American Expat in Thailand! Pros & Cons of Retiring in Thailand

[@donnybrook5671]

"If you bored in Thailand, you're not trying." I like that. With your permission Michael I'm going to use that quote in the future. Giving you full credit of course.😊

[@jonnyasia]

It's a brilliant quote isn't it lol

[@Stevensoftly]

Mike, is a great guy. I always enjoyed working with him in the Marshals Service. I wish him all the happiness in the world. Love ya, brother.

[@jonnyasia]

Couldn't agree more! I will make sure Michael gets this message 👍😊

[@Walt-ck5qn]

Very good! Mike's led a very interesting life. Glad that he has transitioned well into Thai society and culture. Good to hear another Expat perspective. Thank you for your service, Mike from a fellow American who was drafted and served during the Vietnam era. Am older than you by 5 years. Fed up too, thought about expatriating but can't convince the wife to leave the children. Enjoyed the video! Everyone be safe, happy & Family!

[@sheppydog21]

Your next beer is on Boom and I!

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you mate i really do appreciate this i will buy Micheal a coffee next time i see him :-)

[@michaelj2528]

Always interesting and informative and entertaining. Wish the gentleman and his wife good luck for future.Hope all is well with the family jonny

[@charlesscinta7377]

Great video I am from the States and I feel exactly the way he does I live in Pattaya and love living in Thailand also. After living in Vietnam for 15 years I find it better here. Good positive man I wish him all the best to bad weather don’t live closer.

[@JourneyManAsia]

You're getting some good looking guests lately Jonny. 🙂 Great video mate, nice honest bloke and I wish him all the best.

[@jonnyasia]

Cheers bazza I will introduce you both 1 day I think you would get along like a house on fire. And you have both been on videos 😃

[@chopperman10]

Really enjoyable vlog, I could listen to Michael all day.

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@ChristyLusterrealtor]

Hey, Outlaw! Love your story telling & glad you're happy in Thailand. Love from your favorite outlaw in Mississippi! ;)

[@bill426worker5]

Thank you Johnny, Your friend Michael seems like a really great guy which only makes sense to me because he's a fellow American like myself. Johnny I think you've found a new calling in life your interviews are really excellent. Thanks

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks for the kind words Bill, i do like interviewing videos it also depends on the guest also. I will try to do 1 or 2 month. Have a great weekend 🙂

[@audielowe2700]

Great interview, really enjoyed it. Really seems like a good man.

[@mamabear5488]

Very nice guy! ❤ Good luck to you and your wife 🎉

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you! 😃

[@dazSav]

Awesome show Johnny- a wise man,lots of respect for his life accomplishments- cheers Daz

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks Daz glad you enjoyed it, Micheal is a very special guy :-)

[@Kim-r7s]

❤ I love watching my uncle Michael tell his life stories! We love you n miss you so much uncle mike!! Love Kimbo n family

[@stormstereo]

If I ever end up in Thailand, it's got to be on my list to befriend Michael! :D What a cool dude. Must've a million stories.

[@jonnyasia]

Ohh yeah some of the stories he's told me, he could right a book for sure. I can listen to them for hours lol

[@EarthCamper]

Wow... great carrier and personality. Great questions Jonny. Absolutely got involved in video....👍

[@jonnyasia]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍😊

[@efahad91]

Loved this video! Michael insights into life in Thailand are so valuable. the humor is spot on, especially the "little head start thinking for the big head" line. That perfectly captures the importance of common sense. And "Our Buffalo back home is getting sick, so we need to pay the bet" scam warning! What a great storyteller.

[@chrisstevenson1]

What a great guy Michael is, very charismatic & great personality 💪🙏

[@jonnyasia]

1 in a million :-)

[@MrMightyZ]

Superb interview and Michael is a superb interviewee. Nice work, Jonny👍

[@gjeess1]

Great interview, and a nice bloke. Good luck to him and his wife.

[@jonnyasia]

Many thanks 🙏

[@SHANKSY1]

Excellent discussions. Always great to listen to a summary of another's life path and possibly picking up a lesson here and there or/and a few pointers. Thanks guys. 🙂

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed it

[@watchlifewithcharles906]

I am moving to Hua Hin next month, after 2 years in Bangkok. Spent 41 years in law enforcement: city, county, state, and federal--you will have to get me in touch with this guy.

