Thinking about living in Thailand - advice

[simonhere]

Hi,

I need some advice from people experienced to living in Thailand. I currently work from home and manage some large websites which pay me reasonable commissions every month (about £4,000) and I am thinking about living in Thailand. I am looking for somewhere that I can relax, enjoy and work and not worry about the cold.

I have lived overseas in the past in Costa Rica which was great but moved back to the UK for a couple of years as my friends all returned back home and to work for large corporates. I am thinking about Phuket or surrounding areas but need advice from more experienced people here.

Can I live as a perpuatual tourist and just leave every 90 days, or do i need some kind of extended tourist visa? how does it work? also what is the expat community like? anyone else doing the same as me?

Your advice great appreciated,

Simon

[Thetyim]

You would need to get a multi entry Non Imm O visa.
Do a border run every 90 days which will get you a total stay of 15 months
Then you will have to fly back to somewhere like UK to get another visa.


If you want to live here then I would steer well clear of the tourist areas.
They will soon begin to piss you off.

The expat community is varied.
You might be lucky and find a decent crowd.

[Jeremia]

1. Don't sell up in your home country..have an escape plan.
2. 4,000 quid a month is alot of money..but commission?..how long will it last..Have a long term plan of income v expenditure ( I earnt double that and managed to get myself broke!!)
3. Don't become an alchoholic.( see point 2!!)
4. Remember; not all Thais are criminals and not all criminals are Thai..

[Loy Toy]

Hello Simon and welcome to Teakdoor.

You may also apply for a retirement visa if you are of a certain vintage.

Thetyim's advice is very good and I suggest finding yourself a decent country retreat might be a good idea.

[zubber]

do a search on stickmans website for an article called the casino

but its here also

My post "Don't Move to Thailand" (1997). Revisited - soc.culture.thai | Google Groups

[Travelmate]

There is already too many Simon living here!

[zubber]

Stickman's guide to Bangkok
> Reader's Submissions:
> Don't Move To Thailand
> By Roscoe Johnson
> I have some advice to any westerners out there contemplating moving to
> Thailand.

> If you are rich and are sensible with money, then go ahead. If an
> international company or similar offers you a high salary job in
> Thailand then fine. If your are retired or have steady funds from
> aboard and want to live modestly on those funds, go ahead, but watch
> yourself. And if you're a young dude travelling around the world, and
> you want to spend some time in Thailand teaching or whatever for
> experience, then that's OK too.

> If you don't fall into these categories then "don't" consider it for a
> moment. Many middle aged westerners in particular (including
> professionals) like the idea of living there, having a business or
> making some money and "enjoying life" in Thailand. But very few make
> it. (Forget about western restaurant or bar owners and alike you might
> meet in Thailand boasting about their good life there. It is common for
> faltering foreigners to keep up appearances). Mostly they end up broke
> or crazed, sometimes both, then they leave. Thai business, visa and
> residency laws get you in the end. The "Thai way" will get you in the
> end. Have a minor run-in with a wealthy or important Thai and your
> status and possibly your life will be at risk. Their whole culture is
> geared around making sure that foreigners pursuing individual efforts
> are not successful. It's ingrained in them from an early age to believe
> that they are the never-colonized master race of Asia (yes they really
> think that) and their mythology runs so deep you'll never budge it.
> Remember, in Thailand you'll never have any real business, legal or
> ownership rights. But Thai's can go to your country (very possibly) and
> buy and own anything they can get their hands on (because of the more
> tolerant business laws). To Thai's, this is just further evidence of
> how clever they are, and how foolish are the foreigners to go to
> Thailand.

[chitown]

Originally Posted by simonhere

I am thinking about living in Thailand

How many times have you visited Thailand and how long were your stays?

You mention Phuket? How often have you been there and for how long?

[Thetyim]

Simon, I think it might be easier if you tell us why you want to live in Thailand and what things interest you.

Don't be shy, if you want to shag yourself stupid then just say so, we can then point you in the right direction.

[Sdigit]

Originally Posted by simonhere

Hi,

I need some advice from people experienced to living in Thailand. I currently work from home and manage some large websites which pay me reasonable commissions every month (about £4,000) and I am thinking about living in Thailand. I am looking for somewhere that I can relax, enjoy and work and not worry about the cold.

I have lived overseas in the past in Costa Rica which was great but moved back to the UK for a couple of years as my friends all returned back home and to work for large corporates. I am thinking about Phuket or surrounding areas but need advice from more experienced people here.

Can I live as a perpuatual tourist and just leave every 90 days, or do i need some kind of extended tourist visa? how does it work? also what is the expat community like? anyone else doing the same as me?

