How many times have you left Thailand?

[Celsius]

I mean announced on internet that you are leaving, but 1 - changed your mind, 2 - never meant to leave and were just trolling or 3 - left and returned for whatever reason?

 

Me the combo of all the above around 7-8 times that I can think of.

 

The replies were the usual....don't let the door hit you in derriere, this isn't the airport, poor sap ran out of money, enjoy the winter and fat women, etc ....

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Zero

Where should I go where it is better? 

Obviously not all is perfect in Thailand. But there is no place on this world where it is perfect.

 

[Ralf001]

Zero.

I did go home  6 years ago when I was made redundant with no plans to return.... then I was offered a new job so came back.

[Hummin]

1 time so far this spring, but still travelling for a month or two once and awhile. Been one month after, and coming back next month for 2 or 3 months. Will keep my retirement visa as long it fits with renewal while Im there. 

[Baht Simpson]

Never. I can't understand why people who intend to leave feel it necessary to leave a suicide note on here.

[Nemises]

8 times a year!
 

4 to the homeland (just me) and 4 with the TGF for holidays to other countries.
 

Life is good 👍 

[Upnotover]

14 minutes ago, Nemises said:

8 times a year!
 

4 to the homeland (just me) and 4 with the TGF for holidays to other countries.
 

Life is good 👍 

Indeed, but you didn't really read the question.

[Nemises]

Just now, Upnotover said:

Indeed, but you didn't really read the question.

You are wrong I did read the question. I answered similar to how others before me answered. 

[Upnotover]

3 minutes ago, Nemises said:

You are wrong I did read the question. I answered similar to how others before me answered. 

Apologies.  You did read the question but answered a completely different one.

[Nemises]

1 minute ago, Upnotover said:

Apologies.  You did read the question but answered a completely different one.

The first 3 or 4 posters also answered a completely differently one also, so I followed their lead. You didn’t quote them for some reason. Interesting. 

[Upnotover]

1 minute ago, Nemises said:

The first 3 or 4 posters also answered a completely differently one also, so I followed their lead. You didn’t quote them for some reason. Interesting. 

Apologies, I was hoping to stem the tide of incorrectly answered questions.

[Nemises]

Just now, Upnotover said:

Apologies, I was hoping to stem the tide of incorrectly answered questions.

Trying to stem tides of AN threads? Good luck with that 😂

 

[spidermike007]

Considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. 

 

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

 

Frankly I have given it some thought, and I really don't think that I have a realistic alternative to Thailand. 

[nickmondo]

not enough

[4MyEgo]

I did think about it once or twice, but when I look at what it costs to rent in the old country, before even thinking about the cost of food etc etc, is enough to turn me off.

 

What I have learnt in the decade that I have lived here is, that you can't live back in the old country the way you would live here, e.g. to live in the house that I built my Mrs on her land, e.g. 5 beds, 3 baths, on 1,000 square metres with a 20 metre frontage, yes up country, would cost me 60 million baht vs 2.5-3.0 mil baht that it cost me to build it here.

 

To rent say a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom 100 square metre 2000 built condo where I would want to live would set me back 18,000 baht per week, yes week.

 

Thailand is not perfect by far, and you can call me a racist if you like, but I'm not, the thing is, I only see the same faces here (Thai's), over and over again, vs a failed multi-cultural society back in the old country.

 

Would I go back, what would be perfect for me would be to spend 3 months here, 3 months there, or 6 and 6 but it's hard with kids, so you bite the bullet, but when the kids do finish school, I will seriously look at returning for them, because work and working conditions here is the pits from what I have been told.

[HappyExpat57]

Time to dust off my old trope:

 

I am celebrating my 20 year anniversary this month since I arrived in LOS. Initially after seven years, I got fed up with the Thai red tape and sold or gave away my worldly possessions and moved to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. After six weeks of experiencing a REAL HELL HOLE, I got my ass back here with a renewed appreciation for what Thailand has to offer. Perfect? Of course not, but I've adjusted and am happy with my decision to spend the rest of my days here.

[PBob]

One less than the number of times I arrived in Thailand.

[Celsius]

27 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

 

What I have learnt in the decade that I have lived here is, that you can't live back in the old country the way you would live here, e.g. to live in the house that I built my Mrs on her land, e.g. 5 beds, 3 baths, on 1,000 square metres with a 20 metre frontage, yes up country, would cost me 60 million baht vs 2.5-3.0 mil baht that it cost me to build it here.

 

 

This is apples and oranges. I can buy a house in Canadian boonies for 50 thousand Canadian dollars with better infrastructure than in Thailand. 

