I don't live in Thailand, but when I was there for four months in 2013, I did make a couple of trips outside to the Philippines and Cambodia. Each time I couldn't wait to get back to Thailand. Just felt more comfortable and overall safer than either of the other two countries.
I don’t think you made any negative videos. They’re always informative with personal opinions based upon your reality. You’re doing a great service with these videos and remember “the people that mine don’t matter, and the people that matter don’t mind“. Dr. Seuss.👍🏽
I like your videos because they are honest and talks about the good and the bad. A lot of other TH-camrs just talk about all the goods, but never mentioned any of the bad sides of Thailand. I been here over a month and a lot of the things you said are true. Just like any other places, it’s not all perfect. There are always a good and a bad side to it. I agreed try multiple places and then decide which country is better suited for you since everyone is different.
As someone who just recently discovered that he may actually get to retire in a few years, and has been researching potential locations with Thailand currently waaaay in the lead, I have been very much appreciating your honest takes on your expat life and experiences there. I am one of those you mention who has had limited travel experience/opportunity in my life so the vaious issues and concerns you present are incredibly helpful for me to ensure that I am covering all the needed bases before making a decision about what will likely be the biggest overall change in my entire life. Thanks! 🙏
Thai food is cheap because it's 80% rice. I haven't run the numbers but I don't think a Thai dish which is 60 baht would cost much more if any to make yourself in the USA. We're talking 1/3 cup of rice, 2 tbs of meat, fried egg and some veggies. Maybe $3?
Very interesting points you bring up here, Ramze! Indeed, between the guys that are here because nothing else would work moneywise, those that are setup on making it work, those living in bubbles or out of bubbles, and the youtuber fella, there's a lot to ponder. My grain of salt here: you can get healthy good food that is also low on price. It all depends on what you want to get and what you think is sustainable stuff for you long term.
Hey man I love your channel, I was on the fence about whether to subscribe to another toober channel but you definitely bring an originality to the hot mess that is expats in Thailand. I also love the fact you speak in the same budget range I am in instead of the “live in Thailand”for $800 a month BS. 😑 Keep up the great work.
I use Thailand as my home base. The rent is so cheap here I can easily afford to maintain my house while I travel, sometimes for extended periods to explore new areas. I’ve been to quite a few places in Europe, and have been all over SE Asia. Next year I plan to explore some countries in South America. For me, Thailand is the perfect place for a home base. Maybe that changes in the future, but for now I am very happy here. To one of your points, I do find myself missing many aspects of Thailand when I am traveling.
Very true words spoken here..."If you have the ability to reason this" that is a great statement because so many in Thailand do not have that ability. Thailand is great I agree with you but I also agree it has so many flaws too. The food many love yet they do not realize the low quality contents are very bad for them too. But worst of all I see for many Thailand is a race to the bottom aka:cheapest ...If as you say that is what budget dictates then fine but otherwise it is what it is. Thanks for another honest vid...PS: Forgot to answer your Question...we retired to Thailand Chiang Mai when I was 54 stayed 5 years & moved back to Hawaii. We loved Chiang Mai but not enough to stay forever yet..sold our condo 2016 but have a home in Thai countryside as well as our Hawaii home. Now we visit 3 months a year & actually now 9 years later have considered one last move back to Thailand permanently but we're not 101% sure yet. We have a great life there & eat healthy as my wife cooks healthy but...Thailand still has many probs with Immigration,Bad Air oppressive Heat & possible soon taxes too. So mark us as undecided vacationers still hahah
Good summary, though I disagree with the "oppressive heat" part. Living in a country, where it's more or less summer everyday is wonderful. The climate and the weather are among the biggest drawcards. To some extent even the slightly cooler weather during the dry season, especially up north as well, though it's still hot by western standards in the afternoon.
You nailed the bigger negative for me too, the oppressive heat and humidity, but then again living in Hawaii (Maui) for almost forty years, would spoil anyone. Plus, there's Nowhere more beautiful either, but nicely different, sure. 😎🤙
@@therock8224 True Thailand in reality is good weather but I said oppressive in comparison to Hawaii which is pretty much 70 everyday with trade-winds to cool you too. SO I guess it is a first world problem but as I said we still have a 3 month a year Thai home & may retire fully one more time there
@@Mike-du1dc Yes, Thailand is definitely warmer than Hawaii. I guess you're not used to the heat though - Hawaii only being warm, not hot. I would never consider Thailand's weather to be a reason not to live here. On the contrary, it's probably one of the main attractions.
Happy retired single budget $ 4000 but almost never spend that amount. 5 months Chiang Mai 1 month Pattaya then 3 months in Vietnam in Da Lat and Da Nang and 3 months in European Summer in Holland to see friends and repeat every Year. Very happy with my life and agree with most of your videos.
If those are your Vietnam cities you missing out. Granted I traveled to almost every province. But example, ninh binh, can tho, sapa, dak lak, all awesome. If one for 3 months.... Sapa, easily
I’ve been living in China 15 years and lived in Philippines and America as well as traveled to 23 countries. Every time I leave China I usually can’t wait to get back. But getting older now and considering another place to see if I can love it as much as I love here. We all change and grow and evolve over time. It’s always best to at least be in a position to have options to make changes in your life. If you go around buying houses and cars and all that stuff it’s just gonna amount even harder to make changes when you want.
Good point about leaving all your stuff behind. Some things can’t be replaced for sentimental reasons, which is why I brought some items from home that are easily replaceable (For me, one thing is a Moka pot coffee maker I got on a trip to Germany that you can get pretty much anywhere.) And there’s the practical things you have to replace. That adds up pretty fast.
@@RamzeTravels Happy New Year ! Thought you were going to go visit family , or is that on hold till lease is up? I hate long air flights myself, but definitely plan on doing endless hopping around Asia, once based in Thailand (can't get enough great massages ! 😊).
I get what you're saying. I live on an over 55 community but could afford to live anywhere however some have very limited funds and couldn't afford to move out having sunk all their money into living here. Their attitude differs than those like myself who can live wherever we want.
Those who have the financial choice to come and go have the best prospects. Thailand has pros and cons, as in every place. But the parts about thailand that shines is for those who cannot afford to retire in their own country but can manage, if not thrive, living on less in Thailand. Sometimes we cannot make a perfect choice and have to do what is needed for the best lifestyle attainable.
