5 Reasons to Become an Expat in Laos

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, LeatFingies said:

Obviously. Plus the beaches and food. You can enjoy your commie country though, mate!

You really have no idea...I've lived and worked in both countries and travelled extensively in both....I'm a bit more savvy than to use cliches like "commie" as I know if I did I'd lose all credibility 

[kwilco]

22 minutes ago, LeatFingies said:

I have no idea about what? And what credibility do you have? 

I’ve lived in Thailand for 8 years and traveled though all of Laos. We had armed guards on our bus with ak47’s to protect us from bandits when traveling there. There’s no comparison between Thailand and Laos. It doesn’t hold a candle next to it. Plus, my dick is bigger is bigger than yours, commie.

 

QED."..I've have no idea about what?"

 

Further more, I've lived in Thailand longer (considerably) than you and driven myself in my oen vehicle all over  Laos often alone.

I also consider myself mature enough not to need to use schoolboy language or be concerned about the size of my penis or anyone else's. 

[LeatFingies]

4 minutes ago, kwilco said:

QED."..I've have no idea about what?"

 

Further more, I've lived in Thailand longer than you and driven myself in mmy vehicle all over the Laos often alone.

I also consider myself mature enough not to need to use schoolboy language or be concerned about the size of my penis or anyone else's. 

You’ve lived in Thailand longer than me? Then you obviously agree that Thailand is 100x better so what are you arguing about? That you can drive around a boring country alone? Congrats. Why don’t you live there?

[Damrongsak]

On 7/4/2021 at 5:13 AM, simon43 said:

I should emphasize that my comments about lifestyle only apply to living in Luang Prabang, which has a special ambience, due to its Unesco-protected status.

 

I would not live in Vientiane, Pakse, Savanaket if you paid me!

I'd like to visit LP sometime.  My wife grew up in Loei and was told by some Lao folks the other day that she had a Luang Prabang accent.  No wonder my Thai is a bit screwed up. 55

[kwilco]

7 hours ago, LeatFingies said:

You’ve lived in Thailand longer than me? Then you obviously agree that Thailand is 100x better so what are you arguing about? That you can drive around a boring country alone? Congrats. Why don’t you live there?

It just reinforces the obvious.. .if you think your post in anyway follows logical thought ... 

[simon43]

I used to live by the beach in Phuket.  I found sitting on the beach rather boring, especially after the local government banned the restaurants from placing their tables and chairs on the beach, (and then they banned deckchairs as well...).

 

I have never had any issues in Laos with either the 'secret' police, or uniformed police.  I used to have 'great fun' with Chinese and Vietnamese ladies in the town - no problems at all with the police, because those ladies are not Lao ????

 

When I used to visit southern Myanmar in the early 2000s, the secret police did indeed follow me around and question me, and locals who chatted with me had to report themselves to the police.  When I worked in Naypyitaw, the uniformed police often followed me 'for my safety' as they explained to me. Hah!!

 

If Laos is an example of a 'commie' country, then all hail communism!  Now I'm sure if you are an environmental or Hmong campaigner, then you will have problems with the authorities here.  But for me, life is very pleasant and anything but boring in the Luang Prabang region.  With Covid-19, Laos treats everyone (Lao and foreigner as equals), and I've received my 2 shots of AZ vaccine for free.  The dealings that I have with the 'commie' government (concerning my radio transmitters) are cordial and helpful, (unlike in Myanmar, where only cordiality was offered Lol).

 

As for Thailand, even after perhaps 15 years living and working in the country, I didn't feel that I was accepted.  I don't miss Phuket...

[driver52]

On 7/3/2021 at 2:37 PM, simon43 said:

my expat medical cover comes from France

Hi Simon, thanks for your interesting and informative posts

How come your medical cover comes from France? I'm English but I've been living in France for a few years

Thanks & bon courage!

[simon43]

36 minutes ago, driver52 said:

Hi Simon, thanks for your interesting and informative posts

How come your medical cover comes from France? I'm English but I've been living in France for a few years

Thanks & bon courage!

