kanela

And, unfortunately, his money is going to be worth much, much more in Thailand, which will make him much more appealing to women much more attractive than Doris in Accounting -- remember her? The one who was past her sell-by date, wore too much make-up and clothes that were way too tight and revealing , but always laughed at your husband's jokes at the company parties.

Jesus!

Is this what happened to you with your husband?

OMG this is all to ridiculous!!

I'll echo the above, unless you choose to live near the tourist traps you'll never know, where do you anticipate residing?

After living in northern BKK for some years I only discovered we actually have a local knocking-shop when my wife pointed it out to me (why she chose to tell me I still don't know).

We thought we would start in Chiang Mai then later to Chanthaburi.

Yes, everywhere you go, it cannot be avoided. Same as kangaroos roaming the streets in Sydney.

Surely there are places one can go and not have to deal with that sort of thing?

Ok, Please be gentle!!! My husband and I will be moving to Thailand/Cambodia within the next 6 months and we would like to know just how bad the sex industry is. Is it going to be up in our face no matter where in Thailand we go? We have no interest in being around this aspect of Thailand and I am trying to get a feel for how widespread and aggressive it is. What I mean by aggressive is am I going to see it everywhere? Do they push themselves on you? Can I live without seeing it everywhere?

I do realize there are places one must stay away from if one wants to avoid these things. I am trying to find out is it everywhere? Please I can do without the insults.

1. OK fair questions. My husband and I are from the U.S. currently living in Ecuador.

2. Our budget is about $1500-$1600 per month.

3. I have been struggling with Thai as I have memory issues, but I have learned the

numbers and the consonants. I can't seem to remember the vowels!!! I have started

trying to read the maanii books. Not doing so great cause of the vowels, markings &

tones. But I have been trying.

4. I don't think we would need immediate access to hospitals, but one never knows about

emergencies.

5. Hoping to not have to do the whole visa run thing. We will be applying for multi entry non-

imm O-A for my husband and non-imm O for me.

6. Never been there before. We like adventure and travel.

7. Love Thai food however we have obviously have never tried the peasant food as we

have never been there.

8. We like to kayak and I like being in the water, but it is not necessary to be right on the

water as we also like the mountains and hiking.

9. Not seeking employment and don't know what a teflr is?

10. Yes thank you I am getting this. lol

We chose Chiang Mai as our first place due to the following reasons:

1. Because it is a touristy place English would be more widespread.

2. It has all the modern conviences

3. The food looks phenomenal

4. We thought it would be a good first stop as far as acclimating ourselves to Thailand.

5. We will want to travel and see Thailand and the surrounding countries.

The negatives to Chiang Mai:

1. are we usually like to be on the outskirts of a big city in a smaller town with some

conviences. (good food, large grocery stores)

2. I have not seen the local apartments/houses but I would like a more American style place. It doesn't have to be fancy, but I would be looking for a fairly nice fully furnished

apt/house.

3. We would not be able to stay in Chiang Mai during the burning season.

Neither myself nor my husband have any interest in any whores, bar girls or anything remotely like that. It is rather disheartening that so many people on this forum automatically jump to that conclusion!! You all make it sound like that is all there is to Thailand.

Now that you know the answers I guess I could use help with the questions.

2. Our budget is about $1500-$1600 per month.

After paying rent and utilities say 15k per month, this will leave you with about 30k per month, or 500 baht per person per day.

Not something i would consider, but best of luck to you, Thailand aint cheap these days.

3. I have been struggling with Thai as I have memory issues, but I have learned the

numbers and the consonants

Believe me, you are probably more advanced in your studies than the majority who live here or post on here, well done, keep it up, it will come in time.

5. Hoping to not have to do the whole visa run thing. We will be applying for multi entry non-

imm O-A for my husband and non-imm O for me.

I have no idea what a multi entry non imm O-A is, best you ask the question in the visa forum.

My main concern would be if it only allowed me 90 days at a time before having to do a visa run, sorry cant answer, seek expert advice in the visa forum.

6. Never been there before. We like adventure and travel.

My best advice would be try Chiang Mai first, reasons, your lack of Thai skills, you know no-one in Chan, CM is much more farang friendly because there are more farang around and English is much more widely spoken.

CM would be like a soft landing for you both to find your feet here.

Coming to Chan, would be like a hard landing, you would need to hit the ground running.

7. Love Thai food however we have obviously have never tried the peasant food as we

have never been there.

Believe me theres a world of difference between what the locals eat and whats sold in restaurants abroad.

These even a world of difference to whats sold in hotels and hald decent eating places here compared to whats on sale at the local market or is sold at road side eating joints.

On your budget luckily for you Chan has plenty of seasonal fruits available.

8. We like to kayak and I like being in the water, but it is not necessary to be right on the

water as we also like the mountains and hiking.

