siamamerican

I'm 40 yrs old and lived in Thailand for over three years. When I first arrived I spent about 100,000 bt per month and the last year about 25,000 bt. Now, I'm in the US making over 200,000(US$), and spend about 4,000 per month. I'm happy, but I was much happier in Thailand spending 25,000 bt.

In Thailand I would want about 60,000bt per month to live comfortably, including rent and health insurance. This would allow me to eat out every meal and go out a few nights a week. I'm married, so my entertainment bill wouldn't be as high as a single person.

If I were in my 30s and wanted to move to Thailand, as the original post stated, I would want to have at least $260,000(US). I would invest $200,000 in stocks(risky, but he is young) and watch it compound for 10 years. At a 8% return, you would have roughly $300,000 in todays dollars at the end of the 10 years.

The trick is making the $60,000 surplus last 10 years. If you earn $1,000 teaching English or from any other source, you would be fine. It is my guess, the young man in the original post would be happier working a little in Thailand than living in his home country.

The scenario I just laid out is riskier than working 10 more years and then moving to Thailand, but my advise is go for it. You can even do it with less, but you'll have work more in Thailand.

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siamamerican

I am not an expert, but the US and Thailand signed a treaty, called the Amity treaty to help give some reciprocity for Thais owning US businesses.

It gives us Americans a better position to actually own businesses in Thailand, and, I believe, allows us to work in otherwise proscribed professions.

Sunbelt here (a sponsor) is well versed here, and there has been further discussion if you search some threads.

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Thanks Migrant - I'll search some more threads and when ready contact Sunbelt.

Better talk with Sunbelt ... not sure IF we can do that here as a soley owned/foriegn Company

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Thanks jdinasia - I need to get the CEO's buy in before talking to Sunbelt. We've spent over $100 mil(US) the last few years marketing our brand name and I need his blessing. I think there is little risk of damaging the brand, especially since the employees will native English speakers.

Do you work for Sunbelt? Are they a reputable company?

Time to wakeup sleepyjohn.

100,000 bt(average all in comp I would pay in Thailand) would be almost equivalent to what I would have to pay sales support staff in the Midwestern US. Please tell me why a company would open a business in Thailand and realize no cost savings compared to a US based operation.

There would also be opportunities for successful employees to move into sales and double their income. Outsourcing sales is where the biggest cost savings would be realized, but not where I want to start.

I know some make more teaching English and enjoy what they are doing - more power to them and it's a noble profession. As for me, if I were in Thailand earning 30,000 to 60,000 bt teaching English, I would jump at the opportunity.

Sorry, I left out too many details. The product would be loans(mostly secured) and the customers would be based in the US. I would move to Thailand to manage the office. We currently opperate in the San Fran area, where labor is far from cheap.

*Migrant - why is it easier for US based companies to setup operations in Thailand?

*How difficult would it be to hire quality ex pats with preferably a college education? During the startup phase I would only need 5-10 English speaking ex pats. The comp would be 60,000 bt base + bonuses(20k- 60k).

*Does anyone know of a company that could assist with the legal issues?

I lived in Chiang Mai from 2000 to 2003. I met many successful business men and college students through biking clubs and races. Their English was good, but not good enough to sell or support a US based operation.

I'm currently an exec at a US based company. We have had some success with our operations in the Philippines and India, but they aren't profitable.

Would it be possible to hire English speaking Ex pats in Thailand to support sales of US based products? If the answer is yes, would I need a Thai partner and are there consulting firms that could assist with the legal issues. My current employer would insist that all Thai laws and regulations be followed.

Thanks for taking the the time to read my post and I would appreciate any advice.

If you hadn't already lived in Thailand for 3 years and had a wife you met in Thailand I can see this kind of question, but I don't really understand what you're looking for.

Every month you work in the US gives you over 6 months of living expenses in Thailand, so why the hurry? Get a reasonably easy to find job and that'll stretch twice as far, or 3 times if the wife works too. Doing another year of time buys you over 6 years of time to find what you're looking for in Thailand, so why not ride the mortgage wave while you can?

Just looking for a change. Money isn't the end all, but it sure helps.

The last 10 years have been great. I've made enough money to travel the world and have enjoyed almost every day. Currently I'm not in a situation that isn't healthy for the long term. The long hours and the politics are taking their tole. I want to explore my options and hopefully choose the one that will make my wife and myself happiest.

