Living in Thailand...

[Noi657]

Hi all,

I would love to hear from people that are living in Thailand and those that are thinking of doing it. Particularly interested to hear from business owners and families. I frequently scroll through many posts on TV and other sites and to be honest half the time it makes me feel down! I would love to hear the other side, people that are happy in Thailand! While I think it's important to understand all the pit falls etc and yes it is important to hear honest views, even if they are bad. The purpose of this thread is to find the happy buggers out there. Where do you live? What business are you in? How's family life? And do you have any regrets or wish you had done things slightly differently?

Kind regards

[10Yen]

Don't use ThaiVisa as a benchmark, most don't live in Thailand, the rest are old geezers with no life, a few of us are different.

If you took Thaivisa as your benchmark, you'd never come to Thailand, ThaiVisa makes Thailand appear to be the worst country in the world. but it obviously isn't the way they feel, else they would not be here, would they ?

[geronimo]

wow! A positive thread.

Been here thirty two years, married a Thai and we have two boys, currently at Uni. Am a writer and also involved in Sak Yant tattoing. Thailand is a great place if you embrace it and resist the urge to compare.

[Skeetjones]

Don't listen to TV users they are old and angry, mad that the bar girl hustled them out the retirement funds.

They criticize, hate and put dirt on the Thai people and country, yet are dieing inside for another chance to come back.

This forum is full of,

"why do Thais do this"

"why won't a girl 30 years younger love me"

"why do Thai people do that"

"I hate Thailand and it's people"

"Stupid Thai TV fx"

"Didn't know it was a ladyboy"

"Stuck in Los, need donations"

"Thai men are scum, we are superior"

ECt........

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[bkkjames]

Don't use ThaiVisa as a benchmark, most don't live in Thailand, the rest are old geezers with no life, a few of us are different.

If you took Thaivisa as your benchmark, you'd never come to Thailand, ThaiVisa makes Thailand appear to be the worst country in the world. but it obviously isn't the way they feel, else they would not be here, would they ?

Only two sentences but so much contradiction and hate...

Here you are using TV to say TV should not be used as a benchmark.

Most dont live in Thailand or are old geezers...a few of us are different? You are an old geezer who does live in Thailand or a young geezer who doesnt?

Who do you refer to in your last sentence? Old Geezers with no life, those with a life, or a few that are different, or the most that don't live here?

Seems to me to you were trying to come across a non-jaded young English Teacher who lives in Thailand but failed spectacularly but I do agree with you in your first part. Don't use TV as benchmark...OP. Post number 2 should give you a clue.

[Noi657]

Excellent start! Keep em coming!

[10Yen]

Don't use ThaiVisa as a benchmark, most don't live in Thailand, the rest are old geezers with no life, a few of us are different.

If you took Thaivisa as your benchmark, you'd never come to Thailand, ThaiVisa makes Thailand appear to be the worst country in the world. but it obviously isn't the way they feel, else they would not be here, would they ?

Only two sentences but so much contradiction and hate...

Here you are using TV to say TV should not be used as a benchmark.

Most dont live in Thailand or are old geezers...a few of us are different? You are an old geezer who does live in Thailand or a young geezer who doesnt?

Who do you refer to in your last sentence? Old Geezers with no life, those with a life, or a few that are different, or the most that don't live here?

Seems to me to you were trying to come across a non-jaded young English Teacher who lives in Thailand but failed spectacularly but I do agree with you in your first part. Don't use TV as benchmark...OP. Post number 2 should give you a clue.

You seem to have a problem, I stand by what I say in any context, most members don't live in Thailand.

And if one wanted to think about coming to Thailand and one stumbled across ThaiVisa, one would think Thailand was the biggest shitehole in the world, courtesy of ThaiVisa members, most of whom don't live here. This is why I say to a newbie, do not use ThaiVisa as a benchmark, is that ok with you ?

Or are we only allowed to put Thai people down ?

And Yeah, if you have lived here before 1990 you have lived here longer than me, I'm only coming up for 24 years, maybe I don't have your experience in Thailand, I certainly don't have your post count.

English Teacher...yeah right..how did you guess..

[Loptr]

This is going well. One positive post out of six replies and the others are complaining about the TV community.

Once you get past the point of judging everything and everyone around you based on your past experience and standards, life becomes much easier. Things are neither good nor bad as compared to your past experience, they;re just different. Either you embrace the difference or not. Same as anywhere.

[kurnell]

I've been here for 20 years and have own relocation company. What would you like to know?

[Noi657]

This is going well. One positive post out of six replies and the others are complaining about the TV community.

Once you get past the point of judging everything and everyone around you based on your past experience and standards, life becomes much easier. Things are neither good nor bad as compared to your past experience, they;re just different. Either you embrace the difference or not. Same as anywhere.

Yeah c'mon people, keep things "happy"

[I Like Thai]

Don't expect or hope that Thailand will make you happy. You have to make yourself happy in Thailand. How you go about this will make or break you.

