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Posted

Charlie, you've lost the thread ... err, plot .... err, the ...

 

Ahhh, stuff it, just close the bloody thing -- it's wandered so far off course that it's now staring up its own ... jacksie. No one's addressing the theme anymore.

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Posted
12 hours ago, jenifer d said:

 

B) are you SREIOUS?!?!?!?!? have you ever BEEN here? we were just rated one of the 7 best islands in the WORLD to live on!!! 

 

 That must have been the WORLD survey where they limited it to only islands IN Thailand in order to get that result ...Obviously!!!

Posted (edited)
30 minutes ago, amykat said:

 That must have been the WORLD survey where they limited it to only islands IN Thailand in order to get that result ...Obviously!!!

In the Defence of koh lanta having stayed there a number of times for a month to 6 weeks.

 

It has got the lot minus the sleaze. Sleaze is there but it's kept (I hope) to a minimum and it's a decent sized island too with a healthy expat community. I like Koh Lanta an awful lot but to live there as a younger expat is another thing entirely.

 

And it was about 2/3 years ago that it started propping up the must visit places in respected papers like the independent.

https://www.google.cz/amp/www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/5-ways-to-experience-thailand-9136935.html%3Famp

 

 

 

Edited by Rc2702
Posted
11 hours ago, CGW said:

It has long amazed me! the worries people have about their personal healthcare & having to be near a hospital! what ever happened to being in good health and taking responsibility for your own health rather than trusting it to others who's primary motive is to make money!  :shock1:

 

Wow, never thought of that!  You sound highly intelligent.  Why don't you try to get all people out of the loop who make money off you too?  Grow your own food, make your own clothes, build your own car and home ...you better get some sheep for wool, and grow some cotton, get some land.  Hmm, how will you find gas and oil?  That might be hard.  You will have many projects to keep you busy as well as learning medicine or you can just let yourself die. Remember to build a coffin before please.

Posted

My reason for leaving was simple.  My contract expired after 2.5 years.  It was a really good contract and part of the terms were 
I had to return to work within the same company where i was before.   

 

I could have found another job, but I really didn't want to do that because most certainly it would have been a lower paying position. I made great money but managed to spend pretty much all of that money.  I really enjoyed the lifestyle I had and downgrading from that would have been tough.   On top of that I would still have to pay US taxes regardless (which my current company paid for)

 

One of the biggest things that made me leave is that I didn't want to get used to the lifestyle that I had.  I lived lavishly and did not save money.  I enjoyed it 100% and wouldn't change any of those decisions.  I was 37 and too young to rely on building financial wealth over there.  A lot easier to make money here in my field and also through real estate or retirement portfolio or whatever. 

 

I still have the option to move there whenever I want.  I am not sure if I will move there permanently in the near or distant future.  I do know that as bad as some people bash the US, I have WAY more options here and very few roadblocks.  If I could be guaranteed that stability and availability in Thailand, I would have probably never left.

Posted
1 hour ago, 1BADDAT said:

My reason for leaving was simple.  My contract expired after 2.5 years.  It was a really good contract and part of the terms were 
I had to return to work within the same company where i was before.   

 

I could have found another job, but I really didn't want to do that because most certainly it would have been a lower paying position. I made great money but managed to spend pretty much all of that money.  I really enjoyed the lifestyle I had and downgrading from that would have been tough.   On top of that I would still have to pay US taxes regardless (which my current company paid for)

 

One of the biggest things that made me leave is that I didn't want to get used to the lifestyle that I had.  I lived lavishly and did not save money.  I enjoyed it 100% and wouldn't change any of those decisions.  I was 37 and too young to rely on building financial wealth over there.  A lot easier to make money here in my field and also through real estate or retirement portfolio or whatever. 

 

I still have the option to move there whenever I want.  I am not sure if I will move there permanently in the near or distant future.  I do know that as bad as some people bash the US, I have WAY more options here and very few roadblocks.  If I could be guaranteed that stability and availability in Thailand, I would have probably never left.

