After watching the video myself there was something I was trying to say but didn’t come out right. Some people like to comment on Thailands problems when I say how much I like living here & regardless of the problems the issues that Thailand has The fact is they have got something VERY VERY RIGHT ! My day to day life experience is absolutely a pleasure with many smiles such high levels of politeness to unbelievable patience kindness happiness all around me everywhere I go (except when driving 😂) But seriously the manners kindness politeness & safety aspects are key to why we all love ❤️ Thailand 🇹🇭

Each to his own. My paradise is my back garden, the birds singing in the ivy, the roses blooming in springtime, the aroma of freshly cut grass... the unique beauty of an English spring, and most of, all my family and grandchildren living a few minutes away.

Thailand has always been a revolving door with people coming and going. You have put together a pretty good list. I moved here at 23 and now at 70 there is almost nobody from my early years. I learned long ago that people don't stay so I stopped worrying about it.

The foreigners that make it in Thailand and are happy are the ones who accept Thailand for what it is and understand that they'll always be considered a tourist, have to pay more than Thais to gain access to attractions, etc. and in many cases realize that they will be seen as a walking ATM in a lot of situations. Thailand would certainly attract more foreigners if they could gain long term residency rights and could buy land and property for starters. It's also unsettling for a lot of foreigners that the government are constantly threatening to change/tighten up the rules for foreigners staying in Thailand. ❤🇹🇭❤️

Was born in Thailand and now living in Canada . People complain about Canada is too cold , no sun . I have to argue Thailand is too hot and too humid. I love summer time in Canada , fresh and good quality air , flowers everywhere the temperature is just right . Health care is not perfect here but the same in Thailand if you have to use government run hospital . The one that I can not get over with is the traffic in Thailand , pedestrians are treated as second class citizen. Don’t forget about work life balance that doesn’t exist in Thailand ( here we get bonus from employer for travel ) . Don’t give me wrong I still love my country and want to visit as often as I can . When I went home last year , it was funny I feel my neighbors in Canada are more friendly than my neighbors in Thailand , talk about friendly. There was no smile , no acknowledgement, no hi , nothing , that is the Big change for me .

They leave because they are broke

Because most people come here on holiday, free of worries from home, have a great time, splurge, eat, drink & spend a little more, party, relax, basically have a great holiday. Along the way they meet up with other expats who live here and go on about the cheap cost of living, so it plants a seed in their mind. They get back home to the drudgery of life and decide to move in Thailand. Usually 2 big mistakes with these people: 1 they mistake having a holiday for the regular daily life of a long term expat 2 they rarely make any serious effort to figure out how they will make a living and plan a realistic budget. Their desire to come makes them blindly super optimistic about the real cost of living. They come and are broke in very short period of time.

Corruption at every level of government (literally from the local amphoe, police, immigration, land department, etc….etc….), no job opportunities, horrible education system if you have kids, xenophobia from thai chinese (not as much from ethnic Thais), costly healthcare system, can never own a house or land. Etc…And that’s only a few out of thousands more. Thailand is a holiday destination maybe retirement but not a place where u put all ur money and raise children for education. I told a thai doctor at bumrumgrad hospital I’m moving to thailand forever, he’s like why would i want to live in an authoritarian country with corruption at every level and a shitty education system 😂😂😂 he wasn’t wrong. I’d rather own a house, cars, and have my money in the US and just spend disposable income few months out of the year in thailand

I always say “just go for awhile, then go home”. I keep my stay to 2 or 3 months then head back. I find myself after 1 or 2 months wanting to go back. This doesn’t mean I hate the place, I just am ready to get back to the familiar. I think I’ll keep to that. My former career as a sailor made me love traveling.

Lived here 15 years and not moving back to Canada. One of many reasons is the cost of living and the weather

I made it for a year and 4 months. America might be a mess but it's a mess I'm familiar with.

Think you are right on point Richie. Many get lost in fantasy that they are going to work online or be a you tuber and live a dream life in Thailand. Does not work out for most.

I’ve lived in America for 20 years. I’ve tried twice to move back to England. First time I lasted a year. Second time I lasted 2 months. Couldn’t stay. I think once you’ve moved on mentally it’s difficult to readjust back. You keep wanting more adventures and new experiences. I miss England but realize I may never fully return now. Especially now my parents are gone. I see Thailand on the horizon once I’m ready to retire.

Awesome, loving your content. And trust the family is safe and well Richie

There's one important thing you missed. Very few foreigners are married to a good Thai. Most are either single or arrive with their foreign spouse or marry a bargirl. Being married to a good Thai provides a reason to stay, and also means that you can buy a house etc.

