7 hours ago, Celsius said:

Yes. Sounds made up just like georgegeorgia stories

As long as you are happy in your own little world 🍻

10 hours ago, still kicking said:

Not available if you are 80 years old

Maybe not if you are applying at 80, but if renewing policyholder is ok. At 67 no problem.

Worth or not at 80 is a separate question as premiums reflect the risks.

I know the answer to this from my own experience. Firstly take a look in a mirror and come to terms with your age. Then budget as an expat not a tourist. Look around for a room that suits your budget. Keep away from bar girls they only say that your a hansum man to relieve of your hard earned. Cut back on the booze, even have a few days off. Get to know where the best quality budget priced food is in your area. Buy some breakfast items from a supermarket including a toaster. That eliminates the cost of buying breakfast and it's much more healthier. Maybe Sunday have a full on English breakfast. If you rent a motor bike ditch it, look for a room to rent where the baht buses pass nearby. Best of luck, it's worked for me.

On 4/15/2026 at 9:05 AM, NONG CHOK said:

I know the answer to this from my own experience. Firstly take a look in a mirror and come to terms with your age. Then budget as an expat not a tourist. Look around for a room that suits your budget. Keep away from bar girls they only say that your a hansum man to relieve of your hard earned. Cut back on the booze, even have a few days off. Get to know where the best quality budget priced food is in your area. Buy some breakfast items from a supermarket including a toaster. That eliminates the cost of buying breakfast and it's much more healthier. Maybe Sunday have a full on English breakfast. If you rent a motor bike ditch it, look for a room to rent where the baht buses pass nearby. Best of luck, it's worked for me.

.. and this sound advice applies if you live in Pattaya, HuaHin, The PI, Cambodia etc etc. Stop trying to live like a tourist :)

On 4/15/2026 at 4:05 AM, NONG CHOK said:

I know the answer to this from my own experience. Firstly take a look in a mirror and come to terms with your age. Then budget as an expat not a tourist. Look around for a room that suits your budget. Keep away from bar girls they only say that your a hansum man to relieve of your hard earned. Cut back on the booze, even have a few days off. Get to know where the best quality budget priced food is in your area. Buy some breakfast items from a supermarket including a toaster. That eliminates the cost of buying breakfast and it's much more healthier. Maybe Sunday have a full on English breakfast. If you rent a motor bike ditch it, look for a room to rent where the baht buses pass nearby. Best of luck, it's worked for me.

What do you do for lunch and dinner? I have a toaster, but haven't gotten around to plugging it in.

Sounds like you need to learn to cook for yourself.

If you ditch your method of transport solely to rely on baht busses, your world becomes a lot smaller. Even a bicycle gives you some freedom and provides good exercise. When did you last prepare a full meal for yourself? When last did you visit a new area?

The ladies on Bush Mountain have 149 baht day on Tuesdays for pensioners only. There used to be jungle katoeys on the beach at Naklua who serviced geezers in the bushes. I used to see the ruddy faced geezers stumbling out of the bushes followed by Nubian colored katoeys of unusual size. It looked like the katoeys had sucked the punters' wallets out through a fleshy straw. I changed my running route but word has it that the jungle katoeys were moved on.

The rest of the low budget retirement equation is easy to figure out.

36 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

The ladies on Bush Mountain have 149 baht day on Tuesdays for pensioners only.

Price has tripled in the past 20yrs.

Damn inflation.

44 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

The ladies on Bush Mountain have 149 baht day on Tuesdays for pensioners only.

Do you have to show them your passport to prove your age? Asking for a friend.....

2 hours ago, Cenovis said:

Do you have to show them your passport to prove your age? Asking for a friend.....

Grey public hair and a wrinkly sack have been good enough for me.

2 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

Grey public hair and a wrinkly sack have been good enough for me.

