With the constant changing of the laws, the ever more regressive policies being announced/implemented, the dual pricing, the pollution, the constant ripping off, the fake smiles & the passive aggressive behavior of the locals (or even overt aggressive behavior, see Miss Universe), one really does have to wonder - why on earth would anyone want to holiday/live here these days?

 

Thailand is not what it once was, it is a shadow of it's former self and anyone who can't see that is living in denial imo.

 

Eric.

To enjoy life

1 minute ago, Stressed Eric said:

why on earth would anyone want to holiday/live here these days?

 

Sunshine and palm trees. Oh and my wife lives here.  Easier for me to get a visa here than for her to get a visa there.

8 minutes ago, Stressed Eric said:

With the constant changing of the laws, the ever more regressive policies being announced/implemented, the dual pricing, the pollution, the constant ripping off, the fake smiles & the passive aggressive behavior of the locals (or even overt aggressive behavior, see Miss Universe), one really does have to wonder - why on earth would anyone want to holiday/live here these days?

 

Thailand is not what it once was, it is a shadow of it's former self and anyone who can't see that is living in denial imo.

 

Eric.

We understand that you dislike Thailand. Please feel free to leave.

I could see the interest there if i were old with no family or friends left. Pay for some female companionship. But as it is now i have too much to lose and going outside there is just uncomfortable. Humidity makes me feel like i need aircon all the time

Everyone has choices, if you cannot cope with the rules, regulations, climate of Thailand, leave, personally, I love it here.

Love it or leave it.....

 

Depends if one is a mainstream tourist / long stayer or someone who stays in the more local areas. I have always a great time without any of the things you describe, aside from that things are not as cheap as it once was, but that's anywhere in the world.

 

I do this on purpose in any city / island I stay, stay at less populair and local areas with still enough things to do and some tourists and foreigners. You can notice the difference right away, the type of people it attracts is better quality too. 

Then if you would speak of mainstream things like lower sukhumvit in Bangkok or nimman in Chiang Mai etc, I would totally agree with you. I went from going out 4 days a week in those areas to maybe 1-2 times a year. And as tourism goes down, rentals get better again and the overall experience will improve.

 

The ever changing laws or immigration sucks but there is simple solutions too, if needed a donation or payment solves this part entirely. I guess what I miss the most is seeing more people enjoying beers in bars with a pool table.

I get boored staying in Thailand to long.but I’m lucky to have the ability to enjoy both worlds.the wife travels with me as we got her paperwork fixed up years ago.

Amazes me that people judge an entire country on the few square km they choose to inhabit occasionally.

8 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Amazes me that people judge an entire country on the few square km theychoose to inhabit occasionally.

Isnt that the truth. Never venturing out of the "farang enclaves". Never getting to know the real Thai's. Sharing a laugh a beer and a meal are unknown to them. Rather than integrate they whine. Eric/bob/susan being a prime example. These kind of people will be unhappy wherever they choose to live. I make it a point to stay well clear of naysayers like this. 

2 minutes ago, marin said:

Isnt that the truth. Never venturing out of the "farang enclaves". Never getting to know the real Thai's. Sharing a laugh a beer and a meal are unknown to them. Rather than integrate they whine. Eric/bob/susan being a prime example. These kind of people will be unhappy wherever they choose to live. I make it a point to stay well clear of naysayers like this. 

Real Thais? You do?

15 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Amazes me that people judge an entire country on the few square km theychoose to inhabit occasionally.

Correct. It's all different. Country folks are more friendly but the farangs are more weird. Talking to people one on one you get to know the real person. City folks are too busy.

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Correct. It's all different. Country folks are more friendly but the farangs are more weird. Talking to people one on one you get to know the real person. City folks are too busy.

Seems you know little about how the 'real' Bangkok actually is in that case. The actual best quality is in less known and populair areas for both Thais and Expats. In many of these areas you would not even know you are in Bangkok if you arrived blindfolded.

5 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Country folks are more friendly

I'm in the countryside at the moment and the locals are as miserable as sin.

 

Eric.

I come for the fashion, the western bigots and the full body Russian matrons in their sun dresses at Lotus.

6 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Seems you know little about how the 'real' Bangkok actually is in that case. The actual best quality is in less known and populair areas for both Thais and Expats. In many of these areas you would not even know you are in Bangkok if you arrived blindfolded.

I have been to many areas of Bangkok. But everyone on the net these days pretends to be an expert to boost their ego. Country folk are more friendly worlwide cause they have more time. Village people are good people but know nothing of the greater world.

2 minutes ago, Stressed Eric said:

I'm in the countryside at the moment and the locals are as miserable as sin.

 

Eric.

What area?

Just now, Harrisfan said:

What area?

Don't be so nosey!

 

Eric.

I find Nong Khai people to be the most friendly. Least friendly Khao San Road.

Just now, Harrisfan said:

I find Nong Khai people to be the most friendly.

What about soi 6 people?

 

Eric.

47 minutes ago, Stressed Eric said:

With the constant changing of the laws, the ever more regressive policies being announced/implemented, the dual pricing, the pollution, the constant ripping off, the fake smiles & the passive aggressive behavior of the locals (or even overt aggressive behavior, see Miss Universe), one really does have to wonder - why on earth would anyone want to holiday/live here these days?

 

Thailand is not what it once was, it is a shadow of it's former self and anyone who can't see that is living in denial imo.

 

Eric.

