Leaving to go to Thailand too young

[Native Farang]

Well hello all, nice to see so many people concerned about our situation here in Thailand. 

 

Firstly, let me set things straight.. I'm Thai through and through and will never forget where I came from, and that's Isaan.. back when we didn't have running water coming out of taps. 

 

It's crazy that 'Farangs' are concerned that I won't be able to live out here in my own country ???? I know you may think you know more about this country than I do but you can't live here like I can.. unlike you guys I can work what ever job I'd like here (legally). 

 

We moved here on our own will, I have lived in the UK for 20 years and had a good stable job earning what most would consider a decent income. We were torn between putting money down for a mortgage or selling up and moving here, knowing that we own everything here and will not have the bills to worry about. 

 

Also these comments that were living in a muddy home ???? because you see some clips of the driveway muddy doesn't mean our house is. We live on a farm in rural Thailand, with projects going on so we have trucks delivering materials all the time coming in and out of the farm in wet season... What do you expect? Sorry that it's a little muddy. But name me a farmer without mud on their boots? 

 

As for my partner and kids, my partner will be able to apply for citizenship when we get around to it. (We've only been here 5 months, give us time ????) My kids are half Thai so will also have Dual citizenship. So unlike you guys they will be able to work any jobs as they please too with no legal implications.

 

You all worry about health care ect but you have to remember medical insurance is 'alot' cheaper when you're younger.. when you're 60+ insurance companies don't think you have many years left so therefore high prices for you old farts. Sorry to state out the facts. 

 

People talk about Thailand as this crazy place where no one succeeds but we'll prove you wrong. Remember that I have western education believe I'm very employable here in Thailand knowing both languages. But we moved here so we don't have to work for a corporation but for ourselves. 

 

Farming can be successful, you just don't know how to do it.. but let's not forget Farangs can't do farming jobs in Thailand so what would you know? ????????‍♂️ 

You can't handle any money.. unless there's something you need to tell us? (Be careful, they might revoke your visa)

 

Lastly, from Myself, my partner and the kids we are happier here than we have ever been living in the UK.. we get to spend quality time together as a family and watch the kids grow up and watch them learn new things that many western kids would never get to experience. We may not be rich in materialistic things but we're rich in life, and that's the exact reason why we CHOSE to move here. 

 

Yours truly, 

Natt - Native Farang 

[ArnieP]

Well said young man ????

[YaiJung]

22 hours ago, SuperSaiyan said:

The earlier the better because all the girls get wet just looking at a handsome White fella in his early 20s. How do I know? I was 22 while I moved to Thailand for a couple of years the first time.

 

Don't let anybody stop you, especially not the gatekeeping boomers who love to have you stuck in the hamster wheel like they did for 40 years so you pay their pensions, "son, you have to work 40 years in some bullsh1t job then you can enjoy the fruits of your life when you are in your 60s". Yeah, why don't you shut the f up.

 

 

Exactly right!  Moved here at 24 in the late 90's and had the time of my life.  Couldn't leave the apartment without getting hit on by beautiful women.  Talk about the shoe's on the other foot!  

 

Thailand has enriched my life in ways I never dreamed possible. 

 

Seen so many bitter old farang men hating on younger guys over the years.  In the early 00's there was an influx of young guys and the grumpy old bastards where losing there <deleted> on the regular. 

 

Happily settled with a family and count my blessings everyday that I'm fortunate enough to be able to live in this wonderful country. 

 

This young couple will be just fine.  Like Sheryl says, it's the old guys with limited funds and no insurance who are taking the real risk. 

[georgegeorgia]

I think the " old farts" as you call them are the majority of your subscribers 

[Gecko123]

20 minutes ago, Native Farang said:

Well hello all, nice to see so many people concerned about our situation here in Thailand. 

 

Firstly, let me set things straight.. I'm Thai through and through and will never forget where I came from, and that's Isaan.. back when we didn't have running water coming out of taps. 

 

It's crazy that 'Farangs' are concerned that I won't be able to live out here in my own country ???? I know you may think you know more about this country than I do but you can't live here like I can.. unlike you guys I can work what ever job I'd like here (legally). 

 

We moved here on our own will, I have lived in the UK for 20 years and had a good stable job earning what most would consider a decent income. We were torn between putting money down for a mortgage or selling up and moving here, knowing that we own everything here and will not have the bills to worry about. 

