yongli

HI

I OPENED A LAUNDRY SHOP WITH MY THEN GIRLFRIEND IN BANGKOK

SHE NOW LIVES WITH ME IN THE UK

SHE FOUND A SHOP FOR 6000 BAHT A MONTH

NEAR A HOSPITAL WHICH SHE GOT QUIET A LOT OF CUSTOMERS

THERE WAS HER AND HER TWO SISTERS

SHE PAID THEM 4000 BAHT EACH

AND THEY ALL SLEPT IN THE SHOP AT NIGHT WHICH WAS HARSH BUT COULD NOT AFFORD RENT FOR A CONDO OR ROOM

MY WIFE USED TO START WORK AT 630 IN THE MORNING AND CLOSE AT 1000 AT NIGHT

SOME PEOPLE WOULD STILL KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND DROP THING OF AFTER IT WAS CLOSED

WHAT I MEAN IS SHE WORKED VERY HARD AND LONG HOURS FOR JUST ENOUGH TO PAY THE RENT AND TO EAT

AS THERE ARE LAUNDRY SHOPS EVERYWERE SO YOU HAVE TO PRICE VERY GOOD

Thanks for your report Charlie. May I know about your pricing (i.e. 60 pieces 500 Baht, or per piece?) and who your target customers were?

Thanks for the tip Thongkorn.

Any idea about how much rent she pays?

yongli

Forget it!!!!

Money after bad, there are shops that have been running for years closing there are far too many doing it and worse still sleeping on the shop floor with no living quaters above etc and still canot pay the rent never mind make a small profit,

Thank you rolypie for taking the time.

Serious question: May I know, how do you know, the reason for them closing was lack of customers (Could it be their lease expired?)? And if, could it be they weren't doing such a good job, so they depended too much on new business (versus return customers)?

I hope, by doing a good job and having prices in line, customer loyalty can be build in this kind of business (unlike an internet shop). I myself keep using the same shop, as long as the service is good and the clothes are clean.

I would also hop, a location where you can get residents as well as tourists can protect a bit against a downturn.

Hi,

It seems, the idea of a laundry business is getting everybody running for the exits ;-)

Anybody that has done a lease for a commercial property, and has some advices on this key money thing?

Any other help or input?

As far as lease duration goes, I am thinking of a 3 years lease, with a 3 years option on extending the lease and a limit on a possible rental increase. Any other ideas, i.e., how to get the land lord to agree?

Thanks in advance,

yongli

Hi, whats the best way to get to Cambodia, Pnom pen, Siam reap from Pattaya ? are there any local airports, or back to BKK, and fly from there.

I guess road travel is viable, but time consuming ? any ideas or the best way you have done it would be most wellcome !

You can get directly to the border (Arana) - Poipet (Cambodia) in 3 to 4 hours from Pattaya by government bus (runs a few times a day), or by Minibus (many busses a day).

From Poipet you get a shared taxi to Siam Reap. The road is OK. They overcharge a bit for the visa in Poipet though. I believe, about 1000 Baht for the tourist visa and 1500-1600 Baht for the business visa. For Phnom Penh, I wouldn't use Poipet (it takes 7 to 8 hours in Cambodia from Poipet to PP), but probably really fly. If you can get a discounted Air Asia Filight. Visa cost at the airport should only be 20 USD for the tourist visa and 25 USD for business visa. There is a hefty airport tax in PP, when you leave the country. You could consider leaving via Koh Krong and visit Sihanoukville on route.

Hi Everybody,

I want to invest in a Laundry Shop in Pattaya, preferably in Jomtien.

Why?

I have a Thai friend, who likes to do it and has done it before. For personal reasons (failed love), she had to stop.

