2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

I just got my electricity bill - 54 USD. A nice change from the 350 I paid outside Siam.

 

Phone bill is 8.50 USD.

 

Water bill 3.60 USD.

 

 

Yes, life is terrible here, lol.

My water was 4.10 USD! I am getting RIPPED OFF!!!

So refreshing to see a Thailand-bashing topic. We haven't had one of those around for, what, almost a week now?

3 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

I've been living on and off in Thailand for 12 years. This year is looking to be the last for me. With the over tourism, rising cost of living, crowded streets and traffic and immigration policies tougher to track than picking a winning lottery number where to now?

 

Expats fed up with Thailand where are you planning to live next?

Already went Back home. Nothing beats fresh air, cool clear sky, and fresh food. 

2 hours ago, Nemises said:

Where are you moving to?

i reckon he's moving in with bob

Just now, n00dle said:

i reckon he's moving in with bob

 

Hi name was Robert Paulsen, his name was Robert Paulsen.

3 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

I've been living on and off in Thailand for 12 years. This year is looking to be the last for me. With the over tourism, rising cost of living, crowded streets and traffic and immigration policies tougher to track than picking a winning lottery number where to now?

 

Expats fed up with Thailand where are you planning to live next?

 

 

 

Torn between Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

So refreshing to see a Thailand-bashing topic. We haven't had one of those around for, what, almost a week now?

Hey man, not trolling just stirring the pot a bit, but I did get some good ideas and maybe I'm being ungrateful. A little more exploring is in order I think. I might fly off to Vietnam or South America and do some scouting to see for myself. I'm in Bangkok so my perceptions are from living in this mad Mother F$#ker of a city.

3 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

I've been living on and off in Thailand for 12 years. This year is looking to be the last for me. With the over tourism, rising cost of living, crowded streets and traffic and immigration policies tougher to track than picking a winning lottery number where to now?

 

Expats fed up with Thailand where are you planning to live next?

And that makes you an expert?

I've been to all the neighboring SEA countries numerous times, and I'm always glad to get back to Thailand. Warts and all, it's still the best country in the region to live in for long periods. Also, many of us are cemented in here, with wives, kids, homes, belongings. Just packing up and moving to Cebu or Danang is not an option. Things would have to get really really bad before most of us retirees would consider pulling the plug and leaving everything behind.

22 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

And that makes you an expert?

 

Yes I am the all knowing all seeing AN expert. Get used to it buddy. I'm the humblest person you'll ever meet.

8 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

I've been living on and off in Thailand for 12 years. This year is looking to be the last for me. With the over tourism, rising cost of living, crowded streets and traffic and immigration policies tougher to track than picking a winning lottery number where to now?

 

Expats fed up with Thailand where are you planning to live next?

You could try Sihanoukville. I heard that they have some new infrastructure 😁 

7 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

 

Yes I am the all knowing all seeing AN expert. Get used to it buddy. I'm the humblest person you'll ever meet.

I'll certainly remember that!

8 hours ago, retarius said:

I'm moving out for 186 or more days a year. Not sure I'll bother with a visa here yet, maybe use the new 60 day visa. I'm thinking to sell our large house and buy a smaller apartment, and sell all the land we own. 

 

   Are you yet another one of Bob Smiths alias's ?

11 hours ago, Trippy said:

Nobody lives in Thailand anymore, it's too crowded.

It ain't over till the fat lady sings. I would never want to join a club that would have me as a member. 

9 hours ago, n00dle said:

i reckon he's moving in with bob

Uphill gardening ?

4 hours ago, Harsh Jones said:

You could try Sihanoukville. I heard that they have some new infrastructure 😁 

I went to Siem Reap. Fabulous.

14 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

I've been living on and off in Thailand for 12 years. This year is looking to be the last for me. With the over tourism, rising cost of living, crowded streets and traffic and immigration policies tougher to track than picking a winning lottery number where to now?

 

Expats fed up with Thailand where are you planning to live next?

