What made you decide that you wanted to live in Thailand, how long have you lived here, and do you have any regrets ?

[KhunLA]

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

My experience of government hospitals, is no expensive treatment before you've paid.

They did let me run bills for outpatient treatments (1k) but directly I was in for the night they wanted 5k deposit.

A simple transfer using my Bank app to their account soon sorted that out, and when I was out they handed me the difference back in cash.

Pretty much the same.

 

But for those required to have health ins, or if mandatory in the future for -O- visa extenders, and for the funds to be 'there' when needed, they would have to be frozen. 

 

Just not going happen, or would I even allow it.  Then I guess I'd have to get some kind of coverage, if even available when I pass 70 yrs old in a couple years.

 

Not concerned, until IF & when it happens.

[newnative]

19 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

As I stated in a post earlier than the one you are referring to, " I have a choice and prefer myself and my family to be treated in a private hospital therefore pay for the privilege". 

 

I have been treated in our local hospital, as has my wife, and two of our kids, hence the reason I took out private cover for all. 

 

The whole point of getting insured is to go on in life not getting treated, the fact that you take out the insurance is to avoid having to pay out of your pocket in the event that you are hospitalised. I know of a bloke who has been admitted 3 times in the last 6 months, he isn't what I would consider old at 65, his total hospital costs have been 2.6 million and fortunately for him, he has cover and was almost dead on a couple of occasions.

 

Not sure about the "government car" and m/c insurance cover the hospital, albeit it I take it you mean the government por ror bor (excuse the pronunciation) insurance side of the on the car insurance covers hospital in the even of an accident, sure, but again, I prefer to be treated in a private over a public hospital. I will refer you back to the first sentence.

 

 

 

 

     I think you are wise to have insurance.  I know people talk about Thais being treated for free but that was not the case for my elderly Thai mother-in-law in Bangkok.  I've posted on this before.  She had very complicated health issues, including colon cancer, an operation, chemo, and kidney problems requiring dialysis and sometimes the government hospitals were all booked for ICU and her other extensive health care issues.  Her bills came to over 2MB.   With no ICU beds available at the government hospital, rather than have her in an open ward they used a private hospital to get ICU care, which went on for a number of weeks, in and then out and then back in again.  It was expensive but they wanted good care for her. 

    I think with routine, regular things care can be inexpensive and good--I've gone to the emergency room at a government hospital when I was away from Pattaya and got sick and I had good treatment.  It's good for many things but, as I say, if the health issues become very complicated with operations involved and long stays in the ICU then it can sometimes be a different story--at least that was my partner's family's experience.  In other localities the story may be different and more positive.  My Thai partner now carries private health insurance after seeing firsthand his mother's experience.    

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, newnative said:

 I think you are wise to have insurance.  I know people talk about Thais being treated for free but that was not the case for my elderly Thai mother-in-law in Bangkok.  I've posted on this before.  She had very complicated health issues, including colon cancer, an operation, chemo, and kidney problems requiring dialysis and sometimes the government hospitals were all booked for ICU and her other extensive health care issues.  Her bills came to over 2MB.   With no ICU beds available at the government hospital, rather than have her in an open ward they used a private hospital to get ICU care, which went on for a number of weeks, in and then out and then back in again.  It was expensive but they wanted good care for her. 

IMHO cancer treatment is worthless to the patient, but extremely profitable for the hospital.

The many cancer sufferers I knew all die shortly after (within 5 years of initial diagnosis).

You'll still die, but will suffer more, which makes the extra time pointless.

 

How much extra time did the 2M buy her?

What was her quality of life during that period of time?

 

I had a pal with spine cancer, treated in a Bangkok hospital.

He spent all his money (5M+) in 2 years, operations, colostomy bag, etc.

Then died a pauper, if he's had no treatment, he would have probably lived the same 2 years but without the pain of the operations, and the inconvenience of the colostomy bag.

Edited November 8, 2021 by BritManToo

[Colabamumbai]

First visit in 1971, most of you were in nappies. 11 years now, married, 71 still working. Regrets a few, Denise, Tabatha, Dora, etc. 