[Noi657]

Ok.... I tried, admin please close topic! Let's get back to normality!

[NeverSure]

Don't use ThaiVisa as a benchmark, most don't live in Thailand, the rest are old geezers with no life, a few of us are different.

If you took Thaivisa as your benchmark, you'd never come to Thailand, ThaiVisa makes Thailand appear to be the worst country in the world. but it obviously isn't the way they feel, else they would not be here, would they ?

Only two sentences but so much contradiction and hate...

Here you are using TV to say TV should not be used as a benchmark.

Most dont live in Thailand or are old geezers...a few of us are different? You are an old geezer who does live in Thailand or a young geezer who doesnt?

Who do you refer to in your last sentence? Old Geezers with no life, those with a life, or a few that are different, or the most that don't live here?

Seems to me to you were trying to come across a non-jaded young English Teacher who lives in Thailand but failed spectacularly but I do agree with you in your first part. Don't use TV as benchmark...OP. Post number 2 should give you a clue.

<deleted> is your issue about people who don't live in Thailand? Some choose to maintain a home in their home country, and have extensive visits to Thailand every year. BTW that takes money.

I'm one of those and sometimes I get the feeling that I know more about Thailand that someone who's lived only in Pattaya or Phuket and doesn't get out much, or who's lived only in BKK working at a job.

Thailand could be compared to the blind man describing an elephant. I never stop visiting different areas and especially I never stop asking old timers about what their experiences in their area are like. I PM'd 2 different members who are on the ground in Isaan just this past week to ask them questions about what they see on various issues.

I'm looking for a non-tourist area to live and I want to get it right so I ask, ask, ask, and visit a different part every trip.

Please don't tell me I don't know anything about Thailand.

[cornishcarlos]

As long as you live at least 20 mins drive away from the MIL, life is beautiful

Seriously though, once you can get away from the initial tourist/bar/endless holiday situation and start living life as you would anywhere else in the world, Thailand has so many positives.

Personally I would probably not have chosen it as a place to live had I not met my wife, however I am very happy that I did.

41yrs old, live outside Suratthani town and work offshore 4 months a year. Saves anyone looking for my stats

[Noi657]

Thanks Carlos... Back on track!

[BradWalker]

I have a situation that I believe is fairly unique here in The Royal Kingdom. I married a girl, built a house in the village and then, when said girl started up with her Thai boyfriends, I kicked her out of the house, kept it and now share it with the in-laws (her mother and my step-daughter plus various related visitors). I have done this for the last five years and all seem pretty happy about it. Her mother gave me her blessings when I bounced the wife and treats me like another son, though she is only 4 yrs. my senior and she waits on me and cooks for me, etc. Whenever she is here (she goes to school in SIseket; our village is in Surin), Step-daughter does the same (and is a better cook than "Momma" but don't mention that to momma!). I do my part by handling most (but not all) of the monthly expenses and share the cost (with ex-) of step-daughter's schooling.

No one else in the village speaks English and my Thai is only passable, but improving, however I have developed many friendships with people that live here.

Anyone else in such a situation, or know of such a person. I would be interested in comparing notes....

[Noi657]

I don't Brad.... This should be right on queue for the trolls to now enter!

[maccaroni man]

I have been here longer than many and not as long as many and in that time I have learned one valuable lesson I will share. Be here and forget the west. When you have a family focus on your family and be a family man embrace your time with your children and pick your fights wisely In other words don't sweat the small stuff and stand your ground for what you believe in. Manage your money don't borrow or lend. Always be aware of what is happening around you be prudent stay fit and enjoy life.

[robertthebruce]

I am still a Newbie, but it works for me, Retired here over 4 years ago, living in ''Phuket'', as i love the sea and the beaches ..

Travel within Thailand, to various destinations, but still love ''Phuket''....

I am not one for trolling bars and clubs etc etc, just a normal ''Joe Bloggs''..

Easily pleased, and happy with my Lot..

only downside is the ''Driving'' extremely dangerous...

But apart from that , all is well.

[Pops]

Been here for 20 years.

Own my own business and do well.

Live in Chiangmai, am happily married, have 2 daughters that are in bi-lingual primary school and am genuinely happy.

Have some good Farang as well as Thai friends.

Live a normal life like I would do back home and do not hang out in bars or nightlife much.

Like any other country in the world Thailand has its plusses and minuses but I love it here and it has become my home.

Of course there are times that negative thoughts about Thailand surface but all I have to do, is travel to my home country for a couple of weeks, to make me realize how good of a life I have in Thailand.

My home country has its own charm but the rules and regulations and (lack of) real social life make me feel bound and gagged.

People in my home country think they know everything, condemn anything they fail to understand and worry about the smallest of things plus feel the need to discuss everything at length (talk show after talk show full of crap).

What attracts me about Thailand the most, is hard to describe and is probably a mix on many things but 1 thing i love down here, is the sense of freedom.

