As a farang could you live in Thailand permanently?

[Thaiguy]

Cannot make up my mind whether to settle in the village with Teerak and family or bring her to Australia to settle in my village (Gold Coast) with my family?
Had just about made up my mind to adopt the village life around Udon Thani when I came across a very interesting and disquieting survey about farangs residing in Thailand.
It seems that on the average , about 4 years is the maximum a farang can handle Thai life before returning to the land of "Sunshine and Beer" ? ( hmmm could be anywhere perhaps?).
Reasons stated for returnees departing the "good Life of the land of the endless grin" are:
Availability of good falang cuisine.
Being regarded as a walking ATM.
Held in contempt by Thai's
Xenophobia
Hygeine

appreciate an open and experienced discussion from all expats .

[Chairman Mao]

Wifey doesn't get an opinion?

...lucky girl.

[sabang]

^^ do you have a link for that survey?

But theres really no answer. You can life several ways in Thailand, from a remote village or farm, to a provincial city like Ubon, the big Mango city, or somewhere infested with farangs like Pattaya. Or maybe you can't live in Thailand at all, or just for a while. Plenty can't- they're happier back home.

Give it a go if you have the urge. Probably your best shot of success is if you start off with a good wife or partner.

[good2bhappy]

over 7 years this time

[hillbilly]

It seems that on the average , about 4 years is the maximum a farang can handle Thai life before returning to the land of "Sunshine and Beer" ?

I must not be average as I am over three times the maximum.

[peterpan]

Here in Thailand since 1992 with a 2 yr break back in the Gold coast in 96/98. I used to travel back to OZ at least once a year, but can't be bothered now so haven't been back for 4 yrs.

I couldn't live in a village too far away from semi civilization, having only Thai's around me and having to socialize with them would drive me spare, just don't have anything in common with rural Thai's, nice enough people but zero commonality.

I live in nice village just out of Udon, 50% westerners and only 8 km from a good school for my daughters, suits me down to the ground.

[genghis61]

land of "Sunshine and Beer" - that is actually my Plan B should the need arise to leave Thailand; can't see myself ever returning to NZ and it'll be back to Oz if I need to do a runner.
Ask me again in a few years.

[BobR]

I do live in Thailand permanently but could never do so in some remote village. I live in Sattahip, 30 minutes from Pattaya with it's edible food, nightlife and people who speak my language. I would be bored within a week in Northern or Eastern Thailand.

[aging one]

Lived in Thailand since 1988, first on Samui, and now up in the Don Muang area of Bangkok. It was a wise decision. The only reason we are thinking of going back is for the kids to get a couple years of high school and apply for universities in the USA, but would always retire here. Quite simply its home.

[Rigger]

If your wifes family are good hard working Thais and your wife looks after you then village life can be good but if your wife doesnt take care of you well and your family are thieving lazy drunks that use you as a ATM you will not last a year

[Nawty]

Stay on the gold coast.

Nursing homes are much better there.

although here the sponge baths are much better.

[superman]

I live in NE Thailand. Yes it can be boring but so can life be in a urban area. As for the Thais, they do do my head in but I believe shooting them is illegal ?

[Rigger]

I have lived in Phuket, Bangkok, Khon kaen, and out in a small Thai village and for me village life is the best for me as living in Khon kaen I am a lot less active and eat a lot more fast food as well traffic to many people and shopping all does my head in

[crazy dog]

nobody lives here permanently thats for sure

[Marmite the Dog]

8 years for me.

7 in Bangkok and 1 in Udon.

Udon is a good place. Quiet, clean air, and enough civilised amenities to ensure you don't and up hanging yourself. Lots of ageing ATMs to keep the chicks happy too.

[blackgang]

Guess I have to give it some thought,, have not had time to do that yet,
Let ya know when I have time to think about it some.

[ThaiAm]

I don't care how industrious your inlaws are but do not think it is a good plan to live close to them period. You get involved in every sideways incident that takes place just by being close.

I have been living here in NE Thailand farming country for 10 years never leaving the country during that time, and two things I would do different if I could do again.

