Leaving Thailand for good

[fey]

People who keep saying that the price of certain female entertainment is so much cheaper in Thailand. Are getting the same things in the USA

If you dont. Believe it, go to the Miami back page and look at the escort. And message and the women seeking men pages, and you will see plenty Asian girls, right here, in the USA

There is no longer a need to go to Thailand. Just for that, not that I do, but I did, at first....

I sure didnt come to Thailand. To see Temples but I saw a dozen of them.anyway, in Bali and Laos too..... What I was looking for was the temple priestesses, but all I saw was tourists

using escort ads in the us your taking a huge risk. robbery or worse. were talking real bad stuff, not just a girl taking your phone or stealing. not at all the same as thailand. the risk of being setup or stung by law enforcement is huge as well and very common.

[ScarpoFongness4U]

Even at 60 baht per Chang, you are still talking $12.00 for a 6 pack, which is higher for Thai cheap beer than it is for fresh breeds in the US.

A 6/ pack of Hoegaarden in the USA is $9.00

In Thailand, its $5.00 per bottle

You cannot live a good upper middle class style life in Thailand, for less than you can in the US,

The US is less and you get more.

The difference is the sheer numbers of poor uneducated women being pimped in bars and massage parlors

But they are flooding the US now, and I see Asian massage joints here now like you see 7-11 there

[beachproperty]

Even at 60 baht per Chang, you are still talking $12.00 for a 6 pack, which is higher for Thai cheap beer than it is for fresh breeds in the US.

A 6/ pack of Hoegaarden in the USA is $9.00

In Thailand, its $5.00 per bottle

You cannot live a good upper middle class style life in Thailand, for less than you can in the US,

The US is less and you get more.

The difference is the sheer numbers of poor uneducated women being pimped in bars and massage parlors

But they are flooding the US now, and I see Asian massage joints here now like you see 7-11 there

Don't know why you (and others) continue to post regarding costs of living in Thailand vs USA. You've never lived here and Thailand is a BIG country with varying costs throughout. You mentiond upper middle class living....well

Upper-middle-class workers typically have post-graduate degrees and work at high-level, white-collar positions. Household income for these workers is often above $100,000. According to the Census bureau, upper-middle-class, or professional class workers, earn enough to be in the top one-third of American incomes.Sep 13, 2012

Where Do You Fall in the American Economic Class System ...

money.usnews.com/.../where-do-you-fall-in-the-american-economic-class-s...

$100,000 dollars a year in Thailand DOES provide a very nice living....even if a soapy king, sex tourist like you doesn't believe it. I'm living proof as are many others that live here on less than that very nicely!

But getting back to the original topic.....I'm here to the end, as this is where my life is now with my Thai wife and family.

For the Thread on Living the high life in Thailand go to:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808975-how-much-do-i-need-to-retire-in-thailand-with-a-fairly-high-standard-of-living/page-13

Edited April 24, 2015 by beachproperty

[benalibina]

Even at 60 baht per Chang, you are still talking $12.00 for a 6 pack, which is higher for Thai cheap beer than it is for fresh breeds in the US.

A 6/ pack of Hoegaarden in the USA is $9.00

In Thailand, its $5.00 per bottle

You cannot live a good upper middle class style life in Thailand, for less than you can in the US,

The US is less and you get more.

The difference is the sheer numbers of poor uneducated women being pimped in bars and massage parlors

But they are flooding the US now, and I see Asian massage joints here now like you see 7-11 there

Don't know why you (and others) continue to post regarding costs of living in Thailand vs USA. You've never lived here and Thailand is a BIG country with varying costs throughout. You mentiond upper middle class living....well

Upper-middle-class workers typically have post-graduate degrees and work at high-level, white-collar positions. Household income for these workers is often above $100,000. According to the Census bureau, upper-middle-class, or professional class workers, earn enough to be in the top one-third of American incomes.Sep 13, 2012

Where Do You Fall in the American Economic Class System ...

money.usnews.com/.../where-do-you-fall-in-the-american-economic-class-s...

$100,000 dollars a year in Thailand DOES provide a very nice living....even if a soapy king, sex tourist like you doesn't believe it. I'm living proof as are many others that live here on less than that very nicely!

But getting back to the original topic.....I'm here to the end, as this is where my life is now with my Thai wife and family.

