And so the exodus of quality expats begins. This time it's personal

[JimTripper]

45 minutes ago, grumpyoldman said:

Is that why Tony Robbins doesn't spend time in Phuket, or is it the Russian invasion that's made the island too crowded?

I'm not sure. I'm guessing he would not be around drunks and money grubbers though and I can't see him being in Pattaya at all.

 

Guys like him just don't encounter much low life stuff. Once your energy gets that tuned it kind of repels negativity and you don't end up in low life situations because the universe has nothing to teach you there.

 

 

[lordflappa]

On 10/4/2024 at 11:39 PM, CallumWK said:

 

Let's talk again after more than a few weeks

Been a month now, loving it even more. Will update you again next month :)

[oldcpu]

On 10/6/2024 at 7:41 PM, theblether said:

Two things can be true at the same time. Phuket can be a hostile, rip-off hellhole for some, and an idyllic location for the long term expat type.

 

 

Phuket is a big province.  There are great areas in Phuket that are not over run with tourists that many simply aren't aware of.

 

I lived in Phuket from 1997 to 1999, and returned, purchasing a luxury condo unit in 2016 with direct beach access and a fabulous unobstructed (and close) sea view. 

 

15 minutes drive from Phuket town.  My condo is over an hour drive from Kata/Karon/Patong/Kamala, but I never go there, unless I have friends from overseas visiting Phuket, and in that case, and ONLY in that case, I make an exception (to go to that part of the over run west coast beaches) just to see friends who are visitors (who elected to stay there in those areas).  Let the masses of tourists hang out there - I much prefer the more quiet spot in Phuket where I live.

 

Frankly - the average tourist AND the average expat never explore Phuket enough to find the quiet spots. Instead they delve into the over run tourist areas, they generalize, they note how over run such is, and then blindly believe all of Phuket is like that and leave Phuket. 

 

Please excuse my being selfish, but I am happy Phuket is not explored more by those who criticize. It keeps some less known areas in Phuket quiet, and that's good. It keeps the quiet areas for those of us who took the time and made the effort to explore it more, and kept such areas for those of us who prefer the more quiet spots.  And those who criticize typically find good areas elsewhere in Thailand that they like - so it becomes a win-win. We each find what we like.

 

I do grant, ... Phuket traffic, if driving north south is horrible.  I also note one can also say that about some other areas of Thailand - so in that ugly aspect Phuket is not unique.  I feel fortunate in my day-to-day life (because of the location I choose) I rarely have to put up with the worst of the Phuket traffic.

 

Each to their own. Enjoy the part of Thailand where you settle.  I sincerely hope you do enjoy where you stay , ... and I will continue to enjoy where I stay (I practically pinch myself every morning for my good fortune), as I sip my coffee and have breakfast on a quiet condo balcony, over looking the sea.  And I enjoy the quiet sunsets many nights, and enjoy watch many a red dusk over the water, all of which can be fabulous,

 

Honestly - the worst part of where I live is it demotivates me to want to travel anywhere else.  Despite that, I do thou try (and manage) to travel for about 2 to 3 months outside of Thailand every year.  Since retiring in Phuket, I am a lot more fussy now as to where I visit outside of Phuket, ... which IMHO can be blamed on me liking Phuket too much.

[ChasingTheSun]

6 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

Phuket is a big province.  There are great areas in Phuket that are not over run with tourists that many simply aren't aware of.

 

I lived in Phuket from 1997 to 1999, and returned, purchasing a luxury condo unit in 2016 with direct beach access and a fabulous unobstructed (and close) sea view. 

 

15 minutes drive from Phuket town.  My condo is over an hour drive from Kata/Karon/Patong/Kamala, but I never go there, unless I have friends from overseas visiting Phuket, and in that case, and ONLY in that case, I make an exception (to go to that part of the over run west coast beaches) just to see friends who are visitors (who elected to stay there in those areas).  Let the masses of tourists hang out there - I much prefer the more quiet spot in Phuket where I live.

 

Frankly - the average tourist AND the average expat never explore Phuket enough to find the quiet spots. Instead they delve into the over run tourist areas, they generalize, they note how over run such is, and then blindly believe all of Phuket is like that and leave Phuket. 

 

Please excuse my being selfish, but I am happy Phuket is not explored more by those who criticize. It keeps some less known areas in Phuket quiet, and that's good. It keeps the quiet areas for those of us who took the time and made the effort to explore it more, and kept such areas for those of us who prefer the more quiet spots.  And those who criticize typically find good areas elsewhere in Thailand that they like - so it becomes a win-win. We each find what we like.

