To me, going to Thailand is like going back to the 90s, which has the glow in my memory of being a prosperous and progressive time, economically, culturally and socially. Thailand has that vibe all over it: progress, innovation, willingness to take chances, new ideas. Definitely something we're lacking in much of the West right now. I think your predictions are brilliant and your excitement is well-founded.
Forrest, seems we have a lot in common but our difference is I was here in Thailand about 52 years ahead of you. My first time in Bangkok was in 1968 on a 6day R&R as a GI coming from Saigon. I actually like Vietnam better since I thought the Vietnamese women were better looking especially the women's clothes the Vietnamese Au Dai was far sexier than the Thai women's sarong. After I finished my 1-year tour of Vietnam and got my discharge, I spent a year in the U.S. since it was the hay day of the hippy "sex, drugs and rock and roll" and I was really having a ball but at the same time, I had dreams of returning to Asia and getting a better look at it. I got a job making Ford cars and after one year I had enough money to buy a airline ticket to Bangkok (I would have gone to Vietnam but there was a war going on there and I knew that America would lose it). Arriving in Bangkok in 1969 with a backpack knowing no one, I set off to learn about Asia and figure how to survive on the $1,500 I had in my pocket. I spent that year traveling all over Thailand and bye the way marijuana was not illegal or legal, you could by a kilo of grass for $5. I could also ride the cities bus for 1/2 a baht have a huge plate of fried rice for 5 baht or a huge bowel of noodle soup for 3 baht anywhere in Bangkok. Central Department store was one 2 story building on Silom Road and where the rich shopped. Most important Bangkok was a true Thai city, the tallest building were 4 or 5 stories Tall. The biggest building in Bangkok were the Watts. The traffic in Bangkok was always jammed but with thousands of motorcycles, tuk tuks (tuk means cheap) hundreds of busses packed with Thail hanging out the doors and only one bridge that crossed the river. Taking the train to Nong Kai for a visa run was $5., but then so was a beautiful Thai girl. I spent a year traveling and learned to speak enough Thai to do pretty much whatever I wanted. I realized that if I was really going to enjoy living in Thailand, I would need to get a job and to get a good job I better get a college education, since I had quite college after 2 year (and why I got drafted) I went back to college at LSU were there were over 100 Thais on Thai government scholarships studying for graduate degrees. Me being the only American that spoke Thai and at that time even knowing where Thailand was made me quite helpful with the Thai students since I joined the Student Government as the Foreign Student Liaison Officer. I actually became famous in that Thai students as far as Georgia had heard of me when I met them in my travels. 4 months after graduation I got my first job overseas with a company with a training contract in Vietnam, a year later and a completed contract I went to Bangkok with a lot more money in my pocket and looking for a job. There I ran into a American construction company that got a oil field job in New Guinea to build pipelines, tank farm and off shore loading for oil tankers. This being a remote site job, I worked 4 weeks on and 2 weeks off so for the next 3 years I was making very good money and had rented a house in Bangkok that I kept for 6 years. I continued working international oil field construction in Libya, Bahrain for 3 years before returning back to the U.S. where I bought land and built a home. But I would only work overseas jobs since I was getting a really good tax deduction. I continued to work overseas in Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand. It was the Thailand job where I was the construction manager of a paper mill that met my Thai Chinese wife, she was working as a pharmacist at the local hospital that I spent 4 years building. As that job was completed in 1997 Thailand melted down and luckily I went back to oil field construction in Indonesia taking my new wife with me. After our first year there I realized it was not fair for my wife to be cooking and cleaning my clothes and from my contacts at my University I helped her get into graduate school where she picked up her Mater's degree. after 3 years she the oil company had transferred be to Thailand to support their offshore project and my wife came back and worked at the local hospital. As the job neared completion in Thailand and I had saved a lot of money over the years we went back to America and moved into my home that I had built. It was an exciting time, I had 40 acres and a beautiful home, my wife got a very good paying job with a pharmacy and live was good until our son who was born in America was 3 years old and I started looking around for a school, I realized that the quality of education was not even up to the standards I had 50 year before. If we were to find a school that was good we would have to move. At the same time I was seeing a dramatic decline in the America's standard of living, cities that I had once passed through as a young man were being boarded up and dying. Large companies were closing factories and moving overseas. So I came to the decision that if we were to move for our son's education better to move back to Thailand where during my time building the paper mill I noticed that Thailand's standard of living was now in many cases better than America's. Today as I read the news and watch TV I see I was right. Today, I am in my 15th year of retirement, my wife thanks to her master's degree in pharmacy administration and 5 years' experience as a pharmacist in America, her English is perfect as is her writing skills (better than mine) her salary is very high for a Thail professional and with just my monthly social security payments we have the monthly income of the American middleclass family. I sold the property in America for a very good price and I still had most of the savings I had working for the oil companies that I turned into gold bars. So money has never been a problem, but we still live a low-profile life. I drive a pickup truck and my wife has a Mazda SUV. I am now 76 and my son now 16 and attending Assumption College here in Rayong. I have been blessed with excellent health and am very active working out at the local gym with my son 5 days a week. I sometime volunteer and go to our local hospital and teach medical English to the staff to help them deal with foreign patients but mostly I am puttering around building things that I know I can make better than what I can buy. During my construction years I took the time to learn how to weld and fabricate metal and basic carpentry so making a playhouse for my son or building a fishing boat for myself was no problem. At the moment me and my wife are in the planning stage to build a new home on one acre of land (2 1/2 rai) just 15 minutes from the center of our city. Hopefully construction will start in 6 months after completing the drawing and getting the building permits approved. As for a social life, most of my friends are Thai health professionals, as for other expats I have found that I don't have much in common with them anymore. I am always happy to help them but to be honest I have so many things on my plate, I really don't have much spare time except for my wife and son. To me a day well spent alone is in my small boat on one of the local lakes near my home surrounded by mountains, beautiful clean water and most the time the only boat on the water catching and releasing the fish I catch and taking pictures. With my family when my wife can get the time off (she is a division manager with her cell phone ringing at all hours of the day) and my son school holidays we like to travel we have been back to Saigon twice and have good friends there we like to be with. Been thinking of going to the 24 hour La Mans race. but during my years of work, I have already been just about every country in the world already. Next weekend we are driving up to Korat where that have a really excellent mall called the Mal and Terminal 21 right down the road and at the end of May we will be going to the rocket festivals in the North East. There are many hidden gems to visit in Thailand if you have a car and can read a road map.
You were rooting for VN at first but the destiny made you end up with a Thai lady. I hope that the destiny has led you to a better life here in Thailand than in VN.
It was my interest in the Vietnam War that got me to Asia after 6 weeks in Vietnam I realised this was the future and the place to be,I now live In a very quiet Tambon on the Beautiful Island of Phuket.
I'm a 76 year old Chinese American man.I had a simple hair salon for 45 years. I'm rich$ beyond my wildess dreams. What is this attiture with old Chinese uncles. You only in your 40's on ever vog you complains about how old you are. You still have time to conquar the world. This negative attude will get you down, and women or men will find you depressing to be around. If you have too much time on your hands, go help out the needy, if you don't want to help youselve, then make difference to others and the world . I play tennis 3 times a week, I'll be treaveling Asia for 6 months by myself and will help and make difference to the people I will meet. All the old Chinese uncles I know are not what you decript about yours self. This my only advice I will give to you, do what you want with it. Good luck. Positive till dealt. Chinese Unlce.
I just got back from Thailand, In order for it to become a serious world power in the years to come it needs to address pollution and poverty a little better and the government needs to improve too but with that being said it's a nation with a ton of potential and it radiates with optimism. In general Thais are hard working, humble, friendly and positive. Just like Mexico and Dubai I see Thailand as forces to be reckon with in the future. I hope my predictions are right because the land of smiles is an amazing country.
