Some interesting statistics about Brits retiring to LOS

[i claudius]

Just watched the film ,the usuall sloppy reporting ,looking for the lowest common denominator ,still i suppose its much easier just to hang around beach road and walking street ,talking to the dropouts ,rather than talking to the majority of expats like those Swdes who live ordinary ,normal lives with their familly. We are just not newsworthy ,much better to report a car crash than about the thousands of people who drive home safely , just not interesting.

[dao16]

Thought the report was ok, but a little sensational. It is important to take a look at some of the guys who are facing big problems, but that could have happened if they had stayed at home, too. The weird part for me was that the "nice" retirees in the report were Scandinavian, leaving the impression that the Brits aren't living nice lives here. I just came back from a trip (not to Pattaya, but to a place with plenty of foreigners) and I met several guys from the UK who have retired here or are semi-retired and they were very nice, together with long-term wives.

There was no fighting or craziness more than you see anywhere in the world where people are drinking (and watching football). I was kind of surprised how civil they all were, considering that there were supporters of different football teams sitting in the same bar, drinking. Nothing outside of some friendly banter about the matches and most of the guys went home once the games were over.

I guess it is less "shocking" to do a documentary about mentally stable guys who worked hard and now want to enjoy their lives during retirement.

[circusman]

Did anyone understand a word the man in the hospital bed said ?

[sustento]

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.

You have a clear idea of what SOME of the British that come to Thailand are like. Many of them are married to Thais and many of them don't live in Pattaya.

[MILT]

The video actually made me a bit sad for the down trodden.

Why I am anti drinking one's self to death!

Edited January 3, 2014 by MILT

[lostinsurin]

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.

You have a clear idea of what SOME of the British that come to Thailand are like. Many of them are married to Thais and many of them don't live in Pattaya.

A very good report and true of many of the Brits that choose to come to Thailand especially those who chose to live in places like Pattaya.

not all Brits are like this but the wife beater brigade certainly.

I had to laugh at the guy from Liverpool having a weep at the end.

[mikebell]

As has been stated before, sensationalising journalism which evokes howls of outrage. (Not aimed at the poster to whom gratitude is due for raising an interesting topic.)

Besides the atypical presentation of British old gits, I was stunned to hear you could get medical attention free by walking away without paying. Each visit I've had to make has cost me.

Surprised that Barry Kenyon's appearance did not award him his OBE or MBE (can't remember which.)

[robertson468]

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.

I am assuming your comment is "tongue in cheek", or your Avatar is a true reflection of you............?

[JetsetBkk]

<snip>

Thanks to that video, I now have a pretty clear image of what most of the British that come to Thailand are like.

<snip>

Thanks for the laugh.

Do you think news reporters make videos about the real, ordinary people living a quiet life in Thailand?

[Jawnie]

I think what was unfair or unbalanced about the story is that it left the impression that most Brits in Pattaya are drunks, disease ridden, or mental cases. Of course, we all know there's a share of those. And, there's no arguing against the sex business there. But, there's plenty of good people living a good life in and around Pattaya.

What the story didn't portray well is that Pattaya and anywhere along the coast in Thailand are really great places for expats to retire. There's no requirement that an expat be a sex-crazed boozer to have a good life there....quite the opposite. That's what was missing from the story in my book.

[mikemac]

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

That's not a bad average, considering there have been tens of thousands of them retire in LOS over the years !

[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.

I am assuming your comment is "tongue in cheek", or your Avatar is a true reflection of you............?

Yep, that's me in the picture. Just a stubborn ass.

[mrowe1973]

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.

Sometimes the truth hurts I observe a lot of elderly men drinking from sun up till sun down in pattaya. For many of them, I don't think the care about sex, or they can't afford because they are spending their pensions and liquor. If that's what makes then happy good for them, but it's not something to look at!

[ntg187]

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.

Im not a retiree, but I do come to pattaya for roughly 75 days every year to party and have sex - and I'm an American. I hate western women. Most single women in my age bracket are only looking for male models/actors or someone with a net worth of well over 10 million, although that may be due to my level of standards. But I mostly come to Thailand for two reasons, I love asian girls and its cheaper than the Philippines... while you can get great prices from women south of the US Border, I guarantee that none of those women will be asian!

[HardenedSoul]

One or two of them used quite colourful language to dismiss the motherland but I bet that once those coronary-on-a-plate full-English breakfasts and the boozing finally catch up with them, they'll be on a plane back to the comforting arms of the NHS.

Rocking up here without any medical insurance and then pursuing the lifestyle of a 21 year old - drinking and smoking excessively, eating crap and trying to sexually satisfy multiple floosies - albeit Viagra-powered - is hardly the way forward, is it?

[mikemac]

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.

Try cutting out the "Someone with a brain replied" and you may find not so many posters will get stuck into you.

Or is that the aim of the game ?

[HardenedSoul]

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.

