Thailand - Why and How I Choose Thailand As A Second Home

Why Live In Bangkok?

 

When I decided to give independent travel a go, rather than travel with and be herded by  touring companies, I decided to find a "jumping-off" point that was conveniently located to the venues, cultures and activities I intended to experience and enjoy.

The criteria which I used to "filter", then select a location from a short list of alternatives, was constructed with these factors in mind, which I consider very important:

• The single most important factor (I believe), is the political and economic stability of the country in which you wish to temporarily (or perhaps permanently) domicile.
•  I am seventy years young, so availability of and proximity to, world class health care facilities is very important. Awareness of localized and regional health risks is extremely important!
• Determine the cost and availability of essential domestic needs, e.g., housing, finance (ATM access and availability ), food supply and purveyors, quality and quantity of water and power, communications (internet, telephone and cable availability), public transportation and other everyday personal requirements such as prescriptions or dietary supplements.
• After you have determined your travel objectives, interests and priorities, determine if the transportation options (air, rail, cruise ships, highways) are well-served, economical, convenient, safe and manageable. By manageable, I mean if you are not fluent in the host country's language, are you satisfied with your ability to move about comfortably and without anxiety.
• Life-style,  language, diet and such considerations as cultural idiosyncrasies are very important to research and understand! The age-old adage, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," is a profound and enduring observation!

Theravada Buddhist Temple - Khlong Phra Khanong - Bangkok

Using Thailand as an example, it was important to recognize the under-lying influence of Theravada Buddhism which dominates every aspect of Thailand's culture and regional micro-cultures. Thai political and cultural norms tend toward  an inclusive philosophy with regard to religion(s), life-style and culture. Good examples are the "Sea-gypsy" (Chao Le or Thai Mai) population within Thailand and the predominantly Muslim population in many neighborhoods of Bangkok and villages throughout the country.

 

 Research, research, research!

 

Mosque - Phra Khanong Khlong

Once you develop a "short list" of alternative countries, cities or a rural location, utilize all the resources you can accumulate to do an exhaustive review of each filter-factor mentioned above. Query family and friends who may have traveled, visited or lived temporarily in the locations you are considering.

After you complete that homework, take the time to schedule and budget a holiday or fact-finding visit to personally experience the range of choices you have determined. When you are retired, foot-loose and "fancy-free", time is not an impediment, so a casual, no-pressure  approach is both doable and advisable.
                                                             
Do not rush a decision. Free of time constraints, you can pace  or schedule your trip(s) to compliment budget or other personal responsibilities. The absolute best example of planning to which I can refer you, is Moon Handbooks. Their "homepage" will  link to their handbooks discussing individual venues world-wide.

My Son gifted me a copy of Moon Guide's publication, "LIVING ABROAD IN THAILAND" which turned out to be a treasure trove of information. The guides are very detailed and authored by gifted communicators who have "boots-on-the-ground" in the locations about which they inform.

I was also gifted an excellent publication titled Thai Ways, authored by Denis Segaller, which details important cultural morays guiding the daily conduct of Thai living, society, ritual celebration(s) and religion.

Looking Ahead

Home-Sweet Thai Home - Bangkok

My Condo - Bangkok

Back in Thailand after spending a marvelous month in Spain, I'm now confronted with about three months of "monsoon" weather, which is wet, wild and unpredictable. So...for the next 6-8 weeks, I will budget a lot of "indoor" time to write about my experiences living here for nearly 18 months.

My practical experience living in Thailand may be a suitable model for those of you who wish to consider Thailand as a travel destination or even for short-term or long-term residency. There is a considerable ex-patriot (Ex-Pat) community from many different countries residing in various locations throughout Thailand.

 The Birthday Papas!

I have enjoyed the enormous and generous hospitality of many Thai friends and acquaintances in numerous venues, from the mountainous North to the unbelievably beautiful seascapes and beaches of the South  and the river valleys of Thailand's central provinces (the "rice bowl" of SE Asia) during my residency here.

Thailand is very diverse and eclectic; a land of many faces, but (and here I must be honest and candid) not all of the faces are as beautiful as the two in the photo to the left!


I will accompany my dialogue with many photos and observations regarding safe, economical and reliable transportation options, my favorite local restaurants and "refreshment zones", shopping venues, and, lots and lots of "local color", i.e. Thai friends, favorite beaches, mountain treks, recipes, places to stay,  and, exotic or historical places you should (in my estimation) definitely take time to visit.

I will also note from time-to-time, areas, neighborhoods and facilities that impressed me as places to avoid.

If you choose to follow me by E-mail, you will receive a short "alert" each time a new post is published in the blog. Here is the anticipated sequence of posts to this blog, high-lighting my travels in Thailand and residency in Bangkok:

• Thailand - Planning The Return
• Krabi Province - Seascapes and Adventures in Southern Thailand
• Chiang Mai - The Old City 
• Trekking The North With "Yut" - Intrepid Mountain Guide
• koh Lanta yai - Island Living In The South
• Living Inside Bangkok 
•  Stations Along The BTS (Bangkok's elevated mass transit)
• Lots of Wats
• Khlongs and The Chou Phraya
• The Great Flood of 2011

• Tips for Trips

Discover Thailand 's Back Roads, By-Ways and Marine Highways

 

Andaman Sea Sunset - Krabi Province - Southwest Thailand