Sawasdee Krub (the goodbye one)

[srchino]

Well I know full well that some people view this forum as full of people who bitch and whine about Thailand but still choose to live in the country. I wanted to wait until the time was right before posting about this publicly. I didn't want to sound like someone who says "I'm going to do this or that" in response to another outrageous event happening in Thailand, who never actually does it.

After 13 mostly beautiful years spent in the LOS I have made many friends, had some unforgettable experiences and have learned a ton about Southeast Asia and myself. I will always have a special spot in my heart for Thailand.

That being said, all of the political BS, police corruption, multiple Koh Tao murders that were covered up, police harassment and extortion of foreigners in Bangkok run rampant, and immigration's decision to make things even harder for honest folk living in Thailand, even while he aforementioned things were driving tourists away in droves.

Well, it happened faster than I ever thought it could, but in the space of just several months I fell out of love with the place as quickly as I fell into it in the beginning. So, I packed up all my things and am on the airplane back to my home country.

I wish all of you the best and I hope that someday things turn around. I think the chances are somewhat slim though as probably the saddest and most prevalent letdown for me was the day I realized that Thais I came across in everyday life and occasional travels were no longer curious and friendly toward me. Instead, many were indifferent and quite a few sort of had the attitude "yet another farang", the latter case being either a situation where they would see me as a walking 1000bht note or just sort of avoid altogether. Gone are the days that a curious Thai comes and strikes up a friendly conversation for the sake of being welcoming and interested. It's our fault as much as theirs, imho.

Or who knows, maybe Thailand didn't change and I did, and this is the natural cycle one goes through as they really get to know the place.

Hasta la vista, baby.[emoji111]️

[EyesWideOpen]

Interesting. After 14 years here, I am leaving as well. Some of my reasons are the same

as yours , and some are not. But in any event, it just feels like it is time for me to leave as well.

The Thailand I fell in love with when I first came is getting harder and harder to find....

[daveAustin]

I'm off too, for similar reasons partly, and have been here a similar amount of time. Find it all a bit long in the tooth nowadays. It is different and I won't let anyone tell me otherwise. Future holidays as opposed to living full time could be the key.

All the best, chaps.

[gerry123]

mind the doors please and bon voyage

[rak sa_ngop]

The old English saying 'familiarity breeds contempt' still rings true.

[Costas2008]

In less than a year, you will regret you left Thailand and you will be back.

Heard your story and complaints before......most of them had the same outcome.

Hasta la vista, baby.

[DaveHKT]

Best of luck to all you guys. I hope things work out for you where ever your travels take you.

Bon voyage

[JOC]

In less than a year, you will regret you left Thailand and you will be back.

Heard your story and complaints before......most of them had the same outcome.

Hasta la vista, baby.

Coming from the real expert, who has been here less than half of the time than that of any of the posters leaving..............

[DP25]

The politics, Ko Tao murder, the Thonglor police up to their old antics, etc, are all annoying to read about on the internet...but they have had zero impact on my daily life.

I'm enjoying myself more than I was 10 years ago on my first trip. I speak/read/write Thai now and live outside of the tourist area and am having almost nothing but good experiences. I've been able to make tons of new Thai friends (that don't speak English) and travel to lots of places I never could have gone before. Having a great time.

[EyesWideOpen]

The old English saying 'familiarity breeds contempt' still rings true.

True enough, probably from the Thai side as well. :-) ( " Damn, here come another

one of those pesky farangs...")

There is nothing wrong with Thailand. I still like Thailand, and would certainly

recommend anyone to visit. I have traveled by motorcyle to every single part of

Thailand. I have lived in Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya. I have many

good friends here as well. But it just feels like it is time to change the record.

And no. I am not a bitter expat who was cleaned out by a bar girl... :-) One of

my main reasons for leaving is that I wish to have my 4 year old daughter

educated in America. The rich Thais all send their children abroad to be educated,

so I will do the same for free.....

