5 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

I see people driving cars worth 100'000 €uros in Thailand but who are nevertheless still miserable self conscious people who feel they have no value left to themselves...so they always need to try and pull down anybody they meet or know. On the other hand, I have met , what the self conscious one's call "cheap charlies", but who ultimately are wise, smart and who just don't get taken for a ride.

Do retired people have any value?

Me, I'm just waiting to die, and hoping it won't hurt too much, or for too long.

On 7/6/2026 at 8:12 PM, TedG said:

What is the significance of a being 30 km from the a 7/11? What is the acceptable limit?

It's a big deal.

It doesn't get mentioned often enough.

Someone should start a separate thread about distance to a 7/11.

But we know it would quickly degenerate into a pissing contest and most people would stretch the truth about how close they are to a 7/11 and maybe even brag that there are three 7/11s on their street.

Edited July 8Jul 8 by save the frogs

It is my belief that many of the expats that are miserable here in Thailand has a few common causes.

1. They have not travelled and lived in other countries.

2. They find it extremely hard to consider anything that is different to their home country

3. The were probably extremely miserable in their home country, left it thinking they would find paradise and got a massive shock when they didnt.

All the people I know who enjoy Thailand have travelled extensively. Been in foreign cultures and had the right attitude to adapt i.e. go with the flow.

If you come to Thailand thinking it is going to be paradise then find out it is different but not what you expected, get off your bar stool and get away from the areas like Pattaya. Travel around and most of all have an open mind. You don't want it to be the same as back home which is why you left in the first place.

Stop moaning and get out a bit more.

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

It's a big deal.

It doesn't get mentioned often enough.

Someone should start a separate thread about distance to a 7/11.

But we know it would quickly degenerate into a pissing contest and most people would stretch the truth about how close they are to a 7/11 and maybe even brag that there are three 7/11s on their street.

Yep, sure would.
And then go into how much Thai people can or cannot speak, if they can read Thai or not, how many provinces they've visited, and then end up calling each other liars.

But, running with your idea...

I live only 2.7km to the village's 7-Eleven. But I was here before it opened. Yay me!
And a Mini Big C opened in 2019 three doors down from it.

There's a also a large Lotus (you know the ones with washing machines, fridges, and TVs and so on) in a quite large mall complex with a KFC 16km or so south which opened in early 2018 and a smaller (no whitegoods or bakery) Lotus 13km to the north.
Spoiled for choice 😉
Takes about an hour to drive to the nearest Makro, though. Which I go into, maybe, once or twice a year on the way back from Immigration.

They were miserable in their home country and SURPRISE! They are miserable here.

It's all been said before by others and better than Shakespeare: ...and then some adenoidal typists from Birmingham with flabby white legs and diarrhea trying to pick up hairy bandy-legged wop waiters called Manuel and once a week there's an excursion to the local Roman Remains to buy cherryade and melted ice cream and bleeding Watney's Red Barrel and one evening you visit the so called typical restaurant with local color and atmosphere and you sit next to a party from Rhyl who keep singing "Torremolinos, torremolinos" and complaining about the food.

We Brits tend to whinge rather than rebel. We once gave revolution a shot but after less than 10 years quickly reverted to the previous system which has, by and large, been with us ever since.

On 7/4/2026 at 1:55 PM, emptypockets said:

No, not at all . I've met many people from all over the world. My experience is that the British have a whining gene.

Fair comment- if whining about the weather was an Olympic sport we Brits would always take the gold

On 7/5/2026 at 12:15 PM, Rockyroad said:

I have never seen a farang within 20km of my gf's farm. No farangs to talk to. The nearest town is 20kms away. Seen only a few farangs there.

They see you coming and run.

On 7/4/2026 at 11:46 AM, novacova said:

Is why many retirees turn to alcohol and television to keep themselves entertained and fit into something.

Turning to exercise and amazing trips in the region far better.

4 hours ago, emptypockets said:

They see you coming and run.

After that I don't feel nearly so miserable.

On 7/5/2026 at 1:35 PM, Rockyroad said:

I was thinking of revisiting Patts but don't know what to do there.

In another thread I read today you described Pattaya as a 'dump' so I have no idea why you would want to visit. Who would spend their time and money going to a place they consider to be a dump? And, even more puzzling in regard to Pattaya, you have no idea 'what to do there'.

