The Downside of Living in Thailand

Not everything can be great! I love Thailand, but any country you travel to there will be things that can be frustrating or difficult to deal with.
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[@timjensen6968]

Not being able to buy land is actually a good thing. If foreigners could buy land, the rents would be much higher.

[@Rossy167]

This is a bit of a false flag. Thailand is flush with foriegners owning land, it's just only wealthy foreigners with lawyers and corporations at their disposal can do it. The laws block out average people, but according to my Thai gf, they are certainly not locking out extremely wealthy western and east asian business owners.

[@GMoney-eb5fy]

Or have a Thai wife..

[@timjensen6968]

​@@GMoney-eb5fy I'd rather rent then get married again.

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

@timjensen6968 You make a reasonable argument, although I do think that eventually, land ownership should be allowed for foreigners at least under similar conditions to Malaysia. Define what types of land can be purchased and where, exclude agricultural land and other types of rural land and it should work.

[@Magicstockton]

Exactly.

[@Berbatov204]

I thought this might have been a Bash Thailand video, but your points are valid and informative, thanks.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jaydebeer7251]

I'm not seeing any downsides tbh. I lived in Thailand for 7 years on ko tao island . Loved every moment of it.. had absolutely no problems whatsoever, and obviously you keep your money in different banks , most at home in your original country and a little at a time in Thailand... up north in Chang mai is very very different from down south ..

[@GMoney-eb5fy]

Excellent list of topics. I agree to all of your points. I have property there and go there a few times a year. Looking forward for more posts from you!

[@TheNarrowGate]

Sounds great!

[@clausbohm9807]

Some good points. Also the safety codes in Thailand if any are not enforced. I don't know how many times I trip on the sidewalks or there is a reinforcing rod sticking up. Another one is the flooding during rainy season. Finally ... bad water, watch where you drink your water including ice (I always make that mistake).

[@kariskogstadlita8085]

Thanks ,it is very enlightening .Have a great day .

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thanks, you too!

[@fluffy5534]

Great video. Thank you. Request: will you please create a video about specific requirements for retirement visa.

[@TheNarrowGate]

See if this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXjOfGqjjcRrbMk

[@n721sw]

Great video, thanks!

[@TheNarrowGate]

Glad you liked it!

[@davidlawton7845]

A very well balanced and concise report-thank you.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you so much, I appreciate that! 🇹🇭🙏🏻😊

[@Radiancegrace]

Thank you for this video as it is very helpful in raising awareness. I am observing a lot on KZbin about Thailand and am a retired Veteran with sizable pension. I own a home in the states and am currently stewarding my senior dog in last phase of her life. Following I have the means to come abroad and being a senior seems to help where a visa is concerned. Just observing and taking this kind of move in from every angle and not naive to think the grass is greener on the other side. Aware the world of form challenges -it’s its job. Weighing the pros and con,then and remaining open. I sense it would be beneficial in many ways to live and learn in a different culture and your outlining of things to be aware of is eye opening and helpful for me in making a decision.🙏🏻

[@norrisbethke7770]

Always fun listening in..there are so many variables in personal tastes so give yourself a 6 month test run first..Thai education seems very Thai-centric and leaves many gaps…but…overall it’s a great country to live/retire in 🙏🏻👍🏻🇹🇭

[@TheNarrowGate]

Well said!

[@Trade2Travel]

Another reason for insurance: Thailand is amoung a list of countries that won't allow you to leave the country with unpaid medical bills. Called an exit ban. In recent years, Thailand has been tightening its rules on exit bans, and there have been reports of people being detained at the airport for unpaid medical debts as low as ฿20,000 (about $600).

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

Lol. How can you leave a hospital without paying your bills? They'll hold you there. If you manage to escape, how would they know where to find you? You're fear mongering!

[@jimmyglen]

Good info

[@TheNarrowGate]

Glad it was helpful!

[@senianns9522]

Banks are nearly always 'upstairs' . --Stairs that frequently get wet and very slippery! I feel for the disabled and elderly when walking around the towns in Thailand.

[@grahamreid2132]

In the past 20 years I spent living, working, vacationing in Thailand, I really can't recall seeing the elderly or disabled out and about...anywhere...haven't been LOS for 5 years but guessing I would find the same

[@mindcache5650]

But you’re not going to be randomly shot by some crazy dude in the car park .

