On 7/16/2025 at 6:29 AM, SoCal1990 said:

I've heard plenty of retirees in Thailand who say they’re here until the end. That Thailand is where they plan to spend the rest of their life, no intention of ever moving back home, or anywhere else, no desire to ever leave, etc.

 

But I’ve always wondered, what would actually be a game changer that makes someone up and leave after so many years of living in Thailand? In fact, I ask myself the same question all the time, but never really come up with a good answer. I believe there is an answer though. Everyone has a breaking point on everything. 

 

Would it take a major political shift? New visa rules and costs that make long stays much more challenging? Health issues that push you back towards Western healthcare? A major natural disaster? A large increase in crime? Maybe a pronounced rise in population of an undesirable immigrant group, or maybe some big environmental issue like constant flooding, excessive pollution, or earthquakes? What about if they abolished all nightlife and alcohol sales in Thailand? What if the happy ending massage was no more? Or would it be something more personal, like problems in a relationship or the simple and difficult reality of aging?

 

I suspect some people will feel there’s no scenario where they’d ever leave, no matter how bad things might ever get.
 

Curious though what others think would be the final straw that sends one packing after deciding to remain in Thailand for the duration.

 

"Maybe a pronounced rise in population of an undesirable immigrant group......"

 

That's one of the reasons why I'm in Thailand and NOT in England!!! 🙂 

23 hours ago, BE88 said:

 

Because nobody is back to say the opposite

You cant prove that but I agree with you.

Back on topic....  Would a full-on war between Thailand and Cambodia make you leave?

3 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Back on topic....  Would a full-on war between Thailand and Cambodia make you leave?

Well a full on war between these two I suspect isn't going to be bombing Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

 

It would rather be a 'handbags at dawn' kinda cat fight I think

28 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

Well a full on war between these two I suspect isn't going to be bombing Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

 

It would rather be a 'handbags at dawn' kinda cat fight I think

Let's hope so!

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Back on topic....  Would a full-on war between Thailand and Cambodia make you leave?

More importantly, would the value of the Thai baht fall?

4 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Back on topic....  Would a full-on war between Thailand and Cambodia make you leave?

No ... and wouldn't happen anyway.  That border has been an issue on & off the whole time (25 yrs) that I've been here.

Unlikely that i will leave, except if health issues become unaffordable if staying in Thailand ( i have one chronic issue which will likely require me to make that assessment in about 3-5 years). 

Debanking? I do not require a Thai bank account apart for my 400,000 baht visa extension. I have UK credit and debit cards for most needs.

Income tax? Under current Thai income tax rules, as a pensioner I wouldn't have any taxable income.

Jingoism? Thank god i am not a Yank. Trump doing his best to make you become the most loathed nationality in the World!

Visa issues? well if they did make dramatic changes , myself and many others might have to leave. But it would make a lot of Thai wives mad at that government. I at least have relatives back in the UK

War? Fortunately not close to the Cambodian border. If China was going to physically invade Thailand, not sure anywhere in the world would be safe, as probably would go global to some degree. UK would likely be nuked by Russia in that case.