Did You Think You Would Live Here In Thailand

[WilliamCave]

I had not intention of living in Asia was only here for a 8 week vacation 9 years ago.

Never even crossed my mind to marry an asian women here

How many others out there just came for a vacation and stayed?

I have talked to other westeners who have told me the same story.

Fell in love with Asia didn't expect it.

[exeter]

Never crossed my mind I might live until I came for the first time,2 weeks into a 3 week holiday I could see the posibilities. Now I am here for 9 months of every year. It has its good and bad points, just like the UK just need to make a list and see what is the best for you, so far so good.

[Soutpeel]

Came here on a short term job 10 years ago and 10 years later still here, Thailand was never on the radar....what happens when the job finishes ?.....Do I stay or do I go...dont know yet, guess it depends how old I am when the job finishes, if close to retirement...I am going home..

As regards Asia generally...worked in China when it first "opened" up again...Shenzen at the time was like a big contruction site.

Spent a lot of time in Hong Kong as well

[lovelomsak]

Since my early 20's I planned on retiring in Mexico. Then I tried Thailand and never looked back. I loved the country from the moment I got in the taxi at midnight the first time I arrived. I have been to Mexico once since I came to Thailand and it was only for deep sea fishing for marlin,sailfish and tuna. The world isnot perfect, Thailand isnot perfect, but it is where I want to be now. It was a case of love at first site.

[chops]

4 year Pattaya expat here. Visited once and just couldn't get enough. I ended up doing the crazy thing and moving here permanently. Am I nUtZ or what?

[mjj]

I didnt realise so many stories were like mine! I came here as a stop over on the way to Australia. The plan was to stay in Thailand for 4 weeks and then work and travel in Oz for a year. Never made it to Oz, I stayed in Thailand for 14 months.

Decided to go back to the Uk for a job offer (that never materialized) and on the way to the airport new it was a bad idea. Went anyway, and as soon as the the plane landed I was planning my permanent return. I've been here for about 18 months now and its where I call home.

Before coming to Thailand I had never even though of living here. I like it when life suprises me like that.

[bangkokburning]

My first trip to Asia was in 1993. I had always dreamed of visiting Angkor and Pagan. Fell in love with Asia instantly. Save for Thailand, it was a real adventure. I lived in Cambodia for a long time post-election, was one of the first farang up into northern Lao and was the first backpacker shunted to "new" Bagan.

Thailand was already WELL traveled - remote islands and the deep and remote south aside already pretty much a bore compared to the adventure her neighbors had to offer.

I came to stay longer and longer in Thailand on backpacking RnR's, exploring more remote islands. Cambodia opened wide in 97, Lao very soon after that although there were some very great and adventures trips there pre 96 as Myanmar. Vientiane had a real "commie" feel to it. HCMC and Yangon were sleepy places.

Around 97 backpackers found Asia and as they trail filled with noobs and rubes - I found myself in more and more in Pattaya during the low season. It was crazy great back around 98-03.

After some years, having done every circuit 3x plus India and N. Pakistan I hung it up and became a boozing monger. The trail was uneventful, lacking adventure. the kids soft. My next few years were spent more of less in Pattaya. A year in Indonesia and six months in Phils - no thanks.

Back in Thailand, it was clear I could not go "home" and was not interested in settling in Indo or Phils. Malaysia I found a bit of a bore and expensive for booze. I would not mind being in Malaysia now chasing Chinese chicken.

Some years past and my travel and hobby became camping and snorkeling the Andaman. During this time I perhaps developed the most love for the country - but the visa situation is an absolute mess and I miss the days when visas flowed like wine.

Nearly three years I met the love of my life. Having been a fixture in Asia for 15 years and Pattaya five as well as a confirmed bachelor I had no interest in a steady woman let alone a wife. My gf changed all that. She is lovely, charming, cute, fun - never a moment of worry or hassle from her in all these years. She works and we split the bills. Life is life that.

We met camping, she loves the outdoors, snorkeling and tripping the Andaman. We enjoy same Thai foods, have very similar interests in books and History, old stuff - like that. We would like to buy a boat and travel to all the last islands and areas that have great diving and snorkeling. She is - perfect for me. I could slow down travelwise - its all done, but I understand her need to see it, so I we trip when we can. Thailand does have a GREAT value for travel if you are an old hand. I spend next to nothing and sleep on Thailand's most beautiful beaches and islands.

She alone is my anchor in Thailand. If it were not for her, I would be in Malaysia and Cambodia with the cool season in the Andaman.

The life is sooooo easy here and I am of the age now to enjoy that. Still, I make sure my gf gets the adventures she is after. But living in BKK is a bore, I need an ocean. The visa situation is enough to make me leave - but I have the gf. Maybe we will go back to USA for a few years? Maybe not.

Wherever it is, I will do my best to see it is with my lovely Thai partner. My love and my life.

[kerryk]

I came over here to kill people. It didn't take me long to realize I didn't like doing that. I'm not much of a Rambo type. I'm always up for a good war and the positive economic fallout so I got involved in that side of the murder and mayhem thing.

I was never really popular with the army anyway. I kept telling them the Brits won their war against the commies in Malayasia in 1960 and we should listen to them. The USA has never much liked listening to the Brits since that little problem about taxation without representation back in the 1700's and that crazy George guy.

I came back to Thailand years after my initial visit to repair my Karma and look at the effects my wild youth may have had on Thai Basketball.

You probably notice the Thai population is getting taller, that was me.

[Geekfreaklover]

Bangkok is simply the most exciting place in the world to live in. I've lived for a few years on the islands, Ko Samui, Ko Phangnan, and spent some time in the north and wasted a few years in Isaan. But Bangkok is a mind-altering city and I love it here.

