7 years in Thailand

[mike787]

What is more important?  Happiness or Canada?  I recommend staying in Thailand. Canada sux, boring and expensive.  Medical is NOT free.  You still pay, look at your taxes.  The line ups are just longer for treatment, because people think its free...

[Gandtee]

4 hours ago, Bangkokazy said:

Hehehe not so much better there

But at least it's warm.

[OneMoreFarang]

6 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

The tattoo just ruins it for me..take a work of art and "tag" it.....is grandpa catching a nap in the back there??

Wonder what the monk was thinking that tied that string to her wrist?......

I have to admit I looked at the upper and lower part of the girl and I didn't notice much else. 

[ravip]

Just to summarise...

Every country has its + and - 's

Every human has its + and - 's too.

Some are too far gone to accept their - 's, there-by bashing everything, everyone and anything except themselves.

If one can think without ANY bias, this picture will be clear as crystal - but, as a human, can anyone do so?

 

Just my 2 ￠for whatever it is worth.

Edited October 29, 2020 by ravip

[TKDfella]

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

 

Meh.... There are so many ways to avoid this if one is insecure in a relationship. I could just sell my current place and buy one 8n my mom's name. But she's not that type of gal as she already helps me big time already. 

 

Solved. 

Ha, some people eh? One doesn't go into a relationship/marriage wondering how long it will last, or will my spouse go off with someone more financially secure etc. Relations break down the world over and relationships last too, that's life. You sound like the kind of person that will deal with it, IF it happens and not the type plan for it assuming it will. Good luck to you both. 

[ravip]

6 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

The tattoo just ruins it for me..take a work of art and "tag" it.....is grandpa catching a nap in the back there??

Wonder what the monk was thinking that tied that string to her wrist?......

Do you think the monk tied that string on the babe's wrist while she was wearing this same cloths? LOL

[bbabythai]

22 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht.

I read your whole comment and found it interesting. Blown away by the quote for operation in the states. Absolutely a rip off. how can it be that much?

[Gandtee]

8 minutes ago, ravip said:

Do you think the monk tied that string on the babe's wrist while she was wearing this same cloths? LOL

Do I detect a lack of humour here? Smarten up.????

[ravip]

23 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I suppose if I had unlimited finances, I would probably leave. I despise the government and immigration here, and it does feel like the nation is moving backwards. But, considering the fact that I do not have a fortune, I will stay. There are many issues to consider. Going back to the US is not an option. I would not want to live there now, unless I was being paid over a million dollars a year, and then I would only do it for 3 years, and then leave. For me, it is about quality of life, and my level of fulfillment on a daily basis, which I seem to have here in abundance. A big factor here, is the relatively light hearted attitude of the people. You just do not find that in the US, where most seem bitter, disenchanted, unfulfilled, and heavy hearted. 

 

This is an entirely subjective topic, of course. But some of us live very good lives here. Some of us have been fortunate enough to find an outstanding woman, who is delightful to be around, on a daily basis, always has our back, and is fun, smart, and lovely. For me, that likelihood of finding that back in the US, would be very low. So, that is a big factor for me. The second factor is just the quality of life. Sure, I miss alot of the culture back home. The theatre, independent film (which I can download here with no issues at all, and a super fast 550 mbps fiber optic connection, at under 800 baht per month!), stand up comedy, live jazz, etc. But I have a lovely home that I rent, for about 10% of what I would pay in California, I live very well on an income which is not huge, have access to great health care, at a tiny fraction of what it costs in the US, and do not have to put up with alot of the aggravation that I had to when I lived back there.

 

Thailand is still reasonable. It used to be cheap. Has not been cheap for a long time. But, it is still reasonable. I know people who pay 10,000 baht a month for newer 3 bedroom houses in nice towns. In major cities in the US? $2000-3800 a month. That is 120,000 baht!

I had my motorbike seat recently redone on my scooter. 400 baht. A friend of mine had similar work done in the US. $275.

I recently had a guy come over and insulate my ceiling. I bought the insulation and paid him 2000 baht for labor. In the US? $500 and up.

I recently had an electrician do some work on the house. Nearly a full day of work. Paid him 1000 baht. In the US? $500 and up.

An oil change for my scooter costs me 200 baht, with Castrol oil. In the US? $75.

