How You Came To Thailand And Survived?!

[awakened]

I'm forever hearing of how people on a budget came to Thailand through backpacking or even just on spec and failed. The gloom and doom merchants are always quick to point the finger at 'losers' who wasted their cash on booze and birds and had to vamoose back to their own countries. Not very charitable but there you are.

Does anyone out there have success stories of how to survive on a budget.. what jobs you found... how you made ends meet? For some I'm sure it was a struggle.

Anyone self-sufficient out there... organic gardeners perhaps? Did you buy a piece of land and stick a hut on it?

Anyone find doors seemed to open for them? Met good samaritans?

Anyone marry a Thai lady and ended up having to live with the Thai family, although skint? This would be interesting since I'm given to believe that you are expected to be the walking ATM and not the other way around.

Anyone know of communities where people club together. Is this even possible in Thailand anymore?

What about religious retreats? Anyone volunteer and still there?

Sorry. Lots of questions. Happy to hear your experiences or point to a thread if it's been asked before. Thanks.

[bratpack]

There are no get rich quick things out here that are legal,you need savings,investments etc,or a job of some kind which is difficult unless you want to be a teacher.However one can be prudent with their money by only living off what they can afford.

[Maigo6]

A few guys appear to have come to Thailand with nothing and married into Money after meeting women from fabulously wealthy families.

Oddly enough these claims have come in anonymous internet Forums, what a surprise!

[Gary A]

Thailand has many national forests. Move into one of them and cultivate a crop of ganga. Take it to the farang ghetto and sell it. You should do quite well providing you don't get caught. If you do get caught, Thailand will provide food and lodging for you. Other than that, I know no fail safe method to make a living here.

[bratpack]

wheres the farang ghetto pray tell

[awakened]

I'm not looking for opinions or judgements but real-world experiences. Please don't clutter the thread unless you have something useful to contribute.

I'm retired and on a pension and doing just fine thanks so I'm not trawling for tips on how to be a scrounger. There is a similar thread I found in the Ladies forum that has some very courageous examples of how people got by. It was fascinating and I'd like to open it up. That's all.

Thanks.

[Gary A]

wheres the farang ghetto pray tell

Pattaya is probably the largest farang ghetto but all resorts and cities usually have one. If my wife ever throws me out, I will be headed back to a farang ghetto somewhere.

[Theyreallrubbish]

I'm not looking for opinions or judgements but real-world experiences. Please don't clutter the thread unless you have something useful to contribute.

I'm retired and on a pension and doing just fine thanks so I'm not trawling for tips on how to be a scrounger. There is a similar thread I found in the Ladies forum that has some very courageous examples of how people got by. It was fascinating and I'd like to open it up. That's all.

Thanks.

I arrived when still young with no money and not knowing anyone. Got a fairly low level job with a big Thai company. Worked my ass off. Produced good results and got promoted very quickly.

No magic formula. Just working hard and producing results and creating value for the people paying me.

From my own observations it seems the hardest part for foreigners coming here is maintaining the self-discipline to work as hard here as they would in the west when the local atmosphere isn't as conducive to maintaining a strong work ethic.

I always had the view that I had to create as much value as I would in the west in order to justify a western level of income and that merely being a bit better than locals only justified an income a bit better than the locals.

The other aspect that seems to be hard for many foreigners is not developing an attitude that they're better than the locals as the Thais pick it up very quickly and can very subtly not support you. Life is much easier here when the Thais support and endorse you.

[Moonrakers]

I arrived some 8 years ago on a 6 month sabatical (Sp?) with no particular plan in mind, needless to say I didn't make it back home to the UK.

Since then I have gone from job to job, the longest lasting 3 years.

Some jobs good and some not so good, the not so job goods didn't last long as I was naive enough to be duped into working for them.

Some of the time I have been pennilless and unemployed, and managed to hold on with help of friends/ past girlfriends and more recently my wife. On more than one occassion I have found myself moments away from the dreaded call to 'mummy', for THAT ticket home, it's odd though that something pops up at the last minute.

