Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Introducing Wings Over Thailand
I’m excited to introduce a new project that brings together two things I have come to deeply appreciate: Thailand’s remarkable natural beauty and the people who enjoy discovering it.
Wings Over Thailand — Birds and National Parks are a new Facebook community for birdwatchers, photographers, travelers, expatriates, Thai residents and anyone who simply enjoys seeing and hearing beautiful birds.
You do not have to know anything about birdwatching to join us. This will be a welcoming place where beginners can ask questions, members can share photographs and sightings, and experienced birders can share their knowledge.
We are beginning with Hua Hin, Pranburi and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. Our first interactive guide features 59 birds, complete with color photographs and recordings of their songs and calls.
Before expanding to other national parks, I want to listen to the members and learn what information would be most valuable.
I hope you will join us, introduce yourself and invite anyone who shares an interest in Thailand’s birds and natural places.
Join us on Facebook - Wings Over Thailand — Birds and National Parks | Facebook
See Them. Hear Them. Find Them.
Lumchuan and I love birdwatching
Retirewise Thailand
Real Experience. Practical Information. A Wiser Way to Retire in Thailand.
Real Experience. Practical Information. A Wiser Way to Retire in Thailand.
Retiring in Thailand can be one of the most rewarding decisions of your life—but building a successful life here requires more than choosing a beautiful destination.
RetireWise Thailand was created to help retirees, future expatriates, and their families understand what it really takes to move to Thailand and build a comfortable, secure, and meaningful life.
My connection with Thailand began more than 40 years ago when I married my Thai wife, Lumchuan. I later lived and worked throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia, opened a regional business office in Bangkok, and spent more than five years living in Phuket.
Today, Lumchuan and I are preparing to return to Thailand and make Hua Hin our permanent home.
Through RetireWise Thailand, I share what we have learned from our own experiences, along with carefully researched information about:
- Thai visas and immigration procedures
- Healthcare and medical insurance
- Banking and managing money
- Renting or purchasing a home
- Choosing a trustworthy real estate or visa professional
- Transportation and daily living
- Understanding Thai culture
- Preparing for emergencies
- Avoiding scams and costly mistakes
- Building friendships and becoming part of a community
- Creating a realistic retirement budget
- Planning for aging and long-term care
RetireWise Thailand is not about selling a perfect picture of retirement overseas. Thailand is a wonderful country with welcoming people, outstanding food, modern healthcare, natural beauty, and a comparatively affordable lifestyle. However, retiring here also brings challenges that deserve honest discussion.
My goal is to provide balanced, practical information that helps you ask better questions, evaluate your options, and make informed decisions before committing your time, money, and future.
More Than a Retirement Destination
A successful retirement is not simply about finding a less expensive place to live. It is about creating a life that gives you purpose, security, friendship, and something meaningful to look forward to each day.
Thailand can offer all of this—but preparation matters.
RetireWise Thailand brings together personal experience, current research, useful government links, professional resources, and conversations with people who are already living here. Whenever possible, I identify the original source of the information so readers can verify the details for themselves.
Because immigration rules, financial requirements, healthcare policies, and local conditions can change, readers should always confirm important decisions with the appropriate Thai government office or qualified professional.
Join the RetireWise Thailand Community
Whether you are just beginning to dream about retiring in Thailand, actively planning your move, or already living here, you are invited to become part of the conversation.
Ask questions. Share your experiences. Learn from the successes and mistakes of others. Together, we can help one another approach retirement in Thailand with greater knowledge, confidence, and wisdom.
Join us on Facebook - Retire Thailand - Retirement & Expat Resources | Facebook
Retire well. Live wisely. Welcome to RetireWise Thailand.
Mark D. Burright
Author, researcher, and founder of RetireWise Thailand
www.MarkBurright.com
America Calling - Freedom Immigration
America Calling: Freedom—Immigration is more than a historical novel. It is a story inspired by my own family’s journey and by the generations of men and women who sacrificed everything for the promise of freedom.
The story begins in the 1600s and follows my ancestors through some of the most defining periods in American history—the struggle for independence, the Civil War, and the Oklahoma Land Run. Each generation faces its own hardships, difficult choices, and uncertain future.
These early immigrants did not arrive in a finished nation. They helped build one.
They crossed oceans, established homes in an unfamiliar land, fought wars, endured tremendous loss, and continued moving west in search of opportunity. Their journey reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy today were not easily obtained. They were earned through courage, determination, faith, and sacrifice.
Although inspired by my family’s history, this book represents the stories of millions of families whose ancestors answered America’s call. They left behind the lives they knew and risked everything for the possibility of something better—not only for themselves, but for the generations that would follow.
America Calling: Freedom—Immigration brings those experiences to life through historical fiction. It is a story about resilience, family, and the continuing pursuit of liberty. Most importantly, it is a reminder that freedom has never been free—and that the sacrifices of those who came before us deserve to be remembered.
I invite you to join me on this journey through American history and discover the courage, struggles, and dreams that helped shape a nation.
Mark D. Burright
www.MarkBurright.com
How to Retire in Thailand on Social Security - Hua Hin
Are you dreaming about retiring in a tropical paradise but wondering whether you can afford it?
I wrote this book to show you that retiring comfortably in Hua Hin, Thailand, may be possible—even if Social Security is your primary source of income.
My wife, Lumchuan, is Thai, and we have been married for more than 40 years. I have also lived and worked throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia. Through our personal experiences and extensive research, I have learned what it takes to build a comfortable, affordable, and fulfilling life in Thailand.
Chapter by chapter, I will walk you through the retirement process. We will look at Thai culture, the emotional realities of leaving America, maximizing your Social Security income, finding the right home, obtaining a visa, accessing quality healthcare, opening a bank account, developing a realistic budget, and handling the practical details of everyday life.
Hua Hin offers a tropical climate, welcoming people, excellent food, modern healthcare, an established expatriate community, and a comparatively affordable cost of living. It provides retirees with an opportunity to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle without spending a fortune.
However, retiring overseas is a major decision. Thailand is a wonderful country, but it is not perfect. A successful retirement requires careful preparation, realistic expectations, flexibility, and a willingness to respect and understand a different culture.
I wrote this book to help you ask the right questions, avoid common mistakes, and decide whether Hua Hin is the right place for the next chapter of your life.
Your retirement in Thailand does not have to remain a dream. Start planning wisely—and let the journey begin.
