Moving To Udon Thani: Nong Bua Lam Phu

[DentBalmer]

Hiya folks, Its been a while!

I met a great lady in Switzerland... Shes a Swiss/Thai national and has been living over 10 years in Switzerland.

Now she's preganant with our first child and has just returned to her familys home in Thailand. We plan to have the child in thailand where she has good family to help her. I usually work in Europe between June-November, otherwise I'm free to be in thailand. Me and my lady have a house in Switzerland and plan to build one in Thailand down the road.

For now I am curious... Are there any other members in our area? (Udon Thani: Nong Bua Lam Phu)

And is there anyone who can post about experience about working overseas / living in thailand or about other general tips / advice?

Well... I've got a lot of reading up to do about living and raising a family in Thailand...

[swlondonmum]

Hi - I can't help a lot but all I can say in terms of practical advice is that you can get pretty much anything you might need in Udon itself (I thnk it's only about 40km) it's developed a lot in the last 5 years and has a massive shopping centre as well as a few big supermarkets which sell most western products you might miss. In terms of stuff for babies and kids you can get everything here too. Medical care is not bad and there are a few 'international' hospitals (though we are now finding that the local ones are as good and cheaper). Schools are a bit further in the future for you but there are a few bilingual schools here too (not proper international schools but at least they try!) - cant speak for the Thai schools but there seem to be a few good ones too.

I know you are moving to Nong Bua and not Udon city but at least this gives you an idea of what's nearby if you can't find it in Nong Bua - its pretty big so ptobably has a Tesco Lotus and its own medical care/schools etc are fine anyway but it's good to have options.

Just a few personal points of view so just ifnore if you agree- i dont know which country you're from but if you can find a way of ensuring your child is brought up bilingually from an early age that will help them in the longer term. It's easier as our son was born in the uk but we try to get Thai people to only speak Thai and he gets his English from me and at school. Also I have found that the difference between how children are bought up here and in the uk one of the hardest issues for me being here! But that's very individual and depends on you, your wife, her family, both your opinions about bringing up children etc so I woulnt like to assume that would be the case for you! (plus I'm a western woman with a Thai husband which might make a difference)

In terms of social life there are probably some western guys in Nong Bua - there are plenty in Udon. good to learn some Thai if you don't already speak it of course and have some Thai friends but sometimes you need people from your own culture.

Finally the main udon website has lots of info and the forum is great for any questions you might have about Nong Bua - I'm sure some of the members must live round there - udonmap.com

Hope this helps

[DentBalmer]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm really excited about my move over there and awaiting the birth of our child! I come from Switzerland originally and Australia.

My girlfriend has already suggested a great coffeeshop close to our village which sounds great. I think its nice to be able to enjoy some western customs now and then especially if I'm living in a remote area.

Udon sounds like a big place. I've also been informed of the new shopping center there and my girlfriend suggested thats where I go to watch new movies hitting the scene.

I'll check out the udon website, thanks!

[mike123ca]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm really excited about my move over there and awaiting the birth of our child! I come from Switzerland originally and Australia.

My girlfriend has already suggested a great coffeeshop close to our village which sounds great. I think its nice to be able to enjoy some western customs now and then especially if I'm living in a remote area.

Udon sounds like a big place. I've also been informed of the new shopping center there and my girlfriend suggested thats where I go to watch new movies hitting the scene.

I'll check out the udon website, thanks!

Please become aware of some the laws here in Thailand.

Here in Thailand, your girlfriend is recognized as the mother of the child.

Even though you fathered the child, by law you are not recognized as the father.

Until common-law marriages are recognized, you will always

The girlfriend and child will have Thai citizenship which is a big advantage for them.

Just remember, Thai law always gives the advantage to Thai's.

[DentBalmer]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your post. I know that is important to many people.

We have both been married previously and both do not have a urge to marry again unless we see some big advantages to us.

My girlfriend is already a Swiss Citizen and the child will get the Swiss passport which is important to us.

[Tanaka]

You will find that Udon is quite different to Udon in many ways. It is bigger and the traffic is horrendous. But if there is something you cannot find in NBL, you will probably find it in Udon. And there are several new shopping malls.

You mentioned a village so I gather you won't be living in Muang NBL?

[DentBalmer]

You will find that Udon is quite different to Udon in many ways. It is bigger and the traffic is horrendous. But if there is something you cannot find in NBL, you will probably find it in Udon. And there are several new shopping malls.

You mentioned a village so I gather you won't be living in Muang NBL?

How do you mean Udon is different to Udon?

Yes I'll be living in a small village... its close to Sri Boon Raung