There is actually plenty to do in Pattaya but perhaps not what you would be interested in. And, I suspect anything I would recommend that you might be interested in, you will know of some other place that you consider to be better for that activity.

With the latter, you certainly could be right. For example, if I suggest a chartered day of island snorkeling, with a delicious seafood lunch aboard the boat as a break from the snorkeling, you will likely say the snorkeling is better at _________ fill in the blank. Likely true, too, in some cases.

Here's the thing with Pattaya. As I've said before, it's actually a better place to live in than to visit as a tourist, at least in my opinion as a 15-year resident. So, while it may not have the best island snorkeling in Thailand, it does have island snorkeling available, when my spouse and I get the urge for a day snorkeling on the ocean. It's the same for many other things, everything from pickleball to water parks to badminton to big shopping malls to championship golf courses to theaters with movies in English--Pattaya may not have the best in Thailand but they are available. And, what Pattaya absoutely does have the best of in Thailand is housing variety at all price points--very important for residents, not so much for tourists.

Between those occasional urges to snorkel, and other occasional urges to visit places like Nong Nooch Gardens, the aquarium, elephant parks, etc., Pattaya offers residents most of the things they could ever want and need in a place to live well in Thailand full-time, with the added benefit of a major airport and a major city less than 2 hours away by a good, easy to drive and well-lit motorway. All that is what makes Pattaya a standout, along with its big selection of distinct neighborhoods to choose from--everything from city center condo living to a large pool villa in the suburbs--our personal choice.

So, if you don't have any clear idea of why you would want to visit, I would suggest staying away. With your 'Pattaya is a dump' attitude going in, you will likely be disappointed--especially experiencing it as a tourist and not a resident.

36 minutes ago, newnative said:

In another thread I read today you described Pattaya as a 'dump' so I have no idea why you would want to visit. Who would spend their time and money going to a place they consider to be a dump? And, even more puzzling in regard to Pattaya, you have no idea 'what to do there'.

Beaches& Islands

There is actually plenty to do in Pattaya but perhaps not what you would be interested in. And, I suspect anything I would recommend that you might be interested in, you will know of some other place that you consider to be better for that activity.

With the latter, you certainly could be right. For example, if I suggest a chartered day of island snorkeling, with a delicious seafood lunch aboard the boat as a break from the snorkeling, you will likely say the snorkeling is better at _________ fill in the blank. Likely true, too, in some cases.

Here's the thing with Pattaya. As I've said before, it's actually a better place to live in than to visit as a tourist, at least in my opinion as a 15-year resident. So, while it may not have the best island snorkeling in Thailand, it does have island snorkeling available, when my spouse and I get the urge for a day snorkeling on the ocean. It's the same for many other things, everything from pickleball to water parks to badminton to big shopping malls to championship golf courses to theaters with movies in English--Pattaya may not have the best in Thailand but they are available. And, what Pattaya absoutely does have the best of in Thailand is housing variety at all price points--very important for residents, not so much for tourists.

Between those occasional urges to snorkel, and other occasional urges to visit places like Nong Nooch Gardens, the aquarium, elephant parks, etc., Pattaya offers residents most of the things they could ever want and need in a place to live well in Thailand full-time, with the added benefit of a major airport and a major city less than 2 hours away by a good, easy to drive and well-lit motorway. All that is what makes Pattaya a standout, along with its big selection of distinct neighborhoods to choose from--everything from city center condo living to a large pool villa in the suburbs--our personal choice.

So, if you don't have any clear idea of why you would want to visit, I would suggest staying away. With your 'Pattaya is a dump' attitude going in, you will likely be disappointed--especially experiencing it as a tourist and not a resident.

Beaches& Islands

Every place has its dumps, and dumps are easy to avoid if you do not thrive in them. I used to dislike both Pattaya and Bangkok, but over the years I have also learned to like both places when you know how to navigate outside the busiest times, and where to live, dine, and enjoy yourself. Visiting will always be different from living there, especially when you have a girlfriend or wife.

On 7/9/2026 at 5:54 PM, emptypockets said:

They see you coming and run.

No farangs there. Small village. You really are childish.

