Expat By Choice - But Why Are You Here?

[RethairedJarhead]

After a visit 32 years ago, was sure I’d be back at least to visit. Now 4 years in, glad I followed my heart to migrate. Family and longtime friends know wherever I hang my hat, is home. 

I appreciate the shared information and laughs had in this medium… at the same time, I spend too much time bypassing posts or comments of debbie-downers, racists and finger pointers… and yet  I have not met an expert who is here by force. 
 

The perks far outweigh the problems… That’s my opinion and, for better or worse, I’m curious to know why other folks have become expats in Thailand.

 

[nikmar]

I impregnated a local. That was the gamechanger.

[proton]

Thai music, the rest is rubbish, annoying or boring

[brewsterbudgen]

Been working as an English teacher since 2005.  Couldn't get the same level of remuneration back home (UK), so here for good now.  Plus I now have a family here (although not Thai).

[OneMoreFarang]

47 minutes ago, RethairedJarhead said:

I’m curious to know why other folks have become expats in Thailand.

 

Many years ago, I wasn't very happy back home in Europe. Too cold, too many ugly women, too many old people.

I decided I want to live somewhere warm with lots of pretty girls.

Thailand and Brazil came to my mind. 

I learned a little about Brazil and it seemed to have lots of downsides.

I made two times holiday in Thailand; I liked it a lot. And I learned about the economy and more. Mostly good, not much bad.

And then I moved to Thailand.

Was it a one-way trip? Yes, I planned it as a one-way trip. But I was realistic enough go know there was no guarantee that all would be fine. I didn't shut all the doors behind me. If I would have returned a couple of months or a year later that would have been ok. Like: I tried. But at the end it was a one-way trip. I returned "home" only once after a few months and then no return for >20 years. 

 

The alternative:

 

 

[metisdead]

1 hour ago, connda said:

MY CAPS-LOCK IS ON TO MAKE A POINT, BUT WHY IS YOUR CAPS-LOCK STUCK?

 

ALL CAPS have been removed from topic title. 

[GammaGlobulin]

By accident.

 

This time.

 

[Keeps]

Because it is a vast improvement on being in the UK.

[Rimmer]

A post all in caps has been removed

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, RethairedJarhead said:

I’m curious to know why other folks have become expats in Thailand.

 

Moved here for work a coupla years ago, can see no reason to return home.

[riclag]

It all started when my 35 year marriage was destroyed by my American wife’s GF. Which started us living estranged  and managing a successful jewelry business.

I  became infatuated with Asian woman , through my business dealings. Researched Asian countries ,

and decided on a visit to Thailand .

 

Now divorced , retired at 54,and remarried to a young Thai lady who’s ok with me having sexual fun as a lesbian in a males body.Love them 2 & 4 hand oil massages by Sao som noi’s.

 

Livin large in my golden years at 70.
 

 

*The only drawback is the small yappers,living aside of me at the next door neighbors house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Been working as an English teacher since 2005.  Couldn't get the same level of remuneration back home (UK)

 

You mean....

Even when you use words like REMUNERATION, you still don't get paid enough in the UK?

 

[MalcolmB]

If I am to be honest is the petite and easy Thai arse. It is lovely.
Then the cost of living. I can live a 5 star life here, eat out every meal, get my washing done, etc etc

Then the weather. Depressing in the UK.
 

I spoke to a woman from the UK last week in a bar. I found her to be really annoying.

I had trouble sleeping that night as her words echoed around my head. 

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Been working as an English teacher since 2005.  Couldn't get the same level of remuneration back home (UK), so here for good now.  Plus I now have a family here (although not Thai).

I can only assume you aren't qualified to teach in the UK.

When I was back in the UK 2009, working 'supply', I was paid 130GBP (+NI) for every day I worked in high school.

And I could have worked every weekday if I had wanted.

[BritManToo]

11 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

If I am to be honest is the petite and easy Thai arse. It is lovely.
Then the cost of living. I can live a 5 star life here, eat out every meal, get my washing done, etc etc

Then the weather. Depressing in the UK.
 

I spoke to a woman from the UK last week in a bar. I found her to be really annoying.

I had trouble sleeping that night as her words echoed around my head. 