[sanuk711]

srchino... life is all about decisions, & let me wish you the best with yours.

I am curios to know where your going that doesn't have any of the problems that you have listed or others to compete with those here,

Of course, if its your home country then the Immigration one you listed doesn't count.

I don't know if the location that you had picked to live for the 13 years that you were here, had any reflection on your decision. I am in my 16th year here after visiting for about 8 before, the first years I spent in places like BKK, --Pattaya--Phuket etc, & yes I tired of them-- but I didn't tire of the country. So I moved north (My friend who I came with decided he liked the beaches too much---so it was the south for him & now he is a happy beach bum in a small village )

.

I find that a lot of people who post on here about the Thai experience souring for them---it is not so much about the country but because of a relationship. They don't seem to reflect on the fact that (Most of them) are divorced however they don't run their own country down for this fact.

Graft (Corruption) that you mentioned has always been a part of Asia, its just to what country---what extent.

I can really say the other things do not affect my lifestyle at all, Political BS , I can not vote--but you lived here for what many believe to be the most corrupt years, you lived here through the fighting in the streets of BKK & now you feel there's to much politics?

The Koh Tao murders were terrible---but really they are making you leave the country ?? I wouldn't expect people to leave Paris after 15 were machined gunned down, I know I wont leave Issan because of Koh Tao.

.

So..guessing----Its the Immigration that's making your decision isn't it srchino--?? The other things you can and did live through

.

Edited January 9, 2015 by sanuk711

[dragonfly94]

There is nothing wrong with Thailand. I still like Thailand

Apart from the corruption, political oppression, rampant stupidity, greed and lies, no not much! It has certainly lost a lot of it's charm in the past 20 years, an awful lot. Along with that it is starting to look like everywhere else, I detest the proliferation of Starbucks, MuckDonalds, 7/11 and Piza Hut etc etc, who want to see what they can back home. Thais are far more materialistic and have a jaded opinion of foreigners, curiosity and friendliness has given way to contempt and even hostility.

People can kid themselves all they want that they fit in and are liked cos they can read and speak a bit of Thai, but they will always be falang to Thai and aliens to immigration, put a foot wrong and you will soon find that out.

Edited January 9, 2015 by dragonfly94

[steven100]

Bon' Voyage folks ...... don't forget to write !!

when you get back home ... ignore the high taxes, corruption, bureaucratic red tape, over the top regulations for anything you try to do, cost of living, must have a license for everything you do, expensive for a cup of coffee, can't do this can't do that, & anything else I forgot to mention ......

I love Thailand ... !!!!!

[CharlieH]

I'll bet a relationship and/or money figure heavily in those departures.

[EyesWideOpen]

I'll bet a relationship and/or money figure heavily in those departures.

EyesWideOpen

"And no. I am not a bitter expat who was cleaned out by a bar girl... :-) One of

my main reasons for leaving is that I wish to have my 4 year old daughter

educated in America. "

[JingerBen]

In less than a year, you will regret you left Thailand and you will be back.

Heard your story and complaints before......most of them had the same outcome.

Hasta la vista, baby.

Coming from the real expert, who has been here less than half of the time than that of any of the posters leaving..............

It's not just about lenght of time spent in Thailand.

Costas has - if his posts are anything to go by - been able to establish some sort of a decent family life here.

That makes all the difference.

[Scully]

I would be interested in a follow up from the OP in a years time, 13 years might be long enough for his home country to have changed (not for the better) too.

[pigeonjake]

good luck guys,

sometimes it not a bed of roses, but it sure beats england,,,im staying put,

[hiller]

Bon' Voyage folks ...... don't forget to write !!

when you get back home ... ignore the high taxes, corruption, bureaucratic red tape, over the top regulations for anything you try to do, cost of living, must have a license for everything you do, expensive for a cup of coffee, can't do this can't do that, & anything else I forgot to mention ......

I love Thailand ... !!!!!

