There is always the option of a care home in Thailand. Apparently there are some lovely ones specifically designed for ex-pats. Obviously it will cost, but a good care home costs a lot no matter where you are. Best thing you can do, is to stay as healthy and active and independent for as long as possible. Obviously things can still happen, but a healthy lifestyle will carry you through many things. Theres nothing we can do about aging, but theres a hellava lot we can do about how we age.

I had a medical emergency were I almost died and was on my back for a few months. You find out a whole lot about the family you have, who you can count on and who you can't. You find out you are loved, or you find out you aren't. A lot of Expats become Expats because they have been through the Standard Western Divorce, their family has been wrecked and they assume they are on their own. But everyone assumes and you don't know what's going to happen until you are completely vulnerable and all you can do is watch. Every plan we make is to keep us from that day when we are completely vulnerable. But we are all going to be there. On that day all you have left is God and Family, you'll find out how both feel about you.

I moved to Thailand at 68 and enjoying every moment.I was on my own in a flat in the UK.

This video was a very rude awakening for me. 64 and getting older in Thailand with no definitive family support. Financially I’m well off but your point about a family network was very sobering and true.

Been here 40 years and I have an exit plan. I will go when the time comes.

Aussie, 72 here, at 59 you are just a whipper-snapper, many friends same age as me and others 80+ all married to Thai's and yes growing old can be a challenge particularly with possible future insurance demands from Immigration Very happy marriage for last 17 years but again the wife is also getting old (55) as well. Keep hospital insurance up to date but of course as we get really old that coverage too gets hard to source. The key thing is to enjoy your days as much as you can.

My experience over 17 years of living in Thailand is, peoples' attitude to the old is much the same as in the West, which is INCONVENIENT!!!! If you are no longer able to physically function for yourself and your wife has access to your cash/assets, there are wives who will forsake their duty in a heartbeat. If you think about it, kind women are cherished by all men. The moment you see behaviour that concerns you, move on.

Just as an aside, there are some excellent senior living facilities in Thailand that cost much less than Western facilities. Easy to afford on a pension. There's one in Chiang Mai that's beautiful. Nurses, buffets, massages, golf carts.

You raise my biggest concern about me retiring in Thailand.

What an excellent video. You could make a series out of this. It would be popular? Look at age care facilities, & costs. No other Vlogger has done it yet. Just a suggestion. Thanks. Regards Tony

If you come here for your retirement and plan to stay, have sufficiant funds or income to cover it. Don't run out of money. A loving family with you is even better. Moved here from US age 55. Age 74 now. Decent health wise. After many visits back to US past 20 years, pretty sure i've made my last

A very practical and important video Dave. It's a subject that we generally don't want to face, but we must as time passes by. More so when living and getting older in Thailand.

The real problem when retiring to Thailand is not finding someone to look after you when you are incapacitated-there are plenty of reasonably affordable home help or even visiting nurse companies. The real problem is the cost of surgery. A hip replacement costs well over 500,000 baht and I dread to think what cardiac surgery would cost at a good hospital-probably over one million baht. In the UK it is free and in the USA 80% is covered by Medicare. On the downside, any sort of home care or nursing is exorbitant over time-it is estimated that it will cost over $100,000 over the last two years of one’s life. So it is really swings and roundabouts. It may be better to take a chance that if one retires to Thailand one will meet a sudden death from a heart attack-one will have lived life to the full-but what happens if one gets cancer? The treatment for that is even more expensive than heart surgery, I believe, so unless you have considerable savings you will end up having to return to the US or UK.

I have seen some sad situations with old people in the UK. Even with the social state it isn't a bed of roses. Loneliness, family abandoning you for their own lives, cold winters, having to sell you house to pay for you going into an old peoples home, ill treatment in old peoples homes, etc. In Thailand some young people go to the cities and turn their backs on family back home; I have seen this so even Thailand is changing. Regarding being a foreigner living your senior years in Thailand: you will need money so make sure you plan for it. Personally if I got to a point where I am passed it in Thailand I would be happy to call it a day and be wheeled off to the nearest Buddhist temple for my cremation!

Don’t you remember a couple of years ago? The Thai family had the old British man strapped to a chair in the back of a pickup truck. The truck stopped in front of the police station. The Thais got out of the truck and lifted the British man in the chair and set him down on the ground in front of the police station. Then, the Thai family took off. The British man was senile. The Thai family probably felt they had drained the British man’s bank account all they could. He was of no further use to them, so they got rid of him. The British Embassy was contacted. The Embassy was trying to make arrangements for the British man to go back to England. This is the reality of the love Thais have for foreigners.

