1 minute ago, Hawaiian said:

My idea of having fun is enjoying myself. It helps to have pleasant and interesting friends to have fun with.

We are one step further, it help to have friends, but seriously, what is fun?

I'm thinking about how life used to be, fun was just doing stupid things, be good in sport, drinking, girls doing new things, talk about stupid things, but now? Life is good, settled

Meeting up riding motorcycles fun ? Well it used to be, but honestly even I'm pushing my limits, it's not fun, it gives a good feeling, freedom,

I'm seriously curious about what other people think is fun, and everytime I ask the question here at the forum, I feel people getting annoyed and defensive aggressive sometimes

13 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What is fun, is it so hard question to answer? It seems so. Because most avoid the question.

It's not a hard question to answer, but everyone's idea of fun is different. So telling you what's fun for me doesn't help you with having more fun in your life in any way.

I can spell out what I meant when I said Thailand is a fun place though. It's the carefree attitude of Thais towards life. I see fewer serious people and sour faces here than back home. Of course that attitude also has its downsides, but on balance it's as I said: it just works for me.

20 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Well you answer similar to most I ask. I'm a man soon 60 year old, and been in Thailand for many years through the time, and life is good and also challenging if you trying to build something sustainable, and not thinking about relationship.

I had alot of fun travelling with people around my age doing sport, working, doing activities, learning new stuff, but the older I Get, fun?

What is fun, is it so hard question to answer? It seems so. Because most avoid the question. One who answered honestly, was onefarang, and his fun was young ladies, going out and hang out with young ladies.

So?

Yea and he disappeared just like that one day. I wonder if his penchant for "young" ladies got him in a little trouble.

27 minutes ago, Caldera said:

It's not a hard question to answer, but everyone's idea of fun is different. So telling you what's fun for me doesn't help you with having more fun in your life in any way.

I can spell out what I meant when I said Thailand is a fun place though. It's the carefree attitude of Thais towards life. I see fewer serious people and sour faces here than back home. Of course that attitude also has its downsides, but on balance it's as I said: it just works for me.

I think your answer is quite accurate, you can't define fun easily, but AI had a good explanation actually.

It is moments with a feeling of fun

Actually, researchers have tried to pin it down! While we often use it as a synonym for "enjoyment," the psychological definition of "True Fun" is a specific cocktail of three ingredients: Playfulness, Connection, and Flow.

NPR +1

The "True Fun" Recipe

• Playfulness: A lighthearted attitude where you aren't obsessed with the outcome or "winning".

• Connection: Sharing the experience with someone else (or even deeply with yourself or nature).

• Flow: That "in the zone" feeling where you’re so absorbed that time disappears.

  Substack +3

Fun vs. Other Good Feelings

Scientists distinguish fun from its "cousins" by its energy and purpose:

• Fun vs. Happiness: Happiness is a broad, stable sense of life satisfaction; fun is a more energetic, active "spark".

• Fun vs. Pleasure: "Fake fun" (like mindless scrolling) might feel pleasurable or relaxing, but it doesn't leave you feeling energized or "alive" afterward like real fun does.

• Fun vs. Purpose: One academic definition describes fun simply as "pleasure without purpose"—doing something purely because you want to, not because it’s useful.

  ResearchGate +2

Essentially, fun is liberating engagement—a temporary break from the "sour faces" and rules of real life to just be

36 minutes ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Yea and he disappeared just like that one day. I wonder if his penchant for "young" ladies got him in a little trouble.

No, Anti-Semitic posts as far as I can remember.

45 minutes ago, Hummin said:

We are one step further, it help to have friends, but seriously, what is fun?

Coffee with a pal at a mountaintop cafe at 8am in the morning after we've been cycling.

Just now, BritManToo said:

Coffee with a pal at a mountaintop cafe at 8am in the morning after we've been cycling.

Good life,

On 2/7/2026 at 7:29 PM, Autocan said:

Is Thailand Really a Smart Place to Grow Old?

And babes. You've answered your own question by the second paragraph.

When your body is still o.k: wonderful, so around 65-75. But elder.. your first needs are for taking care of, not a warm female body anymore.

On 2/8/2026 at 3:12 AM, mfd101 said:

What most people above seem not to understand is that - for, say, 80% of Thais - it is FAMILY that constitutes their social security and health system. Much as it was in 'Western' countries 100 years ago.

