If not retired - How have you funded living in Thailand?

[rgs2001uk]

I just retired this month and am heading back to Thailand... I worked for a MNC that rotated me throughout SEA for years, thus my desire to get back... I did it the old fashioned way, pension and investments... Could live anywhere I wanted within reason and have chosen Thailand to start the next chapter of my life...

Enjoy your well earned retirement.

Got 14 years to go for me :-(

Jeez Mr T, for some reason I thought you were a young whipper snapper toad, didnt realise you were about the same age as me, in fact the bloody UK govt just put my retirement age up to 67.

Keep on croaking.

[mrtoad]

I just retired this month and am heading back to Thailand... I worked for a MNC that rotated me throughout SEA for years, thus my desire to get back... I did it the old fashioned way, pension and investments... Could live anywhere I wanted within reason and have chosen Thailand to start the next chapter of my life...

Enjoy your well earned retirement.

Got 14 years to go for me :-(

Jeez Mr T, for some reason I thought you were a young whipper snapper toad, didnt realise you were about the same age as me, in fact the bloody UK govt just put my retirement age up to 67.

Keep on croaking.

Lol RG, still young got a bit to go 55 is the magic number, but who knows what happens in the next 14 :-)

[Time Traveller]

It's almost impossible to get a job earning a decent wage in Thailand.

What some can do, is get a job with a decent wage in their home country, then get assigned to Thailand working on a full expat package.

Maybe you've not been to America in the last 7 years. It's pretty difficult to get a job there now that pays more than you get in thailand.

[Wj99]

Well it seems clear cut; make your money elsewhere and offset it here.

Something to take into the future. Since I've gotten to Thailand all I've been thinking is how I can make money here, what they are missing and could I live here. There's still loads of niche's that I haven't seen; but would I be able to make a very good living here would be negligible.

I'm now travelling the gulf islands, just got to samui and now travelling to tao and pha ngan in the coming weeks and it definitely seems areas to look for development. Will do my research while here - you never know what might throw up.

For those who have businesses/jobs out here - it takes balls, good luck to each and every one out of you!

[BlackArtemis]

I just moved back to the US to help with my aging father. But I worked as a teacher, not an English or ESL teacher, and I was able to put way a good amount of money each month as what I would have called my retirement. Now I find myself in the US for I don't know how many years. Plans will be for me to buy a condo or two and then have them rented out via an agency while working for a well paying school upon my return. Furthermore these schools also offer free tuition for staff children, so that's upwards of 500,000B a year depending on the school and age of the child that I won't be needing to pay.

I am 32, I would like to make it back to Thailand before 40. However, I will make good use of the time here and continue to teach and build up money etc etc.

[laolover88]

Took the Thai solution:

Sent the wife to work. Waited on a bike picking my spots at the end of the soi for the $.

In reality was a slave trader. Luring students to the UK to pay ridiculous sums of money for what passes there as higher education. Good commission!!

[Wj99]

I just moved back to the US to help with my aging father. But I worked as a teacher, not an English or ESL teacher, and I was able to put way a good amount of money each month as what I would have called my retirement. Now I find myself in the US for I don't know how many years. Plans will be for me to buy a condo or two and then have them rented out via an agency while working for a well paying school upon my return. Furthermore these schools also offer free tuition for staff children, so that's upwards of 500,000B a year depending on the school and age of the child that I won't be needing to pay.

I am 32, I would like to make it back to Thailand before 40. However, I will make good use of the time here and continue to teach and build up money etc etc.

My partner has been swayed into teaching in either in Thailand or Australia and now just got to acquire the skills/accreditation to do the same!

How did you find teaching?

[robertthebruce]

Just going off topic for a second..

I took early retirement at 50.... Moved to Thailand and have the BEST quality of life..... No complaints, I don't watch my pennies as I am financially ok....

If I did return to my Homeland or any other country I would be struggling to have a decent life.

Here suits me, in lots of ways....

So glad I did it...

Life is too short enjoy it...

Cheers

My story too... Have a great quality of life..... Can't fault it.....

[Wj99]

Just going off topic for a second..

I took early retirement at 50.... Moved to Thailand and have the BEST quality of life..... No complaints, I don't watch my pennies as I am financially ok....

If I did return to my Homeland or any other country I would be struggling to have a decent life.

Here suits me, in lots of ways....

So glad I did it...

Life is too short enjoy it...

Cheers

My story too... Have a great quality of life..... Can't fault it.....

It is your story! [emoji106][emoji23]

[h90]

It's almost impossible to get a job earning a decent wage in Thailand.

What some can do, is get a job with a decent wage in their home country, then get assigned to Thailand working on a full expat package.

There are a lot farangs here who do get a decent wage.....

[Stan42]

Well OP, have a seat and read on...

I was living in Europe, I had just completed my BA in social science and had established quite a reputation and income from drawing, halfway through my studies.