 

Too young to think about financial stuff but looking for stability ? So finally the only real reason to leave is that you fear the future ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted
6 minutes ago, BsBs said:

 

Too young to think about financial stuff but looking for stability ? So finally the only real reason to leave is that you fear the future ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I realized that i wouldn't have financial stability there unless things changed. The reason i left was that I didn't see a good future for me there at that time.  How many people do you think move to Thailand to build wealth?  I think most go there to take advantage of the cost differences once they have already accumulated wealth.  Obviously there are exceptions.

Posted


Australians do not have utter contempt

Nice climate
Free Medicare
Not invaded by gypsies and terrorists
Beautiful tropical islands great barrier reef

In fact it wouldn't bother me in the least to be repatriated.


So one must ask why did you leave Paradise for this muddled up Chinese owned place.?.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect
Posted
13 hours ago, roo860 said:

No smog, no traffic congestion, no diesel fumes, no unmufflered vehicles?  Just a pristine Makro, beckoning with fully stocked shelves and an empty parking lot? Just happy, deliriously giggle-prone, fresh faced, kindergarten children with high serotonin levels, in freshly ironed clothes? An endless water supply with a nearby river with absolutely no pesticide or urea run off you can fish in with absolute confidence? Everybody wears motorcycle helmets, never exceeds the speed limit, and there's nary a traffic fatality? No prostitution, teenage pregnancy, high school drop out, or juvenile delinquency problems? Everyone gently and carefully shows deference and respect during water play, and foot washings at Songkran, reverentially floats a krathrong in November, hom kisses, has never watched internet porn, and thinks being glued to your i-phone is gauche? No concrete construction, just teak, thank you very much, with well-tended gardens in the front yard, and novice monks make their rounds in the morning mist? A cool breeze makes fans unnecessary and, heavens above, air conditioning is unnecessary? Such a surplus of mangoes and honey oranges is enjoyed that people are positively giddy, overly eager to share the bounty? A place where the problems of the world can be blown away with a puff of breath through paw sampao pursed lips? I'll keep my eyes peeled for this nirvana of yours

Well clearly we approach life in a very different way Gecko123. I am  the glass half full type and also one that does not sit and notice every fault or bad thing around. Its simply time consuming and add zero value to my life. The things you posted and fixated on exist everywhere in the world in every country(except Songkran of course). Did you do that laundry list for your home country as well? I do not live in Nirvana but I live in an area that is sans of much of what you posted.Thailand, like everywhere else on this planet, is not perfect. But what if it was...I suspect that would be really boring, no? I mean what would all the b itchers and complainers do? b itch and complain how perfect it is? 5555. People will always find something to complain about. Its why this website has members. People do not come on here to post nice stuff, they want to whinge and complain about their lot in life. 

 

In the end you make where you live what it is, its really quite simple. You can sit and look at everything bad or just live life realizing it is what it is. This is why I have said it would be really interesting to see where the posters live that sit and complain about everything all the time. I have my suspicions....but.....

 

Posted
4 hours ago, BsBs said:

 

Too young to think about financial stuff but looking for stability ? So finally the only real reason to leave is that you fear the future ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sounds like he had only a demotion on the table to me.

Posted
6 hours ago, 1BADDAT said:

My reason for leaving was simple.  My contract expired after 2.5 years.  It was a really good contract and part of the terms were 
I had to return to work within the same company where i was before.   

 

I could have found another job, but I really didn't want to do that because most certainly it would have been a lower paying position. I made great money but managed to spend pretty much all of that money.  I really enjoyed the lifestyle I had and downgrading from that would have been tough.   On top of that I would still have to pay US taxes regardless (which my current company paid for)

 

One of the biggest things that made me leave is that I didn't want to get used to the lifestyle that I had.  I lived lavishly and did not save money.  I enjoyed it 100% and wouldn't change any of those decisions.  I was 37 and too young to rely on building financial wealth over there.  A lot easier to make money here in my field and also through real estate or retirement portfolio or whatever. 