We want to rent a shop house, where she can live and have the laundry business on the ground floor. (business and living quarters could also be seperate, if that helps to cut the costs) She would run the business, I

would not get involved too much. I will run the numbers, before we start, and follow them up, when the business is running. I would consider my investment successful, if the shop is sustainable, can support her and her children and brings in a modest return (At least enough, to grow the business). I don't plan on living of the proceeds :-)

1. How much rent would I pay in a decent, but definitely not A- location for a shop house?

Is 10 K Baht a month doable?

2. How about Key Money? How much would I have to pay? Can I avoid it altogether for this kind of business? Ideas on how to minimize it?

3. How to best structure the lease and the lease duration, as to avoid sudden surprises in terms of rental hikes, or the owner booting us out, when we are successful?

4. I personally like Jomtien, but am also open to other locations in Pattaya, or even in a completely different place. Any ideas?

Also, if you have other advice, especially related to the laundry business, I would be very grateful to hear it.

As far as I am concerned, yes, I am prepared to lose my investment (and will limit it), but I would like to give it as big of a chance as possible.

Therefore, I would much rather leave as much survival cash for the business as possible, than give it upfront to the land lord.

It certainly will take time to get established and build customer loyalty, but the lady has a few good ideas and a very friendly personality. She has done it before and I have quite a bit of trust in her willingness to work hard to make it work. Now is low season (and a bad one), so it might be a good time to get favorable conditions.

Thank you very much for taking the time.

The real issue isn't whether you were pick-pocketed or not, but that you let a bad situation possibly escalate into some more,

over a few coins.

The fact that the accused and others allowed you to examine their bags (which you declined) and wanted to go to the police to straighten it out, doesn't sound like some super pro gang you allude to.

It does sound like a Thai stranger you accused in public of robbing you, lost face, got angry, called police, etc.

It's one thing to be robbed at knife point,

it's another altogether of accusing someone over something of little value that is not on your person any longer,

TIT, don't make a bad situation worse,

@Cobra,

as far as I am concerned, Jing Thing has shown courage in confronting them.

This, IMO, has nothing todo with a few coins, but rather: If you don't confront a thief, when the situation is obvious to you - you make his/her life too easy and even encourage him/her to become even bolder in the future.

In the Chinese city I used to live, many Chinese people do not warn the (Chinese) victim of "pickpocketing in progress", because they are afraid of attracting the anger of the pickpocket and a potential knifing. That is how thiefs want us to be.

Cobra, I understand your reasoning to some extend, and maybe I would keep quiet, to avoid putting myself in a danger, but I am glad, Jing Thing is reporting his story. Difficult to act perfectly, after being robbed.

How it did play out in a another case:

My former girl friend (Chinese) got pick pocketed on a public bus in China, packed with people. She was sure (I guess 99%), who the thief was and confronted him by saying: Give me back my mobile. He denied the theft, of course. Then, being a local she shouted through the bus in local dialect, that she had just been robbed. The bus driver, also being a local, stopped the bus and kept the doors locked. He announced, the police was about to be called. Surprisingly (or not), all of a sudden, her mobile dropped down to the floor (not far from her). She picked it up and shouted through the bus, that she recovered her mobile. Driver started to drive again.

I am sure this incidence did not encourage the pick pocket. He míght do it again but, he will be a bit more scared. ;-)

I am of course aware, that u can't close the doors on a Baht bus.

Hi Jingthing,

thank u very much for sharing. U did get me concerned, and I will hopefully be alert and prepared, when the time comes!

Reading the follow up stories, I even consider not taking Baht busses at all.

24 million would make Bangkok the biggest city in the world......bigger than Tokyo with surroundings. Without me knowing......no I don't think so.

I'm not BKKDUDE or what ever. But then I never counted in my 22 years here.

