Ignore the Naysayers ! Live the dream in Thailand

[still kicking]

On 1/13/2023 at 8:23 AM, KhunLA said:

I live the dream no matter where I'm at.  Think I got to my 'final' Shangri-La.  Unless I hit the lottery ... then I'll move forward again to a better Shangri-La.

 

No gas bill, no car payment, and rain water is free ... ????

 

 

 

Ilive in OZ now and don't pay for gas because I don't have it and my water is also free and my rent is just $ 240per week AUD

Edited January 16, 2023 by still kicking

[spidermike007]

On 1/12/2023 at 11:12 PM, KhunLA said:

If I had 2 mill USD, liquid, a very small lottery wins, then Thailand would be in rear view mirror, and never looking back.  Not sure where I'd go, but it wouldn't here.  After 20+ yrs, nothing of interest to keep me here.

 

Love my life here, but I wouldn't pass up a financial upgrade, along with a location upgrade.  Nomadic till I found a spot, or not.

 

Might just stay nomadic ... $2 mill - 10 yr - $500+ a day.  That works, so no need to settle in, or settle for, any place.

I would guess that applies to over half of the expat population here. Many of us have very good lives here, because it is reasonable. If money were not a consideration, I would likely limit my time here to a few months a year. 

[Jingthing]

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I would guess that applies to over half of the expat population here. Many of us have very good lives here, because it is reasonable. If money were not a consideration, I would likely limit my time here to a few months a year. 

I wouldn't come to Thailand at all.

[markclover]

He looks like he's never worked a day in his life.

[jerrymahoney]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I would guess that applies to over half of the expat population here. Many of us have very good lives here, because it is reasonable. If money were not a consideration, I would likely limit my time here to a few months a year. 

I guess I am in the other under half.

[nigelforbes]

Just to put moving from Thailand into context.

 

15 or 20 years ago, when I had enough money to live where I wanted, I made the choice to live here. Today, if I had enough money to move to any where I wanted I would not remain. But that's not because I made a bad decision 15 or 20 years ago or because Thailand has changed for the worse, it's because I've seen Thailand, done it, been there and now it would be good to do something different.  But at 73 I have made my bed and I'm happy lay in it. 

[Lucky Bones]

On 1/12/2023 at 4:02 PM, persimmon said:

Anywhere gets boring if you stay there long enough . Thailand was cheap a few years ago when £ 1 bought 70 + Bt. Not now though .

5-6 months here and the rest back in the UK suits me .

I`d hate to burn all my bridges and be stuck here for the rest of my life . I was lucky ( or unlucky ???? ) enough to chance upon a meeting of expats up here near Udon . It was not a happy occasion . They looked old , tired and generally p*ssed off with life . The Gfs looked even less happy .

Sounds like Thailand never was for you if you got bored and socialise with grumpy ex-pats & their GF's so quickly.

Maybe the GF's just don't like you?

Burkina Faso, (previously known as Upper Volta) is on a tourist drive right now.

The Capitals name of Quagadougou certainly isn't boring and apparently GF's look happy.

Let us all know how it goes.????????

 

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, nigelforbes said:

Just to put moving from Thailand into context.

 

15 or 20 years ago, when I had enough money to live where I wanted, I made the choice to live here. Today, if I had enough money to move to any where I wanted I would not remain. But that's not because I made a bad decision 15 or 20 years ago or because Thailand has changed for the worse, it's because I've seen Thailand, done it, been there and now it would be good to do something different.  But at 73 I have made my bed and I'm happy lay in it. 

I believe Thailand is a good place to live, but it will never be like Home, or a place you feel you belong 100% no matter how good wife, family or nice house, farm or apartment you got. 
 

We will always be a farang, or the farang. 

[nigelforbes]

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I believe Thailand is a good place to live, but it will never be like Home, or a place you feel you belong 100% no matter how good wife, family or nice house, farm or apartment you got. 
 

We will always be a farang, or the farang. 

I don't mind that, it doesn't worry me. TBH I feel more of a stranger in the UK these days than I do here, I just can't relate to the people, their priorities or lifestyles any more.

Edited January 17, 2023 by nigelforbes

[ozimoron]

Just now, nigelforbes said:

I don't mind that, it doesn't worry me. TBH I feel more of a stranger in the UK these days than I do here, I just can't relate to the people, their priorities of lifestyles any more.

Same, I always like to seek out what's new. I'm bored with the same old familiarity. It's like listening to the same old songs you enjoyed in your youth.

[Hummin]

15 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

I don't mind that, it doesn't worry me. TBH I feel more of a stranger in the UK these days than I do here, I just can't relate to the people, their priorities or lifestyles any more.

Thats also true, after covid and came back home for first time after almost 3 years, I got the same feeling, but it is still the place where my family live, where I was born, where I have alot of good memories, and where I have created my life so I can live here in Thailand.

[KhunLA]

16 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

I don't mind that, it doesn't worry me. TBH I feel more of a stranger in the UK these days than I do here, I just can't relate to the people, their priorities or lifestyles any more.

