would you move to Thailand?

[Isaan sailor]

Retiring in a foreign country, such as Thailand—kind of like a trip to Las Vegas.  Only bring the money you can afford to lose, and go home.  Always have an escape option.  Currencies are dynamic.  Some months you feel flush with money and tend to spend like a drunken sailor.  Other months when the local currency rises, you don’t want to buy anything.

[Nemises]

Come to Thailand and enjoy smashing the abundant, free pussy. Never pay for it and never have serious relationships here, otherwise stay home and have your sexually-boring marriage and/or long term relationships back there. 

[Alotoftravel]

For me, my gripe is not being one of the five groups being allowed to return to my retired Thai residence home . Thailand does not make me feel a welcome retiree in Thailand where I made my home here . 

[khunPer]

23 hours ago, Clive said:

I am after a little advice please
I lived in Thailand about 14 years ago, and it has always been my dream to retire there. Im now 53 and will take an early retirement in 2 years time.
I was wondering if you would recommend retiring in Thailand now...

If I was going to have a second option based on experience – as I'm already retired in Thailand – I would do it again.

 

I retired early at age 56 and settled in Thailand in 2005, officially checked out of my home country end of following year after I sold my property; I could not legally move out if I keept private property with status for full time living.

 

Now 15 years after I have so far not regretted my decision.

 

23 hours ago, Clive said:

Has Thailand changed so drastically in a negative way over the years or is it still a wonderful beautiful place to live?

Of course Thailand has changed in 15 years – and so has my home country – I therefore often compare if I would prefer to live, or just could live, in the country I originated from, instead of Thailand.

 

So far I would not change, because the changes in my Scandinavian home country are not to the better – I feel that more people complains now than before – whilst the changes in Thailand actually has improved that specific area I chose to live in.

 

Almost everywhere in the World things are changing over time. The World today is slightly different from the World as it once was. It's a question of personal preferences if you can accept the changes here, or there, and which changes you prefer, because you cannot live in the past without having a time machine, and they are still awful difficult to find.

 

So if you lived in Thailand 14 years ago, which is almost the time when I settled permanent here, you will find it "same-same but different"; most will be the same, and some will be different.

 

I think it's a question about where you settle – as I said in my case, the changes have generally been to the positive side, but of course something are different now compared to the past, but the past is past and don't come back – major improvements are for example Internet and electronic communication, which makes some of the earlier rural places are not that far away any more, as a lot of things now has online options.

 

Another change in the last few years is political stability – I know some will disagree and call for more democrazy – but the effective stop of demonstrations and riots has actually been positive. But politics are probably always a risk factor in Thailand with 20 coup d'etat since 1932; in average one every 5th year. I've experience two, so far. It's part of one's decision and back-up plan, or plan B, can you afford to move back?

 

The latter is the generally clever advice "never invest more in Thailand than you can afford to loose", as there might be other reasons also to take into consideration.

 

Makes me conclude that Thailand is a great place to live, if you have reasonable source of funds, which don't need to be a lot, but either enough savings, or stable retirement pension payouts, or a combination of both. Settle in Thailand with to light financial background might well turn one's golden otium years into a disaster. Sometimes it might be better to take just a few more work-active years and save little more up; whilst sometimes the moment right now is the best moment to move out.

 

In my case – I either had an ultra clear fortune teller crystal ball, or perhaps it was pure luck... – I couldn't have sold my property at a better time, just before the Global financial crises. Today, 15 years after, I would hardly be able to get the same amount for my property, as I sold it for in 2006.

????

 

 

[seancbk]

I was headhunted from Hong Kong to take a job in Bangkok 12 years ago.  In that time I've seen Bangkok get progressively better.  Would I do it again?  Absolutely, in fact I wish I'd done it 10 years earlier (actually I wish I'd been investing here 20 years earlier).  

But that's just me.  I'm 53 going on 33 and love city life.  The only thing I don't like about Thailand is the lack of professional expat women working here.  If Bangkok was more like Hong Kong or Singapore and had a lot more expat women it would be perfect.

