Are You Happy Enough To Spend The Rest Of Your Life In Thailand?

[bravingbangkok]

The only thing that would truly drive me out of this country is if I had to come into contact on a daily basis with so many of the d7ick head farang that live here on tourist visas.

Thank God I can live my own life here and boy do I love it. No one bothers me and I bother no one, just the way I like it. I will die a happy man here if this continues.

[Datsun240Z]

[bob6023]

I certainly have no desire to die in a US nursing home. I'll take my chances right here and hope it is quick when my time comes. I'm sure my wife will take good care of me if I am unlucky enough to die slowly.

I couldn't have said it better then you have. Heres to a long life and a fast ending.....

[sanook2me]

Yes

But not sure about spending it on TV ! think it would drive me to pattaya flying club how negative it is on here.

[henryalleman]

I thought about this question alot, and being a sickly 50 year old, I thought Thailand would be the most wonderful place to spend my 50's, 60's and 70's. But due to the dismal lack of consideration for the handicapped, I needed to think twice. When was the last time you saw handicapped parking spots? Even when I went to the hospitals here, they had huge steps or curbs to overcome just to get in. Driving here? If you live long enough to get to your 70's better stay off the roads. That will lessen your chances dramatically if you choose to ride a motorbike or drive because of the insane way people dirve here. Ok it would be nice to have 3 private nurses doting on you day and night, but if you cant get your wheelchair down the 200 stairs in front of your condo to go to your favorite restaurant, what the heck good is it? The sidewalks in BKK and pretty much every city I have been to are horrific, so using a wheelchair would be about the same as navigating a mine field. If you dont have a car and need to take a taxi somewhere, I hope you are able to squeeze your sickly arse into the back of a Toyota Corolla. They dont have Ford Crown Victorias or Chevy Impalas here for us large farangs. And finally, do you need an infusion of that USA approved medicine that has been keeping you alive for the past few years? Well you arent getting it here. Not for the next 20 years probably. So my personal opinion is to do as the Thai want you to do. Come here for a short time, spend all your money, then go home and be sick and die in your own country.

Sorry sir to contradict you I see many parking spots for the handicpped in shopping malls and supermarkets and otherwise than in my homecountry peopel respect them; Also in Carrefour, Tesco and others they have wheelchairs available. Most supermarkets and shopping centra are very accesable for handicaped people there are ramps everywhere, at least in Bangkok in the area where I live.

And why don't you buy an SUV there are not expensive at all in Thailand, plenty of room. And believe me almost all modern medicine is available overhere; I don't know where you live but I have no problem to find any medicine in bangkok. and most of the time cheaper than back home.

there is a very pharmacy on Thanon Wongwan next to phantip they have everything.

And you subscribe an sufficient hospital insurance and you are covered against all misfortunes.

[MJP]

Yes Henry. I would. Not because it's anything that special. I don't want much/have high expectations in life. I just cannot stand the UK.

Been here seven years now. The wife's pure evil, but all in all quite happy really.

[fabianfred]

I am 57 and have been retired here for the last 17 years...and married for the last 11 years.

I have been a Buddhist for 30 years and because of that have no fear of death...whenever it should arrive.

I have AIA insurance (at the suggestion of my wife)...but have never had any faith or confidence in insurance companies generally...so place no reliance upon that...

By doing my best to practise and teach the dhamma and do meditation i am also confident that I shall retain mindfulness up to the end and not become a burden to my family in my old age.....

Happy to live here forever.....and hope my family can enjoy life as much as I have.... but realise that "all beings must fare according to their karma"

[Musty]

I'm not looking for answers here.Obviously,everyone needs to look within and find their own answers.I do like to read others thoughts,though.

I find this thread thought provocing, as it brings into play the 2 biggest issues (I believe) for retirees.

1)Family in Thailand vs family in home countries

2)Health care in Thailand vs health care in home countries

I often think---What is,the best option?

If you're not thinking about financial aspects,these are the 2 main issues for someone up in age,retired or thinking about retiring.

Many thoughtful posts here.

I retired to Thailand,had issues,came back home.Now deciding if my wife and I should return.

1) Children in home country,remainder of family in Thailand.

