Because of your videos I am now actually living in Bangkok since 3 months, I’m actually living in a building you showed on a video. So thanks dude, it’s been amazing 😜
Ive lived different paces and you don’t have these issues or worries if you mind your own business. The more you associate with people the more drama you have in life. I spent 3 months in eastern Europe last winter. Never had an issue, lived my live, did what I wanted 0 drama. My best advice, just stay away from people and your fine. I happiest by my self anyway.
Money buys comfort, not happiness. If ones needs are fulfilled on the salary they make including housing, food, entertainment, etc.. than they are fulfilled and happy with there life. On the other hand someone struggling to make it in this world where they can barely pay their bills than money becomes burden and they project that if they had more money they would be happy but its more about comfort than happiness. Someone with excess cash in million+ dollar range doesn't need the excess cash to be comfortable or happy.. At some point it just keeping up with the jones to buy expensive things like cars, houses, vacations, etc... but none of those things really make someone happy!
Plenty of people who are millionaires and miserable and plenty of people who have little and are happy. It’s not the money it’s you. That’s not to say for most people we could use a more comfortable or pleasurable life.
Been in Chiang Mai for two years expat community is small but growing this year, agree with you about people n circle of friends along with connections. Alot of retirees here to. Am private stay mysteriously vague less drama happier life😊
“Old Asia Hands” is a term for those crusty old guys that have been in Asia for years and years and let me tell you. When those dudes speak I listen. They have seen it all and are a wealth of great info, wisdom and advice and have stories to put the majority of us to shame. I listen to and take their wisdom to heart, always looking to learn from an experienced person.
Sure, so I shouldn’t care about my family, friends, business, the things I’m passionate about?… sure it’s easy to not care or care less, but you’ll have less of a fulfilling life
@@ForrestLee That's the 'eternal' struggle of life, to fine tune the perfect balance of life you want to have. Can't be grindset mindset all day, but yolo your life away is also not the best idea.
I’m a local here. What you said are so true even for myself. I have a very small circle of friends as I grow. Now already entered 40’s. I just don’t hang around friends who are likely to get my in trouble.
Great video as usual Forrest. You made some great point specially about social media and keeping your true circle small. Very very true! Arrived in bkk last Tuesday and still trying to settle here. Would love to meet and treat you to lunch as a way to thank you fir your awesome tips in your videos. 😊
"Money can't buy happiness" doesn't mean money is not important or that it cannot improve your life. It depends on the person. Money won't: bring someone back from the dead. It generally won't fix poor health, mental illness, a negative attitude, loneliness etc. It can help you improve your life (travel, hobbies, more options) or it can help you destroy your life (cynicism, drugs, alcohol, gambling, lack of responsibility, sense of invincibility, etc.)
I was thinking about those things when Forrest layed out his plans "to become RICH"..... I think he needs to open his eyes to see how rich he already is.... many things you mention...being healthy, travel....no 9to5 job and still have food and a roof over your head....
@@Wouter_asia everybody wants to obtain more money and once they have more than they can ever spend, they spend their time trying to obtain more power and control over society.
@Joe Dirt I'll settle for a quiet life over there with food on the table and a loving gf / wife. ...and above all, hopefully, stay healthy. My GF is in Cambodia.
Money is a mean of exchange. It depends on who uses it. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok and my's from Scotland. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Excellent video mate!! The Language school, the inner circle of friends, money, habits and Bangkok,social media,the idea that Bangkok is a ‘small community also the orientation to think Bangkok is an ‘international city’ that is continually changing is very good to know. These are all great topic areas for me as I navigate this city and country. Thanks mate!!
The biggest problem I encountered is there is watch time and their is Thai time. Go for a 9am appointment, sit, come back after lunch, sit, come back tomorrow at 9am.
This is one of THE best videos you have done and the advice is sound. I live in Pattaya and its a bit more intense and smaller here. Never reveal who you really are, never.
