Why Move To Thailand

[Thaimato]

Hey - go for it! You sound like you have a good head on yr shoulders! Please just remember to take things slowly and surely in Thailand - and think about what you're possibly buying into or investing in - before you buy/invest!

Say no to anyone wanting loans - even family - and you'll be OK. Loans generally don't get paid back in this country - and you can probably dig up countless example of just that. Likewise, you can no doubt dig up some examples of Thais that do pay back any loans.

Thailand's a great country - and the sticks can be excellent, as long as you choose to live in an area that suits you.

Hope you make a good decision - and real good luck with whatever you choose.


Let us all know how ya get on, if and when ya come over here!

Ta

[Borey the Bald]

Borey.. Nice thread you got started. I also grew up in a region that was being hacked out of the wilderness for mining and forestry. People were the "salt of the earth" and I can still find that here in Thailand. The local folks have nothing material, but they seem a whole lot happier than most Americans. Sure there are the problem alcoholics, but the majority of people here are indeed hard working good folks. This place is like being thrust back into your child hood. Heck, you can even find hardware stores here that have everything just like the 1960s in the USA. Try to find a complete hardware store back in the USA these days. Just like when I was a kid, people burn weeds and garbage here..... I am not too keen on that, but it shows that this place is great for either living your second childhood or being a retro-grouch, or both. Thailand is a great place to enjoy your past pursuits, avoid things you dont like about the West, and you can make your retirement dollars go a lot further.

Thanks. What you say above was certainly in the back of my mind.

[chingching]

the boredom will get you in the end expats go crazy on all the gibberish to have to listen to.
dont burn your bridges cos many farangs want to go home but cant .
its not cheap any more and health costs are heavy on the wallet cos when they see farang the prices escalate out of control.

[ltnt]

I used the word "respect", and I meant it. Borey the Bald is offline Add to Borey the Bald's Reputation Report Post Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!

Again, foolish foolish man. There is no such animal in Thailand. Respect towards a Ferang from a Thai is only exhibited during raids on the Ferangs cash hoard.

As for hard working, not likely. All inherited lands and farms these days. Mostly women do the work in the fields not the drunks called men.

Come by all means with your dreams and false images of Thailand and Thais. When you're fed up please give us a call. You're just the kind of Ferang that village is looking for.

[Dan]

^ Actually quite a good argument against moving to Thailand, just not in the way the poster intended; you will meet people like this occasionally so worth putting that in the cons basket.

[Sailing into trouble]

Ha Borey,

Give you another good reason to go to Thailand. -37c in American that is frigging cold. I will repeat live your life. As others have said don't be nieve and make sure you have the health covered.

As to Thai's being shits and wankers, I think that you and I know that not to be the case. One of the reason I like being in Thailand is because I like being foreign. Been an immigrant most of my life so nothing new. lots of things to be aware of, but I am sure you know the risks. like I say better to live than to wait to die. Don't like it try some other place.

[Joe66]

in the US, you like to eat thai food, but when you life in Thailand,
something inside of you, will change, and that will be the reason to look for cheese, milk products and farang food.

You have a great wife for many years, but you will bring your wife in a conflict, by choosing to life in her village. Thai society is changing, and the pressure, of being Thai, being part of a family, have responsibilities, will make your wife changing.
Now, the consense between both of you, gives you your positive feeling,
but living in Thailand, this will change, cause she has to have a consense with her parents and sisters as well and you have to handle your feelings.
This is different, than holiday time.

There is also the medical aspect, how far away, you want to life from a decent hospital, with CT, can help you, when having a heart attack in the time between mai and september.

Invest you funds in a home, after you lived 2 years in Thailand, will help you, knowing your limits, and making the right decision, before burning your assets of the golden years.

[Borey the Bald]

Ha Borey,

Give you another good reason to go to Thailand. -37c in American that is frigging cold. I will repeat live your life. As others have said don't be nieve and make sure you have the health covered.

As to Thai's being shits and wankers, I think that you and I know that not to be the case. One of the reason I like being in Thailand is because I like being foreign. Been an immigrant most of my life so nothing new. lots of things to be aware of, but I am sure you know the risks. like I say better to live than to wait to die. Don't like it try some other place.