Prior to my visit last week, it had been 6 years since I was in BKK, Thailand. The thing that surprised me the most is that prices in 7-11 haven’t changed. The prices are pretty much the same. Especially contrast this to the prices in the US. A box of cereal has gone from say $3.99 to now 7.99. Even the Thai meter taxi price hasn’t changed. Only thing that seemed more expensive was going out and partying with lovely Thai ladies 😂🤣😍 Nice video!! I think Thailand’s future is bright too🍻
Agree I got back from Thailand 2 weeks ago and I agree it has a bright future and unlike America its is a place I can see myself settling down in and starting a family someday in.
Thailand has grown and developed so much in the past 30 years. Every time I visit Thailand, there is always something new. I can't wait to retire in Thailand next year, my beautiful hometown. I love everything in Thailand, but my biggest concerns are air pullution and traffic accidents!
Good video, I agree with you. One thing u should be aware is that you stated that " Thailand is getting more expensive " i live in Australia and here is getting crazy expensive especially housing is becoming a big issue. people who don't owe their homes renting or buying property is really hard. So it's not only Thailand.
Same as Los Angeles! I used to buy food like Chinese take out one order can eat for two people but now the price went up all most double but also the container of the food got smaller.
There are two types of vlogging expats, one who seem to troll and just always have negative things to say about that country. The second being pat, where he genuinely loves the country, but still is careful and thoughtful about he approaches negative aspects of life in another country. I’d rather someone who has good thing to say, not someone who just blames everything on the go the country and not checking themselves.
Hi Grumps 😆🙏🏻 My brother’s and sister’s company is in Bangrak on Sap Road by the Russian Embassy, and several new hostels have popped up and I see a lot of young backpackers in the area. So maybe you have a localized perception of less budget travelers. But I see more. ฿333 a night isn’t bad for around the Silom area. When I go out, I’ll usually stay in a hotel too rather than drive home - better to be safe and responsible. Your friend that told you that Thailand can be as cheap or expensive as you choose is spot on! Cheers mate. 👏🏻🙏🏻😊
The Thailand is definitely more expensive than during the Covid times 2 years ago, especially accommodation. The food is more expensive: expresso in 7-11 was 25 baht, now it's 30, everything else is up 10-20% as well, the inflation definitely hit the country. Gasoline is more expensive for sure. Massage and taxi are more expensive too. It's still relatively easy to find pad grapao or kao pad for 50 baht though.
It is getting more expensive! 12 months back at the local typical market you could get a mass of veggies etc for 300 baht. Now that amount of veggies is around 900 baht, easily. We live in Rangsit. In saying this, we love Thailand and you can live very cheaply if required. Australia for example is in serious serious long lasting inflationary problems.
SideTripLife RUclipsr did a really good video of the 101 shopping mall, skytrain, Whizdom condo He said it's his favorite place to live in Bangkok with the total cost of living roughly $1500 a month and everything within a one minute walk. Video is the $345 condo
I think backpackers will be the last demo to come back. You have to follow the money. Backpackers survived off of Budget airlines and Hostels which are low profit margin businesses and were hurt the worst during Covid. Full fare airlines and hotels will be the first to come back online with higher prices to support the demand. Eventually market forces will normalize prices and the industry targeting the budget conscious will come back
Thailand is becoming more expensive , but at least the quality is going up with the price , unlike in the west where quality is going down , Thailand is evolving There is plenty wealth here , it would be nice to see it shared better amongst the less wealthy .
6:10 Thailand having something for every level of travel budget is what makes it attractive, welcoming, and special. The country would not be where it is today on the tourism world stage, were it not for backpackers in the 1980s and 1990s. All immature and naive governments want only "quality" and "high-spending" tourists, not understanding how reality and markets work.
Hey Forrest did you delete my previous comment? LOL If it was a glitch, just wanted to share my 2 cents "I think when someone is asking if x country is getting more expensive or not, they are talking about whether the same goods or services has INCREASED in price compared to say last year. It has nothing to do with lifestyle. Essentially they are asking if the wanted the same lifestyle as the one they previously had in Thailand, would it now cost more? Not what x lifestyle would cost. You are referring to the VALUE of your money. For exchange rates, I believe that is also less relevant in answering the question (if you look at the historical FX rates between USD:BHT within the past year, it's negligible of a difference). Can you please talk more about whether Thailand has gotten more expensive in your opinion? Curious to know."
I can relate to the Asian uncle syndrome as I feel the same man. Don't wanna travel too far, get away from the sun, enjoy that glass of wine, and just be pampered. I used to travel and lived in BKK and loved it until it was time to move on. True about it would be a major force and player in Southeast Asian and I've seen BKK shedding off from backpackers haven reputation to a more sophisticated and trendy city...always something new to discover especially food establishments. Thanks for sharing!
When talking about the future of Thailand, I guess you will need to look at the main sources of income for Thailand into the future, while that will predict to large extent their prosperity. For Singapore it is clear, they have large companies (e.g in the Natural Resources and the Financial Industry) that have decided to locate their Global or Regional head office in Singapore. However for Thailand I still find it difficult to find their distinguished sources of income. I think it is partly Tourism, partly Airline and automobile parts manufacturing, partly Technology Hardware manufacturing. And of course the rice production, but I do not expect that has a lot of potential going into the future. So where will Thailand stand out from the rest (what is their competitive advantage), going into the future? I still have difficulty to see this.....
I agree with your assessment. Hopefully, with the global supply chain relocating from China to Southeast Asia, Thailand will take advantage of this opportunity to position itself correctly from this massive once-every-three-decades economic shift. If it does, I can see a bright future for Thailand. Otherwise, Thailand is just drifting aimlessly.
I think they're relying hard on the development of the EEC which will shift the country's manufacturing focus to more 'S-Curve' or higher end technology like robotics, digital businesses, clean energy etc. Overall, there is potential for the country to become the main hub in SEA since compabies are shifting operations from China but they need to put a foot in the door to be the first.
Great video, very informative, cant wait to retire in Thailand and fingers crossed my modest pension will cover my costs, Our sales tax in Ireland is 23% by the way, so 7% in Thailand sounds so good, Maybe I will get to and afford a lunch in OSheas Irish pub. Keep the vidoes coming,
Iraland’s 23% sales tax makes 13% in Ontario, Canada, a kiddy. You make me feel better now after being so upset with 4% salary increase vs 10% to 30% price increases and 50% of my bonuses gone to tax man before it was even deposited into my bank account. Thank you 😊
@4:10 quote "It is better to just uproot & go where you are treated best" ....Made me smile. As we have lived in Thailand 7 years then moved back to US & visit 3 months a year now as we still own a home in Thailand. When I heard that quote I smiled & thought that is a good quote...Then I laughed because while we love Thailand & are treated well by the Thai people themselves...mostly...I would say Thailand never treats foreigners well. I mean do cops ever stop me here in USA? No never as I don't speed etc etc But in Thailand? Speeding or not stopped Often.... Does the US make me check in every 90 days? Do they require me to ask permission thru a long process yearly? Does Thailand offer me what the US offered my wife years ago? Meaning ability to work if I want or to get citizenship after 3 years? Don't get me wrong we LOVE Thailand & may even move back full time. But I don't kid myself about which place treats me best 😉 Thanks for another nice video!
Are Thais safe living in US? Having yellow skin could get us killed in the US just like a Thai man got killed during covid Chinese hatred. So we are treated the same in the US?
Mr Lee by stating that there are less back packer travelers you confirmed the news that Thailand is becoming more expensive on a day to day living expenses irrespective of the traveler's home currency.
