Is Thailand a better place to live then in western countries

[The Fugitive]

24 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

At least that's something I can say that I did accomplish, having nursed thousands of patients during my time in that job. Know lots of other nurses too. Unless, of course, helping people get better isn't worthwhile.

Made me think during the worst of Covid. If I was a nurse and told that 'we have very little stocks of PPE and what we have isn't good' what would I do? Risk my life so that the NHS accountants can get promotion for cost saving? Or, do what all but one (female) doctor did in Aden and scarper?  

[Maha Sarakham]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So you still tip even if it's poor service? Strange thing to do, but I guess that's the US for you.

That's one thing I could do without is the tip culture.  Had some Chinese waiter literally yell at us and demand a tip when his service and attitude was absolute rubbish.  The entitlement of some restaurant workers in the US never ceases to amaze me.  

[4MyEgo]

On 11/10/2022 at 5:24 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

I don't know anybody who lives in Thailand and after a visit back home said something like: That was so nice, I should go back there.

But then again, I guess if they would like it more somewhere else then they would live somewhere else.

Summed up to perfection.

 

I have lived here 7 years now and have returned 4 times in that period to see family, some close friends, some Specialists, and some Dr's for me and the Mrs, and to get a years worth of subsidised meds for me which are 5 times the price here. Medicare gives us something back, usually 50% for the Specialists and Dr's albeit it they have moved the bar on pap smears to every 5 years now, previously 3, so they stuck it to the Mrs, or should I say me for 4,000 baht, but no point in crying over spilt milk, health comes 1st.

 

I did enjoy the colder climate and walking a lot in it, the public transport and cheaper food prices at the bigger stores vs paying higher prices here because of their import duty for the same items.

 

Staying 14 kilometres outside the city in a 2 bedroom apartment through Airbnb was 6,000 baht per night and was cheaper and larger than any hotel room, was centrally located and had parking, the same apartment would rent for 15,000 baht per week on a 6 month lease which makes me think how on earth do people afford to live there.

 

One would have to earn $31,200 net, just for the rent which would mean for a 2 income family, one income provider would have to earn $35,000 gross to cover the rent, no doubt that would be the mum, who would also have to pick up kids from school, and the other would have to earn pretty much the same to basically survive, if you could call it that.

 

The husband or other income provider would pay for everything else, e.g. electricity, gas, car registration, petrol, car insurance, car maintenance, public transport, parking, food, clothing, appliances, occasional dentist visit, pre-school, school uniforms etc etc, suffice to say the cost of food isn't cheap and one would have to be selective, and as for eating out, that's a non even as I found out, a simple rib-eye steak at a local RSL would set you back 1,125 baht, a schooner of beer pretty much 200 baht unless it's during happy hour which would drop down to 125 baht.

 

What kind of existence would that be ?

 

Would I return, not a chance in hell, i.e. unless I was booted out of here, life is good, take the good with the bad in every government run country.

 

It is much cheaper here to live that is for sure, but also depends on what you like to eat, drink and where you choose to go for holidays.

 

Won't be going back in a hurry, although the daughter who lives there did say her wedding would be in 2 years, I said make it 3 + ????

 

Edited November 13, 2022 by 4MyEgo

[Makoshark]

Just came back to the USA for my daughters wedding and can't wait to return to BKK.  THe people in the USA are more %$#@*& up than before.  63 days but who's counting ????

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, Makoshark said:

Just came back to the USA for my daughters wedding and can't wait to return to BKK.  THe people in the USA are more %$#@*& up than before.  63 days but who's counting ????

When I went back home for a visit it was nice to catch up with old friends, but that was the only thing I liked about it. Too cold, too expensive, too over regulated, and too violent. Never feel safe here, which is something I never worried about in LOS.

[jerrymahoney]

Unlike some (many?) of you gents, I have no son or daughter in US from a previous marriage (or marriages) as I never had a marriage before just last year at age 70 here in Thailand.

 

Any next trip back to US will be if/when I have be in person for financial/legal issues that cannot be done via notary at US Embassy-Bangkok.