[@jonnyasia]

Hi Charles you can send me a email at [e-mail] and i will pass it onto Michael 🙂

[@WayneCox-g4j]

In 2026, my Thai significant other girlfriend of 30 years will retire in Thailand. Bought and paid off 6 Rai up near Mukdahan. But we have family in Gua Hin and Pukhet. We will also finally get married IN Bangkok and look for a base to rent at first (with our dog too!😂) and travel. Johnny and Michael. THANK YOU SI SI SI VERY MUCH FOR THIS!!!!!!

[@PS-gm7vg]

Loving this video!!!! A real down to earth guy with his ducks in a row!!!!! Cool guy!!!! thank johnny!!!

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@unchicoholandes12]

Great episode Jonny, could be my words. I am a European retiree and live in Wa Hin or is it Hua Hin for 10 years and have a similar story about Europe. So happy I moved here! Would be nice to have more of these kind of vids. Cheers, Johnny

[@jonnyasia]

Cheers mate i will try, hopefully we will run into each other soon :-)

[@johnmellyn2700]

I’m surprised he he doesn’t find it easy meeting local expats, it’s definately on them because he seams like a blast to hang out with, real positive outgoing person , I bet he has a ton of interesting stories

[@richardvaiciulis]

Great and insightful interview Jonny

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you appreciate it 🙏😊

[@paulv5233]

Hi Jonny Thanks for a great interview with Michael very interesting listening to him he is a real character and knowledgeable with plenty of life experience which is very important. I’ve also got my retirement visa recently and spending most my time in Hua Hin which I love and great place. I’ve lived in Australia for over 45 years and traveled all over the world and hope to do more in the future more of Europe and Asia. My dear father use to say to me son “ You Know What’s Wrong With Common Sense “ ( It’s Not Very Common ) 😂 I hope one day I run into Michael and his lovely wife they seem like good couple. Keep up the good work Cheers Irish Paul

[@Chris-kn4vf]

Really good interview . You have a real talent for this sort of thing !

[@robertsanchez2394]

Great interview, very informative. I'm also retired from the feds and looking forward to coming to Thailand in October for 3 months as a first time visitor. I'm hoping to meet other expats and military veterans. Great video.

[@manuelf6051]

I've been following you for a couple years now. I found this video very interesting and informative. I am currently living in California and trying to consider my options when I retire in 2 years. Videos like this are very important and helpful. Thanks mate. 👍

[@jonnyasia]

That is awesome! I like to read i am happy to hear you find the videos helpful, hopefully see you in Thailand in 2 years

[@jamesb.492]

He is spot on. Before Covid the expat crowd was very different. Lots of retired Europeans, Aussies. Easy to get to know in the bar or restaurant. Now down here on Phuket many have left, gone countryside, having run out of money during Covid. The crowd today are Russian families, Chinese and young Muay Thai tourists tattooed from tip to toe. For him as former law enforcement it might be even more difficult to meet other expats.

[@jonnyasia]

Phuket has def changed since i first moved there 14 years ago, would never want to live there again lol

[@alexsumbati4194]

Personally,this is one of the BEST video I have enjoyed. Great interview,pertinent questions and Michael seems a Great Guy. He would be a very likeable person to call a FRIEND. Thank you BOTH👍

[@WoodysSportsBarHH]

I really enjoyed watching Michael, what a nice guy. I hope to meet him soon 👍

[@jonnyasia]

thanks mate yeah i am sure you will meet him soon:-)

[@Ulbre]

Jonny, something is happening here....and it's a bloody good story mate. Top video, top bloke....cheers from Changa's :) RIP Jim Alston

[@glenkelly6087]

Good one Jonny, great chat with a really nice bloke.

[@bengunn4373]

Smashing guy, great interview. Please keep us informed on the energy levels as I am suffering too from this

[@jonnyasia]

I just posted the video on that tonight mate hope it can help you out here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGenlIFpd76da8U

[@randowoodman3459]

What a nice bloke! All the best to you mate 🙏

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you kindly

[@kevinrobb86]

Guy has a good vibe about him, looks about mid 50s not 70

[@mamabear5488]

@kevinrobb86 agree! Took good care of himself, his job helped him 💕

[@jonnyasia]

Yeah Michael sure looks great i think not drinking past 10 years has helped 100%

[@michaeltaylor8204]

looks 70 come on guys but enjoying life fantastic

[@mamabear5488]

@@michaeltaylor8204 yrs!!!

[@mamabear5488]

@@michaeltaylor8204 lol! Yes! ✌️

[@nyciron]

What an awesome interview, Michael seems like an interesting guy with an awesome personality. I know it’s personal but would love to see his visit to Vietnam, think it would be interesting and emotional.

