Who is Thailand really for? 🙂

The current Thai-elite visa for 10 to 15 years sucks because it's an over-priced tourist visa that leads to nothing but a lower balance on your bank account!

He is correct about a lot of things. This is why I do not believe the "Asian century" hype. Asia has either peaked, or near peaking. Asia is fundamentally more insular and inward looking, at all societal levels. Asian societies value various forms of dogma to an extent that contractual relationships are looked down upon. Even in "advanced" parts of Asia, such as Japan or S.Korea, you can't just "do your job and leave". You have to embrace the employer as part of your family. If you do business, you have to appease all forms of dogma. Asian society is very collective, so it becomes near impossible to develop a bold imagination. Just look at a place like Singapore - one of the wealthiest places on the planet with unrestricted access to global capital markets. Yet, unable to create any major products or services that the world uses (such as KZfaq or Intel). They mostly create copy-cat startups for Asian countries. Compare the kind of influence many small European countries have, for contrast. It would take Asia decades to have modern immigration laws. Because no one questions anything in Asia - if something irrational is going on, you let it happen because you are being disrespectful by asking questions. Look at how harsh Asia went during the health crisis. Asia looks great from the outside. But it's a collective toxic hellhole, if you value your freedoms (I am Asian, so not being racist). II will bet on Latam over Asia. They are proud of their culture and traditions, but not to the irrational extent in Asia.

Been going to Thailand since 1992, never felt unsafe there. But you need to use common sense, like staying away from questionable places late at night. If you want to stay long term in Thailand, suggest using an attorney or visa agent. It will make the process a lot less stressful. They can also help you with other things like opening a bank account or getting a driver’s license. Enjoying your videos. Thanks.

If you're going to Thailand purely for the beaches or to visit the ancient Buddhist shrines, it is a nice place. If you're going there for the nightlife, women and starting a business, you are going to have a VERY bad time.

A lot of men get scammed in Thailand. I’m sure you heard of the stories. Land, house and business all in the Thai wife’s name, Then it’s gone. I call it getting rubber treed. There was a guy from Norway that bought the rubber tree farm in the wife’s name. 3 months later the land was sold and the wife took off.

The beaches & Thai Boxing are the only thing that attracts me to Thailand also the Buddhist Countries period no interest in sex tourism.

I only went to Thailand for Thai food, beaches, east going life where you can do more than in Australia and for Eastern European girls. I stay away from Thai women for a good reason.

Columbia is the worst right now.

There isn’t perfect country to live but you can choose what is best for you. Thailand is pretty safe and good choice for most people.

Malaysia they say it’s safer and cleaner

What asian countries do you recommend? Malaysia? singapore? Hk?

I lived and traveled in Mexico for 9 years. I moved to Thailand to teach English for a year and moved back to the US for 7 years. I never felt 100% safe in Mexico and since sold my larger beach houseand moved to Thailand. I feel safe here. I don't go to ladybars or get drunk. The citizens here are just like those in any other country towards foreigners, polite but, as one might expect distant. It just makes sense. In the usa you "might blend in" but if you are not born where you live, you are, for the most part, an outsider. Get used to it or just stay put in your own country

Thailand's sex industry is open, vibrant and attractive to single men. I don't think that's a bad thing. I wish more western countries would adopt their way. Thailand is my shangri la. Visited three times last year. Twice in Bangkok and once in Pattaya searching for an area that best fits needs. Four months in all and never witnessed or even heard of any crime or hostility. I'm retired so I'm not looking to work or even citizenship. I will be returning this year to settle down in Bangkok with an Elite visa.

There's only one reason I want to go to Thailand and that's Muay Thai. Before I die I would like to see stadium fights from the mother land. I've been to many dozen Muay Thai fights in Las Vegas but the Nevada Athletic Commission is horrible when it comes to judging Muay Thai fights in Vegas. I've been training in Muay Thai as a martial art for over twenty years in Las Vegas but I would like to experience hitting pads and maybe step in the ring against another old man like me in Thailand.