For the Thread on Living the high life in Thailand go to:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808975-how-much-do-i-need-to-retire-in-thailand-with-a-fairly-high-standard-of-living/page-13

For a moment I thought........hmmm....just a flashback......let it return.....for some entertainment.

[slerickson]

Even at 60 baht per Chang, you are still talking $12.00 for a 6 pack, which is higher for Thai cheap beer than it is for fresh breeds in the US.

A 6/ pack of Hoegaarden in the USA is $9.00

In Thailand, its $5.00 per bottle

You cannot live a good upper middle class style life in Thailand, for less than you can in the US,

The US is less and you get more.

The difference is the sheer numbers of poor uneducated women being pimped in bars and massage parlors

But they are flooding the US now, and I see Asian massage joints here now like you see 7-11 there

Good someone posts an example.

Large Chang is 1.67 usd here, now. Chang is over 4 in U.S.

Micro brews in U.S. Run about triple that.

No idea what Hoegarden is but I its be stupid to buy here if it's too expensive.

This

[ScarpoFongness4U]

I posted from my experience of living the way I wanted to live in Thailand

In a new, two bedroom condo hotel, in the Penthouse, with only one other condo on the floor, a sun deck area with new tables chairs umbrellas and a gym on another floor that brought in young people

I wanted to eat western food and they had a restaurant downstairs and breakfast was brought to my room every morning

I could walk to the buffet I liked or I could be brought by their spiffy tuk tuk

They let me play my guitar thru the amp, and I liked that apparently their walls were so thick, no one ever complained, again because the condo next to me was often vacant

That was 60,000/baht a month, and worth every baht

They were very nice to my soapy princess and always washed her car if it needed and always walked her to the door, and brought her car to her...

After I moved in with her, into what was a beautiful guard gated home development, recently built, I frequently had dinner at at the promenade and mingled well with the locals

I refer to what it costs to live in Thailand, in the city, in upper middle class fashion and I say again

I can live that way, and have for the last 30 years, in south Florida in better form than I can in Thailand, for less money

Notice the word I, in front of everything I, said

Ps.

I was also seeing what many here call the nice Thai girls, educated, with great jobs, earning 60,000 to 80,000 baht a month plus commission on sales/ and,

I prefer the soapy, and the last few girls I was with whom I found in the dance clubs of Patpong

Notice, I said I, again, not you

[beachproperty]

I posted from my experience of living the way I wanted to live in Thailand

In a new, two bedroom condo hotel, in the Penthouse, with only one other condo on the floor, a sun deck area with new tables chairs umbrellas and a gym on another floor that brought in young people

I wanted to eat western food and they had a restaurant downstairs and breakfast was brought to my room every morning

I could walk to the buffet I liked or I could be brought by their spiffy tuk tuk

They let me play my guitar thru the amp, and I liked that apparently their walls were so thick, no one ever complained, again because the condo next to me was often vacant

That was 60,000/baht a month, and worth every baht

They were very nice to my soapy princess and always washed her car if it needed and always walked her to the door, and brought her car to her...

After I moved in with her, into what was a beautiful guard gated home development, recently built, I frequently had dinner at at the promenade and mingled well with the locals

I refer to what it costs to live in Thailand, in the city, in upper middle class fashion and I say again

I can live that way, and have for the last 30 years, in south Florida in better form than I can in Thailand, for less money

Notice the word I, in front of everything I, said

Ps.

I was also seeing what many here call the nice Thai girls, educated, with great jobs, earning 60,000 to 80,000 baht a month plus commission on sales/ and,

I prefer the soapy, and the last few girls I was with whom I found in the dance clubs of Patpong

Notice, I said I, again, not you

....your prior post prominently stated "You cannot live a good upper middle class style life in Thailand, for less than you can in the US," ..and you continue to say "you" ...meaning anyone

I just pointed out that anyone can ....easily on $100,000/yr (cost of middle class life in USA) in Thailand ....Guess YOU missed that point!

Also as a sex tourist your costs are considerably higher than your upper middle class expat living in Thailand. Guess you forgot your just a tourist ....ie living in a condo/Hotel. How much would that same condo/hotel room cost you in Miami (remember its a short term rental!)? $10,000 dollars/month?

