WHY PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THAILAND ANYMORE 

Thailand doesn’t change to adapt to you. You have to change to adapt to Thailand. That’s the same for any other countries. 🙏 ‘When in Roman, do as the Romans do’ so to speak.

My girlfriend and myself live in udon thani northeastern Thailand and we both eat for $3 a day and live in a 3 star hotel for $100 a month can't be beaten 👍

I spend 4 or 5 month a year in Thailand. I am the only farang in the area and is treated very well. Sweden is changing to something I dont understand but Thailand will be Thailand even in 50 years. I like that.

I built a home and raised 4 kids on $2000 AU a mth in Nth East Thailand....I couldn't rent a home for my kids in Australia for that....let alone my kids are growing up with the freedoms I had in the 70s as a kid in Australia and they are fluent in English Thai and Laos, if we were in Australia they would just speak English slang.

NOWHERE is as cheap as 20-30yrs ago ! Period

As for the bikes, always “dress for the slide and not for the ride”

I would never ride a bike in Thailand, I'd rather hire a car and even then I'd rather take a taxi.

คิดอย่างไร..ย่อมได้สิ่งนั้น..อยู่ที่ความพึงพอใจของแต่ละบุคคล ไม่สามารถตัดสินได้ว่าสิ่งใดดี สิ่งใดไม่ดี..ขอบคุณสำหรับvdoที่เยี่ยม..ได้มุมมอง-ทัศนคติที่หลากหลายครับ👍🇹🇭

As an ex-pat you will always be farang and treated as a tourist, even if you speak Thai.

The beauty of cities like Bangkok are the dichotomies that you get to experience such as noise and pollution. I don't personally enjoy loud noises (so I avoid bars, clubs so on) however in a city full of cars, motorbikes and tuk-tuks there were big parks throughout the city to escape the sounds. My lodging was on the sixth floor and I couldn't hear any street noise and at the top of the building it was practically silent. When you travel you can't expect a city or village to have everything that you are looking for you must embrace that it will have a fair amount of what you enjoy and a fair amount of what you don't enjoy. Don't visit countries like Thailand with the expectation of only consuming western food, using taxis and only staying in tourist areas you will never be able to appreciate the culture. Find your level of comfort and learn the step a little outside of that.

Great video. I been there three times in the last year and I just booked a flight for August love the food the people and culture.

1st time visitor to your channel. Very good video with accurate analysis on all points covered

If you lived in Thailand long enough you'll grow tired of the fake smiles and the deep-hidden resentment the natives have against you. After a few years, you'll grow weary of having surface-level relationships. Hyper-individualistic hedonism won't make you happy. That being said, some of us are losing our homelands to mass immigration and places like Thailand seem like the last best option to live, at least during the European winter.

I have been visiting Thailand for the past 30+ years, since I was a young backpacker. I now live in the Philippines so it is an easy trip and my family and I visit a couple of times a year. I lived/worked there for 2 years in the late 90s. Over that time Thailand has changed significantly, in my mind, positively. I love the food, the culture and the people, particularly in the provinces. Coming from the UK and having lived/worked in HK for a number of years, I still find it amazingly cheap.

Great video brotha. I learned a lot and I appreciate the knowledge. I’ll be looking to see what else you’re putting out. 👍🏻

Great video, well presented, said with no drama but said how it is, i am married to a thai lady and moving over on a retirement visa around September, I find many you tubers only presenting channels (apart from maybe 3 ) to give themselves an extra income, keep the good contact going !!

Hi Josh, really enjoyed the clip, been many times, retiring there soon. Cannot wait. A lot of valid points. Keep safe on your travels pal

As a General guide , Thailand is about 35% the cost of living in the USA. How you live ie lifestyle, will determine how much you spend. References 2 litres of milk 100thb 1.5 liter CocaCola 38thb Chicken 80/kg, pork 120 /Kg Diesel fuel 35/liter Benzene/gasoline 35-45/liter Simple lunch 50-60thb If you go out drinking every night 30-100usd. Big family dinner 30-50usd Thailand is a great place to vacation or live. Smile and be nice, Thai's will return the favour. Language is difficult but learnable for the basics.

9I am moving to Hua Hin from Denmark on the 18th of july. The house ive looked at for rent is a new build villa with 3 bedrooms and a pool, and its 70-140 eur cheaper than my old apartment in denmark (Aalborg, not cph) looking forward to adapting to the culture, the people and the atmosphere.

