Nadica

Good day expats!

We are looking into a option to move to Thailand again and I would kindly need information regarding best places for a family to live in Pattaya, recommendation for the international schools (children aged 11 and 13 years) and their fees as well. We have lived in Samui some years back, so how is the cost of life comparing to Pattaya? 

Optional place to live for us would be Rayong so if anyone have tips about pros and cons of this 2 areas would be a plus. 

Thank you ????

I need attested education certificate issued by a private thai school. I have nothing to do with usa embassy and I do not need it for USA. Please anyone know any lawyer or company that can do this job for me?

I need to attest documents issued in Thailand for using abroad. I have been told that I need the attestation from the MFA of Thailand.

Since I am not in Thailand at present- does anyone know a company that deals with this things and that for a fee would attest my document in the Ministry of Foreign Afairs in Bangkok?

Thank you!

Listen guys, as long as there is demand there will be a supply. Im sorry we're getting out of the topic.. I've lived in Thailand and I know more or less what to expect.

Anyway can anyone tell me about the ferry to Koh Samet? What is the company? Do they have web site?

Peace

I was waiting for the "most of them are Prostitutes" crap to start.

Be careful as apparently there are females who go to hotels with men on Koh Samet as well.

Listen guys, as long as there is demand there will be a supply. Sorry that we are getting out of the topic. I've lived in Thailand and I know more or less what to expect.

Anyway, can anyone tell me about the ferry to Koh Samet? What is the company? Do they have web site?

Peace

Ok I got it... I' m landing at Utapao airport how I get to Koh Samet? Ferry?

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I'll go thru the web and take a look at the resorts. my oldest one is 8. I'm sure they will have fun. is there anything in particular i should be aware about ?

Hello everyone, we're about to go on a holiday in Pattaya for first time with our children. Can someone suggest in which area to look for accommodation? Somewhere not to noisy with nice beaches and good restaurants and resorts.

Thank you!

Quick update:

I heard that the playschool Sunshine Tots is closed.

When I was looking for schools a year ago I did't find all of them. Most of these schools are not advertised. I found them only after coming to the island.

To me it seemed like a useful thing to do. If you know them good for you, I did't and therefore yes it cost me quite a lot.

Save money for sure since the schools cost quite a lot. Some unreasonably a lot selling British education in Thai style.

That's all from me.

How would this save anybody any money when you could get all that information by using google or reading any of the numerous threads on this forum. Thanks anyway.

After a year and a half living on the island and as a parent of two children I want to share my experience about the schools in Samui. Probably same as the most of the newcomers on the island I choose the most advertised and most expensive one unfortunately.... and it took me some time to find all other schools. Some are nicer than the others, some are more expensive, and some have better facilities or choice of foreign language.

The truth that lies behind all this international schools is that: yes they are in English language but studying the Thai language is obligatory and by Law. So you must realize that your child will learn both English and Thai. This counts for all the schools.

I decided to make a simple list and give basic information to anyone that might need it in future.

Here is the list in no particular order:

Panyadee The British School of Samui in Chaweng Noi- international school

Samui Center of learning in Lamai- international school

Bluewaters or ISS in Bophut- international school

Oonrak in Maenam- this is Bilingual school (Thai and English)

For smaller children up to 5/6 years of age there is one playschool in Bophut called Sunshine Tots.

If you need information about any of the schools you can simply make serch by name on Google. They all have web sites.

Hope this will help to the families moving to Samui in finding schools for the children and maybe saving them some time and money.

Hello everyone,

I need WI-FI internet service at home. At the moment I am renting the place and there is no landline. I am wondering if there is possiblity on the island to have WI-FI internet without telephone line??

Anyone had some experiance regarding this issue?

Thanks,

Nadica

Thanks to Smokie and Rooo for organizing the party last night. I was lovely meeting everyone.

Great food and drinks.

Looking forward to the next party!

Cheers!

Can anyone recommand me a good and reliable english speaking doctor on the island? I have just arrived on the island I know that there are several international hospitals here, can anyone maybe advise me which one is better?

I will be needing pediatrician more than anything else.

Any information will be very appreciated. Thanks

I would like to come and meet everyone. Hopefuly I will be able to find the place.

See you there!

hello,

Can anyone please explain me what is the procedure when buying a car (second hand) in Thailand? What are the documents that a foreigner needs to have?

How does it work with the inssurance companies?

Also would be of great use if anyone explains what is the procedure and what are documents re. driving there, obtaining a Thai licence.