The climate here is a major concern. The wife puts up with it, but it is getting tiring for me. When I went out walking yesterday the temperature was 6F/-14C. At least this year there hasn't been much snow. Last year at this time I was using snowshoes. The next couple of days are supposed to be much colder.

Years ago I thought living in the heat of the tropics was the worst.

[Marmite the Dog]

in the US, you like to eat thai food, but when you life in Thailand,
something inside of you, will change, and that will be the reason to look for cheese, milk products and farang food.

You have a great wife for many years, but you will bring your wife in a conflict, by choosing to life in her village. Thai society is changing, and the pressure, of being Thai, being part of a family, have responsibilities, will make your wife changing.
Now, the consense between both of you, gives you your positive feeling,
but living in Thailand, this will change, cause she has to have a consense with her parents and sisters as well and you have to handle your feelings.
This is different, than holiday time.

There is also the medical aspect, how far away, you want to life from a decent hospital, with CT, can help you, when having a heart attack in the time between mai and september.

Invest you funds in a home, after you lived 2 years in Thailand, will help you, knowing your limits, and making the right decision, before burning your assets of the golden years.

All good points.

You should really consider moving closer to civilisation (Udon or Khon Khaen for example) as I'm sure you'll go out of your mind fairly quickly.

[watdog]

cheap, weather, food, girls, can be laid back.

but even that gets old eventually.

it's the third world in many areas of thailand.

[Dan]

it's the third world in many areas of thailand.

It's the third world in many of our home countries. Just colder, grimmer and more expensive.

[Borey the Bald]

Again, foolish foolish man. There is no such animal in Thailand. Respect towards a Ferang from a Thai is only exhibited during raids on the Ferangs cash hoard.

As for hard working, not likely. All inherited lands and farms these days. Mostly women do the work in the fields not the drunks called men.

Come by all means with your dreams and false images of Thailand and Thais. When you're fed up please give us a call. You're just the kind of Ferang that village is looking for.

I think I understand you perspective. Long ago I worked for several years in Texas. Based on that experience, and subsequent exposure to Texans, eg. Bush, Cheney and Perry, I have been convinced that all native Texans are stupid wankers. But consider, logic dictates that if I went back there and canvassed the state it might be possible to find a couple of Texans who do not qualify as “stupid wankers”. I'm sure some would only be considered "poofs". It is not realistic to paint everyone with the same broad brush.

[Borey the Bald]

in the US, you like to eat thai food, but when you life in Thailand,
something inside of you, will change, and that will be the reason to look for cheese, milk products and farang food.

You have a great wife for many years, but you will bring your wife in a conflict, by choosing to life in her village. Thai society is changing, and the pressure, of being Thai, being part of a family, have responsibilities, will make your wife changing.
Now, the consense between both of you, gives you your positive feeling,
but living in Thailand, this will change, cause she has to have a consense with her parents and sisters as well and you have to handle your feelings.
This is different, than holiday time.

There is also the medical aspect, how far away, you want to life from a decent hospital, with CT, can help you, when having a heart attack in the time between mai and september.

Invest you funds in a home, after you lived 2 years in Thailand, will help you, knowing your limits, and making the right decision, before burning your assets of the golden years.

All good points.

You should really consider moving closer to civilisation (Udon or Khon Khaen for example) as I'm sure you'll go out of your mind fairly quickly.

You are making the assumption, some might consider unwarranted, that I am not out of my mind now.

[ltnt]

Again, foolish foolish man. There is no such animal in Thailand. Respect towards a Ferang from a Thai is only exhibited during raids on the Ferangs cash hoard.

As for hard working, not likely. All inherited lands and farms these days. Mostly women do the work in the fields not the drunks called men.

Come by all means with your dreams and false images of Thailand and Thais. When you're fed up please give us a call. You're just the kind of Ferang that village is looking for.

I think I understand you perspective. Long ago I worked for several years in Texas. Based on that experience, and subsequent exposure to Texans, eg. Bush, Cheney and Perry, I have been convinced that all native Texans are stupid wankers. But consider, logic dictates that if I went back there and canvassed the state it might be possible to find a couple of Texans who do not qualify as “stupid wankers”. I'm sure some would only be considered "poofs". It is not realistic to paint everyone with the same broad brush.

