3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

1 out of 6 isn't a majority. Illegal immigrants are here also, as many as 8 million and counting. Trafficking in children and women coming from other countries is high. Suicide percentage in USA is 1.7% in 2018, Thailand is 8.8% in 2019.

?

14.2 was the suicide rate in USA in 2018

https://www.shadac.org/news/US-Suicide-Death-Rate-Reached-Record-High

 

where did you get 8 million from lol, just make it up?

 

14 minutes ago, Nemises said:

Durian and slim GF

is that your actual gf mate?

 

3 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

?

14.2 was the suicide rate in USA in 2018

https://www.shadac.org/news/US-Suicide-Death-Rate-Reached-Record-High

 

where did you get 8 million from lol, just make it up?

 

 It was a typo, in 2005 it was 5 million, which actually means much more by now...................https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_Thailand

4 hours ago, bob smith said:

off the top of my head i can only think of two things that are good about Thailand, they are;

 

The food.

The women.

 

if Thailand didnt have those above it would be hell on earth.

 

how about you lot? what do you find so good about living in Thailand?

I am not impressed with the food in Thailand. I can’t eat fire.  The women are certainly a plus, very attractive. Their motives are another matter. I am here for the cost of living, but Immigration is hard at work to drive out foreigners of only modest means. 65 thousand baht a month is considered too low. Fortunately, my next COLA increase in my pension will lift me to 100 thousand baht a month. Even THAT figure is too low for “Big Joke”.  Racism has simply replaced common sense in Thailand.

USA supermarket

 

Thailand

 

 

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

 It was a typo, in 2005 it was 5 million, which actually means much more by now...................https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_Thailand

Why give the number from 18 years ago?

 

 

1 minute ago, Neeranam said:

USA supermarket

 

Thailand

 

 

While this is true in many places, obesity in

Thailand has climbed dramatically in the last 10 years and will continue without abating for a long time to come. Western food imported. I used to, before I came here, and a month while first staying here, that there were millions of slim ,pretty women here. After living here for almost 6 years, I see that has changed for the worse. Every day I see many very big locals, although America still is higher.

3 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Why give the number from 18 years ago?

 

 

You think it has decreased??? Just from news reports I get from worldwide sources, and also local, it has increased steadily.

5 minutes ago, Felton Jarvis said:

I am not impressed with the food in Thailand. I can’t eat fire.  The women are certainly a plus, very attractive. Their motives are another matter. I am here for the cost of living, but Immigration is hard at work to drive out foreigners of only modest means. 65 thousand baht a month is considered too low. Fortunately, my next COLA increase in my pension will lift me to 100 thousand baht a month. Even THAT figure is too low for “Big Joke”.  Racism has simply replaced common sense in Thailand.

Cambodia is just across the line.

 

they actually want expats there and are grateful for our money.

 

I see Cambodia really doing well in the next 10 years or so.

 

People have had enough of Thailand constantly changing their goal posts due to ethnocentrism and xenophobia. 

Just now, fredwiggy said:

You think it has decreased??? Just from news reports I get from worldwide sources, and also local, it has increased steadily.

It's easy to find out - first you say 8 million then change to 5, when the reality is more like 1-2 million.

https://thailand.iom.int/migration-context#:~:text=Of the 4 - 5 million,in Thailand through legal routes.

5 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

It's easy to find out - first you say 8 million then change to 5, when the reality is more like 1-2 million.

https://thailand.iom.int/migration-context#:~:text=Of the 4 - 5 million,in Thailand through legal routes.

I said it was a typo and changed it. And that number isn't near what's actually here. There are sources besides one, and most have said it is increasing. I've heard it on various local and US news stations since I've lived here. One source stated more than 42,000 caught this year.

12 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

 It was a typo, in 2005 it was 5 million, which actually means much more by now...................https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_Thailand

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/suicide-rate-by-country

12 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

USA supermarket

I thought that was Australia, looks so similar ????

4 minutes ago, bob smith said:

Cambodia is just across the line.

 

they actually want expats there and are grateful for our money.

 

I see Cambodia really doing well in the next 10 years or so.

 

People have had enough of Thailand constantly changing their goal posts due to ethnocentrism and xenophobia. 

I am very aware of the benefits of Cambodia. It is basically my “Plan B” if Thailand should continue its policy of ousting farang in favor of the high dollar.

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/suicide-rate-by-country

Indeed. 

Drugs/guns etc.

i grew a bit weary of life in Bangkok, then i visited my home for the first time in 18 years and after 1 hour, i realized why I preferred Thailand. miserable weather and miserable people, the women looked awfull and the prices were shocking. i did enjoy a return to good ol' english sausage rolls though. Sorely missed.

1 minute ago, nikmar said:

i grew a bit weary of life in Bangkok, then i visited my home for the first time in 18 years and after 1 hour, i realized why I preferred Thailand. miserable weather and miserable people, the women looked awfull and the prices were shocking. i did enjoy a return to good ol' english sausage rolls though. Sorely missed.

Greggs? 

2 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Indeed. 

Drugs/guns etc.

Already sent the stats. Disputing them means nothing.

39 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

No illegal immigration in Thailand bar the guys who pay agents to buy a visa by bypassing immigation requirements. 

You should read more, loads of illegal people from Myanmar in Thailand.

2 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You should read more, loads of illegal people from Myanmar in Thailand.

neeranam got his head wedge in the sand.