Are you describing yourself or your BF or both?😀

People don’t realize that with all the set asides you have to make for contingencies (medical emergencies, repatriation, life event changes, elder care), it’s often completely unrealistic to simply divide your nest egg by life expectancy or your annual income by twelve and conclude you have ‘x’ amount of money available to spend each month. All those reserves that need to be set aside for potential contingencies can really eat into what looks like a hefty free cash flow on the surface.

On 4/14/2026 at 9:44 AM, Celsius said:

You breathe the same filthy 3rd world shole polluted air as he does because you can't afford Dubai. You are surviving too.

Dubai in general has much worse air than most places in Thailand, and that is without burning any farming rubbish. It is because they all like to drive cars with engines over 5 litres, and traffic jams are horrendous. I go there often and hate the place.

I live in Pattaya and Jomtien for four years but found I couldn't not live like a tourist. The one thing that may be different in my situation was that it wasn't money that made me ultimately move to where I now live the Philippines it was lifestyle. I enjoy Thailand as a get away a place to party I don't have the discipline to live there. Here in the Philippines I don't have a feeling of missing out when I stay in I did in Thailand.

On 4/16/2026 at 12:55 PM, IsmeUno said:

What do you do for lunch and dinner? I have a toaster, but haven't gotten around to plugging it in.

Sounds like you need to learn to cook for yourself.

If you ditch your method of transport solely to rely on baht busses, your world becomes a lot smaller. Even a bicycle gives you some freedom and provides good exercise. When did you last prepare a full meal for yourself? When last did you visit a new area?

I'd say you've never seen a 300 baht steamer from Lotus. I only use baht buses when I need to as I walk 2 hours every day. I visit up north regularly, so what's your next question please?

5 hours ago, worldtraveler3 said:

I live in Pattaya and Jomtien for four years but found I couldn't not live like a tourist. The one thing that may be different in my situation was that it wasn't money that made me ultimately move to where I now live the Philippines it was lifestyle. I enjoy Thailand as a get away a place to party I don't have the discipline to live there. Here in the Philippines I don't have a feeling of missing out when I stay in I did in Thailand.

It is said that one of the rods at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi read 'know theyself' and the other read 'nothing in excess'. It sounds like your oracle was in Pattaya.

I've got the discipline to live in Pattaya but not the patience to live in the Philippines.

2 hours ago, NONG CHOK said:

I'd say you've never seen a 300 baht steamer from Lotus. I only use baht buses when I need to as I walk 2 hours every day. I visit up north regularly, so what's your next question please?

What do you do with your steamer? I have one of those round 700 baht convection ovens. Most useful. Why do you go up north and what do you do up there?

Do you walk in a low pollution area or is there lots of traffic around? For that reason I live close to the beach, for the sea air.

15 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

Grey public hair and a wrinkly sack have been good enough for me.

You check that first? Is it money up front too?

14 hours ago, worldtraveler3 said:

I live in Pattaya and Jomtien for four years but found I couldn't not live like a tourist. The one thing that may be different in my situation was that it wasn't money that made me ultimately move to where I now live the Philippines it was lifestyle. I enjoy Thailand as a get away a place to party I don't have the discipline to live there. Here in the Philippines I don't have a feeling of missing out when I stay in I did in Thailand.

Excellent post but not explained fully

Missing out on what ?

Having been three times to the Philippines and achieved my goal of travelling on the Manila subway at night I found the rental prices much much more expensive in the Philippines particularly Cebu than Thailand

I mean they are double Pattaya rental

You could live in isaan cheaper then the Philippines

On 4/15/2026 at 12:05 PM, NONG CHOK said:

I know the answer to this from my own experience. Firstly take a look in a mirror and come to terms with your age. Then budget as an expat not a tourist. Look around for a room that suits your budget. Keep away from bar girls they only say that your a hansum man to relieve of your hard earned. Cut back on the booze, even have a few days off. Get to know where the best quality budget priced food is in your area. Buy some breakfast items from a supermarket including a toaster. That eliminates the cost of buying breakfast and it's much more healthier. Maybe Sunday have a full on English breakfast. If you rent a motor bike ditch it, look for a room to rent where the baht buses pass nearby. Best of luck, it's worked for me.

