Thread: Hey all! New here. Interested in opening a resort. Advise please.

So I've been to Thailand twice. Both times for full moon party primarily. Found the place very interesting. Been to Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Phuket. Lately, I've been giving a serious thought to opening a resort in one of the islands. Don't really have any preferences but the secluded the better. Ideal location would be - either on the beach or one of those hills visible from Patong Beach.

Since I don't have a background in hospitality, I'd prefer a smaller(but luxury) operation to begin with. I don't plan on purchasing. I won't be managing the business full time either. I would be there once every one or two months for a week at a time and plan to live on site when in Thailand. I'm flexible on initial investment but since this is gonna my first project in a new industry, the lower the better.

So let me know what you guys think. Also if anyone with significant experience is interested in managing the property, message me. I'm open to both, working partnership and salaried employment.

Simon, I've been reading your thread from 2011. Found it very useful. I just visited your page but can't seem to find the message option. Kindly inbox me if you're reading this.

Thanks everyone. Look forward to hear from you.

Good luck, esp if you've been to Thailand just twice with no background in hospitality and have some spare cash; would help if you also have a generous heart. Here's some free advice to hump around, trust noone but yourself.

You're either dumb as fuk or this is a really poor troll or a combination of both I guess.

That's not very helpful, guys. About the trust part, couldn't agree more.
Alright so I think you guys are surprised that why would someone enter a new market AND a new industry at the same time. Well, to begin with, I don't just jump in a new industry solely relying on someone else. I conduct extensive due diligence and only after I'm personally satisfied, I commit. And even after I'm satisfied, I keep my investment to the bare minimum.

Originally Posted by Shah

Don't really have any preferences but the secluded the better. Ideal location would be - either on the beach or one of those hills visible from Patong Beach.

So you have a a couple of million spare dollars or pounds? Sounds like fun, good luck..

Originally Posted by Shah

I don't plan on purchasing. I won't be managing the business full time either.

What will you do?

Originally Posted by uncle junior

What will you do?

Lose all his money, like hundreds of other dipshits.

Hello Smeg.

Hello Lulu.

Where is Simon43 the resort builder? He'll have some good advice.

Originally Posted by Begbie

Where is Simon43 the resort builder? He'll have some good advice.

From recollection, Simon's business model was leasing land near to the airport, then building and providing inexpensive transit type accommodation. That at a time when there was a scarcity of rooms close to the airport. That's not the case now, with a lot of building taking place, primarily I believe to service the Chinese.

All a moot point of course, as the OP is either seriously deluded or it's a boring Wednesday morning troll attempt.

Originally Posted by Shah

Since I don't have a background in hospitality, I'd prefer a smaller(but luxury) operation to begin with. I don't plan on purchasing. I won't be managing the business full time either. I would be there once every one or two months for a week at a time and plan to live on site when in Thailand. I'm flexible on initial investment but since this is gonna my first project in a new industry, the lower the better.

So you want to throw your money in the trash can then?

Weak troll attempt btw. Up your game

Hey Shah, what happens when your business acumen beats the odds and you have a roaring trade and your landlord visits to double your rent or the local bib decide you're worth a partnership? Will you bring out your lease to parry the landlord and bring in some heavies to dissuade the uniforms?

Do you know the language or how things work beyond the tourist visa? Do you have double indemnity?

Originally Posted by aging one

So you have a a couple of million spare dollars or pounds? Sounds like fun, good luck..

Couple million to rent a place for 8-10 room resort in Thailand? Well, good luck to a lot of people in that case.
My interest was based on some of the listings online for 100k to 200k Bahts/ Month.

Originally Posted by Shah

Couple million to rent a place for 8-10 room resort in Thailand? Well, good luck to a lot of people in that case.
My interest was based on some of the listings online for 100k to 200k Bahts/ Month.

Baht is not plural, and you did say beach or beach view on a hill. Thats what it is..

I have no idea why we are doubting this poster. He is a Shah after all, obviously loaded!

Originally Posted by Shah

Couple million to rent a place for 8-10 room resort in Thailand? Well, good luck to a lot of people in that case.

Originally Posted by Shah

My interest was based on some of the listings online for 100k to 200k Bahts/ Month.

So you'd rent some place for up to 200k Baht/USD6,000 per month/5,000 Euros in a country you've been to only twice and in an industry you have no experience of. Why? In order to try to make some money? It would seem unlikely. Or is there another reason? Perhaps trying to please a beautiful Thai woman you have fallen in love with?

Originally Posted by uncle junior

What will you do?

Pretty much everything besides engaging in day to day operation. Finding the best place for the purpose, hiring the best management under terms favorable to the establishment, provide a general policy, vision and goals both short term and long term, supervise remotely, promote the business both online and offline, et cetera.

Originally Posted by aging one

So you have a a couple of million spare dollars or pounds? Sounds like fun, good luck..

I think he has Rupees

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Lose all his money, like hundreds of other dipshits.

Alright so reckon you've never owned a business before. So here's the thing, don't rely solely on someone else's word. Second, conduct extensive research independent of someone who may have an interest in your investment. And when I say extensive, I mean it. To give you an example, I spent, on and off, over 4 months in Dubai researching 3 different businesses, spent thousands of dollars in the process and ended up choosing a completely different business based on the feedback. And most importantly, don't bet your your life savings on the business irrespective of how profitable it seems.

Personally, I don't believe in this bullshit that you must know business and the industry inside out before you invest your own money.

Originally Posted by jabir

Hey Shah, what happens when your business acumen beats the odds and you have a roaring trade and your landlord visits to double your rent or the local bib decide you're worth a partnership? Will you bring out your lease to parry the landlord and bring in some heavies to dissuade the uniforms?

Do you know the language or how things work beyond the tourist visa? Do you have double indemnity?

Don't know any of that. Hence the advise. Thing is, I may be able deal with these people but the biggest obstacle is I don't know the language and doubt I can rely on some random local. How do the other expats deal with these kind of situations?

Originally Posted by aging one

Baht is not plural, and you did say beach or beach view on a hill. Thats what it is..

Thank you, Professor. Still doubt it's couple million to rent.

Originally Posted by Neverna

So you'd rent some place for up to 200k Baht/USD6,000 per month/5,000 Euros in a country you've been to only twice and in an industry you have no experience of. Why? In order to try to make some money? It would seem unlikely. Or is there another reason? Perhaps trying to please a beautiful Thai woman you have fallen in love with?

Very observant. Alright so it's definitely got nothing to do with love to begin with. While the end goal is definitely making some money - in the short term, you're right, it's not about money. Hell, I'd be thankful if I even break even.
The immediate goals of the business would be to:

1. Explore a different market.
2. Explore a new industry.
3. A lifestyle/hobby.

So let me elaborate on that. Thailand is a relatively stable market and there's more to it than just hospitality industry. This venture may lead to other opportunities. Then there's hospitality industry, well, if I like it, that gives me plenty opportunities to expand. Lastly I'd like a place of my own to vacation. So the thing is I'd like to vacation every month or two for a week to 10 days and I don't quite like doing those touristy things on vacation. So if I own a small business, I could vacation at my own place and still have something to do. Lastly, if all fails, I'd have learned some valuable lessons the hard way.

Tell me when it's open and I'll come down and do a runner from it

Another Pie entrepreneur.