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It was never my plan to end up living here. When I retired back in 2004, I meant to settle down long-term in the Philippines as I'd been to the country a lot, liked it, and had several good friends there. For the first two years after finishing work I had a lot of loose ends in the UK and Europe to tie-up so I was flying back regularly. Thailand, with its superior infrastructure, would be an easier place to manage things from at the outset so I planned on spending 2 or 3 years here, then moving on to Cambodia for a year or two as I had another good friend there and quite liked the place, though it wasn't sufficiently developed at the time to be a viable long-term home for me (not even a proper international hospital back then), and finally head off to the PI to settle down permanently, either in Mindoro or possibly Davao. What happened in reality (and this was probably predictable) was that I made some friends in Pattaya and got sucked into the life here, even buying a Gogo Bar on Soi Diamond in 2007. That was too much like hard work so I flogged it but one of the dancers had become my GF by then. She was a lovely thing but way too young for her own good, she'd end up bored stiff living with an old fart like myself, so I had to gently extricate myself from that situation, but then somehow I found myself involved with a young Khmer filly down in Koh Kong and I was commuting there. I'm not sure what was going on back then, but clearly my little head was over-ruling my big head, lol. Having got rid of the Thai bird I now had to worm my way out from the relationship with the Khmer lassie, which turned out to be much easier than I thought when her young Khmer boyfriend pointed a gun at me and told me he'd shoot me if he ever saw me near Vatoy again. My gonads may have been on overdrive, but I could take a hint and I'd had enough of Cambo for a while anyway so I returned to Pattaya quite happily, a free man. Then the financial crisis reared its ugly head and i was still a decade away from taking my pensions. I knew that times were going to be challenging financially and it probably wasn't a good time to make the move to the PI, so I girded my loins (or whatever one does in these situations, lol) and stayed put in the rented condo in Jomtien. Without a regular income things were indeed a bit tough, but I was lucky with my investments (God, but I loved QE, certain things were soooo predictable!) and had enough to live on. One obvious way of making the money go further was to buy a place instead of renting, even though somewhere in my mind I thought that I'd still be moving to the PI eventually. I knew two guys living out there who both had a condo in Pattaya that they rented out, so why not? I ended up buying a bungalow in a nice village in South Pattaya, 5 minutes from Jomtien Beach, 5 minutes from Walking Street, and 5 minutes from Sukhimvit. I settled into the village life and now found that I had a new Thai GF, a former Windmill showgirl. She could be a headstrong kwai when she wanted to be, and although I'd planned on her moving in with me we always seemed to have a major barney just when I was going to ask her, and in the end I decided that we were best off living apart and seeing each other as need be. That system is still working, and it leaves her free to do what she wants without bothering me, and I can have a dirty night out in Windmill without bothering her. She stays here whenever I feel like some company, cleans my place and does things for me that I can't be arsed with, especially anything involving the Thai bureaucracy, and in return I keep her financially solvent. That situation has gone on for almost a decade now, and it seems to suit us both, though she'd still prefer to move in with me, but I'm no longer interested, I'm more like Albert Steptoe in my ways now, lol. And what happened to my dreams of moving to the PI? Well, my best friends who ran a hotel outside Sabang ended up losing their jobs in a classic case of Pinoy corruption that would make any Thai farang-hater admire the country. They decided, after having already changed island in the PI five times, and thinking they were finally settled for life on Mindoro, that it was just too much hassle and they moved back to England. Another guy I knew well had also left, and I would almost have been starting from scratch there myself now, whereas in Pattaya I have friends, the GF and her dogs, the house, car, motorbike, everyone in the village knows me and it's a nice place to live so why leave? I'd still been toying with the idea of moving to Davao for several reasons, but the pandemic finally put paid to that as the madman in Manila has imposed one of the longest lockdowns in the world on the country and it hasn't been very effective. I'm in my mid-60's now and have probably got enough energy and interest left to relocate one last time, and if I was 100% certain that life in the PI would be a lot better than it is in Pattaya then I'd still give it a shot. But the truth is that I'm far from 100% certain, not even 50% certain perhaps, so why chuck away what I've built in Pattaya over the last 16 years for what's probably a pipedream? It's not perfect here, but it's a lot better than living back home and I still enjoy it very much, warts and all, so I guess that no matter what my fantasies of finding a better place may be, I'm probably going to stay here and just dream on. And this is a small lesson for the younger BM's thinking about their retirement. There are many old sayings that apply, but remember John Lennon's song to his son, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." And remember that things change and there's nothing you can do about it, so don't kick yourself if things don't work out like you'd wanted, but equally don't congratulate yourself too much if they do work out nicely, a lot of it is still entirely down to luck.

