Even without statistical data, it is fair to say the majority of those moving to Thailand are single men. Ninety percent of those watching my channel are men and most are indeed single. The Thai government's increasingly tightened visa regulations have made it more difficult for those who are younger to move to Thailand long term. However, if you take a look at the budget shown below, you can see that although our budget is fairly high, speaking comparatively, but we pack in quite a bit, including tuition for our sons, expenses associated with this blog and my photography work, savings for a house, long term savings for my wife and I, and family trips to the US once every two years. 

The above budget is an average from a one-year period and the figures shown are estimates. Some months we spend under what is allocated and some months we go over budget. Every attempt is made to consider what is needed, however, it is impossible to budget down to the last satang. There are obvious difference when living in Thailand as a family versus as a single, retired male or a young backpacker unsure of how long they'll stay or will be allowed to stay.
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This budget allows our family to live a little as opposed to simply existing; if the kids need money for a field trip or campout, if we want to have dinner as a family every once in a while, go for ice cream, movies, birthday parties, gifts, etc., we usually have sufficient funds. We have absolutely no problem with going to parks or taking in a bargain movie, however the bottom line is some things take money. No bartering allowed. 

*** If necessary, items with the asterisks can be eliminated or decreased. Again, these figures are an average from over a one-year period and are approximations. ***

Below are the video and podcast versions of Podcast 43. In this episode, I read an email sent by a man I have talked with about Thai women at great length. On the outside he has a near-perfect life; he is I his early thirties, earns a great living, has a nice chunk of dough put away, and can work from anywhere he chooses in the world. A good woman is all that is lacking. His pursuit of a good woman, one worth marrying, consumes him and at least to me, he comes off as desperate and angry. To make his situation worse, his he wants a model quality girl who is highly intelligent and one who acts how he thinks a woman should act. No easy task for any man.

At this point in his search, he is desperate to find the one and angry he is successful at everything in his life except for attracting the perfect mate. For the past two year's he's lived in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and the Philippines. No luck. His perception of what are the attributes of all Thai women has lead him to a dead end. As long as he continues to makes poor choices in women and continues to think the way he does, my guess is he will never be happy.

The Mall Bangkapi is a place where I spend a fair amount of my time during the day. It is often where my family and I go out to lunch or dinner, where we shop for groceries, have coffee, meet with friends and every so often, where I shop for electronics or camera equipment. The Mall Bangkapi pales in comparison to EM Quartier or Siam Discovery, but considering it is a mere five minutes away from our house, it is our most convenient option. Getting to downtown Sukhumvit and braving the hordes of tourists and shoppers is hardly my idea of fun so the majority of the time, I stick to The Mall Bangkapi.

There are also several other shopping centers in the area: Happyland Center, Makro, Tawanna 1 and Tawanna 2, and a little farther down, there is a Makro. In the past, Tawanna 2 was Office Depot. Now it's gone, replaced by who knows what. Seriously, I have never seen so much Chinese made junk sold in one location. 

When the employees from these establishments finished working, some go home and others walk next door for dinner and drinks to a short strip of tiny restaurant-bars next to Tawanna 1.  Approximately two years ago, The Container Tawanna sprouted up in between these restaurant bars and The Mall Bangkapi, next to one of The Mall's parking lots. A new party spot was born. Made from a dozen or so recycled shipping containers, The Container is a huge, two-story, indoor-outdoor covered arena decorated with an assortment of graffiti and characters—Fred Flintstone, Darth Vader, Yoda and Bruce Lee. More than your run-of-the-mill Thai beer garden, The Container is comprised of numerous small bars encircling a communal seating area. Many of Thailand's favorite singers and groups have graced the stage at the back of the establishment; Joey Boy, Sek Loso, Silly Fools and 25 Hours, to name but a few. 

Located behind The Mall Bangkapi, The Container Tawanna can be reached from Lad Prao or Ramkhamhaeng Roads. Open from 6:00PM to 2:30AM.