Why am I here?

[bob smith]

2 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

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.

I gave them all to you.. remember?

 

Bob. 

[BritManToo]

30 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 !

Disagree,

I enjoy most of Bob's posts, but I can't remember reading anything worthwhile from you.

[itsari]

57 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

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

Nanny states provide needed help for millions of people. Thailand is far from a nanny state, hence the affordability for foreigners

I feel often that I am living of the backs of the Thai people that have low wages and very low pensions that make my situation good with a hard currency pension arriving every month that is well over what an average Thai pensionist receives.

[Ralf001]

21 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Disagree,

I enjoy most of Bob's posts, but I can't remember reading anything worthwhile from you.

Need a tissue to dry your eye princess ?

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, bob smith said:

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.

Here on Koh Samui where I run a small business, but I find the same thing wherever I travel.

Smile and say hello and folk smile and say hello back. Sometimes they stop for a chat.

I have an annual sabbatical in Chiang Mai. There the locals are a bit more reserved but still friendly.

Just back from Hua Hin and same same - but not many locals. Mostly older western folk where I walked.

Mind you, the young Thai ladies offering massages just around the corner from the hotel where I stayed were very friendly even though I declined their services.

[KhunLA]

48 minutes ago, itsari said:

Nanny states provide needed help for millions of people. Thailand is far from a nanny state, hence the affordability for foreigners

I feel often that I am living of the backs of the Thai people that have low wages and very low pensions that make my situation good with a hard currency pension arriving every month that is well over what an average Thai pensionist receives.

That's one opinion, though not sure I agree with.  In USA, welfare system and Social Security Disability certain assist folks, though barely at a level of existence, but better than nothing.  Healthcare is outrageously expensive and not that accessible.

 

My living in a lower cost of living country, especially if labor is involved, isn't really my concern or doing.   If I wasn't here, nothing would change, except a few folks, might not be employed.   Especially the ones contracted and worked for the builder of our houses, or installation of our solar system.  Or at the auto manufacturer or dealers for the 5 new cars I've purchased since being here.

 

As long as I'm spending money, injecting that into the economy, Thai's are benefiting.  Win win for all.   I certainly don't feel guilty or ashamed of my choices, and doubt if they resent me.  Mutually beneficial for all involved.

 

If the locals aren't happy with the govt's support of them, that's an issue for them, not me.  I can't help or hinder that, except to provide work and income for them, every time I spend my pensions.

[bob smith]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

Here on Koh Samui where I run a small business, but I find the same thing wherever I travel.

Smile and say hello and folk smile and say hello back. Sometimes they stop for a chat.

I have an annual sabbatical in Chiang Mai. There the locals are a bit more reserved but still friendly.

Just back from Hua Hin and same same - but not many locals. Mostly older western folk where I walked.

Mind you, the young Thai ladies offering massages just around the corner from the hotel where I stayed were very friendly even though I declined their services.

Sadly I find that many locals are only friendly when you are buying something from them.

 

when the money dries up, so does the smile.

 

bob.

[ILuvThai55]

If you're not loving it here is time to take stock in WHY NOT. Whatever you are doing here isn't satisfying that nagging hole in your soul. Maybe it's time to do the exact opposite of what you have been doing. Because it doesn't matter if you are here or there, You are still the largest part of the equation. 

 

It's like those that say they're seeking a partner to complete them.  If you're not fulfilled in your own skin nobody's going to do that for you.

 

My Best advice is to seek God while he maybe be found. Know GOD, know Peace. No GOD, No peace.

 

Be Well.

[Dolf]

2 hours 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 seems best. Can hop over border. Philippines seems too much hassle with islands and flights.

 

Their are regular buses between Siem Reap and Koh Chang.

[bob smith]

16 minutes ago, Dolf said:

Cambodia seems best. Can hop over border. Philippines seems too much hassle with islands and flights.

 

Their are regular buses between Siem Reap and Koh Chang.

Cambodia is where its at.

 

cheap booze, prescription drugs, cheap fags and cheap hotels.

 

oh, girls ain’t too bad either.

 

bob.

[itsari]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

That's one opinion, though not sure I agree with.  In USA, welfare system and Social Security Disability certain assist folks, though barely at a level of existence, but better than nothing.  Healthcare is outrageously expensive and not that accessible.