I'm sure Texas is equally happy to see you in the rear view mirror. Nothing like a Yankee in Texas. Just as there you'll not fit in Issan either, but its your choice. Perhaps the romantic picture you've painted in your mind will remain unblemished...

Issan, not exactly Thailand. BTW, Tiger Woods mom is from there, but she never returned. Korat bar girl did pretty good. Hi-so for sure.

As for being someone to avoid, I endorse that as well.

[Borey the Bald]

^ In order to make a decision about moving to Thailand, I believe it is important to look at the negatives as well as the positives. I understand that my memory of living in Thailand and making short visits back to the village do not give me a sound basis for making this decision. Thats what this thread is about. When someone makes a post that is entirely rabidly negative I have to conclude that they are not giving a reasonable assessment of Thailand. Even the worst places I have visited had some redeeming qualities.


There are important negatives to consider: the effects of unemployment and drinking on the population are certainly serious considerations. Same with food and health care. I'm sure there are other things that I have not thought about and may not have been mentioned by others yet in this thread. That is my purpose for posting. I am not looking only for positive reinforcement – which is welcomed – but also those negatives.


But just making blanket negative statements about Thailand does not serve any purpose here.

[Dan]

If you have an open mind, don't act like a self-important arsehole and don't need the distractions of urban life, life in villages can be great; you don't seem like a self-important arsehole but you do seem open minded. To most other problems, solutions are generally possible, though I'm younger than you so I'm not sure about the situation with health insurance (the only thing which might put a spanner in the works.)

[Borey the Bald]

^Next to the difficulties in socializing with the people, health care is my main concern. In the US, over the next few years because of my insurance options, I would have no problems. But how I would do in Thailand I am not sure about. If I can afford to buy insurance there, that I suppose would be the best option. But what it would cost, and how I would be able to use it in the boondocks, I do not know.

[Carrabow]

[quote=Borey the Bald;1992560]^ and how I would be able to use it in the boondocks, [quote]

My insurance does not work in Surin so I have to go to Bumrungrad in BKK. The other option is the witch doctor in Tha Tum and pay cash

[Takeovers]

A difficult situation.

If I would ever move to the Philippines I would keep my health insurance back in Germany. I would also get back there regularly for checkups or for major treatment if necessary. Without that option I would not move.

Minor health issues I would and could pay for. If something like a stroke or heart attack hits me unexpectedly despite regular checkups that would be tough luck though.

[Dan]

I have health insurance through BUPA; you can get contact details for their Thailand offices at Bupa Health Insurance - Medical insurance specialist for individual, family and business group and I'm sure they'll be able to answer phone/emails in English.

[Marmite the Dog]

I'm pretty sure that you cannot start a new health insurance policy in Thailand if you are over a certain age (60? 55?), so getting international cover from a broker 'back home' may be your only option.

[Takeovers]

The other option is the witch doctor in Tha Tum

That option should not be dismissed offhand. Those people do know what they do quite often.

I once had a quite positive encounter with a phil quack doctor when I developed a severe skin rash that kept getting worse. I wanted to consult a doctor but my wife said a quack doctor can deal better with this kind of condition. She convinced me to try him first.

He shook his head and said thursday is not a good day to treat this but I will try.
He then smoked some weeds and blew the smoke over my skin. He said tomorrow it will be much better. But you have to come back for a repetition.

He was right. It got much better over night. And two days later everything was back to normal.

Total cost of two treatments was about 50 Baht and I got a coffee with it.

[Dan]

^^ I just did a quick search on Google and it seems that you can get insurance over 60 (AIA seem to do it up to 70), though how expensive it is and what it's like I have no idea.

[Borey the Bald]

I have health insurance through BUPA; you can get contact details for their Thailand offices at Bupa Health Insurance - Medical insurance specialist for individual, family and business group and I'm sure they'll be able to answer phone/emails in English.

I had looked at that website a couple of months ago, and it appeared to be a good possibility. I do need to contact them to be sure.

[FailSafe]

I don't know what the age limit is, but I have Siam Commercial Bank health insurance and it's a good deal and accepted at the major international hospitals.