I am seriously considering taking Thai language lesson and getting an ED Visa in try living in Phuket. The school is in Patong but I would really like to be in an area where it's near enough but still away from city life. Any suggestions? And what is it really like living in Phuket should I decided to stay there for an extentented period of time and do something potentially stupid like buying over a bar or something...

Fantastic if you have money, crap if you don't.

I am seriously considering taking Thai language lesson and getting an ED Visa in try living in Phuket. The school is in Patong but I would really like to be in an area where it's near enough but still away from city life. Any suggestions? And what is it really like living in Phuket should I decided to stay there for an extentented period of time and do something potentially stupid like buying over a bar or something...

Yeah, bar would be stupid. If you have money invest in condominiums and rent them. Can't go wrong, at least that is my experience.

If you have money invest in condominiums and rent them. Can't go wrong, at least that is my experience.

During a world-wide economic down-turn where holidays are sacrificed first? Maybe not.

If you have money invest in condominiums and rent them. Can't go wrong, at least that is my experience.

During a world-wide economic down-turn where holidays are sacrificed first? Maybe not.

Well, I've been hearing that argument since 2001, yet all quality condos (I mean real quality, not Phuket town or Patong style) are selling like hot cakes. Economic downturn does not affect all segments of society that much, only medium, low or unskilled labor. There are so many Russians lining up for long term rentals, wish I had money for few more units. For long term investment I can't think of anything better except plot of land in prime area.

Here is the example: in 2001 I bought land for 14,000 baht per square wah in housing project. Now it sells for 30,000.

At that time some people were saying "aaahhh so expensive"...needless to say until today none of them owes any land or decent house.

Well, I've been hearing that argument since 2001, yet all quality condos (I mean real quality, not Phuket town or Patong style) are selling like hot cakes. Economic downturn does not affect all segments of society that much, only medium, low or unskilled labor. There are so many Russians lining up for long term rentals, wish I had money for few more units. For long term investment I can't think of anything better except plot of land in prime area.

What you say is true, but consider the huge number of quality condos under construction right now. From all accounts they are being sold as fast as the developers set up the show room. What happens when all these condos get on-line for rent or resale ? Now I know 'the-bubble-will-soon-burst' crowd have been predicting doom & gloom for at least 15 years, and it has not stopped me from buying land & building apartments, but one has to wonder what the future holds for the Phuket property market.

The school is in Patong but I would really like to be in an area where it's near enough but still away from city life. Any suggestions? And what is it really like living in Phuket should I decided to stay there for an extentented period of time and do something potentially stupid like buying over a bar or something...

In Patong I suggest you consider living in the Nanai Road or hill roads behind Nanai, else you have to go outside Patong and drive over steep roads to Kamala, Kathu, or Karon.

Most folks buy a bar as that's the cheapest option with 1 year lease, 3 years at best. But that's what most people do = too many bars, not enough drinkers. Bars change hands all the time, with the owners making lots of key money. By far the best business option is top be an owner by buying land/building on freehold basis. You can't go wrong BUT = a whole lot of money to buy freehold, and the foreigner can never truely 100% own the land = have to trust your 51% Thai partners.

Great and honest info guys. Tks a bunch. Looks like I may have to pass as I do not have enuff dough for realty investments. Was toying with other ideas as well such as setting up a media business but it looks saturated as well, form the info I gather on the web. Any sensisible business suggestions?

Great and honest info guys. Tks a bunch. Looks like I may have to pass as I do not have enuff dough for realty investments. Was toying with other ideas as well such as setting up a media business but it looks saturated as well, form the info I gather on the web. Any sensisible business suggestions?

Export "JohnnyLee Cashew Butter".

Was toying with other ideas as well such as setting up a media business but it looks saturated as well, form the info I gather on the web. Any sensisible business suggestions?

I know a lot of guys living here all year round and making money over the internet, such as web masters and/or stock market day traders. But you need to have already built up a client list in your own country before you can sucessfully support yourself here. This a low budget start-up business, operate from (rental) home, buy good PC, and internet connection.

Ha ha Huggybear... except does Phuket have the production?

Good idea Living in Kata and I may seriously consider doing my freelance graphic design and photography work over the web.

Couple more questions to trouble you guys:

1. Rental Apartments / Condos: How does it work? Do I need to pay a month deposit and advance or...

2. Driving: I do not have a license. Is it easy to get one in Phuket?

3. In general, any major problems with internet connections?

Tks a mil guys. Really appreciate the answers. Most of it anyway

1. Typical month deposit & month advance rent.

2. You can sit your driving test here in Phuket Town. Takes about a full day, theory test morning, practical afternoon, but you must have a residency paper from Immigration to obtain a Thai driving license. If you are here on an ED visa that should be no problem.

3. So long as you rent a place with a phone line and/or within range of decent ADSL service, should be Ok. If necessary you can buy a cellular type PC module (CAT EVDO) and obtain a mid range speed for about 550 baht/month.

Ha ha Huggybear... except does Phuket have the production?

Good idea Living in Kata and I may seriously consider doing my freelance graphic design and photography work over the web.

Couple more questions to trouble you guys:

1. Rental Apartments / Condos: How does it work? Do I need to pay a month deposit and advance or...

2. Driving: I do not have a license. Is it easy to get one in Phuket?

3. In general, any major problems with internet connections?

Tks a mil guys. Really appreciate the answers. Most of it anyway

nahhhh, probably have to make a deal with a cashew nut farm and then set up your own production. Been thinking about this myself....

Your questions:

1. Depends on the scenario, when I moved into my place it was first month, last month and 4,000thb cleaning deposit. I looked at moving into a nicer pad two months back and the guy wanted six months rent up front. Forget that ! Keep in mind that deposits are typically monies gone, you generally will not get deposits back.

2. Get an international drivers license before coming over. In the States, Triple A handles that for 15$US.

3. no major problems other than traffic slowing things down and occasional outages of connection. Definitely not the high speed as advertised, but workable.

Best of luck, HB

if your IT savy then there is, consultancy work, as most business owners here are about as computer literate as their stray dog.

Tks all, sounds cool. Will be making a trip there soon for sure! Any one wanna meet up for drinks let me know man. Cheers!