I think retiring in Thailand is a really bad idea

[Old Croc]

And please explain the word Boinking.

It's when you dip your stick.

[dotpoom]

The phrase ..."you think too much"...comes to mind. ..Live each day as if it is your last and try to keep it in the present moment....the rest is of little importance. One hundred years from now it won't matter much either way to most of us anyway. today is that special day...... because we are here to enjoy it.

Edited February 25, 2016 by dotpoom

[suzannegoh]

I am 42 years old and was dreaming about living here since my first backpacking trip in my late 20s.

I have saved some money, made sure I had some income from my home country, found a decent employed girl and all is nice... I guess.

Thing is, if you are from the Western, developed country I think it would be much smarter to experience Thailand while you are young and take it from there.

First of all, you wouldn't be stuck with "fake" women and affection so many old expats are faced with on daily basis. Let's face it... you could experience the time of your life with women. Yes, I realize most of you think women only care about the size of your wallet, but whatever story you wish to tell yourself, young people like to have sex with hot, young people of opposite (or same) sex. Period.

Furthermore, travelling while young is a great learning experience and it could open so many opportunities and give you so many business ideas. Yes, you would probably start with teaching English, but if you have some intelligence this experience would be just one of many throughout your life.

The biggest problem I have with Thailand is simply its third world status. It just can not and will never compete with the west regarding care for the elderly.

I have an uncle who was just diagnosed with cancer. It is aggressive one, but he is receiving free treatment and furthermore they are doing some experimental trials that are not even available in Thailand. The guy was a smoker throughout his life, but thanks for Canadian healthcare he is going to live.... or at least be given the best care available. "Oh, but I have insurance and can get world class care at Bumrungrad (enter your favorite hospital here)". You don't say! What happens when insurance refuses to cover the treatment or even worse the hospital refuses to take any responsibility for the botched procedure they performed? It happens and you don't have any recourse. In Canada they will always and I mean always fix the problem. Not in Thailand and that is a fact.

Third world infrastructure even in the "world class" city like Bangkok. No decent sidewalks. No special elevators, lines, or any kind of aids for disabled. Public transport that is falling apart. A far cry where even in the Canadian village you will have a city bus for disabled people come and pick you up. My god, almost every day I see a bunch of foreigners in wheelchairs here in Bangkapi just trying to get from one place to another. I wander why they even came to Thailand. Surely I can guess, but living in these condition just for that?

Finally, visa issues and extensions you have to deal with. I am old and ain't got time for that.

So, my advice is come to Thailand when you are young. Spend your old days back in your own country.

You are overlooking a couple of things. First is that spending your youth in Thailand and retiring in Thailand are not mutually exclusive. Second is that unless you are on an expat package and working for a MNC rather than working on the local payscale, by spending your prime earning years in Thailand you are likely to find it much more difficult to save money for retirement than if doing similar work back in Canada.

[RBOP]

I'm Canadian. I can tell you first hand Canada's health care is abysmal and one of the worst in the world for a developed country. Yes, its free if your poor but you will wait years for elective surgery most of the time. Also new medicines take years to get approved for use in Canada. I have never heard of people going to Canada for medical treatment but have heard of Canadians going to India, Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore for medical treatment.

As for retirement, your hard earned life savings will last much longer in Thailand and you will have a much better lifestyle than you could if you retired in Canada.

As for girls, why would you think Canadian woman are not after your wallet anymore or less that Thai or SEA girls? My Uncle (Canadian) been divorced 3 times and each time his ex's took 50% of what he owned and had worked hard for. I could go on.

[Searat7]

Unless you are disabled this is a great country for retirement and health care is very good although I would return to the USA if I had a major health problem. I had back surgery here 5 years ago and walked home 40 hours after the operation.

[chiang mai]

I agree, I've had two ops here in eleven years, both faultless and inexpensive. I had angioplasty here seven years ago, the need for it was only discovered via a routine health check that included a treadmill test. If I'd been back in the UK I would never have had that health exam and I certainly wouldn't have had the treadmill test because I am symptom free, I would have been dead by now.

[likeke]

I am 67 and been living here in Bangkok for a few years. There are many aspects of living here that I hate, like the unwalkable sidewalks, and rude drivers that cut you off while walking in intersections. But on the whole, it is most certainly worth it. I keep ties with my home country (USA), and pay my Medicare premiums every month, and travel back to said home country every April for a month. If I were to have a medical issue, I would certainly fly back home for treatment. No problem. I take it a month at a time. Having the time of my life, and I have had a wonderful life. I have never been healthier, stronger, and clearer in thought. As to the Thai lady issue. I don't take any of them seriously. I know the game and accept it. I have fun with them, and that's it. I feel sorry for the older western guy with a young Thai GF with newborn baby in tow. Sad. You guys who come here for a short while, for whatever reason, and marry these ladies must have a death wish. If you want drama in your life, fine. But for me, if I want drama in my life I go to the cinema.

