Tips for living in Chaiyaphum

[karlb]

I would be really grateful if anyone can give me advice about living in Chaiyaphum. I am a from the UK and am planning on moving to a small village just outside of the main city next year. Having visited on a couple of occasions I know there are really no farang bars or restaurants but ideas on day to day living would be appreciated.

Also is it possible to find work, maybe something part time or working from home as I get the impression I will need something to keep me occupied.

Many thanks

[soihok]

Good luck mate.

Try to get the internet on there.

Forget Farang Bars or Restaurants, if that's your thing stay in the UK.

Work is difficult, depending on what you can do (or are allowed to do - you would need a work permit to do anything legally).

Try to learn as much Thai as quick as possible, make this your goal as the place and people will open up to you.

Avoid drinking too much on a regular basis.

[selftaopath]

I've been living in Chaiyaphum Province for a/b 5 yrs. w/ my Thai wife in a village a/b 60 K North of Chaiyaphum city. It's a very rural area w/ practically NOTHING "to do." However I have many personal interests that "keep me busy." If you don't, you might find it "mind boggling" to live "this life." Our "big adventure" is going to Khonkaen a/b 1x a week. Chaiyaphum is closer, but I think KK has more to offer.

Feel free to IM me. Hold onto your seat buddy.... you're in for one hell of a ride (only my opinion of course)

Cheers,

Keoki

[Seligne2]

Re: Keeping yourself occupied: I find that the Internet is of course essential. With it you can learn Thai. You can also become a contributor to Thai Visa, Wikipedia, and Wikivoyage, all worthwhile endeavours.

[GinBoy2]

When you say in a village outside of Chaiyaphum, which side. If you're lucky it'll be on the Khon Kaen side. If you 'need' farang company, then this is not going to be a good move for you. There tend to be a smattering of us around the area, but, bars full of thronging farangs...better move to Pattaya.

Make sure where you are moving to has some decent internet connection. Remember it's DSL or 3G in general, and fixed line phones unlike in the West are not a given..No phone, No DSL, and a 3G connection can get awful expensive if you want to stream TV etc

Chaiyaphum itself doesn't have a lot there, Big C, Lotus & HomePro are kinda the highlights. I'm close enough to Khon Kaen that I'll go there 3 or 4 times a week to the gym, or shopping in Central Plaza. That plus reading, gardening, cooking and I'm a huge movie fan keep me occupied.

If you don't get a fairly well regimented regime and start pining for some bar buddies, it's pretty easy to resort to drink. We all know a few of those guys and it generally doesn't end well

...Oh and I should add, get a car or truck. If you're planning on relying on a motorbike (some do for cost) it'll feel like a prison

[karlb]

Guys,

Thanks so much for your responses, really appreciated and some sensible tips. For all intents and purposes it is actually Chaiyaphum I will be living in (about a 5 minute drive from Big C). Sounds like from what is being said the best suggestions are good internet access, learn Thai and don't drink too much . I will also be looking to get a vehicle as I honestly can't see myself riding aroung on a motorcycle in the rain plus I think it's a must for access to other locations such as Kohnkaen.

I have been living in the Middle East for the past 12 years so I am used to expat living it's just that here there are quite a few Europeans about which is something I will miss.

Again, thanks for all your input and if anyone has any other suggestions, tips etc. it woukd be grateful appreciated.

[steveG]

Very interesting to see this topic and read the very useful comments made.

I bought some land in Chiyaphum with my wife about 7 years ago and built a house on it. Huge fun for me to design and then build the house - it is something I have always wanted to do and could never afford to do in my home country (UK). We make annual visits there for 3-4 weeks and hope to retire full time there in a couple of years.

I share the same concerns as Karlb and also note that my alcohol consumption goes up a lot when I visit. Interests is a key concern but I do go to play a little golf at Sikhio. I want to do a fair bit of travelling when I live in Thailand both in country and also SE Asia.

I would be very interested to meet other Farang in the area during my next visit to Chiyaphum (first 3 weeks of December). my location is Khao Ya Dee. a bit further on from Tad Ton waterfall about 30 mins north from Chiyaphum.

[zyphodb]

There is now a Farang bar in Chaiyaphum, on the road going out towards Khon Khen, I live 60 km west of Chaiyaphum which is my closest town for proper shopping etc.you need to learn to speak Thai as very few people in Chaiyaphum speak any English at all. And as others said, you need interests, hobbies etc. & a good internet connection to stay sane as there is very little for Farangs to do there or in the surrounding area besides drink, which is, obviously a slippery slope to avoid sliding down... I'd forget working, it's very problematic anywhere in Thailand unless it's internet based. There is English teaching but you need the patience of a saint to teach kids that are not interested in learning & dealing with jealous Thai teachers with huge chips on their shoulders & not a lot else. Good luck anyway & feel free to PM me if you want to know more or meet up...