With my brand new qualifications I applied for several airlines, since most of my family members work for or have worked for an airline company and there are a lot of benefits. Air Berlin, SWISS, Lufthansa and another generic airline. All rejected. So, being in Switzerland, I decided to try the banks, but alas my mathematical skills are equal to those of a 6th grader. So I applied for (and keep in mind that I had next to null income during this time), a bakery, a job at a gas station, McDonalds (yes I said it), and believe it or not, cleaning public toilets. Unfortunately,having a BA, I was deemed over qualified for these jobs, and by law they could not hire me (as it would count as me, an elite, taking away jobs for lower qualified people).

After half a year money began to run dry and I had to resort to my parents for financial support.

Then one fine evening, after having chugged down 2 bottles of hard liquor, I phoned my step brother who worked for SWISS, and arranged for a cheap one way ticket to Bangkok. After confirmation, I called up my Khun Yai and told her I had decided to move to Thailand. I stayed with her for the first two weeks. Within this time I had my Thai land papers translated from lawyer language to normal language, finding out that I had a decent plot in Lop Buri. After a 50'000thb investment I turned it into a restaurant which is now currently generating revenue. In the meantime my application for the Hartz IV law had been approved by my sneaky lawyer so I started to receive Welfare. All the while, during this time I continued to draw and draw and draw online to support myself.

Currently, I have paid off my debts to my parents that supported me for half a year, found myself a cozy home in downtown Suk, and can proudly say that I now live each day to the fullest without worrying about money.

[Riverman63]

So basically, if you were well off in the West you are very well off in Thailand. And so we can extrapolate that if you're pss poor in the west, you won't be staying in Thailand for long

[DDuval]

Got Transferred to Bangkok Thailand on an Expat Salary for 6 years, being honest couldn't stand the place apart from the girls and the Expat Football. Now moved back to the UK and use Thailand as party destination.....

[kannot]

Married a poor but hard working Thai girl, set her up in business, told her what to do she did it big time and I retired, Retired at 48 now 51

[Wj99]

Married a poor but hard working Thai girl, set her up in business, told her what to do she did it big time and I retired, Retired at 48 now 51

Well done

[kannot]

I just retired this month and am heading back to Thailand... I worked for a MNC that rotated me throughout SEA for years, thus my desire to get back... I did it the old fashioned way, pension and investments... Could live anywhere I wanted within reason and have chosen Thailand to start the next chapter of my life...

Enjoy your well earned retirement.

Got 14 years to go for me :-(

Jeez Mr T, for some reason I thought you were a young whipper snapper toad, didnt realise you were about the same age as me, in fact the bloody UK govt just put my retirement age up to 67.

Keep on croaking.

They also increased your NI payments form 30 to 35 years for a full pension ( if that's still available when your 67) and who knows whats coming next?

[ev1lchris]

Any coders here?

[JLCrab]

I am in my 60's and have lived in Thailand since my 50's but the work that I did that allowed me to move full-time to Thailand in my 50's was done in my early 20's.

[pigeonjake]

then you have the oil and gas workers doing even rotations,

living half the year in thailand

Just kaeks or holiday makers by any other name.

He is talking about people who live here, not 2 week millionaires.

To answer the question, UK properties.

you still living here,?

funny how all my letters from the uk tax man come to my address in thailand, so they know i live here,,and my wife and daughter know i live here,

but i suppose you know best

[NoshowJones]

No one selling Kamagra and copy football tops?????

I saw a Farang busking in Bangkok quite near MBK only last week, he was tall, had a bald head, and I have got to

say he sang and played guitar quite well. Anyone else seen him?

He won't have a work permit, and the place is full of BiBs.

[Cypress Hill]

Wasn't interested in following the path (marriage, career, debt servitude and the creation of new taxpayers to feed the state) that convention lays out for those too foolish or too lazy to question it so demobilized to Thailand at 41, 7 years ago.

Income derived from UK investments and online spread-betting from home. Western income + eastern economy = Very nice affordability

Crisp set up - large downtown apartment, great food and lots of entertainment options

No formal retirement plan - I can't begin to imagine doing even less than I already do

I do put money away and religiously renew my medical insurance, though.

[Wj99]

Wasn't interested in following the path (marriage, career, debt servitude and the creation of new taxpayers to feed the state) that convention lays out for those too foolish or too lazy to question it so demobilized to Thailand at 41, 7 years ago.

Income derived from UK investments and online spread-betting from home. Western income + eastern economy = Very nice affordability

Crisp set up - large downtown apartment, great food and lots of entertainment options

No formal retirement plan - I can't begin to imagine doing even less than I already do

I do put money away and religiously renew my medical insurance, though.

Highly risky method of income though surely?

[guzzi850m2]

Oil offshore for me, 2 month work followed by 2 month holidays, well I sometimes take 3-4 months.

And yes I live in Thailand, haven't been "home" since 2004.

A good life style.

[Cypress Hill]

Wasn't interested in following the path (marriage, career, debt servitude and the creation of new taxpayers to feed the state) that convention lays out for those too foolish or too lazy to question it so demobilized to Thailand at 41, 7 years ago.