Thank you all!

We live in Caribbean in Antigua. It is Very different than Cayman islands. Antigua is much rural and less developed country. People here tend to be very racist towards the foreigners/ or towards white peopole to be more precise.

We live here for 4 yaers alraedy and I honestly cannot say that I have ever felt myself welcomed.

I always thought that it comes because Antigua is a young country still creating its culture and from the recent slavery taht people say was very hard.

From our visit in Thailand I noticed the respect that people show you, and to be honest Koh Samui seems New York comparing to Antigua...

I believe that Thais are racist towards the foreigners specialy since is their land, thair country and they might feel disturbed by the fact that so many people move it to their homeland.

Here a person gets a clear message that is not welcomed.

I thank you all for the observations they are all surely of a good use.

Thank you all for the tips, they gave me a good idea on what I can expect on the island. We will surely take all of this in consideration think all over again and do our best to make sure that we are ready for the move.

We live in the Caribbean and good child care is very difficult to find here too, not to mention the state of the private schools... st least here we are in an english speaking island so we can interact with the people.

I think that the language bariere is not something to underestimate for sure.

How about the medical staff in the hospitals? Are there many english speaking doctors?

How long would a average person need to get familiar with the Thai language and what is the best way to learn hai? I have checked that there are Thai language courses for adults

Should the children learn Thai in schools?

Non of us is Thai national, we all have european passports, we have visited Samui on several ocasions and we do know the schools and med insurance costs. We have already evaluated the possibilities for opening a business there and already made several appointments with consulents about the immigration requirements we must perform.

We need to understand and find a way to be able to manage our business and in the same time to have peace of mind that our children are been well taken care of.

The older one will go to school, we have alrady filled out the application form and we know the costs, my biggest concern is if I would be able to find a part/full time helper to give me a hand with the smaler one.

Safety of the children for us comes first.

I am trying to get familiar with everything before making the final move.

As for being europeans we actualy live out of Europe in a quite third world country so I don't have any specific requirements that a European/US person would.

Are there other families with children in Samui that run their private buinesses that might give me some tips?

I was wondering if I could find some information about how would be the life in Koh Samui with two children.

Is the island safe place to move to with family?

Are there reliable babysitting services on the island?

I have checked that there are some nice schools but I have no precise idea about. My children are at the age of 1 and 3 years.

How does the medical system works?

Any information will be very appreciated.

I just realised that I didnot mentioned that upon arrival in Thai with non imm O type visa I/we plan to open a business in Thai. Propably that would help about getting a work permint no?

My confusion is that after my visa expires do I have to make a visa run to renew it? I have read that the validity of the visa (extention to stay) and validity of the WP are 2 different things and myst be renewed accordingly.

I am trying to find a info and a way (if there is) to do not have to go out of thailand in order to get visa renewal or extension.

hello everyone, i have been checking the topics about Non imm. O type visa and work permits but I need some additional info regarding my situation.

I have learned that once obtained Non immigrant type O visa from a Thai embassy abroad I can enter in the country and apply for a work permit in the next 90 days. This would mean that I would not have to make the visa run since the work permit is valid for 1 year.

After few phone calls and meeting other people I was informed that this process is not simple as it seems. The newest information I got is that after obtaining a Non O type visa, arriving in Thailand and requesting and getting work permit I MUST do do the visa run so that with my next entrance in the country the immigration officer would stamp me Non immigrant B type visa in the passport. What of this information is trye?

Did anybody had this situation? Anybody got any tip?

Thanks

Services, proffesional advices are of grat importance

Forget it, it's Thailand. I lived in the south, Isaan, BKK and North Thailand. The standard is the same, you'll need to be on the back of anyone to get a good service; including farangs who are among the worst scammers here.

I think I can live with that

And how is the security there? I mean are there robberies ect... Where would you suggest for a family with children to go and live in Samui?

And how is the island on a safety point of view?

I mean the how is the crime rate, where are the best places for a family to live in Samui?

How long does your travel insurance cover you for? There are insurance brokers on the island , the cost is determined by the level of cover you require.

You can also check out Thaivisa Insurance, they have forms on line that can probably show the different levels of cover with an example of cost, at least you are then armed with some info & you are not flying blind.

We have no travel insurance. Once there we must make everything from the beggining. Where we are at the present is not convenient to have med insutance since in any case we must pay all from our own pocket and after remboursment is almost ridiculous..

I'll check on thaivisa insurance..

I am just trying to inform myself about everything as much as i can