Why are you in Thailand?

[proton]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I also miss them. Unfortunately by now they are all old or dead already.

 

 

time can be cruel

 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Do you like looking at  naked woman ?

Not really. I prefer them with a little something. ???? 

 

[itsari]

10 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Why I came, serial killer on the run.

Why I remain, good hunting and aint been caught yet, and you lot thpught my signature was a joke ! ????

Never thought your signature was a joke .

[brewsterbudgen]

48 minutes ago, Faltu said:

I live in Thailand for cheap sex all around and can also work online. No I don't like Thai foods (except steamed lemon fish and Tom Yum Kung). At least once a week I eat these two.

I agree about the food.  I loved it for the first few years but I'm pretty sick of it now.  Pad krapow and the curries are fine, but some of the rubbish that my wife and her family eat, I can do without.

[LaosLover]

Me and my wife are health insurance/health cost refugees from the states.

 

What we save here more than covers all of our costs, including health insurance. North Carolina was basically throwing us a $100 bill+ a day (plus no more NC state tax) to get the hell out of dodge. We eventually took the hint.

 

We meditate in the Thai Vipassana style. Ajahn Chah of Ubon was a teacher of my teacher in the states (Joseph Goldstein). We really like being in a place where most people have done a bit of that, but we know as westerners we are on a fairly diff spiritual wave length from these devout, reincarnation-believing, merit accumulating wat-goers.

 

There's a good article on Slate about how nuts Asian buddhists think American Buddhists are (tho we identify as Buddhist meditators, not as Buddhists),

[Elkski]

8 hours ago, proton said:

gonorrhoea or syphilis ? ????

Need a super laugh emoji.   I just watched the culture video but what stood out was the children out of uniforms.  Hardly see young children or youth under 21 without uniforms. Heck even the soi Cowboy and Nana girls have uniforms.  There is something to this uniform brain washing.  

[BangkokReady]

11 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

I should live in Mexico, as I am fluent in the language.

You speak fluent Mexican?

[BangkokReady]

Beer and prostitutes is "culture", right?

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I agree about the food.  I loved it for the first few years but I'm pretty sick of it now.  Pad krapow and the curries are fine, but some of the rubbish that my wife and her family eat, I can do without.

I am not sure how much we can adapt about the food. I guess there is always a part of us which wants what mother cooked for us a long time ago.

When I arrived in Thailand, with the intention to live here, I wanted the real Thai experience. I only ate Thai food. First, I liked it. But there was a moment when I just had enough of it. Now I eat sometimes what I was used to "back home", sometimes Thai food, and sometimes Japanese, Italian, etc. At home I eat mostly the same as my Thai gf. But when we go to restaurants, i.e. with a buffet, her food is mostly Thai, and my food is mostly "western".

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, LaosLover said:

There's a good article on Slate about how nuts Asian buddhists think American Buddhists are (tho we identify as Buddhist meditators, not as Buddhists),

American Buddhists are mostly American. I guess that explains it. ???? 

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, Elkski said:

Heck even the soi Cowboy and Nana girls have uniforms.  There is something to this uniform brain washing.  

Where?

Do those Cowboy and Nana girls have uniforms because the Thai owners (if there are any) want that the girls have a Thai style uniform? Or is it more important that many western and Japanese customers like schoolgirl uniforms, etc.

 

I like uniforms ???? 

[ozimoron]

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Not really. I prefer them with a little something. ???? 

This "girl" has a little something. She comes from Cambodia and can't read Thai. Photo taken on Soi Buakhao last night. I had her pegged immediately but my friend didn't.

 

 

[Mac Mickmanus]

17 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

This "girl" has a little something. She comes from Cambodia and can't read Thai. Photo taken on Soi Buakhao last night. I had her pegged immediately but my friend didn't.

 

 

When you realised that "she" had a little something ,did you still bang it ?

   

[ozimoron]

2 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

When you realised that "she" had a little something ,did you still bang it ?

Pretty sure I said I was straight.

[spidermike007]

Rich topic. No short answers here! 

 

I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably leave. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. 
 
This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

 

As some of you know, I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak.