 

I do grant, ... Phuket traffic, if driving north south is horrible.  I also note one can also say that about some other areas of Thailand - so in that ugly aspect Phuket is not unique.  I feel fortunate in my day-to-day life (because of the location I choose) I rarely have to put up with the worst of the Phuket traffic.

 

Each to their own. Enjoy the part of Thailand where you settle.  I sincerely hope you do enjoy where you stay , ... and I will continue to enjoy where I stay (I practically pinch myself every morning for my good fortune), as I sip my coffee and have breakfast on a quiet condo balcony, over looking the sea.  And I enjoy the quiet sunsets many nights, and enjoy watch many a red dusk over the water, all of which can be fabulous,

 

Honestly - the worst part of where I live is it demotivates me to want to travel anywhere else.  Despite that, I do thou try (and manage) to travel for about 2 to 3 months outside of Thailand every year.  Since retiring in Phuket, I am a lot more fussy now as to where I visit outside of Phuket, ... which IMHO can be blamed on me liking Phuket too much.

Yes it is a big island and offers something for everyone.

 

East coast property is much cheaper and far less visited for many reasons.

 

Enjoy the east coast if thats your thing, but most people understandably prefer the great beaches and amazing sunsets on the west coast.

[oldcpu]

4 hours ago, ChasingTheSun said:

Yes it is a big island and offers something for everyone.

 

East coast property is much cheaper and far less visited for many reasons. 

 

Enjoy the east coast if thats your thing, but most people understandably prefer the great beaches and amazing sunsets on the west coast.

 

Agree there is something for everyone in Phuket - although one does need to take the time and effort to look. 

 

Compared to most other (non-Bangkok) places, Phuket is expensive. And for those on tighter budgets, that is IMHO a good reason not for staying in Phuket.   Thailand has much more inexpensive places to live.

 

As for the East Coast of Phuket  - yes there are great places on the East Coast. I drove up and down it a lot , exploring it.  One gets the morning sun there, and over 30 years ago, when working for six months (supporting a rocket launch campaign), I lived in Cape Canaveral, Florida (USA) in a East Coast beach front condo, with direct beach access.  It was great, and possibly part of the motivation for me purchasing a beach front condo in Phuket.

 

BUT I don't live in such areas in Phuket.

 

I previously, in this thread, posted on the area where I live.   For one who know Phuket (and many expats who live here for over a decade don't as they typically do not explore the entire island) ... but for those who do know Phuket, they will note from that post of mine where I noted the location where I live, that I don't get a sunrise view. I have a sunset view in Phuket, with the sun setting over Chalong and Rawai, and at times setting behind the Big Buddha.  I have some fabulous images from my Balcony. 

 

As for 'great beaches' ... do you mean ONLY the quality of the sand. Because despite the fabulous quality of the sand of Kata, Karon, Patong (on the west coast) I don't consider those over crowded beaches great beaches. Just the contrary.  I see them as horrible.  Maybe during COVID times (when they were empty) they were great for solitude, but definitely NOT before COVID and definitely NOT after COVID - unless of course, one loves the shoulder to shoulder mingling with the crowds on those beaches as being enjoyable. In that case - yes, they are great beaches.

 

When I go for a walk in the morning on the beach (and adjacent beach) where I live in Phuket  (typically from 06:30am to 07:30am), I might see two dozen people in the space of an hour - and they are either walking on the beach too, or are enjoying a morning dip in the water.

 

Thailand has many amazing places.   I think thou many on this thread who claim they visited Phuket for a few days and decided Phuket was not for them, ... in fact they saw only 5% of Phuket (probably they saw the horrendous traffic on the North-South roads and they experienced the madness of Patong Beach crowds and hawkish trinket sellers on that beach).  They never took the time to rent a car and drive to explore every nook and cranny in Phuket - because that exploration can NOT be done in a few days.

 

From my selfish perspective. Good.  Hopefully they find a great place outside of Phuket (and they should find a great place, as there are many such great places in Thailand outside of Phuket ) ... and its a win-win situation, as by their not moving to Phuket, its one less person who may stumble on the area where I live and start making it more crowded.

 

Already real estate prices are climbing to be more and more expensive in Phuket (for both buying and renting).  I feel fortunate I bought in 2016 before the current pricing madness took place.  Its also becoming very difficult for people to find long term places (at a non crazy price) to live in the area I live - and I suspect that true for most Phuket coastal areas (especially those with sunset views like mine, or better).