This is a great video. Before you live anywhere you should visit A. other place and b. the place you think you want to live several times so you can see the warts.
😢After fours year's here, I'm retired now, 64 im considering returning to the UK ,the reality and life in Thailand is not as cracked up as people make you believe It has become expensive ,overun with foreigners in curtain locations, and attitudes have changed
video request: whats the best way to ship a few things to thailand when moving there? I'm going to sell 80% of my things but I have some electronics, books, and kitchen stuff I'd like to pack and ship. Thanks!
interesting thought... not sure where I fit in. I have pension + sslio income ( after taxes ) of about $4,200. I'm not qualified for medicare so I'll have to cough up at least $500 / month for insurance. I'm not touching my 401k unless absolutely needed until RMD kicks in. I think I can live "ok" in states if I'm careful with money but I can live "better" in SE Asia.
One more thing I'd like to add, regarding living in or moving to Thailand (and sometimes other countries in the region). The way certain TH-camrs, often the youngest ones aged under 30 or 35, only spin the positives, while completely ignoring the negatives. Most of these young guys have no roots in the country. No knowledge of the language, limited knowledge of the culture, no Thai spouse (other than maybe an on/off Thai girlfriend), no children, no job (other than YouTubing) and then constantly bash the west or whatever their homeland is. It's becoming nauseating, always having to watch them make the same praise of the country, while they boast endlessly about how they can live off 20,000-25,000 Baht a month, living in a tiny 10,000 Baht shoebox apartment that may be fine if you're spending a few nights in Bangkok, but not for long-term living. If people believe this biased perspective and then move here on a whim based on viewing those channels, while burning bridges back home, they're going to be in for a real shock when things don't work out. Never sell your property back home to move out here, even if you're in a good marriage and your Thai wife or husband owns the property you reside in here in Thailand. Rent your property out, so you can have some ongoing income and a place to live, should you ever decide to move back home.
If you want to beat the traffic in Pattaya and get around quickly try a scooter. You will probably be shocked how fast you can get around. You will almost always get head of the line at traffic lights. Also people that think they live like a king on $1000 a month are delusional. Kings have palaces, personnal servants, a fleet of luxury cars, private jets, eat the best food and much more. They don't live in $200 condos, eat cheap plates of 60 baht chicken fried rice everyday and ride in the back of a truck converted to a taxi.😂
Around food. I'm from a city known for its hot dogs. We take our hot dogs very very seriously. If you move to Thailand you will think oh wow wonderful cheap lovely Thai food, but then you want a hot dog...you'll look around and find terrible terrible hot dogs everywhere and you'll want to pay up for that hot dog from back home. Point is you will eventually crave the flavors of home and to get that you will have to pay up...way up in Thailand. So expecting to live in Thailand on a shoe string budget forever, eating Thai food might be fantastical unless you are from England, I mean no one craves English food, not even the English. That $3 hot dog back home, you'd be willing to pay $30 to eat it in Thailand after a while.
Great analogy. Although the Brits here in Pattaya still live and die by their daily English Breakfast and Sunday roasts. I don’t get it but it’s my customs to get. 🤢
@@RamzeTravels maybe b/c they don't get the "American" breakfast with the sausage that is, in actuality not sausage...but a really bad hot dog lol. So I don't know if I can blame them!
You make a lot of valid points, but for some younger people, perhaps they couldn't find a job back home despite their best efforts. Or perhaps they could find A job, but one they're overqualified for. If they have some savings and some idea of what they're doing, then I see nothing wrong with them coming over, doing something non-traditional like YouTubing, as long as they have a plan for the future. If the west were perfect, a lot of people wouldn't be living in Thailand and countries like it. They'd be living the good life back home.
Coming to be a TH-camr here is sacrificing your future for a couple of fun years here. Almost nobody makes it into a career. There is no real work here that you can do legally that will pay you anything to prepare for your future. Is there exceptions to the rule? Sure. The vast majority will pay a heavy price for losing their prime years to earn and invest for their future.
@@RamzeTravels I don't disagree with you, but what I'm saying is, for some people, it might be the start of something bigger. I am not a TH-camr and I can't really speak for them in general. My point is that those who come to Thailand and are determined to make it here, if they put enough effort into it, usually can. Sure, people need to prepare for the future, but I think certain sacrifices are warranted. For example, those people who spent the Covid years in Thailand rather than countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand or certain states in the USA, where they would have been faced with a choice of getting vaccinated vs losing their jobs, would have found spending those 3 odd years in Thailand (assuming they had some sort of passive or online income during that time) to be preferable to being faced with such a harsh choice. Speaking in general terms - is there work in Thailand for foreigners? You bet. If you can't find anyone to hire you, you start your own business. There are ways. Now, this won't be for everyone. I think if you're married to a Thai, have children together, have a comfortable house to live in, speak/read/write Thai, chances are, Thailand may be the place for you. If you're young (or even if you're a bit older), don't have a family, children or a stable partner, don't speak the language and have no real ties to the country, then perhaps it's best not to get carried away and spend your best years living here unless you are determined to make this your home for the right reasons.
For these people patience, and look for best opportunities and resources nationally and globally. Technically Thailand is easy to get in and live a life. But tests not what should bring you to Thailand. A job, sure. In korea a job offer with housing started me on my journey.
@@RamzeTravels I disagree ! For one you are assuming they live that long or that everything works out the way it did for you. They may actually never have the opportunity again . Sounds more as though they've become annoying to you, and forget that you moved to a highly tourist city/town, and one which has a unique reputation also. Maybe somewhere less so or south of Hua Hin would suit you better ? Have you taken some 2-3 day driving sightseeing adventures yet ? 😉😎
I traveled to 30 countries. Ideally i like s korea for myself or with Vietnam wife. But would never subject to raising a child in korea due to many factors, but mostly xenophobia. So i have my house in Vietnam, still work and travel globally. 2025, Japan baby. Btw i chose Vietnam for its culture, family values, and nature environment.
