If You Could Live Again - Come to Thailand Younger?

[willy1957]

I sure would have been coming earlier if maybe only for 3 months a year, the reason is that my first visit in 2005 opened my eyes, People enjoy life even in poverty( to our Standards), but what is the Point of working your whole life and consuming a few trucks of shit you really don´t need to be happy. Today I try to live like Thai People, I enjoy life and buy only what I strctly need, and I also will retire in Thailand when the time is there.

[SSSlongtime]

thailand was a different country in 1970 , hotels offer girls ,weed on the house ,and there where lot more trees and clean beaches ,price of land i though so cheap not worth buying ,another error

[KhunHehe]

Nope.

[socrates28]

Had I come to Thailand in 2006 when I sold my business in UK - I would have been able to save myself over £100k in tax - could easily have lived there for 5 years on that money (at the time)

Instead I wasted my time in London's West End - going from Casinos to strip bars to nightclubs, mixing with all the wrong people - my only saving graces were that I do not drink, smoke or take drugs

Had in been in Thailand I would probably have 20-30 condos now and be earning a nice tidy sum

As of 2010 I calmed down - discovered Thailand and have been back around 12 times for periods of one month and over - never been to a Casino since - do not bother with London - just focus on making money and hitting Thailand as much as possible

[CIHUAHUA]

I first came to Thailand in the mid 60's for R&R during the “American police action” in Viet Nam. I was 18 years old and what I saw and experienced for three years in VN was surreal. I was wounded severely and the US government started paying me benefits. I was unable to adjust to America after that and returned to Thailand many times till I finally moved here to stay. I should have made the move when I was younger but I felt I needed to com;ly with my parents wishes to stay in America. I feel comfortable here in Thailand and like the culture and the people. Without the US VA I would not be able to afford my lifestyle here or anywhere as I do not have any laudable skills. When I am born again (if that is what happens) I would like to be born here in Thailand perhaps north where the rice fields are and have a small lean brown body and many family members and many friends. I would like a peaceful life with few frills.

[ABCer]

Thailand is a great place to retire. I wish I had moved here earlier.

I am happy now. My lifestyle and living conditions are perfect for me.

Had I moved here 10 years earlier I would have been twice as rich and 10 times healthier.

But no complaints, really. When I look back it's scary that I could have not made it at all, like so many others.

One thing though, - I wouldn't like to work here for any money.

Edited June 29, 2013 by ABCer

[Postmaster]

You need to make your money in your own country first and then get value for it in Thailand. I feel its no use coming here to try to make money though some do

well here I know and many do not have the appropriate visas. Also as one poster says not much use for farangs to try to get higher education certificates here. You have to do this in your own country. I was surprised that quite a few retirees from Europe just get by with only their retirement pension paid weekly. That

wouldn't be PP for me.

[Cheapcharly]

with 4000 euro interest on 100000 euro at 4 %, here your bill in bahts:

3000 rent

500 fuel or bus

4000 food

300 dentist, aircut...

200 clothes at second hand market

1000 visa fee

1500 trip to Lao for visa.

I am still below the 14000 bahts/month(still need to get health insurance)

if you live like a thai and live with a working lady, I calculated after one year from my bank receipt, I was spending 14000 a month included some trip to ko samui, puhket. (by bus)

most saving is in the condo rent , some people rent a place at 10000, 15000, i know brit who rent condo at 4000/month 2km away from jomtien beach and told me they are happy.

what you don't need to be happy is a car, flat screen TV, expensive phone or electronic gadgets, brand name clothes, watch, jewelery,

I m totally happy if I could dress in orange, sleep in a 3x3meters room, eat well once a day. my parents had apartment, house, big house... even in a big house, I live in one room only.

I believe people who spend a lot are people who are not happy with what they have and need to buy constantly to fill a mental pain.

if you live simply you will discover what make you really happy the you can see if you need to ad more things in your life.

do you really need a hd TV just to watch bloomberg or cnn news? do you need a big car just to go downtown? do you need to eat expensive food in a farang restaurant when you have a nice market near you? do you really need air con on 18 degree.?...

[somtampet]

with 4000 euro interest on 100000 euro at 4 %, here your bill in bahts:

3000 rent

500 fuel or bus

4000 food

300 dentist, aircut...

200 clothes at second hand market

1000 visa fee

1500 trip to Lao for visa.

I am still below the 14000 bahts/month(still need to get health insurance)

if you live like a thai and live with a working lady, I calculated after one year from my bank receipt, I was spending 14000 a month included some trip to ko samui, puhket. (by bus)

most saving is in the condo rent , some people rent a place at 10000, 15000, i know brit who rent condo at 4000/month 2km away from jomtien beach and told me they are happy.

what you don't need to be happy is a car, flat screen TV, expensive phone or electronic gadgets, brand name clothes, watch, jewelery,

I m totally happy if I could dress in orange, sleep in a 3x3meters room, eat well once a day. my parents had apartment, house, big house... even in a big house, I live in one room only.

