khunPer

Carsten,

Concerning money and cards:

Best you can do is to bring Visa/Dankort and Mastercard, they can be used in all ATM-machines (Danish: Pengeautomat), which are outside almost every Seven-eleven or like 24-hour store and lots of other places, including banks. Always cash the 10.000 baht maximum as there are fixed fees in both ends, Thailand and your Danish bank, so by cashing less you will just pay a higher fee. Visa gives you a slightly better exchange rate than Mastercard. Mind you there are limits on your cards of how much you can cash within 24-hours and within 30 days – check with your bank or Internet, for example Mastercard Gold has a higher limit than Visa.

Bringing cash then choose Danish kroner, so you don’t have to change through two currencies – i.e. DKK to EUR or USD, and EUR or USD to THB – you can change DKK in all banks and exchange bureaus. Don’t buy Thai bath from home, the exchange rate is slightly better in Thailand. You do not need to bring too much cash, unless you have a specific reason for it. You may not need traveller’s cheques, a bit old-fashioned today and may cost you more.

Some banks will not allow you to open an account as tourist without a more permanent address in Thailand approved by a Letter from Thai Immigration. Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn Bank is the best options for an account opened with a passport only. Ask for an ATM Card – they will give you a cash card only, no credit – which you can use in all ATM machines. Thai banks works little different from “home”, so if you open an account in a Hun Hin branch, you “belong” in that area/province, and when cashing in another province you may be charged a fixed fee of 20 baht (some 3 to 4 kroner) even when using “your own bank”.

If you have Internet banking from home, for example NetBank, and can do foreign transfer – which you can have your Danish bank to open for you for a minor fee – you can transfer directly into a Thai bank account. Transfer time is around four bank days for normal transfer. With Nordea NetBank for example you can transfer unlimited amounts for a fixed fee of 40 Danish kroner. Choose only to pay the Danish fee, and let the Thai bank charge the foreign fee, as you otherwise may pay double fees, as the Thai bank will charge a fee anyway, even you have paid the foreign fee from home. Using a Thai bank account with ATM card and Internet bank transfer is the cheapest way to cash your financial needs in Thailand. Don’t expect guesthouses, smaller restaurants and shops to accept plastic cards, however there is often an ATM within close walking distance, you will always need cash money in your pocket in Thailand.

Internet:

Most guesthouses today offers free wifi and in many shopping malls and at cafés you can find free wifi as well. For a laptop you can buy an USB-stick working both GSM and 3G (where available), for example from the companies DTAC (TeleNord) or AIS (One-two-call). The stick has build in auto install software for modem connection and works fine. I think the price is still around 2,000 baht including the first three or six month use.

There may be other or better solutions, which I’m sure some other forum members may be able to inform you about.

If you bring an unlocked mobile phone or dongle you can buy SIM card for prepaid calls, there are cards available for combined phone and Internet, using the mobile or dongle as modem connection for your laptop. You can also use a Thai SIM card in a tablet. Use a Thai SIM/number for phone rather than roaming your Danish number. International calls on Thai SIM are fairly cheap; around 10 baht/minute for Denmark; some services offers the calls for less, for example using 008 in front of an number (00845…) with One-two-call.

In general about Western Food:

Many – if not most – restaurant have some Western dishes on the menu (may not always be exactly the same as you are used to at home, you are in Thailand). Seven-eleven, Family Mart, Tesco Express and the like 24-hours stores, which you find almost everywhere, have a small selection of Western food; you can for example buy farm products (milk, yoghurt, butter, cheese), bread, ham, salami etc. – especially in the tourist areas.

If you are scared of spicy Thai food in restaurants, don’t be: many dishes are not spicy at all and a real gourmet experience, even in small local almost street kitchen restaurants.

You can search and find a lot of information on the Internet, but the real good bargains, local shops and small restaurants with delicious food are not “on-line” – you may only find them being there.

Wish you good luck, Per.

Found this online;

A recent change to the regulations means that all new constructions must have peaked roofs, rather than flat ones.

