11 minutes ago, garyk said:

I travel about 9 months a year. Too many better places to spend your time and money. People from the US are clueless.

Some Americans only have 2-4 weeks to travel and many are repeat travelers to Thailand. I don't see how that make them stupid or clueless.

 

And some would just like to soak up the Thai culture at the Mandarin Oriental  / Bangkok or some spa resort near Phuket and have no interest in some diversion like taking pictures of birds.

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by jerrymahoney

3 hours ago, sambum said:

From 12 hours ago :- "Since November 1st, when Thailand reopened the country to foreign arrivals, 16,595 have entered Thailand......................."

 

This post:-  "On Sunday, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said that a total of 20,092 tourists had entered the country since November 1,................"

 

I'm just waiting for TAT to announce their figures - any bets on 30,000 +?

Give 'em a break. They're waiting for the computer to do the math. It's busy right now sorting the Thailand Pass conundrum....????

19 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Some Americans only have 2-4 weeks to travel and many are repeat travelers to Thailand. I don't see how that make them stupid or clueless.

 

And some would just like to soak up the Thai culture at the Mandarin Oriental  / Bangkok or some spa resort near Phuket and have no interest in some diversion like taking pictures of birds.

Like I said clueless, Travel is my main hobby. Photography and birding a a verrrry small part of my travel. Just clueless is the only way I know how to put it.

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by garyk

2 minutes ago, garyk said:

Like I said clueless, Travel is my main hobby. Photography and birding a a verrrry small part of my travel. Just clueless is the only way I know how to put it.

Travel. Great. Some have been doing that for 30 or 40 years and if they just now want a place to stay put, this is it. 

A number of off-topic and trolling posts have been removed.

 

Let's not have this thread become a venue for slinging nationality-based stereotypes onto the fire, unless the travel you're looking for is a posting vacation!

 

6 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Travel. Great. Some have been doing that for 30 or 40 years and if they just now want a place to stay put, this is it. 

Thailand for retirement? are you kidding me?  Care to expand on that!

I think people of the US are smart and savvy, just not on travel IMO. I love the US and will always keep a home there. But, travel is not a strong suit for Americans.

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by garyk

Why? what's wrong with Thailand for retirement? Life is good here buddy.

15 minutes ago, garyk said:

Thailand for retirement? are you kidding me?  Care to expand on that!

Yes. Because I cannot retire to Sumatra.

 

But I like this -- from The Misfits. Gay: Clark Gable. Roslyn: Marilyn Monroe.

 

Roslyn : Well, what do you do with yourself?

Gay : Just live.

Roslyn : How does anyone "just live"?

Gay : Well, you start by going to sleep. You get up when you feel like it. You scratch yourself. You fry yourself some eggs. You see what kind of a day it is; throw stones at a can, whistle.

 

 

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by jerrymahoney

1 hour ago, garyk said:

I travel about 9 months a year. Too many better places to spend your time and money. People from the US are clueless.

Still need an explanation on the clueless remark, clueless about? vaccines, Testing, social distancing, mask wearing, acting like a Karen, can you expand on that one, I could go on guessing all day long and still not hit the mark, unless your just trolling...

12 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Still need an explanation on the clueless remark, clueless about? vaccines, Testing, social distancing, mask wearing, acting like a Karen, can you expand on that one, I could go on guessing all day long and still not hit the mark, unless your just trolling...

Come on! Nobody that travels much these day considers Thailand a good vacation or retirement destination. I am curious, have you lived there for many many years? Did you work in Thailand?

I stayed 4 days on the Samet island and saw only 2 farang couples. Other people are thais.

49 minutes ago, garyk said:

Like I said clueless, Travel is my main hobby. Photography and birding a a verrrry small part of my travel. Just clueless is the only way I know how to put it.

 

39 minutes ago, garyk said:

Thailand for retirement? are you kidding me?  Care to expand on that!

I think people of the US are smart and savvy, just not on travel IMO. I love the US and will always keep a home there. But, travel is not a strong suit for Americans.

I think Gary is right on this - the Thai-er than thai's just don't see this in Thailand There is no imperfections they won't explain away  Why would any American put themselves through all the BS for a country that doesn't even want them there besides the weather- what else it there ? Say what you want about the USA but we do function, Most everything works and we learn from our mistakes. When I retire I will visit maybe once a year, but Gary is right there are so many better places to go ( Costa Rica for example and they aren't trashing their country and everything is open ) without the BS, I see it for what the country really is, a bunch of smoke and mirrors, a face of modernity hiding a mess, I have been to BKK 58 times all across the country. I know where my position in Thai society ( a unwanted visitor who is tolerated as long as I spend money ) is unlike these expats who are dumb enough to think they are wannabe Thai's. I remember what a government official told me on my first visit- " We tolerate the Farang but when we are tired of them we will kick them all out and take whatever we please " Of all my visits that is what stuck with me, For all these Thai-er than Thai expats who couldn't make it in their home country ( yes that is really what your country men think of you they just don't say it ) you will get you Thai wake up call and it won't be pretty 

These are long term snowbirds not real "tourists" going on holiday as we all know really rocket up the numbers.

