Some interesting statistics about Brits retiring to LOS

[SebD]

(But we can do almost anything with "statistics").

Interesting, nonetheless. From Channel 4 News in UK, tonight:

British retirees in LOS

[organic]

The 'seediest place you have never heard of'! Oh come on, loads of Brits have been to Pattaya, and not just the pensioners and sex tourists. Whole report seems a few years out of date.

Edited January 2, 2014 by organic

[SebD]

The 'seediest place you have never heard of'! Oh come on, loads of Brits have been to Pattaya, and not just the pensioners and sex tourists. Whole report seems a few years out of date.

Good point.

Maybe Cameron and his lot are giving us all the hint (to clear off as we approach retirement).

Well spotted ( I must be going soft not to have seen that, myself).

[StreetCowboy]

I was hoping for some statistics from which I could draw my own conclusions.

SC

[SebD]

Beggar me.

Sorry for even bringing it up.

Don't shoot the messenger (I just thought some might be interested in seeing how LOS and Pattaya in particular are currently being promulgated on nationwide TV in the UK this evening).

I guess I hadn't allowed for all you jaded ex-pats' input and your defensive responses..

Talk about a couple of stereotypes.

[StreetCowboy]

 

Beggar me.

Sorry for even bringing it up.

Don't shoot the messenger (I just thought some might be interested in seeing how LOS and Pattaya in particular are currently being promulgated on nationwide TV in the UK this evening).

I guess I hadn't allowed for all you jaded ex-pats' input and your defensive responses..

Talk about a couple of stereotypes.

 

I don't think anyone was having a go at you.

SC

[SebD]

 

Beggar me.

Sorry for even bringing it up.

Don't shoot the messenger (I just thought some might be interested in seeing how LOS and Pattaya in particular are currently being promulgated on nationwide TV in the UK this evening).

I guess I hadn't allowed for all you jaded ex-pats' input and your defensive responses..

Talk about a couple of stereotypes.

 

I don't think anyone was having a go at you.

SC

Well it certainly seemed so (hardly a wow and a welcome).

I took the ruddy trouble to post this and .......just negativity resulted - in only two sad posts.

The customer is always wrong, here, I guess.

Do you guys here have anything "nice" to say about anyone and/or anything?

Edited January 3, 2014 by SebD

[PeterSmiles]

Do you guys here have anything "nice" to say about anyone and/or anything?

That's a nice picture in your avatar, is that you ?

[StreetCowboy]

Generally speaking, people here seem to take offence at journalists probing into their affairs, or those of their neighbours. They seem surprised that the journalists have no new insight to offer, failing to realise that the journalists are writing for the benefit of people who live many thousands of miles away and might not be directly related through blood or friendship to expatriates in Thailand.

So generally, the articles are poorly received.

Personally, I had been hoping for some quantitative data based on a bit of hard work by the journalists, rather than a few anecdotes from the pub. I'd be interested to know, for example, at what age the average British expatriate retiree in Pattaya arrived, how long they lasted, how much they lived on, what proportion could speak Thai, what proportion were educated to degree level, what proportion were left-handed compared to the population at large - anything that would be too much effort to find out, that I could not find out by turning to the bloke next to me at the bar to ask.

But that would probably not have been of much interest to C4's audience. Instead, they can establish their own prejudices based on the anecdotes presented. I skimmed through the article, so I couldn't comment on whether I think the interviews support a positive or negative, or representative, stereotype of British retirees in Pattaya. I don't know enough of them to know what would be representative in any case.

SC

Edited January 3, 2014 by StreetCowboy

[krisb]

Stans a legend!

[SebD]

Generally speaking, people here seem to take offence at journalists probing into their affairs, or those of their neighbours. They seem surprised that the journalists have no new insight to offer, failing to realise that the journalists are writing for the benefit of people who live many thousands of miles away and might not be directly related through blood or friendship to expatriates in Thailand.

So generally, the articles are poorly received.

Personally, I had been hoping for some quantitative data based on a bit of hard work by the journalists, rather than a few anecdotes from the pub. I'd be interested to know, for example, at what age the average British expatriate retiree in Pattaya arrived, how long they lasted, how much they lived on, what proportion could speak Thai, what proportion were educated to degree level, what proportion were left-handed compared to the population at large - anything that would be too much effort to find out, that I could not find out by turning to the bloke next to me at the bar to ask.

But that would probably not have been of much interest to C4's audience. Instead, they can establish their own prejudices based on the anecdotes presented. I skimmed through the article, so I couldn't comment on whether I think the interviews support a positive or negative, or representative, stereotype of British retirees in Pattaya. I don't know enough of them to know what would be representative in any case.

SC

Agree pretty much with everything you said (only an ignorant or a foolish person could do otherwise).

As said previously.........

Sorry I even brought the C4 "expose" up.

Live'n'learn, eh?

Thanks for taking the time to respond so fully.

Edited January 3, 2014 by SebD

[bundoi]

Thanks for posting Seb, I agree the article was very lightweight but that's a reflection on C4 journalism, not you! As someone else said, the article seems to be quite out-of-date too. In my last trip to Pattaya about 6 months ago the stereotypical farang resident seemed to be giving way to Indian and Russian family holiday-makers.

