SURVEY: How long have you lived in Thailand?

[allexx]

First time I visited Thailand was early October 1983. Been through when Second Rd was 2 way street from Pattaya Klang to Pattaya Nua but no sidewalks. Soi Buakow was called soi Shokoprokh coz dirty and no asphalt, Pattaya Klang was dead and hardly any buildings. Walking Street was called The Golden Mile and from soi 15 to the police box was dark and no activity, it was even scary to walk there. Only one disco, Marine Disco and it closed 6 am, there was Grace as well but it was quite slow.October 1983 was very rainy and heavy downpours for 3 days, total 480mm and Beach Rd was washed away in 2 places.

You did the shopping at Spinneys in soi Post Office. Foodland was build 1993. The going rate for the ladies was 300 Baht long time and the bar fines was 80 baht. The rate was 25 baht to the US $$.We drank Mehkong/coke and my first one was in the bar beside the Big Tree on WS and cost me 15 baht. Lam Morrison played at the Saloon bar and Rod Steward advertising Kloster Beer.

Been through coup in Bangkok, 1993 I think, and Bangkok Post was censored with partly blank pages. PM Khun Suchinda was kicked out of office and ended up near the Cambodia border in a fancy villa. July 1997 started the economic meltdown, and Jan-Feb-98 was a good time to send money to Thailand when you got about 53 baht to the greenback and 85 baht to the pound. The interest rate was 12-15%.The land price in Pattaya Tai, soi Kopai, was 2.300baht/twa. Now they ask for 48.000/twa.

Pattaya By The Sea...my city.

[Johnniey]

Started working here on 10 August 1985

[Johnniey]

I was here in 91 and for the life of me i cant remember the baht being at 24.i cant actually remember what it was but it was over 24.Mind you i'm speaking about 1991,maybe the op is referring to !891.

I first came in 1991, the baht to pound was 38

1992 the pound was 38, after October - it was never below 40 before then.

Edited July 25, 2016 by Johnniey

[Johnniey]

21 prime ministers for me and only 2 decent ones - Chuan and Meechai

[villagefarang]

I kind of liked Anand Punyarachun and have been here since Kriangsak Chomanan. Before him I was only visiting so don’t remember who was in power.

[Johnniey]

I kind of liked Anand Punyarachun and have been here since Kriangsak Chomanan. Before him I was only visiting so don’t remember who was in power.

Were any of us interested in Thai politics when we were young? I certainly wasn't and still am not.

[Dumbastheycome]

This excludes a lot of members who don't live here !

Yes.

And?

[Dumbastheycome]

My vote.

vote-web.jpg

Aha. But you visit a little even via the web ! As many of the "came, saw, got conquered " do.

Seed knee has so much more appeal?

[howto]

Almost 25 years.
Returned to the USA, with my family, on June 15 of 2016,
to the S.E of Chattanooga TN near the Georgia border.
Lovin' every moment, we don't miss Thailand at all.

Well we do personally miss...
- the nanny
- the maid
- the after school tutor
- the guitar tutor
- our old dog 'stich'

Almost everything here is more plentiful, higher quality, more choices, less expensive,
excepting a taxie and haircuts ($12+) and cigaretts ($5+).
Benzine or diesel is <$2/gallon.
Far more choices in beer/wine, which is less expensive.
Schools for the 3 children are rated very high, both locally and nationally,
and it is free.
Compared to the crap expensive bi-lingual school(s) in Thailand.
Crime is low in this area.
Lot's of clean fresh water lakes/rivers/streams for fishin' and boating.
Lot's of very good camping areas.
There are no dam barking soi dogs to keep one awake.
My neighbors are great.
Lots of malls, cinemas, golf courses, restaurants.
Several minature golf (putt-putt) business which also have...
- lazer-tag
- arcades
- go-karts
- paint-ball
- bowling

Several gun ranges for shooting/training.
I now have rock solid internet, 1 GB down/up ($50/month)
and 4G+ phone service ($100/mo for 5 phones unlimited data)
It is 'clean' here. A clear lack of pollution.
One can drink water from the faucet.
Infrastructue is excellent.
Need police/fire/EMS, here within 5 minutes.
So far, every individual i've met,
can carry on a intellectual conversation.
I go to a store looking for a specific item,
and they don't have it, they tell me who likely does.
Some have even called that business and checked for me.
Return polices are outstanding.
There are no traffic jams. Be anywhere in <25 minutes.
Electricty/Water/Gas to the home is cheaper and reliable.
The neighbor said they can't remember the last time the power went off.
Jeez I could go on... but why bother.

I do not go to bars, nor go watch the titty shake,
so there is nothing to miss.

To be clear, I am not Thai bashing.
Every point I've made is valid for me and my family.
Your milage may vary.

However, I do dread the coming temps of winter,
for myself and the children.

