Expats living on their pension in Thailand, why the negativity?

[MaeJoMTB]

You tell us you run Pilgrims Trail to Doi Suthep every week in 45 minutes, unless there's another aspect to your life or indeed, if that tale was an inflated one, reaching 70 and beyond should be a breeze for you I would have thought.

Off topic,

Cycling up 3 days a week now. Takes me just over 50 minutes from the Zoo to the Temple steps.

Once a week I go up to Phuping Palace, very occasionally to San Goo or over the top and down the unmade road to Huay Tung Tao.

Bit too wet for running up the trail at the moment.

[arunsakda]

Just for Cypress....

The point probably is the line in the tune saying "Hope I die before I die before I get old".

[MaeJoMTB]

Well I'm still painting my house (3 story) albeit slowly and still have to paint the roof a second coat using an abseiling rope and harness (no scaffolding, no plan B!). I was 69 yesterday and still thinking of coming to Thailand for the last leg (if I don't fall off the roof!). Hell I was thinking of coming after 70-71.but it looks like I should delay that if not many ex-pats reach 70 in Thailand......

You aren't living here, so you aren't part of the group.

For some reason, those who live in the West, seem to last longer (maybe it just seems longer).

Is western health care better? are Thai wives more murderous? is it just the amount of sex we have? .......

I don't know why those that live here don't survive longer!

Edited October 13, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[Gecko123]

age 65 is still defined as middle aged these days so check yet again.

Not many foreign guys make it to 70 in Thailand.

I'm 60 ..... that's old ...... I don't expect to break the 70 barrier.

Look around you, I'd rather be dead than one of the guys that did beat 70 in CM.

They're infirm, they suffer from multiple health problems, their reasoning is going or gone ....... it's just a nasty way to live, if you can call it living.

felt a bit wobbly on the ladder today, not as easy as it was but not painted the house for 6 years inside, so at 65 maybe the last time, ?? things are getting harder to do these days. at this rate to do all the house will take a month or more...

Outside is a question, not at all sure will manage, my mind says yes, my body says no, guess my reasoning is still intact ? is about 8 or 9 years since I last did it..

Well I'm still painting my house (3 story) albeit slowly and still have to paint the roof a second coat using an abseiling rope and harness (no scaffolding, no plan B!). I was 69 yesterday and still thinking of coming to Thailand for the last leg (if I don't fall off the roof!). Hell I was thinking of coming after 70-71.but it looks like I should delay that if not many ex-pats reach 70 in Thailand......

LOL. I painted my house last year too. I'm 61. Scaffolding is definitely the way to go. That was a hell of a job. Three coats and the eaves were a (deleted).

I told myself that's the last time I'm doing this, but maybe one more time is in the cards. Be careful up there.

Edited October 13, 2015 by Gecko123

[Linzz]

Well I'm still painting my house (3 story) albeit slowly and still have to paint the roof a second coat using an abseiling rope and harness (no scaffolding, no plan B!). I was 69 yesterday and still thinking of coming to Thailand for the last leg (if I don't fall off the roof!). Hell I was thinking of coming after 70-71.but it looks like I should delay that if not many ex-pats reach 70 in Thailand......

You aren't living here, so you aren't part of the group.

For some reason, those who live in the West, seem to last longer (maybe it just seems longer).

Is western health care better? are Thai wives more murderous? is it just the amount of sex we have? .......

I don't know why those that live here don't survive longer!

Food for thought bud.Maybe the tropical climate is not so healthy after all? Cold climate? The Scots have a reputation for living long....

[JAFO]

The longer you live in contact with the real Thailand, and the more you understand the language, the more negative you become.

(post count probably correlates to time here)

I know it's a shit-hole, but I love the cheap women and the hot weather.

As long as you keep your cash safe, and outside the country, you can have a really great time here.

Interesting my POV is almost exactly the opposite. I find the more I learn the language the better and easier things become. Now I will say I have never been a negative type.

I agree part timers do have the rose colored glasses effect for the most part.

I do not find Thailand to be a Shit- hole as you noted. Guess it all depends on where one lives and the life they lead. But from what I gather you are the type that is here for the woman, the booze and the weather and there are many here like that. The beauty is they all congregate in a few choice locations so it works out.

I do agree as a long time expat you should always have a plan B and have money spread out.

