US author issues grim warning for dream-chasers in Thailand
Writer warns midlife dreamers to ditch fantasies in new book or face a brutal wake-up call in the Land of Smiles
A retired American expat who swapped Wall Street for Sukhumvit issued a stark warning to farangs chasing a dream retirement in Thailand in his latest book: “Come unprepared, and Thailand will chew you up and spit you out.”
“I’d been here on vacation a dozen times. And having lived in China for over a decade, I figured I knew what I was doing, or at least that I could handle whatever came my way. So, I hit the ground running, without much planning… and without fully understanding the unique realities of retiring in Thailand.”
Now living a life split between investing, writing, and child-focused charities, the former Woodchuck Cider and Strongbow USA chief has written a no-holds-barred book titled How to Retire to Thailand Without F’ing It Up — a guide aimed at helping would-be expats avoid disaster.
The 55 year old from New England says too many men arrive with spreadsheets and fantasies, only to end up penniless, scammed or sinking into booze, bad relationships and bar stool purgatory.
“Some crash and burn fast, in the nightlife or through bad real estate decisions. Others just slowly fade into loneliness, wrapped in sunshine. If you show up without structure, purpose, or self-awareness, Thailand will eat you alive, without apology.”
Rather than another bar-girl memoir, the book promises straight-talking advice on how to thrive, not just survive, in the Land of Smiles, by finding community, clarity and a sense of purpose.
“I’m not here to scare anyone, but I am here to wake you up before it’s too late. I wrote this book because I’ve watched too many people get this wrong. And aside from a stack of books about the bar scene and hookers, I haven’t seen anyone tell the full story of how to live and thrive as an expat here.
“How to Retire to Thailand Without F’ing It Up isn’t a guidebook full of beaches and Buddha statues. It’s a no-bullshit manual for doing this well, not just cheaply. And it’s not a checklist. It’s a conversation with someone who’s lived through the pitfalls, made the mistakes, and come out the other side with hard-won clarity.
“Thailand really can offer an incredible life: freedom, beauty, and a fresh start like nowhere else. But you’ve got to meet it halfway. That means showing up prepared, not just with your visa and your bank balance, but with a plan, a purpose, and your eyes wide open.
“My goal is to share what I’ve learned, so you don’t have to learn it the hard way. That’s why I wrote the book, not to sell a fantasy, but to help people build lives that work. Lives built on community, dignity, and purpose, rather than just sedation and wasting away.”
The author’s message to midlife dreamers? Ditch the rose-tinted glasses and come armed with more than just a visa and a pension. Because the sun may shine, but it won’t save you from yourself.
Spivey’s next book navigates the technological minefield of artificial intelligence, The Coming Curve: What Happened and What to Do-While Everyone Slept.
Meanwhile, you can buy How to Retire to Thailand Without F’ing It Up, and the author’s first book, The Bitcoin Guide for Beginners and Skeptics: Part 1 – What You Really Need to Know, on Amazon, and follow the US writer and investor on Substack.
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