12 minutes ago, Felton Jarvis said:

I am very aware of the benefits of Cambodia. It is basically my “Plan B” if Thailand should continue its policy of ousting farang in favor of the high dollar.

TH doesn't 'oust' anyone.  That people plan poorly and can't afford to meet the minimum requirement, is not TH's fault.

 

IF you can't muster up a mere 400k or 800k a year, you probably shouldn't leave the safety net of your home country.

 

Nobody forced anyone to come or stay in TH.

Not happy ... PLEASE LEAVE

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

TH doesn't 'oust' anyone.  That people plan poorly and can't afford to meet the minimum requirement, is not TH's fault.

 

IF you can't muster up a mere 400k or 800k a year, you probably shouldn't leave the safety net of your home country.

 

Nobody forced anyone to come or stay in TH.

Not happy ... PLEASE LEAVE

You are totally wrong.

 

Once big joke becomes national police chief (which is basically a forgone conclusion at this point) he is going to be ramping up the money in the bank, both for marriage and retirement to possibly well over a million baht. Not to mention talk of police checks etc.

 

It all just adds to the already arduous nature of renewing ones visa here.

 

Big changes are in the pipeline thats for sure. Always a good idea to have a firm plan B in the pocket, ready to go.

16 minutes ago, nikmar said:

i did enjoy a return to good ol' english sausage rolls though. Sorely missed.

Too easy to make, as I've done more than a few times, whether making your own sausage or store bought.

 

Wrap in store bought puff pastry, & Bob's your Uncle.

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

TH doesn't 'oust' anyone.  That people plan poorly and can't afford to meet the minimum requirement, is not TH's fault.

 

IF you can't muster up a mere 400k or 800k a year, you probably shouldn't leave the safety net of your home country.

 

Nobody forced anyone to come or stay in TH.

Not happy ... PLEASE LEAVE

“a mere 400k or 800k a year”.  Another Ritchie Rich farang who wants Thailand as his private country club. Not all of us were born with a silver spoon in our mouth. Just another snob who looks down on the average retiree as if we were asking him for a handout. Whether I leave or stay, WILL NOT be up to you and when Immigration decides YOU need to go, who will speak for you?

2 minutes ago, Felton Jarvis said:

“a mere 400k or 800k a year”.  Another Ritchie Rich farang who wants Thailand as his private country club. Not all of us were born with a silver spoon in our mouth. Just another snob who looks down on the average retiree as if we were asking him for a handout. Whether I leave or stay, WILL NOT be up to you and when Immigration decides YOU need to go, who will speak for you?

Well said Felton.

 

Too many people here need a reality check!

1 minute ago, Felton Jarvis said:

 when Immigration decides YOU need to go, who will speak for you?

That will never be a concern of mine.   My retirement was well planned.  Intelligent, or even not so intelligent people do that, actually plan their retirement.

 

YMMV

5 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

TH doesn't 'oust' anyone.  That people plan poorly and can't afford to meet the minimum requirement, is not TH's fault.

 

IF you can't muster up a mere 400k or 800k a year, you probably shouldn't leave the safety net of your home country.

 

Nobody forced anyone to come or stay in TH.

Not happy ... PLEASE LEAVE

Safety net of home country? Might not realize the average median savings account balance in the US is between 5 and 7 K. Here, they expect you to have 22K in the bank and keep it there.  In 2018 here, 73 million have savings of less than 50K. Always wondered why expats, who are getting a confirmed payment every month from retirement or pension, are expected to have more. Doesn't matter if they think we live in a way where we spend more. Expats here can live like locals if need be very easily.

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

That will never be a concern of mine.   My retirement was well planned.  Intelligent, or even not so intelligent people do that, actually plan their retirement.

 

YMMV

I didn't plan to retire to Thailand, never crossed my mind.............

5 hours ago, bob smith said:

in your opinion, whats so good about living in Thailand?

 

for me i struggle to find the positives. lets take a deep dive into the facts for a minute, shall we?

 

Thailand doesnt have democracy.

This means there is no right to freedom of expression and human rights are not important.

bureaucracy reigns supreme. it affects almost every aspect of daily life here.

90 day reporting. treated like a common criminal the minute we get off the plane.

healthcare only good if you have money. if you are poor forget it.

its either hot or wet most of the year. 

pollution is a serious issue and will kill you eventually. 

alcohol prices rising fast. soon it will be comparable to the UK/US.

institutional racism.

cant own land. etc etc etc

 

off the top of my head i can only think of two things that are good about Thailand, they are;

 

The food.

The women.

 

if Thailand didnt have those above it would be hell on earth.

 

how about you lot? what do you find so good about living in Thailand?

A heck of a lot:

Good cheap food

Friendly, polite population

Stunning seasides and countrysides

Superb roads

Cheap accommodation 

Cheap hotels with far, far higher standards for the price than in Europe

Decent, effective and reasonably priced healthcare

Outstanding service in shops, offices and service outlets

'Can do' attitudes - always finding some way to solve a problem

Very hardworking

And as for bureaucracy yes - but it's a real doddle compared to what immigrants have to go through in Britain.

Ok, not perfect - what country is; but coming here for the first time in 1974 and living here since 2015 I'm not tempted to try anywhere else.

 

 

1 minute ago, George Aylesham said:

Superb roads

you must be joking.

 

I was out on the bike this morning and must have counted at least 20 pot holes in 5 minutes.

 

The roads here are as hazardous as can be!!