Great content Forrest! It would be interesting if you could dive deeper in the Tech, Luxury Travel space interview tech hubs and luxury travel companies.
Good video.Two things that Thailand have to address for the country to emerge as a big success story post pandemic, 1) mitigate the air pollution by taking action against field and rubbish burning and unfit transport vehicles and 2) political stability as military coups significantly stops international investment in the country.
@@billybasu3900 Don't try to make Thailand more like the place you got sick of and left. As a cultural refugee and Kingdom guest, here you vote with your feet, not your mouth.
Low spending backpackers out… which is shortsighted… and now confined to smaller areas; elephant pants look very out of place in Siam Paragon or a rooftop restaurant. …moderate high spending tourists in… just look at all of the new expensive mix use developments going up…One Bangkok, as an example… more luxury condos going up everywhere; … The countryside still very affordable … if that is your inclination ..Bangkok is an amazing city to live in 🙏 my advice… make lots of money in your home country… then come to Thailand and Bangkok to spend it🙏🙏 Nice presentation 👍
FOREST! MATE, i am Aussie livung tn Chisng mai. 82 still going to DAYGYM Ten chin the bars x three. Dont ever think you are old or you will be OLD. JUST SOLD MY last K T M motor bike( think its time) So keep on going, as you get older you find other things YOU can do.
Too many foreigners in Thailand now. Not good. Too much competition for living quarters in popular areas which means HIGHER rental prices. This is already the case in Pattaya and Phuket because of the Russians.
I believe we need more foreigners in Thailand. They will improve our standard of living. The investors, entrepreneurs, tourists, digital nomads or workers from neighboring countries all have significant impacts on how we grow. We need to better utilize those potentials.
Airfare is probably keeping the backpackers away. I'm paying 600 dollars more on a R/T tix from lax to bkk. But I still find a way but for some, they just can't.
30 odd yrs ago when I was i my 20s bangkok was my favourite place on earth now in my late 50s I love living in a small rural village. Either way I was lucky I found my place in the world🎉aw
You should've mentioned how Chinese and Indian tourists are going to be the big revenue generators for tourism in Thailand, though Korea is rising up the ranks.
Unless you’re childless, Thailand is not a long term bet for upper middle class families. The reason why Western upper middle class people are financially sound is because they grew up in high quality suburban school districts and developed in an advanced Western system. If a family like that moves to Bangkok, their kids will grow up without those advantages. Childless people can enjoy living in a developing country because they aren’t trying to raise the next generation. As these childless perma-tourists age and die, they will not leave their intellectual and cultural legacy to anyone. Those of them that decide to raise kids almost all go back to their home country. The number of westerners that are raising kids in Thailand is tiny.
as to costs just look at food prices in shopping centres, eggs,milk, bread, chicken meat they have skyrocketed over the last 15 months but yes normal living if you prepared to change your lifestyle a little
Capital will flow into places where it is treated best. Get capital, work at a system that gets you more of it.. retire in Thailand where you get more for your buck.
I love Thai food in the states, especially in the Bay Area, CA, but I have not been to Thailand yet. I moved to Florida last year to escape from crazy policies and to eliminate California state income tax as well. So far, I have not find any good Thai restaurants in Florida where I live. Since you live in Thailand for over 3 years, how are the taxes for American expat over there in term of Federal and State capital gain taxes? Since I live in Florida, there is no state tax for me. However, I still have to deal with Federal short-term capital gain taxes. Currently, I'm thinking to move to Puerto Rico for Act 60 to eliminate Federal tax completely. Just curious, what are the Thailand and US Federal tax rates for American expat like yourself?
Haha Forest, You'll never be grumpy mate. I didn't know about that place?.........so close to me at Samrong. I'll go check it out. I'm always looking for new places to hang out here. Thanks, Tony
Has it gotten more expensive in Thai baht? It’s not really relative. Currencies fluctuate over time and typically over 10-20 year spans. I’d expect US dollar to slowly weaken over next 10 years or so (not over dramatic crazy moves, just typical slow up and down). I just think we’ve run our course for being stronger for a little while and would expect it to reverse for a long time. The expats are moving in part because of their strong currency and may not be prepared for currency risk. Sad to hear the entire world is moving away from the backpacker, but it’s understandable since the country’s need the money to help run them. I’m a grumpy old man too. Nothing wrong with it.
Comparing Thailand to Singapore is a little premature. The education system in Thailand is antiquated. It is based on memorization. Thinking outside the box and creativity are discouraged. I agree that Thailand is progressing rapidly. But the results came from the upper class who can afford to send their children abroad for education. The disparity between rich and poor is much higher than in Singapore and Japan.
In my short tine here, I've also noticed a different dynamic of travelers/tourist in some of the circles i hang with and areas ive visited. India def had that backpacker vibe but haven't seen it that here, maybe up north more.
I'm curious, have you ever done anything with Carnivore or Lion diet? To me, you seem like the kind of guy who would be all over that. If so, I'd love to see your take on it.
@@DeusExMachina50 I'm talking living in Thailand for a year or more. Seasons are irrelevant to what I wrote. Bangkok is a bad long-term call, unless you really get a nice place in the suburbs, away from the Sukhumvit/Makkasan/Ekkamai mess (inflated condo and food prices too).
@@DeusExMachina50 Clogged infrastructure. Infinite stream of tourists (many of them looking ONLY for one thing). Crowded beaches. Not many digital nomads or couples would like to stay there for the long term. Not me for sure.
Every country is getting more expensive and you can only think about those days like 20-30 years ago. All developed country or a country that is progressing will never be as cheap as it used to be. The higher cost of living would inevitably comes with exchange for economic advancement, salary, and a better quality of life. It's the truth of the world.
Agree with most of your statement though I would have to disagree with some of your points. Thailand is a nice place for expats and we are more accepting to changes. Some of your observations mostly from a perspective of an outsider..... especially the green tech and sustainability for Thailand. Unless the government starts putting in place policies to incentivize these... Thailand is going to still be 10 years behind our neighbours.
One note to add though, public transport for Bangkok/Thailand for the next 10 years is going to elevate Bangkok as the centre for SEA. If we don't get fucked by our or the Chinese government
Since when you saw many Chinese coming back there? They are authorised to travel just a month ago . And even though there are less backpackers, they are replaced by Indians or Malaysians or south East Asians like Vietnamese or Filipinos who are not big spenders. And with the economic situation , even the so called wealthy westerners have less money to spend here and are even struggling. Many Chinese in Thailand are coming here illegally and everyday you heard abt kidnappings and immigration briberies on the news. Dirty money and corruption is everywhere. And you forgot pollution. I saw many expats leaving Thailand not the opposite
Back in the day Switzerland use to be the neutral place where everyone would escape to & now it’s Thailand. One expat who has been living there for a long time says Thailand is good at playing devil’s advocate with the nations.
The price is always matter for Westerners and Americans. If Thailand can deliver you only cheaper prices then go other SEA countries such as Myanmar or Indonesia or PH. They are cheaper than Thailand…. Or go India. I don’t like to have more expats here in Thailand. This gradually changes Thailand not being the same it is. Yeah…..definitely dont want more Chinese!!
@@nganvo840 but VN cant even produce something that have more quality like Thailand can. Oh poor VNmeses who are green eyed to their neighborhood. It’s unfair to compete with the one who are always better than you just even at the day you were born, right? Lol 555555555555555555555555 Start with an ability of truth acceptance first then you will be start with the right place. 😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝
Start getting a weekly test shot of 250mg/week of test. It will change that "tired" feeling and you'll wake up swole. Homie, i'm telling you, 37 is just getting warmed up if you are on the test. Why get tired and let that be your situation? You aren't obese, you aren't old yet. Why not jump on the TRT? It will improve your quality of life and it is cheap and legal!
