Have you ever wondered when you truly arrive in Thailand? Most people think it happens when the plane lands. But after living in Thailand for more than 25 years, I've come to believe something different: Your body arrives in a day. But your mind might take years to follow. In this video, I explore the psychological reality of long-term life in Thailand: the honeymoon phase, adapting to a different culture, the feeling of being permanently temporary, the so-called "Expat Wall," and the moment Thailand stops being an experience and quietly becomes your life. Together, Nann and I discuss what happens when the excitement fades, why some foreigners never fully adapt, and why others build a meaningful life here. If you've ever lived abroad, retired overseas, or wondered what life in Thailand is really like after the honeymoon phase ends, this video is for you. 📍 Filmed in Thailand 📍 Thailand Lifestyle with Nann & Odin ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 Your Body Arrives in Thailand 00:36 The Honeymoon Phase of Living in Thailand 01:37 Why Some Expats Never Fully Adapt 03:04 Feeling Like a Foreigner After 28 Years 04:44 When Life in Thailand Becomes Normal 06:35 The Expat Wall in Thailand 08:03 Why Some Expats Thrive and Others Leave 09:51 What Thai People Notice About Foreigners 10:48 The Reality of Living in Thailand Long-Term 11:28 Does Thailand Ever Feel Like Home? 12:51 When My Mind Finally Arrived 14:08 Choosing a Life, Not a Place Subscribe for honest conversations about life in Thailand, expat life, Thai culture, relationships, retirement, travel, and building a meaningful life abroad. 🎬 MORE THAILAND LIFESTYLE 🎯 Start Here : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjsrsaEFwR8DuFV8ozY7y8lYoUwvbqFoM ⚡Shorts : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjsrsaEFwR8Cfn3AnjZFh58Pe9LPkfE52 ✈️ Fly with Odin (Drone Channel): 👉 Start Here: Best Drone Flights in Thailand https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIY01Yahm4YnKfJQY9MhaZlqkPTY-REIS ⚡ Latest Drone Shorts https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIY01Yahm4YlXT99FuCOtPCo20kG2kkfj Your support helps us keep making content that matters. 🛎️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to follow our Thailand journey. If you want to be part of our Thailand Lifestyle community, become a channel member — we’re looking forward to talking to you! 👉 Join our community or give Nann a Super Thanks 🙏 👉 Subscribe to Thailand Lifestyle: https://www.youtube.com/c/THAILANDLIFESTYLE/sub_confirmation=1 ❤️ Become a Channel Member Support our work and get access to member-only Q&A, behind-the-scenes updates, and priority for personal questions in future videos. 👉 Join here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCusuNUD-GLmZMeMRUWriBGg/join We appreciate every one of you 🇹🇭🙏 #ThailandLifestyle #ExpatLifeThailand #LivingInThailand #ThailandRetirement #Thailand #NannAndOdin
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Sorry for off topic but for little while i though one of my speakers died XD That woke me up fast XD
Totally agree. The excitement of a life in Thailand will be to establish a new life in Thailand and bring the country, the people and your new family in to your heart ♥ Thinking this is now my home! Counting down the days until I finally move to Thailand. Can't wait!
The point about adapting ot thai lifestyle and ways and culture - and whie still things might disturb our own views - there is no sense in overthinking and becoming bitter - if you can't adapt dont leave for other shores it is really that simple. If you can embrace Thailand and it's lovely folks you will be a truly happy and i dare say better person. The make it so easy for you, they are so open and easy-going. Try to learn to speak and if only a little it will open doors and hearts.
I never felt part of Thailand until I met and grew to love my current partner. A previous village life was uncomfortable and I felt isolated. Now I feel accepted, relaxed, known and confident. All down to my lady, her life attitude and involvement in the village. It took 8 years from my body arriving, to my mind and heart catching up.
You get what you pay for
As the song goes, " Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home". That is the bracket I fall into. With regards to yourself you have watched the demise of Germany over the last 10 yrs. Being dragged down by France and the UK. The poorer countries like Greece etc have not helped.
A thought provoking video. Thank you.