Given the ongoing raising of government retirement ages across Europe I think we'll see a smaller proportion of breadline farang retirees in Pattaya. Also the increasing cost of living and the long term appreciation of the baht against western currencies (which IMHO is inevitable, despite the current dip - but please let's not start a load of tit-for-tat about this as there are plenty of threads discussing this already) will make Pattaya less desirable for people living mostly on a government pension.

Re the sleazy sexpat angle, I really don't know what I think about this anymore. I certainly wouldn't want my sister, mum, wife or daughter involved in that business.

By the way Seb, surely everyone in the western world knows Gollum by now !

[SebD]

Thanks for posting Seb, I agree the article was very lightweight but that's a reflection on C4 journalism, not you! As someone else said, the article seems to be quite out-of-date too. In my last trip to Pattaya about 6 months ago the stereotypical farang resident seemed to be giving way to Indian and Russian family holiday-makers.

Given the ongoing raising of government retirement ages across Europe I think we'll see a smaller proportion of breadline farang retirees in Pattaya. Also the increasing cost of living and the long term appreciation of the baht against western currencies (which IMHO is inevitable, despite the current dip - but please let's not start a load of tit-for-tat about this as there are plenty of threads discussing this already) will make Pattaya less desirable for people living mostly on a government pension.

Re the sleazy sexpat angle, I really don't know what I think about this anymore. I certainly wouldn't want my sister, mum, wife or daughter involved in that business.

By the way Seb, surely everyone in the western world knows Gollum by now !

OMG. Someone with a brain replied.

By the way, it's Smeagol, not Gollum, if you please.

[evadgib]

"it's all affordable on a UK Pension".

This'll do wonders for the frozen pension debate!

[Baerboxer]

Thanks for posting Seb, I agree the article was very lightweight but that's a reflection on C4 journalism, not you! As someone else said, the article seems to be quite out-of-date too. In my last trip to Pattaya about 6 months ago the stereotypical farang resident seemed to be giving way to Indian and Russian family holiday-makers.

Given the ongoing raising of government retirement ages across Europe I think we'll see a smaller proportion of breadline farang retirees in Pattaya. Also the increasing cost of living and the long term appreciation of the baht against western currencies (which IMHO is inevitable, despite the current dip - but please let's not start a load of tit-for-tat about this as there are plenty of threads discussing this already) will make Pattaya less desirable for people living mostly on a government pension.

Re the sleazy sexpat angle, I really don't know what I think about this anymore. I certainly wouldn't want my sister, mum, wife or daughter involved in that business.

By the way Seb, surely everyone in the western world knows Gollum by now !

Interesting comments. The options for Western European retirees are certainly going to change. The days of the early retirement with the good package and pension are long gone for most average workers. The really high income earners aren't likely to end up in Pattaya!

This program is again fueling the idea that many Brits have - Thailand is all about cheap booze and whores. It would be like to a program about one of Britain's red light districts and suggesting all Britain is like that! There are many very decent retirees here, from many nationalities, married to Thal ladies and raising a family, Some of these guys have now retired. But, it was too much trouble to find some of these to interview. Easier to crawl the bars.

I agree with you. I wouldn't want any of my relations to be involved in the sleazy sexpat business. It still amazes me how many educated business professionals I meet, European and Asian, who really do think of Thailand in this way.

[joorakee]

There arises a question whether it is worth waiting until our sunset/twilight years to fulfill our dreams.

[kurnell]

Typical sensationalist, biased report. I now for a fact that there are at least 2-3 pommie retirees that aren't drunk perverts.

[jacko45k]

Typical sensationalist, biased report. I now for a fact that there are at least 2-3 pommie retirees that aren't drunk perverts.

Agreed........ they wanted to shock a little.

Interviewing some guy drunk in a bar and one sad person who has mental problems is hardly a good evaluation or cross section of retired Expats living in and around Pattaya.

A visit to one or both of the Expats Clubs might have presented an alternative view..... but they didn't want to do that.

Retired Expats come from all over the Western world, a large contingent of Australians for example.

The UK is failing it's elder generation..... they are often forced to live meagre lonely lives in many circumstances.

If they don't have a good circle of supporting offspring and relatives, they will have a miserable existence.

The retired Expats in Pattaya are mostly a lot happier here than they would be sitting alone in a cold little house in Sheffield with only a TV for company.

The sun shines today on Pattaya.....Thailand has allowed me to feel warm today and generally have a good life, and I haven't even had a drink yet.

Edited January 3, 2014 by jacko45k

[blundaman]

u gotta get out a bit more sebby, the weather's grate write now ;-)

[spambot]

Typical sensationalist, biased report. I now for a fact that there are at least 2-3 pommie retirees that aren't drunk perverts.

Agreed........ they wanted to shock a little.

Interviewing some guy drunk in a bar and one sad person who has mental problems is hardly a good evaluation or cross section of retired Expats living in and around Pattaya.

A visit to one or both of the Expats Clubs might have presented an alternative view..... but they didn't want to do that.

