Why am I here?

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

temples are the best thing ever. 

That made me laugh

[brianthainess]

Why am I here? 'Coz your not all there.

[GinBoy2]

Things change

 

What I thought was fun 20, 30 years ago now not so much.

 

I've lived in a lot of countries and enjoyed them all, until I didn't.

 

I loved Thailand, still do but I got bored and wanted to work

 

You have a passport to your home country, thats the ultimate bolt hole

 

The problem arises when you have burnt all the bridges back to that bolt hole.

 

Thats the genesis for the really unhappy expat

[Hummin]

3 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

Things change

 

What I thought was fun 20, 30 years ago now not so much.

 

I've lived in a lot of countries and enjoyed them all, until I didn't.

 

I loved Thailand, still do but I got bored and wanted to work

 

You have a passport to your home country, thats the ultimate bolt hole

 

The problem arises when you have burnt all the bridges back to that bolt hole.

 

Thats the genesis for the really unhappy expat

Take some visdom to realize the importance of never cut ties, and also to realize retirement is not all about fun (what you think is fun, or what was fun before), umbrella drinks (or chang) and young ladies.

 

 

 

 

[Dolf]

26 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

but if you don't get your living situation correct Thailand can be miserable. OP may be living in some crap city trapped in a floating sky box. That would make me miserable also.

He posted under Bangkok category so likely lives there.

[Dolf]

Only 2 reasons to live in Bangkok, work and nightlife. If you aren't working and sick of nightlife why live there? 

[retarius]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Don't know about the OP, but when I left, I knew I wasn't returning.  If I didn't stay here, simply find another spot to explore and test out.

 

Hindsight, I think I would have kept and bought more investments (property), as inflation & exchange rate has been more of a negative than I anticipated.  Investments (property) here have had a nice return, and supplemented the inflation & exchange rate.

This sums up my experience, but property values also go down. I had my primary residence valued in. 2005 at $425,000 and was going to sell it when I moved to Japan. Instead I rented it out, and in 2019 got $250000 for it....and I had property taxes (high in my town of $13000 a year in 2006).

The issue is that in the US with property taxes being so high, property is expensive to own. I rented out my house and was taxed on the 'profits' and all repairs I did were counted as profits...I never made a nickel, then when I sold the damned house I got stung for capital gains. 

I also had 6 acres of land....a wood on high ground near the Delaware water gap....$7000 a year property taxes and no one even lived there.....daylight robbery, I sold at a huge loss after holding for 12 years. But you win some and lose some. 

I had very comfortable savings and a large cushion plus a healthy pension private and SS. But the private pension is not index linked. Stock market investments have done very well from 2009 onward and I'm a 'buy and holder' with Vanguard which do compensate for the negatives in the property market I experienced. 

The other thing is that I have 'given' children sums of money to start businesses etc. They are doing well now but I wouldn't want to rely on them if I were to get short of cash. 

The bright spot is health issues. I self insure and last year was an expensive year with over 1.2 million baht in health expenses. The good news is that I would be here all that long and won't get chance to spend all the money. 

 

[Negita43]

3 hours ago, Lee65 said:

Quote

Why am I here?

 

Because you're not there?

Reminds me of an old Oxford University Graduate Exam question which was:

Is this a question?

Answer given by examinee.

Yes if this is an answer.

Apparently got him or her a double first!

So well done Lee65 you're up there with the best!!!!

 

[Negita43]

Most places to live have some negatives but I have to say over the last 15 or so years the UK has developed a lot more negatives than Thailand.

 

I only wish that Thailand would develop some clarity, certainty and long termity (yes I know it's not a word - but you know what I mean) towards the ex pat community.

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

Most places to live have some negatives but I have to say over the last 15 or so years the UK has developed a lot more negatives than Thailand.

 

I only wish that Thailand would develop some clarity, certainty and long termity (yes I know it's not a word - but you know what I mean) towards the ex pat community.