Many people who come here in the last 5 to 10 years is due to the lower cost of living. Many are convinced by TH-camr or Vloggers who are saying how great the place is! Many come with out really spending anytime here getting to know the place, some move here blindly. If you come here just because it's cheaper, Thailand can get old really quick. I've been coming here 45 years on the hippie trail, because I wanted too. Life was much different not everyone and their dog was coming here. Thailand hadn't become mainstream then. So the people who came then had very different out looks on life!
Not true. This is a man who’s normal and sees the good and bad in every country. It would be a BS channel if I only showed you the sunshine and puppy dogs 🐶
Have you recovered from your bad day, or are you leaving, Ramze? 😢 The healthcare in France and the travel insurance time limits on Visa Premier means that my wife and I will only ever be 3 month visitors to Thailand. +1
True fact, the first p ln ace you visit and live, even short term is not statically the best place for you. Most say its the 3rd or 4th. By then you can compare. Hone vs 3 and 4. Of course more is always better.
I feel that most of the older men are there post divorce where half their savings was taken and they lived through a sexless marriage. They are in Tailand to enjoy their last chapter
The 'moron' that bought Bitcoin is a genius, not a moron. We all wish we had gotten more BTC way back when. Please tell me you have at least SOME Bitcoin.
Dude, I think you are overthinking things too much. I am in the top echelon, financially, whichever country I go to. I lived in Thailand for 2 years and enjoyed it. I would go back if the tax situation gets cleared up. Yes, there are a lot of people who are financially "stuck" in Thailand or they are young and Thailand offers them the best class of living for their budget. However, I am not in that situation and would still live there. Why overthink it? Just live where you're enjoying life at the moment. Tomorrow, I may go live in Paris or Monaco. I don't care if other people are there because they can't afford any better. If I enjoy living there, I don't really care what other people think. Are you worried about being surrounded by poor expats? Quite frankly, that is the wrong way to live life. I am highly adaptable and can fit in anywhere.
Alright people. I can afford to probably live in any place and Thailand is by far my favorite country. To be frank the place I spend the most money is definitely Bangkok.
Fear. Most Americans will not leave the usa in retirement to live abroad, because they are afraid of the unknown. They are afraid to start over. And they are afraid to lose the irreplaceable sunken costs into their homes. There are more to list, but all these fears are valid. It's totally legit to be afraid of giving up a bird in the hand to reach for a potentially non existent bird in the bush. Because, you could easily come up empty. I left the usa because my desire for a different life exceeded my fear of losing the comfortable life I had in the usa. I can afford to live anywhere. It's just a question of how much excess do I want, versus balancing a certain level of lifestyle. That being stated, I grew up in poverty, so I find I'm very comfortable and very happy with very little. But, it's fun to blow it up every now and then.
I love Thailand, coming from the states the pros outweigh the cons. The cons being the air pollution, the hot season, unhealthy restaurant food (seed oils), and the language barrier (I picked up spanish in a year but I think thai will take 5 years if Im lucky!)
Dear Sir, The claim that only those who can afford to leave Thailand as expatriates truly love the country is an intriguing blend of privilege and presumption. Must love always hinge on the freedom to abandon? How quaintly convenient for those blessed with means! The notion dismisses the depth of affection held by those who remain-not by financial necessity, but by choice. Can a Thai farmer not love their homeland simply because they’ve never strolled the boulevards of Paris? To suggest otherwise feels perilously close to colonial snobbery, reducing genuine connection to a mere function of comparative privilege. True love for a place does not demand an exit strategy. It is not validated by one’s ability to leave but by one’s willingness to engage with its beauty and flaws alike. Indeed, perhaps it is those who stay, whether by circumstance or by choice, who embody the deepest loyalty. My very best regards from Germany - cheers :)
This does not apply to Thais even though many I speak to would love to leave if they have the means. You may learn to love a place if it’s your only option as a foreigner but as the statistics well show , most leave or stay and develop animosity. This has nothing to do with privilege. We are all responsible for the outcomes of our lives. To say otherwise, implies making good choices and sacrifices is privilege. That would be a very poor lesson to teach. One should always love their homeland. One should always work hard to give themselves and their families the best lives possible. That has nothing to do with privilege.
@@RamzeTravels I largely agree with your reasoning and would like to add a somewhat tangential observation. One can only truly appreciate the English language (as I do, having had the privilege of spending some time in the UK) if one first values one’s own language and thus remains grounded in one’s own identity. This is why, when interacting with Americans living in our country (though I make an exception for tourists), I exclusively respond in German rather than English. Similarly, within our corporation, I insist on the use of German in meetings. I therefore understand your argument and, in essence, hold it in high regard. It is possible that I may have initially misunderstood your perspective, for which I apologize. I hope my additional thoughts on the matter have been of interest. May I also take this opportunity to express my sincere respect for the quality of your contributions, which I find profoundly insightful and valuable. It is truly a pleasure to engage with such thoughtfulness.
@@fwnm fair enough, but have you ever lived in Thailand or another 3rd world type of environment for which you based your response on , and also been in the type situations spoken about ?
How is moving geographical locations as a financial option different in Thailand as to anywhere else in the world. What an inane topic. If you are a Passport Bro it's an altogether different discussion than being an Invested Expat.
One thing I don't understand, and you've mentioned in a couple of your videos, is what are all of these young (or in some cases not so young) westerner TH-camrs thinking moving to Thailand and eeaking out a meager existence and not thinking of their future (i.e. putting in the hard work first and then reaping the rewards later)??? It seriously perplexes me.
I've made friends with some of them and it still stuns me. Most of the time, they either don't have a plan or have an unrealistic view of their future. Brass tacks is they are avoiding responsibility and the actual sacrifice a solid future will take.
TH-camr nomads remind me of the young people that used to come to New York to become actors. Only small fraction made it. Some were able to re-orient their career choices in time, but many ended up with waiting jobs in restaurants because they ran out of time.
@@jpny4750they dont need to have a plan. Personally travel, TH-cam. While doing that find the opportunities and resources advaible to you there. Ones that can lead to settling down for a year or more, or opportunities and resources you can take with you when you leave. Example I taught English in Taiwan, but I learned how to connect with universities globally to set up for credit classes and programs. Now I can take that skill anywhere. In korea I learned how mothers take kids to Philippines to study English. So I set up education houses, like rehabilitation houses in USA, but for young kids to get into good public schools stateside. I also in korea learned how to work with embassy. So Vietnam workers or brides, I helped hcm Korean and USA embassy in their programs for relocation.