[stephen tracy]

Yeah, really? Well I'm a pensioner but I'm not old and I'm far from poor, plus I have the advantage of experience. I'm also quite handsome and I'm over here, so go eat your hearts out youth, whoever you may be!

You modest words:

You're NOT old?

You think you're smart enough to have turned your experience into an advantage?

Your also quite handsome?

The truth:

No, no, no. Look in the mirror

Your totally delusional.

I just looked in the mirror and can confirm that what I wrote is correct, I also asked my wife and she agreed. I then went on to check my bank account balances and pensions which are very healthy, I also checked my passport to confirm my long term visa in intact. So check check and check and BTW, age 65 is still defined as middle aged these days so check yet again.

Next!

You asked your wife? Nuff said

[rgs2001uk]

Same same but different.

Hardly what I would consider, living the dream.

If the demographic group described in the videos you posted continues to grow, Thailand will have little choice than to make retirement visas more restrictive in the future. Thailand has a rapidly aging population of its own, and I am deeply skeptical that it has the resources or inclination to accommodate large numbers of uninsured Westerners with limited resources to care for themselves.

Thailand is sleepwalking into picking up a tab for the detritus farang rocking up on its shore, to be sure, the bankrupt werstern states are glad to see the back of them.

Not so long back there was a thread where a guy couldnt pay a 400k baht medical bill.

Upcountry a ceratin farang was given a choice, to cut or not to cut, leg mashed up in a motorcyle accident, bill of 1 million baht.

The blow back of all this is, it will make it harder for farangs to live here.

Rock up at immi for your visa, please show us your medical insurance please.

Sorry, no hab medical, no visa. ka.

Never mind, they would rather build farang mcmansions in the middle of the paddy fields than self insure.

[chiang mai]

Yeah, really? Well I'm a pensioner but I'm not old and I'm far from poor, plus I have the advantage of experience. I'm also quite handsome and I'm over here, so go eat your hearts out youth, whoever you may be!

You modest words:

You're NOT old?

You think you're smart enough to have turned your experience into an advantage?

Your also quite handsome?

The truth:

No, no, no. Look in the mirror

Your totally delusional.

I just looked in the mirror and can confirm that what I wrote is correct, I also asked my wife and she agreed. I then went on to check my bank account balances and pensions which are very healthy, I also checked my passport to confirm my long term visa in intact. So check check and check and BTW, age 65 is still defined as middle aged these days so check yet again.

Next!

You asked your wife? Nuff said

I just telephoned my mia noi's, all three of them and they agreed with me, does that help?

[mrfaroukh]

Jealousy , they have to spend life if a dark, cold boring place and they just jealous that you stay in warm though you have to live on a tight budget. So they give all kinds of nonsense reason for their decision.

[eaglesflight]

It get 50.000bht a month and i live great here but if i lived in Camerons uk i could not live there anymore,beer in the uk is about 3.50 a pint we get for just over a pound here,yes some food is more expensive,but i can live like a king, if i was back in the uk i would be in the gutter.my only moan is i pay english tax but do not get index rises in A pril out here

"Cameron's UK" - what's that got to do with the price of fish? Do you think living costs would be any lower with another party in the chair?

Beer in the UK may be around £3.50 a pint in pubs but where on earth are you buying beer in Thailand for a little over a pound a pint? Let's call 60 baht a little over a pound, to be generous. One pint = 568ml and a small beer here is 330ml. 330 divided by 568 = 0.58 x 60 baht = 34 baht. Can you can buy a bottle of beer in a Bangkok pub or bar for 34 baht? Unless you are comparing the price of beer in 7/11 to the price of beer in pubs in the south east of the UK, which would be a stupid and unfair comparison, you are talking absolute rubbish (or drinking Red Horse or some other vile brew).

Plenty of bars in CM selling large bottles at 3 for 180bht (Leo, Singha, Chang).

Blar Blar bar has Chang promotion nights at 3 large for 100bht.

You need to get out of the 'foreigner' bars.

I don't drink in bars in Chiang Mai to be honest but I'd still say comparing local style bars to a decent pub in the UK is a little unfair.

[eaglesflight]

It get 50.000bht a month and i live great here but if i lived in Camerons uk i could not live there anymore,beer in the uk is about 3.50 a pint we get for just over a pound here,yes some food is more expensive,but i can live like a king, if i was back in the uk i would be in the gutter.my only moan is i pay english tax but do not get index rises in A pril out here

"Cameron's UK" - what's that got to do with the price of fish? Do you think living costs would be any lower with another party in the chair?