It's April Insurance, an 'expat' company based in France.  Their policy is quite popular for expats in south-east Asia - mentioned often in the insurance and health forums.

[relax33]

On 7/3/2021 at 11:41 PM, simon43 said:

So far, Laos has been very good to me.  The weather is good, the scenery is wonderful, the food is so good and varied, the administrative requirements to stay here are almost non-existent.  If I stop working, then I can still remain here because I'm a technical specialist

Hi Simon
 

Good to hear that you are liking it in Luang Prabang
I build and fly RC planes, do you think that will qualify me for the category of technical folks allowed to reside in Laos ..
Is it true that co-habitation with a local Lao women is a crime... and is it possible to live on the 8% bank interest ..

[relax33]

On 7/3/2021 at 11:41 PM, simon43 said:

So far, Laos has been very good to me.  The weather is good, the scenery is wonderful, the food is so good and varied, the administrative requirements to stay here are almost non-existent.  If I stop working, then I can still remain here because I'm a technical specialist

Hi Simon
 

Good to hear that you are liking it in Luang Prabang
I build and fly RC planes, do you think that will qualify me for the category of technical folks allowed to reside in Laos ..
Is it true that co-habitation with a local Lao women is a crime... and is it possible to live on the 8% bank interest ..

[relax33]

On 7/4/2021 at 6:35 AM, simon43 said:

According to this report, the year-on-year inflation rate is currently 3.55%, not 17/7%.

Hi Simon
 

Good to hear that you are liking it in Luang Prabang
I build and fly RC planes, do you think that will qualify me for the category of technical folks allowed to reside in Laos ..

Is it true that co-habitation with a local Lao women is a crime... and would inflation be tame enough for me to treat  the 8% bank interest as an income ..

[simon43]

On 10/16/2021 at 11:21 AM, relax33 said:

Hi Simon
 

Good to hear that you are liking it in Luang Prabang
I build and fly RC planes, do you think that will qualify me for the category of technical folks allowed to reside in Laos ..

Is it true that co-habitation with a local Lao women is a crime... and would inflation be tame enough for me to treat  the 8% bank interest as an income ..

Hi, sorry for the late reply.  Actually, I'm leaving Laos in about 4 weeks from now.  This is purely because the local police 'leant' on the amateur radio licence office in Vientiane to place restrictions on my ham radio operations. I had legally operated my ham station in Luang Prabang for 2 years, and then the local bigwig police guy got wind of it.

 

Those restrictions impede my enjoyment of my radio hobby, so I'm off to pastures new!

 

I don't think building RC planes classifies you as a qualified scientist ???? Do you have relevant degrees in technology?

 

Yes, you may encounter big problems if you live with a Lao partner who isn't married to you.  When the police investigated my ham radio station at my house, they kept asking if I cohabited with a Lao woman ????

 

As for the bank interest and income, of course that will depend on how much you save!  

[VocalNeal]

1 minute ago, simon43 said:

Actually, I'm leaving Laos in about 4 weeks from now.

Sorry to hear that I thought you had found pleasant bolt hole. Don't forget your virtual friends wherever you end up. Does this mean I'll have to get the local amateur radio station fired up?

[simon43]

22 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Sorry to hear that I thought you had found pleasant bolt hole. Don't forget your virtual friends wherever you end up. Does this mean I'll have to get the local amateur radio station fired up?

After the intervention of the police in my case, you might find a little difficult to get a ham licence in Laos.....

[VocalNeal]

7 hours ago, simon43 said:

After the intervention of the police in my case, you might find a little difficult to get a ham licence in Laos.....

I'm in Thailand. The station is about 300m from my house up the hill!  Go luck wherever you end up.

[sarvar295]

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[relax33]

On 10/19/2021 at 10:40 PM, simon43 said:

Hi, sorry for the late reply.  Actually, I'm leaving Laos in about 4 weeks from now.  This is purely because the local police 'leant' on the amateur radio licence office in Vientiane to place restrictions on my ham radio operations. I had legally operated my ham station in Luang Prabang for 2 years, and then the local bigwig police guy got wind of it.

