I Love Living in Thailand

[Farmerslife]

I've been a regular visitor over many years, I even managed to live here for a couple of years in the 80's on little more than a wing and a prayer. I finally reached my retirement and after a fight with cancer was able to move out here a couple of years ago. Don't regret that decision at all.

The hoops that immigration make me jump through are minor in comparison with those my own country inflicts upon would-be immigrants. No, I don't like the political situation but it doesn't intrude into my life on the farm. I've met some truly wonderful people here, I try my best to integrate. I love the climate, the food, the culture. Every day seems to throw up something new, my senses are subjected to the good, the bad and the ugly on a daily basis but it keeps me alive.
Why would I want to spend the last years of my life vegetating through some boring existence back in the UK? 

[Stefanix]

OMG, I was shocked seeing this thread title. There will be many deniers making jokes (which are not really funny) and telling us how bad Thailand is and how dumb the Thai people are, I thought. Surprisingly this did not happen so far. I had a job in BKK for 10 years and enjoyed every minute! Back in Germany now since 7 years and returning every year for vacation. Thinking about relocating again. The major problems I see are the regular pollution periods (BKK and north) and health care. Some issues are annoying, like the farang status (e.g. double pricing and limited permissions of stay) and bureaucracy, but are offset by the positive sides. We all know this. No point to come here and than complain. 

 

[BritManToo]

45 minutes ago, Farmerslife said:

The hoops that immigration make me jump through are minor in comparison with those my own country inflicts upon would-be immigrants.

We aren't coming here as immigrants though.

I don't feel any need to integrate (beyond sleeping with a local woman).

I didn't integrate with the locals in the UK either.

Edited November 18, 2021 by BritManToo

[Stefanix]

57 minutes ago, Pravda said:

 

 

I find comments like this ridiculous.

 

I had a good life in Thailand exactly because I didn't ignore the negative comments. From ripoff scams to the women I dated. 

 

And for the record no one chooses to make bad choices. To most people they just happen. Sometimes it's bad luck and sometimes it's lack of knowledge. 

 

BTW has anyone told Mike that his post is very original? I think having a thread twice a month about how Thailand is great and how it sucks living back home is really not enough.

 

Also has anyone told Mike that he is still paying covid prices for his resort? Or that he is living at the time where there are virtually no tourists? When the price of resort goes up to 100 pounds and beaches and cities are overrun by Chinese again, will his mind change?

 

Personally I enjoyed Thailand with a lot of tourists, even Chinese.  I must be in the overwhelming minority regarding this, but Thailand is a tourist destination. Begpackers, sexpats and dotards make Thailand what it is. The last 2 years really changed my mind about the country especially the government. They really hate their own people and they didn't use any money they collected from tourists in decades to even help a little.

 

Disgusting place. 

 

Signed, 

 

Pravda, the hater 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If course criticism is ok and necessary. Spreading bitterness, hate and bad jokes is not and this is what we see too often here. It comes probably from people having problems living in Thailand for whatever reason. The call then people getting along well and being happy in Thailand “dumb”. Why? Envy?

[JRG23]

I've worked in BKK for about 20 years - I can assure you the experience in this city is not the same!!

[Mike Teavee]

2 hours ago, Flink said:

I seriously hope you're not referring to any of the Harry Keogh dynasty books with that last comment! ???? ???? 

Especially the Necromancer ones ????????????????????????

[Pumpuynarak]

I like living in Thailand but love, never in a million years.

[Mike Teavee]

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

Also has anyone told Mike that he is still paying covid prices for his resort? Or that he is living at the time where there are virtually no tourists? When the price of resort goes up to 100 pounds and beaches and cities are overrun by Chinese again, will his mind change?

Actually this is the most I’ve paid for a room here (including pre-COVID, 1st stayed here in 2018) as the resort is very popular with Thais so only had the “Superior” rooms available.

 

  

[Pravda]

15 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

Actually this is the most I’ve paid for a room here (including pre-COVID, 1st stayed here in 2018) as the resort is very popular with Thais so only had the “Superior” rooms available.

