Sam Smart

Why I Stopped Being a "Tourist" in Thailand

After two years as a solo retiree in Thailand, the speaker no longer feels like a tourist but a resident encountering a family-centric culture and a digitally engrossed world. Living far from family is unusual for many Thais, which explains why single retirees often gravitate towards expat hubs like Hua Hin or Pattaya, seeking a structure not readily available to loners in the local culture. The speaker identifies with both indulgent and minimalist lifestyles, having experienced extremes from cannabis use and fraternity drinking in university to nearly 15 years as a monk in sobriety. For this naturally quiet individual, integration involves consistently appearing at the same places until no longer a stranger. The speaker has not yet settled, spending two months in Phuket to avoid air quality issues, a tactical move planned annually. However, this mobility hinders building rapport and trust associated with stable residency. Having spent last year in Hua Hin, the speaker plans to spend the rest of this year in Jomtien, influenced by the annual retirement visa extension. Phuket was essential for respiratory health, but the move to Jomtien aims to restart the process of being seen, known, and useful.