How Many Times Did You Visit Before You Stayed?

[Ikky Plush]

Hello all.

Do forgive me if this has been covered but can you tell me how many times you visited Thailand before you decided to settle? Are you settled or still thinking about it?

Cheers.

[meom]

Visited about 60 times so far. Another 72 to go and then retirement.

[johnboi]

First time I came here was backpacking last year and I didn't go home. Pretty settled now. I'm lucky I can work from anywhere though.

[Rinrada]

First visit in 1970 and now on Passport No 8...still thinking about it

[Totster]

First visit in 1970 and now on Passport No 8...still thinking about it

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

totster

[Boon Mee]

First visit in 1978 and I knew then I wanted to stay.

Circumstances dictated otherwise but not long to go now!

...too many visits and extended stays (2-3 years at a time) to count...

Edited June 24, 2005 by Boon Mee

[samuiDarbs]

12 times so far

13 in 3 weeks

end of the year and iam there for good

[Tyree D.]

came here as an exchange student for one semester in 1999. Came back in June 2004 and stayed ever since. I am here indefinetly but not forever. I've seen too much overdevelopment.

[republic]

I visited twice.

Then decided i wanted to make a go of it here.

I came back a third time and haven't been back to England since.

I've been here 2 and a half years now.

Although i must say this country is a lot different to live in than to visit, i have found a happiness here that i've never experienced before.

I was dead lucky. Things could have turned out differently.

I was encouraged buy someone i care for very deeply to give Thailand a go.

It was the best decision i ever made.

I hope this helps Ikky?

[ProfessorFart]

I've been visiting since 1992. I've lived there several times over the years but I'm still not ready to go the whole hog yet. I may be soon, but not yet!

[buadhai]

First visited in 1977. Came back again in the late 80's and at least yearly since then. Retired at the end of March this year and moved here a few days later.

[Tywais]

First "visit" was in 1968 courtesy of the US government for one year. Went back home and got busy completing my education, establishing my career, then started returning on 2-month vacations every year from 1984. Then decided to take a one year leave of absense sold everything, packed my bags and moved here in 1993. The leave was because I was not quite ready to burn my bridges until I lived here full time for a year to see how I felt and if I could get a job.

Still here and probably always will be.

[deepdiver]

ones, allmost 5 years ago...never went home !!! lived a few years in Isaan and then moved to the coast, Chaam, and like i see it now will never leave aswell ...

[sua yai]

First came for a holiday in 1989 and returned a few times after that.

Decided to get out of the rat race in London and settled here in 1998.

Not everything's been good, but I'm still enjoying my life.

[greenwanderer108]

Came here first in the summer of 2001 for a one month scholarship gig teaching/living in Utturadit. Went back to the states and worked and saved up for my return 6 months later, February 2002 where I was in Thailand indefinately (though I did go to States for 4 months back in 2003.

Wow, it's amazing to read about many of the foreigners who have been here twice, four times, five times, even almost ten times longer than I have. I guess inspiring in some sense.

There are stories to be told and based here---what a place for writers!

I don't have any return trips waiting for me like most of you, but what I'm curious what keeps most of us here?

Some times, I feel it's my merrit (or Karma depending how you want to look at) sentance. Yep, girls got me Thaied down in Thailand.

As Christopher Moore looks at it, It's a certain sickness that keeps the expats here who couldn't leave even if they wanted to.

Edited June 26, 2005 by greenwanderer108

[barryofthailand]

First visit in 1967 curtesy of the ASAF, finnally moved here for good two years ago. The best place to retire.

[mpdkorat]

Hello all.

Do forgive me if this has been covered but can you tell me how many times you visited Thailand before you decided to settle?  Are you settled or still thinking about it?

Cheers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First came in 1987 for a holiday, visited MANY times after that. Retired here in 1998. Been back to the UK once last year, hated it. Thailand is now home.

[dereklev]

First came here in 1980.

Over the next 20 years made many visits.

In 2002 met my (now) wife, have been here pretty much ever since.

[Tywais]

First visit in 1967 curtesy of the ASAF, finnally moved here for good two years ago. The best place to retire.

I'm curious as to what 'ASAF' stands for? I was with the USAF, wasn't sure if it was a typo or not.

[Ikky Plush]

Cheers everyone!

[warriors]

I have visited Thailand 6 times in the last 23 months back again in August for the 7th time for a longer stay of 6 months, I hope I have met the right lady, known her for over a year so this trip will sort things out for me and next year I am old enough to get the retirement visa. Live in New Zealand nice country but boaring as ######.

