Hello, I vacated Thailand right when the pandemic hit after living there for approx 5 years. I was always planning to return but just can't get myself motivated to do so. I feel like I'm just doing it out of routine and lack of affordable alternatives, or that I have changed to much and it won't be a fit like it was.

 

This is a personal decision, but does anyone have recommendations on whether it was worth returning for you, after a prolonged absence 2+ years and if you were able to adjust back in and be happy as before if you left and were away.

"just can't get myself motivated to do so"

 

I'm the same, but other 'direction', been here 20+ and think about leaving at times.  Don't even want to deal with the airport and a 3+ hr fly for a holiday, let alone plan an entire move or recon to other countries for a year or so.

 

Obviously you're not rooted too much where you are, so maybe a good time to explore other options besides Thailand.  Since you already know what to expect here.

Been gone 8 months dying to get back , San Francisco prices , Luckily  I own house 

We were Covid-19 marooned in UK for 19 months however very pleased to be back. That said we will continue to do 6 months UK and 6 months Thailand. 

After being here for twelve years we left sixteen months and have been back now for four months. I have thought about exactly what you are saying a lot, and can't figure out whether or not I am glad to be back. It almost seems to me like there has been a shift in the attitudes towards Westerners, those who were friends when I left seem genuinely glad to see me, but many of those I don't know seem wary of me or are holding me at a distance. I am interested in seeing how others answer this.

We're itching to get back.

Stay where you are. 

For 8 years I'd return to USA for 3 months to see relatives, perform chores around the property, do taxes, and chill American style. March of 2020 I returned as usual expecting 3 months and back to Thailand. Nope, not to be. Took 18 months to get back to Thailand. A lot has changed; I would not come back if I'd known how much things would change. My advice, find an alternative. You can always return to Thailand after trying someplace else out first.

1 hour ago, Lee4Life said:

After being here for twelve years we left sixteen months and have been back now for four months. I have thought about exactly what you are saying a lot, and can't figure out whether or not I am glad to be back. It almost seems to me like there has been a shift in the attitudes towards Westerners, those who were friends when I left seem genuinely glad to see me, but many of those I don't know seem wary of me or are holding me at a distance. I am interested in seeing how others answer this.

You are experiencing that Thais believe what Anutin has told them -- all foreigners are full of covid.

I am lucky if my neighbours get within 10 yards of me for fear of catching something that I don't have.

And my wife believes that all foreigners have covid full stop, and is reluctant to allow any visitors past the front gate.

4 hours ago, JimTripper said:

but does anyone have recommendations on whether it was worth returning for you,

I'd say not worthwhile.

There are many easier places to move with similar pricing/culture/women/climate.

I'm only here because of the baggage I've accumulated.

If I were free and clear I'd probably give Mauritius a look, and if that didn't work out Cambodia or the Philippines.

 

The Filipinos certainly seem to like foreigners more than the Thais.

55 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

You are experiencing that Thais believe what Anutin has told them -- all foreigners are full of covid.

I certainly notice this when I go to a hospital. Normally the Thais all crowd together in the limited seating when waiting. If I sit down, the seats either side of me are vacated immediately or remain empty. 

 

In regard to returning to Thailand, personally I think one can never go back and should keep moving forward. Whether it's a girlfriend/wife, job, country or location. don't go back and do the same thing again. Do or go somewhere different.

3 minutes ago, Stevemercer said:

I certainly notice this when I go to a hospital. Normally the Thais all crowd together in the limited seating when waiting. If I sit down, the seats either side of me are vacated immediately or remain empty. 

 

In regard to returning to Thailand, personally I think one can never go back and should keep moving forward. Whether it's a girlfriend/wife, job, country or location. don't go back and do the same thing again. Do or go somewhere different.

True that. However try a different city. Thailand is vast. South lot different from north. Or Cambodia or Phils.

4 hours ago, Stevemercer said:

I certainly notice this when I go to a hospital. Normally the Thais all crowd together in the limited seating when waiting. If I sit down, the seats either side of me are vacated immediately or remain empty. 

