18 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

 

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

 

You mean like this?

 

"Spiv" is a British slang term, particularly used during and after World War II, referring to a man who lives by his wits and engages in dishonest or shady dealings, often involving the black market or petty crime.

 

😆

Just another punter trying to make a buck. Just learn to say NO and spend less than you make and you will be fine. I lived there for over 10 years and saved more than I had when I arrived. And for goodness sakes learn to cut and run when you need to.  Thailand always wanted your dollars, but when the government got involved it went to a whole new level. From a cheap second rated retirement destination , to an expensive second rate retirement destination  = a very poor retirement destination.

 

Anyone retiring there now from the West now is not doing their homework.

No thanks, last book I read about Thailand was hello my big big Honey about bar girl letters pre internet days. Funny story in it of bar girl saying good bye to her bf at the airport. She kept asking if he would kitten her but he said no, she cries, in the end he said he would not buy her any cats.

6 minutes ago, proton said:

No thanks, last book I read about Thailand was hello my big big Honey about bar girl letters pre internet days. Funny story in it of bar girl saying good bye to her bf at the airport. She kept asking if he would kitten her but he said no, she cries, in the end he said he would not buy her any cats.

Funny, The very first time there when I left the school teacher insisted on taking me to the airport. She knew I had just went to the ATM. As I was saying goodbye she said you won't be able to spend the Baht in the US. With puppy dog and I love you eyes.. After giving her the money I knew what was up.  hahaha... Thailand has been learning how to fleece the farang, for so may decades it is second nature.

On 7/15/2025 at 1:02 AM, Lucky Bones said:

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

Luxury ! 🤣

"Spivey's book isn't about creating illusions of an easy life under the sun"

 

ie, getting roasted to an inch of your life, that sun????

 

oh that's right, people comes here for the amazing weather.

Someone that's been here a year or two has no knowledge to offer worth paying for unless it's in some arcane area that they've brought with them like dealing with taxes under no regime.

 

Social media has consumed all the basic tips and tricks of noob arrivals.

Useless article.

18 hours ago, lavender19 said:

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

The picture shown was from one of his film roles before.

George Cole - But I remember him as Arthur Daley and Dennis Waterman - Minder - great series.

Who was asking for the wake up call?

The wall street guys always know so much better then the dreamers.

Sukhumvit? there is more to the land of smiles.

did he run out of money already? (remeber the wall street has no own money)

now needs to sell a book. with the usuall stereotypes.

this thread is just marketing, promotion.

so far i read only common places.

This article looks like an advert for his book to me. How many books are there about the pitfalls of moving to Thailand? I have no intentions of buying his book. I have lived in Thailand and worked here on and off since 1991 and had been on holiday many times before. 

When did he move, before or shortly after 2007-8 ? 

True of everywhere, and Thailand lost its allure a very long time ago. 

If you don't have a job or hobbies you can quickly become bored in Thailand. And then there's the risk of gradually getting to where you're going out drinking every day.

That was a large boatload of nothing.  I wonder if the book has some actual specifics.   I'm not inclined to find out. 

On 7/15/2025 at 1:54 AM, lamyai3 said:

 

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

He actually looks like a spiv, deals in crypto and cider......will give advice. Never mind the quality, feel the width.

On 7/15/2025 at 8:41 AM, Aleksey75 said:

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

Agreed. Seems more threads like this popping up.

I fully understand where he is coming from. You have to do your homework before jumping in.

I also believe that those intending to settle down here should be aware of the pitfalls of buying property and have written a book with lots of information on this topic which is available on Amazon.com:

'Buying a Condominium Unit in Thailand' . This has been supplemented by 'Running a Condo Building in Thailand' as many are mismanaged.

Hope they are useful!

 

On 7/15/2025 at 8:22 AM, Jai Yen said:

this post said exactly nothing 

I can well imagine the book being the same. I'll seriously give it a miss, as having been here long enough to know my way about, and learning from my own mistakes, I am quite comfortable thanks. And in case anyone is wondering, I gave that hole in the road a miss, also.

I have lived in many countries over the years. Thailand was without a doubt the most welcoming and easy, not just to get by, but to thrive.  If you can’t make it here on your own, it’s difficult to see how a book is going to help.

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

He actually looks like a spiv, deals in crypto and cider......will give advice. Never mind the quality, feel the width.

 

If you do a Google image search for spiv every picture shows a similar hat 🤠

Another vainglorious narcissist seeking attention and publicity for his book.

My own experiences of living in Thailand is what I base my own decisions on. I doubt there’s anything he can teach me now.

I’ll pass.

On 7/15/2025 at 12:50 AM, 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"?

Yes, you mentioned that, but left out some important details such as how long you have been here or how old you are now?

 

I've been here for 20 years. Life has always been easy for me here. I don't know why these people come here and have so many problems that they can write books about them. 

Is paying whom for this blatant book promotion? NY finance hustler now involved in Thai children's charities, Oh dear!

On 7/14/2025 at 4:09 PM, snoop1130 said:

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.

 

Such nonsense, I moved to Thailand in my early 30s and I'm still here. Unless you fall for a bar girl who takes you to the cleaners, I have no idea what could be "daunting" here or what specifically you need to be "ready" for.

53 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

Such nonsense, I moved to Thailand in my early 30s and I'm still here. Unless you fall for a bar girl who takes you to the cleaners, I have no idea what could be "daunting" here or what specifically you need to be "ready" for.

It's always bargirls. I'm pretty sure every man who's gone broke in thailand has a bargirl in the story somewhere.

Of all the farang people who i met 15 years ago who ran businesses here in Isaan, all but one are either dead or fled.

You can read and write all the books and listen to all the advice you want ,   
But 

there is three things you need to survive in Thailand.    !

 

first/.  Smile , be courteous and mannerly to the Thais , it’s not your country , your just a guest 

 

second /.  Don’t expect it to be like which ever country you came from , ie: don’t tell them what or how to do it.
Use common sense , you’ll need ever ounce of it. 

Third /. Enroll yourself in there way of life as best you can 

they love it,  a farang who wants to do it the thai way , is a god. 

 

a lot of farangs / falangs / foreigners on here never stop moaning about Thais and the way of life.   Well there is no fences.  ! 
in general most thai people are of good manner and good heart. 
it’s the farangs themselves want to change everything and have no common sense 

 

just my pennys worth.  ! 

On 7/15/2025 at 11:37 AM, KhaoHom said:

You don't need a plan, you just need limits.

 

Something something about a life on Sukhumvit. Sukhumvit ffs. Possible nuggets of golden wisdom could that book hold? None

 

I do agree about meeting the country half way. I'm thinking 3/4 really

 

The guy could use a good shave and some proper clothes. Lose that stupid hat as well

Agreed. That gay look has to go.

On 7/14/2025 at 9:41 PM, Aleksey75 said:

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

You're correct. After reading the first part of the article, I scrolled up to see if it said "sponsored content" (advertising).