Long-stay resort in Pattaya woos retirees

[webfact]

PATTAYA
Long-stay resort in Pattaya woos retirees
BARMUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION

PATTAYA: -- The elderly can sometimes be tough to deal with, especially when it comes to taking care of them properly.

But for Pensiri Panyarachun, doing so became a learning lesson, which later helped spark an idea to launch a business targeted at the elderly.

This was the genesis for Absolute Living (Thailand) Co, operator of Pattaya-based Long Lake Hillside Resort - an integrated long-stay resort for retirees that opened its doors early this month.

Pensiri, who partly owns the company and is its managing director, said the business had showed big potential but the country's political situation cast a cloud over it, forcing Western clients to delay trips.

Located on 150 rai, the resort is 10 minutes from downtown Pattaya and has 36 villas and a 50-people capacity.

Pensiri has rented the resort for 12 years and after signing an agreement with the owner, she transformed the property into what is today, including constructing wheelchair paths.

Most of her guests are Europeans, Australians, Americans, and Japanese.

Pensiri is eyeing Westerners who are looking for looking for a more affordable place to stay.

She said in many countries the pension had been reduced and countries were in financial trouble.

She said Thailand has options for them, especially repeat tourists who appreciate Thailand's advanced medical services, friendly people, exotic food, lower prices and strategic location.

She is also targeting foreigners who come to Thailand for medical treatment or plastic surgery.

Thai high-income seniors are also in her sights.

A stay at the resort costs Bt45,000-50,000 per month and Bt120,000 per month for its assisted-living service with 24-hour care.

Guests can stay for a month to a year. A reduced price can be arranged for people staying a long time.

Facilities include a library, a games room, arts and crafts, gardening, and cooking class.

Professional medical staff are on hand to deal with emergencies.

To promote the resort, Pensiri has been at Tourism Authority of Thailand tourism festivals and introduced its service to tour agencies.

She said word of mouth was also an effective marketing tool.

She said there were less than 10 operators providing a similar service in Thailand, so she had a good opportunity to grow the business.

In general, accommodation for elderly people in Thailand was not on a par with international standards.

For example, she said some places allowed up to 10 people to share a room, charging Bt17,000-Bt20,000 per head per month.

For single-bed room, some venues charge Bt30,000 per month, but lack facilities.

Given her resort's potential, she called on the government to promote the country more strategically with tour operators and ease visa regulations.

She said Thailand should be second to no country in the region as a tourist destination, but at present Malaysia was the top choice for foreign tourists for long stays because no visa is needed.

The Philippines also has an advantage because of the English skills of its people.

-- The Nation 2014-02-17

[belg]

my wifes grandmother has a live-in person who cooks, cleans, changes diaper for the woman, 24/7 for not even 10k baht ... but they are all thai off course

a bit steep those prices

i guess, when the day comes i cannot wipe my own ass anymore, is the day they can put me down like a dog

who wants to live very old age, just waiting for your death ?

my grandfather was 92, in a home and he wished for the day he would not be here anymore

sitting in a small room, watching tv or the walls

governements should give a bail out possibility, with some insentives for the family (bonus)...as these places cost a lot of money for both pensionner & tax payer

[Red Snake]

I would recommend this place open a internet room with access to Thaivisa so some of the old grumpy guys who post here can continue to enjoy themselves in their remaining years.

[taony]

How can you operate an assisted living facility for people who can only stay one month at a time?

And this brings up something that I always think about. And I decided long ago I don't want to retire here. The retirement visa makes you keep so much money in the bank. I don't plan on having a big bank account balance when I die, so I won't qualify for a visa near the end. As I don't want to be thrown out on my ass when I am too old to walk properly, I will just need to find a better place to retire from the outset.

[steven100]

I would recommend this place open a internet room with access to Thaivisa so some of the old grumpy guys who post here can continue to enjoy themselves in their remaining years.

They could also have a small coyotee like bar so the folks can still enjoy there time with the girls ..

[upena]

How can you operate an assisted living facility for people who can only stay one month at a time?

And this brings up something that I always think about. And I decided long ago I don't want to retire here. The retirement visa makes you keep so much money in the bank. I don't plan on having a big bank account balance when I die, so I won't qualify for a visa near the end. As I don't want to be thrown out on my ass when I am too old to walk properly, I will just need to find a better place to retire from the outset.

There are other options than 800,000 baht in the bank. Do your research.

[taony]

How can you operate an assisted living facility for people who can only stay one month at a time?

And this brings up something that I always think about. And I decided long ago I don't want to retire here. The retirement visa makes you keep so much money in the bank. I don't plan on having a big bank account balance when I die, so I won't qualify for a visa near the end. As I don't want to be thrown out on my ass when I am too old to walk properly, I will just need to find a better place to retire from the outset.

There are other options than 800,000 baht in the bank. Do your research.

And people that aren't lucky enough to have B60k per month pensions? And how are 80 year-olds supposed to keep up with regulations that change every 30 minutes?

