What is the good news about living in Thailand now?

[webfact]

File photo//National News Bureau of Thailand

OK everyone in the world probably has the same concerns as us, whether it is about the ongoing pandemic, dealing with excessive weather conditions, or now the threat of World War III.

Less in the pocket as prices rise, and the cost of filling up with petrol adds to the misery too.

Well at least here living in Thailand, either working or retired, is probably a lot more palatable than living over in say Canada, the UK, or of course in Ukraine.

With rising global container prices, many in the West are having to either pay through the nose or refrain from buying certain items.

Good News

The good news is at least Thailand produces masses of its own fresh fruit and vegetables.

On a recent trip to the local market, I still found suppliers and farmers delivering fresh produce picked from the ground or trees within 24 hours.

Whereas my friends back in London would treat enjoying strawberries in the winter like a real luxury, here we can buy a large bag for just THB100.

We also probably take for granted that bananas do taste much better here, because they have not been sitting in a refrigerated container for three months.

Another benefit of the pandemic for residents is apart from the odd oil spill, the Gulf of Thailand is a lot cleaner and a bit less polluted.

You can also stay in 5-star resorts for the price of paying for a 3 star or even 2-star hotel as well.

We had to get used to the constant noise and pollution of all those tourist buses. Well for the moment most of our Soi’s are bus free which is a bonus.

Rents of houses, villas, and condominiums are much cheaper, as owners realise that it is better to have some cash coming in, than maybe having an empty property sitting there waiting for higher rentals.

And if you are a golfer, the golf courses around Thailand have never been in better condition with fewer people playing, and at rates that are very competitive too. 

So, although the next few months will not be a picnic, at least it is not all doom and gloom.

 

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[timendres]

The good news for me is that I am surrounded by Thai people.

[Tom H]

Good is, that Russia wont attack Thailand.

[Albert Zweistein]

None.

[Orinoco]

Ma and Pa shops,

They will always sell you beer.

what ever the date or time of day.

Good job. 

 

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Whereas my friends back in London would treat enjoying strawberries in the winter like a real luxury, here we can buy a large bag for just THB100.

Hardly a plus. Thai strawberries are tiny and goppin. Big red juicy English strawberries can’t be beat. 
For sure, Thailand is better than some other places but with a big dark cloud over it in the form of an autocratic gov… not far off tyrant. Putin. 

[Guest Isaanlife]

Good new is fresh fruits and vegetables.

 

Huh?

[NanaSomchai]

Good news is my kids are safe in their issan village watching their lives go by.

Instead of being subject to grooming gangs roaming freely across the UK and the rest of Europe.

 

[arick]

We have had cool weather since last October. And   I have not been  electrocuted while looking for frogs. 

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

strawberries in the winter like a real luxury, here we can buy a large bag for just THB100

I agree with most of what you write. But strawberries in Thailand are just not what strawberries are supposed to be.

Where in Thailand can you get strawberries like this?

 

[blazes]

I'm still waiting (for many years) for the good news that the ridiculous tax on imported red wine be dropped to something that does not threaten bankruptcy.

[tonray]

2 hours ago, Tom H said:

Good is, that Russia wont attack Thailand.

They've already occupied separatists regions in Pattaya and Phuket 

[RichardColeman]

2 hours ago, Tom H said:

Good is, that Russia wont attack Thailand.

Yeah, but Xi might !

[Pique Dard]

"What is the good news about living in Thailand now?"

i don't know yet,   i'll be visiting the country next september.

[1FinickyOne]

3 hours ago, timendres said:

The good news for me is that I am surrounded by Thai people.

best reason to come here and stay here... 

[tonray]

11 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Yeah, but Xi might !

Yes, but at least the Durian crop can survive the onslaught

[HappyExpat57]

Compared to my home country - cheap rent, cheap utilities, cheap food, GREAT weather, plenty of companionship for rent available, a 90-day online reporting system that FINALLY works well. What's not to love?

[Jerno]

Yes, fresh fruit is an accurate proxy for a country's livability.  It's middle of winter in Canada right now, not exactly fresh fruit season. Idiot.  And living in Canada right now is just dandy, thank you very much. Obviously you have no clue in what you are saying.  Sheesh! 

[jacko45k]

I may need a month in the UK to remind me of my blessings, but it has been denied to me for 3 years now. 

[ezzra]

The good new are that you get up in the morning alive and well and some of us even with a stiffly...

[inThailand]

Iam surrounded by Russians here? 

[tonray]

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I may need a month in the UK to remind me of my blessings, but it has been denied to me for 3 years now. 

Why, are you on the UK's terrorists watch list ? Or just a friend of Harry and Meghan ?

[4MyEgo]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

OK everyone in the world probably has the same concerns as us, whether it is about the ongoing pandemic, dealing with excessive weather conditions, or now the threat of World War III.

Not worried about the pandemic/endemic as I used to with Delta, now with the Omicron variant, family also being vaccinated and me boosted.

 

As for the weather conditions, well it has been a little chilly lately which I don't mind before we enter the summer oven.

 

As for WW III, can't see that happening, this could all be part of the bigger plan to plunge economies further into the red, while the commies expand there territories, no doubt China will be ready to pounce into Taiwan as it sees the USA, the UK and Europeans forced to sit on their hands by Russia, and they know if they try to escalate things, that it just might turn into a nuclear war, they also know that there are no profits in wiping each other out, share and share alike boys, wait your turns. 

 

Wonder what's next in store for us, well from where I'm sitting, as far away as possible from the outside world, I'm chilled and enjoying the cheap cost of living here with plenty of everything, well not so much the fresh fruits I used to get my teeth into so to speak, but am patient, no b-l-o-o-d-y- choice really. 

[jacko45k]

Just now, tonray said:

Why, are you on the UK's terrorists watch list ? Or just a friend of Harry and Meghan ?

There have been restrictions on flying back into Thailand... certainly did not wish to get stuck in the UK. My home is here now.

[Orinoco]

8 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

 a 90-day online reporting system that FINALLY works well.

Nah.

You just live in a good area for it to work well.

[Sparktrader]

200 baht massages

[NanaSomchai]

35 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Yeah, but Xi might !

Not as long as Prayut has his head far deep up Xi's rearhole.

[NanaSomchai]

10 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

no doubt China will be ready to pounce into Taiwan as it sees the USA, the UK and Europeans forced to sit on their hands by Russia

Pretty much. They (the Chinese) are watching the watchers (the NATO).

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Whereas my friends back in London would treat enjoying strawberries in the winter like a real luxury, here we can buy a large bag for just THB100.

We also probably take for granted that bananas do taste much better here, because they have not been sitting in a refrigerated container for three months.

Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries have been available in Sainsburys/Tesco all year round for around 2.50/bag (120bht) for years. I never considered them a luxury and I've never seen anything available like this in Thailand.

 

Until this year Cavendish bananas weren't easily available in Thailand either, Thai bananas I feed my rabbits as they taste awful ..... not fit for human consumption IMHO.

[jacko45k]

Just now, BritManToo said:

I never considered them a luxury and I've never seen anything available like this in Thailand.

My Mrs brings pretty good strawberries back from our village market quite often. Sadly I don't allow myself fresh cream and a little sugar with them here as I might in the UK. Lately even finding Brussels sprouts.... don't have to pay silly Villa Market prices!