 

[chilli42]

Came to Thailand originally with my employer.  Been here now for 31 years.  I liked it while I was working and traveling for work outside of Thailand - too busy to notice that it was very one dimensional.  Once I retired I discovered, for me at least, Thailand to be shockingly boring.  OK for 3 months a year but not a permanent year round residence.  Wife and I have tried living overseas  but she won’t/can’t adjust.  So after 31 years I am now stuck here.  As they say, once you make your bed you have to lie in it.

[sirineou]

34 minutes ago, OWAN said:

To be completely honest I felt free here. To do what I want, as I want and when I want as long as I was not breaking the law.

And there lays the problem.

The laws as far as it pertains to us, and immigration requirements keep changing.

They said , if you want to live here long term on a visa based on marriage, you don't have to have Medical insurance.

I said Great, I have insurance back home, and for any emergencies In Thailand I can pay from my pocket.

Deal!! I would come and stay in Thailand. 

Then they change it . now you don't need insurance but if you cross the border , you will need it to come back 

Wait s minute body, We had a deal. based on our deal I made certain decisions and certain investment, now you are changing our deal? 

And how can I trust you that you will not change your new deal again next year?  

Edited November 8, 2021 by sirineou

[bkk6060]

I am happy and never think about it.

I can only assume that those who ask the "regrets" question probably have them and are fishing for others who feel the same.  If one is happy at a place or in a relationship they usually don't focus on the negative and continually ask themselves; "why am I here/why did I do this"?

[bkk6060]

Delete.

Edited November 8, 2021 by bkk6060

[newnative]

13 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

IMHO cancer treatment is worthless to the patient, but extremely profitable for the hospital.

The many cancer sufferers I knew all die shortly after (within 5 years of initial diagnosis).

You'll still die, but will suffer more, which makes the extra time pointless.

 

How much extra time did the 2M buy her?

What was her quality of life during that period of time?

 

I had a pal with spine cancer, treated in a Bangkok hospital.

He spent all his money (5M+) in 2 years, operations, colostomy bag, etc.

Then died a pauper, if he's had no treatment, he would have probably lived the same 2 years but without the pain of the operations, and the inconvenience of the colostomy bag.

      It did not buy here much more time.  Family health care decisions can be difficult--you always hope you are making the best choices.  Hindsight is always 20/20.  

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, newnative said:

      It did not buy here much more time.  Family health care decisions can be difficult--you always hope you are making the best choices.  Hindsight is always 20/20.  

With cancer the best healthcare choice appears (to me) to do nothing except enjoy your remaining time as best you can.

[Confuscious]

"What made you decide that you wanted to live in Thailand"

I came to Thailand in 1999 to handle a project at a big Petro-Chemical company in Rayong.
The project lasted nearly 2 years.
During that time, I meet a woman from Chaiyaphum and when the project was finished we decided to stay together and stay in Thailand.
A few friends who were also working on that project and who were already living in Thailand and myself decided to setup our own company in Korat.

My girlfriend became preignant in 2002, whilst being sterilized, and I decided to marry for the sake of the child.
From that day, my life was a hell.
Not because of Thailand, but because of marital problems and in 2009 we divorced.
My wife did not want to take care of the child and I had to take care of the child.
Retired and the best years of my life, I had to spend them on bringing up another child.
Not exactly how I had planned my retired life.
 

"how long have you lived here"

i have been living in Thailand more than 20 years now.

 

"and do you have any regrets ?"

Yes, a lot of regrets.
Although I had some bad encounters in Thailand, I can not say that Thailand itself was bad.
Thailand had his up and downs like any cpuntry.
My regrets are mainly that I gave up my dream to spend my old days in a hacienda in the south of Spain for a Thai woman and a Thai child.

[BritManToo]

2 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

Retired and the best years of my life, I had to spend them on bringing up another child.
Not exactly how I had planned my retired life.

Interesting,

At age 54 I took on a 11 year old Thai girl.

At age 55 the woman I lived with gave birth to my son.

The two children have made my retirement and my life much more worthwhile.

Not much expense, hardly any effort, I was cooking for me anyway, zero extra time to prepare a bit more food.

A little bit of time, my woman did school drop off, I did school collection (before COVID).

