IS THAILAND THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM?

[@PayMeInPaella]

what are your thoughts on moving to Malaysia ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/pILXf6qLjNp6aLM

[@FingersKungfu]

Thailand doesn't offer the same "dream" that America does. It's a developing country and work opportunities are still limited. But it is now a better country to live in than many. I started writing short articles comparing Thailand to the US since around 2015 (on Quora), arguing that Thailand was becoming better than the US. People were very (understandably) sceptical back then. But since then the view has slowly become mainstream, to the point that it surprised even myself. Big East Asian economies are more materially developped but they often pursue material developments to the point of imbalance and unsustainability. Then the pandemic came and wars broke out around the world leading to food shortages and high prices. People started to notice that Thailand moves forward almost unaffected by all the calamities being thrown at the world. This country is very unique in its resilience, stability and humane culture. Even its currency is strong and stable. Other "upper income" developing nations like Brazil and Turkey have seen their currencies decimated; even Japanese yen is no longer a safe haven currency, despite Japan being the 4th largest economy. But Thai Baht just doggedly holds its value. Ironically, if you have saving in Thai Baht and invest in Thai real estates, it's almost like you have a saving in gold. The Thai healthcare service also makes American and some European countries' healthcare systems look dystopian. Thailand is not likely to grow as fast as the hot-rod economy of East asian nations. But its resilience and stalibility will likely attract more sustainable developments and could turn it into one of the best countries in Asia. Throughout its history, Thailand's greatest strenght has been its ability to integrate and absorb other people, other races and nations into its society. The magic that has made America great may repeat itself here. Although Thailand's birth rate has slowed down, it probably won't lead to shrinking of population like what we're seeing in other East asian economies. Thailand's major provinces (outside of Bangkok) are now thriving throughout the country, whereas the countryside in Japan, Korea and China are dying.

[@PayMeInPaella]

I appreciate your take . You are bringing in details people can use . With this information people can make a great informed decision . Do you have contact info like instagram ?

[@FingersKungfu]

@@PayMeInPaella I am not that active in social media anymore. I don't have an instagram account and I rare use facebook nowadays. If my observations are useful to others, I'd be happy to share.

[@kayflip2233]

I think you miss the point. People moving to SE Asia are doing it while working remotely as contractors in the US so that they can earn USD. The dream doesn't work without the geoarbitrage aspect of it, obviously.

[@Shegotyou0515]

As black/brown Americans from Winston Salem NC. My wife and I who will be 60 still looking like 45 visited Thailand about 1 year ago. We stayed for 3 weeks. Absolutely did not want to come back home. Bangkok blew us away. It was so awesome and looks like you are in New York City. We have decided to sell our home in the next 2 years after 62 retirement and move to Thailand. We can buy a house/condo for 70k to 90k and still have money and live like a king and queen. You don't need a car you can take the BTS sky train or subway everywhere. And it is super clean and safe. The Thailand people as so nice and friendly and respectful. I can talk for hours about the country. Food super cheap. Can't wait to get back. Derek and Mitsi. Winston Salem NC

[@PayMeInPaella]

I love to hear it. You can find some nice expats out here as well . Foods even cheaper when you go further away from the center city . Congratulations on all the moves . I hope you and your wife enjoy

[@PayMeInPaella]

There is something in Thailand for everyone

[@OmGTH-999]

As a Thai, I welcome foreigners to come and visit or stay here. If Thailand still has enough space to accommodate you, we are happy as long as you don't cause any trouble to anyone in this country and respect the culture of Thai people. That should be enough for living together. Try to be a patient person and sympathize with all lives, even animals. This is a Thai nature. I wish everyone good luck and happiness. Sorry, my English is terrible.😊

[@PayMeInPaella]

Your English is amazing . It’s interesting you said the thing about nature because I saw another foreigner with an insect 🐞 in the condo . There was a Thai local and the local was telling him not to destroy the insect . She said just put it outside . I thought that was interesting . As far as the Thai culture I try my best to show respect . I do not want to take advantage of the Thai people’s kindness/warmness . Thank you for all your information and your support 🙏🏿

[@CaesarLee-v9c]

Thai don't respect Thai culture 🧫....you people are Stupid....