[little mary sunshine]

Foe some people retiring anywhere outside their own Country is

A bad idea. You must have a sense of adventure, be interested

In different cultures, realize things will be very different than what

You are use to, and have a live and let live attitude.

You must have a secure financial plan, money for emergencies and

Money to travel back to your Country a couple of times a year. Life

Can be wonderful, daily adventures around every corner.

I enjoy Thailand, warm/hot weather all the time, wonderful people,

Great food, beautiful ocean and long weekend trips. Retirement

Is wonderful and interesting.

[soc]

This fellah is just having a shot at us with our young chicks , you think mate sex is only for the young ,

See, this is what I like to see, guys admitting they come here for the real reason other than the beautiful Thai heat and the cuisine!!

l'd be the first to admit it!

Thats one of the reasons that l love the place.

[flossiebear]

Typical westernised view of the world, everything analysed and placed in boxes to be dissected into fors and against. Life is not so compartmentalised (god that's a big word even for me!) I am female and married and I simply love Thailand and living here. I still have ties back home in uk but for now I am enjoying my early retirement at 56. There are many female western women in Thailand also, who like me enjoy the lifestyle, which I am not going to dissect into why I like it . It just FEELS a great place to be right now, at this moment in time. Amen.

[williet98248]

Well...everyone has an opinion. This is yours. Not mine.

[RedQualia]

My guess is that OP is either here to rouse the rabble, or he's looking for someone to talk him out of his position. Not sure which, but in any case...

I had a girlfriend in Toronto some years ago. She was so proud of being able to leave her townhouse in January, get on a train, and visit all the malls and supermarkets and such, without ever having to put on a coat or go outside. Personally, I can't stand snow and wouldn't want to live in a cave complex either. Based on the number of Canadians visiting the US south each winter, I'm guessing many of them feel the same way. But OP may feel differently, and to each their own.

One thing's certain: we're all going to die. Barring heart attacks and car accidents, etc., then when it comes time to die, everyone wants more insurance and more money, and no one has enough of either to put off the inevitable forever. The same is true everywhere, including Canada and the UK. "If I only had a few hundred thousand more pounds (or dollars or Baht or ringgit or rubles or...), I could see the specialist in country X, and have that wonderful new procedure done." You know... Like Dick Cheney buying a Canadian heart. "Maybe I should sell the house...That will help..."

Guess the idea of a shorter and happier life in Thailand sounds better to me than a long, miserable one in Canada. Or the UK. Or the states. Really having trouble imagining myself going back to the states for healthcare. Just think about being at the mercy of that system (shudder). But too, there are many stories on ThaiVisa concerning expats who run from Thailand to India for healthcare. They allege it to be better or cheaper or something. Come to think of it, there are lots of stories about folks in the US who run off to both Thailand and India for healthcare as well. Is the same true for Canada? For the UK? (If the healthcare system in Canada or the UK doesn't feel like giving an older UK citizen a new kidney, what do they do?) In the end (pun intended) it surely comes down to trying to make every last one of one's satangs go as far as possible to forestall death.

I wish OP a nice long life in snow country. May his waits for healthcare there be few and brief. May his winter cave complexes be modern and first world. And may the women there be plentiful, as friendly to him as possible, and not too fat.

[uthaithanirules]

This fellah is just having a shot at us with our young chicks , you think mate sex is only for the young ,

Yes, does the OP really think girls, the world over, prefer sex with guys their own age?

LOLz

[Ace of Pop]

90% of the retired expats are here because of the cost of living. They cant afford to live in their home country with their pensions or live better here.

If thailand would stop being a cheap place to live most would leave, including me.

Number one reason I am here is because of cost. Yes it is third world but it is the best bang of the buck third world you get

If I had more money to live the same lifestyle I woukd not live here, I would be back living in California.

I go to US for hold every year for a wander about ,for quality things I find it cheaper than here ,,only Medical Care seems crazy to here

[minikev]

Retiring in my own country wouldn't even be an option anymore. The retirement age is raised often and the money old people get is bread line at best. Of course it's down to the individual to prepare for themselves but they were lied to by the government and the 40 odd years tax they paid for their retirement is been used elsewhere.

I find the healthcare here good. last week I had some metal removed from my eye. From arriving at the hospital to leaving with medication 40 mins all in 2,400 baht. It would have taken a day in UK with the long queues and the diminished NHS.

If people come here expecting the place to have the same values and lifestyle of their own country it is indeed a bad idea to retire here.

If you accept the traditions and values here which include looking after the elderly a lot better than most countries it's a great place to be.

