Advise: If You Could Choose, Where Would You Live In Thailand?

[juanmedin]

Hi,

Since it's close to impossible to find a job in Thailand with a western salary, I'm going to work in an old dream of mine of developing a web site for a niche market that I think has a future. I estimate it'll take around 6 months.

Now, this allows me to work from home anywhere, and that's where your help would be truly appreciated. I've been in Thailand for 7 months now but I only know Bangkok and Ko Samed. I really loved the peaceful days in Ko Samed but was told there were better places.

Also, since Bangkok is relatively expensive, moving out will allow me to save some money now that I'm not working.

If I can't find anything, I'll stick to what I know I guess and that means a study in The Trendy condo in Sukhumvit 13 (it was the first condo I saw in Thailand somehow I felt in love with it)

So this is the question: if you were to work from home, and the only thing you need is a studio, a work desk and a reasonably fast internet connection, where would you live in Thailand? The thing I value most is a peaceful place. The second thing -but far from the first- is some kind of night life to keep sanity while working alone.

Really, any kind of comments would be really welcome.

Best regards,

Juan

[mca]

Before we met my wife bought 2 rai of land near Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai. It's idyllic. In a valley with views of the mountains. When my wife retires we're going to build a place there. It's truly beautiful and not all that far from CM. Alternatively her dad has some land in Phetchabun with some magnificent views but unfortunately a little bit too far out in the sticks to be really comfortable for shopping etc.

[seanocasey]

The reasons why Chiang Mai is the most popular retirement destination in Thailand and also SE Asia are many and include:

Low cost, effective health care and the ability to speak English to the doctors many who were trained overseas and the ability to see a specialist promptly unlike Europe where AFTER your family doctor decides he has milked the system for enough money and cannot determine what ails you FINALLY makes an appointment for you to see a specialist in 3 MONTHS.

The foods are delicious and not affordable but downright cheap as many fruits are grown locally including strawberries. Year around enjoy bananas, mangoes, pineapples, watermelons, apples, durian, and many fruits that I do not even know the name of but which are absolutely declious.

The cost of living in Chiang Mai from accommodations, to dining, to sightseeing is cheap compared to North America and Europe. Comfortable accommodations for 20-25% of the cost of equivelent accommadations back in North America yet with all the amenities you could want and ask for. Cable tv includes English movies and about 55 channels, hi speed internet even wirless in your room, balcony, mini fridge, dvd, swimming pool, and even kitchenettes.

Chiang Mai is a very safe city to live in and I can walk safely at night anywhere in the inner city without any fears whatsoever, and just outside of the city I have to ignore the dogs that protect individual properties. The dogs will bark to alert the owner and that is it.

There is an abudance of things to do in Chiang Mai, a city that is the second largest in Thailand, home to thousands of foreigners who have discoverd that this is the place to retire to, and also Chiang Mai is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Chiang Mai zoo, temples, man made lake, golf, biking, shopping, massage, to relaxing at the local pub and shooting a game of pool or talking to some expats.

You can live here and communicate in English and not have to learn how to speak Thai. Many Thai's here speak some English and English is spoken at banks, Government offices, and in health care facilities as there are many foreigners living here and also it is a tourist city as well.

It is cooler in Chiang Mai as compared to Phuket or Pattaya. Also safer and lower costs of living here in Chiang Mai compared to Phuket or Pattaya.

and the KEY reason why Chiang Mai is the number one place in Thailand to retire and also the most popular place in all of SE Asia. Over 18,000 foreigners are living here in retirement and happily from what I can tell.

Attractive, attentive and caring Thai women make for great companions, girlfriends and wives and are the main reason foreigners have selected Thailand as a retirement destination.

All the foreigners that I have met here have a Thai girlfriend or wife and All are perfectly happy.

[sanook2me]

The reasons why Chiang Mai is the most popular retirement destination in Thailand and also SE Asia are many and include:

Low cost, effective health care and the ability to speak English to the doctors many who were trained overseas and the ability to see a specialist promptly unlike Europe where AFTER your family doctor decides he has milked the system for enough money and cannot determine what ails you FINALLY makes an appointment for you to see a specialist in 3 MONTHS.

The foods are delicious and not affordable but downright cheap as many fruits are grown locally including strawberries. Year around enjoy bananas, mangoes, pineapples, watermelons, apples, durian, and many fruits that I do not even know the name of but which are absolutely declious.

