This is something I think most long term expats here have probably thought about at some point.

Imagine you were 20, 30, or 40 years younger again, back to the age when you first moved to Thailand. But instead of it being the 80s, 90s, or the early 2000s, imagine it is now, 2026. Same you, same mindset, just a completely different point in time.

Would you still choose Thailand?

I am not trying to rehash the usual “Thailand is not what it used to be” debate, but there is some truth in it. A lot of the opportunities that existed back then simply are not there anymore. Whether that is business, relationships, or even just the ability to explore places that have now become overly developed, it is a very different environment.

Mass tourism alone has exploded over the years, and that changes everything. It has also changed how many locals feel about engaging with foreigners. Many have lost interest. It also makes a number of places in the country less desirable to visit now, to be fair. Add in the broader situation in the world today, politically, economically, and environmentally, and it does make you wonder if Thailand would still stand out in quite the same way it once did. At the moment, it also has its share of problems, as it is losing its economic advantage in Southeast Asia and is expected to drop from the second to become the fifth largest economy in the region within just a few years.

Personally, I am not sure I would make the same choice if I were starting from scratch in 2026. That is not to say I would have ended up somewhere better, it could just as easily have been worse. Life paths are unpredictable.

And just to be clear, I am not knocking Thailand at all. It has been good to me, and I am perfectly happy here. It is comfortable, the people are nice, the cost of living is very reasonable, and overall I have no real complaints, aside from the heat and the air pollution.

I just do not know if, given the same decision today, I would end up on the same path, all things considered.

58 minutes ago, 123Stodg said:

I am not trying to rehash the usual “Thailand is not what it used to be” debate, but there is some truth in it.

Actually, that's exactly what you're doing.

Good topic.

No, I would not.

I moved back with my Thai wife of 22 years (to the West), and we don't regret it

No.

I also would not choose so many other places I've lived and or enjoyed the last few decades.

Of all of those, TH is still as good, or probably better. It would have to be somewhere new, and TBH, haven't a clue where I'd even look.

Probably just upped my 'passive income streams' and stayed in the USA.

Would have came. saw the historical sites, beaches, hill tribes, food then left for another country.

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Would have came. saw the historical sites, beaches, hill tribes, food then left for another country.

If not for raising my daughter, I would have left 1 or 2 years after I arrived in 2000. Only stayed for her, and no other reason. Met wife a couple years later.

Only 2 negatives for me, pollution & heat. Luckily, happen the same couple months of the year. So extremely tolerable.

20 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If not for raising my daughter, I would have left 1 or 2 years after I arrived in 2000. Only stayed for her, and no other reason. Met wife a couple years later.

Only 2 negatives for me, pollution & heat. Luckily, happen the same couple months of the year. So extremely tolerable.

So what do you do if you don't like Thai food?

Yes for sure I would come. It would be great to live another 50 years and stay here.

41 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If not for raising my daughter, I would have left 1 or 2 years after I arrived in 2000. Only stayed for her, and no other reason. Met wife a couple years later.

Only 2 negatives for me, pollution & heat. Luckily, happen the same couple months of the year. So extremely tolerable.

Sadly enough the pollution issue is going nowhere any time soon. I posted some numbers the other day and its truly heart breaking.

This is a good video about it...

12 minutes ago, still kicking said:

So what do you do if you don't like Thai food?

Eat western food. Nobody is forced to eat only local offerings.

I eat very little Thai food, percentage wise in total diet. Not a fan of fish sauce or extreme spiciness. I usually eat Thai, when O&A, and stick with the few, less than 10 dishes I enjoy.

At home, 95% of munchies are whole food, I prepare myself, or wife does. Not even sure I'd call it western foods. Just not Thai marinades or sauces. Grilled or roasted proteins, salads. Sandwiches & wraps, easy and tasty. Not a whole lot a AC'd venues here, so we don't dine out much.

Visa options regarding age and financial requirements would put people in a different situation than they are today as their older self.

So it's not the black and white question as posed.

For example if you're 30 years younger with the finances you had then or the finances you have now?

When I chose Thailand it was a combination of both liking it well enough AND pretty much the only option that I was aware of that I qualify for as a pension is not needed.

1 minute ago, blaze master said:

Sadly enough the pollution issue is going nowhere any time soon. I posted some numbers the other day and its truly heart breaking.

This is a good video about it...

Agree, and I couldn't live north of where we are. Once realizing how bad it was at Udon Thani, I couldn't wait to leave. Bought land at PKK couple years before kid was done high school, and we left ASAP, even had a rental at PKK a couple months before she was even finished.

Think we moved permanently to PKK the same month she graduated HS. Very limited rental properties here that accept dogs, so took one of the first ones available, in January, just to lock it in for March move.

Even rented 3 years, before decided to stay in TH. Only then, contracted to have house build. Due to scamdemic, too a while to sell holdings in Udon Thani.

Once all done, decided to stay in TH. Actually an easy decision.

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Agree, and I couldn't live north of where we are. Once realizing how bad it was at Udon Thani, I could wait to leave. Bought land at PKK couple years before kid was done high school, and we left ASAP, even had a rental at PKK a couple months before she was even finished.

Think we moved permanently to PKK the same month she graduated HS. Very limited rental properties here that accept dogs, so took one of the first ones available, in January, just to lock it in for March.