When I travel here I stay in nice four star hotels in Bangkok. Usually 1800-2000 baht. Now, during Covid. Great hotels for 1,000 baht. In the US? $130 for a crappy motel. $200 and up for a nice room.

I eat well here. In a smaller town you can get a three course meal for 150-250 baht. In the US? 2000 baht and up, plus tax and a nearly mandatory 15% tip.

I visit the emergency room here to visit a specialist, and with x-rays I am out the door for 2000 baht, at a private hospital. In the US? $300-2000. An anecdote on this subject. A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1,400,000 baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a good friend of his, in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, he knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back the next day, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon here got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1,400,000 at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at Vejthani Hospital, and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 31,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery.

Friends of mine, who are single, enjoy the company of a young, beautiful woman for a couple of hours, for 2500 baht. In the US? $800 an hour now for a beauty, with alot of attitude.

I could go on and on, all day long. I live at a level here, that I would never be able to live at, in the US, in most of Europe, in Oz, or Canada. Yes, the higher baht is an annoyance. And yes things are more expensive than they used to be. But, it is very relative.

Sure, Thailand has changed. My first trip here was in 1976! It was so much different than now. The politics here are absolutely regressive. The army is horrendous. Will that ever improve? I think so. I think the youth will eventually oust them, as they are virtually useless to Thai society, with the exception of protecting the elite. those in power and the super wealthy. But alot of things here have improved since then. The infrastructure here is quite good. Sure they could use a high speed rail. That would be amazing. Hopefully it will happen. The whole world is different now. The whole planet is being affected by a greatly expanding population, inflation, environmental issues, politics, and congestion. So, we are going to experience some of that no matter where we are. All I know, is that every day I wake up, I am very glad to be here, very glad to be with the woman I am with, and thankful for my life. Would I feel the same way in the US? I seriously doubt it. Most of my friends back in the US, say they would trade positions with me, in a heartbeat, if they could. I believe them. And I feel for them. The quality of life where I came from is a pale shadow of what it used to be. No thanks.

There is one more consideration. No matter where we go, we still have to contend with ourselves, our attitude, our issues and our minds. So, some will always be seeking greener pastures. Nothing wrong with that. But, it does not insure fulfillment.

 

 

Brilliant post.

Thank you!

[ravip]

9 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

Do I detect a lack of humour here? Smarten up.????

Sorry... your 'detection' needs calibration ????

[ravip]

5 hours ago, Bangkokazy said:

Hehehe not so much better there

Where can you hide from the "acts of God" ?

Another

[spidermike007]

52 minutes ago, bbabythai said:

I read your whole comment and found it interesting. Blown away by the quote for operation in the states. Absolutely a rip off. how can it be that much?

 

The American medical system is completely broken, and the incompetent government has done nothing to advocate for the people, for decades. The entire system is completely sold out to the FDA, and Big pharma. Every member of congress and the senate are $35 street walkers. The costs are astounding. And medical insurance for a couple is over $12,000 a year. Some families pay $2,500 a month. For health insurance! That is a mortgage payment. Reason enough to get out of America. A broken nation. And getting worse by the day. A "once empire" in a state of rapid decline. 

[Dart12]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

 

The American medical system is completely broken, and the incompetent government has done nothing to advocate for the people, for decades. The entire system is completely sold out to the FDA, and Big pharma. Every member of congress and the senate are $35 street walkers. The costs are astounding. And medical insurance for a couple is over $12,000 a year. Some families pay $2,500 a month. For health insurance! That is a mortgage payment. Reason enough to get out of America. A broken nation. And getting worse by the day. A "once empire" in a state of rapid decline. 

I heard the insurance cost here in Thailand and I smiled like the Cheshire cat.

Yes, it was not great before, but Obamacare absolutely killed Americans with Insurance cost.   $2500 in most states except the top 10 cities is buying a 3000 sq ft nice, new home.

[simon43]

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I have to admit I looked at the upper and lower part of the girl and I didn't notice much else. 

Not bad looking for a ladyboy... ????

 

(If she looks stunning ,then SHE was probably born as a HE)

[Banana7]

16 hours ago, Pravda said:

 

Meh.... There are so many ways to avoid this if one is insecure in a relationship. I could just sell my current place and buy one 8n my mom's name. But she's not that type of gal as she already helps me big time already. 

 

Solved. 

That's what all the guys think, "she's not that type of gal".