 

  

 

Just off the top of my head as I used to stay in hotels a lot before covid (before I lost my privileges). Pre covid price in Bangkok hotel like Hilton, holiday inn, Marriott etc.... $150. Covid prices around $40. They are now treading higher due to some tourist arrivals.

[Freddy42OZ]

17 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Each year, Thailand becomes more difficult to stay in, and anyone who denies it is a blind frog sitting in a pot of water that is slowly being brought to a boil.

 

I've lived here 13 years and as my investments make me more money each year, staying here has been getting easier.  
Bangkok is also getting more modern and becoming a nicer place to live. 

Once you have a long term visa sorted out I don't get why you'd say its getting harder to stay here.  What is so hard about renewing your visa extension each year?

 

[Pravda]

1 minute ago, Freddy42OZ said:

Once you have a long term visa sorted out I don't get why you'd say its getting harder to stay here.  What is so hard about renewing your visa extension each year?

 

I dunno. How does colinneil do it?

 

I really do wonder.

[Mike Teavee]

2 minutes ago, Pravda said:

 

Just off the top of my head as I used to stay in hotels a lot before covid (before I lost my privileges). Pre covid price in Bangkok hotel like Hilton, holiday inn, Marriott etc.... $150. Covid prices around $40. They are now treading higher due to some tourist arrivals.

Same with rentals, I’m in my new place (Wongamat) for 1/2 what it was renting out for before COVID & I’ve no doubt the prices will move back to that kind of level when people return BUT I rented my 1st Condo (Bangkok) pre-COVID so built my budget around “Normal” pricing so hopefully won’t come as too much of a shock when prices do rise. 

[The Cipher]

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

3 hours ago, davemax49 said:

Just ignore all the negative comments about living here. People are upset about there their own personal lives and their bad choices that they made.

I find comments like this ridiculous.

 

No one chooses to make bad choices. To most people they just happen. Sometimes it's bad luck and sometimes it's lack of knowledge. 

Is it ridiculous? Where's the lie tho?

[robertson468]

16 hours ago, blackprince said:

Nice to see some positivity Mike, but the only reason you give for loving Thailand is that it's "cheap as chips".

 

"sat here in my cheap as chips (UK pricing about £35) luxury resort on Koh Samet & can’t help thinking… I love living in Thailand."

 

That's why the vast majority originally loved it as far as I can tell from this forum, but when it was no longer "cheap as chips" for them they started hating it, even though they might rationalise their change of heart as being caused by the government (despite the fact that anyone with more than a tourist brochure knowledge of Thailand would know something about the history of its government), or a bad woman (even though many seem to have been on the rebound from a bad farang marriage in the first place), or the visa situation ( despite the fact it's still among the easiest in the world), or covid (despite the fact that all the stats show that Thailand is doing much better than most of our farang home countries) etc etc etc.

 

Enjoy your resort break anyway, looks pretty good ???? and thanks for the positivity, I hope it lasts!

 

 

 

Have been living here for 17 years now and love the Country and the People,  Sure, I occasionally get the wander list, but when I sit down and think of the positives, I soon get over the desire the roam the World.  I have a brilliant Wife, three pensions, an income from a small Resort I built for her and about to turn 77 years old this month, but have good health apart from a blood clot which a Thai Doctor Friend keeps monitoring for me.  The only thing I would cast a jaundices eye over is your claim that Thailand is doing much better than most other developed Countries viz-a-viz Coroner Virus.  I have difficulty believing their stats because I don't think that they are carrying out testing anywhere near as the UK for instance.  But as they say in Yorkshire, "there's nowt more queer than folk".  

[Harveyboy]

3 hours ago, davemax49 said:

I have been here for 8 years,  Never been back home since.

 

Will not live anywhere else, Thailand is my home,  it's a great place to live.

 

Just ignore all the negative comments about living here.   People are upset about there their own pesonnel lives and their bad choices that they made.

 

Enjoy your rest of your time here!

 

 

 

 

same same for me its for the long haul..

[NoshowJones]

17 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Really?

If you legally work here, no problem.

If you are retired and have a little money in the bank, no problem.

 

And if anybody complains about 90 days reporting or things like that. Just do it! It takes a couple of hours for the whole year to do what is necessary to stay in Thailand. It's easy. The only thing which makes it bad is permanently thinking about it and complaining about it.

