Thailand question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Thailand?
December 24 2022
Dear readers,
I am considering moving to Thailand (Hua Hin) in 2,5 years (immediately after my retirement). Now I have made a list of pros and cons to get an objective picture, among other things by reading a lot on Thailandblog. I made a list myself. Can someone fill it in, am I missing something?
Benefits
- Low Cost of Living: Thailand has a low cost of living compared to many other countries, which makes it attractive to retired foreigners looking for an affordable place to live.
- Cheap health care: Thailand also has a high-quality health care at a low cost.
- Relationships: Great for finding a nice partner.
- Favorable climate: Thailand has a tropical climate with high temperatures and plenty of sunshine.
- Culture: Thailand has a rich and vibrant culture, with many temples, festivals and other cultural attractions that make the country unique.
- Favorable taxes: Thailand also has favorable taxes for retired foreigners, with lower income tax rates and no wealth tax.
- Easy to integrate: They say that in Thailand it is easy to adapt to life in the country and to make friends with other expats/retirees.
- The Thai mentality: The friendly and hospitable mentality of the Thai people is one of the reasons to live in Thailand.
- Active lifestyle: Thailand offers many opportunities to keep moving and staying active.
Cons
- Language barrier: Not speaking the Thai language can make it difficult to communicate and navigate everyday life.
- Cultural differences: Thailand has a different culture than many other countries, which can sometimes require adjustments.
- Weather conditions: Thailand has a tropical climate with high temperatures and high humidity, which can be difficult to cope with at times.
- Pollution: Some parts of Thailand experience severe air pollution, especially in the cities.
- Health Risks: There are some health risks associated with living in Thailand, such as malaria and dengue fever.
- Health insurance: It is expensive and if you have some you may not be accepted.
- Restricted Rights for Expats: Expats have limited rights in Thailand and can sometimes face discrimination.
- Limited access to services: Some services, such as banking and healthcare, may not be available or may be restricted in some parts of Thailand.
- Higher cost for Western products: Western products can be more expensive in Thailand compared to other countries.
- Risk of Scams: There is always a risk of scams in any country, and this includes Thailand.
- Little private life: In some parts of Thailand it can be difficult to maintain privacy, especially in the smaller communities.
Thanks in advance for your help and input.
Have a nice day everyone.
Regards,
Arthur van A.
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All well and good, those pros and cons, but what will the daytime activities be? Hanging on the beach for a few weeks during a working life is different from filling your time on the same beach.
Hua Hin also has a period of gloomy days, which means that there is hardly any life on the street and, in view of all the advantages, you may be better off staying in a Portuguese or other place in the EU and that you visit TH for a few months in the winter .
Switching countries every so often keeps the spirit alive.
can you explain about Hua HIn and gloomy days?
@Ron,
August/September the rainy season will start until October/November. If you like it, no problem, but it means that in a district with 65000 inhabitants, the vibe is slightly different than with sunny weather and 10 extra visitors, such as during the holiday season.
If you come from a village of 400 people, that might still be nice, but if you're used to busier, it feels very quiet.
So personal thing….
If you have no activities or hobbies as a pensioner, you can indeed be bored to death. But what does that have to do with Thailand?
My own brother (in my home country) really fell into a black hole after his active career. He had no interest whatsoever and got into drinking out of sheer boredom. Sad to behold.
I am not bored for a single moment. Here (in Thailand) you have the advantage that life does not come to a standstill at night like in Belgium. The climate is much better. I have virtually no contact with other compatriots, I have a blissful life with my Thai wife and I have not regretted my move for a single moment.
Some useful topics:
- https://www.thailandblog.nl/lezersvraag/thailand-vraag-wat-doen-anderen-tegen-verveling/
- https://www.thailandblog.nl/lezersvraag/lezersvraag-aan-de-drank-door-verveling-en-heimwee/
- https://www.thailandblog.nl/leven-thailand/geen-dag-verveling/
- https://www.thailandblog.nl/column/eenzaam-in-thailand/
- https://www.thailandblog.nl/achtergrond/steeds-meer-alleenstaanden-nederland-ook-eenzaam/
Loneliness, boredom, alcohol addiction… are not symptoms specific to retirees living in Thailand. Much depends on your own personality. I don't see why you should keep changing countries to 'keep your spirit alive'.
geert,
in Thailand many farangs reside in a very small world.