This post just confirms your lack of knowledge of Thailand and that it is more than limited, but extremely narrow in view.

Edited April 25, 2015 by beachproperty

[bannork]

Flaungs <deleted> in Thailand and still missing it judging by the number of posts from those in exile.It's a bit like leaving a woman for some reason yet still stalking her on facebook.
I went back to Blighty 2 weeks ago for a visit, the trees were still leafless, yet on my return to los I looked out of the window from the train from the airport and saw nothing but hues of green from brilliant to dark. Oh joyous Thailand, it just makes you happy to be alive.

[Toknarok]

How many expats, especially those living in cities, have maids. I've no idea but I'll bet it's a good percentage. Where in the US could you employ a full time maid for 10K baht a month? Emply legally, not some paperless illegal immigrant.

[jonnyramone]

Funny that most of the people claiming to live in thay style choose some of the most western cities (Pattaya,Phuket,Chang Mai). I don't think there are so many gentlemen here that want to live like thais...

[NCFC]

How many expats, especially those living in cities, have maids. I've no idea but I'll bet it's a good percentage. Where in the US could you employ a full time maid for 10K baht a month? Emply legally, not some paperless illegal immigrant.

Plenty of expats in Thailand would be happy to earn 10k baht a month if it meant they could stay there.

[VIPinthailand]

oh yeah... USA houses are very strong and very safe.... I feel safer in the USA.

USA quality #1.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Greensburg_kansas_tornado.jpg

hey, I can see pieces of your high quality house flying over my head.

problem with some guys here, they are out of the reality. they don't realise that life in Americka has dramatically changed .

Edited April 25, 2015 by VIPinthailand

[sirineou]

oh yeah... USA houses are very strong and very safe.... I feel safer in the USA.

USA quality #1.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Greensburg_kansas_tornado.jpg

hey, I can see pieces of your high quality house flying over my head.

Nonsense

what do you think would happen to a Thai ,or for that matter any other neighborhood in the world hit by a EF5 category tornado

I find it difficult to think that there is any one who would argue that building codes in Thailand are stronger than the US

or their endorsement better than the US

I dont even know why people are still arguing over the US vs Thailand living cost issue,

Nobody loves Thailand and the Thai people more than I do, if you would go back and look at my posting history, one could describe me as a Thai apologist, I dont like that description, I like to think my self as a realist

and the reality is that

the only thing that is less expensive in Thailand are things that derive their value from Thai labor which is cheap right now

I emphasize "right now" because Thai labor costs in Thailand are rising.

Other things are less expensive due to the nonexistent or unenforced consumer protection.but that front end saving in price comes with a back end cost

So Imported goods are often more expensive, due to the scale of economies but some of that cost is offset by current lower labor costs and a willingness to exchange a safety for a lower price

For me price is not the issue, I love Thailand, my wife is Thai, her family is here, so regardless of the cost we are here to stay, BUT at the same time I am getting older, health issues are emerging, so an exit strategy is prudent

So as much time as work will permit in Thailand the rest in the US, later on when I retire, I will re-examine the situation, but I suspect , six months in the US six months in Thailand would be the best for me

For others in a different stage of their lives or different situation a different formula might be more prudent.

edit typo

Edited April 25, 2015 by sirineou

[MaeJoMTB]

oh yeah... USA houses are very strong and very safe.... I feel safer in the USA.

USA quality #1.

hey, I can see pieces of your high quality house flying over my head.

Nonsense

what do you think would happen to a Thai ,or for that matter any other neighborhood in the world hit by a EF5 category tornado

I find it difficult to think that there is any one who would argue that building codes in Thailand are stronger than the US

or their endorsement better than the US

I live in a concrete floored/walled house with a steel frame roof.

I might lose some windows and tiles, but confident the house and lower floor would remain intact.

Wood Vs Tornado reminds me of the three little pigs story.

Don't care about building codes, wood don't cut it.

Edited April 25, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[lostoday]

the only thing that is less expensive in Thailand are things that derive their value from Thai labor which is cheap right now

I emphasize "right now" because Thai labor costs in Thailand are rising.

Other things are less expensive due to the nonexistent or unenforced consumer protection.but that front end saving in price comes with a back end cost

A lot of things in Thailand are cheaper because of climate. One does not really need heat or AC. A lot of things are cheaper because of multiple growing seasons. And many other things but you get the idea.

