living in thailand, if you could do it all over again then......

[benalibina]

Interested to know about the experiences of you, TV members.

Poses as well the question; what have you learned about your very ownself ?

[theblether]

I think you'll find the general answer will be

" Don't live in Thailand "........

Followed by.......

" I discovered that being trusting and generous was regarded as being weak and stupid in Thailand "..........

Far too close to the experience of many for comfort.

[kblaze]

would have transitioned out of the early "THB = monopoly money" mindset quicker

[i claudius]

The only thing i would changed is i would have moved all my money over here far far sooner .

[Donnie Brasco]

I need the stimulation of surviving in an alien environment.

Although I have owned a farm, I am a city boy.

I moved here from the heart of a major North American city at the most opportune phase in my life.

after trying Mexico and finding it insufficiently alien.

My investments in a dense urban environment in the old country had been sound and continue to be so.

I realized very early on in my case there was absolutely nothing to be gained or secured and everything to lose by marrying a Thai woman from any class.

I accepted early on that I would never be seen as a compatriot.

I live by one general rule: never, Never, NEVER, ****NEVER**** buy anything, do anything, say anything, agree to anything or accept the conditions for anything that would put **you** in **their** hands in any way shape or form

I have always rented.

I take taxis I chose not to own a car.

I trust very few people here. Thai or foreigner.

I chose my friends and colleagues carefully.

My "investments" here are of a charitable or remunitive nature. ****Without exceptional skills**** anyone expecting to make money in the loaded game that is Thailand's small investment environment is a chump and a rube and a fool.

Early on I wouldn't argue or quarrel with the any of the know-it-alls that one encounters here but that I would take notes. One by one all these guys who have

And above all I strive to accept that for better or worse this is the land of the Thais.

Anyone who gets into the glue here or loses his pile here or figures he's smarter than the locals or believes that the locals are just dying to learn how things are done in "the old country" is a blithering idiot and deserves his place on the crying towel.

I live in a very upscale neighborhood.

I work.

I cook.

I drink modestly and I don't smoke or take drugs. Anything.

I take vitamin supplements.

I have health insurance.

I would not consider living here under any coercion or imposed obligation.

I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever except one.

I should have taken that charming woman from Dusit and the other (a provincial Miss Thailand contender)

up on their offers.

I have no regrets.

None.

[amykat]

I think you'll find the general answer will be

" Don't live in Thailand "........

Followed by.......

" I discovered that being trusting and generous was regarded as being weak and stupid in Thailand "..........

Far too close to the experience of many for comfort.

Are you saying that you already knew this, or that you have yet to try out "being trusting and generous" so you don't have an opinion?

[soi41]

I think you'll find the general answer will be

" Don't live in Thailand "........

Followed by.......

" I discovered that being trusting and generous was regarded as being weak and stupid in Thailand "..........

Far too close to the experience of many for comfort.

Not bad coming from a tourist!!

[CharlieH]

That what seems a good idea and a somewhat rose tinted view of the country and its people at the age of 48, all changes dramatically by the time you hit 55 and will probably get worse as you get older to the point of time to go home.

Health concerns, falling exchange rates, money dwindling may all lead to a less rosey reflectiin on past decisions and those rosey dreams of what you thought it would be like.

[boosta]

Get your tubes tied in the first week you're here, unless you're 100% sure you really want spawn. Free for everyone including tourists upstairs from Cabbages and Condoms Soi 12 Sukhumvit (great organization - make a donation!)

If you're taking your chances with other methods of contraception, watch your SO swallow her pill every day, or accompany her to get the 3- or 5- month shots, to the extent you actually watch the shot administered by the doctor.

And choose the doctor yourself, maybe even talk to him ahead of time offering to double her bribe if she tries to suborn him.

Educate myself about the fact that traditional Thai girls view abortion with the same or even more horror than upcountry Irish a hundred years ago.

===================

Leave an untouched "return home and resettle" fund back there and when you get down to only having 3-4 months' expenses in the bank pull the plug and get back to civilization.

===================

Start a Sex Addicts anonymous group and go to every meeting.

[Berkshire]

The only thing i would changed is i would have moved all my money over here far far sooner .

Yeah, that and invest my entire net worth in the SET.

[kennedy]

Accept the things you have no power to change, and leave the bitching and complaining to the self appointed experts on TV.