I see that happening much less in Portugal, for example.
The wife (forget the family) as a conversation partner and sometimes a few farangs with whom you would prefer to have little contact in your home country.
Without the help of the Thai wife, life becomes a lot more difficult.
I am also in favor of keeping the two cultures alive.
There are hardly any Thai people in the Netherlands who do not want to return to their homeland on a regular basis.
I assume that Dutch people in Thailand have the same feelings.
I myself have the opportunity to live in Thailand all year round, but after having been on holiday in Thailand for 42 years, often several times a year, I am of the opinion that keeping the base in the Netherlands and the winter months in Thailand are the best. solution.
You have already listed a number of pros and cons. They match nicely. Health insurance is expensive, but there is movement. WRlife is a new one that everyone accepts, with no claim no premium increase. And a claim increase of 3%. Payment of medical costs in advance directly to the hospital. Very advantageous premiums. If WRlife survives (and it looks like it will) all other mines will have to adjust their conditions.
You will definitely have to learn the Thai language, start with that.
SUCCESS.
andrew,
Learning the Thai language has been discussed here many times. Many of us have not learned the language and yet have integrated perfectly.
I won't deny that if you master the language a little, it can be useful in certain cases. But 'MUST' learn, no.
Moderator: We are not going to start a discussion about health insurance for the umpteenth time.
what about health insurance?
the north of Thailand is much cheaper and has a cooler climate
and is also beautiful mountains Chiang Rai for example
As of 1 January 2024, you will probably also pay income tax on your (company) pensions in the Netherlands in addition to your AOW income.
And you are also not entitled to a tax credit.
Only you do not have to pay national insurance contributions, but after all you are not entitled to any provision there.
So in terms of income tax you are certainly not cheaper.
1. Health insurance is an important point. If you leave the Netherlands to live there, you can no longer take out health insurance and a new insurance policy often provides exclusions or no admission at a higher age and is expensive at an advanced age. In contrast to EU countries where you can keep (a form of) health insurance.
2. Tax benefit (only for company pension, not government pension), is indeed the case according to the current DTA (double taxation agreement). However, it is known that soon (most likely from 1-1-2024) all pensions (government and private) will be taxed at source in the Netherlands under a new DTA. You then pay no tax on pension income in Thailand, but you also have no advantage compared to living in the Netherlands.
3. Lower cost of living. Yes, especially if you want and can live “like the Thai”. If you want to live in a “Western way, it is much more expensive”, and inflation is also striking in Thailand.
Well Ton, it's just how you want it, but I live much cheaper here than in my home country. We have already had this discussion at length and time and time again the opinions differ sharply.
Many Farangs go out every evening to celebrate with friends. At the end of the month their pension has been spent double and thick. Don't worry, everyone does what they like with their money, but such an attitude will cost you a lot of money and has nothing to do with Thailand.
I can cite many more examples. Maintaining a lifestyle is a personal choice and can be cheap or very expensive. When I hear the lamentations from my home country I am only too happy to be in Thailand. Here I can easily save a lot that would no longer be possible in Belgium. And don't worry... I do NOT live a miserable life.
Dear Roger, you are right. I wouldn't shout it from the rooftops because introducing the country of residence principle arises when you wake up sleeping dogs. Either in Brussels or in The Hague. Of course: even if you live Western in Thailand, the Netherlands / Belgium is much more expensive. Just because of all the misery that Russia causes. Nevertheless, life in Thailand is becoming more expensive, but because increases in minimum wages and pensions also reach us pensioners in Thailand, we have nothing to complain about. I therefore refer point 3 of Ton to the trash can.
Dear Arthur,
Both lists you have drawn up are quite in line with reality, of course look a bit more broadly here and there. BUT!
I myself would NEVER want to move to Thailand for good, even if that is my fervent wish.