Labor rates are going up all over the world. Thailand will retain its percentage rate in comparison with most other countries. No reason to think about parity of Thai wages with the USA or UK as it will never happen.

The US dollar will always be worth at least 25 times more than the Thai baht because things always move in tandem and not alone.

There are forces working in Thailand that insist there is a large class division and I don't see that changing.

[sirineou]

oh yeah... USA houses are very strong and very safe.... I feel safer in the USA.

USA quality #1.

hey, I can see pieces of your high quality house flying over my head.

Nonsense

what do you think would happen to a Thai ,or for that matter any other neighborhood in the world hit by a EF5 category tornado

I find it difficult to think that there is any one who would argue that building codes in Thailand are stronger than the US

or their endorsement better than the US

I live in a concrete floored/walled house with a steel frame roof.

I might lose some windows and tiles, but confident the house and lower floor would remain intact.

Wood Vs Tornado reminds me of the three little pigs story.

Don't care about building codes, wood don't cut it.

Building material use in a particular area are represent of the availability of these material in that area, weather conditions, and other variables.

Yellow pine and Doug Fir are in abundance in the US, they provide a stable cost effective, well insulated, durable envelope that lasts hundreds of years

The damage caused to them by an EF5 category tornado is not representative of their quality,

an EF5 tornado packs winds estimated to be in excess of 320 km/ph I dont think there are any structures that will fare well in such a situation, certainly not the village town or city you live in.

But if you want to argue that construction codes, enforcement and quality is better in Thailand go ahead,

[sirineou]

the only thing that is less expensive in Thailand are things that derive their value from Thai labor which is cheap right now

I emphasize "right now" because Thai labor costs in Thailand are rising.

Other things are less expensive due to the nonexistent or unenforced consumer protection.but that front end saving in price comes with a back end cost

A lot of things in Thailand are cheaper because of climate. One does not really need heat or AC. A lot of things are cheaper because of multiple growing seasons. And many other things but you get the idea.

Labor rates are going up all over the world. Thailand will retain its percentage rate in comparison with most other countries. No reason to think about parity of Thai wages with the USA or UK as it will never happen.

The US dollar will always be worth at least 25 times more than the Thai baht because things always move in tandem and not alone.

There are forces working in Thailand that insist there is a large class division and I don't see that changing.

Certainly don't need heat, but I would respectful disagree about ac. I guess it depends where in Thailand you are , but in most places you do .

In Thailand we have wall units and most people run them some of the time because of the cost

In my Florida home in the US where the weather is similar to Thailand I have central ac/heat that runs 24/7

if the temperature raises above 74F the ac kicks in automatically if in the winter drops below 74F it reverses cycle and the heat kicks in, my electric which includes hot water, light and cooking, and running a large number of electronics, averages 5212 bht per month

Try running your ac 24/7 in every room in Thailand

Thailand is an emerging economy, if it is to developed it has to make the transition from a low wage economy to a high quality economy, such as every other developed country, if it will ever reach parity with the US is arguable, but higher wages that will eliminate most of the low wage cost advantage is inevitable if Thailand is to develop.

Unless of course you want to argue that Thailand will never develop.

[MaeJoMTB]

Unless of course you want to argue that Thailand will never develop.

I will take that argument.

I suspect very few countries in the world will develop much more now.

In fact, what is likely is the west will go backward and civilization will fall.

[MaeJoMTB]

But if you want to argue that construction codes, enforcement and quality is better in Thailand go ahead,

No, I will argue that tornado's don't knock down brick and concrete buildings as easily as wood houses.

"As for construction of homes versus tornadoes. Most tornadoes are weak and can peel off shingles or parts of roofs along with siding, etc. A brick house is definitely better than a stick-built 2X4 sheetrock and stapled particle board house with vinyl siding. Brick clearly is stronger and a brick home also doesn't suffer hail damage or small flying debris damage as easily. The most storms are violent thunderstorms with gale-force or storm-force winds and brick definitely is better than a conventional siding house. However, as versatile said, a powerful tornado f3 and f4 can destroy both kinds of homes if hit right and a regular house with siding can be punctured much more easily. I wouldn't feel safe in a strong storm in one. An f5 can not only wipe the house off the foundation, but it can peel asphalt off of roads and even in some cases lift slab foundations. Nothing survives a direct hit by an f5. Even hundred year old trees can be sucked out of the ground by a tornado that strong, roots and all. Only being underground in a shelter can save you.