@Toy Boy, Nice story mate ! And concerning the above I would say : "There came a moment, when I turned 65, I realized I was no longer a participant but rather a spectator. From there on, it's just a matter of waiting and not getting in the way."

A return trip to Santa Cruz Beach yesterday for fun...she had asked me if we could again. The cold water does not seem to bother her. Well.....she never ceases to amaze me, I think she has been watching videos on You Tube of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photo shoot LOL! We are not there for 5 minutes, I am fooling around with my camera and I hear her say "Ok, can you come take some pictures now"? I look up and she is already in the water, on the ground and ready to go.Jesus Christ! She keeps it fun that's for sure. I guess for a bird pushing 50 in a few years, she looks OK, I could have done worse huh? Never a dull moment. I do have some pics she took of me in my " Speedo" but those will be by request only 😃

Popped in tonight hoping that Khun Phil was back at the helm, alas not, back in Hospital and no Brentford Fulham game on the boxes.........All the best Khun Phil, don't have the free Coronavirus jab or Forrest will not come and say hello....lol....watch out for that 5g.........lol.....

Yeah, it struck me when I turned 60 that we have a youth that lasts 20 to 25 years, during which we grow up and try to get some sort of education, and then most of us try to retire by the time we're 60 or 65, so our "working lives" are roughly 40 years long. This should be the most interesting, rewarding and dynamic period of our lives, when you work out what you want to do with your life, get married and have children (maybe several times), make money and maybe lose it all again (maybe several times, lol), buy houses and cars and boats, and all the things that life's rich tapestry has to offer. As you say, when you turn 60 or 65 you've usually become a spectator, but that's no bad thing, I'll freely admit that retirement has been the best time of my life, though certainly not the most exciting or financially rewarding.

Great story @Toy Boy

Following along the lines of what Jambo said..... " that is an easy one to answer. " Now I might be wrong here but I took it that his " Congratulations " was meant to be a slag off towards his friends, his forum members and to his customers. As in " Congratulation, because you haven't been in to support me I have had the worst daily take in the last 15 years " And it's all your fault. That's how I read it between the lines.

Thanks. Had quite the welcome at swampy lol. Chilling in Anantara Riverside the next 2 weeks now. First impressions are very good. Will do a more elaborate post in my blog later.

That is an easy one to answer: To see Alex. The only reason an expat would visit the Rockhouse in the present climate would be if they wished to say Hi to Alex because they enjoy his company. Of course, there is another side to that coin! 🥴 Exactly the same reason I would visit Ricky in Pandora because I have known him for years not because I wish to pay 160 baht for a beer when I could get one for 44 baht almost opposite! I like the guy and know he is losing money every single day he remains open. It is the same reason Le Pub makes a profit when it is doubtful many, if any, venues in the Walking Street area can say the same. It is not so much the bar but the individual owner who loyal customers go to see and support.

I'd be interested to hear why expats have chosen Thailand as their retirement home, i don't find it the most welcoming country on the planet and that situation has got worse over the 14 years i've lived here but it has certain attractions that just might appeal to the single farang lol I'm here primarily because i have a Thai wife with an ailing mother who she would not leave to live in another country. If i had my 1st choice we'd be living in Spain up in the mountains on the coast. What about you ?

Been regressing 40 years and having soft boiled eggs with soldiers for lunch this week. Tasty and quick. Lovely with a bit of salt n pepper

Here in the soon-to-be-frozen north where temperatures are near to or just below freezing most nights, I run my furnace for one cycle in the morning and then another in the evening and that'll usually do it - when it gets below freezing 24 hrs or so a day I'll run it more. I usually don't fire up the big woodstove until it is -10C or colder because it will cook me out of the house if it's warmer...

I just drain any used cooking oil into a jar that I keep in my freezer - when it is full I just throw it into my garbage bin at the last minute and away it goes; also I saw a Facebook thing a while ago where they demonstrate mixing used oil in with oats and then feeding it to the birds...anything is better than dumping it down your drain.

Beef Teriyaki with bean sprouts and basmati rice.

This gave me a good chuckle. About the only ones that I could see sending you a PM to get photos of you in a speedo would be Lirch and UKguy And as far as your wife goes.... She is an absolutely beautiful lady and you both are doing incredibly well in the " not looking your age department " You 2 make a great team and it's very obvious that you both work very hard at staying fit. A tip of the hat to ya both Mike. Keep up the good work.

^Nice shots. Your wife works hard to look good for you & your camera. Thanks for sharing...

