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What are the visa options and cost of living for a New Zealand citizen considering retirement in Thailand?

Thailand retirement visaNZ citizen visa requirementsliving expenses in Thailandrenting in ThailandThailand retirement lifestylemedical insurance in ThailandThai culture and relationshipscost of living in Thailandpension rules for NZ expatsfirst-time travel to Thailand
Oct 11, 2024
a month ago
Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will be eligible for my mention in May next year to considering where I want to live for rest of my retirement. Looking at 2 options-Australia as I've travelled there a lot or Thailand which I've heard a lot about.

I am NZ citizen born in NZ. How difficult to get a Visa-what kind of Visa would I need to be able to live there & how much would it cost & where would I apply?

I can see that I could probably rent an apartment for 10,000 THB per month roughly but what about all the other expenses-what does it cost you to live there per month-power/internet/insurance/I would have a motorcycle to get around so fuel/eating out (as apartments generally have no cooking facilities). Do you need medical insurance? Doctor?

If you want to meet someone around your age to get married how sincere are they-loyal, or are they jsut after your money? Where do you start?

Basically I would just want to be able to afford to live comfortably with tidy apartment maybe Hua Hin, meet someone nice & do some touring around the country & occasionally go on an overseas trip-provided it's affordable. It sounds like maybe some people make it happen but are they relying on extra savings or investments to survive or can they manage on their pension as obviously you can't work on your visa over there ,whereas in Australia I would probably keep working doing what I'm doing in NZ.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the options for a New Zealand citizen contemplating retirement in Thailand versus Australia, including visa types, living costs, and lifestyle considerations. The individual inquires about the necessary visa to live in Thailand, potential living expenses like rent (estimated around 10,000 THB/month), utilities, food, and medical insurance. Concerns are also raised about finding a partner in Thailand and navigating local culture. Comments provide various insights, including advice on visiting Thailand first, details about living costs (suggesting a budget of around 50,000 THB/month for comfortable living), and necessary visa procedures such as applying for a retirement visa. Additionally, discussions about the implications of receiving New Zealand pensions while living abroad are highlighted.
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John ********
Have a read through it carefully and then remember that you have to do it yourself again next year for the rest of your time in Thailand
a month ago
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Randall *********
Like some here said. Try it out for 2 months to decide. Obviously its going to be easier than living in oz on a pension.
a month ago
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Keil ******
You can live well with that amount but yes that amount doesnt make you rich in any part of the world. You can live well but since you adapt yourself to the country thats the difficult part everything works different in Thailand. Can live cheap but not expecting luxury , also expect many people try to scam you, difficult burocracy, the sewage system not the best... Of course the life expectancy there is like 60-70 yrs for something. But yes visit first but i recommend you for that amount the caribbean
a month ago
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Paul *****************
Visit first because no one can possibly answer all the questions you’ve posed. Thailand will certainly be cheaper than oz.
a month ago
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James *********
I'd advise spending at least a month or two, if not 6, in both Countries just to see how you fare, before making a final move. Thai women are similar to women in most countries, they want love, but security is very important to them. Scammers of all nationalities exist.
a month ago
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John *******
Why not consider travelling within S.E.Asia and checking out not only Thailand but Vietnam, Laos or Philippines before making what will be a very important decision for your future.
a month ago
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Paul ***************
I would certainly suggest you consider Cambodia as an option, easy very easy for a visa and some cheap rentals
a month ago
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Paul ***************
I'm paying 5000 bhat a month plus power n water

In a 2 bedroom place with a/c
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul **************
 very good value.
a month ago
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Francis *******************
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Damien ********
😳 WTF !!!

Just get on a plane and spend a month in Thailand and talk to some foreigners that live here

…look around

Learn

Your questions have hundreds of possible answers !!!

Educate yourself!!!
a month ago
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Dave ********
Thailand over Australia for certain. Crazy expensive in Australia and Thailand is heaven
a month ago
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Dianne *****
Best advice, rent out your property in New Zealand, come to Thailand for 2 plus years before you make any definite plans about liquidating your assets and moving to Thailand permanently. By the end of two years many foreigners who thought they wanted to live in Thailand forever, have gone home. It takes about that long for the rose coloured glasses to come off. Thailand has lots to offer, but it is not perfect or paradise, but it's definitely worth giving it a try to see if it is right for you
a month ago
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Andy ******
Come on 60 days visa exempt and try out different places in Thailand and see the prices of everything,then decide what you want to do ,I would never think of retirement to any country unless I had been there a few times already for a few months living there to see I liked it or not but different people have different ideas
a month ago
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David *********
70 married to a large thai family , 12 years , permanent resident 4 years, retired from the USA 2 pensions that will never run out , cash in the bank , etrade investments, own our own home free and clear 1,500,000 baht , no property taxes as a primary residence , good health care system, public or private I use as a local does , great food if you like spicy, hot and humid everyday , no escaping that unless you live in AC, 90 km north of BKK not near anything interesting so no tourists and low costs , 31 c and 80 % humidity and I consider that a cool morning ... I stay busy with hobbies and cooking and such, only do the beach thing once a year for the kids , otherwise no interest in any of the usual tourist stuff , just a bunch of loud naked drunk guys chasing young girls
a month ago
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Peter **********
There are between 30mln and 40mln women in Thailand and you ask what “they” are after??? 🤨

