10 minutes ago, WinterGael said:

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

Only 3 things wrong with the place then WinterGael...............

I can see moving to another country because you visited and enjoyed it. Want a change of scenery.  

But I see many people move here because they have next to nothing .  No health insurance,  little income,  And they whine about how bad their home countries are.  And many  are not happy in Thailand either. 
Most of the issues and opinions I read here appear to be caused by poor retirement planning.   Having  little income, no health insurance.  You should have planned that out better.  No one is going to hand you anything for free, or discounted costs.  

 I see a lot of blame.  But no one seems to want to blame themselves..  

 

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, swm59nj said:

I can see moving to another country because you visited and enjoyed it.

After six or more months living like a monk and working long hours  in the Middle East, a few weeks in Thailand was some hedonistic fantasy in paradise. 

As the old saying goes you make your bed and lie in it

Probably most of us could not afford to leave Thailand or want to

This subject is brought up quite a few times end result majority of us are staying ????

 

Great survey. You had about 8000 viewes which is less than 2% of expats in Thailand, and 200 replies which is less than 4% of the viewers and less than 0.5% of expats. I'm sure you reached the true answers...

2 hours 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. 

 

I'm flying back to the states where I have Medicare plus additional health insurance for cataract surgery in both eyes. In Thailand, out of pocket is 200,000 baht, same exact surgery out of pocket in US will be around 10,000 baht.

A whopping 200 said they want to stay, the rest don't bother posting their views.

2 hours 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. 

 

Not for me, In America a person can't afford insurance and can't afford not to have insurance. I know people paying 1500 dollars a month for insurance. I couldn't afford to live there anymore, and wouldn't want to leave here anyway. Maybe I'm still in the "honeymoon phase" since it's only been a year that I'm here but can't see myself leaving.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

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

 

55 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.

That's very good to know. I've lived here for 8 years and so far have had no need of medical care beyond the very minor. But I've always suspected that a doctor would not 'leave you to die' if you don't have sufficient money as many people seem to think. Indeed a doctor is compelled to treat you by the Hippocratic oath (or at least its modern equivalent) that they all swear.

 

I live here on an adequate pension, but it would be totally unrealistic for me to return to the UK in order to receive 'free' medical care. I have no home or family there and my pension would not even cover the basics. And in the mean time, what does my wife live on?

 

So I'm here for the duration and the fact that there is no way that I could ever afford. or even be offered insurance, doesn't bother me in the slightest. Just keep as fit and as healthy as one can and don't worry about it.

 

I'm not a religious person at all, but I do like this little ditty from Jesus. ''Can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life?''

 

My own little ditty goes like this: ''He worried himself sick because he couldn't get medical insurance''.

3 minutes ago, Tedly said:

Not for me, In America a person can't afford insurance and can't afford not to have insurance. I know people paying 1500 dollars a month for insurance. I couldn't afford to live there anymore, and wouldn't want to leave here anyway. Maybe I'm still in the "honeymoon phase" since it's only been a year that I'm here but can't see myself leaving.

America is a place where fortunes can be made if you have your bun screwed on correctly, here your savings will quickly diminish especially if you have a thai gf.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

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

Don't know who said it but these are sexpats and we don't want them to stay here. Obviously, young women don't want to spend time with retired farang, so they are doing it for money, ie prostitution, which is illegal. 

39 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I'm flying back to the states where I have Medicare plus additional health insurance for cataract surgery in both eyes. In Thailand, out of pocket is 200,000 baht, same exact surgery out of pocket in US will be around 10,000 baht.

Do you mean your 2 insurances are paying for most of the surgery HappyExpat57 ?

If so --why quote one price here-that has no insurance 200K against a price that has insurance 10K.

 

Anyway--best of luck, you may want to look at medical lens that will allow you not to have to ever wear glasses again

I had it done here about 15 years ago, and can still pick up any newspaper etc & have no problem reading it.

The lenses are made in Texas, but your insurance wont cover for them, as they class them as a cosmetic enhancement.

38 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

 

That's very good to know. I've lived here for 8 years and so far have had no need of medical care beyond the very minor. But I've always suspected that a doctor would not 'leave you to die' if you don't have sufficient money as many people seem to think. Indeed a doctor is compelled to treat you by the Hippocratic oath (or at least its modern equivalent) that they all swear.

 

I live here on an adequate pension, but it would be totally unrealistic for me to return to the UK in order to receive 'free' medical care. I have no home or family there and my pension would not even cover the basics. And in the mean time, what does my wife live on?

 

So I'm here for the duration and the fact that there is no way that I could ever afford. or even be offered insurance, doesn't bother me in the slightest. Just keep as fit and as healthy as one can and don't worry about it.

