Report Wall Street to Sukhumvit: Expat’s Brutal Wake-Up Call for Dreamers in Thailand

[snoop1130]

Author James David Spivey

 

In a stark revelation, retired American expat James David Spivey, who traded the hustle of Wall Street for the charms of Sukhumvit, delivers a blunt warning to those dreaming of a Thai retirement. His latest book, "How to Retire to Thailand Without F’ing It Up," admonishes farangs to come prepared or risk Thailand’s challenges.

 

Spivey, a former finance and cider mogul, moved to Thailand in his forties, drawn by its allure. However, he quickly learned that the reality was more daunting than anticipated. "Thailand will chew you up and spit you out if you're not ready," he asserts.

 

His story is one of caution. Despite regular visits and a decade’s experience in China, Spivey arrived in Thailand unprepared. Faced with unexpected challenges, he has now split his life between investing, writing, and supporting child-focused charities.

 

The book moves beyond clichés of bar-girl tales, offering genuine insights into thriving in Thailand. Spivey paints a picture familiar yet misunderstood, where hasty decisions can lead to financial ruin or isolation. "Without structure or purpose, you'll be lost," he warns.

 

His guide seeks to replace fantasies with reality, suggesting that success in Thailand requires community, clarity, and planning. Through conversations about pitfalls and recovery, Spivey shares wisdom gained from personal missteps.

 

"Thailand can offer incredible opportunities, but you need to meet it halfway," he insists. Preparation involves more than just financial readiness; it requires a plan and self-awareness.

 

Spivey's book isn't about creating illusions of an easy life under the sun. Rather, it's about building meaningful lives marked by community and dignity.

 

For those dreaming of a new life in Thailand, Spivey's message is clear: abandon naive visions and embrace preparedness. His forthcoming book, "The Coming Curve," explores artificial intelligence, while his previous work, "The Bitcoin Guide for Beginners and Skeptics," continues to offer tech insights.

 

Both books are available on Amazon, and Spivey's shared experiences resonate through his writings on Substack. His advice remains vital: Thailand’s sun may beckon, but only armed with foresight can one truly thrive in the Land of Smiles.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-14

 

 

[greeneking]

Classy book title. Might give it a miss.

[bannork]

Could we have some details please rather than just ' without structure or purpose you'll be lost' and 'success requires community, clarity and planning '. 

Sounds like the author is just stating the obvious, still, I like his former job description-  ' a former cider mogul'.

Wonder if he ever dealt in the Somerset Scrumpy direct from the barrel. 

Almost transparent with a mild, deceptive taste, just a couple  of glasses of that stuff would send you reeling. 

Drinking that certainly requires structure, clarity and planning.

 

 

[daveAustin]

Wonder if Mr Spivey is our Lewie London or Bob Smith. 

[IgboChief]

Came here when I was 30 years old. Just with my wife, my baby and 2 bags. Best decision of my life. Thailand is easy.

That said baby is 19 y/o now, speaks 4 languages natively and jets between EU/Asia at will. Did I mention "best decision"?

[Lucky Bones]

10 minutes ago, IgboChief said:

Came here when I was 30 years old. Just with my wife, my baby and 2 bags. Best decision of my life. Thailand is easy.

That said baby is 19 y/o now, speaks 4 languages natively and jets between EU/Asia at will. Did I mention "best decision"?

Well done.. when I was 30 years old I used to sleep in hole in the road.🙃🙃

[lamyai3]

4 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Wonder if Mr Spivey is our Lewie London or Bob Smith. 

 

Wonder if the author understands the meaning of spiv in the UK 555

[bannork]

52 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Well done.. when I was 30 years old I used to sleep in hole in the road.🙃🙃

ole in road? You wuz lucky.

When I was 30 in Thailand, 10 years before I wuz born, I slept on bamboo thickets on jungle path with family.

But we wuz happy, at least we were when we woke up and borrowed mother-in-law's bed for a few hours.

 

[Celsius]

4 hours ago, bannork said:

Could we have some details please rather than just ' without structure or purpose you'll be lost' and 'success requires community, clarity and planning '. 

