13 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

You sound stressed mate, Go have a few cones.

I do like Israel though,

 

Perhaps we could be mates?

We could bond over Gaza 'n that...

 

Can I come to your house for a few cones?

 

Eric.

8 hours ago, Stressed Eric said:

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

 

Eric.

Lean to speak Thai, then you will see a different perspective ,or is it you are a concrete jungle person ,and would not know a rice field if it was severed up with next plate of whatever farang food you are eating.

And yes I do live in the countryside and have done for the past 25 years and I enjoy it, and no they are not miserable as sin, have a nice evening 

17 minutes ago, kickstart said:

Lean to speak Thai, then you will see a different perspective ,or is it you are a concrete jungle person ,and would not know a rice field if it was severed up with next plate of whatever farang food you are eating.

And yes I do live in the countryside and have done for the past 25 years and I enjoy it, and no they are not miserable as sin, have a nice evening 

My thread is just a different perspective to yours...

 

Capiche?

 

Eric.

9 hours 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. 

decline for years??? LOL  Thailand's Tourism as exploded over the decades. I dont ever see it being the same when I first came to Thailand.

When I first came to Thailand in the 90's the baht was at 25 to the USD and Thailand only got about 3-5 million visitors a year. Now, Thailand regularly gets over 40 million!!

 

Taxes had nothing to due with expats they was going after Thais that tried to evade taxes.   

The 90 day report has been in places for ever and most tourists never even know about it, it's only a possible issue if you are staying longer than 90 days, but even then it's a simple thing. 

 

Web results can vary, I just did a google search for beast place to retire in 2025,, Thailand came up as #1, Then Portugal, Mexico, Spain. 

 

Forbes has this

Ranked: The World’s Best Places To Move (Or Retire)

1. Panama
2. Portugal
3. Costa Rica
4. Mexico
5. France
6. Spain
7. Malaysia
8. Greece
9. Italy
10. Thailand

 

This is all subjective as it has to due to a persons personal interests. If I like snow skiing, Thailand would not be a good choice for retirement. However if I like hot weather and beaches along with a low cost of living Thailand is a good choice. 

 

 

 

 

Stay away from all of Phuket, all of Pattaya, lower Sukhimvit in Bangkok and at least Nimman area of Chiang Mai and you might enjoy your time more

I lived in rural Thailand for 6 years before.Even i speak thai well i will never ever live in the countryside again.

Its wery boring to stay in a village that gets quiet at 8 pm.The last years i been staying in Bangkok and hua -hin on my holidays in Thailand.I stay 3-4 months a year..thats enough for me.Its places i dont want go back to.Havent been in Phuket since 2003..my last visit to Pattaya was 13 years ago.I been to Koh Chang and rayong for weekendtrips and that was nice.We all have our different meanings about where and why we visit Thailand.Some of us prefer the big city life.. others prefer a quiet village.I love to sit on a outdoor restaurant in Bangkok with a cold beer looking people come and go in the streets.Sometimes with a lady next to me.I also love my single life without drama and a gf nagging.And i allways just staying in a hotel..easy to leave when i go somewhere else.
 

References to illegal drug use & replies removed.

 

@Stressed Eric

 

@Ralf001

5 hours ago, norsurin said:

lived in rural Thailand for 6 years before.Even i speak thai well i will never ever live in the countryside again.

This is a big problem for foreigners moving to Thailand. 

 

Some come here on an old aged pension, they sell all they have in the home countries, find a wife (usually an old ex smelly bar girl), buy her a house in the village, then he finds out his wife is having sex with every Somchai in the village. 

 

You are one of the lucky ones, able to escape. 

 

It's all about the money you have, your wealth. I have a big family, many friends, I'm one who can live anywhere, I travel a lot, have many interests, hobbies and big boy toys. 

 

A few here on AN Forum's are dad's generation, they are elderly, now they interact like an adolescent, they get their rocks off by sending you a thumbs down, calling you a Troll, etc, always nasty, hostile, hateful comments, bloody freaks. 😡

 

These little miserable old men don't have anything, nothing, how can they ever be happy!!!!