Now I'm not being funny here or having a pop at Alex in anyway at all but why would people choose to go to the Rockhouse ? What is it about the place that is going to entice people in there. We were at Time Bar last night, it had efficient friendly staff, the drinks were a fair price and it was good for people watching and it had a fair few customers in there, we left when the live noise kicked off an the empty Billabong and we could hardly hear each other speak. Jibby's, which is a nice bar with air con etc had no customers ? Cafe Racer didn't look busy at all. The bars heading down to Soi buakhow were reasonably busy but what nearly all the bars I saw had was an abundance of girls. So again what has the Rockhouse got ?

Back on reduced carbs again, sirloin steak with onions and my usual veg mix.

We have a big fridge/freezer & a chest freezer....no chance of fitting anything in there

Prawns in garlic,veg flied lice with a fried egg on top & a nice Italian white.

Top 10 Bars that have closed recently. Been in most of them ...this film really brings it home and a long way to go. Worth a sad look ...

Bacon/mushroom sausage, cauliflower, mashed potatoes, kim chee...

Patpong Bangkok from a few years back...

I am yet to travel on this, but I was there to great a mate ariving from Pattaya.

They like to fly in Croatia too!

Bacon and cheese omelette for breakfast today, I didn't chop the bacon and grated the cheese into the raw egg so couldn't get a nice fold. Tasted great.

Just read a very welcome text from the Health Department informing me that my Covid Test was negative. Might have a celebratory drink with that weight off my mind.

Well stop watching Southampton then!😂

Thanks, and I wish you all the best for a long and happy future. I've no idea how old you are, but perhaps you're young enough that you missed Baz Luhrmann's "song" over 20 years ago, "Class of 99 (wear sunscreen)". There's a lot of sage advice there, and as I've got older so more and more of it has resonated with me, from looking after your knees to getting to know your parents. The one thing that I never quite followed was the sunscreen bit, but now that I'm a regular at Dr. Anna's skin cancer clinic in Bangkok Hospital Pattaya I've finally grasped that one too, and apply the SPF50 liberally, lol.

Been drinking in the Siam Sports Bar and Tulip Bar. Sports Bar is an expat bar and pleasant enough, but as with most places is pretty quiet. We met the local SBS guy on our last evening. Tulip Bar is a single shop unit beer bar with a couple of working girls if you're looking for that. No English apart from "what's your name" etc and I spent most of my time talking to the boss lady. Both are just off Jetyod Road. There is apparently a bus that goes from the in town bus station to the main one as this pic shows (originates at the airport), but everybody in and around the bus station denied it and screwed us out of 20 baht each for the song taew. Green Bus Co took us the 3.5 hour trip to Chiang Mai. The road was a mess but it looks like it's being upgraded to dual carriageway and I'm sure it'll be OK when it's finished. Only 4 days. 3 nights in Chiang Mai and I'd definitely go back. It's got a nice relaxed vibe about it, the centre is quite compact and the people are friendly.

Brilliant story and fantastic advice👍 Shall have to do my best to follow it now 🙂

TFP i enjoyed. Saw ELP in the late 60's at Portsmouth Guildhall, what an innovative band.

You don't have much choice when you're seven years old.

I have woken up to ice on my fishing rods many times, but fu*k being cold in my own home!

Cliff, just for you me ol'darling[shit!!now the kinder kid will really think iam Gay]the USnavy must have been in town hope it brings back memories ray

I came home from fishing tonight, wet through from packing up in the rain, having stripped off and put all my clothes into the washing machine I went and took a shower. My living room was at 18 degrees and I thought fook that and upped the thermastat to 20. I am well warm now sat next to a big rad in my dressing gown. Fu*k being cold.

Nice filet steak,missus was in the smoke so I cooked it.But the credit is hers,she bought & marinated it & that's why it tasted so good.

How sad is that we think 41 is magical. 😩

I fixed it. our subsription had expired today. so duly paid. for what its worth the fees for this site are not horrendous, as you may read elsewhere. our annual costs for site, invision and hosting appear to be around 24K baht a year.. that may raise some eyebrows anyone feeling helpful, let me know. I have paid the lot today and have an empty payp0al, but if no one does, thats fine too. I promised him we would somehow keep it going Its my fault. Phil wanted me to transfer it all over to me and I refused as was still with us and its against my way. end result, a bit of a clusterfuck today but I think sorted. also we owe thanks to Phil, Plaka, who talked me thru this and is likely to join as admin to take care of this stuff that i dont understand 🙂 Tommy

Fair enough that and I can see your point as you're mates with them. Best to leave it at that though as his spies will be reporting to him that the "Poodles and haters'' here are slagging him off again, I'm not slagging him off I'm just saying that the Rockhouse offers me personally absolutely nothing to entice me in there.

Should be called the Selective Tourist Visa as its very clear that those on the first few flights will have been hand picked.