Very nice video and a wonderful balanced approach! The attitude we should all have towards being guest in a foreign country. Thank you for this!🙏❤️👏

people usually will burn out on a foriegn place when they move there to live. cultural differences, climate, home sickness, loneliness and separation from family and loved ones, lots of reasons. i always recommend people go to these places for extended holidays and fun. take the good things from these places and dont have such high expectations of paradise

Excellent and genuine report . Subscribed. Have lived in TH for 25 years .. important to adapt .. learn some Thai language. Most locals are easy going in general but they have their own culture which should be respected.

Thanks for the video and insights.

Good video, i agree basically everything you said in this video, just subscribed, keep up doing what you do man!👍

I've been going to Thailand for 30yrs travelling all over many times and mostly what your saying is true and the world has changed people's attitudes have changed especially in city's but people in city's have always been dicxs and it's the same in Thailand but outside of city's Thai are very friendly still and can still holiday or live there very cheaply it depends on what you want or expect

Really enjoyed thanks, you're clearly mindful of respecting the culture and treading lightly. Will check out your other vids. 👍

Great content. Thanks for sharing. Quick question - at 13:14 in the vlog are you wearing Bedrock sandals, if not whats the brand/model? Cheers 👍

Great review! Thailand is great but I agree on all the points on some things that can be challenges.

One thing that a lot a people complain about is being overcharged by being a tourist. Most of it can be avoided by taking a few simple steps. Let's take a local vegetable/fruit market, if one just walks around one can gage the cost of most anything by checking the price that are posted on some stands. If one likes some stand that doesn't have marked prices one will know , by asking in advance, if they will be overcharged. Same with transportation, if staying at a hotel one can ask them the cost to get somewhere, ask an expat, if possible, or even ask the place where one is buying a meal. With a bit of time and experience one can learn "the running's" like they say in Jamaica, the true cost of most anything.

Congrats buddy, this vid took you flying past 1000 subs!

Literally going to Bangkok, Thailand this August!! Going with my family for a week, so this video is very helpful!!

Excellent presentation! Though you expressed so much appreciation for Thailand that it makes your title seem a bit like clickbait. Glad I took the bait, however, because I really enjoyed the video, and, having been to Thailand three times and vaguely pondering retirement there, I wasn’t dissuaded from my overall love for the country.

Great vid buddy

**Great video Josh!** *Liked & Subscribed* Excellent advice about the scooters. I have been living here in Pattaya now for a little over a year and haven't had to get on a scooter at all! The only time I used a scooter taxi was once in Bangkok where it can be impossible to get a car. The cost of a BOLT (Uber) car is dirt cheap...as in like $20usd for a 70 mile ride (that would run you $300+ in Los Angeles) so it does not make any sense to get on a scooter. Thailand has the #1 or #2 highest count in scooter fatalities in The World! it isn't worth it! This is truly The Greatest Place to live! The quality of living can't be matched anywhere that I'm aware of!

Great video. You covered everything. Very informative!

Great video man. Really enjoyed it

Most people never leave the tourist bubble in Thailand. Tourist areas are completely different and artificial and have plenty of english. The real Thailand outside the tourist traps is very challenging with no english like where I live in Trang.

Great video. This is one of the best videos on Thailand I have seen. I’ve been living full time in Bangkok for 7 years and can report an extremely good life. Traffic noise is very quiet due to a no horn honking culture. Pollution would be my only complaint. Thailand is truly an amazing place with amazingly kind people.

Thailand is not the place for foreigners to move in. I'm Thai. And I like it when content like this speak out.

Great informative video well put together. Thanks.

If you like to live a long time in Thailand you have to try to understand the culture. In general Thai people are very friendly. They have their pride. Be polite. Try to speak their language. And if you visit some not so well known places, you will get a different experience then in the touristic hot spots. Food is great. Prices are still cheap. And take care you hang out with the right people. Visas are not really difficult. Just take care of the paperwork. Every immigration office can help you with information about what you need for certain visas. You cannot not own land but you can lease it long term. It's hot. But your body gets used to it. If you get bored in Thailand. (Hanging out in bars) There are plenty of other things to do. Fitness. Walking on the beach. Going to the local temple. Learning meditation. Taking care of your local community. You will get what you give. You manifest your own future. No place is perfect. It's always you.

Very informative. Thanks.

It is still cheap: we rent a house for only €270,- per month in Rayong. thai language is hard to learn: have lessons for a year now, still don't speak more than words. But we like it here, despite the heat, the monsoon, and the traffic.

Well done, Josh. I’ve always found Thailand to be a wonderful place with great people.