I and the wife still have a 15+ mil baht home+land in Thailand,
near Tallad Thai in Pathumtani.
Plus furnishings/tools and such.
So there will likely be trips back within the year.

[Johnniey]

Almost 25 years.

Returned to the USA, with my family, on June 15 of 2016,

to the S.E of Chattanooga TN near the Georgia border.

Lovin' every moment, we don't miss Thailand at all.

Well we do personally miss...

- the nanny

- the maid

- the after school tutor

- the guitar tutor

- our old dog 'stich'

Almost everything here is more plentiful, higher quality, more choices, less expensive,

excepting a taxie and haircuts ($12+) and cigaretts ($5+).

Benzine or diesel is <$2/gallon.

Far more choices in beer/wine, which is less expensive.

Schools for the 3 children are rated very high, both locally and nationally,

and it is free.

Compared to the crap expensive bi-lingual school(s) in Thailand.

Crime is low in this area.

Lot's of clean fresh water lakes/rivers/streams for fishin' and boating.

Lot's of very good camping areas.

There are no dam barking soi dogs to keep one awake.

My neighbors are great.

Lots of malls, cinemas, golf courses, restaurants.

Several minature golf (putt-putt) business which also have...

- lazer-tag

- arcades

- go-karts

- paint-ball

- bowling

Several gun ranges for shooting/training.

I now have rock solid internet, 1 GB down/up ($50/month)

and 4G+ phone service ($100/mo for 5 phones unlimited data)

It is 'clean' here. A clear lack of pollution.

One can drink water from the faucet.

Infrastructue is excellent.

Need police/fire/EMS, here within 5 minutes.

So far, every individual i've met,

can carry on a intellectual conversation.

I go to a store looking for a specific item,

and they don't have it, they tell me who likely does.

Some have even called that business and checked for me.

Return polices are outstanding.

There are no traffic jams. Be anywhere in <25 minutes.

Electricty/Water/Gas to the home is cheaper and reliable.

The neighbor said they can't remember the last time the power went off.

Jeez I could go on... but why bother.

I do not go to bars, nor go watch the titty shake,

so there is nothing to miss.

To be clear, I am not Thai bashing.

Every point I've made is valid for me and my family.

Your milage may vary.

However, I do dread the coming temps of winter,

for myself and the children.

I and the wife still have a 15+ mil baht home+land in Thailand,

near Tallad Thai in Pathumtani.

Plus furnishings/tools and such.

So there will likely be trips back within the year.

Wow, 25 years in Thailand and you think it is only good for titty shake!

Didn't you make any friends in that time that you miss?

[Chapelroad]

My vote.

vote-web.jpg

But I am still obsessed with Thaivisa ?

[Chapelroad]

Almost 25 years.

Returned to the USA, with my family, on June 15 of 2016,

to the S.E of Chattanooga TN near the Georgia border.

Lovin' every moment, we don't miss Thailand at all.

Well we do personally miss...

- the nanny

- the maid

- the after school tutor

- the guitar tutor

- our old dog 'stich'

Almost everything here is more plentiful, higher quality, more choices, less expensive,

excepting a taxie and haircuts ($12+) and cigaretts ($5+).

Benzine or diesel is <$2/gallon.

Far more choices in beer/wine, which is less expensive.

Schools for the 3 children are rated very high, both locally and nationally,

and it is free.

Compared to the crap expensive bi-lingual school(s) in Thailand.

Crime is low in this area.

Lot's of clean fresh water lakes/rivers/streams for fishin' and boating.

Lot's of very good camping areas.

There are no dam barking soi dogs to keep one awake.

My neighbors are great.

Lots of malls, cinemas, golf courses, restaurants.

Several minature golf (putt-putt) business which also have...

- lazer-tag

- arcades

- go-karts

- paint-ball

- bowling

Several gun ranges for shooting/training.

I now have rock solid internet, 1 GB down/up ($50/month)

and 4G+ phone service ($100/mo for 5 phones unlimited data)

It is 'clean' here. A clear lack of pollution.

One can drink water from the faucet.

Infrastructue is excellent.

Need police/fire/EMS, here within 5 minutes.

So far, every individual i've met,

can carry on a intellectual conversation.

I go to a store looking for a specific item,

and they don't have it, they tell me who likely does.

Some have even called that business and checked for me.

Return polices are outstanding.

There are no traffic jams. Be anywhere in <25 minutes.

Electricty/Water/Gas to the home is cheaper and reliable.

The neighbor said they can't remember the last time the power went off.

Jeez I could go on... but why bother.

I do not go to bars, nor go watch the titty shake,

so there is nothing to miss.

To be clear, I am not Thai bashing.

Every point I've made is valid for me and my family.

Your milage may vary.

However, I do dread the coming temps of winter,

for myself and the children.

I and the wife still have a 15+ mil baht home+land in Thailand,

near Tallad Thai in Pathumtani.

Plus furnishings/tools and such.