I believe people who spend a lot are people who are not happy with what they have and need to buy constantly to fill a mental pain.

if you live simply you will discover what make you really happy the you can see if you need to ad more things in your life.

do you really need a hd TV just to watch bloomberg or cnn news? do you need a big car just to go downtown? do you need to eat expensive food in a farang restaurant when you have a nice market near you? do you really need air con on 18 degree.?...

My lifestyle requires more than u need,but good on you mate,u do what makes u happy and turn your nose up to the knockers,excuse the pun lol.

[winstonc]

with 4000 euro interest on 100000 euro at 4 %, here your bill in bahts:

3000 rent

500 fuel or bus

4000 food

300 dentist, aircut...

200 clothes at second hand market

1000 visa fee

1500 trip to Lao for visa.

I am still below the 14000 bahts/month(still need to get health insurance)

if you live like a thai and live with a working lady, I calculated after one year from my bank receipt, I was spending 14000 a month included some trip to ko samui, puhket. (by bus)

most saving is in the condo rent , some people rent a place at 10000, 15000, i know brit who rent condo at 4000/month 2km away from jomtien beach and told me they are happy.

what you don't need to be happy is a car, flat screen TV, expensive phone or electronic gadgets, brand name clothes, watch, jewelery,

I m totally happy if I could dress in orange, sleep in a 3x3meters room, eat well once a day. my parents had apartment, house, big house... even in a big house, I live in one room only.

I believe people who spend a lot are people who are not happy with what they have and need to buy constantly to fill a mental pain.

if you live simply you will discover what make you really happy the you can see if you need to ad more things in your life.

do you really need a hd TV just to watch bloomberg or cnn news? do you need a big car just to go downtown? do you need to eat expensive food in a farang restaurant when you have a nice market near you? do you really need air con on 18 degree.?...

great post i must say i live with wife dog,2 foster girls on 15,000 a month i did buy certain things b4 the girls came along but you can live on that ammount and be quite cool,no problem,but i do understand others wanting more,and why shouldnt they,if its in there means go for it and enjoy,,were all living here thats enough isnt it?????,,great wk/end everyone ,,,,,

[AnotherOneAmerican]

If I could do it again.

1) I would have come to Thailand in 2000

2) I would have not spent all that money on my US wife and the divorce.

3) I would have shipped all my money over at 50bht =$1

4) I would have bought a load of land near Mae Rim at 30k/rai (400k/rai now)

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

[Chopper]

I first came here in 1991 aged 21 then every year thereafter for a holiday with other holidays in other countries/continents interspersed. I knew that this would be a country that I would like to retire in from the get go.

I moved here in 1997 fully retired at only 27 after a corporate disposal and have not lifted a finger since. I spent the first five years or so as a party animal and since then have gained several professional sporting qualifications that keeps me occupied most of the time. I have absolutely no regrets and certainly do not wish I had stayed in my home country any longer.

[Card]

Came here 9 years ago at age 55 to retire, after travelling here every year for holidays since 1987. Never regretted it and still don't. However, I would not have come here earlier. It's great here for older people to relax and enjoy life, but after a while gets to be the same same. Younger guys should see other parts of the world, develop a decent career and maybe have a family somewhere else before coming to Thailand - otherwise your view of life can become very strange and blinkered. I wouldn't wish a large part of a life in Thailand on anyone.

Edited June 29, 2013 by Card

[Cheapcharly]

i see many farangs having many things and many problems, 6 to 12 millions bahts house not even fully paid , kids in nice farang school, their lady playing madam, and the poor guys are drunk all day long, walking like zombies along the sukumvit or metro area of pattaya.... thinking "my god what should I do now at 55 with my 2 children , I m running low on cash soon and I have debts to pay, , who want me at 55 in UK to pay me peanuts?"

then some jump from their balcony or pushed by their ladies to get life insurance.

some are fighting with thai neighbour or lost all their saving in some dodgy business.

they came to Thailand too early with millions of bahts and now are destitute because they wanted play the rich farang who can buy anything they wants.

thailand can be tricky, you need to be very mature before establishing yourself in Thailand if you are young . the system can trick you, ladies will trick you.

I know guys who have lost more money than if they have stayed in UK...

