11 hours ago, Keeps said:

Exactly. I can see Bignok lurking and just waiting to hear what he has to say on the subject taking into account he has about 15Aus$ in the bank. 

 

All you cheap-assed TEFL'ers seem to know each other far too well.

12 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

All the time. I think about it a lot. Especially during sex.

 

But then I look at the Thai soap operas with prostitutes, and it's clear those Thais are masters of understatement. Even flashy shoes are eschewed for sandals. That Buddhist modesty.

 

 

 

You claimed Thai people seek to live modestly, even when they have a wedge. I suggested otherwise.

 

BTW, have you been with any of the prostitutes that serve the domestic, Thai-only market?  You know, the ones wearing flip-flops?

12 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

You claimed Thai people seek to live modestly, even when they have a wedge.

 

There is no hard and fast rule to this. Like in any other country, some will spend the money on family and live modestly, others will buy Lamborghinis.

 

However, by necessity most Thais live modestly as they don't have the means to do otherwise, given that poverty is still rampant here.

 

And no, I don't like sleeping with prostitutes. 

11 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

The ex Thai PM owns 80 + classic cars.Mostly outside the country.

BJ the ex British PM  rode a bicycle.!

Just saying .....

 

Arh, but Boris collects offspring, think of the child care costs!

Unless they are recieving any of that money they probably couldn't care less .

 

You'll see more Thai wealthy individuals displaying their wealth in Thailand than wealthy individuals of other nationalities. Of course, there are always exceptions, but for wealthy, there are more interesting places to live than Thailand.

Why do Thais like to drive Mercedes Benz? Why are BMWs called the "mistress car"? Why do rich people buy houses larger than they need? Why do they pay off the constabulary so their kids can flee to London after running over a cop?

Because rich Thais love to flaunt.

11 hours ago, Purdey said:

Because rich Thais love to flaunt.

 

It's one way of looking at it, by putting a negative spin on it.

 

It's natural everywhere in the world for people to upgrade their lives when they have more money.

 

The difference is foreigners may be targeted more. 

 

 

 

On 7/7/2025 at 3:43 PM, connda said:

So do "financially successful" Thais.  It's the norm. Thais are raised and indoctrinated with a need to display status and wealth.  Most of them.  Foreigners are already considered to be rich by benefit of being a farangs.  The concept of farangs living in big houses in gated communities and driving fancy cars is an exception that is probably the norm. It's probably a bigger surprise when farangs don't display their wealth.

When I first arrived in Thailand rich Thais refrained from displaying their wealth. Increasing Chinese influence has changed that.

Anyone showing off wealth will automaticly be of interest to any criminal in the area and hated by people of less fortune. It is stupid and just show a persons rather weak and childish personality. Keep a low profile and you will have better future.😄

On 7/7/2025 at 9:27 AM, SoCal1990 said:

Some of the financially successful foreigners living in Thailand display their wealth by buying luxury condos or building large houses, driving expensive cars, wearing flashy designer clothing, and openly spending big in restaurants and nightlife spots.
 

These displays of affluence can particularly stand out in rural or less economically developed areas of the country, where local incomes are quite a lot lower and there isn't much of a local middle class.

 

I wonder how local Thai communities perceive foreigners who make their money visibly seen by others in Thailand. Are they admired for their success, spending and helping of the local economy, or do they spark jealousy, distaste and resentment among locals?

Flushing or showing your wealth in Thailand is common and accepted; and it gives you (your correct) status in the local community. It is very polite to ask somebody about a price for something expensive – for example the price of a new house or expensive vehicle, or even how muck one's monthly salary is – so the owner get a chance to make face and show wealth...😉

On 7/7/2025 at 3:21 PM, KhunLA said:

Foreigners aren't wealthy in TH.  If they truly were wealthy, they wouldn't be in TH.

 

I'm a multi millionaire in TH ... THB 

 

 If I was close to a USD millionaire, I wouldn't be in TH.  I'd be splitting my time in USA & Caribbean.  Continuing my last 10 yrs in the USA, of jet setting, S,D and R&R, but without the jet setting D and R&R.  Maybe a sailboat 😎

 

In TH, I keep a very low profile, as don't need a target on me & mine 

    It's obvious you haven't been to Pattaya anytime recently--or, if you have, you've managed to miss all the very expensive housing going up--and being sold--all over the place.   Almost every day there's another new condo or housing project announced.  

   Today's email brought Zensiri Lakeside Mabprachan, a new housing development of pool villas starting around 13MB.  Starting, mind you.  That's actually one of the more inexpensive projects I've seen recently but, still, 13MB is a fair chunk of change when many foreign buyers pay cash for their properties.  Although you wouldn't be here, according to your post, plenty of rich people are choosing Pattaya, and the numbers are growing.  

