Retirement in Thailand?

Post by **migrant** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:03 pm

prcscct wrote:
If you've visited and researched a place in infinite detail, troubled times could be more of an opportunity than an obstacle. Pete

For me, this is a small part, but important. I've done enough traveling to know that Foreign countries are not the USA. I've also been through some big protests (Korea) and realize it's a big country.

Nothing I've seen, or heard, so far is changng my mind.

Interesting thread, Thanks!!

Post by **Khundon1975** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:10 am

prcscct wrote:We're just about a week into this now and interesting to see that out of 9 foreign couples and 3 foreign singles, none have gotten cold feet concerning the state of the country.

Small numbers to conclude any pattern, but folks like this usually don't take a life changing international move lightly and do their research.

If I was in their shoes, I think I would feel the same way.

If you've visited and researched a place in infinite detail, troubled times could be more of an opportunity than an obstacle. Pete

prcscct

When you get Thailand in the blood, it is easy to feel that it is the place to spend retirement, whether full or part time.

I wouldn't like to do it on a UK state pension though.

As to the state of the country, well, Thailand is what it is and that is why so many people who spend time here, love it. Good or bad.

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:20 am

Yes it would be just about impossible now on a UK state pension alone, even without visa costs.

As Pete says it's a small sample of respondents to go by, but interesting that the only 3 who have changed their minds are all in the 'foreign/Thai' group. I wonder if this is an indication that Thai partners have simply settled well abroad, (and we've heard many examples of those who do), or do the Thai partners see more problems with LOS than we do?

Post by **Khundon1975** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 5:53 pm

Hi Mags

I asked my wife why she prefers UK/Europe, to going back to Thailand full time and she said " As much as I love Thailand, I want to see more of the World before we settle down, I have dual nationality, travel and learning about other countries is something many Thais have no chance to do, so I want to make the most of my opportunities then go back and settle down. The problems in Thailand don't bother me, they have been going on for years and don't affect many Thais day to day".

We discuss the pros and cons of life in Thailand full time and both agree, that nothing has put us off retirement in Thailand but now is not the time.

My wife has spent about 12 years living in UK on and off and has many friends, so she has a large support group of Thais here, maybe the Thai ladies who don't have that support here, feel that the only thing to do is go back home.

It is a complex problem for many couples, as so much has to be taken into consideration, family, friends and not least the financial situation. With many couples hit by the fall in the Baht and the decimation of most private pensions plus the fall in the UK property market, the choice is even more difficult.

However, those couples that are determined to retire in Thailand usually succeed.

Good luck to them.

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:26 am

Some good points there Khundon. My own sister in law married and settled in England 15 years ago. At first she aimed to retire back home in Easter Island and they even bought a property there. Now, having travelled more in Europe, she has given up on that idea and is aiming for Italy!
Your own wife sounds like a very sensible lady but as we all know things can change financially, property and pensions wise, even in a very few years. Best laid plans and all that - but good luck to them all.

Post by **Khundon1975** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:06 pm

Mags

Easter Island, now that is retirement in the extreme, miles from anywhere, so you have to be a dedicated retiree to live there.

The only problem in Italy is that the various government departments are so so slow. Even the simplest planning issues seem to take forever, as the bureaucrats are even worse (lazy) than in Thailand, but at least no bribes there.

I see problems ahead for those Brits who will be thinking of retirement on the state pension, who now find they are caught up in the new (later) retirement ages. This is going to bugger up a lot of peoples plans.

Some friend of ours are thinking of retiring in Thailand and are worried that the £500k they have is not going to be enough, if the Baht drops again.

Post by **leo65** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:10 pm

migrant wrote:We (Thai wife) are planning on retiring in 2-3 years, if my business continues on. We may spend 2-3 months back here in California, uncertain yet.

But my wife has been here ~14 years, so she even admits that she may not want to live full time in Thailand.

same for me n my thai wife after 13 years in italy!

anyway, we'll try to untie ourself from

italy because we are too tired of this life

we need the tranquillity of LOS

leo65

Post by **leo65** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:25 pm

Khundon1975 wrote:Mags
The only problem in Italy is that the various government departments are so so slow. Even the simplest planning issues seem to take forever, as the bureaucrats are even worse (lazy) than in Thailand, but at least no bribes there.

as italian I fully confirm what Khundon1975 said!!! avoid

little italy, berlusconi and all mafiosi lazy italians. this is a suggest for your healt

leo65

Post by **Khundon1975** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:40 pm

leo65

I don't think I advised steering clear of Italy, I was just pointing out that bureaucracy there, was so so slow.

Mind you if you are in no hurry, then Italy is a good place to while away the time, just like Thailand. Also, if you drive an Italian sports car, the local cops will let you off most fines, for a drive in it.

and on the motorways they tend to wave at you, to make you go faster.

Post by **leo65** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:10 pm

Khundon1975

I know you don't mean it

but I really mean what I said

no joke

This is one of the reason for me and my wife wish to go back to LOS. In Italy everything is really hard to do if you get not a "saint in Paradise". Many duty and few rights. Everything is expensive, taxes high and business is very bad.
Remain the sun, the sea and

berlusconi

Thailand wait for us!

leo65

Post by **bonnielass** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:00 pm

I voted yes. Me and the old man been Brit expats for coming up 30 years. Realistically not sure we could settle back in UK. I know everyone is obsessed with the weather but it is crap most of the time and it does play a big part in your life. We have looked at Spain (definite no-no), Portugal (can't say I was impressed) and France (the best of the bunch) but always seem to get drawn back to LOS. So now we have literally just taken the plunge and bought our retirement home. Yikes - SCAREY.......... But what the hell. I love Thailand and particularly HH. Hope to be able to move there in about 5 years. Wishing our lives away?, maybe, but you gotta have some sort of plan.

Post by **Pagey** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:45 pm

As someone has resurrected this thread - Yes, I arrive first week in February.

Post by **hhfarang** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:05 pm

You left out the selection of "We did but wish we had not". That would be our pick.

Post by **huahinjim** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:46 pm

hhfarang wrote:You left out the selection of "We did but wish we had not". That would be our pick.

And to balance HHF's suggestion - "We did and are glad we did"

Post by **lizzy** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:46 pm

Next selection- "We planned to do it as a couple but now doing it by myself"

Not my pick but how I've ended up.

Hua Hin Forum