 

In regard to returning to Thailand, personally I think one can never go back and should keep moving forward. Whether it's a girlfriend/wife, job, country or location. don't go back and do the same thing again. Do or go somewhere different.

Could be BO. Don't dismiss it seems to be many who genuinely are unaware 

13 minutes ago, whereyougo said:

Could be BO. Don't dismiss it seems to be many who genuinely are unaware 

True

18 hours ago, BritManToo said:

If I were free and clear I'd probably ...

... be peeking elsewhere, playing nomadic life.   Though not so easy if unvax'd.  Or required to wear a mask on a plane for Buddha knows how long.   I'd probably be touring the Amercas on a motorcycle or coverted van (RV style).

 

If not deeply rooted here, actually finishing up a house build, with wife.  Daughter, living away from us in Krung Thep,  I'd possibly be elsewhere, especially if single or no daughter.   Wife would go where ever I decide, which is an issue, since Thai PP is travel friendly.

 

If not here, I defnitely wouldn't come here as a tourist.  Surprised I ever did, but that was a fluke and 20+ yrs ago.  Probably give it a pass as a long stay, retirement destination also.

 

But if already here as a single person, I wouldn't leave, unless back to the Americas.  Rest of the world doesn't interest me for a holiday or a long stay.

Our plane departs in 5 days.

 

We will not return to live.

 

Despite having a marvelous life in Isaan, we both made the decision to move back.

 

Thai Wife is US citizen so no issues.

 

We are both looking forward to it.

 

Sad to say goodbye to the family, but it is what it is.

 

I am sure it will take some getting use to but we are ready.

 

 

I also had it finely today after living here 5 years and fulltime since covid started! visiting Thailand for soon 20 years. 
 

I would not choose Thailand today! Enough is enough! My plan to live here 10 more years continue since to much invested already. 
 

Mostly because of political reasons and deleted mentality among thais when it comes to logic basic things. 
 

Not to forget it is burning seasons to and the hot season starts. I might wake up tomorow with a better outlook on it, at least I can hope

 

 

 

On 3/1/2022 at 12:36 AM, fulhamster said:

You are experiencing that Thais believe what Anutin has told them -- all foreigners are full of covid.

I am lucky if my neighbours get within 10 yards of me for fear of catching something that I don't have.

And my wife believes that all foreigners have covid full stop, and is reluctant to allow any visitors past the front gate.I would throw her in the Street , Farang  quit taking their BS , <deleted> 

On 3/1/2022 at 3:36 PM, fulhamster said:

You are experiencing that Thais believe what Anutin has told them -- all foreigners are full of covid.

I am lucky if my neighbours get within 10 yards of me for fear of catching something that I don't have.

And my wife believes that all foreigners have covid full stop, and is reluctant to allow any visitors past the front gate.

Rubbish. The Thais dont believe this government. I have not come across any wariness as described.  I am clean and dress nicely. So many farangs here dress worse than homeless beggars, smell and look sweat stained and greasy..As for some wives using covid as pretext to control their husbands forming friendships...that I can believe..

I still have not made any decisions to move forward.

10 hours ago, JimTripper said:

I still have not made any decisions to move forward.

Hurry up

On 3/1/2022 at 12:39 PM, San Fran Dan said:

Been gone 8 months dying to get back , San Francisco prices , Luckily  I own house 

I had the same experience. Wanted to leave badly. So did my Thai wife, last year. We went to LA and Mexico, for over 2 months. Could not wait to get back. We felt like we were bleeding cash back there. Prices on nearly everything have skyrocketed. And if you do not own a house or condo in the US, forget about it. Rents are insane. What someone pays 10,000 to 15,000 baht for here, costs $3,500 a month back there, in an OK neighborhood. God forbid you need your toilet repaired. Hard to get an hour of a plumbers time for under $350! Since when are tradesmen paid the same as psychiatrists? 

 

Sheer insanity. We are happy staying here, after that sticker shock!