Does the fact that retirees in Thailand are getting the same treatment that normal countries give to prisoners on parole, with this reporting to people?

[Gecko123]

OK, I'll stir it up a little bit...

 

I think some of these "me love Thailand" threads are started with the primary goal of antagonizing people so that they can feel superior to anyone who doesn't immediately jump on the "me love Thailand too" bandwagon. "Gee, I'm so happy and content. So sorry [not really] if you can't join me on my celestial cloud. " And then you always have this chorus of posters who express utter contempt for anyone who doesn't immediately chime in about how wonderful they think Thailand is too. These threads do seem to take on a very predictable pattern, and I do sometimes question the motive behind these threads.

 

I also find the shallow depth of appreciation often expressed by those who profess to love Thailand so much to be rather peculiar. It is striking how often the lower cost of living is cited as the primary (if not only) reason for "loving" Thailand. It makes me wonder if there was a sudden currency devaluation, some of these so-called "Thai lovers" would overnight become "Thai haters". As the Bee Gees once sang, I wonder just 'how deep is your love'?

 

It's also striking to me how few of these threads ever cite Thai people as a reason for loving Thailand? Of course, the Thai wife, who is often portrayed as the most wonderful conversation, bed, and life partner any man could ever hope for, is from time to time mentioned, but beyond that, except in the context of Thailand's night life attractions, Thai people scarcely ever get mentioned by these so-called Thai lovers. Strange, that. What? You love Thailand, but not Thai people? OK, maybe you're not a people person, but maybe you should put a little asterisk next to the statement "I love Thailand* [but not Thai people].

 

Where, I ask myself, are all the culturally sensitive souls who treasure Thai people for their lightness of being, carefreeness, humor, approachability, their unexpected giggling, and inappropriate laughter, their counter-intuitive thinking? Where are the people who love Thai people because they learned about magic, mystery, animism, humanity, humility, suffering or gave them faith in the after world from them?

 

Nothing wrong with appreciating the lower cost of living, or delighting in the feel of white sand between your toes. Nothing wrong with being upbeat, and being positive, either. All I'm saying is don't get too full of yourself in the process.

Edited November 18, 2021 by Gecko123

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

I've lived here 13 years and as my investments make me more money each year, staying here has been getting easier.  
Bangkok is also getting more modern and becoming a nicer place to live. 

Once you have a long term visa sorted out I don't get why you'd say its getting harder to stay here.  What is so hard about renewing your visa extension each year?

 

and that's all there is to it??. No constant changing of rules and different IOs interpretation of these rules? etc, etc.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

 

I dunno. How does colinneil do it?

 

I really do wonder.

His wife does it for him, and he even still has to go to his IO every year.

[BritManToo]

12 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

And I also find the shallow depth of appreciation often expressed by those who profess to love Thailand so much to be rather peculiar. It is striking how often the lower cost of living is cited as the primary (if not only) reason for "loving" Thailand. It makes me wonder if there was a sudden currency devaluation, some of these so-called "Thai lovers" would overnight become "Thai haters". As the Bee Gees once sang, I wonder just 'how deep is your love'?

 

It's also striking to me how few of these threads ever cite Thai people as a reason for loving Thailand? Of course, the Thai wife, who is often portrayed as the most wonderful conversation, bed, and life partner any man could ever hope for, is from time to time mentioned, but beyond that, except in the context of Thailand's night life attractions, Thai people scarcely ever get mentioned by these so-called Thai lovers. Strange, that. What? You love Thailand, but not Thai people? OK, maybe you're not a people person, but maybe you should put a little asterisk next to the statement "I love Thailand* [but not Thai people].

If it was 30bht to the UK pound, I'd probably be less happy (44 today).

But the Baht is just as likely to go to 60 as 30.

It's hard to be happy if you don't have enough money to live on.

And back in England, I wouldn't have enough money to live on.

 

I'm very lucky as I prefer the hot/dry here to the cold/wet there.

 

As for Thai people,

Why do I need to like Thai people, I avoided other people in the UK, I avoid other people here. I much prefer to sit home alone, with the internet and a large TV, and a fridge full of booze and food. Other people are best when viewed from a distance IMHO.

