Majority of ASEAN NOW expat viewers want to remain in Thailand

[webfact]

file photo

 

OPINION | by Michael Bridge

 

We have had an enormous response from a topic we ran on June 8th entitled Is Thailand likely to see a mass exodus of Expats?

 

The article highlighted that every year from April to June many Europeans leave Thailand to fly back to enjoy the summer months back home.

 

We posed the big question…. How many of them will return in 2022?

 

We had over 7,800 views and 205 replies.

 

Shifting through the responses it would seem that the majority stated that they were staying put in Thailand.

Although a few stated they may consider returning home.

 

Here is a cross-section of some of your comments.

 

I think it is just the opposite more want and will come here.

 

It is literally 4 to 5 times more expensive to live in my home country now than here. 

 

If a person has a fully paid off house or can stay for free with family back home, then I guess they can consider returning. Otherwise, most of the living expenses listed are way way up in western countries now compared to here. 
.
I am very happy remaining here thanks, go back once a year for a month to visit family that is more than enough.

 

One reason I like being here now is no gas bill no mortgage no HP no council tax it makes up for other shortfalls.

Why would anyone leave? Great weather here, living costs 30% of the West, young female company.

A friend of mine uses a foreign lawyer in Bangkok, who is one of the top attorneys around. 

He said his office cannot find enough hours in the day to meet with expats who are leaving, with their Thai spouse or family, and dealing with the legal aspects and wills for their remaining Thai families, properties, etc.

He said he has never seen anything like it, in the 30 years he has been in practice here.

Many expats from Europe have already returned permanently, those who remain will make it more difficult to move to another country as they have families in Thailand, so they will resist the rise in prices in Thailand because prices in Europe are also rising.

 

For the most part, the migratory birds of the six months have already found more hospitable places in the southern European countries and Arab countries.

 

I am very happy remaining here thanks, go back once a year for a month to visit family that is more than enough.

 

One reason I like being here now is no gas bill, no mortgage, no HP, and no council tax. It makes up for other shortfalls.

Why would anyone leave? Great weather here, living costs 30% of the West, young female company.
I know a few who have left already, mainly for financial reasons due to Covid ruining their business.
 
Personally, I like it. It's not perfect but you learn to mostly avoid the bad things and focus on the good things. The only bad thing I cannot avoid are the roads. Incredibly dangerous and I do at least a couple of thousand km per month.

 

Too many disadvantages to returning to USA, mostly financial. Too lazy to think about going elsewhere. 67 years old and rooted, with adult daughter. Especially now, as just finished a house build, and picking up the adjacent lot, to that build today.

 

I can talk to my son any time I want by DUO or ZOOM in Australia.
I haven't been back to Australia during COVID, can't be bothered with the hoops to jump through at either end. Apart from the price of gasoline, I can't say there has been any increase in my cost of living, which would be a lot more in Australia and a lot of other countries. Lay that squarely on the Russian doorstep.

 

I don't know what the masses will do, but I'm seriously considering pulling the plug. As an American, it is much cheaper and much less bother for me to spend 6-12 months in Mexico rather than Thailand. I'll admit part of that decision will be because I speak Spanish quite well but even after 4 years of really trying, I can't manage to speak any more than the very simplest survival Thai. 

 

I would only return if the Government decided that "Retirement Extensions" must include a requirement of a 1 month "at home" period, like the financial you can use 400K of your 800k for 7 months of the year requirements. Can't see that happening.

 

I am starting to see expats living 10+ years in Thailand leaving this place in the last 2 years, same in China, in particular Shanghai where it's an absolute nightmare. 
This is what happens when you let authoritarian governments micro-manage your life

The only expats I know who have returned had to because of financial or health reasons. There in other reasonable to return to broken Britain or a fractured Europe. As for friendly Arab countries: Dubai welcomes millionaires and Russian Oligarchs ejected at last from the UK.

 

I think the majority have burned there bridges back home and have very limited funds at hand now.
So, all they will do is reduce their standard of living until they pass, very few will leave.

 

Thank you for all your comments.

 

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[vandeventer]

Yes, Thailand is a great place. But like any country there's the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Thai people is what makes this country so good to live in and the weather is great and it's cheap to live here. I think most retirees that are on pensions would not be able to live on their pensions in their home country .However with this fine weather there are a few draw backs like being careful when you eat out as bad bacteria grows at such a high rate in hot climates. Stay heathy and you will live a long and happy live here in Thailand ,I know I will.

[Tarteso]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Why would anyone leave? Great weather here, living costs 30% of the West, young female company.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Why would anyone leave? Great weather here, living costs 30% of the West, young female company.

Is’t clear ? I'll say it one more time for the hearing impaired. ????

[jacko45k]

Ill health is a concern. Medical services are often expensive here and most retirees hail from places where it is supplied free. 

 

[Kerryd]

I seriously doubt there is a "flood" of expats suddenly, for no reason at all, moving back "home". 
Nothing has changed, here or "there", that is dramatic enough to cause a sudden flood of relocations.