There are so many you tubers espousing the expatriate life in thailand. I’m 68 and alternate between Australia & thailand & india. Yours is the first that’s made sense to me in a practical kind of way. Thank you.

Always love Thailand, timeless and charming. The West's departure from a society being cohesive is growing. You can have independence in the West but it doesn't mean quality of life, just standard of living. Luke from Australia 🦘

Well, at 66 and just back from a "due diligence" trip to Thailand (which was, predominantly positive), your video is timely. Though I haven't watched it yet in it's entirety. I've watched many of your other videos, and I appreciate and value the frank, unvarnished reality of your take on what life for an expat in Thailand entails. As Stevie sang "can you handle the seasons of your life". And now, without further delay, I return to my viewing enjoyment. Cheers! 😊

This was an interesting video with a different viewpoint compared to anything else I've seen about moving to somewhere like Thailand. Thanks for making this.

Thanks for this video. I plan on moving back to Thailand next year, and even though I already know the things you discussed, hearing you say it has moved it from my subconscious and made me realise I need to give the topic more thought, as I will be 48 when I return. 🙂

Feeling my mortality at 50. The time I have left is very valuable and my actions and relationships become increasingly important. Great video. It really puts your values into perspective. Thank you.

America in the house Retired social services worker here.... In America we have the highest rate of senior homelessness. The average senior can't afford their medical part B. Also if you get sick and need care, you have to give up your house and any money you have left to get help.... And generally American children will not take care of you.. Great video, I agree, family and community means much more in Thailand.

Do good to your family, they will take care of you

SERIOUS WARNING If you are getting old but as yet don't have much in the way of health problems, you may be thinking that health care in Thailand is not expensive, you have a reasonable amount of money saved up, and in any case you have good health insurance so you are safe. You WILL find that when your health problems mount up as you get really old, like 80+, health care cost will mount exponentially, and all of your life savings will drain away very quickly. This happens to many people in Thailand not just expats. Private hospitals are commercial operations and they will think nothing of extracting all your money for tests, treatments and procedures some of which you do not need and may even be harmful. Good luck buying health insurance when you are old and sick. Read the small print in your policy document carefully. It will say somewhere that renewal isn't guaranteed. So you will use a government hospital, they are far cheaper, and free for most Thais. Visit one, look at the grim conditions, and ask yourself if you will find it tolerable.

Thanks for the pep talk. 60 y.o. American here, planning to move in 2 years to Hua Hin. Since, I will get Medicare at 65, I've already decided that once I go to Thailand, I will return to the US permanently for only two reasons, to put me in a nursing home or in the ground. Hopefully I have enough time to enjoy what Thailand has to offer.

There’s a KZfaqr, a woman 67 is starting a discussion for women to move to Thailand, and move into the same condo complex and covet/befriend each other, while we age. because really in the United States even if you’re wealthy, the care is not that great for the elderly. I think it’s a great idea. It’s less expensive at least, enough for people that are having issues trying to support themselves, If there’s a group of us we should be able to at least check on each other bring food and employ others that could help out the group. She’s gained almost 1000 subscribers within a month. I like it and I’m all for it. I’ll be meeting with her in about six months. I don’t want to be there full-time right now but I can for sure be there part time.

I actually have a meeting with an attorney on Thursday in Bangkok about getting an O visa. I figured in the West I would probably need to take a long walk into the forest with 2 days of food and a gun or be prosecuted into a government run retirement home. All of my assets would be confiscated and I would be pinched, prodded, fingered, and at the mercy of a African or Middle Eastern immigrant that hates me, and my nurse being nurse Ratched. There is also a country like Thailand that would most likely treat me with the extreme respect and dignity I deserve. I would think that Thailand would be an excellent place to retire, but the weather, food, and medical facilities might cut things short but the probabilities of going out on top are much higher.

