Living and Working in Bangkok 2008 Update

I'm approaching a decade in Thailand and it is very much a time for reflection, to look back over my time in Thailand, to look at what I have experienced, what I have achieved, and with all of that in mind, look to the future.

Overall, I have to be happy with what I have experienced in Thailand. There is no way I ever dreamed that my life would evolve in the way it has. I've had some incredible experiences but with that in mind, my life here has been very much a roller coaster ride. Many great things have happened, but in all truth and honesty, some pretty horrible things have happened too. You eventually get to a point in your life when you want a bit more stability, and when you want the troughs and peaks to even out. I am fast approaching that point.

Truth be told, I no more than ever that my future is not in Thailand. In fact, as crazy as it sounds, I actually long to leave Thailand. There is a very real chance that before the end of this year I will have left. Just were I go and what I do remains a mystery but for sure, my life in Thailand leaves a lot to be desired.

It is not that my life is bad, it is that I am simply not prepared to live with the lack of security that is the reality of life in Thailand. More than ever it is important that I save for my future, but that is not so easy earning Thai baht. The bah will only go so far and it will only buy so many dollars. You need a lot of dollars to survive in the West. Just survive!

I am simply not prepared to buy property in Thailand, yet I have a yearning to have my own place, a place to call home. That is just not going to happen here. You see, whatever money you put into Thailand is money you have to be prepared to walk away from. There is very little available in the way of redress to outsiders here. Even after a decade in country, I, like all other foreigners, remain an outsider. I don't like that feeling and while I know that it is the way it is in Thailand, I am just not prepared to live the rest of my life like this. Your life can be turned upside down at a moment's notice and there is little you can do about it.

There is also the work situation. Thailand is a nice place to visit and a fun place to live, but working here can be a big of a nightmare. I won't dwell on it too much, but working here can be rather frustrating…and that is putting it mildly.

For me, I need a new experience, a new challenge. Thailand has been great for me, but there are greener pastures elsewhere. Thailand is great for a single guy, for a retired guy and for someone wanting a bit of adventure when they're young. None of these is me. It will very soon be time for me to move on…