dplast
From: United States
6/10/2003 15:32 EST
Read the posting on living in Thailand as an expat. Gee, maybe I missed something on my last trips. Had a good time - lost a little money on dunb stuff - you want to but a couple water buffalo up in Issan - so I am thinking about moving there for a while. Not a rich guy but have a bit of money - semiretired so I am trying to strech this money while still maintaining a comforable life style. I like the weather, women, wine and song of Thailand - maybe I am out of my league and should look else where? Any comments on this?
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
abaucom21
From: United States
6/11/2003 06:00 EST
I am from the US, male & 52, and a professional (interior designer & university professor). Use to visit Thailand while working in Qatar and fell in love the the people & the country in general. I would love to live there but have found it impossible to find a job that pays anything close to our standards. Of course it is not expensive to live there but I would never be able to afford to travel and would never be able to keep up my expenses in the states. An even larger problem is it appears that once you are past age 40 there are no jobs at all for anyone regardless of home country! Regardless I hope you find a way to move to Thailand as I am sure you will be happy there.
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
|
|
caughtintheact
From: Thailand
6/11/2003 09:33 EST
There are most likely horror stories about every place in the world. Thailand is a good place to retire, but not so good if one wants to work here.
Let me put it this way, if you have the minimum capital (see below) required to get a retirement visa, you can live pretty well.
The minimum requirements include being at least 50 years old, and the following:
1. Having a retirement income equivalent to at least Thai Baht 65,000 per month.
2. If you have no pension you can put B800,000 in a local bank in Thailand.
3. If you have a pension but it is less than B65000 per month then you can use a combination of pension and savings. For example,
If your pension is B50000 per month, then multiply B50000 x 12 months or B600,000. Then you only need to put B200,000 in a local bank account. Your money can go a lot further here than in a lot of places. Needless to say, if you always live beyond your means then you can have problems.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
dplast
From: United States
6/13/2003 21:36 EST
Thanks guys, Have a pretty laid back life style and a bit of money put away and its only 3 1/2 years to social security for me.
Any thoughts on good spots for sun and budget fun where I can get by on using mostly English. Doug
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
caughtintheact
From: Thailand
6/16/2003 23:24 EST
If you want to be using mostly English, then stick to the major tourist areas, like Bangkok, ChiengMai, Pattaya/Jomthien, Phuket, Hua Hin, possibly Krabi. For sun (assuming you mean with water nearby), the later three. For economy, then you need a tradeoff on the English to some extent, or go someplace where you don't need to talk to people very often except the occasional farang. This opens your choices quite a bit. My recommendation is that you start in a more English oriented environment, try to learn some of the language, then eventually slect the place you'd like to call home. No need to select one place from the outset. Make a commitment when you are sure, so give yourself some time.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
davidinpattaya
From: none
6/17/2003 19:30 EST
hello from Pattaya on the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand, where we have many English style Restaurants, open for Breakfast etc..
Pattaya has also a club which meets every Sunday morning and has done for over a year now, called Pattaya City Expats club, and there is a web site, weekly newsletter, membership so discounts can be obtained at many business places here. Fine Hospitals, such as Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, which again has a web site..Many Condo's so all types of rent, and most pick up CNN news service, or BBC World programs. 6 movie screens showing the latest in English Movies from USA etc..4 Ten Pin Bowling centers with the latest equipment. see you here, bye
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
dplast
From: United States
6/21/2003 01:17 EST
Thanks caughtintheact, that is the direction I was thinking. Will be in VietNam next month, then a 3 month visa for Thailand, plan on kicking back and looking around. I have started trying to learn Thai, looks like I need some help there also.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
caughtintheact
From: Thailand
6/22/2003 14:59 EST
Learning the language.
I learned by getting a tutor who taught me to write and read - in that order. Before I did that, I struggled using a dictionary, called Robertsons Practical English-Thai Dictionary
It is an excellent book for accurate translations and transliteration, so you can pronounce the words right, and you can still get this one by doing a google search. A dictionary isn't very practical in a conversation, but it can help. Many years later I took a course at the YWCA's Nisa language school, which was very demanding....too demanding for the limited timne I had available. You might find some interesting info on education here at www.stickmanbangkok.com/ or on the www.thaivisa.com website.
If you need any more info, let me know.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