[karlb]

Thanks Zyphodb, appreciate you taking the time to respond. Interesting to hear that there is a Farang bar in Chaiyaphum, might prove to be very useful to meet other expats assuming I can find the place. If you visit there at some point if you can find out the name of the place it would be appreciated. Thanks for your thoughts about working, I have been looking around for ideas about internet based work but as yet have not found anything but will keep looking. More importantly though and as everyone has suggested learning the Thai language and getting internet sorted will be my first priorities.

To all of you that have posted here, thanks very much, your suggestions have been most helpful.

[pgs]

The western bar in Chaiyaphum yarn can be found here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713564-chaiyaphum-hastens-its-own-development-to-become-one-of-the-best-cities/page-2. Currently the address details are at the end of page 2, but could move at any time.

Chaiyaphum isn't all bad. You could be stuck in BKK - with the pollution there it would be far worse.

[karlb]

Thanks pgs, very helpful

[zyphodb]

The Bar is the No. 1 Bar, & a description of where it is follows: "But let me describe the position like this. There is q huge entrance road going in to Chaiyaphum coming from the junction where 202 and 201 meets. if you are coming from 201 and Khreng Khro or Khon Kae you make a right turn and onto this big road, if you are coming to Chaiyaphum via 202 yopu just pass this junction straight ahead....

When driving on this big road you will have after 2 km at your left hand side a huge sign up the the air saying KTM LIVING MALL... it is there the Index furniture store is situated. Pass this place with some 200 meters and the sign will appear in front of your eyes. It is about 3 meters high so it is hard to miss it on you left hand side" hope this helps...

[lostinisaan]

Dear Op,

Chaiyaphum is well-known for artificial monks. Not saying now that those on the photo are fake. Free food, drinks and a lot of fun inclusive.

Might be a good way to learn Thai, as well. There's plenty of work to do at temples. You won't get bored....

Best of luck! -.

[somo]

There is now a Farang bar in Chaiyaphum, on the road going out towards Khon Khen, I live 60 km west of Chaiyaphum which is my closest town for proper shopping etc.you need to learn to speak Thai as very few people in Chaiyaphum speak any English at all. And as others said, you need interests, hobbies etc. & a good internet connection to stay sane as there is very little for Farangs to do there or in the surrounding area besides drink, which is, obviously a slippery slope to avoid sliding down... I'd forget working, it's very problematic anywhere in Thailand unless it's internet based. There is English teaching but you need the patience of a saint to teach kids that are not interested in learning & dealing with jealous Thai teachers with huge chips on their shoulders & not a lot else. Good luck anyway & feel free to PM me if you want to know more or meet up...

Hi

We may almost be neighbours. I live (most of the time) 1/2 way between Sap Yai and Thep Satheet place called Bang Na.

Occasionally get to Chayapoum city and look forward to checking out the No1 bar.

Good advice above re internet and drinking. Couldn't do without either of them

[bentarm44]

There is now a Farang bar in Chaiyaphum, on the road going out towards Khon Khen, I live 60 km west of Chaiyaphum which is my closest town for proper shopping etc.you need to learn to speak Thai as very few people in Chaiyaphum speak any English at all. And as others said, you need interests, hobbies etc. & a good internet connection to stay sane as there is very little for Farangs to do there or in the surrounding area besides drink, which is, obviously a slippery slope to avoid sliding down... I'd forget working, it's very problematic anywhere in Thailand unless it's internet based. There is English teaching but you need the patience of a saint to teach kids that are not interested in learning & dealing with jealous Thai teachers with huge chips on their shoulders & not a lot else. Good luck anyway & feel free to PM me if you want to know more or meet up...

I don't know about Chaiyaphum myself, but those comments about working and "teaching" are bang on the money wrt anywhere in Thailand that I do know.

[karlb]

Thanks all for your latest posts. Interesting to read your comments lostinisaan, never even occurred to me about learning Thai from Monks!