Im not a retiree, but I do come to pattaya for roughly 75 days every year to party and have sex - and I'm an American. I hate western women. Most single women in my age bracket are only looking for male models/actors or someone with a net worth of well over 10 million, although that may be due to my level of standards. But I mostly come to Thailand for two reasons, I love asian girls and its cheaper than the Philippines... while you can get great prices from women south of the US Border, I guarantee that none of those women will be asian!

Plenty of single Western guys going with plenty of single Western girls and not a modelling contract or 10 million bucks anywhere in sight.

If you think you need that stuff to get women, there's no hope for you and you'd be better off moving to Pattaya to pay for it for the rest of your life.

Good luck

[Ruin]

I've only been in Thailand for around 18yrs, nothing like my longer staying mates and am ready to retire here eventually. I have to say that the Pattaya of a dozen years ago doesn't look like the Pattaya of now. It is a haven for trash of all kinds. I golf with buddies some weekends and there are some quality guys there but the trash is piling up.

[In Search of Space]

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

I know another 1 or 2

But C4 wouldn't have been able to sensationalise normal lives

[anon8]

I don't think most retirees come to Pattaya because of sex. They choose Pattaya, because we have large expat population, Western food available everywhere, and fairly good infrastructure here. Most people come to live in Thailand cos there is no snow, and it cheap compared to Western Europe.

Love the last sentence in Channel4 blog:

" There was a time when life over 65 was synonymous with illness and senility – but these days, senior citizens are more inclined to get busy living – even if some people do not happen to approve of the way they do it."

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[a guy from oz]

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.

touché`, 95% negativity and defensiveness in here.

I love Thailand, all it good and bad bits. What they showed were the facts, the good and the bad.

happy new year everyone

[Aussieroaming]

Well every city has a thousand stories that can be told.....the Journo just picked a story from the lowest branch.

As for the old geezers...they make a choice every day whether its a slow death by cheese fondue or a quick death by viagra and booze. I'm not sure I'd want either exit strategy but they are entitled to make a choice while the system lets them.

If the old fella wasn't in the liver ward in Pattaya he's be in the one back in the old country. I'm sure he didn't become a sudden piss head in Pattaya, he had years of prior training.

As for the Journo...give him a few years and he might be the joker on the stool in some one elses doco. If that clip was a highlight for him then he hasn't got too far to fall.

[Ricardo]

Thanks to the OP, for posting this link.

It might have been better, if the journalist had highlighted the fact that Brits' UK-pensions are frozen, at the date when they come here rather than going to an EEC-country.

i.e. they are shafted (but all legally, chaps !) by the UK-system.

No wonder we're happy to vote with our feet and escape the blasted place !

The figures quoted on Banglamung Hospital were interesting, 18,000 foreign visitors (not all British, therefore) left a total debt of GBP 300,000, which works out at an average about B900 per person. That's hardly a shattering number, in fact I'd suggest that it means most patients DO pay their bills, only a relatively-few don't.

But even so, it's fantastic value-for-money for the NHS, not to have these cases in the UK, and for other European health-systems ... can't they work out some sort of medical-tourist scheme and save the UK-taxpayer an absolute fortune, by exporting their older clients out here ? !

[perdido]

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.

...yes indeed, let's have ' snapshots ' with the many sober settled types with perhaps a little more education than the dick/bevy, heads featured.....

[anon8]

Maybe for their next story about retired people, Channel4 should send a journalist to Newcastle, UK? in January, February..

I'd love to read how people over 65 live there, and how they spend their retirement years there.

Edited January 3, 2014 by valgehiir

[thailiketoo]

Not the newscaster but I was impressed the fellow narrating the video knew how to pronounce Pattaya. Good on ya mate!

[nong38]

All the touist booklets peddle the same picture of Thailand. cheap drinks and cheap girls. I have many friends esp women who would come here after "what they have read and been told" but its like saying dont go to London because of Soho. If you want to find the sleazy side of life its in every town and city somewhere, but if you stay away from that area you find a more normal life, one that I guess most of us live.

[kennypowers]

Anyone posting here saying this report is sensationalising or exaggerating the prevalence of alcoholism, violence and old men seeking young hookers for sex is deluded. Look at the Pattaya daily newspapers, the evidence speaks for itself. It's a soulless place where lost old souls find lost young souls and lose their souls in the bottom of a bottle. I pity the guys that end up here, let alone die here. No Thai gives a hoot about any farang living in that hell hole, and to die being a burden to a prostitute you have nothing in common with or in a hospital where they can't wait for you to go so they can give the bed to a Thai person is a horrible way to end up.

[smotherb]

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

Great news then, 2-3 must be up 43% too

[lanng khao]

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.

You have a clear idea of what SOME of the British that come to Thailand are like. Many of them are married to Thais and many of them don't live in Pattaya.

A very good report and true of many of the Brits that choose to come to Thailand especially those who chose to live in places like Pattaya.

not all Brits are like this but the wife beater brigade certainly.

I had to laugh at the guy from Liverpool having a weep at the end.

that's nice of ya.

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