The only construction that has been proven to have escaped destruction in a direct tornado hit is a concrete dome"

On the other hand,

Wood is probably better in an earthquake.

Edited April 25, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[JB300]

Whether country A or Country B is cheaper depends on your personal circumstances & how you live your life.

As an example, I left Singapore at the end of Feb after 6 1/2 years & can only say that it was #considerably# cheaper living there for me than living in the North West of the UK.

Only Major Expense in Singapore was housing which including all utilities was around £2000 per month Vs I own my home in UK so cost me around £5-600 per month in utilities, council tax, insurance etc...

Offset against this was a saving of around £1,200 per month as I wasn't running 2 cars & almost £2,500 per month (yes almost £30,000 pa) in less tax/no N.I. So I was quids in.

However, If I'd wanted to run a single (decent) car in Singapore, I probably would have been better off in the UK.

But obviously Singapore has recently been voted the most expensive city in the world so my personal experience can't be valid can it [emoji15]

Edited April 25, 2015 by JB300

[sirineou]

But if you want to argue that construction codes, enforcement and quality is better in Thailand go ahead,

No, I will argue that tornado's don't knock down brick and concrete buildings.

and with out changing the subject of this thread you would be wrong both in the civilization comment and in the structural assessment of concrete buildings

in the event of an F5 tornado, winds in excess of 320 km/ph will be generated, The first thing that will happen would be that your windows will blow in , either from the wind or from projectiles, then your roof will lift, and your brick , breeze block or supper block, non load bearing walls will collapse, leaving you with the columns,

You of course being in Thailand and not having a basement to escape to, will not care very much about it, as you would be dead

[lostoday]

A lot of things in Thailand are cheaper because of climate. One does not really need heat or AC. A lot of things are cheaper because of multiple growing seasons. And many other things but you get the idea.

Labor rates are going up all over the world. Thailand will retain its percentage rate in comparison with most other countries. No reason to think about parity of Thai wages with the USA or UK as it will never happen.

The US dollar will always be worth at least 25 times more than the Thai baht because things always move in tandem and not alone.

There are forces working in Thailand that insist there is a large class division and I don't see that changing.

Certainly don't need heat, but I would respectful disagree about ac. I guess it depends where in Thailand you are , but in most places you do .

In Thailand we have wall units and most people run them some of the time because of the cost

In my Florida home in the US where the weather is similar to Thailand I have central ac/heat that runs 24/7

if the temperature raises above 74F the ac kicks in automatically if in the winter drops below 74F it reverses cycle and the heat kicks in, my electric which includes hot water, light and cooking, and running a large number of electronics, averages 5212 bht per month

Try running your ac 24/7 in every room in Thailand

Thailand is an emerging economy, if it is to developed it has to make the transition from a low wage economy to a high quality economy, such as every other developed country, if it will ever reach parity with the US is arguable, but higher wages that will eliminate most of the low wage cost advantage is inevitable if Thailand is to develop.

Unless of course you want to argue that Thailand will never develop.

I lived in Thailand and Florida when the majority of the natives did not have AC. About 50% of homes built in the 1960's in Florida still did not have central AC. We got a TV a few years before we got AC.

MY electric bill runs under 2000 baht and I run the AC almost 24/7 (not in every room only in the rooms I use). I been here a long time and don't need the cold temps most Farangs do.

Thailand and the US have been separated by the same wage ratio for the past 50 years. I see no reason it will change. Thai current events support this theory.

Edited April 25, 2015 by lostoday

[sirineou]

A lot of things in Thailand are cheaper because of climate. One does not really need heat or AC. A lot of things are cheaper because of multiple growing seasons. And many other things but you get the idea.

Labor rates are going up all over the world. Thailand will retain its percentage rate in comparison with most other countries. No reason to think about parity of Thai wages with the USA or UK as it will never happen.

The US dollar will always be worth at least 25 times more than the Thai baht because things always move in tandem and not alone.

There are forces working in Thailand that insist there is a large class division and I don't see that changing.

