^ Yes, alcoholism isn’t just for expats. Thailand has a serious problem. It’s weird because I know some well-off Thais who follow a type of Buddhism that doesn’t really allow alcohol, and they’ve never drunk in their lives - lucky them.
As for expats, the retirement visa in Thailand is relatively easy to get and fairly cheap. Neighbouring countries are more expensive to retire to. Such expats still have to support themselves financially, and I wonder how sorted they are for medical insurance, etc., if all they can think about is their next drink.
I’ve also seen a few nasty expat characters in bars in Thailand. Such places are best avoided.