Affordable town to live in.

[bowie]

What I'm getting at is learning the alphabet, the language, reading/writing Thai,

PHP 87;

Why Thailand? As other posters have asked, Have you been here?

For every pro there is a con. In your case the pros may well outweigh the cons, or, vice versa.

As far as the language, I’ve studied it for twenty plus years, speak, read and write, not “fluently” but how would you define fluently. Has it helped? yes, Dramatically? no, Worth the time invested? a most definite maybe.

You can get by without knowing the language. But, as you provide, if you decide to live in Thailand you are better off with a rudimentary understanding of the language.

So, study to your hearts content. I wouldn’t spend any money on it unless spending money will provide you with motivation. There are many, many free online resources available. Start with the alphabet, 44 consonants, 32 vowel sets. That should keep you busy for a couple of years. Then you can move on to the tones and sentence construction. For pronunciation you will need help. Find the closest Thai Wat near you and go talk to the Monks, they will help. But learn the alphabet first.

Back to the original question, Why Thailand? Do, do your due diligence, if you are expecting the romantic, tropical paradise portrayed in the Tourist Brochures, you are in for a surprise. They do exist, but, everything has its price. The economical side of Thailand is not the tourist playgrounds.

Good luck.

[cnx37]

I have been in LOS for 12+ years. My little "red" dictionary - invaluable. No formal education in tne language - readng, writing - zilch. YES, it has advantages -
a) you can get by (just)
b) "respect" by locals - BIG, BIG.
In comparison to most expats, I am a bloody genius?
My advice re Thai language - yes, learn some - at your pace - enjoy it. Having a Thai partner is a wonderful incentive & support.

[navynine]

Take a look at Chantaburi, it has it all...............

[PHP 87]

I have been in LOS for 12+ years. My little "red" dictionary - invaluable. No formal education in tne language - readng, writing - zilch. YES, it has advantages -
a) you can get by (just)
b) "respect" by locals - BIG, BIG.
In comparison to most expats, I am a bloody genius?
My advice re Thai language - yes, learn some - at your pace - enjoy it. Having a Thai partner is a wonderful incentive & support.

Where does one find your little "red" dictionary, or is that a generic term?

[RPETER65]

QED.......

Why use the term hate? I see their wretched society for what it is and thankfully have no need for it. I am not a child and have no desire to conduct my life according to the principles of some stunted adolescent which is a prerequisite if one wishes to relate to them.

However, where possible I am content to deal with them on the hypocritical, superficial level which is all that is necessary.

Quite how you think you blend in is up to you but I suspect you are just kidding yourself if you think your presence here is more significant on any level than, say, a wet fart in the breeze.

I use the word hate because every thing you post regarding Thai people is degrading and extremely disrespectfully, you come across as seeing value in only what you have been educated to believe, who makes you the desider of what is good or bad, I am sorry you have had nothing but bad experiences with Thai people. As for my presence here it is only what I wish it to be and only I can decide what has been good or bad for me. Again I ask the question why do you stay here considering your extreme dislike for Thai people.

[cnx37]

That little "red" dictionary - I would like to give you details but we are moving - it is packed away. At any major bookstore, there is a variety to choose from. "Little" - they fit in your pocket. Carry it with you - learn at your pleasure, leisure - refer when in "trouble". A great investment!

[bowie]

That little "red" dictionary - I would like to give you details but we are moving - it is packed away. At any major bookstore, there is a variety to choose from. "Little" - they fit in your pocket. Carry it with you - learn at your pleasure, leisure - refer when in "trouble". A great investment!

Mine was the robertsons pratical english-thai dictionary. Yes, a little red book. Maybe the same as yours CNX.

5" X 4" X 1/2" perfect pocket size. Carried mine around my first three or four years in Bangkok, early/mid 90's. As I'm a pack rat I still have it. Dog eared and worn. Hard to read now. Has the english word with the Thai pronounciation in english.

Useful tool.

[buriramboy]

QED.......

Why use the term hate? I see their wretched society for what it is and thankfully have no need for it. I am not a child and have no desire to conduct my life according to the principles of some stunted adolescent which is a prerequisite if one wishes to relate to them.

However, where possible I am content to deal with them on the hypocritical, superficial level which is all that is necessary.

Quite how you think you blend in is up to you but I suspect you are just kidding yourself if you think your presence here is more significant on any level than, say, a wet fart in the breeze.

I use the word hate because every thing you post regarding Thai people is degrading and extremely disrespectfully, you come across as seeing value in only what you have been educated to believe, who makes you the desider of what is good or bad, I am sorry you have had nothing but bad experiences with Thai people. As for my presence here it is only what I wish it to be and only I can decide what has been good or bad for me. Again I ask the question why do you stay here considering your extreme dislike for Thai people.

You are asking TheGent why he is in Thailand and has a Thai wife?? TheGent is a man who was brought up in Asia ( in between attending boarding school in England) and apparently speaks Malay and Cantonese fluently yet has failed to grasp even a basic understanding of the Thai language in his 12 years of residing there, hates everything about the place yet chooses to reside there as opposed to a country where he speaks the lingo and appreciates the culture. The man clearly has issues although what they are God only knows.

[bowie]

TheGent is presenting his view.

To evaluate an option you need to listen to all sides of the story, no data ignored, no opinion overlooked or diminished.