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it, yes i am sure Vietnam will be very touching for him. Thanks for watching :-)

[@nyciron]

@@jonnyasia I’ve watched every one of your videos on all your channels

[@nowgettheretravel]

Great interview Jonny! I very much enjoyed

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you i appreciate that :-)

[@PK-nm8wu]

Good interview, Seems like a nice guy.

[@jonnyasia]

I’m sure you will meet him 1 day in Hua Hin buddy 👍😊

[@digitalmarketer9141]

Thanks Jonny! I am 100% disabled US Veteran, and liked the info on the Blue Cross Blue Shield and looking through the Bangkok Hospital Insurance page, I found something called VA Foreign Medical Care - Purchased Care which I will look into on Tuesday-after Labor Day. Yeah, and IMHO, if you aren't already, I recommend hugging your girl a couple of times a day just to let her know you find her desirable. It will go a million miles (I saw your "10 things about each other" video).

[@joeusa8472]

I will be looking forward to meeting both of you as I am retiring in Hua Hin in September at age 75

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks Joe that's great to hear, when you arrive send me a email [e-mail] look forward to seeing you here soon :-)

[@joeusa8472]

@@jonnyasia I will do that, your neighbor Fon is waiting to see what she thinks of me.

[@ollieoehlman6522]

Thank you Jonny great interview.

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you very happy you enjoyed it :-)

[@sheppydog21]

The lantern festival is call Yi Peng in the north and Loy Krathong in BKK. Love your videos Jonny!

[@jonnyasia]

lol yeah i knew it was the Loy Krathong i just couldn't think, this video nearly didn't happen i came down with like the flu the same morning. Glad you enjoy the videos buddy :-)

[@dominiquelaurain6427]

Michael did very good job. Happy retirement years in the Land of Smiles ;-) ...maybe write a book "behind the scene" with humorous quotes.

[@jonnyasia]

lol great idea write a book he will need to do something when the house is built 👍😊

[@ThePonderosa72]

Great video mate cheers from cold Melbourne

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks 👍 glad you enjoyed it

[@stevemyers2092]

Thanks Michael - good to meet you from Vancouver BC - perhaps we can grab coffee/tea when we get there. I'm the same age as you.

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks Steven when you arrive you can send me a email and i can pass it on, see you here soon :-)

[@jsikke]

Excellent video and as a fellow 'Murican, I look forward to meeting Michael when I retire to Hua Hin in 6 months (& counting...).

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it, i am sure you will see Micheal around when you arrive sounds like you really looking forward to it :-)

[@randyirvine5858]

Nice interview Jonny. You will be putting Thairish Times outta business soon. Nice fella, have you nick named him 'holler' yet🤣

[@jonnyasia]

lol Hope you are well Randy :-)

[@GiGi-h2g]

Good luck! Hope she treats u good and honest

[@jonnyasia]

Yes Ying is lovely lady lady are a great couple

[@timarmas8497]

Michael seems like a great guy, would love to take him and his girlfriend/wife out to dinner during my next visit.

[@rickylee6129]

Good Video/Interview Jonny 😊. The whole world 🌎 is laughing at America 🇺🇸. One of the Big reasons that I am moving to the Philippines 🇵🇭 this year soon 🇵🇭 ❤️. Once I am at the airport, I am Leaving all that BS on the Tarmac. Keep the video's comin. Stay Safe 💕 💞 🙏 🙏

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks Ricky 🙂

[@novak4594]

Great interview

[@1983jon1983]

Nice humble guy, these type of Americans are gods people. Wish him all the best.😊

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@gunslingerjhagadee]

Yes..... U S Patriots are the best.......obviously he voted for Trumpy.

[@jodygriffin3492]

I feel exactly the same way about the US currently, that is why I took a job in Okinawa, Japan for my last 5 years until I retire to Thailand. I have no intentions of returning to the US except maybe for a visit to my daughter occasionally. I try to visit Thailand at least 3-4 times a year now that it is so close to me.

[@jonnyasia]

Nice one buddy, enjoy Japan :-)

[@mamabear5488]

She's very pretty!❤

[@curtchesnutt4992]

Great interview. Hopefully Marco has already looked into updating his VA disability determination. Sounds like he might qualify for 100% which is markedly better than 90.

[@Jim-Jamjouney]

Great interview nice guy

[@ericg9092]

What an interesting guy. Great video.

[@jon780]

If you're not from the US let me tell you, people from Mississippi are some of the absolute nicest people in the country. You hear a lot about how in the south in the US people are a lot more friendly but good people from Mississippi are another breed altogether. I grew up in the south east US but not Mississippi specifically so not bragging!

