Experiences Of Moving To Phuket

[Scepisle]

I'm interested to hear from any people who have made the move from overseas (anywhere) and settled in Phuket. I am coming next year, with wife and 14 year old.... to settle... any interesting experiences or insights would be useful !!

[steelepulse]

When I moved here, customs had their hand out for my personal belongings to clear customs. At this point I already had my work permit and B visa, so personal items were supposedly exempt.  I told them they could keep the stuff ( mostly books, clothes) and lo and behold a lesser figure came back to the agent to get my stuff out of customs jail. 

[huggybear]

I'm interested to hear from any people who have made the move from overseas (anywhere) and settled in Phuket. I am coming next year, with wife and 14 year old.... to settle... any interesting experiences or insights would be useful !!

What's your plan for education for the 14 year old? Have you seen the prices on international schools here?

[MisterMan]

Yes I know of a girl who shipped all the contents of her house here on a tourist visa. She got screwed for 2000$ at customs not to mention they destroyed some of her things going through it.

I assume you have already researched the high price of international schools? and the visa situations?

Please post visa questions in the visa forum...

[katabeachbum]

When I moved here, customs had their hand out for my personal belongings to clear customs. At this point I already had my work permit and B visa, so personal items were supposedly exempt. I told them they could keep the stuff ( mostly books, clothes) and lo and behold a lesser figure came back to the agent to get my stuff out of customs jail.

I shipped a 20 foot container here 6 years ago, and payed the agent in BKK by ATM on arrival 10k or 20k (I forget ) to avoid having customs even look at it. Arrived my house in Phuket locked with the same lock I installed in Europe. 1.000 usd from Scandinavia to BKK and 20k from BKK to Phuket, in 3 weeks.

[ScubaBuddha]

I ...payed the agent in BKK by ATM on arrival 10k or 20k

Sepisle, he means 10k to 20k baht, about 585usd, just FYI.

[Benjie]

Will you be working or retiring?

[PatinBKk]

I'm interested to hear from any people who have made the move from overseas (anywhere) and settled in Phuket. I am coming next year, with wife and 14 year old.... to settle... any interesting experiences or insights would be useful !!

What's your plan for education for the 14 year old? Have you seen the prices on international schools here?

The above should play a very impotant part in your decision , maybe some members with children in private education could give their views on quality, and also exact costs involved. Also remember health care and visa requirements, not forgetting if you are both non Thai, property purchase is a definate no no with a capitol N so you would therefor always be in rented accomodation...Malaysia is so much more welcoming to foreigners in terms of visas and general transparency/honesty...they actually like us and it isnt that far from Phuket

[Peterocket]

The international schools cost less than private education in the UK.

[Scepisle]

First of all thanks to all the people who replied and commented. Yes my son will go to the International School. I know expensive.. but actually not too bad in comparison to other places. Anyone out these with kids in the system ? I will be on a retirement visa.. I wanted to know.... are you happy ? Did it work out for you ? Tell me the drawbacks of living in paradise.... I'm sure there are many. How about your wives or other family members... were they able to settle ?? I will be buying a condo... it is unfortunate in a way that foreigners are treated like second class citizens.. not being able to own land etc... but I can understand where the govt is coming from. I have been to Phuket before.. but always in the safe and papmered Chedi... so I realize living in the real world will be a lot different..... any of you regret your decisions ???? Thanks again for all your comments !!!!

[markg]

On the recent 5 day long weekend, i took a trip to a town waaaay down in the south of Thailand, on the east coast.

It's Phathalung, about an hour south of Trang.

This town made me appreciate all the things that are great about Phuket.

yeah - i know there are bad things about Phuket, over development, rip of tuk tuks, prices of just about everything etc etc, however some things we kinda take for granted, and it took me spending a few nights in Phathalung to make me realise.

1. You have a choice of places to educate your kids. You pays your money and takes your choice.

2. There is a huge variety of places to live, from very cheap Thai style, to as expensive as you like Western

3. If you don't speak Thai, then lots of people here speak English. Try that in Phathalung and see how far you get.

4. There is a huge variety of places to eat. There really are loads of dirt cheap Thai places, and expensive Western places too.

5. There is a large variety of places to go shopping. Tesco. Boots. Central. Big C. Makro etc etc and they are all close by.

6. There is a large variety of stuff to do. English language movies at the cinema? Yup - lots of choice too. Bowling/ Go karting? Canoeing? Fishing, swimming..........well, just about everything you can think of. Try that in a less Westernized place. You soon get bored of going to the same restaurants with the same people, or sitting on the floor, cross legged drinking Samsong and soda at someones house whilst they watch Thai TV or play cards.

