Settling In

[thisisme1995]

Hi everyone, just wondering, when I come into Bangkok via plane of course, is there a cab service that could get me to a hotel? And, if looking for a place to rent, what is the best way to go about this, possibly newspapers or an agent? And what do agents in Bangkok charge? Could anyone tell me what the electricity, water, and gas charges are currently and how you go about getting them turned on? Sorry, for asking so many questions, I just don't know the area.

[scottyd]

You can't get moved for Taxis, so that will not be a problem. Just try to do some research where you want to stay, or the address of a Hotel or agent before you come to Thailand, have the address wrote down in Thai to show the Taxi Driver.

I can't really help with the rest becauseI don't know.

[thisisme1995]

You can't get moved for Taxis, so that will not be a problem. Just try to do some research where you want to stay, or the address of a Hotel or agent before you come to Thailand, have the address wrote down in Thai to show the Taxi Driver.

I can't really help with the rest becauseI don't know.

Thanks Scottyd, I did find the site on learning Thai, and it is quite helpful. That is a great idea and one I wouldn't have thought of. Thanks for your help.

[GungaDin]

You can't get moved for Taxis, so that will not be a problem. Just try to do some research where you want to stay, or the address of a Hotel or agent before you come to Thailand, have the address wrote down in Thai to show the Taxi Driver.

I can't really help with the rest becauseI don't know.

Thanks Scottyd, I did find the site on learning Thai, and it is quite helpful. That is a great idea and one I wouldn't have thought of. Thanks for your help.

What is the purpose of your visit?

Scotty lied, there are no taxis in Thailand, only buffaloes & handcarts. Cheap though!

[yabaaaa]

Hi everyone, just wondering, when I come into Bangkok via plane of course, is there a cab service that could get me to a hotel? And, if looking for a place to rent, what is the best way to go about this, possibly newspapers or an agent? And what do agents in Bangkok charge? Could anyone tell me what the electricity, water, and gas charges are currently and how you go about getting them turned on? Sorry, for asking so many questions, I just don't know the area.

Electric and water charges vary wildly from 3 baht up to whatever the owner wants same with water seems to be about 17 baht up. Gas is in cylinders not sure of cost. Renting use the interne tThai Visa classifieds , Craiglist ,baht and sold etc etc.

Cheap rooms in some places charge a lot for the electric which can really make a more expensive place a better bet if they have a lower rate for services.

[Searcher25]

Hi everyone, just wondering, when I come into Bangkok via plane of course, is there a cab service that could get me to a hotel? And, if looking for a place to rent, what is the best way to go about this, possibly newspapers or an agent? And what do agents in Bangkok charge? Could anyone tell me what the electricity, water, and gas charges are currently and how you go about getting them turned on? Sorry, for asking so many questions, I just don't know the area.

I am guessing that you are coming to BKK to relocate or at least stay for a year or longer? I can only offer my experiences when I relocated to BKK.

Step 1. Go on the internet and find a centrally located hotel within your budget for a few days. E.g., on Sukhumwit or Silom. This hotel will be your jumping off point. Along Suk or Silom you will have access to the BTS and subway. The taxis at the airport are plentiful, cheap and will get you to your hotel especially, if it is centrally located and you print out a map with address from the hotel's website

Step 2. Before getting on the plane make sure you have searched the internet for centrally located serviced apartments.

Once in BKK go look at different centrally located serviced apartments. Rent one of your choice for no more than a month - they can be expensive about B50,000+ per month. Make sure the serviced apartment has convenient access to the BTS. Now you are ready for serious apartment/condo hunting.

Step 3. As soon as you have moved into the serviced apartment start looking for your permanent digs. Use the internet to find different apartments/condos that are NOT centrally located but still offer reasonable access to either the BTS or subway. Google is a great tool to help you find places. Take the BTS or subway and start pounding the pavement - or hire a cab to take you to different places.

Step 4. Things to look for:

- Apartments and condos that are not centrally located and/or right next to the BTS will be alot cheaper than the same quality apartment that is centrally located or right next to the BTS.