Having grown up somewhat though, and with responsibilities such as my own family (Wife and kid), along with being sick and tired of the financial insecurity I have chosen a different path. The path that I have chosen is the 'sensible' one of long term security and now I work for a professional company but on a very low salary for a farang. Despite the low salary I now have a clear career path in front of me, and fortunately my wife is able to supplement our income (She actually makes alot more than me) to the point where we can pay the bills each month and have a little left over for a few luxuries (Beer, nice food/restaurants once a week ect).

With hindsight, had I returned to my career with Nationwide Life in the UK I could be quite well off by now, but in all honestly I wouldn't change anything as I now have a loving wife and beautiful daughter.

How did I survive?... Luck, tenacity, luck, help from friends, luck, determination, and a whole lot more luck along with the odd scenario where I am not quite sure how I pulled through.

Hope this answers your question.

[bratpack]

good post global.I dont think i could work here due to being lazy now and enjoying life too much.

[alexth]

A few guys appear to have come to Thailand with nothing and married into Money after meeting women from fabulously wealthy families.

Oddly enough these claims have come in anonymous internet Forums, what a surprise!

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Haven't logged in TV for a long time, Maigo. Always nice to see your posts. Hope all is going well for you and keep up the good work, some of these peeps need to be spanked sometimes

[Nignoy]

wheres the farang ghetto pray tell

you have 2 choose from Manchester and Melbourne Nignoy

[Huey]

I got scammed by a someone who I thought was my friend and it left me with nothing. I ended up making ends meet initially, but then after a few weeks, doing ok (80,000 Baht a month approx) selling Time Share in Pattaya. Heavy pain barrier but I'm grateful for the experience.

[boiledegg]

I got scammed by a someone who I thought was my friend and it left me with nothing. I ended up making ends meet initially, but then after a few weeks, doing ok (80,000 Baht a month approx) selling Time Share in Pattaya. Heavy pain barrier but I'm grateful for the experience.

I never thought them people on motorbikes chasing you down the street made a satang let alone 80k a month.

As for the married into money quote, i could have but i didnt like the girl enough to sell my soul.

[MSingh]

I got scammed by a someone who I thought was my friend and it left me with nothing. I ended up making ends meet initially, but then after a few weeks, doing ok (80,000 Baht a month approx) selling Time Share in Pattaya. Heavy pain barrier but I'm grateful for the experience.

I never thought them people on motorbikes chasing you down the street made a satang let alone 80k a month.

As for the married into money quote, i could have but i didnt like the girl enough to sell my soul.

For want of a better word, you'd have basically Whored yourself if you did..

[distortedlink]

I am 56 and permanently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand with my Thai wife, married 20 years and daughter.

OK, first let me give details of my situation:

Back in 1994 I came to live in Chiang Mai for 10 months to see whether or not, Thailand was for me. After 10 months, returned back to the UK 1995 and decided that I did want to live in Thailand for the future. At that time I was 42 years old, working in the UK, had not much in savings and still had a considerable amount of mortgage left on my house in London, so it was not the right time for me to make the big move.

In 2003 at age 50, UK house prices had increased considerably. I sold up, made a profit on the house, I with my Thai wife & daughter all moved to Chiang Mai. Last year at age 55 my company pension began paying me out, so have a regular monthly income for life, plus I will receive a UK state pension in 9 years time, which will be necessary because by than, my company pension salary will probably be worth about 60% of it's present value due to inflation.

So for me, I have savings in the bank, both in Thailand and the UK, a good company pension and hopefully another pension coming in 9 years time when I will be 65 if I'm still alive. On top of this my wife can claim 2 widows pensions from the UK in the event of my death. I have my own house in Chiang Mai all paid up and my daughter was able to go to an International school. In my view this is the perfect scenario for living long term in Thailand with financial security for the present and the future, without having to worry about finding work or other ways of making income.

Anyone under the age of 50 wishing to live in Thailand long term should consider that finding work here is extremely difficult, Immigration laws impose certain amounts invested in a Thai bank, inflation in Thailand is escalating, currency exchange rates are poor and bank interest rates are crap. Those coming here on the evaluation that their present savings and incomes may suffice will find themselves in dire straights later on.

Also, some resident Farangs here are not friendly, sociable or community minded and will not give support to any newbie settlers here. For those hacking it alone, could find themselves living in isolation without being able to converse with anyone in their native language for long periods. There are many Farang undesirables, criminals and others, they're all here and one must be choosey when associating with other Farangs and whom they pick for their friends.