Brand New Subscriber, first time commenting and 2nd video. I originally landed on your Introvert video from 3 years ago as a RU-vid recommended video. I’m a low key just chilled guy so it resonated with me and as an Ex-Military too (U.S Navy). I spent my entire military time living in Japan, so these videos resonate with me. Been longing to get back overseas as well and I just find your video so far just chill and very helpful to watch. Here’s to the Journey wherever it may lead, hopefully overseas on my own terms. So great an apology between MMORPG characters, NPC and the Matrix of the real world. Totally get it. Desperately trying to escape! I also find it so interesting that it’s often an introverted personality that characterizes colorful people personalities described as Interesting individuals 😂. That’s just interesting in itself.
Yes, as I’m Thai, money and connection is the first priority if you wanna live in Thailand comfortably. It’s REALLY important. You can become success more easily if you know people who works in the corporate or government.
@@ataberdi2064 It's kind of a mix in Bangkok where you can see a luxury hotels but find a poor community behind. So yeah I’m not sure bangkok will be the safest place for you. I would suggest Chiang Mai if you like to live in a more calm and less busier than Bangkok. Just try not to walk alone at night when the street is empty and not well lit. Thailand is most likely safe in the afternoon IMO.
@@pidiek6121 Thanks for replying i have other 2 questions: 1. Is English widely spoken in Thailand? Like, in local areas. Or will i have to learn Thai to get by in situations 2. What is the problem with nights in Thailand, are there mean people wondering at night 🌉? Much appreciate your help ❤
@@ataberdi2064 You'd better learn Thai - at least be able to communicate if you wanna live in a rural area. But if you live in popular tourist places like Pattaya or Phuket, most locals can speak English (not that fluent but understand what you said). As in Q2, not too sure it will apply to most countries but just try not to stay alone in an empty street at night, especially in a deep narrow street/alley. it's better to take a Grab on your way home.
I worked near Pattaya for 14 years & spent a lot of weekends in Bangkok because I had a better choice of friends to connect with. The expats in Pattaya were mostly “bar flies” or complainers. And true, definitely don’t give out all your personal information to acquaintances when you casually meet someone. Maybe it’s an American trait but they’ll bluntly ask the following within the first 15-20 minutes of a conversation: 1) name 2) Where you are from … no problem so far with these questions 3) what is your job in Thailand 4) how long you’ve lived here 5) married with Thai wife? Being questioned within the first 20 minutes is always a turn off. And you definitely don’t give your phone number out to a new acquaintance unless you want to meet again.
Those characteristics you explained about your friend is what makes him such a great trader ironically. That’s the key to the gain, being able to control your emotions.
Great points Forrest. So right that money doesn't buy happiness. Great tips, this really separates your channel so please keep these informative recommendations coming !
Forrest, how do you deal with Visa renewal every three months? Is there a way around that? Living in Mexico for three years, Residency was EASY to get. But it seems either super inconvenient to have to leave Thailand every three months, or paying 800000 Baht and getting a probing probing background check for a five year Visa. Can you do a video specifically on this topic please.
Awesome advice. Great video. You don't often hear this kind of perspective from a vlogger. I'm starting to put things in place to move back to the region and probably to Bangkok specifically.
Thailand is often “last chance saloon” for many. Folks talk about how they don’t want to live in their home countries but the truth is, they can’t for whatever reason. There are a lot of good things going about Thailand, but the fact that it attracts some rather questionable characters has always been a down point.
@@PerfectSense77 many situations where you might have to deal with said people, especially if you have some sort of business or something in the kingdom, in that case, they are our customers, so you just suck it up and deal with it.
@@Ned88Man stop speaking what is in your head, fool, generalizing is useless, now go read a book or something, where you dream of doing what others do, who, unlike YOU, are not too coward to go anywhere and have an adventure.
@@davidd5636 Unlike me? I have lived in SE Asia for 13 years and simply speaking from experience and seeing the types of folks I mentioned.... Sorry if the truth hurts man.. My point is simple and I will say it again....while there are plenty of normal people with good intentions who come to stay in the Kingdom, there are many many folks who have basically been exiled from their home countries cause they can't make it work there..Yes, the place does attract some questionable characters. Nothing wrong with having adventures and living your life, but far too often, that's not what folks are doing...instead, they are running from something.
When you mentioned there's alot of people who aren't really who they say they are, that reminded me of when I lived in LA. Lots of people down there really do fake it till they make it.
