choochoo

a description on the girl would help a lot.......................lol. Is she from up-north? night owl?

I for one, enjoy the hawker, food stall environment found all around Thailand. What I do not like is trying to navigate

an area like this where it's simply impossible to move.

I just hope they strike a good balance between our ability to move around and allowing the vendors to operate. I would

never like to see Thailand go down the road of banning them all.

Agreed.

A lot of poor people make their living on the streets.

Forcing them off might have unintended consequences.

moreover, a lot of not so poor people make their living from those poor people...

btw, seriously, apart from the corruption issues associated about rent pays, etc,........ many of those vendors are anything but poor!!

mystery to me if they make money. i just dont see a lot of business going on.

you got rent , boys to build and tear down the stall, people to run the stall, is their that much money to spread around?

i dont getthe hours.

the vendors are allowed when theres lot of foot traffic. 7pm onwards.

but not when theres little traffic.......................lol. funny stuff.

it would be so simple an exercise if op would post his business plan. the one on the napkin wiould suffice.............lol.

ps on that successfull farming venture. Why is that girl wasting her time selling sundries? If the answer is for face -OK. But if the purpose is to grow wealth-their farm is where its at.

I mean how much people are there in a community where there is no plumbing ? I just dont see growing assets there. Unless they burn all their competition down.

Try to become a quality destination first....

it is.

Number 1 in bargirls..............................lol.

PS northern thailand. you want quality tourist -1st thing get rid of the mos-quitos. Hiso dont like mosquitos.

give us a pro forma business plan. all businesses should have one.

its really simple.

OP wants to open a simple one person one shop operation. There isnt all kinds of extenuating circumstances. He will prolly fail........................................lol. we just dont want him too......................lol. ok -we really dont care.

there isnt much for quality tourist to enjoy in thailand.

beaches? got those all over the world.

culture? got those all over the world.

what thailand has to offer is the best bargirls on the planet...............lol. lets be real thai is known for adult partee!

Here in the sticks. . .

The original 'shop' was opened in the spare front room of their house. No frills and no airconditioning. Since that time, several additional bamboo structures have been built around the front of the shop which now house eating and drinking areas. These were built from the profits of the shop, not from a hand in anyone's pocket.

This, to me, is a success story and I wish you and your family every luck in pursuing your own goals. It's not easy but, if you are doing something for a living that you are enjoying and not answering to a boss, can it really be considered working?

This is great, and I have no doubt that this "business model" works, it does for most Thai businesses. However you did say and I quote "The original 'shop' was opened in the spare front room of their house."

Which meas there was no electricity, water or rent costs, was this factored in? The OP said they were going to rent a shop, this is a BIG cut into the overheads, and is not visible so, would it have worked with a potential extra 30% overhead or was the profit because the overheads were kept to a minimum and probably "subsidised"?

The original shop is still being run from the spare front room of the house. The shop pays the electricity bill for the entire household (1200B/month).

There are no water costs as there is no running water in this area (in the sticks). Water is pumped from a wells on the property.

There are no rental costs as their previous farming successes meant that they could purchase land and build a house. The shop is their next venture and, from what I see and hear, it is doing very well.

The only 'subsidy' was the outlay of 25 000B, by the girl's husband, to purchase the original stock. All additional items (shelving etc.) have been purchased gradually as money (profit) from the business permitted. Refridgerators and freezers have been supplied by companies that wish to sell their merchandise in her shop. It has gotten to the point where some suppliers are even giving free samples and merchandise to the shop to see how it will sell in this area.

Getting back to the OP, this is a success story I see in the countryside and some ideas on how a Thai and foreigner are making it work. Rather than ending in tears, the girl is happy as she has her own business to keep her busy, make a living and make her happy. Hubby is happy as he is not financially supporting a girl who is doing nothing, as is a very common thing in this part of the world.

there are costs involved in running every business. Perhaps you just dont want to acknowledge them as it takes away from your sucess story.

If a girl can use her house to incremntally increase revenue to the family- thats great. But it doesnt mean she is legitimately running a sucessful business.

If familly ran a profitable farming operation. Why are they now selling peanuts and cold beer? i smell fe c e s somewhere?

Nomad97 and Chao Lao Beach gave you the best information. Much of the rest, as you well know, is just fluff and gripes.

