Five reasons expats are leaving Thailand in 2024. Why do westerners who retire in Thailand leave?

Thanks for watching! Glad to have you. Please subscribe and join us again, and don't forget to ring the notification bell so you get notified of new videos: youtube.com/@RetiredGlobalLife?sub_confirmation=1 To hear about the flip side of this video... Why I Leftthe USA to Retire in Thailand: https://youtu.be/XDkfzkQFQL0 And if you want to see our video on the cost of living in Thailand (specifically Chiang Mai): https://youtu.be/_I56pgxJ-b4 Health insurance in Thailand: https://youtu.be/epIhlkDtKzQ Are you an American and want Medicare for emergencies? Here's a trick: https://youtu.be/aNu4-RWQ91I

I retired to Thailand 14 years ago. I must admit that this is one of the best videos I have watched I highly recommend that new comers and intended new comers watch it. Thank you you very much.

Good videos! I also retired in CM (7 years now). I don't think a single day has past when I do not consider myself very lucky for being here. Even though I am by myself 100% of the time (no friends by choice and no live-in girlfriend by choice) I am out and about every single day (almost always on my electric bicycle) and loving every single second of this life of solitude. My career in the oil business was 45 years of wall-to-wall negotiations and meetings and such so that when it was time to retire the thought of complete silence and solitude was VERY important. I just wanted to come here to say your levelheaded and informative videos about Chiang Mai are a cut WELL ABOVE other local videos. Thank you.

I travel to Thailand twice a year. But to stay there all the time when back home I have home and 30 acres property paid for, it would be foolish for me. And I like to work on cars and now I cut firewood for extra money. I can't do those things in Thailand and the heat just overwhelms you. I have stayed 60 days and to be honest the beach life for me gets old after a while. And shopping gets tiring too after a while. My Thai wife is looking forward to living in the US with me, and then we can travel to Thailand once a year and that way we can have the best of two worlds. But living in Thailand full time is not an easy thing to do as some people think it is,,,,,,,,,,,,

Been living in Thailand for 10 years now - starting visiting 40 years ago. Love it....there are things that drive me crazy of course - the horrendous driving habits, very high income tax (I'm not retired and I make a high wage here and it is taxed much higher than I ever was in the states...), but I think one thing that is steering expats away is the pollution which seems to be getting much worse every year.... But I plan on retiring here of course. My partner and family are all Thai. I think one thing that is a game deal changer for those who may be struggling is to simply learn the language. I am fairly fluent so I can converse with anyone here in three dialects. It is such a different world when you can speak like a local. Everything changes for the better. Great and informative clip! Thanks

I have watched many videos about retiring overseas and most are just listening to rambling with little direction, ADHD to the max. Love how you spent time getting your topic nailed down and presented this topic precisely and to the point. Super informative. Easy to listen to, and you stayed on topic from start to finish. Well done. Thanks.

You are completle right: Another culture. CCC: Do not compare, do not criticise, always stay calm

I've been coming to Chiang Mai for 20 years during the winter months. My reason for not returning is poor air quality. The average for small particle size air pollution ( pm 2.5) AVERAGES 10× the World Health Service(WHO) standards. It's FAR worse during December through April. Viewing the NASA fire maps shows that it's a regional problem unlikely to be solved in my lifetime. My health is very much more important to me than the benefits of Thailand.

Randy, this is so level-headed, helpful, and encouraging.

Hi, yes visa are a huge issue here! Living in China for almost 20 years , it was way EASIER to get visas than here in Thailand. I am a fully certified teacher from Canada, and getting the proper visa in Thailand is/was a nightmare. Also checking in with the police station every 90 days is frustrating. China did not even require that. Also Thailand is very expensive compared to the salaries offered. I live a very simple life as a single mom and a teacher. I'm considering going back or leaving soon. The people are lovely, but that doesn't pay the bills. Thank you for your post.

Thank You so much for a very nice movie. As a non-native English speaker, I greatly appreciate that You speak perfect English, calmly and pleasantly and that there is a text strip in the lower part of the film. (most people who post videos here are English speakers who speak as if they met the neighbor at home down the street.) As a native of Sweden with our cold winter climate, Thailand has become my winter paradise. Not only for the climate, but also because of the incredibly friendly population, their calmness and hospitality and of course the good food. I also love their culture, their religion and the way they treat the animals. After a hard life as a self-employed person in Sweden, my stays in Thailand will now be longer, will change from three week vacations to at least 3 to 4 months during the Swedish winter. And as we say in Sweden, you must take the customs where you come, calm, friendly and with a smile on your face. Thanks for a nice movie. Best regards Leif, Sweden 😂

Easy solution would be if Thailand adopted 3 month visas like most countries. Majority of people would be happy to spend 3-6 months in Thailand and then go to their home country or other countries. This would solve most of the issues.

Randy Awesome video, I watch many Youtube videos on the ups and downs of Living in Thailand as a retiree! I like yourself am from southern California! I have no desire to live here anymore. I visited Thailand twice last year and I have never been more relaxed in my life. As a retired police detective I was so impressed with how safe I felt even on the subway (which I would not dare ride the METRO!) Well thanks much! I hope to buy you that coffee in person in the next few months as I'm going to take the chance at a new life.🙏🏽

The video is very detailed, real and effective. Thank you very much. Continue to produce quality material and a good and peaceful life for everyone

Certainly enjoyed your video. I came to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in 2007 to teach English. I thoroughly enjoyed those years living Thai style and interacting with Thai children and other teachers. Unfortunately, the Thai govt prefers young teachers and I soon aged out. I lived in Rayong but not happily so I relocated to Jomtien, where I found my perfect balance. When Covid hit, I became quite an introvert and discovered I like that life style. Not for everyone but it works for me. I rarely leave my condo which has a lovely Gulf view, my groceries are delivered and I do the vast of my "shopping" through Lazada. I am happy and feel quite blessed. Best wishes to you and Joy!!!

Excellent video, I'm retired, live in England and booked to spend three months in Thailand next winter to escape the miserable weather to see for myself if it's for me, I've had holidays there before, but that's different. Great insight to what it's actually like longer term.

Good stuff.. knew most of this. Clean sober 34 years. I came here 30 years ago. Read write and can communicate. Taught scuba 10 years on Phuket my off season ( Alaska commercial fisherman) Started training muay thai 2006 Still train today.. Started a charity in Buriram 12 years ago. I drive up once..twice per month. Best experience.. Have real estate here. Love Thailand

Very accurate, well made and informative video. I lived a couple of years in Chiang Mai, '09-'11, met my wife in Thailand and now we live in the United States. I hope to return once I'm retired yet again in the next year or so. Looking forward to more of your content while we investigate doing so. Thanks!

Never seen a video with so many positive comments. And I agree with them all. You have a new subscriber! Keep up the great content … 🎉

Excellent.... direct and to the point. ..organized. Just the right level of detail and does not get bogged down and many of these videos do...with so many long winded examples.