Money doesn't buy happiness, but money does give freedom to choose the lives that you want to live. Money does give you more options and flexibility. However, you must have a good health. When you focus to become rich and wealthy, it is also important to focus on your physical and mental health.
Money is a mean of exchange. It depends on who uses it. We are new AMWF content creator. I'm from Bangkok and my's from Scotland. Have a nice day/evening everyone! 🇹🇭🇬🇧 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
The Expat community in Bangkok might be small, but the city is HUGE... 10Million people++.. larger than NYC, LA & San Francisco... Keep a perspective Mr. Lee
Appreciate, your advice Forrest. Would like to make some friends there like you and the expats there as well. American too and hopefully when the time is right I will be there too. Since the expat community is small there should be a support system.
Forest, you are wise beyond your years. Definitely right on most counts. I find most farangs are smart, but broken, or damaged in some way.? But still good people though. You need to be financially smart to survive here. Life here can swallow your money very quickly. Have you considered a subscriber meet? Happy to buy you a coffee sometime. Keep up the deep thing, & great work. You are a good advocate for LOS. Cheers Tony
Dude !! I’m from Petaluma and work as an Emergency nurse for the past 20 years at Kaiser Hospital. I’m moving to Thailand next year. I will be living in Nong Khai a small province !! Come for a beer or 2 or 3 or whatever. I’m probably one of the low level sociopath you may find. BTW I’m Thai but have been working in North Bay for 20 yr.
There are definitely lots of interesting expats living in Bangkok. If everyone was the same life would be boring, that’s why I love meeting different people.
Good video forest . Have lived in Bangkok before and worked remotely . Never had to Make friends as we don’t get time . Eat , sleep , work out and make the money . Good video . Keep it up
Wealth is not about having a lot of money; it’s about having a lot of options. -Chris Rock- Great video Forrest . Stay strong, Hodl and buy the dip. Not financial advice.😁
Money buys comfort, not happiness. If ones needs are fulfilled on the salary they make including housing, food, entertainment, etc.. than they are fulfilled and happy with their life. On the other hand someone struggling to make it in this world where they can barely pay their bills than money becomes burden and they project that if they had more money they would be happy but its more about comfort than happiness. Someone with excess cash in million+ dollar range doesn't need the excess cash to be comfortable or happy.. At some point it just keeping up with the jones to buy expensive things like cars, houses, vacations, etc... but none of those things really make someone happy!
@9:15 Money is just a tool. Plenty of rich people are chronically depressed drug-addicts. Plenty of poor people who win the lottery or sign multi-million dollar professional sport contracts go bankrupt soon after. Money will only help those who have discipline and direction and actually understand the value and utility of it.
i live at the base west, my room full of cockroaches, pested even in the bedroom, and i am clean and no have food around, i cant wait to move out of that building ASAP
Not sure I could settle in one place in Thailand, too many good things to see and do even though I have my favourite towns. Maybe a few weeks here and there, but I'd mostly be on the move with my bicycle. The only expats I come across are on bicycles who are out training, so generally they're into health and fitness not drinking and parties. Good idea about Instagram and Facebook groups.
I'm coming to visit, but am leaning Hua Hin, Jomtien or Phuket to live in, because I ride a bicycle. Not a drinker, work out, employed very part-time from a laptop, no children.
I still think that you need goals, even when you are in Thailand. Ask yourself what are your goals once you are in Bangkok? And how are you going to achieve them. Don't just retire in Thailand and expect the unexpected. Yes, you need money even if you want a gf. Straight up! Pussy isn't free. That's what I learned having a gf in Vancouver
Bangkok rocks for me....but for a holiday! The heat and traffic is exciting .....for a while....then it starts to kill you! :) I have lots of friends who we like to visit then we return to OZ!