Last time I looked, a good cup of coffee here cost the same as the US. However, if you like Nescafe then the cost is about the same. Of course, when with your bar friends your statement would be, "in my Country you can't even have a few beers and drive your car or walk stupidly down the street without being arrested." Now, rewrite your post and give your real reason.

[Thongkorn]

Thailand is changing but some people see it through rose tinted glasses. My Thai wife and her Family all say Thailand has changed, We Have a house in Thailand, but Our main home is in the UK, Every year we go back for a few months, Maybe getting out of Thailand and looking in, instead of in looking out gives you a better prospective of life in Thailand. We found Thais more irritable this time.

[nottocus]

Bye.

[Bakeman]

I left last October to take care of my aging mother and to upgrade my education (Masters) as Thai unis can't compare but I am returning eventually. The prices just for normal things was truly a shock like $1.89 for a coke and $20.00 for breakfast after the tip. My next return to Thailand will be for the long haul of retirement. I missed Thailand immediately once I came across the snappy people of my homeland. It is still nice to see home and a few old friends.

I LOVE THAILAND!!!

[srchino]

Some of you make some very valid observations and raised some good questions.

Some of the problems I cite do indeed exist in my home country to one extent or another, but on the scale that might affect me there is a legal pathway for recourse. Like any legal system it's inefficient and could be improved, but there is one that is available to the general public and not simply rich and connected people.

I also have had a very good feel for what's been going on in my home country over the span of my time in Thailand, I went back and forth often and this past visit there I really started appreciating the stability and growing trends in the right direction. Meanwhile in Thailand living with cops piss testing foreigners (later found to be illegal) right on the street at my doorstep, it just felt uneasy.

I'd say that there wasn't any single one thing, but it was an accumulation of a thousand little ones. I came to Thailand before the era of the selfie existed (okay maybe there was a random one with a crappy little Nokia here and there), and the narcissism that has erupted to modern day selfie stick culture just kind of disgusts me. People aren't as aware of the people in their immediate surroundings, but rather obsessed with carefully sculpting their image for the Instagram persona they have crafted as a "brand".

No, this phenomenon isn't what made me want to leave, but out of all those selfie taking, insular Line chatters on the BTS, used to be an occasional "hello, where are you from?" Friendly exchange, that sorta stuff is pretty rare these days (i.e., from people who aren't looking for money from me in some way).

Down in the south I'd say people are not as friendly as I remember either, and many more very unpleasant tourists in the Russians and Chinese. In the north of Thailand I still find it to be very nice and the people there haven't changed as much. I did consider moving there- but a combination of factors collectively pushing me away from Thailand (none of them immigration related) PLUS many very appealing things happening back in my home country just sort of made me wake up and realize that life would be better on the other side of the water.

I hope to return someday and find it still a wonderful place (also I'm going pretty serious with a very nice girl from Thailand so there's that connection as she's from a very big family there). Like someone said above, just been listening to the same mix for too long- on toward the next phase in life, and very much looking forward to some little things, like considerate motorists!

Edited January 9, 2015 by srchino

[ryanhull]

For me there are benefits for both Thailand and the UK, sometimes when I go back to the Uk to visit my family and friends after a week I cannot wait to get back to Thailand, sometimes after spending time in Thailand I look forward to popping back to the UK, remember the grass is always greener.

[mrtoad]

Sometimes it's just time to move on

Good luck to those, it seems a few are longer term stayers.

It has changed a lot over the years, and certainly some of it not for the better, but I still enjoy living and working here at the moment.

[ryanhull]

Meanwhile in Thailand living with cops piss testing foreigners (later found to be illegal) right on the street at my doorstep, it just felt uneasy.

Sounds like you just need to move out of the tourist bar area and get into real Thailand, never understood why people come all the way here to live along side a load of overweight white sock sandle wielding tourists in a smokey bar.

I must say, since leaving Bangkok and moving out into northern Thailand things are much nicer.