 

Here you go

 

https://www.amazon.com/How-Retire-Thailand-Without-Fing-ebook/dp/B0FH4LT5JP/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=J5OTM9GOHGTU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S4a7ChPAA2Zi17wPYXgLGEA6mLw9jR1SWAgx-hyAc_cJVcGHpJojvDHluevPAss5XwvkC-AxeCBk7a08K5TUXmZslXfDFAXPcCekFHX4mcjWUAPlzvcuOXHft0QCYyU0UxjSwvhfy24wWxqPJsZYz1TdTeXL6roDftzmEBkR1QxHAYtQtffLgVyf_Rb63A_nuBdFkk0FlYEJ5ZdgmIUk8A.2pdDC_K6Eja_wz-bqrNBDGgItjGETo0Y1PAUrGSJlCE&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+retire+in+thailand&qid=1752519871&sprefix=how+to+retire+in+%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1

[bannork]

31 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

Here you go

 

https://www.amazon.com/How-Retire-Thailand-Without-Fing-ebook/dp/B0FH4LT5JP/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=J5OTM9GOHGTU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S4a7ChPAA2Zi17wPYXgLGEA6mLw9jR1SWAgx-hyAc_cJVcGHpJojvDHluevPAss5XwvkC-AxeCBk7a08K5TUXmZslXfDFAXPcCekFHX4mcjWUAPlzvcuOXHft0QCYyU0UxjSwvhfy24wWxqPJsZYz1TdTeXL6roDftzmEBkR1QxHAYtQtffLgVyf_Rb63A_nuBdFkk0FlYEJ5ZdgmIUk8A.2pdDC_K6Eja_wz-bqrNBDGgItjGETo0Y1PAUrGSJlCE&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+retire+in+thailand&qid=1752519871&sprefix=how+to+retire+in+%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1

 Full kudos that all the profits are going to support Thai children.

[Jim Blue]

Great another how to retire book.Must get down to reading them but I only retired a decade ago.

[MarkBR]

10 hours ago, bannork said:

Could we have some details please rather than just ' without structure or purpose you'll be lost' and 'success requires community, clarity and planning '. 

Sounds like the author is just stating the obvious, still, I like his former job description-  ' a former cider mogul'.

Wonder if he ever dealt in the Somerset Scrumpy direct from the barrel. 

Almost transparent with a mild, deceptive taste, just a couple  of glasses of that stuff would send you reeling. 

Drinking that certainly requires structure, clarity and planning.

 

 

Scrumpy is aroi

[wadman]

The description of the book couldn't possibly be more general.  Not a single thing mentioned by name.  Book is likely to be the same.  Pass.

[newbee2022]

Is this a promotion for a book nobody needs?

Written by a nobody, or lunatic?

[spidermike007]

He is one of those guys who loves to over complicate that which is so basic and simple. The use of common sense and taking one's time to get to know a place and avoid stupidity. 

[malcolminthemiddle]

6 hours ago, bannork said:

ole in road? You wuz lucky.

When I was 30 in Thailand, 10 years before I wuz born, I slept on bamboo thickets on jungle path with family.

But we wuz happy, at least we were when we woke up and borrowed mother-in-law's bed for a few hours.

 

Bamboo thicket? you were lucky. I used to sleep in a brown paper bag in the middle of the road.

[Noah K]

This article is hysterical. He admits "he came to Thailand unprepared" and "Without structure or purpose"

Well guess what, that applies to anywhere in the world. He's a rich 40 year old, so why try and retire to Bangkok? He got exactly what he deserved. He won't get a dime from me. 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, bannork said:

ole in road? You wuz lucky.

When I was 30 in Thailand, 10 years before I wuz born, I slept on bamboo thickets on jungle path with family.

But we wuz happy, at least we were when we woke up and borrowed mother-in-law's bed for a few hours.

 

You were lucky, you had someone to warm up the bed.

[Noah K]

4 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Is this a promotion for a book nobody needs?

Written by a nobody, or lunatic?

100% on the nose

[Jai Yen]

this post said exactly nothing 

[Jai Yen]

11 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Is this a promotion for a book nobody needs?

Written by a nobody, or lunatic?

it's pretty pathetic, have to wonder if he's paying this forum $$$  to promote his crappy book  - wish I had the 5 mins it took to read that tripe back

 

there are hundreds just like it at any book store, dozens right at the airport kiosks 

[Dararasmi]

Most likely AI slop. (And I have a feeling this James David Spivey is fictitious.)

[Muhendis]

Hi Bob.

[PB172111]

7 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Well done.. when I was 30 years old I used to sleep in hole in the road.🙃🙃

Not so lucky then Mr Bones 😎

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

Just bought his three book series "The Bitcoin Guide for Beginners and Skeptics." I'm going to be rich while you clowns spend your days on AN arguing with Transam!

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DHN8GYXZ?ref_=dbs_m_mng_wam_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooks

 

 

 

 

 

[PB172111]

1 hour ago, Jim Blue said:

Great another how to retire book.Must get down to reading them but I only retired a decade ago.

Then maybe it is not aimed at you…..

[JonnyF]

Spivey indeed.

[fredwiggy]

Only way to comment on a book is to read it. If it helps, that's good. If it's biased or fact based that will show. Can't argue with that.

[Andycoops]

Another in a long list of Thai expat experts who has probably never been to Isaan, where I live and have done for 17 years.

 

He won't be receiving any royalties from me.

[Aleksey75]

Seems like just adverts for books - nothing particular, nothing special...