Thread: Seeking info on rural areas.

Hello, new here. Thinking of migrating to Thailand.

I have seen a lot of nice apartments, houses, condos, bungalows, house boats, and shared rooms listed on the net. usually in town. But this is not really my ideal location. I am curious about other areas farther away from towns, maybe even closer to a boarder (can you drive over boarder for visa runs?)

I would like to keep these animals.
A few of each, Dogs, cats, pigs, goats, chickens, and a large number of rabbits.

I do not need or want a fancy expensive ranch mind you. just some rabbits in the back yard, chickens roaming the yard, my dogs laying on the porch, a few cats to keep down mice and snakes, maybe some pigs or goats just because I can.

Its getting hard to have this lifestyle in the US, with all the zoning laws, and "animal hoarding laws" and such. Any such issues in Thailand?

I love having animals, and eating fresh raised meat however I do not care to butcher, here in the states I can take my pigs or cow (I dont want any more cows!) to the butcher shop and pay to have it butchered, and prepped for the freezer. I would think the same could be found in Thailand? maybe a local farmer/butcher or something? I can make do if not, not helpless just prefer to not kill what I eat, weird I know, because raising it for the table is ok, as is hunting

So any areas in particular that would be better for me? or cheaper to find such a location? I know this is a big loaded question, but about how much would a 2 or 3 bedroom place on enough space to raise animals cost me? looking for low end of the spectrum here. Is it possible to rent such a place? or will I have to purchase?

Also interested in any concerns I should consider. I do not like the scarcity of guns, I hope predators are just as rare, though I have no idea what local predators might be? lions and tigers and bears oh my? I am used to dealing with coyotes with a rifle. not sure id want to protect my pigs from a tiger, with a machete...good dogs will help, but idk really what to expect.

of note: I do not need the animals to survive, don't need to market them. I have a retirement that should cover all expenses if I live in town. But If I can live cheaper with animals and privacy,peace and quiet. I would prefer this. even if it required a long trip to "town".

Thanks in advance for any advice, tips, locations, or information you can give on this.

Sunday, think a bit more research about Thailand is required before retiring here, no lions.
Come back after you have a better idea of of what's here and how things work. Jim

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Sunday, think a bit more research about Thailand is required before retiring here, no lions.
Come back after you have a better idea of of what's here and how things work. Jim

The best research is to live it, Jim....

yeah thanks for the help, guess ill have to learn it the hard way. awesome community here. maybe a local tuk tuk driver will be willing to chat with me. I would have checked around when I was there as a tourist, but never expected to want to live rual, difference between 25 and 40 I guess. always planned to settle in town when I returned. i had thought a good place to start researching local farming areas would be here..oh well back to Google I guess. thanks anyway for your assistance.

Originally Posted by sumday

But If I can live cheaper with animals and privacy,peace and quiet. I would prefer this. even if it required a long trip to "town".

You got me there. Why Thailand?

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Sunday, think a bit more research about Thailand is required before retiring here, no lions.
Come back after you have a better idea of of what's here and how things work. Jim

The best research is to live it, Jim....

Living is learning, research allows you to stay alive, physically and financially, long enough to learn. Jim

Just my take but men usually 'migrate' for the women not the animals.

Your theory is sound but maybe you should do more research. Do you like buffolos?

Originally Posted by AVVICI

Originally Posted by sumday

But If I can live cheaper with animals and privacy,peace and quiet. I would prefer this. even if it required a long trip to "town".

You got me there. Why Thailand?

The weather, the temples, the exotic animals (so no lions but who really hasent seen wizard of oz and got that was just a quote?). The food, the people, I mean really..your on a Thailand expat board and your asking me why to move there? shouldn't you already know all the reasons? or am I really in the wrong place here?

Florida is cool. Lots of crocodiles unlike here. Check you State Department.

maybe a local tuk tuk driver will be willing to chat with me.

good idea.

there might just be one tuk tuk driver in thailand capable of meaningful conversation, good luck in finding him.