You can not generalize the USA....California or Oklahoma for example, are two different worlds so to say. You still can buy a nice house for 150 K in Oklahoma for example, or buy a cheap piece of land and build a cute house yourself. Try that in Thailand as a foreigner. Further, the air quality is so bad in Bangkok, one of the dirtiest cities....... Thailand is not that cheap, justice is there for the Thai not for Khun Farang, then there is the cost of visas and health insurance etc., Yes, street food is inexpensive but unhealthy, the food lies in the polluted air all day, not protected and cockroaches and rats have easy access, the meat is cheap and thus loaded with antibiotics and hormones, and the foodstuff is cooked or deep-fried in the same oil day after day, causing trans fats which cause heart disease and cancer, there is no oversight by the Government. All foreign foods are more expensive is Thailand than they are in the USA. Altogether, Thailand is a great country but not a Paradise, not cheap, and not that healthy at all.
Thailand is way off in terms of being a good place to live health n environmental-wise .. First is to clean the air by eradicating burning, heavily promoting electric car usage n mandatorily fitting all cars with catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions (Singapore did this like 30 years ago) 2nd is to eradicate the flooding problem as TL is like one big "flood plain" now .. The funny thing is that you can hardly find a place that is "NORMAL" in TL at the moment .. with Normal meaning having clean air with NO floods all year round ... This i something that is taken for granted in Singapore, Malaysia n most areas of Vietnam .. 3rd is to drastically reduce the street dogs nationwide n the monkeys in some areas ... Resolve these 3 issues n u can start talking about going green n being sustainable ...
I can't stand "Ki Nok" the Thai term for Begpackers. Like I mentioned before I've been going Thailand since 1968 some of my stories would turn heads around but for a different time. Yes Thailand is changing and the best thing is up scaling to get rid of its "Go to Thailand and live cheap" Its a world class city BKK is now. Time to get rid of the digital beggars and to make sure they pay Thai taxes! I live in Malaysia and they are doing the same thing get rid of the backpackers and visa runners. The MM2H I'm on is great. And by the way implementing the red card yellow is a great idea!
@Joseph Harris i was in chiang mai last year and was coughing every day. This was before the burning season too- imagine what it's like there now. I don't know why people are so keen to retire in Thailand when the elderly are the most vulnerable to poor air quality.
Nationwide, it's hard to say, but Bangkok is probably 5 years or earlier. If you don't know, most Thai people use their phones to pay nowadays even to small street vendors as such since they've also begun adopting QR code payment which was leveraged by covid and contactless payment being preferred. I think the main issue with the current payment system is it's still quite slow but I trust in a few years, the technology will be improved and developed. Thai people are quick to adapt to trends and have shown great interest in transitioning to a cashless society. It is now on the government and companies to evolve and push for this technology to become mainstream in all walks of life.
@@aburn9891 I agree the QR code that Thai citizens use is a game changer for a cashless society my only problem is most tourists don’t have a Thai bank account so are unable to use this easy facility and there’s more bars and restaurants who don’t accept credit cards or debit cards so I don’t know how tourist will pay in the future
Thailand is becoming one of the top 5 for e-commerce adoption, mobile payment, QRCode usage, mobiel commerce according to Digital 2021 report. It also tops the rankings for banking and financial service app use, the thrid year in a row with 68.1% of internet users while the worldwide average stands at 38.7%. You can make a payment via QR Code at every single small food stall.
I live next to a university in Bangkok and students here pay for their morning coffee with a QR code as do I . Even food stall vendors selling 50 baht meals have a QR code. I can go and entire week without using anything but my iPhone to buy anything I need.
Work online, work remotely for a company back home, work for an international company in Thailand (unlikely because it cost so much to employ foreigners), or teach English for peanuts (most likely). There is no other way.
Do you have any information on the expatriate demographics in Thailand? Wikipedia's data is from 2010. I'm curious to know if there's more current information.
Forrest be careful with this vision you create of the "grumpy old asian uncle" might turn to be real.. i still wanna see videos, if you become that uncle, there will be no more videos
To me, going to Thailand is like going back to the 90s, which has the glow in my memory of being a prosperous and progressive time, economically, culturally and socially. Thailand has that vibe all over it: progress, innovation, willingness to take chances, new ideas. Definitely something we're lacking in much of the West right now. I think your predictions are brilliant and your excitement is well-founded.
Like going back to the 90s 😯
@@Keepintouchthailand lol
90s?
Strangely I felt the same about 90s. People had good life in 90s wherever they lived.
Forrest, seems we have a lot in common but our difference is I was here in Thailand about 52 years ahead of you. My first time in Bangkok was in 1968 on a 6day R&R as a GI coming from Saigon. I actually like Vietnam better since I thought the Vietnamese women were better looking especially the women's clothes the Vietnamese Au Dai was far sexier than the Thai women's sarong. After I finished my 1-year tour of Vietnam and got my discharge, I spent a year in the U.S. since it was the hay day of the hippy "sex, drugs and rock and roll" and I was really having a ball but at the same time, I had dreams of returning to Asia and getting a better look at it. I got a job making Ford cars and after one year I had enough money to buy a airline ticket to Bangkok (I would have gone to Vietnam but there was a war going on there and I knew that America would lose it).
Arriving in Bangkok in 1969 with a backpack knowing no one, I set off to learn about Asia and figure how to survive on the $1,500 I had in my pocket. I spent that year traveling all over Thailand and bye the way marijuana was not illegal or legal, you could by a kilo of grass for $5. I could also ride the cities bus for 1/2 a baht have a huge plate of fried rice for 5 baht or a huge bowel of noodle soup for 3 baht anywhere in Bangkok. Central Department store was one 2 story building on Silom Road and where the rich shopped.
Most important Bangkok was a true Thai city, the tallest building were 4 or 5 stories Tall. The biggest building in Bangkok were the Watts. The traffic in Bangkok was always jammed but with thousands of motorcycles, tuk tuks (tuk means cheap) hundreds of busses packed with Thail hanging out the doors and only one bridge that crossed the river. Taking the train to Nong Kai for a visa run was $5., but then so was a beautiful Thai girl. I spent a year traveling and learned to speak enough Thai to do pretty much whatever I wanted. I realized that if I was really going to enjoy living in Thailand, I would need to get a job and to get a good job I better get a college education, since I had quite college after 2 year (and why I got drafted) I went back to college at LSU were there were over 100 Thais on Thai government scholarships studying for graduate degrees. Me being the only American that spoke Thai and at that time even knowing where Thailand was made me quite helpful with the Thai students since I joined the Student Government as the Foreign Student Liaison Officer. I actually became famous in that Thai students as far as Georgia had heard of me when I met them in my travels.
4 months after graduation I got my first job overseas with a company with a training contract in Vietnam, a year later and a completed contract I went to Bangkok with a lot more money in my pocket and looking for a job. There I ran into a American construction company that got a oil field job in New Guinea to build pipelines, tank farm and off shore loading for oil tankers. This being a remote site job, I worked 4 weeks on and 2 weeks off so for the next 3 years I was making very good money and had rented a house in Bangkok that I kept for 6 years. I continued working international oil field construction in Libya, Bahrain for 3 years before returning back to the U.S. where I bought land and built a home. But I would only work overseas jobs since I was getting a really good tax deduction. I continued to work overseas in Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand.
It was the Thailand job where I was the construction manager of a paper mill that met my Thai Chinese wife, she was working as a pharmacist at the local hospital that I spent 4 years building. As that job was completed in 1997 Thailand melted down and luckily I went back to oil field construction in Indonesia taking my new wife with me. After our first year there I realized it was not fair for my wife to be cooking and cleaning my clothes and from my contacts at my University I helped her get into graduate school where she picked up her Mater's degree. after 3 years she the oil company had transferred be to Thailand to support their offshore project and my wife came back and worked at the local hospital.