Maybe you need to reconsider your view on the female half of the world. 😉
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter *********
 I haven't being there so not familiar with their culture so I cant comment from experience. The one's I've met here seem very reluctant to comment. From what I've seen from other people's experiences that in general the Asians are money oriented.
a month ago
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Peter **********
@Francis ******************
“So are male New Zealanders generally sexist pricks or not?”

(Wouldn’t that be an equally ridiculous and insulting question?)
a month ago
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Peter **********
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Dianne *****
Would you be eligible for Medicare if you moved to Austraia? That could be a big deciding factor ie free healthcare and access to goverment subsidised medication. I ask because I've met Kiwi workers who are and others who aren't. Don't have any knowledge about Kiwi retirees. Healthcare costs in Thailand are relatively cheap, except if you're used to free healthcare in your country of origin ie a doctors visit in a private hospital outpatients department could be as little $12-20 AUS. However if you have a stroke or heart attack or end up in ICU after a serious motorbike accident you're looking at tens of thousands of AUS dollars for your medical treatment unless you have robust private health cover and no pre-existing medical conditions
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dianne ****
 an ex kiwi has to be resident in Australia for 4 years to get become an Australian citizen & get free health care. So short answer is no.
a month ago
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Francis *******************
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Andrew ******
Just be aware if you choose the Thailand option then you can not stay over 6 months at anytime and still receive the NZ Govt pension. You have to do a day under 6 months then home in NZ 6 months then you can go back again for just under 6 months. So if you want to live there permanently in Thailand you have to forgo the Govt Pension.
a month ago
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Andrew ******
Thanks for your comment. If you have more information please share as I am sure many Kiwis would like to live and retire in Thailand on full NZ Govt Super.

As I am also considering retiring in Thailand I called the International Services at work and income in NZ 0800777227 but as I am not at 65 years yet they will not give any details about if you can receive the Govt NZ Super if you choose to live in Thailand after retirement. Of course you can get it if NZ has an SSA ( Social Security Agreement ) as in countries like Canada , Ireland etc. However Thailand does not have a SSA with NZ. So once you turn 65 and are approved the NZ Super then you can call the 0800 number above and talk to the Testing Team to see if you meet certain criteria to live in Thailand and receive your NZ Super too.
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but as I am not at 65 years yet they will not give any details about if you can receive the Govt NZ Super if you choose to live in Thailand after retirement. Of course you can get it if NZ has an SSA ( Social Security Agreement ) as in countries like Canada , Ireland etc. However Thailand does not have a SSA with NZ. So once you turn 65 and are approved the NZ Super then you can call the 0800 number above and talk to the Testing Team to see if you meet certain criteria to live in Thailand and receive your NZ Super too.
a month ago
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Andrew ******
Thanks for all your info that’s really helpful and the calculation is good too. Unfortunately I have lived in Thailand for many years so will only complete 16 years but better than nothing.
a month ago
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Ron ******
@Andrew *****
 First thing go to the MSD website and navigate to the section on pensions and living overseas, most of your questions will be answered there. Basically there are 3 categories; countries NZ has SSAs with, Pacific island countries, other countries (which includes Thailand). For other countries how much you will receive depends on how long you lived in NZ between the age of 20 and 65. If you lived here the entire time you will get the full amount. If not you get
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th for each month lived in NZ between those ages (45 years = 540 months).
a month ago
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Ron ******
I'm not 65 until January and I've spoken to International Services on at least two occasions and they've been extremely helpful, I guess it just depends on who you get. But they are right, you can't apply until you have your pension. There will be an application form to complete, they'll require proof that your moving (tickets, address etc), they'll also require which bank you want the pension paid into (you can elect a NZ one or Thai one). You will also be required to have an interview which they told me can be arranged by phone in many cases. Hope this helps and clarifies how it works.
a month ago
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Ron ******
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Ron ******
@Andrew *****
 💯 incorrect.
a month ago
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Ron ******
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Terary **********
I am not sure your visa situation in Australia, but it's pretty good in Thailand.

