Getting Old: Stoic About It or Endless Whinger?

[JK-Trilly]

Aging is something we can’t avoid, but how we deal with it varies wildly. Some keep moving forward, adapting, and continuing to enjoy life as always, while others seem to get stuck, endlessly complaining about every ache, pain, and limitation. For those aging in Thailand, the dynamic takes on an even more unique flavor.

 

For many expats here, growing older doesn’t mean slowing down. You’ll find men in their 60s and beyond who still go out to the bars, chase the same things they did in their 30s, and dive headfirst into everything life has to offer. Whether it’s maintaining an active social life, exercising, meeting new people, or traveling, these folks refuse to let age dictate their pace. They embody that classic “mind over matter” approach, embracing the here and now and staying engaged with the world around them.

 

On the flip side, there are those who seem to have hit a wall. Instead of adapting, they focus on what’s going wrong—the health problems, creaky knees, back pains, and chronic ailments. You’ll often hear them sitting around, talking about their blood pressure, cholesterol, wanting to lose weight and all the things that they feel they can’t do anymore. For them, life in Thailand has shifted from adventure to a growing list of limitations.

 

But here’s the question: Is it just a mindset, or do circumstances play a role? Thailand offers unique advantages for aging expats—relatively affordable healthcare, easy access to good food, warm weather that’s easier on the joints, and a culture that generally respects elders. Yet, it’s not all roses. Some face visa headaches, financial challenges, or feelings of isolation as they grow older without family nearby.

 

For those who’ve spent more than 20 years here, it’s worth asking: Was aging in Thailand part of the plan? Or did time simply pass faster than expected, leaving you as a senior citizen in Thailand? For some, staying here into old age feels like a natural extension of the life they’ve built. For others, the question of whether they’d be better off returning to their home country looms large.

 

The truth is, everyone approaches aging differently. Some lean into the physical realities of getting older but refuse to let them define their lives. Others see those same realities as walls that block the way forward.

 

Where do you stand? Are you still pushing forward with life, doing the same things you did in your younger years? Or have the physical aspects of aging shifted your focus, making you feel more limited than liberated?

 

Stoic or whinger—what’s your approach?

[jori123]

That  too, but relatively affordable healthcare in TH is a myth, it'll cost.  Getting older does define your life, and getting trapped in TH , would be a nightmare , getting  decrepit would be suicide fodder

[still kicking]

1 hour ago, jori123 said:

That  too, but relatively affordable healthcare in TH is a myth, it'll cost.  Getting older does define your life, and getting trapped in TH , would be a nightmare , getting  decrepit would be suicide fodder

Yes I moved away from LOS with my Thai wife many years ago My wife has a good job here and I get a good pension I could not afford to pay health insurance in Thailand which I do have here.free. Thailand is not a good country for disabled people I am 77 now 

Edited 10 hours ago by still kicking

[georgegeorgia]

So how can your wife work and you also get the aged pension??

 

Your not entitled to the old age pension if your partner is working !

[save the frogs]

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

So how can your wife work and you also get the aged pension??

the thread is not about pensions

[georgegeorgia]

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

the thread is not about pensions

I beg your pardon...

I never promised you a rose garden 

[Yagoda]

Im almost 70. I toss my broccoli of desire into supple and firm hardbodied legal teenagers every chance I get, which is only about once a month since my back has difficulty handling travel,

 

I dont drink, am not "morbidly" obese (yet) and smoke tons of weed, hash and concentrates. My back is shot, but if a man cant handle pain, hes not a man and I try not to whine, although I do jerk from the clonic spasms and scream in agony once in a while. But hey, if a man cant hang with the boys and bellow like a wounded walrus once every now and then, whats the point?

[Hummin]

I see no good reasons for continue to hit the bars when I get older, and getting stuck in Thailand is my worst naightmare, as well stay home in Norway with no other options than shopping at the local store, and save money for paying the electric bill. 

