Why have you chosen Thailand as your retirement home ?

[Pumpuynarak]

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 ?

[Toy Boy]

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.

[Thai Spice]

@Toy Boy,

Nice story mate !

5 minutes ago, Toy Boy said:

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

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."

 

 

[Golfingboy]

Great story @Toy Boy

Edited October 1, 2020 by Golfingboy

[Lemondropkid]

2 hours ago, Toy Boy said:

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.

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

[Toy Boy]

5 hours ago, Thai Spice said:

@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."

 

 

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. 

[Toy Boy]

2 hours ago, Lemondropkid said:

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

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.

 

 

 

[boydeste]

3 hours ago, Toy Boy said:

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.

 

 

 

I have always loved that song, a few wise words in that one methinks!

Thanks for telling your story, I enjoyed the read.

[Lemondropkid]

9 hours ago, Toy Boy said:

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.

 

 

 

Sadly I'm not that young (53), but as far as I know I'm in pretty good shape. Had a spell in hospital when I was 48 that made me realise that I shouldn't be complacent about my health.Thanks for the video, it's the first time I've heard Baz Luhrmann's song- it's full of nuggets in. Some are too late for me to act on, some a timely reminder🙂

I exercise outdoors these days, run on the grass/trails and always wear sunscreen 🙂 But I'm in North London, it's not that hot and pavements are busy, best off down the park.

Thanks again for sharing your story and the advice- good luck to you👍☘️☘️

 

 

 

 

[Mr. Smooth]

Toy Boy....so who is going to play you in the movie of your life?

How about Liam Neeson? I hear he has some very particular skills that might do you justice on the big screen!

[Toy Boy]

6 hours ago, Mr. Smooth said:

Toy Boy....so who is going to play you in the movie of your life?

How about Liam Neeson? I hear he has some very particular skills that might do you justice on the big screen!

Actually, looking back at all the things that didn't go as planned and how I tried to respond to them, I think the best person to play me would probably be Mr. Bean, lol.

[lazarus]

Interesting video about retirement homes in Thailand...

Thailand’s Last Resort
We explore why families from Europe are sending their elderly relatives to care homes in Thailand for their final years.

 

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by lazarus

[Toy Boy]

That's enough about me, anyway, how about the rest of you, what were your reasons for choosing Thailand as your retirement destination?

[code_slayer_bkk]

I haven't retired ....

I came here to develop a gigantic data mart for a very large group of hospitals ( 40 ) here ... not for pussy or the beaches ... I had plenty of pussy in HKG where I was living ...

It took me 2 years to complete the data mart and the user interface ( UI ) and after that the hospital group still kept giving me large projects for all kinds stuff ... they are a super good bunch of people to work with ... give me all the tools ( compilers, data bases and CPU's ) ... leave me alone .... let me work wherever I want .... they just want the job done correctly ....

One thing kinda led to another .... ended up buying a place to live .... and all of the other shit that comes along with it ... just got into a pretty good grove here ... getting to the sea every chance I got ... then after about 10 years here of total chaos ( LOL ) .... I met Beach gal ...

 

[Yessongs]

Rachanee has a home here in the suburbs south of downtown BKK. Obviously had been coming here to her home for many years prior to marriage. I knew that I just needed a few things in order to be happy here. I am pretty mellow at the ripe old age of 63 these days.  Gym, nice car, nice home, safe environment, malls that are close etc. I still like to go out and kick up my heels and if we need to go downtown BKK, only 30 minutes on the Skytrain. It helps too alot that Rachanee is mellow, friends come in from USA, she lets me stay downtown with them for a few nights, still can go to Pattaya etc with no rules etc. Not interested  in banging bar girls anymore, but I do like chatting it up with them 😇

It is helpful that my home here in USA we can come and live here anytime we want to also. A big plus is that she likes it here and are enjoying the time until all this Covid gets sorted and then we will come back to Thailand.....as long as it is safe etc, I am OK there. Health is important so as long as we can both still fly, then having homes in both places works. 

 

 

 

 

[Thai Spice]

I guess that except for a few exceptions, who came to Thailand for professional reasons, for the vast majority it is because they came on holiday, fell in love in a bar and from there on it's history. The most adventurous ones pushed it to Issan ....

Some will not like my post, but it is simply the thruth.

Amen.

 

[Stillearly]

3 minutes ago, Thai Spice said:

I guess that except for a few exceptions, who came to Thailand for professional reasons, for the vast majority it is because they came on holiday, fell in love in a bar and from there on it's history. The most adventurous ones pushed it to Issan ....

Some will not like my post, but it is simply the thruth.

Amen.

 

Bali / Jungle ..... same , same but different 

[Thai Spice]

29 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

Bali / Jungle ..... same , same but different 

Nope. BKK for professional reasons, HKG same, VN same, etc...