Reason: the health costs are unmanageable and can impoverish you completely. If you are in great Thailand for a maximum of 8 months, you are a resident of the Netherlands, fully insured for health insurance in NL, never any problems, hospitals are great here, insurance from NL pays for everything in front. (Silver Cross). Just like you, I have also passed the age of 65. The chance that you will get sick or have an accident is greater. Insurance in Thailand is expensive but ok. The problem starts when you get a more severe condition. They throw you out like that, or they immediately exclude the condition for the next time, then you're screwed. Either the premium will be even higher or the exclusions will become more active and you will have to pay everything yourself, including in advance. There go your savings, hospitals are also expensive, even for simple things such as scans or a stay of a few days you can easily see 5000 thousand euros or more…. Let alone if you really get something from heart or other illness or worse. Savings on, AOW and pension must be very large to pay everything, or sell your apartment or house… So, if you can spare a lot of money, or have large reserves, it might be doable, but otherwise I think it's a good idea. too great a risk.
Advice, if you still want to go, of course a great step, pay A LOT of attention to your health insurance, BEFORE!!, if you decide to go. Having to return because you can't pay the hospital bill and all your reserves have already been used up, you don't want to wait either. So, I wish that you can move to the great Thailand "thoughtfully", it is certainly great to live here in our "THAILAND land off Smile".
Sjaak
Dear Sjaak, it is good that you let it sound in your speech that in your case you never want to live permanently in Thailand. Doesn't matter, do what feels best for you. But if you are not predisposed to a disease, have no known underlying conditions, maintain a healthy lifestyle, no longer feel the need to run ahead of the marching band? What stops you? But in the Netherlands it is also good if you need more security and want to avoid risks. My husband is 73 years old, extremely healthy except for some high blood pressure and prostate enlargement, enjoying his retirement like "never before". We have a fund for medical emergencies, some savings, accident insurance, and a lot of contentment.
In the context of every advantage has its disadvantage, I would like to mention 2 advantages/disadvantages, namely the freer legal rules and almost no restriction on the noise level. Examples are: the freedom to build outside the cities (so your neighbor can also do a lot right next to “your” plot). The same applies to making sound/noise (just think of sound systems).
As only a disadvantage I would like to call it not teaching norms and values to (young) children, I think this is because preventing loss of face is no longer important for the (older) children.
I am certainly not negative and have been living in Thailand for almost 8 years now with great pleasure and would not want to return to NL !!!
Dear Arthur,
Such a decision is NOT about all the pros and cons you can think of, but the pros and cons that matter to YOU, in your specifc situation.
If you are in a relationship or do not want one, it is not important whether you can easily find a partner in Thailand
If you don't care about the weather, sun or rain is null and void.
If you are a millionaire you are not so sensitive to the low cost of living.
If you have a knack for languages, learning Thai is a piece of cake.
So: just make a list of pros and cons that matter to YOU and put them in order of importance. And then make a decision.
One thing I can tell you: if you really value certainties and social security that you have in the Netherlands (if they are the main disadvantages of Thailand for you), you will always live in the Netherlands.
You can read a lot of course, but have you ever been there?
Are you going to adjust a bit? Are you completely fixated on western products and food?
Ha, my Thai wife is sitting next to me and I give her a tip: be careful with Thai women.
Your assets are only protected at a bank up to 1 million baht in the event of a fall. Changed a few years ago. Don't know how all farangs catch this or not? Safe on the wall?
Which visa do you take? Common or elite visa? With elite visas you do not need health insurance, but do you have to provide enough cash yourself, if you need help? In addition, you must BUY these visas.
However, with a regular visa you must also have the required 800kbaht on the account for a longer period of time.
With an elite that will cost you 1 million for 20 years, but then you have no additional requirements. You have really “lost” that money, you buy a visa.
Some hospitals aimed at foreigners are now just as expensive as in the Netherlands, or even more expensive.
Foreign health insurers sometimes refuse treatment in hospitals that are too expensive and refer non-urgent treatments to a cheaper hospital (with the disadvantage of longer waiting times).
You pay in hospitals (and also in small doctor's clinics!!!) up to almost 2x as much for medicines as in a pharmacy, so (if possible - and especially if you have to pay for it out of your own pocket because of your own risk: ask for prescription and buy in pharmacy.
Vote with your feet, so if possible (and you don't mind waiting a little longer) go to a cheap hospital, so that the expensive hospitals will scratch their heads and perhaps moderate their prices. Because the high prices are passed on in all of our expat premiums!!! Realise that!!! Complain [email protected]. Would you like to report your dissatisfaction with the high prices at hospitals?