 

But I digress, let the childish counting continue.... 

 

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by onthedarkside
trolling image removed

I don't think they are tourists in the classical sense. More likely to be people with an attachment to Thailand, i.e. property, family, girlfriend/boyfriend...

6 hours ago, johng said:

What happened to the 200 or so from China ?

they are afraid of what the world is thinking regarding covid origins

1 hour ago, garyk said:

Come on! Nobody that travels much these day considers Thailand a good vacation or retirement destination. I am curious, have you lived there for many many years? Did you work in Thailand?

Lived here permanently for the last three years, but that was not the question I asked you now was it.  I know of many folks who travel to Thailand on a regular basis, and many more like me that have retired here in the past few years.  Never worked directly in the country, just as a contractor as one of my locations I took jobs in, like Macau, the Phils, Singapore, Taiwan, Guam etc... First came to Thailand many years ago with a group on a deployment, but then I have traveled all over the world.  Many folks travel to Thailand to train before their next ring or cage match as well.  Lots to see and do here in actuality.  Great base, well it was until Covid hit, for being a centrally located location for stepping off to elsewhere.  

 

Please tell me why you believe, besides the restrictions in place, people do not find Thailand a good destination or retirement location.  I lived in the Phils for awhile on Cebu, but alas I enjoyed Thailand more.  I have properties in the US that are rentals, and still have a main residence their that I have placed my aging mother into.  

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by ThailandRyan

55 minutes ago, johnhender said:

 

I think Gary is right on this - the Thai-er than thai's just don't see this in Thailand There is no imperfections they won't explain away  Why would any American put themselves through all the BS for a country that doesn't even want them there besides the weather- what else it there ? Say what you want about the USA but we do function, Most everything works and we learn from our mistakes. When I retire I will visit maybe once a year, but Gary is right there are so many better places to go ( Costa Rica for example and they aren't trashing their country and everything is open ) without the BS, I see it for what the country really is, a bunch of smoke and mirrors, a face of modernity hiding a mess, I have been to BKK 58 times all across the country. I know where my position in Thai society ( a unwanted visitor who is tolerated as long as I spend money ) is unlike these expats who are dumb enough to think they are wannabe Thai's. I remember what a government official told me on my first visit- " We tolerate the Farang but when we are tired of them we will kick them all out and take whatever we please " Of all my visits that is what stuck with me, For all these Thai-er than Thai expats who couldn't make it in their home country ( yes that is really what your country men think of you they just don't say it ) you will get you Thai wake up call and it won't be pretty 

I think your a little out of touch with reality when you say "For all these Thai-er than Thai expats who couldn't make it in their home country ( yes that is really what your country men think of you they just don't say it ) you will get you Thai wake up call and it won't be pretty".  Many are actually fleeing the US based upon what is currently occurring and have been for years.  Sure Costa Rica is nice, but then your always looking over your shoulders and wondering about hiring your own security teams, dependent on how you decide to live, and the same goes for a few other countries as well.  

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Lived here permanently for the last three years, but that was not the question I asked you now was it.  I know of many folks who travel to Thailand on a regular basis, and many more like me that have retired here in the past few years.  Never worked directly n the country just as a contractor as one of my locations I took jobs in, like Macau, The Phils, Singapore, Taiwan, Guam etc... First came to Thailand many years ago with a group on a deployment, but then I have traveled all over the world.  Many folks travel to Thailand to train before their next ring or cage match as well.  Lots to see and do here in actuality.  Great base, well it was until Covid hit, for being a centrally located location for stepping off to elsewhere.  

 

Please tell me why you believe, besides the restrictions in place, people do not find Thailand a good destination or retirement location.  I lived in the Phils for awhile on Cebu, but alas I enjoyed Thailand more.  

About what I thought. 

 

Many folks travel to Thailand to train before their next ring or cage match as well.  haha

 

There is nothing here that is not common knowledge. 

 

Sure, it is polluted beyond belief. The air pollution alone kills countless Thai's each year and shortens the lives of anyone who lives there.

Dual pricing, hospitals, parks, it is endless.