Well done. Your not stupid. I'm a English man in Bulgaria. Welcome to the jungle. Life is Life x

Hey RAB ,have watched your vids on you tube for a while . this one in my thoughts is the best you have posted . Honest, real, and relevant , all the best to you peeps and the new addition to family .cheers Kev in Oz (Australia)

Great video. I love how down to earth you always are Richie. Keep it real!🎉

Speak it LOUD about the woke shit going on in the West. my wife is Thai in Thailand and I spend months at a time over there with her family. I'm working on securing a role in my work in cybersecurity so I can live full time there with my wife, and leave the entire Western world behind. Thailand protects her own, and every time I'm there, I'm grateful to be a guest in their home. I love your family. I love your content. I love your attitude.

Gotta love your point of view Richie ❤ You’re totally living the dream in my opinion! You have a beautiful & very successful Coffee Garden my husband & myself have been to this year & a couple of years ago..You have an awesome and now a beautiful baby girl….not to mention, a wonderful wife who’s got your back! You have a fantastic thing going on for you in Phuket! You’ve got it made there:) We love San Francisco, the city we call home; but, lately over the last 3 years, we noticed that it’s too freaking expensive and the crime rate has totally gone up:( We feel safer in Thailand 🇹🇭 Thanks for posting this video & giving us a glimpse of Maicie! Cannot wait to watch your next video😊

Great job on this. Speaking from experience, ideas and thoughts not aligning with some can result in painful comments and actions. Empathy is demanded, but not given, and noncompliance is unforgivable. Stay strong- you're a good guy!

We left Phuket mainly because I’m pregnant & didn’t want to give birth in Thailand, but also because it’s just so expensive & overcrowded in Phuket right now. The visa issue just became too much hassle also! We are so happy to be home, but we miss it there so much! 🇹🇭

I love Thailand and have spent a lot of time traveling and staying in my girlfriends village in Isaan. The thing that a lot of people forget is that it is totally different when you are on holiday than actually living in Thailand.

2 biggest reason's I hear is money no1. And secondly the hassle of visa's

Let’s be honest, the Uk has gave you everything and made a life in Thailand possible. Long time viewer. Keep up the good work.

Just because you move and live somewhere it doesn’t mean it’s permanent. Where I live is exactly that,where I live. Home will always be the UK and the place I always return. I’m soon to leave France after 15 years of living there.

Great content Ritchie! Well considered, rounded advice. Always great to see you doing you. 🇦🇺 Maisie looks happy and healthy ❤

Thailand's a nice vacation getaway in Asia. That's it for me. I tried living there. So, to start, jobs are not always in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or anywhere "developed". Most cities in Thailand you live in a hotel, not an apartment. Teaching jobs pay pretty low, and the last school I dealt with changed 180 from being very relaxed to suddenly wanting to fire me for the smallest shit. I came in at the end of the semester replacing a guy that always went out drinking all day long and would only be at school when he had to teach a class. Guy didn't even pay his bar tab at the hostel, so hostel owner stopped running tabs because of him. To get to work, I had to catch the rare taxi truck thing because my only other option was a motorbike taxi which motorbikes are extremely deadly in Thailand. My final complaint is the animals. Birds everywhere shitting all the time, geckos slipping into my room, and snakes hiding everywhere. It's not a good place for someone with a fear of snakes. So, Southeast Asia is a great place for vacationing, but not my place to live.

I’ve been over 85 times and the point is a lot of people can’t understand the difference between having a great holiday and actually living there……that’s when reality kicks in. At first I was mad keen to live there 19 years ago, but the more you get to know the place, lovely as the people are, if you dig a little deeper you realise how unstable and corrupt it is…..ps, my wife is Thai and we own a very good Thai restaurant in the uk, but when we move to Thailand, there is NO WAY I will buy property there. The only sensible thing to do in my opinion after many years experience and research is to rent, whether it’s a home or a business due to the volatility of laws that change frequently.

I lived in Thailand for many years - but just got bored with it all............... and the constant two tier living... there are much better places - you need to travel more....

Not all leave, some of us have found our paradise!

Massie has gotten so big and she looks very much like Maybelle. Beautiful little girl what a great family she has been born into. You described the struggle of getting into the right mindset for a long term life change. We all must carve out our own path. Thank you for a very thoughtful video Richie. Good ideas to mull over.

You keep yourself busy with work and keep an active mind. That’s a major factor as well. I was recruited to work here 10 years ago on a salary far better than I could get in my home. I love going home but can’t wait to get back on the plane and come home to Thailand. Out of the 40 countries travelled I can’t find a better place than Thailand as it ticks most of the boxes.