One of the things I love about Chan, mountains in Soi Dao, or beach at Laem Sing, the further east you head the better they get.

9. Not seeking employment and don't know what a teflr is?

TEFLr, teacher(?).

10. Yes thank you I am getting this. lol

Good, now we are talking turkey, hope your questions are being answered.

1. Because it is a touristy place English would be more widespread.

Agreed, see previous answer.

2. It has all the modern conviences

After a fashion, but basically agree.

4. We thought it would be a good first stop as far as acclimating ourselves to Thailand.

Agreed, probably best to time your arrival in CM to land after burning season, get acclimatised then move on at the next burning season.

1. are we usually like to be on the outskirts of a big city in a smaller town with some

conviences. (good food, large grocery stores)

Whether you are in CM or Chan, you main concern will be your budget and how you much you will have to pay for the convience of having amenities at hand.

2. I have not seen the local apartments/houses but I would like a more American style place.

Dont know what you mean by American style, if you mean American style kitchen, yes but it will cost you, to be found on more upmarket rentals, probably outside your budget.

It doesn't have to be fancy, but I would be looking for a fairly nice fully furnished

apt/house.

Your main concern is your budget.

I live in a place on the outskirts of Chan, thats why my rent is cheaper, also not fully furnished, if you want to live in a modern fully furnished house on a new development, it will cost you more.

Neither myself nor my husband have any interest in any whores, bar girls or anything remotely

like that.

Neither do my wife or I, Chan over CM every day of the week for me.

Get here now before this beautiful part of the country is raped and pilaged by property developers and turned into another shithole easily found elsewhere in Thailand.

Now that you know the answers I guess I could use help with the questions.

Hope I have answered them to your satisfaction, if not, keep asking we will try to accomodate you.

Thank you for your responses. I could up my monthly expenses to 2100.00 but that would be my max. Obviously that would be better than the 15-1600 but do you think it would be good enough to live comfortably??

We just spent a week in Fang. Didn't seem too bad. Back in Chiang Mai 2 days now and the ventolin is getting it's best workout in quite a while.

ohhh... thats not good

The wife and myself both lived in Chantaburi for several years and enjoyed not only the local area but also the the great beach's which have not been spoiled yet by tourist, We found the city very friendly and much cheaper too live than the other places our rent on a two bedroom fenced yard with all the fruit trees ect. was only 5k per month. The best way to find a house or apt. is spend some time there looking for the area you like then start the search for you place. The hospitals in the area are also great and the yearly visa is very easy to get in the area as once again there are not many US,UK ect. folks living in the area so visa renewals take about 5min.....Both of us were on the OA visa to start with and was very easy to get out of Houston tx.......Enjoy the area it is Great

Wow that is really cheap rent! Was this recent? Why did you leave? Are you in a different area of Thailand? Thanks for the info!!

I'm currently renting 2 floor house in Kongnaray/Mueang Chanthaburi, rent is 10000thb. My rent deal end after March. Place is nice, have security, all services under 5km (big c + lotus about 10km). House is 1 year old, but have some "guaranteed fixing" in future. This is unfurnished but if someone is interest to rent this, I can sell bed etc. So I don't need to move them

I also know that in here is one floor house what is empty and currently owner will rent if find right person. It's full furnished and price is 13000Thb.

great info thanks!!!

Trouble is then you won't appreciate Thailand so much on return! I was in Nha Trang in 1992 and the beach had about 10 people on it, including me. I guess it has changed a bit since then. 'Had a girl tagging along and she had some weed. She wrapped it in a low denomination bank note and then lit it from a street vendor. 'Always has been a nice memory.

Try the Philippines. You'll escape the pollution and appreciate Thailand more than you thought possible on your return. That is if Thailand isn't at war with itself when you return.

I would add Vietnam also...people are very friendly...not expensive...go up to Nha Trang...arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world...the girls are beautiful and approachable...

What a wonderful memory. I am sure things have changed in all these years, but my intent is to visit there and check it out as with all the surrounding countries.

Now that is actually good useful information and more in line with what I an looking for! I greatly appreciate it!

Sent from my GT-I8160L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I am not trying to be funny here, but please provide some basic info of what you want.

You ask about Chan but give no details of who you and your partner are, all I see on you pic is some legs.

What exactly is it you want to know, who exactly are you and your partner, whats your budget, can you or your partner read and speak Thai?

Do you need access to hospitals, will you be doing visa runs, can you eat peasant Thai food, have you ever been here, if so what provinces have you visited and why didnt they suit?

Are you a sportsperson, do you play golf, do you want watersports, do you have a Thai drivers license?

Will you be seeking employment here, are you a TEFLr?

Whats your budget for two people per month?

Are you getting this?

There are people on here who live and work in this great part of Thailand, (be aware its not for everyone), who can answer your questions, do you know what questions to ask?

