Older Retirees and Younger Partners in Rural Thailand: Accepted or Not?

[SoCal1990]

Apparently, quite a few older foreign men have retired to rural Thai villages where they marry local women who are often much younger than them. The retirees are said to often speak limited Thai, and typically settle in areas with few other foreigners. To outsiders, these relationships might appear imbalanced due to differences in age, finances, or life experience.

 

I’m curious how local Thai communities perceive these relationships. Are these foreign retirees accepted and viewed as a normal part of Thai village life now, or do they spark gossip or social tension? Do locals see them as providing security and opportunities for the women, perhaps admiring the foreigners for their contributions, or do they view these relationships as exploiting economic disparities?

[transam]

1 minute ago, SoCal1990 said:

Apparently, quite a few older foreign men have retired to rural Thai villages where they marry local women who are often much younger than them. The retirees are said to often speak limited Thai, and typically settle in areas with few other foreigners. To outsiders, these relationships might appear imbalanced due to differences in age, finances, or life experience.

 

I’m curious how local Thai communities perceive these relationships. Are these foreign retirees accepted and viewed as a normal part of Thai village life now, or do they spark gossip or social tension? Do locals see them as providing security and opportunities for the women, perhaps admiring the foreigners for their contributions, or do they view these relationships as exploiting economic disparities?

Is that you Goat.................😂

 

A Thai lady I know runs a small beer bar near me, been there for decades, her now deceased Thai husband was probably 40 years older than her..........😉

 

So to answer your question, locals don't give a sh_t about age differences, Thai or Farangy........

[VocalNeal]

If you are 75 and your partner is 50 I don't think anyone cares. As long as you are both friendly and sociable. 

[timendres]

You are likely to get a different answer from each person in the village.

That said, Thais are pragmatic if nothing else. Especially in the village.

[Yellowtail]

8 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

Apparently, quite a few older foreign men have retired to rural Thai villages where they marry local women who are often much younger than them. The retirees are said to often speak limited Thai, and typically settle in areas with few other foreigners. To outsiders, these relationships might appear imbalanced due to differences in age, finances, or life experience.

 

I’m curious how local Thai communities perceive these relationships. Are these foreign retirees accepted and viewed as a normal part of Thai village life now, or do they spark gossip or social tension? Do locals see them as providing security and opportunities for the women, perhaps admiring the foreigners for their contributions, or do they view these relationships as exploiting economic disparities?

How old are you, 35? 

 

Are you married? 

 

Do you live in Thailand, if so, for how long and where in Thailand? 

 

Do you rent or own? 

 

 

[nick supreme]

9 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

Apparently, quite a few older foreign men have retired to rural Thai villages where they marry local women who are often much younger than them. The retirees are said to often speak limited Thai, and typically settle in areas with few other foreigners. To outsiders, these relationships might appear imbalanced due to differences in age, finances, or life experience.

 

I’m curious how local Thai communities perceive these relationships. Are these foreign retirees accepted and viewed as a normal part of Thai village life now, or do they spark gossip or social tension? Do locals see them as providing security and opportunities for the women, perhaps admiring the foreigners for their contributions, or do they view these relationships as exploiting economic disparities?

Are you looking to justify your exportation of a 18 year old bride? 

[novacova]

11 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

I’m curious how local Thai communities perceive these relationships.

Again, nobody cares about it but you.

[Hummin]

I think you should go to a bar where Thai men frequently hang out, or any village corner store where they drink Lao khao. You will get your answers there, not here

 

What do you think average middle class thais and the higher class look at you when you walk hand in hand with your much younger gf's?

 

Back in the villages, I'm sure I have contributed to young girls and their parents hope for the future. I'm an active promoter for their future dreams, where their families could not contribute, or the girls did their mistakes ove rand over and lost their high hopes for a future high sin sod. 

 

Girls for some reason fell out of the system, either to stupid or to smart or just got unlucky 

 

 

[jerrymahoney]

47 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

Are these foreign retirees accepted and viewed as a normal part of Thai village life now, or do they spark gossip or social tension?

Yes.

[proton]

47 minutes ago, SoCal1990 said:

Apparently, quite a few older foreign men have retired to rural Thai villages where they marry local women who are often much younger than them. The retirees are said to often speak limited Thai, and typically settle in areas with few other foreigners. To outsiders, these relationships might appear imbalanced due to differences in age, finances, or life experience.

 

I’m curious how local Thai communities perceive these relationships. Are these foreign retirees accepted and viewed as a normal part of Thai village life now, or do they spark gossip or social tension? Do locals see them as providing security and opportunities for the women, perhaps admiring the foreigners for their contributions, or do they view these relationships as exploiting economic disparities?

