I can’t ever remember recalling a story when an expat in Thailand was not struggling with something?
VISA Issues
Lack of Income
Medical/Insurance
Relationships
No long term planning or goals/Retirement
These seem to be the big issues outside of alcoholism and Gogo girls.
Despite the 10,000’s of stories how easy and cheap it is to live in Thailand, it all has a hidden cost if you want to be downright honest about it.
Thailand is just a country. No different than any other country in the world.
Although the culture and language may be different than your own, it is still a country that requires a certain level of income.
Sooner or later living cheap with limited income will catch up with you and when it does, it is going to be extremely painful.
I do not advocate young people moving to Thailand that are underfunded.
If you cannot afford to move to Thailand and live at the exact same level you were living in the west, unfortunately there is trouble ahead.
You should have a proper visa, medical insurance and re-occurring income that leaves you 50,000thb a month left over after all living expenses are paid.
The 50,000thb a month is for savings for emergencies, emergency relocation or any other emergency that may arise while living in Thailand.
Ideally should be able to afford a home, a car, insurance at the same level that you came from.
If you are limited financially, YES you will struggle and those struggles can lead to depression, alcoholism and other serious incomes.
Thailand is NOT cheap unless you do want to struggle.
If you are underfunded, you will struggle severely.