Cumbria couple relocates to Thailand, goes off-grid

[webfact]

 

In a tale of resilience and determination, a couple from Cumbria, in the United Kingdom made their dream of relocating to Thailand come true sooner than planned.

 

Formerly entrenched in the bustling food and beverage scene of Cumbria, Ben and Anna battled through the pandemic’s harsh realities, fighting tooth and nail to keep their businesses afloat.

 

“We were both working about 80 hours a week, but we were doing it for no money. We both thought that we really enjoyed what we did, but we very quickly realised that wasn’t true.”

The UK couple’s decision to expedite their plans came as a result of Covid-19’s unforgiving impact on their ventures. With their businesses shuttered, the duo seized the opportunity to embark on their long-awaited journey to Thailand.

Navigating the complexities of international travel amidst a global pandemic proved to be no easy feat. Anna made the initial journey in March 2021, with Ben following suit two months later. Even their beloved dog joined the adventure, albeit on a separate flight.

 

Settling in the serene province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, the UK couple’s vision of a blissful existence began to take shape. Nestled on a picturesque 5-acre plot, their new abode offered a glimpse of paradise amidst the lush landscapes of northeastern Thailand.

Dream home

 

Despite the idyllic setting, the road to their dream home was fraught with obstacles. From bureaucratic delays to tumultuous monsoon seasons, the couple faced setback after setback. Yet, their unwavering resolve saw them through, as they braved floods and road reconstructions to finally complete their 2,900-square-foot sanctuary.

 

“We didn’t realise this until we started building the house, it was just a lucky bonus.”

 

With a backdrop of majestic mountains and a tranquil river flowing nearby, their haven epitomised the essence of tranquillity.

Ben reflected on the challenges he faced during the past 22 months.

 

“Honestly, there were so many times I felt regretful about this decision. It seemed like the end of the world. Wading through waist-deep water just to reach my farm, I’d look around and think, What am I doing?”

 

The stress was palpable. Living a 30-minute drive from the nearest city, and 15 minutes from the closest village, which offered little beyond houses and a tiny shop, underscored their remote lifestyle.

 

“To highlight how isolated we are, our five-acre plot lacks electricity and water — we had to go entirely off-grid.”

 

Thai life

 

Their water source was a well they dug themselves, and solar panels provided their electricity. They endeavoured to grow their food, cultivating rice and various fruits.

 

“It’s mostly aspirational for now but we’re making progress. We have around 100 banana trees, five mango trees we’ve planted, plus lemons, limes, and such.”

 

They planned to venture into commercial coconut cultivation soon. Ben noted that living costs in Thailand were significantly lower than in the UK.

 

“We could scrape by on maybe US$500 (18,000 baht) a month for both of us, covering food, fuel, and car insurance if we tightened our belts.”

 

However, this would exclude luxuries like dining out. Despite still being involved in a UK chef recruitment business, the reduced cost of living alleviated work-related stress for him, reported Business Insider.

 

“I don’t need to earn thousands every week or month.”

 

Beyond work, Ben devoted himself to farming and chronicled his experiences on YouTube. He aimed to portray the realities of his journey authentically, encompassing both joys and hardships.

 

“It’s not all sunshine and rainbows — there were plenty of tough times, like the horrendous flooding, that I wanted to share.”

His advice to aspiring homeowners? Consider going off-grid.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Business Insider

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-21

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[jak2002003]

This is a joke? 

 

It's illegal for foreigners to be farming as work here.

 

What visas are they here on, if they are below retirement age? 

 

How can they own the land they are farming? 

 

How have they registered the house in their name? 

 

They think it is so isolated to be 30 minuites from the city, lol

 

Also, they dug the well by themselves..haha, with shovels? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 20 by jak2002003

[flyingtlger]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“We were both working about 80 hours a week, but we were doing it for no money. We both thought that we really enjoyed what we did, but we very quickly realised that wasn’t true.”

 

No money?

Are you kidding?

I wouldn't do it 20 hours/week....

[HighPriority]

“Look at me !”

”Look at me !”

[JensenZ]

It's a bit dumb to advertise to the whole of Thailand that you're working illegally.

 

Ben said:

 

"Despite still being involved in a UK chef recruitment business, the reduced cost of living alleviated work-related stress for him, reported Business Insider. “I don’t need to earn thousands every week or month.”

 

Beyond work, Ben devoted himself to farming and chronicled his experiences on YouTube. He aimed to portray the realities of his journey authentically, encompassing both joys and hardships."

