Stay”

Not really,

I was looking for the numbers of happy/unhappy because people keep posting 'all the people on this forum are unhappy' in Thailand. Numbers so far indicate  85% of TV posters are happy.

 

If I thought I'd be happier somewhere else, I would just move there.

Define happy. Those who have cut all ties in the home country I think can concentrate on happiness more than those of us with properties and investments in the west. 

“……..I would just move there.”

 

the massive intl. research, cost, disengaging here, the intl. move and settling in elsewhere, all during a pandemic.the misery here would need to be extremely high to even contemplate “just moving” surely 

easier though if you already have a second base.

otherwise easier to fix or accept what makes you unhappy here.

new woman, new town, new visa, new healthier lifestyle, new hobby, new business, new meditation, new religion, for example………

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I read this post @The Cipher "A large portion of the forum seem generally unhappy"

Guilty as charged. I wrote that. I'm pretty glad to see that the poll data so far doesn't support my statement.

 

But I will give myself a pass for writing the quoted comment ????. I - and others before me - have noted that the sentiment in general on most threads seems to be super pessimistic. And this relates to like, pretty much any topic that seems to come up. Maybe it's just a vocal minority, or maybe retirees just like to gripe as an activity, I don't know. Maybe it's just reflex at this point ????‍♂️

 

I do think there are some broader macro trends that Western retirees in Thailand find themselves caught up in, through no fault of their own*. And it's understandable that the effects of those trends would kinda stoke some bitterness. Still, we all only get one life. Better to spend it happy than unhappy.

8 hours ago, sirineou said:

I am not sure, 

There should had been an I am not sure choice, Because I am not. 

So I did not vote as not to screw up the results. 

We had been away for over two years stuck in the US with the pandemic travel restrictions and came back  last May 4th. 

In the past , I was working and was here for a few months at the time, so we traveled a lot and did things when I was here. ,

Now ?

well not so much, and I am kind of getting bored and restless, In addition the Thai people seem to be not as happy as I remember them to be, and it seems that they are also on edge. 

So I am not sure if I am happy here now. Lets see how things work out post pandemic, and if things will get back to close the way they used to be. 

And this is my honest assessment.

Wife wants to leave and go back to the US where we still l have property. , that's another , "we'll see". I'll give it another year. 

 

I imagine she really doesn't want to go back to the States. 

 

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

 

 

If I thought I'd be happier somewhere else, I would just move there.

Of course you would. Just like that.

What difference does it make? I'm unhappy anywhere.

9 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

 

Unhappy when she's moaning or in a mood

Can I have her when she's moaning or in a mood?

This place is NOT perfect .

But it is still better here .

Just watch the news from your home country on TV ( television ) ...

 

13 hours ago, CharlieH said:

I am happy, and enjoy a lifestyle and freedom that would be absolutely out of reach in the nome country.

 

Yes there are gripes here, but thats all a matter of adjustment, and frankly "letting go" of the homeland and STOP making comparisons. The sooner you do that the more comfortable less stressed and happier you will be. (Imho).Learn to roll with how it is.

 

The freedoms of the rules and regs and cameras eternally in your face, the relaxed permits and licences for almost everything and so on.

ALL much more relaxed here. (depends on your location etc).

 

Couldn't have summed it up any better, but will add, if your fortunate enough to have some $'s to invest from all of those hard days of slave labour in the old country, now sitting back in your big comfy chair trading cautiously on the stock market in your home country, and earning your monthly budget at the least, tax free, it just the best.

9 hours ago, Johnny Mac said:

here just the same same.

 

 

9 hours ago, Johnny Mac said:

most completely lacking in any personality.

is 'same same' the extent of your Thai language? I find Thai to have lots of personality, very willing to speak openly even w/a stranger at the next table if sitting alone. 

 

But, if you don't speak passably well, how can you judge conversation with them?

 

Yes, these are difficult times for many, especially if in tourist related business, but I find they can still joke and have fun... 

12 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

 

 

is 'same same' the extent of your Thai language? I find Thai to have lots of personality, very willing to speak openly even w/a stranger at the next table if sitting alone. 

 

But, if you don't speak passably well, how can you judge conversation with them?

 

Yes, these are difficult times for many, especially if in tourist related business, but I find they can still joke and have fun... 

When I go for my hourly push bike ride from village to village every afternoon weather permitting, the amount of looks, raised chins, waves, hello's I get is unbelievable, the ones that have that stare on their faces soon turns to a big smile, once I smile, as for some soi dogs, well they don't like me so muk.

Sir. Yes Sir.

You make your life.