I see this on a daily basis here in south Surin amongst the poor Khmer peasants. When I start to decline there will be multiple in-laws available to gather round and help. Assisted no doubt by the fact that, for most of them, I am their main source of funds ...

But w3hat happens, when the ATM-machine of yours stay empty, or just enough for living costs ? As a French guy once said to me: be careful not to be found in the pineapple fields... or in a backyard shelter.

8 minutes ago, Harry Vibhavadi said:

But w3hat happens, when the ATM-machine of yours stay empty, or just enough for living costs ? As a French guy once said to me: be careful not to be found in the pineapple fields... or in a backyard shelter.

I can't speak for others but in my case my b/f will continue to get ⅔ of my (Oz government) superannuation inflation-adjusted twice yearly for the rest of his life (and he's 40 years younger than me).

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

We are one step further, it help to have friends, but seriously, what is fun?

I'm thinking about how life used to be, fun was just doing stupid things, be good in sport, drinking, girls doing new things, talk about stupid things, but now? Life is good, settled

Meeting up riding motorcycles fun ? Well it used to be, but honestly even I'm pushing my limits, it's not fun, it gives a good feeling, freedom,

I'm seriously curious about what other people think is fun, and everytime I ask the question here at the forum, I feel people getting annoyed and defensive aggressive sometimes

We're pretty solitary ourselves here. Wife might visit her friends, one group, once a month, if that.

Years past, for me, and it was MC rides, get together constantly on my front porch, BBQ & beers, even though 2 tap bar in foyer, only very close childhood friends knew to stop by.

Work buds use to get together for scuba trips, FL & Bahamas, or some white water rafting, canoeing & even skydiving. Cycled a lot more back then, and always solitary, as nobody I knew could keep up, distance wise.

Still kind of solitary back then also, especially the short times in a relationship. Lots of out of state, out of country trips, and perks of working for airlines. Same here, except the out of country exploring.

Worked in different states, when not in Philly, really solitary, as no real time for develop friendships, and prefer to go solo, went out enjoying myself. Always on the prowl for some companionship, and never a fan of a 'wing man'.

Don't bounce well, stop doing the stupid stuff

Main difference now, no chemical stimulants, especially last 15 ish years.

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

We're pretty solitary ourselves here. Wife might visit her friends, one group, once a month, if that.

Years past, for me, and it was MC rides, get together constantly on my front porch, BBQ & beers, even though 2 tap bar in foyer, only very close childhood friends knew to stop by.

Work buds use to get together for scuba trips, FL & Bahamas, or some white water rafting, canoeing & even skydiving. Cycled a lot more back then, and always solitary, as nobody I knew could keep up, distance wise.

Still kind of solitary back then also, especially the short times in a relationship. Lots of out of state, out of country trips, and perks of working for airlines. Same here, except the out of country exploring.

Worked in different states, when not in Philly, really solitary, as no real time for develop friendships, and prefer to go solo, went out enjoying myself. Always on the prowl for some companionship, and never a fan of a 'wing man'.

Don't bounce well, stop doing the stupid stuff

Main difference now, no chemical stimulants, especially last 15 ish years.

Well, I think I have more fun than what I actually thought I would have, because I'm energetic, I feel good and happy as well satisfied, but no highs like when younger, and I do not feel drained when doing something afterwards.

Just pleasantly calm and good, but with tendencies of slightly boredom.

Life is no more hectic, and I do not need to do anything anymore, and that's the difference from my younger days when I thought I had more fun.

Anyway interesting theme, and good to remind yourself how life is, and the possibilities we got.

On 2/8/2026 at 7:30 AM, Screaming said:

I love living in Thailand and missed the the Presidency of the old dementia Joe in the White House. I have been out of the good-ol-USA for almost seven years now. But now that President Trump is making America great again, I am ready for a visit and making plans to visit my family. It will be a relief getting on that plane knowing that the U.S. is in great shape and the illegals are being finally prosecuted by ICE. I will stay away from Somalinapolis as it is a lost cause but visit other patriotic parts of the U.S.

With the disaster the narcistic and rancunous 'grab them by the pussy" president of the USA is unfolding over the USA, I advise you to be quick.

And with a Gestapo-like ICE, killing US citizens, 10 TEN bullits inside a body, I even do not want to be 5 miles west of Ireland.