Many of your points are correct, but very generally.
Thailand is a big country and I think you should divide the list more by region.
Tourist areas including Hua Hin are the most expensive areas.
How expensive depends on your personal wishes.
Then cities without or little tourism and of course the agricultural areas close off.
Every area has its plus and minus points as a foreigner.
Your list will be filled in with what you have to offer or desire in small and large letters.
Whether you want to become a resident or want to enjoy a year-round holiday.
Can meet your visa requirements or RUIM can do your visa requirements, read money.
For the rest, it is useful to put on the right glasses, those without a tint, but that applies in every country where you are a foreigner.
Success.
Hi Arthur,
Welcome.
How good that you put the pros and cons side by side before you come.
I have a Thai wife even before I went to Thailand and it was easy for me to assimilate in Thailand. In my village (in the middle of Thailand in the mountains) I was a special person, but because I am married it was not an issue.
But what I ran into.
1. The language, Because of my profession before, I have difficulty distinguishing the tones (my hearing is not optimal, so that high and low tones and the ascending and descending tones cannot be heard.) But if you get to know the Thai language, you will you notice that the Thai also makes a mess of it and from the sentence you can understand what they mean,
2. The medical expenses. When I deregistered myself in the Netherlands, my health insurance expired. I have reinsured myself with the same company (I got an expat insurance). At the time, insurance was not too expensive. But realize that this insurance becomes more expensive as you age.
On the other hand, the older you get in Thailand, the more fragile your health is.
I have a permanent hospital, they now have a whole file on me. This has the advantage that if something is wrong, the doctors have your entire file at hand. In my hospital, the doctors all speak very good English and have often also gained experience abroad.
This also has the advantage that they are used to sharing everything with the patient. Many Dutch expats choose not to deregister in the Netherlands. I leave all motivations for whether or not to unsubscribe to others.
3. Culture differences. I have now been married for 20 years. My Thai wife (who, by the way, has also been to the Netherlands and can converse with me in Dutch quite well) and I often have a different view of things. We know that about each other and let that kind of thing for granted.
Matters such as the royal family, Buddhism, feelings in matters such as upbringing, we leave to rest (not left undiscussed) if it turns out that we think completely differently about them.
4. Then the place of residence and your daily life.
With me it was just clear in advance that we were going to live near her parents. When you get into a relationship, remember that your loved one's parents and family are a very important factor. Your loved one will always want to go back to the place of birth. That bond cannot be ignored under any circumstances. If you are going to live in Thailand, depending on your visa, you will often not be able and allowed to work. So try to arrange your life in such a way that you have different activities every day. Spending your free time (sitting on the beach yourself) is not an activity that gives you much satisfaction.
Trek through Thailand. There is a lot of beauty in Thailand. By the time you possibly find a partner, take it with you. Let your partner tell you where to go. You will find the most beautiful places where probably no tourist has ever been. Take the time for that.
Try to get your Thai driver's license as soon as possible. Go on the road (Thailand drives on the left) and always be aware that the Thai has bad driving habits. Enforcement by the police is therefore such that it has no educational value.
Learn from the local compatriots, become a member of the Dutch association. They have a lot of experience and organize many activities.
As for myself. I no longer live in my original village. My house is still there and I use, say, an outdoor area. I now live in Bangkok (because of my health). I deliberately chose not to have a residence in a tourist place. If I want commotion or to the sea, I have the option to go by car afterwards. And possibly to stay for one or more days.
And then finally.
You are a guest here. Act like a guest. Do not follow in the footsteps of feudal Westerners who would like to change everything to Western standards and are annoyed by Thai customs, customs and laws.
Accept that the Thai has a culture of more than 2500 years.
I wish you a pleasant stay in Thailand in 2023
And maybe we'll see each other in the future.
Janderk
Another risk: the hellish traffic that makes Thailand the most dangerous country in the world in that area. And for pedestrians there are barely passable footpaths (if you're in a wheelchair or have to walk with crutches, it's completely misery) and they don't know the concept of 'weak road user'.
What you call disease is hardly important. Road accidents are the largest source of hospital admissions.
