Comming to Thailand for 6 months tomorrow

[garyk]

I am comming to thailand for 6 months. Will be there thursday.. I will land BKK and then North..

I was wandering if anyone had any good advice on my living there for six months..
I am 56, Single. I have been there before for short periods of time.. But never stayed long enough for a gf ...
I would like to find a gf, if possible. But i am not in a hurry.
My dollar goes a long way there.. And i want to see if i can live there for an extended period of time or not. So i thought six months would give me a good idea of this.

Guess thats it.. Any good ideas? Or good experiences.. Or what to stay away from.
Thanks

[aging one]

33.9 baht to the dollar now. How much was it the last time? Good luck.

Dont want to rain on your parade, but it aint cheap here anymore. Still a damn nice place to live.

[Mr Pot]

Or what to stay away from

Me

[Lorenzo]

I will land BKK and then North..

Any plan where you will go, just wandering? Maybe pick a place where there are a good handful of farangs. They can be helpful with local info and food.

[garyk]

aging one... it was 30 baht last time i think.. last year.. but still cheaper than where i live....
Nice kiddo's ... i assume yours....

[garyk]

Lorenzo... i have been talking with a girl from udon on the computer.. So I thought i would head there and meet her.. but i really have no plans.. Just bum around until i find what i like....

[somtamslap]

If I was in your position, I'd start with a little tour of Issan ( North -East Thailand), maybe start in Korat, make your way up to Khon Kaen, visit your friend from the com in Udon, maybe take her for some decent grub in Vientianne, Laos, take a tour down the Mekong before finally settling yourself on a beach somewhere in the South.

Have fun....

[aging one]

aging one... it was 30 baht last time i think.. last year.. but still cheaper than where i live.... Nice kiddo's ... i assume yours....

Thanks they are, and gonna turn 11 in a couple of weeks.

[Lorenzo]

Thanks they are, and gonna turn 11 in a couple of weeks.

Wish em a happy birthday from me AO. Are they twins

[Marmite the Dog]

If I was in your position, I'd start with a little tour of Issan ( North -East Thailand), maybe start in Korat, make your way up to Khon Kaen, visit your friend from the com in Udon, maybe take her for some decent grub in Vientianne, Laos, take a tour down the Mekong before finally settling yourself on a beach somewhere in the South.

I'd go along with that.

Are they twins?

Very...

[Smeg]

I'd recommend Mae Hong Son over Isaan. It's more picturesque.

[Smeg]

Dont want to rain on your parade, but it aint cheap here anymore.

It is and will be for a long time for people who earn a salary in the US and who don't try to bring up kids here.

Prices have edged up the world over. These days a typical meal in a chain restaurant will be 100 baht instead of 80 baht five years ago and a budget hotel for 800 baht instead of 600 baht. Big deal.

[Norton]

If I was in your position, I'd start with a little tour of Issan ( North -East Thailand), maybe start in Korat, make your way up to Khon Kaen, visit your friend from the com in Udon, maybe take her for some decent grub in Vientianne, Laos, take a tour down the Mekong before finally settling yourself on a beach somewhere in the South. Have fun....

Can't add much to this. Good plan.

I would like to find a gf, if possible. But i am not in a hurry.

Good thinking.

Or what to stay away from.

Getting in a hurry.

[Loy Toy]

Forget about Bangkok! It is a shithole where anyone with any common sense should keep away from. What, come all this way and to go to an over priced, traffic jammed, polluted arse hole of the earth when you can make a getaway to the world's best kept secret....... ?

PATTAYA a pristine, romantic city with the best restaurants, bars and beaches in this neck of the woods.

Looking for true love........?

Try a little place called Soi 6 and you will be guaranteed to find the lady of your dreams and within the first 20 metres and after entering the soi.

Just make sure you check what under-carriage this young lady is carrying and also don't talk to any white people and you should do just fine.

Seriously, take the advise of Somtamslap and experience the real Siam" and which you will find up in the villages. Having a city such as Korat nearby will also be to your advantage and for your weekly foray into the bar scene.

Good luck and enjoy your holidays.

[jandajoy]

and balconies....... Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Deck Ape]

33.9 baht to the dollar now. How much was it the last time? Good luck.

Dont want to rain on your parade, but it aint cheap here anymore. Still a damn nice place to live.

Second that. The inflation has been unreal. Still bargains to be had- fruits and vegetables, restaraunts, etc.

[Smeg]

^ Inflation on what? I've barely noticed anything. A bottle of 0% fat milk in 7-11 up from 23 Baht to 26 Baht etc etc etc isn't going to bother anyone not trying to live on buttons.

[jandajoy]

Yes I agree with all of the above but it all depends where you stay. Also, of course, what you want.

Out bush you can easily live on 150 a day. Rents can go from 1000 - 2000 a month.

Transport on the buses is cheap as chips.

But you will be in the bush. Probably no Falangs; i.e. no English/or whatever speakers. You'll need to be able to be happy with your own company. Unless, of course, you speak good Thai. Then it all changes.