Beer in the UK may be around £3.50 a pint in pubs but where on earth are you buying beer in Thailand for a little over a pound a pint? Let's call 60 baht a little over a pound, to be generous. One pint = 568ml and a small beer here is 330ml. 330 divided by 568 = 0.58 x 60 baht = 34 baht. Can you can buy a bottle of beer in a Bangkok pub or bar for 34 baht? Unless you are comparing the price of beer in 7/11 to the price of beer in pubs in the south east of the UK, which would be a stupid and unfair comparison, you are talking absolute rubbish (or drinking Red Horse or some other vile brew).

BKK is an unfair comparison. There are many bars in Pattaya selling large bottles of Chang at 70 baht, I think I am doing well in BKK at less than 150.

Around Chonburi 80 for a large Leo in a restaurant is normal, don't usually get Chang.

Yesterday in the south of Samui I was 90 baht for a large Chang at a restaurant.

I don't think BKK is an unfair comparison. It's about the only city in Thailand that comes anywhere near to being as developed as the UK. And if we're talking about Leo and Chang...well, nuff said.

To be fair, judging from MaeJoMTB's response, there are cheaper bars in Chiang Mai than I've visited (or wanted to visit). However, arguing apart and being serious for a moment, beer is not one of the things that I think is particularly good value in Thailand. If you compare the cost of a beer in a decent Bangkok bar to a decent pub in London, the comparison is not very favourable. In many cases, it's cheaper in London - and that's without taking the income differential into account. Long story short, I think that anybody who moved here from the UK for cheap nightlife would be sadly disappointed unless they had a penchant for hookers.

Edited October 13, 2015 by eaglesflight

[thehelmsman]

I go to a farang joint a couple days a week, 70 baht for tall beers. Nice to shoot the breeze with fellow yanks sometimes.

I tell my friends in the US come to thailand when they stop working. Alot more fun living on $1000. USD in Thailand than in the US. You gotta admit that thailand is a blast.

[chiang mai]

53 baht for a large bottle of Chang at my local mom and pop store at the end of the soi, they've never heard of restricted hours for selling alcohol hence I can buy it whenever they're open. Haven't been in a bar for years and don't miss them.

[MaeJoMTB]

Plenty of bars in CM selling large bottles at 3 for 180bht (Leo, Singha, Chang).

Blar Blar bar has Chang promotion nights at 3 large for 100bht.

You need to get out of the 'foreigner' bars.

I don't drink in bars in Chiang Mai to be honest but I'd still say comparing local style bars to a decent pub in the UK is a little unfair.

Blar blar has live music, food and 20 serving girls in hot pants. Never been to a pub in the UK that would compare well.

Edited October 14, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[eaglesflight]

Looks like plastic chairs in a car park and a makeshift stage with a tin roof to me. I'm not sure where you used to drink in the UK that compares unfavourably to that? I used to go drinking to socialise, not to stimulate my nether region so girls in hot pants would not be required either. I bet the toilets are dreadful too!

Now, I might be coming on like an 80-year-old Quaker but I really think it's pointless comparing beer prices at makeshift outdoor venues like that to those in UK pubs. It's not about personal preferences, it's about comparing like for like. Thai venues that have real running costs to meet compare poorly to those in the West, value-wise (in my opinion at least).

Edited October 14, 2015 by eaglesflight

[eaglesflight]

Where exactly is it anyway?

[MaeJoMTB]

Where exactly is it anyway?

Nimman soy 5/7

[JoopJoop]

I have read in many threads negative whinge responses about expats living on their pensions in Thailand.

Because they, like nearly all here are just plain working class.

Their lives were governed mostly by those higher up. They worked for a living having not the entrepreneurial flair to make a real go of it in life. I guess, average Joes is what most are; at best. Hence, reliant on a pension.

Now, average Joes are more likely to have a fair to average view of life, often pessimistic.

It wasn't that great for them before, and realize now that it's no better in a country and women too foreign to them and with the realization they won't have a life better anywhere else. The exotic shine is lost and they don't have the luxury of financial wealth or savvy to make it any better anywhere else. Mediocre born whiners.

That's my thinking.

Edited October 14, 2015 by JoopJoop

[JLCrab]

In the USA, Social Security benefits are not means tested. If you had a million dollar per year salary for many years, as long as Social Security payments were deducted, you will still qualify to obtain benefits starting at age 62.