It's all relative. If someone had Elon money then it's a whole different world of things to see and do and interesting and powerful people to interact with. I wouldn't fault Elon for not falling in love with Thailand when you have that level of choice in your life.
You hit on a subject at the end that I was curious about. Do these young people that make these videos even think about what life is going to look like when they hit retirement? I wouldn't think they are paying into Social Security and that could get ugly for them. Well unless they like you said hit the lottery. I'm doing everything I can to retire early and still have a decent Social Security check when I qualify. I just assume they are working off of short term dreams and they found a way to do it without thinking about the big picture.
They usually don’t even know what they’re doing now, much less what their future will hold. At some point, you start to realize these will become the old people you see in great financial trouble all the time.
I’ve seen a lot of those. I’ve never seen so many couples who both have the look on their face of “please kill me”. I’m sure there must be lots of happy ones but not living anywhere near Pattaya. 🤣
I laugh at the cheap food you can eat out cheaper than cooking yourself videos. You actually can, but you’re killing yourself. that food is just full of unhealthy ingredients. I used to love this smoothie place near my hotel that I would stay at habitually. Until I started noticing just how much sugar they were adding to the fruit. lol. The BS work made me laugh my ass off these young people will enjoy having to work until they’re 80. 😂
Ramse I agree with you a million percent. You covered every aspect of a stay in Thailand. The video basically gravitated around the finance side of things. The other big elephant in the room is the women. Women are a huge factor that’s just as important as finance which is why a lot of people of all ages are initially drawn to Thailand. This I believe is a huge trap or cage where some marry, some plan to marry , some are looking for girlfriends or women in general which has snared them. What do you think of this. But yes overall I full agree with your viewpoint
If you move halfway around the world just to meet a woman, then you’ve already started on a very rocky foundation. Make the right moves in life for your health, wealth and happiness and the rest will follow. Just my .2 cents. Then again I’m just some idiot on TH-cam 🤷
@ that’s exactly why I love your channel, because you see it from a perspective that I happen to agreed with. And just like that example of the bitcoin guy… the exception is not the rule Keep em coming brother. And yes I’m up just like you. Your commenting and I’m watching 🙏🙏
Why don't you present two different perspectives; Facts & Truths about/of Thailand!! Fact is undeniable regardless of individual's perspective / truth / view about Thailand. For example, Cars & Motorbikes here DON'T GIVE ways to pedestrians. Don't ever dare think to treat this matter lightly because you'd end up pretty badly!! Truth is what you've been saying all along. That's your truths and they may only be resonate to you and not to others! And the other general / universal fact/truth for foreigners living or trying to "settle" here. You won't find as many "local friends" here (and I don't mean with other expats here) English language is the big issue here just in case anybody hasn't noticed even though English is is the National's Second Official Language but it is what it is! Surely, most you've encountered they could communicate adequately but that's just about it! Next time you're in Bangkok maybe I could chat with you a bit. I could give you another perspective based on being a local (born here, grew up and educated in NYC) lived and worked in the U.S., Japan & Thailand all my life (and I'm slightly older than you) And most definitely, your channel and perspectives are about 98% correct (100% would be too extreme) Thailand is great to visit once in a while but living here long term or even thinking about ever after, you would be in for a big regret & remorse!! And why am I staying here? Because my parents refuse to leave and I'm the eldest son just in case all the haters out there are wondering. Also I truly believe it's all came down to $$$$. If you're half as wealthy as, say Bill Gates, would you ever consider living here? If money is no object would you rather live in Thailand than NYC, La La Land or even Las Vegas? If money isn't an object then have you ever thought about living in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei or even Tokyo or Osaka?
@@therock8224 It IS the Second Official Language! Get Your Fact Straight!! My point is, even so English Proficiency here is now better than Laos. Cambodia has already gone ahead (comparing 10 countries in ASEAN) English is taught widely in schools everywhere in Thailand but again, it is what it is!!
@@therock8224 So even if I made it up, did I misinform about how bad English proficiency in this country is nowadays? It's getting worse every year whether or not it's the second official language or not! It still is the most spoken & studied language in Thailand after Thai language anyway
@@yeahchen4104 You're not wrong about the poor proficiency of English in Thailand. The fact that English has no official status in the country, could be one of the reasons for this.
That video was quite good. You talked about the stuff most of people never mention. Thanks for your good work and cheers from Panama.
I don't live in Thailand, but when I was there for four months in 2013, I did make a couple of trips outside to the Philippines and Cambodia. Each time I couldn't wait to get back to Thailand. Just felt more comfortable and overall safer than either of the other two countries.
Cambodia is a very nice country to spend some time in as a break from Thailand from time to time.
I don’t think you made any negative videos. They’re always informative with personal opinions based upon your reality. You’re doing a great service with these videos and remember “the people that mine don’t matter, and the people that matter don’t mind“. Dr. Seuss.👍🏽
I like your videos because they are honest and talks about the good and the bad. A lot of other TH-camrs just talk about all the goods, but never mentioned any of the bad sides of Thailand. I been here over a month and a lot of the things you said are true. Just like any other places, it’s not all perfect. There are always a good and a bad side to it. I agreed try multiple places and then decide which country is better suited for you since everyone is different.
As someone who just recently discovered that he may actually get to retire in a few years, and has been researching potential locations with Thailand currently waaaay in the lead, I have been very much appreciating your honest takes on your expat life and experiences there. I am one of those you mention who has had limited travel experience/opportunity in my life so the vaious issues and concerns you present are incredibly helpful for me to ensure that I am covering all the needed bases before making a decision about what will likely be the biggest overall change in my entire life. Thanks! 🙏
Amazing insights. Thanks for sharing!
Spoken well and Reality....
Yes, you’re 100% right. It’s great to have choices and that comes with having sufficient funds
Thai food is cheap because it's 80% rice. I haven't run the numbers but I don't think a Thai dish which is 60 baht would cost much more if any to make yourself in the USA. We're talking 1/3 cup of rice, 2 tbs of meat, fried egg and some veggies. Maybe $3?
I’ve really come to the same opinion.
Cost difference is only really noticeable in restaurants. Western prices are at least double due to all the overheads.
Thai food is good but most dishes not enough protein !