As the job neared completion in Thailand and I had saved a lot of money over the years we went back to America and moved into my home that I had built. It was an exciting time, I had 40 acres and a beautiful home, my wife got a very good paying job with a pharmacy and live was good until our son who was born in America was 3 years old and I started looking around for a school, I realized that the quality of education was not even up to the standards I had 50 year before. If we were to find a school that was good we would have to move. At the same time I was seeing a dramatic decline in the America's standard of living, cities that I had once passed through as a young man were being boarded up and dying. Large companies were closing factories and moving overseas. So I came to the decision that if we were to move for our son's education better to move back to Thailand where during my time building the paper mill I noticed that Thailand's standard of living was now in many cases better than America's. Today as I read the news and watch TV I see I was right.
Today, I am in my 15th year of retirement, my wife thanks to her master's degree in pharmacy administration and 5 years' experience as a pharmacist in America, her English is perfect as is her writing skills (better than mine) her salary is very high for a Thail professional and with just my monthly social security payments we have the monthly income of the American middleclass family. I sold the property in America for a very good price and I still had most of the savings I had working for the oil companies that I turned into gold bars. So money has never been a problem, but we still live a low-profile life. I drive a pickup truck and my wife has a Mazda SUV. I am now 76 and my son now 16 and attending Assumption College here in Rayong. I have been blessed with excellent health and am very active working out at the local gym with my son 5 days a week. I sometime volunteer and go to our local hospital and teach medical English to the staff to help them deal with foreign patients but mostly I am puttering around building things that I know I can make better than what I can buy. During my construction years I took the time to learn how to weld and fabricate metal and basic carpentry so making a playhouse for my son or building a fishing boat for myself was no problem. At the moment me and my wife are in the planning stage to build a new home on one acre of land (2 1/2 rai) just 15 minutes from the center of our city. Hopefully construction will start in 6 months after completing the drawing and getting the building permits approved.
As for a social life, most of my friends are Thai health professionals, as for other expats I have found that I don't have much in common with them anymore. I am always happy to help them but to be honest I have so many things on my plate, I really don't have much spare time except for my wife and son. To me a day well spent alone is in my small boat on one of the local lakes near my home surrounded by mountains, beautiful clean water and most the time the only boat on the water catching and releasing the fish I catch and taking pictures. With my family when my wife can get the time off (she is a division manager with her cell phone ringing at all hours of the day) and my son school holidays we like to travel we have been back to Saigon twice and have good friends there we like to be with. Been thinking of going to the 24 hour La Mans race. but during my years of work, I have already been just about every country in the world already. Next weekend we are driving up to Korat where that have a really excellent mall called the Mal and Terminal 21 right down the road and at the end of May we will be going to the rocket festivals in the North East. There are many hidden gems to visit in Thailand if you have a car and can read a road map.
You were rooting for VN at first but the destiny made you end up with a Thai lady. I hope that the destiny has led you to a better life here in Thailand than in VN.
longest comment I've ever seen on YT. . Great story.
Sorry but if you think the education system in Thailand is better than the USA, you have rocks in your head.
It was my interest in the Vietnam War that got me to Asia after 6 weeks in Vietnam I realised this was the future and the place to be,I now live In a very quiet Tambon on the Beautiful Island of Phuket.
I'm just impressed that you had a son at 60 after living a full life as a pre-digital nomad/expat. Talk about an inspirational story.
I'm a 76 year old Chinese American man.I had a simple hair salon for 45 years. I'm rich$ beyond my wildess dreams.
What is this attiture with old Chinese uncles. You only in your 40's on ever vog you complains about how old you are. You still have time to conquar the world. This negative attude will get you down, and women or men will find you depressing to be around. If you have too much time on your hands, go help out the needy, if you don't want to help youselve, then make difference to others and the world .
I play tennis 3 times a week, I'll be treaveling Asia for 6 months by myself and will help and make difference to the people I will meet.
All the old Chinese uncles I know are not what you decript about yours self.
This my only advice I will give to you, do what you want with it.
Good luck. Positive till dealt.
Chinese Unlce.
Very well said🎉
Thanks man for motivating me. World needs more people like you❤
What I understood from Mr. Forrest is that he was trying to throw in a bit of humor imto the conversation no more.
@@Sikofu Luis, what if he say "I'm like a lazy old Latino'' will that be acceptable as humor?
@@shampoo9658 I know him in person, and that is a yes.
Every country in the world is getting more expensive and dealing with inflation. As Forrest say's it's all relative to lifestyle.
It’s ok to be cheap in Thailand😂
Everything everywhere is relative. It’s is getting expensive everywhere globally. But it’s still all relative.
I just got back from Thailand, In order for it to become a serious world power in the years to come it needs to address pollution and poverty a little better and the government needs to improve too but with that being said it's a nation with a ton of potential and it radiates with optimism. In general Thais are hard working, humble, friendly and positive. Just like Mexico and Dubai I see Thailand as forces to be reckon with in the future. I hope my predictions are right because the land of smiles is an amazing country.
As a Thai, agree!
Thai agree with your honest comment. 👍🙏😍
Shopping is an addiction in Thailand, Siam Paragon, Central, Terminal 21 all very cool malls. Night markets, MBK and Chatuchak still rock the weekend.
Prior to my visit last week, it had been 6 years since I was in BKK, Thailand. The thing that surprised me the most is that prices in 7-11 haven’t changed. The prices are pretty much the same. Especially contrast this to the prices in the US. A box of cereal has gone from say $3.99 to now 7.99.
Even the Thai meter taxi price hasn’t changed. Only thing that seemed more expensive was going out and partying with lovely Thai ladies 😂🤣😍
Nice video!! I think Thailand’s future is bright too🍻
Agree I got back from Thailand 2 weeks ago and I agree it has a bright future and unlike America its is a place I can see myself settling down in and starting a family someday in.
Go party with beautiful girls are expensive everywhere. 😂
Thailand has grown and developed so much in the past 30 years. Every time I visit Thailand, there is always something new. I can't wait to retire in Thailand next year, my beautiful hometown. I love everything in Thailand, but my biggest concerns are air pullution and traffic accidents!
Same for all SE Asian countries. If you thought Thailand has been changing fast, you should go to Vietnam.
@@inquisitvem6723 เหงียนอ่ะนะ
@@inquisitvem6723 With all due respect to VN, don’t think so.
@@inquisitvem6723 Vietnam cant compare with Thailand in term of life quality such as infrastructure and people.
ใช่ค่ะ น้ำตาลกับอาหารสัตว์ทำพิษ
Good video, I agree with you. One thing u should be aware is that you stated that " Thailand is getting more expensive " i live in Australia and here is getting crazy expensive especially housing is becoming a big issue. people who don't owe their homes renting or buying property is really hard. So it's not only Thailand.
+1 from Canada
Same as Los Angeles! I used to buy food like Chinese take out one order can eat for two people but now the price went up
all most double but also the container of the food got smaller.
There are two types of vlogging expats, one who seem to troll and just always have negative things to say about that country. The second being pat, where he genuinely loves the country, but still is careful and thoughtful about he approaches negative aspects of life in another country. I’d rather someone who has good thing to say, not someone who just blames everything on the go the country and not checking themselves.
Thailand entertainment industry especially BL Series will be another cultural phenomenon hit the world like Korean Wave (Hallyu)
Now people don't care drama at all most of them just watch anime and marvel..