 

[robert888d]

No,it has changed drastically and not for the better.

It used to be cheap but the baht has risen drastically compared to most currencies.

The Visa system keeps changing from week to week.

The land of smiles is more the land of moaning about foreigners. 

There is more traffic and pollution and more violence generally.

But as the Thai say it's UP TO YOU

[Clive]

Thank you all so much for the great advice today. The general consensus is that it's a good idea but have an escape route.

I was hoping for a positive vibe but not everyone feels like that about any country.

I have always been good with money and that's not about to change therefore giving me more options if things fail.

I have always embraced Thai culture which for me is the only way you can be totally happy in any country. If you can't accept Thai ways you will over time become very unhappy in your situation.

I'm not sure where to base myself but that's very easy sorted by touring around.

Thank you all so much....many thanks

[DrTuner]

7 minutes ago, Clive said:

I have always embraced Thai culture which for me is the only way you can be totally happy in any country. If you can't accept Thai ways you will over time become very unhappy in your situation.

Just make sure it's the actual Thai culture and not the one advertised in TAT brochures. Only way to get to know the real deal is to spend time with Thais. You might not like what you find.

[elliss]

On 8/8/2020 at 6:24 PM, mark131v said:

Has it changed in 14 years absobloodylutely, some would say better I think most would say worse, that said if your content you get on quietly and if your not you might be a bit more vocal. Post #2 is correct you need to make up your own mind...

 

    Good post .

               Anyone remember Thailand , before it had Tesco Lotus / big C / Makro , etc 

                The only bread you could buy then , if you were lucky , was sweetened <deleted>..

 

Edited August 9, 2020 by elliss

[Burma Bill]

Thailand is a wonderful country, scenery wise, and rich in culture. I lived in the North among the mountains, forests, lakes and rivers as the sun/sea/sand and sex of the Southern resorts was not my idea of enjoying my retirement (my choice). I lived in Thailand for 20 years but sadly I decided to move 5 months ago to avoid all the bureaucratic paperwork and financial restrictions now demanded by Immigration and other Government agencies. I now live in Cambodia where retirement is so relaxing and simple. As "Britmantoo" quite rightly said, if you are over 55 a one year retirement visa costs 300 US$. No need to show any proof of income or money stashed in a bank, just proof of residence, your phone number and an e-mail address. New retirees will have to register on the new FPCS (Foreigners Present in Cambodia System) which is mandatory for your landlord/hotelier/agent to complete.

[NanLaew]

9 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Not after being locked down for 6 months ????

Who? You? Where?

[NanLaew]

39 minutes ago, elliss said:

 

    Good post .

               Anyone remember Thailand , before it had Tesco Lotus / big C / Makro , etc 

                The only bread you could buy then , if you were lucky , was sweetened <deleted>..

 

You can still get the <deleted> bread if you really want the good old days.

[elliss]

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

You can still get the <deleted> bread if you really want the good old days.

 

    Stuff the bread ..

      However that said,  a short time , was  only 500 bht , they were the good ole days .

       Sadly  after Tesco Villa / Makro  etc opened , many big white buffaloes arrived ....????

       Everything , expensive more now ..

 

Edited August 9, 2020 by elliss

[BTB1977]

I would test the waters in neighboring countries.  Meaning go live in each one for a year. Dont make any long term connections in any of them . Than you can judge where you want to be. Thailand isn't the same as when I started coming here 10 years ago.I think in a few years I will relocate.  

[ericthai]

On 8/8/2020 at 8:19 AM, AndyAndyAndy said:

No, we don't!

ahh...it's duck season!

[sammieuk1]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

Who? You? Where?

Me yes bedroom ????

[madmen]

The bitter expats  are nearly all residing in some jungle after chasing skirt there and setting up a mcmansion on Pappas farm.

Once the excitement of blasting 3 million on the house which is now worthless and matching pick ups and bikes they are stuck surrounded by hillbillies and a strangely all of sudden the Mrs is more interested in soaps than the bed ????