Originally Posted by taxexile

maybe a local tuk tuk driver will be willing to chat with me.

good idea.

there might just be one tuk tuk driver in thailand capable of meaningful conversation, good luck in finding him.

ever tried speaking to them in their own language? you might get better conversation, I did when we visited. (my wife speaks Thai, Spanish, French, and some bits of Chinese.)

Originally Posted by AVVICI

Florida is cool. Lots of crocodiles unlike here. Check you State Department.

you do mean alligators right?

Originally Posted by sumday

id move back to South korea first.

So you are South Korean? Please explain.

Originally Posted by aging one

you do mean alligators right?

Yes, the crocodilles ate the alligators. Sorry.

I now see why Davis formed such a negative opinion of you. Bit of a dick.

Originally Posted by AVVICI

Originally Posted by sumday

id move back to South korea first.

So you are South Korean? Please explain.

No I am white american
but I have lived in south korea for 5 years, and mexico for 3 or 4 years. and spent a few years traveling europe. Enjoyed all those experiances much much more, than shopping at walmart in the states

Originally Posted by sumday

Originally Posted by AVVICI

Originally Posted by sumday

But If I can live cheaper with animals and privacy,peace and quiet. I would prefer this. even if it required a long trip to "town".

You got me there. Why Thailand?

The weather, the temples, the exotic animals (so no lions but who really hasent seen wizard of oz and got that was just a quote?). The food, the people, I mean really..your on a Thailand expat board and your asking me why to move there? shouldn't you already know all the reasons? or am I really in the wrong place here?

Here's a few facts, you can't own land or farm legally.
Food in rural Issan is crap, if you haven't been brought up on it.
You won't see any exotic animals, except in the zoo or national parks.
If your wife is not Thai how will you do anything, few outside the cites speak English, were I am they don't speak Thai never mind English.
Lots to it, if you have specific questions, sure everyone here will be happy to answer. Jim

Originally Posted by aging one

I now see why Davis formed such a negative opinion of you. Bit of a dick.

Do you mean DennisKowlton? I love everybody here. Even if they are less capable.

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by sumday

Originally Posted by AVVICI

Originally Posted by sumday

But If I can live cheaper with animals and privacy,peace and quiet. I would prefer this. even if it required a long trip to "town".

You got me there. Why Thailand?

The weather, the temples, the exotic animals (so no lions but who really hasent seen wizard of oz and got that was just a quote?). The food, the people, I mean really..your on a Thailand expat board and your asking me why to move there? shouldn't you already know all the reasons? or am I really in the wrong place here?

Here's a few facts, you can't own land or farm legally.
Food in rural Issan is crap, if you haven't been brought up on it.
You won't see any exotic animals, except in the zoo or national parks.
If your wife is not Thai how will you do anything, few outside the cites speak English, were I am they don't speak Thai never mind English.
Lots to it, if you have specific questions, sure everyone here will be happy to answer. Jim

Thanks for the serious reply.

if owning land is not allowed, *(which I believe you, was same way in Korea). I would assume renting is ok?

On the same track, how do expats buy bars and such if owning is not allowed? or is this different between a business and a home?

As for the question "how will you get anything done", same as I have anywhere else, a lot of pantomime, broken language, and if all else fails, and its important enough hiring a interpreter, they may be few and far between but can be found.

and ofc where ever I settle we will attempt to learn the local dialect(s). part of the charm of moving abroad.

and yes the exotic animals will be at zoos and pet trades etc. I have not even bothered to try to research hunting in the area yet. Though in the back of my mind, I think its more likely I see natural elephants (for instance) in that part of the world, than I do in Florida

Heck just the pet trade alone is like walking through an exotic zoo.

Are you sure the tropics is for you?
Why not try somewhere like Funchal on Madeira Island...
I hear it has a lovely climate.