 

Getting older for me is pretty much going to be doing the same I have done all my life, move my body, working a bit, and continue look for a sustainable life, and still have resources left if deleted happenend. 

 

have enough is resources is essential for a happiness when aging, even some claim money isnt everything,

 

 

[oxo1947]

8 hours ago, still kicking said:

I could not afford to pay health insurance in Thailand

 

Were you not just posting that you won a million $Aus in Lotto........

[Lacessit]

I keep mostly to myself. No-one is interested in the multiple health crises I have had, no point to discussing them.

 

No interest in bars. I try to stick to my exercise routines and diet, to stay healthy.

[Hummin]

20 minutes ago, oxo1947 said:

 

Were you not just posting that you won a million $Aus in Lotto........

easy come easy go 😉

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Im almost 70. I toss my broccoli of desire into supple and firm hardbodied legal teenagers every chance I get, which is only about once a month since my back has difficulty handling travel,

 

I dont drink, am not "morbidly" obese (yet) and smoke tons of weed, hash and concentrates. My back is shot, but if a man cant handle pain, hes not a man and I try not to whine, although I do jerk from the clonic spasms and scream in agony once in a while. But hey, if a man cant hang with the boys and bellow like a wounded walrus once every now and then, whats the point?

if you can handle pain, why all this weed and other brain foogging substances you using necessery for? 

[The Fugitive]

9 hours ago, jori123 said:

That  too, but relatively affordable healthcare in TH is a myth, it'll cost.  Getting older does define your life, and getting trapped in TH , would be a nightmare , getting  decrepit would be suicide fodder

Nail on the head! My nightmare is serious illness or accident rendering me immobile and thus unable to return to UK. However, if my condition was intractable it would depend upon how long I had left.

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

Nail on the head! My nightmare is serious illness or accident rendering me immobile and thus unable to return to UK. However, if my condition was intractable it would depend upon how long I had left.

I can use the local healthcare for cheap money, but after seen their services, most places around in Thailand, the only place so far I would gamble on, is Hua Hin

[delgarcon]

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

I can use the local healthcare for cheap money, but after seen their services, most places around in Thailand, the only place so far I would gamble on, is Hua Hin

Can you elaborate please, I'm thinking of moving to Hua Hin and I'd like opinions on local hospitals, both private and government. Thanks

[Yagoda]

Just now, save the frogs said:

who sponsored that article? Big Pharma Prozac division?

that's complete nonsense fake news garbage to go around labeling 20 per cent of the population mentally ill.

mental illness is a very strong word and should be used cautiously. 

 

Yet, I am the "troll". Seems to be a term of art here.

 

 

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

if you can handle pain, why all this weed and other brain foogging substances you using necessery for? 

Since I've started smoking cannabis every night, all my aches and pains have gone.

Used to have arthritis, a little in my knees and swollen finger joints ..... pain and swelling now gone! 

At nearly 70, I feel like I'm back in my 40s.

Edited 53 minutes ago by BritManToo

[Hummin]

Just now, BritManToo said:

Since I've started smoking cannabis every night, all my aches and pains have gone.

Used to have arthritis, a little in my knees an swollen finger joints ..... pain and swelling gone! 

At nearly 70, I feel like I'm back in my 40s.

I have no problem with what you saying Britman, my respond was to one who bragging about his pain tolerance. Everyone finds a way to cope with this life, and I have my way, you have your way, and I respect that

[ElwoodP]

just to remind you, politics is not allowed in community pub.

All posts breaking this rule have been removed.

[Hummin]

45 minutes ago, delgarcon said:

Can you elaborate please, I'm thinking of moving to Hua Hin and I'd like opinions on local hospitals, both private and government. Thanks

At all the Government hospitals you can register, and use same as the locals, but you pay foreigner prices which varies from district to district. A few of them have VIP solutions, means you pay a membership or from time to time to avoid waiting time. You can also pay for home service a few places. 