 

So he's working on a chef recruitment business online, and YouTube is a business too.

 

He's a bit of a dumb***

[Nick Carter icp]

Two people sell up back home and move to Thailand 

[AlexRich]

How did they buy land and build a home, when they are both foreigners? 

[HighPriority]

8 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

How did they buy land and build a home, when they are both foreigners? 

Looking at the pic “Anna” may hold the clues

[AlexRich]

13 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Looking at the pic “Anna” may hold the clues

 

The pic is hard to tell? It looks like two guys? So you think Anna is Thai? 

[Skipalongcassidy]

1 minute ago, AlexRich said:

 

The pic is hard to tell? It looks like two guys? So you think Anna is Thai? 

"anna" just may be the Thai guy in the pic... the one not waving like a twit.

[anyone]

https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-couple-moved-uk-thailand-slow-life-rural-offgrid-farmstead-2024-2

Left - Bennie/ right - Thai builder. Photo taken by wifie.

[HighPriority]

2 minutes ago, anyone said:

https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-couple-moved-uk-thailand-slow-life-rural-offgrid-farmstead-2024-2

Left - Bennie/ right - Thai builder. Photo taken by wifie.

Spot on, and from your link "Anna was raised in a village about a 15-minute drive from our farm and the majority of her family is still there," Ben said. "So she knew the land, she knew there were no utilities at all, but she knew that it was a beautiful spot.“

[sammieuk1]

The concrete looks very jungle  eco friendly, well done! who needs all those pesky trees anyway 🤔 

[VincentRJ]

It doesn't seem sensible to build a home on land which is susceptible to flooding during the monsoon periods. 
Following is a quote from the 'Businessinsider' article, which describes the cause of the delay in building the house.

 

"Our whole land was flooded, which meant the builders had no access to the site. When the water subsided, it took a lot of the access road with it," Ben said. "It was another two months before the government rebuilt the road so the builders could get back to the house."

[PingRoundTheWorld]

Probably should've mentioned this is a Thai-British couple and not "Cumbria couple" that implies they're British and opens up a lot of questions that could've been easily answered with that one bit of information (how can they own land, how can they farm commercially). Leaving it to our best armchair detectives to investigate these important questions - while maybe satisfying - is poor reporting.

 

I only hope for Ben they never break up, because if they do he's screwed. Heartbroken, homeless and alone in Thailand would be the title of that YouTube video.

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

the one not waving like a twit.

I don't think he is waving his arm. I think he is pointing at the house, granted it's not a fully-extended and confident pointing - he maybe still learning how to, but at least he is making an effort to integrate culturally. 

Edited February 21 by klauskunkel

[PJ71]

So many negative horrible comments.

 

They've followed their dream, something that is apparent many have not, majority just come here to drink themselves to death with the devils alcohol - horrible drug!

 

Good luck to them...

[KannikaP]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

to finally complete their 2,900-square-foot sanctuary.

That's 270 sq mtrs, plenty big enough for two......maybe a few little 'uns on the way.

[KannikaP]

7 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

So many negative horrible comments.

 

They've followed their dream, something that is apparent many have not, majority just come here to drink themselves to death with the devils alcohol - horrible drug!

 

Good luck to them...

How do you know that they do not imbibe the stuff, or even make their own, being self sufficient?

[Gecko123]

Article reads like a young adults romance novel.

[PJ71]

3 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

How do you know that they do not imbibe the stuff, or even make their own, being self sufficient?

Pardon me?

[Chassa]

I know this couple and most comments so far by Aseannow people have been speculation and bull<deleted>!

[Andre0720]

19 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

How do you know that they do not imbibe the stuff, or even make their own, being self sufficient?

  16 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

So many negative horrible comments.

 

They've followed their dream, something that is apparent many have not, majority just come here to drink themselves to death with the devils alcohol - horrible drug!

 

Good luck to them...

 

This guy PJ just looked at this situation in a positive way, as it might have been positive after all.

 

But then you find a way to turn it in a negative way.... 

Of course anyone starting a comment with a 'how do you know', can turn anything in any which way that he chooses.

[brianthainess]

15 minutes ago, Chassa said:

I know this couple and most comments so far by Aseannow people have been speculation and bull<deleted>!

Don't blame us blame the stupid idiot who wrote the headline, and the article, and posted a picture of 2 men. 

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

 

In a tale of resilience and determination, a couple from Cumbria, in the United Kingdom made their dream of relocating to Thailand come true sooner than planned.

