Living in Thailand

[Amavida]

Hi,

There is so much bullshit frankly written about Thailand in the media, be it Thai or foreign.

The only people that know what's going on are the Privy Council, think of them as Thailand's star chamber, illuminati, or whatever, it's not a conspiracy theory it is a political fact.

They are the true power behind EVERYTHING (read between the lines here guys, certain things cannot be spoken of here).

Even they don't know the future but they are currently jockeying for the ultimate position.

If you want to know more, then forget BBC, CNN, RT, and all the other MSM that kowtow to the junta and go to:

Newmandala dot org www.newmandala.org if you are in Thailand and don't use a VPN (not Hola if you value your freedom!) then you most certainly will be blocked from this site.

This is a think tank run out of the very capable ANU Asian Studies faculty in Canberra, Australia.
It is the closest a monger will ever get to what goes on behind closed doors here,
and it would behoove all of you to at least understand the very hidden truth about this place.

Good luck to us all, we'll likely need it!

Thanks for sharing this. Always good to have different views as counterpoint to MSM.

AV.

[Asian Rain]

I agree with you that all sorts of hell is about to be unleashed economically.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ECi6WJpbzE

[GoodEnough]

Right now expats are the least of concern and worry for the rulers. Stunted royal succession, possible internal political unrest and super fragile economy are the main concerns. I have my doubts about things getting too far out of hand in Phils, but if you need a country to escape to, Thailand is an easy place to set up if you need a quick getaway.

The world is now coming due for the cyclical 10-year economic crisis and shearing of the meek masses, so I would be less concerned about what Hillary, Du30 and other political talking heads are up to. There is a much bigger play happening. Enjoy, AsianRain.

If the Philippines is any metaphor for the rest of the region, I'm not sure I agree. Recent developments here prove, if nothing else, that large segments of the local population are easily pursuaded to believe that, however ridiculous the contention, external threats--the US, Western Imperialism, the EU--are responsible for the country's current problems. Current Philippines politicians are succeeding beyond measure in absurd arguments holding the US (and the EU) culpable for the country's total failure to develop. I'm guessing that the same could happen in the Land of Smiles; external bogeymen are easier to create as a focus for collective frustration than are real solutions. Putin has built an entire career on that premise and enjoys an 86% approval rating from the population of his disastrous country.

I look forward to having some discussions next month in Bangkok with a few expats who have lived there for several years. I'd like to know if, as is the case here among some Westerners, they're growing increasingly uneasy about the longer-term.

GE.

[Oliver Kitsoff]

Right now expats are the least of concern and worry for the rulers. Stunted royal succession, possible internal political unrest and super fragile economy are the main concerns. I have my doubts about things getting too far out of hand in Phils, but if you need a country to escape to, Thailand is an easy place to set up if you need a quick getaway.

The world is now coming due for the cyclical 10-year economic crisis and shearing of the meek masses, so I would be less concerned about what Hillary, Du30 and other political talking heads are up to. There is a much bigger play happening. Enjoy, AsianRain.

I agree with you that all sorts of hell is about to be unleashed economically.

Once scoffed at by the MSM, Messrs. Schiff, Rogers, and 'Dr. Doom' incidentally, also a CM resident, and habitue of Loy Kroh Rd, more and more economists are predicting at the very least a correction, I think we face GFC 2. 0 without the bailouts this time!

As to the second part of your observation, while expats may not be directly in anyone's crosshairs yet, decisions made on high, impact every member of a nations population for better or worse. If you at least understand some of the key personalities, as described by their peers (our foreign Ambassadors) in the wikileaks cables, and not the PR crap they put out for the masses, you MAY be able to perhaps make better expat decisions.

There are NO guarantees!

[Asian Rain]

I've been thinking of a move there, even a temporary move. Evidently life for expats in Thailand is as tentative and uncertain as it is here, or am I reading too much into your post?

Right now expats are the least of concern and worry for the rulers. Stunted royal succession, possible internal political unrest and super fragile economy are the main concerns. I have my doubts about things getting too far out of hand in Phils, but if you need a country to escape to, Thailand is an easy place to set up if you need a quick getaway.