If you have marriage, retirement, work or elite, you have quite good long term certainty. A little bit tax issues, and other details will come along, but thats quite normal in a constantly changing world. Thats why we should never cut ties, and also have a large enough buffer when SH

[Negita43]

Just now, Hummin said:

If you have marriage, retirement, work or elite, you have quite good long term certainty

Personally I am not so sure about that - How much longer will 800K Baht be enough? Different Immigration Offices have different document requirements for Visa extensions. The activation of an existing tax rule occured in September 2023 and as far as I can understand applies to that year. But as I said in the original posting clarity, certainty and long termity are not, as far as I can see, part of the culture so it is just that - a (forlorn) wish and I live with it - the alternative is cold, expensive and partnerless

[save the frogs]

3 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

Most of the things that annoy me about Thailand are Asia/Asian related. Maybe try a cheap Eastern European country like Georgia which has comparable cost of living?

Georgia will be invaded by Russia soon, won't they?

on the plus side, good pierogis and cheap wine. 

[Hummin]

18 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

Personally I am not so sure about that - How much longer will 800K Baht be enough? Different Immigration Offices have different document requirements for Visa extensions. The activation of an existing tax rule occured in September 2023 and as far as I can understand applies to that year. But as I said in the original posting clarity, certainty and long termity are not, as far as I can see, part of the culture so it is just that - a (forlorn) wish and I live with it - the alternative is cold, expensive and partnerless

I had no issues with retirment visa so far, except as you say, a new paper once and awhile Im making a new or renewal. After all they are a country with 🍌 

 

We know it will not be cheaper to stay in Asia for the future, and there is many unsure issues coming, especially world stability. 

 

Still it is 800k for retirement and 400k for marrige visa. Im staying out of thailand this year 6 months until the rules is more clear. No way Im paying tax to my home country who provide me social security and Thailand. 

 

Thailand have to give something in return before I do.

 

 

Edited March 2 by Hummin

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

This sums up my experience, but property values also go down. I had my primary residence valued in. 2005 at $425,000 and was going to sell it when I moved to Japan. Instead I rented it out, and in 2019 got $250000 for it....and I had property taxes (high in my town of $13000 a year in 2006).

The issue is that in the US with property taxes being so high, property is expensive to own. I rented out my house and was taxed on the 'profits' and all repairs I did were counted as profits...I never made a nickel, then when I sold the damned house I got stung for capital gains. 

I also had 6 acres of land....a wood on high ground near the Delaware water gap....$7000 a year property taxes and no one even lived there.....daylight robbery, I sold at a huge loss after holding for 12 years. But you win some and lose some. 

I had very comfortable savings and a large cushion plus a healthy pension private and SS. But the private pension is not index linked. Stock market investments have done very well from 2009 onward and I'm a 'buy and holder' with Vanguard which do compensate for the negatives in the property market I experienced. 

The other thing is that I have 'given' children sums of money to start businesses etc. They are doing well now but I wouldn't want to rely on them if I were to get short of cash. 

The bright spot is health issues. I self insure and last year was an expensive year with over 1.2 million baht in health expenses. The good news is that I would be here all that long and won't get chance to spend all the money. 

 

I was thinking more playing slum lord, with socialist America, they're throwing money at landlords, and Chester, PA, yea, Delaware Valley boy myself, you can still find house in the ฿50-75k range that make a tidy profit, since taxes are low there.

 

RE Taxes elsewhere (except slums of Philly) are just silly.   Last house I had, 25yrs ago, and yearly tax was knocking on $4000.   Add the Medicare Plan B to that, and I can live on that here.   Matter fact, the last 2 months I have.   Living off my pittance of a pension, and haven't touched my Soc Sec for Jan & Feb.  

 

Med thingy last week was from the pocket change, left over from last year.  Everyday expenses has been less than that $357 monthly pension ...   That wouldn't even pay the RE Tax for that 1 house.

Edited March 2 by KhunLA

[save the frogs]

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I would need to be multi-millionaire status (just 2), to live in my home country.  1M for a house in southern FL

an old woman got attacked/killed by a croc in a nursing home in florida !!

i think the nursing home had some kind of pond. 

 

[Lacessit]

I'm here because I have a much better standard of living than I would in Australia.

If I was to win a large lottery, I would still be here, although I might move around Asia a bit more.