 

Formerly entrenched in the bustling food and beverage scene of Cumbria, Ben and Anna battled through the pandemic’s harsh realities, fighting tooth and nail to keep their businesses afloat.

 

“We were both working about 80 hours a week, but we were doing it for no money. We both thought that we really enjoyed what we did, but we very quickly realised that wasn’t true.”

The UK couple’s decision to expedite their plans came as a result of Covid-19’s unforgiving impact on their ventures. With their businesses shuttered, the duo seized the opportunity to embark on their long-awaited journey to Thailand.

Navigating the complexities of international travel amidst a global pandemic proved to be no easy feat. Anna made the initial journey in March 2021, with Ben following suit two months later. Even their beloved dog joined the adventure, albeit on a separate flight.

 

Settling in the serene province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, the UK couple’s vision of a blissful existence began to take shape. Nestled on a picturesque 5-acre plot, their new abode offered a glimpse of paradise amidst the lush landscapes of northeastern Thailand.

Dream home

 

Despite the idyllic setting, the road to their dream home was fraught with obstacles. From bureaucratic delays to tumultuous monsoon seasons, the couple faced setback after setback. Yet, their unwavering resolve saw them through, as they braved floods and road reconstructions to finally complete their 2,900-square-foot sanctuary.

 

“We didn’t realise this until we started building the house, it was just a lucky bonus.”

 

With a backdrop of majestic mountains and a tranquil river flowing nearby, their haven epitomised the essence of tranquillity.

Ben reflected on the challenges he faced during the past 22 months.

 

“Honestly, there were so many times I felt regretful about this decision. It seemed like the end of the world. Wading through waist-deep water just to reach my farm, I’d look around and think, What am I doing?”

 

The stress was palpable. Living a 30-minute drive from the nearest city, and 15 minutes from the closest village, which offered little beyond houses and a tiny shop, underscored their remote lifestyle.

 

“To highlight how isolated we are, our five-acre plot lacks electricity and water — we had to go entirely off-grid.”

 

Thai life

 

Their water source was a well they dug themselves, and solar panels provided their electricity. They endeavoured to grow their food, cultivating rice and various fruits.

 

“It’s mostly aspirational for now but we’re making progress. We have around 100 banana trees, five mango trees we’ve planted, plus lemons, limes, and such.”

 

They planned to venture into commercial coconut cultivation soon. Ben noted that living costs in Thailand were significantly lower than in the UK.

 

“We could scrape by on maybe US$500 (18,000 baht) a month for both of us, covering food, fuel, and car insurance if we tightened our belts.”

 

However, this would exclude luxuries like dining out. Despite still being involved in a UK chef recruitment business, the reduced cost of living alleviated work-related stress for him, reported Business Insider.

 

“I don’t need to earn thousands every week or month.”

 

Beyond work, Ben devoted himself to farming and chronicled his experiences on YouTube. He aimed to portray the realities of his journey authentically, encompassing both joys and hardships.

 

“It’s not all sunshine and rainbows — there were plenty of tough times, like the horrendous flooding, that I wanted to share.”

His advice to aspiring homeowners? Consider going off-grid.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Business Insider

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-02-21

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Coming from UK but counting their money in USD ?

Fake story???😳

[brianthainess]

A big house for a couple, and no garage to park a car or their farming equipment, or will they pay other people to do the work? 

[Kinok Farang]

4 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

This is a joke? 

 

It's illegal for foreigners to be farming as work here.

 

What visas are they here on, if they are below retirement age? 

 

How can they own the land they are farming? 

 

How have they registered the house in their name? 

 

They think it is so isolated to be 30 minuites from the city, lol

 

Also, they dug the well by themselves..haha, with shovels? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She is Thai.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Either poor reporting or designed to get the attention of readers.

 

For example if I decided to go back home with my wife after seven years here would the headline be “ Thai couple relocates to the U.K. “ ??

[bamnutsak]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Wading through waist-deep water just to reach my farm, I’d look around and think, What am I doing?”

 

 

I'll take extra Grid thank you.

 

Curious about what their internet connection is? Do they even get a mobile signal?

 

 

 

 

[roo860]

4 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

This is a joke? 

 

It's illegal for foreigners to be farming as work here.

 

What visas are they here on, if they are below retirement age? 

 

How can they own the land they are farming? 

 

How have they registered the house in their name? 

 

They think it is so isolated to be 30 minuites from the city, lol

 

Also, they dug the well by themselves..haha, with shovels? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She's Thai ya muppet 😅😅