Any who wanted to return "home" could have done so at almost any time over the last couple of years. Now, just when the country is opening up to tourists again, those expats suddenly want to go back to (wherever) ?

I don't think so.
Sounds more like some lawyers trying to drum up business more than anything. Back "home" it's still freezing cold for half the year (or more - they just had a large snowfall in Alberta - in June !).
Prices for everything are higher than ever. No significant change in the politics (the same crooks in different stripes doing the same things as before).

Some will go back when their health deteriorates to the point they know they will need quality (i.e. free) medical care.
Reminds me of my old home in Canada, way out in the boonies in a very remote community. Lots of "elderly" types liked the solitude, until they got to a certain age and needed to be close to a hospital. Then they'd move to a retirement facility or cheap home "in town".

Personally, I can see no reason to move "home". It's unlikely they'll mess with the Immigration requirements anymore (for a few years at least). Prices, for some things, have gone up but overall it's still cheaper to live here than in many "western" countries. The weather is pretty much the same (not so much rain during this rainy season so far though).
Still love the food. Still love riding the Harley all year round. 

What reason is there to leave ?

[Archie Baker]

24 years using thialand as a base and 79yo, so far too late to up sticks and move somewhere else. So Thailand it is, just got to trim the budget. 

 

Definitely NOT the the country of choice any more with prices on the rise, crime going crazy, formula 1 roads, exchange rates down 30% and price for medical treatment through the roof.

 

The poor Thais are struggling to live the median are up to there eyes in debt. 

 

But ganga is going to save us all. 

 

 

[ChrisY1]

Not many could return to the home countries if they had to....the money has gone!

 

[vandeventer]

33 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Ill health is a concern. Medical services are often expensive here and most retirees hail from places where it is supplied free. 

 

Nothing is for free in this world, and waiting for many hours to see a Free doctor may not be the best way to go.

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, vandeventer said:

Nothing is for free in this world, and waiting for many hours to see a Free doctor may not be the best way to go.

People are still being treated free in the UK.... every day. 

The choice is to wait  or suffer on, as I see (and have seen) some do in Thailand. 

[sanuk711]

5 minutes ago, Archie Baker said:

Definitely NOT the the country of choice any more

So where would you say is the country of choice Archie B.................

----------------------------------

 

I was looking at a survey of 30 countries a few weeks ago---

they  were asking their nearly retirees where they would like to live when the time comes.

The usual response from the POMS---Spain--Why? = "because its close to home".

 

Only one surprise came from the usual,  well traveled Germans

Germany  = Namibia

 

While no country in the world can claim to be free of crime,

Namibia ranks as one of the safest and most politically stable nations in Africa

6% population is white. ---Google

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

From myour own admission I quote : We had over 7,800 views and 205 replies. :

That is a really small number of the immense total. 

Although you can spin the results anyway you think, in a North eastern province where there are at least 4-5000 expats of varying nationalities, the response is in fact POOR to almost non-existent.

True many will stay and more will arrive for a huge variety of reasons, more health wise than anything else, warm/hot weather and cost o living being the main reasons. 

The downside are the laws that discriminate against the foreigner of which there are a lot from double pricing to inability to own what you buy in terms of house and land ., owning a business even m,ore fraught that many will not .  

[sanuk711]

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

People are still being treated free in the UK.... every day. 

The choice is to wait  or suffer on, as I see (and have seen) some do in Thailand. 

For me to see a doctor in issan "That Day" is 30 baht

My friend had A colonoscopy 5 days ago in Udon

They insisted he also stay overnight

cost- 5,000+ Baht. about £120**

 

** for Udon Guys it was the Army Hospital.

 

[jacko45k]

Just now, sanuk711 said:

For me to see a doctor in issan "That Day" is 30 baht

My friend had A colonoscopy 5 days ago in Udon

They insisted he also stay overnight

cost- 5,000+ Baht. about £120**

 

** for Udon Guys it was the Army Hospital.

 

Then you presumably have obtained some form of residency or worked in Thailand? I agree what you quote is great, but it is not readily available to most retirees in Thailand.

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, Tarteso said:

 

Is’t clear ? I'll say it one more time for the hearing impaired. ????

When reading posts on ASEAN, one uses eyesight, not hearing.

[vandeventer]

18 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

People are still being treated free in the UK.... every day. 

The choice is to wait  or suffer on, as I see (and have seen) some do in Thailand. 

Maybe you should have a listen to 60 miniates in Australia about their free hospital system going down the drain. This world is in chaos right now how long do you think the UK will be handing out lollipops?

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

Maybe you should have a listen to 60 miniates in Australia about their free hospital system going down the drain. This world is in chaos right now how long do you think the UK will be handing out lollipops?

I get frequent communications from a good friend in Australia who has a degenerative incurable disease and he speaks highly of the service he obtains. And a pal in the UK has just got the all clear after cancer treatment.... 