[Soutpeel]

that crazy George guy.

Bush Jr or snr ?

[kerryk]

that crazy George guy.  

Bush Jr or snr ?

What are you a nut case? King George silly!

[maxme]

Came here on a short term job 10 years ago and 10 years later still here, Thailand was never on the radar....what happens when the job finishes ?.....Do I stay or do I go...dont know yet, guess it depends how old I am when the job finishes, if close to retirement...I am going home..

As regards Asia generally...worked in China when it first "opened" up again...Shenzen at the time was like a big contruction site.

Spent a lot of time in Hong Kong as well

Hong Kong has changed past the few decades. Not feeling abit nostalgic, try to give it another go?

Heard it's alot easier opening up new business there than i LOS.

[buhi]

I like the opening question.

Did You Think You Would Live Here In Thailand

Well I hoped I would and have not died yet!

[chrisinth]

In the late 80's I was working in Hong Kong (for almost 3 years) and it was from there that I had my first introduction to Thailand. I flew out to Hong Kong to start the job, but found that everyone was on leave for the next 3 weeks and ended up in Pattaya with 2 Royal Marines the next day for the remainder of that leave period. Truthfully, I never got Thailand/Pattaya out of the system since then, although through the years my attitude did/has change(d).

In 1997, I finished my contract and moved to Thailand for a 6 month "kickback rest" before looking for a new job. I lived in (survived!) Pattaya for 2 years and by that time I was getting bored with it. Having become practically nocturnal during that time (loving every minute of it) I started travelling round Thailand and was shocked (literally) that the rest of the country wasn't anything like Pattaya!

Anyway, ended up moving "up-country", happily married, 2 kids and a full time job, never happier.

So, to answer the initial question, I sort of knew I would be living here since the 80's.

The reason I put in the long introduction was that I am now old enough and have been living here long enough to admit that I came to Thailand for the fun; yes, a sex tourist if you like, but more for the fun. It really was different back then, IMHO.

I am sure there are members of this forum that remember what it was like back then compared to now. I can guarantee that more than just myself have similar stories!

[Jingthing]

I came first when I was age 42. I had suspected I would love Thailand for many years before I visited. I delayed visiting for fears once I visited Thailand I wouldn't want to travel much to other countries. I was right. My first impression of Pattaya was that it was the most horrible "beach resort" on the planet and smelled like feces. My first impression of Chiang Mai upon landing was that I felt I wanted to retire there. I live in Pattaya.

[brit1984]

I thought I would live in Surrey

[Geekfreaklover]

I thought I would live in Surrey

What went wrong?

[brit1984]

I thought I would live in Surrey

What went wrong?

A few years ago, I joined my little bro on the Asia leg of his gap year world tour... we both developed an interest in Asian girls... now he lives in China with his Chinese wife and I live in Thailand with my Thai wife

[PattayaParent]

I had passed through Thailand a few times as a tourist on holiday and didn't like it here. I lived in Philippines for 4 years which I liked better but still wasn't my ideal place to live.

I'd always intended returning home to UK but 18 years ago I was again passing through Bangkok on the way home from Philippines and 2 days after arriving started work and found I really liked it here working with Thais away from the tourist areas.

Now I would never go back to UK.

[ericg]

I'm Canadian(Just turned 24), I always knew I was going to move somewhere since I was little, but I always thought it was going to be to New York or something for business. About 5 months ago I was pretty fed up with some things in my country; my Thai friend kept talking about how he can't wait to go back home. Did a little bit of research onThailand and it sounded great.

Few days latter I applied for my visa, 3 weeks later I sold almost everything except cars and was on a plane to Thailand.I'm usually a pretty rational guy and play it safe, it was a pretty crazy decision and none of my friends and family believed me at first; they'd never thought of me going to Asia of all places. Best decision I've ever made. I'm still in my beginning stage but I usually know what I'll like right off the bat and I've never been happier then in Thailand.

[Soutpeel]

Came here on a short term job 10 years ago and 10 years later still here, Thailand was never on the radar....what happens when the job finishes ?.....Do I stay or do I go...dont know yet, guess it depends how old I am when the job finishes, if close to retirement...I am going home..

As regards Asia generally...worked in China when it first "opened" up again...Shenzen at the time was like a big contruction site.

Spent a lot of time in Hong Kong as well

Hong Kong has changed past the few decades. Not feeling abit nostalgic, try to give it another go?

Heard it's alot easier opening up new business there than i LOS.

Did my nostalgia trip to HK in 2010, yes changed but not that much...could still find my way around quite easy...

[GuestHouse]

The corollary that comes out of "I never thought I'd ever live in Thailand/Thailand was completely off my radar" is - You should not assume you are going to be here for life.

[TommoPhysicist]

Same here, came on holiday, met a girl who owned a nice farm, stayed to farm it (and married the girl).

[bangkokburning]

Here is something I hope you find interesting as one pposter mentioned how he loved BKK. I had always wanted to visit Asia - in fact, travel the world. I used to trip down to Mexico a lot as a kid, mostly Baja - but the big Pacific cities as well.

Anyway, my first big trip off the mainland was to exotic "Hawaii". A friend and I were sitting poolside in Honolulu waiting for AM flight to Maui. We met two guys headed for BKK, they were about ten year older (nearly 30 I recall).

SO...where are you headed?

MAUI and Kawai and back to the big island. Surfing and diving bro!

You?

Bangkok

8-( WOW...

It was for me such a let down, despite me going to a place I had always dreamed and no doubt had some great activities in store - it paled in comparison to the exotic East (1979). How I wanted a taste of it.

I let that dream die until about 1990 when it was resurrected as a trip around the world. By the time I actually got off the dime and did it, after an attempt at an expat job in HKG I found myself in Asia in 93.