Certainly don't need heat, but I would respectful disagree about ac. I guess it depends where in Thailand you are , but in most places you do .

In Thailand we have wall units and most people run them some of the time because of the cost

In my Florida home in the US where the weather is similar to Thailand I have central ac/heat that runs 24/7

if the temperature raises above 74F the ac kicks in automatically if in the winter drops below 74F it reverses cycle and the heat kicks in, my electric which includes hot water, light and cooking, and running a large number of electronics, averages 5212 bht per month

Try running your ac 24/7 in every room in Thailand

Thailand is an emerging economy, if it is to developed it has to make the transition from a low wage economy to a high quality economy, such as every other developed country, if it will ever reach parity with the US is arguable, but higher wages that will eliminate most of the low wage cost advantage is inevitable if Thailand is to develop.

Unless of course you want to argue that Thailand will never develop.

I lived in Thailand and Florida when the majority of the natives did not have AC. About 50% of homes built in the 1960's in Florida still did not have central AC. We got a TV a few years before we got AC.

MY electric bill runs under 2000 baht and I run the AC almost 24/7 (not in every room only in the rooms I use). I been here a long time and don't need the cold temps most Farangs do.

Thailand and the US have been separated by the same wage ratio for the past 50 years. I see no reason it will change. Thai current events support this theory.

This was true 75 years ago many things did not exist in the US, including me but that is not the case now

and we are comparing conditions now

You might be right about the wage ratios between the US and Thailand, I dont profess any particular expertise in the subject, all I can say is that wages in the US, have being on the decline, where they have being rising in Thailand, this can not be very good for the ratio., but this could be a temporary condition, that is why I say that when I a ready to retire full time, in five years I will reconsider the situation

But I think you and me are essentially making the same point,

as you said, at least in the case of e/c, you are paying less, but by your admission, you are getting less

every room in the house US vs one room in the house Thailand

If you are willing to accept less then Thailand is cheaper, but then so would be the US.in some cases

in other cases in the US you dont have the choice of accepting less.

More is mandated and if you want less you are out of luck, and that is an other thing to consider in this discussion.

[kannot]

Flaungs <deleted> in Thailand and still missing it judging by the number of posts from those in exile.It's a bit like leaving a woman for some reason yet still stalking her on facebook.

I went back to Blighty 2 weeks ago for a visit, the trees were still leafless, yet on my return to los I looked out of the window from the train from the airport and saw nothing but hues of green from brilliant to dark. Oh joyous Thailand, it just makes you happy to be alive.

Until it goes wrong then yes

[lostoday]

Thai houses have advantages. No hot water tanks. No hot water to wash with. No dish washers. Room air conditioners.

Many places in Thailand you don't need a car. Almost everywhere in the US. Motor scooters and motor cycles are more efficient as is public transportation. 10 forms of public transportation; 1. Motor scooter taxi, tuk tuk, song taus, vans, bus, taxi, subway, elevated and train.

Thai government subsidizes; electric, water, gas and oil and health care among other things has a; being poor and powerless is cool campaign going on.

Edited April 25, 2015 by lostoday

[kannot]

How many expats, especially those living in cities, have maids. I've no idea but I'll bet it's a good percentage. Where in the US could you employ a full time maid for 10K baht a month? Emply legally, not some paperless illegal immigrant.

Have you ACTUALLY tried to get staff in the last few years?

I have and 10k doesnt cut it anymore Im afraid, had a kid recently he was working as a security guard on the BTS 18k a month he quit saying it was long hours and he was tired, he came to work for me on our land and lasted 6 weeks before saying the work was to hard, him and his girlfriend were getting 18k for both of them + free house food, motorcycle and free fuel and 1 day a week off.

Looks now like 12k is the rate for a man round by me and builders workers ask 500 a day even though they still have little skills if any.

[SpokaneAl]

My Thai wife of 40 years and I just returned a couple of days ago to our home in the U.S. after six months in Thailand. We also have a home in Thailand and we split our time between both countries with six months or so in each.

It is always nice to return to the U.S. where infrastructure, roads, laws, and the quality of our home and community are light years beyond that in Thailand. I also appreciate in how easy it is to get things done, resolve issues whether they involve public services, private companies or just taking care of day to day stuff.