Hi Grumps 😆🙏🏻 My brother’s and sister’s company is in Bangrak on Sap Road by the Russian Embassy, and several new hostels have popped up and I see a lot of young backpackers in the area. So maybe you have a localized perception of less budget travelers. But I see more. ฿333 a night isn’t bad for around the Silom area. When I go out, I’ll usually stay in a hotel too rather than drive home - better to be safe and responsible. Your friend that told you that Thailand can be as cheap or expensive as you choose is spot on! Cheers mate. 👏🏻🙏🏻😊
The Thailand is definitely more expensive than during the Covid times 2 years ago, especially accommodation. The food is more expensive: expresso in 7-11 was 25 baht, now it's 30, everything else is up 10-20% as well, the inflation definitely hit the country. Gasoline is more expensive for sure. Massage and taxi are more expensive too.
It's still relatively easy to find pad grapao or kao pad for 50 baht though.
so does the rest of world
Thailand has one of the lowest inflation in the world. Food prices changed just a bit outside tourist areas. Taxi prices went up 2 months ago by 7%.
Thailand has the largest installed floating solar system in the world. Great stuff!
It is getting more expensive! 12 months back at the local typical market you could get a mass of veggies etc for 300 baht. Now that amount of veggies is around 900 baht, easily. We live in Rangsit. In saying this, we love Thailand and you can live very cheaply if required. Australia for example is in serious serious long lasting inflationary problems.
I move to Thailand in a few weeks I can’t wait!
Solid channel, subscribed. I just moved to Bangkok from Seattle. Hell of a lot cheaper... the place I got would have been at least double back home.
SideTripLife RUclipsr did a really good video of the 101 shopping mall, skytrain, Whizdom condo He said it's his favorite place to live in Bangkok with the total cost of living roughly $1500 a month and everything within a one minute walk. Video is the $345 condo
I gave up backpacking after i grew older. It feels like a natural process. Gonna fly to Bangkok from Shanghai in few weeks
so you’re still backpacking 😂
@@nofood1 Not this time la. I just wanna a comfortable vacation after enjoying three years of Covid lockdown🤣
@@outlilei damn, enjoy bro 🏝🙏
@@nofood1 Thanks man🥰
I think backpackers will be the last demo to come back. You have to follow the money. Backpackers survived off of Budget airlines and Hostels which are low profit margin businesses and were hurt the worst during Covid. Full fare airlines and hotels will be the first to come back online with higher prices to support the demand. Eventually market forces will normalize prices and the industry targeting the budget conscious will come back
Thailand is becoming more expensive , but at least the quality is going up with the price , unlike in the west where quality is going down , Thailand is evolving There is plenty wealth here , it would be nice to see it shared better amongst the less wealthy .
6:10 Thailand having something for every level of travel budget is what makes it attractive, welcoming, and special.
The country would not be where it is today on the tourism world stage, were it not for backpackers in the 1980s and 1990s.
All immature and naive governments want only "quality" and "high-spending" tourists, not understanding how reality and markets work.
Another great video. I was just there it's amazing.
Hello Darren, are you out of Canada?
Hey Forrest did you delete my previous comment? LOL If it was a glitch, just wanted to share my 2 cents "I think when someone is asking if x country is getting more expensive or not, they are talking about whether the same goods or services has INCREASED in price compared to say last year. It has nothing to do with lifestyle. Essentially they are asking if the wanted the same lifestyle as the one they previously had in Thailand, would it now cost more? Not what x lifestyle would cost. You are referring to the VALUE of your money. For exchange rates, I believe that is also less relevant in answering the question (if you look at the historical FX rates between USD:BHT within the past year, it's negligible of a difference). Can you please talk more about whether Thailand has gotten more expensive in your opinion? Curious to know."
I can relate to the Asian uncle syndrome as I feel the same man. Don't wanna travel too far, get away from the sun, enjoy that glass of wine, and just be pampered. I used to travel and lived in BKK and loved it until it was time to move on. True about it would be a major force and player in Southeast Asian and I've seen BKK shedding off from backpackers haven reputation to a more sophisticated and trendy city...always something new to discover especially food establishments. Thanks for sharing!
When talking about the future of Thailand, I guess you will need to look at the main sources of income for Thailand into the future, while that will predict to large extent their prosperity. For Singapore it is clear, they have large companies (e.g in the Natural Resources and the Financial Industry) that have decided to locate their Global or Regional head office in Singapore. However for Thailand I still find it difficult to find their distinguished sources of income. I think it is partly Tourism, partly Airline and automobile parts manufacturing, partly Technology Hardware manufacturing. And of course the rice production, but I do not expect that has a lot of potential going into the future. So where will Thailand stand out from the rest (what is their competitive advantage), going into the future? I still have difficulty to see this.....
I agree with you.
I agree with your assessment. Hopefully, with the global supply chain relocating from China to Southeast Asia, Thailand will take advantage of this opportunity to position itself correctly from this massive once-every-three-decades economic shift. If it does, I can see a bright future for Thailand. Otherwise, Thailand is just drifting aimlessly.
I think they're relying hard on the development of the EEC which will shift the country's manufacturing focus to more 'S-Curve' or higher end technology like robotics, digital businesses, clean energy etc. Overall, there is potential for the country to become the main hub in SEA since compabies are shifting operations from China but they need to put a foot in the door to be the first.
Thai agree with you. 👍🙏😍
Great topic on this video Forrest!!! Greetings from San Francisco & thanks for sharing 😊
Great video, very informative, cant wait to retire in Thailand and fingers crossed my modest pension will cover my costs, Our sales tax in Ireland is 23% by the way, so 7% in Thailand sounds so good, Maybe I will get to and afford a lunch in OSheas Irish pub. Keep the vidoes coming,
Iraland’s 23% sales tax makes 13% in Ontario, Canada, a kiddy. You make me feel better now after being so upset with 4% salary increase vs 10% to 30% price increases and 50% of my bonuses gone to tax man before it was even deposited into my bank account. Thank you 😊
It is amazing how Thailand is evolving so fast and the US is going backwards even faster😁
Don't forget that the developing world is only developing because corporate America exported jobs there.
@4:10 quote "It is better to just uproot & go where you are treated best" ....Made me smile. As we have lived in Thailand 7 years then moved back to US & visit 3 months a year now as we still own a home in Thailand. When I heard that quote I smiled & thought that is a good quote...Then I laughed because while we love Thailand & are treated well by the Thai people themselves...mostly...I would say Thailand never treats foreigners well. I mean do cops ever stop me here in USA? No never as I don't speed etc etc But in Thailand? Speeding or not stopped Often.... Does the US make me check in every 90 days? Do they require me to ask permission thru a long process yearly? Does Thailand offer me what the US offered my wife years ago? Meaning ability to work if I want or to get citizenship after 3 years? Don't get me wrong we LOVE Thailand & may even move back full time. But I don't kid myself about which place treats me best 😉 Thanks for another nice video!
Agreed. Love the place but as a foreigner you are stuffed if you don't have income from abroad
You just know NOW that foreigners in Thailand don’t have any rights???Do you get a green card in Thailand ? That answers all the questions
@@alexandertraveler510 No we always knew that of course but...I was making a comment in regard to "Go where you are treated best"
Are Thais safe living in US? Having yellow skin could get us killed in the US just like a Thai man got killed during covid Chinese hatred. So we are treated the same in the US?
Mr Lee by stating that there are less back packer travelers you confirmed the news that Thailand is becoming more expensive on a day to day living expenses irrespective of the traveler's home currency.
3:28 In Norway we have a general sales tax of 25% We're okay.
Wow, seriously? You must have great benefit from the government, such as healthcare?
@@t.q.6639 😂😂😂 Word
@@t.q.6639 Norway has free college too
@@ellvtv2314 Nothing is free. Somebody is paying for it one way or another.
