Living just from the land.

[Joey J]

I've been thinking of doing this for a long time now of just living from the land.my soon to be wife has alot of land and it was always my dream of living on a farm, but been a city boy and living on the wild side of life for many years I feel maybe that chance has gone, , I'm 52 years old but caught between living in thailand full time or splitting my time between uk and Thailand. Just to add I don't want to live in the main tourist places,(been there done that) I would just like to know if anyone has taken the chance and succeeded.

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[cooked]

Many dream of this, many give up after a few years. We have chickens, fish and ducks , enough rice and vegetables, that's as far as it goes. If you never worked 12 hour days in the sun, you are in for a surprise.

[Joey J]

If you work 12 hours in the freezing cold you know about that to.

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[Joey J]

But you have succeeded though.

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[In Search of Space]

I have been giving this dream some thought for some time, but not much more than that. I have no farming background, but I do enjoy hard work and like to keep busy. Sounds like i am in a similar position and time in life to OP, but I am in a position where I could stop work and if careful continue. This would be easier in Thailand, the idea of chickens, fish, ducks seems nice, is it possible ?

Not looking to make money, more have something to do and reduce costs

[NeverSure]

Your wife has a lot of land. How does she farm it, and is it profitable now? Does she work 12 hours a day in the fields, or does she hire people? Does the operation support her?

Having no experience farming, especially in Thailand, your chance of converting raw land into a profitable farm are almost nil.

If there is already a profitable farm with workers, and you're thinking about adding chickens and ducks and pigs and a garden for your food, that's very possible. Those who claim to live off the land need some cash. They get it by selling farm items, bartering, and working for someone else.

Source: I grew up on a 10,000 rai (4,000 acre) wheat and cattle ranch in the W. US and we had all of those extra things for our table. Wheat and cattle were profitable and money wasn't a worry. (That doesn't mean I know a danged thing about farming in Thailand.)

[David48]

(That doesn't mean I know a danged thing about farming in Thailand.)

Can I quote you ...

Just joking ...

[Seastallion]

Follow the dream, Paul. But do it with caution and wisdom. Google is your friend, as will be some members here.

That you have no farming background may make it hard for you to adjust, but you have indicated that you are not a stranger to hard work and long hours, so go for it, but not impetuously; plan, research, learn, contingency plan and be determined.

Stick around this forum, especially the farming forum, ignore the pessimists and take on board the advice of those that have done it before you.

I'm in a similar frame of mind, but my wife doesn't have land (yet).

[David48]

If you work 12 hours in the freezing cold you know about that to.

But Paul ... that's only for 50 weeks of the year ... you get 2 weeks of 'Summer'.

Lucky you don't live in Scotland ... would be 51 and a 1/2 weeks ...

But, seriously, wish you the best endeavours.

The Thais work sort the same as the spanish.

Early in the morning, sleep or rest during the hottest part and usually sometimes back out again in the faternoon.

Some work all day, but more the exception, then the rule.

When I'm in Thailand, I stay @ the GF's Parents Fish and Prawn Farm ... that's how they work unless they are harvesting.

There is a dedicated Farming Forum here, but you seem more a 'Hobby Farmer'.

That said ... maybe have a read of ... farming-greenhorns-tips-for-surviving-the-early-years

I wrote the initial post, but lots of great contributions form the Farming Folk here on Thai Visa.

Edited June 15, 2014 by David48

[CharlieH]

Often the dream can turn to a nightmare. Dont look through rose colored glasses, Thailand is everything BUT pink!

[NeverSure]

(That doesn't mean I know a danged thing about farming in Thailand.)

Can I quote you ...

Just joking ...

Sure. Just be aware that a principle is the same the world over. Either you have enough good land and water to support you without breaking your back 12 hours a day when you're 70 years old, or you don't. Anywhere, you can grow side items for your table if you have the space, soil, and water. Anywhere, you need cash in addition to what you can take from the farm.

Only the OP can answer those questions. You and I can't because we don't know those answers in his circumstances.

Edited June 15, 2014 by NeverSure

[David48]

(That doesn't mean I know a danged thing about farming in Thailand.)

Can I quote you ...

Just joking ...

Sure. Just be aware that a principle is the same the world over. Either you have enough good land and water to support you without breaking your back 12 hours a day when you're 70 years old, or you don't. Anywhere, you can grow side items for your table if you have the space, soil, and water. Anywhere, you need cash in addition to what you can take from the farm.

Only the OP can answer those questions. You and I can't because we don't know those answers in his circumstances.

Oh, NeverSure, I'd never dis you ...

Just joking ...

[Joey J]

The feedback I'm getting is much appreciated, alot has happened in my life , but a major incident happened 6 years ago, and Thailand saved me from the unthinkable. Without going in to to much detail I just thought maybe I could try to find myself by living in a place I love. Not for profit but just to live away from everything the life in the west expects us to do.

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[marko kok prong]

You probably could,but the terrible heat from march to mid june is very hard,it is an admirable idea,but personally i would want to do it in a more temperate climate,once you are away from the coast in Thailand temps are generally 35 to over 40c,for a lot of the year,with the exception of if you get a decent cool season jan,feb,which we had this year,the year before the cool season was not cool only a little less hot,it is very difficult for falang's to work in these conditions.

[beachproperty]

Had a sitcom in America years ago called "Green Acres" with Zsa Zsa Gabor.....about a New York banker and his wife wanting to live off the land...

Google it, You tube it........good laugh.

[Joey J]

Only rice and plenty of rai for rubber.

