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.

[Jack Batty]

On 1/6/2025 at 4:28 AM, cranki said:

Because the yanks have overtaken the poms as the biggest whingers on this planet....thanks in part to their politicians...

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?

[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.