 

As an example of the view from my condo balcony - here is an image from last night (dusk) and this morning (at breakfast).  As noted - I still 'pinch' myself in the morning.

 

[oldcpu]

4 hours ago, ChasingTheSun said:

Enjoy the east coast if thats your thing, but most people understandably prefer the great beaches and amazing sunsets on the west coast.

 

As for sunset views - here are a couple of views I took from my condo balcony.

 

One is sunset.  The other is moon set.  Pretty amazing I think.  (My camera is a 'cheap' Nikon CoolPix P900 bridge camera). 

[London Lowf]

Excellent posts from oldcpu and he mirrors many of my own thoughts regarding Phuket.

 

I enjoy riding around the island and exploring just for the hell of it, and it amazes me how much of the land is still rubber and pineapple plantations.

 

One of my favourite rides is to a cafe on the north-east coast where I enjoy a coffee and cake a couple of times a week. It's quite a smart place and relatively expensive and so not aimed at the local Thais, but I've never seen another Westerner there - it seems popular with SE Asians but whether they are Singaporean or whatever, I really can't tell.

 

So yes, most of Phuket is still beautiful and unspoilt but you're not going to discover that if you stay in any of the major tourist towns and rely on tours or a guide, who will probably only take you to the established tourist places.

 

Having said that, I stay in Kamala as it has the best compromise of local/tourist vibe. I do enjoy frequent nights out in Patong for beers and people-watching, but if I had to stay there for more than an overnight then I think that my opinion of the place would deteriorate very rapidly.

 

It is undeniable that Phuket is being developed at a rapid rate, but there is still plenty of space. Unfortunately, there are few infrastruture upgrades to handle this expansion - despite heavy rainfall and flooding for months there will probably be water shortages next March/April as usual, and the roads are falling to pieces and not maintained.

 

Back to the OP - to say that the quality (i.e. monied) expats are leaving is total nonsense - many of the developments north of Patong that I am familiar with are aimed at folk with far more wealth than the vast majority of posters on here - myself included!

 

[madone]

Are we still talking about this?  Surely the exodus is over by now, I mean how long can a exodus possibly take?

[oldcpu]

53 minutes ago, madone said:

Are we still talking about this?  Surely the exodus is over by now, I mean how long can a exodus possibly take?

 

I don't think there ever was much of an exodus - if any.   For every expat that left, I suspect one or more quality expats took their place.

[London Lowf]

6 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

I don't think there ever was much of an exodus - if any.   For every expat that left, I suspect one or more quality expats took their place.

 

Yes, as evidenced by the very bouyant property market.

 

My rent went up by 33% last December and I'm fully expecting similar bad news in a few weeks.

 

Still a bargain, though!

 

[olongapo]

On 2/9/2024 at 6:14 PM, xylophone said:

Sadly, a good friend of mine who has lived here most of the time for years has now decided to call it quits and has moved back to the UK. I am in contact with him and he says although the weather is disgusting, he is glad to be free of the traffic, Russians, invading Chinese and poor roads here in Patong/Phuket – – he owned a Triumph Bonneville and loved riding it around, but not safe to do that now, so sold it and he has gone.

 

Another friend is considering going back to Canada because he is fed up/bored with Patong and has been financially shafted by one Thai girlfriend, thereby losing his business, and his latest Thai girlfriend has decided to dump him! Not a happy chappy, so I expect him to leave very shortly.

 

As I have posted previously, this is not the place I remember it to be, but I'm tied here by friends and a daughter, so I will have to put on a happy face and carry on!

 

 

I prefer the russians instead of the filth on some UK streets.

[GammaGlobulin]

On 2/9/2024 at 5:19 PM, Lacessit said:

It would take a hell of a lot to pry me loose from Chiang Rai, although I suppose Chiang Rai is not high on the riff-raff bucket list of places they can spoil for others.

 

Speaking of riff-raff, I am considering a move to Chiang Rai, to live among the tea plantations.

 

I will hit you up when I arrive...

If I can find you.

 

Still, hoping not to spoil things for you....

Too much.

 

 

[Middle Aged Grouch]

People are leaving due to all the tax doubts, due to all the cheating against foreigners, due to the ambient hostility and racism against westerners as no matter what some try to convice themselves, Thai's will always badly consider westerners....people also get fed up with all the absurd immigration rules, the TM forms, re-entry permits, the long queues at arrivals at the airport, the deadly roads or even the risks of getting bitten by a snake on the toilet (as one lady mentioned to me once on leaving the residential compex)......Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia in Asia...but even Malta in Europe or other islands of Spain where there is great quality of life, warm tolerable climate all year round, no extreme rain or heat, cheap cost of living, healthcare and mainly you are in Europe... up to you at the end of the day to choose....