If not just say so and ask, fire away, no-one will bite.

1. OK fair questions. My husband and I are from the U.S. currently living in Ecuador.

2. Our budget is about $1500-$1600 per month.

3. I have been struggling with Thai as I have memory issues, but I have learned the

numbers and the consonants. I can't seem to remember the vowels!!! I have started

trying to read the maanii books. Not doing so great cause of the vowels, markings &

tones. But I have been trying.

4. I don't think we would need immediate access to hospitals, but one never knows about

emergencies.

5. Hoping to not have to do the whole visa run thing. We will be applying for multi entry non-

imm O-A for my husband and non-imm O for me.

6. Never been there before. We like adventure and travel.

7. Love Thai food however we have obviously have never tried the peasant food as we

have never been there.

8. We like to kayak and I like being in the water, but it is not necessary to be right on the

water as we also like the mountains and hiking.

9. Not seeking employment and don't know what a teflr is?

10. Yes thank you I am getting this. lol

We chose Chiang Mai as our first place due to the following reasons:

1. Because it is a touristy place English would be more widespread.

2. It has all the modern conviences

3. The food looks phenomenal

4. We thought it would be a good first stop as far as acclimating ourselves to Thailand.

5. We will want to travel and see Thailand and the surrounding countries.

The negatives to Chiang Mai:

1. are we usually like to be on the outskirts of a big city in a smaller town with some

conviences. (good food, large grocery stores)

2. I have not seen the local apartments/houses but I would like a more American style place. It doesn't have to be fancy, but I would be looking for a fairly nice fully furnished

apt/house.

3. We would not be able to stay in Chiang Mai during the burning season.

Neither myself nor my husband have any interest in any whores, bar girls or anything remotely like that. It is rather disheartening that so many people on this forum automatically jump to that conclusion!! You all make it sound like that is all there is to Thailand.

Now that you know the answers I guess I could use help with the questions.

try not to get to dis-heartned by some of the posters, someone will eventually have some info for you that you can sift through to help make your decision, I have no idea so I cant offer any advice myself.

Sent from my GT-I8160L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Are you really that unimaginative? The rest of Thailand and the world are outside of northern-Thailand burning area and you can choose for yourself where you want to go.

Why do some people always think the right thing to do is get on these forums and insult people?! I realize what you are saying is the case as I am not inept! I was looking for constructive input on a country I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting! Consequently if you don't want to give advice I guess you shouldn't waste your time or mine by responding!

Now that is actually good useful information and more in line with what I an looking for! I greatly appreciate it!

Sent from my GT-I8160L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I am not trying to be funny here, but please provide some basic info of what you want.

You ask about Chan but give no details of who you and your partner are, all I see on you pic is some legs.

What exactly is it you want to know, who exactly are you and your partner, whats your budget, can you or your partner read and speak Thai?

Do you need access to hospitals, will you be doing visa runs, can you eat peasant Thai food, have you ever been here, if so what provinces have you visited and why didnt they suit?

Are you a sportsperson, do you play golf, do you want watersports, do you have a Thai drivers license?

Will you be seeking employment here, are you a TEFLr?

Whats your budget for two people per month?

Are you getting this?

There are people on here who live and work in this great part of Thailand, (be aware its not for everyone), who can answer your questions, do you know what questions to ask?

If not just say so and ask, fire away, no-one will bite.

1. OK fair questions. My husband and I are from the U.S. currently living in Ecuador.

2. Our budget is about $1500-$1600 per month.

3. I have been struggling with Thai as I have memory issues, but I have learned the

numbers and the consonants. I can't seem to remember the vowels!!! I have started

trying to read the maanii books. Not doing so great cause of the vowels, markings &

tones. But I have been trying.

4. I don't think we would need immediate access to hospitals, but one never knows about

emergencies.

5. Hoping to not have to do the whole visa run thing. We will be applying for multi entry non-

imm O-A for my husband and non-imm O for me.

6. Never been there before. We like adventure and travel.

7. Love Thai food however we have obviously have never tried the peasant food as we

have never been there.

8. We like to kayak and I like being in the water, but it is not necessary to be right on the

water as we also like the mountains and hiking.

9. Not seeking employment and don't know what a teflr is?

10. Yes thank you I am getting this. lol

We chose Chiang Mai as our first place due to the following reasons:

1. Because it is a touristy place English would be more widespread.

2. It has all the modern conviences

3. The food looks phenomenal

4. We thought it would be a good first stop as far as acclimating ourselves to Thailand.

5. We will want to travel and see Thailand and the surrounding countries.

The negatives to Chiang Mai:

1. are we usually like to be on the outskirts of a big city in a smaller town with some

conviences. (good food, large grocery stores)

2. I have not seen the local apartments/houses but I would like a more American style place. It doesn't have to be fancy, but I would be looking for a fairly nice fully furnished

apt/house.