Yep, rent & services are the only savings, if you're self accommodating & cooking at home it's probably cheaper in the west.
Thai food is one big advertising ploy and farang have swallowed it...
Thanks Ramze, as usual you are on point!!
Very interesting points you bring up here, Ramze! Indeed, between the guys that are here because nothing else would work moneywise, those that are setup on making it work, those living in bubbles or out of bubbles, and the youtuber fella, there's a lot to ponder. My grain of salt here: you can get healthy good food that is also low on price. It all depends on what you want to get and what you think is sustainable stuff for you long term.
Mate you keep doing what you are doing iam learning so much because you telling the truth
Hey man I love your channel, I was on the fence about whether to subscribe to another toober channel but you definitely bring an originality to the hot mess that is expats in Thailand. I also love the fact you speak in the same budget range I am in instead of the “live in Thailand”for $800 a month BS. 😑 Keep up the great work.
Thank you 🙏
I use Thailand as my home base. The rent is so cheap here I can easily afford to maintain my house while I travel, sometimes for extended periods to explore new areas. I’ve been to quite a few places in Europe, and have been all over SE Asia. Next year I plan to explore some countries in South America. For me, Thailand is the perfect place for a home base. Maybe that changes in the future, but for now I am very happy here. To one of your points, I do find myself missing many aspects of Thailand when I am traveling.
Very true words spoken here..."If you have the ability to reason this" that is a great statement because so many in Thailand do not have that ability. Thailand is great I agree with you but I also agree it has so many flaws too. The food many love yet they do not realize the low quality contents are very bad for them too. But worst of all I see for many Thailand is a race to the bottom aka:cheapest ...If as you say that is what budget dictates then fine but otherwise it is what it is. Thanks for another honest vid...PS: Forgot to answer your Question...we retired to Thailand Chiang Mai when I was 54 stayed 5 years & moved back to Hawaii. We loved Chiang Mai but not enough to stay forever yet..sold our condo 2016 but have a home in Thai countryside as well as our Hawaii home. Now we visit 3 months a year & actually now 9 years later have considered one last move back to Thailand permanently but we're not 101% sure yet. We have a great life there & eat healthy as my wife cooks healthy but...Thailand still has many probs with Immigration,Bad Air oppressive Heat & possible soon taxes too. So mark us as undecided vacationers still hahah
Korrek, the fawning fan boys will have a reality check soon..
Good summary, though I disagree with the "oppressive heat" part. Living in a country, where it's more or less summer everyday is wonderful. The climate and the weather are among the biggest drawcards. To some extent even the slightly cooler weather during the dry season, especially up north as well, though it's still hot by western standards in the afternoon.
You nailed the bigger negative for me too, the oppressive heat and humidity, but then again living in Hawaii (Maui) for almost forty years, would spoil anyone. Plus, there's Nowhere more beautiful either, but nicely different, sure. 😎🤙
@@therock8224 True Thailand in reality is good weather but I said oppressive in comparison to Hawaii which is pretty much 70 everyday with trade-winds to cool you too. SO I guess it is a first world problem but as I said we still have a 3 month a year Thai home & may retire fully one more time there
@@Mike-du1dc Yes, Thailand is definitely warmer than Hawaii. I guess you're not used to the heat though - Hawaii only being warm, not hot.
I would never consider Thailand's weather to be a reason not to live here. On the contrary, it's probably one of the main attractions.
Happy retired single budget $ 4000 but almost never spend that amount. 5 months Chiang Mai 1 month Pattaya then 3 months in Vietnam in Da Lat and Da Nang and 3 months in European Summer in Holland to see friends and repeat every Year. Very happy with my life and agree with most of your videos.
If those are your Vietnam cities you missing out. Granted I traveled to almost every province. But example, ninh binh, can tho, sapa, dak lak, all awesome. If one for 3 months.... Sapa, easily
I’ve been living in China 15 years and lived in Philippines and America as well as traveled to 23 countries. Every time I leave China I usually can’t wait to get back. But getting older now and considering another place to see if I can love it as much as I love here. We all change and grow and evolve over time. It’s always best to at least be in a position to have options to make changes in your life. If you go around buying houses and cars and all that stuff it’s just gonna amount even harder to make changes when you want.
Philippines, no brainer..
Good point about leaving all your stuff behind. Some things can’t be replaced for sentimental reasons, which is why I brought some items from home that are easily replaceable (For me, one thing is a Moka pot coffee maker I got on a trip to Germany that you can get pretty much anywhere.) And there’s the practical things you have to replace. That adds up pretty fast.
Money gives you choices
Another great video with good food, for thoughts !😎🤙
Thank you 🙏
@@RamzeTravels
Happy New Year ! Thought you were going to go visit family , or is that on hold till lease is up? I hate long air flights myself, but definitely plan on doing endless hopping around Asia, once based in Thailand (can't get enough great massages ! 😊).
We just saw them a couple months ago. I will either be moving or visiting them by summer. Still 50/50 on which 😉
@@RamzeTravelsawesome ! Remember, we all have different lives to live, but I truly know/feel, where you're coming from 🙏😎
Great video that was honest as the day is long
I get what you're saying. I live on an over 55 community but could afford to live anywhere however some have very limited funds and couldn't afford to move out having sunk all their money into living here. Their attitude differs than those like myself who can live wherever we want.
Is your over 55 community in Thailand?
@@kennethboehnen271 Nope. In Texas but mirrors what he says,
Those who have the financial choice to come and go have the best prospects. Thailand has pros and cons, as in every place. But the parts about thailand that shines is for those who cannot afford to retire in their own country but can manage, if not thrive, living on less in Thailand. Sometimes we cannot make a perfect choice and have to do what is needed for the best lifestyle attainable.
This is a great video. Before you live anywhere you should visit A. other place and b. the place you think you want to live several times so you can see the warts.
Thanks again Mr. CS!!! Choosing Thailand because of Culture, Food, Cost basis, Temperature, Medicine, and lifestyle.
Great reasons!
I melt in Thailand
No way I could last more than 2 weeks. S korea preferred or Vietnam, preferably a place like Sapa.
Happy Holidays!
You as well!
