Hello from new member! In the UK but moving to Laos next year :)

[supernovadw]

Yep your right teaching isn't really an option for me personally, It certainly wouldn't be a wise move going from working for myself (Auto trader) in the UK and enjoying it to going to Laos and doing a job I would hate.

My skills are all in my head to be honest, I really don't have many paperwork qualifications to be honest. My skills are all in the auto trade, mechanics, diagnostics and bodywork. My wife and her friends seem to think that I would be able to find a job in the mining industry however I will be honest that I am not so optimistic....? Whilst I genuinely believe that I could certainly put in valuable skills I would of course have to persuade someone in the mining sector to give me a chance which could prove challenging as from my CV I am not the number one candidate....

What makes you think I may have problems with a garage? I'm just keen to see everyone's views...Like you say the amount of luxury cars is increasing a quite a rate however there is certainly not at current the facilities or experience to service or repair alot of these cars and after all if you have the money to buy a premium car would you really want to skimp on getting it serviced or repaired? Another thing like I said is to try and appeal to the market of modifications and improvements. As most of all know in Thailand it is amazingly popular to modify your car! I feel that Laos will follow suite in the near future!

Yes I am married you are correct! We got engaged in Laos in November 2011 and then married in June 2012 in the UK, I realise that we not married "In accordance to Lao family law" And also realise that the paperwork to do this can take quite some time however I am really not greatly worried about it all to be honest, my friend is Belgian and married to a Lao woman, they got married in Belgium but never in Laos, they have been living together with their two children for nearly ten years with no problems.

As I said, dodgy bros down the road might give you a teaching job. I certainly would not. Anyway, that is not an option as you are not keen on teaching. Do you have skills that are useful in the mining industry? There are jobs going at MMG and Phu Bia. What skills do you have? Any qualifications? A trade?

To be honest, I suspect you might have problems getting your repair company started. Not trying to be negative here. On the other hand, those claiming how poor a country Lao is should come and see the large number of BMWs and other luxury cars on the road.

Just another point. You say that you are married. Does this mean that you have done all the paperwork and had this signed by the Lao authorities? You do realise that the ceremony at home is not a wedding ceremony but rather a blessing and you are not legally married until the relevant Ministries have given their approval. Sorry for asking, but this process does take about 12 months, so I am wondering when you would have done it.

[frazerHX]

Hi Bud, read your thread and wish you all the best. I'm similar in that I have a Lao girlfriend, she's in Vientiane and i'm in the UK. She also has a beauty salon etc. I think you're young enough to try and stint out in VTE and see what happens, why not? I guess if you want to move back to the UK that might be an issue if you want to bring your wife with you as they will want to see full time employment for yourself etc. etc. I think if you can sort yourself some kind of safety net, is it worth coming out to VTE on your own for a while just to scope out the potential? from what i've seen so much revolves around who you know and connections that it's worth just spending some time putting in some groundwork and assessing the viability of your proposals. If you've already learnt basic lao then that's pretty good going.

Best of luck.

frazerHX

[supernovadw]

Hi Bud, read your thread and wish you all the best. I'm similar in that I have a Lao girlfriend, she's in Vientiane and i'm in the UK. She also has a beauty salon etc. I think you're young enough to try and stint out in VTE and see what happens, why not? I guess if you want to move back to the UK that might be an issue if you want to bring your wife with you as they will want to see full time employment for yourself etc. etc. I think if you can sort yourself some kind of safety net, is it worth coming out to VTE on your own for a while just to scope out the potential? from what i've seen so much revolves around who you know and connections that it's worth just spending some time putting in some groundwork and assessing the viability of your proposals. If you've already learnt basic lao then that's pretty good going.

Best of luck.

frazerHX

Thanks for your post! Really surprised to hear that you are in kinda the same position as me! Their can't be many English guys with Lao women can there hey. Where are you from in the UK?

Yeh giving it a go certainly will be the thing to do! To be honest I'd jump on the plane tomorrow if I could however as I run my own business it's certainly not as easy as that as I have too much money tied up and stock etc in order to be able to just leave it...Anyhow I'm sure I will sort something out, after all we cannot be living apart as a married couple hey!

Your also right in saying that it certainly does depend on who you know, the more connections the better hey, once I go there with the intention of finding some work or starting my own business I reckon that something positive will happen and I will start to meet different people.

Yeh I've already learnt a bit of Lao, I can hold a conversation etc....Of course the more I learn the better, I'm sure a good command of Lao and fluent English will of course help.

