Looking For Opportunities On Kho Phangan

[Joshuasiv]

Hi there,

This is my first visit to the forum and I'm hoping a few of you lovely people can help me with my move to Kho Pangan.

I am a UK resident looking to move to the island in around 6 months with my two dogs. I have visited the island a number of times and am now ready for the big move.

Long term I am looking to set up a gym and a couple of other business with capitol I already have in the bank. Although initially I would like to get some work for the first year or so.

If anyone can help with any aspect of this email I would be very grateful. If you or anyone you know lives on the island or has business's there then I would love to talk to you. In terms of work I would be interested in pretty much anything to start with. I am considering hiring a bar and running it for a season but would consider anything. I have run my own business for the last three years in the Uk and have strong marketing, sales and people skills.

So! Im reaching out, looking for those first connections so that I can start networking and building the life I want on the island.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to hear from you soon!

Joshua

[John 1]

I would expect your PM box is full by now with people offering to sell you a bar or relieve you of your money.

[Neilly]

Can't offer any advice on KP but best of luck all the same

[guavagirl]

My advice to you is that before you open up a business (or even rent one out) you should spend a few months on the island to see what island life is like not as a tourist. I have seen many come on holiday and then decide to make the 'big move' without knowing what they are really getting in to. Most last less than one year. Also be sure to go through at least one slow season to see what things are like when it is quiet.

Things are completely different when living here than they are as a tourist, like in any country I imagine.

[Battybird]

Yet another bar......not a good idea. Going there and spending time and looking around is the right idea.

[samuijimmy]

My advice to you is that before you open up a business (or even rent one out) you should spend a few months on the island to see what island life is like not as a tourist. I have seen many come on holiday and then decide to make the 'big move' without knowing what they are really getting in to. Most last less than one year. Also be sure to go through at least one slow season to see what things are like when it is quiet.

Things are completely different when living here than they are as a tourist, like in any country I imagine.

yes right on here, I love parts of KP and still go there often for short visits.... I tried living there when I first moved to Thailand and lasted 9 months, before moving to Samui...

Admittedly I did not try a business, but guavagirl's advice would be correct, live through the low season and see how quiet it gets

Not to say that some businesses don't succeed, some do! Many don't.... whether it's KP or Samui, or actually anywhere in the world!

Reliable staff can be a huge headache too... Don't rush into anything... I think many people who have tried, would agree with that

It's Koh not Kho btw!

Edited May 1, 2013 by samuijimmy

[Jose]

Koh PhaNgan existing gym locations. Before any attempt to set up a gym business on the island, you'd do well to contact Kurt for advice based on local experience.

If you love your two dogs, please consider the fact that man's best friend is regularly poisoned around here in the most cruel imaginable way.

Also consider that the deadly dog tick parasite disease is rampant here, and difficult to treat.

Edited May 1, 2013 by Jose

[notmyself]

My advice to you is that before you open up a business (or even rent one out) you should spend a few months on the island to see what island life is like not as a tourist. I have seen many come on holiday and then decide to make the 'big move' without knowing what they are really getting in to. Most last less than one year. Also be sure to go through at least one slow season to see what things are like when it is quiet.

Things are completely different when living here than they are as a tourist, like in any country I imagine.

I've known people over the years who have been coming to Thailand for many many years for breaks and extended breaks. Many have moved here and at least half have left because they couldn't manage it for various reasons.

[Tropicalevo]

Can't offer any advice on KP but best of luck all the same

+ 1

[thrilled]

If your going to do A business ya might want it near the full moon party area.Maybe bantai might work out ok.I wouldn't even try thong sala area but that's me.Nice little island.Good luck to ya.

[Joshuasiv]

Hi Guys,

thanks for the feed back. Its always good to get as much advice as possible. I have a very healthy respect for how different life will be on the island and to be honest low season is not something that will bother me in the slightest.

I will be looking to base my business on the north west of the island (as far away from the full moon crowds as possible!) Sithanu is my ideal area.

I would very much like to talk to Kurt who owns "The body" and find out about his experiences. I would also like to talk to anyone who runs a business on any of the islands if they would be so kind as to give me a few minutes of their time.

I would also like to talk to business advisors and lawyers who deal specifically with emigration to the island if any one can recommend someone?

When I mentioned doing a bar, i mean hiring one just for season and running it for the sole purpose of paying my living expenses so that I can get a better feel of the island. I do agree that staying on the island for 6 months to a year before i commit to something more long term is definitely a good idea but I do need to do something! Its just the way I'm built.

[sbk]

I am with Jose, wait to bring your dogs over. If you change your mind and find that living on a rather small island is not for you then it won't be easy to take the dogs back to the UK.

Living there is not the same as being a tourist and guavagirl has given you the best advice. See how you do first before committing.

[pokerspiv]

I have a very healthy respect for how different life will be on the island and to be honest low season is not something that will bother me in the slightest.

They didn't warn you about low season because you might not "like it", they warned you about low season because your business will make next to nothing during low season, while your costs will remain the same. All the marketing skills in the world won't help when there's nobody around to market to.

Most businesses here make 80% of their revenue during the 3 months of high season. If you're looking a prospective business, keep that in mind when examining the books. And I hope you do plan on examining them.

Edited May 2, 2013 by pokerspiv

[AngThong]

My advice to you is that before you open up a business (or even rent one out) you should spend a few months on the island to see what island life is like not as a tourist. I have seen many come on holiday and then decide to make the 'big move' without knowing what they are really getting in to. Most last less than one year. Also be sure to go through at least one slow season to see what things are like when it is quiet.

Things are completely different when living here than they are as a tourist, like in any country I imagine.

I've known people over the years who have been coming to Thailand for many many years for breaks and extended breaks. Many have moved here and at least half have left because they couldn't manage it for various reasons.

I've lived in 6 countries and regardless of country, most newbie expats don't end up staying beyond ~2 years. Dunno why...

[notmyself]

My advice to you is that before you open up a business (or even rent one out) you should spend a few months on the island to see what island life is like not as a tourist. I have seen many come on holiday and then decide to make the 'big move' without knowing what they are really getting in to. Most last less than one year. Also be sure to go through at least one slow season to see what things are like when it is quiet.

Things are completely different when living here than they are as a tourist, like in any country I imagine.

I've known people over the years who have been coming to Thailand for many many years for breaks and extended breaks. Many have moved here and at least half have left because they couldn't manage it for various reasons.

I've lived in 6 countries and regardless of country, most newbie expats don't end up staying beyond ~2 years. Dunno why...

For many (here) it has been frustration at getting things done. Many western people have been raised to have some sense of urgency and they find it hard to leave it behind when they come here. For others it has been corruption, not that there is corruption because it exists everywhere but that it is in your face blatent corruption.

If the OP is looking for something to do to pay the daily bills then I don't see running a bar as in any way a good idea as you have no chance of getting back the initial investments such as key money. It could perhaps be good as a means of networking but a costly way of doing it in my mind. Better to spend the money on learning something and I would think that 6 months of learning Thai would be a better investment. Generally, the more (better) a Thai person speaks English the money they can earn, similarly, the more (better) Thai a non Thai speaks the less things cost.