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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    Simon43's Avatar
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    Where to live in Thailand? I'm so indecisive! (or am I?)

    The problem is that because of my ability to teach online from almost anywhere in the world (mobile internet speeds/coverage having improved hugely over the years), I am spoilt for choice where to live, and the choice of different locations fly around inside my head and I change my decision every other minute!

    Perhaps TS members can firmly put my mind at rest with their recommendation between 2 options that I'm considering. I should emphasize that I am only looking in Thailand. The idea of living in a different country is not in my thoughts, (but ask me again next week!!).

    I have been living in Pattaya since returning to Thailand 2 months ago. The reason was simply that I needed to sort out my visa at their immigration office, AND wait the delivery of various parcels from Lazada and Aliexpress (scientific project items, no sex dolls.....). Tomorrow I collect my long-term rental car, wait for the final parcel due to arrive next week, and then point my car either north or south.

    The 2 locations are somewhere close to the Mekong river in Isaan, or a property on Samui island, (so 2 very different locations). I have been offered a small, private house in south Samui for 10,000 baht/month, 300 metres from the beach, and with lots of land for my radio antennas. In Isaan, I am confident of finding a cheap house to rent.

    Where would you live?

    I tend to avoid other foreigners, because I find them either glass-half-empty sort of folk, or their permanent scowls are depressing. So 'remote' Isaan scores well

    I like to run/jog in the early morning (Pattaya beach promenade is great for that). But I prefer rural locations, which discounts Pattaya. (Rural because I like nature and there is less electrical noise to interfere with my radio hobby).

    I enjoy karaoke bars/singing, but am too old for discos/clubs, hmmmm maybe Isaan again

    I like to walk on a nice beach, but rarely swim. So Samui sounds good.

    I prefer Thai food, I'm sure both locations score OK on this point.

    In 3 years from now, I start to draw my meagre UK state pension, and I have no idea when/if I will stop teaching. If I had to live solely on my pension income, then that would work fine in Isaan, but probably not in Samui. Who knows what will happen.....

    I enjoy being tied up and beaten by sadistic young Thai women (that is an exaggeration for those without a SoH...) The cost is probably much less in Isaan!

    I'm fit and healthy now - both locations are not that close to a decent hospital. Something maybe to consider.

    Er what else? I don't know (or maybe I do... no I don't!!).

    Of course, there are many other great locations to choose from in Thailand. I have discounted some as being too close to ex-wives (who will come begging for $ etc), or too close to my Thai nieces (who will come begging for $), or too urban. Decisions, decisions....
    Groping women when you're old is fine - everyone thinks you're senile

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Sounds like the backwaters of Isaan are made for you.

    You could attend HermitCon....

  3. #3
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    Simon43's Avatar
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    ^^^

    The one with the red hair looks like Candy, my old sex doll......

  4. #4
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    I don't know (or maybe I do... no I don't!!).
    You do know. Just fishing for reinforcement.

  5. #5
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    Khanom/ Si-chon
    much cheaper than Samui and laid back, but you can go across on the ferry to get your end away when ever you fancy it. also nice low key vibe
    believe the nakorn immigration are cunts though

  6. #6
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    ^^+1 on that. Heed the advice of the sage Mr. Norton.

    I think it's Isaan for you, Simon. Can you pick a town/ location which is near the Mekong but relatively near a good hospital? Around 30 min or 1 hour away? As you (we) get older, health issues become more important.

    Best of luck in your search.

    Happy Sunday to everyone. My neighbour is singing karaoke. Fortunately, she's a good singer. She's also singing songs that I'm familiar with, so I just sing along quietly. Heh.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat
    aging one's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    You do know. Just fishing for reinforcement.
    That be true, also looking for a bit of attention which you so often do. Truthfully you dont come across as a person who takes advice.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
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    Think I’m gonna live in the area of Don Mueang airport. Got a house picked out already. Some old geezer is living there right now with his wife. Thinking if I take him for walks once in a while his wife will let me live there for free. His daughters are already grown and moved out so for sure there’s a spare bedroom or two. Rumor has it all I have to do is tell him the 49ers or Warriors are great a couple times a day and I’ll even get free internet.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
    Simon43's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Storekeeper View Post
    Think I’m gonna live in the area of Don Mueang airport. Got a house picked out already. Some old geezer is living there right now with his wife. Thinking if I take him for walks once in a while his wife will let me live there for free. His daughters are already grown and moved out so for sure there’s a spare bedroom or two. Rumor has it all I have to do is tell him the 49ers or Warriors are great a couple times a day and I’ll even get free internet.

    A rich British chap in Samui offered to let me stay for free in his very expensive house (actually 2 houses on the same land plot with a big swimming pool, 5-star stuff etc). Normal monthly rent would be maybe 60-80 k baht. He lives in the UK and needs someone to 'house-sit' until he retires in a few years. I just have to make sure that the houses are OK, no water leaks etc etc. Tempting? Anyone with DIY skills interested?

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    That be true, also looking for a bit of attention which you so often do. Truthfully you dont come across as a person who takes advice.


    I take good advice onboard. Katie seems the sort of person who gives good advice. Perhaps others don't give good advice...

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
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    Having been there a few times now, I quite like Kanchanaburi. Quite scenic, and of course the Rivers Kwai Yai and Noi as well as easy access to some good national parks. The town has pretty much all you need for day to day living, good selection of shops and restaurants. There's a small Western expat scene, with the accompanying social services for when needs must, and around 2 hours from Bangkok.

  12. #12
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    ^^thanks for the compliment, Simon. I sometimes give good advice but not necessarily follow them myself. Heh.