42 minutes ago, newnative said:

In another thread I read today you described Pattaya as a 'dump' so I have no idea why you would want to visit. Who would spend their time and money going to a place they consider to be a dump? And, even more puzzling in regard to Pattaya, you have no idea 'what to do there'.

There is actually plenty to do in Pattaya but perhaps not what you would be interested in. And, I suspect anything I would recommend that you might be interested in, you will know of some other place that you consider to be better for that activity.

With the latter, you certainly could be right. For example, if I suggest a chartered day of island snorkeling, with a delicious seafood lunch aboard the boat as a break from the snorkeling, you will likely say the snorkeling is better at _________ fill in the blank. Likely true, too, in some cases.

Here's the thing with Pattaya. As I've said before, it's actually a better place to live in than to visit as a tourist, at least in my opinion as a 15-year resident. So, while it may not have the best island snorkeling in Thailand, it does have island snorkeling available, when my spouse and I get the urge for a day snorkeling on the ocean. It's the same for many other things, everything from pickleball to water parks to badminton to big shopping malls to championship golf courses to theaters with movies in English--Pattaya may not have the best in Thailand but they are available. And, what Pattaya absoutely does have the best of in Thailand is housing variety at all price points--very important for residents, not so much for tourists.

Between those occasional urges to snorkel, and other occasional urges to visit places like Nong Nooch Gardens, the aquarium, elephant parks, etc., Pattaya offers residents most of the things they could ever want and need in a place to live well in Thailand full-time, with the added benefit of a major airport and a major city less than 2 hours away by a good, easy to drive and well-lit motorway. All that is what makes Pattaya a standout, along with its big selection of distinct neighborhoods to choose from--everything from city center condo living to a large pool villa in the suburbs--our personal choice.

So, if you don't have any clear idea of why you would want to visit, I would suggest staying away. With your 'Pattaya is a dump' attitude going in, you will likely be disappointed--especially experiencing it as a tourist and not a resident.

It seems to have nasty defensive expats too.

On 7/8/2026 at 11:50 AM, save the frogs said:

It's a big deal.

It doesn't get mentioned often enough.

Someone should start a separate thread about distance to a 7/11.

But we know it would quickly degenerate into a pissing contest and most people would stretch the truth about how close they are to a 7/11 and maybe even brag that there are three 7/11s on their street.

Hard to walk 60kms a day. You people like quiet and nothing to do surely there are more scenic spots.

On 7/8/2026 at 8:50 AM, save the frogs said:

It's a big deal.

It doesn't get mentioned often enough.

Someone should start a separate thread about distance to a 7/11.

But we know it would quickly degenerate into a pissing contest and most people would stretch the truth about how close they are to a 7/11 and maybe even brag that there are three 7/11s on their street.

Closest, newest (not shown) only 1.2 km away, with next one, about 200m past. We have about 15 within 5 kms of house.

It amazes me that many expats work all their life to have a decent retirement in Thailand, by a beach, which in many western countries can be unaffordable in retirement, yet, they end up living in a village in Issan, after ploughing their life savings into an extend Thai family. Many have never lived in a rural area in their life, but find themselves now living over 20 kms from a 7/11 in Thailand.

Many will tell you they are happy, but under the surface they are broke, bored, burnt all their bridges back home, and have become alcoholics.

A miserable existence makes for a miserable expat.

8 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

It amazes me that many expats work all their life to have a decent retirement in Thailand, by a beach, which in many western countries can be unaffordable in retirement, yet, they end up living in a village in Issan, after ploughing their life savings into an extend Thai family. Many have never lived in a rural area in their life, but find themselves now living over 20 kms from a 7/11 in Thailand.

ExpatriateCommunities

Many will tell you they are happy, but under the surface they are broke, bored, burnt all their bridges back home, and have become alcoholics.

A miserable existence makes for a miserable expat.

Where did you meet these expats who told you this? Why did you think they were broke?

8 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

It amazes me that many expats work all their life to have a decent retirement in Thailand, by a beach, which in many western countries can be unaffordable in retirement, yet, they end up living in a village in Issan, after ploughing their life savings into an extend Thai family. Many have never lived in a rural area in their life, but find themselves now living over 20 kms from a 7/11 in Thailand.

Many will tell you they are happy, but under the surface they are broke, bored, burnt all their bridges back home, and have become alcoholics.

A miserable existence makes for a miserable expat.