Stage 1 – up to 10 metres of the beach

No construction is permitted in Stage 1

Stage 2 – up to 50 metres from the beach

Single storey buildings up to a height of 6 metres (including the roof), and no more than 75 square metres floor space can be built on Stage 2 land.

Stage 3 – up to 200 metres from the beach

Larger buildings up to 12 metres high and to a size not exceeding 2000 square metres can be built on Stage 3 classified land.

Stage 4 – more than 200 metres from the beach

Buildings up to 12 metres high, no restriction on size.

Right, but you also need to look at the different zones. Some part of a beach can be in a so-called “town-zone” and building restriction says: 2 meter inside own land from public area/road; 3 meter from water; ½ meter from neighbour (if no openings/windows); maximum 12 meters high, which can be four store; cannot remember size but much more than 75 sq.m., may be the 2,000 sq.m.

Fisherman Village is an example, and also at the middle part of Maenam Bay Beach, one or two hundred meters each side of “the old pier” with the Koh Phangan ferry.

On Stage2 there is also a separation rule between each building (think it’s 6 or 10 meters) and that they cannot be connected with for example a roof covered walk way.

The change dates back to around 2005 or 2006.

Hello Carsten,

Welcome to ThaiVisa Forum.

I’m from Denmark also, but do not stay in Hua Hin – have been there – so I cannot answer specific local questions, but a few in general.

»I start looking at the Hua Hin area, mainly because it was easy to find information on the internet. But how is the weather in May. Is it to rainy or do you suggest that I stay to the end of the month?«

April to June is the hottest months and normally not much rain in Southern Thailand apart from a few showers. March can be quite hot also.

»...will there be better places to stay in Thailand?«

Yes and no – it really depends of what you are looking for. Some people love Hua Hin, others had, had it. Being a first timer some three month in Land of Smiles, and on early retirement with perhaps the intention of coming back every year or even settle here, I would suggest you take “a look around” – meaning, try Hua Hin for a week or two and visit some of the potential other places, and when you have been at some, then spent the last month or two at your preferred place to test how it works for a longer period.

If you are looking for both beach and a bit cosy (Danish: hyggelig) area, there may be many options both around the Hun Hin area and further South, either on mainland or some of the islands like Phuket and Samui. When I came to Thailand I did that before I decided where to settle, and I am very happy I did visit Hua Hin, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and more places several times. You can find a lot of information and preparation on the Internet, but often it is much better just to go there, take a guesthouse room or rent a bungalow a couple of days and look around for the best place to spend a week or two. Most places you will be able to pop into other “long-time” foreigners, who gladly will tell you about the area, transport, shopping, places to rent or stay etc.

»How fast and stable can I expect the internet to be in the Suan Son Beach area?«

In general the problem is the speed from South East Asia to Denmark, where Danish Radio has their server. Sometimes the connection may be slow, however for radio streaming normally Okay, but for TV-streaming it can be quite difficult at times.

I wish you good luck. If you have any questions please ask, I am sure the TVForum-members will be happy to help you.

Ups – sorry folks – may be all the money I just moved in to invest in underpriced Thai stocks...!

Slow Internet from Thailand out in the big World is a common problem. May even not be Thailand to blame only, as international routers – the Internet highway – cannot cope with the traffic. For example had the whole of South East Asia speed problems some years ago, when the three out of four optical cables were hit by an earthquake near Taiwan, all backbones (other routes) were overloaded, as many servers are in US or Europe. A few years later speed problems again, as some “stole” one of the fibre optic cables. A funny story, as a company had bought the old copper cable as scratch as were winding it up, but at same time the ships crew found the new replacement – a much more valuable fibre cable – and decided to take that up as well. Nobody noticed until the number of slow speed complaints from users made someone in charge suspicious, but then the fibre cable was already gone.

