SO who of you guys live in Thailand?

[atpeace]

At a 28 year old it was because it was exciting and affordable. As a 40 year old it was because I could afford to retire here and still found it exciting.  At 57, it is less exciting and more of place that I enjoy to kick back  and enjoy time with my wife and the beautiful area around our home.  Made many of the common mistakes through the years but "I'm Still Kicking".

[KhunLA]

34 minutes ago, marin said:

I have stayed in Patong only once 1979. Had one road through the town. I took songthaews to the southern end of the island and found the Kata/Karon area which I preferred to Patong even back then. If going to Phuket now I avoid Patong and go via Chalong to the southern end. Saying that have not been in 5 years. 

I stayed in Patong in 2000, and I think that was the last time.  Gradually worked my way around the southern beaches.  Then later staying at the beaches North of Patong.  Phuket was a regular holiday spot, at least 2X a year for 10 yrs, during school breaks; Mar/Apr/May & Sept/Oct.

 

After 2000, only popped over to Patong for Restaurant #6, till they started catering to tourist.  After 2010, we stopped going to Phuket all together , as too crowded, till 2020, and 3 years of bliss again.

[orientalist]

In and out of Thailand for 7 years, then in-country for 41 years and no intention of leaving (got PR before  I retired) . Compensation for the girlfriend from hell is the beautiful granddaughter we've raised together. She's just finishing primary school so hopefully she won't leave home until I'm in my mid-80s or 6 feet under. Life wouldn't be the same without her. 

[Wrwest]

On 1/6/2025 at 1:58 AM, still kicking said:

Well I know this is an Expat forum but most poster don't actually live in Thailand, I do not anymore, I moved back to OZ a few years back as everybody knows. so where you come from?  most posters seem American  posters posting like or dislike Trump but there is more countries in the world so the question is why posting about American problems in every second post?

I like Trudeau's observation of what it is like living next door to the USA.  The actual quote: "Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.

Pierre Trudeau

[tmd5855]

First came here in 1983 when in the Merchant Navy.

2004 started living here purely for tax reasons while working offshore Indonesia,

2011 started building a house on land owned by a "Thai Company"

2015 left Pattaya when lease on villa came to an end, met a lady in the Shopping Mall, Korat.

2017 Married said lady, still happily married she turned 53 last year and still lovely.

 

2025 will be 70 this year, live in a house surrounded by dogs who guard my bikes, fruit trees and Koi carp.  Life cannot get better. 

1977-2015 Worked 38 years at sea with 70% of the time Asian crew and always picked up enough of the language to help with tasks.  Learning some Mandarin after always speaking Cantonese with the HK guys were fun, knew I would settle retire in Asia.

 

Learning Thai is so important, stopped by police many times on my bike (Ninja650) can laugh and joke in Thai, the Thais work out what I am trying to say in single tone Thai, make a policeman smile you are on your way, but, have a Thai bike licence.

 

Will only leave here when going up a chimney 

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, Toby1947 said:

Biggest problem with Thailand is Thais live there 🤣😂🤣

Biggest problem with Thailand is tourists, was great during the covid period !

[Thingamabob]

On 1/6/2025 at 9:00 AM, Hamus Yaigh said:

I didn't know that.

Me neither.

[Thingamabob]

First visited Thailand in 1962, business and holiday visits in the 1970s, lived and worked here in the 1980s, retired here in 1993. Not leaving, ever.

[GinBoy2]

Must admit, my escalating health insurance cost was a factor amongst others decision i n going home

 

The  writing was on the wall sooner or later, either they would drop me or it was going to be crazy expensive,

 

I dropped in to US medicare on time so I'm content.

 

When you get to the age in Thailand when <deleted> can hit the fan, you roll the dice

 

I'm on the chicken <deleted> side of that of that dice roll.

 

Now when I'm in Thailand my US insurance kicks in if something bad happens

 

 

[actonion]

On 1/9/2025 at 9:31 AM, Jack Batty said:

I had almost zero interactions with British people until I moved to Hua Hin five years ago. They’re all over the place here. You talk about Americans complaining? Holy hell, you guys take being miserable and complaining about everything to a whole new level. Are you guys like that all over the world, or just in Thailand?

Sounds like you're complaining

[The Fugitive]

On 1/9/2025 at 9:31 AM, Jack Batty said:

I had almost zero interactions with British people until I moved to Hua Hin five years ago. They’re all over the place here. You talk about Americans complaining? Holy hell, you guys take being miserable and complaining about everything to a whole new level. Are you guys like that all over the world, or just in Thailand?

Agree! We Brits live/love to complain. If there isn't anything to complain about we are actively trying to think of something. If you ask a Brit how was their holiday (for example) they will typically reply; 'good flights, on time, good hotel, good weather, good food etc. BUT....................They will always finish on a downer!

[EVENKEEL]

3 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

Must admit, my escalating health insurance cost was a factor amongst others decision i n going home

 

The  writing was on the wall sooner or later, either they would drop me or it was going to be crazy expensive,

 

I dropped in to US medicare on time so I'm content.