The cost of living in Chiang Mai from accommodations, to dining, to sightseeing is cheap compared to North America and Europe. Comfortable accommodations for 20-25% of the cost of equivelent accommadations back in North America yet with all the amenities you could want and ask for. Cable tv includes English movies and about 55 channels, hi speed internet even wirless in your room, balcony, mini fridge, dvd, swimming pool, and even kitchenettes.

Chiang Mai is a very safe city to live in and I can walk safely at night anywhere in the inner city without any fears whatsoever, and just outside of the city I have to ignore the dogs that protect individual properties. The dogs will bark to alert the owner and that is it.

There is an abudance of things to do in Chiang Mai, a city that is the second largest in Thailand, home to thousands of foreigners who have discoverd that this is the place to retire to, and also Chiang Mai is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Chiang Mai zoo, temples, man made lake, golf, biking, shopping, massage, to relaxing at the local pub and shooting a game of pool or talking to some expats.

You can live here and communicate in English and not have to learn how to speak Thai. Many Thai's here speak some English and English is spoken at banks, Government offices, and in health care facilities as there are many foreigners living here and also it is a tourist city as well.

It is cooler in Chiang Mai as compared to Phuket or Pattaya. Also safer and lower costs of living here in Chiang Mai compared to Phuket or Pattaya.

and the KEY reason why Chiang Mai is the number one place in Thailand to retire and also the most popular place in all of SE Asia. Over 18,000 foreigners are living here in retirement and happily from what I can tell.

Attractive, attentive and caring Thai women make for great companions, girlfriends and wives and are the main reason foreigners have selected Thailand as a retirement destination.

All the foreigners that I have met here have a Thai girlfriend or wife and All are perfectly happy.

Be careful what you write, or that 18,000 may soon increase dramatically... i want to live in CM too after reading your post...

OP..

Recently i went to Ayuttha and thought how idyllic that was and its only 1 hour outside of Bangkok...bet you could rent a nice house for 5000 baht per month..

[SantiSuk]

I would also vote for CM (but don't live there .. yet)

[Samuian]

There are at least 1001 locations in Thailand!

In regards to ones preferences.....

...I have chosen the south, the island of Ko Samui, seaside, besides wonderful views, Sand, Sun, Beaches,

all the activities tied to the location, coconut grooves, hill's, name it - 50 minutes flight from/to Bkk.

4 well equipped private hospitals and a government hospital, various clinics, dentist's - Supermall's

IT related services are good and various choices, plenty of food variations all the way to FUJI Chain..

Nice variety of Italian, Indian, Swiss, French and the usual international "cuisine" and a large number

of all types of Thai Restaurants all the way to the humble noodle soup or chicken on rice road side stall.

[Neeranam]

I have the choice too and chose Khon Kaen. Chiang Mai used to be OK but now definitely not as it too polluted and over-populated with foreigners. traffic is terrible too.

[lioness]

Kanchanaburi, only 2 hours by road from Bangkok. Thailands 3rd largest province has mostly mountanous terrain, stunning scenery, tranqil rivers, national parks, waterfalls and so much more.

It is also considerably cheaper than Bangkok and the better known tourist destinations. Tourists of course do come here for the history, but this is an area still untouched by large scale, high priced commercialism.

and the jewel of Thailand yet to be discovered and spoiled by the masses.

[GuestHouse]

Take a good long look at the foreigners you see in Thailand and ask yourself....... If you found the perfect spot would you want to advertise the fact?!

[sanook2me]

Kanchanaburi, only 2 hours by road from Bangkok. Thailands 3rd largest province has mostly mountanous terrain, stunning scenery, tranqil rivers, national parks, waterfalls and so much more.

It is also considerably cheaper than Bangkok and the better known tourist destinations. Tourists of course do come here for the history, but this is an area still untouched by large scale, high priced commercialism.

and the jewel of Thailand yet to be discovered and spoiled by the masses.

I agree but also disagree..

My last visit there about 4 months ago, i found the strip of open sided bars with working girls and moody looking middle aged farangs and there was one farang guy looking like a tramp passed out in front of a bar but he was so skinny probably a drug addict..

It reminded of a side street from Pattaya.... apart from this 500yds of bars ...yes Kanchanaburi is wonderful..