Nana

I agree, I have been to a few of the big ones on the Wikipedia List. Bkk is a big city yes, but it would be really a far stretch to go for much more than 10 million. Care to name statistics where Bkk is estimated at 24 Mio, or even only 15 Mio? It seems, some of us would love to live in a Megacity - and with a really high pop density. Well, China, India, Bangladesh they have that. I heard good things about Cairo as well To me 7 - 10 Mio is more than enough. And in Bkk you still find lot's of areas with low rise buildings and nice palm trees. To me the main issue in Bkk is the traffic. The amount of ppl on the streets in Bkk is very tolerable, as far as I am concerned. And a lot less than what I have experienced elsewhere.

kao sarn raod is cheap, they can do you monthly as well^^

God almighty don't rent at Koasarn road! Its full of foreigners for chrissakes! What an awful suggestion.....

Hey! KID! DONT RENT AT KOASARN. If you want to actually "do" the Thailand thing than staying in lame tourist areas is not the way to go. Even if it is just for the first 2 months of your trip. When I first got here 5 years ago I spent 3 weeks on Koasarn road and its 3 weeks of my life I wish I could get back, what a waste of time.

I second Sabum. Long time, IMO no way. Khaosan is good for 1 or 2 nights, to get the idea. But then I would look elsewhere.

Starry Place, would fit the bill. On Soi Rangnam, about 10 minutes walk from the Victory monument.

They used to rent studios for 9K per month and 1 br I believe was 14K.

I never lived there but I checked out the place and think it is a good option, if you would like to stay in that area for a month. It is a lively area. I think the Soi where Starry Place is, is reasonably quiet. However, So Rangnam and Victory Monument are quite busy.

Another area to check out is Soi Ari. Take the BTS to ARI station. If you are coming from Siam, exit on the left side of the road and keep walking in the direction of the BTS train you just exited. Next soi turn left. Nice area and lot's of condos. Don't know about monthly rentals though.

If you want to stay close to Siam/National Stadium, Patumwan House is not bad, about 15K though for a studio.

Almost all places want a deposit of either 1 or 2 months. And you pay extra for electricity and water. So ask for the rates for this as well. Some places charge the power company's rate, but many charge 5,6,7, or even 8 Baht per unit for electricity. Depending on how much AC you need and the age of the AC, this can add another 2-4K...... to the bill for a studio.

Good luck,

yongli

@thecatman and @paulh1978

Thank you very much for your reply.

Please keep it coming. There must be some more gems out there in this area?

Like I had never heard of Chawamit Place Hotel and then I found this nice review: (also very nice travelogue)

http://www.littlewhiteswan.com/Accom/az08/0825.html

Thanks,

yongli

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a Budget Hotel / apartment / room / studio around Lat Phrao MRT (or Ratachada or Suthisan) or close to Chatuchak Park (close to Mochit, Saphan Kwai, Ari BTS) from May 5 or 6, for about a week. Later possibly also looking into monthly rental.

Budget is about max 600-700 THB per day, clean and quiet, (TV, fridge, AC) and if it includes internet (i.e. Wifi) and a pool for that, that would be perfect.

I am happy with a local hotel. Don't have to be able to book online.

Does anybody have experience with these places?

My House Hotel (Soi Ari)

Chawamit Place Hotel (Lat Phrao)

Super Hotel (close to Chatuchak

Ban Sabai Hostel (Lat Phrao)

Thank you very much for your help!

Yongl

The problem is, he didn't use his mandate for the good of the ppl anymore. He was concerned with selling his company to Temasak and avoiding taxes in the billions.

It is a shame. Many of his supporters and even mentors turned away from him. Chamlong was one of his key supporters once.

Please recall the dragging on for months - and then he called a snap election, sorry Mate, I remember it all too well.

His supporters had and have a point!!!!! - But he is the wrong vehicle. No Mandela or Gandhi here.

You say Abhisit was democratically elected from within parliament.

For your information a democracy is where the people turn out and vote for the party they want to lead them. On the last 3 occasions the ruling Democratic Party has LOST. This is not an opinion its a fact - look it up. Abisit has NO mandate from the people. If Thailand was a democracy Abhisit would dissolve parliament, go to the country and let the people choose their MP's and Prime Minister - not have it decided by a mob who occupies Thailands principal airport until their will is met.