 

4 hours ago, norsurin said:

I lived in rural Thailand for 6 years before.Even i speak thai well i will never ever live in the countryside again.

Its wery boring to stay in a village that gets quiet at 8 pm.The last years i been staying in Bangkok and hua -hin on my holidays in Thailand.I stay 3-4 months a year..thats enough for me.Its places i dont want go back to.Havent been in Phuket since 2003..my last visit to Pattaya was 13 years ago.I been to Koh Chang and rayong for weekendtrips and that was nice.We all have our different meanings about where and why we visit Thailand.Some of us prefer the big city life.. others prefer a quiet village.I love to sit on a outdoor restaurant in Bangkok with a cold beer looking people come and go in the streets.Sometimes with a lady next to me.I also love my single life without drama and a gf nagging.And i allways just staying in a hotel..easy to leave when i go somewhere else.
 

In 30 years we are all dead. 

2 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

This is a big problem for foreigners moving to Thailand. 

Some come here on an old aged pension, they sell all they have in the home countries, find a wife (usually an old ex smelly bar girl), buy her a house in the village, then he finds out his wife is having sex with every Somchai in the village. 

 

You are one of the lucky ones, able to escape. 

 

It's all about the money you have, your wealth. I'm one who can live anywhere, I travel a lot, have many interests, hobbies and big boy toys. 

 

A few here on AN Forum's are dad's generation, they are elderly, now they interact like an adolescent, they get their rocks off by sending you a thumbs down, calling you a Troll, etc, always nasty, hostile, hateful comments, bloody freaks. 😡

These little miserable old men don't have anything, nothing, how can they ever be happy!!!!

 

Happiness is an illusion. We are temporary dots on the universe.

11 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Happiness is an illusion. We are temporary dots on the universe.

True, but did you know..... 

5 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

True, but did you know..... 

Looks like a space bum.

Six pages for this Troll? Stop feeding the Trolls.

4 minutes ago, grumpyoldman said:

Six pages for this Troll? Stop feeding the Trolls.

My ignore list gets longer and longer.  Seems this forum attracts trolls....

With a nod to Winston Churchill, I believe, "Thailand's the worst place to retire, except for all the others".

20 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

And how do you know this?

It's a well-known "fact".

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

It's a well-known "fact".

For you it is. Most guys find trannies repulsive.

11 hours ago, Chalky0w said:

Stay away from all of Phuket, all of Pattaya, lower Sukhimvit in Bangkok and at least Nimman area of Chiang Mai and you might enjoy your time more

Nah, loved living in Nimman, and now in lower Suk. Tons to do, one Soi either way and it's like a universe.

 

Some people just want to eat a mango, not painstakingly watch it grow.

8 hours ago, Prubangboy said:

Nah, loved living in Nimman, and now in lower Suk. Tons to do, one Soi either way and it's like a universe.

 

Some people just want to eat a mango, not painstakingly watch it grow.

Wasn’t being particularly serious but there is a note of truth in there.
 

A few expats / tourists in an area is fine but when that area becomes geared towards them then the locals become jaded and less welcoming, prices for everything go up, scammers and gold diggers circle looking for victims, restaurants look for a quick buck rather than repeat business so quality goes down and you generally lose the things that made them attractive in the first place

 

This isn’t just a Thailand thing but happens in lots of tourist hotspots worldwide.

I don’t see any bad restaurants in Nimman. It’s a tourist zone, It always was and always will be. No locals are being deprived of noodles, they eat elsewhere. Nor aregold diggers circling Chinese tourists There to buy Stylish straw hats at the white market.

 

It’s not for middle income expats, it’s for holiday revelers going crazy and buying five dollar durian ice cream cones.