Why no come stay six months, visit a few places then make life long plans?
a month ago
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Frank **********
What's a mention??
a month ago
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Brian ****
Don't get too excited. You've never been to Thailand. Visit first and see if you even want to live here.
a month ago
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Nigel **************
Keep working
a month ago
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Ron ******
Hi Francis...fellow Kiwi here moving to Thailand next year when I retire with my Thai wife of 17 years. There are literally 100s, if not 1000s, of videos out there on Youtube that will help answering all your questions. Also plenty of good advice here on FB groups. At the end of the day everyone's needs and wants are different so there is no one answer fits all so the best advice I can give you is to spend some time researching it yourself. You'll find details on visa requirements on the Wellington Thai Embassy website, there is the new DTV as well as several other options including Non Imm O (no health insurance required for this one but sensible to have) and OA visas, all with their own requirements. You really need to spend some time in Thailand looking around as to where you would like to live. You can live comfortably in Thailand on your NZ pension.
a month ago
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Willem ****
Come here first before even thinking of retiring here.
a month ago
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Strider ******
F
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Strider *****
?
a month ago
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Strider ******
@Francis ******************
 typing 'F' into the comments means 'following'. It keeps me in the loop of the conversation - the topic I find of interest keeps appearing in my FB feed to I can be up to date with others posts.
a month ago
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Strider ******
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Kevin **********
My wife is from a rich Thai family. Everyone accuses me of going after her for her money. To that I respond "has anyone seen the keys to my Porsche?"
a month ago
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Nicky ******
Hi Francis,

It really does depend on what you want to spend. Like someone else who commented, you can use a ballpark figure of around 50,000 baht per month and you'd very comfortably on that amount. i.e. a relatively nice modern apartment will cost in the region of 12,000 to 15,000 baht per month. You can find somewhere for a lot less but you'd have just a self contained room perhaps somewhere nice. Food is relatively cheap, if you cook for yourself you can go to the supermarket etc. Electricity and water is quite cheap. If you plan to go out socially most days/nights this can bump up your expenditure. I agree with the other people who have commented. Come over to Thailand for an extended stay, travel about a bit to different places and find out what suits you. You can only come and try it and see if it's for you. Either way, have a great retirement.
a month ago
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Ray *********
It'll cost you more in Oz, The rent (if you can get one) is very high $500 Oz plus per week, cost of living is very high, the only advantage you'll have here is that you can work, but who'll want to do that if they want to retire. Thailand is cheaper, but there's heaps of hoops you need to jump, plus they keep changing the goal post, good luck with your choice.
a month ago
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Cissi *********
You write "In Australia I would probably keep working doing what I do in NZ"... Does that mean working remotely? If so, you could probably do that in Thailand too. Take a look at DTV (Destination Thailand Visa). That could be an option for you.
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cissi ********
 no, I drive buses/coaches/trucks. So hands on unfortunately. I will have kiwi saver which I've saved for retirement plus proceeds from my property in NZ plus my other savings & assets. So I'm hoping it would be enough to get by on in Thailand along with my NZ pension.
a month ago
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Markie ******
@Francis ******************
 might need to check regarding your pension. My sister told me recently it stops after 6 week's or reduced if overseas
a month ago
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Ron ******
@Markie *****
 You apply for pension portability before departing NZ. It will only reduce if you have not lived in NZ from age 20 to 65. Otherwise you'll actually get more as it's not taxed!
a month ago
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Markie ******
@Ron *****
 all good then
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *****
 that's true, it isn't taxed but I guess there will be some form of tax in Thailand. Yes I've lived & worked here in NZ all my life. I don't think there's a portability arrangement with Thailand though with NZ.
a month ago
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Brenton ******
@Francis ******************
 you'll be okay. You'll get your pension in Thailand. I can't because I lived in both NZ and Australia on the SCV and Aussie won't pay my pension once I leave the country. I can get the pension in both countries but only if I live there.....thieves! I live in Thailand totally self funded. I kept my property in Aussie because it provides an income and over time appreciates. My advice is never sell yours, you need a place in the world that you know you can go and live in, you don't know the future and if you get with a Thai woman your overseas assets can't be touched by her, or one day you might want to return home. Don't buy in Thailand, so many westerns can't get their heads around renting because they have always been home owners, rent you don't need house owning problems here, like you can't buy a house you need a Thai partner who owns half, you need to really know the woman before you buy a house with her. If you get rent from your NZ house, you have some kiwi saver and the NZ pension you have more than enough. You should start out just living between NZ and Thailand for a year or so, you can stay here 3 months on the tourist entry, or you could come here as a tourist, go to a visa agent and get a retirement visa, you can leave the country and come back on it, you don't need to live in Thailand to have one, you just need to meet certain requirements like the 90 day check in, but your agent can handle that if you're out of the country.
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brenton *****
 sounds like good advice. I wouldn't buy in Thailand because as you say too many complications. I would however look at buying in Australia & as you say it can provide income. Certainly spending so time in Thailand to see whether it's for me seems general concensus. Thank you so much for your reply.
a month ago
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Dave ********
@Francis ******************
 What type of location you think would suit you ..? Do you want to be near the sea ?