Choosing a Thai girlfriend in the hope of marriage can be catastrophic for a male Farang if he hasn't had prior experience of courting in Thailand. There are Thai families who have made stripping a Farang out of his assets almost into an industry. The golden rule is, if they ask for money, than it's a scam.

What I have quoted above is an illustration of what should be taken into consideration before making the big move. Usually those who sell up in their home countries and come over to Thailand will be financially unable to return home after a few months, (includes me) meaning, not able to buy property because prices would have increased since leaving the home country and would need to find employment that is difficult without somewhere to live in the first place. Returning back to the home country, could mean being homeless and unemployed.

To conclude, those Farangs thinking of living here should plan wisely so as to be able to enjoy all the benefits Thailand has to offer.

[RakJungTorlae]

I took a plane and then I go to the banks and atms to get cash when I’m bored. Simple really.

[RakJungTorlae]

A few guys appear to have come to Thailand with nothing and married into Money after meeting women from fabulously wealthy families.

Oddly enough these claims have come in anonymous internet Forums, what a surprise!

Rofl. Some go a bit over bored eh. It dose happen thou but mostly they meet over seas or in a university in Thailand. have a few friends, but there girls are ugly

I would think that these girls would be very controlling and high maintenance as well.

[wileycoyote]

I once read

"The instant way of becoming a millionaire in Thailand....

is start with 2 million & be happy ,if you have anything left after your experience "

[RakJungTorlae]

I got scammed by a someone who I thought was my friend and it left me with nothing. I ended up making ends meet initially, but then after a few weeks, doing ok (80,000 Baht a month approx) selling Time Share in Pattaya. Heavy pain barrier but I'm grateful for the experience.

I enjoy reading your post huey and im glad everything worked out for you.

But “time shares” ??im also feeling disappointed

[Maigo6]

To conclude, those Farangs thinking of living here should plan wisely so as to be able to enjoy all the benefits Thailand has to offer.

Some wise words by distorted link......

[Maigo6]

A few guys appear to have come to Thailand with nothing and married into Money after meeting women from fabulously wealthy families.

Oddly enough these claims have come in anonymous internet Forums, what a surprise!

Rofl. Some go a bit over bored eh. It dose happen thou but mostly they meet over seas or in a university in Thailand. have a few friends, but there girls are ugly

I would think that these girls would be very controlling and high maintenance as well.

I think many Farangs actually prefer poor girls....

They think the girls won't dump them so quick, well, at least not until the house and papa's pick-up are paid for !

[siamamerican]

I think many Farangs actually prefer poor girls....

They think the girls won't dump them so quick, well, at least not until the house and papa's pick-up are paid for !

No, most farang prefer attractive girls and the poor ones are the easiest to approach. They don't go into the relationship(s) believing they will be dumped. Many go to extremes to prolong the relationships, buying cars, houses...

I've dated ( not sure if that is the right word ) Thais that only wanted money and it wasn't that bad for the short term. I don't think any of the women disliked me after it became apparrent that I wasn't going to be an ATM. They just found someone that would.

[Beavis and Butthead]

wheres the farang ghetto pray tell

Pattaya is probably the largest farang ghetto but all resorts and cities usually have one. If my wife ever throws me out, I will be headed back to a farang ghetto somewhere.

never worry about that. thai wives never throw out farang husbands with offshore income streams, ever. never ever

[GuestHouse]

I am 56 and permanently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand with my Thai wife, married 20 years and daughter.

OK, first let me give details of my situation:

Back in 1994 I came to live in Chiang Mai for 10 months to see whether or not, Thailand was for me. After 10 months, returned back to the UK 1995 and decided that I did want to live in Thailand for the future. At that time I was 42 years old, working in the UK, had not much in savings and still had a considerable amount of mortgage left on my house in London, so it was not the right time for me to make the big move.

In 2003 at age 50, UK house prices had increased considerably. I sold up, made a profit on the house, I with my Thai wife & daughter all moved to Chiang Mai. Last year at age 55 my company pension began paying me out, so have a regular monthly income for life, plus I will receive a UK state pension in 9 years time, which will be necessary because by than, my company pension salary will probably be worth about 60% of it's present value due to inflation.