Your advice great appreciated,

Simon

Hi Simon
I would have thought if you were a manager of large websites your grammar and punctuation would have been a little more on the ball.
Nah I'm not having a word of it, your a troll you are.

[Travelmate]

Is this another one of Nawty's thread?

[Smug Farang Bore]

Its B visa you ll need.

In a Phuket Gazette Questions and answers meeting with the Department of Employment , an Assie asked if it was ok to bring his computer to trade stocks outside of Toyland from his hotel and the reply was...If you want to stay legal leave your computer at home.

If you are going anything that could be construed as work, get a B visa.

[simonhere]

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Hello Simon and welcome to Teakdoor.

You may also apply for a retirement visa if you are of a certain vintage.

Thetyim's advice is very good and I suggest finding yourself a decent country retreat might be a good idea.

Not close to retirement age (32 years old)...

The money I receive is quite stable but I know how easy it is become broke...

My grammar sucks and that point I completely agree with!

Simon

[chitown]

How about this -

Originally Posted by chitown

How many times have you visited Thailand and how long were your stays?

You mention Phuket? How often have you been there and for how long?

and this -

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Simon, I think it might be easier if you tell us why you want to live in Thailand and what things interest you.

Don't be shy, if you want to shag yourself stupid then just say so, we can then point you in the right direction.

[simonhere]

Originally Posted by zubber

Stickman's guide to Bangkok
> Reader's Submissions:
> Don't Move To Thailand
> By Roscoe Johnson
> I have some advice to any westerners out there contemplating moving to
> Thailand.

> If you are rich and are sensible with money, then go ahead. If an
> international company or similar offers you a high salary job in
> Thailand then fine. If your are retired or have steady funds from
> aboard and want to live modestly on those funds, go ahead, but watch
> yourself. And if you're a young dude travelling around the world, and
> you want to spend some time in Thailand teaching or whatever for
> experience, then that's OK too.

> If you don't fall into these categories then "don't" consider it for a
> moment. Many middle aged westerners in particular (including
> professionals) like the idea of living there, having a business or
> making some money and "enjoying life" in Thailand. But very few make
> it. (Forget about western restaurant or bar owners and alike you might
> meet in Thailand boasting about their good life there. It is common for
> faltering foreigners to keep up appearances). Mostly they end up broke
> or crazed, sometimes both, then they leave. Thai business, visa and
> residency laws get you in the end. The "Thai way" will get you in the
> end. Have a minor run-in with a wealthy or important Thai and your
> status and possibly your life will be at risk. Their whole culture is
> geared around making sure that foreigners pursuing individual efforts
> are not successful. It's ingrained in them from an early age to believe
> that they are the never-colonized master race of Asia (yes they really
> think that) and their mythology runs so deep you'll never budge it.
> Remember, in Thailand you'll never have any real business, legal or
> ownership rights. But Thai's can go to your country (very possibly) and
> buy and own anything they can get their hands on (because of the more
> tolerant business laws). To Thai's, this is just further evidence of
> how clever they are, and how foolish are the foreigners to go to
> Thailand.

Excellent advice

[simonhere]

Originally Posted by chitown

How many times have you visited Thailand and how long were your stays?

You mention Phuket? How often have you been there and for how long?

Actually been to many places in my life but not travelled to Thailand...

Heard of Phuket but not been.

[simonhere]

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Simon, I think it might be easier if you tell us why you want to live in Thailand and what things interest you.

Don't be shy, if you want to shag yourself stupid then just say so, we can then point you in the right direction.

Living in Thailand is to enjoy the freedom and not to go shagging girls or guys... and enjoying a sunset beer after finishing a days work on my sites.

[chitown]

Make about 10 or 12 long stay trips before you decide to move here.

I it will seem to be a great place, but remember you are just a tourist.

The circus is fun, but the clown can be ugly when the makeup comes off!

[Smug Farang Bore]

Come to Thailand for a trip first.
Stay sober and LOOK about.
There are many different sides to Thailand.
Stay as long as you can before you decide.
....its not paradise.

Oh and after the first three days that you can stand without booze n birds on tap.

Fuck up your life and party with the rest of us until it runs out and just like when you were 5 years old...

...you can go home with the piece of cake, balloon and party hat.



HAPPY DAYS

[simonhere]

Originally Posted by Smug Farang Bore

Come to Thailand for a trip first.
Stay sober and LOOK about.
There are many different sides to Thailand.
Stay as long as you can before you decide.
....its not paradise.

Oh and after the first three days that you can stand without booze n birds on tap.

Fuck up your life and party with the rest of us until it runs out and just like when you were 5 years old...

...you can go home with the piece of cake, balloon and party hat.



HAPPY DAYS

Some sound advice best to test the waters first.