27 minutes ago, newnative said:

    It's obvious you haven't been to Pattaya anytime recently--or, if you have, you've managed to miss all the very expensive housing going up--and being sold--all over the place.   Almost every day there's another new condo or housing project announced.  

   Today's email brought Zensiri Lakeside Mabprachan, a new housing development of pool villas starting around 13MB.  Starting, mind you.  That's actually one of the more inexpensive projects I've seen recently but, still, 13MB is a fair chunk of change when many foreign buyers pay cash for their properties.  Although you wouldn't be here, according to your post, plenty of rich people are choosing Pattaya, and the numbers are growing.  

Next you'll tell me they are all being bought up by Yanks, Brits & EU folks ... got it.

 

Maybe some non Thai Asians and Ruskies ... maybe.  Topic is foreigners, and sorry, rich folks want a lot more than what TH has to offer.  Been here 25 yrs, and yet to see anything, I'd call 'world class'.

 

I love it here, and if I had only $1M USD, I don't think I'd be living here, especially if I didn't have a daughter, in which case, I probably wouldn't be here now, and I'm far from rich.  I would have left a long time ago.   Now setlled,too old, too lazy to uproot & leave.  

 

That window passed about 5 yrs ago, when I actually decided to stay here.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Next you'll tell me they are all being bought up by Yanks, Brits & EU folks ... got it.

 

Maybe some non Thai Asians and Ruskies ... maybe.  Topic is foreigners, and sorry, rich folks want a lot more than what TH has to offer.  Been here 25 yrs, and yet to see anything, I'd call 'world class'.

 

I love it here, and if I had only $1M USD, I don't think I'd be living here, especially if I didn't have a daughter, in which case, I probably wouldn't be here now, and I'm far from rich.  I would have left a long time ago.   Now setlled,too old, too lazy to uproot & leave.  

 

That window passed about 5 yrs ago, when I actually decided to stay here.

     Guess you won't want to hear that the house we sold last Friday was to a British gent.   Not joking!  And, yes, they are 'being bought up by Yanks, Brits, and EU folks'.  We've sold a number of times to buyers from all 3 groups.   Plus Chinese, Singaporian, Russian, and Thai, and likely other nationalities I have forgotten. 

    The new Pattaya housing development we just left had owners that I know of from Israel, Britain, India, China, Russia, Ireland, Dubai, Holland, Thailand, and three from the US, among others.  The other two Pattaya housing projects we have lived at also had lots of international buyers from all over, including the 3 groups you mentioned.

   Yes, the topic is, indeed, foreigners and you seem to be woefully out of touch with who they are, where they are choosing to live, what they are choosing to buy in the way of housing, and how much they are spending on it.   (Hint: A lot).   

    I mentioned some weeks ago that I recently found out that Pattaya has 18 international schools, with another, Highgate, opening next year.  Some, such as Rugby and Regent, are quite impressive.  So, lots of foreign families with children in Pattaya.  And, apparently growing numbers if a 19th school is needed.

1 minute ago, newnative said:

     Guess you won't want to hear that the house we sold last Friday was to a British gent.   Not joking!  And, yes, they are 'being bought up by Yanks, Brits, and EU folks'.  We've sold a number of times to buyers from all 3 groups.   Plus Chinese, Singaporian, Russian, and Thai, and likely other nationalities I have forgotten. 

    The new Pattaya housing development we just left had owners that I know of from Israel, Britain, India, China, Russia, Ireland, Dubai, Holland, Thailand, and three from the US, among others.  The other two Pattaya housing projects we have lived at also had lots of international buyers from all over, including the 3 groups you mentioned.

   Yes, the topic is, indeed, foreigners and you seem to be woefully out of touch with who they are, where they are choosing to live, what they are choosing to buy in the way of housing, and how much they are spending on it.   (Hint: A lot).   

    I mentioned some weeks ago that I recently found out that Pattaya has 18 international schools, with another, Highgate, opening next year.  Some, such as Rugby and Regent, are quite impressive.  So, lots of foreign families with children in Pattaya.  And, apparently growing numbers if a 19th school is needed.

Why would I not believe you ?  2 houses we sold were bought by a Yank, and a German.  Probably because a Thai wouldn't touch them.

 

But I'm not believing the implied line, that rich foreigners are flocking to TH to live here, with all the options elsewhere.   Certainly wouldn't be my choice, and I don't have a lot of money.   As stated, if not having a connection here, and being 70, I probably wouldn't be here, especially if having only $1M, and as others stated, $1M doesn't exactly count as rich anymore, just very comfy.

