Why Thailand Beats the U.S. with @ForrestLee

In this episode of Made It In Thailand, I sit down with Forrest Lee, an American expat who's been living in Thailand for four years. Forrest shares his journey from leaving the US Army to becoming a popular YouTuber in Thailand, discussing his motivations, experiences, and the unique cultural aspects of living in Thailand. We delve into his financial strategies, the challenges of visa arrangements, and his personal life, including dating and building a community. Forrest also reflects on his family's immigrant background and his father's remarkable escape from a communist labor camp. Join us as we explore Forrest's insights on thriving in Thailand and the lessons he's learned along the way.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
03:59 Childhood and Upbringing
10:17 Father Escaping the Cultural Revolution
17:57 Forrest's Military Experience
24:30 Discovering Thailand
32:50 Moving to Thailand
33:23 The Allure of Bangkok
37:16 Avoiding Common Mistakes
41:58 Visa Strategies
45:59 Cost of Living
48:10 Building a Network
50:21 Dating in Thailand
58:11 Family and Future Plans
01:06:43 Final Thoughts

GUEST LINKS:

Need Thailand Guidance? Book a free consultation

What I provide:
✅ Relocation guidance
✅ Business and marketing strategy
✅ Hiring and training Thai staff
✅ Developing your operating systems

SHOW NOTES:

[scottpressimone]

Want more interviews like this? Like the video and subscribe.
Doing so will help me book more prominent guests. 🙏

[HejExplore]

Thanks for sharing about life in Thailand, Enjoy your time for diverse society here.

[Vonsat]

Kudos to Forrest for saving first, spending later and reinvesting. That's why he can afford a comfortable life here in Thailand. And spot on about traveling to other countries and feeling so appreciative of Thailand after coming back.

[josephtenthousand]

Forrest is the mannnn!!! Awesome collab

[SanSaeteurn]

Thanks Forest for always keeping it real.

[lostboi]

Ive spent 7 months this year here in Thailand. $3, 000 per month is very comfortable to retire on, even with the right lady living with me. Im 43 years old and about to go back home to Florida. In a year or 2 I'll sell my paid off condo and add that to my dividend portfolio and return here permanently. I'll be a student of something for a few years or live part-time in Thailand and a neighboring country. The cost and culture in the U.S. isnt worth it.

[Dividend-Shark]

There is a great video of Forrest interviewing one of his friends a couple of years ago on his channel. They speak about financial freedom and investing, I remember watching that video years ago and that was the jump point for me. Fast forward a few years later passive income portfolio has nearly replaced my day job, my wife and I will be travelling the world next year and plan to go to Thailand and SE Asia for sure. Financial independence and investing are so important, regardless of where you decide to live in the world it will give you freedom and peace of mind!

[p.c.h.]

I've spent more than 2 years doing research about where to relocate with my family, and giving that no place is perfect, I find Thailand the best imperfect place to relocate.

[viktor.egelund]

46:35. Why? Because people tend to adjust their lifestyle to match their income and available resources.
It's not as if you can simply choose the income you desire.

[Stevegosteve]

Enjoyed the interview. Good insightful questions.
I have been following Forest online and have noticed he always talks about the importance of money and investing but doesn't really explain what he does for a living. Is it investing, coaching and consulting or is he an influencer. Maybe he's like a lot of Thais who have multiple income streams. I wouldn't mention it but money is a topic he frequently addresses.

[HappyBill-ij]

Forrest- get a different barber, dude. Great conversation. ( Every time I return to the States I am happy to choose Thailand as my retirement home.)

[DreamofThailand]

Nice interview, covers all information. Forrest is well spoken as usual!

[ginadeg]

I am 100% made in Thailand. My parent produced me.

[jjjjjjjjooolllllllllll]

Kudos to him for taking advantage of the YouTube demand for escape to Thailand content. Personally, I think none of it is interesting.. he's a smart guy, but his perspectives are the perspectives of an inexperienced expat. Respect to him for acknowledging that he's nothing special though, just a friendly entertainer, which is fine.

[catchingfeelings]

มันไม่เจริญทั้งประเทศ ไม่ควรพูดรวม อันนี้คือพูดถึงแต่กรุงเทพ ก็ไม่แปลก เป็นเมืองหลวง แล้วเขาก็พัฒนาแค่กรุงเทพ ส่วน government ไม่ต้องพูดถึง… ค่าครองชีพสูงขึ้นเรื่อยๆ แต่ค่าแรงขั้นต่ำ ไม่ผันตามตั้งแต่มากกว่า 10 ปีที่แล้ว อยู่ที่ไหนก็สบายอยู่แล้วถ้า financially free or stable นี้expat

ลองคิดดูทำไมคนไทยถ้ามีทุน การศึกษาเขาดีกว่า แต่หลายๆคนไปประเทศเช่น UK Australia หรือเพราะ education reputation แล้วก็ถูก

[shanetraveller]

I see a lot in Forrest stories and empathies with him

[TheCheapNomad]

He's got the America he wants now, maybe he should go back.

[SoloDoloTravel]

I remember his cost of living video a while back around that $2500 mark.. now living comfortable is $4000 a month? I would agree 4000 is a great life in Thailand, but it's not really that cheap anymore.. $2500 seems good for a comfy life and not going out too often with drinks etc.

[jackpool]

5 million bhu for 20 years VISA is equal to $ 550 a month US are you joking , you must Jerry every day

[carbonfibercrypto]

America was high trust before it was diversified