[boosta]

Yeah, that and invest my entire net worth in the SET.

-

Easy enough to say about any market after the fact - but would you take the same bet today?

What if your time window was only say two years?

[ABCer]

I once have read: " God! Give me the strength to change the things I can, the patience to accept the ones I cannot and the wisdom to know the difference..."

( Quoting from memory only)

Happy within reason. No regrets!

[boosta]

God, give me the strength to change the things I can, the patience to accept the ones I can't and the wisdom to know the difference...

-

AA and other 12-step programs, referred to as the Serenity prayer provenance disputed: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/us/11prayer.html

Also - One day at a time. First things first. Easy does it. Live and let live. Think.

All pretty tried and true words to live by even for those without major problems in life (lucky few, or just young).

[rubberduck]

Biggest mistake was having a new house build in a project, Ban Pimuk 1 in Chiangmai who performed total crap quality and causing escalating conflicts with this corrupt developer that refused any responsibility, made me loose around 3mil baht and never lived in the house.

[rct99q]

No regrets other than I would have started my family earlier. My children have given me so much joy I just wish I could (although i have many more years left) extend the amount of time I will have with them even by a year or two. Although no need to say, but goes the same for my lovely Thai wife...

[itchybum]

I would have bought a pile more land than what I did when I did

[GooEng]

No regrets other than I would have started my family earlier. My children have given me so much joy I just wish I could (although i have many more years left) extend the amount of time I will have with them even by a year or two. Although no need to say, but goes the same for my lovely Thai wife...

Exactly as above.

[kikoman]

I came here only on a vacation, I had no dreams of what I would find here!

I was living in Rocky Point Mexico and the cost of living went though the roof fueled by Americans being allowed to buy and own property in Mexico and they purchased every bit of available land, to make a tourist center in the fishing village I lived in on the Sea of Cortez..

A friend was coming to Thailand to attend a dive school and I decided to come along, I was greatly surprised what I found here.my purchasing power had greatly increased, good food, friendly people, a new world to explore,

I tired of the beer bars and moved to Sattahip where I met my wife, and after being together for 4 years married her and moved to a central Thai village.

Best decision I had ever made, finally found my soul mate, in a country half way around the world from the place I called home and have become a member of the village in the 8 years I have lived here.

What I would have done differently, is I would have come to Thailand at least 10 years earlier. I would not have listened to the tales of those very negative Expats I met in Pattaya and would have moved out to rural Thailand right away and would have purchased the property next door that was offered to me at a very reasonable price.

By the stories one hears on TV many people came here with rose colored glasses on and dreams of finding the life and riches that had eluded them in their home countries. They found there is a dark side to life once they made the decision to live on the "dark side" of Thailand in Patong, Pattaya, CM etc.

Those that say they know of a better life elsewhere, should go on to that better life, don't let the door hit you in the butt and turn off the lights on your way out,

Good Luck!

Cheers:

[Loptr]

I guess I must be thick, because I have lived in Thailand before and have since rotated back to the world for my employer. I am planning on moving back, this time on my own dime. I could live pretty much anywhere in the world within reason, but have chosen Thailand to be my home once I retire. Might last one year, might last the rest of my life. Only the Shadow knows for sure.

[boosta]

Only the Shadow knows for sure.

-

Wow, now THAT's dating yourself.

I had a collection of the episodes when I was a little kid and they were old then, I think 78's?

[Genericnic]

I learned that I should have moved here a lot earlier. It is a wonderful place with nice people, great food, and lots to do. I really am envious of me friends that came ages ago. The best thing though is that I am here now.

David

[justben]

Don't know how to answer this one. I can only tell you I feel like an alien that crashed here by accident. Always lonely, never feel at home and never feel security about my future and my possessions.

[benalibina]

Don't know how to answer this one. I can only tell you I feel like an alien that crashed here by accident. Always lonely, never feel at home and never feel security about my future and my possessions.

A halfempty statement. What will you write when the glass is halvefull ?

No offense meant !!!

[GooEng]

Don't know how to answer this one. I can only tell you I feel like an alien that crashed here by accident. Always lonely, never feel at home and never feel security about my future and my possessions.

I'm not gonna say "go home then", but your remarks do beg the question "why are you here?"

[justben]

I ask myself this, sometimes. I dont have all the answers.

