Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

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Undaunted
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Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

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"In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king"
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Gaybutton
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Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

Post by Gaybutton »

Most of what he says is true, but in my opinion he overblows it. Videos like that make people think they're in for nothing but doom and gloom if they choose to live in Thailand. Having lived here as long as I have and knowing what I know about life in Thailand, if I had it to do all over again I wouldn't hesitate at all. I love living here. Sure, there are problems, most of which are more annoyances than anything else.

Would I have been better off if I had stayed in Florida rather than moving to Thailand? No way. While Thailand has its problems, I'm glad I'm living in a country where I don't have to worry about being shot and killed by some gun nut while going shopping or just going to a movie or simply walking out the door of my house. These days in Florida, I wouldn't feel all that safe in my house.

I don't believe for one second any of this nonsense about Thailand actively trying to drive out farang retirees. I've seen many comments about it, but I've never seen any evidence of it. While I do see many of the policies as absurdly foolish, I know of nothing to indicate any of these policies were put in place for the purpose of driving out farang.

While it's easy to find videos or comments from people who pass themselves off as experts, spewing out their negativity, having lived here as long as I have, I consider myself just as much an expert as these people and maybe more so. And as I said, I love living in Thailand. Moving here is the best thing I've ever done for myself. If you have been planning to retire in Thailand, don't let this guy's video, or any similar others for that matter, make the decision for you.
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Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

Post by Undaunted »

GB all things considered (all) the real question is if at this point in time would you or anyone living here make the same choice today? As for myself I would not jump into it as quickly as I did 19 years ago, most likely I would take long extended vacations here and elsewhere. The current government has done nothing to ingratiate itself to western expats or tourists quite the contrary, as for your comment the video was negative it was,frankly laying out the current negative aspects for those considering a move to Thailand.
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Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

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Undaunted wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 11:21 pm GB all things considered (all) the real question is if at this point in time would you or anyone living here make the same choice today?
I thought I made it quite clear in my post that yes, I absolutely would make the same choice today when I wrote, "if I had it to do all over again I wouldn't hesitate at all."

And yes, the video was very negative. For example one of the things he stressed was corrupt government. Well, what would you call the Trump government? Honest? I'll take Thai corruption over the current American corruption any day of the week. There are several other examples of negativity in that video as well. You don't see that? Do you think that video is an unbiased portrayal of the current situation in Thailand?

What about you? Apparently you would not make he same choice today. I will be interested to see whether other expat board members would or would not make the same choice today - and why.
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Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

Post by Captain Kirk »

In all honesty the video says very little about Thailand at all. Really only speaks about visa changes nothing much else. Quoting accident rates at Songkran? That going to affect anyone's decision? I don't see it. The visa rules apply to everyone whether they are newcomers or have been in Thailand for years already so why doesn't he say at the end "......and that's why I'm packing up and getting out". If he thinks Vietnam or Phillipines etc are a better option then why isn't he off there instead?

Undaunted says he'd think twice if he was choosing at this time but can I ask, is that due to visa rules or just the fact that other things are changing, like the sex scene or currency rates?

In my view the video holds very little validity at all. Just an expat having a moan at changes to visa rules, nothing more.
Up2u

Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

Post by Up2u »

As a gay man Thailand would still be high on my list if I were looking to retire. Waiting to see how this medical insurance requirement plays out but for now it appears it applies only to new O-A and X visas issued in your home country. Phillipines, Vietnam? Both have serious issues that would be deal breakers for me (e.g.; no retirement visa, can't buy a car, land, motorbike in your own name, communist country). Why would I leave a country known for it's excellent medical and dental care, own a condo, a car, and rapidly improving infrastructure? Retirement Immigration problems? Just see an agent and your problems are solved.
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Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

Post by Undaunted »

Captain Kirk wrote: Undaunted says he'd think twice if he was choosing at this time but can I ask, is that due to visa rules or just the fact that other things are changing, like the sex scene or currency rates?
All of the above!
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odd

Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

Post by odd »

What a sad old man you, Undaunted, come across as. I am afraid I am one of those people who likes to look on the brighter side of life. At my age, 80, the most important thing to me is my health and I do not believe that any of the countries mentioned in this correspondence provide anywhere near as good medical care as here. My number 2 important value of Thailand is the ability to socialise so easily whether it is in restaurants, bars, golf clubs etc. Nobody knows what is going to happen in any country regarding politics, exchange rates, visa regulations-the list is endless. Will it be better anywhere else in a year or so?
The blog is certainly not a balanced view and as such it is worth nothing.
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Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

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odd wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:54 am The blog is certainly not a balanced view and as such it is worth nothing.
The video only states the real things that people need to consider before leaping into a move.

It fails to mention the positives that as someone already living here for many years knows, such as decent relatively inexpensive health care, prices for goods and most services are still relatively inexpensive and yes if you are so inclined there is no lack of viable social life as well as Thailand’s location being a gateway to visit the rest of Asia. Everyone needs for himself to weigh the negatives and positives for themselves! Age and ones personal finances are perhaps the most important factors.
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Re: Don’t Move to Thailand in 2019

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Undaunted wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:30 am Everyone needs for himself to weigh the negatives and positives for themselves! Age is perhaps the most important factor.
That is true. The video tells readers of this board nothing we didn't all know and had already known for a long time. In my opinion that video is nothing but negativity and I don't know why you thought it was a good idea to post it in the first place.

I also don't know why the person who made that video thought making it and uploading it to YouTube was a good idea.

You said it yourself, "The video only states the real things that people need to consider before leaping into a move." But it doesn't state all of those "real things that people need to consider." It doesn't include one word about the real things that are positives about living in Thailand. I believe the positives vastly outweigh the negatives, and the fact that he included none of the positives makes the video nothing but a piece of negatively biased bullshit.

"The day I don't like living in Thailand anymore, I know where the airport is."
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