Great content Forrest! It would be interesting if you could dive deeper in the Tech, Luxury Travel space interview tech hubs and luxury travel companies.
Good video.Two things that Thailand have to address for the country to emerge as a big success story post pandemic, 1) mitigate the air pollution by taking action against field and rubbish burning and unfit transport vehicles and 2) political stability as military coups significantly stops international investment in the country.
You may be a better fit for Australia or New Zealand, or maybe Japan. Life is short. Go where you fit in.
@@gmbeahan Yep it is that is why I live in Thailand.
@@billybasu3900 Don't try to make Thailand more like the place you got sick of and left. As a cultural refugee and Kingdom guest, here you vote with your feet, not your mouth.
Many of the public busses in Bangkok spew out black smoke it’s disgusting
Low spending backpackers out… which is shortsighted… and now confined to smaller areas; elephant pants look very out of place in Siam Paragon or a rooftop restaurant. …moderate high spending tourists in… just look at all of the new expensive mix use developments going up…One Bangkok, as an example… more luxury condos going up everywhere; … The countryside still very affordable … if that is your inclination ..Bangkok is an amazing city to live in 🙏 my advice… make lots of money in your home country… then come to Thailand and Bangkok to spend it🙏🙏 Nice presentation 👍
Great video man nice timing with this video 👍
FOREST! MATE, i am Aussie livung tn Chisng mai. 82 still going to DAYGYM Ten chin the bars x three. Dont ever think you are old or you will be OLD.
JUST SOLD MY last K T M motor bike( think its time) So keep on going, as you get older you find other things YOU can do.
3.00 great speech man 👍🏼
Too many foreigners in Thailand now. Not good. Too much competition for living quarters in popular areas which means HIGHER rental prices. This is already the case in Pattaya and Phuket because of the Russians.
I believe we need more foreigners in Thailand. They will improve our standard of living. The investors, entrepreneurs, tourists, digital nomads or workers from neighboring countries all have significant impacts on how we grow. We need to better utilize those potentials.
Airfare is probably keeping the backpackers away. I'm paying 600 dollars more on a R/T tix from lax to bkk. But I still find a way but for some, they just can't.
It’s more than that. Everything has gone up
Greetings from Chicago! Great and insightful episode.
Good report Lee. Keep up the good work bro.
30 odd yrs ago when I was i my 20s bangkok was my favourite place on earth now in my late 50s I love living in a small rural village. Either way I was lucky I found my place in the world🎉aw
You should've mentioned how Chinese and Indian tourists are going to be the big revenue generators for tourism in Thailand, though Korea is rising up the ranks.
Unless you’re childless, Thailand is not a long term bet for upper middle class families. The reason why Western upper middle class people are financially sound is because they grew up in high quality suburban school districts and developed in an advanced Western system. If a family like that moves to Bangkok, their kids will grow up without those advantages. Childless people can enjoy living in a developing country because they aren’t trying to raise the next generation. As these childless perma-tourists age and die, they will not leave their intellectual and cultural legacy to anyone. Those of them that decide to raise kids almost all go back to their home country. The number of westerners that are raising kids in Thailand is tiny.
as to costs just look at food prices in shopping centres, eggs,milk, bread, chicken meat they have skyrocketed over the last 15 months but yes normal living if you prepared to change your lifestyle a little
Welcome to Thailand ka❤
Capital will flow into places where it is treated best. Get capital, work at a system that gets you more of it.. retire in Thailand where you get more for your buck.
I love Thai food in the states, especially in the Bay Area, CA, but I have not been to Thailand yet. I moved to Florida last year to escape from crazy policies and to eliminate California state income tax as well. So far, I have not find any good Thai restaurants in Florida where I live. Since you live in Thailand for over 3 years, how are the taxes for American expat over there in term of Federal and State capital gain taxes? Since I live in Florida, there is no state tax for me. However, I still have to deal with Federal short-term capital gain taxes. Currently, I'm thinking to move to Puerto Rico for Act 60 to eliminate Federal tax completely. Just curious, what are the Thailand and US Federal tax rates for American expat like yourself?
Haha Forest, You'll never be grumpy mate. I didn't know about that place?.........so close to me at Samrong. I'll go check it out. I'm always looking for new places to hang out here. Thanks, Tony
Honestly, I don’t see anything special or more worthwhile in Thailand that couldn’t get in Vietnam. The hidden gems for now are Cambodia and Laos.
Has it gotten more expensive in Thai baht? It’s not really relative. Currencies fluctuate over time and typically over 10-20 year spans. I’d expect US dollar to slowly weaken over next 10 years or so (not over dramatic crazy moves, just typical slow up and down). I just think we’ve run our course for being stronger for a little while and would expect it to reverse for a long time.
The expats are moving in part because of their strong currency and may not be prepared for currency risk.
Sad to hear the entire world is moving away from the backpacker, but it’s understandable since the country’s need the money to help run them.
I’m a grumpy old man too. Nothing wrong with it.
Thailand will be a huge economy sooner rather than later.
not with this education system...
Yeah, I'm still saving and investing. Prolly in the next 5 - 8 years can make the jump and live over in SEA. Just gotta keep aggressively investing
In America you have the luxury to live in urban sprawl and drive your car everywhere.
Comparing Thailand to Singapore is a little premature. The education system in Thailand is antiquated. It is based on memorization. Thinking outside the box and creativity are discouraged. I agree that Thailand is progressing rapidly. But the results came from the upper class who can afford to send their children abroad for education. The disparity between rich and poor is much higher than in Singapore and Japan.
Agree, 100%! I think Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia may be besy for me, but Bangkok is a very close second.
In my short tine here, I've also noticed a different dynamic of travelers/tourist in some of the circles i hang with and areas ive visited.
India def had that backpacker vibe but haven't seen it that here, maybe up north more.
My hubby I just got a LTR visa!!!! We are going to live in Thailand
I'm curious, have you ever done anything with Carnivore or Lion diet? To me, you seem like the kind of guy who would be all over that. If so, I'd love to see your take on it.
After 1 year of experience - Bangkok isn't Thailand.
It's OK for a few months, but move out to Chiang Mai or Phuket ASAP.
Chiang Mai at this time of the year is a nightmare, and Phuket is too expensive.
Phuket has been overrun by Russians, not the same anymore.
@@DeusExMachina50 I'm talking living in Thailand for a year or more. Seasons are irrelevant to what I wrote. Bangkok is a bad long-term call, unless you really get a nice place in the suburbs, away from the Sukhumvit/Makkasan/Ekkamai mess (inflated condo and food prices too).
@@beingsolo80 What about Pattaya?
@@DeusExMachina50 Clogged infrastructure. Infinite stream of tourists (many of them looking ONLY for one thing). Crowded beaches. Not many digital nomads or couples would like to stay there for the long term. Not me for sure.
I’m in love with this man I swear😢…
Every country is getting more expensive and you can only think about those days like 20-30 years ago. All developed country or a country that is progressing will never be as cheap as it used to be. The higher cost of living would inevitably comes with exchange for economic advancement, salary, and a better quality of life. It's the truth of the world.
10.75% Alameda county is highest sales tax in CA
The VAT tax in the UK is 20%!
Can you do a review on True Digital Park?
Medical Tourism will continue to draw more and more folks, especially from China, now that Covid has become endemic and travel is unfettered.
Agree with most of your statement though I would have to disagree with some of your points. Thailand is a nice place for expats and we are more accepting to changes. Some of your observations mostly from a perspective of an outsider..... especially the green tech and sustainability for Thailand. Unless the government starts putting in place policies to incentivize these... Thailand is going to still be 10 years behind our neighbours.
One note to add though, public transport for Bangkok/Thailand for the next 10 years is going to elevate Bangkok as the centre for SEA. If we don't get fucked by our or the Chinese government
I agree the most clearly evidence I see is 2%-3% growth of thailand...