I also tend to forget how nice it is to just, once again, to be able to blend into crowds and not stand out everywhere I go as the Falang.

While we have a very nice home in Thailand with a/c, a car and a scooter, my wife always says to enjoy and adapt in Thailand one must enjoy camping.

In the states it is good to be back with our son, although his work schedule makes visits a bit on the sporadic side. In the states I have a boatload of friends and acquaintances.

However, in Thailand, while I have few friends, we have a very close immediate family and a large extended family. In Thailand I dearly love our family relationships and just live for doing the daily small things together.

Returning to the U.S. means returning to a sense of normalcy, comfort and convenience. It also means a sadness at saying goodbye to my Thai family.

For us is is not a question of which place is cheaper. We will continue splitting our time between the two countries, and as the years go by, I find myself as a man split between two cultures and countries.

That day in the future when health issues could drive us to saying a forever goodbye to our beloved Thai family will be a sad one indeed.

Meanwhile, my wife and I, as we move into our mid 60s, grow more introspective about life and try to enjoy each day, celebrate living, and appreciate each other and our amazing family spread between the two countries and cultures.

Edited April 25, 2015 by SpokaneAl

[ScarpoFongness4U]

A lot of things in Thailand are cheaper because of climate. One does not really need heat or AC. A lot of things are cheaper because of multiple growing seasons. And many other things but you get the idea.

Labor rates are going up all over the world. Thailand will retain its percentage rate in comparison with most other countries. No reason to think about parity of Thai wages with the USA or UK as it will never happen.

The US dollar will always be worth at least 25 times more than the Thai baht because things always move in tandem and not alone.

There are forces working in Thailand that insist there is a large class division and I don't see that changing.

Certainly don't need heat, but I would respectful disagree about ac. I guess it depends where in Thailand you are , but in most places you do .

In Thailand we have wall units and most people run them some of the time because of the cost

In my Florida home in the US where the weather is similar to Thailand I have central ac/heat that runs 24/7

if the temperature raises above 74F the ac kicks in automatically if in the winter drops below 74F it reverses cycle and the heat kicks in, my electric which includes hot water, light and cooking, and running a large number of electronics, averages 5212 bht per month

Try running your ac 24/7 in every room in Thailand

Thailand is an emerging economy, if it is to developed it has to make the transition from a low wage economy to a high quality economy, such as every other developed country, if it will ever reach parity with the US is arguable, but higher wages that will eliminate most of the low wage cost advantage is inevitable if Thailand is to develop.

Unless of course you want to argue that Thailand will never develop.

I lived in Thailand and Florida when the majority of the natives did not have AC. About 50% of homes built in the 1960's in Florida still did not have central AC. We got a TV a few years before we got AC.

MY electric bill runs under 2000 baht and I run the AC almost 24/7 (not in every room only in the rooms I use). I been here a long time and don't need the cold temps most Farangs do.

Thailand and the US have been separated by the same wage ratio for the past 50 years. I see no reason it will change. Thai current events support this theory.

Just a moment there partner,

I too have been in Florida since the 70's

And yes,

The original homes, that weren't trailers,

All had jalousie windows, on all 4 sides of the home, and even in the summer when the temps hit the mid 90's, they still dropped to the high 70's and low 80's at night, at the worst of the highest highest heat, and your home would be livable and with at least one fan on the ceiling, be able to sleep those nights.

Many or most homes, including the trailers all had air conditioning units available to purchase reasonably cheap, and most people did have them in the bedrooms.

By the 70's new houses were being built with central a/c and all apartments were too

Back to the 50's and 60's

The typical Florida home was generally all, fairly close to water, and generally only a few miles from the Atlantic ocean as there wasn't much development to the west, and dont not pick about the mid state, we are talking about the typical Florida House 2 or 3 small bedrooms and a car port, those houses are all over the state, everywhere,

There were usually citrus trees everywhere, cypress trees, banyan trees, all provided shade, and if near a pond, a sharply lower temperature than just yards away.

There is always a cool breeze at night in Florida, and north of west palm beach it is even cooler.

Additionally, in summer there is frequently rain which helps cool things faster. Anyone who rides a motorbike in FLORIDA as I have since 1974 can confirm that you can feel the temperature dropping and know you're coming upon a healthy rain, miles before its hits.