[tig28]

Before we met my wife bought 2 rai of land near Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai. It's idyllic. In a valley with views of the mountains. When my wife retires we're going to build a place there. It's truly beautiful and not all that far from CM. Alternatively her dad has some land in Phetchabun with some magnificent views but unfortunately a little bit too far out in the sticks to be really comfortable for shopping etc.

It really is very beautiful.

quote (seanocasey @ 2009-12-26 03:38:47)

...... All the foreigners that I have met here have a Thai girlfriend or wife and All are perfectly happy.

Your post in praise of CM is pretty hard to disagree with .... but this is a little over the top.

Chiang Mai --- it nearly got me --- but far too many farangs !!

[lioness]

Kanchanaburi, only 2 hours by road from Bangkok. Thailands 3rd largest province has mostly mountanous terrain, stunning scenery, tranqil rivers, national parks, waterfalls and so much more.

It is also considerably cheaper than Bangkok and the better known tourist destinations. Tourists of course do come here for the history, but this is an area still untouched by large scale, high priced commercialism.

and the jewel of Thailand yet to be discovered and spoiled by the masses.

I agree but also disagree..

My last visit there about 4 months ago, i found the strip of open sided bars with working girls and moody looking middle aged farangs and there was one farang guy looking like a tramp passed out in front of a bar but he was so skinny probably a drug addict..

It reminded of a side street from Pattaya.... apart from this 500yds of bars ...yes Kanchanaburi is wonderful..

Every town has one, an area like this, you didn't see Kanchanaburi, you saw one street. Next time try and get around a bit and not just go for the bars and the women.

[Mosha]

Every area has it's village idiot. Thai and Farang.

[toptuan]

Take a good long look at the foreigners you see in Thailand and ask yourself....... If you found the perfect spot would you want to advertise the fact?!

Exactly! And I'm keeping my Shangri-La a tight secret.

[Kan Win]

Since I live here at week-ends I vote for Kan.

Great place to live.

Sawadee

[IanForbes]

I already chose Chiang Mai. It has a good expat base, it's small enough to get around and yet big enough not to know every corner in minute detail. Bangkok is just too big for my tastes.

[IanForbes]

Since I live here at week-ends I vote for Kan.

Great place to live.

Sawadee

I can't entirely disagree with Kan Win. Kanchanaburi is my second favorite area of Thailand. It is relatively close to the business center of Bangkok ( 2 hour drive) and yet nicely tucked away in a semi-mountainous rural area.

[Naam]

If You Could Choose, Where Would You Live In Thailand?

i'd opt for Monte Carlo or Juan-les-Pins.

[ihunnieibee]

I went to Kanchanaburi last weekend....I was bored out of my mind...so if you like that sort of thing you should consider it. My boyfriends uncle or something.....some family member.. he has some resort over there..it looks peaceful for a vacation to "get away from it all" , but as far as living..I would think somewhere like CM would be more suitable for ..most people!!

[TaoNow]

I am continually amazed at posts by TV members (such as seanocasey) who think it is fine to settle in Thailand and not learn the local language.

How would they feel about immigrants moving to their home country and refusing to learn the national language?

Not very respectfully I think.

And so, don't be surprised when Thais look down at you when you live here, use taxpayer-supported infrastructure, etc., and don't bother to learn basic Thai.

Respect the country and culture; learn Thai.

[villagefarang]

A lot depends on how much of a city boy you are, but if single, I would recommend Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Depends on what you want to do in your spare time.

[Birdman]

I am continually amazed at posts by TV members (such as seanocasey) who think it is fine to settle in Thailand and not learn the local language.

How would they feel about immigrants moving to their home country and refusing to learn the national language?

Not very respectfully I think.

And so, don't be surprised when Thais look down at you when you live here, use taxpayer-supported infrastructure, etc., and don't bother to learn basic Thai.

Respect the country and culture; learn Thai.

Hey professor, I would say that less than 10% of all farang expats here can speak Thai fluently. And I would say, that if all the moaners could speak Thai fluently Thais would look much more down at all of us, Visa regulations would be much tougher... So what are you talking about?

[Birdman]

Beaches in the South as well as in the East are awesome, the sea is fantastic, can't understand why people choose to live in other parts.

[GuestHouse]

I am continually amazed at posts by TV members (such as seanocasey) who think it is fine to settle in Thailand and not learn the local language.

How would they feel about immigrants moving to their home country and refusing to learn the national language?

Not very respectfully I think.

And so, don't be surprised when Thais look down at you when you live here, use taxpayer-supported infrastructure, etc., and don't bother to learn basic Thai.