Retired Expats come from all over the Western world, a large contingent of Australians for example.

The UK is failing it's elder generation..... they are often forced to live meagre lonely lives in many circumstances.

If they don't have a good circle of supporting offspring and relatives, they will have a miserable existence.

The retired Expats in Pattaya are mostly a lot happier here than they would be sitting alone in a cold little house in Sheffield with only a TV for company.

The sun shines today on Pattaya.....Thailand has allowed me to feel warm today and generally have a good life, and I haven't even had a drink yet.

I liked the last part of this - Good emotions in your post and very true for many when they think about where they are now vs what is the other alternatives.

Unfortunately news is only seen by most of the networks as being about reporting the extremes. Its not the intent or capability for most reporters to become producers of a documentary (style or content) so as a viewer might then weigh up the evidence.

If 1% of the subject has an extreme angle available then that is enough to get on the radar as being newsworthy.

[mimithewoof]

It's indeed sad to see lower-class British journalism concentrating on the negative and sensational - one of the reasons why I left Tony B-liar's Britain seven years ago.

OK, I'm not a man and I don't live in Pattaya, (nor would I), so perhaps am not entitled to comment, but several posters have hit the nail on the head as regards the ever-worsening prospects of anything resembling a quality retirement in the UK.

I support the freedom to get out of the retirement cesspit anywhere in the West - even if it's only to a less odorous environment - and I don't see the difference for retirees between hiring a personal carer in the UK and hiring one here - except that here it's more economical provided common sense is used.

Pattaya's development history night well have been very different had the Vietnam War not have happened, and it is what it is. Family support structures have broken down across many Western countries, and I suspect that most male pensioners would prefer to go it alone in Thailand than be dumped in a care home in the UK.

Still doesn't excuse Channel 4, though!

[zydeco]

I thought the video report was fairly illuminating. As an American, I don't see too many of my fellow countrymen, here, in Thailand. Most elderly Americans opting to retire outside the US do so in Mexico or Costa Rica. So, I've always wondered what the typical expat retiree was like. Thanks to that video, I now have a pretty clear image of what most of the British that come to Thailand are like. Nice to see the reality beneath some of these avatars on TV.

[amse]

You make your own bed, and you have to sleep in it.

[NoshowJones]

Do you guys here have anything "nice" to say about anyone and/or anything?

That's a nice picture in your avatar, is that you ?

Yes, that's him, before he came to Pattaya.

[slipperylobster]

Hope Pattaya can handle all those British Refugees. I will sure do my best to give them moral support. But, get off the piss, guys.

[NoshowJones]

Thanks for posting Seb, I agree the article was very lightweight but that's a reflection on C4 journalism, not you! As someone else said, the article seems to be quite out-of-date too. In my last trip to Pattaya about 6 months ago the stereotypical farang resident seemed to be giving way to Indian and Russian family holiday-makers.

Given the ongoing raising of government retirement ages across Europe I think we'll see a smaller proportion of breadline farang retirees in Pattaya. Also the increasing cost of living and the long term appreciation of the baht against western currencies (which IMHO is inevitable, despite the current dip - but please let's not start a load of tit-for-tat about this as there are plenty of threads discussing this already) will make Pattaya less desirable for people living mostly on a government pension.

Re the sleazy sexpat angle, I really don't know what I think about this anymore. I certainly wouldn't want my sister, mum, wife or daughter involved in that business.

By the way Seb, surely everyone in the western world knows Gollum by now !

Gollum???? Who is he? That's not a UK name. Oh, I forgot, all those emigrants.

[slipperylobster]

Do you guys here have anything "nice" to say about anyone and/or anything?

That's a nice picture in your avatar, is that you ?

Been hankering for a ring like that, so I could disappear before the bill arrives.

[Prbkk]

The idea behind the story is good: export the oldies, cheaper than having them at home and more fun for them in the sun. They spoiled the story with the sex/booze angle, but that was to be expected.

The Australian govt is so stingy it won't even pay the pension ( to those eligible for it at home) outside Australia ( except for a few countries, not including Thailand)

[Suradit69]

It seems to me this same "report" or something quite similar was posted awhile ago.

There arises a question whether it is worth waiting until our sunset/twilight years to fulfill our dreams.

Rethinking retirement in Thailand’s capital of sleaze - video special

Especially when the "dreams" and sleaze are on offer much closer to home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oBA-27quq-Q

[chipmarley]

Usual load of <deleted> to get airing on TV. Not all are drunks,destitute living on hard times but this what they would have folk believe. They did the same sort of thing on the sex industry in Thailand especially highlighting Pattaya , Walking Street and Ladyboys. All they showed was the bad side drunks, ,fights mainly concerning LB's and Farangs I have been coming here 20 years and have never had any trouble at all,, .As for hospitals how many times do you read about folk being left or just forgotten in Brit hospitals the abuse physical and mental.

Where I live at the moment in the UK it is 5 Deg. feels like 1 Deg where the hell do you think I would prefer to be. I am 61 fit,still have to work in the UK most of the year but as soon as I can I will be living here with my lovely Thai partner ( Female 45 y.o). .