 

I still have the option to move there whenever I want.  I am not sure if I will move there permanently in the near or distant future.  I do know that as bad as some people bash the US, I have WAY more options here and very few roadblocks.  If I could be guaranteed that stability and availability in Thailand, I would have probably never left.

Good post BADDAT. I agree that working here for a US company making a US salary can significantly change ones perspective on life. You can live a very comfortable life plus you are very busy and have no time to sit around and find everything bad.  

 

You made the right move going back to the US at your age. You have time to build a solid financial portfolio and travel off to anywhere in the world later, if you so chose. I waited and glad I did. Now I am in the drivers seat. 

Posted

Thailand is a nice country like many of the one under development and they are far from being perfect but this is the way they live and for us in order to stay for a short time or longer time it goes with the change in the economy and the decrease of the dollar power.

So after 5 seasons here it is time to look at spending the same time like visas for 6 months either Cuba, Arizona, of Bresil.

It is closer to home and easier to get back if in an emergency situation.

That way I do not loose my benefits in the country I am from.

Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, JAFO said:

Well clearly we approach life in a very different way Gecko123. I am  the glass half full type and also one that does not sit and notice every fault or bad thing around. Its simply time consuming and add zero value to my life. The things you posted and fixated on exist everywhere in the world in every country(except Songkran of course). Did you do that laundry list for your home country as well? I do not live in Nirvana but I live in an area that is sans of much of what you posted.Thailand, like everywhere else on this planet, is not perfect. But what if it was...I suspect that would be really boring, no? I mean what would all the b itchers and complainers do? b itch and complain how perfect it is? 5555. People will always find something to complain about. Its why this website has members. People do not come on here to post nice stuff, they want to whinge and complain about their lot in life. 

 

In the end you make where you live what it is, its really quite simple. You can sit and look at everything bad or just live life realizing it is what it is. This is why I have said it would be really interesting to see where the posters live that sit and complain about everything all the time. I have my suspicions....but.....

 

People can embellish their lives in cyberspace. It's fun, it can make us feel good about ourselves. We all probably do it from time to time.

 

But when you know, for example, that Thailand has been suffering from drought for a good 20 years and someone comes on describing their town as a lush Garden of Eden, you have to wonder whether they are being fully truthful or not. When anyone can turn on the news and see daily news reports of fire crews battling forest fires, and pea soup smog from crop burning, (especially in the north, but in no way limited to this region) and someone comes along to tell you air pollution isn't a problem where they live, you have to wonder. When you can see with your own eyes how the lack of rainfall has affected crop yields, and someone says all the farmers in their neck of the woods are affluent, you have to wonder. When you've taught in rural government schools for over 6 years, and know what goes on there, and someone claims their local government school is quite good, you have to wonder. When you understand that social bonds out in the countryside are almost exclusively forged through family, work, and friendships dating back to grade school, and someone comes along trying to tell you how they're been immediately and completely embraced in the Thai community they recently moved to, you have to wonder. Etcetera, etcetera.

 

And when someone challenges these embellished versions of the truth, that doesn't make them a pessimist. It makes them a realist, and someone who values honesty. The truth has been taking a beating lately. Trying to 'keep it real,' which is all my posts on this thread were trying to do, is a good thing.

Edited by Gecko123
Posted
1 hour ago, Gecko123 said:

People can embellish their lives in cyberspace. It's fun, it can make us feel good about ourselves. We all probably do it from time to time.

