I Need A Cheap Place To Stay. Really, Really Cheap.

[gregb]

As others have said, there are many apartments that can be rented for 3000 baht per month. But do be aware of what you are getting. These are very, very primitive places. The security is non existent. It is good you plan on staying inside and working 16 hours a day and sleeping the other 8, because you run the risk of having someone break into your room if you don't. As a foreigner, you will stick out in this type of establishment. And even if you don't have any money, the prevailing stereotype in Thailand says that you do. If nothing else, your phone and your computer will be stolen. Make absolutely, 100% sure you have a backup plan if that happens.

Also, the cheapest accommodation balances out with the highest rate for electric and water. You will likely be limited to using an air card for internet service in these ultra low budget establishments, so add that in. Since you'll be inside nearly all the time you'll be using electricity all the time. And you'll likely pay at least 8 baht or more per kWh and 20 baht or so per cubic meter of water for the privilege. That adds up quick and turns your 3000 baht slice of heaven into something more along the lines of 7000 - 8000 baht. Nobody can sit inside a Thai furnace apartment without at least a fan. Even the Thais don't do it. And you'll be running a computer as well.

My advice is very strongly to raise your budget to 10k a month at least and get something you may actually have a chance of staying in. If you are really planning on working 16 hours a day and sleeping the other 8, accommodation is the absolute last place you want to skimp. This is going to be your life, and living as they do in the jungle isn't as easy or romantic as it might seem to you right now.

Oh...and I hope you enjoy sleeping on a plank of wood. Because that is the kind of mattress you are going to have in the cheapest place. You may like the rent, but I doubt your back will after a few days. Some of these concerns may sound irrelevant, but believe me they add up over time. 6 months is a long time to be miserable.

[theblether]

to be going bang-ho

An interesting choice of phrase by the OP.

Anyway, come on over young man.......as you pointed out you've got a return ticket.

Edited March 7, 2012 by theblether

[Beetlejuice]

I can't believe there are so many people on here, who have never done anything illegal or bent a rule.

Do what you want mate, as long as you can live with the consequences. Life is about having fun and being happy.

Good luck

Me for one.

All my life I have managed to stay within the law. Never even received a parking or speeding ticket. My son and his cousin are both police officers in Chiang Mai.

When I decided to live in Thailand after working worldwide as a PR officer I made sure that my future was secured and would not have to bend or break any laws here to survive. No matter if nobody gives a sh-t, I’m proud anyway and that’s all what concerns me. This way I have no stresses and can enjoy my life in peace.

Our Bendix has explained in layman’s terms. The Thai authorities are not so stupid as some of you may believe. They have a good understanding of exactly what’s going on and the actions of others places suspicions on us all with the gradual tightening up of visa regulations.

These morons abuse the system, we end up paying the price, it`s that simple. How else would you like this explained?

[Huayrat]

Great. Another one who doesn't give a toss about the laws of the land, and dismisses discussions of visas as ethics.

Firstly, anyone advising you will likely be breaching forum rules by encouraging you to break the law. Secondly, how do you feel about illegal immigrants flouting the laws in your own country?

Dont agree that advising OP in this instance in encouragement to break law or breach forum rules .

How can it not be breaking the law? It's very black and white. The OP wants to come here and work to build his business. No problem with that of course, providing he goes through the legal process of applying for the appropriate visas, work permits etc. And yet he blatantly says he is not interested in that and will instead be using a student visa.

To work without a work permit is, ipso facto, illegal. It can't be contradicted.

I would also add this. It is precisely this kind of 'the rules don't apply to me' attitude that forces the Thai authorities to continually tighten the visa rules for foreigners, making it more and more difficult for people who want to be here legally.

Absolutely 2 million% agree with you.

The OP is blatantly admitting to contravening the Thai Immigration laws and regulations and anyone who condones this and believes there is no harm in it are cutting they’re own throats.

These sorts of people are not doing us any favours and their actions can have repercussions for all of us.

Bendix is absolutely right regarding all that he has said and I feel the same way.

This is a how to get around the Thai laws by deception thread and hope that the mods close it.

so what about the border police who take back handers and the traffic police who make there own laws to take money from you or the local buisness people who charge you a different price because your a farang... Do they do you any favours?????? Why dont you complain about real corruption in this country?? oh im sorry your voice is not heard is it and you say you live a clean life having never done anything wrong in your life yet you live in 1 of the most corrupt countries in the world... very strange choice

[SlyAnimal]

For around 3000 - 3500 you can pickup an apartment in Maha Sarakham (smallish room, but with aircon / hot water / farang toilet). For a little more, you can have a bigger room, for a little less you can drop the aircon. Electricity/aircon use would push it up a bit, particularly if you're working inside your apt all day during the hot season.

