What are your greatest concerns living in Thailand over the next 1, 5, 10 and 20 years?

 

Currency exchange?

VISA's?

Health and Medical?

Air Pollution?

Flooding?

Running out of Money?

Country changing attitude towards expats for the worse?

Asia War - China/Taiwan?

Cost of gas, electric, food continuing to increase?

 

How do you think the country itself will change in those timelines?

 

If you had to do it all over again starting in 2022, would you sell everything you owned in your own country to move to Thailand forever?

 

 

Possibly Thaksin coming back and/or another Shinawatra in charge.

Then I would almost bet history would repeat itself - in many ways, all bad.

 

Otherwise, I am sure life will change here and there a little. But I don't expect significant changes.

My greatest fear is the lowering of Thailand's Gini coefficient. Cheap human labour combined with a developed economy, is by far the greatest benefit to living in Thailand. 

 

 Because of  cheap human labour, I have somebody to iron my clothes, somebody to clean my room, service with a smile, daily Michellin food, eating out everyday, great leisure opportunities, and all with simple cash payments; the servants have no expectation of seizing half my assets should they decide I don't make them happy.

 

I rely on (as do the Thai middle-class and you) the continued immiseration of the lower strata of Thai people and the surrounding countries. 

 

 If Thailand and its neighbours were to become too equal, those smiles would be replaced with computers.  Technology cannot adequately replace the human hand. 

41 minutes ago, KIngsofisaan said:

Country changing attitude towards expats for the worse?

Easily Numba One. I do not expect it to change radically but I find I have less tolerance for it as I age. I have a plan B or C at all times. The long term G has a Schengen passport which simplifies matters. 

health of myself and family members...

 

being here for them. 

36 minutes ago, KIngsofisaan said:

If you had to do it all over again starting in 2022, would you sell everything you owned in your own country to move to Thailand forever?

I moved to Thailand when I was 30. I didn't regret it for even one day.

 

Recently, after many years, I was back "home" for a few weeks. It got worse. Good that I moved out of there. So, I am 100% sure I would move away from "home" again.

 

Would I, in 2022, move again to Thailand? Maybe. Thailand is still fun, but obviously it is not as exotic and cheap as it was 25 years ago.

A couple of years ago I might have moved to Myanmar. Good that I never did that. 

When I moved to Thailand I was motivated to come here after two holidays. But before my move I did a lot of research about the country. And at that time the economy also looked great - before the crash.

 

I would do any research again about any country which I would fancy. Maybe I would find a better place than Thailand. Maybe. Currently I don't know which other place that would be. But then, there are about two hundred countries on this earth.

 

45 minutes ago, KIngsofisaan said:

What are your greatest concerns living in Thailand over the next 1, 5, 10 and 20 years?

At 75 staying healthy and to still ride my motorbike when I'm 90.

Currency exchange rate is my greatest cause for concern. My income is 100% in GBP and has reduced by around 40% since I moved here.

 

Luckily I have a decent occupational pension plus (recently) a UK state pension, so I'm still doing okay.

 

I regret not buying a few cheap condos here when I had the opportunity. That could have given me a rental income in THB - protected from the dwindling exchange rate.

 

 

Westerners moving here. 

Finding interesting things when O&A that I haven't seen already.  Finding someone to water the garden+ when O&A.

 

Hoping my dog hangs around for at least 5 more year, or 10 would be even better.

 

Hope the world economies stay stagnant, and tourist arrivals are less than 5 mill the next 10ish years.  OK, that's selfish, so let's go with people actually start caring about MMGW, and stop traveling internationally, and stop polluting this fine planet.

 

Oh yea ... World Peace ...  now that's some funny sh!t.

Oh well, one can dream.  On that, depopulation isn't exactly a bad thing.  Sooner better than later.

 

 

That my £1500 a month income can't cover my expenses as I get older.

5 hours ago, Gaccha said:

My greatest fear is the lowering of Thailand's Gini coefficient. Cheap human labour combined with a developed economy, is by far the greatest benefit to living in Thailand. 

 

 Because of  cheap human labour, I have somebody to iron my clothes, somebody to clean my room, service with a smile, daily Michellin food, eating out everyday, great leisure opportunities, and all with simple cash payments; the servants have no expectation of seizing half my assets should they decide I don't make them happy.

 

I rely on (as do the Thai middle-class and you) the continued immiseration of the lower strata of Thai people and the surrounding countries. 

 

 If Thailand and its neighbours were to become too equal, those smiles would be replaced with computers.  Technology cannot adequately replace the human hand. 

immiseration - Nice word...I had to look that one up. 

8 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Possibly Thaksin coming back and/or another Shinawatra in charge.

Then I would almost bet history would repeat itself - in many ways, all bad.

 

Otherwise, I am sure life will change here and there a little. But I don't expect significant changes.

You had to shoehorn your hatred of Thaksin into a post about the future of Thailand.

Apart from (allegedly) a couple of visits to CM the guy has been gone for 14 yrs. Get over it. 

The lives of farang living here in Thaksin's days were not really adversely affected yet a few get really red in the face when he is mentioned. A bit like the gammon in UK banging on about "Commie Labour!".

Cue........"What about 'his' extra judicial killings?"

8 hours ago, KIngsofisaan said:

What are your greatest concerns living in Thailand over the next 1, 5, 10 and 20 years?

Don't think my worry depends on the country in which I live.

Namely, falling apart but still being alive.

My dad had severe heart problems for his last 7 years, couldn't do anything but sit in a chair.

My Aunts/Uncles got dementia, couldn't remember their wives/family for their last 10-20 years.

I can do without any of that.

 

Here's better than back in the UK

At least we don't need to worry about the price of heating our homes.