 

Also these comments that were living in a muddy home ???? because you see some clips of the driveway muddy doesn't mean our house is. We live on a farm in rural Thailand, with projects going on so we have trucks delivering materials all the time coming in and out of the farm in wet season... What do you expect? Sorry that it's a little muddy. But name me a farmer without mud on their boots? 

 

As for my partner and kids, my partner will be able to apply for citizenship when we get around to it. (We've only been here 5 months, give us time ????) My kids are half Thai so will also have Dual citizenship. So unlike you guys they will be able to work any jobs as they please too with no legal implications.

 

You all worry about health care ect but you have to remember medical insurance is 'alot' cheaper when you're younger.. when you're 60+ insurance companies don't think you have many years left so therefore high prices for you old farts. Sorry to state out the facts. 

 

People talk about Thailand as this crazy place where no one succeeds but we'll prove you wrong. Remember that I have western education believe I'm very employable here in Thailand knowing both languages. But we moved here so we don't have to work for a corporation but for ourselves. 

 

Farming can be successful, you just don't know how to do it.. but let's not forget Farangs can't do farming jobs in Thailand so what would you know? ????????‍♂️ 

You can't handle any money.. unless there's something you need to tell us? (Be careful, they might revoke your visa)

 

Lastly, from Myself, my partner and the kids we are happier here than we have ever been living in the UK.. we get to spend quality time together as a family and watch the kids grow up and watch them learn new things that many western kids would never get to experience. We may not be rich in materialistic things but we're rich in life, and that's the exact reason why we CHOSE to move here. 

 

Yours truly, 

Natt - Native Farang 

From what I've seen on your U-tube videos, a ton of foreigners here, including myself, could teach you a lot about farming, Mr. Smarty-Pants.

Edited October 10, 2023 by Gecko123

[georgegeorgia]

2 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

From what I've seen on your U-tube videos, a ton of foreigners here, including myself, could teach you a lot about farming, Mr. Smarty-Pants.

I agree , he sounds a know all , but best of luck anyway 

[Native Farang]

1 minute ago, georgegeorgia said:

I think the " old farts" as you call them are the majority of your subscribers 

Our subscribers are very supportive, the only farts are the negative ones (like yourself) who think that a Thai national who was born and had a childhood here can't live and survive in his own country ????

Who can't understand that we live on a farm in wet season with projects going on and big trucks coming in and out delivering materials. I thought the older the wiser but doesn't seem like it, you obviously didn't do your research before publishing this post. If we wanted to live the 'clean' city life we could easily. Nothing's stopping us from renting a condo in Bangkok with swimming pools and gym ECT but that's not what we want. We also have property in Pattaya 15 minutes from the beach, you probably would know how much properties are in Pattaya because you live there right? Or do you rent and use your pension to pay for it? ????????‍♂️ 

 

Bottom line is, I really don't mind articles written about us but please do your research before you start typing. 

 

 

[georgegeorgia]

Wouldn't matter if someone uses their pension or not to pay rent ,they would of paid taxes in their own country for years to earn it .

 

Sounds a bit discriminatory 

[isandrew]

41 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

I have this funny feeling you might be the Thai-Aussie guy on the Native Farang channel.

 

I've seen a lot of U-tube videos generated by 20-something 30-something who have moved abroad and think they can support themselves by recording their daily activities and posting it on line. I have my doubts that the couple depicted in the above U-tube channel have the type of high-tech skills that will allow them to generate sustained high income, especially by Western standards. So I'm a little skeptical about these vague 'digital nomad' claims about making money hand over fist all the while sipping lattes at the local coffee shop in the outermost remote regions of Isaan.

 

Subsistence farming. I've been that for the past 20 years on a low-key basis. I know how back-breaking the work is, and as I said earlier, I know there's a very long learning curve. Any physical injury, be it a slipped disk, a motorcycle accident, any impairment that limits your mobility and that lifestyle will come to a screeching halt. 

 

With the rise of auto translation, and the accelerating spread of English language skills here, the ability to monetize bi-lingual Thai-English skills is diminishing every day. Additionally, were they to remain in Thailand, those bi-lingual skills in all likelihood are not going to be pulling down any six figure salary.

 

The couple in the video are engaged in farm labor and have a side hustle U-tube channel, and are raising their kids. As another poster pointed out perhaps they don't plan to do this forever and plan to repatriate to their home country in the future, but chances are that they would pay a steep price economically, educationally, and career path wise in terms of playing catch-up were they ever to repatriate to their home country.