[Lacessit]

16 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Speaking of riff-raff, I am considering a move to Chiang Rai, to live among the tea plantations.

 

I will hit you up when I arrive...

If I can find you.

 

Still, hoping not to spoil things for you....

Too much.

 

 

There is accommodation close to Singha Park tea plantation, 700 -1100 baht/night.

 

Chui Fong is more remote, 40 km outside the city up Doi Mae Salong. IIRC there are a couple of resorts there too.

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

28 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

There is accommodation close to Singha Park tea plantation, 700 -1100 baht/night.

 

Chui Fong is more remote, 40 km outside the city up Doi Mae Salong. IIRC there are a couple of resorts there too.

 

 

 

I will keep this in mind for the future.

Thank you.

 

[JimTripper]

12 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

People are leaving due to all the tax doubts, due to all the cheating against foreigners, due to the ambient hostility and racism against westerners as no matter what some try to convice themselves, Thai's will always badly consider westerners....people also get fed up with all the absurd immigration rules, the TM forms, re-entry permits, the long queues at arrivals at the airport, the deadly roads or even the risks of getting bitten by a snake on the toilet (as one lady mentioned to me once on leaving the residential compex)......Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia in Asia...but even Malta in Europe or other islands of Spain where there is great quality of life, warm tolerable climate all year round, no extreme rain or heat, cheap cost of living, healthcare and mainly you are in Europe... up to you at the end of the day to choose....

It's not that easy. I would be there if there was a cheap easy visa.

[oldcpu]

13 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

People are leaving due to all the tax doubts, due to all the cheating against foreigners, due to the ambient hostility and racism against westerners as no matter what some try to convice themselves, Thai's will always badly consider westerners....people also get fed up with all the absurd immigration rules, the TM forms, re-entry permits, the long queues at arrivals at the airport, the deadly roads or even the risks of getting bitten by a snake on the toilet (as one lady mentioned to me once on leaving the residential compex)......Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia in Asia...but even Malta in Europe or other islands of Spain where there is great quality of life, warm tolerable climate all year round, no extreme rain or heat, cheap cost of living, healthcare and mainly you are in Europe... up to you at the end of the day to choose....

 

These are Thailand specific reasons ... not Phuket specific.

 

Every part of the world has its upsides and its downsides.  Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia in Asia...but even Malta in Europe or other islands of Spain also have  their downsides. ....  They all have their downsides.

 

In fact Malta was one of the places I went to and spent a couple of weeks looking around (in addition to spending a LOT of research) when trying to decide where to retire.  I did like Malta a lot.  But despite typing that, I choose Phuket over Malta (as I like Phuket more), and I don't regret it for one second. 

 

I type that noting my criteria for living in Phuket may be very very different from those of others.

 

I also note aspects that seem to irritate you - don't annoy me. I don't know what TM forms you refer to.  I rarely have long lines at the Thai international airports (being 70, having a Thai wife, and an LTR visa), I've seen snakes in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia (more in fact).  Cost of living (compared to Thailand) is not so cheap in Malta (for example).

 

Cost of Living in Thailand is 30.0% lower than in Malta (without rent)
Cost of Living Including Rent in Thailand is 35.5% lower than in Malta
Rent Prices in Thailand are 49.6% lower than in Malta
Restaurant Prices in Thailand are 61.9% lower than in Malta
Groceries Prices in Thailand are 13.8% lower than in Malta
Local Purchasing Power in Thailand is 42.3% lower than in Malta

 

We are fortunate to have many opportunities in Thailand , and also elsewhere in the world.

 

If you find so much you dislike about Thailand, why do you waste your time posting on AseanNow in the Thailand (and Phuket in particular) area?  Are you second guessing your own view?

[White Rabbit]

18 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

People are leaving due to all the tax doubts, due to all the cheating against foreigners, due to the ambient hostility and racism against westerners as no matter what some try to convice themselves, Thai's will always badly consider westerners....people also get fed up with all the absurd immigration rules, the TM forms, re-entry permits, the long queues at arrivals at the airport, the deadly roads or even the risks of getting bitten by a snake on the toilet (as one lady mentioned to me once on leaving the residential compex)......Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia in Asia...but even Malta in Europe or other islands of Spain where there is great quality of life, warm tolerable climate all year round, no extreme rain or heat, cheap cost of living, healthcare and mainly you are in Europe... up to you at the end of the day to choose....