Personally, I find many, many things that I dislike about Thailand, the pollution, the filth, the vermin, the acceptance, the traffic, etc., etc.

I lived and worked in Thailand, eventually I married a Thai, and then drug her kicking and screaming to America. We are frequent visitors, a few months every couple of years, in a year or two, possibly three, we will be retiring in Thailand. I made my money in the USA and we will retire very comfortably.

I will be where I want, by choice, I will live a lucrative, comfortable lifestyle, with no ties, nor responsibilities, able to leave at a moments notice, as planned.

I doubt very much that many, if in fact any, of the posters on this forum reside in Thailand unwillingly.

Do not begrudge TheGents opinion, attitude or words because they don’t paint a pretty picture of Thailand, or agree with your views. Perhaps, he is harsh, however, in a great many of his comments he is on the money, of course, on a few …

[cnx37]

Robertsons! I think that is it! "Very useful tool" - agree 100%.

[cnx37]

Why LOS? Why CNX? No matter where you are located; no matter who you are with; on it goes. You can "super-plan" your arse off. Sometimes, the best plan is "no plan"? Now, I believe in fate - a bit. I believe in a HP - a bit. other - a bit?
Somtimes - most of the time - intuition is the "go". Does it feel right stuff.
One thing - $$$ matters. How much - Enough! What is enough? Enough is enough.
If you come here with a "guaranteed" pension - great start (I have no pension). On it goes (again).
SUMMARY: My intuition is "somewhere in the middle is comfortable".

[RPETER65]

TheGent is presenting his view.

To evaluate an option you need to listen to all sides of the story, no data ignored, no opinion overlooked or diminished.

Personally, I find many, many things that I dislike about Thailand, the pollution, the filth, the vermin, the acceptance, the traffic, etc., etc.

I lived and worked in Thailand, eventually I married a Thai, and then drug her kicking and screaming to America. We are frequent visitors, a few months every couple of years, in a year or two, possibly three, we will be retiring in Thailand. I made my money in the USA and we will retire very comfortably.

I will be where I want, by choice, I will live a lucrative, comfortable lifestyle, with no ties, nor responsibilities, able to leave at a moments notice, as planned.

I doubt very much that many, if in fact any, of the posters on this forum reside in Thailand unwillingly.

Do not begrudge TheGents opinion, attitude or words because they don’t paint a pretty picture of Thailand, or agree with your views. Perhaps, he is harsh, however, in a great many of his comments he is on the money, of course, on a few …

Yes I agree much of what hej says about Thai people may be true but some people can except the Thai way and be perfectly happy I only post what I know to be true for me,and to give a different perspective of what it can be to live here. My Thai wife and I also live A very good life style, we have homes in Thailand and America and visit both every year. I always say Thailand is not for evejbody but it is for me, let each decide for themselves.

[bowie]

RPETER65;

Your statement is correct "Let each decide for themselves"

I’ve been very fortunate. Lived on a few continents and in several different countries, visited many more.

One thing that I have found wherever I’ve lived or visited, people are people, the good, the bad, and, the ugly. Everyplace I’ve been, I have found them all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. This fact of life cannot be escaped. People are people.

As far as locations are concerned, again, all have pros and all have cons. The balance and the personal preferences of the individual determine the weighing of the specifics and define the value of the location.

All in all – it is your personal preference which will select what, and where, is right for you. Couples have additional problems in balancing two sets of preferences and priorities when determining where to live.

Specific to Thailand; 500 square kilometers, 70 some million inhabitants, inner city slums to opulent gated communities, tropical beaches to jungles, rice fields to mountains.

Whatever you want – you will find. Although it will take considerable detective work to find the “ideal” location with the correct balance.

[rickschoppers]

I have found there is no IDEAL location in which to live. We are all most comfortable, usually in the country where we were born. This is due to the fact that we speak the local language fluently and understand most of the morals and the ins and outs of existence.

I was very comfortable in Mexico for years and my plan was to retire there and fish when the fishing was good. Unfortunately, around 2001 the country seemed to change quite a bit with all the drug cartels and scams to charge gringos way more for everything. The days of living in Mexico for 10 dollars, or less, per week ended. The cost of living rose without much improvement of infrastructure.

It was at this time that I began a new search for a good place to retire. Again, there is no perfect place and where one decides to call home depends on their own personal priorities. I finally decided on Thailand since I had some previous experience travelling the country in the 1980s. At that time, it had nowhere near the infrastructure it has today, but I still found it to be a good place to be. Good food, good tropical climate, fairly good infrastructure including banking all at a petty reasonable cost. The beaches, warm water and good looking woman were also a draw.

It sounds like the OP has a good foundation for living abroad which includes a decent income, which is crucial. A very comfortable life can be had in Thailand if one is willing to be somewhat flexible. There are those on this site who are more flexible than others and those are the individuals who enjoy life here the most.

Keeping in mind everywhere has negatives, the key is to find that place that has the most positives for you. Thailand is a pretty good place to retire IMO, which is why I have retired here. Currently, I reside in the NE, but would be very happy to have a vacation home on a nice Thai beach somewhere. As an alternative I plan to take several beach holidays since hotel rates are so reasonable here.

Again, you will be very lucky to find that one place that ticks all the boxes, but if you take the time to look around Thailand, you should be able to find some place that is more than suitable for retirement.