Self sufficient in Thailand

[Teacher Terry]

My son is moving to Saigon to teach English in a few months ( yes I know they changed the name of the place). I just don’t get the allure. I was in Thailand in 1998 and although beautiful you would have to pay me to come back. So hot even in winter, public bathrooms unusable, polluted air and water, etc. My son said he can live a great life cheap, eat out everyday, have someone clean his apartment twice a week and still save money. He has a masters degree and has a decent job here.

 

[Teacher Terry]

If you want to live cheap move to Wichita, KS.

 

[pj.mask]

If you want to live cheap move to Wichita, KS.

One of the awesome things about Asia is the food has a lot of flavor. Something I haven’t found around Wichita.

If you want to live in a small city (0.39mill population), cook your own food, and not travel Wichita will be fine. If you want to live in a major city Bangkok (8.28 mill population) and all the things that come with that - interactions, events, restaurants... plus with a major airport you are a few hours from so many places. Beautiful beaches, other cities/countries. And all of them attainable at a low price.

 

[zinger1457]

If you want to live in a small city (0.39mill population), cook your own food, and not travel Wichita will be fine. If you want to live in a major city Bangkok (8.28 mill population) and all the things that come with that - interactions, events, restaurants... plus with a major airport you are a few hours from so many places. Beautiful beaches, other cities/countries. And all of them attainable at a low price.

There may be some nice places to live in Thailand but I doubt many would include Bangkok on that list. Traffic is horrendous and as nice as Thai people are they are among the worst drivers in the world. Housing can be expensive especially if you want to avoid driving and live within walking distance of the BTS/MRT.

 

[ERD50]

Of course they're self sufficient! You built them a mansion and they get to live there for free! ...

And he loans them money (the amount mentioned is about 5 months average Thai household income) ! OP has a rather "unconventional" way with words?

Based on average income, that house would represent something like a $2.3M home here in the US.

-ERD50

 

[pj.mask]

There may be some nice places to live in Thailand but I doubt many would include Bangkok on that list. Traffic is horrendous and as nice as Thai people are they are among the worst drivers in the world. Housing can be expensive especially if you want to avoid driving and live within walking distance of the BTS/MRT.

Bangkok is much cheaper than Houston (about half) for rents. I never felt the need to drive there with metro - maybe it was because I was on vacation (not working and had a flexible schedule). Late at night when metro isn’t functioning taxis are so cheap I didn’t think it was worth the cost of cars over there.

 

[flyingaway]

I do not see many western women want to live in Thailand on a long term basis.

 

[MRG]

One of the awesome things about Asia is the food has a lot of flavor. Something I haven’t found around Wichita.

If you want to live in a small city (0.39mill population), cook your own food, and not travel Wichita will be fine. If you want to live in a major city Bangkok (8.28 mill population) and all the things that come with that - interactions, events, restaurants... plus with a major airport you are a few hours from so many places. Beautiful beaches, other cities/countries. And all of them attainable at a low price.

Ha. Yeah but Wichita has.... well pretty good biscuits and gravy.

 

[brett]

Would we move to Thailand simply because of the COL? No. Would be buy a vacation home in Thailand? No. Would we prefer to spend our winter months in Thailand or Florida? Thailand wins hands down for so many reasons. Four winters so far and hopefully more.

The only strike against it for us is the long flight.

 

[bmcgonig]

Would we move to Thailand simply because of the COL? No. Would be buy a vacation home in Thailand? No. Would we prefer to spend our winter months in Thailand or Florida? Thailand wins hands down for so many reasons. Four winters so far and hopefully more.

The only strike against it for us is the long flight.

+1

 

[97guns]

And he loans them money (the amount mentioned is about 5 months average Thai household income) ! OP has a rather "unconventional" way with words?

Based on average income, that house would represent something like a $2.3M home here in the US.

-ERD50

We were having such a nice pleasant conversation with this thread until you “unconventionally” reply like you do to all my threads, why? does it even matter to you what the money was lent for, so what if its x amount of their yearly salary, they needed help and I helped them, what’s the big deal?

Just to quench any unconventional thoughts.... the money was used by the cousin to make payment on his tractor and he plans to repay us back in October before we leave when his rice is harvested

 

[97guns]

And he loans them money (the amount mentioned is about 5 months average Thai household income) ! OP has a rather "unconventional" way with words?

Based on average income, that house would represent something like a $2.3M home here in the US.

