One way of convincing the 'family' is to send a video of your new life.
When I finally left UK in Jan 2000, I sent a video to my mother, showed the house, garden, beach life, my eldest son playing on the beach, some views around town etc etc.
I called mum once a week until she passed away at the end of 2000 and still have the letter she sent saying 'good luck to you son'. Sadly she was never able to see what we have achieved in the time here.
Fact is - it's YOUR life so go for it.
It's not a bed of roses and it's not always 'greener' on the other side, but I wish I had done it 10 years earlier.
Like JW - most of the Brits I see at the lodge complain like hell about life back in UK.
Sorry to hear about your Mum, Terry.
Another way is to invite the parents over here. If anyone does that they'd better be on best behaviour.
I made that mistake years ago and was not.
Fach, if you’re into motorcycle racing there are a mad group of locals who drag-race tuned up step-throughs on an abandoned airstrip down near Paknamprahn.
I’m not sure it would be wise to try it yourself, but it has certain entertainment value.
Fach, just tell your Dad everything you have told us - you have explained your reasons for moving to Thailand very clearly and with feeling.
From your Dad's point of view he is losing his hobby, Son and Grandson at the same time - he is probably feeling very insecure about life in general.
Is there any reason why he cannot come and visit you and/or move out here?
As Terry said send as many videos and photos as you can so he will continue to feel part of your life.
We decided to make the move last year, the alternative was to wait around until "the Mothers" died, mine is 73 and Mum in Law is 86, and that did not seem right we needed to lead our own lives.
My Mum is coming out in November for the first time - not sure how much she will enjoy it here but at least she can finally understand a little about our life.
We are in e-mail contact most days which is much more contact than when we lived in the UK.
Good luck and hopefully your Dad will come to understand why you wish to join us here in Hua Hin
Why don't you set your father up with a Skype phone and webcam, it's really easy to use and Skype phone to Skype phone is totaly free, you can call every day and have visual contact, you just need to have broadband. Skype out calls are when you credit your Skype account and then he will be able to call your mobile for 6.5 pence a minuite, i have used Skype out today, to call my wife's mobile because Dial-Around is not connecting and is quite poor quality reception. Skype also has a messenger service that in the 3 years i have had Skype, only used this for the first time yesterday with another forum member, he can type 3 times faster than me but i enjoyed having a go anyway.
I really hope for all of you that, you can find the emotional balance and level that is not too painfull maybe with Skype it could make this process more easy.
Kendo.
but i enjoyed having a go anyway.