Here in the sticks, I watched a local girl open a shop with the help and support of her farang 'husband'. As in your own situation, they wanted to do everything right and did the research. One of the important starting points I remember is when they were registering the business, they went for the top level (whatever it's called) licence. That's a shop where you can sell food, cigarettes and alcohol. They said that it was only a little more expensive than the 'regular' licence but well worth the added investment.

Hubby purchased the original stock for the shop (less than a thousand dollar's worth) but specified that future restocking had to be done with the money earned from the sales of the stock. Profit was to be used for purchasing additional items and for improving the business.

The original 'shop' was opened in the spare front room of their house. No frills and no airconditioning. Since that time, several additional bamboo structures have been built around the front of the shop which now house eating and drinking areas. These were built from the profits of the shop, not from a hand in anyone's pocket.

Contrary to the idea of chasing away the locals that hang out there, people are encouraged to come, sit, pass the time, chat and basically give the place atmosphere. Even it they're not purchasing anything. You see, a busy shop/bar/restaurant attracts customers who will spend money.

Some of the successful ideas I see in their business are the friendliness of the girl and her family (yes, most of the family do help around the shop). They do not look down on anyone, are always polite and do not act like they are better than anyone. As much as is possible in an open-air shop and in this area, the shop is always clean, the shelves are tidy, well presented and well stocked. I have never known them to run out of anything as they purchase new stock BEFORE the old stock runs out.

The other successful component to this business is their pricing. They are only a few baht cheaper than elsewhere around but they are still making around 10% on each sale. And, due to their slightly lower prices, they attract customers from a wider area who don't realise that they are probably spending the savings in that shop on using more petrol to get there.

Oh, and because they always keep their beer and softdrinks on ice, even overnight, they have the coldest beers around. This is not the few token ice blocks in the bottom of the cooler/esky/chilly bin. These are fully iced up drinks bins. They do not sell the ice from the drink bins (a dirty habit I see in many establishments). They have a separate ice bin and a higher end ice supplier for 'consumable' ice (cheap ice is purchased for the coolers, more expensive ice is used solely for sales).

Due to their cleanliness and organisation, they have also become the local distributors for an ice-cream company and a dairy. The dairy fridges (milk drinks and yoghurt) and ice cream freezers were supplied to them, free of charge and are cleaned, organised and re-stocked daily by the respective companies. All the girl has to do is pay the power bill and sell the stock.

Sure, it's just nickel and dime stuff but, in just over 12 months, they are now laying a concrete foundation for a more permanent shop. They told me that it will probably take around 2 years to build this new shop (purely on profits earned in the existing shop, no loans are being taken) but they're not in any hurry as they are very happy with their business.

Don't think that the shop is all beer and skittles. It's hard work and takes a lot of dedication. The business is a 7 day per week concern. Starting at 4am, when they go to the market to buy the freshest produce and closing at 8 or 9pm when the last customers go home. They do also have people knocking on the door at odd hours (after closing) usually to buy beer, whisky or cigarettes. Rather than chasing them off, one of the family always makes the sale. Again, it's about keeping customers happy and keeping them returning.

As far as I have been told, they were raided once by the local equivalent of the ATF (alcohol, tobacco and firearms) who were accusing them of selling alcohol imported from Cambodia. The girl replied that she was infact selling spirits which were purchased in a Cambodian market. She also produced the receipts for the purchases and showed them her licence stating that she could, in fact, sell imported alcohol. After much posturing and the demanding of bribes, they finally hit her with a fine of 200B for failing to display a copy of the licence in a prominent place. The fine was paid at the local 'council' offices and a receipt was obtained. The licence is now laminated and hung on the wall out the front of the house.

They also get visits from various 'people' offering loans for improving the business. They see a successful business and want to help the proprietors part with some of their wealth under the guise of assistance. The only 'loan' that was ever considered was the initial money that hubby put into the purchase of the first batch of stock. He claims that he still wants it back. She says she'll 'work off the loan' by giving him a free, cold beer, from time-to-time. She'll even open the bottle for him so that he doesn't strain himself.

Hubby does still work but he is no longer complaining about having to fork money over to a lazy wife and useless family (his words). His wife now has a certain degree of financial independance and, as a successful business operator, a higher standing in the local community.

The one thing that does have the locals wondering is why this girl has bothered to open a shop and work hard at building a business. Afterall, she has a farang husband and should be like all the other farang wives in the area. Living in a new mansion, dripping with gold and driving around in a new SUV.

