Have you ever had 'Hard Times' in Thailand?

[WineOh 5,101]

I'd like to start this thread by saying that right now, for me, life is easy.

I have enough money in my pockets, I have food on the table, ale in the fridge and a roof over my head.

I can easily afford 4/5 domestic or international holidays a year and plan to start traveling again once the world has opened up.

 

But it wasn't always this way.

 

When I first decided to live in Bangkok some years ago and was searching for work, I could barely afford my 3,500 baht per month apartment.

It was a small studio apartment in the more run down side of town.

It was difficult to make ends meet back then, but eventually I found work and began to get myself back on my feet..

 

Without a doubt the hardest times I have ever had here was when I first moved to Phuket, without a Job or place to stay.

Eventually I found a room, but that in itself was a mammoth task considering how much money I had in my pocket.

I remember being down to my last 10 baht, with which I purchased a can of coke from the local 7/11.

I made that can of coke last me for 3 days until finally I got the call from the job I had applied.

Thankfully, the company let me take out an immediate advance on my salary which helped me through the next month.

I also had a bad motorbike accident around this time in which I dislocated my elbow and broke it in two places, which meant I couldn't start my new job until 2 months after the proposed start date.

 

The rest is history, now I do my own thing in my own time and I have nobody to answer too.

Life is a lot easier than it used to be, but it sure wasn't always that way.

 

Have any of you lot fell on Hard Times in Thailand?

If so, what was the worst for you? 

[Andy from Kent 1,086]

Only when I had too much grog and became a Wi..  oo       You get the picure.

[NCC1701A 53,655]

i am down to one girlfriend instead of the usual three.

 

its a big adjustment for me.   

 

 

[patman30 294]

i had 3000 baht when i decided to stay in Thailand
many many years ago
already missed flight and had 2 weeks to find 6000 baht rent
i bought a rice cooker, 2 sacks of rice and some magi
and that was all i ate for 2 months as i got to work (no employer or job)
had a good run for few years
then got down to my last 30k baht
and had to choose to fly back to UK
or take a gamble risking all i had left
the gamble paid off
the rest is history

Edited January 27 by patman30

[DaLa 1,395]

When I first ended up here through turmoil in my life back in the UK things were tough. I started a business with my Thai wife and had given up a well paid job back home and a riverside detached house in glorious settings to sleep on a concrete floor with no windows and no A/C for a few years.

 

The lack of friends, boredom and problems with the business and immigration rules here gave me plenty of headaches and sometimes regrets that I had committed to this new life.

 

I’ve adjusted, accepted Thailands misgivings and also once I reached UK retirement age became self sufficient. All I have to do is wake up in a morning. I have found meaningful ways of spending my days by alternating between watching pretty women on-line, watching pretty women whilst shopping in Central stores and having a drink or 3.

 

I’d say life's ok…..just waiting anxiously for that day when I wake up with a health issue.

Edited January 27 by DaLa

[OneMoreFarang 27,473]

I had little when I arrived in Thailand.

It had the big advantage that no girl decided to go with me because she though she will get rich.

But I still had enough girls at that time - many years ago.

Obviously it's always good to have some money. But Thailand with warm weather and MAMA noodles is still better than many other places even if you have money.

[KannikaP 1,044]

2 minutes ago, DaLa said:

When I first ended up here through turmoil in my life back in the UK things were tough. I started a business with my Thai wife and had given up a well paid job back home and a riverside detached house in glorious settings to sleep on a concrete floor with no windows and no A/C for a few years.

 

The lack of friends, boredom and problems with the business and immigration rules here gave me plenty of headaches and sometimes regrets that I had committed to this new life.

 

I’ve adjusted, accepted Thailands misgivings and also once I reached UK retirement age became self sufficient. All I have to do is wake up in a morning. I have found meaningful ways of spending my days by alternating between watching girls on-line, watching girls whilst shopping in Central stores and having a drink or 3.

 

I’d say life's ok…..just waiting anxiously for that day when I wake up with a health issue.

When that day comes for me, I shall not bother waking up!

[Kwasaki 10,973]

What I would call hard times were only experienced in UK .

[Dmaxdan 9,370]

No.

 

Although I'm not and have never been a rich person I'm very efficient at managing my money. Something my mother instilled in me. 

 

I don't by anything on finance , If I can't pay outright, I don't buy it.

 

And I don't have a joint bank account with my wife....

 

 

 

 

 

[WineOh 5,101]

Just now, Dmaxdan said:

I don't by anything on finance , If I can't pay outright, I don't buy it.

That is exactly how I live too mate!

I have never owned a credit card in my life and I never will!  

[spidermike007 37,632]

33 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

i am down to one girlfriend instead of the usual three.

 

its a big adjustment for me.   

 

 

However, the lack of maintenance and savings must be delightful. Not to mention the juggling involved. Simplicity can be a delight in itself. And the process of "rotation" can be alot easier to deal with, than the constant headaches of a juggling act!

Edited January 27 by spidermike007

[KannikaP 1,044]

4 minutes ago, WineOh said:

That is exactly how I live too mate!

I have never owned a credit card in my life and I never will!  

No property or car then?

I regard a mortgage or finance deal the same as a C Card .

Edited January 27 by KannikaP

[WineOh 5,101]

2 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

No property or car then?

I have 5 houses, 2 cars & 2 bikes since you are asking.

And still no credit card in my wallet !

[OneMoreFarang 27,473]

8 minutes ago, WineOh said:

That is exactly how I live too mate!

I have never owned a credit card in my life and I never will!  

Credit cards are useful for online shopping.

[Ron jeremy 2,277]

7 minutes ago, WineOh said:

That is exactly how I live too mate!

I have never owned a credit card in my life and I never will!  

A cc builds a credit rating 

it is also very important for traveling, booking hotel rooms etc etc etc

so you carry a pack of cash when travelling?

how do u book a hotel or plane tickets?