😢After fours year's here, I'm retired now, 64 im considering returning to the UK ,the reality and life in Thailand is not as cracked up as people make you believe
It has become expensive ,overun with foreigners in curtain locations, and attitudes have changed
If Thailand is expensive then how will you afford to live in the UK?
video request: whats the best way to ship a few things to thailand when moving there? I'm going to sell 80% of my things but I have some electronics, books, and kitchen stuff I'd like to pack and ship. Thanks!
I never did it. We came with four suitcases and that was plenty. There is almost nothing you can’t get here at the same price or less.
Regarding your favorite quote that often gets attributed to Charles Bukowski, I think it was said by Kinky Friedman.
interesting thought... not sure where I fit in. I have pension + sslio income ( after taxes ) of about $4,200. I'm not qualified for medicare so I'll have to cough up at least $500 / month for insurance. I'm not touching my 401k unless absolutely needed until RMD kicks in. I think I can live "ok" in states if I'm careful with money but I can live "better" in SE Asia.
Get the popcorn ready!
😂😂😂
Thx for doing your homework fair commentary
Always! This is what the channel is all about.
One more thing I'd like to add, regarding living in or moving to Thailand (and sometimes other countries in the region). The way certain TH-camrs, often the youngest ones aged under 30 or 35, only spin the positives, while completely ignoring the negatives.
Most of these young guys have no roots in the country. No knowledge of the language, limited knowledge of the culture, no Thai spouse (other than maybe an on/off Thai girlfriend), no children, no job (other than YouTubing) and then constantly bash the west or whatever their homeland is. It's becoming nauseating, always having to watch them make the same praise of the country, while they boast endlessly about how they can live off 20,000-25,000 Baht a month, living in a tiny 10,000 Baht shoebox apartment that may be fine if you're spending a few nights in Bangkok, but not for long-term living.
If people believe this biased perspective and then move here on a whim based on viewing those channels, while burning bridges back home, they're going to be in for a real shock when things don't work out.
Never sell your property back home to move out here, even if you're in a good marriage and your Thai wife or husband owns the property you reside in here in Thailand. Rent your property out, so you can have some ongoing income and a place to live, should you ever decide to move back home.
Amazing advice
True to the bone as always ❤❤❤
If you want to beat the traffic in Pattaya and get around quickly try a scooter. You will probably be shocked how fast you can get around. You will almost always get head of the line at traffic lights. Also people that think they live like a king on $1000 a month are delusional. Kings have palaces, personnal servants, a fleet of luxury cars, private jets, eat the best food and much more. They don't live in $200 condos, eat cheap plates of 60 baht chicken fried rice everyday and ride in the back of a truck converted to a taxi.😂
Around food. I'm from a city known for its hot dogs. We take our hot dogs very very seriously. If you move to Thailand you will think oh wow wonderful cheap lovely Thai food, but then you want a hot dog...you'll look around and find terrible terrible hot dogs everywhere and you'll want to pay up for that hot dog from back home. Point is you will eventually crave the flavors of home and to get that you will have to pay up...way up in Thailand. So expecting to live in Thailand on a shoe string budget forever, eating Thai food might be fantastical unless you are from England, I mean no one craves English food, not even the English. That $3 hot dog back home, you'd be willing to pay $30 to eat it in Thailand after a while.
Great analogy. Although the Brits here in Pattaya still live and die by their daily English Breakfast and Sunday roasts. I don’t get it but it’s my customs to get. 🤢
@@RamzeTravels maybe b/c they don't get the "American" breakfast with the sausage that is, in actuality not sausage...but a really bad hot dog lol. So I don't know if I can blame them!
I would only live there part time - plenty of beautiful places in the world to experience.
You make a lot of valid points, but for some younger people, perhaps they couldn't find a job back home despite their best efforts. Or perhaps they could find A job, but one they're overqualified for. If they have some savings and some idea of what they're doing, then I see nothing wrong with them coming over, doing something non-traditional like YouTubing, as long as they have a plan for the future.
If the west were perfect, a lot of people wouldn't be living in Thailand and countries like it. They'd be living the good life back home.
Coming to be a TH-camr here is sacrificing your future for a couple of fun years here. Almost nobody makes it into a career. There is no real work here that you can do legally that will pay you anything to prepare for your future. Is there exceptions to the rule? Sure. The vast majority will pay a heavy price for losing their prime years to earn and invest for their future.
@@RamzeTravels I don't disagree with you, but what I'm saying is, for some people, it might be the start of something bigger.
I am not a TH-camr and I can't really speak for them in general.
My point is that those who come to Thailand and are determined to make it here, if they put enough effort into it, usually can.
Sure, people need to prepare for the future, but I think certain sacrifices are warranted. For example, those people who spent the Covid years in Thailand rather than countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand or certain states in the USA, where they would have been faced with a choice of getting vaccinated vs losing their jobs, would have found spending those 3 odd years in Thailand (assuming they had some sort of passive or online income during that time) to be preferable to being faced with such a harsh choice.
Speaking in general terms - is there work in Thailand for foreigners? You bet. If you can't find anyone to hire you, you start your own business. There are ways.
Now, this won't be for everyone.
I think if you're married to a Thai, have children together, have a comfortable house to live in, speak/read/write Thai, chances are, Thailand may be the place for you.
If you're young (or even if you're a bit older), don't have a family, children or a stable partner, don't speak the language and have no real ties to the country, then perhaps it's best not to get carried away and spend your best years living here unless you are determined to make this your home for the right reasons.
For these people patience, and look for best opportunities and resources nationally and globally.
Technically Thailand is easy to get in and live a life. But tests not what should bring you to Thailand. A job, sure.
In korea a job offer with housing started me on my journey.
@@RamzeTravels I disagree ! For one you are assuming they live that long or that everything works out the way it did for you. They may actually never have the opportunity again . Sounds more as though they've become annoying to you, and forget that you moved to a highly tourist city/town, and one which has a unique reputation also. Maybe somewhere less so or south of Hua Hin would suit you better ? Have you taken some 2-3 day driving sightseeing adventures yet ? 😉😎
I wonder if I can retire in Thailand , enough money, but wonder how are the senior home in Thailand compared to depressing home in the west
Health insurance is a big one.... how many all over SE asia get in an accident. Usually motorcycle... then flood Facebook for a gofundme help page.