If a retiree the hoops are ridiculous.  Extension every year. 90 day reports. 

You cannot put down roots as far as owning a small piece of land.

It has been touristy for so many years the Thai's regard us as strictly money pits. From the government on down to the country girls. Listening to stories from the prostitutes that come back to the villages spending the money of the stupid westerner. And not just Americans. 

I lived there 10 years and the Europeans and others were fleeced more that the US guys were IMO.

 

As soon as the Chinese start traveling again it will revert back to the same old thing. Beaches will be horribly polluted again. Along with everything else.

 

So far you have not said anything that suggests it is a good retirement destination or vacations spot what so ever?

 

There are so many places that are better.  

 

 

5 hours ago, flyfrog said:

So weird, you come from Europe and you vaccinated twice, tested negative on departure and on arrival you test positive???? something not right there IMO

Chah Ching goes the ASQ hotel cash register.

2 hours ago, garyk said:

Thailand for retirement? are you kidding me?  Care to expand on that!

I think people of the US are smart and savvy, just not on travel IMO. I love the US and will always keep a home there. But, travel is not a strong suit for Americans.

I plan to retire in the US, not here.

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

I plan to retire in the US, not here.

If you can afford it, it is nice to keep a home in the US and travel IMO. It really opens you'r eyes on how blessed the US is. Most of the guy's in Thailand cannot afford to go back home. And most of the guy's that I meet there had not traveled much at all. 

My suggestion is if you are thinking of retiring to Thailand don't do it until you have traveled and visited and lived at least 3 months in other countries.

Thailand is not that good of a place IMO. 

8 hours ago, johng said:

What happened to the 200 or so from China ?

Listed are top 10 countries not all countries.

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by CartagenaWarlock

4 hours ago, garyk said:

I travel about 9 months a year. Too many better places to spend your time and money. People from the US are clueless.

Most British come for finding  brides and most Americans come for orgies. 

45 minutes ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

most Americans come for orgies. 

I resemble that allegation!  ????

 

PS -- anything wrong with that as a travel plan???  Everyone needs a travel bucket list!

 

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by TallGuyJohninBKK

3 hours ago, garyk said:

If you can afford it, it is nice to keep a home in the US and travel IMO. It really opens you'r eyes on how blessed the US is. Most of the guy's in Thailand cannot afford to go back home.

I have lived in Thailand now for almost 20years. Pre-Covid and especially when my parents were still alive, I went back to the USA most every year for about 3 weeks ... And I was happy to leave and get back to Thailand after visiting California, Colorado, Vermont, and my last home state Florida.

 

I like it in Thailand and when I no longer like it, I will leave. I live far away from any tourist area and have no great affinity for beaches. I love to distance swim several times a week but that doesn't require a beach. And while I speak Spanish well enough I have no desire to live in an Hispanic culture country.

Edited November 8, 20214 yr by jerrymahoney

12 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Will they all be multimillionaires does anyone know?

More likely, ones leaving the frying pan (escaping), only to jump into the fire. Last hoorah!

11 hours ago, ericdiam said:

20k. Someone put to many 0 I think. Tourists? NO expats who live here are returning and mass Thai are returning. Nearly zero tourists.

I came back from Europe yesterday. Plane not even 50 people total. Over 50% Thai. And the rest retired people who have property or family here. Tourists close to ZERO

More believable. Many expats foolish bought property in Thailand. Now, will find those properties in need of mold cleaning, etc upon return. I resisted the encouragement from Thais to buy in Thailand. Gut feeling. Plus the few long time American expats I talked to said, They wish they hadn't bought. To many headaches when it comes to staying long term, including irritated border control officers, after seeing so many visa extensions in passport. 

16 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

I think your a little out of touch with reality when you say "For all these Thai-er than Thai expats who couldn't make it in their home country ( yes that is really what your country men think of you they just don't say it ) you will get you Thai wake up call and it won't be pretty".  Many are actually fleeing the US based upon what is currently occurring and have been for years.  Sure Costa Rica is nice, but then your always looking over your shoulders and wondering about hiring your own security teams, dependent on how you decide to live, and the same goes for a few other countries as well.  

I have been all over Costa Rica and I didn't need security,

Edited November 9, 20214 yr by onthedarkside
personal comment removed

13 hours ago, DefaultName said:

Now all we need are bars.

Yes!  Preferably open bars serving alcoholic beverages.  

A bonus would be if they could stay open until midnight but that might be asking too much.

6 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

 

And while I speak Spanish well enough I have no desire to live in an Hispanic culture country.

Try Spain then.  You might just like it.