True digital park is my favorite place too
Love.. u style..smart, super smooth..Asian uncle? Welcome to the club..any good advice for a good happy ending spot lol😂
Great content man! Been following you for awhile.....aaannd there's nothing wrong with being an old-ass asian man... 🤣🤣🤣Embrace it with confidence!
The whole world , foods are rising up by 100% to 200%, a bowl of rice cost inYear 2000 US$2.00 now is US5.00
Since when you saw many Chinese coming back there? They are authorised to travel just a month ago . And even though there are less backpackers, they are replaced by Indians or Malaysians or south East Asians like Vietnamese or Filipinos who are not big spenders.
And with the economic situation , even the so called wealthy westerners have less money to spend here and are even struggling.
Many Chinese in Thailand are coming here illegally and everyday you heard abt kidnappings and immigration briberies on the news. Dirty money and corruption is everywhere. And you forgot pollution.
I saw many expats leaving Thailand not the opposite
Enjoying your vids...
All the backpacker vloggers seem to be going to Laos now.
All these emerging market countries that want to become completely developed first world economies. Along with that comes first world prices.
Do they have homestays there? They are like small family owned hotels in Bali.
You should use sign language, that voice is irradiating
Back in the day Switzerland use to be the neutral place where everyone would escape to & now it’s Thailand. One expat who has been living there for a long time says Thailand is good at playing devil’s advocate with the nations.
The price is always matter for Westerners and Americans. If Thailand can deliver you only cheaper prices then go other SEA countries such as Myanmar or Indonesia or PH. They are cheaper than Thailand…. Or go India. I don’t like to have more expats here in Thailand. This gradually changes Thailand not being the same it is. Yeah…..definitely dont want more Chinese!!
If u manufacturing lot of thing it will be cheap
Some cheap product in china actually quality..
@@nganvo840 but VN cant even produce something that have more quality like Thailand can. Oh poor VNmeses who are green eyed to their neighborhood. It’s unfair to compete with the one who are always better than you just even at the day you were born, right? Lol 555555555555555555555555 Start with an ability of truth acceptance first then you will be start with the right place. 😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝
Start getting a weekly test shot of 250mg/week of test. It will change that "tired" feeling and you'll wake up swole. Homie, i'm telling you, 37 is just getting warmed up if you are on the test. Why get tired and let that be your situation? You aren't obese, you aren't old yet. Why not jump on the TRT? It will improve your quality of life and it is cheap and legal!
Thank you and greetings 🖖
You can not generalize the USA....California or Oklahoma for example, are two different worlds so to say.
You still can buy a nice house for 150 K in Oklahoma for example, or buy a cheap piece of land and build a cute house yourself. Try that in Thailand as a foreigner.
Further, the air quality is so bad in Bangkok, one of the dirtiest cities.......
Thailand is not that cheap, justice is there for the Thai not for Khun Farang, then there is the cost of visas and health insurance etc.,
Yes, street food is inexpensive but unhealthy, the food lies in the polluted air all day, not protected and cockroaches and rats have easy access, the meat is cheap and thus loaded with antibiotics and hormones, and the foodstuff is cooked or deep-fried in the same oil day after day, causing trans fats which cause heart disease and cancer, there is no oversight by the Government.
All foreign foods are more expensive is Thailand than they are in the USA.
Altogether, Thailand is a great country but not a Paradise, not cheap, and not that healthy at all.
And you're right about budgets, can go high or low...
After 8 + years of dark times, finally Thailand may have a future. T-T
Thailand is way off in terms of being a good place to live health n environmental-wise ..
First is to clean the air by eradicating burning, heavily promoting electric car usage n mandatorily fitting all cars with catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions (Singapore did this like 30 years ago)
2nd is to eradicate the flooding problem as TL is like one big "flood plain" now ..
The funny thing is that you can hardly find a place that is "NORMAL" in TL at the moment .. with Normal meaning having clean air with NO floods all year round ...
This i something that is taken for granted in Singapore, Malaysia n most areas of Vietnam ..
3rd is to drastically reduce the street dogs nationwide n the monkeys in some areas ...
Resolve these 3 issues n u can start talking about going green n being sustainable ...
I can't stand "Ki Nok" the Thai term for Begpackers. Like I mentioned before I've been going Thailand since 1968 some of my stories would turn heads around but for a different time. Yes Thailand is changing and the best thing is up scaling to get rid of its "Go to Thailand and live cheap" Its a world class city BKK is now. Time to get rid of the digital beggars and to make sure they pay Thai taxes! I live in Malaysia and they are doing the same thing get rid of the backpackers and visa runners. The MM2H I'm on is great. And by the way implementing the red card yellow is a great idea!
If everyone is healthy then people will also be happy
2 hamburgers at burger king yesterday Maui n hawaii, $34.... soo you soon Bankok
If the air pollution in thailand wasn't so bad, I would move there in an instant....
@Joseph Harris i was in chiang mai last year and was coughing every day. This was before the burning season too- imagine what it's like there now. I don't know why people are so keen to retire in Thailand when the elderly are the most vulnerable to poor air quality.
Good point even in Chiang Mai pollution is a disaster in certain months
what happened to your ex pat meets on your website, never got a reply, thanks,.
Your in s0i 31 Peppina is an awesome pizza place ! rated one of the best authentic Neopolitan Pizza Joints in BKK
Forrest my question for you is. How close is Thailand to be a cashless society? Five years or ten years ?
For many it is already here!!! But fully I give it 5 years.
The only people who struggle are those over 70 who are not digital literate
Nationwide, it's hard to say, but Bangkok is probably 5 years or earlier. If you don't know, most Thai people use their phones to pay nowadays even to small street vendors as such since they've also begun adopting QR code payment which was leveraged by covid and contactless payment being preferred. I think the main issue with the current payment system is it's still quite slow but I trust in a few years, the technology will be improved and developed. Thai people are quick to adapt to trends and have shown great interest in transitioning to a cashless society. It is now on the government and companies to evolve and push for this technology to become mainstream in all walks of life.
@@aburn9891 I agree the QR code that Thai citizens use is a game changer for a cashless society my only problem is most tourists don’t have a Thai bank account so are unable to use this easy facility and there’s more bars and restaurants who don’t accept credit cards or debit cards so I don’t know how tourist will pay in the future
Thailand is becoming one of the top 5 for e-commerce adoption, mobile payment, QRCode usage, mobiel commerce according to Digital 2021 report. It also tops the rankings for banking and financial service app use, the thrid year in a row with 68.1% of internet users while the worldwide average stands at 38.7%. You can make a payment via QR Code at every single small food stall.
I live next to a university in Bangkok and students here pay for their morning coffee with a QR code as do I . Even food stall vendors selling 50 baht meals have a QR code. I can go and entire week without using anything but my iPhone to buy anything I need.
How does one get a job in Thailand as an expat
Work online, work remotely for a company back home, work for an international company in Thailand (unlikely because it cost so much to employ foreigners), or teach English for peanuts (most likely). There is no other way.
Do you have any information on the expatriate demographics in Thailand? Wikipedia's data is from 2010. I'm curious to know if there's more current information.
You would never think of Thailand as a Buddhist country .everyone's trying to make money all the time
What's the talk on digital currency in thialand?
4:50 Asian Uncle …😂😂😂😂
Will I need to know Thai language before moving their like for getting ubers,Communication,tv shopping etc.
@josephharris7934 thanks and watching English tv available and English restaurant,apps menus
I have not seen your video for a while.
Forrest be careful with this vision you create of the "grumpy old asian uncle" might turn to be real.. i still wanna see videos, if you become that uncle, there will be no more videos