Natural_Born_Cynic wrote: ↑February 7th, 2024, 7:59 am
... I personally have no affinity towards Thailand and Bangkok. Too many sexpats go there to bang whores and get high. Too many western debauchery and pollution there in bangkok which has corrupted the local thai women's pysche. Just like the Philippines.
I also heard many horror stories about western men getting financially raped by their thai wife. I heard you have to buy a condo under your name, not your wife's name or else they can divorce rape you as fast as you can blink.
I find Thai women not that attractive..
Thailand and Philippines are rather different from each other. Living standard is much better in Thailand BUT a good life as a foreigner might result in rather expensive bills. Thailand is not such a cheap place anymore.
I am visiting Thailand since more than 50 years when I was still single/living with a Chinese girlfriend in Malaysia, later on since about 40 years with my Japanese family, and now my two daughters are adults, they are visiting Thailand frequently with our grandchildren.
I have 2 condos in Pattaya, one smaller one in the city center and the other larger one near Jomtien Beach.
It depends what you are looking for if you are visiting Thailand, not every foreigner there is looking for sex (and the best sex customers are known to be Thai men and not foreigners).
Russian men for example show up with a terrible behavior, often full of alcohol, but they hardly mix up with the local Thai girls, they always bring their own women with them, often even their parents, wife, children .... they want to be among themselves.
Chinese visitors usually showing up in groups, staying in hotels which are only for Chinese, they will not disturb you.
Scandinavian people are showing up during cold winter-time, are often elderly couples with money and live in condominium units which were sold mostly to European people.
Some Western men managed to stay in Thailand, they married a Thai woman. Some stay but many fail with their relationship and finally left.
I never had any personal relationship with a Thai woman - but living in Thailand for a while is fairly comfortable I think.
Yes, horror stories, but if you are a Western man and such an idiot that you bring all your money into Thailand and spend it for women you can blame only yourself...
Yes, correct, as a foreigner in Thailand you can only buy a condominium unit in your own name (but this is not different from Philippines, about the same legal situation)
However to live in a condominium has also its advantages. Foreigners are often not living in Thailand all year round and consider it just as a second home (same with me too) - and the house administration takes care of all and everything - guarded building to prevent burglary, roof repairing, painting the building, servicing the elevators, keeping the swimmingpool in full operation, cleaning all public area, make sure that electricity and water supply are functioning, taking care of your vehicle in a secure parking lot and so on... I never had a problem with my condo units during the last 20 years.
We travel to Thailand from Japan without luggage - just passport and the keys and creditcard - after arrival I open my door, all what I need is ready for me...
About Thailand, it depends what you are looking for - but be aware that a comfortable life is not cheap in Thailand and long stay visas are not so easy to get anymore and can be costly, also medical care without health insurance is a serious issue and you should never financially underestimate Thai doctor's fees - airfare, depends from where you come can cost also some money...
Vacation for a few weeks is OK, but longstay? If you are not an expat with a good working contract within a foreign company it is not easy to earn money in Thailand.
Up to you...