I am moving to Thailand!

[1happykamper]

Just joined this very active and informative group. happy new year to all. Hmmm.. first question... is the Thai new yer like China or USA ?) soooo many questions.. all in good time...

I have never visited Asia before..I currently live in Central Mexico ..2 years now. So my "move" is 2 suitcases. I sold the kitchen sink years ago.

My question this is in regards to cost of items in Thailand..specifically: mens shirts -casual, Levis jeans, walking shorts, a 54" smart TV, a 27" high end computer monitor, a good inkjet printer and sunscreen. ) ALL these items in MX are very expensive... I want to know the cost of replcaing all these items please.. and just how many clothes if any, I should buy in USA before departng for Thailand. Cheers.

[AYJAYDEE]

what kind of visa do you have?

[1happykamper]

what kind of visa do you have?

Still working on how to do that. I qualify for a Retired Visa.. more an 65,000 a month and aged 63

[daveAustin]

Dunno about Mexico, but most consumables here will be more expensive than the U.S. It ain't cheap and if you like the sauce and ladies, hope you have a big pension.

All the best

[AYJAYDEE]

Dunno about Mexico, but most consumables here will be more expensive than the U.S. It ain't cheap and if you like the sauce and ladies, hope you have a big pension.

All the best

which consumables specifically?

[daveAustin]

Visa should be easy, just apply for a non o based on retirement at a Thai embassy there and extend here later.

[AYJAYDEE]

what kind of visa do you have?

Still working on how to do that. I qualify for a Retired Visa.. more an 65,000 a month and aged 63

message ubonjoe in visas and immigration for the best advice on visas

[NancyL]

Congratulations on your decision to retire to Thailand. It should be easy for you to get a retirement visa.

As for what to bring. TVs, computer monitors, printers are reasonably priced here. No need to try to bring them here. You may want to bring a good laptop or computer. The ones here come loaded with bloatware and other junk that can be difficult to get cleaned up.

As for clothing. Stock up on good underwear and socks. The larger cities have export clothing shops where you can buy factory overruns and seconds for Levis, Dockers and cargo shorts. Most guys wear tees shirts or polo shirts. It can be dificult to find larger sized good quality polo shirts with light weight, cool fabric. Tee shirts with writing are no problem, but a good quality plain black tee shirt in a large size can be a problem. Hubby buys his via mail order.

[SpokaneAl]

I prefer technical tee shirts and shorts that are used for running and tend to wick better and keep one cooler than cotton, so I bring them from the states - they are light and easy to pack.

If you a runner or golfer etc with specific shoe preferences, or wear a bigger or wider size, you may want to consider bringing some extra pairs.

After three years of going back and forth I find that there are very few things that I cannot purchase in Thailand, and have found that for most of those items, if I can't find them, I probably don't really need them.

[marko kok prong]

Agree with Nancy about the computer,everything else can get here and cheaper i would say than Mexico,just take care with clothes when buying as Thai sizes are smaller than western sizes,for example xl here would probably be medium in Australia.

[RT85]

welcome to thailand

tech stuff here is generally more expensive than other asian cities.. most likely due to import taxes..

however i find that when u wait for offers or sales.. you get them at reasonable prices.

have fun!

[1happykamper]

Thanks so much for the replies today. I am getting used to the 13 hour delay to my questions.. )

OK. Bring my size 13 shoes. Good quality t shirts. Socks. Fruit of the Loom. Check. Thanks so much for your warm welcome and input.

A side note: COFFEE!!!!! Outside of major cities, how tough is it to get a good latte or americano?

[lust]

Google 'Mexico vs thailand' cost of living. I think the site is called numbeo.com but it breaks down the difference in cost of living from Levi's-Rent-milk, etc

May I ask why you have decided to pick thailand? Currently, this is the worst state of Thailand that I've personally seen and I'm currently looking to move away. Why you want leave Mexico?

[NancyL]

People are still moving into Chiang Mai for retirement living. It's still better than Mexico from what people tell me. There is a sizable number of expats who used to live in Mexico who now live here in Chiang Mai.

[Cpkt8]

Welcome welcome...

