even if you crash with your asian/Honda SUV what ever you will die anyway, they use too much plastic instead of steel in japanese cars..

safety? volvo,bmw,mercedes,audi but they will not be in your budget..

How much would a Merc/BMW/Volvo/Audi rental be per month and know any good places that include insurance?

even if you crash with your asian/Honda SUV what ever you will die anyway, they use too much plastic instead of steel in japanese cars..

safety? volvo,bmw,mercedes,audi but they will not be in your budget..

Some people quoted some high prices for maids. You should be able to get a Burmese maid for no more than 10K per month and realistically around 7-8K for live in.

I'm not in Phuket but don't see maid prices going up too much for living on the island.

For my place in Bangkok I used to have a live-in maid from Burma and we where paying her 4,500 per month, however this was 7yrs ago (I used to let her keep the change from shopping at the market too which was about 40-80B per trip with 2-3 trips per week. We now have a maid that doesn't live with us. She shows up each day around 7-8am and goes home for a few hours in the afternoon coming back around 3-4pm staying until 7-8pm. We pay her 8K per month, she does't work on Sundays and it's hit or miss for holidays. If she works a holiday I pay her cash that day with bonus. It's hard to find a good maid so when you get one take care of them. I give a little extra cash here and there. Some gas money now and then.

Just a note. Minimum salary in Thailand is 300B per day. Overtime is due for any work hours over 48hrs in a 6 day work week. Overtime is 1.5 times the hourly rate for standard overtime and 3 times the normal hourly rate for holidays or working on a "day off". Most of the time with drivers, maids etc you can negotiate a salary without an actual work schedule.

Also Burmese citizens are more willing to work as a maid and at a lower rate than a Thai. As I said it's not easy to find a good maid or any type of worker, if you find one try and keep them. Each time I needed a maid I had to go through 3-4 maids before I found one that actually knew how to clean and willing to work.

As for a Gardner my guy comes twice a week, we pay him 2K per month. He doesn't work too hard. he cuts grass when needed which is about once a week in the summer and 1-2 times a month in the winter. Trims hedges, trees when needed and waters a few flowers. The grass and bushes have an irrigation system setup with an auto timer. So mostly he waters some flowers picks up any trash that has blown into the yard.

As for a driver I haven't used one in more than 10 years.

Back in the late 90's and a few years into 2000 I had a driver. I was paying him 8K per month as a base salary (10hrs a day/ 6 days a week).

If the driver is only going to work weekdays I would offer him 7K unless he is going to be running run every day all day.

Hope this helps you.

Contact a reputable International car rental company as Avis, Budget or Hertz, the local car rental companies usually charge more.

http://www.avisthailand.com/monthly/index.php

https://www.budget.co.th/

http://www.hertzthailand.com/EN/

have no fear, what ever products you want/need form america u can find in Phuket

Tesco, Big C, Big c extra, Tops, Central ( has all baby clothes and such) and of course Villa.

I raised my daughter here an she is now 19 and we had no problem getting everything we needed

we even have a ToyRus!!!

If u want a honda crv, buy one second hand DONT rent it, even if u only stay a year u can resell and lose maybe 150,000 baht at most (12,000/month )

even a 3 year old Ford CRV will be around 800,000

Plenty of dealers around the island and plenty for sale in the local newspaper.

1st class insurance will cost u under 15,000 baht.

I have lived here for over 28 years, yes the drivers might seem to be crazy but once u understand how they drive its no problem.

CeltNYC - I will send you a pm with details of a 2nd hand CRV, just to give you some ideas.....

As for baby stuff, I will also send you some internet sites....

second all info throughout this thread, been here 10 yrs and have 2 young chidren. Never seen such a positive thread..

second all info throughout this thread, been here 10 yrs and have 2 young chidren. Never seen such a positive thread..

full moon maybe

My family (2 adults, 2 teenagers) survives quite well on about THB 160.000 a month, and that includes rent, utilities and 2 cars (owned), maid (not live-in). Agree with other posters - better to buy a new car, 2nd hand dealers aren't much cheaper and sell cars of questionable roadworthiness, especially to a trusting foreigner. If you are only here short time then you may be better off with a long term rental of which you can get some good deals.

My family (2 adults, 2 teenagers) survives quite well on about THB 160.000 a month, and that includes rent, utilities and 2 cars (owned), maid (not live-in). Agree with other posters - better to buy a new car, 2nd hand dealers aren't much cheaper and sell cars of questionable roadworthiness, especially to a trusting foreigner. If you are only here short time then you may be better off with a long term rental of which you can get some good deals.

How much do you pay your maid?? If i may ask

Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. THB 11000. A fantastic, reliable person, we are very lucky to have her. Only downside is her English is not great and my Thai is ning noi, but we get by.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Agreed with Seanphuket in that this is a very positive and informative thread. Really lovely people and brilliant insights so definitely appreciated PhuketRichard and co.

Eezeergood, thanks so much and that would be great info if you can send on please. Def would enjoy a PM with all the info.

My wife just asked about bugs such as mosquitoes as well as spiders and other bugs indoors. How bad are they and what are the best deterrents? Thanks.

CeltNYC - I will send you a pm with details of a 2nd hand CRV, just to give you some ideas.....

As for baby stuff, I will also send you some internet sites....