Another domestic problem may be the local connection speed. You get what you pay for, so a cheap 7 or 10 mb connection may not be for you only, but the speed shared between up to 10 users. Some times during day or week you may have slower speed, as your “sharing friends” have decided to sit and download same time a you. You can buy 7 or 10 mb for 590 baht a month, but shared, and you can but 7 or 10 MegaBit for some 2,000 baht and up, being a kind of “private line”.

It did try to check speed tests on my ADSL-line some years back, no problem up to the local proxy (somewhere close or at least inside Thailand), but to Europe slower than an old-fashioned modem.

But be happy – just think 10 years back, when a so-called “high speed” connection in the Internet shops we used at that time was 58 kb telephone modem – a lot has improved…!

Wooden designer beds in “Harvest” and “Yachon” brand from Apina in Chiang Mai (apina.co.th), can be found at “Green House” on the Tesco-side of the Ring Road between the two Chaweng-area traffic lights, between Tesco and Chaweng Noi at Lamai-direction.

I think the "Green House" .... is no longer, unless they have moved location... (?) They did have a fairly good selection... of furniture, from what I remember...

Really the OP or anyone needs to shop around, listing various prices from several stores, and compare "apples with apples"! Non of these stores are that far apart ! A few hours of time, not a big deal for major purchases like this ... One would do that in one's own country too!

This is big news – Green House was still there at the usual spot about a week ago.

Oh .... thought last time we were suggesting furniture places a while back, some one said it was closed.... it seemed to have windows papered over last time I saw it... perhaps they were doing a make over!

Stand corrected then ! ... carry on!

Yes, seen that too many times and in the beginning thought they were gone for ever, I think it’s some kind of curtains they use when closed and perhaps also as sunshade to protect the exhibition.

Wooden designer beds in “Harvest” and “Yachon” brand from Apina in Chiang Mai (apina.co.th), can be found at “Green House” on the Tesco-side of the Ring Road between the two Chaweng-area traffic lights, between Tesco and Chaweng Noi at Lamai-direction.

I think the "Green House" .... is no longer, unless they have moved location... (?) They did have a fairly good selection... of furniture, from what I remember...

Really the OP or anyone needs to shop around, listing various prices from several stores, and compare "apples with apples"! Non of these stores are that far apart ! A few hours of time, not a big deal for major purchases like this ... One would do that in one's own country too!

This is big news – Green House was still there at the usual spot about a week ago.

When I lived in Koh Samui over 10 years ago the international schools were a joke and basically taught how to play computer games but 10 years later I wouldn't expect them to be so much better. It would certainly depend on the management of the school and that could be great anywhere that Thai people are not directly involved.. Sorry to say. But unfortunately so many private schools around Thailand are just not that legit. I would always say good luck to anyone attempting to depend on schools in this country to educate there kids if they want a real western education. It will certainly have most to do with the child's personal motivation.

Go to suratthani for more choices and better price.

The downside with buying from surat is that if you have any problems, you'll have to go back to surat.

But homepro has identical price in any outlets in the country.

Your best option is to just buy here in samui and let them install it for you.

Index shop in maenam also have good selections of pocket spring mattresses and beds and other furniture. Index prices should also be the same all over the country. If you're lucky, they may have some promotions going on.

I recommend you to stay away from those "cheap-charlie" no brand furniture outlets. The quality is usually shit and being a farang, you won't get a good price on anything.

Better to buy from reputable outlets which you can go back to if there's any problems.

Rule of thumb nowadays is usually that you get what you pay for. (most of the time)

The real benefit from a place like HomePro is “Service” – if you have a problem, they will help you with a smile.

Buying from smaller Thai-shops, you may get into the “Loss Face”-thing discussions, in case you may have any complaints – meaning, if something is wrong, but another from another store.

And right, bringing stuff in from Surat Thani – apart from a few brand names like for example Samsung, where there is a local service centre on Koh Samui (near Big C) – means you have to get back to Surat Thani in case of any service. Furthermore many prices may today be the same on Samui – now having chain stores like HomePro, Tesco, Big C etc. – in “old time” one could gain or save a lot from a trip to Surat Thani.