15 hours ago, newnative said:

That's actually one of the more inexpensive projects I've seen recently but, still, 13MB is a fair chunk of change when many foreign buyers pay cash for their properties. 

maybe they're being ripped off?

if I had that kind of money, i think there are better places to live in the world. 

But to each his own. To pay 13M in pattaya doesnt make sense to me. 

 

 

26 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Why would I not believe you ?  2 houses we sold were bought by a Yank, and a German.  Probably because a Thai wouldn't touch them.

 

But I'm not believing the implied line, that rich foreigners are flocking to TH to live here, with all the options elsewhere.   Certainly wouldn't be my choice, and I don't have a lot of money.   As stated, if not having a connection here, and being 70, I probably wouldn't be here, especially if having only $1M, and as others stated, $1M doesn't exactly count as rich anymore, just very comfy.

      You may not want to believe 'the implied line', but there it is, with a lot of the explosion in new housing around Pattaya happening seemingly in just the last few years.  I probably would not believe it, either, but my spouse and I spend a lot of time driving around and touring new housing projects, mostly on the Darkside of Pattaya, seeing what is being built.  We've shifted from condos to houses as our focus. 

    There's plenty to keep us busy with just the Lake Mabprachan area, but other areas are equally busy with new projects.  Likely we are falling behind in keeping up.  It's really an eye-opener, seeing what is being built, at all price points, but a lot of the recent builds are higher-end.  Saw a listing for a new Pattaya house for 165 MB on Facebook yesterday.  Yikes.

    In addition to driving around ourselves, we also like to view new housing project reviews that are posted on Youtube, while we are exercising, to keep informed about new projects.  There are a number of good Youtube sites by different Pattaya agencies and lots of videos to view.  Maybe check some of them out sometime.  You could start with Pearl Property.

    It's really impressive, what is being built.  What is also impressive is the projects are selling, for the most part.  We toured two different projects recently and we could see people living in most of the houses, with a few still to be sold.  The new project we just left, with 28 houses in the 11MB range, was sold out.  I never thought Pattaya could attract so many new residents but we drive into project after project and there they are.  

    Of course, not all of these foreign buyers are super wealthy, most probably aren't, but they do have the money to pay cash for properties in the 10 to 50MB range--and up.  Likely they are not dropping their entire wealth into a Thai property--at least I hope not--so they are, if not super wealthy, at least very comfortable financially.   Equally interesting to me was the diverse mix of owners that we saw in the last project we lived at--everything from an older, retired Dutch couple to a Chinese TikTok personality to an Israeli family with a grade-school child.  

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

and yet to see anything, I'd call 'world class'.

 

Never had a massage here?

 

That's so sad.

9 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Never had a massage here?

 

That's so sad.

Not the happy ending type, and the others, 2X, relaxing, but that's about it.  Wouldn't call either therapeutic.   

 

Sex is sex, and nothing world class about TH.  P4P, transactional sex, no thanks.

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

maybe they're being ripped off?

if I had that kind of money, i think there are better places to live in the world. 

But to each his own. To pay 13M in pattaya doesnt make sense to me. 

 

 

Throwing money away is some peoples hobby

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

maybe they're being ripped off?

if I had that kind of money, i think there are better places to live in the world. 

But to each his own. To pay 13M in pattaya doesnt make sense to me. 

 

 

       Perhaps.  But, things being topsy-turvy in Thailand, single-family homes can actually be a bargain, compared to some condo prices, especially those with seaview.  We sold a 79 sqm 1 bedroom 1 bath seaview condo at Northshore in Pattaya and netted 9MB.  Recently, we built a large 4 bedroom 5 bath pool villa on the Darkside and it cost less, including everything, than the NS condo we sold.  If you can give up your seaview, which I finally did, you can live in a lot larger space for less money.

6 minutes ago, newnative said:

      You may not want to believe 'the implied line', but there it is, with a lot of the explosion in new housing around Pattaya happening seemingly in just the last few years.  I probably would not believe it, either, but my spouse and I spend a lot of time driving around and touring new housing projects, mostly on the Darkside of Pattaya, seeing what is being built.  We've shifted from condos to houses as our focus. 

    There's plenty to keep us busy with just the Lake Mabprachan area, but other areas are equally busy with new projects.  Likely we are falling behind in keeping up.  It's really an eye-opener, seeing what is being built, at all price points, but a lot of the recent builds are higher-end.  Saw a listing for a new Pattaya house for 165 MB on Facebook yesterday.  Yikes.