I feel that in Thailand you can be more who you want to be then back home, where everything is over regulated and everybody is placed in boxes.

Maybe that is an advantage of being a non-Thai in Thailand or maybe it is just a feeling that I have personally, but anyhow that is what I feel.

Hope it is of use for you.

[maxx58]

Since I retired and moved to Bangkok a little over a year ago I have never been happier in my life!

With my pension I am able to live a much more comfortable lifestyle here than I ever could back in New York. Whatever minor inconveniences that I encounter I brush off and forget. With my Thai girlfriend (soon to be my wife) my life is complete. I wake up every day thankful for the opportunity to live here.

As long as you come here with a positive frame of mind and a decent income stream, life can be wonderful!

As far as Thai Visa, as long as you can discern between the posts of the perpetual whiners and those offering an honest critique, Thai Visa is a wealth of information for those interested in living in Thailand. It has been an invaluable resource in my planning and executing my move to Thailand. It helps me negotiate thru the enigmatic legal and technical issues of living here long term.

[Sigurris]

I have been here almost 7 years and it has been a rollercoaster. Some ups, some downs but it has been an interesting ride. I love London (my home town) but I doubt I could return. I live near Pattaya which is like my stay here, a rollercoaster. But my work is here so I need to be. I could complain all day but, by the same token I could spend all day extolling the virtues of Thailand.

I have never been ripped off by women but they have cost me a few shekels. None of which I regret. I keep hoping I will meet the right woman to grow old (er) with but that has not happened yet. But I live in hope.

I paraphase Shakespeare, "Theres nothing in this world thats good or bad but thinking makes it so".

[jakhoeblal]

Most of the posts in Thaivisa are only about 'smart foreigners' saying Thai things and people are stupid.

I hate most posts as they are mostly sarcastic about Thailand.

I hate these MF's' I always want to ask most of them, why don't you just leave Thailand and go to your beautiful country. <deleted> are you doing here acting smart?

[Smurkster]

As much as I like to bitch, this past year and half has actually been quite successful for me and my wife.

In 2012 we started a small tutoring/translation service (my wife speaks, reads and writes damn near Fluently at this point) out of our apartment. Most of it was teaching: one on one, small groups etc. nothing more than 7 people at a time. We did it unregistered and at the time all I had was an O marriage visa. So I was constantly worrying about someone knocking on my door wanting to see papers (instead we had about three different police officers come to our door to get papers translated from Thai to English) We spent months and about a total of 80,000 baht and we have just received our papers that show are company is registered and paying taxes. I got my work permit yesterday and feel very relieved and accomplished. Of course I couldn't have done any of this without the FULL trust of my wife. We are hoping for continued success and feel very pleased with the progress of the school, our income is very good at the moment and our retention rate with students is also a strong point...

The service is in Nongbualamphu and it is called "Nong Bua Language House" if anyone is in the area and wants to stop by and take a look, please feel free to. It is located near Nattanpong Motor company near the roundabout. I will also PM my number to anyone who may be interested.

[MrWorldwide]

OP, a very wise man once told me (in a similar thread, FWIW) to ignore the General forum - it's mostly just people venting. Contrast that with the excellent advice dispensed by board members like Sheryl and you'll come to realise that there *is* genuine information buried here : it's just a matter of being willing to dig.

[ABCer]

I live here in Retirement.

It may be called life, relatively speaking.

I am happy, relatively speaking.

One regret only - it was good to be young but...

Otherwise - no complaints.

[larsjohnsson]

Don't use ThaiVisa as a benchmark, most don't live in Thailand, the rest are old geezers with no life, a few of us are different.

If you took Thaivisa as your benchmark, you'd never come to Thailand, ThaiVisa makes Thailand appear to be the worst country in the world. but it obviously isn't the way they feel, else they would not be here, would they ?

Why do you use TV? When recommending others not to use it

[bkkden]

I have lived and worked in nine countries. I live my quiet life with my Thai wife and love it here. Very nice people, all the amenities of any place in the world, variety of shopping, food, sports, entertainment and high quality of life. I'm not one to go to for the nightlife. Have many Thai and expat friends also.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Tafia]

Im a newbie (retired) only been here 6 years, married for 4 and live in Udon Thani (just outside the city).

My advice is accept, adjust and you will soon find life will become just normal, (even guys driving the wrong way down the street becomes acceptable.

Life is what you make it but try to avoid comparing it to the west. Life is easier here than the west, less hassle, more freedom.

My only regret is not being able to move here sooner (retired at 55)

I agree with many posters, this forum attracts many negative posts if it rains or its too hot... its the Thais fault, you do wonder why (if they are living here) why they bother.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Tafia

[larsjohnsson]

I retired early last year. And live in Bangkok. I also love it here. Before that I have been staying 4-5 months in Thailand every year since 1985. But I also like Cambodia and Laos.