Oh what a boring man , boring life ,

Please dont encourage this ,many here have only a few years left of life , let them enjoy it with Wine Women & song

14 hours ago, worldtraveler3 said:

I live in Pattaya and Jomtien for four years but found I couldn't not live like a tourist. The one thing that may be different in my situation was that it wasn't money that made me ultimately move to where I now live the Philippines it was lifestyle. I enjoy Thailand as a get away a place to party I don't have the discipline to live there. Here in the Philippines I don't have a feeling of missing out when I stay in I did in Thailand.

Most places in Thailand don't have a party culture. But if you only lived in Pattaya you would not know.

15 hours ago, wil iam not said:

Dubai in general has much worse air than most places in Thailand, and that is without burning any farming rubbish. It is because they all like to drive cars with engines over 5 litres, and traffic jams are horrendous. I go there often and hate the place.

Why do you torture yourself?

13 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh what a boring man , boring life ,

Please dont encourage this ,many here have only a few years left of life , let them enjoy it with Wine Women & song

Wine is expensive in Thailand and what songs do you listen to?

52 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Most places in Thailand don't have a party culture. But if you only lived in Pattaya you would not know.

Most places in Pattaya don't have a party culture. But if you only live, or frequent, the party areas of Pattaya you would not know.

48 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Wine is expensive in Thailand and what songs do you listen to?

I listen to classical , or but a different Boy George, I like Duran Duran and come said the boy , let's go down to the sand ,let's do what we gotta do

7 minutes ago, newnative said:

Most places in Pattaya don't have a party culture. But if you only live, or frequent, the party areas of Pattaya you would not know.

Pattaya is a large polluted city. No reason to live there unless you like pollution, lots of people and slimey people.

6 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

I listen to classical , or but a different Boy George, I like Duran Duran and come said the boy , let's go down to the sand ,let's do what we gotta do

Well, at least you listen to classical

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Excellent post but not explained fully

Missing out on what ?

Having been three times to the Philippines and achieved my goal of travelling on the Manila subway at night I found the rental prices much much more expensive in the Philippines particularly Cebu than Thailand

I mean they are double Pattaya rental

You could live in isaan cheaper then the Philippines

You can live in Pattaya for less than the Philippines and have a far better quality of life. Filipinos are being done over by the owners and their puppet politicians.

20 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Pattaya is a large polluted city. No reason to live there unless you like pollution, lots of people and slimey people.

Well, you got one word right--it's 'large'. Being large, there are lots and lots of areas away from the entertainment zones. These many diverse areas are where most residents of Pattaya live and carry on their everyday, normal lives. They don't get too much attention because usually not much is warranting a news story.

Pattaya usually ranks in the top 20 most visited cities in the world--which brings some good and also some bad. The bad would be a few of those visitors out of the millions acting badly. That's true, by the way, for any place that attracts large numbers of partying tourists. Daytona Beach, another beachside tourist city, had to put down a huge riot in March when large numbers of out-of-control visitors ran amok. 130 people were arrested and there were multiple shootings and injuries. Does something like this large, violent riot, along with the shootings, mean Daytona residents are 'slimey'? I think not.

Pollution? On a par with many other areas of Thailand and better than what CM residents have to endure every year--CM was recently named to the top 10 most polluted cities in the world. My spouse and I also own a condo in Bangkok--which is usually more polluted than our Pattaya residence. But, we still chose Bangkok, pollution and all. If one chooses to live in Thailand, one chooses to accept things like pollution, water you can't drink from the tap, etc.

Pattaya, with it's easy closeness to Bangkok, is growing by leaps and bounds because its largeness means, along with some other things, good shopping, good restaurants, good health care, good recreation, good expat community, and good education choices with over 20 international schools.