7. Phuket is a BIG island. There is something for everyone here. If you dont like the commercialisation of it all, then go to the 50 odd mile east coast and live in a village like a Thai.

8. Relatively speaking, Phuket is pretty safe. Phathalung, which many people have never heard of frankly, has a terrible night-time crime rate with gangs of youths going around shooting each other. For its size, Phuket just isnt that bad. Not saying there is no crime, but all things considered, i've never felt unsafe here.

Relax. Enjoy your retirement. There's lots to see and do here, and there are many many places in the world which are a million miles worse.

[1000baht]

On the recent 5 day long weekend, i took a trip to a town waaaay down in the south of Thailand, on the east coast.

It's Phathalung, about an hour south of Trang.

This town made me appreciate all the things that are great about Phuket.

yeah - i know there are bad things about Phuket, over development, rip of tuk tuks, prices of just about everything etc etc, however some things we kinda take for granted, and it took me spending a few nights in Phathalung to make me realise.

1. You have a choice of places to educate your kids. You pays your money and takes your choice.

2. There is a huge variety of places to live, from very cheap Thai style, to as expensive as you like Western

3. If you don't speak Thai, then lots of people here speak English. Try that in Phathalung and see how far you get.

4. There is a huge variety of places to eat. There really are loads of dirt cheap Thai places, and expensive Western places too.

5. There is a large variety of places to go shopping. Tesco. Boots. Central. Big C. Makro etc etc and they are all close by.

6. There is a large variety of stuff to do. English language movies at the cinema? Yup - lots of choice too. Bowling/ Go karting? Canoeing? Fishing, swimming..........well, just about everything you can think of. Try that in a less Westernized place. You soon get bored of going to the same restaurants with the same people, or sitting on the floor, cross legged drinking Samsong and soda at someones house whilst they watch Thai TV or play cards.

7. Phuket is a BIG island. There is something for everyone here. If you dont like the commercialisation of it all, then go to the 50 odd mile east coast and live in a village like a Thai.

8. Relatively speaking, Phuket is pretty safe. Phathalung, which many people have never heard of frankly, has a terrible night-time crime rate with gangs of youths going around shooting each other. For its size, Phuket just isnt that bad. Not saying there is no crime, but all things considered, i've never felt unsafe here.

Relax. Enjoy your retirement. There's lots to see and do here, and there are many many places in the world which are a million miles worse.

Well said Mark, I can really relate to your post as the girlfriend has alot of family there and I have been there before ( drinking on the floor and drinking sangsom and watching thai soaps!)

phuket is an excellent place to get out and be active as well...biking, running or my favorite , snorkelling or swimming. I hope it works out for you.

[Benjie]

The international schools cost less than private education in the UK.

That's simply not true.

"British International School" quickly rises to nearly 10,000 pounds per year and "The Academy' is around the same amount. That's probably twice as much as the average private school in the UK.

[Peterocket]

The international schools cost less than private education in the UK.

That's simply not true.

"British International School" quickly rises to nearly 10,000 pounds per year and "The Academy' is around the same amount. That's probably twice as much as the average private school in the UK.

Although they might not be less they definitely arent double. Personally I expect fees for an international school with international teachers teaching the english curriculum to be a similar price.

As an example of an average priced private school in the UK these are the fees (this example being Bristol Grammar School)

Fees for the 2008/9 academic year

<UL>Lower School: £2,173 per term (£6,519 per annum)

<LI><SPAN lang=EN-US>Upper School: £3,280 per term (£9,840 per annum)

[PatinBKk]

First of all thanks to all the people who replied and commented. Yes my son will go to the International School. I know expensive.. but actually not too bad in comparison to other places. Anyone out these with kids in the system ? I will be on a retirement visa.. I wanted to know.... are you happy ? Did it work out for you ? Tell me the drawbacks of living in paradise.... I'm sure there are many. How about your wives or other family members... were they able to settle ?? I will be buying a condo... it is unfortunate in a way that foreigners are treated like second class citizens.. not being able to own land etc... but I can understand where the govt is coming from. I have been to Phuket before.. but always in the safe and papmered Chedi... so I realize living in the real world will be a lot different..... any of you regret your decisions ???? Thanks again for all your comments !!!!

If your happy with the school fees and make sure you get adaquete family health care, every day for you and your family will only get better and better

[F1fanatic]

This is such a hard question to answer!