First time i was in thailand i was in bangkok , it was like 45 degrees..... you can imagine the heat it was like being trapped in a furnace , i rented a room at a hostel and inside the hostel the temperatures was like 60 , taking a shower was useless .... as soon as you are done and get out you need to take a new shower :) i was really shocking how hot it was , but hey its not always like that just sometimes.

Bangkok has great night markets and excellent places for all clothing types at good prices. The MRT subway is excellent to get around. Yes only travel around Nov-Feb. Otherwise tolerating humidity will get you maybe 15-30 minutes outside at the most.

Sick video!!!🙌🏻🙌🏻 this is very very helpful and gives anyone planning to come to Thailand a better idea of what to expect. Some incred shots toooo😮‍💨😮‍💨 The peeps getting triggered is bants 🤣

In Thailand. You could have a 1$ meal to a 1,000$ meal. Also you could get a nice 10$ hostel to a 100,000$ super luxury hotel. It is depend on you how Bangkok is cheap or expensive.

I was in Thailand a few months ago and the one thing i struggled with foodwise is the general lack of beef. Yes, Thais eat beef but they're more about pork, chicken and seafood. You have to intentionally look for beef. I was really craving steak. The hygiene was fine. The street food was very clean and safe.

Josh for a very young man (compared to me) I would say this is one of the most informative balanced appraisals I have listened to. There are some "omissions" say ATM charges and unexpected financial "anomalies" here say hotel safe issues. Note it could be prudent to thoroughly check your insurance cover especially with regard to auto "accidents"! The girls and nightlife are a total expose' on there own but should get a cursory mention! :-)

Another thing I REALLY appreciated about being in Bangkok in particular were the reverse osmosis water dispensers that are on nearly every city block and neighborhood. I was amazed to be able to find good, clean, fresh drinking water for next to nothing. You bring your own container and fill up. In such a hot climate, water is Number One, especially if you don't drink pop or alcoholic beverages.

Hi Josh greetings from California USA, loved your video and made miss Beautiful Thailand! I was going there every year for many years before COVID usually the whole month of September cause by then you get a little of everything sun, rain , cool and of course humidity. I have traveled to many parts of this beautiful country and the people are lovely and have made many good friends and memories, can’t wait to go back since I have not traveled anywhere since the last time I was there in September 2019. Take care and keep having fun. 🤗

I have never heard of anyone leaving Thailand for the most reasons listed in this video, besides running out of money and the heat. Me and my friends most favor that there is no snow, everything is always a shade of green, we do not have to think about what to wear just put on a shirt, shorts and sandals, there is an awesome food adventures on any street corner and nice common people to meet, not only Thais but form all over the world too.

Good vid about the language some of us who have come here for a while or live here do pick it up eventually enough to pretty much go any where even off the beaten track, again good vid and pretty much spot on

The best time of the year to visit Thailand is between November and February. What I like about Thailand is that there are so many choices: You could go crazy and go to eat on fancy restaurants and stay in luxury accommodations and pay a lot of money, or you can live like a local and stay in modest accommodations, eating at the markets, etc. Overall Thailand is a very good value for what you got. In Australia, luxury accommodation could cost you easily thousands of dollars a week while in Thailand that is what you will pay for a month for a nice Condo in Pattaya. Eating where the locals eat will save you a lot of money too.

Good advice & content , Josh , thanks .

You've hit the nail on the head with everything. When I hear of Thailand being expensive from people it all comes down to two things...bar fines and the cost of a girl compared to 20+ years ago. I've been visiting my now retired work colleague for 21 years so for me...food wise, not much more, transport...not much more...hotels still cheap. Massages...not much more. The biggest expense for me is the flight/flights over with living in Newcastle....it's basically 2 flights with Emirates, KLM, Air France and if you're willing to do 3 flights over and back.... Lufthansa.

thanks for the balanced thoughts..

If you don’t like the heat don’t go to South East Asia.

Nice video with exact pointers... awesome.

Been here nearly 30 years and incrementally it never stops getting worse by almost every metric.

I've only had a really upset stomach twice in eight years of travelling to Thailand and, guess what, both times it was a five star hotel.

Great vid mate

Hey thanks for this video. I lived in Thailand around 2017. I wanted to go back to Thailand. But, I was worried about some of the things like it being more expensive and it seemed like EVERYBODY is going to Thailand as of now and I was worried that it wouldn't be as quiet as it used to LOL and I just wanted to do something different. So, I ended up coming down here to Peru (which is like a Spanish/Latin version of Thailand). Here, you get most of the same cheaper cost of living compared to the USA and other western countries and one could enjoy a lot of the same fun here and a lot of the things that you said in the above video apply here too. A lot of it looks the same from having the same crazy traffic, the bike lanes and everything else. People here are very nice too. But, one of these days, I might go back to Thailand because I also miss it and I have a lot of friends there.