Tourists have been noticing this decline for several years now. Post Covid there was an increase as people were 'allowed' to travel, but then the reality of what Thailand has become has started to sink in - both those that have visited, and on social media for those looking.  Things started going downhill after the Junta took over and 're-focussed' Thailand towards China and were rewarded with 10 million tourists.  There has been many 'events' that have caused the 'awakening' and two of the many were the boat disaster which killed a lot of Chinese and the building collapse in Bangkok and recently the huge sinkhole.  The western world has started looking elsewhere (Sexpats aside) and now mainly the 'opposite to high value' tourists are coming. Which in itself is causing more and more problems - which are being shown more and more on social media - which causes less 'more value' tourists to visit - a vicious circle. 

 

Expats have also been leaving (again sexpats aside) and far less are coming to live/retire in Thailand. Same reasons as above, plus all the rule changes and impositions. There has been many impositions on Expats since the Junta started them (not many taken away) and the big one was when they started to tax Expat's money coming into Thailand - it went absolutely viral in the retiree's world.  Sure they eventually changed their minds - but it showed many Expats and potential Expats what Thailand was really like - a draconian dictatorship.  In 2010 Thailand was number 1 or 2 on the list of best countries aboard to retire in - from all across the world. Now Thailand is often not even in the top 10 on most lists - Thailkand has regressed and others have improved their 'offerings' to wealthy retirees (not pensioners).

 

Thailand is struggling big time economically and their answer was to tax the Expats - that is how many people saw it.  Some left and many planned ahead just in case they did implement the new rule -  and most who have money stopped bringing in more than they need to live for 3-4 months (just in case).  And the reality is that the Thai Govt/Authority does not give a rat's rear end about less Expats coming to Thailand - otherwise they would drop the 90 day reporting. IMO if/when PP wins the next election, they will need to increase income taxes to pay for their all social welfare programs and that includes Expats money being brought into Thailand.  Thailand is not what it used to be - both for Tourists and for Expats.  If I was mid 50s now and planning where to retire abroad, it would not be Thailand. 

1 minute ago, Stressed Eric said:

What about soi 6 people?

 

Eric.

Is there a Soi 6 in Nong Khai?

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Is there a Soi 6 in Nong Khai?

I don't know, but i'm sure if there is one you will know where it is!!

Eric.

1 minute ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Tourists have been noticing this decline for several years now. Post Covid there was an increase as people were 'allowed' to travel, but then the reality of what Thailand has become has started to sink in - both those that have visited, and on social media for those looking.  Things started going downhill after the Junta took over and 're-focussed' Thailand towards China and were rewarded with 10 million tourists.  There has been many 'events' that have caused the 'awakening' and two of the many were the boat disaster which killed a lot of Chinese and the building collapse in Bangkok and recently the huge sinkhole.  The western world has started looking elsewhere (Sexpats aside) and now mainly the 'opposite to high value' tourists are coming. Which in itself is causing more and more problems - which are being shown more and more on social media - which causes less 'more value' tourists to visit - a vicious circle. 

 

Expats have also been leaving (again sexpats aside) and far less are coming to live/retire in Thailand. Same reasons as above, plus all the rule changes and impositions. There has been many impositions on Expats since the Junta started them (not many taken away) and the big one was when they started to tax Expat's money coming into Thailand - it went absolutely viral in the retiree's world.  Sure they eventually changed their minds - but it showed many Expats and potential Expats what Thailand was really like - a draconian dictatorship.  In 2010 Thailand was number 1 or 2 on the list of best countries aboard to retire in - from all across the world. Now Thailand is often not even in the top 10 on most lists - Thailkand has regressed and others have improved their 'offerings' to wealthy retirees (not pensioners).

 

Thailand is struggling big time economically and their answer was to tax the Expats - that is how many people saw it.  Some left and many planned ahead just in case they did implement the new rule -  and most who have money stopped bringing in more than they need to live for 3-4 months (just in case).  And the reality is that the Thai Govt/Authority does not give a rat's rear end about less Expats coming to Thailand - otherwise they would drop the 90 day reporting. IMO if/when PP wins the next election, they will need to increase income taxes to pay for their all social welfare programs and that includes Expats money being brought into Thailand.  Thailand is not what it used to be - both for Tourists and for Expats.  If I was mid 50s now and planning where to retire abroad, it would not be Thailand. 

What a fantastic post!

 

Very articulate, accurate and mirrors my own personal experiences to a T!

 

Eric.

1 minute ago, Stressed Eric said:

I don't know, but i'm sure if there is one you will know where it is!!

Eric.

I go to Nong Khai to get away from farang dropkicks! 

1 minute ago, marin said:

Maybe stressed bob and harrisfan will get into it hard enough they knock each other out. Something new. Funny stuff for sure.

You sound hard right now lol

1 minute ago, marin said:

Maybe stressed bob and harrisfan will get into it hard enough they knock each other out. Something new. Funny stuff for sure.

I can tell you one thing that ain't funny round here.........

 

Eric.

2 minutes ago, Stressed Eric said:

What a fantastic post!

Very articulate, accurate and mirrors my own personal experiences to a T!

Eric.

May I suggest you stop arguing with the Sexpats and Teedeessss sufferers - they like it. 

2 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

May I suggest you stop arguing with the Sexpats and Teedeessss sufferers - they like it. 

I don't argue with them, they just can't help but chime in on my threads with misinformation and positive bias...

 

Let them be, they have a right to their opinion as I do mine, no matter how skewed it may be.

 

That is the beauty of free speech.

 

Eric.