Just now, prakhonchai nick said:

Came here 38 years ago...........moved lock stock and barrel. Had a house built just up a soi from Jomtien beach..no tourists then, beach deserted. Relocated to Isaan 23 years ago Bought a house.  Have a basic understanding of Thai language and speak it when necesary. Best not to understand here in Isaan as all the locals will try and tap you up for a loan  My answer to all requests "mai cowjai".

 

Been back to my home country 3 times each for 2/3 weeks. Could never return... Not the country I grew up in. Overwhelmed with non natives.

 

Here to stay.  What would I have changed?   Nothing much. May have kept my house in the UK had I not needed the money.

Best thing I did was after 3 years to apply for permanent residency.  No messing with 90 day reports, annual extensions or money seasoned in the bank. I also have a lifetime Thai driving licence.

Never trust your partner to take the pill. Use a Condom

Never buy a condo. Rent and you can move if you have problems with the location

Never get financially involved with Thai people especially the inlaws. 

11 hours ago, JimTripper said:

I'm guessing they were not wealthy or they could have checked themselves into a care resort somewhere. The Thai family thing is probably easier with money as well, or so I hear. Old age has a way of draining your finances.

I understand there's an aged care facility in Chiang Mai with round the clock care costing 45,000 baht per month, meals included.

 

If they can't afford that, IMO they should not be here.

 

Most relationships between foreigners and Thais are transactional. Very few 30 yo Thai women would hook up with a 60 yo foreigner otherwise.

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

Learning a new language is an intellectual pursuit that not only keeps your mind sharp but also earns you the respect of the locals, it also gives one an insight into the psyche of the locals. I speak 3 languages and that enriches my life. People who don't speak German for instance say that Germans have no sense of humour, having lived there for over 35 years and speak German fluently I can say that this just isn't true, it's just nuanced differently from British humour. Listening to Thai girls speak in relation to their falang escort is also amusing. I remember seeing a loved up falang with his Thai girl who was making arrangements with 3 other Thai girls to go out eating, " Later", she said, "I've got to give this", indicating the star struck falang, "A service first, it won't take long." I felt sorry for him but couldn't help laughing, which drew shocked glances from the girls.

Try learning tagalog ( Filipino ) you will give up 

17 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

Rubbish.

 

The year 2023 was the warmest year since global records began in 1850 at 1.18°C (2.12°F) above the 20th-century average of 13.9°C (57.0°F). This value is 0.15°C (0.27°F) more than the previous record set in 2016. The 10 warmest years in the 174-year record have all occurred during the last decade (2014–2023).

Plus, after June 2023 the reports say that it was the warmest on record that makes it 13 straight months of record warmth in the world.  Seeing the current HEAT reports around the world, and for extended periods plus early in the summer months in some countries, this year will most likely be the warmest on record...means more and heavier rains so more flooding.  Best of luck to all.

14 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Never buy a condo. Rent and you can move if you have problems with the location

Or if the landlord no longer wants you or wants to sell etc. you are forced to relocate. 😂

 

I've been here for decades, if I was renting, the rent money I paid landlord would have bought me the property. 

Also, I have peace of mind, not having to relocate. 

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I understand there's an aged care facility in Chiang Mai with round the clock care costing 45,000 baht per month, meals included.

 

If they can't afford that, IMO they should not be here.

 

Most relationships between foreigners and Thais are transactional. Very few 30 yo Thai women would hook up with a 60 yo foreigner otherwise.

All relationships are transactional except perhaps that between a person and his dog.

Don't build a 2 story house, was fine 21 years ago but getting older stairs get more of a problem some days

16 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Long term, I think everybody should learn the language, anywhere in Thailand, including the cities.

It's not easy and of course it's a question of how good we know the language. I think we should know it at least good enough to function in real life with (only Thai speaking) Thai people. Tell the taxi driver where to go, how much it cost, etc. Ask for food, order food, etc. Go to a fresh market and be able to communicate. Use public transport and ask for directions.

And in hospitals, where doctors normally speak English, but nurses don't, be ready to communicate with the nurses.

 

In many cases it will be possible to exist without that knowledge, but it helps a lot to be able to know what the locals talk about (at least the general idea) without any translation. 

If we don't speak Thai, then we have to trust someone who speaks Thai. And how do you know you can trust that person if you don't understand at least part of their "translation".

Many guys lost a fortune because they trusted a Thai person and didn't understand the language.

Being able to speak the local language in a non-ENGLISH speaking country to me is essential if one wants to take advantage of all that country has and to avoid upsetting the locals too much.  

17 hours ago, Gandtee said:

Really? How many of those do you meet out in the sticks?

You’d be surprised, most schools out here in the sticks teach English and have regular inter school competitions on English speaking.

11 hours ago, swissie said:

If your hospital bill exeeds your liquid assets, the Thai Family will not remember your last name.

I go through the public hospital system, much cheaper although long wait times.

 

Just wondering how many lemons you sucked before you posted.

Do not sign anything unless you understand the writing. In Thailand, if you are not fluent in Thai language, do not sign anything written in Thai, until you get a certified translation into a language you understand. Even if a policeman tells you sign something and gives you a verbal translation, do not sign it, get the certified written translation. Do not accept a police interpreter's translation verbally or in writing, unless they are a certified translator. Certified means certified by the Ministry of Foreigner Affairs.

