All about Thailand, especially Chiang Mai. Hi, I'm Randy - and I'm often joined by my girlfriend, Joy (a Chiang Mai local) - and we love to share information about Chiang Mai, and Thailand in general. I divide my time between San Diego, California and Chiang Mai. I'm a retired attorney. Well. . . I'm actually semi-retired - but hey, "Semi-Retired Global Life" is not as good a channel name. Right? I'm lucky to be a bit of a digital nomad as I can work from Thailand as well as California. So in my mind, I'm retired. (BTW, I'm a "nice" attorney. For 37 years I've limited my practice to adoption, so I'm proud of the work I do: trying to be a positive force in the world and not negative.) We want to be your #1 source of information about Chiang Mai and Thailand. That means restaurants, coffee shops & special places you might not know in Chiang Mai, as well as how to have a great life here in Thailand, whether you are moving here, retiring, or just coming for a trip.
Yes you are quite correct that march and April are the worst months in Thailand. Fortunately they are great months in Cantberit in Ausjailia so I head home just before my birthday in late February and usually return early to mid May just before the Cantberit winter. September and October can have some torrential rain. I usually spend mid September to mid November in Ausjailia as well
The only reason I return to Ausjailia is too see my family. I'm currently on a 8 to 4 month Thailand to Ausjailia format. 💩 Is gunna get tough when my missus wants a kid
Thanks for this as it is my intent to spend up to four months in Thailand each winter. Canadian winter sucks but the other seasons are great and I wouldn’t want to miss them. I don’t want to bother with the visa bs either but I will still have to do something as four months is exceeds the current visa limits. I’ll figure it out as the Thai visa system sounds like it will work for me.
Very kind of you. Joy's car is sitting in water to the top of her wheels. Joy is so tough and hardworking, facing every challenge. Very hard time for a lot of people. Thanks for thinking of us.
My wife and I split time between China and USA and we spend a couple months a year in Thailand. We have small houses in both China and USA (not California -lol) I would not want to live 50% of the time separated from my wife.
As a 50/50 traveler to Thailand, can I maintain a bank account year round? It would be nice to be able to transfer money during favorable exchange rates.
Opening a bank account in Thailand is quite tricky with every bank having a different policy that can even change month to month. Generally you need a long term visa, but with the help of a visa agent they could perhaps get you a Thai bank account with good connections. It just costs you to get it set up.
I’m a Thai. I was young and so excited to spend 2 years studying in the US in the land of freedom. My university was great but people and culture were the opposite. My 2-year was a torture. Racist is the worse thing ever. If foreigners find their love ones in a bar or nasty places so no reason to complain. Bar girls cause decent Thai girls to suffer. Not about their works but the reputation.
Great video. I have been examining this very idea of living in Chiang Mai with my gf there part time and then half time in the Bay Area where I have owned businesses for 35 years. One major issue I am seeing is how to be able to get my gf into the USA. That seems to be a long process on the horizon. I would retire and leave for Chiang Mai tomorrow if not for my business ties. That will be a two year process to extricate myself. Meanwhile, I will be traveling back and forth for two week excursions and enjoying the incredible golf courses in CM with my golfer gf.
Hi John, not every Thai is granted a B1B2 visa but Joy had no trouble getting one (everyone else in line was denied), I think because she speaks English well and has ties in Thailand (good job, owns a house) so likely the US did not see her as someone likely to overstay in the US. So with the B1B2, I'm not sure, but I think you can use that up to 10 years, just so the time out of country exceeds time in the US. So if she came every year for a few months, then out of the US for 9, she could likely keep getting approval each year. My friend from China has been doing this for a decade with no problems. But I'm not an expert at all.
@@RetiredGlobalLife thank you for the encouraging words regarding the visa. Btw- if you are a golfer, I’ll be back in November. We play Alpine, Legacy, Highlands, and Green Valley.
You do NOT get to tell people why they go anywhere. You may think you're entitled to do that, but you're delusional if you believe that. Each person decides for themselves, you don't decide for anyone else. That's a fact whether you accept it or not. It's great that you enjoy your life there. Just be aware that not everyone values what you value, and not everyone thinks what you think.
Take a deep breath and relax. I'm talking about my city. Take it or reject it, I don't care. But don't think I'm telling anyone what to do. No one would watch my video about fun things made with humor into something negative.