[@makiavelli6101]

The quality of care at Bangkok Hospital is better than anything than I have ever experienced in the USA.

[@AaronDwyer]

Good interview

[@barryoneill-ec9zz]

Mike is a true blue, Lovely Guy.

[@practice2025x]

Which agency did Michael use?

[@michaelmmcintyre]

Another Insurance for retiring Federal Employees is AFSPA. It is the American Foreign Service Benefit Plan. It’s cheaper than Blue Cross and pays overseas as if the person is in network in the U.S. The caveats are, not every Federal Employee qualifies, but more do than one might think. The second issue, is the employee must have it at least 1 year while working, or they can’t get it in retirement. I’d implore any Federal Employee to go to the AFSPA website and see if they qualify. It uses the Aetna network in the U.S. and pays direct reimbursement overseas. I only expected to carry it for the qualifying year and switch back to Blue Cross. However, I’ve kept for 6 years as I find AFSPA superior in cost and service to Blue Cross.

[@jtns2845]

in my research the best federal health insurance plans for overseas coverage are geha, fsbp and bcbs basic and compass rose. i have used the first three during 30 years off and on overseas, currently have bcbs, which i rely upon in indonesia, philippines and recently thailand. i also have free tricare for life, which offers overseas coverage (restricted in philippines due to fraud) but is an totally awful administrative mess, so im happy to pay for bcbs, which is the best cost/coverage compromise, imho.

[@michaelmmcintyre]

@@jtns2845 I didn’t know GEHA covered long term international. I knew about Compass Rose, but didn’t like their coverage and they don’t appear to have the same limitation as AFSPA, with having to hold the insurance at least one year while working. Good info. Thanks.

[@jtns2845]

@@michaelmmcintyre “The Compass Rose Health Plan is open to active and retired civilian employees of the: Intelligence Community, Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veterans Affairs” is the membership eligibility from the Compass Rose website, nothing about one year required service that I found. Direct reimbursement by any of the FEHB plans for overseas care is only for selected overseas providers per prior arrangement with the FEHB plan. None of them offer blanket direct overseas reimbursement as is done for care in the US. Also none will reimburse prescription drugs that are not approved for use in the US, so this video is rather misleading when the subject states that he got reimbursed for equivalent drugs in Thailand. The drug formulas had to be the same but only the brand names were different.

[@michaelmmcintyre]

@@jtns2845 AFSPA/FSBP views all care outside the U.S. as within network for billing and co-pay purposes. The formulary will be the tricky part, but for me, I have the VA FMP as a back-up or primary depending on the medication. AFSPA/FSB has direct billing for certain hospitals in Asia for Japan, Korea, Thailand, and China. I’ll have to look further into CR and BCBS for their direct billing options. Thanks again for the info, and I hope our discussion helps others.

[@wingwalker27]

Great interview. I'm a Fed employee retiring in early 2025 and looking to visit Thailand to see if I like it. Good to know about bc/bs is accepted there.

[@hadynjeffrey8210]

Very interesting guy great video ❤

[@jonnyasia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@danielj3010]

Legends 💪

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks for the support as always Dan 🙏

[@IfranReinfeld]

Amazing video, A friend of mine referred me to a financial adviser sometime ago and we got talking about investment and money. I started investing with $120k and in the first 2 months , my portfolio was reading $274,800. Crazy right!, I decided to reinvest my profit and gets more interesting. For over a year we have been working together making consistent profit just bought my second home 2 weeks ago and care for my family.

[@ЕленаФирсова-ц6м]

I’ve been forced to find additional sources of income as I got retrenched. I barely have time to continue trading and watch my investments since I had my second daughter. Do you think I should take a break for a while from the market and focus on other things or return whenever I have free time or is it a continuous process? Thanks...

[@IfranReinfeld]

@@ЕленаФирсова-ц6м Quitting may not be the best approach if you ask me. This is where an AI comes into the picture. I barely have time to trade myself as my job swallows up most of my time. *MARGARET MOLLI ALVEY* ,.

[@ЕленаФирсова-ц6м]

@@IfranReinfeld Oh please I’d love that. Thanks!

[@IfranReinfeld]

*MARGARET MOLLI ALVEY*

[@IfranReinfeld]

Lookup with her name on the webpage.

[@justinmcintosh6554]

Good innings! He is a good man

[@lenhend]

Thanks - from Chiang Mai.