2) 24,000baht per person per year plus 210,000Baht deductible per person per year insurance in home country(plus deductibles),17,000baht per person per year hospitalization and major medical only(Bupa mid level),in Thailand(pay your own outpatient costs).

I've read so many cost of living threads with all the variations(ex. Bangkok vs Issan--live like a Thai--live western style---teachers live on 30,000baht a month etc.)They are good reads but the only person that can determine your expenditures is you(and in my case,my wife also).What are your requirements and expections?

Living back here we(wife and I)will have to work again.Moving back to Thailand we won't.

Weighing the two issues at the top of the post and then considering the financial aspects of retirement is causing many sleepless nights.

I know many retirees go back and forth from Thailand to their home countries--but what if that's not an option?What if it's a permanent move?

Is it enough to be happy that you have enough money?Does your family at home country and your health overide money and leisure?

These are the thoughts I go over repeatedly,day and night.My personal situation can only be answered by me and I'm not there yet.

Are these thoughts going through others minds?Have you resolved them and are at peace with the decisions?

Interesting thread for retirement.

Hi Donewithit,

I say this with great love. I think that I started to find my own way, when I realised that we often cling to things, material things, things about other people's expectations, things that really could never pull your still beating heart from your chest. I could have sat back and ended my life with so much regret. The mistakes have added character to this man's soul. I had to let go of the things I could not control. In essence, I realised that I was more afraid of living than dying. I was thinking so much, had so many sleepless nights, it finally dawned on me that I only had some say with what happened in my life right now, right this very moment. Thinking about the future or the past just burned me up from within. The glass is half full, I can see that now. Close your eyes and have a leap of faith. Everyone else in your life is living there's, please don't make the mistake of not taking the opportunity of living yours. I suppose the only thing I could change in my life was the way I think. So if you can find the courage to change the way you think, just step up to the plate and have the life that you are meant to have. Good luck.

[Datsun240Z]

The glass is half full

I heard this saying from my muslim friend. Western people tend to say: my glass is half full, while eastern people tend to say: my glass is half empty. ( Meaning to say, less spoiled, and thining more about other important things in life, than material and own greed )

[kangeroo]

well i am happy in thai because i go home every 6 months and return 6 months that way i see both sides of life can organise everything for myself both ways .

[Joost]

Are you sure datsun? It's not even a saying it is a visualization how to look at life. Negative (empty) against positive (full).

Or in dutch (and that exactly means the same as in english). Het glas is halfleeg (negatief) of het glas is halfvol (positief).

To come back onto the subject. I like to spend april and may in my home country. All other months i prefer thailand. If you like to retire i think you should take measures against risks, wherever you may live your life. Luckily my home country has raised the retirement age, so it's now even a more future subject than half a year ago....

[GENeIsUS]

Garro.....Having had friends and relatives in the nursing homes in the US I for one would rather spend the money to have 2 or 3 full time private nurses here to look after me. That is assuming I was incapacitated. If I'm just getting old then my wife and our housekeeper can provide whatever assistance that I might need.

Going to live with a bunch of people I don't know has no appeal at all. So unless they run us out we will spend our last days in Thailand. My wife also farang is a fair bit younger than me and in great health so I expect she will outlive me by 20 or 30 years. She said she will most likely spend her final days in Thailand also.

Should I become a vegtable and just lay in bed I prefer to be sent to the happy hunting grounds and not spend years laying unconcious. But then I am still in fairly good shape and still not really old, only 75 next month. Plan on another 20 years or so and when I die I plan to just wake up dead some day no long illness.

Strange, brother, I could have written almost the same things you have Posted. Only my 75th year comes in two months. Been here for 20 years this time and this time around I'm not going anywhere. Or so my doctor tells me. I have so much wrong with me, I feel like a walking basket case. My cancer doctor gave two years to live 30 months ago. Talk about living on borrowed time. Over my wife's constant nagging, I still exercise daily and do as much around the house as she will let me. I came here first time 45 years ago and made up my mind then to retire here. So I also Been There Done That. One big difference between us is I will not be a vegetable case. I keep a Smith & Wesson in a secret compartment above my bed.