I am a retired executive with over 40 years working with international organizations.

Could you repost with information about your real situation?

You are not the CEO of Radio Shack that was just forced to resign because he lied on his resume when Radio Shack hired him 10 years ago?

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I've been executive for only 2 years and don't have any international experience like yourself. The company I work for has roughly 900 employees with 4 business units. I head the smallest business unit with about 60 employees. When I took over the struggling business unit 2 years ago it had 16 employees and contributed very little to the bottom line. I've tripled the units revenue and contribution margin.

The company was recently acquired by a foreign company. I now report to a new boss that has different views on how to grow my business unit. Up to now I've been winning the internal political battles, because of my successful track record. My new boss has a wealth of big corporation experience, and I respect him, even though I disagree with many of his initiatives.

You asked for me to repost my real situation. The preceding paragraphs are a quick snapshot. I have internal company data and other executives that would verify what I have stated to potential employers.

I also didn't lie about my compensation. $225,000 for my position is low compared to my peers, but when I accepted the job, I lacked the experience of most my peers. In short, I jumped at the opportunity and was very happy with the compensation package. I should have asked for more options, but I didn't anticipate the recent purchase.

That is the real story. I don't have the accolades or breadth of knowledge that you've accumulated over 40 years, but that isn't going to stop me from being successful in the international employment arena.

Many of the posts, for good reason, are questioning my judgment. Moving to Thailand would not be a good financial decision, but I'm bored with my current situation. I could grind it out in America for a few more years, but I want to look at other options. I'm not ready to retire (nor have the money), and probably need the structure work brings to my life.

Luke, I appreciate the employment information. Getting an EFL cert and teaching English would keep me from dipping too much into my savings while looking for better employment opportunities. I might also look into the Philippines. I mentioned in an earlier post that I rejected an offer to work in the Philippines. I didn't accept the offer, because of the person I would be working for - not because I dislike the Philippines.

Dakhar, how did you find your job in Thailand?

Lopburi, I'm not going through a mid-life crisis. Not having any children and the financial responsibility this entails, gives me freedom to take risks. Thailand is exciting and so very different than America. The three years I lived in Chiang Mai were the best years of my life.

LoveDaBlues, I agree with your financial calcs(a little more conservative than my investments, but sound). Working in Thailand, making $1,500-$2,000 a month would be preferred over my current situation. If I save $300,000 before I make the move, I could invest the money and with any luck double it in 10 years. At worst, I determine I was going through a mid-life crisis and move back to America with around $300, 000.

Luke, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Your right, CRM is definately not big in Thailand compared to the Phillipenes. I was offered a job in the Phillipenes, but am not interested. It's encouraging that you were able to find work in Thailand. What is the salary range for expat managers?

I have managed customer service and sales departemnts, ranging from 10 -65 employees. What are the chances of landing a management job? In certain situations, it would seem beneficial to have non-Thai management (e.g., call center, selling their services to American companies )

Thanks for the advice. My life style in America is very simple and am currently spending about $3,000 per month. I invest the rest. In Chang Mai, I spent about $1,250 per month and lived comfortably. I don't expect to live lavishly in Thailand, but think it would be possible to make enough, at a minimum, to cover the cost of living. Owning my own business is a possibility, but currently I lack the knowledge - maybe after living in Thailand a couple of years. If I can put up with the 60+ hour work weeks for another year, I'll probably give it a go.

Probably won't be the last time he asks for help. I've only lent money once in Thailand. He would pay me back, but would always get in aother financial pinch. I finally told him no and haven't heard from him since.

I'm currently living in the America and am 39 years old. I'm an Exec at a publicly traded mortgage company making $225,000 thousand a year and have approximately $225, 000 in liquid assets. I have no non liquid assets.

I would have more savings, but in 2001, while living in Thailand, I had a bad auto accident. Over the the last 2 years, I've been saving about 8-9 thousand a month and want to give Thailand another chance(with adequate health insurance).

While living in Thailand I met my wife. She loves America, but I think I can convince her to go back to Thailand.

Making 225k in Thailand would be impossible, but I feel confident after a few years of networking and hard work we could make 2-4 thousand.

I know this is an awful financial decision, but I would welcome some advice from expats that are currently living in Thailand.