Thailand 2011

[Cruz28]

Hi guys/girls

Im new to the site and this is my first post .

Im thinking about coming Thailand next year and Im planning to stay for at least a year .

Im looking for as much information for a newbie traveller .

Whats the Min per month I would need to live comfortably ?

What kind of jobs are available for people like me ? (ive no problem using the next year to complete any courses that may help)

What is the best resort to stay ?

and any other general advice you think I should know

A little bout me to help you answer my questions

Im 29 in March , Ive been working as a Bar/Nightclub Manager for the past several years looking after multiple venues turning over upto £2.5 Million per year Ive also worked as a DJ .

Ive DJ'd in Magalluf & Faliraki and can play any type of music . I can pretty much turn my hand to any job as Im quite a sociable likeable people person and dont mind what I do as long as it allows me to have the lifestyle I want .

Im looking to find a better quality of life in Thailand in terms of Relaxing , Beautiful Scenery/Beaches and just a break from the high pressure high volume life Ive lived for the past few years .

I plan to work my ass off this year & save between £3-5k to take with me and Im gonna live in the gym for this year to prepare for a better lifestyle

Any information is greatly appreciated

Scott

[garyh]

What do you call comfortable? living in a resort and partying every night? your 3-5 k should last you 1 to 2 months.

You might want to search this forum about jobs and visas, you are not allowed to do most jobs in Thailand.

[needforspeed]

To much information you asking for , spend first searching around on Thai Visa for a

while, you will find the most answers on your questions.

If still have any specific question, post them and all happy to help.

Cheers

[Cruz28]

What do you call comfortable? living in a resort and partying every night? your 3-5 k should last you 1 to 2 months.

You might want to search this forum about jobs and visas, you are not allowed to do most jobs in Thailand.

Living within cheap reach of a resort , Not partying every night . ive been in a nightclub every night minus about 5 weeks holidays in the past 4 years so looking to meet up with some like minded people have a couple of beers and chillax .

So for example 160k baht would only last me a couple of months?

[bkkjames]

What do you call comfortable? living in a resort and partying every night? your 3-5 k should last you 1 to 2 months.

You might want to search this forum about jobs and visas, you are not allowed to do most jobs in Thailand.

Living within cheap reach of a resort , Not partying every night . ive been in a nightclub every night minus about 5 weeks holidays in the past 4 years so looking to meet up with some like minded people have a couple of beers and chillax .

So for example 160k baht would only last me a couple of months?

Some people can make 160k last a long time. My own beer budget alone is half of what you are planning to bring.

Moral of the story: Don't drink as much beer as me or bring more money.

[Cruz28]

What do you call comfortable? living in a resort and partying every night? your 3-5 k should last you 1 to 2 months.

You might want to search this forum about jobs and visas, you are not allowed to do most jobs in Thailand.

Living within cheap reach of a resort , Not partying every night . ive been in a nightclub every night minus about 5 weeks holidays in the past 4 years so looking to meet up with some like minded people have a couple of beers and chillax .

So for example 160k baht would only last me a couple of months?

Some people can make 160k last a long time. My own beer budget alone is half of what you are planning to bring.

Moral of the story: Don't drink as much beer as me or bring more money.

Im hoping to take a month Holiday then look for work . Im not sure what jobs travellers get . I can do Bar WOrk / DJ Work but are they viable jobs in Thailand or do I settle for Teaching English ?

[londonthai]

if you have never been to thailand just come for holidays - don't quit your job, before you have in thailand full time work, work permit and visa. In your place I would not quit job in the uk, if something goes wrong in thailand, you will have difficulties finding a new one back home. Come to thailand for an extended holidays, as I do, but make money in the uk.

on a budget:

reasonable accommodation 5-7k/month

thai food 300 baht/day or 9k/month

phone/internet/toiletries/travelling 10k/month

tourism 5k/month

beer siamsato 8%, 25b for 640ml at 7/11

on the islands and in resorts (pattaya, phuket, hua hin) you will be paying more

[Ijustwannateach]

From what I've heard from those who've tried, foreign DJ doesn't work as a full-time thing here, and bar work doesn't work at all.

[Spoonman]

beer siamsato 8%, 25b for 640ml at 7/11

Please tell me more about this particular beer.

[NADTATIDA1]

beer siamsato 8%, 25b for 640ml at 7/11

Please tell me more about this particular beer.

Sato,not a beer but a sort of sweet version of lao khao.Made from fermented rice i think.

Not as strong as lao khao but it is drunk as a wine is..ie not in shot glasses

The homemade stuff in the villages....well....It should come with a warning!! DANGEROUS.

sorry off-topic i know just replying to spoonman.

[geriatrickid]

Do your research first. You may be disappointed. Thailand is affordable but it isn't the low cost haven it is made out to be.

Don't come here with insufficient funds or a return ticket. Too many males of your age have ended up trying to make a quick baht out of desparation. Have an exit strategy before you come.

Visit all the key cities first to get a feel for the place. Consider a Thai language course.

Buy a lottery ticket and hope you win because this place devours the luchre.

Do a search of all the topics you listed. They have been discussed multiple times.

Good luck, because you will need it.

[robblok]

Its hard to find work here, even teaching is hard to find at times. (that is what my mates tell me at least). It would be good if you could do some scripting or design. You could then work for Europeans and collect money on your English account. Nobody would ever know you were working (because its illegal to do so)

When you just come here in the start things are expensive because you don't know much. I can live of 40k a month but i live in a village and could even live of less if i wanted. But i dont go out drinking beer and have a bike to get by and live way out of the tourist area's

The moment you go to the tourist area's things get more expensive. A friend of min lives in pattay and pays around 12k just for renting something.