Hi Forrest, thank you for the videos. I just watched an interview of you with an Irish gentleman. I found it very informative. Forrest I’m currently in the Philippines and I’m considering moving to Thailand. I’m not sure where to go. I’ve been considering Bnk, Pattaya and Chaing Mai and Chaing Rai. I really don’t want to be around all the mongers and such. I’m ex Navy and want to be around people that are positive and have goals. It’s actually kind of scary because I am traveling alone and sometimes it’s very hard to trust people. I would just like to meet everyday people who are happy and have goals in their life. I do drink but I’m not a big party type guy. Would just love to meet good people. If you have any suggestions for me I would greatly appreciate it. Oh, by the way do you sing? You have James Hatfields voice from Metallica 😂. Thanks again and hope to hear from you. ✌️
@@ataberdi2064 I actually love it here. It’s very safe and the people are very kind. You can rent for cheap and it all depends on your standard of living.
Hi Forrest! Just came across your video/channel, thanks for this video as I am coming to Thailand in the next week! Thanks for being real and authentic in your video. Have you shared your experience as an asian American living in Thailand? If so please send me the link! Thanks so much :)
there have been peer-reviewed studies done on the correlation between money and happiness. Its been pretty conclusive that there is a strong positive correlation between the two until you reach a point where your basic needs are met and you have enough of a safety net that you are not thinking about expenses. After that point, there is virtually no correlation between money and happiness. That is, any additional money after your basic needs are met including safety net, additional money is likely to not make you any happier.
You seem like a great guy Forrest! New to your channel but watched a fair amount of your videos as Thailand is really taking my interest.. potentially coming over on January 1st to see what I think and might decide to not go back to Scotland. Keep up the great work!
This is what I learned for the first time in Bangkok, that there are so many types of people, we just have to accept each other as we are. I think Thai people are quite good at this. For me, this was a very interesting experience, after racist Hungary.
We love Thailand. And I will live in Bangkok, if I finish work. I think it a very good place for life. Because you have everything and if you want to go on other beautiful Asian place you can fly everywhere. Have a good time in Thailand 👍
Ok I'd just like to add that I lived in Phrom Phong for many years with little money and without western contacts. I learnt Thai Language i didn't need many contacts or much money and had a wicked time.Bopinyang Dtok!
It’s just a place to live at the end of the day as long as your mentally stable it don’t matter where you go life is what you make Thailand is fun but let’s face it most people move there for the girls/bar scene
Good advice brother! I don't tell things about myself to folks that I don't want everyone to know. You are correct people will talk shit! I try to avoid that gossip crowd, my mom is Thai and they are good at gossip they need it like oxygen.
Those kind of people are definitely in California. We came here at the same time. Surprisingly here in Phrom Phong I haven’t had any issues with people . I just mind my business and keep it moving . Great video
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. .................. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things..” Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience and Other Essays
Very spot on with the interesting characters you meet in BKK. I don't live here but I travel often to BKK and I'm one of the characters you have mentioned 🤣(not going to say which one)
Thanks for the videos. I currently live in Manila, but I'm visiting Thailand to see if it might be a place I want to live. I was in Bangkok this past week and now in Pattaya. I'll be back in Bangkok next week starting in another area to see what it's like.
@@horsetrader6154 thanks. Two questions. How do you know Thailand is better than the Philippines if you've never been there. Not saying your wrong, just asking. Also, why the safety matters comment? Thanks man.
@@horsetrader6154 unless you're in South Mindanao the chances of you being kidnapped are less than in the US. Pluses of Thailand are the food, infrastructure, ease of transportation, and cost is less in Bangkok than in Manila. Pluses of the Philippines, they speak English and very friendly.
I met you one night at Craft (Soi 23). I think you qualify as an interesting character. I love meeting the expat characters. You are going to be lonely here if you can’t put up with the interesting people.
Hope you don't mind the plug Forrest, but I just wanted to recommend anyone considering a move to Thailand take advantage of an hour consult with Forrest. I did, and the insight was great. Hope to bump into you someday😎
Just found you earlier today through RU-vid's Recommendation, and I have watched a lot of your videos beginning to end. This is by far your best video! I don't trust anyone, period, so I completely understand your last few minutes of the video! Humans have always been really fuuuckin' stupid! TAKE CARE of Yourself, and YAH' BLESS YOU!
I want to come to bangkok and become your friend! I am loyal , fun , investor friendly =P. All jokes aside, thank you for posting your insights , as always.