Thanks for sharing your experience mate
So where are you heading next ..
Hope you will have a great time in the next destination you choose

[kwilco]

On 7/6/2021 at 4:18 PM, LeatFingies said:

You’ve lived in Thailand longer than me? Then you obviously agree that Thailand is 100x better so what are you arguing about? That you can drive around a boring country alone? Congrats. Why don’t you live there?

Total nonsequitur....how can anyone even think that is a valid argument. I ask you.

[Snikrep]

On 7/2/2021 at 11:12 AM, jak2002003 said:

It is impossible to get a visa to live as an expat there.

 

For example there is no retirement visa or way to stay there long term (possible exception being a work permit for a company that is employing you, but then your contract ends and you have to get out). 

 

This article is rubbish if it does not even mention visas. You can't even buy and own a scooter there, let alone buy a condo!

 

So no security at all, no appropriate visas, and you need to leave and re enter the country every few days, one time they might refuse to let you back in if the think you are doing it too often. 

 

 

 

 

I suggest you talk to one of the many expats who have lived in Lao for a number of years. I have been in Lao for the last 14 years and have never had any issues getting the visa I needed. I accept that that for those not married the official ones on offer are not that good . However there are "fixers" who will get what you need with out a problem.

 

[brewsterbudgen]

As this thread as been revived, an update from @simon43would be good, as I seem to remember him posting that he was now considering moving on from Laos.

[simon43]

On 1/2/2022 at 6:55 PM, brewsterbudgen said:

As this thread as been revived, an update from @simon43would be good, as I seem to remember him posting that he was now considering moving on from Laos.

Yes, I moved about 5 weeks ago.  I got tired of the police 'raiding' my house (3 occasions in 2 days, each time with 8 police).  I realise that my situation was unusual (I am the only radio amateur in Laos and the local police bigwig didn't like this on his patch!).  Anyway, after confiscating my local ID card to stop me leaving Laos (that didn't work did it haha!), and pocketing $200 cash from me with no receipt, I threw my toys out of my pram, packed up, reported in Vientiane that my ID card had been stolen, and left........

 

I'm sure that my problems in Laos are unusual, but clearly in any country, you can run into problems if someone important takes a dislike to you...

 

I am in Turkey right now, but moving on this Friday to a new location.  I'll post photos soon.

[brewsterbudgen]

50 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Yes, I moved about 5 weeks ago.  I got tired of the police 'raiding' my house (3 occasions in 2 days, each time with 8 police).  I realise that my situation was unusual (I am the only radio amateur in Laos and the local police bigwig didn't like this on his patch!).  Anyway, after confiscating my local ID card to stop me leaving Laos (that didn't work did it haha!), and pocketing $200 cash from me with no receipt, I threw my toys out of my pram, packed up, reported in Vientiane that my ID card had been stolen, and left........

 

I'm sure that my problems in Laos are unusual, but clearly in any country, you can run into problems if someone important takes a dislike to you...

 

I am in Turkey right now, but moving on this Friday to a new location.  I'll post photos soon.

That's a shame as you were a very useful and informative source of all things Laos!  Good luck in Turkey or wherever you end up.  Cheers

[Guest Isaanlife]

On 7/2/2021 at 12:12 AM, jak2002003 said:

It is impossible to get a visa to live as an expat there.

 

For example there is no retirement visa or way to stay there long term (possible exception being a work permit for a company that is employing you, but then your contract ends and you have to get out). 

 

This article is rubbish if it does not even mention visas. You can't even buy and own a scooter there, let alone buy a condo!

 

So no security at all, no appropriate visas, and you need to leave and re enter the country every few days, one time they might refuse to let you back in if the think you are doing it too often. 

 

 

 

 

You are completely wrong. Why post this nonsense and get everyone confused?

 

[Guest Isaanlife]

On 7/2/2021 at 8:23 PM, brewsterbudgen said:

I'm envious. I have a Lao wife but as we married in the UK, and had a kid before we married, the marriage is not recognised in Laos. Apparently getting it recognised in Laos would take years, cost a lot in both official and unofficial payments and even open us up to legal charges. So living in the house we built in Laos permanently seems out of the question.