[David48]

I need the stimulation of surviving in an alien environment.

Although I have owned a farm, I am a city boy.

I moved here from the heart of a major North American city at the most opportune phase in my life.

after trying Mexico and finding it insufficiently alien.

My investments in a dense urban environment in the old country had been sound and continue to be so.

I realized very early on in my case there was absolutely nothing to be gained or secured and everything to lose by marrying a Thai woman from any class.

I accepted early on that I would never be seen as a compatriot.

I live by one general rule: never, Never, NEVER, ****NEVER**** buy anything, do anything, say anything, agree to anything or accept the conditions for anything that would put **you** in **their** hands in any way shape or form

I have always rented.

I take taxis I chose not to own a car.

I trust very few people here. Thai or foreigner.

I chose my friends and colleagues carefully.

My "investments" here are of a charitable or remunitive nature. ****Without exceptional skills**** anyone expecting to make money in the loaded game that is Thailand's small investment environment is a chump and a rube and a fool.

Early on I wouldn't argue or quarrel with the any of the know-it-alls that one encounters here but that I would take notes. One by one all these guys who have

And above all I strive to accept that for better or worse this is the land of the Thais.

Anyone who gets into the glue here or loses his pile here or figures he's smarter than the locals or believes that the locals are just dying to learn how things are done in "the old country" is a blithering idiot and deserves his place on the crying towel.

I live in a very upscale neighborhood.

I work.

I cook.

I drink modestly and I don't smoke or take drugs. Anything.

I take vitamin supplements.

I have health insurance.

I would not consider living here under any coercion or imposed obligation.

I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever except one.

I should have taken that charming woman from Dusit and the other (a provincial Miss Thailand contender)

up on their offers.

I have no regrets.

None.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCrILFP1vc0

From one great man to another ...

.

[boosta]

Don't know how to answer this one. I can only tell you I feel like an alien that crashed here by accident. Always lonely, never feel at home and never feel security about my future and my possessions.

Move on then, keep trying different places until you find one you enjoy.

I feel least at home in my "home" country, but then I have no need to feel at home, much rather feel at a loose end, comfortable being an alien, hardly ever feel lonely - but I do miss my kids when we're apart, well within 24 hours.

Your feeling about security is very realistic, trying to chase that unicorn's the downfall of many rat spinning the wheels of industry.

[infinity11]

I would have bought a pile more land than what I did when I did

I thought we can not own property.

Oh you mean in your T' wife's name?

Through a corporation?

Are you a resident?

[infinity11]

I need the stimulation of surviving in an alien environment.

Although I have owned a farm, I am a city boy.

I moved here from the heart of a major North American city at the most opportune phase in my life.

after trying Mexico and finding it insufficiently alien.

My investments in a dense urban environment in the old country had been sound and continue to be so.

I realized very early on in my case there was absolutely nothing to be gained or secured and everything to lose by marrying a Thai woman from any class.

I accepted early on that I would never be seen as a compatriot.

I live by one general rule: never, Never, NEVER, ****NEVER**** buy anything, do anything, say anything, agree to anything or accept the conditions for anything that would put **you** in **their** hands in any way shape or form

I have always rented.

I take taxis I chose not to own a car.

I trust very few people here. Thai or foreigner.

I chose my friends and colleagues carefully.

My "investments" here are of a charitable or remunitive nature. ****Without exceptional skills**** anyone expecting to make money in the loaded game that is Thailand's small investment environment is a chump and a rube and a fool.

Early on I wouldn't argue or quarrel with the any of the know-it-alls that one encounters here but that I would take notes. One by one all these guys who have

And above all I strive to accept that for better or worse this is the land of the Thais.

Anyone who gets into the glue here or loses his pile here or figures he's smarter than the locals or believes that the locals are just dying to learn how things are done in "the old country" is a blithering idiot and deserves his place on the crying towel.

I live in a very upscale neighborhood.

I work.

I cook.

I drink modestly and I don't smoke or take drugs. Anything.

I take vitamin supplements.

I have health insurance.

I would not consider living here under any coercion or imposed obligation.

I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever except one.

I should have taken that charming woman from Dusit and the other (a provincial Miss Thailand contender)

up on their offers.

I have no regrets.

None.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCrILFP1vc0

From one great man to another ...

.