1. Locate 100 or more km from Mama and Papa.
2. Build my house a lot further from the main road that runs in front of property. I would build back 100 or more meters if doing it again to allow for a buffer of trees between me and the road. The noise makes everything you do an aggirvation. Can't talk, watch TV or think straight with the broken mufflers on the trucks and the new trend for kids to break the mufflers on their motor bikes.

No problems with life style though and enjoy our integration with the school and local clinic and people. I do not feel out of place even though I speak no Thai I find that there is enough quest in meaningful people in surrounding area for learning to speak English better that we feel welcome wherever we go.

One of the amazing aspects of people even in this farming country is how many of them actually understand English, but are too shy to try to talk because they just don't want to be seen making a mistake.

If you are into bar scene I cannot advise since I don't know much about the night life in our area. I am sure it is there though and driving at night shows you with lights where the clubs are.

The big key to stay loving and not leaving is accepting that you are not in your native country and trying to make it similar here. If you let the customs and lifestyle drive itself a lot of peace is in the works and conversely if you have a need to make life like "back home" you will be a very frustrated expat indeed.

[Marmite the Dog]

I have been living here in NE Thailand farming country for 10 years

I speak no Thai

F-

...

[Loy Toy]

Had just about made up my mind to adopt the village life around Udon Thani when I came across a very interesting and disquieting survey about farangs residing in Thailand.

I am an Aussie who arrived thinking I was only going to stay here for 11 days and low and behold I am still here after 20. Mao can tell you how long I have been here!

I guess there is no secret and with regard to whether or not a farang can adapt to Thai living and that is discipline.

I lack discipline on occassions but mostly focus on the important things in life and that is my job and my family and still enjoy my life here.

Being an Aussie has its benefits though because we can always escape here and go back to somewhere very acceptable to live.

[Panda]

Maybe consider renting a place in town where you can still be not so far from your wifes rellies but with some farang company and comforts.

I guess you must be retired if you are considering the move permanently?
If you own a place in Oz it might be best not to sell it before you move to Thailand. You may want to return home.

[the dogcatcher]

I've been about about 5 years.
When I first came here I loved it and actually still do.
On my realisation that I liked the place alot I wanted to immerse myself in the culture, the food and the language etc.
Now I still enjoy learning the lingo, but as for the food and the culture forget it.
The only Thai food I eat is food I have prepared myself and it's delicious, and as for the culture, well, Thai are all fcking retard and their culture reflects this.
I still love the place though.

[Carnwadrick]

The big key to stay loving and not leaving is accepting that you are not in your native country and trying to make it similar here. If you let the customs and lifestyle drive itself a lot of peace is in the works and conversely if you have a need to make life like "back home" you will be a very frustrated expat indeed.

Agree, why go live in a country half way around the world then try to live your life like back home

[jim1176]

You can do it if act Thai; keep your standards low and have no objectives in life

[Nussara]

Hi Thai Guy,
3 and a half years ago my husband brought me out to AUSTRALIA. (Sunshine Coast). I had no confidence and my english was not the best.
I spent a year doing my 500 hours english, and trying hard to understand a new farang way of life. My first job was at a fish and chip shop. Burnt myself more times than I can remember.
But the whole experience opened my eyes. If you live in ignorance, you
don't know any better.

My husband taught me to drive, unless you plan on driving your wife everywhere. Which will drive you crazy in the end. I have a job here in Australia and send money home to my family. Try getting away from that.
I felt sorry for my husband, so he trained me up to look after my family, so that it would not be an ongoing issue for us.

I only go back to visit the family once or twice a year. Distance is good and it is always good to hear from them when I call. If I was at home, I would get bored with everything and just want to return to Australia.

So from a Thai female point of view, take her back to Australia and let her open her eyes. If you are coming to Thailand to stay, don't burn your bridges. Come for a short while and get a chance to take in the culture.

Don't sell your house if you don't have to. Take it slow. But make a joint decision after she has had a chance to open her eyes to a western culture.

Good Luck
Yee

[superman]

Don't sell your house if you don't have to.

I didn't have to but did sell my house. Reason being "to burn bridges" hoping that at the first upset I wouldn't go running back to what I was escaping from. I put the money in offshore long term fixed savings at the same time as the housing market started to collapse. My money has increased but my old home is worth less now than when I sold it. So it worked for me.