Is Chiang Rai Good For Foreigner Owned Small Businesses ?

[sunholidaysun1]

With the growing population of Chiang Rai and the increased numbers of foreigners coming to live here, have the times changed and has now become a good place to open a foreigner owned business ?

Over the past 10 years , I have seen many restaurants and bars opened and closed by foreigners , other businesses like florists and motorbike rentals and tours do the same .

I know there are a few small businesses here that are doing well and have been doing well for a long time . Is the secret to keep going and get yourself established even if it does take 5 years to get some profit from what you have opened ?

I know the few are doing very well financially but is their any room for others to open something here ?

What would be the best type of business that a farang could open and something that we all need here ?

[Fiddlesticks]

A really good western food establishment like Dukes or Bake n Bite (for those familiar with Chiang Mai) would be a VERY welcome sight!

[AnotherOneAmerican]

The secret is

First, don't let it be a way for your Thai partner to extort and steal from you.

Second, don't let your Thai staff steal from you.

Third, don't let Thai officials of any sort extort and threaten you.

Forth, don't let your landlord constantly up the rent if they see you making a success.

Not forgetting you need a business plan/idea that actually has a chance of making a profit in the first place.

Doesn't matter if you are a Thai or foreigner, the problems are the same. (excepting a Thai doesn't need a partner)

Edited April 13, 2013 by AnotherOneAmerican

[VocalNeal]

What would be the best type of business that a farang could open and something that we all need here ?

Well that is the key. Usually people have insight or they open a business that they are familiar with or has something to do with a hobby or interest. I.E. Difficult to open a successful restaurant unless at least someone can cook. It might work if you have a flair for interior design but...

Think what skills or interests do you have an maybe there is something there...

If it is easy for you then it will be easy for a local. If it works...

Edited April 13, 2013 by VocalNeal

[villagefarang]

If you try to build a business on the cheap with insufficient funds and in a bad location, because you can’t afford better real estate, then you are looking for trouble.

With a resident foreign population that is scattered, often far from affluent, and a tourist base which is seasonal at best, focussing on farangs only doesn’t give you much of a base.

A business needs an edge. If you can’t do something better than the other guy and don’t have some expertise to separate you from the crowd, the competition will send you packing.

Chivit Thamma Da is a good example of a husband and wife business that appeals to Thais and expats alike. They are well represented online and get tons of free advertising with everyone who visits taking pictures and posting them on Facebook and elsewhere.

Edited April 13, 2013 by villagefarang

[lannacountryboy]

Chiang Rai definitely needs more authentic Asian food restaurant especially Chinese and Indian. There are already quite a number of good Western restaurants but it is almost impossible to find a place to eat real Chinese or Indian food. There was once a fancy Indian restaurant opened just across THAI's office but went out of business in a very short time only because the food was not real Indian. They had Nepalese cook. On the other side there was a good Lebanese food shop but had to close because the labor office did not renew the cook's work permit. I also recall there were at on time, 4 Italian restaurants but none was making enough to sustain operation. Il Pirata, the one used to be near the night bazaar, is still around but have downsized. Yes, with a fast increasing population and more tourists especially Chinese, it is now the best time for good restaurants to open up to meet the demand.