Why stay if Hua Hin and/or Thailand is that bad?

[HHTel]

I agree, caller. Having read his post again, he does indeed imply that he's leaving "I'm looking forward to...."

I really should read posts twice before commenting. However there are people here who constantly complain/criticise etc and it does prompt the thought 'Why are you here?"

[handdrummer]

I agree, caller. Having read his post again, he does indeed imply that he's leaving "I'm looking forward to...."

I really should read posts twice before commenting. However there are people here who constantly complain/criticise etc and it does prompt the thought 'Why are you here?"

Nearly every poster on this site, myself included, complains about the Govt., the ignorance, the backwardness, education, attitudes towards foreigners, exchange rate, traffic, drivers, road conditions, police, etc., etc. About the only positive comments are about the Bar Girls.

As mentioned before ,some of us stay because, due to circumstances, we can't leave. That doesn't mean we don't have the right to complain.

For some of us, the situation in our home country is worse than here. That's certainly true of the US. For all my dissatisfaction with Thailand, at least I can walk down the street, travel and shop anywhere without some lunatic carrying a gun shooting at me, my Thai wife won't be assaulted for being Asian and the cost of living is 1/2 of the US.

I'm unsuited to the climate and the culture but that's not Thailand fault so, I will continue to complain and criticize things that annoy me and make my life more difficult and that's no reason to tell me if I don't like it leave.

[HHTel]

Of course, HD. I also complain but I balance the pluses against the minuses and the pluses always win. It's human nature to complain. Very rarely do you see posts from people extolling the positives of living here.

I've not said that "If you don't like it then leave". I've said that "If you really don't want to be here, then why are you?" A little different.

Maybe we should be more verbal as to why we're here.

[handdrummer]

Sorry, I should have said that I was referencing a sentence in BB's post.

I think I stated the reasons why I'm here and they do out weigh the situation at home. Still, there are things at home that are not available here; friends, music and libraries are a few.

[Riversider]

As someone who left 3 years ago I feel wherever you live you you will complain. I left as I thought Thailand was becoming harder to live as a foreigner. I sold up, made a profit and intended to holiday here in future. Due to current situation that hasn’t been possible but hopefully next year things will change. If you stay anywhere for any length of time you see things you don’t like and you will moan about things. Doesn’t mean you want to leave because you complain about things.

[Robinhood]

I sort of did the reverse of what you did Riversider and came to live in Hua Hin after visiting 2 or 3 times a year for a few years.
I don't find anything difficult really about living in Thailand and live relatively cheaply. I agree with some of the complaints you hear on message boards such as this one, but these are normally about things that are irritating rather than life changing and can be simply ignored.
Did you go back to your home country or find another paradise!

[buksida]

For many, there is little choice after investing heavily in real estate that is now impossible to sell and having a family in Thailand.

Those that have overseas incomes and rental properties have the luxury of the choice and can up sticks whenever they like!

[buksida]

Seems like even Thais are now considering clearing off - well at least those affluent enough to have the choice:

OPINION: A CASE AGAINST EMIGRATING EN MASSE FROM THAILAND
A week-old Facebook group encouraging Thais to emigrate has become one of the biggest talks of the town this week.

“Let’s emigrate”, has over 907,000 members as of Friday afternoon, despite the Thai government warning that some of the posts may constitute defamation of the monarchy, a crime punishable by a maximum prison term of 15 years under the lese majeste law.

Majority of the posts are about Thais feeling desperate and hopeless about the kingdom, politically, economically and socially. Information on how to emigrate to various countries are shared.

On the political front, Thailand found herself stuck with less-than-able and autocratic Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha since the May 2014 coup and even after the 2019 elections, where he managed to hold on to power, not officially as a dictator but a prime minister still.

With the third-wave of COVID-19 affecting the lives and livelihood of many Thais, particularly a very slow and inadequate inoculation process.

The Bank of Thailand announced on Wednesday another slash on the GDP growth forecast for 2021 to 1 to 2 per cent, depending on how quick COVID-19 vaccines will be procured and distributed.