Of course, we know this is not going to happen because Abhisit knows he'd lose another election and the yellow shirts would then have to take over the airport again until the courts nullified the election and restored the Democrats which inevitably would lead to the red shirts protesting................ and so on and so on...................

Ok, Thaksin, got a majority with TRT. However living in the past doesn't help.

In fact, forming a coalition government after an election is a normal process in many countries!!!! Why? Because, according to voter's choice no party got a majority by themself. So they cooperate with other parties to get the votes and thus form a consensus that hopefully takes into account the will of a majpority. This happens in very stable countries, like for example in Germany, where subsequent changes of government between elections are not so common but still do happen. In other, not so stable (IMO) countries, like the Italy this happens all the time. The UK and US use different modells, that is why it doesn't happen there.

Neither the two prime ministers (Somchai and Samak) before Abhisit, nor Abhisit where directly elected by a majority of the people. The guys berfore Abhisit were forced out by court decisions!! Now it is Abhisit's turn.

Before Abhisit, the democrats wanted new elections, they didn't get it, now the Reds want a new election. Hmm?

The real problem is the inherent dishonesty and corruption by the actors. I cannot see how Thaksin has any regard for the good of the country. Look at what he says in his interviews- About Abhisit I don't know yet enough. He has been in power for 4 months. Maybe he turns out to be alright, maybe not. We need actors that really have the good of the people in mind. Corruption, vote buying, lying thease are the evils. They rot the system from within, no matter which rules you put in place.

Let Abhisit do his job now, until he is found guilty of corruption or other stuff by a court or forced out by a different majority in parliament (which can happen through new elections or losing support in the parliament).

I think Mr. Taksin could use his public media appearances to really promote and encourage the two factions to come to the table and form a coalition of national unity. Never anything, like how can we work together. No, he seems nopt to be in for this.

Challenging the democrats and the current PM on their will to reconcile and bring the country togehter.

It is funny, when the previous government with Mr. Somchai were in charge after Samak was disqualitfied, they would have nothing to do with new elections either. Just kept going as long as possible.

A rough figure for the entire metropolitan area, which includes adjacent provinces Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, etc is 10 million.

That's a far too low estimate. Samut Prakan alone officially has 1 million, but because of all the migrant workers, it's probably twice that. 15 million for the total metropolitan area is probably more realistic, but some estimates are closer to 20.

Sorry, IMO this is slightly overstated. Have u been to a few Chinese cities and seen the masses on the street. They make u think BKK is more like a mid size city. Have u seen the highrise forests of Shanghai. You can drive for 50 min to an hour on an expresspressway (no traffic jam) and see nothing but these forests - of houses.

And Sha is close to 20 million. No, I think Bkk possible 10 million if you make a big enough circle but not much more.

Bj, Sha, Chongqing, Wuhan and.... then you know what I mean.

Or only do the visa run and no extension and enjoy the full 21 days.

As per the zamp's post, he still has prob. around 9 days left. Now add the extension, so we are looking at another 16 days. If he plans only for 21 more days, then I would just make the stay 16 more days (9+7) and pay the 1900 Baht. To leave the island to get an additional 5 days before leaving and then return back, is that really worth it? (or course, unless the money is no issue whatsoever) My suggestion was more, if he changes his mind and stays on for let's say 6 more weeks. But you are right, Vientiane is probably a bit far, if he wants to stay in Samui.

Will be interesting to hear when the free visas start kicking in.

Hello,i have been in thailand for approx 20 days so far and and am planning on staying for another 3 weeks.Have spoken to a couple of people about extending it by 2 weeks.Some say i can and some say i cant.Went to the immigration office in samui today and they said i can get a 7 day extension for 1900 baht!! which sounds expensive to me.And then i read somewhere that tourist visas are now free to promote more tourism etc are they only giving free ones to people who aren't already in the country?.Is there another way of doing it without flying out of the country?thanks for any replys.