[azravico]

I am after some information / guidance.. I am currently staying in Thailand and have been here off and on from the uk for the last 8 years, my recently widowed father who is now 80 and quite fit and healthy for his age is not looking forward to being in the UK on his own, I suggested he come to Thailand for a holiday and if he likes it why not stay, he has never even flown before but he likes the idea, I just have not one clue as to where to take him or where to suggest for him to stay.. any advice greatly appreciated, please remember hes 80 not 65 and I think that makes a big difference, I have asked the question to a close friend for his opinion and his response was how about Darlings on Sukhumvit Rd for a start !!! not quite what I had in mind !!.. Thanks in advance for any help

[kikoman]

I am after some information / guidance.. I am currently staying in Thailand and have been here off and on from the uk for the last 8 years, my recently widowed father who is now 80 and quite fit and healthy for his age is not looking forward to being in the UK on his own, I suggested he come to Thailand for a holiday and if he likes it why not stay, he has never even flown before but he likes the idea, I just have not one clue as to where to take him or where to suggest for him to stay.. any advice greatly appreciated, please remember hes 80 not 65 and I think that makes a big difference, I have asked the question to a close friend for his opinion and his response was how about Darlings on Sukhumvit Rd for a start !!! not quite what I had in mind !!.. Thanks in advance for any help

[baboon]

Could I suggest the title of this fascanating subject be "Are you ready to die in Thailand and if so, why?"

Best of luck to TVs senior posters but when you {and me one day] face the last hour, are you convinced you will smile upon your dying breath as the agonizing cancer slowly destroys your cadaver? Will you be as dismissive as your home then? {Not to mention the free health care in Europe anyway, and eating the comfort food you are used to?]

[court]

I'm too easily annoyed to spend the rest of my life here I think. For the most part it's good and maybe I just need to get out of Phuket? Was happier in BKK and CM. It's also too dam_n hot for my Canuck blood and the way people drive here really makes me want to pack up. I miss fresh salmon and hockey night among other things the west has to offer.

But do you miss the months of snow? Or if you are a BC person the never ending months of cold sodding rain? I am retiring to Bang Saen in a month & I am really looking forward to it! The hockey you remember is long gone. It is in a sad state these days. Too hot? dam_n right - I am going to enjoy every bead of sweat that falls from my way too hot body!

[dogrun]

In my case, it is the opposite. I live in the US for more than 20 years now and I want to die in Thailand.

I do not want to wait 2-3 months to see Specialist in the US (if Obama's health care pass), in Thailand

if you have money, it is not a problem. I know that Thai MDs are mostly trained abroad, I do not

question their abilities to take care of my illness.

[lovelomsak]

The only thing that would truly drive me out of this country is if I had to come into contact on a daily basis with so many of the d7ick head farang that live here on tourist visas.

Thank God I can live my own life here and boy do I love it. No one bothers me and I bother no one, just the way I like it. I will die a happy man here if this continues.

My first trip here was 1991 I fell in love with Thailand in the taxi coming from the airport. I still love it here. I feel the same as bravingbangkok, so moved up to a small city.Still meet those farang now just avoid them.

In Canada I was comfortable , had a oceanview home 1/2 acre land ,new car no debt, sailoat ,power boat etc. But unhappy. Sold it all came here no regrets.

I am another singleman who will not live his life in an old folks home. Here I feel I can afford personnel care when time arises. Also I donot care if something happens and am unable to take care myself, let me die or keep me in vegetable state as long as I amnot aware of what is happening, what does it matter. In Canada old folks home check the income and just charge whatever the old guy has coming in, feed them crap and store them in small rooms ,white collar thieves. Whats the difference.

Medicare is a joke back in Canada patients are cash cows. Treating the problem is secondary to doctors milking the system. Here I walk into hospital resolve the problem ,on with life and is affordable.I set aside $10,000 canadian a year for future health care more than enough

I was lonely in Canada I am lonely here, but here life is simple on the surface people are friendly and as a single man ,women are still interested in me. Being touched by people is somehting that didnot happen in Canada.. Men shouldnot have to live like that. Single men there are so discriminated against there

Sorry for rant

[gmac]

Could I suggest the title of this fascanating subject be "Are you ready to die in Thailand and if so, why?"