To be honest the more I am thinking about the possibility of a guesthouse/restaurant/tour service the better it is sounding to me, I mean I know that the setup costs would be quite high but I really think that tourism is only going to go up so could be a good option.


Anyhow....Lot's of options and lots of thoughts in my mind at the moment, we shall see how it goes.

[Vientianeboy]

"I am really not greatly worried about it all to be honest, my friend is Belgian and married to a Lao woman"

You should be worried. I got married in Australia, live in Lao, but after a couple of years had the authorities come to check up on me. This often happens when a conference or similar is on. I had to get my marriage certificate authenticated here in Vientiane. It cost heaps!
The reason I think your garage may have problems is that customisation already takes place here. You would have plenty of competition.

[frazerHX]

@supernovadw - yeah there's probably not a large number of english guys with Lao women however you will no doubt get to meet a few if you head to Vientiane. I'm from Halifax, West Yorks by the way.

As Vientianeboy has flagged up - I would definitely look into to registering your marriage legally in laos. It will be a pain in the arse and involve a lot of paperwork. You can do this yourself (lots of running around) and paying kip here and there to move the application along. Alternatively there are companies who wil do the running around for you but expect at least $1000+ and a 6months-1 year. Although you might be OK in Vientiane, if you wanted to travel anywhere in Laos with your missus you'll no doubt increase your risk.

I'm expecting to embark on this marriage registration at some point in the future. Worth finding out what paperwork you need in advance as it may be easier to get some of it in the UK - For example I believe you need a CRB check. The newly opened (but not quite yet fully functioning) UK Embassy in Vientiane will be able to advise on the requirements in due course.

If you're in Vientiane in late Jan/early Feb then drop me a line and we can meet for a few Beerlao. I'm flying out in a few weeks time.

Cheers,

frazerHX

[supernovadw]

Thanks for the replies! Well as I said my friend who is married with children and a house has never had any problems but hey I guess that's just luck of the draw?

I am aware about all the requirements and paper work needed as we started to do it last year but never completed it...We were using a company (Simuang document services) who we have used before, they said that they could do it all for $800 which doesn't sound too bad hey?

I may actually be going to Lao at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb I just have to decide what to do with my Mrs visa as it got refused so we have to decide whether to appeal and try to get her to come back to England for another six months before both going back to Laos or if I just go to Laos and we give it a go there now? If I am around I am certainly up for meeting up for a beer and a chat though

[Vientianeboy]

frazerHx, I had a very good lawyer ensure the registration of my marriage. She is very highly connected. The whole process from beginning to end took 1 week. It cost $1500 though. If you want drop me a line and I can give you her phone number.

supernovadw, you appear not to wish to listen to advice. Not having your marriage registered can lead to very serious consequences. technically you are in breach of the cohabition law. You could be fined, your wife imprisoned and you deported. This is of course extremely unlikely, but it is not impossible, especially if you piss off a high ranking official or someone with connections. (Someone who does not like the competition from your garage perhaps?) Checks DO occur as I have already told you. This is especially the case during any international conference or meeting held in Vientiane.

[supernovadw]

frazerHx, I had a very good lawyer ensure the registration of my marriage. She is very highly connected. The whole process from beginning to end took 1 week. It cost $1500 though. If you want drop me a line and I can give you her phone number.

supernovadw, you appear not to wish to listen to advice. Not having your marriage registered can lead to very serious consequences. technically you are in breach of the cohabition law. You could be fined, your wife imprisoned and you deported. This is of course extremely unlikely, but it is not impossible, especially if you piss off a high ranking official or someone with connections. (Someone who does not like the competition from your garage perhaps?) Checks DO occur as I have already told you. This is especially the case during any international conference or meeting held in Vientiane.

I am completley open to advice! What makes you think differently? All I said is what I know

I am 100% Aware of potential problems, all I have talked about is what I know. Yes there certainly are checks I know this. I am sure we will get all our paperwork sorted out however at the moment it is not at the top of my priority list especially as she is in Laos and I am in the UK.

As I mentioned we did actually start the process off, we used Simuang Document services. We have used them before for translations etc and they have always been great! It seemed like we got a good price also? Time scale she said 6 months but significantly quicker if we pay some 'Tea money' Anyhow we shall see.....

As regards to what you said about the car repair and modification business yes I know there is certainly competition however nothing is of the best quality as far as I am aware and to be honest not comparable with western standards.

One of my Lao friends who works for RMA and lived in the USA for a long while said that he had never seen a perfect paint job done on a car in Lao and that he know many people who cross over the border and go to Udon Thani for work on their cars.