Really interesting vlog, about getting old... if fact anywhere.... I arrived in Thailand about the same age 46, and a a time to rebuild my life, yes it was a bit like a second childhood in one instance and I had the help of a lovely Thai lady, there were no plans to marry, we just agreed to help each other. She recently divorced a Singapore man for domestic violence and I had moved on from a very unhappy marriage ... we had no long term plans but just to get our feet back on the ground. It took time she helped me settle and learn about Thailand its do's and don't and how to get along, I help her financially. Like your wife she wanted a child and I did not, and we did not have one, so we both knew it was a relationship of convenience , I was well looked after by her family it was as you say a great support network. However we parted 10 years ago as friends she moved on to marry another guy and had that child and was happy, I moved on to a different place and met someone who became my wife with a mutual requirement of looking after each other for our future. I'm now just 60 and the support network of a Thai family is important we all bring something to the party on helping each other, I've seen her great grandmother pass away and her grandmother, and I have been involved in all the arrangements, when I have been ill as we all get sick at some point they have been there for me. The key thing is not to rely on the state to provide for you, as you will be let down badly.... my state pension will give nothing more than lip service, so both a private person and some overseas income is essential.... I'd say its better to grow old out here as the quality of life is higher, medical health care is easier to obtain and no long waiting lists, you can see a Dr at a local clinic same day and pharmacies are everywhere.... the fact that its warm all year round makes a difference and its so nice to wake up to sunshine most days.

Didn’t know you had another channel Dave. Looking forward to checking it out.

I'm quite surprised that you made no mention of the excellent, affordable options for assisted living and long-term care facilities there in Thailand. I have no close family left, and my plans (after living as long as possible independently in my own condo as an Expat) include transitioning into one of these fine facilities. It's true that the cultural difference of Thailand respecting and caring for their elders, rather than shuttling them off to one of the wildly overpriced -- and lacking in good personal care -- such as the facilities found in my home Country of the USA, is a factor in the superior care the Thailand facilities offer. That this loving, respectful care is found at such a bargain, is even more reason to consider them as an option, when the time comes. I'm familiar, through research and emailing back and forth, with the Baan Lalisa group of facilities there, but there are probably others I haven't researched. It's a big consideration for my own relocation there, which will be coming up very soon. Just curious why you didn't even mention this fine option, for those of us without families to care for us. . .or those of us who don't want to foist care of ourselves as elders upon family members, being that it's generally not so much a part of Western culture.

Study the Comments to this video well, people. This applies globally. Thank you Brother for the guidance that most of us are aware of but many are not SERIOUSLY preparing for. Astute frugality and PLANNING MATTERS.

I've been thinking about this too. I moved here in my 30's, now mid 40's and it happened fast. I've been thinking about a lot of these same things. Good talk/video.

Good topic, thanks!

Great video, spot on. I just subscribed

I did a lot of thinking and I couldn't see myself staying in Thailand past ~80. With possible dementia and other ailments going home made the most sense. Factoring in the costs of repatriation and other variables I've decided that it just makes sense as a holiday destination.

Important topic! 🙏 As they say, growing old is not for cowards.

Long time no see☘ but am happy to see you again here on KZfaq 😲

I have noticed that expats who drink a lot and the bar is their primary focus for social activities age very badly and have range pf physical issues even well before they are considered mid life or older. Also, if you have money as an expat you can pay for all the assistance you want in Thailand and to a high level of comfort as you age. If you are in thailand as an expat without a good income as you age then you should not really be there and are only asking for trouble.

Yes , I feel much safer here in Thailand , with my university educated Thai wife , then in Australia , where my Australian children couldn't give a s---t about me.

Very interesting Vlog. That's certainly food for thought.

Thanks Dave you talk a lot of sense I'm 75 healthy still working 8 days a week in my business in Oz soon to retire to Thailand with my Thai partner you couldn't be more right Thai people really care about older family whereas in the West most only worry about if their in the will. by the by My grandfather was born in Kinsale

Excellent assessment. I planning to grow old in Bulgaria. Hope you have a long peaceful healthy life in beautiful Thailand. James J Walsh in Limerick city Ireland 🇮🇪

Thanks for this video, a good insight! I'm 47 and planning to move over to Thailand... the age you were when you moved there.

I seriously considered moving to Thailand and spending the rest of my life there. Unfortunately there are certain realities that one has to face. The first one is that I think that I discovered Thailand too late in my life. I am now 65 and I have to consider the medical status of rhis 'tent' that I live in. Lots of videos on youtube of retirees which encourage one to do so regardless. However due to a few chronic conditions, and considering my age I don't think that living in Thailand permanently is a very wise thing to do. Also additionally considering that I have a very good supprt structure from my family here at home in South Africa and with my children in England. Finances could also be a problem given the poor exchange rate I get for the South African Rand against the Baht. Thus, I decided to just visit Thailand at least once a year. And maybe try to extend a month visit to 3 months. Fortunately I am not a serious drinker so I can do such a holiday quite easy and less expensive. You were very fortunate to he able to move to Thailand in your fourties. Enjoy!