The world is now coming due for the cyclical 10-year economic crisis and shearing of the meek masses, so I would be less concerned about what Hillary, Du30 and other political talking heads are up to. There is a much bigger play happening. Enjoy, AsianRain.

[Oliver Kitsoff]

Thanks very much for the tip. As the possibility of growing anti-Western / anti-US sentiment grows ever stronger here in the Philippines, where I've been for 14 years, I've been thinking of a move there, even a temporary move. Evidently life for expats in Thailand is as tentative and uncertain as it is here, or am I reading too much into your post?

GE.

Frankly GE, I don't know!

I do know that I was never a fan of the PI having tasted it (lovely women, shithole of a place) even before that lunatic got into power.

He changes his story every day, and frankly I think he's mentally unstable.

As I recommended, there are only two sites both current and prospective expats need to make a decision thets RIGHT FOR THEM, not the next guy, and those are:

numbeo.com -for cost of living, crime rates, etc.

And newmandala -for the skinny on what the elite are up to and how that may affect you personally, or not.

Everything else is barstool opinions, usually borrowed from what the television tells mongers to think!

Including what you read here 95% of the time.

Sorry if that offends some, but take it to the pub, I'm not here to debate this stuff, just to try and help in a practical way.

[GoodEnough]

Hi,

There is so much bullshit frankly written about Thailand in the media, be it Thai or foreign.

The only people that know what's going on are the Privy Council, think of them as Thailand's star chamber, illuminati, or whatever, it's not a conspiracy theory it is a political fact.

They are the true power behind EVERYTHING (read between the lines here guys, certain things cannot be spoken of here).

Even they don't know the future but they are currently jockeying for the ultimate position.

If you want to know more, then forget BBC, CNN, RT, and all the other MSM that kowtow to the junta and go to:

Newmandala dot org.

This is the closest a monger will ever get to what goes on behind closed doors here, and it would behoove all of you to at least understand the very hidden truth about this place.

Good luck to us all, we'll likely need it!

Thanks very much for the tip. As the possibility of growing anti-Western / anti-US sentiment grows ever stronger here in the Philippines, where I've been for 14 years, I've been thinking of a move there, even a temporary move. Evidently life for expats in Thailand is as tentative and uncertain as it is here, or am I reading too much into your post?

GE.

[Oliver Kitsoff]

Hi,

There is so much bullshit frankly written about Thailand in the media, be it Thai or foreign.

The only people that know what's going on are the Privy Council, think of them as Thailand's star chamber, illuminati, or whatever, it's not a conspiracy theory it is a political fact.

They are the true power behind EVERYTHING (read between the lines here guys, certain things cannot be spoken of here).

Even they don't know the future but they are currently jockeying for the ultimate position.

If you want to know more, then forget BBC, CNN, RT, and all the other MSM that kowtow to the junta and go to:

Newmandala dot org www.newmandala.org if you are in Thailand and don't use a VPN (not Hola if you value your freedom!) then you most certainly will be blocked from this site.

This is a think tank run out of the very capable ANU Asian Studies faculty in Canberra, Australia.
It is the closest a monger will ever get to what goes on behind closed doors here,
and it would behoove all of you to at least understand the very hidden truth about this place.

Good luck to us all, we'll likely need it!

[Mr Enternational]

Why do you say Phuket is boring and Jomtien is not? Because of proximity to Bangkok? Guess I'm not much for the big city type stuff but I would like to visit Chiang Mai sometime as I've heard good things about it.

Because Jomtien is connected to Pattaya; Phuket ain't connected to shit. I was there 5 years ago for scuba diving and have no intentions on going back. I have been to CM twice for tourist stuff and no plans to go back there either. You can land up in prison for talking about royalty, so it is best not even to discuss it. And leave political discussions to the Thais. Just go lay low and enjoy the place for what it is worth.

[LuvDaPuss]

Saw the news about the trouble there. I still want to go ahead as planned and expect to be there before the end of September. Who knows, maybe the rent will be cheaper. Will find out soon enough. Pity the fools making all the trouble when the cops get a hold of them. When they get done there won't be much left.

Got the go ahead from social security yesterday so that should all go into my account starting the end of November. That scares me a little bit as I hope they don't screw it up and want me to drop on by for a face to face meeting.

