To become an expat

[moose7117]

7 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

As I'm getting to the retirement age , well that's officially no retirement age in Australia I have people at my workplace who are in their 70's and they are not poor they work for social reasons or lonely old ...

 

But anyway can we get back on topic please !

So here I am this morning sitting on my balcony in my Airbnb in Pattaya bored thinking could I contemplate retirement 

Leave my government job in Australia where I get copoius amounts of annual leave,long service leave etc and move here to sit here everyday 

And I thought and I thought what would be the reason someone would consider a retirement to Thailand but more so ....Pattaya 

 

I mean it's not that cheap for Australians with the dollar down.

A beer is nearly $5 AUD 

My bangers n mash yesterday $15 

Your not saving that much money if your Australian 

Most of the prices here are comparable to Australia,T shirts etc

Blood tests are free in Australia,

Even the ladies of the night are comparable pricing 

I'm hearing ladies of the night are charging with bar fines etc around 3,000 that $150 AUD 

How would you afford "company" every week at those prices 

Bar fines are how much?

 

This condo I'm in rents for 18,000 baht a month and a little gym that's around $900 a month AUD 

 

Then there's the day to day activities,do what ?

Go to A bar ? 

 

 

And please can we get back on topic and contemplate why , because of women to move in with

 

People somehow are running away from life in the UK Australia etc to move in with a lady they think the grass will be greener 

 

It's not that much cheaper here 

Move here retire here !!!

Please stop this thinking 

You will be bored after 6 months 

I have been here a week and already I'm looking at my work rosters 

I might even go home earlier 

 

i had a guy I met the other day in a sports bar , he was 58 yo from Australia and was in a Monday to Friday government job , he said he was alone in Australia but didn't own his own home but had retirement funds AnD AND he met a girl in a bar and wants to be with her to live 

 

I looked at him ,you stupid old fool I said 

Your going to lose everything for the sake of a whore !

Lose his job , lose his money and to do what everyday ,sit in a condo 

WTF are you going to do all day 

He looked at me shocked , living in a 21sqm condo with a girl he loves from the bar 

6 months later he would obviously be back in Australia...without a job 

 

It's ok for a 2 week holiday but go  back please !!!

 

Now....if your over  67 I would say move here , life is short ,move here if your over 67 , 

But under ...

 

Wake up !!!!

 

 

 

Sorry Pal but you are completely clueless as to how cheaply and well you can live here.

 

Don't let the door hit your when you go back to Shazza with her winnie reds.

[giddyup]

Been here 15 years and me and my Thai partner are still living on 20,000 baht a month, that includes water and electric. OK, own house so no rent to pay, but we eat very well on than 20K and despite some food price increases, it's still cheap to live here. Besides that, I love the feeling of freedom that I get in Thailand, I can build a pergola without planning permission, there's not a copper behind every bush waiting to pounce on you for some misdemeanor, there's no ethnic groups whining about their rights to practice their own laws, don't regret the move for a second.

[georgegeorgia]

3 minutes ago, moose7117 said:

 

Sorry Pal but you are completely clueless as to how cheaply and well you can live here.

 

Don't let the door hit your when you go back to Shazza with her winnie reds.

Well please tell me about it 

 

And I'm mostly talking Pattaya 

95 B a small  beer bottle that's $5 same buying from the liquor shop in Australia 

Ok ciggies are cheaper but I don't smoke 

Restaurants -Bangers n mash $12-15 here in Pattaya ,ok Australia around $25

 

Grocery either same price as Australia or more expensive 

 

A hot water. Jug Australia 100 baht here 199

 

[moose7117]

Just now, georgegeorgia said:

Well please tell me about it 

 

And I'm mostly talking Pattaya 

95 B a small  beer bottle that's $5 same buying from the liquor shop in Australia 

Ok ciggies are cheaper but I don't smoke 

Bangers n mash $12-15 here in Pattaya ,ok Australia around $25

 

 

Mate, this is obviously a troll.

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, georgegeorgia said:

Well please tell me about it 

 

And I'm mostly talking Pattaya 

95 B a small  beer bottle that's $5 same buying from the liquor shop in Australia 

Ok ciggies are cheaper but I don't smoke 

Bangers n mash $12-15 here in Pattaya ,ok Australia around $25

 

Plenty of bars on the dark side where a beer is 70-80 baht.

[georgegeorgia]

2 minutes ago, moose7117 said:

 

Mate, this is obviously a troll.

The only troll is you moose who joined this forum last week 

 

You shamed your parents and even your work colleagues when you had umpteen sick days all without medical certificates 

 

Every Monday morning the phone call at 830am and who was it ...moose calling in sick again !