 

Maybe the ridiculous outdated policies will change in the future.

Go back and get married in LAOS.

[Guest Isaanlife]

On 7/3/2021 at 11:23 AM, KhaoNiaw said:

 

Not speaking for him, but if you've ever followed his posts you'll see he's not too bothered about owning stuff himself and does a decent job of picking himself up when things go wrong. I'm sure he'll add his own voice tomorrow. 

Anyone that has been around for years knows Simon from way, way back when he built 3 hotels and lost them all to ex-wives. Yet he has managed to survive with a happy experience to share. He is a wealth of experience good and bad. 

[Guest Isaanlife]

On 7/6/2021 at 11:18 AM, LeatFingies said:

You’ve lived in Thailand longer than me? Then you obviously agree that Thailand is 100x better so what are you arguing about? That you can drive around a boring country alone? Congrats. Why don’t you live there?

If Thailand is 100x better, good for you.

 

Other folks are entitled to their own opinion which may not agree with yours.

[simon43]

On 1/20/2022 at 8:27 PM, Isaanlife said:

Anyone that has been around for years knows Simon from way, way back when he built 3 hotels and lost them all to ex-wives. ...

Wow!  The first that I heard of this!  ????

 

Hotel #1 was sold when we divorced - I got 50% of the funds

Hotel #2 was built for my ex solely using her 50% of funds from hotel #1 (I got paid 1 million baht to build it for her - she always owned it 100%)

Hotel #3 was built in 2012 for wife #3 who I had known for 20 years as a friend. We were (and still are) partners in that business, but Covid has put it on its last legs!

Hotel #4 was built by me and for me, using my own $.  It was 'stolen' from me by a bunch of druggies who physically invaded the premises, aided and supported by the corrupt local police.  Since I like my kneecaps, I decided enough was enough and left Thailand for good.

 

So... no ex-wife ever stole any of these small businesses from me ????  The only business that was stolen is #4, and you can give 100% credit for those events to the corrupt Phuket police in Saku who were the druggie's main customers Lol!

 

Anyway, life goes on.  I'm living on the island of Mauritius right now, legally teaching science online and relaxing on the nearby beaches, or in my own private swimming pool.  Not bad for someone who many say 'lost everything'! ????

 

 

[GrandPapillon]

you did lost a lot in Thailand, Simon, there is no denial in that. But you also got a lot richer in knowledge and wisdom, so not a net loss ????

[simon43]

27 minutes ago, GrandPapillon said:

you did lost a lot in Thailand, Simon, there is no denial in that. But you also got a lot richer in knowledge and wisdom, so not a net loss ????

Agreed! ????

[Guest Isaanlife]

5 hours ago, simon43 said:

Wow!  The first that I heard of this!  ????

 

Hotel #1 was sold when we divorced - I got 50% of the funds

Hotel #2 was built for my ex solely using her 50% of funds from hotel #1 (I got paid 1 million baht to build it for her - she always owned it 100%)

Hotel #3 was built in 2012 for wife #3 who I had known for 20 years as a friend. We were (and still are) partners in that business, but Covid has put it on its last legs!

Hotel #4 was built by me and for me, using my own $.  It was 'stolen' from me by a bunch of druggies who physically invaded the premises, aided and supported by the corrupt local police.  Since I like my kneecaps, I decided enough was enough and left Thailand for good.

 

So... no ex-wife ever stole any of these small businesses from me ????  The only business that was stolen is #4, and you can give 100% credit for those events to the corrupt Phuket police in Saku who were the druggie's main customers Lol!

 

Anyway, life goes on.  I'm living on the island of Mauritius right now, legally teaching science online and relaxing on the nearby beaches, or in my own private swimming pool.  Not bad for someone who many say 'lost everything'! ????

 

 

Lost meaning no longer owned, sorry. I could remember the exact details from all those years ago.