What impact on the Thais ?

[The Cobra]

Ever considered what impact your presence in this land has had on the Thais around you or may be whose family you are now part of ?

 

How many Thais lives have been effected because you settled here?

How different would their lives be if you left tomorrow ?

 

 

[CharlieH]

The wife and her family for sure.

Grand children's lives

Locals hired to build the house etc. 

A few others I've employed regularly over the years..

 

 

[BigLek]

Hopefully my presence has been a positive thing. I've put a lot of money into the local economy over the years, I don't cause anyone any trouble and I've helped a few of the locals extensively in many ways. I've also got a lot out the place myself in positive ways. So hopefully it's been a win-win on both sides.

[BigLek]

In general, I believe foreign retirees are a positive presence in Thailand, more so than tourists. Retirees typically stay in Thailand nearly full-time, consistently spending money, including at private hospitals over time. From what I’ve seen, most of them don’t cause any trouble either. They tend to make an effort to assimilate into the culture and get along well with locals. On the other hand, I think it’s the short-term visitors, those who don’t grasp the nuances of the culture, that tend to create more problems for the local community.

[b17]

Since marrying a Thai lady 30 years ago, I've supported my wife's parents, put her niece through university, paid for her mums many medical procedures,  a nephew through college and am currently supporting a 12 years old grand niece and my wife's dad, who is now 90 years old. I gave her brother some land to build a house on as thanks for helping us put up our house, and regularly employ some local folks to help us cut back some jungle and keep the house clean. Although I wasn't always happy to assist, things have worked out well and I have a strong and intact family that always steps up when i need help of any kind. My attitude towards all this has softened over the years, but hey, you can't take it with you, so....

[Tropicalevo]

When I came, I set up a small business about 23 years ago.

Currently 13 full time Thai employees plus lots of suppliers etc make money from me and my customers.

I pay taxes and SS for me and all of the staff, plus company tax and VAT.

When wife and I came here, we invited friends and families for holidays.

Some liked the place so much that two couples have lived here permanently for at least 15 years.

We all built houses and live on the same development.

So, lots of money going into the local economy.

No Thai family. The wife was a Brummie.

Quite a few Thai friends.

[MalcolmB]

I have touched the lives of about half of Soi 6 and about a third of Bangla.

 

i am working through the rest.

[henry15]

No impact at all. Maybe it's because I married into a Sino/Thai middle class family.

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, The Cobra said:

Ever considered what impact your presence in this land has had on the Thais around you or may be whose family you are now part of ?

 

How many Thais lives have been effected because you settled here?

How different would their lives be if you left tomorrow ?

 

 

You are new here I suppose?

[1FinickyOne]

Many many have been affected - all will get on after I leave... 

[Watawattana]

I have pumped up many parts of the Thai economy.  Most of them from Isaan.

[Lacessit]

I support my GF, and I know some of that support goes to her immediate family. In return, she will take care of me until I die.

 

I am also helping my GF's grand-daughter through university.

 

I have a regular massage lady and caddie. Some days, I am the only client they get.

 

When I die, my GF will have enough to live on comfortably for the rest of her life.

 

So yes, I have an impact, albeit a modest one.

[Purdey]

Parents of SWMBO (She Who Must be Obeyed) are in late 80s and receive a stipend from me every month. Not a huge amount but enough for food. I have always mentored my Thai staff, and I hope made them better people. I listen to complaints and offer advice. A box of tissues in always on the desk. Many people don't care about their staff and think that we are only at the office to work.

[khunPer]

On 3/6/2025 at 9:35 AM, The Cobra said:

Ever considered what impact your presence in this land has had on the Thais around you or may be whose family you are now part of ?

 

How many Thais lives have been effected because you settled here?

How different would their lives be if you left tomorrow ?

Huge impact on my girlfriend – and also many of her friends that moved from rural farmland areas up in remote areas of Isaan down to "my island" to find a farang like me...🤣

[NoshowJones]

On 3/6/2025 at 3:47 PM, BigLek said:

In general, I believe foreign retirees are a positive presence in Thailand, more so than tourists. Retirees typically stay in Thailand nearly full-time, consistently spending money, including at private hospitals over time. From what I’ve seen, most of them don’t cause any trouble either. They tend to make an effort to assimilate into the culture and get along well with locals. On the other hand, I think it’s the short-term visitors, those who don’t grasp the nuances of the culture, that tend to create more problems for the local community.

Excellent post. I have been here for 20 years and have had lots of farang friends although not any more, they have all died or moved away.

Of all these farang friends, apart from the odd drunk or druggie, have all been decent people.

[black tabby12345]

Some impacts I could make in the past.

About 17-18 years ago, a few migrant workers used to work  as live-in janitors, for my landlord's family.

They did daily cleaning and laundering. As well as various chores from time to time.

 

And some of them fell ill while working here.

 

One got the measles (judging from his conditions; cold-like symptoms, and skin rash).

I am not a doctor or nurse, but happened  to know about it.

And I gave him Tiffy and Antihistamine tablets. And advised him to take them after meal.

The next morning, he was quite well(his sickness gone overnight).

 

In another case(a different worker), Malaria.

Feverish and coldness one after another, heavy fatigue, muscular pain, loss of appetite, and nausea.

The patient went to hospital, but their prescription didn′t work on him.

 

I gave him some Vitamin C tables.  And it dramatically worked.

He was perfectly well the next day.

Vitamin C has an effect to strengthen human immunity (that was something I heard from my father when I was younger).

 

I was truly glad: Some cheap over-the-counter dose and my little knowledge,  could save a few people from their suffering.

I even felt, 'was that the purpose for which I was destinated to settle here?'

 

 

[newnative]

       Thai spouse and I have been here since 2010.  We have renovated numerous condos and, so far, built two houses, with a third starting later this year.  This activity has employed numerous local folks, from construction workers to plumbers, electricians, painters, tilers, roofers, swimming pool builders, landscapers, and so on.  We've supported retail with dozens of major purchases of furniture, electronics, big appliances, housewares, etc.    Selling over 20 projects has helped keep numerous agents in business, including their Thai staff.  

     As a previous poster mentioned, expats contribute greatly.  And, our contributions help support many workers that a visiting tourist doesn't impact.  Workers like pool cleaners, gardeners, car service mechanics, hospital workers, barbers and beauticians, local laundries, local businesses, such as fresh markets, etc., etc.   Expat contributions were on vivid display during the covid years.

[KhunLA]

Just the wife & kid.  Kid mainly, as wife may have met someone else, instead of myself, and been just as happy.

 

Kid was born to a poor village, birth parents MIA, and grandparents couldn't even afford decent primary school for her.  No way would she have made it to graduating Uni and becoming a successful business woman.

 

I also had the pleasure of saving 3 youngins from certain drowning on Phuket, on 2 separate incidents.  Kind of gives my life existence some kind of worth.   If there's a God, reckon he/she/it, kept me around for a reason 

 

Minor contribution to the economy.  Having 3 houses built, and owning my 5th car, 2nd MB.

 

If I died tomorrow, nothing would change, wife & kid are set up, and wife doesn't need to buy anything new, as house & vehicles (car) will last as long as she does.