If you have read a few pages back I have a friend who runs a bodyshop in Sattahip Thailand. He certainly has ALOT of competition!!! However as he does top quality work he is inundated with work! After all if you had a $100,000 Car would you want some one painting it in the open air on the side of the road?

I am certainly very very much open to advice! All I am saying is what I have observed myself so far however of course as I have not lived in Laos yet I have alot to learn.

Anyhow thanks for the advice Cheers.

[Gravesend Dave]

Not assuming anything here,but what does your wife do while your not there,is she working or just moping about waiting for you to call.

When I first met my wife she had to stay in Thailand alone at the families while her Visa was organized for about 2 months.
It seemed like for ever and although she called every day if it had been for any longer I am not sure I would feel the same when she finally came over.
Personally I am not one to say being apart makes the heart grow fonder,after a
certain amount of time thing can and do change.

After such a long absence I know I would feel different, but my advice would be to visit the wife to get back on track and put any thing else on the back burner.

Best of luck with your future plans.

[supernovadw]

Not assuming anything here,but what does your wife do while your not there,is she working or just moping about waiting for you to call.

When I first met my wife she had to stay in Thailand alone at the families while her Visa was organized for about 2 months.
It seemed like for ever and although she called every day if it had been for any longer I am not sure I would feel the same when she finally came over.
Personally I am not one to say being apart makes the heart grow fonder,after a
certain amount of time thing can and do change.

After such a long absence I know I would feel different, but my advice would be to visit the wife to get back on track and put any thing else on the back burner.

Best of luck with your future plans.

No she's not just moping around all the time, she is a qualified hair dresser with a good reputation so she's been doing quite a lot of hair cutting and making her self a bit.

Having said that she isn't major busy by any means which certainly isn't good for her as she is just sitting around some times.

I certainly agree with you that we cannot spend much longer apart, the more I am thinking the more I am inclined to go over to Laos!

I have to decide what to do now as if I appeal about my wife's visa refusal the application must be in by the 17th of this month which doesn't give us long, the thing is that in all honesty I am not very confident that if we appeal it is going to be successful So perhaps I might just pack it in and go off to Lao!

My wife has found some land for sale for a reasonable amount (In Vientiane) So I am possibly thinking of buying it and making a small house on there and then putting it up for sale?

Anyhow I have a million thoughts in my head at the moment and haven't got a clue what to do???

[Gravesend Dave]

Not assuming anything here,but what does your wife do while your not there,is she working or just moping about waiting for you to call.

When I first met my wife she had to stay in Thailand alone at the families while her Visa was organized for about 2 months.
It seemed like for ever and although she called every day if it had been for any longer I am not sure I would feel the same when she finally came over.
Personally I am not one to say being apart makes the heart grow fonder,after a
certain amount of time thing can and do change.

After such a long absence I know I would feel different, but my advice would be to visit the wife to get back on track and put any thing else on the back burner.

Best of luck with your future plans.

No she's not just moping around all the time, she is a qualified hair dresser with a good reputation so she's been doing quite a lot of hair cutting and making her self a bit.

Having said that she isn't major busy by any means which certainly isn't good for her as she is just sitting around some times.

I certainly agree with you that we cannot spend much longer apart, the more I am thinking the more I am inclined to go over to Laos!

I have to decide what to do now as if I appeal about my wife's visa refusal the application must be in by the 17th of this month which doesn't give us long, the thing is that in all honesty I am not very confident that if we appeal it is going to be successful So perhaps I might just pack it in and go off to Lao!

My wife has found some land for sale for a reasonable amount (In Vientiane) So I am possibly thinking of buying it and making a small house on there and then putting it up for sale?

Anyhow I have a million thoughts in my head at the moment and haven't got a clue what to do???

If you can mate get out there a.s.a.p and spend some time with your wife.

Do all you can to get her back to the U.K and spend at least a couple of years there.You need to do this before making any hasty decisions,I would say its far to soon to be buying land and building houses.
Best to rent or stay with her family while your in Laos .

I don,t want to sound negative but it takes time to really get to know someone so be careful with your money,once you lay it out in Laos its gone!.

You have not mentioned how long you knew your wife before you were married,I waited nearly two years for that.

Hopefully what ever you decide will work out for you but remember only fools rush in.

P.S. I spent 4 years living in the U.K with my wife before deciding to make the move.

[supernovadw]

Thanks for the advice mate!

