It has occurred to me that there are many different reasons for an expat to relocate to Thailand.

For real 'expats' its usually because of work in so far as we get sent here to work at the regional or Thai office. If people are here for the reasons in your list, I'd not really consider them as 'expats' more long-term visitors/tourists...

Arrogance personified!

why ?

Here to see the temples...

Her temples? I think you're setting your sights too high.

Here to see the temples...

Her temples? I think you're setting your sights too high.

maybe he meant temple "mounds", followed up by some exploring of the local "jungles"

It has occurred to me that there are many different reasons for an expat to relocate to Thailand.

For real 'expats' its usually because of work in so far as we get sent here to work at the regional or Thai office. If people are here for the reasons in your list, I'd not really consider them as 'expats' more long-term visitors/tourists...

I agree with most of this statement except the Money one. I am here as I don't have to pay Tax to live here. I am an expat and I work offshore rigs through out the world. I can live in Any country I want but have been happily here for 6 years and not had to pay a cent of Tax. If I stayed in Canada I would be paying +40% of my income to support lazy pricks who can't be bothered to work. So why not be come a Canadian citizen non resident. Move to Thailand and live Tax free (as my company pays my Tax in the countries I work in). I am an Ex Patriot due to the fact I live and work outside my country. Because I am not stuck working here that makes me less of an expat that another?

I'm an amateur pervert, hoping to turn professional

Through the questionable choice (at the time), my 'employer' sent me to Hong Kong for a job in 1989. When I arrived, the 'company' had failed to tell me that the ship I was joining had just started leave on that day and would be back in 3 weeks. The 2 guys that picked me up at the airport were flying to Thailand the next day and somewhere during the introduction to Hong Kong nightlife that night, I decided to tag along. Over the next 3 years initionally and the following 5 years, I became a regular visitor to Thailand.

On leaving the job in 1997, I had planned to have a 6 month 'kick-back' holiday in Thailand and then go job hunting again. Didn't quite work out that way. Reflecting, finding that special person definitely saved, and changed my life to the present day. This is year 15 of the marriage, with no regret from either of us.

During this time, I have been the party animal, responsible business owner (albeit silent partner), responsible husband & parent and now employed in a job where I hope, in some small way, I am making a difference. In short, extremely happy, and grateful to Thailand for making this possible.

So my initial reason for coming here is no longer valid.

Oh, and I would like to add that during the last 24 years, I have visited 2 temples. I thought it was the least I could do for the visitors that wanted to go and see them.........................

Sh1t, sorry for the rambling..............

Meditation and illegal and legal medication. Beaches and bitches were a bonus.

...but not Bitches on Beaches—on my last trip to a Thai beach, I stepped on some dog poop.

T

Quality and quantity of life as opposed to survival brought me here. Damn happy. No place is perfect, that makes it an adventure.