Time goes by, life too, and as you know, I am currently wintering in Thailand. I am often asked why Thailand, why it was necessary to leave, how it rests there, why you travel so little, and so on and so on. Therefore, I decided to write a little on all these topics, and at the same time tell a little about life. This is a kind of continuation of the story Downshifting.
The content of the article
- one 2 questions
- 2 Why I spend the winter in Thailand
- 3 Why it is good to winter in Thailand
- 4 What are the disadvantages of wintering in Thailand
2 questions
The most common question is «how is the rest in Tae». I'm already tired of explaining to everyone that you can work in Thailand. After all, when you come for several months, or even six months, then there will be no rest, not a vacation, you have to earn money. Therefore, I sit at my laptop almost every day, write articles, read all sorts of different sites for making money on the Internet, for web programming and site promotion. It could be done in Moscow, but in the warmth and with fruit it is somehow more pleasant.
The second most common question is «how do you swim in the sea». And for many it becomes a discovery that half of Thailand is not located by the ocean, and you can go there too, and that it is no less good and interesting there. Yes, now I already live near the sea, but I swam in it only a few times.
Golden Triangle in the North of Thailand
Why I spend the winter in Thailand
Many people go to Thailand, indeed, just to have a rest, even those who travel for six months or a year. They have worked, earned money, and are going to live a normal and calm life for their own pleasure. A good option!
But my case is a little different. Firstly, I will not be able to rest for so long, sometimes even 2 days in a row is already a lot, my hands itch. Secondly, my work is directly related to travel and I cannot miss this opportunity. And I have not yet become a dollar millionaire to live on interest 🙂
Therefore, I run away from winter, with which my relationship did not work out, and spend it in the place that suits me best. I am sure that Thailand will not always be. Thinking about wintering in Spain.
One could also say that supposedly everything is cheaper in Thailand, but since 2014, after the jump in the dollar exchange rate, Thai, like almost any foreign country, has ceased to be cheap. Life here costs the same money (or even more) as in Moscow. Of course, if we are talking about more or less comfortable living. So in a thatched bungalow and eating only bananas you can live for a penny.
Why it is good to winter in Thailand
Recently I caught myself thinking that everything is somehow very simple here. If you want to rent inexpensive housing - please, here are thousands of options. If you want to rent a house / apartment for a short time, there are no less options. If you want to have breakfast with tropical fruits, here's a papaya and a mango. If you don't want to bother with food - there are millions of Thai and European cafes around.
Just imagine, you need to rent an apartment, inexpensively and for 1-2 months. Is it possible in Moscow or any other Russian city, just after a half-day walk along the street, to find an apartment? No, you need to call on the ads, contact the agency. And that, most likely, is unlikely, since in Russia, as in many other countries, they prefer long-term contracts from six months to a year. In short, an unrealistic task.
And if you take travel. In Thailand, paradise in this regard. Moreover, there are plenty of attractions in any province and in any city right under your nose. So on a comfortable bus or inexpensive low-cost airlines you can get anywhere in the country. I am already silent about the fact that you can take off a bike and ride it around the neighborhood. At the same time, almost everywhere, you can rent inexpensive housing, and also eat inexpensively, that is, you do not need to save up for trips and painstakingly plan them..
And so in Thailand, in almost everything, at least all household issues regarding life support are resolved in an instant. And this is the basis for feeling comfortable. At least if you are a freelancer and you do not need to do business in Tai or look for a job here.
Sometimes I even have thoughts about whether to stay and live here for a couple of years. I could hardly have done more, after all, a different culture, heat, and so on. This is the point of returning to Russia, to problems, to gloomy faces, to rudeness, to winter ... When now I can live in a decent house or apartment, eat fresh tropical fruits every day, smile at all passers-by in response, travel often to Thailand and neighboring countries.
Working on the front porch in Phuket
Papaya is the tastiest fruit for breakfast
What are the disadvantages of wintering in Thailand
In fact, there are also disadvantages, since there are no ideal countries, as well as ideal conditions. But here it all depends on the specific person, which is difficult for one, it is easy for another.
I am personally annoyed only by the fact that my relatives and friends are thousands of kilometers away from me. However, I do not suffer from a lack of communication. Many interesting people come here, both Russians and not so much. And if there is a need, then here you can find your social circle.
There is also a language barrier. Sometimes you have to use sign language, draw pictures, which the truth also does not always help. Our logic does not seem to coincide with the Thais. On the other hand, it is not necessary to have a lot of contacts with locals, and why?
In detail about the pros and cons I wrote in a separate article.
And one more not very convenient moment. The need to resolve visa issues. I already wrote about the options for how to live a long time in Thailand here - Visa for Thailand. But in general, I can say that if you come for six months, then it is easy to put up with it. It will start to strain for a longer period, but in this case it is better to try to get a student visa or Tai Elite if you have money, of course.
Surely there are other disadvantages that are noticeable to those who have lived here for many years. About them, I will not tell you anything. So far, I'm only going to spend the maximum winter in Thailand, and not live in it..
