Friends, Farangs And Countrymen

[Mossfinn]

I am considering opening a Salad, sandwich, fresh fruit and Smoothie bar in Rayong.

It is a very quiet area but right beside the beach.

The premises are quite long, ground floor corner plot with a reasonably busy hotel right next to it.

This would cater for both Thais and the very few Farang tourist but has a growing ex-pat community in the area.

I would also look into specialist foods for the differing Nationalities.

Now considering all things Thai Visa Mantras:

1. Don't invest in Thailand what you can't afford to lose

2. Don't buy a bar

3. Don't burn all your bridges from home and come here to live

So a few points, have been married for 6 years, the wife speaks excellent English, I can't speak Thai, but heroically trying to learn.

No particular rush at present, haven't even looked at a business plan yet, just a Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Analysis

Any thoughts, am I mad.

All things duly considered.

Regards

Moss

[sbk]

Location, Location, Location.

If the previous renter failed why would you succeed? Find out what was there first, and why its gone, would be my first advice

[jdinasia]

Location, Location, Location.

If the previous renter failed why would you succeed? Find out what was there first, and why its gone, would be my first advice

plus ... food/labor/overhead ... vs return

[Mossfinn]

Hi SBk,

It hasn't failed, there is nothing in the apartment at present, it is really a Condo that I am thinking into making into a business.

Location, well as I said it is very quiet, but I have hopes, not particularly high hopes, but hopes none the less.

The area has progressed quite a lot in the year and a bit I have been going there.

Thanks for the post

Moss

[sbk]

OK, then if there wasn't a failed business there why not sit there for a few days. All day. And see what kind of foot traffic is around the place, if something good would draw people in. If the foot traffic isn't there, it will be slow starting.

[cdnvic]

What kind of physical changes are you going to need to do to the premises to make it right for your business? You said it was a condo now?

[Mossfinn]

Location, Location, Location.

If the previous renter failed why would you succeed? Find out what was there first, and why its gone, would be my first advice

plus ... food/labor/overhead ... vs return

Hi JD,

Haven't got to grips with all the O/Hs yet, but will be making an assessment in due course.

The one good thing is that there will be very little mortgage on the premises by the time I get there and set up.

One major factor will be what to pitch the pricing at, but this will be determined by the custom as at present there is little competition for this type of thing at present.

The major O/H of course will be the extravagant wage demands of the MD, the wife not me

OK, then if there wasn't a failed business there why not sit there for a few days. All day. And see what kind of foot traffic is around the place, if something good would draw people in. If the foot traffic isn't there, it will be slow starting.

Hi SBK,

Have done this for a limited period at present but more work needs to go into this.

It wasn't the best of times last time I was there, but peak periods would be better, plus I am hoping on an upturn in the level of tourism as people move on down the coast.

Purely speculative this idea at present, but also working on a Unique selling point and be established before the competition gets to grips with the area.

What kind of physical changes are you going to need to do to the premises to make it right for your business? You said it was a condo now?

Hi Vic,

Working on a layout now, as it is an empty shell I have a blank canvas to work with.

So changes would be very little I suspect, but the cost involved in set-up, well I would be guessing right now.

I am not looking for a return on investment on the property so it not critical that I have to make high returns, as if.

Thanks for the responses, greatly appreciated.

Moss