I've been doing Semi-retirement in Thailand since 2017 every year except for 22 months during the lockdown. I married a Thai lady in 2020. I will be back in Thailand for the winter in January 2025 As long as I can travel pay to fly from Canada to Thailand I will continue to come. Actually Canada does tax capital Gaines if it's not your primary residence, if I'm not mistaken. It's not my issue so someone in the know will correct me if I'm wrong I'm sure. 50/50 is perfect for those of us that have children and grandkids in our home country. I still work but 60/40 works for me as well.
My friend I enjoy your videos. I’m about to retire to Thailand. However I’m coming to Thailand for 3 months.. what would you recommend for a heath insurance protection plan. I’m pretty active. Jet skis. Scooters.. and working on a farm…
Thanks for this vid! Turning 50 next year, have a Thai wife (and 2 kids) since 2003 and thinking to move to her country in 5 to 10 years from now. Amazing info, thanks again!
All of this is very common sense. That's why I am learning Thai before I even step into the airport, and that's why I want my finances to be in order. Also, no expectations to have a new home. Disillusionment is helluva hard thing to get over. I have no doubt, however, that Thailand will be a great adventure, be it long or short.
@@RetiredGlobalLife true, unless you live in a vacation location like me on Maui. Especially when it's near impossible to find a rental, even more so with the loss of Lahaina town and rentals have Always been in short supply and fixer uppers or teardowns at close to a million $, on a noview sm lot. But it's got the best weather in the world and Aloha is still alive. My biggest problem for traveling is my kid (small Mc caw parrot) of 30yrs and finding good affordable care since losing almost all close friends over the past few yrs. Anyway, didn't mean to write a book, yet ,lol. But I did reschedule my 6wk trip to last week of Oct and hopefully it works out. Then you can buy me dinner !😁😉🤙
Another great video ! But no, to wanting to find a new Thai girl like you. That's definitely on the naughty side ?! 😁 LoL Maybe it was just how you said that ? 😊 Did you miss the flooding ?
Hmm, I just thought I said I prefer a nice girl to a naughty one. No, not escaping the floods. Both the condo and Joy's house are flooded. Especially bad for poor Joy. Her car is presently in a couple feet of water.
@@RetiredGlobalLife maybe listen to it again especially with the break in between. though I know what you meant and was just being a little?funny, like when things are truth and taken out of context. Sorry about the flooding especially Joys house, because at least you are on the 8th floor. Glad it's not as bad as the whole SE of the US at the time, and it's not finished yet.
I didn't hear in the video about what you do with your US house while your in Thailand? I have quite high property taxes, HOA fees, and utilities to pay and renting it out for 6 months a year doesn't seem very practical, it may be better to sell your US home first? There are also issues of what to do with your US car(s.) It is also a very long and difficult trip to put your pets through. There are many places in Thailand with much better year round air quality than Chiang Mai ... something to consider.
I would recommend that you maintain ties to the US until you are sure living abroad is for you. I gave myself 2 years to decide I would leave the US on a permanent basis. Consider whether keeping the house and cars for a year or two is worth it.
Yes, this plan is not for everyone, and if your US expenses are too high it may not work for you. Or do it for one long trip then decide before making the full time move. Yes, Chiang Mai has bad air 3 months out of the year, so not good during that time.
If you mean western women, it is harder it seems. I see few older western women with Thaii men than the reverse. But there are a lot of western men in Thailand and some like western women.
The double taxation treaty is solid between US and Thailand. But not other countries. You might pay tax in Hungary at 15% and then Thailand says our tax is 35% and you owe us an other 20%.
@@RetiredGlobalLife Double taxation treaties all say different things with different countries. The US has a treaty with Thailand that is different to their tax treaty with France for instance. Some treaties might say you pay a certain amount in your home country, like 10% and you pay an other 10% in the country you live. Every treaty is different.
Lived and worked in Bangkok for 12 years. I won't retire in Thailand but will probably spend 3-4 months a year there with the remainder in my home country. Unlike most expats, I met my Thai wife in the US when she was a graduate student. We have a paid off house in Bangkok as well as in the US. Our two grown luk krung sons have their own careers in the US and are doing great.
It’s great solution to split you still can make your business and live with your family/friends and all your social circle and enjoy living in Thailand . The only disadvantage is the monthly ticket cost and traveling hustle
Thanks and yes, travel costs are the only drawback, but I'd say many people would just go back and forth once each year, so just one round trip ticket.
