Family Life In Bangkok

[corkman]

Hi All,

I posted a similar thread a couple of years back, but declined the job offer at the time. An opertunity has arisen once again to move to Bangkok, working for a multinational, on a decent expat salary.

What I am hoping to get from this thread is more peoples opinions than anything else. A little background about the family might put things in context. My wife is Thai, but has been living in the west for 8+ years. Our daughter is nearly 3. The "plan" would be for us to get a modest 3 bed home, preferably a house in a mooban. I am quite "thai" in my ways, and so I do not need to be within 2 mins walk of a farang neighbourhood. My spoken thai is passable, and I eat thai food most of the time anyway - so my main conern in terms of area would be first that it is (relatively) peaceful, safe, and pleasent - secondly that it has an easy commute to lower sukhumvit (office there).

Generally - how would you Expats rate living in Bangkok?

What is your standard of living like?

Is it better than back home in the west?

Would you recommend it?

Are there any major disadvantages that you can see with regard to family life, and bringing up children?

Do any of you regret making the move to Bangkok?

Any other comments, suggestions, or discussion that you think might be relevent would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.........

[roiethome]

What is your standard of living like?

Can be very comfortable, you can watch more live sport for free than back in most home countries. As you like Thai food you should not miss some western foods not available in the shops here

Is it better than back home in the west?

For the same cost, one can have a higher standard of living, remember you will be living in a capital city so any comparison must be with a capital city not a provincial city

Would you recommend it?

most certainly YES

Are there any major disadvantages that you can see with regard to family life, and bringing up children? I brought up three sons in Bangkok, no problems and they all benefited greatly by being exposed to different culture and mixing with children from other countries. They now have ex school friends all over the world

Do any of you regret making the move to Bangkok?

I can for a three year contract and have stayed for fourteen years so I guess that says it all

[londonthai]

if you have a western salary than you will be able to save more than in europe.

your house can be anywhere within a walking distance from the skytrain - a modest 3br you can get for some 20k/month on a yearly contract.

if you don't like the workplace you always will be able to fall back

[corkman]

......I brought up three sons in Bangkok...........

Thanks for this input - it certainly helps in terms of confidence to move to bkk with family.

May I asked - where abouts did you raise your family in bangkok?

[expatman]

your house can be anywhere within a walking distance from the skytrain - a modest 3br you can get for some 20k/month on a yearly

Really ? Tell me where you can rent a 3br house near skytrain for only 20,000 !

You'd have to walk pretty far for that price - I'd day 40,000-50,000 minimum is more realistic.

- an expat living here

[expatman]

I don't think you'd want to put your child in Thai schools, most of them of pretty bad except for a few "elite" schools.

Then there's the issue of teaching in English, practically non-existent in most Thai schools.

International schools are VERY expensive, but perhaps that's not an issue if your employer will pay the cost.

However, international schools have the downside of very little Thai instruction.

An alternative is some schools (mainly private) that have instruction in both Thai and English (for science, math, and English). Cost for these are reasonable - about 60,000 - 80,000 baht per semester.