But the subject is Thailand.... if you have run out of money here, getting medical treatment is unlikely. 

[vandeventer]

23 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

For me to see a doctor in issan "That Day" is 30 baht

My friend had A colonoscopy 5 days ago in Udon

They insisted he also stay overnight

cost- 5,000+ Baht. about £120**

 

** for Udon Guys it was the Army Hospital.

 

My brother has done 5 colonoscopy's any they never found anything wrong. I think he is going queer as he is starting to enjoy them. 

[sanuk711]

24 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Then you presumably have obtained some form of residency or worked in Thailand? I agree what you quote is great, but it is not readily available to most retirees in Thailand.

I am on --the same as him O visa renew every year 800K+ in bank etc ....

[jacko45k]

Just now, sanuk711 said:

I am on --the same as him O visa renew every year 800K+ in bank etc ....

Then how do you qualify for the 30 baht scheme? It is certainly NOT open to all of those on a retirement extension!

[topcat333]

I'm only semi-retired here in Thaialnd as I'm still working in the US living in Thailand 4 months a year. I've been doing this for the past seven years so I've seen a lot and have a good feel for living here. I've traveled many Asian countries but for me Thailand is the most appealing. The reason why doesn’t matter. I would imagine there are many reasons why others decide to stay or leave.

 

I'll be here more permanently over the next few years as I continue to close things out in the US.  I have relations here, many friends and maintain a place in BKK. I'm not wealthy so living here and being able to maintain a higher standard of living has its appeal. I'm not young, 67 but fortunate enough to have very good health. Most of my friends have been here for years and none that I know of are talking about leaving. I look at many of the things the Thai government does and shake my head, but honestly, I look at the things going on in my country and other countries and I'm certainly not impressed.

[Gottfrid]

Off course, most of the Asean Now expats want to stay in Thailand. What would they all do, if not have something to complain about on a daily basis?

[WinterGael]

2 hours ago, vandeventer said:

Yes, Thailand is a great place. But like any country there's the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Thai people is what makes this country so good to live in and the weather is great and it's cheap to live here. I think most retirees that are on pensions would not be able to live on their pensions in their home country .However with this fine weather there are a few draw backs like being careful when you eat out as bad bacteria grows at such a high rate in hot climates. Stay heathy and you will live a long and happy live here in Thailand ,I know I will.

Thai people are rude, this country is expensive, the heat monotonous... 

[sanuk711]

8 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I get frequent communications from a good friend in Australia who has a degenerative incurable disease and he speaks highly of the service he obtains. And a pal in the UK has just got the all clear after cancer treatment.

They have an insurance in Oz Jacko that most people take out.... its cheap, it is subsidized by the government, they call it Medi-care private. Medi-care public is when you dont have it & expect to wait a long time.

What it does is put you in front of the queue . Its a good insurance its well worth it, no age discrimination-- I tried to take it out so I could rush back there if anything goes wrong--but now everything computerized cant leave the country for a certain time without losing all privileges

[vandeventer]

11 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I get frequent communications from a good friend in Australia who has a degenerative incurable disease and he speaks highly of the service he obtains. And a pal in the UK has just got the all clear after cancer treatment.... 

But the subject is Thailand.... if you have run out of money here, getting medical treatment is unlikely. 

They treat you first than give you the bill and if you are on a pension like many of us are, they will let you pay it off monthly until finished.

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Off course, most of the Asean Now expats want to stay in Thailand. What would they all do, if not have something to complain about on a daily basis?

It gives you something to read and errrr complain about!????

[Elkski]

It's so hot in Thailand.   I like 3-4 seasons.    If your married to a capable Thai woman, living in Thailand has automatically lost one big appeal.  

[freedomnow]

3 minutes ago, WinterGael said:

Thai people are rude, this country is expensive, the heat monotonous... 

Thai people are rude= not that i find..maybe more a reflection of your habits

 

this country is expensive = not that I find...40 baht for an excellent coffee ? 40 baht for a decent Thai meal ?

 

the heat monotonous... = not that i find..living in the north gets 3-4 nice cooler months through the night...main reason for staying in north.

 

[sanuk711]

6 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Then how do you qualify for the 30 baht scheme? It is certainly NOT open to all of those on a retirement extension!

I might have confused you Jacko..sorry.... If I want to see a normal GP doctor (not at the hospital) I go along and, Unless I am getting lots of different colored pills I pay  30 baht to see him at his clinic. Some doctors charge more --a Doctor in a private hospital here  BKK/Udon can charge you 7-800 baht.

You live here for a while -you go where the Thais go.

[jacko45k]

4 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

They treat you first than give you the bill and if you are on a pension like many of us are, they will let you pay it off monthly until finished.

Actually they determine you can pay first in my limited experience, and you pay PDQ. 

[vandeventer]

7 minutes ago, WinterGael said:

Thai people are rude, this country is expensive, the heat monotonous... 

Try Greenland it might be better for you?