1 hour ago, Peter Crow said:

Like any other third world country, outside the the larger cities. But then, even in Korat, poverty is everywhere once you've left the shopping malls and nicer hotels.

My opinion is that most Thai's have Zero idea what their monthly, yearly living expenses are. Same goes for us foreigners. Difference is us Foreigners are paid at least a living wage, can save money for retirement, have money for medical expenses, vacations, and nice cars.

The VAT and Corporate (Businesses)Entities pay roughly 70% of the governments entire tax revenue pool. Personal Income Tax. Personal Income tax pays little to fund government or Healthcare.

Not a solution but I am working with the girlfriends family individually creating a list to total and understand their budget needs.

On 7/6/2026 at 8:01 AM, spidermike007 said:

Me too. 10% monthly increases in both goods and services always comes as a surprise.

Sounds made up.

5 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

If you're comfortable here and have a decent partner, along with your daughter in a good school, that's okay. I'm looking at my daughter having a much better chance of a better paying career in the states, along with safer conditions and a much better chance to find a decent partner when she's older. Myself I can't enjoy my hobbies here so it's a no brainer. Thailand is a nice place to visit, but not a home for her or I. I like having everything I like within driving distance, and a lot more with a quick flight.

Done Uni, and she's finally got an excellent paying job, normal hours, RE investments, own online business, and fiancé, anyone would be proud to call a son.

Only thing I miss, is owning firearms, which is really weird, as don't hunt, nor feel the need to carry one here, not that I ever needed one in USA

Only negative I find about TH, is it's small, and I've been around it so many times, it's a challenge to find new things. But was out this week a bit more than usual locally, and really appreciating locally where I do live. I did pick a great place to retire, and still love exploring.

Still find new spots that interest me, and if returned to USA, I don't think much would be different, and I'd probably be complaining, USA is too big, and takes too long to drive to next interesting site to visit 🙄

I think I'd only enjoy it, if I lived out of an RV, and that would probably get old after a while, then it would be F'me, now what. Probably reget leaving what I have here now.

Working for the airlines, I really did see most of the USA than any one person could take in. Same as I do here monthly, but I'd hop a plane to a city and explore, instead of drive.

I wouldn't leave the kid, but RE & taxes are a killer for me, if returning, and would take too much of my pocket money, since I burned all those bridges and didn't keep a house there. Plus, I wouldn't know where to start, as nowhere in USA interests me to live, and too old and lazy to start over looking. That would be a waste of the time I have left.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by KhunLA

5 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Done Uni, and she's finally got an excellent paying job, normal hours, RE investments, own online business, and fiancé, anyone would be proud to call a son.

Only thing I miss, is owning firearms, which is really weird, as don't hunt, nor feel the need to carry one here, not that I ever needed one in USA

Only negative I find about TH, is it's small, and I've been around it so many times, it's a challenge to find new things. But was out this week a bit more than usual locally, and really appreciating locally where I do live. I did pick a great place to retire, and still love exploring.

Still find new spots that interest me, and if returned to USA, I don't think much would be different, and I'd probably be complaining, USA is too big, and takes too long to drive to next interesting site to visit 🙄

I think I'd only enjoy it, if I lived out of an RV, and that would probably get old after a while, then it would be F'me, now what. Probably reget leaving what I have here now.

Working for the airlines, I really did see most of the USA than any one person could take in. Same as I do here monthly, but I'd hop a plane to a city and explore, instead of drive.

I wouldn't leave the kid, but RE & taxes are a killer for me, if returning, and would take too much of my pocket money, since I burned all those bridges and didn't keep a house there. Plus, I wouldn't know where to start, as nowhere in USA interests me to live, and too old and lazy to start over looking. That would be a waste of the time I have left.

That's the reason I miss, and love the US. So many more things to do and explore. There are mountains in both places, but some here are dangerous to walk. Thai beaches are pretty, although there are many in the US with great scenery. Public lakes there actually have a lot of fish, mainly because they follow the rules of harvesting unlike here. No legal hunting here, and I wouldn't if there was, as the wildlife isn't as numerous or of a hunting variety as back home. Like I mentioned, if you're comfortable where you are, you're home.

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

The government not paying for garbage pickup in many villages has locals either throwing that garbage into the woods or burning it, adding to the polluted air. Yes, some can get used to filth and decay, but when you've grown up with clean conditions, it's not easy or impossible.

It's not a third world but developing country, and no matter how advanced they are in some respects, it has a long way to go and the lack of enforcement of laws and allowing of things that hurt the environment needs to stop asap.

Curtailing the amount of pregnant soi dogs by putting money towards that spay/neuter program will also curtail an assortment of problems.

Better protection of their children by not allowing any in school to drive scooters until they have a license at 15, wearing helmets and no riding on the top of school buses will show caring for their future generations. The spark was expats and tourists coming to a new country for younger women , food and scenery. That can continue if the act is cleaned up measurably.

I agree fully - 100% - but let's be realistic, it won't happen in my life time...😁

7 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

That's the reason I miss, and love the US. So many more things to do and explore. There are mountains in both places, but some here are dangerous to walk. Thai beaches are pretty, although there are many in the US with great scenery. Public lakes there actually have a lot of fish, mainly because they follow the rules of harvesting unlike here. No legal hunting here, and I wouldn't if there was, as the wildlife isn't as numerous or of a hunting variety as back home. Like I mentioned, if you're comfortable where you are, you're home.

As a hunter or fishing hobbyist, yea, USA would be the place to be. Just enjoying the rest of nature, then TH fits me perfectly, along with, I couldn't leave me daughter anyway.