[@kayflip2233]

You should think through it a bit more than that though. The more rich Westerners that come in and earn USD while Thais are earning 10 times less, the more expensive EVERYTHING around you gets, especially housing. You should be wanting to control their numbers instead of just always trying to be an accommodating Thai all the time.

[@PayMeInPaella]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion

[@cloudzero1547]

@@kayflip2233earning 10 times more, exaggerating much?? The average income of Thais is 23,000 baht per month in 2024 from Gov official data, even the lowest wage is 13-15,000 baht per month. Are foreigners coming to Thailand earning 150,000-230,000 baht ?? lol. Most of them definitely do not!

[@suchatsam]

The word Thai means freedom. Love from Thai people❤

[@PayMeInPaella]

Wowwww . How did no one ever tell me that . I love that ! That’s for the information

[@PayMeInPaella]

Meant to say thanks for info

[@THEBEYFAMILY]

Great title and video. You opening the eyes of the people.

[@PayMeInPaella]

Very kind words . I appreciate your support

[@THEBEYFAMILY]

@@PayMeInPaella Just keep putting out the great energy. Just subscribed to you

[@PayMeInPaella]

💯

[@niamtxiv]

As an Asian American, i love Thailand. Love the culture, love the hustling life there, love the politeness yet strict culture they have and love the facts that there are so msny things to do there

[@PayMeInPaella]

I’m glad you enjoy Thailand. What’s you favorite part to visit

[@Bill82759]

I’m 65 and my Thai-American wife is 33. We’ve been married 13 happy years. Money is no issue for us and we could live very comfortably in the U.S. We moved to Hua Hin 3 years ago so she could be closer to her family after living in the States for 10 years. We just had a baby daughter in June. She’s an American and Thai citizen. We will raise her here in Thailand. Not going back to the U.S. Life is simply better here in Thailand in virtually every meaningful way - especially if you have children.

[@PayMeInPaella]

I love the sound of that . Congratulations 🎊 on the baby daughter . How’s Hua Hin? I haven’t been there yet

[@CaesarLee-v9c]

Soi 6 Girl?

[@CaesarLee-v9c]

​@PayMeInPadont go there bro... Chances he married a Bargirl.......ella

[@vladimirgluten781]

@@CaesarLee-v9cdef😂

[@WorldTraveler1786]

Anything you can do in America, you can do in Thailand! Yes, Thailand is better than 99.99% of America. Good Video!

[@PayMeInPaella]

Thank you for the positive reviews . I think a lot of Americans are surprised to see how up to date a lot of these countries are . I 100 percent agree with you

[@LUCKHEF]

@@PayMeInPaella 3 Thailand ,3 Malaysia 3 Columbia 2 for random travel in between those countries and 1 month I go back to the US for business

[@PayMeInPaella]

Nice setup you have there. A lot of people are sleeping on Malaysia 🤫 🤐

[@tuck295q]

@@WorldTraveler1786 uh….no, no you can’t do anything in US, you can do in Thailand. You definitely cannot hit women, you can’t dance in a public train, you can’t treat other people like crap like in US.

[@PayMeInPaella]

Those are all interesting countries and I may goto Colombia in 2025, weeks shall see . I gotta make sure my setup is right first though because of the situations going on over there , no disrespect

[@นาโอโตะดาเตะ]

I don’t mind as long as expats respect the locals.

[@PayMeInPaella]

Yea I don’t like ppl who come and dont respect the local culture . I make sure not to take advantage of the Thai openness / politeness

[@PayMeInPaella]

Hopefully the drunk party Americans don’t leave a bad taste in people’s mouth

[@chriso5842]

You said outside Bangkok for $70k, right? Not in the center. Just went back to Bangkok for a few days. Best city I’ve spent time in. Amazing food, low cost, great infrastructure, friendly locals …

[@PayMeInPaella]

And good health care . People from surrounding Asian countries go there just for medical tourism sometimes .

