Recording summary · December 2022
Why i Regret coming to Thailand
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Overview
Daniel saved money in England and moved to Thailand on a tourist visa after meeting a Thai girlfriend, but feels regret and boredom during an almost 90-day stay compared to past experiences in Japan.
Daily routines in Thailand consist primarily of remaining in an apartment playing video games while the girlfriend works, influenced by pedestrian-unfriendly multi-lane roads, heat, distant transit, and high costs for non-Thai food.
Before the tourist visa ends, flights have been booked for a one-week vacation to Vietnam with the girlfriend.
Subsequent travel plans involve re-entering Thailand without a visa to extend a 45-day stay up to 75 days, though a potential denial of entry would lead to heading straight to Japan around January.
Future considerations include traveling to Japan next year, producing creative video content there, and exploring long-term Thai visa options such as an education visa or a Thai Elite Visa.
Themes
Preferences for Japanese language, culture, and cuisine compared to Thailand, and the timing of Japan reopening just after arrival in Thailand.
Pedestrian and transport challenges navigating Bangkok roadways from a high-rise apartment complex.
Evaluation of long-term visa options for Thailand, including self-defense or language education visas versus an expensive Thai Elite Visa.
Balancing relationship commitments, loneliness, and cost comparisons between apartment living in Thailand and lodging in Japan.
Creative video concepts under consideration in Japan, such as staying in capsule hotels or budget rooms in Osaka.
Personal physical vulnerability and past encounters with larger men as reasons to consider self-defense training.
Developments
Daniel saved up money in England and relocated to Thailand after connecting with a Thai girlfriend.
Japan reopened to tourists on the day directly following Daniel's arrival in Thailand.
Daniel and his girlfriend spent nearly $27 for approximately 15 plates at a sushi restaurant.
A man confronted Daniel claiming to be married to Daniel's girlfriend, an assertion rejected by the girlfriend and her sister, after which the man disappeared and never returned.
Flight tickets were booked for a one-week trip to Vietnam with the girlfriend prior to the expiration of the Thai tourist visa.
Uncertainties & gaps
Whether Daniel would have traveled to Thailand at all if it had been known that Japan would reopen the following day.
The actual relationship between Daniel's girlfriend and the man claiming to be her husband, whom Daniel suspects might be an ex-boyfriend.
Whether immigration officials will allow re-entry into Thailand without a visa following an almost 90-day tourist stay.
Whether Daniel will end the relationship with the girlfriend or continue it long term.
Whether spending 70% of life savings on a 5-year Thai Elite Visa is advisable without knowing if staying for five years is truly desired.