[@Traveler-PKK]

Military Foreign Medical Program (FMP) for military will cover all Military Service Related Medical cost on a re-embusrement basis.

[@bikebasket9594]

This guy needs a bigger support network.

[@mamabear5488]

He's totally right, the anger here is horrific! The US is being laughed at today! Sad 🙏

[@traceylankford8579]

Jonny, can you ask him who he used for his Visa services? I need a referral. Thank you.

[@carlyndolphin]

I like this guy …… he’s funny.

[@GraceDurrani]

Great guy

[@sallylee6934]

Great video! I was wondering why it cost so much for the retirement visa when I heard it was only a couple hundred for service but I am not sure what that includes.

[@jonnyasia]

Thanks Sally to be honest i have never heard of them that cheap, you just gotta be very careful

[@mcb00m]

If you meet all the requirements and have the 800k in the bank it costs around 5k baht to use an agent for the paperwork

[@cg6917]

Great video. Very informative. Thanks! Mike seems like a very jovial guy. Just wondering how did he decide on Hua Hin?

[@jonnyasia]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it, Micheal has always had a fondness for Hua HIn, i think thats what got him watching my videos in the 1st place. Many thanks for watching :-)

[@mcb00m]

HH is the best city to live in Thailand 😅

[@german411]

One of the Pro's of living in Thailand is being with a youngert Thai women,one of the cons is being with a younger Thai women?

[@jonnyasia]

lol very true words :-)

[@paulsandford3345]

National guard is more like the army reserve in Australia!

[@jonnyasia]

Ok cheers Paul thanks for clearing that up, i just remember the SES helping clean up floods and cyclones in Queensland

[@paulsandford3345]

@@jonnyasia that's true too, but the National Guard can also be sent to war. They also get paid, unlike the SES and Rural fires service are purely voluntary!

[@bikebasket9594]

SES includes many many paid positions. Talk less..

[@palidamook1767]

สวัสดีค่ะ🙏ยินดีต้อนรับค่ะ🇹🇭

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Jonny

[@Traveler-PKK]

How did he meet his wife?

[@jonnyasia]

Mutual friend he talks about that in the video

[@sheppydog21]

Interesting that you are friends with foreigner Joe. Do you also know rides 4 kickz and Todd from now in Lao?

[@jonnyasia]

I have meet ride 4 kicks a few times lovely guy, and spoken to Todd a few months ago though FB message he seems like a top bloke also :-)

[@Constellasian]

Is Hua Hin a good area to live for someone who enjoys an occasional night life, but don't want to live in a big city like Bangkok? I'm in my early 40s, and retired early with around $10K passive income. I lived in large suburbs most of my current life. I'd like to try living in a more peaceful area that's not too far from the city.

[@johnnygerard6605]

Dude is cool af. Interesting as well. Ive been to Mississippi visiting my brother in prison. Interesting state. I will be launching next month on the 18th. God willing krap

[@jeppe5507]

what a nice man

[@mattalford389]

Interesting guy. And seems a really nice guy too. Gentle giant, definitely.😂

[@jackfrost-fu7hz]

This guy is living large, with his work history and disability, he is getting over 100 k us per year from his pension and disability

[@sonhuynh8222]

Don’t forget his SS too!

[@jefferywinchester5830]

Is testosterone easy to get there or it must be prescribed to get it legally?

[@derekhoranzy65]

He should get his wife a visa for Canada or Mexico, it's easier and faster than US, and his family can meet her there. Close to home for them

[@german411]

Hope he lives long enough,10 years or more,to enjoy his new life in Thailand,he is a nice guy and his wife just hit the Lottery,everday at the airport the plane lets off loads of guys like him,older white guys with a pocket full of money.

[@jonnyasia]

Im sure Micheal will be fine :-)

[@frankiefourfingers6717]

He looks well for 70

[@hobo1704]

They do get good pensions. Lucky man.

[@jonnyasia]

Yes i believe so and worked hard for it also i imagine.

[@hobo1704]

@@jonnyasia agree

[@simonyee5524]

Good guy. Maybe he needs to go to the gym more often 😁

[@charlottejune5997]

Definitely. !

[@SeGamysa]

he reminds me of santa clause. so jolly!

[@jonnyasia]

Yeah his laugh does sound the same lol

[@cheapcharlie7]

Get to Vietnam mate. You won’t regret going back

[@BoninBrighton]

Can I suggest that he join TrustedHousesitters then his dogs/cats can stay at home instead of going to the dog/cat hotels!

[@RodRockets]

$1,500 or $15,000?