Ditto, as lived almost half my adult life in TH, and this is more like home.  Went to USA in 2003, couple months while mother passed on to the next multiverse, and then in 2006, for a long weekend.  Both times, I couldn't wait to 'get back home'.

 

Moved out of parents house at age 20-45, so 25 yrs of knocking around the states, been here for 23 yrs, knocking around TH.  Wouldn't go back to any place that I lived there.  Quite happy where I've been here, for past 5 yrs, especially with the new house, build to our specs, and damn comfy.

 

I think it would be very hard for me to find something similar elsewhere, and have no desire to attempt to find at my age.  Took a few years exploring, to just find and settle here.

[save the frogs]

43 minutes ago, nigelforbes said:

I don't mind that, it doesn't worry me. TBH I feel more of a stranger in the UK these days than I do here, I just can't relate to the people, their priorities or lifestyles any more.

I feel more at home living in ANY non-western country than my home country. 

 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

I am the one who stayed home. Continue work. The odd holiday. I say I will go. I read this site for inspiration. But will I live there? Probably 50 50. Too damn hot all year I think.  

[nigelforbes]

When I first started working in the Far East and Asia in the late 1980's, I used to count the days until I could get back home to the English countryside et al. When I landed in the UK I was happy, for a while. Over time I noticed that anticipation of returning to the UK start to wain, eventually things got to a point where I dreaded going back. It's a funny old world, even funnier how people change over time.

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I feel more at home living in ANY non-western country than my home country. 

 

I could not survive in Vietnam or Cambodia, but Philippines and Malaysia I could live if not Thailand. Indonesia I have not been yet or Bali.

[save the frogs]

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I could not survive in Vietnam or Cambodia, but Philippines and Malaysia I could live if not Thailand. Indonesia I have not been yet or Bali.

the specific country is maybe not the main issue.

but rather that there is a strange inexplicable mysterious phenomenon that a certain percentage of people don't feel comfortable in their home countries.

[nigelforbes]

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

the specific country is maybe not the main issue.

but rather that there is a strange inexplicable mysterious phenomenon that a certain percentage of people don't feel comfortable in their home countries.

It's boiling frog syndrome, if you boil with everyone else, you'll be fine. But jump out of the water and then return sometime later and you really notice the difference.

[Harveyboy]

On 1/12/2023 at 4:11 PM, Shop mak said:

If or when life get to boring here in Thailand, I take a few months in Cambodia or Phillipines.

That always set my head straight, and I return to Thailand, with a fresh pair of rose tinted glasses. And love every day for yet another year.

 

Highly recommended.

yep I'm with you on that one mate positives far outweigh the negatives...glass half full eh   

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, Harveyboy said:

yep I'm with you on that one mate positives far outweigh the negatives...glass half full eh   

Maybe it boils down to what interests you have and where you get most value for your money? 

 

Every country have its qualities, and for some Pattaya or Patong was what got them in the first place, and now it is all over. Nothing will be the same again. For me it was the fearless life doing outdoor sports, and now Im done, no interest of diving around dead corrals or overcrowded see full of snorkelers and wannabe divers. Just to give a reference. 

 

What Thailand offers on the touring side with motorbike is what kept me here until I settled and got married. So now I have a good reason to stay.

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

I believe Thailand is a good place to live, but it will never be like Home, or a place you feel you belong 100% no matter how good wife, family or nice house, farm or apartment you got. 
 

We will always be a farang, or the farang. 

If you never had a family of your own, meaning wife and children, in the US and the siblings you have are hostile to the point that they don't want to even acknowledge your existence, then having a family in Thailand may be the only real family you ever had.

[Hummin]

3 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

If you never had a family of your own, meaning wife and children, in the US and the siblings you have are hostile to the point that they don't want to even acknowledge your existence, then having a family in Thailand may be the only real family you ever had.

My real family is my mom, father, brother and sister, who Im still in contact with, and now I have a wife in Thailand. I had a fiancee, and also was married but no kids on my own, so I do not carry any negative feelings to anyone in previous life. Im actually feeling quite blessed, not because I did not struggle in my life because I did struggle, and I crash economically  in 1990, 2008 and 2020, where I had to restart. Lucky I had learned something when covid hit, and had more secured business I could jump off without loosing to much. 
 

Being able to think positive and restart without negative feeling about past is the most essential quality, no matter who or where you are and to many just another cliche I guess. 
 

The question is, why do they not want to acknowledge their father? Complicated for both parts I guess to admit any wrongdoing, or trying to solve the problems especially when the distance between them, is physically great when one part living in Us and the other part in Thailand. 
 

We all have some issues with our families at some point in life
 

 

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, nigelforbes said:

When I first started working in the Far East and Asia in the late 1980's, I used to count the days until I could get back home to the English countryside et al. When I landed in the UK I was happy, for a while. Over time I noticed that anticipation of returning to the UK start to wain, eventually things got to a point where I dreaded going back. It's a funny old world, even funnier how people change over time.

