Young blokes living in Thailand- Why?

**sabang** · 23-03-2009, 09:18 AM

Young blokes I would roughly define as 35 or below, or for that matter those of you that came here at a young age and ended up staying for the long term.

I'm just curious about your story, and reasons. Did you come here as a traveller, like it and decide to stay? Fall in love with a woman? Like the womanising and night life? Drop into a decent job, or find a decent opportunity? Or just get by as best you can?

For the people that came here at an older age, our story is- at least economically- a bit different. Basically, we've done our main work, made our main money- Be that in investments or a pension income. We're here for lifestyle and perhaps cheap retirement, not usually career. Most of us have a Thai wife, usually not our first wife.

Most of you guys have no such financial security. So you've either got to make it yourself here, or at least get by with what you can earn here. Unless of course you are on a cushy expat contract.

Is Thailand your home, or do you plan to move on one day? Are you married, or playing the field? Are you happy that you came to live in Thailand, or do you sometimes feel that life is passing you by in the real world? Do you plan to leave Thailand for financial reasons, but then come back one day with a few dollars in the bank?

Just curious.

**Attilla the Hen** · 23-03-2009, 09:21 AM

I arrived in SE Asia when I was 22. Absolutely perfect.
Young guys just want to drink, fcuk, party, hang out on the beaches and generally have a good time.
Is there anywhere better?

**sabang** · 23-03-2009, 09:30 AM

Thailand, the Fil's, a few places in Latin or South America are good for that.
Anyway- how'd you get by? Surely you'd need to make some dosh, unless you're just here til the dosh runs out?

**kingwilly** · 23-03-2009, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by sabang

Young blokes I would roughly define as 35 or below,

yes I was.

Originally Posted by sabang

Drop into a decent job,

exactly.

Originally Posted by sabang

Unless of course you are on a cushy expat contract.

not over the top, but certainly ok.

Is Thailand your home, - Yes, (or at least it was) Where ever I live is always home, at that point in time, no point living in one place thinking another is home.

or do you plan to move on one day? - Yes I did,

Are you married,

Yes I was

or playing the field? Yes I did

Are you happy that you came to live in Thailand,

100%.

or do you sometimes feel that life is passing you by in the real world?

not at all, in fact more opportunities came my way as a result.

Do you plan to leave Thailand for financial reasons, but then come back one day with a few dollars in the bank?

Did leave for financial reasons, but might return one day, might not, but then one could retire in Bali, Turkey, Phillipines, Malaysia., so many places could do it.

**dirtydog** · 23-03-2009, 09:50 AM

Poxy reccession in the UK and not enough income to go and live in Florida

**Attilla the Hen** · 23-03-2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by sabang

Thailand, the Fil's, a few places in Latin or South America are good for that.
Anyway- how'd you get by? Surely you'd need to make some dosh, unless you're just here til the dosh runs out?

I was working offshore in SE Asia.
Back then, I worked a two months on, one month off schedule. I would buy an Asian Triangle air ticket. Singapore - Manila - Bangkok and would party in all of those cities until it was time to go back to work. Great days!!

**The Fresh Prince** · 23-03-2009, 11:09 AM

I was 25 when I came here as a traveller with a round the world ticket. This was my first stop. I travelled round Thailand for the planned 2 months.

On the way back to Bangkok where I planned to fly to Oz, I bumped into a uni friend who I thought had just disappeared off the face of the earth, and he was getting married to a Thai girl the following month. A load of my mates and his family were coming out for the wedding and he convinced me to stay for another month. His bride to bride to be (Gee) was a travel agent so she changed my ticket for me for free.

Then we all needed dates for the wedding, which was the time when I met my wife to be, and subsequently 7 out of the 9 mates I had over are also to this day married to their wedding date.

After that I made the decision to stay and start a new life in a different country. I made the call home to my folks to let them know and the could tell by voice that Id found somewhere where I was happy so they were delighted for me. I started working as an Art/Design/I.T teacher at school near the old airport and Gee kept changing my ticket for me every month until its 1 year validity ran out.

The money as a teacher was poo so after 1 1/2 years I moved into bar/restaurant management where I was able to show my bosses the benefits of marketing and advertising their business better. This allowed me to also work in Graphic Design one day a week which is part of what I studied at uni. (especially the one day a week part, I was an expert at that at uni

)

I've recently celebrated my 10th year since turning 21 and I'm still working in the restaurants and my bosses are cool with me being a freelance Creative Designer in my free time. I don't get the time time enjoy the lifestyle as much as a retiree but I try bloody hard and I'm sure it will come one day.

**sabang** · 23-03-2009, 11:14 AM

^ Nice one.

**Begbie** · 23-03-2009, 11:50 AM

I arrived in Thailand via Haadyai when I was 24 same deal as Attilla the hen, work. Had to get an army escort for the drive to Songkhla. Good times, before the country was spoiled by tourism.

**Attilla the Hen** · 23-03-2009, 12:05 PM

Actually, I was a hippy back-packer. I had been traveling overland from Europe for 9 months and ran out of money in Thailand.
Through contacts, I rejoined the company I worked for in the UK, but, out of their Singapore office.

**Chairman Mao** · 23-03-2009, 12:12 PM

Jaysus, 35 is young?!?

Moved here early 20 living off me family's business(es).

Still kinda am but do some teaching to remain someway balanced.

Late 20s now and no need to go home/leave, so probably won't.

**sabang** · 23-03-2009, 12:24 PM

I moved to HK when I was 32, but had a well paying job. Just wanted to leave some latitude- if you land here in Thailand at 32-35 but without the security of a 'western' paying job, you're in much the same boat as a backpacker in his 20's who decides to give it a go.