North is sometimes cooler but at other times even warmer. Ditto for that Isania.
In practice, it seems to me that it makes a huge difference whether or not you have a local partner or whether you think you can score very quickly. In your up it will be much more difficult.
Some of those advantages are very relative: temples and other 'culture' also abound. From various lists/scores etc for the best place to live for pensioners in ASEAN, Malaysia always comes out on top. Furthermore, Th excels in appalling bureaucracy-not mentioned disadvantage.
no one talks about the vicissitudes of Immigration, periodic notification obligation, documents to be submitted, possibly. visa run
I have had to renew my annual visa many times. That is part of the obligations to be allowed to stay here for a long time. If you can't settle for that, it's best to stay in your own country. Thailand is free to impose their rules and laws.
Is this a burden? No, my application has not been rejected for any reason. The only bad thing is that you'll lose half a day at the most, but who cares, plenty of time here. We do the periodic reporting obligation (90 days) online and is a fifteen minute job.
If you really want to, you can still look for a lot of 'disadvantages', but such an attitude does not help anyone. I have the impression that the lucky ones among us don't waste their time looking for everything they don't like here. Sometimes some forget to enjoy life, that would make the bad side of Thailand a lot more bearable.
The biggest disadvantage in my opinion is the legal status, you will always be a guest. My wife has lived in the Netherlands for over 30 years and has dual nationality and has the same status as I do in the Netherlands, something we in Thailand can only dream of.
All other possible disadvantages are very personal and can often be reduced by sufficient savings.
A foreigner can also naturalize as Thai, whether or not as a 2nd nationality. It does cost a lot of money and you have to take a language/integration exam. There is also a quota of 100 naturalizations per year per country of origin, but given the number of Dutch people applying for a permanent residence permit (PR) or Thai nationality, that will not matter. So you don't have to be the eternal guest from a legal point of view.
Whether you get rid of the status as a guest in practice is of course another question. That will depend on the Thai with whom you come into contact and to what extent you do your best to become part of society (language, Thai friends, being active among the Thai or retreating to a white-nose enclave with a diet of potatoes, bread and sprinkles…).
The obstacles placed by the Thai government on the way to Thai naturalization - at a considerable cost - show that people are not keen on it. You said it yourself: only 100 pieces as an annual quota, and intended for all nationalities. I was naturalized in NL after I could indicate that I lived with my husband under the same roof as a married person for at least 3 years. C'est ca! Furthermore, a farang will never ever become Thai. The differences are too great for that. But as a Thai I am Dutch and follow the Netherlands politically and socially more than a farang will ever do regarding Thailand. You can be a bit more critical when it comes to Thai people!
You're right, Nick. Twenty years ago I considered taking the Thai naturalization route, but I decided against it because of the costs and the lengthy procedure.
And Nok, Rob V. and I are very interested in all things Thai. We also both know the Thai language quite well. And we are both very critical, but we can't always show that.
Indeed dear Nok, unfortunately it does not appear in the foreseeable future that a Dutch person can participate in Thailand in the same way as a Thai person can in the Netherlands. I have the impression that many people in Thailand don't care about that either, they usually just want to "enjoy their old age". And yes, the Thai government does not seem too keen when a foreigner becomes critically involved with the country full of energy. So both from the white nose side with objections such as (“you are a guest”, finger waving” and “neo-coloniasm”) as well as from the Thai side (“you are not Thai”, even critical Thai becomes reproachful and suspicious “are you even a Thai?” objected). At a social level as a foreigner to really be seen as an equal completely seems to be an impossibility for the time being. Too generous nationalism plays a role here in my opinion. 1 on 1 it will still work, I know Thai people who are happy to talk about political and social affairs of the country (“Rob, you are half a Thai in your heart”), but most of them have little or nothing to do with it. have or have reduced contact with me to 0. In short: more doors are opening in the Netherlands, but that does not have to stand in the way of a pleasant life in Thailand, provided you realize that some things there are (for the time being?) Bad or unattainable. Unfortunately, it is not the country of equal opportunities and one may well criticize that for those who need it. But be aware of the possible risks…
hello Rob,
“Unfortunately, in the foreseeable future it does not appear that a Dutch person will be able to participate in Thailand to the same extent as a Thai person can do in the Netherlands”.
