Boxclever

This is great news!

I live in Thailand but have worked in Phnom Penh the past 2 years (Construction Manager for Vattanac Tower).

Look forward to contributing to this forum.

There isn't really enough information on the reasons why your friend isn't considering the option of going back to Oz to offer any sound advice. Did you ever consider asking him?

If his savings are going to last just another month in Thailand, I would think they'd last about a week down under and thats not even including airfare so where would he get the funds to move back and try to find a job?

The fact that your concerned makes you a good friend. You can give him advice but he'll have to figure the rest out on his own.

That's just it, as soon as the option of going back to Oz was raised he completely dismissed the idea!

He won't even concider the idea. Next he'll be asking for loans.

What about the rest of the Thai family, can they provide any backup or is he out there alone? If there is any well working family network in the backround a further stay "may" be at least a little reasonable. But when he´s basically alone, what´s left to keep him here? He has no rights, what about the visa, who owns the house, everything will fall apart and any return home will be very difficult without any funds left. Is there any family back home which is ready to help him outta this mess if necessary? They even might be able to convince him to do the right thing now!

For a seven year old it might be really hard to accept such a change of life. My wife moved from China to Thailand when she was eight, she still tells me what kind of horror it was for her, but the wellbeing of the whole family might depend on that drastic move.

It sounds like a disaster is waiting to happen if nothing changes, after one year of looking for a job it might not happen the next month very likely

Edit: In the case of my wife moving from China to Thailand she stated that at that time noone was prepared or ready to give any assistance in her attempt to integrate into the Thai system. In Australia that should be not the case i guess, less hardship at least.

Yes there is a Thai family around him (his deceased wife's) and they do help with day-to-day living but they cost him a fortune!

I've met them and they are quite nice people but for the past 10 years he has supported them all financially so now they expect the money forever.

Yes it's a disaster waiting to happen, unless he gets a job in the next few weeks he will be broke.

I’m flabbergasted!

I have a close friend that has recently hit on hard times. He was laid off work about a year ago and has been unable to secure another job since and now he has only enough funds to last him another month.

He lives in Thailand, has a house and two kids aged 7 & 2. His wife died last year so now he is a single father raising his kids.

He’s been desperately trying get another job in the region and to say the least, he is very worried about what to do when the money runs out this month. I told him I was in a similar situation about 6 years ago and that I took my wife and Son back to Australia before the money ran out. Got a job, put my Son in kindergarten, relaxed and kept looking for another job in Thailand. After only 9 months I got the job, moved back to Thailand and have been in the same job since. It ended up being a very positive experience especially for my Son. He got his grounding in English and now, even though he attends a Thai school, it is his first language.

By his reaction you would have thought I suggest he take his kids to hell for a few months! No way was he open to going home even for a short time when it is clearly the only logical option left for him. When I asked him what plan B was…he didn’t know (perhaps sell his house?) but it is certainly not going back to Oz for a few months.

I’ve met plenty of men with the same attitude and I truly believe, like my friend, they are completely addicted Thailand to the point of even ignoring their children’s welfare. For me…I wouldn’t think twice about going back for a while if I had too. acyually it's a nice thought.

What do others think?

Look on the bright side.

They are trying to improve Mae Sot.

Yes I agree, they are only there untill the job is finished.

Really, you need to eccept the situation, there is nothing you can do but perhaps to negotiate with the boss that all loud construction work must cease at say 6:00pm. Stressing about it will only send you round the bend!

Why call it swampy?

Most new airports in the world are built on reclaimed land.

My Son grey up with this website

http://www.nickjr.com/

Alot of educational games too.

Any one know a good boat shop in Bkk or Kanchanaburi that sells small run-about's & motors?

Thanks in advance.

Why don't you spent more time with your Son and teach him English?

You're a rich Hotelier right? you can affort the education!

Get your priorities right Simon