Edited November 18, 2021 by BritManToo

[sirineou]

I love Thailand. I only hate the dogs,

Oh and the Roosters. I hate dogs and roosters , of and those little lizards that <deleted> all over my house and make loud noises at night.

I hate the dogs, the roosters and the little lizards.  Oh and I hate having to hide in my car when we go shopping so we don't get charged double.

I hate the dogs barking all night. Roosters cacadouloudoing, lizards <deleted>, and and being charged farang prices, 

Oh and I hate having to dress like Opie because it is to damn hot, I like to put my big boy pants on , a nice shirt, and maybe a jacket. 

But mostly I hate Dogs, ... and roosters, and,....

[tandor]

...hey OP...can i peel you another grape!

[Mike Teavee]

20 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

OK, I'll stir it up a little bit...

 

I think some of these "me love Thailand" threads are started with the primary goal of antagonizing people so that they can feel superior to anyone who doesn't immediately jump on the "me love Thailand" bandwagon. "Gee, I'm so happy and content. So sorry [not really] if you can't join me on my celestial cloud. " And then you always have this chorus of posters who express utter contempt for anyone who doesn't immediately chirp up about how wonderful Thailand is. These threads do seem to take on a very predictable pattern, and I do sometimes question the motive behind these threads.

 

And I also find the shallow depth of appreciation often expressed by those who profess to love Thailand so much to be rather peculiar. It is striking how often the lower cost of living is cited as the primary (if not only) reason for "loving" Thailand. It makes me wonder if there was a sudden currency devaluation, some of these so-called "Thai lovers" would overnight become "Thai haters". As the Bee Gees once sang, I wonder just 'how deep is your love'?

Genuinely I started this thread because I was sat there, having a beer, admiring the beautiful view & thought to myself how lucky I am (at 55) be able to enjoy this experience.

 

At the moment CoL doesn’t enter the equation for me (ok guilty as I mentioned my cheap as chips hotel) as I’m spending about 1/2 what I budgeted for but I just get a very happy/warm feeling about living here, same thing happened every time I would land in Bangkok & I used to do it > 20 times a year.

 

I also got a similar “Warmth” when I spent a lot of time in Southern Philippines but in the end Thailand won out for me as it has better infrastructure/ food.

 

Hadn’t thought that my post might come across as a dig at people who don’t/can’t live here (also didn’t realise there were lots of similar threads) it was posted with the genuine intent to say that it’s not all bad living here 

Edited November 18, 2021 by Mike Teavee

[sirineou]

8 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

Genuinely I started this thread because I was sat there, having a beer, admiring the beautiful view & thought to myself how lucky I am (at 55) be able to enjoy this experience.

No doubt , at that moment an d many other you loved Thailand, No different from all of us. None of us came here, said "I hate Thailand , I think I'll move there"

Just make sure , in all fairness , next time you get the runs from street food  or when an Immigration officer asks something ridiculous and not really required , or when you turn a certain age and you cant qualify for insurance but they require insurance for you to come back if you go out of the country, or when your neighbor decides to get eight dogs and then go away while they cry all day, and only has someone come over once a day to feed the, or...... I can go on all day.  

you start an"  I hate Thailand thread. "????

Ohh and when you ride your bine, keep an eye out for long hanging electrical wires. and unprotected holes in the road. 

 

[Mike Teavee]

3 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Just make sure , in all fairness , next time you get the runs from street food  or when an Immigration officer asks something ridiculous and not really required , or when you turn a certain age and you cant qualify for insurance but they require insurance for you to come back if you go out of the country, or when your neighbor decides to get eight dogs and then go away while they cry all day, and only has someone come over once a day to feed the, or...... I can go on all day.  

you start an"  I hate Thailand thread. "????

Lol, I don’t eat street food, use an agent for all my immigration needs (though am legit as I have the money in the bank) & won’t get a house that’s less than 3-400m away from the neighbours dogs ????

 

But Joking aside, I’m thankful as I could be spending my retirement in my home town of Warrington… When you google the phrase “It’s grim up north” I’m sure there’s a picture of Warrington ????