So there will likely be trips back within the year.

Why did you come here in the first place ?

If you were not a yank, I would not believe you !

Maybe a monger ?

[Spaniel]

Arrived in Thailand in 1967 working for Philco-Ford on a government contract. Stayed for several years working for other contractors then off to the middle east, Africa and Europe before retiring here with Thai wife in 1999.

[calbear09]

On Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 9:19 PM, MadMuhummad said:

First visit in 2012 for me. Visiting 3-4 times a year for total of up to 3 months.

Now I'm minimum 50% Thailand @ a minimum with next year starting full time. I'm inly 38 so looking forward to the next 30+ years!

Did you win the lottery back home? Otherwise how are you able to do this?

[Boksida]

On 7/24/2016 at 7:21 PM, 888888 said:

Been here pretty much full time since 1970. I would estimate 43 years in country, well over half my life. Thailand is my life.

That's pretty much the same timing for me.

[Khon Kaen Dave]

October 1999.

Came because certain places offered me an Escape from my home land,which was going to the dogs then.Have been home 6 times for a week or two,to see my daughter.Once home,i count the days until my return.Bangkok gave me my first taste of the Orient.All the smells of different cooking,the noise,the hustle and the bustle,Chang Gold beer.The beautiful women,the music,it was wonderful.The bars were exciting,and the nights were endless.It was,in truth,a different world.I saw the sites.kanchanaburi,the bridge,the cemetery of our boys and allies that died in the war.I was seeing things that my dad could only dream of and died before i could tell him about it.Five years later,Pattaya,what fun,what entertainment,what girls,I was in that scene,and i admit to loving it for 5 years.Taught at an international school for 3 years,owned two bars.Life was one merry go round of booze,debauchery,and wild times.There was a stage where the first thnig i wanted when i woke up was a beer straight from the fridge.

Like the song says,"the future was unclear,but the fridge was always near" I was the ultimate playboy and i dont mind admitting that i loved it.I satisfied all my basic instincts,  even pulling a mum and daughter out of the same bar.(now,i think of it,they probably werent even related.5 years later,met a woman of 39,Saw her for 2 years and married her.Things changed,i changed.2 years ago,moved up to The village.Still having a good time,and happy.

Thailand is what you make it.Its the land of everything you want if you know where to get it.Its a land of 'ask no questions of your brother felang,and he will still tell you lies'.Its a land where you can forgive peoples transgressions, (unless they owe you money)because you dont care,they are good mates and who cares what they did before.I have grown up here,and i like the person i have become.If Thailand has taught me anything,its taught me never to judge.

[LongTimeLurker]

Arrived 21 years, 364 days and 12 and a bit hours ago.

 

But who's counting??

 

Khon Kaen Dave, I think you mean Singha Gold beer?

 

Totally agree with your last paragraph

Edited December 27, 2016 by LongTimeLurker

[kannot]

On 7/24/2016 at 3:00 PM, gamini said:

1963 When I got a job in Bangkok. I have been living here on and off since then.The country has changed a lot

. But the Thai people haven't and that is why I love this country. I have so many wonderful Thai friends many of them who I met in the early sixties. Loyal and helpful.

Have you got any younger friends as Ive  found the "decent"  Thais are of the 50+ age  group for me, these are the ones who will do anything to help you not the "self self self" type or the head in facebook all day preening variety

[villagefarang]

I am 62,  my best Thai friends are around 40 years old and we all have FaceBook accounts.  We just enjoy each other's company and don't really need any help.

[MadMuhummad]

On 27/12/2016 at 2:37 PM, calbear09 said:

Did you win the lottery back home? Otherwise how are you able to do this?

 

A mix of super hard work in my 20's to 30's, wise investment and to top it all off nearly losing my life in a motor vehicle accident. Changes your perspective on quite a few things.

Now I can afford to live quite comfortably anywhere I choose really.

[calbear09]

38 minutes ago, MadMuhummad said:

 

A mix of super hard work in my 20's to 30's, wise investment and to top it all off nearly losing my life in a motor vehicle accident. Changes your perspective on quite a few things.

Now I can afford to live quite comfortably anywhere I choose really.

Insurance payout after the accident?

[MadMuhummad]

4 hours ago, calbear09 said:

Insurance payout after the accident?

 

Not as yet but it'll definitely bring another level of comfort that's for sure.

I had plans on pulling the pin on work early and was well on the way to that anyway which put me in a good position. 

[Andrew Dwyer]

I came here (Bangkok) for work for 10 days back in '91, went home with happy memories and hepatitis !!
Came back again in September 2015, met a girl, went back home ( had been living in Brazil 20 years), got divorced, retired and moved here indefinitely in March 2016.
Still doing odd contract job for my old employer and drawing pension, so at 55 life is good.
Obviously early days for me but would hope I can live out the rest of my life here !!
Just living the dream right now !!


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