Sucker born eve... 

 

Edited August 9, 2020 by madmen

[Mark Nothing]

Thailand is the best I have found.  I tried 35 countries over a 25 year period.  Latin america, carribbean, europe, asia, north america. But kept coming back to Thailand.  I have been residing in Thailand for 23years.  It makes a great home base to travel around Asia.  I tried 2 homes briefly, residing in the Phillippines for a year and it was nice but always came back to Thailand.  It is changing and I feel less welcome each year in Thailand.  I would recommend only investing an amount in Thailand that you can walk away from.

[BigStar]

3 hours ago, Clive said:

Thank you all so much for the great advice today. The general consensus is that it's a good idea but have an escape route.

I was hoping for a positive vibe but not everyone feels like that about any country.

I have always been good with money and that's not about to change therefore giving me more options if things fail.

I have always embraced Thai culture which for me is the only way you can be totally happy in any country. If you can't accept Thai ways you will over time become very unhappy in your situation.

I'm not sure where to base myself but that's very easy sorted by touring around.

Thank you all so much....many thanks

The thread pretty much illustrates what Pilotman said in the beginning.

 

 

Mostly cynical, embittered old farts here who spend their days trolling Thailand. None has fully quoted the classic, shrewd, street-smart TVF Poster Three Primal Laws Of Survival In Thailand:

 

1. Never invest in anything you aren't ready to lose;

2. Never own more than you can carry with you or freely leave behind;

3. Keep your suitcase packed at all times.

 

A few did manage to quote one or more of the Laws, however, and so received ten (+10) instant points of TVF posting cred from the peanut gallery.

 

Sounds, however, like you've managed to tune out the noise pretty well. I'll address a few points.

 

Now it's of course true that other countries have their attractions as well, among them, perhaps, cheaper visas.

 

Trouble is, many have discovered that, overall, Thailand still wins. Convenience, transportation, food, healthcare, banking, and infrastructure (if we're comparing to other Third World countries) tend to be better here. One member smugly says, "oh, if I have a big medical issue in Cambodia, I'll just pop over to Thailand." Whoops. Try that now. But the potential problems with that approach are obvious. You can work a year in Thailand and get free medical care, all expenses covered, for life (if you keep up the modest monthly payments) through SS--at public hospitals, many of which are quite good.

 

Lot of hate here for Immigration but they've always been good to me. I do my homework and I'm in and out in no time. B2000 a year + plus the bank deposit, which you own of course. Immigration got tired of all the cheating and riff raff, so they tightened up--on ALL foreigners, not just Westerners. It's been good, really. Forced out a lot of undesirables who really can't afford to live here. Now they whinge about Thailand from abroad. Sounds like a lot of sour grapes to me.

 

In fact, most of what is claimed to be difficult here is actually rather easy if you go about it intelligently and patiently. 

 

Enjoying Thais and Thai culture is a big reason to live here, yes. Most of the old farts don't, can't learn any Thai, don't respect Thais, have no sympathy for the culture, really think Thais are beneath them, don't acknowledge and practice good Thai manners when dealing with Thais, and have typically misunderstood the situations they come here to whinge about. That is, they're really just incorrigible bigots and proud of it.

 

This is not to imply Thais are perfect. Laughable idea. As you get more personal you have to be prepared to deal skillfully with selfishness, opportunism, dishonesty, immaturity, close-knit families, unfamiliar and seemingly odd ideas about things, laziness, greed . . . especially among members of the lower class, the only class most of our members know. Or among the high so class :). Yeah, just nothing like trying to deal with a high so Thai princess; a go-go girl's a breeze in comparison. The most sanity seems to be found among the educated middle class.