If you're going to stay in average cities, Chiang Mai, hmmm, Chiang Rai, ok, expect to spend between 500 - 1000 per night for accommodation, 1-200 for grub, as much as you like on grog. Ladies, not sure, 1000 up. Others know more.

Question is, "What do you want to do?" and "What can you afford?"

Enjoy.

[Marmite the Dog]

Inflation on what?

All dairy produce, rice, corn, cooking oil and most other basics or do you go around with your eyes shut?

[terry57]

I'd recommend Mae Hong Son over Isaan. It's more picturesque.

The problem with Issan is that the weather is only good for a few months of the year and then its scorching bloody hot, but for those few months its a great part of Thailand especially along the Mekong.

6 months ain't very long and you could blow that out real quick just cruising around which ain't a bad idea.

I'd finish of hitting the beaches at the end of the trip but one needs a lot more time than 6 months to get a handle on Thailand, just scratching the surface really.

Good luck mate.

[terry57]

^ Inflation on what? I've barely noticed anything. A bottle of 0% fat milk in 7-11 up from 23 Baht to 26 Baht etc etc etc isn't going to bother anyone not trying to live on buttons.

^

Fair comment this.

The inflation in Thailand compared to the inflation in the real world is piss all, if you are affected by the inflation in Thailand you are trapped there forever as you could never afford to come back to the western world.

The inflation in Australia has been a nightmare for low earning people and pensioners, at least in Thailand you can still have a quality existence on a budget.

[nedwalk]

The inflation in Australia has been a nightmare for low earning people and pensioners, at least in Thailand you can still have a quality existence on a budget.

absolute truth in that tez , i look after a few of the poor old buggers and they are really doing it hard and the fat cats just keep rakeing it in , walking away with unrealistic packages, whilst the poor old mum and dads struggle especially when of em pops off the perch

[dtalok]

Stay away from , pattaya [because the people there hate you], bar girls, people you just met who want to be your friend, "expats" who think they know all about thailand, bars , barfines , skanks , anyone who offers a "tour". Think about whats important to you as far as traveling around the country - what you've seen and liked what you want to see, try to learn thai its not as difficult as it seems, bar thai is basically nothing and won't help you have any real conversation. Always remember for that awesome lady you can't believe wants to hang out with you there are hundreds more and with time you may find one that suits you better, so don't make commitments. If you find a place you like maybe rent a nice house and stay awhile, part of the problem of finding a girlfriend is the fact that they all know you will be moving on soon,so no problem to lie, cheat and deceive the ferlanghie. Thailand is an awesome place to live like a king but you have to "take care yourself" or a long line of others will try to "take care you" which means basically send you home broke and laugh about it because after all you DON'T BELONG . Since you've been there before maybe you know all this, or maybe you think i have it all wrong . Complaining after the fact never changed anything ,i am no expert i have made some mistakes in my time there but never the big mistakes that don't go away. It is all down to your attitude, some people cannot stand being nickled and dimed to death or get carried away with romantic notions. Anyway "talk too mutt" lots of luck and i hope you have a great experience

[ItsRobsLife]

Does every thread have to turn in to a bitch fight?

Remember that many guys have come before with the same dreams and most off them have left broke and dissapointed, but for some that thought with their heads and not with their cocks, the dream has come true.

Don't make any commitments too soon, what looked perfect in Thailand can look a whole lot different when your trying to keep tabs on it from the other side of the world.

Just relax and have fun.

Stay away from , pattaya [because the people there hate you], bar girls, people you just met who want to be your friend, "expats" who think they know all about thailand, bars , barfines , skanks , anyone who offers a "tour". Think about whats important to you as far as traveling around the country - what you've seen and liked what you want to see, try to learn thai its not as difficult as it seems, bar thai is basically nothing and won't help you have any real conversation. Always remember for that awesome lady you can't believe wants to hang out with you there are hundreds more and with time you may find one that suits you better, so don't make commitments. If you find a place you like maybe rent a nice house and stay awhile, part of the problem of finding a girlfriend is the fact that they all know you will be moving on soon,so no problem to lie, cheat and deceive the ferlanghie. Thailand is an awesome place to live like a king but you have to "take care yourself" or a long line of others will try to "take care you" which means basically send you home broke and laugh about it because after all you DON'T BELONG . Since you've been there before maybe you know all this, or maybe you think i have it all wrong . Complaining after the fact never changed anything ,i am no expert i have made some mistakes in my time there but never the big mistakes that don't go away. It is all down to your attitude, some people cannot stand being nickled and dimed to death or get carried away with romantic notions. Anyway "talk too mutt" lots of luck and i hope you have a great experience

[garyk]

Wow.. i am just settleing down here in a small village... for about a week now. and have not read any mail... Just a quick message and more advice. I met a woman sauy makkkk. When i said i wantd to travel and see more of thailand she had a fit and moved me into her house... I'm in a bit of a pickle.. now she tells me her fiend had a farang and has makkkkk... She wants more than her... She wants a new car and 1 million bht.... Damn.... also i found out there is a circle of girls here that help one another with english to find a husband on the internet... what a trip... As wonderful as she is i think this is a bit much. Have any of you guy heard of this../????

Also i really like to pic of May Hon Son.... Very beautiful...