 

But when her friends, work mates, Southeast women's association, and the lawyers tell her how much richer and happier she'll be separating from you and hooking-up with a man her age, richer, with a great job, day after day, she just might reconsider her position with you. 

 

Too late and difficult for a prenuptial or marriage contract.

 

Transferring traceable assets, prior to arrival in Canada, may not avoid dividing assets in a separation. By family law, she's entitled to half of your net assets obtained during marriage. Canadian family law and lawyers are ruthless. One of my friends spent 4.5 years negotiating a separation agreement then another 6 months for a divorce, his 5th lawyer got the job fairly. Legal fees were about CAD$30K. Carefully consider the risks.

 

[sead]

Im 50. Stayed in Thailand 8 years. My gf just came to me in Sweden but it aint the same as Thailand. I like when i open my balcony in the morning and a hot breeze hits my face while taking my morning coffee. i like that i can eat out 2 times a day. I like that i can go out and take a drink when i want to. I like to take my scooter 1 am and just drive around until i find some snack. In Sweden people are asocial, sitting home and watching tv. Everything is expensive and food is boring. only youths are gong to party but in Thailand i am. I also think alot about my gf and if i should make her a PR and move back to sweden. shes 30. But then im done thinking of others. Now im doing it my way and its going to be like that. Gl in your decision

 

[ChakaKhan]

18 hours ago, ravip said:

Do you think the monk tied that string on the babe's wrist while she was wearing this same cloths? LOL

Perhaps a wolf in sheeps clothing.....

[ChakaKhan]

18 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I have to admit I looked at the upper and lower part of the girl and I didn't notice much else. 

Im very selective when assessing a future purchase...if that was the type of model I would even pay for.....

 

Could have a lot of miles on it and dogged out by previous owners.....Im happy with a reliable Honda, not a Lexus

[ChakaKhan]

20 hours ago, BritManToo said:

True,

She will have many more opportunities for a younger, wealthier husband with a bigger house.

Along with keeping half of everything you own.

Including your Hockey Stick! Oh Canada!

Edited October 29, 2020 by ChakaKhan

[Dart12]

18 hours ago, simon43 said:

Not bad looking for a ladyboy... ????

 

(If she looks stunning ,then SHE was probably born as a HE)

ha!  They definitely can give lessons to girls on how to put a girl together lol

[Dart12]

6 hours ago, Banana7 said:

That's what all the guys think, "she's not that type of gal".

 

But when her friends, work mates, Southeast women's association, and the lawyers tell her how much richer and happier she'll be separating from you and hooking-up with a man her age, richer, with a great job, day after day, she just might reconsider her position with you. 

 

Too late and difficult for a prenuptial or marriage contract.

 

Transferring traceable assets, prior to arrival in Canada, may not avoid dividing assets in a separation. By family law, she's entitled to half of your net assets obtained during marriage. Canadian family law and lawyers are ruthless. One of my friends spent 4.5 years negotiating a separation agreement then another 6 months for a divorce, his 5th lawyer got the job fairly. Legal fees were about CAD$30K. Carefully consider the risks.

 

What are the Thai laws on divorce asset splits?

[rumak]

35 minutes ago, Dart12 said:

What are the Thai laws on divorce asset splits?

 

      Farang / Thai divorce :

smart guy:     keeps plenty in his name , out of reach,  before getting married

dumb guy:    she gets everything   .       he goes over the balcony

[JerseytoBKK]

4 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

Im very selective when assessing a future purchase...if that was the type of model I would even pay for.....

 

Could have a lot of miles on it and dogged out by previous owners.....Im happy with a reliable Honda, not a Lexus

 

You obviously agree with all the people who made this song a #1 hit:

 

https://youtu.be/6EqFVWzOfN8

 

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life...."

 

[rumak]

17 minutes ago, JerseytoBKK said:

 

You obviously agree with all the people who made this song a #1 hit:

 

https://youtu.be/6EqFVWzOfN8

 

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life...."

 

 

nowadays..........  they may be ugly,  but they STILL can't cook  ☺️

[elgenon]

On 10/27/2020 at 6:48 PM, Lacessit said:

Not the most intelligent post on TV I have seen, given the current COVID-19 situation. Might be years before the option you describe is freely available.

I believe he was thinking about what to do in the future. If not. my mistake.

[Pravda]

8 hours ago, Banana7 said:

That's what all the guys think, "she's not that type of gal".