 

Anyway, you'll be happy here if you

 

• live and let live,
• accept the unchangeable (their country, their rules),
• handle problems routinely,
• interact with Thais well,
• keep yourself shape,
• have some hobbies besides posting cynical, paranoid, and know-it-all comments on TVF, and simply
• roll with the flow,

unfazed by the mess and paradox one may naturally expect to encounter in a Third World country. A good sense of humor comes in very handy sometimes. In fact Thais are great for joking around with, one way to put them at ease. Another way is to initiate a smile and a friendly "Sawatdee, krab" before any transaction--don't wait for them to go first. It's amazing the mileage you can get out of that simple act.

 

Me, I paid my dues, learned basic Thai as soon as I arrived here many years ago, never fail to make some effort to show respect and politeness (doesn't matter if you really feel it or not, just show it), try to get a smile if I can, and everything goes smoothly. I interact with people I like, and they seem to like me.

 

Traveled around, been living happily in Pattaya for many years. Thailand's a great place to be, love the weather. Have no desire to move anywhere, least of all back there. Funny, when I take vacations abroad, I'm always happy to come back "home."

 

You encounter some amazing situations and characters in Thailand, some of whom are better avoided of course. You also have the chance to make some big differences in ways you couldn't possibly back home. That's part of what's interesting: it's ever changing.

 

This turned out rather long-winded. Good luck on your coming Excellent Adventure.

 

Edited August 9, 2020 by BigStar

[madmen]

12 minutes ago, Mark Nothing said:

would recommend only investing an amount in Thailand that you can walk away from.

Nice first post dude thanks for sharing ????

[meechai]

On 8/8/2020 at 12:51 AM, Clive said:

I was wondering if you would recommend retiring in Thailand now

No way no how

 

Visit enjoy...when again possible (after Covid)

but until there is some semblance of a normal functioning government stay out

of any prolonged retirement plans

 

This country gets riper for a civil upheaval monthly & it

won't be like the old Red/Yellow days

The current covid induced added economical stress could be the tipping point

 

Which one of these signs would you say are not already occurring in Thailand?

 

Edited August 9, 2020 by meechai

[Thingamabob]

Just spend time in Thailand before making a long term commitment and then see how you feel. Nobody other than yourself can make a decision such as this.

[ChakaKhan]

I think the little man inside will tell you. I first came in 2008 did BKK-nah--phuket--meh--phi phi-ko tao-etc...landed up north and dropped my pack.....liked Khon kaen and Nong khai alot as well..but have always returned to Cm as I just know it--familiar to me....You will "know" when you've found it..keep exploring until the little man inside tips you off......I have also become more "thai" and local everytime I return...adaptable

[ChakaKhan]

22 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Not even 10am and the three wine coolers in my fridge are shouting out to me .... drink me, drink me!

Life in Thailand (for me) involves plenty of alcohol.

I figured the "misses" would have gotten to them as they seem to like the Su-puh-eye cool-lahz..... ????

[ChakaKhan]

22 hours ago, SteveK said:

If I could go back in time to before I met my wife, knowing what I know now I would have given Thailand a miss. It has become considerably less foreigner friendly over the years and the trips to immigration are a constant source of frustration. Vietnam or Mexico would have been my choice.

 

If my wife and I ever part company I think I would leave, sad to say but I think you can have an easier life elsewhere.

 

 

Ok Steve-O   Im a single dude and a free agent..also Hansum 2 much...Point me in the right direction

 

Or even any direction to get me out of this dumpster fire currently in the states.......good thing the wall is only 3 miles in case i need to make a run south of the border!

[ChakaKhan]

21 hours ago, Silent Number said:

Not a fussy person.

I guess the mind game I tell myself is if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck....a mouth is a mouth

 

Lets say the last girl you dated was hot..BUT you never had sex...never saw what was under the skirt..

 

Now you got to 2nd base but never got to see the "prize" and there was foreplay etc.......but from waist up

 

What if she was a guy?  Or post op or both!!!!?    I see attraction in "people" not color or gender..etc..

 

My tough guy homophobic buddy is in love with Daniel craig aka Bond 007..so is he gay???? who cares...

 

Anyhoo I have kissed and received from some smokin hot LBoys...never paid them..they offered......