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I have no interest in a slow decline and if it ever gets to point where there's no chance of recovery and I'm on my last legs, I told my woman I want her to take me to a euthanasia clinic and put me down like a dog. See ya!

i never thought i'd run into you .......... but just might see you at the clinic one day .🫠

these posts on this thread listing the attributes of old age waiting rooms here in Thailand almost sent me over the edge. but, i'm hangin' on for now .

On 2/7/2026 at 11:42 AM, spidermike007 said:

Well it certainly is for me. I find everyday here to be rather delightful, and I'm continually amazed at how pleasant the average Thai person is, how wonderful their sense of humor is, how playful they are, how light-hearted they are, how easy it is to get them to laugh and joke, and how high the quality of my life is here.

I compare that to the broken down and pathetic nation that I come from. America. The land of the forlorn.

Just a quick note - the majority of people in America are happy. Don't be mislead by the hype that is usually funded by a small group of billionaires starting with S0ro$ and S1ingham. We are fighting illegal immigration just as most of the rest of the developed world is doing the same.

10 hours ago, newnative said:

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we were spending an average of $70,000 a year for my Mom to be in a nursing home in the US until 2019, when she passed away. Likely a lot more now as the bill went up every year.

Thanks for your comment. Yes, it's cheaper in Thailand, which was also the main point in the Daily Mail-article I shared in an earlier post, where the Thai elder-home costs were £2,000 per month, while elder-home in UK was between £4,000 and £6,000 per month. This amount equals your US$ cost.

My point was not about cheaper elder-home, rather than for some expats here on low retirement pensions, even the modest price elder-home here can be out of range, when your average monthly income is around 40,000 baht per month – or less – if you don't have additional savings.

On 2/8/2026 at 3:16 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Very interesting

Some I know would disagree and I have seen it written before

May I ask kind Sir Is it a medication reason?

yes, broken discs stick into the nerve channel

10 hours ago, mfd101 said:

I can't speak for others but in my case my b/f will continue to get ⅔ of my (Oz government) superannuation inflation-adjusted twice yearly for the rest of his life (and he's 40 years younger than me).

Lucky boy to have a sugar Daddy like you ,

On 2/8/2026 at 9:39 PM, KhunLA said:

Not sure about that, as TH is 1900 + 500 ? (bank) = 2400 / $77 USD

Not to mention, crap infrastructure, or so I read.

Cambo's infrastruc is at least 20 years behind Thailand's.

The food is not as good either.

There are 10s of thousands of farangs moving to Siem Reap each month regardless.

12 hours ago, Harry Vibhavadi said:

With the disaster the narcistic and rancunous 'grab them by the pussy" president of the USA is unfolding over the USA, I advise you to be quick.

And with a Gestapo-like ICE, killing US citizens, 10 TEN bullits inside a body, I even do not want to be 5 miles west of Ireland.

That's your opinion darl.

He got voted in

The lucky ones are those that die in their sleep

12 hours ago, Tango777 said:

Just a quick note - the majority of people in America are happy. Don't be mislead by the hype that is usually funded by a small group of billionaires starting with S0ro$ and S1ingham. We are fighting illegal immigration just as most of the rest of the developed world is doing the same.

I'd far rather be taken over by Catholic drug cartels than Muslim kiddy fiddlers.

You got it easy in the USA.

We moved to Thailand in 2013 from the US, we split our time 6- months back and forth from California till the end of 2019 when Covid hit and we haven’t been back since. I miss my family and friends but the US is no longer a safe place for us to travel to. Thailand fits most of the boxes, we have 2 condos one in Nonthaburi and another in Cha Am right on the beach. We don’t have medical insurance, we just pay as we go, never spending more than 600.00 dollars for both of us. We stay healthy, exercise daily, and eat healthy. Am 74 and my wife is 77. It has been hard making friends in Thailand, not sure why, but we have made friends in Australia, Netherlands, and Europe. And we visit each other. My wife’s family are financially secure and stay to themselves hardly any interaction with us, treat us like a foreigner, have very little in common, a couple of brother and sisters keep a eye on us. So we are pretty on our own. It makes for a boring life for me. But you can’t have it all. I’m really glad am living in Thailand these days because the US has become such a <deleted> hole. I don’t even tell people am American instead I say am from Canada. We are not worried about getting older in Thailand, we have money and we can afford to move around. So we are Happy to be living in Thailand.