... just like the average Joe.

Edited October 14, 2015 by JLCrab

[MaeJoMTB]

I have read in many threads negative whinge responses about expats living on their pensions in Thailand.

Because they, like nearly all here are just plain working class.

Their lives were governed mostly by those higher up. They worked for a living having not the entrepreneurial flair to make a real go of it in life. I guess, average Joes is what most are; at best. Hence, reliant on a pension.

Now, average Joes are more likely to have a fair to average view of life, often pessimistic.

It wasn't that great for them before, and realize now that it's no better in a country and women too foreign to them and with the realization they won't have a life better anywhere else. The exotic shine is lost and they don't have the luxury of financial wealth or savvy to make it any better anywhere else. Mediocre born whiners.

That's my thinking.

Not sure life could get much better anywhere, with any amount of money.

Not at age 50+ anyway.

I think you have to understand from age 50 your life can probably only go downhill.

That would certainly be the case if I were living in the UK.

But,

Past 8 years,since I left the UK, haven't ever had so much fun ever.

If you had told me at age 40,

the best years of my life would be when I was 50+

the best sex of my life would be when I was 50+

and the cutest and youngest women in my life would be when I was 50+

I would have called you a liar.

That doesn't stop Thailand being a shit-hole though!

Edited October 14, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[Linzz]

I have read in many threads negative whinge responses about expats living on their pensions in Thailand.

Because they, like nearly all here are just plain working class.

Their lives were governed mostly by those higher up. They worked for a living having not the entrepreneurial flair to make a real go of it in life. I guess, average Joes is what most are; at best. Hence, reliant on a pension.

Now, average Joes are more likely to have a fair to average view of life, often pessimistic.

It wasn't that great for them before, and realize now that it's no better in a country and women too foreign to them and with the realization they won't have a life better anywhere else. The exotic shine is lost and they don't have the luxury of financial wealth or savvy to make it any better anywhere else. Mediocre born whiners.

That's my thinking.

Not sure life could get much better anywhere, with any amount of money.

Not at age 50+ anyway.

I think you have to understand from age 50 your life can probably only go downhill.

That would certainly be the case if I were living in the UK.

But,

Past 8 years,since I left the UK, haven't ever had so much fun ever.

If you had told me at age 40,

the best years of my life would be when I was 50+

the best sex of my life would be when I was 50+

and the cutest and youngest women in my life would be when I was 50+

I would have called you a liar.

That doesn't stop Thailand being a shit-hole though!

Hey MaeJoMTB, AKA Hugh Heffner, how do you manage to fit in all the sex when you spend most of your time on Thai Visa? Or do you have sex while you're on Thai Visa? Kind of multitasking lap dance with babes in attendance?

[chiang mai]

Where exactly is it anyway?

Nimman soy 5/7

Sounds saucy!

[MaeJoMTB]

Hey MaeJoMTB, AKA Hugh Heffner, how do you manage to fit in all the sex when you spend most of your time on Thai Visa? Or do you have sex while you're on Thai Visa? Kind of multitasking lap dance with babes in attendance?

I get up at 5am, drive into CM with the bike in the pickup, then cycle up Doi Suthep mountain until my legs give out.

I always get to the Temple, sometimes Phuping Palace.

Then back to town for coffee and lunch.

The rest of the afternoon, in bed while the kids are at school ......... then browsing, reading, watching movies until bed.

Most of the sex happened in the first 3 years I was here, too old for that now ............ It's a hard life.

Edited October 14, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[eaglesflight]

I have read in many threads negative whinge responses about expats living on their pensions in Thailand.

Because they, like nearly all here are just plain working class.

Their lives were governed mostly by those higher up. They worked for a living having not the entrepreneurial flair to make a real go of it in life. I guess, average Joes is what most are; at best. Hence, reliant on a pension.

Now, average Joes are more likely to have a fair to average view of life, often pessimistic.

It wasn't that great for them before, and realize now that it's no better in a country and women too foreign to them and with the realization they won't have a life better anywhere else. The exotic shine is lost and they don't have the luxury of financial wealth or savvy to make it any better anywhere else. Mediocre born whiners.

That's my thinking.