[newnative]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

With cancer the best healthcare choice appears (to me) to do nothing except enjoy your remaining time as best you can.

    I think it depends on a number of things and every case is different.  Age can be a big factor.  My father also developed colon cancer--his in his early 70s vs. my partner's mother in her early 80s--and he also had an operation to remove the cancerous section.  Luckily the cancer had not spread to other organs.  The doctor told my Dad he was confident he had got it all.  And, it turned out he was right.  My Dad lived to just shy of his 95th birthday, with good quality of life--although he had to use a walker the last couple of years.   

[RafPinto]

9 minutes ago, Confuscious said:

spend my old days in a hacienda in the south of Spain

Sounds great.

[DefaultName]

Fell in love with the country, and Pattaya in particular, on my first trip.  20 years later, sold up and moved here.
While I'm getting a bit cheesed off with the current restrictions, I don't regret moving here.

[Confuscious]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Interesting,

At age 54 I took on a 11 year old Thai girl.

At age 55 the woman I lived with gave birth to my son.

The two children have made my retirement and my life much more worthwhile.

Not much expense, hardly any effort, I was cooking for me anyway, zero extra time to prepare a bit more food.

A little bit of time, my woman did school drop off, I did school collection (before COVID).

I don't say that bringing up a child would have been a burden to me.

I have raised already 7 children before and I know how to handle children.

But raising a child again, at that age, was not my plan.

My plans was to keep working to my 60 years and then retire in a hacienda in the south of Spain.

[superal]

Just wondering about how many of the posters have burnt their bridges and so are convincing themselves that Thailand is a paradice beyond compare . I retain a property in the UK that I can visit at any time and this gives me confidence that I can still return to a modern country  ( sure it has some faults ) . Hate to say it but Thailand is an unstable country , governed by military rule , undemocratic and soon to become a satellite of China . 

   I have a good set-up  here in Thailand which I enjoy  but things are changing  and will become more apparent soon under the " New Thailand " announcement . Those who have lived here over the last 30 years or more , probably had the best times .

[Thingamabob]

Travelled to Thailand in the '60s and 70's, worked here in the 80's, married my Thai wife in 1990, retired to live here  in 1993. Now 80 years  old and still happily married to my Thai wife, and very much enjoying being in Thailand.

[sawadee1947]

On 11/7/2021 at 5:22 AM, worgeordie said:

Just fell in love with Chiang Mai , and knew this was the place

I wanted to spend the rest of my life , that was 35 years ago,

and have not regretted one moment. 

 

regards Worgeordie

I like it too.

It's enjoyable to see the dust in the morning and smell the smoke of burning garbage at night, isn't it?????

[Red Forever]

On 11/7/2021 at 1:39 PM, 4MyEgo said:

Some people get it, some don't, in other words, if you can afford to insure your savings, then you insure yourself, it's a benefit vs risk scenario.

 

I drive a car, the car is insured as I am insured.

 

My wife has a house, I insure the house for her.

 

It's not to difficult to understand, i.e. car gets ridden off, we get $600 plus baht, house burns down to a pulp, she gets 2 million baht, we end up in hospital from an unexpected event, insurer pays up to the policy value, i.e. 1.2 mil USD for me & 500k USD for her, different insurers, she is younger, I am older.

 

Some examples if you like:

 

If we didn't insure, and the car and it was ridden off, one would need $800k plus to buy same car today vs just 200k to top up the difference from our pockets to purchase the same car.

 

One would also need to pay 2 million plus to rebuild the house, so whatever the difference is in todays market to build the house, it's better than forking out 2 million baht out of our pockets once again.

 

One ends up in hospital under an emergency situation or requires elective surgery, how much will that cost, well how long is a piece of string, now to put it even simpler terms, I can afford to depart with 495 baht per day to insure myself and my family for hospitalisation as opposed to sitting on a bar stool drinking 5 Chang beers.

 

That said, when I drink at the local waterhole, I know that all the guys there who drink between 4 & 5 tall beers of Chang or Leo are uninsured, as are their families, albeit their families are on the Thai public hospital system so would access to that, that said, I have a choice and prefer myself and my family to be treated in a private hospital therefore pay for the privilege, and still enjoy my drinks when I socialise twice a week, not 7 days a week.