[ryanhull]

p.s no offense to white socks or sandles, just not at the same time lads

[steven100]

Bon' Voyage folks ...... don't forget to write !!

when you get back home ... ignore the high taxes, corruption, bureaucratic red tape, over the top regulations for anything you try to do, cost of living, must have a license for everything you do, expensive for a cup of coffee, can't do this can't do that, & anything else I forgot to mention ......

I love Thailand ... !!!!!

Last time I looked, a good cup of coffee here cost the same as the US. However, if you like Nescafe then the cost is about the same. Of course, when with your bar friends your statement would be, "in my Country you can't even have a few beers and drive your car or walk stupidly down the street without being arrested." Now, rewrite your post and give your real reason.

Wrong !! ....... I buy a machine processed cup of coffee made from beans imported from Brizal for 40 baht each day ..... and I know many other coffee houses offer similar ..... in your country it's around $5 minimum so thats about 4 x ...

Also , I'm a loner ... no bar friends like your leaving behind ..... and it's got absolutely nothing to do with driving a car after drinking ... that is considered illegal in any country.

I'm talking about ... if I own a block of land in the US , UK , Australia or elsewhere ... Legally I cannot even dig a hole on my land unless I get a permit ... I cannot cut down a tree on my own land unless I get a permit ..... I cannot go fishing on my property unless I have a license .....I cannot have a BBQ on my land unless I obtain permission & a permit to light the BBQ ..... and so on .... and so on ....

Do you get the point or are you still in denial ....

[JingerBen]

Bon' Voyage folks ...... don't forget to write !!

when you get back home ... ignore the high taxes, corruption, bureaucratic red tape, over the top regulations for anything you try to do, cost of living, must have a license for everything you do, expensive for a cup of coffee, can't do this can't do that, & anything else I forgot to mention ......

I love Thailand ... !!!!!

Last time I looked, a good cup of coffee here cost the same as the US. However, if you like Nescafe then the cost is about the same. Of course, when with your bar friends your statement would be, "in my Country you can't even have a few beers and drive your car or walk stupidly down the street without being arrested." Now, rewrite your post and give your real reason.

Wrong !! ....... I buy a machine processed cup of coffee made from beans imported from Brizal for 40 baht each day ..... and I know many other coffee houses offer similar ..... in your country it's around $5 minimum so thats about 4 x ...

Also , I'm a loner ... no bar friends like your leaving behind ..... and it's got absolutely nothing to do with driving a car after drinking ... that is considered illegal in any country.

I'm talking about ... if I own a block of land in the US , UK , Australia or elsewhere ... Legally I cannot even dig a hole on my land unless I get a permit ... I cannot cut down a tree on my own land unless I get a permit ..... I cannot go fishing on my property unless I have a license .....I cannot have a BBQ on my land unless I obtain permission & a permit to light the BBQ ..... and so on .... and so on ....

Do you get the point or are you still in denial ....

You forgot to add that you couldn't hang out your laundry on a clothesline or build a treehouse for your kids in many suburban communities in the US.

I'll take Thailand any day of the week.

[srchino]

Meanwhile in Thailand living with cops piss testing foreigners (later found to be illegal) right on the street at my doorstep, it just felt uneasy.

Sounds like you just need to move out of the tourist bar area and get into real Thailand, never understood why people come all the way here to live along side a load of overweight white sock sandle wielding tourists in a smokey bar.

I must say, since leaving Bangkok and moving out into northern Thailand things are much nicer.

Actually I lived in the Thai bar area, one that I really loved living in for many reasons beyond the nightlife. I'm not a fan of the fanny pack, cheap beer sois I think you're referring to, either.

Like I said, I did consider moving to the north and I do like it up there, but in considering a change of scenery as a whole and all the factors involved I was drawn home, and it's a tremendously good feeling. I land in less than an hour!

Edited January 9, 2015 by srchino