Just a nice guy with a realistic view on life.with your attitude,you’ll make it work anywhere you live.

Beautiful little one!! You are blessed🙏🏽. Good video.

Great to see you making videos again Richie. I think that anyone moving abroad should temper their expectations and as you say stick it out and wherever you are will become home. Macy is so beautiful congratulations again.

its because often after 4 years, the rose colored glasses wear off and they realize it aint all its cracked up to be.

Been here going on 3 years now (Hua Hin). My wife of 12 years is pregnant now with our first child. Absolutely no way I’d send her to any American school. She will grow up here Thai and speaking both English and Thai. She will go to the best schools here though. I’m 64 and my wife is 32. I’ve already raised a daughter in the U.S. who’s now a doctor. Looking forward to the second time around! Definitely staying in Thailand and do not miss the States at all!

I’m just at 20 yrs. Thailand is a cultural land mine. Thailand used to be very much live and let live. Not now. When I first dipped my toes In the beautiful Andaman sea, Phuket was virtually all wood construction. There were: No internet No cell phones No nothing. John Lennon said “ if you don’t change with the times, the times will change without you “ Thoughtful post. Well done.

Totally agree with what you said. I also moved from Europe to Asia, and don't regret it at all.

your comment about being determined to leave and convinced that will figure it out is exactly how i feel!

Great video Richie!!!

Maybelle is a great person! You are blessed with her and now your baby! I hope you will have another kid too :) One big happy family.

I have been here for about 6 months per year since 2011 (When 23) and I find that I miss home if I stay for longer, usually around the 8 month mark, especially if that happens to be in the hot season. A few weeks of England soon fixes that though and makes me want to come back lol

Great video and commentary. Thanks for being out there.

A key thing is there are social security agreements with UK for pensions in South Korea and Philippines which means i would get annual pension rises, but not with Thailand

First video I watched from you. You seem to be an honest guy. Appreciate that.

Great to see you’re doing well brother & Bub and all! She’s beautiful. Well done getting on with life! 🍻

For me the hardest adjustment was altering my lifestyle to accommodate the heat and humidity. The language can be a barrier but then I consider the extreme cost of living in my home country of Australia. I can afford a much better lifestyle in Thailand than I could ever achieve in Australia.

The biggest reason in my opinion, is you can have been there for 1y or 10 yrs however you are still a tourist you have no rights as a expat! 0! constant visa changes issues with stamps ect, potentially set your life up to live in a country and eventually any problem and it’s all gone.Good luck by the way 😊wishing you all the best! FYI I lived near you for 8yrs

Such a a sweet baby she looks like her mum 😘

I tend to find with myself and other people is doing the trade off, part of my year in Thailand and part in the UK....best of both worlds.

Stay at least two years. The first year you will see everything for the first time, the weather, the traditions and customs, the food, the weather, and the people. You don't know what's around the corner or what's coming next. The second year, you have some idea of what's coming and can prepare for it, both, mentally and physically; you know when to run for the hills and when to run to the beaches. Give yourself a chance

Nice video,spot on on most points....thanks.From an expat living here for 15 years in Issan

Hi Richie, I have joined your channel recently, you have a nice presenting style, I like how you do your videos on your morning walk, I,m more of a night owl.....coming in a 6 am but evening walks I do try to do, good subject matter and I will enjoy catching up on the other videos.....enjoy your lovely family - enjoy paradise take care Patrick

How is the same narrative happening at the same time in the world, and mainly the west. Yes you are correct, if your awake and can see it... Lots of us see through the narrative and good on you for standing true.

Hi Richie, I hear you! little Macy is a doll, really takes after Maybelle 👍👍

Hello Richie, nice video. Ive been away from you tube for a while, and firstt time seeing your beautiful daughter. Just wanted to say congratulations, and wishing you continued success in the future.

isolation and loneliness language barrier different culture dreams that where unrealistic broke without money alcoholism/sickness the visa situation..pick one..they are all common reasons

I’m like you. First chance I had I moved. Had the chance to live in 4 countries but my real love is Thailand. We lived in Phuket for 2 years but unfortunately moved 6 months ago due to having got an opportunity I couldn’t say no to. Thailand I promise you, we’ll be back.

Loved the sounds and backdrop at the start of the video. You are living the dream it seems.