Yes and no. If you believe Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam have a more positive attitude towards Westerners than the Thais you couldn't be more wrong. I have lived in both Malaysia and Indonesia and now as a retiree happily settled for Thailand. Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam definitely are rather chauvinist for religious and historical reasons. 

Spain indeed is a great country and my fallback option in case. 

[Expat68]

3 minutes ago, White Rabbit said:

Yes and no. If you believe Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam have a more positive attitude towards Westerners than the Thais you couldn't be more wrong. I have lived in both Malaysia and Indonesia and now as a retiree happily settled for Thailand. Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam definitely are rather chauvinist for religious and historical reasons. 

Spain indeed is a great country and my fallback option in case. 

I can only speak about Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Vietnam is the friendliest. JMHO

[SingAPorn]

In many areas of Spain either on the continent or in one of their fine islands, found the prices to be often cheaper for consumer goods compared to Thailand. Imported food in the supermarkets also cheaper then thailand. Restaurants in Spain, very reasonable and the booze was also definately cheaper and of better quality compared to Thailand. Great health care also, no tax hassles and no other harassment from immigration or the cops pulling you over on the street just to racket money from tourists. Spain is a popular choice with retirees and expats from all over Europe and the real estate has many reasonable prices.

[oldcpu]

56 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

In many areas of Spain either on the continent or in one of their fine islands, found the prices to be often cheaper for consumer goods compared to Thailand.

 

My experience is Spain in places can be more expensive than Thailand in places, and visa versa.  For example surfing  ( https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ ) on a price comparison site on the internet, I note:

 

In General:  

• Cost of Living Comparison Between Spain and Thailand
• Cost of Living in Thailand is 22.9% lower than in Spain (without rent)
• Cost of Living Including Rent in Thailand is 29.4% lower than in Spain
• Rent Prices in Thailand are 45.9% lower than in Spain
• Restaurant Prices in Thailand are 53.3% lower than in Spain
• Groceries Prices in Thailand are 5.5% lower than in Spain
• Local Purchasing Power in Thailand is 55.2% lower than in Spain

I think it clear - grocery prices are similar, and most else is MORE expensive in Spain.

 

Lets look at some Spanish Islands (tourist areas) to compare with Phuket, a Thailand tourist area..

 

 = = = = = = Consider the Canary Islands:

Cost of Living Comparison Between Canary Islands and Phuket

• Cost of Living in Phuket is 1.2% lower than in Canary Islands (without rent)
• Cost of Living Including Rent in Phuket is 2.5% lower than in Canary Islands
• Rent Prices in Phuket are 5.5% lower than in Canary Islands
• Restaurant Prices in Phuket are 34.8% lower than in Canary Islands
• Groceries Prices in Phuket are 12.5% higher than in Canary Islands
• Local Purchasing Power in Phuket is 59.7% lower than in Canary Islands

= = = =

Consider Palma de Mallorca

Cost of Living Comparison Between Palma de Mallorca and Phuket

• Cost of Living in Phuket is 23.2% lower than in Palma de Mallorca (without rent)
• Cost of Living Including Rent in Phuket is 22.8% lower than in Palma de Mallorca
• Rent Prices in Phuket are 21.7% lower than in Palma de Mallorca
• Restaurant Prices in Phuket are 48.0% lower than in Palma de Mallorca
• Groceries Prices in Phuket are 0.8% higher than in Palma de Mallorca
• Local Purchasing Power in Phuket is 44.5% lower than in Palma de Mallorca

 

Yes - those are tourist spots in Spain.  But so is Phuket a tourist spot.

 

One REALLY needs to be more specific if one wishes to compare prices between the two countires, but statistics "in general"  say otherwise (than claims that Spain is cheaper, which it is not).  Overall the statistics say that Thailand is cheaper than Spain.

 

Of course when deciding where to live there is a LOT more to this than just costs - but its important to set the record straight here.  

 

and selected spots in each country can be VERY inexpensive relative to other spots in the other country.

[oldcpu]

55 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

Restaurants in Spain, very reasonable and the booze was also definately cheaper and of better quality compared to Thailand.

 

For certain, the price of alcohol in most ( all ? ) European countries is massively cheaper in Europe than such in Thailand.

[oldcpu]

Another image from my Phuket condo balcony, image taken just over an hour ago ... giving an idea as to how great it is to sit on the balcony and enjoy the ambience at night.