If you plan to stay longer than the additonal 3 weeks, that is, something like another 6 weeks, you could stay for the remaining duration on your current visa free entry - and then go to Vientiane and get a tourist visa there.

@Ubon Joe, @LiteBeer are they also giving out the tourist visas in Vientiane for free?

Here is the latest one and this one is quite lively:

Wawee Coffee in Soi Ari 1 @BTS ARI

(you can see it from the BTS) - but you have to walk down Soi ARI and then turn left

very nice outdoor- and indoor sitting area. Lot's of people today. So you won't be alone there.

WIFI as it seems, I asked the staff (I didn't bring my puter today)

You are so skinny you could live in a letter box .

not so much anymore! gained 5 pounds in BKK. i blame chefs xp!

Si Phraya River View Apts

any idea where this is? i can't find it with google.

i am still dreaming of a 2 bedroom + townhouse with a yard, maybe near lumpini... but i think i need a thai person to do the deal for me. it's very difficult finding the right place on your own as a farang, the prices jack up immediately when they see you.

Is it this?

http://english.cri.cn/2947/2008/06/10/[email protected]

yeah i know the villa suan phlu building, my friend lives there. it's a decent place for those on a tight budget, but it is not what i am looking for. thanks for the tip though.

Then try the Supalai building just up the soi. Not sure what 2 bedrooms goes for though. Also an LPN further up around the bend.

TH

Yesterday, I had a look this Supalai building on Soi 8 Suan Plu. I think, It is a nice building.

They have a pool and a gym.

I had an agent showing me a few studios, a one bedroom (I am looking for a studio or 1br) and a two bedroom.

She wanted 30000 for the two bedroom (19th floor, unobstructed views,), a master bedroom and a smaller bedroom. The place is newly furnished. Agent said the place is 80+ sqm. I am pretty sure, you can negotiate the 30k.

However they didn't put a bed in the smaller bedroom. And the kitchen had no cooking facilities. Could possibly buy a little cooker.

Cable and internet setup - to be done by the tenant. (the agent could possibly help doing it)

If you are interested, I can send you a PM with the agent num. If you are around, you could just walk in and ask at the office as well.

A friend of mine borrowed from loansharks and is paying 20% interest per month. She has a job and assests (land). where can she get a debt consolidater to take over her debt and allow her to pay interest at a reasonable rate? The amount Im talking about is around Bt250,000.

Sorry, the story sounds a bit fishy to me. So I would be rather suspicious.

Should it however really be true:

Your friend needs to get out of this loan asap.

If your friend has the means to pay the 20% interest per month - from her salary, then I am confident a bank will give here the money.

If she borrowed the money in an act of emergency, without thinking about the consequences of not being able to pay the 20% p.month, I believe, she could still go to the bank and take the land as a collateral to get the 250000 and pay it back in installments.

1. She needs to get off the 20% interest, that would otherwise ruin her financially in no time.

2. If she can pay back a normal loan from a bank go this route.

If her income doesn't allow her to even pay back a normal loan, then she might have to look into selling this land.

I neither know you and your means, nor do I know her and your relationship, so i could only advise to be very careful about providing the cash yourself!

If you know her very well (that is, sure you are not being setup) and losing 250000 is something you could tolerate and are willing to take that risk, you could provide some breathing space. But be careful!

Hi Girlx,

Unfortunately, as of now I don't know anything in this range. The 2 BR they have in the building where I stay are fairly large but, they run at 34000. Also only WIFI, no full kitchen (only Sink and fridge) no Sauna and no Gym. A nice restaurant though

What might be a start: browsing through the two apartment guides in Kinokuniya bookshop @Siam Paragon or try mrroomfinder:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Acco...74#entry2388874

Yongli