- Make sure the apartment/condo that you choose can still offers reasonable access to the BTS or subway. By this I mean are there alot of taxis passing by the close vicinity to the apartment/condo. If not you are going to be walking more than you like. A short taxi ride (2 km or less) to and from the BTS will run you about B40 - an expense you will gladly pay especially in the hot season or when raining.

- Is the apartment/condo relatively new. Old building present problems.

- In an apartment you will pay more for water and electricity. Water is not an issue but electricity in an apartment will run about B6-8 baht per unit.

In a condo you will pay about B3.5 per unit. Make sure the air-conditioners are new ones not old ones.

- In an apartment there will be full-time managers and maintenance staff, if you have a problem it will be fixed with a phone call at no charge to you.

Condos may or may not have the same staff. Usually they do. A phone call will take care of the problem but you will pay for it. In apartments you will have access to whatever internet and cable service the apartment has contracted for - you will not have a choice. In a condo you choose but you have to set it up (easy to do). The staff at the condo will tell you what you need to do.

On balance: Apartments are more expensive but more convenient while you are learning how to adapt and live in BKK. Condos are generally less expensive but require more effort on your part.

- For quality places to live, at B15,000 - B25,000 per month, you may want to look north of Victory Monument along Phahonyothin road or along Lat Prao road. BTS on Phahonyothin and subway on Lat Prao. I would suggest your rental budget be no less that B15,000 per month plus B5,000 - B7,000 per month for utilities. This should get you a nice place (not big, but nice) with all the amenities including good security and staff services.

Step 5. Enjoy your new life. BKK is a great place to live.

Step 6. Have lots of patience, keep smiling and don't let the minor shit get to you.

[bkkjames]

If it's in your bugdet, take a serviced apartment for a month. This will give you time to get your bearings and find a comfortable place.

[GungaDin]

Hi everyone, just wondering, when I come into Bangkok via plane of course, is there a cab service that could get me to a hotel? And, if looking for a place to rent, what is the best way to go about this, possibly newspapers or an agent? And what do agents in Bangkok charge? Could anyone tell me what the electricity, water, and gas charges are currently and how you go about getting them turned on? Sorry, for asking so many questions, I just don't know the area.

I am guessing that you are coming to BKK to relocate or at least stay for a year or longer? I can only offer my experiences when I relocated to BKK.

Step 1. Go on the internet and find a centrally located hotel within your budget for a few days. E.g., on Sukhumwit or Silom. This hotel will be your jumping off point. Along Suk or Silom you will have access to the BTS and subway. The taxis at the airport are plentiful, cheap and will get you to your hotel especially, if it is centrally located and you print out a map with address from the hotel's website

Step 2. Before getting on the plane make sure

etc.... etc

Good post, Searcher.

I would only add to get out on foot in an area you like and talk to the security guards at the various buildings, they know what is going on.

I'll add more when the OP furnishes more info about his intentions.

[thisisme1995]

Hi everyone, just wondering, when I come into Bangkok via plane of course, is there a cab service that could get me to a hotel? And, if looking for a place to rent, what is the best way to go about this, possibly newspapers or an agent? And what do agents in Bangkok charge? Could anyone tell me what the electricity, water, and gas charges are currently and how you go about getting them turned on? Sorry, for asking so many questions, I just don't know the area.

I am guessing that you are coming to BKK to relocate or at least stay for a year or longer? I can only offer my experiences when I relocated to BKK.

Step 1. Go on the internet and find a centrally located hotel within your budget for a few days. E.g., on Sukhumwit or Silom. This hotel will be your jumping off point. Along Suk or Silom you will have access to the BTS and subway. The taxis at the airport are plentiful, cheap and will get you to your hotel especially, if it is centrally located and you print out a map with address from the hotel's website

Step 2. Before getting on the plane make sure

etc.... etc

Good post, Searcher.

I would only add to get out on foot in an area you like and talk to the security guards at the various buildings, they know what is going on.

I'll add more when the OP furnishes more info about his intentions.