Even rented 3 years, before decided to stay in TH. Only then, contracted to have house build. Due to scamdemic, too a while to sell holdings in Udon Thani.

Once all done, decided to stay in TH. Actually an easy decision.

Ive lived all over thailand. Best place for me was hat yai. Usually decent in regards to pollution but the smoke from indo came up every so often.

2 hours ago, 123Stodg said:

At the moment, it also has its share of problems, as it is losing its economic advantage in Southeast Asia and is expected to drop from the second to become the fifth largest economy in the region within just a few years.

Yep, it certainly does:

nationthailand

Thailand: From ‘Economic Tiger’ to the ‘Sick Man of Asia’

As manufacturing stalls and household debt nears 90% of GDP, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy faces a structural crisis and political instability

Silly rehashed topic.

If I was decades younger I wouldn't be here on a retirement visa.

Next mind-altering question for today?🙃🙃

2 hours ago, 123Stodg said:

Would You Choose Thailand Today

were 20, 30, or 40 years younger again

If I was younger I'd still choose Thailand.

Tourist areas Pattaya are becoming no go regions due to the weirdo foreigners arriving.

Back in the day you'd get a weirdo from time to time but these days you can't go out nights without some sort of hostile confrontation.

I suppose it's not just a Pattaya thing, it's the western world, people are so much less respectful and much more aggressive these days.

24 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Best place for me was hat yai

Wow, I used to fly in and out of Hat Yai every month, it seemed quiet, not much going on.

Were you there long term, how did you spend your time?

6 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Silly rehashed topic.

If I was decades younger I wouldn't be here on a retirement visa.

Next mind-altering question for today?🙃🙃

Agree, bit of a 'hindsight, what if' query. If I knew what I know now, when 25 yrs old, would I ever have gotten married, the first 3 times

Or even back to about 13 yrs old, would I ever have drank alcohol and later did drugs.

No, I'd be a USD multi millionaire, living in USA, not caring what the COL was.

1 minute ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Wow, I used to fly in and out of Hat Yai every month, it seemed quiet, not much going on.

Were you there long term, how did you spend your time?

Lived there for close to 5 years. I liked the slower pace. Met a thai guy after being there 3 months and we both shared a passion for bongs. Developed a great friendship and he introduced me to so many things thai.

Plus lots of wonderful countryside to ride and beaches only a few hours away.

Not many foreigners there at the time and being 26 when I first arrived. Well they didnt call me handsum man for nothing.

Great times.

In some ways it's much easier and better to stay in Thailand.

Cheap airfares make it easier to come and go - remember it used to cost much more and be harder to and from Australia.

Easy to book condo on Airbnb. When I get to condo or hotel can add youtube and Netflix to smart tv same as home. The interweb makes contact easy. Condos are comfortable - pools, gym, etc - not much like that before.

Easier to access a wider range of foods so you don't have to eat stock standard thai food all the time.

Good for Australian winter and less pollution in those months.

Can get away to Koh Chang or similar for some nature - easier than before - less natural than decades ago but same as 10 years or so.

For people staying a two or three months at a time it's not too shabby.

I came here in 1982 at 19 years old and managed to make a life here. I don't think it would be so easy to do that nowadays. There were more opportunities here back then. Knowing what I know now, I probably would not choose that route again. But what would I do instead? No idea and I won't dwell on it. Just enjoy my retirement and life upcountry.

GarryP at 19 years old were you looking for a long term/permanent stay here.?

No. I would go to Vietnam

Yes. Choosing Thailand has dramatically increased the quality of my life over the past two decades. If I were wealthy I would only spend a portion of the year here, but since I'm not Thailand works quite well.

3 hours ago, 123Stodg said:

Imagine you were 20, 30, or 40 years younger again, back to the age when you first moved to Thailand. But instead of it being the 80s, 90s, or the early 2000s, imagine it is now, 2026. Same you, same mindset, just a completely different point in time.

Would you still choose Thailand?

Absolutely!
It was the Thai culture and geography that first attracted me. That, and the people I met, and the foods I ate, made me feel good about staying. Add in the plus-factor of so many interesting places and events, far too numerous to experience them all, regardless of age!

I retired here in 2001. I've never regretted that move. Unless I live forever (so far, so good), this is where I'll die.

No

Short answer "no".

Reason - 15 years ago I decided to retire early; did a lot of research on "my" options; it came down to Thailand or Viet Nam, both countries I had spent some time in and traveled in since the mid 1970s; 14 years ago I spent 6 months traveling to possible retirement locations in both countries.

As I had (and have) "health issues", access to good health care was a priority. Long time friends in Viet Nam (families with members who are/were health care professionals) advised me not to stay in Viet Nam due to "serious problems" with the then health care system. So, the decision was made for me. Being reasonably proficient in the Vietnamese language (including the 3 main regional dialects), and having a good knowledge of Vietnamese history and culture, it was a hard decision to accept.

14 years later, Viet Nam's health care system (in the main cities) is excellent and quality medications are readily available.

If I was 10-20 years younger now, I would be heading to Viet Nam. But that is just me.

I wish I had known about Thailand in my 20's. I would have moved here in my early forties.

And yes, I would still move here. IME condo prices have not moved for 15 years.

YES