@David ********

Thanks you for taking the time to reply and input!

@Terary *********

Thank you

Smile! That is so delightful....I have not heard the word "pram" used in decades. I had grown up with that word but had then moved elsewhere, and it was enveloped by other words, chiefly "baby stroller". But it is nice to see that word again! I hope that you get around Thailand well with your baby pram.

@Shaun ******

Hahaha....Never been to Thailand either....so I may be a false prophet. But it is surprising the things you can learn from Mr. Google. Hmmm! Is it a Mr or a Mrs. Google ....or a "Zee" or "They" Google?

@Bobby *******

I love this!

There is an incredibly small percentage of women (and men) in Thailand (as there is in every country of the world) who will prey on men through long distance relationships. But that very small percentage worldwide is very accomplished at juggling 12 or more men at one time and living very well off of those easily fleeced proceeds. These women (and men) are experts at making every single one of those men prey believe that they are the very star and moon in those women eyes.

Here are some pointers:

- If she has told you that you are her sun and moon then take a step back.

- If she works in a bar, nightclub, or the tourist trap scene....then have a extraordinarily long and hard thought about that as these women (and men) are the most professional and hardened of the lot worldwide

- If she has already asked you for money....or has given you some SOB story that has broken your heart and make you want to loosen your wallet at the same time....then RED ALERT! A SCAM ARTIST has identified a potential victim, and is circling your soft Western bleeding heart like a hungry shark!

- If you are in your 40s and older (and especially not that good looking) and she is a virginal 20s or 30s....then the RED ALERT. Do not let a pretty face or a beautiful body make you brain descend to the head of your penis!

_ If there are times that you cannot get hold of her....the RED ALERT...she is with Little Johnny! The latest of many many Little Johnnies!

- Go to Thailand and meet this person and find out more about her. Where does she work, what does she do for a living, does she fit your personality type (and wallet), etc.

- Google Youtube for...."Dating Scams Thailand"...."Thai girlfriend scams"....."Beware: All Single Men Visiting Thailand".....and etc.

- Trust me you are not special! None of us are!

- Never eat the first fish that you find, especially if that fish has willingly gobbled up your bait....get to know people first....and then make a choice! There may be much better tasting and more suitable tasting fishes to your palate and wallet in Thailand.

DISCLAIMER: The vast majority of women in Thailand are good and hardworking women who may make great life partners for you....fish safely!

@Maxim **********

Hi Guys. Just curious.....not getting married. But an affidavit of what?

One can add as much as they wish....I can even add a month in Dubai at the most expensive hotel while I am at it! The list is obviously endless and would be only limited by our imaginations. The fact is that many ex-pats in Thailand do not have health insurance....including some popular bloggers (which is simply stupid.....but!). And even those elderly with multiple medical ailments can obtain adequate insurance for under $200 a month......I believe that the cost is around $160/month for a 60-year-old. Now, I would assume that someone with expensive medical conditions would think hard and long about moving abroad....especially if they were from a country with "free" socialized medical care such as Canada or England. And the young and healthy can get insurance for as little as $42 a month.

A yearly flight back home would be a choice, and certainly not a monthly cost (although you can budget that cost when you look at your yearly budget) but rather an extraneous cost. How many ex-pats that settle permanently in Thailand usually go back home yearly to visit would be a valid question....I have no idea about the answer to that question. But that would have to be looked at when you are deciding to move to Thailand and either accounted for or eliminated.

Just keep it simple! As I had stated before....you have your state of living and it does seem to be at a very high standard when compared with most expats. I am sure that some with like-minded budgets like yours will agree with your estimation but I have an idea that many others not on a similar budget will not agree and that most make do with a great deal less than $3000+.

For the person above who had asked this question....one cost that many others do not have is school fees. I will assume that he would have done a least some groundwork on that.....

@Bruce ****

I am not disagreeing outright....but $3700 or so USD seems to be an awful lot for a family of just 3. But then again we all have different amounts of money to spend....and different lifestyles to live. I know of many expat families who make do in Thailand for much less.

@Rosie ********

And this is the direct online site of DTAC....what could be more current?