 

I'm not saying 'the road less travelled' isn't the way the go. I'm just saying that there's a lot of risk and I don't have the impression that this has been carefully thought through in very many cases, not just by older retirees but younger adventurers as well. People can anonymously claim they left for Thailand with little more than $100 to their name 30 years ago and "it all worked out great" but I'm taking that with a big grain of salt. Yes, there are opportunities available today that didn't exist 30 years ago, but in general the expat environment is a lot less friendly than it was 30 years ago.

 

Visa options, visa renewal requirements, relative cost of living between Thailand and home country, relative purchasing power, currency risk, fiat currency stability, attitudes towards immigration and over-tourism, confidence which you can rely on promised pensions, geopolitical tensions and climate change all contribute to the risk that you might have to repatriate in the future. A move abroad often has the magical thinking appeal of drastically reducing your cost of living and many are blinded to the reality that while many doors may be opening up, just as many are quietly being shut behind you.

I'm the "Pom" as the aussies would like to say who is friends with Nat and has an even smaller Youtube Channel...

 

I can't speak for Native Farang and his partner in regards to youtube but for me I don't make any money nor do I even care about that if it makes something in the end what a lovely bonus. I created my channel with the hope of meeting new friends here in Thailand and building a community discord which ive done and is actually going very well. I however do question why the hell I do youtube very often as it leaves me wide open to people judging and criticizing my situation.

 

Me personally I support myself with a UK company and Thai company and have a work permit and Non B. I also started all this from Thailand. I had no intentions of living in Thailand when I first arrived I was just a traveler and planned to move on. Covid stopped that and I found myself here long term and wouldn't want to leave right now.  My claim isn't a digital nomad sipping coffee claim.. Hate the stuff, I have a bangkok office and UK office and because we're in 2023 I can run both remote from my home in isan. Yeah things didn't go plain sailing and I had to wise up fast and take a few L's but I stuck it out. I have no degree and didn't even finish school so when people talk about a career in the UK well my career was a low end car salesman/manager not exactly exciting or going give me a good pension... I now make the same money as I did in the UK with a better life, house paid, car paid and some small spending money to enjoy with my child and thai family with a business thats new and only growing at the moment. This ain't a story of oh I got lucky... Many people could share something similar and are doing well here in Thailand but a lot of the older generation just cant seem to get their heads around it like its impossible lol 

 

Flip it back to Native farang well... Being Thai from an Isan family im sure hes well aware of the issues that they could face in the future and probably has a back up plan.. The guy could find work in Thailand no problem in my eyes and have no issues with visa's work permits or anything hes native. Do you know how many companies here like my own that would love to employ a thai national who sounds and speaks like they're from the west? 

 

The guys been back in Thailand for 5 months I believe? Hes building a little farm which will cover the basic cost of living and im sure they have future plans. I also believe they could make a small living off of youtube as its a more unique and a interesting watch each to their own though I guess but their channel is doing very well in my eyes. 

 

I wish them the very best with trying to make life work here in Thailand. 

 

Edited October 10, 2023 by isandrew

[seekhearts]

1 minute ago, georgegeorgia said:

Wouldn't matter if someone uses their pension or not to pay rent ,they would of paid taxes in their own country for years to earn it .

 

Sounds a bit discriminatory 

A bit discriminatory? Love to dish it but can’t hack it.

[KaputtAlreadyNa]

On 10/9/2023 at 10:50 AM, jvs said:

Not having to buy a new car because the people next door have a new car.

I hope they make it!

Never be a slave to your environment

Warmest 

[Native Farang]

10 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

From what I've seen on your U-tube videos, a ton of foreigners here, including myself, could teach you a lot about farming, Mr. Smarty-Pants.

Of course there's lots to learn, but maybe when I'm 60+ like most here I will have the same amount of knowledge, if not more (30+ years to go...) All I see is people talking but no one is out here doing it. I'm sorry that were young and that you don't think we'll last here but it is my home at the end of the day. 

 

We all get taught to respect our elders which I believe in too but when they disrespect us and puts us down then respect goes out the window. 

[mikebike]

On 10/9/2023 at 10:54 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Yes I do too !

I applaud them although I feel a bit sorry for them

 

YouTubers "native farang" I'm talking about 

 

Never saw a Thai guy with a real cockney accent until I watched them ????

 

If I was a gambling man though, which I am ,I would bet on them not being there in 5 years 

Why? 

I can't see the caucasian wife wanting to stay in a hot muddy dusty place such as Isaan though especially with children but I applaud them and wish them best of luck ,!!

You really have no ability to analyze others lives other than through your own, narrow, vision of life, do you? 