Thailand... hard pass. I got their act. Xenophobic... check... but they need your money, they just don't want you. This tension will permeate your relationship in this country and inevitably losses will mount across many dimensions. Great video! 👍

Liked very much this video, I will comment some of my personal experiences

A monarchy is no more or less "free" than a democracy. It is people not systems that generally determine the level of freedom.

Good video. Thailand has a lot to offer. I lived there two decades ago when it was a Golden Age in the Land of Smiles.... Nowadays I wouldn't choose Thailand for all the reasons in this video. There are better places to go.

After 5 years of living, nearly dying and watching so many people I knew die, I totally agree. It's just a big lie to say it's safe, well run, friendly and fair.

I can't think of a worse reason to base a relocation decision than cheap bedroom action. If you're a young lad, and you've worked on yourself, you should be able to find that anywhere, for free. If you're getting older, as I am, you've probably come to realize there is more to life than just what goes on between the sheets. If you have reached that point in the life path where the young hotties are not exactly banging down your door, then virtually everywhere offers the chance to use some of your accumulated funds to ensure a suitable regular companion. Once you've had a period of your life where you've experienced variety and abundance, most of us prefer our bedroom time with someone that we've got some familiarity with. I wouldn't sacrifice a single bit of quality of life just to be near some bargirl district. To each their own though. As for Thailand itself, I've been twice. Never really cared for it. The food is good, no question. Nice beaches, but you can find those almost anywhere. I find the weather in that part of the world is not ideal. I've dubbed it "graysia" as it seems far cloudier than I would prefer. I like more of a Mediterranean climate with bright blue skies and less humidity. As far as the people... "land of smiles that disguise their true feelings" is more my experience. The whole of Asia has the concept of "face" to some degree. Thai people will never be so transparent if they don't like you. When every restaurant bill has an extra dish, or an extra beer, you start to feel like they view you as nothing more than a resource to exploit. I was in Singapore again last month. I would never choose to live there full time, but regular visits would be great. I also very much like Malaysia. The people there seem much more genuine than the fake smiles in Thailand. Similarly cost-effective, but a more first world standard. Other than that, there are parts of the world I would much rather spend time than Asia.

Everything is a trade off in this game of life, particularly in this game of international relocation (or insert your preferred term). Some places may be great for the short term, while they probably aren't great for the long run. This is what Thailand is for me. As someone getting started financially, or someone starting a brand new chapter in life, it can be a great place if you remember why you are there and you keep your expectations low. Eyes on the prize. If you're more of a leaf-in-the-wind kind of individual, and you like to party, Thailand can be the end of you.

that is not what attracts people to Thailand. Only the men whose lower head does all the thinking. If you're intention is to go somewhere for sex, then you get what you pay for. Now, if you're looking for love, then Thailand is somewhere you might want to learn the culture beforehand as Thai women relationships are quite a bit different from western countries with regards to how men and women interact. I personally am not fond of the men/women exchange that their culture affords. Always do your research depending on what you want out of a relationship. Thai women tend to be thinner, more pretty, and more 'submissive' (in a sense), but unless you know all the aspects of that culture's men/women relationships, you might be getting yourself into a mess you really don't want. Do your do diligence to research expat websites to find out the goods and bads of Thai relationships. Don't say I didn't warn you...

You nailed it. Thai elite cost and conditions are ridiculous. On the other hand Malaysia loosened requirements for mm2h. And even Vietnam is getting easier to stay on a tourist visa.

As someone considering spending a few months in Thailand (for a SE Asia-based temporary job opportunity), this vid confirms my suspicion that Thailand is NOT a place that I would want to make my forever (or even semi-permanent) home. I do have to admit the real estate prices are attractive there though. Any thoughts on owning an investment condo in Thailand?

Thailand offers (much) lower tax compared to the countries you're pushing (Germany for example)

How dare, you speak of Thailand this way. You deserve to be put in jail by the Thai authorities.

Theres quite a few other issues you missed out but great video nonetheless!

...and underage to top of it off...

It a good one from "Nomad Elite"

Thailand received 40M tourist a year pre-Covid, many which are female whom share reason some dudes decides to visit. Play for play can't be denied a reason some men go. Too broad a brush you painting. Biggest beef of mine are unsafe driving conditions. I did find it very safe my many visits.