[@PayMeInPaella]

And yes I saw this in Bang Na neighborhood

[@ojbkk]

​@@PayMeInPaellaa townhouse ? Projects I see around Bangna, and I am there often, are 5+mTHB. My friend just spent 70m THB on a house there.

[@jaycasiano6653]

Thank you for this video my brother. As a Hispanic 55 yr old man I want to retire in 2-3 yrs and would like to live in another country. Thank you for your channel 😎

[@PayMeInPaella]

I’m glad I could assist you . They are very polite to outsiders here . I hope you can find everything your looking for and more when you arrive

[@gemox3225]

You made me laugh with - "you're going to be asleep" etc. Food is cheap and healthy in Thailand and healthcare is good and the bookstore scene in Bangkok is great. There are also nice, smaller cities like Huahin etc.

[@PayMeInPaella]

I’m glad I could make you laugh 😆. I never been to Huahin, I might need to check that out . How are the vibes there ?

[@CaesarLee-v9c]

Great place to retire.... horrible place to get ahead unless you on some kind of expat big salary Contract

[@PayMeInPaella]

Sorry you feel that way . I do feel sorry for the locals because of the salary difference. I wish the best for the Thai 🇹🇭 people . I would like to believe remote work has helped a little bit

[@CaesarLee-v9c]

@PayMeInPaella it's not so much what I feel it's Reality.

[@glenloader639]

Thailand isn't the new American Dream. ! - If you immigrated to America from the 40 to 90 you could by land, find work easily and have better wages than in most of the world. Ask your average person from Laos, Burma or Cambodia if they think Thailand is the American dream. Most work for minimum wage or less, have to have visas. It's not easy to find work here as a western foreigner, you can't buy land here and it's very hard to become a Permanent Resident let alone talk about citizenship. Your restricted in what jobs you can do. If you enter america today legally any job is open to any person if your qualify for it. Not the same in Thailand. Just to let you know I'm not American, I'm from Canada. Still in America if your willing to bust your butt you can go from rags to riches . For your average person from Laos, Burma or Cambodia they will never have a chance of going from rags to riches. Even if your Thai and born poor the chances of going from rags to riches are very slim. for simple reasons the education system is against you here in Thailand. Because of your poor status you will not have the right surname or the right connections, which is way more important then in America. Were in Asia connections are so much more important, and what your surname is.

[@PayMeInPaella]

You bring up some very valid points . I appreciate your insight

[@JR-eq6jz]

That sucks. I have been going there since 2013. Bkk wasn’t all that popular till about 2018-19. Hope they don’t ruin it like other places.

[@PayMeInPaella]

I hear this about Bali Indonesia 🇮🇩. I kinda feel like Malaysia might have been what Thailand was 10+ years ago . It’s still low key . I’m thinking about making a video about this topic

[@shyneboi2k]

The “content creators” are doing just that sadly. No such thing as hidden gems anymore. The worst part is that they make these videos and encourage more people to come out here and do more of the same. Hope this trend passes soon.

[@worldtravelplaylists]

@@shyneboi2ktrend passes soon? Cats out of the bag and never going back in , sad to say!

[@Y4LMorrisYoung]

Thai ppl don’t play bs 😂 you can live with them but if you get out of line trust they will deal with you

[@PayMeInPaella]

You think Malaysia 🇲🇾 is mainstream as well ?

[@woodyexplorer]

I have a studio in Rayong Condo, beach side condo with swimming pool that I want to sell for only $20,000. You will own it fully and legally. You will need to refurbish it a little for example change the airconditioner, change wall paper. The rental cost in the same building is B8,000 a month.