 

No, I would not be upset in the least if my daughters decided to try a life in Thailand, or most other countries for that matter. 

[johnnybangkok]

44 minutes ago, Native Farang said:

Of course there's lots to learn, but maybe when I'm 60+ like most here I will have the same amount of knowledge, if not more (30+ years to go...) All I see is people talking but no one is out here doing it. I'm sorry that were young and that you don't think we'll last here but it is my home at the end of the day. 

 

We all get taught to respect our elders which I believe in too but when they disrespect us and puts us down then respect goes out the window. 

Don't listen to the old farts. They went down a traditional route of working for the man, slogging their guts out to make someone else rich and now barely scrape by on ever depleting funds. The bitterness you are seeing here is not neccessarily aimed at you but aimed more at the disappointment their own life has become.

Personally I would ignore the negativity and focus on what sounds like all the positives in your life. You are doing something that brings happiness to you and more importantly your family and I for one can't think of anything more fulfilling than doing an honest days labour and actually getting to see your kids growing up (and I bet they love the farm).

In the immortal words of that esteemed philospher Taylor Swift, haters gonna hate so just shake it off and keep doing you. 

[mikebike]

1 hour ago, Gecko123 said:

From what I've seen on your U-tube videos, a ton of foreigners here, including myself, could teach you a lot about farming, Mr. Smarty-Pants.

Yikes. Does the phrase, "check your privilege" have any meaning to you? 

 

Also, if you somehow believe you are getting anything close to a full, or true, picture of life from a YouTube video, you have some real issues with media. 

Edited October 10, 2023 by mikebike

[Enoon]

"........they are wasting their life ?"

 

Now there's a horrible thought........."wasting" ones life.

 

????????????

 

 

Edited October 10, 2023 by Enoon

[Enoon]

2 hours ago, Native Farang said:

Well hello all, nice to see so many people concerned about our situation here in Thailand. 

 

Firstly, let me set things straight.. I'm Thai through and through and will never forget where I came from, and that's Isaan.. back when we didn't have running water coming out of taps. 

 

It's crazy that 'Farangs' are concerned that I won't be able to live out here in my own country ???? I know you may think you know more about this country than I do but you can't live here like I can.. unlike you guys I can work what ever job I'd like here (legally). 

 

We moved here on our own will, I have lived in the UK for 20 years and had a good stable job earning what most would consider a decent income. We were torn between putting money down for a mortgage or selling up and moving here, knowing that we own everything here and will not have the bills to worry about. 

 

Also these comments that were living in a muddy home ???? because you see some clips of the driveway muddy doesn't mean our house is. We live on a farm in rural Thailand, with projects going on so we have trucks delivering materials all the time coming in and out of the farm in wet season... What do you expect? Sorry that it's a little muddy. But name me a farmer without mud on their boots? 

 

As for my partner and kids, my partner will be able to apply for citizenship when we get around to it. (We've only been here 5 months, give us time ????) My kids are half Thai so will also have Dual citizenship. So unlike you guys they will be able to work any jobs as they please too with no legal implications.

 

You all worry about health care ect but you have to remember medical insurance is 'alot' cheaper when you're younger.. when you're 60+ insurance companies don't think you have many years left so therefore high prices for you old farts. Sorry to state out the facts. 

 

People talk about Thailand as this crazy place where no one succeeds but we'll prove you wrong. Remember that I have western education believe I'm very employable here in Thailand knowing both languages. But we moved here so we don't have to work for a corporation but for ourselves. 

 

Farming can be successful, you just don't know how to do it.. but let's not forget Farangs can't do farming jobs in Thailand so what would you know? ????????‍♂️ 

You can't handle any money.. unless there's something you need to tell us? (Be careful, they might revoke your visa)

 

Lastly, from Myself, my partner and the kids we are happier here than we have ever been living in the UK.. we get to spend quality time together as a family and watch the kids grow up and watch them learn new things that many western kids would never get to experience. We may not be rich in materialistic things but we're rich in life, and that's the exact reason why we CHOSE to move here. 

 

Yours truly, 

Natt - Native Farang 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gecko123]

1 hour ago, mikebike said:

Yikes. Does the phrase, "check your privilege" have any meaning to you? 

 

Also, if you somehow believe you are getting anything close to a full, or true, picture of life from a YouTube video, you have some real issues with media. 

Check my privilege? You must think that farming is in the DNA of Thai people. This guy has been at it for 5 months; I've been doing it for 20 years straight. Yes, I think I could teach that guy more than a thing or two. And, yes, I think the videos on his channel give me a high degree of confidence in my assessment.

