Unfortunately, over the years, many expats pats with Thai families cannot work out the financial end of surviving in Thailand and end up back in their home countries.
One of the main issues of moving anywhere is time.
It is impossible to plan 5, 10, 20 or more years ahead when living in a foreign country as to whether or not you will have the financial means to survive.
Too many young people hell-bent on escaping their own countries without ever giving a thought to the amount of work-years they have left till retirement or the fact that they may not have a retirement check.
Making money, enough to support a Thai family to retirement, is near impossible in Thailand.
Like they say if you come to Thailand will $1,000,000 you will leave with $100,000.
If you do not believe this, you are going to find out the extremely hard and painful way.
Very difficult to replace a western income in Thailand; if not impossible and continue that income for 30 or 40 years or more.
Once you have a Thai family with kids that need education, it becomes even more impossible.
Going home is a gigantic ball of stress.
Need money for airfare for your additional families members and you have to have a place to move home to. Parents homes are often the only viable option.
Just like starting over, only now with more expense and challenges.
Trying to find a job to get some money coming in.
Before you ever think your life is hard and horrible, give some thought about living and Thailand, then moving back home.
This stress is not for the faint of heart.