Edited June 29, 2013 by Cheapcharly

[AnotherOneAmerican]

i see many farangs having many things and many problems, 6 to 12 millions bahts house not even fully paid , kids in nice farang school, their lady playing madam, and the poor guys are drunk all day long, walking like zombies along the sukumvit or metro area of pattaya.... thinking "my god what should I do now at 55 with my 2 children , I m running low on cash soon and I have debts to pay, , who want me at 55 in UK to pay me peanuts?" then some jump from their balcony or pushed by their ladies to get life insurance. some are fighting with thai neighbour or lost all their saving in some dodgy business. they came to Thailand too early with millions of bahts and now are destitute because they wanted play the rich farang who can buy anything they wants. thailand can be tricky, you need to be very mature before establishing yourself in Thailand if you are young . the system can trick you, ladies will trick you. I know guys who have lost more money than if they have stayed in UK...

But at least in Thailand you are really living.

Whereas in the US I was merely waiting to die (I'm guessing UK same).

[SteeleJoe]

It's an interesting question but impossible for me to answer (perhaps in part because I'd rather not think about it too much as I have a policy of avoiding "If only I had..." in general; a couple decades ago, talking to my father, I started a "I wish I had/ hadn't..." as I guiltily contemplated the wreckage and tragedy of my youth and my dad said "Stop. That way lies madness" and I knew instantly he was right. I could almost literally go mad if started that stuff).

I got here at 19 three decades ago and spent an amazing period, that was for much of my twenties, that I can't imagine trading for anything. The sort of experience that relatively few people in the world ever have and many would fantasize about. And there's no question it couldn't have been the same had I been older - or it was later in Thailand's development.

On the other hand there's almost no question that the quality of my life now would be much better materially speaking if I had spent my youth in my home country applying myself to the struggle for material success and then come here.

Ultimately, I can dismiss such dilemmas by remembering that if you change one thing then you change everything after that. So I wouldn't have met my amazing wife and thus wouldn't have the children that bring me more joy than anything ever has.

[SteeleJoe]

I live in one room only. I believe people who spend a lot are people who are not happy with what they have and need to buy constantly to fill a mental pain. if you live simply you will discover what make you really happy the you can see if you need to ad more things in your life. do you really need a hd TV just to watch bloomberg or cnn news? do you need a big car just to go downtown? do you need to eat expensive food in a farang restaurant when you have a nice market near you? do you really need air con on 18 degree.?...

That's a rather narrow minded point of view, isn't it? I totally understand your point of view and can even agree with some of it. But other people find joy in another kind of life and it's extremely judgmental of you to declare that they must have some sort of psychic damage because their joy is different than yours.

I have lived VERY simply spending even less than you, as well as at your level. I was happy. I now have somewhat more material comfort and I am happier (by no means entirely because of material gain, or even close, but partly).

I don't "need" an HDTv to enjoy blue rays (free) of fine films but cinema is one of my great pleasures and I think an art form that is a worthy interest.

I don't need a big car to go downtown, but I do need a car to safely transport my children and I prefer one that is reasonably comfortable. Having he car is cheaper than taking all the taxis I used to and far, far more convenient and freeing: my entire family's quality of life has improved greatly with the purchase of a car.

I don't need to eat in expensive food in a farang restaurant - and generally don't - but I do enjoy my wife's amazing cooking and in part because she doesn't stint on quality ingredients; if my taste in food is different than yours (ie predominantly western food) and my wife sometimes has to shop at relatively expensive supermarkets, does that mean I am unhappy and in mental pain?

I don't "need" the air conditioner on at 18 - or want that. I don't need one at all. But I far, far prefer having one (@ not lower than 23) some of the time. That means I'm unhappy?

It's fairly typical trait for people to have, especially those of us of the liberal persuasion, but if you think about it a not very noble one nor logical: we like to equate living a simple and frugal life and scorn for material things as inherently virtuous and somewhat morally superior - but it aint necessarily so. One can live at a level that is well above the bare minimum and still live rather modestly and hwo could that be somehow wrong? But even if one wants to live somewhat extravagantly and does so responsibly and ethically, does that mean there is something wrong with them?

I say you have one life. Do your best to live it in a way that brings you joy without harming others - whatever budget that requires.

Edited June 29, 2013 by SteeleJoe

[IMA_FARANG]

Would have drugged and knackered myself to death within a few years

-----------------------

Well, I won't go that far.

I first came here in 1977.

But yes I made mistakes in Thailand until I got smarter (or more experienced from the dumb mistakes I made).

Still I survived them .... and I enjoyed the ride.

And no, I wouldn't have come earlier ... I was about 30 years old then.

Do the math to figure out how old I am.

[bigbamboo]

I retired in my mid forties and decided to leave the rat race in England, move to CM and make an 'honest woman' of my Thai gf of three years. We have a great life here and I've never regretted it.

Would I come here now if I was the same age and unattached?