    In addition to driving around ourselves, we also like to view new housing project reviews that are posted on Youtube, while we are exercising, to keep informed about new projects.  There are a number of good Youtube sites by different Pattaya agencies and lots of videos to view.  Maybe check some of them out sometime.  You could start with Pearl Property.

    It's really impressive, what is being built.  What is also impressive is the projects are selling, for the most part.  We toured two different projects recently and we could see people living in most of the houses, with a few still to be sold.  The new project we just left, with 28 houses in the 11MB range, was sold out.  I never thought Pattaya could attract so many new residents but we drive into project after project and there they are.  

    Of course, not all of these foreign buyers are super wealthy, most probably aren't, but they do have the money to pay cash for properties in the 10 to 50MB range--and up.  Likely they are not dropping their entire wealth into a Thai property--at least I hope not--so they are, if not super wealthy, at least very comfortable financially.   Equally interesting to me was the diverse mix of owners that we saw in the last project we lived at--everything from an older, retired Dutch couple to a Chinese TikTok personality to an Israeli family with a grade-school child.  

Been lots of 'explosion' in housing market since I've been here.  Single family, townhouse, condo, hotels, resports, villas, but non Asians foreigners aren't the ones buying them up.

 

Most of the Euro ancestral foreigners I see here are tourist.  IMHO

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Been lots of 'explosion' in housing market since I've been here.  Single family, townhouse, condo, hotels, resports, villas, but non Asians foreigners aren't the ones buying them up.

 

Most of the Euro ancestral foreigners I see here are tourist.  IMHO

     And, yet, you, yourself, admitted you sold two houses to an American and a German.  I just sold to a Brit, and have sold properties to Americans and EU citizens.  Of the 20some sales we have done, condos and houses, most have been to western buyers.

     I only know Pattaya so perhaps things are different in other areas of Thailand but Pattaya is definitely attracting western buyers.  I've lived in four different Pattaya housing projects, so far, and it's been the same in all of them--a mix of buyers, for sure, but with plenty of western, non-Russian buyers from America, Britain, Australia, Canada, and the EU countries.  You may need to get out a bit more and actually see for yourself.  And, if you're only seeing tourists, you're not looking where the residents are.     

23 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Sex is sex, and nothing world class about TH.  P4P, transactional sex, no thanks.

 

I'm not talking about sex, I'm talking about the world class Thai massages, in demand in 5 star hotels all over the world...

I would also submit that Thai cuisine, whilst not on a level with the superior Indonesian cuisine, is nevertheless world class. Also popular all over the world.

 

Obviously the women are world class, as you picked one.

Guessing a bit here: I suspect that Thais regard foreigners who are flaunting wealth in a different light to that in which they view wealthier members of their own community.
In the latter case, respect, especially if wealth acquired substantially by their own efforts.
In the former case, a useful indication that here is someone who could be fleeced.

 

Of course that can happen anywhere.  I remember a couple I knew in the Dordogne telling me how their friend Josephine Baker, after she purchased the chateau des Milandes as an orphanage, was seriously defrauded by local people.

 

In about 1990, at the time that Eastern Europe was opening up and a long-time friend of mine was envisaging expanding his business there, I sent him an article from the French business magazine "Challenges".  The article warned those planning to do business in Eastern Europe that the rules of honesty commonly observed by nationals of the countries involved did not apply to foreigners.  To my consternation he disregarded this.
Subsequently doing work for his company in Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary, I found it necessary to re-assert a tight financial control over operations there.

Nobody cares what the little people think. They don't deserve nice things or to see what we see. They get what falls off the table and can be picked up off the floor before being stepped on.  Same goes for their children and their children's children.  Throw them the occasional 10k baht handout that finds its way to the top, anyways.  They never rise up or rebel. 

 

On 7/7/2025 at 4:47 PM, gk10012001 said:

I wear an armitron 8 USD digital watch I bought at K Mart, yes a K Mart many years ago.  Now and then when accosted by the grope, distract and pickpocket thieves they see the watch and walk away.  Has happened twice.  

Today I had 800 USD casino credit for stores inside hard rock casino Tampa Florida.  I looked at some watches that might look nice when dressing up and going out.  I decided against.  It made no sense to get a fancy watch as a piece of jewelry to tell time?  I get the flash the rolex thing, look afluent, etc.  Frankly means little to me.  I have no jewelry and will stay quite happy with my 8 USD watch.

Being humble gets the best results in Thailand if you want to be part of the community, if you don't then flaunt your wealth and be looked down upon as a ugly farang with too much money and then shout loudly when you don't get any respect or response from local businesses.