Although I agree with @OneMoreFarang that anywhere people live, or at least me, will eventually start bitchin and finding things the don’t like, the realities you mentioned are very real.  And we all had the honeymoon phase. Mine lasted for like four years before it slowly started to diminish.  Who says we can’t have that again somewhere else?  The rising costs in BKK are absolutely insane.  The pollution will give you a slow, painful death. If you dare to walk on a sidewalk or take any street transport, they will zip you up in a bodybag so fast, you’ll think you went blind!  PM me if you want to share thoughts or need a roomate. I’m at my wits end as well. 

14 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

I've been living on and off in Thailand for 12 years. This year is looking to be the last for me. With the over tourism, rising cost of living, crowded streets and traffic and immigration policies tougher to track than picking a winning lottery number where to now?

 

Expats fed up with Thailand where are you planning to live next?

I swear to God, it seems every other week there is a post about how Thailand is dying and Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Pick a south east Asian country is on the rise or is better to retire to.

This was my response to the last thread on this from 21 Aug only 14 days ago

 

"I have been living and working around SEA for about 30 years, Thailand is still the best option for a lot reasons, Vietnam is 2nd, Cambodia is 3rd, I put Lao 4th but have not had the chance to go there yet. Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines are non starters. Malaysia due to religion, Indonesia due to religion, infrastructure and crime and the Philippines is ridden with crime, food is not very good, water purification is poor, traffic and infrastructure are poor at best. Singapore is just too expensive. "

 

 

2 minutes ago, Chwooly said:

I swear to God, it seems every other week there is a post about how Thailand is dying and Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Pick a south east Asian country is on the rise or is better to retire to.

This was my response to the last thread on this from 21 Aug only 14 days ago

 

"I have been living and working around SEA for about 30 years, Thailand is still the best option for a lot reasons, Vietnam is 2nd, Cambodia is 3rd, I put Lao 4th but have not had the chance to go there yet. Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines are non starters. Malaysia due to religion, Indonesia due to religion, infrastructure and crime and the Philippines is ridden with crime, food is not very good, water purification is poor, traffic and infrastructure are poor at best. Singapore is just too expensive. "

 

 

Laos is 4th, but you have never been there?  Here are some of the highlights. Cheap Laos beer. Bread is in par with Vietnam. All lights are out by 10pm at the latest.   If you are into risk and adventure, try taking a Loation girl to your hotel or accommodation.  
 

I love Laos for a couple days per year to get away from the distractions of crazy Thailand, but I go still go insane from boredom by the 3rd or 4th day.  I would likely unalive myself if I spent 5-7 days there, regardless of where I was staying. 

Colombia (and/or) Argentina + rotation of Asian countries....cherry-picking best seasons on that loop.

 

29 minutes ago, Chwooly said:

I swear to God, it seems every other week there is a post about how Thailand is dying and Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Pick a south east Asian country is on the rise or is better to retire to.

This was my response to the last thread on this from 21 Aug only 14 days ago

 

"I have been living and working around SEA for about 30 years, Thailand is still the best option for a lot reasons, Vietnam is 2nd, Cambodia is 3rd, I put Lao 4th but have not had the chance to go there yet. Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines are non starters. Malaysia due to religion, Indonesia due to religion, infrastructure and crime and the Philippines is ridden with crime, food is not very good, water purification is poor, traffic and infrastructure are poor at best. Singapore is just too expensive. "

 

 

Do you not find the sellers/hawkers/begging a hassle in Vietnam and the people less friendly ? I felt they really enjoyed sticking it to foreigners on inflated prices as we 'deserve it'.....more so than other places.

20 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

Do you not find the sellers/hawkers/begging a hassle in Vietnam and the people less friendly ? I felt they really enjoyed sticking it to foreigners on inflated prices as we 'deserve it'.....more so than other places.