 

But when you know, for example, that Thailand has been suffering from drought for a good 20 years and someone comes on describing their town as a lush Garden of Eden, you have to wonder whether they are being fully truthful or not. When anyone can turn on the news and see daily news reports of fire crews battling forest fires, and pea soup smog from crop burning, (especially in the north, but in no way limited to this region) and someone comes along to tell you air pollution isn't a problem where they live, you have to wonder. When you can see with your own eyes how the lack of rainfall has affected crop yields, and someone says all the farmers in their neck of the woods are affluent, you have to wonder. When you've taught in rural government schools for over 6 years, and know what goes on there, and someone claims their local government school is quite good, you have to wonder. When you understand that social bonds out in the countryside are almost exclusively forged through family, work, and friendships dating back to grade school, and someone comes along trying to tell you how they're been immediately and completely embraced in the Thai community they recently moved to, you have to wonder. Etcetera, etcetera.

 

And when someone challenges these embellished versions of the truth, that doesn't make them a pessimist. It makes them a realist, and someone who values honesty. The truth has been taking a beating lately. Trying to 'keep it real,' which is all my posts on this thread were trying to do, is a good thing.

I respect your points of view. I think what many fail to realize is that there are places that are quite nice. With that said I totally agree there are areas that have pollution, garbage all over, schools that are poor, traffic, congestion, drought,  Etc etc as you mentioned.  I have seen it. I have traveled all over Thailand. I have seen some terrible areas. Just like I saw in New Orleans. Tennessee, Atlanta, Los Angeles etc. I just say as I do there and here" I could never live there".  

 

My post was quite factual for my area and where I live.  It is likely why I love my lot in life and enjoy it here as I do.  I am quite certain it has some impoverished areas but I do not go search them out just like I didn't in the US. 

 

Anyway. It's all good.  I posted why I am staying and why I wouldn't leave. Some members on here know where I live as  I do them. They are happy and content but it's likely due to they live in areas similar to me.  Its not all bad here. Additionally I do work here in Thailand and have met some really outstanding folks that have become my friends. So please fire away and challenge as you see fit.  

Posted
By the way I'm just waiting for the next chance to move else where I definitely would since food and food products are inedible for normal humans like me with being sick to my stomach sine I came here Jan 2016.  It's a filthy paradise.
Also, the language barrier on itself makes me sick over.

Yes, only a normal human like you dislikes the food? Suggest to each his own, and given your obvious bitterness why are you still in the country?
Posted
1 minute ago, jerojero said:


Yes, only a normal human like you dislikes the food? Suggest to each his own, and given your obvious bitterness why are you still in the country?

As we speak I'm cooking my own food which I really trust and my stomach never complains, I hope you get it pal.

Posted
As we speak I'm cooking my own food which I really trust and my stomach never complains, I hope you get it pal.

You are just sickly. Everyone grew up with a kid that was always ill and that doesn't change in adult years.
Part of the reason is your parents over sterilized everything. So zero exposure to the real world when it comes to bacteria.
Posted
On 3/31/2017 at 1:14 PM, whoareyou said:

 


Australians do not have utter contempt

Nice climate
Free Medicare
Not invaded by gypsies and terrorists
Beautiful tropical islands great barrier reef

In fact it wouldn't bother me in the least to be repatriated.
 

 

"..and he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended

and at night the wond'rous glory of the everlasting stars.."

Posted

I have only been here for a year and a half, I planned to move here 10 years ago when I met my wife, so careful planning was made by me to retire at 55 years of age and not 67 as would be the case if I remained in Sydney, Australia and I would have to work myself literally to death to make a good wage to survive.

 

So far I haven't missed Sydney one bit, I am returning 1 May with the family for a week to see my ageing mum, 20 year old daughter from 1st marriage, friends my local GP and a couple of specialist (2 year check up), and to be honest neither my wife or myself are excited at all, to say when you are going on a holiday or a trip you get excited, well I will say it again, we aren't.

 

I am looking forward though to having some good traditional Greek food, but not the kilo's that comes with it.

 

Living in rural Thailand for me/us has taught me that life should be at this pace, not the pace I was used to in the production line back in Sydney. I also enjoy not paying any taxes on my investments which is a big bonus compared to the tax I used to pay being a resident.