I think the Italians have an expression of goodwill; "may you die in your sleep'

Real talk here. Especially the part about "a lot to be said for sudden death."

Great video about a thoughtful topic for elderly expats.

You make a lot of sense. I'm 10 years older but in a similar supportive situation so good luck to the both of us! Btw, just got back from my first trip to Ireland. The entire country looks like a family reunion. All of my grandparents were born in America but all 8 of the great grands were Irish.

Greetings from Donegal...fair play to you - great insightful video!

Love your storys your a great storyteller really nice to hear ❤❤❤

I found it very interesting, thank you 🙏

WOW...., hit the nail on my head, 67 here fro Canada. plan to retire, but your video opened my eyes to the future. Making me look at my Thai girlfriend in a different light now. Thankyou.

Life is funny Dave. You get these young fellas calling you a dirty old man for hanging out with women their age🙄 That was me back in 1991 sitting on Chawaeng beach with my farrang girlfriend criticising those old perverts ( which was in fact, my future self) LOL😁

Good advice dear friend!

Good new perspectives for us who are younger, thank you sir. Nice point on the desire not fading, but I think it is good to maybe increase the age of the women I covet slightly, to try and bridge the gap and keep our objectives aligned.

Such a fantastic topic. I was actually considering a move to Thailand in the event I became significantly infirmed. My take was the wage disparity between the West and Thailand/Philippines would grant me a much more dignified existence. What would it cost for accommodations, food, and 7 days per week/8 hours per day of home support in Thailand vs the US? My guess is well over $100K vs $40K.

Growing old in Thailand plenty of money but a much reduced sex drive It cannot get more ironic than that.

Good thoughtful talk mate!

Great vlog. Tks

Nice to know you have family to fall back on. Actually, you might have to face the music on your own when the time comes, you can never be 100% sure. Your video could have been more informative if you got out of the pool and did some research for the audience,like; -Are there any senior care facilities? -How much would they cost? I visited Malaysia for retirement. That was the first thing I looked into. FYI: You can have first class senior care in Malaysia for about 2-2.5kUSD/month.

Lol growing up I knew my parents wouldn’t be there for me and I raised my kids to be independent so I made sure I saved enough to be able to take care of myself in old age. If my kids do not take care of me I will use their inheritance to make my last days as comfortable as possible. Paramount is taking care of yourself, I’m 0 carb and fasting during the winter, I ride mtn bike and mountain climb in the summer at 57 years young. My younger brother has already got heart disease, insulin resistance but he doesn’t seem to care, I’ve managed to avoid it through healthy lifestyle choices even though heart disease runs in the family. I’d rather be active and then sudden death take me than to be laid up for years dying slowly unable to do the things I love. My brother has lamented that he believes his active days are behind him but I do believe that’s his personal choice.

Great video fellow country man , thanks ☘️☘️☘️

I'm pretty sure used to live in that condo. Close to Central Rama 9?

Very good video at a time when you're still healthy but understand the aging process. At your age, to add to your planning for the twilight years ,other than your family, you should buy into a health insurance plan while the entry is reasonably priced. Why,because when major hospitalization is needed your family will be of limited use . They can't pay for a heart valve replacement for up to 2 million baht . Home care they can do. For those people who don't want to take on responsibilies, like fatherhood and family support, there are full care retirement homes in Thailand for about 60 thousand baht a month. You still need cover for major health emergencies. I tend to favour your situation because being part of a good Thai family is better than being lonely in a retirement home. But finding a good wife and a good family is a challenge.

Great video, and yes, Thailand is where I want to grow old.😂

Good topic. New sub!

I don’t know if this is occurred to you, but as a viewer, it is interesting that not long ago you felt somewhat ostracized and left out of what was going on around you and the family. Yet,at the same time you feel very loved and supported by that same family. Interesting.

Excellent video very honest you are

Good video. Ive passed the 50ties and Ive been living in Bangkok for over 9 years with a lovibg Thai wife and our son soon to be 8. Ive got good income and will have a good company and state pension from my country of origin. However you need that Thai network.

Just found your channel and subscribed.