[DrTuner]

Come when 18, screw everything that moves, get one back if you have to, make dosh in your country of origin to ensure comfortabke life until 120y old, return as pensioneer.

I didn't get the first step done, unfortunately. Wasn't aware of the option back in late 80's.

[Thaidream]

The OP is certainly entitled to his opinion but my experience has been mostly positive. I first came to Thailand 50 years ago when I was young and loved it. I can still do the same things now that I did the first time I came. If I want to drink and carouse it is available and I have never had any problems taking advantage of it. The big difference is that I really don't need to prove it to myself or anyone else.I have exactly the same energy now that I had when I first came.One of the big difference is that things are more expensive and I am wiser and my Thai language ability now alerts me to those things to avoid.

As far as medical care- my Thai wife who subsequently died from cancer had treatment in the United States, Japan and Thailand. Treatment in Thailand was the best and sustained her life for an additional 10 years. The treatment was in both Thai private and Public Hospitals. Thailand has one big advantage that most US Canadian and Japanese hospital don't have and that is their ability to get the best known treatments and medicines in the World and administer them. Other countries medical systems do not allow for this due to their so called bureaucracy which is simply patent protection disguised as regulation.

I don't regret retiring in Thailand. My quality of life is much better here than in the United States. Thailand can be a great place if you leave your Western mindset at the airport when you arrive. There is your way and the Thai way and trust me the Thai way always wins.

Edited February 25, 2016 by Thaidream

[georgemandm]

I find the above 2 replies quite amusing.

The first one I won't reply to out of respect for person's condition.

I would just like mention that I am not having a low opinion of Thai people. What bunch bunch of nonsense. I was specifically talking about the state, not the people.

As for all the whining about Canada, if there is a sign of trouble that one is faced in Thailand people all go back crying to their country. I am not

I am just wondering under what passport did all of you arrive to feel so ungrateful about the country that gave you so many opportunities, so you can enjoy the favorable currency exchange and other cheap sins this country provides? Maybe you used Thai or Albanian passports?

I find the hypocrisy astounding.

You really are good as pissing people off with your total ignorance. I am Canadian what passport do you think I use? you are real good at talking a lot about things you know nothing about. As far as what we have from our countries, we worked hard for it and deserve. you know f all about Canada that is my country I wish you would shut the f up and grow up or is that to much to ask. Talk about something you know some thing about.I was talking not talking about the people either. I was talking about old age care in Canada which it seems you really know little about. Just enough to make trouble.

Relax. Have a joint.

I know plenty about Canada. I lived in Montreal and Toronto for many years.

So sorry my post is not up to your standard by stating facts.

Old age care in Canada is pretty damn good. I know because I know the benefits people on pension and OAS get and that's not even including all the additional benefits for ill or disabled.

But you can take a baht bus in Thailand when you can't walk and see how far it takes you.

BTW, I absolutely love Canadian expats living in Thailand. Means no Old Age Security for you and all RRSP withdrawals are still taxable.

Relax. Have a joint.

This have a joint , show me how much of a ???? you are having a go at old people , you will get old one day , I have got to my old age you have to get there yet .

So why did you come to thailand don't tell me the haire losses.

Give me a break get on here and right that s??t about thailand and older man .

[Berkshire]

Guess the idea of a shorter and happier life in Thailand sounds better to me than a long, miserable one in Canada.

My sentiments exactly. And frankly, the "shorter" part is up for debate. The idea of people obsessed about healthcare instead of just living their life is rather depressing, although I'll concede I'm not 80 and don't have any health issues yet. If that's all they want to think about, then maybe being back home would be better for their state of mind.

I have elderly farang friends in both the US and Thailand. And without doubt, my farang friends in Thailand are happier. More vibrant, energetic, and full of life. Not to say life back home is horrible, not at all. But the folks in Thailand just seem more youthful and active, relatively speaking. I'm not arguing either way, it's their choice and frankly, I don't really care what people choose to do with their own lives.

[Jools]

I can certainly relate to the OP's concerns about healthcare. I will be 66 in a couple of months and have several "pre-existing conditions", including cancer. The lack of universal healthcare in Thailand is a huge concern. The few quotes I have gotten for healthcare insurance with very high deductibles are off the chart in terms of affordability. I've been living here for nine months now and I'm wondering if Indonesia might be a better fit, since they now have a government healthcare system that residents can buy into for a comparatively inexpensive rate.

[IAMHERE]

OP, such wonderful insightful advice. I wish you'd only made it available 40 years ago for me. How about some good advice for 65 year old farang guys.