Cheers 🥂
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Markie *****
 they didn't say that when I rung winz. They just said you need to notify them 6 weeks before you go of where you're going & Thailand wasn't a problem. Might need to talk to them in person. They told me I need to go in & apply for my pension at the end of February.
a month ago
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Ron ******
@Francis ******************
 Correct...you apply 6-8 weeks before leaving NZ and they will arrange an interview to go over everything (they can usually do this over the phone).
a month ago
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Markie ******
@Francis ******************
 yes I would get a reference regarding that. I know in Australia they stop it
a month ago
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Markie ******
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Philip *******
@Francis ******************
 keep assets in NZ or Australia, just rent real estate in Thailand. So many different areas to choose to live in Thailand good to spend time in different areas to see what feels right for you.
a month ago
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Philip *******
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Jack *****
as stated .... visit first.... for extended stay to try to become acclimated ..... if you decide to stay for longer.... reverse engineer the process.... read/ask where is the best immigration office to apply... if out of the country or inside the country... travel there and do what you need to do to obtain the visa you want for your situation.... then you can move to where you really want to set up your life.... up to you....
a month ago
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Dana *******
Why not come for holidays first ? You can arrive with a NZ passport, you will receive a free stamp allowing you to stay 60 days, which you can extend once for 30 days at an immigration office for 1'900 Baths.
a month ago
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Philip *******
People doing it on
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baht a month
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip ******
 NZ$2,518 month. That's not cheap if trying to survive on a pension. Nz pension $1,038.94 per fortnight. So wouldn't be affordable at that rate.
a month ago
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Dave ********
@Francis ******************
 That's 70,000 + bht , assuming you ain't a beer guzzling mongering barfly who doesn't eat Thai food that's a very comfy life anywhere in Thailand ...
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
 too expensive. Must be living the high life yo be that high. If you're only spending 7-8,000 tbt a month for accommodation, how do you end up at 50-70,000 tbt as a total. That's a lot of money.
a month ago
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Dave ********
@Francis ******************
 I agree. I don't spend that. Sometimes I'm sub 30k/month up in Chiang Mai ... I don't eat much western food , maybe once a month .. I just said that because I know many pensioners who don't eat Thai food , drink like fish , have cars etc .. They the people that spend 60k+
a month ago
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Dave ********
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Brenton ******
50,000 to 70,000 baht a month. Depends on your lifestyle though. You don't need to rent a condo for 10,000 baht, you could rent a house for 7000-8000 a month. Its the extras that you don't think about, I just had a full medical check up, 3800 baht, we just been through floods here although I got off lightly, the bike and scooter needed to be sorted out because they went half under. Then you'll need a new phone, new laptop ect.
a month ago
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Dave ********
@Brenton *****
 How much it cost to sort the bikes . ?
a month ago
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Dave ********
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Philip *******
@Francis ******************
 that's about
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baht above Australian age pension. That's a very comfortable lifestyle compared to surviving in Australia on age pension alone
a month ago
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Philip *******
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Bradley *********
I’ve been married to a Thai for 18 years. It’s been heaven on earth. Never about money. But before that, I dated many and also never about money.
a month ago
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Edward ******
@Bradley ********
 yes I’m very fortunate as well. The stereotypes are unfair in so many instances.
a month ago
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bradley ********
 I've met 3 Thai women-not girls in NZ. One was 43 but claimed to be 34 but didn't worry me, other over 43 & other was late 30's. I can tell you that all they were interested in was your money..
a month ago
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Bradley *********
@Francis ******************
 I was living working here and just met normal women. That is the best way.
a month ago
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Bradley *********
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Francis *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bradley ********
 Oh ok-so say I'm 64 & looking for someone 43+ age, what is it about then-what are they looking for-how did you meet & what was the process? I hope you don't mind me asking.
a month ago
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Francis *******************
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