[giddyup]

19 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Well please tell me about it 

 

And I'm mostly talking Pattaya 

95 B a small  beer bottle that's $5 same buying from the liquor shop in Australia 

Ok ciggies are cheaper but I don't smoke 

Bangers n mash $12-15 here in Pattaya ,ok Australia around $25

 

How much does a house cost in Australia? Best part of a million bucks now.

[Liverpool Lou]

8 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

As I'm getting to the retirement age , well that's officially no retirement age in Australia I have people at my workplace who are in their 70's and they are not poor they work for social reasons or lonely old ...

 

But anyway can we get back on topic please !

So here I am this morning sitting on my balcony in my Airbnb in Pattaya bored thinking could I contemplate retirement 

Leave my government job in Australia where I get copoius amounts of annual leave,long service leave etc and move here to sit here everyday 

And I thought and I thought what would be the reason someone would consider a retirement to Thailand but more so ....Pattaya 

 

I mean it's not that cheap for Australians with the dollar down.

A beer is nearly $5 AUD 

My bangers n mash yesterday $15 

Your not saving that much money if your Australian 

Most of the prices here are comparable to Australia,T shirts etc

Blood tests are free in Australia,

Even the ladies of the night are comparable pricing 

I'm hearing ladies of the night are charging with bar fines etc around 3,000 that $150 AUD 

How would you afford "company" every week at those prices 

Bar fines are how much?

 

This condo I'm in rents for 18,000 baht a month and a little gym that's around $900 a month AUD 

 

Then there's the day to day activities,do what ?

Go to A bar ? 

 

 

And please can we get back on topic and contemplate why , because of women to move in with

 

People somehow are running away from life in the UK Australia etc to move in with a lady they think the grass will be greener 

 

It's not that much cheaper here 

Move here retire here !!!

Please stop this thinking 

You will be bored after 6 months 

I have been here a week and already I'm looking at my work rosters 

I might even go home earlier 

 

i had a guy I met the other day in a sports bar , he was 58 yo from Australia and was in a Monday to Friday government job , he said he was alone in Australia but didn't own his own home but had retirement funds AnD AND he met a girl in a bar and wants to be with her to live 

 

I looked at him ,you stupid old fool I said 

Your going to lose everything for the sake of a whore !

Lose his job , lose his money and to do what everyday ,sit in a condo 

WTF are you going to do all day 

He looked at me shocked , living in a 21sqm condo with a girl he loves from the bar 

6 months later he would obviously be back in Australia...without a job 

 

It's ok for a 2 week holiday but go  back please !!!

 

Now....if your over  67 I would say move here , life is short ,move here if your over 67 , 

But under ...

 

Wake up !!!!

 

 

Jesus Christ....

[Liverpool Lou]

7 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Wouldn't most of you be better just to visit Thailand 2 times a year though instead of moving here ? 

What the duck do you know about "most of us here"?

[georgegeorgia]

Just now, Liverpool Lou said:

What the duck do you know about "most of us here"?

Well said Lou....well said 

[Liverpool Lou]

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh don't be a miserable surly old git !

And I learnt those two words today !

That was eight words.

[Ralf001]

7 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

 

Wouldn't most of you be better just to visit Thailand 2 times a year though instead of moving here ? 

 

Whats with the "most of us" BS ?

[connda]

My primary expense in the way of food whether its a trip to Dukes in CM or an occasional splurge to eat "Western", or to go to Big C and Makro and Rim Ping.
But those are the "big ticket" items and I've noticed since 2020 that my usual trip to Big C / Makro for food has gone from about 2000 THB to 3000 THB.  So much for inflation.  Other than that, everything else is bought in markets which are cheap beyond belief when compared to the West, or eating at Thai restaurants - same same - inexpensive, or just taking what the garden offers for free.

My outlay for land and housing was 15 years ago.  Out of savings.  Done.  Two houses and a rai of land.  No debt.  No monthly payments.  Car - out of savings.  No debt.  No monthly payments.

Drinking and chasing bar girls?  Been there, done that - it's lost it's luster.  In my 70s and it doesn't have the appeal it did in my younger days.  Fond memories and I'm good. 

Bored?  I'm not bored.  I stay occupied with family, home, garden, bass guitar, reading, meditation, etc.  Life if good as I count-down and prepare for the extra-celestial parting from this body which is wearing down.  No desire to go back to the "home country."  And no particular desire to live in Thai expat communities (never have, always have lived with working Thais in Thai communities) or to be buddy-buddies with other farang.  As I said - life is good.  I don't suffer from Western Expat Angst.
Honestly - you think too much.  Take up meditation and a hobby, and considering marrying a Thai gal.  You'll feel better.

