I have lived in Thailand for the last 8 years; in Lopburi for the last year and a half. I currently work as a teacher, but might be going self-employed soon. I fancy a move to somewhere else in Thailand because if I give up my teaching gig there is nothing to keep my in Lopburi. I am looking for somewhere that meets the following criteria;

- primary/pratom school for my son; a good EP or bilingual programme which costs less than 30,000THB a term.

- availability of townhouse or similar for less than 5,000THB a month.

- good place for family

- less than an hours drive from the sea. I grew up beside the sea and like the idea of it being nearby even if I don't go.

What do you guys think? I know my budget is small, but I've managed to live a good life for 8 years already this way.

Have you thought of the North ? Chiang Rai can cover all of what you are looking for , it even has Chiang Rai beach , on a river . Your only a couple of hours away from the sea if you fly.

Have you thought of the North ? Chiang Rai can cover all of what you are looking for , it even has Chiang Rai beach , on a river . Your only a couple of hours away from the sea if you fly.

Nah, I lived in the north for almost six years. Too near the in-laws

chiang rai "beach" wont satisfy those who love the ocean.

its just a river bank

Chaing Rai beach is way up there with the biggest disappointments in my life.

How was Lopburi? It's one of the places I'm seriously thinking of moving to. What makes you want to leave Lopburi rather than find another job there?

As to other places, I'm quite partial to Cha Am, if you find somewhere inland it will be cheap, you'll be within 1 hour to the beach (not the best beach, but mainly populated by Thai families which is why I greatly prefer it to Hua Hin and Pattaya), and you'll be 2 hours from Bangkok. This is my number one choice once I leave BKK, if I can talk my gf into the idea.

There are many work and school opportunities nearby as well (Hua Hin is quite large now, and is only 20 minutes away), so I think it is one of the best places to raise a family. ( Plus there's an Italian restaurant near the beach where the Italian/German owner makes the best pizza in Thailand! )

Chaing Rai beach is way up there with the biggest disappointments in my life.

haha me too

ps hope it wasn't your last post

Edited August 12, 200916 yr by mc2

I like Cha Am also, although I have only been holiday'ing there.

Hua Hin is too big - and too many charter tourists.

When I was BKK-based 4 years ago, I took the minivan from Victory monument to Hua Hin for my work. Two hours of crazy driving, but OK.

Anyone else having good things to say about Cha Am (after two years in the sticks, and now one and a half in Udon, I would kill to see the sea and having a decent meal).

Cha Am, is certianly a place to consider, and is cheaper than Hua HIn. How about Rayong, or that sort of area? Some nice places out there.

Just north of Phuket, around Khok Kloi may be worth investigating, even up as far as Takua Pa. Just a thought.

Hua Hin/Cha Am area considering your list of demands.

Have the feeling, that this area becomes more and more popular by straight expats, who want to stay near the sea with a good infrastructure, simultaneously dislike the hectic and the tohubohu of Pattaya, the island restriction of Samui/Phangan and the commercialisation of Phuket.

Had Yai/Songkla would also be a good, even cheaper option.