[@shane5385]

Nobody is going to move there with that tax bs

[@jaydebeer7251]

I moved there 😆.. gotta play smart with your money 😉..

[@user-oe7gc5py4c]

The only attraction for me is affordable ocean view condo. Dislike street foods, noise, bugs, traffic. Only 20-30% savings, is it worth to move??? When I reach final stage, do I have to go back to America? LA and NY have lots of culture, art, concert activities, TH only has little.

[@destinationsunknowntheroadsles]

My advise DO NOT move here you would be miserable.

[@Tarnrop]

As Thai I recommend not to move here. There’s always be street foods, noise and traffics in cities like Bangkok, Phuket, ChiangMai and bugs everywhere in rural area. Thailand has many culture, arts and concerts but it is not western culture/arts/concerts. The country is modernised not westernized, you will be hit with major culture shock if you expect western culture in Thailand.

[@vassanab4243]

I can understand for noise, bugs, traffic but for street food? Like who gonna force you to eat street food, if you don’t like just eat at the restaurant/shopping mall (btw Thailand have better shopping malls than in America or Europe countries) or cook your own food. And it’s quite weird saying like your country have more culture than other country. I don’t see any westerner in Thai concert, you don’t see them so that mean Thai people don’t have them?😂 Anyway it’s better you stay at your country.

[@guzzijack9714]

@@vassanab4243 Agreed with all you said although there really should be different words for a mall in Thailand vs. US because there is little comparison.

[@jollyg5455]

​@@vassanab4243very well said

[@annetaarts1126]

Here in Rayong no air pullution but fresh sea air. I sit in a wheelchair so we don't visit temples.

[@senianns9522]

Beautiful in Rayong this morning! Air coming from the South is always a blessing!

[@paulhefner2813]

Healthcare is far less than the usa. Buy high deductible insurance if you need something. In the usa medical costs can be 10 times as high. Most medicines are much cheaper in Thailand than the usa. Incompetents are all over the world in the medical profession so always think before doing any procedure. Johns Hopkins estimates over 400,000 Americans die unnecessarily at the hands of the medical profession in the usa. There is no safe place.

[@LuiSeD86]

Great content as always! I would add 2 other bulletpoints: - The new law about taxing remitted income. If you live here on a monthly US$ 1500 budget, your cost of living increases around 10%, not the end of the world. But I am actually more concerned by the paperwork to comply with this, hiring an accountant, etc. I have been living in Chiang Mai for a month already and I was going to apply for the Thai Elite/Privilege Visa, but I have put that in hold for this exact reason. - Smoky season: I had a conversation yesterday with a local girl and she told me that this year's smoky season has been particularly bad, and it lasted 4 months! I have decided to stay here on a tourist visa for a few months and then make a decision about staying.

[@TheNarrowGate]

Smart decision

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

Unless they start requiring proof of tax paid to extend your visa, just ignore it. What can they do? Thais are great at creating new laws then backtracking once they've received feedback from the public. We should be fighting tooth and nail to prevent this nonsense from being implemented.

[@apmail6]

We need more honest/straight up reviews in KZbin --like yours.

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Tony

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thanks 👍

[@Chris-zu4es]

the heat is my number one

[@jjmstudios]

You forgot the STI’s

[@kathleenkalt3852]

If people want to measure traffic difficulties by the time you sit in it, then maybe Istanbul or LA can figure in. I live in the U.S. and have experienced traffic jams in Atlanta, NYC, etc. Yes, you will sit in traffic, but you won't be dodging motorbikes going the wrong way, swarms of motorbikes, tuk tuks, animal driven transportation and bicycles all on the equivalent of major highways in the U.S. I've been to Istanbul, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Delhi. Only Delhi is worse because you'll encounter children driving water buffalo on main roads there. My husband and I just returned from a month long trip to SE Asia. We considered it a win that only one taxi driver hit one motor scooter. No one was injured, but basically we were nervous every time we were being driven somewhere. My advice is live near public transportation. I think your assessment is very considered. Living in a different country is very different than vacationing there.

[@TheNarrowGate]

😊

[@daroof4ever]

Where does their pollution come from?

[@TheNarrowGate]

Watch this, it should help. Why is Chiang Mai Thailand Smokey Already? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKPSZ4Cdlpyjh5Y

[@deanwhitehead]

Oh, those crazy temple raves! Monks gone mad!