[villagefarang]

Thai New Year is unique and celebrated in addition to Chinese and Western, in mid April.

Clothing and sunscreen you might bring with you but buy your electronics here.

Coffee should not be a problem, at least not in Northern Thailand where it is grown.

[NancyL]

Sunscreen's not a problem. The mass-marketed body lotions sold with "whitening" on the label actually a good sunscreen products. You don't want to get the expensive "whitening lotions" Those could contain potentially damaging chemicals that really do attempt to lighten skill, but the mass market body lotions, (I use Citra, but there are other brand like Dove and Vaseline) are really just body lotion with sunscreen and talc and other ingredients to make the skin look a little whiter. Someone who knew her body lotion chemistry explained that the sunscreen they use in the formulation isn't stable over time, which is why these products don't have SPF ratings, but they are very good. I have very fair skin and have used Citra, extra whitening pearl-essence (whatever sounds the most serious) for years and never gotten a sunburn.

You can also get sport sunscreens that hold up to sweat better. Those really do have SPF ratings on the label.

Maybe not in every 7-11 in a small village, but certainly in the bigger cities.

[villagefarang]

If you are active and into outdoor sports, your sunscreen options are limited here compered to what is on offer someplace like Hawaii, so I always bring some back with me. Just a personal observation of course.

[RT85]

considering the north makes some of the worlds best coffeess (doi chaang in chiang rai is top 1%).

coffee shouldn't be a problem

[marko kok prong]

Maybe i could swap with the op,i loved Mexico,when i was there,and they don't play music at 5am ,have a house,wife ect,pickup ,motorsai,hell i will even leave some of my good shirts,how about it Happy kamper?

[1happykamper]

Maybe i could swap with the op,i loved Mexico,when i was there,and they don't play music at 5am ,have a house,wife ect,pickup ,motorsai,hell i will even leave some of my good shirts,how about it Happy kamper?

Marko.. when were you in Mexico.. my life in San Miguel de Allende has been greta for 2 years... and YES music is played 24 hours a day in many big cities and even in the countryside. Nothing terrible wrong with mexico..just time for me to travel and live in SE Asia.

[1happykamper]

considering the north makes some of the worlds best coffeess (doi chaang in chiang rai is top 1%).

coffee shouldn't be a problem

This is GOOD to hear!!! mexico grows greta coffee too and untill less than 10 year ago most of it was exported and Nescafe was the only coffee srved here. Finding an expresso machine outside of large cities here is very rare. To Mexicans coffee is a luxury hence the $2.50 I pay for one !

[1happykamper]

Slightly off topic but may I ask why you are leaving Mejico HC?

I want to move to Thailand. Just a different place to explore. Mexico is a great place but the prices are getting close to USA prices and affordability and desire to spend $700 on rent is not my cuppa tea

[arthurwait]

If you're not hung like a peanut bring many keks with you.

[NeverSure]

Bring clothes and shoes. Buy a new laptop at Walmart. It will include a genuine, installed copy of Windows for about $400 (13K baht.) You will need some power converters which you can get in Thailand.

You are going to find that almost everything is more expensive in Thailand compared to the US except Thai food, rent, and utilities. Some of it is a lot more expensive.

[krisb]

How did you decide to live in Thailand when you've never been before?

[1happykamper]

I have lived in 42 cities in 4 different countries.. Never visiting most of them beforehand. Nothing is permanent.

[BKKSnowBird]

As said. Bring shoes, underwear and a computer.

I would trade Thai food for Mexican food any day, but Thai women are better IMO.

Enjoy and write a thread on the differences.

[AYJAYDEE]

I have lived in 42 cities in 4 different countries.. Never visiting most of them beforehand. Nothing is permanent.

what were you wanted for?

[edwarda909]

Google 'Mexico vs thailand' cost of living. I think the site is called numbeo.com but it breaks down the difference in cost of living from Levi's-Rent-milk, etc

May I ask why you have decided to pick thailand? Currently, this is the worst state of Thailand that I've personally seen and I'm currently looking to move away. Why you want leave Mexico?

what is making this the worst state nowadays?