I traveled to 30 countries. Ideally i like s korea for myself or with Vietnam wife. But would never subject to raising a child in korea due to many factors, but mostly xenophobia.
So i have my house in Vietnam, still work and travel globally. 2025, Japan baby.
Btw i chose Vietnam for its culture, family values, and nature environment.
Many people who come here in the last 5 to 10 years is due to the lower cost of living. Many are convinced by TH-camr or Vloggers who are saying how great the place is! Many come with out really spending anytime here getting to know the place, some move here blindly. If you come here just because it's cheaper, Thailand can get old really quick. I've been coming here 45 years on the hippie trail, because I wanted too. Life was much different not everyone and their dog was coming here. Thailand hadn't become mainstream then. So the people who came then had very different out looks on life!
After watching your last two videos, this is the man that doesn't really love Thailand any more.
Not true. This is a man who’s normal and sees the good and bad in every country. It would be a BS channel if I only showed you the sunshine and puppy dogs 🐶
Have you recovered from your bad day, or are you leaving, Ramze? 😢
The healthcare in France and the travel insurance time limits on Visa Premier means that my wife and I will only ever be 3 month visitors to Thailand. +1
I won’t know until next summer. There is a lot to love here. I am leaning to splitting time between three countries.
True fact, the first p ln ace you visit and live, even short term is not statically the best place for you. Most say its the 3rd or 4th. By then you can compare. Hone vs 3 and 4. Of course more is always better.
I feel that most of the older men are there post divorce where half their savings was taken and they lived through a sexless marriage. They are in Tailand to enjoy their last chapter
The 'moron' that bought Bitcoin is a genius, not a moron. We all wish we had gotten more BTC way back when. Please tell me you have at least SOME Bitcoin.
Dude, I think you are overthinking things too much. I am in the top echelon, financially, whichever country I go to. I lived in Thailand for 2 years and enjoyed it. I would go back if the tax situation gets cleared up. Yes, there are a lot of people who are financially "stuck" in Thailand or they are young and Thailand offers them the best class of living for their budget. However, I am not in that situation and would still live there. Why overthink it? Just live where you're enjoying life at the moment. Tomorrow, I may go live in Paris or Monaco. I don't care if other people are there because they can't afford any better. If I enjoy living there, I don't really care what other people think. Are you worried about being surrounded by poor expats? Quite frankly, that is the wrong way to live life. I am highly adaptable and can fit in anywhere.
Alright people. I can afford to probably live in any place and Thailand is by far my favorite country. To be frank the place I spend the most money is definitely Bangkok.
You have found your happy place!!
Fear. Most Americans will not leave the usa in retirement to live abroad, because they are afraid of the unknown. They are afraid to start over. And they are afraid to lose the irreplaceable sunken costs into their homes. There are more to list, but all these fears are valid. It's totally legit to be afraid of giving up a bird in the hand to reach for a potentially non existent bird in the bush. Because, you could easily come up empty.
I left the usa because my desire for a different life exceeded my fear of losing the comfortable life I had in the usa.
I can afford to live anywhere. It's just a question of how much excess do I want, versus balancing a certain level of lifestyle. That being stated, I grew up in poverty, so I find I'm very comfortable and very happy with very little. But, it's fun to blow it up every now and then.
Forget the home.... sure they can part with it.... but not the boxes of plastics, and wood they have cluttered throughout it.
I love Thailand, coming from the states the pros outweigh the cons. The cons being the air pollution, the hot season, unhealthy restaurant food (seed oils), and the language barrier (I picked up spanish in a year but I think thai will take 5 years if Im lucky!)
No red tape?
Dear Sir,
The claim that only those who can afford to leave Thailand as expatriates truly love the country is an intriguing blend of privilege and presumption. Must love always hinge on the freedom to abandon? How quaintly convenient for those blessed with means!
The notion dismisses the depth of affection held by those who remain-not by financial necessity, but by choice. Can a Thai farmer not love their homeland simply because they’ve never strolled the boulevards of Paris? To suggest otherwise feels perilously close to colonial snobbery, reducing genuine connection to a mere function of comparative privilege.
True love for a place does not demand an exit strategy. It is not validated by one’s ability to leave but by one’s willingness to engage with its beauty and flaws alike. Indeed, perhaps it is those who stay, whether by circumstance or by choice, who embody the deepest loyalty.
My very best regards from Germany - cheers :)
This does not apply to Thais even though many I speak to would love to leave if they have the means. You may learn to love a place if it’s your only option as a foreigner but as the statistics well show , most leave or stay and develop animosity. This has nothing to do with privilege. We are all responsible for the outcomes of our lives. To say otherwise, implies making good choices and sacrifices is privilege. That would be a very poor lesson to teach. One should always love their homeland. One should always work hard to give themselves and their families the best lives possible. That has nothing to do with privilege.
@@RamzeTravels I largely agree with your reasoning and would like to add a somewhat tangential observation. One can only truly appreciate the English language (as I do, having had the privilege of spending some time in the UK) if one first values one’s own language and thus remains grounded in one’s own identity. This is why, when interacting with Americans living in our country (though I make an exception for tourists), I exclusively respond in German rather than English. Similarly, within our corporation, I insist on the use of German in meetings.
I therefore understand your argument and, in essence, hold it in high regard. It is possible that I may have initially misunderstood your perspective, for which I apologize. I hope my additional thoughts on the matter have been of interest.
May I also take this opportunity to express my sincere respect for the quality of your contributions, which I find profoundly insightful and valuable. It is truly a pleasure to engage with such thoughtfulness.
Thank you for your well thought out and eloquent response! I love differing opinions and perspectives and it makes the channel so much better.
Fan boys...unrequited love
@@fwnm fair enough, but have you ever lived in Thailand or another 3rd world type of environment for which you based your response on , and also been in the type situations spoken about ?
How is moving geographical locations as a financial option different in Thailand as to anywhere else in the world. What an inane topic. If you are a Passport Bro it's an altogether different discussion than being an Invested Expat.
Personally I wouldn't live there without passive income from the west.
One thing I don't understand, and you've mentioned in a couple of your videos, is what are all of these young (or in some cases not so young) westerner TH-camrs thinking moving to Thailand and eeaking out a meager existence and not thinking of their future (i.e. putting in the hard work first and then reaping the rewards later)??? It seriously perplexes me.