I had all of your opinions back in the 90's when I first visited and chose to say in Thailand in the 90s. GENERALITIES: *Thailand is STILL great for hols* BUT the *purely* surface level superficial relationships are all you can expect from 99.999999999% of the locals. They're polite and that's a refreshing difference to the west but most should listen to "Smiling Faces' by the Undisputed Truth (do it NOW - it's a superb tune) on repeat on their flight out. As the song says, the truth is in the eyes! Thailand has massive (and misplaced imho) nationalist pride / xenophobia but they do hide it well. It's the opposite of New York where locals come off as rude buggers but often have hearts of pure gold beneath their exterior shells. I prefer straight shooters to snides but that's just me (and ofc it's also a generalisation - If you want to insult a weak man, tell him the truth...*and vice versa*). Compounding that problem is fact that the quality of expats is VERY low - the average is 'harmless scumbag' but there are also some very dangerous 'expats' there who are safe in the knowledge that they could murder you and, IF caught, could easily pay their way out of trouble (read up on the 'Red Bull heir driver' who got eggy in traffic and drove into a number of strangers inc a policeman and killed them - now free as a bird (obvs he's not an expat but same rules apply if you ever want to get away with manslaughter / murder :-) For all of these reasons the place is super transient - i.e bonds you do make don't tend to last - people die or move (I anticipate naive millys thinking, "yeah but that applies to everywhere" but if they have the balls to move they can test the theory as I DID : ) After a while you question the value of investing in relationships. RE: "cheap": rent is cheap & human labour is very cheap in Thailand (inc. the ladies which is a massive draw for many). However, if you buy anything made outside of the country (electronics, wine, quality products, etc.), Thailand can be very expansive due to BIG import taxes. You mentioned the heat - it's awful in hot season - it drains your energy and you often feel trapped inside as you might in the depths of a western winter. If you plan to work (digi gonads) don't assume you'll be anywhere near as productive. The food is delicious and cheap but is greasy, cooked in reused seed oil and lacks nutritional value - basically it's unhealthy. If you want decent western food you'll pay through the nose (hence the 'it's expensive" comments). Knowing millys, (imho often too cool for school know it alls) many will discount all these comments and, if they make the move, learn the hard way. Having said all of the above I'm still considering moving back out there permanently as *I know what I'll face* and see what is happening to this country (UK) aided by well meaning idealistic ('suicidally empathic') idiots who see no issue with ushering in millions and millions of g/immigrants forever who are transforming the UK into a mishmashed high tax / high free benefits economic area - it's increasingly no longer a nation - just a bunch of people who don't agree on anything other than to never cause any offence to anyone - let alone complete pee takers - in this respect Thai 'xenophobia' is a blessing. *Imho* at the moment quality of life is much better than Thailand BUT the UK has just elected a hard left socialist (own nothing & be happy?) government so, if you have done OK for yourself, look out! Anyway, apologies if this comes across as longwinded, blunt rude or whatever but it's 'my truth' so please wish me luck! Good Luck to you all, wherever and whatever you choose to do. PS. If you're condidering the move remember to listen to and meditate on "Smiling Faces' by the Undisputed Truth

Hi as someone here said. Thailand dont adapt to your liking. You have to dapt to any countries you wanting to live or just to stay longer term.also those who plan to moved to thailand pls do your research firstly. It help to make our decision to more easier,

Thank you for the excellent video!

Cool vlog❤I live in koh Phangan for 15 years ,yeah it's changed a lot but it's still amazing,if you don't bother anyone no one's going to bother you ,it's easy breezy ❤

The most down-to-earth review of Thailand: you either like it or hate it. Thailand offers a unique experience with its distinct culture, diverse mindset, and different way of life. Visitors often find themselves either enchanted by its vibrant traditions, delicious cuisine, and friendly people, or overwhelmed by the cultural differences and unfamiliar customs.

Current minimum wage in Thailand is 12,000 baht or $329 monthly (I am an employer) and vast swathes of people are living with only that. If you can't afford to live in Thailand, it might be cheaper to just climb in a coffin

So ready to go back. Love the video.