12 hours ago, Tango777 said:

Just a quick note - the majority of people in America are happy. Don't be mislead by the hype that is usually funded by a small group of billionaires starting with S0ro$ and S1ingham. We are fighting illegal immigration just as most of the rest of the developed world is doing the same.

Well, you would have to take a little time to define what your version of happiness is, if what you're saying is that taking home a paycheck at the end of the day defines happiness then most would probably be in agreement with you. But if you're using a more easily understandable definition such as leading fulfilling lives the majority would disagree.

I go back there a few times a year and it boggles my mind the level of misery, disillusionment, division and dour faces that I see everywhere I look. America is anything but a happy country.

22 hours ago, Hummin said:

I'm seriously curious about what other people think is fun, and everytime I ask the question here at the forum, I feel people getting annoyed and defensive aggressive sometimes

I think that might be you getting defensive/aggressive. Possibly one of the things that affects your sense of fun.

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I'd far rather be taken over by Catholic drug cartels than Muslim kiddy fiddlers.

You got it easy in the USA.

You are more likely to find Catholic kiddy fiddlers and Muslim drug cartels... But that doesn't that fit with your bigoted narrative...

1 hour ago, IsmeUno said:

You are more likely to find Catholic kiddy fiddlers and Muslim drug cartels... But that doesn't that fit with your bigoted narrative...

I think you have to attend the church/school to get fiddled by a priest.

But the Islamics will get your kids at school or walking in the street.

On 2/8/2026 at 9:12 AM, mfd101 said:

What most people above seem not to understand is that - for, say, 80% of Thais - it is FAMILY that constitutes their social security and health system. Much as it was in 'Western' countries 100 years ago.

I see this on a daily basis here in south Surin amongst the poor Khmer peasants. When I start to decline there will be multiple in-laws available to gather round and help. Assisted no doubt by the fact that, for most of them, I am their main source of funds ...

What I am still scratching my head over is your claim that "multiple in-laws will be available to gather round and help." Can you clarify exactly who these people are who you say will be available to attend to your geriatric needs?

You indicated in a later post that there is a 40 year age difference between you and your male partner. I can certainly understand that he will likely be physically strong enough to provide a great deal of assistance to you. But what I am trying to understand is who is this supporting cast of helpers who can be relied upon to pitch in any time help is needed.

Presumably you and your partner do not have any children together. If your partner is somewhere between 35 and 45 years old, aren't his parents rapidly approaching an age where they will need assistance in their daily lives? There must be additional extended family members who currently or soon will require assistance, aren't there? Do you see a fist full of baht moving you up to the head of the queue whenever needed?

Another thing that doesn't add up for me is that typically everyone in a rural family has familial or occupational responsibilities which more often than not are time sensitive, i.e., picking kids up from school, planting, harvesting, etc. People aren't sitting around twiddling their thumbs most of the time. How can you be so confident that your needs will take precedence over those of their immediate family?

The point I'm driving home here is financially incentivizing your Thai in-laws to attend to your needs is not the same thing as imagining that you have so thoroughly endeared yourself through goodwill building to your Thai in-laws that they will put your future elder care needs ahead of all else. To me it sounds like a much more transactional relationship than you are willing to admit to yourself.

On 2/10/2026 at 5:12 PM, BritManToo said:

No, Anti-Semitic posts as far as I can remember.

I meant Thai police were possibly responsible for his disappearance, not the mods. I don't think he got banned.

10 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

Can you clarify exactly who these people are who you say will be available to attend to your geriatric needs?

3 older brothers, 2 of them married, & 1 brother-in-law, all of them living on the family farm. 3 older sisters, 2 living at the farm with 1 brother-in-law.

I have seen how they behave when there is need, as with the elderly father & mother (ages 79 & c83).

Given the numbers to choose from, there's never a problem about accompanying anyone to doctor or hospital (including staying overnight beside the sick person's bed). And I have seen it operating recently when my partner had to go in for a colonoscopy. Close cousin slept beside him in the same hospital bed. When I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago and, it being a private hospital (ie money money money), I was there for 3 days/2 nights and my partner slept on the couch in my private room.

All perfectly normal as far as my family's concerned. Others can speak for themselves.