That can be said for every destination in Thailand.

Are you speaking for yourself?

8 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

It amazes me that many expats work all their life to have a decent retirement in Thailand, by a beach, which in many western countries can be unaffordable in retirement, yet, they end up living in a village in Issan, after ploughing their life savings into an extend Thai family. Many have never lived in a rural area in their life, but find themselves now living over 20 kms from a 7/11 in Thailand.

ExpatriateCommunities

Many will tell you they are happy, but under the surface they are broke, bored, burnt all their bridges back home, and have become alcoholics.

A miserable existence makes for a miserable expat.

Just one point I don't fully agree with.

Some here have never worked, spent their whole life on welfare.

This is why we have so many whinging, moaners here, they have relocated to Thailand without funds to enjoy their lives, unable to buy a car, unable to enjoy hobbies etc and choosing cheap Chinese battery crappy things to get around

Edited July 11Jul 11 by SAFETY FIRST

On 7/7/2026 at 7:35 PM, BritManToo said:

Do retired people have any value?

Me, I'm just waiting to die, and hoping it won't hurt too much, or for too long.

You're doing alright for yourself from what I've read over the years.

Out and about bicycle riding through the hills, enjoying time with your spouse living in a nice house.

It was sad to read about your motorcycle accident some time ago, hope you have fully recovered.

Chin up mate, I reckon you are doing better than some here.

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Just one point I don't fully agree with.

Some here have never worked, spent their whole life on welfare.

This is why we have so many whinging, moaners here, they have relocated to Thailand without funds to enjoy their lives, unable to buy a car, unable to enjoy hobbies etc and choosing cheap Chinese battery crappy things to get around

What do they live on , just their old age pension ?

1 hour ago, georgegeorgia said:

What do they live on , just their old age pension ?

Yes

17 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Yes

OAP is about 50K bht a month nowadays, easily doable in Jomtiem or Isaan.

2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

What do they live on , just their old age pension ?

If you're an Aussie or Canadian but nowhere else as far as I've heard, unless you're a resident in EU

Edited July 11Jul 11 by fredwiggy

13 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

It amazes me that many expats work all their life to have a decent retirement in Thailand, by a beach, which in many western countries can be unaffordable in retirement, yet, they end up living in a village in Issan, after ploughing their life savings into an extend Thai family. Many have never lived in a rural area in their life, but find themselves now living over 20 kms from a 7/11 in Thailand.

Many will tell you they are happy, but under the surface they are broke, bored, burnt all their bridges back home, and have become alcoholics.

A miserable existence makes for a miserable expat.

Isaan conjures up images of rice paddies and the poorest population of Thailand. Some posters share pics of their homes in isaan and it looks so nice. When I first visited the region I fell in love with it, enthralled by the simplicity, this was before smart phones. It was a place to escape civilization. But little by little it wore on me. I made a life for myself there while I worked offshore on rotation. The highlight of my day there was riding MB 20 Km for some wifi and a cold beer.

One day I was sitting out front of house having a beer and I'm watching the scrawny cows being herded home thinking about my life there the day I retired. I decided I wanted better for myself and my kid. Now I live 1 km from the beach, 20 second MB ride to a 7-11, CJ, Lotus fresh,

On 7/6/2026 at 8:54 AM, cdemundo said:

I have a co-worker...Now he is talking about a job offer he has in Uzbekistan, big bucks he says.

What does your company do?

"Shipping"?

Insurance for expats?

Does it cover a colonoscopy?

13 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

amazes me that many expats work all their life to have a decent retirement in Thailand, by a beach, which in many western countries can be unaffordable in retirement, yet, they end up living in a village in Issan, after ploughing their life savings into an extend Thai family. Many have never lived in a rural area in their life, but find themselves now living over 20 kms from a 7/11 in Thailand.

It looks nice for a week.

1 hour ago, Olmate said:

OAP is about 50K bht a month nowadays, easily doable in Jomtiem or Isaan.

Yes, agree and if you have a little bit of savings to buy a little bungalow in the village or condo in Jomtien, you can live quite comfortably, enjoying a happy, well earned retirement

I wasn't really talking about Aussies, never met an Aussie moaner in Thailand, to be honest.

It's well know we are the richest people on the planet

Edited July 12Jul 12 by SAFETY FIRST