 

$800k for a new car!

Wonder who the mug is among you and the guys at the waterhole?

[Red Forever]

On 11/7/2021 at 2:20 PM, BritManToo said:

1st, your family are Thai and get free health care, they don't need insurance.

2nd, many people go through life without any expensive hospital treatments.

3rd, your government car and m/c insurance cover hospital bills.

 

My total spend is under 500bht/day, I don't need to double my living expenses, and with everything I'm likely to die from already excluded insurance would just be wasting my money.

Well said Brit man. I'm peed off with posts sneering at us who spread our money around Thai villages whilst denying the ripoff insurance sharks a slice of it.

Your points are correct. Also, we farang can use government hospitals at reasonable prices.

[4MyEgo]

2 hours ago, Red Forever said:

Well said Brit man. I'm peed off with posts sneering at us who spread our money around Thai villages whilst denying the ripoff insurance sharks a slice of it.

Your points are correct. Also, we farang can use government hospitals at reasonable prices.

That's your choice, who is sneering, it appears that you see insurance companies as sharks because you either cannot afford them, or two, you have had a bad experience with them in the past, that said, not all are the same and if everyone could be insured for a reasonable amount to pay, all would be insured as opposed to using the public system.

 

Nothing wrong with government hospitals for those that can't afford the private hospitals, simple really......sneer ????

 

[4MyEgo]

4 hours ago, superal said:

Just wondering about how many of the posters have burnt their bridges and so are convincing themselves that Thailand is a paradice beyond compare . I retain a property in the UK that I can visit at any time and this gives me confidence that I can still return to a modern country  ( sure it has some faults ) .

If you call selling your property burning bridges, I have to disagree.

 

Coming from Australia, the government forces expats to sell their principal place of residence or pay a hefty 42% capital gains tax from the very first day they purchased it if they sell it later.

 

That said, they did me a favour, I sold up and invest my money and receive tax free returns, no capital gains tax as well, so for the last 6 years it's cost me nothing to live here in Thailand.

 

Can I return tomorrow, sure can, still have the sale proceeds albeit that hasn't grown, but it also hasn't gone down, would I return tomorrow, not unless it's out of my control, as someone said earlier, back in the old country I was surviving, now in Thailand I am living, and that is exactly what I have been doing. 

 

I can't compare my home country to Thailand as its a better place to live, as for affordability, Thailand has won hands down for me the last 6 years with at least a dozen domestic trips, 3 overseas trips and not a stress in the world, retirement is great if you are financial and know how to spend within your means, while at the same time making your money pay for your retirement years.

 

Edited November 8, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[James Roderick]

On 11/7/2021 at 11:27 AM, MRToMRT said:

Was sent by my employer. Been here nigh on 30 years. No regrets at all, well maybe not buying more property when beachside stuff was going for a song. 

 

Saying that I have decided that in my dotage Thailand is no longer the best option for me personally and am getting things lined up to leave. I was married but my wife was not Thai.

Hi MRT 

 

 

Where do you plan on moving to ?

 

 

 

[ramrod711]

9 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Not necessarily anything you did, but at 77 I'm pickin' that you ain't the hansum man she married.

Women change their minds. I know someone that divorced a very nice man because she found him boring.

I know it's a movie, but Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love encapsulates the modern woman for me. They can get the goodies without staying married now, so game over for mere males.

 

Not to be nasty, but you must have known that the properties would be legally hers, and you didn't have to buy them.

However you didn't do anything hundreds ( ? thousands ) didn't do before you and many will do after ( unless it becomes too difficult for farangs to stay in LOS, and the whole farang /Thai marriage thing falls over for good.

 

I hope it works out for you eventually. At least you are still in paradise.

When I decided to buy land and build a house for us, I knew very well that it was my wife's property. I did it because I wanted her to have it. There was no chance that she would ever have it otherwise. When I met her she was living with two of her aunts and they all had to share a bed. She deserved better, and now she has it, although she does have to put up with me lol.