29 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

All relationships are transactional except perhaps that between a person and his dog.

If you don't feed a dog, it will lose interest.

18 hours ago, Hummin said:

Drinking and bed friend above 75, doesnt seem like a useful mix. Even now I struggle finishing being intoxicated

 

I used to know bar girls who would not get horizontal with the geezers. They were worried he'd have a heart attack and die on them. So, dining, friendship, gfe. May e a handy.

43 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Or if the landlord no longer wants you or wants to sell etc. you are forced to relocate. 😂

 

I've been here for decades, if I was renting, the rent money I paid landlord would have bought me the property. 

Also, I have peace of mind, not having to relocate. 

 

 

 

 

Relocating in Bangkok is nothing. Imagine most other large cities

 

You obviously value stability. The exact opposite of most that live here which value flexibility and liquidity

 

You didn't account for the loss on condo deterioration and depreciation, mnt fees, taxes and most importantly - that money invested would have provided 'free' rent while holding your principal.

 

Most that boast of making money on a condo here are honest enough to admit it's often just the the cross rate.

2 hours ago, Henryford said:

 

I agree. It's useful to know a few phrases and numbers etc but in the main cities you can get by fine without knowing Thai. With the new Samsung AI apps you can talk to anyone.

When there's money involved Thais will find a way to communicate irrespective where the farang comes from.

49 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Or if the landlord no longer wants you or wants to sell etc. you are forced to relocate. 😂

 

I've been here for decades, if I was renting, the rent money I paid landlord would have bought me the property. 

Also, I have peace of mind, not having to relocate. 

 

 

 

 

I agree, spending millions on renting long term is crazy. I bought 18 years ago and am now in effect living rent free for the next 20 years and with something of value to give the tgf. You have to choose carefully though.

Just now, Lacessit said:

If you don't feed a dog, it will lose interest.

Intensive studies done in America have shown that dogs genuinely unconditionally love their owners. They have a brain anomaly, present, in a few rare cases, in humans which makes them extremely empathetic and loving. Dogs have no sense of self, hence no ego. Withholding food would obviously cause a dog to look elsewhere for nutrient, it's a matter of survival, instinctive in all sentient beings but that doesn't affect their sense of deep affection for their owner. For the owner a dog is only part of their long lives, for a dog you are its entire life. When I was away from home for two days and returned by car my dog tried to barge its way through the glass door, peeing with excitement when it heard the cars engine, I didn't get that reaction from my wife.

4 minutes ago, Max_Headroom said:

 

Relocating in Bangkok is nothing. Imagine most other large cities

 

You obviously value stability. The exact opposite of most that live here which value flexibility and liquidity

 

You didn't account for the loss on condo deterioration and depreciation, mnt fees, taxes and most importantly - that money invested would have provided 'free' rent while holding your principal.

 

Most that boast of making money on a condo here are honest enough to admit it's often just the the cross rate.

Yes, a few costs associated but swings and roundabouts. 

 

Stability is important, me and my family are still living in the same house I bought 2001. 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Henryford said:

 

I agree, spending millions on renting long term is crazy. I bought 18 years ago and am now in effect living rent free for the next 20 years and with something of value to give the tgf. You have to choose carefully though.

I've bought several condos over the many years, early days prices were well down, it's much harder today. 

 

is everyone commenting in this thread 75 or more?

4 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

Intensive studies done in America have shown that dogs genuinely unconditionally love their owners. They have a brain anomaly, present, in a few rare cases, in humans which makes them extremely empathetic and loving. Dogs have no sense of self, hence no ego. Withholding food would obviously cause a dog to look elsewhere for nutrient, it's a matter of survival, instinctive in all sentient beings but that doesn't affect their sense of deep affection for their owner. For the owner a dog is only part of their long lives, for a dog you are its entire life. When I was away from home for two days and returned by car my dog tried to barge its way through the glass door, peeing with excitement when it heard the cars engine, I didn't get that reaction from my wife.

Interesting. I have seen station dogs in Australia who get horribly mistreated by their owners, and come back for more.

 

I  certainly hope my GF would not pee with excitement on greeting me after a period of separation.

1 minute ago, frank83628 said:

is everyone commenting in this thread 75 or more?

3 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Is everyone commenting in this thread 75 or more?

Why..?

14 minutes ago, transam said:

Why..?

Because the thread was directed at over 75's

A bit shy of the 75 mark yet, but been here a few years.

I hope to be harassing my wife into my eighties.😉

If I make it that far my Thai vocabulary may extend to two hundred words.

A bit shy of the 75 mark yet, but been here a few years.

I hope to be harassing my wife into my eighties.😉

If I make it that far my Thai vocabulary may extend to two hundred words.

A bit shy of the 75 mark yet, but been here a few years.

I hope to be harassing my wife into my eighties.😉

If I make it that far my Thai vocabulary may extend to two hundred words.

19 hours ago, susanlea said:

It is no hotter than 20 years ago. People need to do what suits them. Thailand is not for everyone. 

Nonsense! You know it better than climate researcher? My life in Thailand for almost 20 years also says the opposite of what you say. Have fun in your fantasy world.

19 hours ago, susanlea said:

Over 75s should get drunk every night and hire a bed friend. Your life is nearly over. Enjoy it.

Being over 75 with a life style you suggest, I doubt you would make it 76.