 

I enjoy the fresh air, when they are not burning the rice fields or their garbage, to hose the garden without thinking that its going to cost me a fortune in the water rate usage bill of 150 baht for the month instead of 2,500 baht back In Sydney.

 

Building a house 4 times the size of the house that we lived in Sydney for the price of a double garage in Sydney, the cost of living here is also so much cheaper, I would say my grocery bill is 1/3 of that in Sydney.

 

The country drive of 20 minutes taking and picking up the kids to school with no traffic at all compared to the traffic to get the kids to school just 3 kilometres up the road in Sydney.

 

Sure I read lots of things negative things about Thailand, yes it is a third world country and the bureaucracy can be frustrating, but I also remember Sydney Australia as also not being perfect and having bureaucracy as well, I was fined just yesterday for pushing my way up the inside lane and waited at the traffic lights on one of the main roads in Udon Thani because the traffic was so far backed up with trucks I wasn't prepared to wait for 6 sets of lights, the fine was 400 baht or $15 Australian, no demerit points lost, now back in Sydney that would set me back at least 8,000 baht or $300, sure the fines here are crazy, but hey, I am not as stressed as I used to be back in Sydney worrying about speed cameras every 2ft, red light cameras every 3ft and highway patrols lurking around every corner, here I just have to worry about the odd speeding driver, the motorbike at night with no tail lights heading towards me etc etc.

 

I think if you have enough money coming in on a monthly basis you can survive quiet comfortably in Thailand, I am not talking in the tourist areas either as you will pay around double to what it is in the country, but to be living off the pension with fluctuations in currencies would be stressful for anyone, so I believe if you have money, there are a number of countries you can feel comfortable in, having said that, I know in Sydney there was no comfort as everything is so bloody expensive, to think before we came here once bananas were $14 a kilo or 350 a kilo, here would be lucky to pay 40 baht and that's probably for more than a kilo.

 

So the ways I see it, Thailand will be home for me for the rest of my retirement years how ever long that will be, and if my situation changes for whatever reason, I can up and go to another country, because I learn't along time ago to never depend on governments because they keep moving the goal posts and to always have plan B and C in case you need to get cracking. 

Posted
1 minute ago, 4MyEgo said:

I have only been here for a year and a half, I planned to move here 10 years ago when I met my wife, so careful planning was made by me to retire at 55 years of age and not 67 as would be the case if I remained in Sydney, Australia and I would have to work myself literally to death to make a good wage to survive.

 

So far I haven't missed Sydney one bit, I am returning 1 May with the family for a week to see my ageing mum, 20 year old daughter from 1st marriage, friends my local GP and a couple of specialist (2 year check up), and to be honest neither my wife or myself are excited at all, to say when you are going on a holiday or a trip you get excited, well I will say it again, we aren't.

 

I am looking forward though to having some good traditional Greek food, but not the kilo's that comes with it.

 

Living in rural Thailand for me/us has taught me that life should be at this pace, not the pace I was used to in the production line back in Sydney. I also enjoy not paying any taxes on my investments which is a big bonus compared to the tax I used to pay being a resident.

 

I enjoy the fresh air, when they are not burning the rice fields or their garbage, to hose the garden without thinking that its going to cost me a fortune in the water rate usage bill of 150 baht for the month instead of 2,500 baht back In Sydney.

 

Building a house 4 times the size of the house that we lived in Sydney for the price of a double garage in Sydney, the cost of living here is also so much cheaper, I would say my grocery bill is 1/3 of that in Sydney.

 

The country drive of 20 minutes taking and picking up the kids to school with no traffic at all compared to the traffic to get the kids to school just 3 kilometres up the road in Sydney.