Inflation in the US

 

I am in the US right now, and the prices and inflation are mind blowing. The cheapest lunch we have found was $30 for two. That is 1,000 baht, anytime you want something basic. A bag of groceries is 3,000 baht. A friend of mine is looking for an apartment to move to in LA, and really small, simple places are 70,000 baht per month. Nice two bedrooms are closer to 100,000 baht. Decent homes start at 125,000 baht per month. The cost of nearly everything has gone up dramatically. Runaway inflation?

 
Thailand is still reasonable. It used to be cheap. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. That is 120,000 baht!

Prices in Thailand

I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275.

I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 and up.

I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $500 and up.

 

An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $75.

 

When I travel here I stay in nice four star hotels in Bangkok. Usually 1800-2000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room.

I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 150-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip.

 

I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-2000. An anecdote on this subject. A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1,400,000 baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a good friend of his, in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, he knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1,400,000 at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at Vejthani Hospital, and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 31,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery.

 

Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $800 an hour now for a beauty, with alot of attitude.

 

I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative.

So much of the information in this article means very little. One would only live in Bangkok, if they are a world capital sort of person. As much as I love Bangkok, and love spending time there, I would not want to live there full time. Of course, everyone is different. In the US, Australia, all of Europe, NZ, and Canada pricing for nearly anything is out of control, and only going up. Anything labor related? What cost us 500 baht here is $75-100 in Singapore, and $200 in Los Angeles. Sex? 4,000 baht in Singapore for 30 minutes. Here? 

 

And now that the saboteurs have nearly decimated the economy, my guess is that it is a renter's market in Bangkok, and it certainly is elsewhere in Thailand. Name your price, if you can find a desperado landlord, which many are now. 

[spidermike007]

Rich topic. No short answers here! 

 

I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably leave. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. 
 
This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

 

As some of you know, I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak.

 

I am in the US right now, and the prices and inflation are mind blowing. The cheapest lunch we have found was $30 for two. That is 1,000 baht, anytime you want something basic. A bag of groceries is 3,000 baht. A friend of mine is looking for an apartment to move to in LA, and really small, simple places are 70,000 baht per month. Nice two bedrooms are closer to 100,000 baht. Decent homes start at 125,000 baht per month. The cost of nearly everything has gone up dramatically. Runaway inflation?

 
Thailand is still reasonable. It used to be cheap. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. That is 120,000 baht!

Prices in Thailand

 

I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275.

 

I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 and up.

 

I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $500 and up.

 

An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $75.

 

When I travel here I stay in nice four star hotels in Bangkok. Usually 1800-2000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room.

 

I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 150-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip.

 

I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-2000. An anecdote on this subject. A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1,400,000 baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a good friend of his, in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, he knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1,400,000 at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at Vejthani Hospital, and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 31,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery.

 

Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $800 an hour now for a beauty, with alot of attitude.

 

I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative.

So much of the information in this article means very little. One would only live in Bangkok, if they are a world capital sort of person. As much as I love Bangkok, and love spending time there, I would not want to live there full time. Of course, everyone is different. In the US, Australia, all of Europe, NZ, and Canada pricing for nearly anything is out of control, and only going up. Anything labor related? What cost us 500 baht here is $75-100 in Singapore, and $200 in Los Angeles. Sex? 4,000 baht in Singapore for 30 minutes. Here? 

 

And now that the saboteurs have nearly decimated the economy, my guess is that it is a renter's market in Bangkok, and it certainly is elsewhere in Thailand. Name your price, if you can find a desperado landlord, which many are now. 

 

Then there is the woman equation. Thai women are so comfortable with their femininity, it multiplies their level of attractiveness ten fold. And they do not seem to be afraid of dating, or relationships. Some of my friends and relatives in the US are married. Other than those, I know very few men in the US who are involved in relationships. It is a very, very ugly scene. No thanks. 

Edited February 26, 2023 by spidermike007

[Mac Mickmanus]

1 hour ago, ozimoron said:

This "girl" has a little something. She comes from Cambodia and can't read Thai. Photo taken on Soi Buakhao last night. I had her pegged immediately but my friend didn't.

 

 

I do think that its inappropriate to post personal photos of bar girls in a public forum without their permission .

   They may very well want to keep that part of their life private .