[pipchatel]

I came first in 1970 for just a week. I came in from Vietnam, them Home to UK.

(Military Aviation, Civilian) It was a bit rough then, but left a lasting impression.But was never able to return to Thailand in the years ahead.

I came back next time in 1999. I met a Thai girl in Switzerland who lived in Ubon.

Visted her (and others!) for about 5 times. Then all that in the rubbish bin. Met a lovely

(Normal life), girl in Lampang, married her, in 2001 . Sold up in U K in 2002, now live north of Lampang. Twin daughters, another on its way November, Very happy indeed, Just finished our new house in The mountains. So all in all about 15 trips to Thailand before I settled

Pip

Sun sets in the west all live happy ever after (well IT DOES HAPPEN)

[cliffy]

[been coming for the last 4 years maybe about 10 times then last year had enough of gloomy winter nights in uk and moved thailand ......alway of the thought of never taking anything for granted..ie health etc....and have never regretted it ....and living for today is best policy!!

[mike100]

I holidayed four times before making the move, although more or less decided after two trips.

Met a few expat friends who gave plenty of good advice and average budgets, and wondered why on earth I would want to stay in the London rat race anymore.

Had about 15 years before I could retire in the UK, (if I lived that long) and it wasn’t hard to work out that my financial assets would give me a much better standard of life in Los.

Go back once a year to see my family and friends, plus a few visits here from them.

Been settled just outside Pattaya for 33 months now. A few initial problems, but certainly glad I made the decision.

Mike.

[Jockstar]

Lived in NZ from July 2000 to July 2001. Cam,e here for a month. Decided to come back and live here. return de December 2001. Been here over 3 years. Though i did go back for 6 months to London to sort a few things out 2003.

[utapaortnab]

Hello all.

Do forgive me if this has been covered but can you tell me how many times you visited Thailand before you decided to settle? Are you settled or still thinking about it?

Well, Ikky,

My case"may" be a little different in that I stayed a full year compliments of the U.S. Army while stationed there 71-72. And have made a total of 35 trips in all since 71, and on one trip did "briefly retire in Pattaya" for 15 months, but in Oct 2005 my Thai wife and I are retiring for good in Chiayaphum Thailand. She owns a home there and I owe it to her to spend the next 10 years in Thailand (I'm 69 now, so ten more aught to do it), as she has spent these last 10 years in the U.S. with only FOUR month long trips back home.

I would NOT recommend for anyone to spend 35 trips to Thailand B4 making their decision to stay permanently. I think anyone who can "survive" Apr-May in Thailand and perhaps one monsoon season, is ready to commit to full time living in the Land of Smiles.

Ken Bower

San Antonio Texas (for 95 more days)

[Dakhar]

Been to Thailand 3 times, been married to a wonderful Thai woman I met here in the states 4 years back. It is her goal to get me back over there on a permanent bassis. Can't say I disagree witht he concept. I just need the money first. We/she bought 1 ngan, put 7 town houses down, and that is our begining over there. I plan on doing that sevearal more times before I will move there on a permanent bassis.

[daleyboy]

I havent actually managed to stay as yet In the last 6 years i have been over 6 or 7 times totalling about 2 years so just a newbie compared to some on here, but then again i am only 29 will be making the move soon i hope, getting more fed up by the day in the uk. Coming over at xmas for 6 weeks to finish my research on my business then back to the uk to finalise things then moving full time to Thailand to live and work (legally) i might add

[IMA_FARANG]

Hello all.

Do forgive me if this has been covered but can you tell me how many times you visited Thailand before you decided to settle?  Are you settled or still thinking about it?

Cheers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First came to BKK in 1977. Stayed about 3 months. Unfortunately, not being independently wealthy, had to leave to go to work and earn money. Been back about once every 3 to 6 months since then, depending on when I could afford return trip. Spent a 1 year break from work there in 1983. Once again, had to leave to earn money. Will be retiring in 2008, and after that moving to Thailand to retire for permanent visit. Once I retire in Thailand, I expect they will either ship my body out of LOS or cremate me there.

Edited June 26, 2005 by IMA_FARANG

[Camelot]

First visit was for a week in 1964 and then on to Australia and New Zealand.

Returned in 1966 and have lived and worked here ever since. Best thing that could have happened to me.