 

So I am now here in Thailand with a new marriage, new house with 25 meter salt swimming pool less than 200 meters from my door, and other delights that would certainly not be available to me stateside.

[DJ54]

I enjoy living here for 7 years now…. It’s a good place living in the countryside..NE

[The Fugitive]

2 minutes ago, DJ54 said:

I enjoy living here for 7 years now…. It’s a good place living in the countryside..NE

It is. I like the absence of roaming gangs of muggers, thugs and vandals. Things do get stolen but the neighbours and police instantly seem to know whodunnit!

[HuskerDo2]

Just now, DJ54 said:

I enjoy living here for 7 years now…. It’s a good place living in the countryside..NE

There have to be SOME negatives. Have you lived in the city anywhere in LOS? Please expand on your comment. I'm curious. Thanks DJ. 

[kingstonkid]

1 hour ago, HuskerDo2 said:

There have to be SOME negatives. Have you lived in the city anywhere in LOS? Please expand on your comment. I'm curious. Thanks DJ. 

I live in pathum Thani and can tell you that it is definitely easier lifestyle than in Ontario.

The only thing I miss is hockey and not the pro leagues.  Have a few friends but zoom and fb keep us in contact.

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, HuskerDo2 said:

There have to be SOME negatives.

2 for me. I moved to Meuang Ubon Rachathani in June. There is so much road construction that I started calling the place U-Turn Ratchathani.

 

And then the floods hit in late SEP/OCT making it difficult or even impossible to go just about anywhere including the (new) family homestead in one of the outer Amphur Districts.

 

[Andycoops]

Absolutely better than the UK.

[GinBoy2]

9 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

Unlike some (many?) of you gents, I have no son or daughter in US from a previous marriage (or marriages) as I never had a marriage before just last year at age 70 here in Thailand.

 

Any next trip back to US will be if/when I have be in person for financial/legal issues that cannot be done via notary at US Embassy-Bangkok.

 

So I am now here in Thailand with a new marriage, new house with 25 meter salt swimming pool less than 200 meters from my door, and other delights that would certainly not be available to me stateside.

I would agree with all of that, multiple reasons to either stay or go.

 

Medical health reasons is a huge one for many, I think we read way too often on here about some poor sop suffered accident, heart attack, fill in the blanks and has no, or not enough insurance and the ubiquitous GoFundme account is set up.

 

But for a lot of us kids are huge draw.

 

I have two daughters from a previous marriage, and my Thai son who all live in the US. Eldest daughter and son in Denver, youngest daughter in San Diego

 

They are all in their mid 20-30's, and first Grandchild will be born next month.

 

Regardless of all the other things that drew us back to the US, not sure I could, at this stage in my life, not be a couple of hours flying time from my first Grandkid. And Momma and our son. Well being apart was never gonna happen!

 

Never underestimate the power of kith, kin and blood

[The Fugitive]

5 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I would agree with all of that, multiple reasons to either stay or go.

 

Medical health reasons is a huge one for many, I think we read way too often on here about some poor sop suffered accident, heart attack, fill in the blanks and has no, or not enough insurance and the ubiquitous GoFundme account is set up.

 

But for a lot of us kids are huge draw.

 

I have two daughters from a previous marriage, and my Thai son who all live in the US. Eldest daughter and son in Denver, youngest daughter in San Diego

 

They are all in their mid 20-30's, and first Grandchild will be born next month.

 

Regardless of all the other things that drew us back to the US, not sure I could, at this stage in my life, not be a couple of hours flying time from my first Grandkid. And Momma and our son. Well being apart was never gonna happen!

 

Never underestimate the power of kith, kin and blood

Brought a tear to my eye, truly. Good on you Sir!

[mania]

On 11/10/2022 at 11:16 AM, kingstonkid said:

Just wondering with all the.<deleted> going on in the rest of the world is it just me or does life here seem saner.

No for my wife & I

 

We do love it here & have a home in the country that we are at now for our 3 months. But No it is far from saner.