 

When you get to the age in Thailand when <deleted> can hit the fan, you roll the dice

 

I'm on the chicken <deleted> side of that of that dice roll.

 

Now when I'm in Thailand my US insurance kicks in if something bad happens

 

 

I retired from a DOD gig. Full BC BS Insurance in Thailand. No government hospital for me.

[GinBoy2]

6 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I retired from a DOD gig. Full BC BS Insurance in Thailand. No government hospital for me.

Well thats a question that deserves a whole thread of it's own.

 

Why should Tricare cover you 100% worldwide, yet Medicare doesn't?

 

Both are Government programs. I'm in an Advantage program, which for my vacation trips gives me emergency care, but a far cry from a full coverage program.

 

 

 

 

[EVENKEEL]

28 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

Well thats a question that deserves a whole thread of it's own.

 

Why should Tricare cover you 100% worldwide, yet Medicare doesn't?

 

Both are Government programs. I'm in an Advantage program, which for my vacation trips gives me emergency care, but a far cry from a full coverage program.

 

 

 

 

I kept my international coverage when I retired. I had shoulder surgery 2 yrs ago, 350,000 baht at a Bangkok Hospital. Walked out without owing a satang.

[GinBoy2]

On 1/6/2025 at 9:01 AM, Old Curmudgeon said:

 

Very interesting comments, @GinBoy2.

 

Would make a lively discussion thread.

 

Would you like to start a new topic along those lines?

[If you don't, I'll do it, with credit to your post above].

I'm not going to start it, but feel free to post something

[TedG]

On 1/5/2025 at 10:05 PM, Hummin said:

He only count freedom for those who have wealth, not those who work their asses of for nothing in return except bad health and no escape from dept. 

 

Can't provide for kids education, and bd health being heritage down the lines. 

 

Freedom is for the wealthy only.

 

And feeling the need for a gun or 10 in the house to feel safe, doesn't sound like a country of freedom to me.

 

What is your definition of freedom? 

[Hummin]

4 hours ago, TedG said:

 

What is your definition of freedom? 

That's a big question, but it comes down to very simple basic rights, where there is no fear for government, police and judges of the court for unfair treatment no matter who you are.

 

Not afraid Afraid of expressing your feelings, ideas or thoughts.

 

Having personal freedom where you can execute your needs inside the limits society accepts, 

 

The right of equal health care and education, 

 

Are some few Ideas I have before my morning coffe

[GinBoy2]

On 1/9/2025 at 8:41 PM, The Fugitive said:

Agree! We Brits live/love to complain. If there isn't anything to complain about we are actively trying to think of something. If you ask a Brit how was their holiday (for example) they will typically reply; 'good flights, on time, good hotel, good weather, good food etc. BUT....................They will always finish on a downer!

Made me laugh

 

I love your country, I'm a fully paid up American Anglofile. Spent a lot of time in the UK in my early career working there.

 

But OMG, can you guys whine and complain.

 

It starts off with the weather, two snowflakes the country grinds to a halt, I'm just going "yeah it's snowing but..."

 

Distance. It's a small country yet driving 50 miles is seen as a life altering trauma worth hours of moaning

 

And whats with the obsession with Supermarkets? Who cares where you buy your teabags and how much they cost, but that also seems to obsess the national discussion

 

Again, I love you guys and your country, but national mental therapy might be required

[transam]

1 minute ago, GinBoy2 said:

Made me laugh

 

I love your country, I'm a fully paid up American Anglofile. Spent a lot of time in the UK in my early career working there.

 

But OMG, can you guys whine and complain.

 

It starts off with the weather, two snowflakes the country grinds to a halt, I'm just going "yeah it's snowing but..."

 

Distance. It's a small country yet driving 50 miles is seen as a life altering trauma worth hours of moaning

 

And whats with the obsession with Supermarkets? Who cares where you buy your teabags and how much they cost, but that also seems to obsess the national discussion

 

Again, I love you guys and your country, but national mental therapy might be required

I don't think putting all of us Brits in the same bracket is "on", as I wouldn't put all of USA folk in the same bracket......

[Highball]

On 1/6/2025 at 9:11 AM, Hummin said:

American culture and system is toxic in many ways, that's the main issue. 

 

A young nation, without previous collecting history to bound all Americans together, and now all the problems a empire experienced throughout the time.

 

The US is not "America".

 

The United States is actually one of the oldest modern nation states on the planet. It has the oldest constitution bar none.

 

Most nations model their constitutions on the US document and for good reason.

 

Our issues with empire are largely due to corporate greed, military industrial complex, the AIPAC lot. The US population is not outward looking, seeking, empire building. This clearly exhibited by current inward politics.

[JAS21]

On 1/6/2025 at 8:52 PM, BarBoy said:

do you have thai citizenship?

 

if not, why not?

BarBoy in answer to your question

NO

My thai is rubbish and anyway  I am on a Retirement Visa.