Income derived from UK investments and online spread-betting from home. Western income + eastern economy = Very nice affordability

Crisp set up - large downtown apartment, great food and lots of entertainment options

No formal retirement plan - I can't begin to imagine doing even less than I already do

I do put money away and religiously renew my medical insurance, though.

Highly risky method of income though surely?

I guess

Disciplined cash management and stop losses prevent any real damage to my capital.

After a while, it doesn't FEEL risky

[Beetlejuice]

I would never consider moving to Thailand if my existence here had to rely on a job and being only one pay cheque away from disaster if I lost that job.

On average a farang should be looking at earning between 40000 and 60000 baht per month. Jobs opportunities for farangs wanting to work legally in Thailand are extremely limited, unless they have special skills, such as high grade engineers, technology specialists, teachers or here representing companies from abroad, as I did for many years.

Many farangs are working or running companies illegally in the country and over the years I have learned to never ask farangs what they do in Thailand. But for me I would not want to be here in those circumstances..

My advice is; do some research and apply for jobs in Thailand from the home country, and if successful, do not give up everything in the home country and only consider a job here as an adventure and not as a long term career prospect or a secure means for being able to stay long term in Thailand.

[northernjohn]

I would never consider moving to Thailand if my existence here had to rely on a job and being only one pay cheque away from disaster if I lost that job.

On average a farang should be looking at earning between 40000 and 60000 baht per month. Jobs opportunities for farangs wanting to work legally in Thailand are extremely limited, unless they have special skills, such as high grade engineers, technology specialists, teachers or here representing companies from abroad, as I did for many years.

Many farangs are working or running companies illegally in the country and over the years I have learned to never ask farangs what they do in Thailand. But for me I would not want to be here in those circumstances..

My advice is; do some research and apply for jobs in Thailand from the home country, and if successful, do not give up everything in the home country and only consider a job here as an adventure and not as a long term career prospect or a secure means for being able to stay long term in Thailand.

also Thailand has a fair amount of trust fund babies who need never work.

[Beetlejuice]

I would never consider moving to Thailand if my existence here had to rely on a job and being only one pay cheque away from disaster if I lost that job.

On average a farang should be looking at earning between 40000 and 60000 baht per month. Jobs opportunities for farangs wanting to work legally in Thailand are extremely limited, unless they have special skills, such as high grade engineers, technology specialists, teachers or here representing companies from abroad, as I did for many years.

Many farangs are working or running companies illegally in the country and over the years I have learned to never ask farangs what they do in Thailand. But for me I would not want to be here in those circumstances..

My advice is; do some research and apply for jobs in Thailand from the home country, and if successful, do not give up everything in the home country and only consider a job here as an adventure and not as a long term career prospect or a secure means for being able to stay long term in Thailand.

also Thailand has a fair amount of trust fund babies who need never work.

Absolutely true.

As I said; if I were here on the basis of having to rely on a job in Thailand, living hand to mouth, month by month, I would not enjoy that at all and rather remain in my own country.

But, as the wise man says; all good things come to those who wait and I waited to the time was right. I have been here 31 years but during that time had to travel abroad on behalf of the company I worked for, having to spend a lot of time away from my wife and family working hard, paying into pension schemes and saving as much as possible for my retirement along the way. Then later at 56 years old, took early retirement and now reaping the rewards and making the most of my life, independent and beholding to no one. Worked my way legally and all above board, paid my taxes and today I can sit here with my feet up and not a care in the world, in a country and environment that I love. Not living in luxury, but not counting my pennies either. Also provided well for my wife and family, I consider myself a winner.

The younger people should always plan well ahead. Which directions in life people take in there 20s, 30s and 40s determines their lifestyles later on. The key is having patience, not jumping into anything, and better to archive the right qualifications that will increase the odds of a better paid, more secure up market permanent job in Thailand than just coming over on a hope and a prayer that things will work out.

That’s the advice I gave my children and that`s the advice I give to those considering seeking employment or running a company in Thailand for the long term.

[fey]

Thanks for your pearls. Have you seen pumping iron with Arnold swartzeneggar's?

Now there's a man who need not worry about a pension.

[tuonsai]

The best thing you can do is acquire real estate in the West and rent it out to finance your life in Asia.

If you have a chance such as through your family that will get you an income for living much faster then working. I acquired an apartment from my family in a European capital city, and have been living in Asia on and off since 2010, not working at all, except when I go back to keep the apartment up. I'm in my mid thirties.

I'm living okay, I would'nt say living well, but considering I haven't worked for years and spend all day doing whatever I feel like, I don't think that's too bad.

Edited May 17, 2015 by tuonsai

[JB300]

Work, Save, Invest Hard & avoid "Bad" debt...

But do stop to smell the roses every now & again (I lost most of my 30s being a workaholic but boy am I making up for it in my 40s ).

Oh... & take care of your body/health, it's a lot easier to do when you're younger & will pay dividends as you age [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]