[georgegeorgia]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

  Life if good as I count-down and prepare for the extra-celestial parting from this body which is wearing down.  

Absolutely beautiful 

Do you mind if I keep those words , absolutely beautiful 

Extra celestial parting , I have never heard this before 

Thankyou for your service Sir 

[georgegeorgia]

Oh I can't believe how many people have personal messages to abuse me and that's what I'm here for if you wish to

I would rather you take out your anger on me than some poor old lady down at the supermarket so feel free to ,I feel like a social worker 

 

Talking about that I was looking at a Airbnb today at a  condo up near  Pattaya Big C, a   Security guard told a farang to move off  the stairs he was sitting on.

 

The farang middle aged guy became angry

" I can sit on these stairs if I want! !

He shouts to the shocked security guard 

 

I immediately went over ,"Calm down I said to him "let your anger out on me not the guard,  my name is George 

 " I  said calmly 

 

"What's your name " I said giving him a fist bump

 

"Peter from new Zealand " he replied 

 

"Yes Peter let your anger out on me ! I said 

 

"Ok I will" he said without hesitation 

"F you George " !

 

"F you too Peter !!!! I shouted 

 

[transam]

Just now, georgegeorgia said:

Oh I can't believe how many people have personal messages to abuse me and that's what I'm here for if you wish to

I would rather you take out your anger on me than some poor old lady down at the supermarket so feel free to ,I feel like a social worker 

 

Talking about that I was looking at a Airbnb today at a place called the Unicca condo up in Pattaya when. Security guard told a farang to move of the stairs he was sitting on.

 

The farang middle aged guy weny angry ,I can sit on these stairs if I want ! He shouts to the shocked security guard 

 

I immediately went over ,"calm down I said to him "let your anger out on me George  not the guard " o said calmly 

"What's your name " I said giving him a fist bump

"Peter from new Zealand " he said 

 

"Yes Peter let your anger out ! I said 

 

"Ok I will" he said without hesitation 

"F you George " !

 

"F you too Peter !!!! I shouted 

 

Then you took your meds......😬

[Johnlkuk]

3 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh I can't believe how many people have personal messages to abuse me and that's what I'm here for if you wish to

I would rather you take out your anger on me than some poor old lady down at the supermarket so feel free to ,I feel like a social worker 

 

Talking about that I was looking at a Airbnb today at a  condo up near  Pattaya Big C, a   Security guard told a farang to move off  the stairs he was sitting on.

 

The farang middle aged guy became angry

" I can sit on these stairs if I want! !

He shouts to the shocked security guard 

 

I immediately went over ,"Calm down I said to him "let your anger out on me not the guard,  my name is George 

 " I  said calmly 

 

"What's your name " I said giving him a fist bump

 

"Peter from new Zealand " he replied 

 

"Yes Peter let your anger out on me ! I said 

 

"Ok I will" he said without hesitation 

"F you George " !

 

"F you too Peter !!!! I shouted 

 

 

10/10 for entertainment value 😂

[connda]

8 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

It's not that much cheaper here 

Sure it is.  Magnitudes cheaper.  You just brought your Western 'wants and desires baggage' with you as you attempt to replicate 'The Western Life^TM' here in the LOS.  So of course, you don't live like a Thai and enjoy the lightness of being associated with living off the Thai economy without trying to keep up with the Shinawatras or the Jones back home.  Read my previous post - it is dirt cheap here, well, unless you make it expensive.  You-make-it-expensive!  Stop!  You'll begin to enjoy yourself more.  You'll never find happiness in p*ssy and beer.  It's fun, don't get me wrong, I've had my fun.  But "retirement" also means accepting a life in the slower lane of life, or just parking the da*m car on the side of the road and enjoying the flowers and scenery (metaphorically), as you stop the endless chasing after "More and Better^TM."  Happiness comes with acceptance and contentment. You've neither accepted life on its own terms (mortality - marana) nor attained acceptance of things as they are (change - anicca).

But hell, go back to the grind of working in the AU.  It will take your mind off of your condition and your "Western Expat Angst^TM"until such time as you are laying in your death-bed and reflecting on your life.  Did all that work satisfy you?  Did you get your fill of p*ssy and drink your fill of beer as you flirt with the Great Beyond.  <sigh>  Best of luck dear man.  Chok Dee!

[Baht Simpson]

8 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

 

To leave your own country,it's a risk in life 

Wouldn't most of you be better just to visit Thailand 2 times a year though instead of moving here ? 

I've been here 19 years. Just checking if I like it. 😉 

[Baht Simpson]

3 minutes ago, connda said:

But "retirement" also means accepting a life in the slower lane of life, or just parking the da*m car on the side of the road and enjoying the flowers and scenery (metaphorically), as you stop the endless chasing after "More and Better^TM."  Happiness comes with acceptance and contentment. 
 