 

Then again we live in a nice spot when not in Thailand & we do not get all riled up about politics etc. In fact we don't watch TV although do have Netflix etc

 

But yes when here we also spend time in Chiang Mai where we lived for 6 years previously & to take care of business like passport renewal etc.

 

While there we really notice how insane it is here. Traffic,crazy drivers, sanitation lacking,road conditions,air quality

Many things really & again we do love it but no it is nowhere near sane in any way. Other countries had real support during the whole covid mess & things like that were in reality small & look at how Thailand (lack of leadership as always) handled that?

 

Imagine something much larger & how would that go ..especially for foreigners

 

 

So yeah No vote from us ????  We love it & always will return but never again to live full time.

Edited November 15, 2022 by mania

[Harveyboy]

On 11/10/2022 at 11:32 AM, worgeordie said:

Happy here , just cannot imagine what life is like in the UK now,

have not been back for 35 years ......if I did , possible culture shock ..

 

regards worgeordie

same here x pat of over 30 years the thought of going back to UK would give me nightmares..I'm here for the long haul even with all its negatives..I look at the positives..cup half full eh !!

[GinBoy2]

On 11/15/2022 at 2:27 AM, mania said:

No for my wife & I

 

We do love it here & have a home in the country that we are at now for our 3 months. But No it is far from saner.

 

Then again we live in a nice spot when not in Thailand & we do not get all riled up about politics etc. In fact we don't watch TV although do have Netflix etc

 

But yes when here we also spend time in Chiang Mai where we lived for 6 years previously & to take care of business like passport renewal etc.

 

While there we really notice how insane it is here. Traffic,crazy drivers, sanitation lacking,road conditions,air quality

Many things really & again we do love it but no it is nowhere near sane in any way. Other countries had real support during the whole covid mess & things like that were in reality small & look at how Thailand (lack of leadership as always) handled that?

 

Imagine something much larger & how would that go ..especially for foreigners

 

 

So yeah No vote from us ????  We love it & always will return but never again to live full time.

I think thats a concept that many of the diehards can't grasp.

 

I love Thailand, yet I can recognize the faults, but I don't hate it yet equally it's not for us full time anymore.

 

For some of the true zealots you're either  'All In' or you're a Hater

 

Thats the point where I always think 'Thou protests too much'

 

I often wonder if those who slam any of us that like to spilt our experience, yet can objectively criticize the glaring faults in Thailand are themselves not conflicted.

 

To quote George Smiley " The fanatic is always harboring secret doubts"

 

[473geo]

11 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I think thats a concept that many of the diehards can't grasp.

 

I love Thailand, yet I can recognize the faults, but I don't hate it yet equally it's not for us full time anymore.

 

For some of the true zealots you're either  'All In' or you're a Hater

 

Thats the point where I always think 'Thou protests too much'

 

I often wonder if those who slam any of us that like to spilt our experience, yet can objectively criticize the glaring faults in Thailand are themselves not conflicted.

 

To quote George Smiley " The fanatic is always harboring secret doubts"

 

Perhaps it those who have adapted well, those that understand nowhere is perfect, but get irked by people trying to turn insignificant downsides into major dramas to support their choices 

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, 473geo said:

Perhaps it those who have adapted well, those that understand nowhere is perfect, but get irked by people trying to turn insignificant downsides into major dramas to support their choices 

I understand people can have connections to Thailand and some other place or places. What irks me is when the feel the need to say, as they often do:

 

And I get the best of BOTH worlds.

Edited November 16, 2022 by jerrymahoney

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/15/2022 at 10:27 PM, mania said:

But yes when here we also spend time in Chiang Mai where we lived for 6 years previously & to take care of business like passport renewal etc.

 

While there we really notice how insane it is here. Traffic,crazy drivers, sanitation lacking,road conditions,air quality

For a city the size of C M the people that run it are useless IMO.

They didn't even put on anything at new years eve ( before covid ) and considering it's a tourist place that's pretty bad.

Don't know where the money goes, but it doesn't go to cleaning the roads or improving the infrastructure.

I also blame them for the pathetic night life ( actually lack of night life ).