I really enjoyed this video thanks. I have been to Thailand 4 times, mainly in tourist areas, this time I go to rural Isaan to visit my friend's family and I am looking forward to "full immersion" and as a pleasant contrast to the tourist intensive last trip to Phuket (I avoided Patong)

I have similar experiences of mainland China. My wife are chinese so i let her be my guide and just accept it for what it is. I dont judge other countries but i rather accept them as they are. Everything arent bad just different.

It is still cheap. We rent ahouse for €270 per month. Thai language is diffult to learn. After a year lessons we still cannot speak more than words. I can read and write it. We like it here, despite the heat, the monsoon, the mosquitoes and the traffic. Thai people are always friendly and make you smile. 😊

Very good presentation young man 🙂

You know how to speak, bro. And you know how to enjoy the world. Great talent, indeed.

I have lived and worked here (Bangkok) for almost 23 years and just came across this channel and I have to say; most down to earth and truthful analyses and advice I have heard in a long time. Thailand is still really cheap, safe and the Thais are still really friendly people as long as you stay away from Phuket and, to a lesser extend, Pattaya. Co-worker of mine went to Phuket for 5 days and came back needing a holiday, that's how stressfull it is down there where everyone wants one thing from you: your money. Things are so different outside the really touristy areas.

Honestly, it's because there are in this day and age so many other places to go besides just Thailand. 20-30 years ago, Thailand was THE spot in SE Asia, now with Lao and Cambodia and Vietnam opening up, Thailand just doesn't possess the draw that it once did.

Well said on so many points

Im in Hua Hin right now and have just watched the police pull over cars on the main road, checking for whatever, but did not even bother with the many motorcyclists riding without helmuts, even the tourists. Just remember if you hire a bike you must hace a motorcycle licence from your home country and an international permit otherwise your travel insurance company wont honour a claim if you are in an accident.

I love thailand and plan to retire there. The thing that is tough is the weather, lack of transportation safety, traffic, too many people. Funny thing is I got food poisoning in japan a month ago vs been to thailand 5 times and never got sick including eating street food.

The roads are only as dangerous as your skill level and awareness. People put themselves in danger in Thailand as no one will tell you to be safe or stop you being stupid. Drunk driving is normal as is talking on phone, driving with no lights on wrong side of road and so on.

Always find it funny when people throw shade at somewhere due to it being overtouristy. They seem to overlook the fact that by them also going themselves, they are part of the very problem they are throwing shade at 😂

Good video thank you. I am moving to Thailand next year. I really agree with everything you said, I am midd fifties never had a bike. Will be having a car. Good travels be safe

Good job there very informative wish you all the best for 30 year old you have wise heed good luck

Great video,been here 18 years and love it.

Learn to speak and read Thai. Have some Thai friends who can be your window on Thai culture, have some humility Live like a local. You will be fine.

Thanks for this video. Actually I have a friend moving to Thailand. At first he picked the Philippines. Then visited Thailand. He thinks Thailand is more modern and more well off than the Philippines. I asked him about Vietnam and he said hasn't been there. Thailand he said is more cheaper. I say that coming from the U.S. I hope he some how changes his mind & decides to stay. But he says people are just happier over there in general. More friendly too. How often have you visited Thailand?

Thanks for your insights! My niece in law isy a beautiful Thai woman and guided us on a 2 week trip to Thailand early this year. It was amazing and will definitely return to Chiang Mai and Phuket. Loved the food and kind friendly nature of th Thai people. I will be returning again this winter when the weather is cooler.

Where i live i never see a farang.. im the only farang in area.. only my wife speaks english, can be quite hard sometimes.. I have a 300cc honda cbr with a side car for carrying stuff for are business😜😜

Been in LOS going on 13 years now. Very fair critique of the country.

Are electric scooters (think razor scooter) allowed?

I live in Australia love it.

visas are very difficult to get if your under 50 years old if you want to stay here long time.

Good commentary! Everything you mention is correct.

👏👏 Thanks for the SOLID ADVICE. Lots of fluff on the Tube about Thailand. This post is real and the advice is grounded (for normal people).

Good vlog.👍 Only other thing that's often not great is ' The Fred Flintsone bed Mattress's'. The Thai's like them hard as a rock or even sleep on the floor with a bamboo mat & that's definitely not for me.😊 And the Visa reporting every 90 days is insane for a retiree. But I do love the people & culture.

Thailand has indeed gotten more expensive, and my monthly budget is ~ US$1300-1500, which includes local health insurance and a $500 apartment. Plus travel expenses for trips out of the country.

Great video, and useful advice. I also like listening to British people and how some of them drop the hard "T" sound, like at @ 4:43 ".. will all be so much behh'ah.."

Perfect video☀🏝