Well put connda. I couldn't agree more. 

 

 

[connda]

8 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

To leave your own country,it's a risk in life 

Wouldn't most of you be better just to visit Thailand 2 times a year though instead of moving here ? 

I think you would personally benefit by limiting your stay in Thailand to 2 visits a year.  Chase p*ssy, drink yourself into oblivion, then go back to work in AU.  Wash, rinse, repeat ad-infinitum until your punch your final time card and check out and take employ with "Big Daddy In The Sky^TM" or  "Big Daddy Below^TM" or disappear in the nihilistic ethers of nothingness and the eternal end of angst.  

[Ralf001]

8 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Leave my government job in Australia where I get copoius amounts of annual leave,long service leave etc and move here to sit here everyday 

 

You used to work for a cleaning company that had a public hospital contract and you mopped the floors.

 

when did you become a government employee ?

[Fat is a type of crazy]

The trick is how to make it fun.

Keep it to 2 or 3 months at a time.

Stay at a nice Condo to make it fun.

Mix a bit - went to fun concert on Jomtiem beach last night - 1000's of happy thais singing a long to Toon.

Stay somewhere natural too - Koh Chang or something. 

Find a nice lady to share your time who can accommodate and is happy with what you want which may be time alone and with her. 

The exchange rate does suck though but why did you save all that super - for what. 

[jayboy]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

Somewhere is this discussion is the original meaning of 'expat'.

 

In the past a label used for foreigners / anybody who was sent by their employer to represent / work for their employer in another country, often with a higher salary and often with a range of benefits e.g: housing, car, paid trips back to home country, kids school fees paid etc.

 

Nowadays the label seems to mean any foreigner, employed / not employed in Thailand .. if employed often on a local contract no special benefits, employer could be a foreign company but the employee is labelled as a 'local hire'. Or employer is a Thai company perhaps with foreign management / foreign staff, and Thai staff. 

 

An excellent point.When I first came to Thailand, it was because I had been sent here by my company in the early 1980's.I had no real choice in the matter: I might equally have been sent to Brazil, Italy or Australia where my company also had branches.

 

I didn't know that many people in Bangkok who weren't employed by multinational companies on the lines you describe.The trading companies employed quite a few - Borneo, Anglo-Thai etc.They mostly belonged to the British Club though the classier ones were also members of the RBSC. There were others of course - often the most interesting - eg academics at Chula, teachers at smart Thai schools, posh remittance men and others avoiding scrutiny from their home country, artists and writers etc.At that time Thai companies - dominated by Chinese family traditions - didn't really employ foreigners.Anyway all in this bunch would call themselves expatriates.

 

The number of well paid multinational company people has greatly dwindled as HQ's realized appointing able Thais is more effective.

 

The expatriate world has changed enormously over the last 40 years, mostly because Thailand has itself transformed into a much richer country.

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, short-Timer said:

Something is seriously off with the OP. This is at least the third time he has started a new topic about how boring and expensive Pattaya is, how he cannot understand why people could possibly want to retire there, and how it is just full of lonely old expats. Yet, despite all his whining, he keeps going back there every single chance he gets. Who does that? And even more bizarre, who keeps creating thread after thread moaning about the exact same thing over and over unless they are completely unhinged?

 

Would not be surprised if he's already started half a dozen more rants on the same exact topic, but I cannot be arsed to go looking for the rest of them.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't disagree, and I suspect many had had the same 

'path':

- Hear others talk about Thailad

- Come for a quick holiday to either of the 2 places which seem to dominate most discuss: Pattaya or Phuket

- Quickly believe they have discovered utopia

- Return to 'home' sell the car and move to their holiday utopia

- Rent a room and motorcycle

- Become a bar regular, probably a girlie bar

- Believe there s few girls who really love them

- That changes quickly and utopia is now very jaded

- Try to change lifestyle in utopia an discover it doesn't really work

- Return to home country disappointed / depressed

- Lost...

 

[georgegeorgia]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

 

You used to work for a cleaning company that had a public hospital contract and you mopped the floors.

 

when did you become a government employee ?

I don't think a private company would employ me and they might make you work hard 

 

I don't know any public hospitals that contract out their cleaning department but I'm sure it will eventually happen but not under a Labor Party government 

 

[EVENKEEL]

4 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I am , and I want you ,

Do you want to go on a interesting fact finding mission with me this afternoon to ask big guys how they fit in Economy class ?

 

EvilKeel is coming along and Gamma 

We will meet at the entrance and we can compile statistics at the end at the cafe 

I'll lend a hand a little later. Please ask Gamma not to say too much. he's an odd one.