 

 

Comment on moderation 

 

@dutch boy

 

On 11/9/2025 at 12:50 PM, FolkGuitar said:

Thailand has certainaly changed over the past 25 years. When we first arrived, the tourist activities were aimed at Thai cultural events. Young backpackers on their Gap Year travels came to go trekking and do homestays with Hilltribes. They kept busy taking classes in Yoga, Massage, Silversmithing, Ceramics, Photography,  and dance. They went to museums and Kantoke shows. Now they come to drink beer and go tubing. They come for the Full Moon Party and the Half Moon Party. (These things just 'happen' to take place in Thailand, so they come here.)
Are there still Kantoke dinner shows being presented? I never see advertisements for them. 
Remember the giant Chiang Dao Market on Tuesday mornings? Several hundred meters with hundreds of vendors. Lahu, Lisu, Pawlong, Karen, Paduang hilltribe families in full costume doing their weekly shopping. Gone.
Now it's a small square of vendors, looking just like any other fresh market. No more truckloads of folks from the mountains coming down in costume.  Might as well visit Chiang Mai Gate Market.

All that said, none of this has any I'mpact on my life. We still go to the same places to shop, same restaurants to eat, and same places to play, all around Chiang Mai. Life in Thailand hasn't changed for us. As the famous guy once said, 'It goes on.'  We're pretty happy about that.  🙂

 

 

Nice and accurate comment.

 

My life is based around my Thai wife and son and wife's siblings. 'Outside' events consume little time and family involvement and events and daily living consumes most available time whic is enjoyable and productive, just great. I learned to speak Thai years back so there's great communications. (But my Thai son and his Thai wife insist we only speak English to his 4 kids to ensure we don't miss the opportunity for them to develop advanced English, and they love it).

On 11/9/2025 at 10:34 PM, ericthai said:

decline for years??? LOL  Thailand's Tourism as exploded over the decades

I said - Tourists have been noticing this decline for several years now.  38 million in 2018 - 39 million 2019 - but Covid caused a massive drop in Thailand's appeal - they did not rebuild or invest - and they allowed the Baht to climb and climb. 28 mill 2023 - 34 in 2024 - and they will be lucky to get 33 million in 2025 (initial target 40 million).  Your comments like "they regularly get 40 million" are stupid and ignorant.  

The ignorance you showed about income taxes, and the 90 days reporting being easy, also tells me you are a fake Expat and have not lived here.  You can continue visiting Pattaya and the bargirls - but you are talking 'moonshine' about living in Thailand and the obvious decline in tourism. 

 

Why would anyone choose to holiday/live in Thailand in 2025?

 

Soi 6

12 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I said - Tourists have been noticing this decline for several years now.  38 million in 2018 - 39 million 2019 - but Covid caused a massive drop in Thailand's appeal - they did not rebuild or invest - and they allowed the Baht to climb and climb. 28 mill 2023 - 34 in 2024 - and they will be lucky to get 33 million in 2025 (initial target 40 million).  Your comments like "they regularly get 40 million" are stupid and ignorant.  

The ignorance you showed about income taxes, and the 90 days reporting being easy, also tells me you are a fake Expat and have not lived here.  You can continue visiting Pattaya and the bargirls - but you are talking 'moonshine' about living in Thailand and the obvious decline in tourism. 

 

Still there has been no drastic drop in tourists you even pointed out that up until Covid Thailand's tourist numbers increased almost every year.

Thailand's numbers have been increasing for decades and any reduction in numbers is still far greater that what it used to be 10-15-20 years ago.

 

Thailand allowing the baht to climb?? 

The baht is tricky, they want good exchange rates for tourism but low for exports so they are always trying to balance. 

 

90 day report, to tell the truth I haven't done one in years. Most of the time I'm not in Thailand long enough to do one and if needed our office staff handles it.  

Sure anyone that disagrees with you is fake and never lived in Thailand like you, how long have you lived in Thailand?? 1 maybe 2 years.

Not logged on since February. Over 3 years in Thailand and now +1 year in Bangkok. Love it here, especially Bangkok. 

The places I get to work from each day are fantastic. Best city in the world for me.

 

Open house in central embassy is a favourite, then a short walk to the go-karts. Life is great 😃

 

 

15 hours ago, ericthai said:

Still there has been no drastic drop in tourists you even pointed out that up until Covid Thailand's tourist numbers increased almost every year.

Thailand's numbers have been increasing for decades and any reduction in numbers is still far greater that what it used to be 10-15-20 years ago.

 

Thailand allowing the baht to climb?? 