On the social front, monarchy-reform demands, pushed by mostly idealist young activists, have stalled. Most key protest leaders end up at Bangkok Remand Prison, charged under the lese majeste law. Although half of them are released on bail, the bail conditions include not participating in any activity that would undermine the reputation of the monarchy.

Many Thais who joined the Facebook group, which have since been renamed: “Emigrate, Swing Your Hip and Emigrate” say they want to leave Thailand for good not just for better economic opportunities, but because here they are a second class citizen in their own country anyhow. Some suggest that there are more than three social classes, and I would definitely not disagree.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinion/ ... -thailand/

[KhunLA]

Anyone can nitpick anyplace apart at anytime. I personally wouldn't live in HH, after enjoyable visits over the years, as simply not for me. Prefer more rural, or more metro, and Krung Thep would be more of an option if not living in rural PKK province.

HH Pros, if wanting, a mix of western & local foods & some other shopping options.
Cons, for us, congestion and crap beach (for swimming), unless just there for the view, and only the southern end.

Thailand can be a Love / Hate relationship, though more love than hate for me. Research before retiring here helps along with renting long term, before buying in, if that was one's choice. Personally can't think of any other place I'd rather live, aside from RV lifestyle in the USA, though that might actually get old after a few years.

[caller]

Cons, for us, congestion

Congestion? I remember that. A mixed blessing from Covid is the generally empty roads.

[KhunLA]

We actually pop into HH now, instead of passing it by, when returning from Krung Thep. The congestion really put us off since self driving. Most int'l tourists wouldn't notice, if hanging out at main beach area / central tourist area, east of Phetkasem rd.

Don't want to go too far off topic, but congestion, or lack of is countrywide, as we've been out & about, almost every month for a week or 2 since June, visiting old favorites we've avoided the last decade due to mass tourism. Especially southward, quite a few times, and it's been some of the best holidays in the 20+ years here. Yes, driving has been great. Didn't realize the amount of tour buses & vans on the road, until they are not there any more.

Really enjoying the lack of tourists everywhere. Especially Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, and places we've avoided the last 10 years, and actually visited during high season, something I'd never do in normal times vs the usual school breaks (Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct). Taking advantage of the less than off season pricing during high season, as those open, are just trying to make ends meet.

Mixed thoughts about that, though seems once away from those dependent on the int'l tourism, seems kind of normal, though hard to tell, since away from area for so long. 90+ % of surfside vendors shuttered, then more than a short tuk tuk ride away, and most seems open. Where residents and self driving tourist would visit, are seemingly normal, maybe.

[HHTel]

I do find it strange that you complain about congestion in HH "when returning from BKK". Pre-covid, BKK traffic was terrible and incomparable to the traffic in HH.

[Hahuahin]

I stray off topic a bit here but traffic congestion here Not to brag about having cycled for more than 20 years in Thailand (I'm in the group I get there when I get there anyway) but Hua Hin is almost traffic free compared to countless other provinces the bike has been with me in Thailand. Now dusty and windy cycling, yes thats Hua Hin.

Bad here, no and I think a little complaining now and then is healthy and more a sign that we care and want things to be kept in order and improved if possible. What I think we often forget but of course should take into account in our daily life is that culture, values, religion and governance are 180 degrees opposite of our own and that it is not meant to be different.
hahuahin

[KhunLA]

I do find it strange that you complain about congestion in HH "when returning from BKK". Pre-covid, BKK traffic was terrible and incomparable to the traffic in HH.

I usually don't drive when in Krung Thep, or need to look for parking. If I do drive, pre-AM rush hour or mid day, then there is going to be parking when I get to where ever, or I won't bother.

For us, HH doesn't offer much, where Krung Thep has everything & anything. Just personal preference. If going to deal with any congestion & lack of parking, I want more than what little HH has to offer. Why we prefer Krung Thep, for metro vibe, or rural PKK, and chillin' surfside. In between doesn't work of us.

[handdrummer]

When I first arrived here, an American, whose lived in Thailand for 50 yrs., told me the best you can do is leave your DNA at the door. If I were in my 30's that might be possible, in my late 70's & early 80's, not possible but good advice to pass along to anyone wanting to live here.