This, to me, is a success story and I wish you and your family every luck in pursuing your own goals. It's not easy but, if you are doing something for a living that you are enjoying and not answering to a boss, can it really be considered working?

its not fair to compare an operation conducted from a familys home.

you have to judge success as if the business were paying for rent,etc. otherwise its just delusion.

nothing wrong with Soi 6... I had a bar down there for a bit years ago, never hurt me

how much you lost?

yes im HieNa..............lol.

This is just so non-sensical-how can one not laugh......................lol.

OP, no disrespect, but its probably just a good intention, a toy to show off to others,One man band, you are funding it, when reality bites, day in day out,no big profits, its all about show, hope i am wrong and you/she makes a success of it and it doesnt go the way of so many others, usually hairdressers and beauty shops.

Cheers mate.

The problem with most expats is they tend to hear about the failures rather than the success stories.

The problem is many a farang is hard-headed when it come to thai girls................lol. Theres is always different.

If a guy is confidant and knows what he is doing he wouldnt ask here about opening a one thai girl shop.................lol.

Again op- budget for losses not PROfits................lol.

A good exercise would be for op to give us the numbers....................................lol. The only proof i think they are money losers is that i never see these one girl type businesses doing much in commerece.

Some street food cart seem to do alright.. Always room for good food.

I think you need to monitor this business closely , if you are funding,it now is probably the worse time to start.

Why would it be the worse time to start?

you really need to research this if you dont want to lose money..............lol.

I cant tell you how many times eating at nana foodland i hear girls say they have shops when a sex tourist asks them what their job is. When its obvious they also moonlight as bargirls.

no worry about taxes...............lol. Doesnt look like your wifes venture will make much.

One person shopgirl operation is just a waste of time IF your obj is to make money. Only good to kill time .. Or maybe launder bad money.............lol.

Maybe People do not know that Pattaya is full of sex Tourists. Thailand tends to hide this. If people who are morally upstanding would never think to look before Buying a holiday there.

People know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

whole different kettle of fish.....lol. farang girl going for poor thai boy..............lol.

If you need to borrow money for downpayment you have NO business buying a house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why would a foreign girl be paying for the house anyways? Is your thai boy not a good provider? If he isnt you should get divorced now. You are wading into very very bad territory!

I see potential for a messy life.

To: Whomever may be or is interested these are my experiences. I am a retired black Native North American, who is also a disabled U.S. Military Veteran and Law Enforcement Officer.

I had saved up and planned for 12 years to move and retire in Thailand, only to realize it was a mistake. I came to the kingdom of Thailand to live a relaxed stress free life enjoying a quiet lifestyle and the beaches. Since I do not chase women, run the Bars or Clubs and do not use drugs, get drunk and very rarely even drink. I find myself being targeted by most the Thais I talk to every time I go outside my door. I have actually come to pity most of the older men around me, Foreigners and Thais alike. I have found that many foreigners have learned to deal with their situation by getting lost in their own mental escape. Whatever way they could find through; doing charity work, schools, working jobs, exercise, internet, alcohol, sex and even with their families. Some Foreigners had manage to stay in Thailand years on school visas learning the Thai Language or other schools. Until they reached their retirement age. It seems many if not most Thai women only learn English or other languages with hopes of getting rich quick off marrying Foreigner men. Unfortunately, I have personally witnessed too many of those Thai women mentally abusing older Foreigner men for their money in public. Which was why I decided not to allow any Thai women to get close to me, to avoid getting caught up in that kind of Thai entanglements, scams or tricks that I can. I also come to realizing that most Thais will never admit any other Thais commit any crimes or do anything wrong. It seems most Thai people never hear no evil or see no evil, if it done to a Foreigners by other Thais. Especially if a Foreigner dies it is just Thai culture.

I think this list below of just a few the things that have been done to me. Personally I just LOL at all of it and the absurdity of it all…. It should answer some of your questions as to why I feel this way in less than 2 years in Thailand.

1.) I found I could not relax on Pattaya Beach or any Beaches, with the rude way Thais always talk or start yelling loudly around me. Or the way Thai vender and merchants always waking me trying to force me to buy their over-priced products or services. I have learn to carry ear plugs to play music to sleep or ignore their rudeness until I can afford to leave here. I even found most Thais smiles were usually fake, unless you are handing over money to them.

Since arriving I’ve become tired of hearing so many Thai people saying to me and other Foreigners;

2.) Buy me, give me or where is my Tip, when I already paid or they have not done anything for a Tip.