I am looking to relocate for at least a year. I would like to find something on the outskirts of BKK. I am just hoping that it isn't going to be too hard for a single mother to do so. I have a part time job offer for web development and a monthly stable income. I don't really need a large place, and would prefer an area where there is at least a good basic internet connection. I would also like to know if anyone knows how you go about having the electricity turned on and the other necessities? I appreciate the advice on talking to the security guards though. This is a total culture change for myself and my children. 

[max36]

What is a "serviced apartment"? And why are they 50K or more per month?

Thanks in advance.

[G54]

Usually there is no need to have the services 'turned on'. This is not like the UK where you need to phone the utilities.

In an apartment, hote; or wherever, you go, pay the money and WYSIWYG.

[G54]

What is a "serviced apartment"? And why are they 50K or more per month?

Thanks in advance.

50k ??? No way. On the outskirts of BKK you can pay 3k upwards. Look at google and sarch for apartments.

[GungaDin]

I am looking to relocate for at least a year. I would like to find something on the outskirts of BKK. I am just hoping that it isn't going to be too hard for a single mother to do so. I have a part time job offer for web development and a monthly stable income. I don't really need a large place, and would prefer an area where there is at least a good basic internet connection. I would also like to know if anyone knows how you go about having the electricity turned on and the other necessities? I appreciate the advice on talking to the security guards though. This is a total culture change for myself and my children.

TIM,

you are a very brave woman.

It sounds like you haven't been here before.

I had 5 years here and 4 years away and have a rough idea of the landscape.

I arrived back just before the airports were shutdown by the political thugs.

2 weeks in a guest house on soi 22 saw me looking for cheaper digs elsewhere.

I ended up at the back end of On Nut, not the most solubrious area.

Eventually I found a 3.5 bedroom unfurnished, large house 30kms west of BKK.

I thought, great, no more pollution etc.

Wrong! I'm 100m from an 8 lane hwy, the air is black! Just like Central BKK.

You will need to bring plenty of cash to tide you over until you find a cheap apt or house.

If you have children, go for a house.

It took me 6 weeks to find my present abode & I found it thru Craigs List.

Now that I've spent a small fortune fitting the house out, I'll spend the rest of the year looking for a new spot, (Unfurnished)

North of Chumphon, on the coast, in cleaner air. (hopefully)

BTW, don't go house hunting in April, the heat is unbearable.

Don't hesitate to ask more questions.

cheers

gd

PS 3000bt a month in the BKK Metro area? Yeah, right.

[rainman]

Have you ever been to Bangkok or Thailand before deciding to move here?

I wouldn't recommend going through an 'agent' or real estate office to find an apartment or house to rent. I've seen several of them rent apartments for 60-70k that would otherwise have been available directly from the owner for 18-22k. I'm not joking. I would recommend renting an apartment from one of the 'Supalai' places around Bangkok. Do a search on Google. The Supalai Park in Phahonyothin Soi 21 I think has quite a few apartments available now from 12k (studios) to 25k (2 bedrooms). They're not services and you have to get your own services like TV and Internet, but they can be applied for at the nearby Central Ladprao shopping center. It's barely 1km away and so is the Subway station. Another 1 station from the Subway station gets you to the Skytrain station Mo Chit.

But first, I recommend getting a serviced apartment for at least 3-4 weeks.

[thisisme1995]

Have you ever been to Bangkok or Thailand before deciding to move here?

I wouldn't recommend going through an 'agent' or real estate office to find an apartment or house to rent. I've seen several of them rent apartments for 60-70k that would otherwise have been available directly from the owner for 18-22k. I'm not joking. I would recommend renting an apartment from one of the 'Supalai' places around Bangkok. Do a search on Google. The Supalai Park in Phahonyothin Soi 21 I think has quite a few apartments available now from 12k (studios) to 25k (2 bedrooms). They're not services and you have to get your own services like TV and Internet, but they can be applied for at the nearby Central Ladprao shopping center. It's barely 1km away and so is the Subway station. Another 1 station from the Subway station gets you to the Skytrain station Mo Chit.

But first, I recommend getting a serviced apartment for at least 3-4 weeks.