I am really thinking now that I'm going to be making the move sooner rather than later as it's just so hard being apart!

I've known my wife three and a half years, we met on the 1st July 2009. I can confidently say that I trust her 110%

The land is only quite cheap so it is looking like a real option! Buy the land and make a small house on there which we could then either sell or keep.

Anyhow I am now imminently going to be making a decision to as what to do so we shall see.

[Gravesend Dave]

Thanks for the advice mate!

I am really thinking now that I'm going to be making the move sooner rather than later as it's just so hard being apart!

I've known my wife three and a half years, we met on the 1st July 2009. I can confidently say that I trust her 110%

The land is only quite cheap so it is looking like a real option! Buy the land and make a small house on there which we could then either sell or keep.

Anyhow I am now imminently going to be making a decision to as what to do so we shall see.

As said feller good luck with it!

[laosTraveller]

Yes, good luck! Wish I dared taking a chance like that when I still had the chance. Being married and having children, leaving for a new country with the family seems impossible :-)

[supernovadw]

Thanks!

A bit of an update now anyhow as I've now been living in Vientiane for one year and three months...

I spent just over a year working for a tourism company...It was an OK job but nothing long term. I finished my job around one month ago and have opened a small garage with a Lao friend....We are doing restorations, customisation and repairs on bikes and cars as well as sales and so far so good Very busy and a waiting list of customers already so really pleased so far and glad I made the move!

[beerlaodrinker]

Good on ya supa for having a go, i will try and flick some business your way if i can, wheres the garagew located?

[BaitongBoy]

Thanks for the update...Always nice to know how things are working out for people here...

[Phuketrichard]

great!!
sort of like the show "Counts Cars" on true vision

Let me know if u get any old (pre 1970) motorcycles in

[Ronin]

classic car restoration thailand

This is the business that my friend runs in Thailand, he is doing really well and inundated with work!

....but he is Thai is he not?

[Ronin]

Not only that but dealing with the asian mindset.
What if you have an urgent job, you call up a supplier (having gone through major headaches just finding one) and he turns up half a day late, with the wrong part, and not only INSISTS it's the right part, but that it's twice the agreed price and charges you $50 delivery which was never mentioned in the initial discussion.
What will you do then?
Then hi BIL turns up with 4 cops and tells you he's the chief of police for that district and if you want to operate there he will need to be a 'partner'.
The potential pitfalls and problems are many and varied.

I really don't think he knows what he's getting into.
To just jump in and invest his savings in a business in Asia without being aware of the quite different to the west problems and pitfalls he will face will be to throw his money down the drain.
Ingrained and accepted corruption and a different perspective of honesty and truth, cultural chasims will eat him up.
He'll end up on here in a year begging for someone to point him in the direction of a teaching job.
To encourage him to just jump is bad advice.
Get a teaching job for stability, spend a year generally sussing things out then start slow, backyard jobs.
You're talking about starting off big, which is all very well if you're prepared to lose a good deal of cash, otherwise i'd start of small, backyard stuff, and build a reputation.

supernovadw,

I have no wish to be mean but these two excellent posts along the many others here are giving you subtle hints and some solid guidance. Koojo is right, you are heading down the road to disaster! A better course of action is acquire a skill that the locals don't have but need and teaching English is one of the best options until you have lot more experience and knowledge of the country. In addition you are not likely to encounter much competition whereas if you go the garage route the locals are going to eat you for breakfast! They know how to do business in their own country which often leaves the westerner stunned. Koojo's example is just one try returning a faulty item to some vendors and they will likely just say 'why did you buy it in the first place?'

You are only 24 so stop think and plan ahead, as somebody once said: " those who fail to plan, plan to fail!"

[Gravesend Dave]

classic car restoration thailand

This is the business that my friend runs in Thailand, he is doing really well and inundated with work!

....but he is Thai is he not?

I think they are in Lao mate so his friend maybe a Lao and not Thai!

Anyway Super done a great travel thread on scooters with lots of pics so one of the new business should be well and truly in the pipe line.

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[Gravesend Dave]

Ronin

We make our beds and then lie in them!

Someone once said to me though,s who never try never fail!

[Ronin]

Ronin

We make our beds and then lie in them!

Someone once said to me though,s who never try never fail!

Same difference if you are going to try then you still need to plan.

By the way quote from OP;

This is the business that my friend runs in Thailand, he is doing really well and inundated with work!

[supernovadw]

Good on ya supa for having a go, i will try and flick some business your way if i can, wheres the garagew located?