And, especially and most importantly, I think the best choice and variety of housing, to buy or to rent, in Thailand. Yes, it even beats Bangkok because Bangkok lacks a large variety of single-family, single-story pool villa-type housing on offer, with choices in all price ranges. That very large housing choice, along with the 20-some international schools, is attracting lots of expats from many different countries to choose Pattaya.

5 minutes ago, newnative said:

Well, you got one word right--it's 'large'. Being large, there are lots and lots of areas away from the entertainment zones. These many diverse areas are where most residents of Pattaya live and carry on their everyday, normal lives. They don't get too much attention because usually not much is warranting a news story.

Pattaya usually ranks in the top 20 most visited cities in the world--which brings some good and also some bad. The bad would be a few of those visitors out of the millions acting badly. That's true, by the way, for any place that attracts large numbers of partying tourists. Daytona Beach, another beachside tourist city, had to put down a huge riot in March when large numbers of out-of-control visitors ran amok. 130 people were arrested and there were multiple shootings and injuries. Does something like this large, violent riot, along with the shootings, mean Daytona residents are 'slimey'? I think not.

Pollution? On a par with many other areas of Thailand and better than what CM residents have to endure every year--CM was recently named to the top 10 most polluted cities in the world. My spouse and I also own a condo in Bangkok--which is usually more polluted than our Pattaya residence. But, we still chose Bangkok, pollution and all. If one chooses to live in Thailand, one chooses to accept things like pollution, water you can't drink from the tap, etc.

Pattaya, with it's easy closeness to Bangkok, is growing by leaps and bounds because its largeness means, along with some other things, good shopping, good restaurants, good health care, good recreation, good expat community, and good education choices with over 20 international schools.

And, especially and most importantly, I think the best choice and variety of housing, to buy or to rent, in Thailand. Yes, it even beats Bangkok because Bangkok lacks a large variety of single-family, single-story pool villa-type housing on offer, with choices in all price ranges. That very large housing choice, along with the 20-some international schools, is attracting lots of expats from many different countries to choose Pattaya.

It is a downmarket Bangkok with bad beaches. Malls are located in every city. Good food in every city. Pattaya has good Muay Thai coaches. Probably the only highlight.

1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

It is a downmarket Bangkok with bad beaches. Malls are located in every city. Good food in every city. Pattaya has good Muay Thai coaches. Probably the only highlight.

1 hour ago, Rockyroad said:

It is a downmarket Bangkok with bad beaches. Malls are located in every city. Good food in every city. Pattaya has good Muay Thai coaches. Probably the only highlight.

Can't remember the last time I sat on a beach--anywhere. Likely true for a lot of expats living here. You're right--there are malls and good food available in other Thai cities. But, can't think of many cities this size this close to Bangkok, this close to BKK airport. Can't think of many Thai cities with 20-some international schools--with yet another big one, Highgate, opening this Fall. You go down the list, Pattaya will check off a lot of boxes, from hospital choices to car dealerships for service to badminton courts to golf courses, etc.

The biggest thing you ignored was the choice and variety of housing stock here. You want a studio condo 20 stories up with an ocean view for under 3MB? Got it. 3-bedroom, 3-bath single-floor pool villa for under 6MB? Got that, too. And, villas for over 100MB if that's your choice.

Choosing what type of roof one puts over one's head, and what it costs, is important for a lot of people when they are choosing where they will live. Pattaya's very wide variety of housing choices to buy or rent checked one of the big boxes on our list of where we might live in Thailand. As our needs changed, we moved from a variety of various size seaview condos to a variety of pool villas on the Darkside--Pattaya had lots of choices for us, whatever we wanted at the moment. I suspect we are not much different from many of the thousands who are choosing Pattaya, because Pattaya checks off more of the boxes on a lot of want lists.