What to do in Bangkok when you retire.

[terry57]

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I'm quite chary of physical activity as a means in itself. Always struck me as potentially delusional and something to be engaged in by those who prefer not to think......

Hey Gent. I realize you are taking the piss but some other posters might actually consider your post is serious, so just to help them.

Regular exercise is a fantastic way to pass time and keep ones aging body in working condition.

Actually being fit and active will help one to think clearly and positively simply because one's mind will not be thinking about how shit one feels because one is a fat useless fuk sitting on a couch all day and indulging in daily piss drinking sessions.

[terry57]

Most people I know who are retired can't imagine how they ever found the time to work.

To my way of thinking people who must go to work everyday to occupy there time or fulfill some deep seated need to feel fulfilled through there work are doomed at life.

I suppose these are the people who just shrivel up and die when there working life is over.

Fuk that, life is for living.

[Perota]

In choosing between Thailand and elsewhere I suppose Thailand is inevitably the default choice in the region. It rarely excels but offers a bit of everything if one is content with an ersatz existence. Problem I found is that whereas in most other countries one can develop an interest in the local scene and its people, the Thai really are quite beyond the pale - shallow, venal and ignorant with no aspirations beyond the purely acquisitive. A dull people, frequently stupid, who seem devoid of any culture, imprisoned in a society where truth has little value and xenophobia prevails amid endemic corruption and medieval authoritarianism.

Hong Kong is far better but as Moog says it's too expensive for most.

One year since I started this thread including ten month spent in Thailand. I'm back in Hong Kong for the week and I realize how much I miss the place. Your opinion is a bit extreme but not far off the mark.

Thailand is good for a couple of weeks holidays but more is a bit ... boring. I just had lunch with a Spanish friend and we agreed that Spain, Italy or the south of France have much more to offer than Thailand. The other option is coming back to Hong Kong, start a new business at a slower pace .. I never realized how much I appreciated working with HK people until I left.

I give myself a couple of more month in Thailand to stay at least a full year before making a decision. But I've a strong feeling that I won't spend my golden years in Thailand.

[VocalNeal]

You need inner happiness. If you don't have that, it doesn't matter where you live.

[beerlaodrinker]

That's a pretty honest post mate, love your style, point is if your cashed up then live where ever you feel happiest eh

[Flaming Carrot]

Retirement in Thailand? No support systems, infrastructure, palliative care, Buddhist bs, government, environment, money, I could go on. I wouldn't choose a third world place with a myriad of issues to spend my last years in. I'd throw myself in a klong before it got to me. It would be abhorrent. You mentioned HK now that's a great place, partial to it myself. Everything *works*. Even the police.

Best of luck whatever you choose and stay well.

[thaimeme]

Retirement in Thailand? No support systems, infrastructure, palliative care, Buddhist bs, government, environment, money, I could go on. I wouldn't choose a third world place with a myriad of issues to spend my last years in. I'd throw myself in a klong before it got to me. It would be abhorrent. You mentioned HK now that's a great place, partial to it myself. Everything *works*. Even the police.

Best of luck whatever you choose and stay well.

Yet, the familiar and extensive support exist for some.

It's what you make of it.

[Flaming Carrot]

When the dollars run out that magic *familiar and extensive* support will cease to exist. May put rat poison in your food just to help you on your way out too. You certainly won't be going out in a Spanish orchard on a bench tossing oranges. Unless you have a pension or income. You're a fool. Blinded by Thailand. Get a grip. When you are a doddering fool nobody is going to help you.

[Flaming Carrot]

Thais are practical. No doubt they will bring you your rice with a fried egg on top every day but the outcome is always the same. The crave for humanity and a sense of belonging and that's not Thailand. Good luck with it all. The *fillers* are activity, mental stimulus, exercise and routine.

[cyrille]

I could go on

Oh, doubtless.

[roger77]

Interesting thread, you asked for advice, weighed it up, spent some time over it before deciding. A more balanced thread than some.

[pseudolus]

What to do in Bangkok when retired?

Move.

Agree with this.

[thaimeme]

Thais are practical. No doubt they will bring you your rice with a fried egg on top every day but the outcome is always the same. The crave for humanity and a sense of belonging and that's not Thailand. Good luck with it all. The *fillers* are activity, mental stimulus, exercise and routine.

Bad holiday experience?
Cuts deep.

[Perota]

You need inner happiness. If you don't have that, it doesn't matter where you live.

Yeah I know, ignorance is bliss, blessed are the simple minded ....

Thais are practical. No doubt they will bring you your rice with a fried egg on top every day but the outcome is always the same. The crave for humanity and a sense of belonging and that's not Thailand. Good luck with it all. The *fillers* are activity, mental stimulus, exercise and routine.

Bad holiday experience?
Cuts deep.

It's more when you start living full time that you develop these kinds of feeling.

Thai people are very nice and life can be very enjoyable if you don't go too deep. Dig a bit and you will realize that Thais are nice and polite but not very open minded and the recent events have made things worse.

[Seekingasylum]

Thai are nice? As nice as, say, Eskimos? Or Apache? Or Germans from Lower Saxony? Or folk from Pennsylvania? Or Macanese?