Respect the country and culture; learn Thai.

Hey professor, I would say that less than 10% of all farang expats here can speak Thai fluently. And I would say, that if all the moaners could speak Thai fluently Thais would look much more down at all of us, Visa regulations would be much tougher... So what are you talking about?

I'd put that at a lot less than 10%, but I'd add of the handful of foreigners I've met in Thailand who speak Thai fluently all have been 'realistic' about life in Thailand, neither overwhelmingly negative nor overwhelmingly possitive.

Of the foreigners I know who fall squarley in the 'Saffron Tinted Spectical Brigade', I don't know one that speaks Thai with anywhere near fluency.

[Birdman]

I am continually amazed at posts by TV members (such as seanocasey) who think it is fine to settle in Thailand and not learn the local language.

How would they feel about immigrants moving to their home country and refusing to learn the national language?

Not very respectfully I think.

And so, don't be surprised when Thais look down at you when you live here, use taxpayer-supported infrastructure, etc., and don't bother to learn basic Thai.

Respect the country and culture; learn Thai.

Hey professor, I would say that less than 10% of all farang expats here can speak Thai fluently. And I would say, that if all the moaners could speak Thai fluently Thais would look much more down at all of us, Visa regulations would be much tougher... So what are you talking about?

I'd put that at a lot less than 10%, but I'd add of the handful of foreigners I've met in Thailand who speak Thai fluently all have been 'realistic' about life in Thailand, neither overwhelmingly negative nor overwhelmingly possitive.

Of the foreigners I know who fall squarley in the 'Saffron Tinted Spectical Brigade', I don't know one that speaks Thai with anywhere near fluency.

wrote less than 5% already, but changed my generous ( ) mind.

Agree with the rest of your post. And I think, you would also agree, that circumstances would be different for us if every expat could speak Thai fluently.

[GuestHouse]

And I think, you would also agree, that circumstances would be different for us if every expat could speak Thai fluently.

Well while I'd urge anyone who settles in Thailand to learn Thai I don't think that the fact most do not has any real bearing on the rest of foreigners living in Thailand.

There are a host of Farang behaviours and attitudes that whipe out any positive impact that might be gained from the mass learning of Thai.

Only last week I came across one of my countrymen staggering around a shopping centre p1ssed as a fart and verbally abusing all around him.

He just happened to have a shaved head, tattoos and be dressed in a football club shirt, Cammel Trophy shorts and a string of ammulets around his kneck to show how 'in touch' with 'Thai Culture' he was.

But we mustn't judge him for that.

[Birdman]

But you did.

If that guy could speak Thai fluently and if he would have shouted his complain 1:1 in appropriated cultural Thai language ways, the whole shopping centre and all the relatives and friends and neighbours of the staff of that shopping centre would hate us more than now.

So maybe it's better that not everyone can speak Thai.

[lioness]

But you did.

If that guy could speak Thai fluently and if he would have shouted his complain 1:1 in appropriated cultural Thai language ways, the whole shopping centre and all the relatives and friends and neighbours of the staff of that shopping centre would hate us more than now.

So maybe it's better that not everyone can speak Thai.

strong statement and way off the mark in my experience.

[IanForbes]

I went to Kanchanaburi last weekend....I was bored out of my mind...so if you like that sort of thing you should consider it. My boyfriends uncle or something.....some family member.. he has some resort over there..it looks peaceful for a vacation to "get away from it all" , but as far as living..I would think somewhere like CM would be more suitable for ..most people!!

I can understand your point of view if you don't have a good, reliable means of personal transportation. I agree that Kanchanaburi is a bit small to have a lot going for it. If you can't speak Thai, and can only walk to the few touristy things then Kanchanaburi is not for young, single folks. You can only go on so many of the local tours before you get bored. But, Kanchanaburi is a gateway to a lovely wilderness area to the west. If nature is your thing then Kan is hard to beat.

An isolated spa would drive me crazy after about 2 days. I have a timeshare in Jomptien that I once exchanged for a resort in Kanchanaburi. What they didn't explain was the resort was 30 km out in the bush. Had I not rented a motorbike the week before in town I would have gone up in the trees with the monkeys after about 2 days. As it was my girlfriend and I spent every day riding into town, and a couple of times spent over night in a hotel just to keep from being bored.

[lioness]

And the other side of the coin, there is a vast difference between visiting a place short term and being a resident.