-ERD50

If my postings irk you so badly please don’t reply, it’s only gonna get ME in trouble

 

[aja8888]

One of the awesome things about Asia is the food has a lot of flavor.

So does Texas barbecue. I haven't eaten any of the insects here to compare them to the Asian varieties.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I don’t want to live in Wichita either but would before considering Thailand. Yes it is pretty but way to many negatives which I previously mentioned.

 

[corn18]

97guns,

Have you thought about philanthropy in Thailand? With the low cost of living and your assets, you could change a lot of lives for the better if that appeals to you.

 

[97guns]

97guns,

Have you thought about philanthropy in Thailand? With the low cost of living and your assets, you could change a lot of lives for the better if that appeals to you.

No, I only care to help my wife’s family, I’m far from a charity giver, never given a dime here in the states. I feel that instead of giving to charity or the needy here in the states I would rather help these people(my wife’s family) and to somewhat change their lives. This is what appeals to me, not giving $5 to the guy in front of the liquor store asking for a handout

 

[corn18]

No, I only care to help my wife’s family, I’m far from a charity giver, never given a dime here in the states. I feel that instead of giving to charity or the needy here in the states I would rather help these people(my wife’s family) and to somewhat change their lives. This is what appeals to me, not giving $5 to the guy in front of the liquor store asking for a handout

I think you are massively changing their life for the better.

 

[97guns]

FIL brought home duck eggs that he bartered for with 2 bottles of honey, gonna be my first time trying duck eggs

 

[97guns]

Went back to the farm this afternoon and watched a couple of my wife’s cousins set a fishing net, I thought they would draw it in to catch the fish but instead they just set it and let the fish swim into it, not a huge haul


https://youtu.be/qoLRVo3xEgI

https://youtu.be/VdB7fKUyJF8

 

[ERD50]

We were having such a nice pleasant conversation with this thread until you “unconventionally” reply like you do to all my threads, why? does it even matter to you what the money was lent for, so what if its x amount of their yearly salary, they needed help and I helped them, what’s the big deal?

Just to quench any unconventional thoughts.... the money was used by the cousin to make payment on his tractor and he plans to repay us back in October before we leave when his rice is harvested

Relax. If you make bold statements, and especially when you start an entirely new thread on the subject, expect questions when follow up statements you make don't seem to align with the original claim.

If my postings irk you so badly please don’t reply, it’s only gonna get ME in trouble

My posts can only get me in trouble.

Separate from all that, it is very interesting to see how other people live in other areas, so I do appreciate the posts and pictures. You don't get this sort of perspective from most other sources. Not a lifestyle I would care for, but that's OK, different strokes for different folks.

-ERD50

 

[corn18]

I dunno, this lifestyle does appeal to me in a lot of ways. I watched a show last night on the Inuit living what I would call a hard life in the Arctic. They did have a hard life, but they were happy. Truly happy. And the family unit was tight knit. Made me smile and wish my life weren't so darn self complicated.

 

[LARS]

Been to Thailand. Wonderful place to visit. Would I ever live there? Nope.

In today's modern world, realistically to my mind, the only ones who are truly "independent" are the ones that do not have to work (at all) and have sufficient $ resources to pay for whatever they need: food, shelter, transportation, etc.

As others have pointed out, swapping a paycheck to live off the land is simply changing one task master (the "man") for another (everyday survival)...

But love the thread and the pictures make it come alive. Thank you, OP.

 

[brett]

One of the draws for spending winters in Thailand is the proximity to other countries, areas like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Plus air between those countries and within Thailand is very inexpensive. As is ferry transport where practical.

Our trips invariably include side visits to several areas within Thailand (though we do have a favourite) and trips to adjoining countries. We have been to Bangkok enough that we avoid entirely whenever possible.

 

[gerntz]

Looks great. Nice that you could & did improve there lives significantly with that home. Looks like $0.5-1.0M value in a lot of places here.

 

[RAE]

Went back to the farm this afternoon and watched a couple of my wife’s cousins set a fishing net, I thought they would draw it in to catch the fish but instead they just set it and let the fish swim into it, not a huge haul

Thanks for posting the photos and videos. Very interesting. Looks like it is basically a gill net, which catches fish when they get entangled by their gill covers, in the mesh.



I've had duck eggs. They are not bad, but definitely different than chicken eggs. Somewhat stronger taste.