Great video Richie. You are always keeping it REAL. I am in my mid 50's and live and raised in So. Cal. My closest friend (female) the past 5+ years was a former Pro Muay Thai boxer. First female from Thailand to fight Professionally in Tokyo. She is a little sister to me, not a girl friend. She always reminds me of that as I've dated many of her Thai friends from here.. She always says, " Wait until we go back to Thailand. I will introduce you to good girls from the village." I know she is referring to girls like your wonderful wife. I do plan to make Thailand my new home in a few years but it's your opinion I highly respect and need to approach it as a second home and live life day by day. I/we will definitely come visit you, Maybelle and Macie when the time comes.

And me, I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know its not some place you can look for, cause its not where you go. Its how you feel for a moment in your life when your apart of something, and if you find that moment... it lasts forever...

THE OTHER MAN'S GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER ! 😂 😛 😂

Been in Thailand for just over 7 years, and I will die here. Wild horses would not drag me back to the UK.

So happy for you and Maybelle. Adorable baby girl. I have followed for a good while. Enjoyed your Thailand wedding video too. Very special. 🙏

I have been going to Thailand for the last 30 years. In my opinion, it is a short term paradise, it's a beautiful lovely country but it isn't the country that used to be and certainly the prices especially in the tourist areas are just crazy now and if you want to go and live in the country there's nothing to do but drink yourself to death unfortunately that goes for most foreigners that live in Thailand, they end up drinking themselves to an early grave and yes I do understand you can work and own businesses but nothing is easy in Thailand from visas to work permits to owning a property getting involved with Thai women putting things in their name always ends in disaster. So yes a lot of people do tend to go back to their Origin countries, I'm not slating Thailand, it's just the truth and particularly in Phuket. There's a lot of criminal activity, foreigners mafia Thai so it's not always easy.

All people, all business and all countries have some problems but right now it feels very good in Thailand and have been here for 16 years Love you're life and the channel When you and your family have time come and visit us in Hua Hin ❤

We think if you understand the culture of Thailand, you will never lost Thailand. The people are great and the food is amazing.

I love Thailand but had to leave after 3 years since just couldn't handle the heat snd humidity in the summers

After listening to your whole video in its entirety I’m even more disappointed I didn’t get the opportunity to have a chat with you at the coffee garden recently. Next time! 😊

Pro: 1. The cost of living is less expensive and way better than most Western countries. 2. Traveling to neighboring countries is practical and not so expensive. 3. Friendly locals in non touristic areas. 3a. Locals here by their tradition and culture respect their elders The West doesn't or have very little regard or respect for their elders. 4. Variety of local and western foods are available in big cities. 5. Healthcare in big cities with private hospitals is comprehensive and comparable to the West. 6. There are plenty of healthy, very fresh seasonal tropical foods,herbs, and vegetables than the West. 6. Food sources at local markets are very fresh and less chemically and artificially treated than the West. Western countries top the chart with the most cancer and highest in diseases rate. 7. Getting old lifestyle in the West is like cows putting out in the pastures. Con: 1. Language barrier 2. Immigration does not improve or make the life of expats, especially senior or sick expats, more easier or more bearable. 3. Double price tiers for foreigners for tourist attraction spots. 4. Foreigners' bank accounts may not have an account guarantee like the West. 5. Adjustment and acceptance of the thai ways and their culture are challenging.

It good that you understand why … when etc ….

Congrats, my friend. This video was not about Thailand, but about self freedom. You are great man. You are, what's most important in this life, freethinking and nonconventional man. Meaning, you realy own your life.

Richie, I think you forgot one important fact and consider the amount of people, after moving back “home”, how many of them want to move back if they could. Unfortunately they become restless anywhere in the world and most of them will never find their real “home”.

I admire you so much you are so honest and love how you stick to reality living there. We moved to Australia from uk nearly 17 years ago best decision we made I could never go back . Continue what your doing x

Having paid for a lot of renovations in your coffee shop with your credit card from one of your old vlogs you must living the same as many others on a budget

The thing I liked best about this video was when you pointed out how much easier it is to "disconnect" when you are living in Thailand (or any country far from your own). People are people...there's good, bad, and all shades in between regardless of where you live. But when you are in another country, while you understand the problems, and recognize some similarities with your home country, you cannot really do anything about these problems, and that inability to affect change in any way sort of takes away the problem...at least for you. It makes it easier to just allow yourself to enjoy the life you have. I hope that makes sense :)

I thought I recognised you, my sister has been following you for a few years, you & the Mrs opened the coffee shop up during covid, had my sister hooked. Good luck to ya fella, been to thailand 21 times over 15 years, married to a Thai, never been to Phuket, we will go & I'll pop in & have a coffee.

Your later comments on being able to tune out of the hysteria perpetrated by those in power struck a chord with me. A major reason I want to exit the west. Well done, subscribed and liked.