 

But when her friends, work mates, Southeast women's association, and the lawyers tell her how much richer and happier she'll be separating from you and hooking-up with a man her age, richer, with a great job, day after day, she just might reconsider her position with you. 

 

Too late and difficult for a prenuptial or marriage contract.

 

Transferring traceable assets, prior to arrival in Canada, may not avoid dividing assets in a separation. By family law, she's entitled to half of your net assets obtained during marriage. Canadian family law and lawyers are ruthless. One of my friends spent 4.5 years negotiating a separation agreement then another 6 months for a divorce, his 5th lawyer got the job fairly. Legal fees were about CAD$30K. Carefully consider the risks.

 

 

No sinsod. No payments. No fancy marriage. Takes a mortgage on her name. Puts 400k for my marriage visa. Works hard. Doesn't play around. 100% loyal and not a milligram of Thai in her blood. I think she deserves half of my property back in Canada in the highly unlikely event she leaves me which will most likely be my fault anyway just like in the past. 

[Lacessit]

23 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 

The American medical system is completely broken, and the incompetent government has done nothing to advocate for the people, for decades. The entire system is completely sold out to the FDA, and Big pharma. Every member of congress and the senate are $35 street walkers. The costs are astounding. And medical insurance for a couple is over $12,000 a year. Some families pay $2,500 a month. For health insurance! That is a mortgage payment. Reason enough to get out of America. A broken nation. And getting worse by the day. A "once empire" in a state of rapid decline. 

In Australia, the public system is almost free. A small copayment. The only catch is one goes on a waiting list for non-essential surgery. Pensioners are bulk-billed, which means they pay nothing.

I pay $2700 ( Australian ) per year for gold class hospital and medical cover. That guarantees me free treatment in any private hospital with a surgeon or physician of my choice, unlimited cost. My health insurer has kindly suspended payment while I am in Thailand. I can reinstate my policy any time within the first 60 days of arriving back in Australia.

Our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme ( PBS ) means if a medication is listed on it ( most are ), irrespective of what the manufacturers' price is, one only pays $6.60 per prescription.

It's one of the reasons I laugh when Americans start bleating about the evils of socialism. The Australian medical system is entirely down to when socialist governments were in power.

Apologies if off topic.

[meechai]

On 10/26/2020 at 9:16 PM, Pravda said:

My life here is what many would consider boring, but for some reason I enjoy it every single day. One of the reasons I wanted to go back is honestly the money is starting to run out. I lost 90% of my income due to covid. Yet every time I think back how f**, *** miserable I was back "home" in Canada I get f***#** miserable. It's a vicious circle. 

 

I would say if your happy in Thailand a lot if not all of that is due to your relationship with your wife. (you did not say if Canada was previously miserable as a single or married man)

That affects your day to day & if your happy now you will likely be as happy in Canada where you will also have rights & less stress in many ways due to government health care/help etc being available. Being old & poor in Thailand will never be better than Canada with rights & benefits to help you get by if that is your financial reality at this junction

 

Also nothing has to be forever & nothing says you will not return to Thailand someday if you & your wife decide to move back later after your stable or visit.

 

Folks who are happy usually find happiness wherever they are. The grumpy cantankerous types are not happy no matter where they live ????

 

Forget all the nimrods saying your wife will be stolen because if that was a possibility it does not matter which country your in. Either you have a good marriage or you don't.

 

Good Luck

Edited October 30, 2020 by meechai

[rumak]

11 minutes ago, Pravda said:

 

No sinsod. No payments. No fancy marriage. Takes a mortgage on her name. Puts 400k for my marriage visa. Works hard. Doesn't play around. 100% loyal and not a milligram of Thai in her blood. I think she deserves half of my property back in Canada in the highly unlikely event she leaves me which will most likely be my fault anyway just like in the past. 

 

what is it about you that makes these separations (past or future)  "your fault".?

 

sorry,  but it is the "human aspect" to these stories that make them interesting to me.

the rest of the subjects in forums and in life are pretty much the same stuff over and over......

 

each situation is different only as pertaining to the  "details and personalities involved".

that is also why i asked on page 1 for some details which your posts give out little by little

 

 

[BritManToo]

Just now, rumak said:

what is it about you that makes these separations (past or future)  "your fault".?

He probably wasn't interesting, amusing or skilled at loving enough for them.

Because 'they're worth it'.