In regards to if offering him advice on accommodation is in breach of forum rules, I really don't think so. Offering him advice on how to best avoid detection by immigration would be, but he didn't ask that question. Also it's questionable on whether he needs a work permit anyway, as he's working in cyberspace, and so long as he's registered for tax in one country (And qualifies as a resident there, which I think is spending more than 50% of the tax year in the country), he's technically working there (as his office is in cyberspace, regardless of where his home is). It's very similar, to whether a tourist could potentially be deported for answering a business phone call or sending a business e-mail while on holiday. But then I'm no specialist in tax/immigration law, just offering my 2c lol.

Anyway, good luck and if you seriously think about coming to Maha Sarakham to stay, msg me on the forums here and I'll give you some advice on suitable apartments.

[UbonOz]

Thanks, Rudie.

Great tip on the mobile Internet. I don't mind waiting till I'm making more money to hit the beach.

I do like the idea of 2-3k room. As far as other costs, maybe I'll stay away from Bkk. I wonder if places like Ubon Ratchethani has OK Internet.

Ubon Ratchathani is a good city with everything that opens and shuts. Internet is very good.

Has an airport, 50 minutes to BKK. Got flights with Air Asia a couple of weeks ago for 650baht one way. Their fares go up and down all the time.

Ubon is a big city which does not have much farang influence, yet, which is good. There are quite a few farang around.

Check this site and post a request, never know your luck. http://www.thethaireport.com/

Good Luck

[Beetlejuice]

so what about the border police who take back handers and the traffic police who make there own laws to take money from you or the local buisness people who charge you a different price because your a farang... Do they do you any favours?????? Why dont you complain about real corruption in this country?? oh im sorry your voice is not heard is it and you say you live a clean life having never done anything wrong in your life yet you live in 1 of the most corrupt countries in the world... very strange choice

So what about them?

Have no need to do border runs and if you don`t break the laws than the police have no excuse for taking back handers.

I speak enough basic Thai to get by when dealing with businesses including family to support me and besides all that, none of this has any affect on my visa requirements.

So to be honest, I couldn’t give a rat’s behind about what goes on behind the scenes regarding businesses and Thai Government issues, it`s all irrelevant to me.

[cornishcarlos]

To the OP,

It took the police nearly 3 years to catch a guy who had allegedly murdered his girlfriend (married to a policeman) and kept her remains in his bathroom..

Reckon your little web site business might be a touch off their radars !!

Wouldn't want to encourage you to break any laws but 3000 baht will get you a nice enough room in most areas if you look around..

Some people on here are so anal...

Good luck fella

[rott]

How can it not be breaking the law? It's very black and white. The OP wants to come here and work to build his business. No problem with that of course, providing he goes through the legal process of applying for the appropriate visas, work permits etc. And yet he blatantly says he is not interested in that and will instead be using a student visa.

To work without a work permit is, ipso facto, illegal. It can't be contradicted.

OP: You can find non aircon rooms for around 2500 baht up in many areas in Bangkok including off some major roads. There are too many to comment about. All major roads have long sois and small building nestled between other more expensive apartment blocks. Even some of the major sois on sukhumvit have such rooms. One option is to find waiting staff or bar staff and they can recommend many many places for you to check out.

Bendix:

Its been stated time and again that if your money isnt being made from Thailand and is only coming inwards to be spent here, that it isn't black and white and its most definitely grey. There was even an official who stated it at the immigration forum about a year or two ago and his official comments were widely documented on this site and others.

Now, I don't know if the OP is planning to make money from Thailand but it doesn't sound like it.

Thats one point. Now my second: Thailand is its own country and differs somewhat from the "rule of law" countries like for example America or England. If you want to make a point about society, which you do ("more likely that the authorities tighten them up "), then you contradict yourself because Thai society doesnt agree with you. We only need to look at the news right now on TV to see that the law says one thing and society accepts a bending of the law where it may benefit society.

To be charitable to your possible reasoning, if you want to make a moral point "in principle" then please first justify why you believe such a thing as a moral principle might exist and why it pertains to this poor guys questions. Hint: you will be successful in achieving neither because the former do not exist and the question is not being begged.

Agree completely Oxford Will, old Bendix seems rather curmudgeonly of late. My only grouse with the OP is that I wish he'd make up his mind whether he's UK or US, all this ''my sorry ass'' and ''but hey'' is a bit tiresome from a Brit. So perhaps old Bendix isn't the only one. And while I'm on, will people stop saying f...ing ''LOOSE'' when they mean f...ing ''LOSE''.