   Just because you can buy them for the night , that doesn't give you the right to post their photos on forums without their permission 

[still kicking]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

Rich topic. No short answers here! 

 

I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably leave. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. 
 
This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

 

As some of you know, I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak.

 

I am in the US right now, and the prices and inflation are mind blowing. The cheapest lunch we have found was $30 for two. That is 1,000 baht, anytime you want something basic. A bag of groceries is 3,000 baht. A friend of mine is looking for an apartment to move to in LA, and really small, simple places are 70,000 baht per month. Nice two bedrooms are closer to 100,000 baht. Decent homes start at 125,000 baht per month. The cost of nearly everything has gone up dramatically. Runaway inflation?

 
Thailand is still reasonable. It used to be cheap. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. That is 120,000 baht!

Prices in Thailand

 

I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275.

 

I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 and up.

 

I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $500 and up.

 

An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $75.

 

When I travel here I stay in nice four star hotels in Bangkok. Usually 1800-2000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room.

 

I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 150-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip.

 

I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-2000. An anecdote on this subject. A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1,400,000 baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a good friend of his, in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, he knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1,400,000 at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at Vejthani Hospital, and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 31,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery.

 

Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $800 an hour now for a beauty, with alot of attitude.

 

I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative.

So much of the information in this article means very little. One would only live in Bangkok, if they are a world capital sort of person. As much as I love Bangkok, and love spending time there, I would not want to live there full time. Of course, everyone is different. In the US, Australia, all of Europe, NZ, and Canada pricing for nearly anything is out of control, and only going up. Anything labor related? What cost us 500 baht here is $75-100 in Singapore, and $200 in Los Angeles. Sex? 4,000 baht in Singapore for 30 minutes. Here? 

 

And now that the saboteurs have nearly decimated the economy, my guess is that it is a renter's market in Bangkok, and it certainly is elsewhere in Thailand. Name your price, if you can find a desperado landlord, which many are now. 

I don't agree with you can't compare prices, Thailand is cheaper because the wages are much lower, I moved back to OZ a few years ago and my rent is just AUD 240 per week I have free health care, free hospital, pay just a fraction for medication most rides on busses are free I can take a train ride to a city 600 km away and pay nothing. Before you ask, I live in a 2-bedroom appartement with kitchen, lounge bathroom and laundry. I am not Thai bashing at all just saying it is not bad everywhere unless you live in the rip off cities like Sydney or Melbourne. I just live on my pension now and still can have a holiday in Thailand ones or twice a year. I could not afford health insurance in Thailand 

[still kicking]

12 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

I do think that its inappropriate to post personal photos of bar girls in a public forum without their permission .

   They may very well want to keep that part of their life private .

   Just because you can buy them for the night , that doesn't give you the right to post their photos on forums without their permission 

Correct 

[Hellfire]

Is sex related to  “health” or “entertainment”? Or, may be, “culture” or even “sports”?

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by Hellfire

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Rich topic. No short answers here! 

 

I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably leave. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. 
 
This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

 

As some of you know, I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak.

 

I am in the US right now, and the prices and inflation are mind blowing. The cheapest lunch we have found was $30 for two. That is 1,000 baht, anytime you want something basic. A bag of groceries is 3,000 baht. A friend of mine is looking for an apartment to move to in LA, and really small, simple places are 70,000 baht per month. Nice two bedrooms are closer to 100,000 baht. Decent homes start at 125,000 baht per month. The cost of nearly everything has gone up dramatically. Runaway inflation?

 
Thailand is still reasonable. It used to be cheap. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. That is 120,000 baht!

Prices in Thailand

 

I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275.

 

I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 and up.

 

I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $500 and up.

 

An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $75.

 

When I travel here I stay in nice four star hotels in Bangkok. Usually 1800-2000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room.

 

I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 150-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip.

 

I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-2000. An anecdote on this subject. A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1,400,000 baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a good friend of his, in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, he knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1,400,000 at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at Vejthani Hospital, and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 31,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery.

 

Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $800 an hour now for a beauty, with alot of attitude.

 

I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative.