[Gecko123]

3 hours ago, YaiJung said:

This young couple will be just fine.  Like Sheryl says, it's the old guys with limited funds and no insurance who are taking the real risk. 

There are risks and sacrifices to be made no matter what age you decide to become an expat. To suggest that because someone is relatively young, they are exempt from this reality is false. Sheryl correctly cites retirees who didn't properly access their finance needs, didn't anticipate currency exchange risk, failed to budget their money to make it last, failed to obtain medical insurance, and neglected their social connections back home as being at risk. There are plenty of older retirees here who are not in that predicament, just as there are probably plenty of 20-30 somethings who are failing to manage their finances, failing to anticipate potential unexpected expenses, failing to secure high quality medical insurance , and failing to maintain their family and friend networks back home.

 

I would actually argue that all things being equal the younger person is bearing more life event risk than the older person simply because with there being a longer period of future life expectancy there's inherently more risk, with risk being defined as the chance that things will not go as planned. There's also unquestionably a higher probability that they will need to repatriate in the future.

 

A younger person has a far greater risk of incurring a major life event such as divorce, death of a spouse, a major illness or injury in the family, a voluntary or involuntary need to repatriate, loss of future earning due to being out of the home country work force, and loss of future financial earning of the children because of limited educational opportunities in Thailand.

 

That's not "negative old fart" thinking. That's just a rock-solid actuarially sound assessment of reality.

Edited October 10, 2023 by Gecko123

[georgegeorgia]

Unfortunately this young couple lost my respect when they used personal attacks at people here on pensions who pay their rent , then calling them old farts 

 

That's just immature especially if you want to promote your YouTube channel , I have given them the wide berth ,seem too silly to be sensible .

 

 

 

Edited October 10, 2023 by georgegeorgia

[Native Farang]

5 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Unfortunately this young couple lost my respect when they used personal attacks at people here on pensions who pay their rent .

 

 

That's just crazy immature especially if you want to promote your YouTube channel 

 

Unfortunately you lost my respect when you posted this article with assumptions, no solid evidence and belittling us and our way of living. 

 

For the older expat community to expect younger generations to have their finances stable is unrealistic. We have 50+ years to go.. what 20-30 year old is going to have that kind of money in the bank to sustain for such a long period? 

 

But you can sit on your high horses sipping your beers down the local Pattaya bar perving on the bar girls ???? 

Ohhh sorry for making assumptions but my assumption is probably more accurate than yours. 

 

Also our YouTube channel is to document our journey, mainly for us to show the kids when they grow up and all the experiences they've had. The fact that people watch and we make a little bit of money is a bonus, but don't get the mistaken, we're not doing it for our sole income. Again probably another assumption from an old fart ????

[Native Farang]

21 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

There are risks and sacrifices to be made no matter what age you decide to become an expat. To suggest that because someone is relatively young, they are exempt from this reality is false. Sheryl correctly cites retirees who didn't properly access their finance needs, didn't anticipate currency exchange risk, failed to budget their money to make it last, failed to obtain medical insurance, and neglected their social connections back home as being at risk. There are plenty of older retirees here who are not in that predicament, just as there are probably plenty of 20-30 somethings who are failing to manage their finances, failing to anticipate potential unexpected expenses, failing to secure high quality medical insurance , and failing to maintain their family and friend networks back home.

 

I would actually argue that all things being equal the younger person is bearing more life event risk than the older person simply because with there being a longer period of future life expectancy there's inherently more risk, with risk being defined as the chance that things will not go as planned. There's also unquestionably a higher probability that they will need to repatriate in the future.

 

A younger person has a far greater risk of incurring a major life event such as divorce, death of a spouse, a major illness or injury in the family, a voluntary or involuntary need to repatriate, loss of future earning due to being out of the home country work force, and loss of future financial earning of the children because of limited educational opportunities in Thailand.

 

That's not "negative old fart" thinking. That's just a rock-solid actuarially sound assessment of reality.

I think you need a reality check.. what 20-30 year old is going to have their finances in check for the rest of their life? We have 50+ years left there's no way anyone is going to have that kind of money stashed away. 

It might be ok for the older guys that retire in Thailand, most are 60+ with only a few years to plan ahead for. 

 

To say we 'failed' at preparation ???? when you were 20 I'm sure you didn't have that kind of money set aside. Remember we were all young once and you probably have 30+ years on us, we'll catch up and by your age would have everything figured out too.. 