To answer your question, no I have never been to Thailand. I have a friend that I worked with that told me about is, and I want a change, and a major one. The people I have met state side from Thailand have all been really nice, and are quite educated. I would love to find just a small one bedroom house, and I will take your advice on the 'Supalai' places. You all have been very helpful and I really appreciate it. I will continue googling for housing as I am running out of time here in the states, flight takes off in April. Is a budget of around 45,000 THB sound reasonable, or should I budget a little more?

yabaaaa Posted 2009-03-16 06:25:30

Electric and water charges vary wildly from 3 baht up to whatever the owner wants same with water seems to be about 17 baht up. Gas is in cylinders not sure of cost. Renting use the interne tThai Visa classifieds , Craiglist ,baht and sold etc etc.

Cheap rooms in some places charge a lot for the electric which can really make a more expensive place a better bet if they have a lower rate for services.

From this side of the world 17 baht and 3 baht doesn't seem that bad. My electric bill in August was $500.00 usd! How high up can this go?

[GungaDin]

TIM

What is the 45,000 THB to cover?

I would double it to be safe.

My aircon bill is a min of 7000 a month plus rent etc.

[Searcher25]

What is a "serviced apartment"? And why are they 50K or more per month?

Thanks in advance.

A 'serviced apartment' is a fully furnished apartment including kitchen with appliances that can be rented on short-term basis: 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, etc..

All services/utilities are provided and included in the rent. Electricity, water, internet, cable, maid service, plates, towels, etc.. No need to buy anything. Just move in. They are usually located in convenient areas with easy access to the BTS, western orientated supermarkets, restaurants, etc.

Centrally located serviced apartments tend to cater to people who only need to stay in the apartment for a short time, e.g. businessmen on an extended business trip. Provides the convenience of an apartment at a cheaper rate than hotels. In short, a fully functional apartment that is located in a desirable area. Nice, but it will cost you.

Hope this helps

[Searcher25]

Have you ever been to Bangkok or Thailand before deciding to move here?

I wouldn't recommend going through an 'agent' or real estate office to find an apartment or house to rent. I've seen several of them rent apartments for 60-70k that would otherwise have been available directly from the owner for 18-22k. I'm not joking. I would recommend renting an apartment from one of the 'Supalai' places around Bangkok. Do a search on Google. The Supalai Park in Phahonyothin Soi 21 I think has quite a few apartments available now from 12k (studios) to 25k (2 bedrooms). They're not services and you have to get your own services like TV and Internet, but they can be applied for at the nearby Central Ladprao shopping center. It's barely 1km away and so is the Subway station. Another 1 station from the Subway station gets you to the Skytrain station Mo Chit.

But first, I recommend getting a serviced apartment for at least 3-4 weeks.

To answer your question, no I have never been to Thailand. I have a friend that I worked with that told me about is, and I want a change, and a major one. The people I have met state side from Thailand have all been really nice, and are quite educated. I would love to find just a small one bedroom house, and I will take your advice on the 'Supalai' places. You all have been very helpful and I really appreciate it. I will continue googling for housing as I am running out of time here in the states, flight takes off in April. Is a budget of around 45,000 THB sound reasonable, or should I budget a little more?

yabaaaa Posted 2009-03-16 06:25:30

Electric and water charges vary wildly from 3 baht up to whatever the owner wants same with water seems to be about 17 baht up. Gas is in cylinders not sure of cost. Renting use the interne tThai Visa classifieds , Craiglist ,baht and sold etc etc.

Cheap rooms in some places charge a lot for the electric which can really make a more expensive place a better bet if they have a lower rate for services.

From this side of the world 17 baht and 3 baht doesn't seem that bad. My electric bill in August was $500.00 usd! How high up can this go?

Now that I know more about your situation and intentions, I would like to add some extra "advice". Straight-up: I need to pour some cold water on your aspirations.

Having reliable internet is the least of your worries. If you can function with download speeds of ~ 1mb and upload speeds of ~ 200kb, you will be ok.