Best of luck to TVs senior posters but when you {and me one day] face the last hour, are you convinced you will smile upon your dying breath as the agonizing cancer slowly destroys your cadaver? Will you be as dismissive as your home then? {Not to mention the free health care in Europe anyway, and eating the comfort food you are used to?]

Quite happy to spend my dying breath here, but if it is going to be an agonizing cancer inflicted one I think a bottle of Mr Walker's finest and a large pot of pills might be the order of the day! I wouldn't want to spend my final months/weeks/days in a hospital here or any other country.

[Lopburi99]

Dying in Thailand will be fine, but I want my daughter to come from the States to be with me near the end.

[carmine]

I've lived here over five years. When i can free up my cash i'll be out of here. I don't want to knock the place, but for me, it;s highly overated. I'll be off to Spain.

[Lesnw63]

Im 46. lived here 2 and half years, just started weight training with a superhero of 65, and he introduced me to a fella of 76 who could push more weight than me. They both have the strength and stamina of healthy 25 year olds - and a lot of 25 year olds are not very healthy at all. Point being, if i can carry on, then i will have no reason to leave Pattaya, i like it here, i have my sister and her hubbs here, ive made some very good friends here, Thai and Farang, so im staying here.

As for health worries............shit can happen, deal with it then.

[Meridian007]

I'm too easily annoyed to spend the rest of my life here I think. For the most part it's good and maybe I just need to get out of Phuket? Was happier in BKK and CM. It's also too dam_n hot for my Canuck blood and the way people drive here really makes me want to pack up. I miss fresh salmon and hockey night among other things the west has to offer.

But do you miss the months of snow? Or if you are a BC person the never ending months of cold sodding rain? I am retiring to Bang Saen in a month & I am really looking forward to it! The hockey you remember is long gone. It is in a sad state these days. Too hot? dam_n right - I am going to enjoy every bead of sweat that falls from my way too hot body!

Exactly! My friends, (Thai and Farang), are always surprised when I tell them that I don't use my air-con very much. "But you're Canadian!" is what they always say, and I have to tell them that after 3 years here, I might be Canadian, but my blood is Thai!

I think the health care available in BKK is generally as good as what Canada has to offer (aside from some of the specializations available in places like Toronto), I worry a little bit about the future, but I have money put aside as well, so I don't worry very much.

[PaddyThai]

The only thing that would truly drive me out of this country is if I had to come into contact on a daily basis with so many of the d7ick head farang that live here on tourist visas.

Thank God I can live my own life here and boy do I love it. No one bothers me and I bother no one, just the way I like it. I will die a happy man here if this continues.

My first trip here was 1991 I fell in love with Thailand in the taxi coming from the airport. I still love it here. I feel the same as bravingbangkok, so moved up to a small city.Still meet those farang now just avoid them.

In Canada I was comfortable , had a oceanview home 1/2 acre land ,new car no debt, sailoat ,power boat etc. But unhappy. Sold it all came here no regrets.

I am another singleman who will not live his life in an old folks home. Here I feel I can afford personnel care when time arises. Also I donot care if something happens and am unable to take care myself, let me die or keep me in vegetable state as long as I amnot aware of what is happening, what does it matter. In Canada old folks home check the income and just charge whatever the old guy has coming in, feed them crap and store them in small rooms ,white collar thieves. Whats the difference.

Medicare is a joke back in Canada patients are cash cows. Treating the problem is secondary to doctors milking the system. Here I walk into hospital resolve the problem ,on with life and is affordable.I set aside $10,000 canadian a year for future health care more than enough

I was lonely in Canada I am lonely here, but here life is simple on the surface people are friendly and as a single man ,women are still interested in me. Being touched by people is somehting that didnot happen in Canada.. Men shouldnot have to live like that. Single men there are so discriminated against there

Sorry for rant

Good post.

It seems you and many other posters have a good positive attitude to life.

[billd766]

Could I suggest the title of this fascanating subject be "Are you ready to die in Thailand and if so, why?"