I fully agree, although at nearly 70 I'm more interested in smoking 'grass' than grabbing 'arse'.

 

I'm an expat by accident, came here during nasty divorce just to get away, saw no reason to return. 15 years later and it's been great.

[KhunLA]

I didn't come here by force ...

... but apparently, I won't be leaving any time soon ... 

 

[Stocky]

I took a job in Malaysia 30 years ago, Thailand was where I came to do my visa runs, I got to like the place so it became home.

[bkk6060]

About an hour ago I watched the 23 year old who visited my room walk to her Bolt taxi.  In her cute tight shorts so sexy.  I happily sighed and said to myself; thank you Thailand.

[Lacessit]

A deliberate decision on my part. I felt I was stagnating with boredom in Australia. My relationship with an Australian woman was turning sour.

I had worked as a consultant in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia prior to retiring. Six months of research, Thailand was the best choice. I have never regretted my decision.

[Hummin]

2 hours ago, riclag said:

It all started when my 35 year marriage was destroyed by my American wife’s GF.

 

I like your start, destroyed by my wife, and I feel many here feels the same way. Their western women pushed tome away to Thailand. 

 

Happy to hear you found what you where looking for finely

[NowNow]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I can only assume you aren't qualified to teach in the UK.

When I was back in the UK 2009, working 'supply', I was paid 130GBP (+NI) for every day I worked in high school.

And I could have worked every weekday if I had wanted.

 

That's not much in the U.K.

[NowNow]

18 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I like your start, destroyed by my wife, and I feel many here feels the same way. Their western women pushed tome away to Thailand. 

 

Happy to hear you found what you where looking for finely

 

I seem to be one of the few with nothing against western women. Women from anywhere can be problematic. 

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, NowNow said:

 

That's not much in the U.K.

It was a retirement job to get me out of the house a few days a week.

 

2 days a week, 30 weeks a year and my NI paid, and a government guaranteed income of 15k pounds a year with no deductions.

 

[Ralf001]

8 minutes ago, NowNow said:

 

That's not much in the U.K.

Not much now or not much 16yrs ago ?

[NowNow]

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It was a retirement job to get me out of the house a few days a week.

 

2 days a week, 30 weeks a year and my NI paid, and a government guaranteed income of 15k pounds a year with no deductions.

 

 

Not knocking it. Just suggesting that teachers can earn that here and their money goes a lot further.

[NowNow]

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

Not much now or not much 16yrs ago ?

 

2009 wasn't 16 years ago and no, it wasn't much then either. One of my girlfriends was a nurse earning £85 per hour on triple time way before that.

I won't write about myself.

[Ralf001]

1 minute ago, NowNow said:

 

2009 wasn't 16 years ago and no, it wasn't much then either. One of my girlfriends was a nurse earning £85 per hour on triple time way before that.

I won't write about myself.

 

My bad. 15 yrs 11 months ago.

 

Ok yeah the girlie earning 85 /hr sure makes old mates 130/day seem like poverty line wage.

[brewsterbudgen]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I can only assume you aren't qualified to teach in the UK.

When I was back in the UK 2009, working 'supply', I was paid 130GBP (+NI) for every day I worked in high school.

And I could have worked every weekday if I had wanted.

The qualifications for TEFL teaching are exactly the same in the UK as in Thailand.  TEFL jobs in the UK though are mainly seasonal and very badly paid.  Starter TEFL jobs here in Thailand are equally badly paid, but having been doing it for 20 years, I now make around 1,000 baht an hour, plus have a lot examining work, all of which doesn't require a lot of effort, which is good as I'm 64. 

[NowNow]

22 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

My bad. 15 yrs 11 months ago.

 

Ok yeah the girlie earning 85 /hr sure makes old mates 130/day seem like poverty line wage.

 

You need your brain tested. Try again. Maybe it's different outside London. 

[Keeps]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I can only assume you aren't qualified to teach in the UK.

When I was back in the UK 2009, working 'supply', I was paid 130GBP (+NI) for every day I worked in high school.

And I could have worked every weekday if I had wanted.

 

39 minutes ago, NowNow said:

 

That's not much in the U.K.

Pro rata that would have been well above the national average wage at the time. Plus the NI contributions plus guaranteed government pension entitlement.