I would have no interest in going back to Australia even if I was rich. Too many nanny-state rules, fat women, boring.

[Lee65]

Those are women ???!!!

[save the frogs]

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I would need to be multi-millionaire status (just 2), to live in my home country.  1M for a house in southern FL and hope that's enough. 

you dont need to have an expensive house in farangland.

you can rent fairly cheaply.

but then you would need to extricate yourself from the "status game" that everyone is playing.

 

[Dolf]

Air Asia flies Hua Hin to Chiang Mai. The no brainer option is to live in Chiang Mai from June to January then Hua Hin in the other months.

 

Get 2 of the best cities and the best weather.

[KhunLA]

3 hours ago, save the frogs said:

you dont need to have an expensive house in farangland.

you can rent fairly cheaply.

but then you would need to extricate yourself from the "status game" that everyone is playing.

Why would I leave here, and downgrade my existence.  I live in a custom built house, designed for me/us, and <5 kms from the surf.

 

I want the equivalent or better if I was to leave TH.  That goes for off grid solar and decent EVs.

 

I don't do backwards.  Also answers why I'm here.

Edited March 2 by KhunLA

[save the frogs]

43 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Why would I leave here, and downgrade my existence. 

western countries are over-priced.

if you have money saved up, makes sense to jump ship. 

[BritManToo]

12 hours ago, Negita43 said:

Personally I am not so sure about that - How much longer will 800K Baht be enough? Different Immigration Offices have different document requirements for Visa extensions. The activation of an existing tax rule occured in September 2023 and as far as I can understand applies to that year. But as I said in the original posting clarity, certainty and long termity are not, as far as I can see, part of the culture so it is just that - a (forlorn) wish and I live with it - the alternative is cold, expensive and partnerless

Actually the alternative is Cambodia or the Philippines, both of which are warm and cheap.

Never understand the people who think Thailand is the only Asian country worth living in.

[KhunLA]

5 hours ago, save the frogs said:

western countries are over-priced.

if you have money saved up, makes sense to jump ship. 

Why would I waste good money just to be in a western country ?  Especially the nanny states that they are.

[bob smith]

15 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Friendly people who smile and say hello

Where are these wonderfully friendly people you speak of?

 

all I get is locals putting masks on and avoiding eye contact when I approach them.

 

bob.

Edited March 3 by bob smith

[bob smith]

12 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Actually the alternative is Cambodia or the Philippines, both of which are warm and cheap.

Never understand the people who think Thailand is the only Asian country worth living in.

Cambodia is looking better and better by the day.

 

in fact, one of these days, I may just sneak out when Mrs smith is asleep and never look back.

 

bob.

[Ralf001]

10 minutes ago, bob smith said:

Cambodia is looking better and better by the day.

 

in fact, one of these days, I may just sneak out when Mrs smith is asleep and never look back.

 

bob.

 

Previously you mention you were leaving in April... but if you can go earlier... this forum will be a better place without you !

[bob smith]

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Previously you mention you were leaving in April... but if you can go earlier... this forum will be a better place without you !

Why would it?

 

I give this forum plenty of traction and clicks when I post about my REAL experiences inside Thailand.

 

its just people like you who can’t handle the truth that object to my presence.

 

suck it up, Ralf001 - bob smith is back with a vengeance!

[Skipalongcassidy]

3 minutes ago, bob smith said:

Why would it?

 

I give this forum plenty of traction and clicks when I post about my REAL experiences inside Thailand.

 

its just people like you who can’t handle the truth that object to my presence.

 

suck it up, Ralf001 - bob smith is back with a vengeance!

Time to adjust your meds is all I get out of this... it's hilarious and sad at the same time.

[bob smith]

Just now, Skipalongcassidy said:

Time to adjust your meds is all I get out of this... it's hilarious and sad at the same time.

Sadly, there is no cure for jealousy nor stupidity.

 

bob.

[Skipalongcassidy]

3 minutes ago, bob smith said:

Sadly, there is no cure for jealousy nor stupidity.

 

bob.

You are right... bob... but there are meds to help you with how you deal with your jealousy and stupidity... but you have to willing to take them.