So much of the information in this article means very little. One would only live in Bangkok, if they are a world capital sort of person. As much as I love Bangkok, and love spending time there, I would not want to live there full time. Of course, everyone is different. In the US, Australia, all of Europe, NZ, and Canada pricing for nearly anything is out of control, and only going up. Anything labor related? What cost us 500 baht here is $75-100 in Singapore, and $200 in Los Angeles. Sex? 4,000 baht in Singapore for 30 minutes. Here? 

 

And now that the saboteurs have nearly decimated the economy, my guess is that it is a renter's market in Bangkok, and it certainly is elsewhere in Thailand. Name your price, if you can find a desperado landlord, which many are now. 

 

Then there is the woman equation. Thai women are so comfortable with their femininity, it multiplies their level of attractiveness ten fold. And they do not seem to be afraid of dating, or relationships. Some of my friends and relatives in the US are married. Other than those, I know very few men in the US who are involved in relationships. It is a very, very ugly scene. No thanks. 

Sorry about the duplicate post. Was trying to fix the tendency for the site to highlight some of a post. 

[jerrymahoney]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 

I could go on and on, all day long.

Yes and that'd be easy as so much of your stuff is copy & paste

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1259040-no-country-for-old-men-certainly-not-thailand/?do=findComment&comment=17352178

 

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by jerrymahoney

[rabang]

18 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

Yes and that'd be easy as so much of your stuff is copy & paste

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1259040-no-country-for-old-men-certainly-not-thailand/?do=findComment&comment=17352178

 

 

He was just being polite and tried to make sure we would remember.

[habuspasha]

Thank you, Spidermike , for such an extensive comparison between the US and TL.  But if I haven't done this before, I want to offer a couple of caveats.  Not just my NY to your California, or my older generation to yours.  Certainly things were easier growing up in the past.  But California was the model in providing a free university education (that certainly was far better than anything available in Thailand then or since).  And you did not have to grow up in socialist Santa Monica to benefit from government controlled rents.  In NYC I pay 75,000 baht/mo for six rooms with a river view in central Manhattan (though others pay triple that on the "free" market).  I benefited from other "socialist" supports, like a tenured teaching job for fifty years with state supported medical benefits, and now medicare in addition to more universal medicaid for my dying wife.  I pay virtually nothing for medical care that would bankrupt others without these advantages.  It is shameful that the are not available to all.

 

Eventually I hope to live in Thailand about half the year.  I enjoy the weather during our winter.  But I wouldn't imagine it if it didn't involve the chance to be be with my full-time girl friend full time.

[Danderman123]

9 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

You speak fluent Mexican?

Every Spanish speaking country has their own flavor of Spanish, so, yes, I speak Mexican Spanish. 

 

There is enough variation in Spanish that I have trouble understanding in other countries.

 

[brewsterbudgen]

10 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Beer and prostitutes is "culture", right?

Certainly part of it, particularly the latter.  

[Neeranam]

I like the obeisance shown to me. However, when I don't get the respect I imagine I deserve, I get annoyed.

[Neeranam]

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

As some of you know, I used to have more issues than I do now. I worked on my attitude, which was getting in the way of appreciating Thailand for what it is, and was clouding my experience here. Used to stress over stupid stuff, as you can see from some of my past posts. Used to allow the politics to make me angry. Now it is not something I take seriously, just something I comment on, without anger or an emotional investment. Now, I just tend to laugh it off. Spent some real time back in the US recently, and it allowed some clarity and perspective, that I am very grateful for. Now, I just chuckle at most of the nonsense. Water off a duck's back, so to speak.

Me too, acceptance is the key to living a happy life here. I choose to be happy than be right. 

When good things become common place I have to revisit my morning gratitude list.

[Hummin]

11 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I like the obeisance shown to me. However, when I don't get the respect I imagine I deserve, I get annoyed.

Respect is overrated! To many people expect respect without deserving it, or never done anything to deserve it.

[Neeranam]

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Respect is overrated! To many people expect respect without deserving it, or never done anything to deserve it.

Walking into an expensive restaurant in Thailand, I expect a wai -  I never got one last night in Hua Hin, and never gave a tip because of it. 

Last week on the golf course, my caddy never waied me, which is very disrespectful, however, saying the St Francis prayer daily  helps me overcome my self-importance. 

 

CALL 800-931-9884

 

 

 

 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life.”

Edited February 27, 2023 by Neeranam