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[Joey J]

But I think I would like to do fruit, veg, pond fish which I have already, and a small setup of pigs, but a clean setup More for a hobby and a couple of beers after the work.i think I'm starting to dream (sorry).

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[NeverSure]

But I think I would like to do fruit, veg, pond fish which I have already, and a small setup of pigs, but a clean setup More for a hobby and a couple of beers after the work.i think I'm starting to dream (sorry).

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Some of us may sound discouraging but it comes from an abundance of caution in a common sense way. If your wife has a real farm and it at least pays its way including labor, and if you have some income either from the farm or from the UK or wherever, then why not try it?

It's true that you can raise everything for your table, and depending on the scope of the operation raise money by selling farm products. But it's about cash. Everyone needs cash. Doctor and dentist bills, seed, fertilizer, clothes - and you've lived long enough to understand that.

A farm has several revenue streams including being your housing, your food, things to sell, etc. Only you can know if you have a cash flow source from the farm, savings or the UK to complete the equation. I hope you do and I hope you realize your dream.

If you don't see a source of cash then I wouldn't do it yet.

Good luck

[T_Dog]

Things grow so fast in Thailand that you can have a lot of fun farming as long as you enjoy pulling weeds and don't have to depend on your success. We have enjoyed eating things off our land but we have also had a tree full of rose apples and crops of squash disappear when birds came and we were not around. You won't be the only one eating things off your land! Nice thing about growing your own is you can be in control of pesticides. We also have a fish pond and that has been very low maintenance and quite productive.

[TheFishman1]

Had a good friend he was 40 did the same thing saw him two years later he not living on the farm it all sounds good but in the end it is so much harder then you think. At 52 buy a sailboat and go fishing enjoy life

[rhythmworx]

There's some good advice in this thread, I personally am in no situation to give you any, however I admire your dreams and the only way to make them happen is to go out there and do it, lots of research is needed though as I am sure your doing right now.

The only advice I can give is to make 100% sure you have an exit plan eg... if you need to leave the country at least make sure you can afford the flight and have a place too live in when back where you reside now.

Seriously. I wish you all the best in making your dream come true.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Would also suggest funding for medical/health insurance, critical no matter where you live, more so as you get older....

Mac

[Seastallion]

There was a revived thread last week about a Pom who took to sustenance farming and made a good go of it. He was a graduate in Latin, which I'm sure helped him not one bit, but he did it. I'll have a look and see if I can find the thread.

Another thing that came out of that Englishman's story which may be very helpful to the OP, in fact may be exactly what he needs, is His Majesty the King's program for sustainable living. Worth looking into as it is a model built for Thailand.

[Seastallion]

Here's some inspiration for you Paul....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673519-a-life-full-of-riches-the-story-of-a-farang-man-who-lives-like-a-rural-thai/

[Joey J]

All very sound advice. Thank you.

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[krisb]

Why not setup a nice hobby farm then move up from there?

Farming is the hardest job I know of if it's a big farm.

[starky]

Hello Paul,

I'll keep this brief as I can but feel free to PM me. I moved up North couple years ago more for the wife's sake as she was pregnant and I wanted her to be around the family. Like you I am a city boy and was also a naughty boy for a very long time. Now I live up jungle and have bought some additional land and built a house for the missus. Technically I don't work the land, I really don't think you want that, it is very hard graft anywhere especially Thailand. Get people in the village to help you. I have also heard all the grand schemes about sugar and rubber and cows and what have you but I don't know what I am doing and the Thai version of profitable is miles away from what I would consider enough to live on. I know I won't be here forever so what I have done is more for the family, but here are a couple of things I have learnt that you may wish to consider. The only time the climate is really bearable is around Christmas and IF your lucky you'll get 3 months, rest of the time can be pretty harsh. Telephone reception and internet can be sketchy at best and if you are out wide, power outages are frequent ( I have had a half dozen in the last few days). It can be pretty lonely too, not a lot of other falang around (again dependant on where you are) so I hope you and the missus get on like a house on fire. Because you don't want to have to travel miles to talk to someone and believe me you will miss conversation. Your also going to need start up cash for whatever you decide to invest in and being Thailand chances are you will be paying over the odds unless your missus is very cluey about all the aspects of what you want to farm, and is willing to go into bat for you. Could go on and on basically it is not a decision to be made lightly and don't over commit just in case it doesn't end up what you thought it may be, other than that Good Luck!

[David48]

Smart advice, well written ...

.

[Joey J]

Thank you so much for that starky, money is not really the problem I think it's everything else you said, but saying that I'm only 25km outside of town. Was thinking 2 nights a week in hotel so I could have a few drinks with the lads I know in the bar.

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[starky]

Thank you so much for that starky, money is not really the problem I think it's everything else you said, but saying that I'm only 25km outside of town. Was thinking 2 nights a week in hotel so I could have a few drinks with the lads I know in the bar.

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That's the way to go, as long as you have a couple of mates (preferably from back home) close by you can have a mag with. If you got that, your laughing it will keep you sane. My only other bit of advice is rubber is a solid investment but the ship sailed on that a while a go. Money may not be a problem, but it is seven years before you will see a cent, with a lot of maintenance, watering, fertilizer, pesticide etc etc, between now and then. I think if you have big land, 50 rai up, rubber can be pretty viable but the prices fluctuate a lot and do your research on cup vs. sheet rubber watch the markets and the one you shouldn't need me to tell you never invest more here than you can readily walk away from tomorrow with no regrets. This is the main one that a lot of people stuff up and then become... lets just say a little jaded and frequently bitter towards the Kingdom. All the best hope it works out for you. Cheers.