Continuing deterioration of the Thai economy and physical environment.

Three main things for me.

 

1. Pound Baht exchange rate. 

2. Price of air tickets and I go back to the UK every 9 months for a couple days for hospital appointments and check on my property..

3. I still use UK NHS for tablets, so biggest worry they crack down on issuing 9 months of tablets - but my own health issues are covered by UK law tablet wise so unlikely.

My only concern about living in Thailand for the remainder of my life is health related, I.E. Some serious problem arises & my Health Insurance won't cover it,  but if that happens I honestly think I'd rather go up in smoke here than go back to the UK

 

Guys who are considering moving here now need to think long and hard about all of the points you mentioned especially the cost of living / exchange rate points (I'm too committed now to give a toss about those ???? )  

 

 

You forgot, increase in shootings , stabbings, road rage.

Health and medical. 

8 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

Westerners moving here. 

I think the ship has already sailed on that one.. 

Health

9 hours ago, Gaccha said:

My greatest fear is the lowering of Thailand's Gini coefficient. Cheap human labour combined with a developed economy, is by far the greatest benefit to living in Thailand. 

 

 Because of  cheap human labour, I have somebody to iron my clothes, somebody to clean my room, service with a smile, daily Michellin food, eating out everyday, great leisure opportunities, and all with simple cash payments; the servants have no expectation of seizing half my assets should they decide I don't make them happy.

 

I rely on (as do the Thai middle-class and you) the continued immiseration of the lower strata of Thai people and the surrounding countries. 

 

 If Thailand and its neighbours were to become too equal, those smiles would be replaced with computers.  Technology cannot adequately replace the human hand. 

ahh ... the usefulness of the unwashed proletariat ????

38 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

I think the ship has already sailed on that one.. 

I think things have slowed down on that.  Especially if prospective arrivals read AN, and take note to how miserable everyone here is ????

 

More info out there now about the negatives, for some, moving to TH, vs staying home.

 

If I was looking, and did research, TH wouldn't even be considered now, if 45 & ready to retire.  Especially if I was 65 and considering retiring abroad.   COL has changed dramatically since 2000, where fixed incomes have not kept up, not even close.

 

It's a whole new world ????

2 hours ago, Red Forever said:

10 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Possibly Thaksin coming back and/or another Shinawatra in charge.

Then I would almost bet history would repeat itself - in many ways, all bad.

 

Otherwise, I am sure life will change here and there a little. But I don't expect significant changes.

You had to shoehorn your hatred of Thaksin into a post about the future of Thailand.

Apart from (allegedly) a couple of visits to CM the guy has been gone for 14 yrs. Get over it. 

The lives of farang living here in Thaksin's days were not really adversely affected yet a few get really red in the face when he is mentioned. A bit like the gammon in UK banging on about "Commie Labour!".

Cue........"What about 'his' extra judicial killings?"

Actually, OMF simply did what the OP asked for, he voiced his personal concern about his future in Thailand. That's his opinion on the subject.

You, however, Mr Red Forever, chose to attack him for voicing his opinion. Troll.

The influence of China, and the decrease in numbers of people able and willing to do good/skilled manual work.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I can do without any of that

By what method?

At age 75 and a cholesterol/heart issue the health/insurance concerns are at the top. Plan is for our family (Thai Wife, Stepdaughter and myself) to visit USA for the month of April 2023. Exit with my O-A visa, no return permit ... re-enter Visa Exempt go through the process of getting an "O" Visa for reason of retirement. I will try to show I have made over a decade of monthly transfers of 65K+. Fall back position would be "O" Visa for marriage as I will not cash in 800K invested funds to park in a Thai bank (I do have separate account with 400K+ as funds for my Wife when I croak).

10 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I moved to Thailand when I was 30. I didn't regret it for even one day.

 

Recently, after many years, I was back "home" for a few weeks. It got worse. Good that I moved out of there. So, I am 100% sure I would move away from "home" again.

 

Would I, in 2022, move again to Thailand? Maybe. Thailand is still fun, but obviously it is not as exotic and cheap as it was 25 years ago.

A couple of years ago I might have moved to Myanmar. Good that I never did that. 

When I moved to Thailand I was motivated to come here after two holidays. But before my move I did a lot of research about the country. And at that time the economy also looked great - before the crash.

 

I would do any research again about any country which I would fancy. Maybe I would find a better place than Thailand. Maybe. Currently I don't know which other place that would be. But then, there are about two hundred countries on this earth.

I came to Thailand when I was 39 years old, that was 32 years ago now!

Of course things have changed, like everywhere in the world!

But here it has kept within narrow limits!

I would know at once no better place, for me!

 

I have my choice, in any case not regretted ... Until today!

45 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I think things have slowed down on that.  Especially if prospective arrivals read AN, and take note to how miserable everyone here is ????

 

More info out there now about the negatives, for some, moving to TH, vs staying home.

 

If I was looking, and did research, TH wouldn't even be considered now, if 45 & ready to retire.  Especially if I was 65 and considering retiring abroad.   COL has changed dramatically since 2000, where fixed incomes have not kept up, not even close.

 

It's a whole new world ????

Yes, I think you are right in many ways... I used to think that anyone would be happier here, but now I am not sure... though I can't think of any place I would rather be or that would be better. For me. 

 

I have been here a long time and first here in 1974... back when people actually did enjoy exploring the exotic culture... I think these days many people are just here for issues of cost and often have no idea of what being in another culture means... 

 

And if you are going to be heading into the dementia years, often a very slow process, the affect of being in a different culture may not be the best place to be... 

11 hours ago, KIngsofisaan said:

What are your greatest concerns living in Thailand over the next 1, 5, 10 and 20 years?

That my wife dies before I do.