And yeah, my take on things is sure to be out to lunch at this time. Yours was too 3 years ago I'm sure. Why do you say Phuket is boring and Jomtien is not? Because of proximity to Bangkok? Guess I'm not much for the big city type stuff but I would like to visit Chiang Mai sometime as I've heard good things about it.

[Gin And Tonic]

Greetings -.

I finally decided to pull the plug here in the US and retire in the LOS. This just happened last week so things are still a bit up in the air. I have been there 3 times on vacation in the last 15 years so I am familiar with the landscape but certainly not an expert. The last time I was there was 2010 when the red shirt/yellow shirt demonstrations were going on. As with all things Thai there were the most polite and well-behaved demonstrations one could ever imagine. Is it the same sort of thing going on now with the "new constitution" or has it gotten more ugly? As you expats well know, vacationing there and living there are entirely different propositions. My intention is to find a place on Phuket as far away from Patong Beach as feasible. Any thoughtful opinions or insight into the present situation would be much appreciated by this newly retired old monger. . LDP.

Update: 13 bombs and fires the last couple days including at Patong. Could be Reds. Could be southern separatists. Could be friends of kicked out Chinese Muslims.

I made the move 3 years ago. Checked out Phuket but girlfriend at the time didn't want to live there. In retrospect I'm glad I didn't move there. Would have gotten bored to quick.

I decided to settle in Jomtien Beach. Cheaper than the higher end resort towns and easy for me to live a western lifestyle. Unlimited mongering options a ten minute baht bus ride in Pattaya. Quite at night and always feel safe day or night. 1 hour 45 minutes by bus to the Bangkok sky train system at airport. 122 baht.

[Gin And Tonic]

Thank you Mr. E for the quick post and for the website advice. I used the wrong term when I said "move to Thailand". My intention is to do just what you suggested, go there for at least 6 to 18 months. No furniture or massive amount of belongings will be shipped from California, just me with a back pack and maybe a suitcase in tow. Technically not a "move" but perhaps it could be considered pre-marital sex in advance of what may be a long term relationship. I'm all ears for any more suggestions or more detailed opinions you may have so let them fly.
I am also curious as to what the order of succession looks like with their King in poor health at an advanced age. Granted there has been plenty of political unrest and coups in the past, but he seems to have been the last resort stabilizer. Without him or his image to hold things together in the future, will all still be well? .....LDP.

There is a crown prince. Your opinions are out to lunch. The truth cannot be reported in country.

[LuvDaPuss]

Thank you Mr. E for the quick post and for the website advice. I used the wrong term when I said "move to Thailand". My intention is to do just what you suggested, go there for at least 6 to 18 months. No furniture or massive amount of belongings will be shipped from California, just me with a back pack and maybe a suitcase in tow. Technically not a "move" but perhaps it could be considered pre-marital sex in advance of what may be a long term relationship. I'm all ears for any more suggestions or more detailed opinions you may have so let them fly.
I am also curious as to what the order of succession looks like with their King in poor health at an advanced age. Granted there has been plenty of political unrest and coups in the past, but he seems to have been the last resort stabilizer. Without him or his image to hold things together in the future, will all still be well? .....LDP.

[Mr Enternational]

As with all things Thai there were the most polite and well-behaved

I think you were in the wrong Thailand. Maybe go poke around on ThaiVisa a bit and get up to snuff on the daily news and the how do you do whatever you need to dos. You definitely do not want to base moving on three visits. Go somewhere and get a 6 month lease and then decide if you can stomach the place. I love it, but it is not for everybody. Why do people on motorbikes drive down the street the wrong way?

[LuvDaPuss]

Greetings -.

I finally decided to pull the plug here in the US and retire in the LOS. This just happened last week so things are still a bit up in the air. I have been there 3 times on vacation in the last 15 years so I am familiar with the landscape but certainly not an expert. The last time I was there was 2010 when the red shirt/yellow shirt demonstrations were going on. As with all things Thai there were the most polite and well-behaved demonstrations one could ever imagine. Is it the same sort of thing going on now with the "new constitution" or has it gotten more ugly? As you expats well know, vacationing there and living there are entirely different propositions. My intention is to find a place on Phuket as far away from Patong Beach as feasible. Any thoughtful opinions or insight into the present situation would be much appreciated by this newly retired old monger. . LDP.