Thank You

[theblether]

How can it not be breaking the law? It's very black and white. The OP wants to come here and work to build his business. No problem with that of course, providing he goes through the legal process of applying for the appropriate visas, work permits etc. And yet he blatantly says he is not interested in that and will instead be using a student visa.

To work without a work permit is, ipso facto, illegal. It can't be contradicted.

OP: You can find non aircon rooms for around 2500 baht up in many areas in Bangkok including off some major roads. There are too many to comment about. All major roads have long sois and small building nestled between other more expensive apartment blocks. Even some of the major sois on sukhumvit have such rooms. One option is to find waiting staff or bar staff and they can recommend many many places for you to check out.

Bendix:

Its been stated time and again that if your money isnt being made from Thailand and is only coming inwards to be spent here, that it isn't black and white and its most definitely grey. There was even an official who stated it at the immigration forum about a year or two ago and his official comments were widely documented on this site and others.

Now, I don't know if the OP is planning to make money from Thailand but it doesn't sound like it.

Thats one point. Now my second: Thailand is its own country and differs somewhat from the "rule of law" countries like for example America or England. If you want to make a point about society, which you do ("more likely that the authorities tighten them up "), then you contradict yourself because Thai society doesnt agree with you. We only need to look at the news right now on TV to see that the law says one thing and society accepts a bending of the law where it may benefit society.

To be charitable to your possible reasoning, if you want to make a moral point "in principle" then please first justify why you believe such a thing as a moral principle might exist and why it pertains to this poor guys questions. Hint: you will be successful in achieving neither because the former do not exist and the question is not being begged.

Agree completely Oxford Will, old Bendix seems rather curmudgeonly of late. My only grouse with the OP is that I wish he'd make up his mind whether he's UK or US, all this ''my sorry ass'' and ''but hey'' is a bit tiresome from a Brit. So perhaps old Bendix isn't the only one. And while I'm on, will people stop saying f...ing ''LOOSE'' when they mean f...ing ''LOSE''.

Thank You

We've come to a new low when we the Good English Police are criticizing our spelling of Anglo-Saxon epithets and phrases.

My Pleasure.

[smokie36]

@Bendix...are you a Heart of Midlothian supporter by any chance?

Anyway your points are all correct. The Thai authorities would frown upon this behaviour. I fail to see how it would be detected however?

OP...my feeling is you're making a grave mistake looking for a place in Thailand for £50 a month. It will be a hovel...you won't be having much of a life I suspect.

I'd be looking at 5k Baht upwards at least especially as you plan to spend most of your time there.

[rott]

Actually Blether I was just dropping in a moan about loose instead of lose, the f...ing bit was incidental, it was sort of ironic/self-deprecating seeing as I said Bendix was ..oh never mind. Presumably you were never in the Wishie band .

[theblether]

Actually Blether I was just dropping in a moan about loose instead of lose, the f...ing bit was incidental, it was sort of ironic/self-deprecating seeing as I said Bendix was ..oh never mind. Presumably you were never in the Wishie band .

My lips are sealed,

[smokie36]

Actually Blether I was just dropping in a moan about loose instead of lose, the f...ing bit was incidental, it was sort of ironic/self-deprecating seeing as I said Bendix was ..oh never mind. Presumably you were never in the Wishie band .

My lips are sealed,

That's the first time I heard that said in Thailand.

[theblether]

Actually Blether I was just dropping in a moan about loose instead of lose, the f...ing bit was incidental, it was sort of ironic/self-deprecating seeing as I said Bendix was ..oh never mind. Presumably you were never in the Wishie band .

My lips are sealed,

That's the first time I heard that said in Thailand.

It's a negotiating ploy, you always chase the unobtainable harder huh?

[smokie36]

Actually Blether I was just dropping in a moan about loose instead of lose, the f...ing bit was incidental, it was sort of ironic/self-deprecating seeing as I said Bendix was ..oh never mind. Presumably you were never in the Wishie band .

My lips are sealed,

That's the first time I heard that said in Thailand.

It's a negotiating ploy, you always chase the unobtainable harder huh?

Oh that's certainly true in my case.

[finy]

Thanks to everyone who helped me out and gave me encouragment. Hopefully I'll see you in Thailand soon.

To the others - I hope you've never broke the speed limit before.

[sbk]

Thanks to everyone who helped me out and gave me encouragment. Hopefully I'll see you in Thailand soon.

To the others - I hope you've never broke the speed limit before.

Seems the OP has had enough and frankly, so have I.

//CLOSED//