If you go to Homepro, ask for a discount card first.... you'll save a bit having that... (probably just for items not on sale) probably your best local bet for bedding stuff and decent mattress....they always seem to have them on sale Sealy I think, but still not cheap! )

Fridges, microwaves, TV .... blah blah ..... check around... Siresin, near Makro will probably offer a better deal on a package of items...or even single items if you negotiate a bit.... family run store, unlike Tesco Home pro, etc.... I found they were good to deal with for that kind of stuff.... delivery and set up too.

For tiles, the shop on the left side, after Maenam, in Ban Tai area, usually has good prices and selection to choose from...

But spend a bit of time looking around and price compare! .... Chain stores in Surat city will be the same prices as here... (Tesco, Hompro, Big C etc) ....

You can also bargain prices in HomePro – but may depend of how much you buy, for example buy it all at HomePro – and on top get points in your HomePro card.

Are the Thai language private schools really that terrible?

I think it really depends of where you are and the fee you pay. Where I live, Koh Samui, there is a number of Private Schools and an International. One of the private schools, which has a quite reasonable low fee and is widely used by Thais, seems for example to have a bad reputation when it comes to English language – the are said to use Philippine teachers – whilst a Thai English Programme School, with a bit higher fee, but still less than an International School, the students are hitting number one in language competitions, like in “South of Thailand”. Furthermore it seems like the kids in a Thai English Programme School can catch up extremely well in other skills like math and science compared to the International School. The Thai School of course focus a lot on teaching Thai language and the typical Thai traditions.

Another thing about schooling, apart from question of what the parents can afford – and here I am meaning the annual fee of some 500,000 baht or more may be a lot for some families, especially if they have more than one child – is if you staying permanent in Thailand and expect your child’s future to be within Thailand, or you are on the move between several employments in foreign countries. In that case focus on an International School with less Thai skills and traditions may be preferred, as Thailand shall not be the future destination for the family and further education at University may be in another country or in your original home country.

Furthermore it may also depend on the home – meaning dad and mum – what kind of interest you may turn your kid to; if you teach something or how the family behave; what you talk about and how you answer the child’s questions etc. A foreign, or mixed farang-Thai family may focus on other things than a Thai-Thai family. Not in any way judging what is best or right, but someone coming from abroad – like the one part in a mixed family – may well give a child other inputs and create other interests, than a child from a Thai-Thai family get.

The OP doesnt mention where, other than provinces, and school level. I wrote from and your can find a English Programme School for 120,000 at Primary level an International School, where I live, vary from 220,000 to 430,000 baht depending of age for primary, plus joining fee and all the extras.

Perhaps you're missing my point.

It is my opinion that there are fewer than a dozen decent schools in the kingdom, the rest are in effect worthless, at least compared to what's available for free back home.

Therefore coming to live in Thailand when you have school-age children is something a responsible parent would do only if they could afford the 600-800K THB per child tuition.

If not, then they are being irresponsible and should leave their kids in farangland, and only come here on holidays until the kids are out of school.

Some people may also be willing and able to home school.

Maybe very true, but I am not at all judging the one school from the other or express any opinion about what may be better or the best, just try top answer the OP’s simple question about pricing for settling in a Thai province, which I presume is outside of Bangkok. Some places it may be hard to find a certified International School, unless the OP is considering a boarding school in for example Bangkok, but other options like Private English Programme schools may be available.

And I must admit, I did not read the OP’s headline carefully enough, as the age of the two kids are stated there, 7 and 9 – sorry. As example from where I live in South, an International School charge 317k for 7-9 year old kids, non refundable joining fee 75k, lunch 17k, transport by school bus from 42k to 75k depending of distance, 2^nd child 10% discount, some other expenses and fees for uniform, extra lessons etc.

So yes, International School may (easily) cost from some 450,000 baht and up per year per child.