3. We would not be able to stay in Chiang Mai during the burning season.

Neither myself nor my husband have any interest in any whores, bar girls or anything remotely like that. It is rather disheartening that so many people on this forum automatically jump to that conclusion!! You all make it sound like that is all there is to Thailand.

Now that you know the answers I guess I could use help with the questions.

Thank you for pointing out to those that don't bother to pay attention and hence give advice for a man whore.

Sent from my GT-I8160L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Now that is actually good useful information and more in line with what I an looking for! I greatly appreciate it!

Sent from my GT-I8160L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Serious question.

I have lived in CM about six years.

In 2011 smoke was very bad and I ended up three nights in hospital on drip and supplementary oxygen.

Left for the coast, Sihanoukville, and symptoms cleared after a few days.

Stayed in SHVL for about five weeks but became depressed towards the end as I became more aware of the suffering of many in Cambodia.

Believe escape to anywhere on the coast will be effective.

Or time visit to home country to coincide with smoke season.

See : aqicn.org/map/thailand/

This gives map showing air quality monitoring sites and real time air quality readings. Plus lots of information about atmospheric air pollution.

The masks advertised on the site are grossly over priced.

This year for various reasons will try to stay in CM over the smoky season.

Plan for when pollution levels from CM monitoring site go red:

Keep my small condo flat closed as much as possible.

Use portable m mains power air filter unit to clean air inside flat.

Will monitor air quality and not go out on days that are very bad.

When I do go out will wear 2.5 rating mask (see URL above for info on masks).

The simple cloth masks may be worse than useless.

2.5 rated masks available from 3M agent on LH side Wualai road going away from the moat.

There is a large PHILLIPS sign on the front of the building.

Do shopping and meet friends in air conditioned buildings.

Will avoid exercise and long walks outdoors.

At first sign of distress will head for the coast.

Note that the particles are so fine that they may not induce coughing but pass through biological barriers into the blood to give symptoms like flu and hence you may not realise that air pollution is the cause of the problem. Air pollution in CM can and does kill susceptible people.

Would be grateful for any comments on this topic.

Great info thanks!!

"Kind of stinks to think you would have to loose your apt. every year to leave for 3-4 months then have to come back and hunt down a new apt.! Any ideas? How do people do it over there?"

The burning is never so bad that buildings burn down. It can start as early as mid-February but in good years is over by late March. in bad years it can last another month. Your apartment will still be there when the rains start.

You can go anywhere in the world to avoid the burning season here. Just avoid northern Thailand, all of Laos and much of Myanmar.

It might not burn your apartment down but it can have a serious effect on your health. It's not just the stubble they burn but also plastic and rubbish that becomes trapped in a temperature inversion. So the smoke and poisons stay close to the ground.

You are breathing in all sorts of toxic poisons.

Just look at cataract problems in old people. Come to that take a look at how many dogs have serious eye problems.

lol... I didn't mean I would loose my apartment from burning. I meant having to leave for 3-4 months during the burning season and having to give up the lease to live somewhere else during that time. I don't know about you but I can't afford to rent two places at one time or am I missing something? And I do agree about the hazards of the smoke.

Cost of living, we are back to how long is a piece of string?

availability of apartments/houses to rent, they exist, without the help of a local you will have a job to find them if you dont at least speak Thai. We rent a house there for 4,000 baht per month.

what are the local people like conservative but very friendly once they get to know you.

food choices limited.

quantity of expats in the area hardly see any.

is any English spoken little.

and of course anything else anyone can think of to add. best city/province in Thailand, if you want a farang lifestyle this place aint for you.

You say, Chanthaburi is our backup city.

Are you talking about a Thai or farang parner?

If Thai it will make things easier, one thing I have learned about Thais, they are like homing pidgeons, they all want to go back to their village where they fit it and know their place on the totem pole of local society.

None of my business, if you are thinking of bringing a BG to this area the locals will smell her a mile away and you will be treated accordingly.

Great info, but pardon my ignorance what is a BG?

Hi Everyone!!! I have been consolidating all of my research on Thailand on Chiang Mai however, Chanthaburi is our backup city. It is time I start learning what it is like living in Chanthaburi. I am interested in things like: cost of living, availability of apartments/houses to rent, what are the local people like, food choices, quantity of expats in the area, is any English spoken and of course anything else anyone can think of to add.

Chanthaburi Coast - Chao Lao Beach

Chanthaburi is our backup town to Chiang Mai. Just a little concerned about not knowing the language and going to such a small town.

I was wondering if Cambodia had any areas free of burning to go to?

If living in Chiang Mai, where are the best places to go during the burning season to get away from the smoke and how long would I need to be gone?? Kind of stinks to think you would have to loose your apt. every year to leave for 3-4 months then have to come back and hunt down a new apt.! Any ideas? How do people do it over there?