Great points. 👍🏻😊 I moved here from the USA a little over a year ago to retire after 50. Very lucky to have on my mom’s side of the family a brother, sister, aunts, and uncles… home and car in Bangkok. My parents and most of my friends are in the USA… but I stay engaged daily with everyone. Sawasdee khrup. 🙏🏻 (Sawasdeeka comes from the ancient Indo-European languages which is same as swastika [before the Nazis misappropriated it], which means good health). So every time a Thai person says hello or good bye… and they may not even know the roots of this greeting… but they are wishing you good health, echoing from the most ancient times. 🙏🏻

What are the Requirements for Long-Term Resident Visa? Must present a health insurance policy covering medical expenses in Thailand no less than USD 50,000. ... High earners must have proof of personal income of at least USD 80,000 annually during the period of 2 years prior to the application date. More items...

Good video, Dave. Important to bring to the surface. Thank you kind sir., Long live the Irish.

So well stated, I was a frequent traveler to SE Asian partaking in all it had to offer, but I was always very aware, for my sake, it could not last forever. I eventually found a wonderful and beautiful Cambodian girl who I knew was the one .. That I knew I could grow old with. She already had a great family structure but she needed the stability a respectful and loving husband can bring. I surely needed her love, vitality and caring as I grew even older. You better listen to this guy and if possible all the stars align, follow his advice. I have seen so many of those who waited way too long and paid a price for missing the boat. IMHO

You shared an interesting topic which I really appreciated. Cheers from New Zealand ❤🇳🇿

Good points

Thanks for sharing this video, I watched it with interest... I am neither old nor young but you raised some very good points.. Many a people i know have moved to Thailand long term, with some of them it's worked out fine, but not with others.. I think having a thai gf wanting a baby quite early on freaks a lot of guys out... especially when they are coming there with a western background and culture, because the trust in relationships is broken down so badly in the west so it seems.... But yes, fascinating... the differences between there and here.

Retired and living the dream KZfaq channel did a great video on assisted living in Thailand

The traditional thai way of taking care of parents is not happening in many families. I know many older thai ladies working here because their kids will not or cannot take care of them. 21st century has changed many traditional values in my observations ✌️💞🙏

Can I ask as a 47 year going to Thailand, what sort of income did you have, because I'm considering moving to Thailand, but I'm not of pension age yet?

REAL TALK

Interesting, im 66 considering retiring ‘somewhere warm’ Thailand or Spain are my 2 favourites, but the one thing i have in the UK is family, a daughter & grandson which I always miss when i go traveling. You say you have family there so you should be ok as in the UK unless you have a lot of money or your own house for private health care then its possibly a longer wait on the NHS as it would be to pay for whatever in Thailand. Home & family are likely the 2 main factors when deciding

Thanks Dave. Really good honest topic

enjoyed your honest important talk

I grew up on Gallows Hill Cratloe. Every third child became a Nun or a priest to feed the family. This is nothing new.

Real talk.

Thanks' for sharing Boy! Good incite ;-)

Excellent videos 🇨🇮 thanks . Im living here in Thailand now and searching health insurance but at what age here will insurers not cover a person 🤔

Great post 👍

The cost of medical care in Thailand is high and once you get to near 80s, it's impossible to obtain. I'm keeping residence in the UK And will spend as long as I want in Thailand with the assurance of knowing I can always return home for treatment

Thanks for sharing this, a good insight from someone who has been "there".

A fair point you made...."what will they do when they are your age"

You mean “Should be called growing old in paradise”

The old guy in Ireland had a valid point about the sudden death. I don't fancy the potential onset of dementia, saw what it did to my dad and us who had to cope with it on a daily basis 😢 Is that a reason for the popularity of the hilton High diving club 🤔. (Pattaya)

Great video, extremely informative and insightful. I’m glad I seen this video.

Great and kind to share . Sure you will have a Happy Life !!

I’m in the same position as you. My wife and family are very supportive of me. I am 66 and still in decent health but I know the day will come I might need more. I hope I can manage on my own and leave this world quickly. I am not too concerned tho. BTW if you’re an American did you know you can postpone your part B Medicare coverage if you live abroad and not able to use it. It’s very easy. Just write to the office that is in your area and state that and they won’t take the premium for it. If you need to go back to the states you just start it back up then. NP.

You are kidding yourself. You will never be an equal Member of a thai family. If you think they are going to earn money to spend on you, then you are delusional. Yes if you have a good wife she'll look After You, But don't ever let the chequebook run dry. Many a Farang have made the mistake of not maintaining control the checkbook. If this happens we are of no futher use to her or the family.

"There's a lot to be said for sudden death.", lol, classic.

Where is that beautiful swimming pool?