Originally Posted by sumday

Originally Posted by Necron99

Are you sure the tropics is for you?
Why not try somewhere like Funchal on Madeira Island...
I hear it has a lovely climate.

yes thank you I am sure the tropics are right for me. I simply have spent years preparing for a move into the city (Bangkok). but now that I near jump off point, I think perhaps country life would be better suited for me. but having prepped for the other, am not sure how viable it will be.

Things like cost of a rental house (and which areas might be prefered), how many pets or livestock I am allowed to have (if there are limits). restrictions on Farang livestock or pet ownership. things of that nature. Local threats or dangers to livestock, how locals deal with those issues, etc.

But perhaps im the only redneck Farang, maybe everyone else lives in town to chase the girls or rather be "chased by the girls", idk. Maybe ill just have to hit the ground running and figure it out as I go along.

With two exceptions nobody is going to care less how many dogs, rabbits or pigs you got. The exceptions are (1) whoever rents you the land/property and (2) if you started getting to a size of animal production that stepped into some ones area of living.

Your main problem, as has been said is you can't own land, and you cannot actually act as a farmer (it is a restricted occupation). Most people who "own" things (land, bars etc) do so through a proxy, normally a wife, sometimes a company. Both routes have their perils. If your wife is not Thai, one option is out for you. The company way is possible - but, generally against the spirit of the law, and the company must be majority Thai owned. People do work around these things, sometimes successfully, sometimes less so.

If you go the rent route, well, the problem is long term stability. Contracts ARE valid - for a given value of "valid". Meaning that it could be more trouble than it is worth to try to enforce a contract when the other party has changed their mind.

The point is, someone rents you their land and 5 years down the road when you have set up your little idyllic haven - they decide they want it back. Yes, you have a contract - BUT - well, this is Thailand, so just "but".

It is a balance. You don't want someone counting your dogs - fine - Thailand is your place. - BUT the cost of that is dont expect a legal system that give a flying toss about your problems....

Originally Posted by nidhogg

With two exceptions nobody is going to care less how many dogs, rabbits or pigs you got. The exceptions are (1) whoever rents you the land/property and (2) if you started getting to a size of animal production that stepped into some ones area of living.

Your main problem, as has been said is you can't own land, and you cannot actually act as a farmer (it is a restricted occupation). Most people who "own" things (land, bars etc) do so through a proxy, normally a wife, sometimes a company. Both routes have their perils. If your wife is not Thai, one option is out for you. The company way is possible - but, generally against the spirit of the law, and the company must be majority Thai owned. People do work around these things, sometimes successfully, sometimes less so.

If you go the rent route, well, the problem is long term stability. Contracts ARE valid - for a given value of "valid". Meaning that it could be more trouble than it is worth to try to enforce a contract when the other party has changed their mind.

The point is, someone rents you their land and 5 years down the road when you have set up your little idyllic haven - they decide they want it back. Yes, you have a contract - BUT - well, this is Thailand, so just "but".

It is a balance. You don't want someone counting your dogs - fine - Thailand is your place. - BUT the cost of that is dont expect a legal system that give a flying toss about your problems....

Thank you very much for the useful info, I am ok with moving if renter changes mind, I am ok with moving if I change my mind. I am not ok with moving because "I have to many animals, or car parts in my front yard" (well tuktuk parts lol). and this will come down to communication with the renter it seems. and thats good imo.

I wont be large enough to step on any real farmers toes, and would not expect to sell any animals or anything, maybe give a pig to someone for butchering the rest, but not anything of any "scale". Well rabbits will be a large endevor. I could see myself having a 100 rabbits easy, all caged and not really taking up much room.

But mostly the rabbits are for mine and my dogs, food however if someone wanted to buy a few, I dont think I would turn them down. so I would have to just make sure to keep it small scale, and be aware of the "community" around me I think?

Do you think renting such a place would be about the same as renting a cheaper 2-3 bedroom in town? or significantly different one way or the other?