The baht is tricky, they want good exchange rates for tourism but low for exports so they are always trying to balance. 

 

90 day report, to tell the truth I haven't done one in years. Most of the time I'm not in Thailand long enough to do one and if needed our office staff handles it.  

Sure anyone that disagrees with you is fake and never lived in Thailand like you, how long have you lived in Thailand?? 1 maybe 2 years.

Eric - you need to take a good look in the mirror and give yourself a good talking to - STFU about things you know very little about.  I first came to Thailand in 2010 and moved/retired here in 2012 - went home during Covid - came back again in 2022.  For the last 3 years it is clear Covid caused things to change - and on top of that the Government disasters (one after another) made things worse.  In deference to Anutin I must say he has been very steady for the last month or so.

 

Tourism in all other local countries (especially Japan) has increased post-Covid to levels above that of pre-Covid - not so for Thailand. Thailand had an initial surge and then has remained 'stagnant' - they predicted 40 million for 2025 - maybe they will get 30 million. They have given open door Visas and that has attracted all the cheapies (and war escapees) - that itself has also made things worse.  Worse meaning worse than what it was like in 208-2019 when Thailand was great. 

 

Your comment - "they want good exchange rates for tourism but low for exports" shows you know SFA about the issue.  A high baht is bad for tourism and exports - you need to look that up mate.  Japan is booming for tourism because the Yen is at historic low.  When I first came here the $AUD was 32 Baht - now it is about 22 Baht - Japan is cheaper to visit from Aus.  Since the Phue Thai came to power the Baht went from 25 (still high) down to 21 in a few months because they want the Baht at 30 for $USD. The naive daughter PM apologised for the sudden high baht increase, saying 'sorry we over-reacted'. They are keeping the baht high - good for the wealthy elite and for gold sales. Lots of complaints about it - nothing being done about it - the new Head of BOT promised to lower the Baht - but nothing has changed. 

 

You obviously knew SFA about the problems Expats sometimes have with the 90 days reporting and you should always remember that after the talking you give yourself - STFU about things you know very little about. Your comments made it very clear (to someone that has lived here for over 10 years) that you do not live here - and in fact that you are just a regular visitor.  Here's some advice - Things change big time when you move somewhere to live - the rose coloured glasses you wore when visiting, quickly fall off.  Far too many ignorant old blokes come here to retire, but fail to realise they are not on a holiday anymore, and they get themselves into serious trouble financially - and/or get taken for a ride by a Thai girl and are 'stripped mined' and then dumped.  Please let me give you some more advice from a grumpy old man  - it is only when you are retired and no longer have a regular/possible source of additional income, that you learn how much things actually cost, and that spending money is always easy, but getting more money is not always possible.

 

Nightlife is awesome here. But 500b drinks are now the norm. 

356 baht for a san mig light in tic tac toe in emsphere!

165 baht for coffee in ekkamai.

Getting a bit spendy here, lucky I don't have affordability issues.

Investments up 16% year to date, GBP/THB not so great. Haven't transferred any funds over since it hit 46 to £.

 

17 minutes ago, noobexpat said:

Not logged on since February. Over 3 years in Thailand and now +1 year in Bangkok. Love it here, especially Bangkok. 

The places I get to work from each day are fantastic. Best city in the world for me.

 

Open house in central embassy is a favourite, then a short walk to the go-karts. Life is great 😃

 

 

Bangkok is like New York and Tokyo - they are all far better places to live and work, than they are to visit.  Enjoy it while it lasts mate - and given that you sound young, try working in other big cities too. But for pity's sake - do not try to retire there - unless you have a very large retirement fund built up.  Good luck to you. 

3 minutes ago, noobexpat said:

Nightlife is awesome here. But 500b drinks are now the norm. 

356 baht for a san mig light in tic tac toe in emsphere!

165 baht for coffee in ekkamai.

Getting a bit spendy here, lucky I don't have affordability issues.

Investments up 16% year to date, GBP/THB not so great. Haven't transferred any funds over since it hit 46 to £.

 

 

 

But 500b drinks are now the norm. 

 

WHAT??

 

What the hell are you drinking?