Tell me about Thailand

[aviador]

Ah, another beautiful day in the South has come to an end. Weird “rainy” season, also known as green season this year, because it hardly rained at all. People who came here for off-season prices really got a bargain.
Down here, never less than 20° C (68°F) or seldom more than 34° C (93°F) all year around. Just my cup of tea, as the Brits says.

I am ambivalent about life as a whole and just appreciate the time I have left, in fair health, (well little aches and pains that come with living on this planet for neigh 74 years) I have already outlived the life expectancy of my parents and most of my grand parents and other ancestors as well.

I just don’t want to be insulted when I voice an opinion, because I have more accumulated personal wisdom in my dick, just by living almost 74 years, than most of you have in your entire body.

I was married for 30 years, have 2 grown sons and 4 grand children.

Hey if some of you have condos all over the place, more power to you, enjoy it, because tomorrow may be too late.

As a pilot, I lived by the clock and was one of the first to own a “radio controlled watch” accurate to one millionth of a second a year.
Now I don’t even wear a watch any more. The sun comes up at 06:30 and sets at 18:30. When I wake up in the morning and there is daylight out of my window, hey must be around 7. Bingo, right on.

I owned a huge house in the US; Here a small bungalow. I can live like a slob, not take a shower or shave every day. A bunch of neighborhood kids come around to play computer games and watch satellite TV. They put young life in my existence, I call them “garbage generators”. I pay a cleaning lady to take care of the mess 3000 Baht (about US$89.00) a month to straighten it out 7 days a week. My miserable Social security check of $1,250.00 is worth almost 43,000 Baht, more than some professional Thais earn.

I eat when I am hungry; I sleep when I am tired. I watch the incredible ever changing fauna of the jungle in front of me. To me this is living. aviador.fred@g.mail.com if anyone cares

Chock dee folks.

[aviador]

Ah, another beautiful day in the South has come to an end. Weird “rainy” season, also known as green season, because it hardly rained at all. People who came here for off-season prices really got a bargain.
Down here, never less than 20° C (68°F) or seldom more than 34° C (93°F) all year around. Just my cup of tea, as the Brits says.

I appreciate the time I have left, in fair health, well little aches and pains hat come with living on this planet for neigh 74 years? I have already outlived the life expectancy of my parents and most of my grand parents and other ancestors as well.

I just don’t want to be insulted when I voice an opinion, because I have more accumulated personal wisdom in my dick than many of you in your in entire body.

I was married for 30 years, have 2 grown sons and 4 grand children.

Hey if some of you have condos all over the place, more power to you, enjoy it, because tomorrow may be too late.

As a pilot, I lived by the clock and was one of the first to own a “radio controlled watch” accurate to one millionth of a second a year.
Now I don’t even wear a watch any more. The sun comes up at 06:30 and sets at 18:30. When I wake up in the morning and there is daylight out of my window, hey must be around 7. Bingo, right on.

I owned a huge house in the states, here a small bungalow. I can live like a slob, not take a shower or shave every day. A bunch of neighborhood kids come around to play computer games and watch satellite TV. The put young life in my existence, I call them “garbage generators”. I pay a cleaning lady to take care of the mess for 3000 Baht (about US$89.00) a month to straighten it out 7 days a week. My miserable Social security check of $1,250.00 is worth almost 43,000 Baht, more than some professional Thais earn.

I eat when I am hungry; I sleep when I am tired. I watch the incredible ever changing fauna of the jungle in front of me. To me that is living. aviador.fred@g.mail.com if anyone cares

Chock dee folks.

[aviador]

Double post, why ???

[owenjones]

Originally Posted by singto

Once again you're assuming I'm speaking specifically about you when I said one or two months. Once again, I wasn't.

What I'm saying Owen is that alot of what you have said is rubbish, including "most guys here are old enough to have granddaughters," or to paraphrase, "I think this means: don't bother trying to move your business to Thailand" or "I'm cynical because I don't trust bar girls."

Most male tourists aren't old enough to be grandfathers and it's relatively easy to wade through the red tape of opening a business if you have the patience.

As far as the bar girls - go ahead Owen, believe them all you want. Men pay them to go away when they're done - not to marry them. Those that start believing their girl is different, ALA Julia Roberts, are asking for trouble.

Well, I apologise for polluting the board with my rubbish.
Happy now?
Maybe you could find out the predominant age group and sex of the non-Thai residents - 'the guys that are here'.
Owen

[synthia]

singto - Thanks for the comment about bar girls. it's really sad how gullible men can be.

[Kelvin Klus]

I am Thai, and do agree with you on several points. However, please consider that in most cities there are good and bad sides, people, etc. In big cities like Bangkok, there are more of the bad than the good.

