The Expat Experience (Ep. 20): Strong Baht Pushing Expats Out of Thailand?

Just a heads up, you mentioned in your livestream (around @3:00) that the Fed is going to decrease rates in the US (the US government does not raise/lower interest rates, the Federal Reserve Bank handles that), and it was already done 10 days ago (Sep 17 or 18th?). The Fed reduced interest rates by .5 %.

It seems like the Thai government might be trying to discourage working-age foreigners from moving there with the new tax laws. It seems like they might be more friendly to foreigners who have the money to qualify for a visa.

I have heard recent info on most electric car brands. Electric car sales of all brands are reversing. People do not want them. Tesla will probably be the major player always in electric. The world wants HYBRIDS instead of 100% electric, same in US.. In the US for the last few years they were give $7500. gov rebates on each car. The money ran out. Nobdy wants used electrics, he car loss is huge on used cars, it drops about $15000 in 1 or 2 years. All US brands scaled back on the plans on electric cars.

This is the BRICKS effect! Hang on!

It will affect the Thais in the service industry. People will still go but less buying drinks and going to expensive restaurants etc.

I visited BKK in 2023 and the Baht was 38 to the dollar and in one year it’s down to 32 and that’s definitely gonna make me change how I’m going to vacation this year for sure.

I keep getting comments that Thai people don't want westerners in their country. We in general (from top to bottom) are very flattered that you guys find our land agreeable. Here's what I suspect why some/many of you think what you think. Deep down, you are real uncomfortable w/ foreigners living in your country but due to PC and all that jazz, you really can't be blunt about it. No one stops you from projecting on others though and, boy, do Thai people know it!

I say let' all westerners go elsewhere for two years lets see what they do.

Boho…Try living over there on the Aussie/NZD …$1 NZD = 20 baht

Rice exports are going to hurt the Thai farmers in Issaan in a few months after the harvest. Back to the poor being hurt the most.

The Thai government is getting more selective about who they invite because they can, it's a peaceful country in current world standards, it is affordable within reason, and its infrastructure is fast improving. yes, it's bloody hot sometimes, but you can live anywhere in Thailand unlike Europe, yes the people are not very honest, but neither are we. this includes the Australian government. who likes to make assumptions until you prove otherwise, but failed accountability and transparency. in our police state. Thai authorities are very cooperative ones you know their system. i like my security and comfort at my age, I live in my own investment, but owe nothing. it's hard on an Australian pension to maintain our lifestyle, and pollution is frustrating to deal with, Thais are friendly and open, but they say nothing productively due to their lack of education. and planning skills. so we just have to take both cultures including their success in empowering their currency, medical services are better than elsewhere in Asia. my wife in Australia is paying 600 dollars a week, her family here has been living for free with us, for 13 years. i try to improve our home, but Thais do fuck all towards our property , so yes I like to sell up and do not have Thai gossipers on my property. who take photos of my beer and send it to my wife. soon they are on the street. with or without my wife's blessings. if we sell up we should have a nice deposit to buy in Australia , in our kid's name, instead of Thai freeloaders, who do nothing, except look at the rice grow. use our assets and fail to return it. this is my fold we spoiled their lifestyle. this soon will end, they even expect to get paid to clean their own bathroom. bugger that!

Still is there any alternative to Thailand – I don't see it. Thinking of infrastructure, visa regulation, food, rent prices, entertainment venues, climate