 

I'm not a religious person at all, but I do like this little ditty from Jesus. ''Can any of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life?''

 

My own little ditty goes like this: ''He worried himself sick because he couldn't get medical insurance''.

I have had prostate trouble for years and it wasn't getting any better so I went to a large public hospital in Chiang Mai and the doctor said if I had my prostate taken out it would cost so much and if I didn't have the money the monthly payments would be so much. Thailand has a heart all thro many can't see it. And as far as Jesus goes give him a chance as he is always in my heart.

4 hours 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. 

 

Plus a loonnggg waiting list

Turning 80 and I have loved living in Thailand for 30 years. Nowhere on the planet compares with the comfortable lifestyle in Thailand. 
 

The majority of my expat friends have returned to their county of origin. The primary reason being that they wish to see their grandkids grow up, graduate and marry. 
 

I am selling my condo here and will rent. The prospect of my Executor having to liquidate my assets in Thailand, as history and experience shows, is a mission impossible. Therefore, I will sell now and rent, get my money out of Thailand, stay here and live happily ever after. ????

Well I live in France and I don't get FREE health benefits.  I have to pay 76 euros per month to a Mutuelle to make sure that when I have anything medical I don't have to hand  out  anything.  Although when I got to doctor, I do have to pay -but it is refunded.

Fo me it's not only a question how good or bad everything is in Thailand. 

 

For me it's about seeing how everything is steeply going downhill and becoming worse day by day in the West, especially in Europe.

In the UK, my home country, the national health service is in a mess, it takes weeks to see a doctor, and the elderly are nothing like as well treated there as we are in Thailand. I will stick with my original decision over 35 years ago to retire to Thailand, and to live and die here.

My feelings exactly, been here 11 years now my wife is great(she puts up with me). It is like any where there are pros and cons for me the pros out way the cons.

4 hours 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.

Yes correct,been here since 1998,only just acquired my Thai ID during COVID19, now 30thb a go!

 

4 hours 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.

 

5 hours 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. 

 

Medical services are much cheaper than the United States.

 

Let’s say it as it is, most expats in Thailand have burnt their bridges are skint and stuck with no options That includes the bar stool millionaires and their S.A.S. pensions are being severely stretched nowadays. Most have had to sell their gold earrings, had to transplant their ponytails on to the top of their heads, and their cheap tattoos are faiding 

Edited June 16, 20224 yr by Toby1947

9 hours ago, webfact said:

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.

Thank you for your report and what interested me was the above quote which (from what I could read) was the only mention of a visa in the OP. I assume, therefore, that most ex-pats are happy to remain in Thailand and put up with its bureaucracy and complex financial restrictions regarding visas - and 90 day reports!! I wonder if these ex-pats will still be happy when the bank deposit for a retirement visa should become 1,000,000 baht.

There are many cons of living here but I can't think anywhere else in the world that would be better for me (and family).

 

Everywhere else has some or many of these problems:

 

- Overregulated 

- Wild Karens

- Imminence of war

- Very unstable government

- Dangerous crimes, gunpoint robberies etc

- Exploding homeless populations taking over entire neighborhoods

- Major drug usage issues

- Islamic laws 

- Population with dangerous conflicts about ethnical/religious differences

- Super expensive

- Unbearable heat (like 10-15 degrees hotter than Thai summer)
- Very unwelcoming to foreigners

- Can't get by with only English

- Severe lack of infrastructure 

 

As far as I know, Thailand is the only country that isn't plagued by any of these. There are of course other problems like corruption, stray dogs, road accidents, etc but it's still the number one place I can think of. 

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

most retirees hail from places where it is supplied free

most?

Beach front condo owner can NOT return to thailand, because THAI immigration WILL not accept his medical insurance from his own country. Due too pree existing condition he can not qualify  for Thai scamm insurance. South America is welcoming. He is Not cheap charlie

"Majority of ASEAN NOW expat viewers want to remain in Thailand" nice one 

if you are an older person and do not have THAI medical?

option for wimps ...

marry thai lady b.. and be Slave... and be ATM ...  for the rest of your life ...

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

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

How did you read that I complained? Never stated if I viewed it as positive nor negative.

5 hours 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?

The UK has already stopped handing out lollipops really. Cancer patients still usually get first class treatment very quickly but if you need a hip replacement or surgery for a prolapsed bladder the wait is long, very long.  Around 2 years. Some friends have decided to go private but need to raise over £20k between them to do so.

 

And a returning long absent Brit expat will not immediately get back in to the system be it NHS or for benefits. Need to establish " habitual residence" at a specific address. At least 3 months, up to 6, to do that.

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

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

My experience is mostly pay first before entering the consultant room. ( I am with both MediBank and Bupa )

Warmest