3.) When Thais actions and words show Thais don’t respect any Farang that we have to respect Thais.

6.) Or If we don’t like Thailand, we can leave Thailand. When I have not done or said nothing to them?

5.) Thailand is for Thai people not for (you, Farang or Farangs).

I have even had three different TRP Police Officers threaten insult and/or say to me;

6.) A TRP gave me a false accident report he signed, not admit that a Thai Truck Driver hit me.

a. The TRP Officer said, If I don’t like the accident report saying no one’s fault, I can leave Thailand.

7.) When my cellphone with cp tracker on it was stolen a TRP Police Officer told me.

a. He would only go with me to get my phone back if I paid him 8,000 Baht. I said No Thanks.

(8,000 Baht was more than I had paid for the Cellphone.)

8.) One TRP Police asked me. How did I passed Thai Driver’s License test without any Thai Help?

a. The TRP Officer asked, Why you don’t have Thai woman this is Thailand, you need Thai?

b. When I answered I paid 258 Baht for License TRP Officer accused me of saying 2,000 Baht?

c. The way TRP said. “I will see you around”. I felt his threat as if he thought of me as a criminal?

If you want to call it discrimination or racism you can? I simply call it their uncompromising egotistical arrogant behavior and the money loving attitudes of the Thai people. Once I realized that I decided to vote with my feet and spend my retirement and money elsewhere. But unfortunately it will take me a year to save up enough to move comfortably, unless there’s an emergency where I need to blow out of this Hell Hole Faster...

if you live in a resort area be prepared for jaded locals. sensible guys retire upcountry.

whats to do up country besides watch grass grow and drink with the locals and oogle un-sightly girls?

I thought this thread was going to be a whine about minor shit from some naive westerner not used to travel. But what you describe is total BS. You have a lot more patience than I do. Good on you for not losing the plot.

Im a racist...............lol. Theres a reason why thais react to you the way they do. EXPERIENCE.

Is it really necessary for 5 indians to negotiate with a woman of their desires.................lol. While negotiating im sure shes thinking are they going to pay.

You really cant blame the thais They dont have the time to see if you are the exception. AND they dont care.

you can fixx everthing but the face.................lol.

unless you are absolutely flat as a pancake rarely do i see silicones make a thai hotter.

I forget. Salary goes down for each kid amd amount of customers girl has had.......................lol.

Above about customers doesnt apply if you got your-self a good girl. But lets face it most of you dont have girls not FROM the INDUSTRY.................lol.

I wish more tourists would read a thread like this. So many Thais in the Tourism sector can collect a days pay in a tip and it`s mostly through ignorance on the holidaying farrang. I suppose fair play to the bell boy or whatever, but it seems unfair then to the factory worker slogging away 6 days a week without similar reward.

I always try and tip the maid when in Thai hotels (assumming their work is decent) as their reaction is always one of genuine appreciation and thanks, unlike customer facing people like bell boys etc who think collecting 100 baht every 2 minutes is reasonable!

I genuinely can`t imagine working for 10 hours to get £5 (250 baht) in return. The income inequality in this country sucks.

Those in power love income inequality. Those on the low end keep them in power..................lol. Never ceases to amaze me how people will vote AGAINST their own self-interests.

Or perhaps the tourists that tip 100 baht for a foot massage ( which only costs 100 baht! ) the correct and reasonable tip should be no more than 20 baht max!!! F.J x

this is why pretty girls dont want to do massages. ....lol.

My Monthly Budget :

Rent : 2000 baht ( inc free wifi & sat tv )

water/elec 500 baht

food 2400 baht ( 80 baht a day )

mobile 50 baht

monthly shop 500 baht ( toothpaste,bleach,1x razor etc etc )

laundry 30 baht (one wash a month )

Misc Trips 500 baht ( Train trips note : the average 1 hour train journey in Thailand is about 10 baht )

Total ( approx ) cost 6000 Baht a month!!

For a Thai to earn 300 baht a day (9,000 baht a month ) would give them " more than enough " to live on and give them a seriously cool lifestyle!

# Please note though that i am single,i do not drink or smoke,i cook most of my own food ( all fresh ) i walk almost everywhere ( because i love it! ) and ride a bicycle sometimes! and most afternoons soaking up the lovely sunshine on the beach with cool tunes.......

Farang Jaidee

theres alwys exceptions. apparently you are one. i bet on the other end thesr a guy living on$500,000 ayear.

did you forget tp put bargirls in your budget..............lol.