Issue #1: You desire a house on the outskirts of Bangkok. Can be had, but that will put you (with your monthly budget of B45,000) away from the BTS/subway. On B45k/month you will not be able to afford a car. You will be reliant on buses and taxis.....when you can get them. Living in BKK is like living in a major city anywhere in the world. Apartments/condos are the norm. Houses are an exception. Other forum members may have different viewpoints, but if you go for a house you are looking outside Bangkok proper. In addition to a relative lack or transportation, you will have to set everything up, arrange for all maintenance and repairs yourself. How good are your Thai language skills?

Issue #2: You have children. Are they of school age? If so where will you educate them? The international schools with english/american curriculum, taught in English, are all in Bangkok and are expensive. When your children are sick, where will you take them for treatment. Quality hospitals with english speaking staff tend to be located in central Bangkok. Easy to get to if you are reasonably close to BTS/subway. Do you want to endure a 2-hour bus trip when your little one is in pain?

Issue #3: B45,000/per month. If you did not have children, I would say that B45,000 - B60,000 is plenty for a reasonably comfortable (not luxurious) life in Bangkok. With children and no family nearby to help and I presume no Thai language skills you are setting yourself and your children up for a rough time.

Bottom line: If you can generate an income of B80k-90k/month you can get a reasonable 2 bedroom apartment that will be close enough to the facilities you and you children will need. Others will have to tell you about education expenses.

Sorry to be so cold, but I think you need to re-examine your current situation and see if there is anyway you can make it work and/or relocate in your current country of residence. At the very least, take 2-3 weeks to come to Bangkok and have a look for yourself. Bangkok is a great place to live, but very shitty for someone who does not have enough money nor family to help with the children. Remember there is no social safety net as in the West - especially for a foreigner.

Just to be extra-cold, I have to add the following: If you plan on coming to Thailand and maybe meeting a nice man to take care of you and your children - most western men will not be interested in you. They want Thai women. As a mother of children - no Thai man will be interested in you except for novelty purposes.

If you come to Thailand with your children and find out it does not work for you, where will that leave you? Will you be better or worse off than you are now?

[thisisme1995]

Now that I know more about your situation and intentions, I would like to add some extra "advice". Straight-up: I need to pour some cold water on your aspirations.

Having reliable internet is the least of your worries. If you can function with download speeds of ~ 1mb and upload speeds of ~ 200kb, you will be ok.

Issue #1: You desire a house on the outskirts of Bangkok. Can be had, but that will put you (with your monthly budget of B45,000) away from the BTS/subway. On B45k/month you will not be able to afford a car. You will be reliant on buses and taxis.....when you can get them. Living in BKK is like living in a major city anywhere in the world. Apartments/condos are the norm. Houses are an exception. Other forum members may have different viewpoints, but if you go for a house you are looking outside Bangkok proper. In addition to a relative lack or transportation, you will have to set everything up, arrange for all maintenance and repairs yourself. How good are your Thai language skills?

Issue #2: You have children. Are they of school age? If so where will you educate them? The international schools with english/american curriculum, taught in English, are all in Bangkok and are expensive. When your children are sick, where will you take them for treatment. Quality hospitals with english speaking staff tend to be located in central Bangkok. Easy to get to if you are reasonably close to BTS/subway. Do you want to endure a 2-hour bus trip when your little one is in pain?

Issue #3: B45,000/per month. If you did not have children, I would say that B45,000 - B60,000 is plenty for a reasonably comfortable (not luxurious) life in Bangkok. With children and no family nearby to help and I presume no Thai language skills you are setting yourself and your children up for a rough time.

Bottom line: If you can generate an income of B80k-90k/month you can get a reasonable 2 bedroom apartment that will be close enough to the facilities you and you children will need. Others will have to tell you about education expenses.

Sorry to be so cold, but I think you need to re-examine your current situation and see if there is anyway you can make it work and/or relocate in your current country of residence. At the very least, take 2-3 weeks to come to Bangkok and have a look for yourself. Bangkok is a great place to live, but very shitty for someone who does not have enough money nor family to help with the children. Remember there is no social safety net as in the West - especially for a foreigner.