What exactly do you mean by that? You don't have to be naturalized Thai to work here, to talk to Thai people who can speak English about anything and everything (if you can speak Thai with everyone here), to help in the temple, to do sports, take part in Buddhist events and family outings, take the bus, help poor people, go to weddings and funerals?
If by 'social' you mean: voting in elections, then you are right, but the same applies to a non-naturalized Thai in the Netherlands. If by 'societal' you mean that you want complete freedom of expression (criticizing authorities), then you are right, but that applies to all Thais in Thailand.
Dear Chris, it is what I write: if you are not Thai, you will encounter more restrictions. This may include active involvement in political affairs, but it also excludes a number of professions. And where you can work, you still have to deal with work permits. You do not have some other rights (and obligations) as a non-Thai, such as land ownership. But of course I also suspect that the average Dutchman who moves to Thailand has little or no problem with that. Just wanted to point out the fact that you cannot fully participate (in the same measure) in everything that Thai society encompasses.
Dear Nok,
It is of course true that it is not made easy to naturalize in Thailand as a foreigner. On the other hand, there are much less difficult conditions for living and staying in Thailand. With an integration course (which is compulsory in the Netherlands) where you have to learn the Thai language, many expats would not live here.
Whether you follow the politics in a country is much more a personal choice and much less a matter of nationality. Most expats in Thailand are older (60+) and come here to enjoy their old age. I believe that there are also many elderly people in the Netherlands who have nothing to do with Dutch politics.
9 advantages and 11 disadvantages, what should we conclude?
I have lived here for many years and have long learned to put the disadvantages of Thailand into perspective. Much depends on your own personality. I like to go through life with rose-colored glasses on my nose, others are pessimists who are only too happy to highlight the disadvantages of Thailand. I then ask myself the question to what extent the latter would be happy in their own country.
Forming an objective picture by listing the pros and cons is of no use. As I just said, everything depends on how you go through life yourself. Is Thailand perfect? Absolutely not! But it's nowhere. I would never, ever let my decision to move depend on the opinion of others. You make that decision yourself.
In any case, a lot of Farangs live here who are perfectly happy. Why wouldn't you succeed Arthur?
Before you take this step, I would strongly recommend that you try living in Thailand for a year or more, and don't let yourself be (mis)led at all by other people's experiences.
Happiness, and by that I mean life and living happiness is often very personal, and is experienced differently by everyone.
Admittedly, Hua Hin or another tourist area is even more bearable for many if you go somewhere in the countryside to isolate yourself.
For this latter option, which is usually even more affordable in terms of price, if you want to have at least some contact with other villagers, you will not miss learning Thai speech.
Anyway, even if you speak a little Thai, after a short conversation with many villagers, you will immediately notice that your interests will often be far apart.
Although you think in your list of benefits that living and healthcare is a lot cheaper than in Europe, this is not always entirely true.
Good living, especially if you do this in the already paid house of your partner (in) can be very cheap, although you are immediately bound to the place where this house is located.
I wouldn't want to give them a living, who actually followed their dear wife in the countryside without sufficient living / living experience, only to notice later how small and lonely their world has become.
I admit that this experience is also very personal, but looking at my own experience, with all the kindness these villagers have, I would never want to live there for a long time.
Also the so-called cheap health care in your list, if you assume a usually expensive health insurance, which can exclude many treatments and already existing diseases, is certainly not always cheap.
Furthermore, the livelihood / food, if you are prepared to eat like a Thai in the long run, is of course much cheaper.
It is completely different in my case, because I think that I have not worked hard all my life, to feed myself cheaply, if you also want to enjoy a good wine or other Western products regularly.
The latter are significantly more expensive than in Europe, and if you want to enjoy them further, they will leave a considerable hole in your so-called cheap budget.
Personally, because I also like to visit our family in Thailand, I prefer to stick to a 50/50 arrangement, where I can escape the European cold in winter and the often extreme Thai heat in summer.
In this way I remain automatically insured in Europe, and because I am not actually leaving anyone in the long run, I have much better contact with family and friends in both countries.