I live in Thailand, have a daughter in school and have build and furnished a house recently. My experience in reply to our questions is:

»1) Cost of schools in the provinces, international preferred«

An English Programme School or International School at Primary level will cost from 120,000 bath per term, plus books around 5,000 baht, plus uniforms (count 5,000), plus eventually school bus (count 10,000), and add 5,000 baht extra for this-and-that (dress for performance at Kings and Queens birthday, Xmas party, excursion etc.). All together something like 140,000+ per term.

Not even close for a proper international school.

Only acceptable IMO if your child will be only living and working in Thailand rest of her life.

Or if you honestly don't care about her academic foundations, willing to accept her working in low-end jobs.

Obviously particularly gifted or ambitious students can rise above their surroundings, but for normal kids a quality education can make a huge difference.

The OP doesn’t mention where, other than provinces, and school level. I wrote “from” and your can find a English Programme School for 120,000 at Primary level – an International School, where I live, vary from 220,000 to 430,000 baht depending of age for primary, plus joining fee and all the extras.

You can find it all one-stop in HomePro at the Tesco-Lotus centre in Bophut (Chaweng).

They will deliver free; install your nice kitchen, selected from a variety of designs; install the aircon; and set up your TV and fridge – however, they may not make glue your tiles to the floor, but they may be able to refer to someone who can do it.

Other possibilities are to shop around in special shops. Siri-something next to Makro (Tesco direction) at Bophut offer a huge brand-name selection of aircons, TVs and fridges. Fathawepon Décor between to the Fisherman Village traffic light and PPT gasoline station (Maenam/Nathon direction) sells high quality tiles. They also have some kitchen stuff.

There are a few dedicated kitchen suppliers, however the only ones I know of are in Maenam area.

Wish you good luck.

I live in Thailand, have a daughter in school and have build and furnished a house recently. My experience in reply to our questions is:

»1) Cost of schools in the provinces, international preferred«

An English Programme School or International School at Primary level will cost from 120,000 bath per term, plus books around 5,000 baht, plus uniforms (count 5,000), plus eventually school bus (count 10,000), and add 5,000 baht extra for this-and-that (dress for performance at Kings and Queens birthday, Xmas party, excursion etc.). All together something like 140,000+ per term.

»2) Cost of sofa«

Anything from around 10,000 baht and up, depending of quality and fabric/leather. You can find a very basic cheap thing for some 5,000 baht, and a nice L-shaped for 15,000.

»3) Cost of Fridge«

A smaller fridge around 6,000 baht; fridge with build-in freezer count 10,000 baht and up; American-style double door fridge/freezer with automatic ice machine from around 40,000 to 90,000 baht.

»4) Cost of Bed«

That is really depending of mattress and design. Some time you buy bed and mattress separate and some time they come in one deal. A very basic bed may cost around 5,000 baht and a mattress from some 6,000. A well made wooden or designer bed from 20,000 and up, and a good mattress from 15,000 to some 60,000 baht. (You will often see a bargain discount offered, but probably never sold at full price.)

»5) Rental of 2 bed property«

Really depending of where, size and standard, but if you count 15,000 to 20,000 baht a month, you can always find something. Some places come furnished or partly furnished. Add another 2,000 or 3,000 baht for electric, water and Internet, depending of your use of aircon and speed of Internet it may be more. Some areas you can rent a nice 2-bed house for less than 10,000 baht, other places you may pay 30,000 or more – a 2-bed prime location can be over 100,000 baht a month. If you rent for a longer term and prepay, you can often squeeze the price, but don’t expect any refund if you move out before end of term.

Wish you good luck

I learn a lot about LoS and other expats from TVForum, but sometime also waste a lot of time, which of course is only myself to blame for – however the news section is good to keep track of what's going on in Thailand – so happily sums up with a lot more in plus than minus.

»… Chong Mon is good. Or Bophut? Which of them has better renting options plus restaurants?»

Bo Phut has better options, and another possibility is Rang Rak between Bo Phut and Big Buddha; but there are many beaches with both affordable renting options and many restaurants.

As other posters said, it’s depending of what you are looking for and if you have transportation, for example plan to rent a motorbike.