I know many people who came here frequently on holidays and loved the place. HOWEVER, once they moved here within a couple of years they hated it, and went back home.

Then again, I know people who have been here many years and (although they dislike many aspects of life here) still prefer to live in Thailand rather than their home countries.

It all depends on your personal values.

Whether your family will survive the move..... that's another question!

[Scepisle]

again thanks to all who have given me their thoughts... in regards to school fees we are coming from Hong Kong... trust me... Phuket International School is a lot cheaper! Do any of you have any thoughts on Koh Samui ??? Any experiences living there... and comparisons to Phuket ??

[1000baht]

I did a quick stint in Koh Samui...and was very glad to be back in Phuket...KS is alot smaller, though not as built up as Phuket ( in some places ) . I actually found KS to be on the same level price wise as phuket, or more expensive in some aspects, maybe I just got unlucky. The Views and landscape I find to be nice in Phuket along with snorkelling and diving. Also you have more access to more unique services here in Phuket if need be. plus theres a bridge on phuket!

[steelepulse]

Even though Phuket has the least friendly locals in Thailand, you'll find them much more friendly than the Honkies.

[Benjie]

The international schools cost less than private education in the UK.

That's simply not true.

"British International School" quickly rises to nearly 10,000 pounds per year and "The Academy' is around the same amount. That's probably twice as much as the average private school in the UK.

Although they might not be less they definitely arent double. Personally I expect fees for an international school with international teachers teaching the english curriculum to be a similar price.

As an example of an average priced private school in the UK these are the fees (this example being Bristol Grammar School)

Fees for the 2008/9 academic year

<UL>Lower School: £2,173 per term (£6,519 per annum)

<LI><SPAN lang=EN-US>Upper School: £3,280 per term (£9,840 per annum)

Both considerably cheaper than the 'top' two schools here.

[Scepisle]

OK my friends.. you have all been very kind with your input... can you advise me about health insurance ? I currently carry the standard USA Blue Cross type... very expensive.... any options out there ?? I am interested to hear from families with children who have done the move to Phuket.. By the way, I think the market is terrible now in Phuket, but I think in 5 years you will see an amazing resurgence.... hang in there !! It is a beautiful place.... you don't know how lucky you have it...

[steelepulse]

The international schools cost less than private education in the UK.

That's simply not true.

"British International School" quickly rises to nearly 10,000 pounds per year and "The Academy' is around the same amount. That's probably twice as much as the average private school in the UK.

Although they might not be less they definitely arent double. Personally I expect fees for an international school with international teachers teaching the english curriculum to be a similar price.

As an example of an average priced private school in the UK these are the fees (this example being Bristol Grammar School)

Fees for the 2008/9 academic year

<UL>Lower School: £2,173 per term (£6,519 per annum)

<LI><SPAN lang=EN-US>Upper School: £3,280 per term (£9,840 per annum)

Both considerably cheaper than the 'top' two schools here.

Really?  According to the British school site, fees per annum range from 231,000 to 460,000 which doesn't seem any more than what was quoted above.  Of course this doesn't include the one off fees which every private school charges.

[MisterMan]

.. You soon get bored of going to the same restaurants with the same people, or sitting on the floor, cross legged drinking Samsong and soda at someones house whilst they watch Thai TV or play cards.

Well said Mark, I can really relate to your post as the girlfriend has alot of family there and I have been there before ( drinking on the floor and drinking sangsom and watching thai soaps!)

phuket is an excellent place to get out and be active as well...biking, running or my favorite , snorkelling or swimming. I hope it works out for you.

haha cross legged on a concrete floor or worst going to funerals..and sitting on concrete stools with no backs..

[Peterocket]

School prices seem the same to me....

[chuppachops]

Phuket is a lovely place to live and cheap compared to back home, but its expensive and can take you by suprise when you least expect it, and if your not organised and have regular money coming in it will kick your arse and send you back home in no time.

Decent jobs are scarce unless you are very lucky or have good networking and people in the know that can help you out to find a job.

Good luck and best wishes to anyone thinking of moving here though

[ivowatson]

It all depends on your personal values.

Whether your family will survive the move..... that's another question!

Agreed.

Having lived in Hong Kong will help a bit.

I suggest you'll watch your son (very closely) and your wife watches you (even more closely).

If you're not 60 yet, BUPA is a good bet. Not so expensive. When you sign up before 60, they'll insure you for life.

Wish you lots of patience.