Oh good yes but in Vietnam it is not as bad as Cambodia and the crime is lower which is why I rated it higher

4 hours ago, Chwooly said:

Vietnam is 2nd

If you are a retired expat and you value the convenience and “freedom” of owning a car (in your name), then Vietnam is not an option for you. 

30 minutes ago, Nemises said:

If you are a retired expat and you value the convenience and “freedom” of owning a car (in your name), then Vietnam is not an option for you. 

Aside from marrying a local, what Visa options are available for a retired expat in Vietnam? 

5 hours ago, keysersoze276 said:

Although I agree with @OneMoreFarang that anywhere people live, or at least me, will eventually start bitchin and finding things the don’t like, the realities you mentioned are very real.  And we all had the honeymoon phase. Mine lasted for like four years before it slowly started to diminish.  Who says we can’t have that again somewhere else?  The rising costs in BKK are absolutely insane.  The pollution will give you a slow, painful death. If you dare to walk on a sidewalk or take any street transport, they will zip you up in a bodybag so fast, you’ll think you went blind!  PM me if you want to share thoughts or need a roomate. I’m at my wits end as well. 

Obviously, the pollution is bad. But it's a lot better than decades ago.

After a couple of years, this is just normal. Personally, I only think about bad pollution if I am in the middle of bad traffic. Otherwise, it's normal.

6 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

Aside from marrying a local, what Visa options are available for a retired expat in Vietnam? 

I can do it by starting to write book.... and do other arts. Vietnam supports them.

 

Thailand is one of the poorest in arts, museums and crafts.

 

3 hours ago, GypsyT said:

I can do it by starting to write book.... and do other arts. Vietnam supports them.

 

Thailand is one of the poorest in arts, museums and crafts.

 

Thanks, I've never heard of that before, does that Visa have a name so I can research it?

4 hours ago, GypsyT said:

I can do it by starting to write book.... and do other arts. Vietnam supports them.

Thailand is one of the poorest in arts, museums and crafts.

 

So there is some kind of "contribution to the arts" visa to Vietnam? Quick google search and we'll see.. wait..

https://www.vietnam-visa.com/vietnam-visa-types/

 

Nope, no   "I'm gonna write a book" visa. Or anything to the effect that "doing art" in Vietnam will afford a foreigner any kind of special visa class.

Just now, StandardIssue said:

So there is some kind of "contribution to the arts" visa to Vietnam? Quick google search and we'll see.. wait..

https://www.vietnam-visa.com/vietnam-visa-types/

 

Nope, no   "I'm gonna write a book" visa. Or anything to the effect that "doing art" in Vietnam will afford a foreigner any kind of special visa class.

 

What most guys do is visa runs in and out of Vietnam. I have a friend who is retired there. Does visa runs to BKK every so often.

15 hours ago, Chwooly said:

I swear to God, it seems every other week there is a post about how Thailand is dying and Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Pick a south east Asian country is on the rise or is better to retire to.

This was my response to the last thread on this from 21 Aug only 14 days ago

 

"I have been living and working around SEA for about 30 years, Thailand is still the best option for a lot reasons, Vietnam is 2nd, Cambodia is 3rd, I put Lao 4th but have not had the chance to go there yet. Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines are non starters. Malaysia due to religion, Indonesia due to religion, infrastructure and crime and the Philippines is ridden with crime, food is not very good, water purification is poor, traffic and infrastructure are poor at best. Singapore is just too expensive. "

 

 

 

I'd say it's a toss up between Vietnam and Malaysia for second place. Yes, religion in Malaysia is a problem, for example when the massage girls refuse to massage you naked but insist you wear shorts, but on the whole the restaurants, bakeries, malls are the closest to SG and Thailand. Vietnam has some great places and great food, but the unfriendliness of the locals would be an issue for me.

 

Philippines is indeed a non-starter, poor internet, terrible airports, typhoons and earthquakes on tap, and rip offs and violence, plus rampant poverty and crime are an issue.

 

Bali in Indonesia is quite appealing though.