Try rural area.. People are much nicer even though they have guns!

Plenty of expats in Southeastern, and norththern provinces of Thailand are very happy to celebrate Thai new years as seen on TV. In Udon Thani, pleanty of family with foreign husbands, and I wonder why!

Cheers,

Kelvin K

Originally Posted by buzzer

My experience in Amazing Thailand has not been to great. In fact, I'm miserable here. I don't find the people at all nice. Outwardly, yes, but deep down, no. Before I came here I was talking to someone about my intention of moving here. He said Thailand... violence with a smile. I was deeply offended then, now I can see what he meant. I'm thinking seriously about moving onward, it's difficult, because I brought everything from the US, and now I have to find another place and go through all the hassle again. If you look at some of the statistics at a site called nationmaster they will tell you weird stuff like that LOS (Land of Smiles) Thailand has the 3rd largest # of gun homicides in the world - after S.Africa and Colombia. A good source for information is the thaivisa website. You will hear a bit more negativity there maybe because it's got a lot of long-time expat posters. Good luck whatever you decide. See my other 2 posts (I just joined so I can look for info from expats from other countries as a prelude to getting out of here). I think the most successful people here find a good girlfriend who helps act as an interface to the society, and those that can learn this really really difficult language. Just one man's opinion - Buzzer

[james1953]

Originally Posted by Flash

I am considering various countries for retirement. Thailand is one of them. The last time I was in Thailand was in 1975 and I'm sure things have changed. I would like to learn as much as I can about it. Things like can I own property, what are the visa/immigration requirements, what is the cost of living like now, where is the best place to live etc.? Is there anyone out there who can help?

I traveled Thailand 7 times in 2005 Thur 2006 from Phuket to Chang Mai and it is easy to get around. I found in the north in Chang Mai a great number of people spoke English and had a amazing number of Ex-Pats living there. The Hospital in Chang Mai is called Chang Rai and I spent 10 days there for a problem I had. 10 days of a great private room with a view, good food, medical attention out of this world not to mention my operation the bill came to $1100.00. try that in the states! Anyway I suggest Chang Mai simply because you are in not only considered the jewel of Thailand but are close enough to the border to take a cross over tour and renter with a new 30 day visa. Unless you work in Thailand for a foreign company say the U.S. or marry which is very possible it is harder to obtain a resident visa. If you choose Chang Mai a trip by tour bus to the border cost 40.00 US round trip and the driver takes about 8 persons with him and he lets you spend the day in myanmar where you can shop. Today though with all the political strife sadly the tourist industry is at an all time low. That is not to say one shouldn't go there. When there leave the politics to the people and one will be alright. there is much culture and history in Chang Mai and I certainly did not get bored there much at all. Too much to see and do even in the surrounding countries. The climate is cooler there too being up and close with the mountains. I found to my liking Chang Mai to be the best of Thailand.

[klikster]

Originally Posted by singto

Since when is money the only reason for buying YOUR OWN place? I've got land (outside of Bangkok), a house on it, and I also rent a place in Bangkok. So maybe I shouldn't have bought the land?

Singto, so much of your post is accurate, why spoil it with a comment like this. You may have "got" land, but if you are a foreigner .. going by the classical legal definition of "ownership" .. you don't own it.

As I have told many "foreigners" many times, "You can buy land, but you can't own it."

And yes, I have been here a while .. part time since '89 and full time since '96.

[singto]

Originally Posted by klikster

Singto, so much of your post is accurate, why spoil it with a comment like this. You may have "got" land, but if you are a foreigner .. going by the classical legal definition of "ownership" .. you don't own it.

As I have told many "foreigners" many times, "You can buy land, but you can't own it."

And yes, I have been here a while .. part time since '89 and full time since '96.

While I don't own it, the wife does. We've got land and rubber trees on it, earning money - which I see on a regular basis. And as long as we're married, in her eyes it's OUR LAND. So I haven't spoiled anything...not everyone is worrying about marrying some ho who steals their property - in fact some of the land was GIVEN to US as a wedding present. As long as it earns ME money and I can do what I like with the land and my house, you're parsing words Klikster. In other words, I don't need you to tell me anything...

[klikster]

Originally Posted by singto

you're parsing words Klikster. In other words, I don't need you to tell me anything...

Not even, "Why not take that chip off your shoulder?"?


After reading through a few of your posts Klitster, I think the chip aimed at you is warranted. This forum is a place for people to come to get answers, information, and to chill out and learn. You've increasingly become a pain in the ass while trying to promote another site. You asked to be banned, so be it PAL.