Thought provoking. My own experience when I moved from the northeast USA to the very southern USA. Initially I missed the familiar TV news from where I had grown up. I felt I had left myself in New Hampshire and missed the local food and those things I did when I was "home" in the northeast. I made new friends but still never felt like I fit in. "Their" accent was southern, "their" food was southern, "their" customs were southern. It turned out that my mind didn't "move" or accept I was in another part of the world. Therefore, although I never left the US, I felt Isolated. That was all self induced. I moved back to the northeast and New Hampshire after 11 years. I can see the correlation, now, between what you described so well and what I experienced all within the US. You have given me a wake-up call. If I move anywhere again, I need to change my mindset because I am the outsider. I need to learn and adopt the language and customs of my new, host and surroundings. Very good presentation and insights. Thank you. Rob, New Hampshire USA
Bravo les amoureux ❤❤👋👋🇲🇫
Famous Buddha quote , "It is better to travel well than to arrive". A widower and my late wife taught me the only value of an object is the value of giving it away. I was blessed with a successful financial life and good children. I learned not talk about this too much as often people will get angry at success maybe because they are angry inside? So moving to Thailand I dont really find any need to explain or ponder or compare. I enjoy the day and find moments of what I would call "nirvana" helping others. I dont really pay deep attention to comparing or complaints. Just fragmented thoughts from a 72 year old 😊
Rural Phetchabun is very much like rural Wales from my childhood. I was born and lived in the mountains of central Wales until starting work at 18. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to live in 2 very different countries.
There is a lot of wisdom in this video. I do compare my life in Thailand with my old life in the UK. I prefer my life in Thailand which is now settling into a day-to-day existence with less novelty and more familiarity.
33 years in Asia. I think when one reaches retirement age (62) and hopefully paid into their country's pension plan, can you downsize and enjoy the same Asian country for 33 years. My answer is no real "yes or no" answer. Losing mobility is the greatest loss to one. Helps to have a mate in your life when that takes place. For the last 2.5 year, I've been staying on and off in Thailand. Yes, the "honeymoon" period is long gone. Reality, clarity and common sense arrives that moment and that is when you actually feel the "cultural shock". For me, I don't want to return to my homeland. But... we never know what the wind will bring in our life.
I am 70 live in the netherlands panrajaan 17 years in the netherlands we do not now she is happy if the food is good hard working but plenty freetime nearly 3 weeks holyday are coming to charge the battery😅
Wow, Odin! That was a great video, probably your best . You are who you are,I call it your essence . That's not locationwise. You carry this from your formative years, from your childhood. Then you tweek it through your experiences . You'll always be a German implanted into Thailand . Your philosophies aren't Thai. It's obvious. Adaptation is good for your state of mind. You got to find your comfort zone. Of course at times we feel a bit nostalgic about our homelands . Call it a bit homesick. But after 25 years there is no way you or I could settle back in the old country. Remember this... Home is where the heart is . I think you're ok with Nann. You were ok mainly by yourself here with this presentation,. Snuck in Nann for her charms.. Lucky bloke!
I am coming up on 5 years living in Thailand. I embrace the boredom. I can never forget the physical demands of my job after an 11 or 12 hour day back in California. Seems like we were just chasing "things to buy and things to show off". In Thailand, I am free of the need to get more and more and the pressure to keep my financial head above water. And after 40 years in the hospitality business, being away from people is a joy. Will I feel the same way in 5 more years? I think so.
I have moved across countries and cultures, and I think the 'mind moving' can be facilitated by relinquishing the things of the former and embracing the new from day one. That means letting go of the news, the sport teams, the price comparisons, the way things were done in the old. For me, embracing both the new culture and the new peoples makes the transition easier. Adopt the habits and rituals whilst upholding your values. Well said Odin.
Nice editing. I don’t live there yet. So, I can’t answer your question. I am just finding out how to structure my bank transfers, so as to minimize my Thai taxes. Yes, 90 day reporting. Health insurance. Heat. Humidity. Language barrier. Loneliness. I will always be a guest. I don’t know. There are a lot of things in my home country I’m tired of. Things I hope are different in Thailand. Let me ask you: What do you still miss from Germany?
A simple question: Do you still compare Thailand to your home country? Or did there come a point where you simply accepted Thailand for what it is? I'm interested to hear where everyone is on that journey.
After living in Thailand for more than 25 years, I've come to believe something: Your body arrives in a day. But your mind may take years to follow. I'm curious: 📍 If you live in Thailand (or another country abroad), when did you realize your mind had finally arrived? Was it learning the language? Building friendships? Meeting your partner? Or was there a specific moment when you stopped comparing everything to where you came from? I'd love to hear your story.