 

I recall being in a bar on loy kroh my LB friend used to own and 2 of them whipped out my junk and were fighting over it...one even tried to give me oral and some old grandpa was looking at us..so that ruined it..

 

I dont like men, but for me if they want to live like a lady and behave, etc,,,whats the difference?  comes down to respect and attraction for me I suppose..funfact Marlon Brandon would do anything that breathed

 

Could be the thai body shape and lack of hair as I certainly dont want a 5 oclock shadow on my "girl"  lol

[AlfHuy]

On 8/9/2020 at 2:49 AM, Clive said:

Im 53 and when Im 55 I will be able to draw on my private pension giving me around £55k annually.

Either you are a Dr at the NHS and apply for early retirement.

Maybe a higher ranking police officer.

[Hanuman2547]

I worked in Bangkok for 12 years and thought that I would retire there full time.  I've been involved with Thais and Thailand for almost 40 years.  No way would I do that now.  Too many visa hassles to deal with, health insurance requirements, money sitting in a Thai bank making almost nothing in interest, too many documents to submit to get a retirement visa, etc.  Now I'm thinking that I will spend 3-6 months a year in Thailand over the northern winter.  If Thailand becomes too problematic I might just do 90 days in Thailand and another 60-90 days in another country such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or Malaysia.  I will spend about six months in my home country over the late spring, summer, and early Fall.  

[Daveyh]

Life here in Thailand has always been "up to you" & still is. It's more expensive & the exchange rate is dire since you were last here in 2006. Retirement option here is still a great place in a stress free & relaxing environment. You know exactly where you stand in society here, the locals are still a friendly bunch & easy to get along with. However, you must still accept their culture & thinking to be able to integrate here. As you still have two years before retiring I would suggest that learning to speak Thai if you have not already is a huge advantage. English is spoken here, but mainly school children as it's in their curriculum now. Many do not socialize with locals & that's when you get the wrong advice on forums like this one. Advice on bars & the rules of barfines , long times, short times etc however are accurate regarding the mistakes you can make as most posters on this forum have made them!! 

 

My advice would be to open a Thai bank account immediately, deposit 800,000 baht in the account & leave it for two months. As you are a first time applicant you will be able to apply for your Retirement Visa after your money has been your account for two months after your arrival. Get a "OA" visa in the UK for I year from the Thai Embassy there ......... this will give you a full year to decide whether Thailand is for you or not & you can come & go as you please. Once you are here on a 1 year Retirement Visa you can also apply during this period for a multi entry visa which will not conflict with your retirement. This visa allows you to travel without worrying. If you leave Thailand without one your retirement visa will become null & void. You will have to apply all over again for your retirement visa & "jump through all the hoops" deemed necessary by immigration.

 

Lastly, I use bankers cards here to draw cash as & when I need it as it works for me. Mainly because the rate of exchange is so poor. Normally I draw 20,000 baht on each transaction as the amount is the max & the charges are the same for all withdrawals. Problem is replacement cards, but if you have friends in the UK they can either bring them or send them to you by registered post. I'd advise you to have two cards, one debit/visa & one credit card. That also works well, as "one card can support the other" whilst awaiting a replacement. Online banking is available here now with reliable internet connections. The postal system is good here too. I always use main post offices, send everything registered & find them very efficient. Shopping has vastly improved & you'll find that that big shopping malls cater for all tastes, even European foods are available here now, but are expensive. Having said that there are many stores that cater for expats now, stock all the standard goods you'd expect to find back home & lots cheaper!!

 

Best of luck in your pending retirement ........... here is still the best place to be in Asia, even if you just use it as a base. It's safe, you can walk the streets alone without any worries, it's still fun & it's still what you make it. One thing I'd advise is don't walk around early hours alone (when streets are deserted), sober of otherwise, as those risks are high. 

[timberpond]

If you gonna come here and live off your pension it isn't such a bad idea... but never never try to open a small business to make useful of your time or supplement your income. You can do it if you are a digital normad or your business doesn't required any dealing with the thais.