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For a long time, my dream was to retire to Thailand. I have visited the
Kingdom of Thailand numerous times. My first visit was in September and
October of 2002, when I visited Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. I found Bangkok
to be like most capital cities in the world - nice to visit for a few days, but I
am not a 'big-city' person. I thought Pattaya was fantastic. I spent a few days
in Phuket and found it over-rated and very expensive - but then again, most
islands are like that - expensive.
I went back to Thailand again at the end of June 2004, with the goal of retiring
there. I sold my house, my car and quit my job. Immediately I arrived the
trouble began. The business I invested in collapsed and I was left without any
income. I did fall in love in Pattaya and visited north east Thailand. Without
any income, I was forced to return to Australia to start again. My former Thai
partner's family lives in a small village in Issan.
I returned in February 2005 for a fortnight again in August that year. Then in
October 2006. Again at the end
of Easter 2007 - for Songkran (Thai New Year). My then Thai partner got a 3 months Tourist Visa to
vacation to Australia. Other visits were in mid-January and April 2008 then late June 2009. My most
recent visit was March 2010. I hoped to retire in Thailand in the near future - but I have found the
country to
be less welcoming of foreigners. I have also visited Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Laos. I am now
looking further afield to the Philippines.
If you are interested in Thailand, check out My Bookmarks and please read Stephen Leather's novel, Private
Dancer. It's a novel about love, betrayal and death in Thailand. Click Here to download the Acrobat Reader PDF version. |