If you weren't born into money and you had to work for a living, you're working class. Entrepreneurial flair might enable one to make more money but it doesn't change your social class - that's just wishful thinking on the part of those who see social status as important and can't reconcile their overinflated opinion of themselves with their humble origins. Edited October 14, 2015 by eaglesflight

[TheSiemReaper]

I don't resent anyone on a pension. Fair play, you paid in, you get something back. I do get bored of pensioners on every single forum related to SE Asia, who clearly cannot afford to make ends meet even here, whining about how much things cost... ranting about "Asian unfairness" (e.g. a cultural system that is thousands of years old)... and either trying to convince people to believe that 19 year old girls get hot for 70 year olds or conversely painting themselves as living a life of 100% virture. The only real issue with pensioners in this part of the world is that they have too much time on their hands and internet access...

[chiang mai]

I have read in many threads negative whinge responses about expats living on their pensions in Thailand.

Because they, like nearly all here are just plain working class.

Their lives were governed mostly by those higher up. They worked for a living having not the entrepreneurial flair to make a real go of it in life. I guess, average Joes is what most are; at best. Hence, reliant on a pension.

Now, average Joes are more likely to have a fair to average view of life, often pessimistic.

It wasn't that great for them before, and realize now that it's no better in a country and women too foreign to them and with the realization they won't have a life better anywhere else. The exotic shine is lost and they don't have the luxury of financial wealth or savvy to make it any better anywhere else. Mediocre born whiners.

That's my thinking.

If you weren't born into money and you had to work for a living, you're working class. Entrepreneurial flair might enable one to make more money but it doesn't change your social class - that's just wishful thinking on the part of those who see social status as important and can't reconcile their overinflated opinion of themselves with their humble origins.

Is Billy Connolly considered to be working class.

A rhetorical question simply to point out the ludicrous nature of your statement.

[MaeJoMTB]

I have read in many threads negative whinge responses about expats living on their pensions in Thailand.

Because they, like nearly all here are just plain working class.

Their lives were governed mostly by those higher up. They worked for a living having not the entrepreneurial flair to make a real go of it in life. I guess, average Joes is what most are; at best. Hence, reliant on a pension.

Now, average Joes are more likely to have a fair to average view of life, often pessimistic.

It wasn't that great for them before, and realize now that it's no better in a country and women too foreign to them and with the realization they won't have a life better anywhere else. The exotic shine is lost and they don't have the luxury of financial wealth or savvy to make it any better anywhere else. Mediocre born whiners.

That's my thinking.

If you weren't born into money and you had to work for a living, you're working class. Entrepreneurial flair might enable one to make more money but it doesn't change your social class - that's just wishful thinking on the part of those who see social status as important and can't reconcile their overinflated opinion of themselves with their humble origins.

Is Billy Connolly considered to be working class.

A rhetorical question simply to point out the ludicrous nature of your statement.

Billy is absolutely working class, low class accent, low class roots, poor education.

Unless you are claiming boilermakers in Glaswegian shipyards belong to some other class?

[Typingdog]

I'm 20 and I can assure you they are jealous

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chiang mai]

Because they, like nearly all here are just plain working class.

Their lives were governed mostly by those higher up. They worked for a living having not the entrepreneurial flair to make a real go of it in life. I guess, average Joes is what most are; at best. Hence, reliant on a pension.

Now, average Joes are more likely to have a fair to average view of life, often pessimistic.

It wasn't that great for them before, and realize now that it's no better in a country and women too foreign to them and with the realization they won't have a life better anywhere else. The exotic shine is lost and they don't have the luxury of financial wealth or savvy to make it any better anywhere else. Mediocre born whiners.

That's my thinking.

If you weren't born into money and you had to work for a living, you're working class. Entrepreneurial flair might enable one to make more money but it doesn't change your social class - that's just wishful thinking on the part of those who see social status as important and can't reconcile their overinflated opinion of themselves with their humble origins.

Is Billy Connolly considered to be working class.

A rhetorical question simply to point out the ludicrous nature of your statement.

Billy is absolutely working class, low class accent, low class roots, poor education.

Unless you are claiming boilermakers in Glaswegian shipyards belong to some other class?

You confuse a persons roots with their current assignment in the class system, a multi-millionaire movie star who rubs shoulders with royalty and US A listers will hardly be defined as working class today. But actually MJM, AOA, TTP or whatever your name happens to be on any given day, I'm kinda tired of your banal challenges to the obvious in thread after thread, time to move on methinks!