 

How do we know, ask some Thai villagers

[sidjameson]

Thais love gossip. 

[short-Timer]

Most foreigners in those situations probably assume their neighbors genuinely like them because villagers can seem very friendly on the surface. But they often have no idea what those neighbors are actually gossiping about behind their backs.

[Will B Good]

I'm one of them......70 next year, wife is 42.......no one gives a flying.

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

Most foreigners in those situations probably assume their neighbors genuinely like them because villagers can seem very friendly on the surface. But they often have no idea what those neighbors are actually gossiping about behind their backs.

Why do people like you all seem to assume you are so much smarter and or perceptive than everyone else? 

[short-Timer]

3 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

I'm one of them......70 next year, wife is 42.......no one gives a flying.

So you were 28 when she was born. 👍🏼

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

So you were 28 when she was born. 👍🏼

Why all the hate brother? Open your heart and let a little love in. It won't hurt you. 

[Will B Good]

5 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

So you were 28 when she was born. 👍🏼

 

 

No flies on you......married for 19 years. She is younger than two of my kids.

[short-Timer]

Just now, Yellowtail said:

Why all the hate brother? Open your heart and let a little love in. It won't hurt you. 

That was hate? Really? I'm jealous!

[short-Timer]

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

 

No flies on you

 

Right? I'm quick!

[proton]

16 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

I'm one of them......70 next year, wife is 42.......no one gives a flying.

 

They talk behind your back though

[short-Timer]

Just now, proton said:

 

They talk behind your back though

And what do they say? Do tell!

[persimmon]

I like the Thai attitude in these matters - very pragmatic and non-judgemental . Those with money are able to get what they want , it`s just a fact of life , Whether that means buying a new Merc , or having an attractive young wife or " Mia noy " it`s all down to " Boon " and " Wasanar " , the merit that one has built up from good deeds in a past life . I don`t think they gossip ( much ) or harbour any resentment .In past times , it was common for wealthy Thais to have a wife and several girlfriends which they supported financially . Maybe less commo now that the population is generally more affluent .

[jerrymahoney]

41 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

And what do they say? Do tell!

Nice back.

 

I have little contact with the neighbors other than Hello! but I speak Thai reasonably well so at some point I have had Thai-only conversations with all of them.

 

But I am talking about a mooban not a remote small village.

[short-Timer]

17 minutes ago, persimmon said:

I like the Thai attitude in these matters - very pragmatic and non-judgemental . Those with money are able to get what they want , it`s just a fact of life , Whether that means buying a new Merc , or having an attractive young wife or " Mia noy " it`s all down to " Boon " and " Wasanar " , the merit that one has built up from good deeds in a past life . I don`t think they gossip ( much ) or harbour any resentment .In past times , it was common for wealthy Thais to have a wife and several girlfriends which they supported financially . Maybe less commo now that the population is generally more affluent .

That’s possibly how Thais view each other, but the real question here it seems is how they see a foreigner suddenly showing up in the village they were born in, especially one with a much younger Thai wife who doesn’t have to work. That’s a very different situation, isn’t it? Do Thais ever really see foreigners equally and in the same way they see other Thais when it comes to a less common situation in Thailand?

[Encore]

53 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

I'm one of them......70 next year, wife is 42.......no one gives a flying.

 

Good on you.  I am 69 with a 43 year partner and have no issues with her family.  Neighbours are curious, if not downright nosey, about everything and I am sure they gossip.  I speak and understand a reasonable amount of Thai but only chat with the family, pleading ignorance outside with wifey cutting off any attempts at prolonged conversation or questioning. 

 

[transam]

3 minutes ago, short-Timer said:

That’s possibly how Thais view each other, but the real question here it seems is how they see a foreigner suddenly showing up in the village they were born in, especially one with a much younger Thai wife who doesn’t have to work. That’s a very different situation, isn’t it? Do Thais ever really see foreigners equally and in the same way they see other Thais when it comes to a less common situation in Thailand?

Nobody cares, and if you asked, they would be thinking "mind your own bloody business" .........🤗

[angryguy]

The only thing that bothers me is seeing a farang with someone less attractive than himself. Its more common than it should be

[transam]

Just now, angryguy said:

The only thing that bothers me is seeing a farang with someone less attractive than himself. Its more common than it should be

Are you gay then..............?  😉

[angryguy]

Just now, transam said:

Are you gay then..............?  😉

You must be one of them. Hi

[transam]

2 minutes ago, angryguy said:

You must be one of them. Hi

What, ugly bird, well no.........😘