I love the idea of 50/50 , I’m retired , single, no parents no kids , house in America is payed off ,… ( this winter will be my fifth 3 month stay in Thailand ) ….what’s stopping me on the 50/50 idea is the thought of paying $1000.00 a month for a house that just sits empty in America for 6 months ( $500.00 real estate tax ,$200 for Verizon cable, $50 for my cell phone because even tho not used in Thailand I don’t want to loose my phone number , $250 heat and electricity so my pipes don’t freeze )….. I think the ideal thing to do would be to sell my house and buy something in an area where I could Airbnb it for the six months while I’m in Thailand , for example …Denver close to a ski resort ( another idea is …. A friend and his wife rent their house in my area through a traveling nurse website when they head south for the winter and they have good luck with that ,…. I dunno ) but your idea has definately set off a lightbulb in my head ,.. thanks for the videos !
You are welcom. Sounds pricey. If you check out my hospital video I give the number of Natt, a great insurance agent for health care. Chat with him. He is really good and tell him I sent you.
I agree with your rants. The sidewalks are dangerous. I get a kick out of the electric wires overhead and am surprised there aren't more outages. I enjoy your videos.
I wrote a comic strip where mosquitoes became intelligent from biting people and ingesting human blood. Mosquitoes W/ Minds. What if we had to out-think them? Hmmmmm?
"$60-80 for dinner".... Boy, I wish. You really have been over there a while. I'm doing good to leave dinner and drinks for me and the wife for less than $140 in Minneapolis. Thailand is so very high on my list of epic retirement locations. The weather alone is worth the move.
@@RetiredGlobalLife Minneapolis is also notoriously expensive to eat downtown. I do actually love winter here, but I think I will love it a lot less in retirement. :) Great video, by the way.
Lived there for 2 years and left. I have been married to a Thai now for 19 years, and the reason I gave for coming home was down to the uncertainty of visa's. I worked at Chula uni as a director on the international law program but 3 months immigration reporting, annual visa renewals, lack of certainty about having a property etc... plus the general lack of belonging... (always the Farang) all took their toll. In reality, what I really missed the most more than anything, apart from the bug bares of those listed above, was the lack of seasons. I love autumn and I really missed it. In Thailand all you get is cooler, very hot, hot and wet and I just wanted to have real seasons again plus my own home and some semblance of certainty.
I can certainly understand that. I hear others talk about "Always being a farang," which I personally never feel, at least not in a negative way. Maybe I like being a friendly outsider. Best wishes in your new locale!
Thank you. You can email us at RetiredGlobalLife@gmail.com, but I don't do phone consultations like some RU-vidrs do, selling their expertise, not that it is a bad thing but just not for me. Best wishes.
I will only do 179 days in Thailand now due to the new tax interpretations or whatever they want to call it…. I will NOT pay taxes to a corrupt incompetent non elected pack of fools to waste as they see fit. I will continue working offshore for the next 5 years, and ensure that I only do 180 days max In Thailand per calendar year.
I have Aetna is cover my health insurance all overthe world but there I have to pay first my all health related expenses than I have to sent my all bills to aetnain a week than reimburse my all expenses except 120dollars my co payments I have green card so can't live out of usa
Yes, it is common to have to pay and then get reimbursed unless with a Thai insurer. Green card holders can't live outside the US? What are the time limits to be outside the US?
We can all look back and say things were better in the past. True everywhere. Some Thai cities like Phuket have been overrun with Chinese and Russian visitors, but even such cities have areas outside the tourist zones that still feel Thai.
Great video. I am 50/50, more like 55/45/ This will be my second year doing this.. I leave the 1st of November and come back to the U.S. in the end of March, I also planning to travel with my Thai girlfriend to Kuala Lumpur in January, and Tokyo in March. have to do an extension when I return from Japan. for 2 weeks. I stay in Bang Na with my Girlfriend at her condo. which is only a short walk to BTS. I retired last year at 61., and live in a cold climate during the winter. Love being a Snow Bird.
Thanks great video. I have a Aetna Advantage senior ppo plan. Now when I move to Thailand I was planning to cancel my Medicare SS deduction to pay the Thailand insurance premiums. I was thinking whether I could keep paying for my advantage plan after I cancel my Medicare for emergencies. Thanks.
It seems your cost for Medicare Part C would be much lower than cancelling your Medicae to be a private pay Advantage plan member. I don't know if you could keep it if a full Thai resident.