You talk about seclusion somewhere in the countryside. I also find it so black and white compared to Hua Hin because there are many large places or cities where there is a lot to experience and where you will encounter few or no foreigners. Thailand is something more than the tourist places and the villages. The advantage is that you can also live cheaply there, in the big cities, a lot of contact with only Thai people, many sports options and the same going out, endless shopping pleasure and coffee shops and restaurants and so on. Many health care, dental options, beauty shops and massage shops, workshops, choice of schools and private education, courses and training, hotels and resorts. And so I can name some more if you stay in the bigger cities. Life outside the tourist places is not that bad, on the contrary, because life is cheaper there, such as lower rents, low prices in restaurants, coffee and going out is more affordable. You will not often see me in the tourist places because I find life outside here more pleasant, for contact with foreigners I did not go to live in Thailand because then I might as well have stayed in Europe. I compare my area, urban area Korat, with Hua Hin then the latter is only a quarter of Korat, so how do you isolate yourself in the countryside?
Dear Ger-Korat, Although you do not address me by name, you clearly respond to my reaction / opinion, which I hope the editors will allow me to answer.
If you would read my response carefully, I clearly indicate that living and happiness in life are very personal things, which are experienced differently by everyone.
By isolation I do not mean the larger cities with which you try to defend your life and living situation, but precisely those villages that are far from these cities.
If I go from my wife's native village, of which there are many more than cities in Thailand, they are usually far away from shopping malls, health care, workshops, massage parlors, etc. what you are talking about in your comment.
Villages where dogs barking, roosters crowing, loud music and other noise at any time of the day, along with the burning of rubbish that ruins the air, etc. belong to a seemingly normal village life.
These are villages where the English language is almost or not at all spoken, and the farang, if he wants to have a little more human contact if only with his own wife, is almost forced to learn the Thai language.
A village life where many have taken pleasure with them, because their Thai wife happened to be born there, and she already had a plot or house there, I call isolation without sufficient knowledge of the language.
How many Dutch people or other farang do you think speak so much Thai that they can still have a good conversation with this community in a village community, apart from superficial chatter?
Not that I feel more like this usually friendly village population, but if you try to get in touch with them, you immediately notice that through no fault of their own, the majority have had at most primary school level, and their often minimal interests therefore differ enormously from those of most farangs.
I therefore only speak of my own opinion, in which I am convinced that I am certainly not the only one, that living on a trial basis for a year or more, to see exactly where someone can feel happy anywhere at all, is certainly not wrong.
My personal experience, which again can be different for everyone, is the 50/50 arrangement that I already mentioned in my first response, and I am certainly not alone with that.
I live half-time in Isaan (Surin) and half-time in Pattaya. The restaurant prices in Pattaya are not at all more expensive than in Surin. On the contrary. Nowhere else can you eat and drink as varied and cheaply as in Pattaya. In Pattaya you pay a large bottle of beer 70 baht and a nice cappucino 40 baht. An extensive American breakfast including coffee (2) you pay 129 Baht if you choose something. I have not encountered all this anywhere in Surin.
In places like Pattaya there is a lot of competition from which one can reap the benefits.
There are so many cities in Thailand, Korat-city is one of them.
I have a dark suspicion that I live around the corner from Ger, you can find and buy almost everything here.
Living pattern as expensive as you want it, but make it or Thai style as cheap as you want to go.
Of course you are a resident of this country and you will have to 'integrate' a bit
By the way, I think [know] that the big advantage Thailand is the cost of a house whether or not bought and paid off plus energy costs [electricity] and to a lesser extent food and clothing, although you need less here and with in the mix with Thai and European food is obviously cheaper.
The 'one and a half times a year' that I sit along the coastline, I'm soon 'cured' of it's great here.
You will have to make your own list as a future resident of this country what you really want.
What is rubbish for one person is great for another.
As an expat for many years, I advise everyone to spend the winter in TH, possibly just on the basis of a tourist status. Only then will you enjoy all the lusts and can you let the burdens pass you by.
Those who settle here permanently are constantly confronted with all kinds of administrative hassle and restrictions and will find that after 20 years of residence they have no more rights than after 2 days. You remain a farang with only duties.
Look before you leap.
If you're not sure about aging healthy, I wouldn't start at all.