**Rural Surin** · 23-03-2009, 12:59 PM

Born and raised in the region. Spent childhood and young adult years here. Apart from years in the US, New Zealand, Africa, and Pacific Islands - I've lived most of my life in Southeast and East Asia.

**lingmau** · 23-03-2009, 01:03 PM

I arrived in 2002 aged 26 as a "flashpacker". Ended up getting a good job here and never left. I'd actually quite like to leave but am going to have to wait out the current economic crisis, not many jobs about in my area of expertise - financial - plus my baht salary when converted to a sensible currency at current exchange rates is quite a lot of cash.

**Bangyai** · 23-03-2009, 01:10 PM

Arrived here when I was 22 a long thirty years ago . I had been living in Ios, Greece, until a passing Aussie told me about massage parlours. When I arrived it was even better than he had described and despite checking out other SEA countries I decided that Thailand was the place where all my fantasies could be worked out in full, as indeed they were and more besides. As for money, always had the rent from my apartment to get by on plus a bit off teaching and the odd windfall here and there. If you need to live cheap here it can be done and you can still have a better life than you would slogging your guts out for the taxman in England.

**klongmaster** · 23-03-2009, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by lingmau

not many jobs about in my area of expertise - financial -plus my baht salary when converted to a sensible currency at current exchange rates is quite a lot of cash.

boiler room boy...

**Marmite the Dog** · 23-03-2009, 01:21 PM

I realised the UK was dead so I went to India. India was OK, but the people got on my tits. I followed a friend to Thailand and felt comfortable. After going back to the UK to get a few things in order, I started a business and came back here for the winter with the intention of going home in March. Didn't quite manage to do it.

I was making about 80k a month 6 years years ago and now I'm not. I'm still happy though.

**Loy Toy** · 23-03-2009, 01:45 PM

I was invited here by the Thai government and they paid my air ticket and hotel accomodation for an 11 day business, University speaking tour and meeting local businessman.

Well the formal business was finished after 8 days and they had allowed 3 days R&R which I didn't do as I hated the place and got an early flight back to Australia.

I was 30 at the time.

Had many job offers and after meeting so many reputable business people here I ended up taking a position with my now partner's company and for a poultry salary (15K per month but with the prospect of company shares).

Am I glad I moved to Thailand: Bet your bottom dollar. Came here with 200 Aussie dollars in my pocket and after leaving everything to my Oz family (I divorced my first wife).

Married: yes and very happily.

Would I go home: Well Thailand is my home now but yes I would go back to Oz if I thought it was beneficial to the whole family. I would always maintain a nice house here though.

Was I a whoremonger: Legendary and in the circles I travelled but not now, only still a little nawty.

Go back and earn some more cash: I am financially secure on paper but with so many dependents its always nice to have some extra cash floating around. Maybe the next 6 months will take care of that!

Life in Thailand: That is the great thing about Thailand and that is every day is different and never mundane. The weathers great, options are always open and for anything you want but you have to set yourself up on a solid base and to enjoy such a life.

Basically and according to my experiences (and when coming here relatively young) you have to remain focused and disciplined here and for the first 5 years and until you have a solid social and professional footing here.

When you have achieved that strong base the world is your oyster and I would not want to be anywhere else in the world.

**Airportwo** · 23-03-2009, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Attilla the Hen

Actually, I was a hippy back-packer. I had been traveling overland from Europe for 9 months and ran out of money in Thailand.
Through contacts, I rejoined the company I worked for in the UK, but, out of their Singapore office.

I used to buy these! about 1983 - 85, those were the days! Was also working offshore - still am for my sins - maybe its time to go home now? - wonder if the "wife" is still waiting?

**lingmau** · 23-03-2009, 01:57 PM

Incorrect. Would you like to guess again or are you just in the habit of throwing around insults for the sake of it?

**Mr Pot** · 23-03-2009, 02:07 PM

First came as a traveller five years ago and fell in love with the experience and independence from the shithole that is my home in England.

Regarding work I came on a one way ticket two years ago after a huge family row and didn't expect work. Thanks to my hard working wife she opened the doors to employment here and I blagged my first interview and landed a good job.

Shit hit the fan there but I learned valuable lessons in running a business. Regarding my work now I owe a foking lot to people for helping me out. Namely one person I really should be more grateful for really sorting me out and forthwith my family too. I've still got a long way to go before I can really stand proud on my two feet and gladly repay everyones kindness; a kindness I wouldn't have had back home

Am I glad I moved to Thailand: 100 % for now, been tough but positives outweigh the negs

Married: married young, I'm happy and faithful but being so young and sometimes stupid I doubt we are happily married to the fullest extent

Would I go home: I dream of taking the family back to England so my son can see his grandparents, should be this year. I don't intend to stay & the wife doesn't fancy re patriating

Was I a whoremonger: I have whoremonged but now have no desire to hook up with slagdogs as the whole process is completley meaningless and tedious

Go back and earn some more cash: I have no idea what prospects I'd have back in England as I haven't been back in two years - with the high cost of living there I have no desire either.

Life in Thailand: Just another day, every day with the apprieciated distraction of hot weather, cheaper beer and stunning girls for eye candy.

I'm 26 and see myself at a crossroads of fucking things up or getting through and making things really happen - I'm determined for the latter and I'm slowly getting there.

cheers

**Mr Pot** · 23-03-2009, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Pot

I'm 26 and see myself at a crossroads of fucking things up or getting through and making things really happen - I'm determined for the latter and I'm slowly getting there.