In both ends I start to create a colored image of the reality if Im stuck for awhile, thats why it is for some good to keep both ends open. 

[persimmon]

17 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

If you never had a family of your own, meaning wife and children, in the US and the siblings you have are hostile to the point that they don't want to even acknowledge your existence, then having a family in Thailand may be the only real family you ever had.

I suspect that`s one of the main reasons people stay long-term - once you develop relationships and have people that rely on you , it`s hard to break away .

Regarding the cost of living though , I did some rough calculations and came to the conclusion that it`s costing me 50 - 100 % more ( so almost double ) to live here than it would back in the UK  ( that`s without any payments to support wife / gf ) , most of the extra cost being visas , flights , rent and health / travel insurance .....so much for Thailand being a cheap alternative .

One thing you can`t really put a price on is waking up to clear blue skies every day - the weather up here in Udon is great ATM , cool early mornings and warm and sunny days . So different to the UK where it`s mainly cold , wet and windy , and that`s just in Summer ????

[jerrymahoney]

21 minutes ago, Hummin said:

The question is, why do they not want to acknowledge their father?

Brother. And the question will remain unanswered.

[Hummin]

23 minutes ago, persimmon said:

I suspect that`s one of the main reasons people stay long-term - once you develop relationships and have people that rely on you , it`s hard to break away .

Regarding the cost of living though , I did some rough calculations and came to the conclusion that it`s costing me 50 - 100 % more ( so almost double ) to live here than it would back in the UK  ( that`s without any payments to support wife / gf ) , most of the extra cost being visas , flights , rent and health / travel insurance .....so much for Thailand being a cheap alternative .

One thing you can`t really put a price on is waking up to clear blue skies every day - the weather up here in Udon is great ATM , cool early mornings and warm and sunny days . So different to the UK where it`s mainly cold , wet and windy , and that`s just in Summer ????

If so, it means you still have a house or flat back in Uk? 
 

My life cost the same here as back in my country, except here I travel 3 times as much and my basic costs include family expenses is cut half in comparison If lived alone in Norway. 
 

A western lifestyle is expensive in Thailand, and Vietnam would had been a cheaper option if that was the most important. 
 

My expenses traveling back home is due to work, so not really a cost. 

[thaibeachlovers]

23 hours ago, alex8912 said:

I wasn't born yet in 1963 but how is farming fun/ not boring? Why are there so few farmers left in the west? How do you even do it when elderly?  I'm just sitting here at Hua Hin Immigration waiting for a simple 30 day extension of my 60 day visa and have never seen so many elderly in one location in Thailand ever! Eighty percent of them seem incapable to do much at all. I'm wondering if living here long term is really healthy. I'm thinking the 6 ish month here and 6 ish month in the West is perhaps really living the life!  I've tried it before corona and doing it again this year.  There just seems to be a lot of bored people here.  How or why people like the guy next to me do this every 90 days is mind boggling. It seems no one does this on line. If they did it I'd out of here already. The METV seems to be a great route if you like to be out of Thailand a few months a year with way less hassles. 

If you don't have any farmer friends to explain it to you you'll have to look it up on google. It'd take too long to explain on here and what would be the point anyway?

There are fewer farmers because mechanisation has reduced the need for workers, and there isn't enough money in farming to make it worthwhile now. I gave it up 2 years after I started because of 84 hour work weeks and pitiful pay. Didn't want to as that was what I wanted to do at school, but unless I married the farmer's daughter that was going to inherit, no future in it.

Old farmers? A farmer friend of mine is 73 and not retiring any time soon. He works 7 days a week.

 

How do you even do it when elderly?

LOL. It's not like the old days. Ever heard of tractors? Hard jobs like fencing are done by machine, not with a spade, hay bales moved by tractor, fed out by machine etc. When I was farming everything was by hand and hard work- all gone now. Probably the hardest job that can't be done by a machine now is shearing.

If one can drive and use a lever, that's enough.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

The question is, why do they not want to acknowledge their father?

Unless the father was a real <deleted> it's IMO usually because the mother that gets custody poisons them against him.

 

My father wasn't the greatest by a long shot, but I still didn't disown him.

[VinnieK]

On 1/12/2023 at 4:11 PM, Shop mak said:

If or when life get to boring here in Thailand, I take a few months in Cambodia or Phillipines.

That always set my head straight, and I return to Thailand, with a fresh pair of rose tinted glasses. And love every day for yet another year.

 

Highly recommended.

No need to go...we have YouTube for that.????

[Hummin]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Unless the father was a real <deleted> it's IMO usually because the mother that gets custody poisons them against him.

 

My father wasn't the greatest by a long shot, but I still didn't disown him.

Father son and brother brother relationships is not always easy, but there is a time where you have to put all the hard feelings behind you, and forgive if not they forgive you. Just for our own peace of mind. It can be a good idea to say it face to face also, just to get it out of your system before to late.