 

People should really stop making these comparisons between Buriram and San Francisco/Sydney/Vancouver.

 

 

[BritManToo]

10 minutes ago, Celsius said:

This is apples and oranges. I can buy a house in Canadian boonies for 50 thousand Canadian dollars with better infrastructure than in Thailand. 

 

People should really stop making these comparisons between Buriram and San Francisco/Sydney/Vancouver.

But Canada is even colder than the UK.

I don't want to live in either place (or Serbia for that matter).

[Burma Bill]

 

Once - for good!

 

After 20 years in retirement in Thailand I moved across the border to Siem Reap in Cambodia where I have lived happily for almost 5 years (February next year will be 5 years). Main reason - the total bureaucracy and scam financial requirements regarding a Thai retirement visa. In fact, yesterday I collected my UK passport with another retirement (ER) visa from the Cambodian Immigration agent - oh so simple! Valid passport, recent pp photo, 300US$ and proof of entry on FPCS (Foreign Persons in Cambodia System). My landlord accompanied me to show this as the onus is on him. 10 working days later, passport returned. Visa for one year includes multiple re-entries.

[KhunLA]

Never stated intent to, or planned to leave TH, after arriving Sept 2000.  Commuted to work (USA) a few times, then stayed permanently Mar 2001.

 

Returned 2X, once for couple months, help mother pass on to new dimension, and other time was for long weekend, to pick up  check 😎

 

Any other time, was popping across the border to do 90 day turn around, (Laos & Myanmar) or a short week to Vientiane.  Last time doing that was Aug 2012.

[khunPer]

Zero...

[WDSmart]

When I first moved here 20 years ago, I left many times a year to work (self-employed data processing contractor). I retired about 15 years ago and have only left a few times since then. I've lived here now for about ten years.

[popabear]

4 hours ago, Celsius said:

People should really stop making these comparisons between Buriram and San Francisco/Sydney/Vancouver.

Yes I do agree , I have been coming and leaving Thailand for the past 43 years and for the past 25 years, I have been coming and leaving 3 times a year except for covid .I enjoy Thailand , but prefer to come and leave and would never want to live in Thailand . Regards Popa

[proton]

Once 2010, went to the Airport bought a ticket and sat having a drink airside. Thought I''d better send the Mrs a text who was working. she rang me up and persuaded me to go back home for a talk. Getting back out from departures was quite difficult!  

[Lacessit]

I leave once a year, for medical reasons. I will always come back, until the time I am no longer able to travel. Then, I'll stay here.

[wwest5829]

Six trips outside Thailand in 13+ years for visits. I have felt no need to look for another retirement residence. If the need arises I will deal with it at that time. I am fully aware of alternatives.

[gk10012001]

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. 

 

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 1 gbps fiber optic connection, at under 700 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

 

Frankly I have given it some thought, and I really don't think that I have a realistic alternative to Thailand. 

So what do you do for health care?  You mention California so I assume you are a US citizen.  I have been to Thailand many times and am well aware of the decent health care available as pay as you go or even with some Thai health insurance plans, but what age are you?  Are you over 65 and eligible for US Medicare?  If you don't start it you incur a 10 % increase in premiums each year you don't sign up but sign up later.  Health insurance for aged foreigners in Thailand is very expensive and in many cases not even available.   And how do you plan really significant health issues, surgery, cancer, etc.?  Are you insured?

[gk10012001]

well having been 15 times since 2004 I always thought I would retire to Thailand or at least certainly spend much of each year there.  Now at age 67 I am more than able financially to retire there and still maintain some USA home ties for emergencies.  I almost bought the Thai elite visa a few years back just for convenience.  Then they raised the price, lowered the number of years it was in effect etc.  Now this latest tax reporting scheme is the nail in the coffin. I won't be staying 180 days in any year.  That's ok.  I can work around that. 

 

  I do recall two trips when I was finishing the trips.  was on the bus from pattaya back to Bangkok.  I got off the bus at the airport (Bell travel I was using) and as I walked into the airport, sat in the Magic food court and said screw this!  Cancel/changed my departure and arranged a visa run to cambodia and extended my stays.  My engineering contract jobs are reasonably fulfilling so I continue those for the time being.  Looking now at one last gig in Texas (No state income tax). 

[still kicking]

8 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

This is apples and oranges. I can buy a house in Canadian boonies for 50 thousand Canadian dollars with better infrastructure than in Thailand. 

 

People should really stop making these comparisons between Buriram and San Francisco/Sydney/Vancouver.

 

 

Agree I live in OZ but not in the rip off City like Sydney or Melbourne I live in a city of about 2 million and have not have a rent increase in 8 Years I pay 240 AUD per week water rates included