 

My living in a lower cost of living country, especially if labor is involved, isn't really my concern or doing.   If I wasn't here, nothing would change, except a few folks, might not be employed.   Especially the ones contracted and worked for the builder of our houses, or installation of our solar system.  Or at the auto manufacturer or dealers for the 5 new cars I've purchased since being here.

 

As long as I'm spending money, injecting that into the economy, Thai's are benefiting.  Win win for all.   I certainly don't feel guilty or ashamed of my choices, and doubt if they resent me.  Mutually beneficial for all involved.

 

If the locals aren't happy with the govt's support of them, that's an issue for them, not me.  I can't help or hinder that, except to provide work and income for them, every time I spend my pensions.

Yes its just my opinion, yet USA is not a typical nanny state, far from it compared to many countries in Europe where health care is provided from the taxes each citizen pays.

I realise that most foreigners living in Thailand believe as you that we are doing them a favour by spending money here. I think many Thais think differently. 

I think many Thais do indeed resent the difference in income of foreigners.

I am quite sure the Thai people are not happy with there government when the majority saw there vote disposed of in the last election. 

[KhunLA]

10 minutes ago, itsari said:

Yes its just my opinion, yet USA is not a typical nanny state, far from it compared to many countries in Europe where health care is provided from the taxes each citizen pays.

I realise that most foreigners living in Thailand believe as you that we are doing them a favour by spending money here. I think many Thais think differently. 

I think many Thais do indeed resent the difference in income of foreigners.

I am quite sure the Thai people are not happy with there government when the majority saw there vote disposed of in the last election. 

And what's the Q'ing time to see the GP, then a specialist, then scheduling a procedure with that universal healthcare, as I read some horrendous stories, of weeks and or months before having something done.

 

I went to govt hospital this week, check up, consult, and CT Scan performed all within the same day. Good luck getting that kind of service in the west, whether paying high insurance premiums or almost free universal care.

 

I find no advantage or reason to live elsewhere.

[4MyEgo]

Why am I here.

 

1) Not having to work 14-16 hour days, if you can call that work (slave to the workforce). Whereas now I chose to wake up what time I want, usually 6.00am inbuild alarm, go for a walk for as long as I like before it gets to hot. 

 

2) I don't have to pay the government taxes for the income that I earn from my own nest egg that I built up my entire life.

 

3) Living in a house that I can only dream of living in back home, just to think that it would cost me at least 70,000,000 baht for the same house, on the same land size, with the same frontage in an average area, but with neighbours at every boundary and across the road, makes me appreciate living here even more, on top of the fact that it only cost me about 3% of the above figure, or 2.2 million baht with the land.

 

4) Cost of living is much cheaper.

 

5) Women are more prettier, leaner and more friendlier.

 

I could go on, but don't wish to drag this on, that said, there are some negatives as well, but when you weigh it all up, here I am, with no regrets.

 

[Negita43]

1 hour ago, bob smith said:

Sadly I find that many locals are only friendly when you are buying something from them.

 

when the money dries up, so does the smile.

 

Which would you prefer when you spend your money - a scowl, a look of disdain, a blank face or a smile? You always seem to be complaining Bob.

Find the good things in your life an you'll be a lot happier and feel less put upon by the world

[sometime]

Just look at the weather in the UK today

[rexpotter]

20 hours ago, Lee65 said:

 

Because you're not there?

OMG...thanks

[rexpotter]

20 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

You answered your own question.

You are correct

[spidermike007]

21 hours ago, BE88 said:

 

Maybe you didn't realize what happened in the two years of the Covid period when people were practically kept prisoners in their homes and could only go out to work and go buy food, we were lucky here in Thailand not to have had this experience.

 

So no rush to return to Europe.

Did you read my reply? I said I love it here. Do I need to somehow defend that? 

[BE88]

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Did you read my reply? I said I love it here. Do I need to somehow defend that? 

[NoshowJones]

On 3/2/2024 at 3:22 PM, Hummin said:

Moving to asia without a safety line, is not recommended! 

 

I have met so many expats who do not have any insurance, and many of them is from Uk.

I believe many expat's would prefer insurance if they would get a fair deal.

[NoshowJones]

On 3/2/2024 at 3:25 PM, Dolf said:

So move back and live in a small town which is cheaper.

What country would that be? Certainly not the UK.

[jippytum]

I have enjoyed living in Thailand for four decades. 

However the overcrowding of Russians is a downside since the war.