[Grecian]

7 hours ago, newnative said:

     I think you are wise to have insurance.  I know people talk about Thais being treated for free but that was not the case for my elderly Thai mother-in-law in Bangkok.  I've posted on this before.  She had very complicated health issues, including colon cancer, an operation, chemo, and kidney problems requiring dialysis and sometimes the government hospitals were all booked for ICU and her other extensive health care issues.  Her bills came to over 2MB.   With no ICU beds available at the government hospital, rather than have her in an open ward they used a private hospital to get ICU care, which went on for a number of weeks, in and then out and then back in again.  It was expensive but they wanted good care for her. 

    I think with routine, regular things care can be inexpensive and good--I've gone to the emergency room at a government hospital when I was away from Pattaya and got sick and I had good treatment.  It's good for many things but, as I say, if the health issues become very complicated with operations involved and long stays in the ICU then it can sometimes be a different story--at least that was my partner's family's experience.  In other localities the story may be different and more positive.  My Thai partner now carries private health insurance after seeing firsthand his mother's experience.    

May I ask?

How much longer did you mil live and with what quality of life?

Ah...already answered. Yes, I agree with BM2

If it were me if rather have spent that 2m while I was young.

 

Edited November 8, 2021 by Grecian

[jwest10]

On 11/7/2021 at 11:22 AM, worgeordie said:

Just fell in love with Chiang Mai , and knew this was the place

I wanted to spend the rest of my life , that was 35 years ago,

and have not regretted one moment. 

 

regards Worgeordie

Wow Worgeordie
 

Yes well aware of your posts and wow 35 years  and the lead post 4 my Ego very similar to me.
I came here with my Thai wife in 2008 aged 58 and like so many others got made redundant a few times so we decided to come here and my dear wife was missing her family and close friends.
Yes even at that time the UK was getting in a bad state and thought go for it as though I was not negative but society was even then
Yes built property here and yes have really enjoyed the experience but certainly did not have pots of gold and yes 4 MYEgo relied on my savings until my then state pension age in 2015 but it is a bit of a struggle what with a frozen state pension.
I have absolutely no home in the UK and just about no family but a few close friends.
This Thai pass although linked to tourists and returnees but what happens to us and say wanting to go on a trip to say Cambodia and yes in the past just a reentry stamp but now do we need this Corvit insurance as ordinary medical insurance is not required.
Does it affect the present extension and maybe best to travel, if we can just in Thailand.
No regrets but as so many stated what happens when the money dries up but we can only do the best we can and enjoy each day as it comes.
Of course so many around the world struggling and here the situation far from certain.

On 11/7/2021 at 11:22 AM, worgeordie said:

Just fell in love with Chiang Mai , and knew this was the place

I wanted to spend the rest of my life , that was 35 years ago,

and have not regretted one moment. 

 

regards Worgeordie

 

[Grecian]

8 hours ago, Nemises said:

10 years of living a dream otherwise impossible to do back in the cold, expensive homeland. 
 

Continuously travelling the warm, friendly Kingdom staying at nice hotels/condos with different, beautiful women (who have respectable jobs) at different, beautiful beachside and other scenic locations. 

Have never been inside an immigration office or filled in an immigration form as this service is done by others for a pittance - feel a bit sorry for those who have to deal with immigration. 
 

IMO Life is too short to be stuck in the one place with the one lady for a very long time - feel sorry for those who are and are bored and unhappy about it. 
 

Regrets? Only one: not coming here sooner!
 

 

 

 

That's the life!

How much can a wise spender get away with that would have a lifestyle youd consider in the same ball park as your own?

Thanks, from a probably less cashed up 53 year old.????

[Grecian]

8 hours ago, Colabamumbai said:

First visit in 1971, most of you were in nappies. 11 years now, married, 71 still working. Regrets a few, Denise, Tabatha, Dora, etc. 

 

Those regrets. By the names I'm guessing it's women you wished you had never met as opposed to had.????

[ross163103]

On 11/6/2021 at 10:27 PM, ezzra said:

a lively country full of action, girls galore, cheap booz, good weather and easy life

Exactly what I came for--especially the easy life, been here 29 years. It's not the same as when I first came but still better than where I came from.