[bazza40]

It really depends on how you organize it. Australia is one of the most expensive countries to live in. I can get the best of both worlds by going back to Australia for low-cost medical checks with private health insurance. 85% of my assets are in Australia and thus protected from anything happening in Thailand. I transfer enough cash here to live on each year, and live well. I run two cars and a scooter. In Australia, that would be a very expensive exercise.

I'm somewhat amused by the OP's perspective. It reminds me of the 15 year old who, when he got to the age of 30, was surprised by how much smarter his father had become.

As far as aged care goes, as long as my money lasts ( which it will ) my Thai GF will be caring for me. And if she didn't, there would be thousands of willing replacements.

As another poster has remarked, it's naive to think only the young can enjoy sex. A lot of us old farts are having the best time of our lives in the bedroom. I couldn't think of anything worse than sex with a 20 - something airhead who is glued to her smartphone, and I don't care how smoking hot she is. That's something else the OP obviously hasn't learned. Sometimes the average lookers turn out to be the most sensational shags ever. And the beauty queens are so wrapped up in themselves sex is not on their agenda.

Anyway, OP, retire to what you call a civilised country. You'll probably be begging to be allowed back in after a couple of years of boredom.

[Thaidream]

Regarding the Post on Healthcare re cancer. The treatment is reasonable if one uses a Public Hospital but frankly the best treatment for Cancer comes from The Thai Cancer Hospital off Phya Thai Road in Bangkok. However it is expensive and in the years my wife was treated- it cost close to 3 Million Baht and in the end had to go to the Public Hospital where the care was supportive but overloaded with patients.I probably could have negotiated a payment plan with them but my wife refused this option. I truly wish that Thailand would allow holders of Retirement or Marriage extensions to buy into their Public Insurance Scheme. Many Americans are retiring in Mexico where one can buy into the Mexican National Health Insurance. I am not familiar with Indonesia but it certainly would be worth investigating regarding health care and potential retirement.

[SpokaneAl]

Gotta love a youngster who professes to know what is best for us oldsters. Get back with us in twenty years or so and we might consider what you have to say worthy of thought.

[ThaiKneeTim]

I'm approaching retirement age, and I know that life back in the UK will be unaffordable (indeed it's unaffordable now!) by the time I retire, so I'm planning my retirement in Thailand now.

The prospects for old age are no different here or in the UK, the benefit of Thailand is an affordable home and my pension going a lot further than it would back home.

When the day comes that I can't wipe my own bottom I will take the ultimate retirement plan, although I expect to be cared for a lot better in Thailand than in an old persons home in the UK. The weather here is much kinder to my aging body so I will avoid the crippling seizures many elderly people suffer during the cold damp British winters and enjoy a more youthful outlook in my declining years.

Of course, if you're a pessimist, always looking for faults, you'll probably find it difficult to retire anywhere. The world is an imperfect place, I only want the best (for me) of the bad options available.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Absolutely hilarious.

The most replies are about how women are bad in Canada and how I am dissing old people. What a hell?

All I said is that Thailand is a bad place to retire if you are old. Third world infrastructure and hospitals.

Funny how this shorter but happier life in Thailand comes up. Let me ask you again why do you go running back to your "nanny state" for free healthcare once something hits the fan? Shorter but happier life... give me a break. Everybody wants to live even as a torso without legs and arms.

So, yeah.... my advice for young people would be to come to Thailand when they are actually young. That way they wouldn't have to "make up" for all the things they missed and could actually enjoy a peaceful retirement.

[Thaidream]

To the OP- your last statement has done you in. Please stop telling me how to live my life and how I should feel. I DID come to Thailand when I was young- and the rest of my 50 years in and out of Thailand led me to retirement. I can still do all the things at age 70 that I did when I is was Age 20. Everything still works. I don't think about anything that I may have missed or miss because I have done everything I have wanted to do in Thailand. and can still do it right now if I want to .

[NoshowJones]

"So, my advice is come to Thailand when you are young. Spend your old days back in your own country".

I do not know what country you come from, but try living in the UK on the state pension.

There are thousands of OAPs dying every winter of cold related illnesses because they cannot afford to heat their homes.

Many of them have to make the choice of either keeping warm or eating.

and this going on while the government is spending millions on overseas aid, and giving a 10% increase to the MPs salaries this year

and 11% last year, and will not pay the annual increases on pensions to expats here in Thailand as well as many other countries.

[NoshowJones]

Then i assume theguyfromanotherform is going to pack up his mrs and move back to good old Canada?...would be a good idea too give you something to do instead of dodging potholes in your footpath and worry about having kids etc.

would be a good idea too give you something to do instead of dodging potholes (and motorbikes) in your footpath.

[jinners]

Just leave. Go back to wherever you feel is a better place to be when "old" and keep your opinions those wishing to listen to listen when you end up in the old peoples home changing channels and changing diapers. What a sad person