If one is to examine national traits or stereotype according to experience, then nice is not a description I would use. Quite useless really.

Thai are insular, extraordinarily ignorant and quite incapable of independent thought unless it is related to consuming food or the pursuit of ephemeral amusement. Consequently, a meaningful relationship with them is impossible if one is a reasonably well educated and intelligent Westerner. Their default mechanism when asked to actually step outside their weird little mindset is to smile, be polite and,generally, remain non-committal. Perhaps you have confused this with being " nice ".

Given the statistics for violence within their society, whether it be rape, assault or murder, I rather think they are not very nice people at all. Add into the mix the presence of thuggery, intimidation, extortion, either through criminal activity or by government agencies, at almost every level of their society then one would have to conclude the Thai are in fact quite the opposite of " nice ".

I suppose the simpleton, vacuous and puerile behaviour many of them indulge in may have a certain charm for some who could well consider it as nice. But then such folk are invariably stupid, naive tourists whose idea of embracing cross cultural divides is to get a tattoo.

No Perota, you must do justice to your own instincts. Your misgivings about the Thai are well placed and typical of intelligent folk who do not shirk from the truth.

Ultimately, they are simply a silly people with no contribution to make.

[cyrille]

Agree with this.

If your world revolves around the rather diverse planets of good restaurants, cinema, books or prostitutes I can see some reason for retiring in bkk.

Perhaps if you also turn your hand to something like antique dealing or interior decoration for a small 'sideline' income too.

Finally, perhaps you need to remain in Bangkok because you have offspring working or studying there.

Other than that I see no reason at all to retire in Bangkok.

[Seekingasylum]

Cyrill, you neglect to mention the attraction of Bangkok as a place one can meet decent farang and socialise with them within a circle where common interests may prevail.

That was my deciding factor in choosing Bangkok as a place to live but since then the environment has deteriorated so much that such considerations pale into insignificance.

[cyrille]

Cyrill, you neglect to mention the attraction of Bangkok as a place one can meet decent farang and socialise with them within a circle where common interests may prevail.

Well I'd say that's implicit in my comment about people having interests such as cinema or restaurants.

But really I just can't see how the 'day to day' appeal for a retiree could match other parts of Thailand.

And if you have any interest whatsoever in outdoor pursuits then of course it's a non starter.

[can123]

Cyrill, you neglect to mention the attraction of Bangkok as a place one can meet decent farang and socialise with them within a circle where common interests may prevail.

That was my deciding factor in choosing Bangkok as a place to live but since then the environment has deteriorated so much that such considerations pale into insignificance.

Why would anybody relocate to Thailand with the intention of meeting farangs ? I am quite certain that I will be moving so as to get away from the vast numbers of farangs that I have to put up with on a daily basis here in the UK.

[pseudolus]

Cyrill, you neglect to mention the attraction of Bangkok as a place one can meet decent farang and socialise with them within a circle where common interests may prevail.

Agree with this also. Had a chat with a Kiwi a few months ago who was desperate to move back to Bangkok. Reason being? Missed the company of what he classed a better standard of farangs. Bloody weird bunch in Pattaya with the odd exception, mostly of the lower orders (his phrase, not mine). Not so true on the dark side though.

The hassle of Bangkok, unless you have a real reason to be there such as kids needing a good school, or work, then get the hell out, or accept the fact that you have to live you life adapting to horrendous traffic.

[luckyjim]

Why would anybody relocate to Thailand with the intention of meeting farangs ? I am quite certain that I will be moving so as to get away from the vast numbers of farangs that I have to put up with on a daily basis

Indeed. Though I have been accused of reverse snobbishness on occasion. Still, "retirement" to me means peace and quiet. Hard to find in a city like BKK.

[Perota]

Why would anybody relocate to Thailand with the intention of meeting farangs ? I am quite certain that I will be moving so as to get away from the vast numbers of farangs that I have to put up with on a daily basis

Indeed. Though I have been accused of reverse snobbishness on occasion. Still, "retirement" to me means peace and quiet. Hard to find in a city like BKK.

Retirement is getting out of the rat race but it doesn't necessarily mean lying down and waiting to die.

[luckyjim]

Retirement is getting out of the rat race but it doesn't necessarily mean lying down and waiting to die.

I'm certainly not suggestion it is.
It's a personal thing and for me it's about peace and quiet, books, movies and music, and no hassles. But that's just my opinion.

[aging one]

When the dollars run out that magic *familiar and extensive* support will cease to exist.

Sort of like what happened to you eh? Family forgets about you, when you go broke here, fall off your bike and dont have the money to get home, or pay your hospital bill.

Thats not on Thailand, thats on you. Plus you only lived here a few years and only in the south. Stop trying to come off like some Thai expert.

[Flaming Carrot]

I'm sorry, are you off your medication some? I have never lived in the south of Thailand, visited some but never lived there. I like cars, motorcycles, never were my deal.............and my family is my business not yours. Off to a Fourth of July do here, catch ya later. Happy Fourth of July grandpa. All the best to your grandkids.