 

I looked at condo prices in Spain, Portugal, Malta and elsewhere in western Europe, and I would be hard pressed to find anything as nice as I have now in Phuket, for the price I paid.  ...  As I noted earlier, I still "pinch" myself all the time that I am lucky to be living here.  .... And as a retiree, I note Thailand has some VERY good private hospitals, which my European health insurance mostly fully covers.

 

 

[oldcpu]

35 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

 

My experience is Spain in places can be more expensive than Thailand in places, and visa versa.  For example surfing  ( https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ ) on a price comparison site on the internet,

 

 

On the topic of Phuket - as has been pointed out to which I fully agree ... Phuket is SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than most all other places in Thailand.  For example consider Chiang Mai :

 

Cost of Living in Phuket is 30.1% higher than in Chiang Mai (without rent)
Cost of Living Including Rent in Phuket is 48.8% higher than in Chiang Mai
Rent Prices in Phuket are 126.7% higher than in Chiang Mai
Restaurant Prices in Phuket are 48.6% higher than in Chiang Mai
Groceries Prices in Phuket are 19.5% higher than in Chiang Mai
Local Purchasing Power in Phuket is 29.9% lower than in Chiang Mai

 

From that I think one can see the places like Chiang Mai are much cheaper than most places in western Europe. 

 

Of course Chiang Mai also has its downsides.  Air quality, for example, can be unhealthy at certain times of the year - FAR FAR worse than that of Phuket. 

 

I prefer Phuket, but I do know of some who have left Phuket for other less expensive places in Thailand. 

 

I think everyone needs to make their own decision as to what they wish and what is important to themselves.

 

My having served on ship for years ... and having lived in sea side cities for years - I have a strong desire to be close to the sea. Most people don't have that as a requirement for a place where they wish to live.

[Brian Allen]

On 2/9/2024 at 2:43 AM, impulse said:

 

Those are a given.  What I wanna know is, how's the kayaking and bicycling and hiking?   Without those, I'd probably weigh 300 lb.

 

Or would have discovered Doctor Ken Berry's "PHD:" Proper Human (Carnivore) Diet; following whose adaptation -- which includes that I eat as much as I could/can -- I lost 90+ Lbs in a few months (110 Kg to 70) -- and have kept it off for 3 years.  

[Expat68]

12 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

In many areas of Spain either on the continent or in one of their fine islands, found the prices to be often cheaper for consumer goods compared to Thailand. Imported food in the supermarkets also cheaper then thailand. Restaurants in Spain, very reasonable and the booze was also definately cheaper and of better quality compared to Thailand. Great health care also, no tax hassles and no other harassment from immigration or the cops pulling you over on the street just to racket money from tourists. Spain is a popular choice with retirees and expats from all over Europe and the real estate has many reasonable prices.

The reason I live in Thailand is because 34 years ago I fell in love with Thailand and to this day I am still in love with Thailand 

[watchcat]

On 2/9/2024 at 9:52 AM, Galong said:

Another friend and his family of four just bought a house a relocated here from the UK. After just a few months, they are already looking for ways to leave. 

 

Going back to Uk or another place in Thailand?  If going back to UK, Thailand was obviously not for them.

[JimTripper]

34 minutes ago, watchcat said:

Going back to Uk or another place in Thailand?  If going back to UK, Thailand was obviously not for them.

I met a European couple, I think from France, years ago on the bus to Mae Sai. We arrived near evening so there was not a lot of transportation into town. We had to negotiate with the red truck guy to get into town as there were only three of us so we had to pay more of course. Of course, this was less then appealing as they driver was stressed out as usual with broken english. It left us in a vulnerable position.

 

On the ride over they asked me if I liked it here. They said they want to leave and go home. I told them I understood and the reason I was here was primarily financial to save money. I did offer that the food was good.

 

The reason I brought up the story is because it was a strange reality check. We were all seeing the reality of being in that situation with complete honesty, no sugar coating of things.

[BangkokHank]

On 2/9/2024 at 5:18 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

I am amazed how many people still go to Phuket, for holiday or to live there.

I was there the first time 30 years ago and at that time it was an obvious rip-off. Did it improve over the years? Obviously not.

I wonder if anybody who decided to live there do any research? 

I did almost exactly the same thing: I went there 29 years ago, and it was such a rip-off that I never went back again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on George W. Bush - or something like that.

[Andycoops]

I wouldn't live in Phuket if you paid me, it was a nice place 20 years ago but is now overrated and overpriced.

 

I haven't been there for 15 years and have zero interest in ever going again.