Sri lanka have withdrawn visa free entry and estimated 880,000 Russians have two weeks to leave. Guess where to!!! 

 

[Presnock]

Retired in 2005 from a job which enabled me to work in 20 different countries - Asia, Central America, Africa, and Europe and loved most

of those places.  I could afford to live comfortably in the US monetarily anyway.  However, while living overseas, I logged in the good and the bad of all those countries and when ready for retirement reread all.  Thailand came out on top.  One primary reason - I hate COLD and snowy weather so checked those warmer places and put them near the top of the list.  I loved the PI (6+ years) living mostly in Manila but also in Cebu.  Unfortunately, I was there for Pinatubo, close to probably 100  typhoons many with flooding in Manila, Earthquakes that really shake the ground (8/9 ratings) so with these negatives outweighing the fantastic scuba diving (over 500 dives) in crystal clear water, great and varied golf courses and some really great people.  Other Asian states I also did enjoy but also had negatives.  Meanwhile, Thailand went to the top and stayed there (I worked here over 10 years, NKP and Bangkok), love the food, love the weather(though that seemes to

be changing) loved the freedom to travel all over the country, much cheaper than the US and most other "western countries), housing very affordable and cars so so in cost.  If the traffic was more like that in the west, but, well we know what it is so...not so liking the pollution and

while the govt claims it is doing more and more...we have heard that for a long time but still see the fields being burned in preps for planting and forest fires to find those mushrooms or whatever they are hunting for.  Yeah, hate the tm30's, tm47, tm7 etc though some of those

seem to be fading with online sometimes available.  Lots of unhappy folks here just like in the west, want to attack, maim,kill, whatever

with what seems like very little problems.  So far, I still love it here and have no plans to depart anytime soon.  

 

[NoshowJones]

On 3/2/2024 at 4:16 PM, WhatMeWorry said:

So very, very true bkk6060. I have a friend that was just admitted to a Thai government hospital with a stoke. He could not afford a private hospital. He is 88 years old living on SS. He has no will and lives with a caretaker. There is no way to access a little bit of money that he has in an investment account. The hospital wants to get paid. So his caretaker is trying to figure out a way for her to get his money to pay the hospital, marriage or a fake marriage certificate.

 

Why is it that some expats get themselves in these situations?

Because insurance companies give you such lousy deals, and it is probably the case that at 88 years old his insurance was cancelled years ago. If insurance companies were not so greedy there would be far more older expats who were insured.

[NoshowJones]

On 3/2/2024 at 8:58 PM, Lacessit said:

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.

I feel the same way about the UK, as for nanny state rules, if you don't like them or disagree with them then don't obey them, try and find a way round them, you usually can. Well I could. 😄

Edited March 4 by NoshowJones

[Wrwest]

Major reason I retired to a lower cost country was that I was out priced in the USA. That is still valid on my sustainable $2400.00 usd per month budget. Ha! Retirements for many working middle class “outsourced”. Poor, poor pitiful me, forced to live in Thailand … ha! I feel like Br’er Rabbit having been thrown into the Br’er Patch.

[GinBoy2]

12 minutes ago, Wrwest said:

Major reason I retired to a lower cost country was that I was out priced in the USA. That is still valid on my sustainable $2400.00 usd per month budget. Ha! Retirements for many working middle class “outsourced”. Poor, poor pitiful me, forced to live in Thailand … ha! I feel like Br’er Rabbit having been thrown into the Br’er Patch.

Well all I would say, unless you are ex military and have Tricare, just don't get seriously sick.

 

We can bitch and moan about health insurance in the US.  but Thailand is a rare insuance market and as you age, that premium is gonna skyrocket.

 

Now I know i will hear, "I self insure" which means nothing more than I can pay out of income.

 

So just don't get anything seriously sick, because that $2400/month will get sucked up pretty quick

[ravip]

On 3/2/2024 at 12:56 PM, rexpotter said:

If I could afford to live in my own country I would not be here. It was fun when younger.

I am genuinely sad to hear that.

[ravip]

After reading many (not all) posts here, I kind of understand why there is so much of Thai bashing on this forum AN. It sure is a sad state of affairs. Explains 100% for the sad & confused (anonymous) emojis popping up so much - it's a release mechanism...

[cncltd1973]

try Bali for a change of scenery, it's the best in the east

Edited March 4 by cncltd1973