Just to be extra-cold, I have to add the following: If you plan on coming to Thailand and maybe meeting a nice man to take care of you and your children - most western men will not be interested in you. They want Thai women. As a mother of children - no Thai man will be interested in you except for novelty purposes.

If you come to Thailand with your children and find out it does not work for you, where will that leave you? Will you be better or worse off than you are now?

I quite like your frankness and it is much appreciated. The "cold water" is very refreshing. I appreciate someone who speaks their mind and is up-front.

There is no "situation" to examine, my mind is clear, I just want a change of atmosphere. I grew up in a rather "rustic" environment as a child and while I do realize that Thailand is a bit different in climate, I'm not necessarily worried about it. To answer the question of the "looking for a man" thing, to be quite frank, not my intentions at all, and not interested.

I was "assuming" that it would be necessary to purchase a vehicle sometime after arrival. My "safety net" is in place if it doesn't work out, although I am not afraid. I have been certified in a part of the health care field, dealing with basic and emergency situations. I did this so that I could take care of my children if the need arose, due to the fact that I lived, at that time, in a slightly remote area. I apologize if I seem to put out the idea that I am just fleeing from a bad situation. I am fleeing to a new situation. I want a change of pace and environment, like a lot of people who move overseas want.

Once again though, I do appreciate your frankness, it is most appreciated. Thank you very much for your help. There is no need to apologize for being cold, I did not take it that way.

yabaaaa Posted 2009-03-16 06:25:30

Electric and water charges vary wildly from 3 baht up to whatever the owner wants same with water seems to be about 17 baht up. Gas is in cylinders not sure of cost. Renting use the interne tThai Visa classifieds , Craiglist ,baht and sold etc etc.

Cheap rooms in some places charge a lot for the electric which can really make a more expensive place a better bet if they have a lower rate for services.

You have been most helpful and I do appreciate your advice. Thank you so much.

QUOTE (rainman @ 2009-03-18 05:06:05) Have you ever been to Bangkok or Thailand before deciding to move here?

I wouldn't recommend going through an 'agent' or real estate office to find an apartment or house to rent. I've seen several of them rent apartments for 60-70k that would otherwise have been available directly from the owner for 18-22k. I'm not joking. I would recommend renting an apartment from one of the 'Supalai' places around Bangkok. Do a search on Google. The Supalai Park in Phahonyothin Soi 21 I think has quite a few apartments available now from 12k (studios) to 25k (2 bedrooms). They're not services and you have to get your own services like TV and Internet, but they can be applied for at the nearby Central Ladprao shopping center. It's barely 1km away and so is the Subway station. Another 1 station from the Subway station gets you to the Skytrain station Mo Chit.

But first, I recommend getting a serviced apartment for at least 3-4 weeks.

I did look online at The Supalai Park but could not get the page to load. Thank you though. I will keep searching.

Gungadin,

I am holding out for a house and the area you mentioned does sound reasonable. Hopefully, I can locate something within a month or so. Thank you so much for the help.

G54 Posted 2009-03-18 01:34:02

Usually there is no need to have the services 'turned on'. This is not like the UK where you need to phone the utilities.

In an apartment, hote; or wherever, you go, pay the money and WYSIWYG.

This is good to know. Thank you very much.

[wamberal]

Have you thought about other places? If you can afford it, Hong Kong would be the better, safer, option IMHO.

[retiredusn]

WHY, Bangkok?? If you are able to work from home and have a child you may want to look at other areas ...What type of visa are you arriving on? I think you may need to do a little more research prior to leaving for Thailand.

Good Luck

[thisisme1995]

WHY, Bangkok?? If you are able to work from home and have a child you may want to look at other areas ...What type of visa are you arriving on? I think you may need to do a little more research prior to leaving for Thailand.

Good Luck

I believe it's an education visa. and yes I did check out other areas, Chiang Mai was one, as it does have an International School located there.

[Searcher25]

WHY, Bangkok?? If you are able to work from home and have a child you may want to look at other areas ...What type of visa are you arriving on? I think you may need to do a little more research prior to leaving for Thailand.

