How You Came To Thailand And Survived?!

[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.

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

But “time shares” ??im also feeling disappointed

*shrug* You do what ya need to do. Better that then going back home with your tail between your legs, lookin for a hand out from mom or dad. Which would have been where I was headed had I not been able to learn a bit about closing and sales there. Yeah Time Share has a bad rap, and personally I would never buy it. But it works for allot of people. Not that any of that mattered to me. I was just happy to have the confidence and emotional endurance training that being successful in that position provides

[bendix]

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.

Sounds a bit like me Valjean. I came here nearly four years ago with a multinational and, I have to admit, I feel very settled here. I've turned down several bigger jobs back in the UK and Australia to remain here, but it's been worth it.

I kinda feel like I'm coming to the end of my time with this company though. To be honest, I'm bored.

Have just been offered two jobs to move on; one big one in HK, and another one in Bangkok. HK is obviously much bigger pay, but my heart is here. Lots of thinking to do.

[sgunn65]

I sold my flat and came out here thinking i would teach and have a bit of money in the bank as security. Then the organisation I worked for took my suggestion to open a drug and alcohol rehab here seriously and suggested I look for premises. I did that and then they backed out! I was left with the big decision; do I go back to the original plan and be secure on a teachers salary albeit just getting by or do I invest all my money in what I thought was a great idea.

I deliberated for a couple of very stressful weeks and then decided that since i had made the money from my flat was not real (ie earned) I might as well risk it.

We took over the property on April 1st (an auspicious date for the brits) and our first customer came through the door 3 weeks later. Since then we have had a steady sream of clients and I expect to recoup my investment in the next 4-6 months. I love what i do and even though most people say dont invest in LOS it looks to be working for me.

It obviously helps to have a trade that can be used here and a thai wife to help wade through the beaurocracy but if you have a dream and are prepared to risk everything then the worst you can lose is everything. I hope I don't have to start again but i will if I have to.

[Briggsy]

Taught English for 11 years in and around Bangkok.

I've saved about 30-50% of everything I've earned during that period so it's been very easy to stay here. But I would not recommend it to anyone else. It's hard work for little reward.

[GuestHouse]

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

Oh dear!