Thanks mate! Yeh if you have anything needs doing then please feel free to let me know. The garage at current is only very small and at the end of Thadeau road next to the round about with the clock tower on where you turn left to the friendship bridge.

Thanks for the update...Always nice to know how things are working out for people here...

Thanks So far so good and very very busy!

great!!
sort of like the show "Counts Cars" on true vision

Let me know if u get any old (pre 1970) motorcycles in

Not seen the show you mention but sounds interesting! Will let you know if I get any old bikes.

classic car restoration thailand

This is the business that my friend runs in Thailand, he is doing really well and inundated with work!

....but he is Thai is he not?

Not only that but dealing with the asian mindset.
What if you have an urgent job, you call up a supplier (having gone through major headaches just finding one) and he turns up half a day late, with the wrong part, and not only INSISTS it's the right part, but that it's twice the agreed price and charges you $50 delivery which was never mentioned in the initial discussion.
What will you do then?
Then hi BIL turns up with 4 cops and tells you he's the chief of police for that district and if you want to operate there he will need to be a 'partner'.
The potential pitfalls and problems are many and varied.

I really don't think he knows what he's getting into.
To just jump in and invest his savings in a business in Asia without being aware of the quite different to the west problems and pitfalls he will face will be to throw his money down the drain.
Ingrained and accepted corruption and a different perspective of honesty and truth, cultural chasims will eat him up.
He'll end up on here in a year begging for someone to point him in the direction of a teaching job.
To encourage him to just jump is bad advice.
Get a teaching job for stability, spend a year generally sussing things out then start slow, backyard jobs.
You're talking about starting off big, which is all very well if you're prepared to lose a good deal of cash, otherwise i'd start of small, backyard stuff, and build a reputation.

supernovadw,

I have no wish to be mean but these two excellent posts along the many others here are giving you subtle hints and some solid guidance. Koojo is right, you are heading down the road to disaster! A better course of action is acquire a skill that the locals don't have but need and teaching English is one of the best options until you have lot more experience and knowledge of the country. In addition you are not likely to encounter much competition whereas if you go the garage route the locals are going to eat you for breakfast! They know how to do business in their own country which often leaves the westerner stunned. Koojo's example is just one try returning a faulty item to some vendors and they will likely just say 'why did you buy it in the first place?'

You are only 24 so stop think and plan ahead, as somebody once said: " those who fail to plan, plan to fail!"

Thanks for your concern however if it came to teaching English then I'd just rather head home as I honestly couldn't stand it!

The guy who I am running my garage with is Lao and has many good connections, he is also a really nice bloke and things are going very well I have many jobs in, many of which are botched jobs by local garages.

The Lao garages are on the whole terrible! There are of course exceptions but one of the main things is the langauge barrier...There is a large community of westerns here in Vientiane (A small city) who would much rather deal with another westerner.

Anyhow thanks again for your concern however at current all is going great and I actually have a waiting list of work

classic car restoration thailand

This is the business that my friend runs in Thailand, he is doing really well and inundated with work!

....but he is Thai is he not?

I think they are in Lao mate so his friend maybe a Lao and not Thai!

Anyway Super done a great travel thread on scooters with lots of pics so one of the new business should be well and truly in the pipe line.

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

My friends business is located in Sattahip Thailand, my friend is from the UK the same as myself.

Yes I'll get a thread going about my new venture when I get home, thanks for your kind comments

Ronin

We make our beds and then lie in them!

Someone once said to me though,s who never try never fail!

You never try you never know hey

Ronin

We make our beds and then lie in them!

Someone once said to me though,s who never try never fail!

Same difference if you are going to try then you still need to plan.

By the way quote from OP;

This is the business that my friend runs in Thailand, he is doing really well and inundated with work!

Plenty of planning and very little investment at current, thanks for your concern anyhow

[rickschoppers]

Super, I have been following your thread from the beginning and was glad to hear you made the move. As many have already said, it is not easily done to leave your homeland and try starting a new business in SEA. It sounds like you have a skill that is not often found in Laos or Thailand, for that matter and that may be why your friend is doing so well. There are definitely not as many car buffs in Laos as the UK or US, but maybe enough to support a small business like yours.

I often come over to Laos and would like to stop by your shop and take a look. If you could post up the coordinates, that would help everyone, including myself quite a bit. I have been heavily into restoring cars for quite some time and had a bike building business in Phoenix before the US economy took a dump.

I wish you the best of luck in your new business and hope it continues on the road of success. Also, I am sure your wife is glad to have you living in Laos. Great thread!!