Good Luck

I believe it's an education visa. and yes I did check out other areas, Chiang Mai was one, as it does have an International School located there.

Glad to hear that you have an exit plan/safety net if Thailand does not work out.

Chiang Mai is a lovely town especially if you like a mountain environment. Only negative about Chiang Mai is the air pollution can get a bit thick at times since it is surrounded by mountains. Many other forum member have said that CM is much cheaper to live in that BKK. I do not know, I'm "stuck" on Bangkok. Love it here!

Since you plan on buying a car (good idea, even living in BKK where mass transit is plentiful and cheap, I do love having my own car), be sure to get an International Driver's License before coming over. Having the International License will make it much easier for you to get a Thai driver's license.

The Motor Forum has a lot of good threads on buying cars and driving in Thailand.

Best of luck. Thailand is a great place to live.

[GungaDin]

I must admit I cringed when I read Searcher's reply to you,

but he was honest & I'm glad you took the advice in the spirit it was meant.

One very, very important item is health and accident insurance, do not leave the US without it.

BTW, Thais are some of the worst drivers in the world, they and the M/Cs are untrained & appear to have a death wish.

BE WARNED! Do not trust designated pedestrian crossings, hit & run is all too common here.

cheers

GD

[thisisme1995]

Now that I know more about your situation and intentions, I would like to add some extra "advice". Straight-up: I need to pour some cold water on your aspirations.

Having reliable internet is the least of your worries. If you can function with download speeds of ~ 1mb and upload speeds of ~ 200kb, you will be ok.

Issue #1: You desire a house on the outskirts of Bangkok. Can be had, but that will put you (with your monthly budget of B45,000) away from the BTS/subway. On B45k/month you will not be able to afford a car. You will be reliant on buses and taxis.....when you can get them. Living in BKK is like living in a major city anywhere in the world. Apartments/condos are the norm. Houses are an exception. Other forum members may have different viewpoints, but if you go for a house you are looking outside Bangkok proper. In addition to a relative lack or transportation, you will have to set everything up, arrange for all maintenance and repairs yourself. How good are your Thai language skills?

Issue #2: You have children. Are they of school age? If so where will you educate them? The international schools with english/american curriculum, taught in English, are all in Bangkok and are expensive. When your children are sick, where will you take them for treatment. Quality hospitals with english speaking staff tend to be located in central Bangkok. Easy to get to if you are reasonably close to BTS/subway. Do you want to endure a 2-hour bus trip when your little one is in pain?

Issue #3: B45,000/per month. If you did not have children, I would say that B45,000 - B60,000 is plenty for a reasonably comfortable (not luxurious) life in Bangkok. With children and no family nearby to help and I presume no Thai language skills you are setting yourself and your children up for a rough time.

Bottom line: If you can generate an income of B80k-90k/month you can get a reasonable 2 bedroom apartment that will be close enough to the facilities you and you children will need. Others will have to tell you about education expenses.

Sorry to be so cold, but I think you need to re-examine your current situation and see if there is anyway you can make it work and/or relocate in your current country of residence. At the very least, take 2-3 weeks to come to Bangkok and have a look for yourself. Bangkok is a great place to live, but very shitty for someone who does not have enough money nor family to help with the children. Remember there is no social safety net as in the West - especially for a foreigner.

Just to be extra-cold, I have to add the following: If you plan on coming to Thailand and maybe meeting a nice man to take care of you and your children - most western men will not be interested in you. They want Thai women. As a mother of children - no Thai man will be interested in you except for novelty purposes.

If you come to Thailand with your children and find out it does not work for you, where will that leave you? Will you be better or worse off than you are now?

Sorry to be so cold, but I think you need to re-examine your current situation and see if there is anyway you can make it work and/or relocate in your current country of residence. At the very least, take 2-3 weeks to come to Bangkok and have a look for yourself. Bangkok is a great place to live, but very shitty for someone who does not have enough money nor family to help with the children. Remember there is no social safety net as in the West - especially for a foreigner.

LOL Searcher, just out of curiosity, can you tell me if you are perhaps a medium? It's almost as if you know me. The not enough family thing you know.