Best of luck to TVs senior posters but when you {and me one day] face the last hour, are you convinced you will smile upon your dying breath as the agonizing cancer slowly destroys your cadaver? Will you be as dismissive as your home then? {Not to mention the free health care in Europe anyway, and eating the comfort food you are used to?]

Quite happy to spend my dying breath here, but if it is going to be an agonizing cancer inflicted one I think a bottle of Mr Walker's finest and a large pot of pills might be the order of the day! I wouldn't want to spend my final months/weeks/days in a hospital here or any other country.

Not sure about Mr Walkers finest. For me I would prefer a good bottle of Pussers Rum or some Stroh 80 rum from Austria.

For the rest of your post I agree 100% and I have already discussed it with my wife and made my intentions plain.

[andyww]

I am 50 and live in the UK and married to a well-connected Thai lady, and we have every intention of retiring to Thailand once we have built up sufficient capital here.

I see many postings on these forums regarding Thailand becoming less appealing in the past few years. Well this is all relative. People posting this kind of comment obviously have not been living in the UK for the past few years.

People talk about scams in Thailand, well...for example in a street near my London house there is a bus lane which used to be in force 7-11 am. They recently changed a short section of it to enforced 24 hours, and put a camera above it. Result, 3 points on license, then the additional scam of increased insurance. This is just one example of the way the UK has become a battle between ordinary people and "them" ie "public servants" who invent rules to keep themselves in a job. I would much rather hand 200 Baht to a Thai police officer even if it goes into his pocket. If the motive was to save lives then the government should start with the 2000-plus people who die from being infected with MRSA in hospitals. I have no desire ever to enter a UK hospital having had a close relative die from MRSA after a hospital stay. Even when you do, if you have an on-going health issue, all they do is continual tests, because actually performing operations costs money.

There is only one area of UK healhcare which works and that is emergency care and ambulance services. I think I would rather be hit by a car in the UK than Thailand. (well this is a depressing thread...!)

Whenver I spend time in Thailand I feel a huge sense of freedom. I can drive the way I want to drive (with a few 100 baht note in pocket just in case) for a start.

Having experienced a (private admittedly) Thai hospital when our son was ill once, I know where I would rather be treated! Insurance mandatory of course.

[jamieson]

I am sorry if this is a gloomy subject, but I find it interesting.

Are you quite happy to live out the rest of your days in Thailand?

Would this decision change if you became really sick or infirm?

I am happy in Thailand and a firm believer that life will take me where I need to be. I have lived in Thailand over six years and would say I am used to living here, but it never feels really like home. Still, I'm not complaining about this. I am happy and think that it is a good place to bring up my son. I am in my late thirties so hopefully have a few years of health left. If I became really sick I am not sure what I would do, but would probably just stay in Thailand.

What about you guys?

your son is very lucky to have you thinking this way.

just ensure you have several good insurances and you will be fine.

besides, you are still very young.

i have been here more than ten years and my farang neighbour's son has served his compulsory military service and graduated already and is now sponsored by the navy for his tertairy education in a field of study that will enable him to work anywhere in the world if he so desires in the future.

believe he can also claim benefits on your behalf on medical grounds since you are his father.

will confirm on this and let you know in due course - or better still, can someone provide an earlier answer than me?

[jamieson]

I'm too easily annoyed to spend the rest of my life here I think. For the most part it's good and maybe I just need to get out of Phuket? Was happier in BKK and CM. It's also too dam_n hot for my Canuck blood and the way people drive here really makes me want to pack up. I miss fresh salmon and hockey night among other things the west has to offer.

Perhaps you miss the Canadian Police chases.....

a canadian friend of mine did not last a year on his one work contract in singapore - all because of the weather out there.

he was getting sick most of the time simply because the weather would beat him down.

of course all the modern amenities are there in singapore but do not forget the very cost of living there and the heating bills to cool you down - the latter of which will chomp off half your pay-check almost.

canada was where i last lived and grew up.

wouldn't trade thailand for anywhere else.

yes, i had some weather adjustment problems too in phuket and so i left phuket for the north - where it is eternally summer time like in the canadian summer ends.

trust me, after thailand, the canadian winters will be impossible when age catches up with you and your mobility gets reduced to near zero.