If you want something very quiet and affordable West coast and South are good options, but far from nightlife and the many restaurants. Most beaches at the North coast offer both options. If you want crowd and party then Chaweng or eventually Lamai.

If I could have charged 10 baht every time I have been asked that question – if I can find a good farang for a Thai lady – I would be probably rich by now.

As suggested in a post above, a serious dating profile may be a good suggestion.

No steel reinforcement at all ?

I was thinking the same thing....but doesn't the robot do that also?

Phanteon in Rome is build in concrete without steel reinforcement – it’s still standing strong after 1,894 years (build 120 as Jupiter Temple, converted to church about year 600).

From Wikipedia: »Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus [circular 9 m/27 ft wide light hole at top of the dome] and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft).«

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome

Believe you can build in concrete without steel, if you do the right concrete mix – as the Romans did it.

Thats all well and good KhunPer but Iam almost certain it was not built in a day.

Sure, right – Rome was not build in one day...!

PS: One main factor in concrete, from what I've learned, is the curing – need 28 days to cure.

No steel reinforcement at all ?

I was thinking the same thing....but doesn't the robot do that also?

Phanteon in Rome is build in concrete without steel reinforcement – it’s still standing strong after 1,894 years (build 120 as Jupiter Temple, converted to church about year 600).

From Wikipedia: »Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus [circular 9 m/27 ft wide light hole at top of the dome] and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft).«

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome

Believe you can build in concrete without steel, if you do the right concrete mix – as the Romans did it.

From my understanding from Thai lawyers, Thai Law and a possible Last Will in Thailand shall handle any assets within Thailand. US Law and any Last Will there shall cover assets in USA.

The OP’s friend will need to find out about existence of Last Will and relatives in US; the USA-embassy may be first place to contact.

I don’t know about US, but in some countries the Law limits what is possible to write in a Will, i.e. a spouse/wife and/or child/children cannot be disinherited if the Law states a minimum of 20 percent; for example to be shared equally between the children.

A Lawyer may be advisable, preferably one with knowledge to both Thai and US Law.

Woow – cool – now you house will look like the drawing

Sin Sot and monthly support are always subjects that create big discussion, as it for many foreigners are against our culture. However 1500 US$ (some 45,000 baht) a month do sound as quite a bit, but all have individual demands. Often a Thai man will show that he can provide for a family by making regular monthly payments for a period, which can be a couple of years, before a wedding.

I will, as other posters, also recommend you read the book “Thailand Fever” (se more at thailandfever.com). Furthermore i suggest you read Phil Nicks’ book “Love Entrepreneurs” (Monsoon 978-981-05-9211-0).

Relationship based on money – combined with love – may work very fine; or may just be a scam, however difficult to see when blindfolded by love. Sin Sot is both a tradition and a make face in the local society – especially when the daughter’s husband to be is a farang. Sin Sot is based on a negotiation, but the money have to be shown at the local wedding party – it is often a major part of the ceremony to count the money (slowly) in public – sometimes it can be agreed, that the money, or part of the money, is returned after the ceremony. Anything less than 100,000 from a farang will be a “loose face”. Thai-Thai couples may show anything from around 100,000 and up to several millions, depending of social rank and status of the bride.

The village ceremony, which is cultural but not an official marriage unless certified at the Amphor (paperwork at District Office), are normally paid for by the groom – but that can vary and sometimes there will be two parties in both the bride’s and the groom’s home, where the party from the groom’s home will walk in procession to the bride. Guests at the party will either hand over an envelope with money or tie a band with a money note to the marriage couple’s wrists; that money is normally used as (partly) payment for the wedding party. I presume, that when the groom is a (rich) farang, that recieved money at the party may be minor. Traditional practice may vary from community to community, and also social rank.

What I am saying is based on my observations through the about 10 years I’ve been staying in Thailand. I attach a Sin Sot picture from one of the typical Thai-Thai weddings I’ve been invited to.

But do yourself a favour and read the two books, they may improve your understanding and be good help for a lucky Thai-relationship.

I wish you all the best for your future plans.