[@totallyraw1313]

You're from North Carolina? No Joke Howard was from there, right?

[@TheNarrowGate]

South

[@pitmasterc5324]

Better to lease your place

[@KellyBlankenship]

I see No downsides.

[@drewpotter1549]

Always great in GG o

[@ki-sikil-lil-la-ke2429]

I thought a foreigner could own a home but not land, I guess it’s not really owning it huh? More like a 30 year rental agreement?!

[@TheNarrowGate]

Not even a house. Condo ok in some instances.

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

​@@TheNarrowGateForeigners can own a house but not the land it sits upon.

[@OVOXODrake]

Most of these reasons mentioned in the videos are really downsides or a big deal.

[@kymhaniford]

I remember when traffic in South Carolina was dangerous. When they started "roundabouts" (Traffic Circles) in the 80's I think. I would sit at Radio Shack in Hilton Head Island and just watch the accidents ;) I will be in Thailand for Easter. Hopefully the air pollution will be reasonable in Pattaya then.

[@davidkiernan5901]

Dirty, noisy, smokey, can't own property, do business, work, communicate. ect. ect. ect. I agree 100%

[@daroof4ever]

Can't you become a citizen of thailand and then buy a house?

[@TheNarrowGate]

Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult if not impossible to become a citizen and it is very difficult to own property here.

[@reveregonewild]

Biggest downfall for people visiting is you’ll want to live in Thailand after you leave

[@TheNarrowGate]

True 😂

[@peterodusanya5781]

Your damn right sir

[@destinationsunknowntheroadsles]

Lets welcome back the horrible polluted air early this year. Do you know of any good portable air-con units on wheels? Ever used one? With talk now of taxing foreigners living here people many are putting their lives on hold. Also rumors of visa changes maybe by New Years. My advice start learning basic Thai BEFORE you visit or ever consider ever living here. Personally I don,t have much faith in the foreign population here. The baht to worry about etc etc. Many have this crazy idea they can just jump on a plane and work here. Your chances are about nil. Twice in the last two days seen a truck parked on a curve in my town. Can not believe no one yet has run into it. Remember Thailand is the deadliest place on Earth for road travel. Personally have witnessed people dying myself ALL foreigners!

[@kymhaniford]

Driving in Thailand should be classed as an extreme sport ;)

[@grahamreid2132]

It's totally accurate to say Thailand and many other nation's are not wheelchair accessible. However, over 10 years ago my life long buddy in a wheelchair had more courage than any of my other freinds and we went for 3 weeks, BKK, Pattaya, Phuket. We were able to do 95% of the tourist attractions and what made that possible was the Thai people, doorman, taxi drivers, motorcycle drivers would go out of there way to help get my buddy in and out of just about everywhere with a smile and a willingness not found as much here in the USA...lastly thank you for properly pronouncing Pattaya correctly 7:47 instead of Puh-tie-yuh or Pattyya. 😂

[@mg2147]

I have a polycool commercial 2.7kw portable air conditioner. It works great and is a real air conditioner but in Australia the cost of running it is ridiculous

[@orawancarlile6192]

Google Translate App on your phone should help in the language barrier.

[@destinationsunknowntheroadsles]

It is far from perfect better to make an effort to learn Thai. There are NO excuses!

[@kayn6858]

Gets annoying

[@OGillo2001]

BATMAN

[@Magicstockton]

There’s some black folks in your family tree. 2:46 All I need to see.

[@Patricksstealthvanlife]

This is totally wrong information.....49% of the entire condominium complex needs to be in thai ownership The rest can be owned by anyone including westerners. I know , I've done it. And was very lucky to have done so because I bought exactly when condos were available because Thais occupied 49% . Now you can't buy in this particular complex. Great video regardless . your demeanour. Extremely appealing . So thank you. 😊 👍

[@TheNarrowGate]

Thank you 🙏

[@Patricksstealthvanlife]

@TheNarrowGate Sorry for being so forthright. Should have toned it down. I guess I don't want people to loose the opportunity I was fortunate to stumble on. And no, I'm not involved in realestate ! 😉🤣🤣 Your an asset to anyone considering the move to Thailand my friend 😊

[@vassanab4243]

The foreigner can occupy at maximum 49% ( so Thai at least 51%)

[@Patricksstealthvanlife]

@@vassanab4243 of the condo complex that is