 

https://lazudi.com/th-en/blog/hua-hin-hospitals-and-medical-services-for-your-convenience

[MalcolmB]

When I get old I plan on hiring two full time nurses. They are cheap in Thailand.

One slim petite in her thirties with experience and another straight out of university.

It will be better than wallowing in an old persons home. 
 

I am actually looking forward to it.

[Robin]

Health care in Thailand is no more expensive than private health care in UK.  NHS healthcare in UK has become impossible, so better off in LOS.  At least it's your choice if you see a Doc.  here.

You are only as old as you feel

[KannikaP]

8 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

So how can your wife work and you also get the aged pension??

 

Your not entitled to the old age pension if your partner is working !

In which country please? In UK you can get OAP.

[spidermike007]

Some of my favorites quotes about getting older. 

 

Older people are perceived as cynics and misanthropes. But, they are simply people who have at last heard the still, sad music of humanity, played by a mediocre rock band howling for fame. 

 

Do not go gently into that good night. Old age should burn and rave at close of day. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas

 

30s is too soon. Dying in your 30's is tragic. As is the 40s

Sympathy dissapates from there. 50s is such a shame 

60s is too soon 

70s a good run 

80s a life well lived

90s - a fricking hell of a ride

 

Ya' know what though, I don't mind. I mean if my muscles ache, it's because I've used 'em. It's hard for me to walk up them steps now, its 'cuz I walked up 'em every night to lay next to a man who loved me. I got a few wrinkles here and there, but I've layed under thousands of skies with sunny days. I look and feel this way, well cuz I drank and I smoked. I lived and I loved, danced, sang, sweat and screwed my way thorough a pretty damn good life if you ask me. Getting old ain't bad Ben. Getting old, that's earned.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Im almost 70. I toss my broccoli of desire into supple and firm hardbodied legal teenagers every chance I get, which is only about once a month since my back has difficulty handling travel,

 

I dont drink, am not "morbidly" obese (yet) and smoke tons of weed, hash and concentrates. My back is shot, but if a man cant handle pain, hes not a man and I try not to whine, although I do jerk from the clonic spasms and scream in agony once in a while. But hey, if a man cant hang with the boys and bellow like a wounded walrus once every now and then, whats the point?

Great one. Keep it up. This forum needs more wise old farts like you on it. 

[georgegeorgia]

9 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

In which country please? In UK you can get OAP.

Australia 

So in the UK there is no financial test to get the old age pension? currently 67yo

So if I'm 67, and retired, wanting to apply for the OAP and my partner is say 50yo and still working full time  I can still apply for the OAP in the UK ?

 

Sounds great , unfortunately in Australia they will count your partners income and you will have to declare it including any investment income 

 

They don't just pay you the old age pension here in Australia to anyone,if you worked hard all your life and saved your up  shuts creek .

 

 

Edited 6 minutes ago by georgegeorgia

[georgegeorgia]

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I keep mostly to myself. No-one is interested in the multiple health crises I have had, no point to discussing them.

 

No interest in bars. I try to stick to my exercise routines and diet, to stay healthy.

All good until you get over 80 then there not much you can do unfortunately 

[georgegeorgia]

2 hours ago, oxo1947 said:

 

Were you not just posting that you won a million $Aus in Lotto........

Lol...yes what happened to that post?

I remember he posted he won the lottery a few weeks ago 

[georgegeorgia]

55 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Since I've started smoking cannabis every night, all my aches and pains have gone.

Used to have arthritis, a little in my knees and swollen finger joints ..... pain and swelling now gone! 

At nearly 70, I feel like I'm back in my 40s.

I dont want to go off topic but is any other way of taking cannabis other than smoking ?

I'm like you and do  bike riding and cardio , walking up Hills etc ,I'm afraid smoking would damage the lungs over time 

I'm wondering if marijuana cookies are the same