[dumball]

A tourist recently got arrested and thrown in jail , 'Crime ?'; unwittingly doing drawings of passers by for a few baht , as suggested , come for an extended visit and get the lay of the land , Do not look at posters or read brochures , it is not like that here . Sit in with expats and get the good , the bad and the ugly , imagine you are living not touring , it will open your eyes , do not just walk blithly into Thailand , it is not what you appear to percieve it as , good hunting .

[lazygourmet]

What do you call comfortable? living in a resort and partying every night? your 3-5 k should last you 1 to 2 months.

You might want to search this forum about jobs and visas, you are not allowed to do most jobs in Thailand.

Living within cheap reach of a resort , Not partying every night . ive been in a nightclub every night minus about 5 weeks holidays in the past 4 years so looking to meet up with some like minded people have a couple of beers and chillax .

So for example 160k baht would only last me a couple of months?

Some people can make 160k last a long time. My own beer budget alone is half of what you are planning to bring.

Moral of the story: Don't drink as much beer as me or bring more money.

Glad to know... you are beating me James... respect!

[IanForbes]

Stay home, it's a terrible place. It's over run with sex perverts. The government is trying desperately to get rid of the tourists in Pattaya. The police are all crooked. There are double standards for tourists and locals. Everyone is trying to scam you and quite successful at it. There are crooked timeshare salesmen everywhere. The Indian suit makers won't leave you alone. You can't get a reasonable paying job even if you get a work permit. And you'll have to bribe an official to get one. The local women only want you for your money, and insist that you to buy her family a big home. And when you do, she dumps you and keeps the house. They are killing tourists by the car load and the police just stand around and watch. The tuk tuk drivers are all crooks and beat you up. And, worst of all, you can't get a decent hamburger. Better stay home or go to some friendly country... like say New Zealand or Australia.

[dumball]

'IanForbes'

Stay home, it's a terrible place. It's over run with sex perverts. The government is trying desperately to get rid of the tourists in Pattaya. The police are all crooked. There are double standards for tourists and locals. Everyone is trying to scam you and quite successful at it. There are crooked timeshare salesmen everywhere. The Indian suit makers won't leave you alone. You can't get a reasonable paying job even if you get a work permit. And you'll have to bribe an official to get one. The local women only want you for your money, and insist that you to buy her family a big home. And when you do, she dumps you and keeps the house. They are killing tourists by the car load and the police just stand around and watch. The tuk tuk drivers are all crooks and beat you up. And, worst of all, you can't get a decent hamburger. Better stay home or go to some friendly country... like say New Zealand or Australia.

Ian , you just about summed it all up in one long paragraph , put it all together in one neat and tidy pile , so to speak .

Considering that the vast majority of tourist/expats etc are concentrated in the touristy type areas , your article covers abour 50% of reality for most on an ongoing basis , all or most of what you relate is actualy a fact of life that never seems to abate . You yourself with vast adventures in the true Thailand , have a very different perspective about all of this , they would be at a minimum of 90% incorrect , but live with the rest and you will change your thinking , you have already started it seems by recent posts .

I was always a happy go lucky type in most of my life , after several years in Thailand that attitude had changed some-what , I moved on to Cambodia where for sure life in general is more to my liking and mental make up .

I went on vacation to Canada in the middle of last year , the contrast was stunning , I found things expensive but all round a much easier place to live , during the 6 months since my return to Asea I have become to realise , no I do not have to become embroiled in culural illusions , shoddy workmanship , things falling apart in my hands , excuses made for all that is not well . Thinking back , the only thing I missed whilst in Canada was my wife , I had to re-learn how to do things for myself , we talked about this ( my wife brought it up) and decided it was time for her to see the other side of living , much discussion with her family who will dread to see her go and we are off .

Nobody needs to put up with all kinds of confusion or upset in their life no matter what , provided you did not burn your bridges you can walk away to civilisation and as you grow old you will not have to be so concerned about health problems that could break your nest egg . I do not wish to say "It is okay , I can put up with almost good enough , I am fortunate to be in such a wonderfull law less place , it never snows and I do not need to shovel it "

[NADTATIDA1]

Ian , you just about summed it all up in one long paragraph , put it all together in one neat and tidy pile , so to speak .

Considering that the vast majority of tourist/expats etc are concentrated in the touristy type areas , your article covers abour 50% of reality for most on an ongoing basis , all or most of what you relate is actualy a fact of life that never seems to abate . You yourself with vast adventures in the true Thailand , have a very different perspective about all of this , they would be at a minimum of 90% incorrect , but live with the rest and you will change your thinking , you have already started it seems by recent posts .

I was always a happy go lucky type in most of my life , after several years in Thailand that attitude had changed some-what , I moved on to Cambodia where for sure life in general is more to my liking and mental make up .

I went on vacation to Canada in the middle of last year , the contrast was stunning , I found things expensive but all round a much easier place to live , during the 6 months since my return to Asea I have become to realise , no I do not have to become embroiled in culural illusions , shoddy workmanship , things falling apart in my hands , excuses made for all that is not well . Thinking back , the only thing I missed whilst in Canada was my wife , I had to re-learn how to do things for myself , we talked about this ( my wife brought it up) and decided it was time for her to see the other side of living , much discussion with her family who will dread to see her go and we are off .

Nobody needs to put up with all kinds of confusion or upset in their life no matter what , provided you did not burn your bridges you can walk away to civilisation and as you grow old you will not have to be so concerned about health problems that could break your nest egg . I do not wish to say "It is okay , I can put up with almost good enough , I am fortunate to be in such a wonderfull law less place , it never snows and I do not need to shovel it "

Good post Dumball,deserves a thread of its own......sometimes i also think disillusionment grows with age,it has with me anyhow!