Don't confuse happiness with contentment. I'm older, have lived in Thailand 20+ years, Isan, Bangkok, now Jomtien. I don't go around every day with a big grin but that does not mean I'm unhappy. What I am is content. At my age and with the financial resources I have, I can not imagine a place where I would rather be. I have a small circle of good friends. I avoid the casual barstool groups with the daily dose of same-old. I have some women friends but no girlfriend, no dependants. I sit at my favorite coffee shop opposite the beach, observe the breeze blowing through the palms, listen to the casual chatter around me and wonder how I got this lucky.