Probably not.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I believe people who spend a lot are people who are not happy with what they have and need to buy constantly to fill a mental pain.

if you live simply you will discover what make you really happy the you can see if you need to ad more things in your life.

do you really need a hd TV just to watch bloomberg or cnn news? do you need a big car just to go downtown? do you need to eat expensive food in a farang restaurant when you have a nice market near you? do you really need air con on 18 degree.?...

I do like having a BIG tv, but generally I agree with you. Never found any need for a big car, scooter is great. Don't want air-can at all, Thailand has a lovely climate. Imported food, waste of money, local fruit and food is great.

Those who openly boast of all the 'stuff' they have, business class flights, and have to buy all their friends, both male and female, are deeply sad people. What I enjoy most, running and cycling in the mountains, is almost totally free.

Edited June 29, 2013 by AnotherOneAmerican

[bkk_mike]

First time I came here was at 31 with my Thai girlfriend (we met in London).

After we got married and had a kid in London, we moved here when I was 33, and had another kid here.

One thing I would say that surprises people back in the UK who've been to Thailand when they were single. I came here for the first time with a girlfriend and then came back with a family, so I've lived in Bangkok for 12 years and never been to places like Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy.

That does mean I sometimes wish I'd come here in my 20s when I was single.

I had the advantage that I took my job with me (the joy of telecommuting when you work in IT). It means I earn a lot more than I would do here, but on the other hand, I'm probably earning less than I would have done if I'd stayed in London all this time.

Earning enough allowed me to keep paying a UK mortgage as well as buy a place here, and send the kids to international school, primarily as insurance in case there was ever a problem with work so that we could move back (a lot of good people I know who telecommute internationally lose their jobs when they get a new manager - some managers just don't understand that, by the time it got approved in the first place, you had to be extremely good.).

We're actually moving back this year, but that's so the kids are in the EU long enough to be eligible for student loans, not because I had to return for work..

I figure we'll retire here - we have the house here - mortgage free, and, in theory at least I could retire already if I wanted to live rather frugally, but I figure I'm better off working until the kids graduate and get jobs of their own, and I'm in the fortunate position of having a job I like doing.

[SteeleJoe]

I believe people who spend a lot are people who are not happy with what they have and need to buy constantly to fill a mental pain.

if you live simply you will discover what make you really happy the you can see if you need to ad more things in your life.

do you really need a hd TV just to watch bloomberg or cnn news? do you need a big car just to go downtown? do you need to eat expensive food in a farang restaurant when you have a nice market near you? do you really need air con on 18 degree.?...

I do like having a BIG tv, but generally I agree with you.

Those who openly boast of all the 'stuff' they have, business class flights, and have to buy all their friends, both male and female, are deeply sad people.

I missed the part where he criticized braggarts and people who buy companionship - in fact that's quite a different thing from what I saw him commenting on - but I'm inclined to agree with your opinion of them.

[ABCer]

Lots of examples of different budgets and lifestyles here.

If you can, have everything you can afford. Good on you.

If you can't have all that you need. It is very affordable here. And good on you.

Whatever your situation, just be Happy! Good on you.

It looks like most people here are happy! Good on Thailand!

[Birdman]

came here first time with 24, travelled with backpack 1 whole year everywhere in Thailand, went back and moved here with 26 with the full expat package, that was 26 years ago, will stay 10 more years and retire in my country of birth, maybe

[Rocking Robert]

If u worked your whole life for a good retirement income.What's wrong with spending it each mouth.15000 or 200000

[herb59]

first sorry, i dont share personal informations.....what i can say is: i am happy to leave this country every year! things have changed within the past 20 years. also looking for a new place to stay.....

[ableguy]

First came at age 60 on holiday and retired here at 65, I should add I have a great pension gf half my age ( together 4 years ) they will bury me here, Just wish I got here in my thirties.

[lemoncake]

Moved here when i was 26-27. If i could turn back the time, no way i would move at that age again.

[poanoi]

I retired at 33 and moved here at 34 IIRC.

If i could do it again, i think i would have moved to Cambodia,

except the love of my life was here

[johnnycthedog]

"By the time a man's got money to burn the fires normally gone out."

A great quote that reminds us all not to leave it too late to do what you want to do in life.

I have been to Thailand many times but would never retire there full time. I love the weather in my home country but am looking to spend considerable time in Thailand now and in the future. Perhaps in two or three month periods at a time during the better weather there.

Yes I wish I had discovered Thailand much younger. I have had many holidays around the world but it's a great joy to go out in Thailand and find easy female friendship for the night or longer - even if it's paid for. And let's face it males pay one way or the other - directly or indirectly for female company aka marriage (a cynics view).