The only homes in Thailand I have been in that are old, and stay relatively cool in that suffocating heat of Bangkok and it's polluted, particulate laden air, are the two story townhouses, built well, with trees still spread out enough to shield the blazing sun, and then, only on the first floor, is it OK. In fact with fans in the right place in my friends townhouse it was actually, even cool.....

Tornadoes

Simple. If you live in a tornado zone, you also have a basement, very few people die from tornadoes but houses and trailers are usually destroyed, utterly. Those people then take their insurance check and either leave Oklahoma or Texas or, they move right back to the same location and live in another much newer trailer//and it comes with a/c

when I first visited my friend in Bangkok in 2013 and he only had one air conditioner unit in his bedroom and I asked why he doesn't replace the broken air conditioner in the room his wife and granddaughter sleep in he tried to tell me this is Thailand and this is the way we live herethen I asked him to come and look at the four year old who is sleeping in that bed and showed him the sweat coming off her brow and what had to be a raised body temperature and I told him to stop being a cheap bastard and get the kids and air conditioning unit. at first he tried to tell me they don't need it,

and then I looked at him with the face of a person telling him that he's cheap and he's an idiot and then the next thing he did was get the new air conditioner and they lived happily ever after

the United States in the state of Texas Louisiana and Arkansas and Oklahoma are building these mammoth domes in order to house people in times of real emergency the day that Thailand does things like that preemptively to help their people none of whom can help the elite and are truly even looked upon as people by the elite but they still are providing the smalest don't shelters for people because they actually care about life here in the US and they are doing the right

[ScarpoFongness4U]

Thai houses have advantages. No hot water tanks. No hot water to wash with. No dish washers. Room air conditioners.

Many places in Thailand you don't need a car. Almost everywhere in the US. Motor scooters and motor cycles are more efficient as is public transportation. 10 forms of public transportation; 1. Motor scooter taxi, tuk tuk, song taus, vans, bus, taxi, subway, elevated and train.

Thai government subsidizes; electric, water, gas and oil and health care among other things has a; being poor and powerless is cool campaign going on.

I agree fully

No need for a car in bangkok.

[ScarpoFongness4U]

I posted from my experience of living the way I wanted to live in Thailand

In a new, two bedroom condo hotel, in the Penthouse, with only one other condo on the floor, a sun deck area with new tables chairs umbrellas and a gym on another floor that brought in young people

I wanted to eat western food and they had a restaurant downstairs and breakfast was brought to my room every morning

I could walk to the buffet I liked or I could be brought by their spiffy tuk tuk

They let me play my guitar thru the amp, and I liked that apparently their walls were so thick, no one ever complained, again because the condo next to me was often vacant

That was 60,000/baht a month, and worth every baht

They were very nice to my soapy princess and always washed her car if it needed and always walked her to the door, and brought her car to her...

After I moved in with her, into what was a beautiful guard gated home development, recently built, I frequently had dinner at at the promenade and mingled well with the locals

I refer to what it costs to live in Thailand, in the city, in upper middle class fashion and I say again

I can live that way, and have for the last 30 years, in south Florida in better form than I can in Thailand, for less money

Notice the word I, in front of everything I, said

Ps.

I was also seeing what many here call the nice Thai girls, educated, with great jobs, earning 60,000 to 80,000 baht a month plus commission on sales/ and,

I prefer the soapy, and the last few girls I was with whom I found in the dance clubs of Patpong

Notice, I said I, again, not you

....your prior post prominently stated "You cannot live a good upper middle class style life in Thailand, for less than you can in the US," ..and you continue to say "you" ...meaning anyone

I just pointed out that anyone can ....easily on $100,000/yr (cost of middle class life in USA) in Thailand ....Guess YOU missed that point!

Also as a sex tourist your costs are considerably higher than your upper middle class expat living in Thailand. Guess you forgot your just a tourist ....ie living in a condo/Hotel. How much would that same condo/hotel room cost you in Miami (remember its a short term rental!)? $10,000 dollars/month?

This post just confirms your lack of knowledge of Thailand and that it is more than limited, but extremely narrow in view.

Well then,

Substitute the U's for I's and I shall rest your case......

Oh beachy,

How did you live without knowing I resurfaced in my conglomeration of previously banned names?