I've made friends with some of them and it still stuns me. Most of the time, they either don't have a plan or have an unrealistic view of their future. Brass tacks is they are avoiding responsibility and the actual sacrifice a solid future will take.
It will be interesting to see where they all are in 10 or 20 yrs time 😆
TH-camr nomads remind me of the young people that used to come to New York to become actors. Only small fraction made it. Some were able to re-orient their career choices in time, but many ended up with waiting jobs in restaurants because they ran out of time.
@@jpny4750 good analogy!
@@jpny4750they dont need to have a plan. Personally travel, TH-cam. While doing that find the opportunities and resources advaible to you there. Ones that can lead to settling down for a year or more, or opportunities and resources you can take with you when you leave.
Example I taught English in Taiwan, but I learned how to connect with universities globally to set up for credit classes and programs. Now I can take that skill anywhere.
In korea I learned how mothers take kids to Philippines to study English. So I set up education houses, like rehabilitation houses in USA, but for young kids to get into good public schools stateside.
I also in korea learned how to work with embassy. So Vietnam workers or brides, I helped hcm Korean and USA embassy in their programs for relocation.
It's all relative. If someone had Elon money then it's a whole different world of things to see and do and interesting and powerful people to interact with. I wouldn't fault Elon for not falling in love with Thailand when you have that level of choice in your life.
You hit on a subject at the end that I was curious about. Do these young people that make these videos even think about what life is going to look like when they hit retirement? I wouldn't think they are paying into Social Security and that could get ugly for them. Well unless they like you said hit the lottery. I'm doing everything I can to retire early and still have a decent Social Security check when I qualify. I just assume they are working off of short term dreams and they found a way to do it without thinking about the big picture.
They usually don’t even know what they’re doing now, much less what their future will hold. At some point, you start to realize these will become the old people you see in great financial trouble all the time.
Getting stuck with a Thai wife, kids, and a house traps you, too.
I’ve seen a lot of those. I’ve never seen so many couples who both have the look on their face of “please kill me”.
I’m sure there must be lots of happy ones but not living anywhere near Pattaya. 🤣
@RamzeTravels yes, and you can easily find it's time to leave pdq if you want to see next year.
This is Thailand...
@@RamzeTravels... And here in SA too 🤣
I laugh at the cheap food you can eat out cheaper than cooking yourself videos. You actually can, but you’re killing yourself. that food is just full of unhealthy ingredients. I used to love this smoothie place near my hotel that I would stay at habitually. Until I started noticing just how much sugar they were adding to the fruit. lol.
The BS work made me laugh my ass off these young people will enjoy having to work until they’re 80. 😂
Top 2 countries Ramz ===
I will give you my top 3 in no order since my love for them rotates. Colombia, Thailand and Spain.
@@RamzeTravels could you see yourself back in those 2 later down the track? Especially Colombia 🇨🇴 then possibly back to Thailand 🇹🇭?
I see splitting my year up between all of them and always picking the best months.
Ramse I agree with you a million percent. You covered every aspect of a stay in Thailand. The video basically gravitated around the finance side of things. The other big elephant in the room is the women. Women are a huge factor that’s just as important as finance which is why a lot of people of all ages are initially drawn to Thailand. This I believe is a huge trap or cage where some marry, some plan to marry , some are looking for girlfriends or women in general which has snared them. What do you think of this. But yes overall I full agree with your viewpoint
If you move halfway around the world just to meet a woman, then you’ve already started on a very rocky foundation. Make the right moves in life for your health, wealth and happiness and the rest will follow. Just my .2 cents. Then again I’m just some idiot on TH-cam 🤷
@ that’s exactly why I love your channel, because you see it from a perspective that I happen to agreed with. And just like that example of the bitcoin guy… the exception is not the rule
Keep em coming brother. And yes I’m up just like you. Your commenting and I’m watching 🙏🙏
I bet this topic is gonna hurt some feels
It wouldn’t be a good video if everyone just loved it. 😉
Why don't you present two different perspectives; Facts & Truths about/of Thailand!!
Fact is undeniable regardless of individual's perspective / truth / view about Thailand. For example, Cars & Motorbikes here DON'T GIVE ways to pedestrians. Don't ever dare think to treat this matter lightly because you'd end up pretty badly!!
Truth is what you've been saying all along. That's your truths and they may only be resonate to you and not to others!
And the other general / universal fact/truth for foreigners living or trying to "settle" here. You won't find as many "local friends" here (and I don't mean with other expats here) English language is the big issue here just in case anybody hasn't noticed even though English is is the National's Second Official Language but it is what it is! Surely, most you've encountered they could communicate adequately but that's just about it!
Next time you're in Bangkok maybe I could chat with you a bit. I could give you another perspective based on being a local (born here, grew up and educated in NYC) lived and worked in the U.S., Japan & Thailand all my life (and I'm slightly older than you)
And most definitely, your channel and perspectives are about 98% correct (100% would be too extreme) Thailand is great to visit once in a while but living here long term or even thinking about ever after, you would be in for a big regret & remorse!!
And why am I staying here? Because my parents refuse to leave and I'm the eldest son just in case all the haters out there are wondering.
Also I truly believe it's all came down to $$$$. If you're half as wealthy as, say Bill Gates, would you ever consider living here? If money is no object would you rather live in Thailand than NYC, La La Land or even Las Vegas? If money isn't an object then have you ever thought about living in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei or even Tokyo or Osaka?
English is NOT an official language in Thailand at all. Only Thai functions as the sole official language.
@@therock8224 It IS the Second Official Language! Get Your Fact Straight!!
My point is, even so English Proficiency here is now better than Laos. Cambodia has already gone ahead (comparing 10 countries in ASEAN)
English is taught widely in schools everywhere in Thailand but again, it is what it is!!
@@yeahchen4104 NO. It isn't a recognized official language. You're making things up!!
@@therock8224 So even if I made it up, did I misinform about how bad English proficiency in this country is nowadays? It's getting worse every year whether or not it's the second official language or not! It still is the most spoken & studied language in Thailand after Thai language anyway
@@yeahchen4104 You're not wrong about the poor proficiency of English in Thailand. The fact that English has no official status in the country, could be one of the reasons for this.