Hello Richie, I think your presentation is great and also your insightful comments on the world situation. I believe that people are much smarter than politicians. Even if politicians think the opposite.

the laugh at 5.22 was priceless - you made my morning Richie :)

Hello interesting video. We think that some people, come not to Thailand, because they life in a dream and they are to angry to make the dream come true. We follow your channel a long time and saw you make it right. We will Compton Thailand next year. Best wishes Siri and Uwe from Germany.

The little one sure is a cutie! Congratulations mom and dad.

Well done Richie 👍 You always keep coming with very interesting and exciting Topics to discuss about Thailand 🇹🇭. You’re a humble, very honest and decent person. In my opinion MONEY 💰 is a Crucial factor. I been to Thailand many times and the thing is perhaps is not that cheap as many people think . Before moving permanently out there you must do your homework and have your financial situation somehow sorted. Otherwise you will struggle and you will get bored very soon. Your little daughter is absolutely beautiful. Best wishes to you and your family Mate. Keep safe and enjoy your weekend ❤️🇹🇭🙏

We made the move from London. Me, my wife and 6 yr old daughter. Been here since the end of January and I don’t feel we’ll ever want to go back. The UK and the western world seem to be on a downward spiral. Thailand isn’t perfect but I’d still rather be here than there. We are in Hua Hin btw. Been watching your videos from the start. Really happy for how things have gone for you. All the best to you, Maybelle and Macey

Biggest worry for me is health care (age 67). I have a good insurance (retiree) and would have to keep paying for it if I moved to Thailand....and what if/when a major disease comes and private insurance drops you in southeast Asia? This also takes a lot of cost savings out of the equation. So, I plan on being the three month kind of guy. Concentrating on what is good, not bad. And your daughter is very sweet....enjoy her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spot on about schooling…..my wife hard a very hard upbringing as a farmers daughter and had to leave school at 14 to help her father. Well I can tell you, she is the most intelligent and well rounded woman I’ve ever met, so it’s actually nothing to do with education but her upbringing by a loving family.

Love being in Thailand since they legalized. Very chill, just blast a joint and chill lol. I gave up alcohol, much better health now. I'm with a filipina though and she prefers philippines so we live in philippines and holiday in thailand every few months. Works for me.

Richie young fella you do not have a clue of the whole picture regarding ex-pats: We spent lots of time on Phuket/Karon/Kata etc which was absolutely beautiful with a village atmosphere in 90's, & then the crims moved in with a free hand to exploit. Lots of people scammed into buying property that was sold 3 & 4 times. People exploited to move by the usual persuasion methods which hasn't caught up with you but it will. The main reason we being professional people there is no chance of wealth creation thereby not being able to continue those skills achieved by too much protection against employment. We chose Australia with no regrets continuing to grow both as persons well-being & financially & citizenship.

Hi Richie, It’s Jeff from Khon Kaen and I agree with you 100%. You have a resin and purpose in live to be who and where you are. You have drive and a mission. With a young baby you tend to focus even more. I have been here for 14 years and I’m from Australia. Thailand to me is true freedom if you can respect the people and laws. We have travelled down to Chumporn today and could be in Phuket in a few days. If so we will call in to your restaurant to say hi and support you. I have followed you from the start and we are similar. Cheers guys and stay positive!!!!

(a) get fed up with the UK (b) believe that leaving the UK with solve all the underlying problems in life (c) live abroad (d) realise that life abroad has all its own complications (e) the dream sours and homesickness creeps in now the UK is not on hand to moan about (f) move back home and complain that they wished they never bothered.

Ahhh great for you both 😀😀👍👍

Great video!👍🏻

Just stumbled on your channel..Brit 4yrs in Udon Thani Province. Yep agree the UK is done. I nip back for a few months a year to get money and get back asap. Sure there's many things that piss me off here but they leave us alone pretty much.

Excellent video welldone. Ignore the idiots and negative comments live your life enjoy.

I have been travelling to Thailand for the last 25 years.i am retiring and moving to Thailand next year

Thanks for your input.

Whenever foreigners compare their country to Thailand and talk about how shit their country is they seem to forget they are comparing it from an extremely privileged position. So for example with healthcare compare it to the average thai on 300 baht a day, how great is it then? Ive spoke to plenty of Thais about their healthcare and they dont seem to be singing its praises as the jolly foreigner does.

Agree, much bigger agenda and very evident, even more so if you watch the financial world. Can't believe many still have no clue. Wishing you a wonderful joyful life. Unity very important as is loving and respecting one another.