[Mike Teavee]

27 minutes ago, sirineou said:

or when you turn a certain age and you cant qualify for insurance but they require insurance for you to come back if you go out of the country

Sorry I meant to reply to this point as well. 100% agree with this concern to the point where even though I’m on a Non-O I decided to get insurance (Pacific Cross “Visa Friendly”) that covers the Non-OA requirements.

 

 

Edited November 18, 2021 by Mike Teavee

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, possum1931 said:

Does the fact that retirees in Thailand are getting the same treatment that normal countries give to prisoners on parole, with this reporting to people?

I have to admit I have no experience with prisoners on parole. It seems they have a great life. 

[Stefanix]

1 hour ago, Gecko123 said:

OK, I'll stir it up a little bit...

 

I think some of these "me love Thailand" threads are started with the primary goal of antagonizing people so that they can feel superior to anyone who doesn't immediately jump on the "me love Thailand too" bandwagon. "Gee, I'm so happy and content. So sorry [not really] if you can't join me on my celestial cloud. " And then you always have this chorus of posters who express utter contempt for anyone who doesn't immediately chime in about how wonderful they think Thailand is too. These threads do seem to take on a very predictable pattern, and I do sometimes question the motive behind these threads.

 

I also find the shallow depth of appreciation often expressed by those who profess to love Thailand so much to be rather peculiar. It is striking how often the lower cost of living is cited as the primary (if not only) reason for "loving" Thailand. It makes me wonder if there was a sudden currency devaluation, some of these so-called "Thai lovers" would overnight become "Thai haters". As the Bee Gees once sang, I wonder just 'how deep is your love'?

 

It's also striking to me how few of these threads ever cite Thai people as a reason for loving Thailand? Of course, the Thai wife, who is often portrayed as the most wonderful conversation, bed, and life partner any man could ever hope for, is from time to time mentioned, but beyond that, except in the context of Thailand's night life attractions, Thai people scarcely ever get mentioned by these so-called Thai lovers. Strange, that. What? You love Thailand, but not Thai people? OK, maybe you're not a people person, but maybe you should put a little asterisk next to the statement "I love Thailand* [but not Thai people].

 

Where, I ask myself, are all the culturally sensitive souls who treasure Thai people for their lightness of being, carefreeness, humor, approachability, their unexpected giggling, and inappropriate laughter, their counter-intuitive thinking? Where are the people who love Thai people because they learned about magic, mystery, animism, humanity, humility, suffering or gave them faith in the after world from them?

 

Nothing wrong with appreciating the lower cost of living, or delighting in the feel of white sand between your toes. Nothing wrong with being upbeat, and being positive, either. All I'm saying is don't get too full of yourself in the process.

So to sum it up, you don’t believe postings about happiness in Thailand and think they have a hidden agenda and just want to antagonise the unhappy people. Hm. That tells a lot and I am very sorry that you think its not possible to be happy in Thailand. I hope that you don’t have to live in this country because of the low cost of living and found a better spot. 

[Thingamabob]

Still love it here after nearly 40 years, but I do worry about the extent to which the CCP are beginning to exercise control ( eg see today's Bangkok Post front page). Their hatred of Westerners seems to have been adopted by many in the Thai government and related circles.

[Pravda]

4 minutes ago, Stefanix said:

So to sum it up, you don’t believe postings about happiness in Thailand and think they have a hidden agenda and just want to antagonise the unhappy people. Hm. That tells a lot and I am very sorry that you think its not possible to be happy in Thailand. I hope that you don’t have to live in this country because of the low cost of living and found a better spot. 

 

To be honest I often feel like op. I permanently moved here at 39 and had many days when I just sat on the beach/pool/train whatever thinking how lucky I am. I even enjoyed my visa runs to Laos, KL.  I was really looking forward to it that I never even bothered with money in the bank with my marriage visa. But reality hits me once in a while that makes my future in Thailand questionable. Even my wife asks me every day if I'm sure I want to go back to Canada. She sees me happy here.  We paid a lot of money for lawyers to get the pr for her fast. I want to see how Thailand deals with covid next year. I think it's going to get a lot worse for expats. This is far from over.