[craigt3365]

That high end price is about the same I'd pay back in the US! Quite expensive.

[craigt3365]

How can you operate an assisted living facility for people who can only stay one month at a time?

And this brings up something that I always think about. And I decided long ago I don't want to retire here. The retirement visa makes you keep so much money in the bank. I don't plan on having a big bank account balance when I die, so I won't qualify for a visa near the end. As I don't want to be thrown out on my ass when I am too old to walk properly, I will just need to find a better place to retire from the outset.

There are other options than 800,000 baht in the bank. Do your research.

And people that aren't lucky enough to have B60k per month pensions? And how are 80 year-olds supposed to keep up with regulations that change every 30 minutes?

They don't change every 30 minutes and places like this can take care of all the paperwork required for their guests. I take care of all the paperwork required for my mother. She can't see and can't write. It's actually quite easy.

At these prices, they aren't looking for those who can't qualify for retirement visas here?

[12DrinkMore]

How can you operate an assisted living facility for people who can only stay one month at a time?

And this brings up something that I always think about. And I decided long ago I don't want to retire here. The retirement visa makes you keep so much money in the bank. I don't plan on having a big bank account balance when I die, so I won't qualify for a visa near the end. As I don't want to be thrown out on my ass when I am too old to walk properly, I will just need to find a better place to retire from the outset.

There are other options than 800,000 baht in the bank. Do your research.

And people that aren't lucky enough to have B60k per month pensions? And how are 80 year-olds supposed to keep up with regulations that change every 30 minutes?

What regulations keep being changed every 30 minutes?

Some people do post ridiculous nonsense.

There has been no change to the retirement visa/extension/notification requirements for six years.

[alfalfa19]

Nice advertisement, for an overpriced s-hole, no doubt.

[kowpot]

If I am still in Thailand when I am 80 years old, I don't think I will bother with visa's. I also don't think Thai immigration is going to hunt me down and throw me in jail. As long as I still have a pension and I am not a burden on the Thai government, I don't think they are going to bother me. Anyway, I won't care.

[kuifje]

Wow, 120,000 baht/month for service only. That is 10 staff or more per person. Even for Western understanding this is expensive. Villa's at 50,000 month is also above market price.

[Red Snake]

Nice advertisement, for an overpriced s-hole, no doubt.

That s-hole may be your home someday.

[kuifje]

Expensive 'kindergarden' for seniors at 120.000 baht/month for service. You have to know food is not included in this service. So if you calculate everything you are looking at about 200,000 baht/month for one person. The resort was not rated very good by past customers. It is also far away from the city and difficult to find for taxi's.

[callaway]

555 Redsnake but dont you think there is enough here already 555

Edited February 17, 2014 by callaway

[little mary sunshine]

Assisted Living: 200,000B per month ? I want a private a/c house, three meals delivered to my house each

day, and two 22 y/o hookers per week to drool over !!!!!!! 5555555555555555555555

[nycjoe]

I just went to a lanna care seminar on aging in chiang mai, very informative. They had a end of life directive that is honored in hospitals here get more info at

http://www.lannacarenet.org/lanna-care-net/useful-information/

[umbanda]

Assisted Living: 200,000B per month ? I want a private a/c house, three meals delivered to my house each

day, and two 22 y/o hookers per week to drool over !!!!!!! 5555555555555555555555

and I want to be your roommate!!!!55555555555555555555555555555

[JeffreyWitty]

ridiculous costs.

I had thought of getting some single room shacks built on my *wifes) spare land and renting them out $50 a month each! Thats the affordable cost many retirees are looking for!

[kuifje]

I just went to a lanna care seminar on aging in chiang mai, very informative. They had a end of life directive that is honored in hospitals here get more info at

http://www.lannacarenet.org/lanna-care-net/useful-information/

I have read some of the information. Good to know.

[Bkungbank]

• Malaysia is bad choice as a pack of cigarrette cost you 125 Baht a bottle of beer 150 baht and crimes rates are high.

[TheWizardofRnR]

Our roomate for a few months is goin back to Sydney for a few weeks then movin' to Bkk . We have a nice room with air

and Flower has been a caregiver before in BKK when we met and since I got ill. Also is a good cook who has learned my recipes and been doing Frozen foods ready to heat&eat meals ,in Phuket and a plus Sandwich Deli , with great reviews in TRIP ADVISOR....I think she'd rent out and furnish meals ,plus assisted care for only 150,000B Plus I was a medic in USAF long ago but she's my caregiver now!

[OMGImInPattaya]

The retirement visa makes you keep so much money in the bank.

555555555555555555555555

[Clutch]

Wonder who 'handles' and 'managers' the old men's finances once they become incoherent and too dithery to even got to the toilet on their own? Scary thought!

[alfalfa19]

Nice advertisement, for an overpriced s-hole, no doubt.

That s-hole may be your home someday.

Highly unlikely. At any rate, why would you make such a ridiculous statement?