 

Suppose that I regret not making more effort to learn. I did start when we lived in the UK. MrsJ when not playing golf or gardening taught local Thai children to read and write Thai.

 

I got as far as  ตามารถไฟ     ta ma rod fai  …lol … if you don’t understand why that is amusing ask your wife or GF.

[zzvv]

I live here 

Been here 2 years now. Im living with my Thai GF in Phraeksa, Samut Prakan . Dont really want to be here as I would love to live in Jomtien but the GF has a good job  here but when she finish work we will move to Jomtien. I will most likely stay here until I die .  Im 70 she is 56

[transam]

20 minutes ago, JAS21 said:

BarBoy in answer to your question

NO

My thai is rubbish and anyway  I am on a Retirement Visa.

 

Suppose that I regret not making more effort to learn. I did start when we lived in the UK. MrsJ when not playing golf or gardening taught local Thai children to read and write Thai.

 

I got as far as  ตามารถไฟ     ta ma rod fai  …lol … if you don’t understand why that is amusing ask your wife or GF.

Me, similar........😉

[still kicking]

On 1/9/2025 at 9:20 AM, atpeace said:

At a 28 year old it was because it was exciting and affordable. As a 40 year old it was because I could afford to retire here and still found it exciting.  At 57, it is less exciting and more of place that I enjoy to kick back  and enjoy time with my wife and the beautiful area around our home.  Made many of the common mistakes through the years but "I'm Still Kicking".

Sorry I have a patent on that name 

[Hummin]

23 hours ago, Highball said:

 

The US is not "America".

 

The United States is actually one of the oldest modern nation states on the planet. It has the oldest constitution bar none.

 

Most nations model their constitutions on the US document and for good reason.

 

Our issues with empire are largely due to corporate greed, military industrial complex, the AIPAC lot. The US population is not outward looking, seeking, empire building. This clearly exhibited by current inward politics.

Modern nations with segregated seats, shops and schools all the way up to 1960-70s 

 

With a police force who do not know how to protect and serve, invade countries of convenience based on lies? 

 

The population of USA is not a matured nation who have a strong culture to bind them all together. 

 

 

[Highball]

34 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Modern nations with segregated seats, shops and schools all the way up to 1960-70s 

 

With a police force who do not know how to protect and serve, invade countries of convenience based on lies? 

 

The population of USA is not a matured nation who have a strong culture to bind them all together. 

 

 

Just a bash

 

How arrogant. How ironic. How deluded.

 

Europe the original slave traders. Netherlands, Belgium, France what they did in Africa pales in comparison to what went on in the United States for 50 years. The only reason they pulled out was they couldn't financially support the campaigns. It had absolutely nothing to do with what was presumably morally correct

 

You pull this silly history out of your ass as if what happened no less than 60 yrs ago has any importance

 

Then you have Germany both in Africa and 30s to 45

 

Europe is dead. I don't just mean stagnant I mean dead.

 

Europe can't even pay for its own defense.

 

You're an absolute laff. Hate away

[Hummin]

45 minutes ago, Highball said:

Just a bash

 

How arrogant. How ironic. How deluded.

 

Europe the original slave traders. Netherlands, Belgium, France what they did in Africa pales in comparison to what went on in the United States for 50 years. The only reason they pulled out was they couldn't financially support the campaigns. It had absolutely nothing to do with what was presumably morally correct

 

You pull this silly history out of your ass as if what happened no less than 60 yrs ago has any importance

 

Then you have Germany both in Africa and 30s to 45

 

Europe is dead. I don't just mean stagnant I mean dead.

 

Europe can't even pay for its own defense.

 

You're an absolute laff. Hate away

Bring it on, do you think I care? History speaks for itself. You guys have no solid culture that brings you together, and obviously more that actually separates you. 

 

Obviously you just do not want to aknownledge facts, even the 3 last elections proves it black and white how much each part hates each other. 

[Hummin]

55 minutes ago, Highball said:

Just a bash

 

How arrogant. How ironic. How deluded.

 

Europe the original slave traders. Netherlands, Belgium, France what they did in Africa pales in comparison to what went on in the United States for 50 years. The only reason they pulled out was they couldn't financially support the campaigns. It had absolutely nothing to do with what was presumably morally correct

 

You pull this silly history out of your ass as if what happened no less than 60 yrs ago has any importance

 

Then you have Germany both in Africa and 30s to 45

 

Europe is dead. I don't just mean stagnant I mean dead.

 

Europe can't even pay for its own defense.

 

You're an absolute laff. Hate away

Europe and the world is not your enemy, you, Americans is their own enemy, and you guys can't even see it yourself. 

 

And still do not understand Europe made you guys rich fat and wealthy, and you guys needs us to keep your position in the world, and it must be tough for you to realize the hard facts. Usa wouldn't be where you are today, without Europe, who you obviously despice 

 

Sad really 

[ElwoodP]

To the members trying to get around the swearing filter.

You are risking your posting rights.