Vivre comme un roi 6 mois par an en Thaïlande

This discussion features a man named Pascal, who shares his experiences living between Thailand and France, highlighting the joys and challenges of this dual lifestyle. Pascal, who will be 70 at the end of the year, emphasizes living life to the fullest, noting that he has "never seen a safe on a hearse," and thus uses his financial reserves as needed. Pascal is currently in his "Hawaiian house" near Wat Monkol in Thailand, surrounded by pineapple fields. He explains that he purchased this house through his marriage to a Thai woman. In Thailand, the land is owned by his wife, but he has usufruct rights to the house, which are legally documented on the Chanot (land title deed). This arrangement ensures that if his wife were to pass away before him, he could remain in the house until his death, a crucial point for him, as he recently saw a friend face a similar situation. The house initially cost 2.2 million baht and, with extensive renovations that more than doubled its size, the total investment reached 3.2 million baht, equivalent to about 84,000 euros. This price is considered reasonable, partly because the property is located 17 km from the sea. Pascal gives a tour of his home, starting with a large carport capable of sheltering scooters, motorcycles, and cars from the sun, thanks to insulating panels. The original part of the house includes a dining room, two small bedrooms, and one large bedroom, along with two bathrooms. He notes that it's common in Thailand to have a bathroom in the master suite and another shared bathroom. The house is new, purchased in early 2024. A rare feature for Thai homes, it came with a pre-planned kitchen, which they converted into a space for coffee and aperitifs. His wife has a separate European-style kitchen with a view of the fields. They also have a utility room with freezers and a dishwasher, which Pascal notes is "very important for a farang woman." They expanded the house by 100 square meters, creating a large area with a view of the pineapple fields, ideal for entertaining friends and enjoying French meals made with French products, including bread. Pascal mentions that while he eats 80% Thai food cooked by his wife, he enjoys 10-20% French cuisine, which is readily available in many restaurants in the area. Pascal also points out the presence of bars on the windows, explaining that in Thailand, these are not solely for security against theft but also, for Buddhists, to prevent ghosts from entering. He had these bars made opening, so he doesn't feel "imprisoned." The house is two years old, with renovations completed 3-4 months prior. It was purchased new and white, then furnished, equipped, and expanded. A Buddha altar, important in all Buddhist Thai homes, is also present. Regarding their lifestyle, Pascal spends seven months in Thailand and five months in France. He addresses the concern that the five months in France might lead to "seasonal depression." As a biker, he owns a large Indian Chief Vintage motorcycle in France and doesn't spend much time at home. He lives in the South Aveyron region, which is beautiful and experiences hot summers and cold winters. They return to France during the hot season, and he notes that upon his return, the temperature will be around 24°C. They travel extensively across France and Europe by motorcycle, covering about 20,000 km in 5-6 months, visiting places like the Czech Republic, Corsica, the Gorges du Verdon, and Aubrac. While they enjoy spending time with neighbors for aperitifs, they are always happy to return to Thailand, finding a "just balance." Maintaining two residences and regular flights is a luxury. Pascal notes that travel costs are increasing significantly. He recently bought a return ticket from Bangkok to Paris via Ho Chi Minh City for 275 euros per person, a 15-hour journey with a 12-hour direct flight from Ho Chi Minh to Paris, avoiding Gulf countries. However, the same ticket now costs 600 euros per person. The cost of transport, car maintenance, and insurance in both countries is substantial, especially with fuel prices in France at 2.20 euros per liter. His Thai wife's experience in France is also discussed. While she initially struggled in Brittany due to constant rain, she now enjoys their current home in a small village by the Tarn river, where she is well-liked and participates in social gatherings with Thai food. She appreciates French culture and food, particularly figs, grapes, chestnuts, and mushrooms, which are abundant in South Aveyron during late summer. She is content with their time in France, just as they are happy to return to Thailand. Ideally, they would prefer a 3-month rotation, but it's not financially feasible. Pascal clarifies that he doesn't discuss his Thai life excessively with friends in France. In fact, he created a WhatsApp group to share his travels and experiences in Thailand with friends who asked to be kept informed. He doesn't perceive any jealousy, as his friends are capable of a similar lifestyle if they chose it. If forced to choose one country, Pascal would undoubtedly pick Thailand. He explains that life is "easier" there for both him and his wife. In France, his wife needs to regularly renew her residence permit, and as she isn't eligible for state health coverage, he has to pay for her mutual insurance and medical care. In Thailand, as a Thai national, she has no such issues and benefits from Thai social security. Pascal himself has a health insurance plan (CFE coupled with a mutual insurance) that costs him around 240-250 euros per month, covering his expenses after initial payment and subsequent reimbursement. For administrative challenges, Thailand poses more difficulties, specifically the annual visa renewal, which causes anxiety due to changing rules and financial requirements. His wife finds the process of acquiring French nationality complicated, especially since she has no desire to learn French, thus she will remain a non-citizen. When in Thailand, Pascal misses the French climate. When in France, he is most bothered by incivility and lack of respect. Their average monthly budget in Thailand is around 1500 euros for two, covering charges like water, electricity, phone, and internet, but excluding house payments as it's paid off. In France, their monthly expenses are higher, ranging from 2000-2500 euros, with food being the most expensive item. Pascal enjoys the climate in South Aveyron, which is hot in summer and cold in winter, but he avoids winter there. His wife also appreciates the milder French temperatures. His favorite place in Hua Hin to avoid tourists is Wat Monkol, where he lives, noting it has few "farangs," many Thais, and Thai prices for markets and shops. His essential applications for Thailand are Line and WhatsApp. For Franco-Thai couples considering a similar lifestyle, Pascal advises careful planning on where to settle but encourages them to "go for it," especially in Hua Hin, where he sees many opportunities. His definition of freedom in one word is "Thailand," where one can "do what we want, how we want," despite being "closely monitored and controlled." His worst experience in Thailand was related to paperwork, particularly doing all the necessary documents with his wife both before and after their marriage. However, he generally feels well-supported and hasn't had truly negative experiences beyond the yearly visa renewal anxiety. Pascal holds an "O" visa for retirees, rather than a marriage-based visa, a choice he made based on initial advice to avoid dependency on his spouse in case of divorce. He has no regrets about this decision. Pascal has never regretted living in Thailand. He previously traveled through Vietnam and Laos before settling in Thailand, having always intended to live in Southeast Asia. He emphasizes the importance of observing, listening, remaining humble, not imposing one's culture, and respecting local customs, regulations, and the King. He believes that if these elements are respected, there are no risks. Pascal anticipates becoming a 100% expatriate in Thailand within 3-4 years. His wife enjoys their time in France but is equally happy to return to Thailand. Modern communication allows her to stay in touch with her mother and sister (who lives in Germany). The economic reason for this eventual full expatriation is the increasing cost of maintaining a house in France. The video concludes with Pascal thanking the host and inviting viewers to subscribe, like, and comment.