[zyphodb]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

There is now a Farang bar in Chaiyaphum, on the road going out towards Khon Khen, I live 60 km west of Chaiyaphum which is my closest town for proper shopping etc.you need to learn to speak Thai as very few people in Chaiyaphum speak any English at all. And as others said, you need interests, hobbies etc. & a good internet connection to stay sane as there is very little for Farangs to do there or in the surrounding area besides drink, which is, obviously a slippery slope to avoid sliding down... I'd forget working, it's very problematic anywhere in Thailand unless it's internet based. There is English teaching but you need the patience of a saint to teach kids that are not interested in learning & dealing with jealous Thai teachers with huge chips on their shoulders & not a lot else. Good luck anyway & feel free to PM me if you want to know more or meet up...

Hi

We may almost be neighbours. I live (most of the time) 1/2 way between Sap Yai and Thep Satheet place called Bang Na.

Occasionally get to Chayapoum city and look forward to checking out the No1 bar.

Good advice above re internet and drinking. Couldn't do without either of them

Hi I live 20 Km south of Nong Bua Daeng, I've not heard of any of those places that you've mentioned but might not mean very much lol feel free to PM me if you wanna meet up some time..

[Macclad]

My wife is from Chaiyaphum and we lived there for a few years a year or two back.

As others say,not that much to do so having a computer is essential.

Also,a few decent Thai restaurants in and around town and some of these places show the English Premier League if you are into the footie.

Near the nightmarket there is a stadium where Chaiyaphum FC play and which,also,has an all weather running track.

Best hotels are/were Siam River Resort and Dee Prom.

For a walk on the wild side you can always visit KFC in Tesco Lotus !

[bendare]

^{Yes there is now a farang style family Bar & Restaurant in Chaiyaphum. so if anyone would like some western food or just a beer, it would be nice to meet you. Were next to the ktm living mall ...}

[glegolo]

^{Yes there is now a farang style family Bar & Restaurant in Chaiyaphum. so if anyone would like some western food or just a beer, it would be nice to meet you. Were next to the ktm living mall ...}

Nope, that was 2014,,, now adays this great bar is situated along the way down to Tesco Lotus opposit the Night bazar........

But great food great beer and great company there....

Glegolo

[isaander]

On ‎10‎/‎1‎/‎2014 at 5:45 PM, selftaopath said:

I've been living in Chaiyaphum Province for a/b 5 yrs. w/ my Thai wife in a village a/b 60 K North of Chaiyaphum city. It's a very rural area w/ practically NOTHING "to do." However I have many personal interests that "keep me busy." If you don't, you might find it "mind boggling" to live "this life." Our "big adventure" is going to Khonkaen a/b 1x a week. Chaiyaphum is closer, but I think KK has more to offer.

Feel free to IM me. Hold onto your seat buddy.... you're in for one hell of a ride (only my opinion of course)

Cheers,

Keoki

hi Keoki are you still around?  Canadian here also 60km north from Chaiyaphum over 5 years now with the wife - (ban na nongthum)  I would add that besides khon kaen, korat is only a 2 hour drive from Chaiyaphum for entertainment/shopping.  also there is a nice park with walking paths, a lake.  also good for baseball, flying model aircraft and the occasional drone.  join aerobics free near the night bazaar around 6pm.  big C shopping center has expanded as well so not too bad for a small city. 

[wildewillie89]

Update on the topic:

Robinsons (with Tops) shopping mall should be finished by the end of this year opposite RAM Hospital, with further malls set to follow. Talks a few months ago commenced about building an airport. There had been talks previously, but these talks also included papers being signed. Construction should begin in 4 years time so day trips to Bangkok will be very easy if people need the tourist type entertainment.  Korat and Khon Kaen have big plans re development over the next few years (1 1/2 - 2 hours drive). Immigration currently looking for a place in the city to rent until they figure out where they want to settle (will take many years). 

Better to go to Khon Kaen or Korat if you need any specialist medical treatment. No Chaiyaphum officials use Chaiyaphum hospital - joke going around is that you will never walk out with 4 limbs or all your organs if you do use it for anything half serious. 

Why I like it is because it is small but has most of the things you need (Big C, Tesco, Makro, Global, HomePro etc) all very close together. Quite difficult to get lost in Chaiyaphum city anyway. 

[Irishdreamer]

Hiya! Are any of ye still in Chaiyaphum? Id love to pick your brains for some info.? I will be going to Chaiyaphum in May to teach English and would love to know what hobbies you all have there? It's going to be a bit of a culture shock but I'm really excited to be as immersed in the Thai culture as possible but would love to do some classes like cooking, yoga or meditation and possibly Muay thai but very beginner classes ha, just some things so I don't go crazy when I'm not working! Any help or tips you could give would be appreciated, thanks :)