Bali because of the sun. Had the Miss be Russian do you think I would have retired in Moscow ?

 

[Stillearly]

3 minutes ago, Thai Spice said:

Nope. BKK for professional reasons, HKG same, VN same, etc...

Bali because of the sun. Had the Miss be Russian do you think I would have retired in Moscow ?

 

Just pointing out your lifestyle is similar to those you seem to have a feeling of superiority over ....

you live in the sunshine , with a younger partner , who obviously isn't with you for your personality 😉 

[lazarus]

1 hour ago, Thai Spice said:

I guess that except for a few exceptions, who came to Thailand for professional reasons, for the vast majority it is because they came on holiday, fell in love in a bar and from there on it's history. The most adventurous ones pushed it to Issan ....

Some will not like my post, but it is simply the thruth.

Amen.

 

I have a little place in the Isaan sticks...built it when my daughter was born on her grandparent's property. She lived there for a few years as a baby before school started (in the US).

 Usually, we go there in the summer when school's out. The people are genuine. They treat me well. We don't lack for anything. I enjoy it for visit.

When I'm a very old fart I'll be happy to stay there and watch the rice grow and the cows come & go... from my back door. 🤠

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by lazarus

[Thai Spice]

40 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

Just pointing out your lifestyle is similar to those you seem to have a feeling of superiority over ....

you live in the sunshine , with a younger partner , who obviously isn't with you for your personality 😉 

Mmmmm...

And she is with me for my Latin lover qualities......  don't be jalous. 

[Krapow]

1 hour ago, Thai Spice said:

I guess that except for a few exceptions, who came to Thailand for professional reasons, for the vast majority it is because they came on holiday, fell in love in a bar and from there on it's history. The most adventurous ones pushed it to Issan ....

Some will not like my post, but it is simply the thruth.

Amen.

 

Yea, came on holiday first time for an Narcotics Anonymous Convection (no joke), didn't know what to expect about Thailand TBH. 

But yea, didn't fall in love, just found the place lifechanging in that i soon bought a small place, decided i wanted to retire there and basically shag myself to death. 

But that soon got boring even just after a few years of trips, and i had either an epiphany or mid life crisis  

Decided i wanted a wife and family.

Now, no, don't think i'd like to retire in Thailand, or if i did, it would only be in somewhere like Hua Hin or down Sattahip way, and probably 'long trips' keeping on my base in the UK. So not retire as such. Be the same if i did that in Spain or wherever. Probably 'long trips' keeping the UK base for a few reasons. 

But that's just me, everyone's situation and views are different, and that's fine. 

[Thai Spice]

11 minutes ago, lazarus said:

I have a little place in the Isaan sticks...built it when my daughter was born on her grandparent's property. She lived there for a few years as a baby before school started (in the US).

 Usually, we go there in the summer when school's out. The people are genuine. They treat me well. We don't lack for anything. I enjoy it for visit.

When I'm a very old fart I'll be happy to stay there and watch the rice grow and the cows come & go... from my back door. 🤠

 

Lazarus, 

For me living in a remote rural area in a 3rd world country is a nono. Lack of everything. 

Plus, I want to be near the sea. 

People in the jungle village are nice, all family is nice, the Missus house is OK, but no way I can bear it there more than 2 weeks.

But to each his own. 

[lazarus]

19 minutes ago, Thai Spice said:

Lazarus, 

For me living in a remote rural area in a 3rd world country is a nono. Lack of everything. 

Plus, I want to be near the sea. 

People in the jungle village are nice, all family is nice, the Missus house is OK, but no way I can bear it there more than 2 weeks.

But to each his own. 

I agree with you on that. As long as I can have fun...I will continue to do so...

My little Isaan rancho is not as "remote" as it once was. Everything I could ever need as an "old old" man (if I live that long) is close by...within minutes.

Back in 06-09 I lived at the beach on an island in south Thailand...enjoyed it. Got sick of the tourists in the dry season, though.

...don't live in Isaan now though, as I have a nice place 10 minutes from the beach here in California, and my daughter is getting the best education & lifestyle I can provide.

But the world & priorities change after a man hits  80+...my little one will be through with college by then...just want a good cup of coffee, cold beer, a massage, and a fast internet connection...(+AC in Isaan.) 😉 

Edited October 2, 2020 by lazarus

[Esco]

On 10/1/2020 at 4:36 PM, Toy Boy said:

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.

 

 

 

I'm far from retirement age, but do remember that song, although at the time didn't quite get the message. Twenty years later a lot already resonates and I've a long way to go. 

Thanks again for sharing your story. 

I've moved here for both professional and personal reasons, with a Thai wife in tow who would have rather stayed in the Netherlands lol. We'll just have to see how things work out from hereon. 

Cheers