[bignok]

Do whatever u want. Nobody cares after u dead

[seekhearts]

1 hour ago, Gecko123 said:

Check my privilege? You must think that farming is in the DNA of Thai people. This guy has been at it for 5 months; I've been doing it for 20 years straight. Yes, I think I could teach that guy more than a thing or two. And, yes, I think the videos on his channel give me a high degree of confidence in my assessment.

Link us the YouTube channel when you wanna teach us! 

[Gecko123]

23 minutes ago, Native Farang said:

I think you need a reality check.. what 20-30 year old is going to have their finances in check for the rest of their life? We have 50+ years left there's no way anyone is going to have that kind of money stashed away. 

It might be ok for the older guys that retire in Thailand, most are 60+ with only a few years to plan ahead for. 

 

To say we 'failed' at preparation ???? when you were 20 I'm sure you didn't have that kind of money set aside. Remember we were all young once and you probably have 30+ years on us, we'll catch up and by your age would have everything figured out too.. 

I never said you shouldn't have moved back to Thailand, and I never said you should have 'x' amount of money before you did. All I did was point out the risks you and your wife are taking in the process, which was the subject of this thread, and I stand by my assessment in this regard. I wish you success and good fortune in your future endeavors and life ahead.

[Bobthegimp]

I just had a look at the Native Farang channel and it looks like a much better life than most young families in the UK are having now. Most 25 year olds aren't walking away from a six figure job in The City, they're struggling with low pay, high housing and energy costs, whilst fighting a government that favours illegal aliens who wash up on rubber rafts over the native populace. 

 

I'd go as far to say that Western governments are hostile to their citizens, especially the young.  Good for this couple for striking out in a different direction and trying to make a go of a different type of life.  They've got a house and land - free and clear, why would they want to go back to the UK and join the underclass as filthy renters or mortgage slaves?  Why would they subject their children to the indoctrination in Western schools and the bizarre obsession with gender identity and sexuality foisted on preschoolers?  

 

As an older guy who worked with many young people I learned how sensitive they are about language and perceived criticism.  It was good to see how polite and respectful they are to each other and the people they meet. There's a much larger disconnect between them and the older generations than there was between us and our parents.  Many of us older guys fail to understand how much society and the world has changed in the last 30 years. 

[Acharn]

I used to know an American guy. Don't know how old he was when he arrived here, but he was living in Thailand as a teenager. I knew him in his late twenties and early thirties. He was involved in movie making in southern Thailand back in 2010 when I lost touch with him. As far as I know he's doing all right financially. Of course he won't have American Social Security, but he might have Thai citizenship and get theirs. Hard to say. We don't get what we deserve, we get what we get.

[geisha]

I left home at 17. Worked in Spain, 2 jobs 16 hrs a day to pay the bills and enjoy myself. Wonderful years early 70s. I always found work everywhere. Settled in South of France , met my Vietnamese partner and started in the restaurant business with a load of bank loans and help from family. Neither of us knew the business. We were young, worked very hard, and enjoyed ourselves too, ended up having a few restaurants and made ourselves a good future and pension, even tho we broke up after 12 years , we were and are still the best of friends and can count on each other for anything. Although being young, hard work never stopped us having a good time , we traveled everywhere though the winter season months of closure, My partner who was more money minded than myself, insisted we saved every month what we could, and also paid for private pensions. You can be young and make the right choices if you keep your head screwed on right . It’s having a vision of what you want out of life, even if you don’t have higher schooling. It’s too easy to say «  I can’t do it « . My nieces and nephews have kids , I’ve talked to them a lot, they are around 30 . They also have fought to get where they are. It must be voluntary. I’m the perfect proof that you can climb high although starting from zero , and it’s nothing to do with luck. 

[mikebike]

19 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Unfortunately this young couple lost my respect when they used personal attacks

That's rich. You started an entire thread bashing their life. ????

[Gecko123]

In reading back over the thread, I think the remarkably rich and thoughtful range of comments offered may have been somewhat lost in the heat of the moment. While Native Farang understandably didn't appreciate having his decision to move his family to Thailand put through the ASEANNOW gristmill, the thoughtfulness of the comments made still provide a valuable resource for anyone considering a move abroad. I'm skeptical about claims that there's been some monster sea change about how younger generations view this issue. In the final analysis the decision boils down to weighing the tradeoffs between opportunity and security, and to me that calculus seems pretty timeless. 

 

Edited October 11, 2023 by Gecko123