[@PayMeInPaella]

Sounds like a good price . I’m going to choose to rent personally because I like the freedom to go whenever I want . I’m currently headed back to the states for a few months then maybe South Africa . Before I come back to Thailand

[@PayMeInPaella]

I hope you can sell it

[@afaha2214]

maintenance and other costs

[@PayMeInPaella]

Mmm

[@forlan55]

Make sure the dream not become nightmare. As in Thailand you always be a stranger, not to mention you can’t buy land there or open a business on your name. So good with those dreams lol

[@infantry101102]

Or, you can understand the pro's and con's and make intelligent decisions and not be a retard

[@PayMeInPaella]

I might make a video about this . From my understanding we can only buy condos and those condos cannot be passed down from generation to generation . I still respect Thai culture and I wish the best for thailands 🇹🇭 people

[@forlan55]

@@PayMeInPaella Yes, they let you buy those overpriced condos with tiny walls, while the good real estate like villas they keep for themself, but keep believe its the new American dream lol.

[@PayMeInPaella]

You don’t like high rises ?

[@forlan55]

@@PayMeInPaella The deals for private houses are much better, the prices for condos are overprices cause they know it's for foreigners.

[@roymcilroy1806]

As a local, I will tell you that it is not so much for you as a foreigner, you can't buy any land or houses here. You can only buy condo rooms. Outside of Bangkok, it's nice. Phuket is a great place to live. But Bangkok is currently the most depressing city on Earth where a good chunk of people still wear masks while roaming in malls, 3 weeks to 2025. Even in a centrally located malls like CentralWorld or Emsphere, a good 10-12% of restaurants still have 'forced maskings' on all their staffs. Places like MK just lifted their mask mandate because there was a great guy that worked with them to lifted such absurd mandate in the first place. So outside of Bangkok, yes. BKK right now, it's a no no. It's a completely dystopian city filled with masks, even as we are so close to 2025. Unreal. That's why so many upper middle class Thais fly out very often, just to go somewhere where they don't have to be drowned in masks on a daily basis. That's the truth.

[@PayMeInPaella]

I always love hearing from locals . Thanks for all the good information. Are the mask because of the pandemic that happened or something else ? Also I do need to visit other places in Thailand . I was having such a great time I guess I didn’t want to risk going some where I may not like . I did hearing a lot of being going to Phuket and Pattaya though . Are you originally from BKK?

[@speedofthought9309]

a lot of people (including myself) actually prefer wearing mask 😊

[@roymcilroy1806]

@@speedofthought9309 That's because you are a docile coward.

[@LudevicJoly]

@@speedofthought9309 Weak mentality.

[@roymcilroy1806]

@@PayMeInPaella The leftover masks are due to the fact that some people are too cowardice to remove them and return to normal life. Phuket is a paradise in comparison to BKK. I've lived in many different cities in this world and nowhere that people behave like they do in BKK. People here lacked common sense and analytical thinking. Tourism is only great because it's so cheap. A little money can make you live like kings here. Going to Tokyo or Seoul, you need to have a good amount of greens to have actual upscale experiences.

[@markmanenglish]

I need to be digital nomad yeah ?

[@PayMeInPaella]

If your earning in a strong currency like USD, AUS, or pounds it goes far in Thailand. Most foreigners here or digital nomads , retirees or do remote work

[@markmanenglish]

@@PayMeInPaella can I talk to you temporary before becoming famous ?

[@PayMeInPaella]

😂😂😂😂 I got a long way to go before I become famous. Thanks 🙏🏿 though . Let’s talk

[@markmanenglish]

@@PayMeInPaella I'll message you in Instagram?

[@PayMeInPaella]

I been trying to find your comment . I guess somehow it got flagged so it was hidden . But yes message me there

[@ThaoNguyen-jv4up]

You are 20 years late to the party

[@binyam11]

Have u bee

[@simpleisthebest73]

Most of younger generation hi-so here are born rich. There is no equal opportunity. Possibilities are very limited.

[@PayMeInPaella]

Very interesting. Is it a situation where like all the rich people know each others families ?

[@simpleisthebest73]

@PayMeInPaella Yes, absolutely! Gotta have connections. One of the key ingredients. That's how riches get richer and stay rich 🤣 This world is always unfair!

[@charlesbrie8711]

@@PayMeInPaellayes. This is true for most developing asian countries. The wealthy circles are just that, circles of money, difficult for outsiders to join in the wealth. Rags to riches is mostly unheard of here.