So for me, I have savings in the bank, both in Thailand and the UK, a good company pension and hopefully another pension coming in 9 years time when I will be 65 if I'm still alive. On top of this my wife can claim 2 widows pensions from the UK in the event of my death. I have my own house in Chiang Mai all paid up and my daughter was able to go to an International school. In my view this is the perfect scenario for living long term in Thailand with financial security for the present and the future, without having to worry about finding work or other ways of making income.

Anyone under the age of 50 wishing to live in Thailand long term should consider that finding work here is extremely difficult, Immigration laws impose certain amounts invested in a Thai bank, inflation in Thailand is escalating, currency exchange rates are poor and bank interest rates are crap. Those coming here on the evaluation that their present savings and incomes may suffice will find themselves in dire straights later on.

Also, some resident Farangs here are not friendly, sociable or community minded and will not give support to any newbie settlers here. For those hacking it alone, could find themselves living in isolation without being able to converse with anyone in their native language for long periods. There are many Farang undesirables, criminals and others, they're all here and one must be choosey when associating with other Farangs and whom they pick for their friends.

Choosing a Thai girlfriend in the hope of marriage can be catastrophic for a male Farang if he hasn't had prior experience of courting in Thailand. There are Thai families who have made stripping a Farang out of his assets almost into an industry. The golden rule is, if they ask for money, than it's a scam.

What I have quoted above is an illustration of what should be taken into consideration before making the big move. Usually those who sell up in their home countries and come over to Thailand will be financially unable to return home after a few months, (includes me) meaning, not able to buy property because prices would have increased since leaving the home country and would need to find employment that is difficult without somewhere to live in the first place. Returning back to the home country, could mean being homeless and unemployed.

To conclude, those Farangs thinking of living here should plan wisely so as to be able to enjoy all the benefits Thailand has to offer.

A great post.

I would add the observation that Distortedlink moved to Thailand with an already settled relationship and the financial security of Savings/Pension.

The big risk in moving over as a single guy is that even if you have financial security when you arrive, you need to be very sure to hang on to your capital when you inevitably get into a relationship in Thailand. The risk is not just the scammers waiting to fleace you but the genuine costs of starting a relationship with the customary younger woman.

A house, children, schools and all the costs that eat a normal earned income will play havoc with fixed income and fixed capital.

[Prakanong]

A few guys appear to have come to Thailand with nothing and married into Money after meeting women from fabulously wealthy families.

Oddly enough these claims have come in anonymous internet Forums, what a surprise!

And all of their brothers in law are top coppers or FiL a puu yai

Are we so cynical

BTW: I am having a beer tonight with Lee Kuan Yew down at Harry's before we go to the 4 floors

[RakJungTorlae]

I know the cheapest way to stay in Thailand for life is. !!BANG KAWNG!! Mind you the view isn’t so grate

[wasabi]

There's been some good advice here but I haven't seen anyone answer the OP's question with specific career paths or jobs which doesn't surprise me. Coming here and retiring is one type of choice, but coming here and working for a good chunk of your career is another. How to make a living in Thailand is the holy grail for a large swath of population disaffected with the women, weather and excess of rules and regulations in the homeland. A lot of people come to Thailand and get intoxicated by the vibrant night life, great food, weather and mysterious culture. Wouldn't it be nice to turn your back on all those responsibilities and annoying coworkers back home and enjoy the good life everyday! We've all seen the ads, "Work on a beach from Thailand." Those who have figured it out often don't tell. If you carved out a niche for yourself in paradise would you gamble losing it for the sake of a website positing?

Edited June 29, 2008 by wasabi

[DLock]

For those that doubt it's possible...

http://www.forbes.com/global/2002/0902/061.html

Story was written in 2002...and it just got better from there.

[Valjean]

Came here 3 years ago working for a multinational. Not on a golden expat package but a decent local plan. Had been through Asia a lot and here on business and liked it. It was a bit of luck to get the job - one of 2 farangs out of about 100 at that time. But it's worked out OK. However it's about time to either move on within the company, which means out of Thailand, or stay in Thailand and make my way here. I'm very happy with my life here so I've decided to stay and start a business. I've found that a great community of business owners who I can work and network with and that I'm coming to reaized how nice that is. It's been a fun adventure and it looks like there is more coming.