 

Sure I read lots of things negative things about Thailand, yes it is a third world country and the bureaucracy can be frustrating, but I also remember Sydney Australia as also not being perfect and having bureaucracy as well, I was fined just yesterday for pushing my way up the inside lane and waited at the traffic lights on one of the main roads in Udon Thani because the traffic was so far backed up with trucks I wasn't prepared to wait for 6 sets of lights, the fine was 400 baht or $15 Australian, no demerit points lost, now back in Sydney that would set me back at least 8,000 baht or $300, sure the fines here are crazy, but hey, I am not as stressed as I used to be back in Sydney worrying about speed cameras every 2ft, red light cameras every 3ft and highway patrols lurking around every corner, here I just have to worry about the odd speeding driver, the motorbike at night with no tail lights heading towards me etc etc.

 

I think if you have enough money coming in on a monthly basis you can survive quiet comfortably in Thailand, I am not talking in the tourist areas either as you will pay around double to what it is in the country, but to be living off the pension with fluctuations in currencies would be stressful for anyone, so I believe if you have money, there are a number of countries you can feel comfortable in, having said that, I know in Sydney there was no comfort as everything is so bloody expensive, to think before we came here once bananas were $14 a kilo or 350 a kilo, here would be lucky to pay 40 baht and that's probably for more than a kilo.

 

So the ways I see it, Thailand will be home for me for the rest of my retirement years how ever long that will be, and if my situation changes for whatever reason, I can up and go to another country, because I learn't along time ago to never depend on governments because they keep moving the goal posts and to always have plan B and C in case you need to get cracking. 

There is a why are you staying thread. This is asking people to give reasons why they are leaving...

Posted
3 minutes ago, anotheruser said:

There is a why are you staying thread. This is asking people to give reasons why they are leaving...

Perhaps he wishes to say why he won't be leaving as opposed to saying why he is staying.

Posted
Just now, bannork said:

Perhaps he wishes to say why he won't be leaving as opposed to saying why he is staying.

Yes and all I am saying is there is a thread that asks specifically for such opinions.

Posted
On 31/03/2017 at 2:46 AM, BsBs said:

 

 

I would never live on a island without owning a boat.

 

And of course Koh lanta is cheap, who, with choice, really wants to live there ?

 

 

 

 

Koh Lanta, r u serious, tomorrow if I had too, as for the pussy cats, they would have to get used to the sand as I don't splurge on pussy.

Posted

I grew up on an island, but we trusted Townsend Thoresen to get us back to the mainland, if we had to.  There's a tunnel now, as well.

 

But we rarely had to leave the island, except for holidays

 

SC

Posted
On 3/31/2017 at 0:55 PM, Destiny1990 said:

Thailand is certainly advanced with these bordering countries in regard with overall infrastructure ,speed of internet and amount of tourist visiting each year.They not avanced about English skills but are catching up.Thailand is one of the lowest priced countries in regard with food hotels shopping etc.

I believe the Vietnamese are far better in English than the Thais, but then I speak Vietnamese so it would not be a problem. I also know both countries fairly well, and I have found the necessary infrastructure when I visited Vietnam.  Besides, I think you must have missed my point; I am tired of Thailand.

Posted
38 minutes ago, smotherb said:

I believe the Vietnamese are far better in English than the Thais, but then I speak Vietnamese so it would not be a problem. I also know both countries fairly well, and I have found the necessary infrastructure when I visited Vietnam.  Besides, I think you must have missed my point; I am tired of Thailand.

Okay fair enough.Are u planning a going away party?will u still entertain us while posting from Hanoi?

Posted
Just now, Destiny1990 said:

Okay fair enough.Are u planning a going away party?will u still entertain us while posting from Hanoi?

Yes, most definitely, a going away party; care to contribute? Probably not going to be in Hanoi, and I may have something else to do, but I assure you I will think of you often.

Posted (edited)

..., Is there a "Why I will never move to Thailand..., but still retain the choice to visit occasionally and blow out some cobwebs " thread anywhere ?

Edited by Sandy Freckle

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