    Re: the Samui house sitting offer, I think that's a good one. You can stay there while you figure things out. If the property doesn't have internet, then just pay for internet connection.

    Re: DIY skills, if the repairs are beyond your skill set, you could always hire someone local. Think of it as rent expenses.

    I think chas/ switch had a similar deal in Bali before. He acted as property manager/ caretaker for the shared villa. (correct me if I'm wrong)

    @storekeeper - I think I know which geezer you're referring to. Is he a good cook and did he renovate his house/ balcony recently?

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    A rich British chap in Samui offered to let me stay for free in his very expensive house...
    If I was single, didn't have young daughter settled in a decent school, didn't work offshore therefore require someone to look after my daughter when I'm away, didn't have a gardener and seven dogs reliant on me (plus a further fifteen or so 'outside' dogs), I would already be driving down the hill from Korat for the last time and heading to Samui before someone else snapped up that house sitting offer. I wouldn't even take a final glance at Isaan in the rear view mirror.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    If I was single, didn't have young daughter settled in a decent school, didn't work offshore therefore require someone to look after my daughter when I'm away, didn't have a gardener and seven dogs reliant on me (plus a further fifteen or so 'outside' dogs), I would already be driving down the hill from Korat for the last time and heading to Samui before someone else snapped up that house sitting offer. I wouldn't even take a final glance at Isaan in the rear view mirror.


  15. #15
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    ^Yet another indispensable post.




    Mendip has mentioned several times that he has little or no affection for Korat.

  16. #16
    Making people dance. :-)
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    I just have to make sure that the houses are OK, no water leaks etc etc. Tempting? Anyone with DIY skills interested?
    I am.

    PM me and let's make it happen.





    Quote Originally Posted by PAG View Post
    Having been there a few times now, I quite like Kanchanaburi.
    Good call.

    Nice place, with above average western amenities for a smallish town due to the whole river Kwai tourist thing. A few good bookshops due to the backpackers coming through selling/swapping their books.

    Though iirc the hot season is unrelenting and extreme, as is the regional sugar cane burning season which turns the air into orange ash.

    Breathing orange ash as opposed to air is probably seen more as a con than a pro. And the endless overladen trucks mess up all the roads.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
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    My DIY skills are good (I built a house in the UK and 4 small hotels in Thailand - remember the city and country resort threads? None of them have fallen down so far! I am good at many things except cooking, playing a musical instrument and sex, in no particular order.

    Never look a gift horse in the mouth? Well, also remember some things are too good to be true I hear that there is a local Thai family involved to date with some appalling maintenance on the houses, fleecing the rich guy for money and bodging the work. Don't mess with a Thai's rice bowl is another saying....

    I have ample experience of sorting out the DIY mess that my dysfunctional Thai family were highly skilled in achieving, and I have no desire to involve myself in that kind of scenario again. I learnt many years ago, that if someone is going to fcuk something up, then it is far better if it is yourself who fcuks it up, rather than some other person.

    So I'd rather pay a fair rent and have zero obligations to the house-owner etc....

    Samui is tempting, but not hugely tempting when I think with a level head.

  18. #18
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Just remember Mao - no coolant in the fuse boxes, even if they seem a bit warm.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Edmond View Post

    Good call.

    Nice place, with above average western amenities for a smallish town due to the whole river Kwai tourist thing. A few good bookshops due to the backpackers coming through selling/swapping their books.

    Though iirc the hot season is unrelenting and extreme, as is the regional sugar cane burning season which turns the air into orange ash.

    Breathing orange ash as opposed to air is probably seen more as a con than a pro. And the endless overladen trucks mess up all the roads.
    Take your word for it, obviously I haven't been there during those applicable periods. I'd probably want to live 5 to 10 km from Muang, so not too rural.

  20. #20
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    Surely in the first instance its about your list of priorities, not all places are created equal.

    Good internet connection?
    Power Outages?
    Access to shops?
    Immigration access?
    Access to Hospitals?
    Access to Airport?

    etc etc.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
    Surely in the first instance its about your list of priorities, not all places are created equal.

    etc etc.

    Indeed!

    Good internet connection? - Usually no issues at all nowadays. I use 4g which is more than adequate. I check the nperf website for 4g coverage
    Power Outages? - I have a large 12 volt battery and power inverter (I use for my radio transmitter). Outages don't affect me!
    Access to shops? - I eat salads, fresh food, Thai food. No fast food, no 'western' food (except a good Indian curry perhaps)
    Immigration access? Immigration? I never go. Nowadays I pay an agent to do everything.
    Access to Hospitals? - The only issue really. I'm fit and healthy, but who knows what might happen in the future
    Access to Airport? - I have a car to drive to the nearest airport. I currently have no time for holidays or trips. Trying to fit in driving from Pattaya to my new destination is a pita....

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
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    ^ OK but you are asking for advice without offering TD advisors any hints at what your locational requirements must have - given your comment about free posh digs in Samui its case and thread closed.

    EDIT

    Is he paying the gas, water & electric?

  23. #23
    Making people dance. :-)
    Edmond's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    I currently have no time for holidays
    Life should be a holiday. Especially in one's advanced years. You have the great option of being able to work the hours you want in any location you want.

    Live near a clean beach, with nearby mountains and nature, not too big that the locals are burned-out with life, and not too small to not have some Western amenities.


    PS. Send me the name of that place when ya find it, I'm half looking at a change of base for the next 10-15 years. Condos for sale with roof top pool a definite advantage.

  24. #24
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    ^ You aren't taking Edwina to the old country for an education then?

  25. #25
    Making people dance. :-)
    Edmond's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by malmomike77 View Post
    education
    Overrated.

    Learn through the independent freedom of being locked outside 8 hours a day.

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