Moving To Thailand - Advice Help!

[paradiseishere]

Dear All,

I fell in love with thailand 4 years ago and have returned every year since, i love the people, the culture and the land. I was basically wanting some advice on the possibility of moving out there -

eg are British people welcome?

Buying property

getting a job

culture/lifestyles on a day to day basis

Agencies to help with renting or buying property?

i understand about the visa runs and have done some research, however i have read bad and good things and would like some impartial advice.

i would appreciate anyones advice, help suggestions on what would be my next best move? and your opinions good or bad

Thanks

G

[backflip]

British people, for some reason, ARE welcome here ; )

As for your questions, I'd suggest you try the search function, or do a random walk through the forums.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

British people, for some reason, ARE welcome here ; )

As for your questions, I'd suggest you try the search function, or do a random walk through the forums.

Below a blurb that a friend and I worked up for folks contemplating coming to Thailand for a long term stay. These pointers have worked for us, both Americans, altho some other people may disagree. TiT.

Mac

RETIREMENT OR LONG-TERM STAY CONSIDERATIONS IN THAILAND

THAI VISA: Obtain a "NON-O visa" from a Thai Embassy abroad; it can be for 90 days, or for one year with multiple entries. If a one year validity, you need to depart Thailand every 90 days and reenter for a new 90 day period. Closest border point to Bangkok is at Aranyaprathet-Poi Pet on the Cambodian border. Many people drive or go by train, bus, fly, to Nong Khai and cross over to Laos and stay in Vientiane for a day or two. Others head south to Malaysia, Penang, for example or go to Singapore for this "visa-run". A Non-Immigrant Visa is necessary to apply for a retirement or any other long term visa. A tourist visa will not suffice.

Take a look at http//www.thaivisa.com, they have a lot of good up-to-date information regarding visa regulations.

LONG TERM STAYS: Highly recommended is that before you cut your ties at home, quit your job, sell your house, divorce your wife, etc, you move here for a longer term, rent an apartment where you think you want to live, and live like you're going to stay here. Thailand is not for everybody! There are frustrations, aside from just the language; make sure that this is where you want to stay.

HOUSING: How and where do you want to live? 2-4 bedroom apartments downtown in the Sukumvit Road high price area will run Baht 20,000-baht 75,000 per month. A single bedroom apartment, not so fancy, way down Sukumvit Road, or in northern Bangkok might be had for Baht 5,000-10,000 per month.

Buy a house? Townhouse?? Condo??? Possible, and also in all sorts of price ranges. Baht 1,000,000 ($25,000), will get you something relatively decent, especially out of town. Prices are usually much less "upcountry" than in Bangkok. Foreigners cannot own land, thus houses and townhouse are out, but condos are permissible, up to 49% of the building. Note that there is no "condo law" as yet in Thailand so be cautious if looking at a condo for a home.

WHERE TO LIVE: Bangkok area?? Up country?? Down country?? Housing is much more reasonable in the suburbs of the city. Ring Roads and new highways and provide relatively fast access to the traffic jams downtown. New shopping malls are springing up all over the country. An example is Future Park in a Bangkok suburb. (http://www.futurepark.co.th/index1.html). Local neighborhood markets (including 7-11's) are available for daily needs.

You can live in Pattaya or Hua Hin, on the beach, very reasonably, and within a 2-3 hour drive of Bangkok. An unfurnished townhouse goes for Baht 5,000 up per month, about same for a small apartment. If it is furnished, it is a bit more.

IN-LAWS: Live at least 100 km from your local in-laws, if you have such. This is still close enough to visit, but not on a daily basis. No matter how much or, more importantly, how little money you have, they'll think you have more and it's available for "loans." You should not mind a loan on occasion, but the initial one must be paid back on schedule, or never again.

MEDICAL/INSURANCE: Excellent care here, fine doctors and hospitals, no real worries on this one. Much cheaper for everything than in most of Europe or America, but still not free. Many local doctors and dentists have trained abroad and speak English, French, German, Japanese and Chinese. Medical insurance is available here, for example,BUPA (http://www.bupathailand.com/), there are others. Cost may run from about $100 on up per year for what looks like good coverage countrywide.

Of note is that U.S. Medicare and many European insurance programs do NOT cover overseas. Retired U.S. Military people have CHAMPUS and TriCare for Life, good programs if you're eligible.

CARS/INSURANCE: Many expatriates live in Thailand and do not own a car. New cars are expensive but used cars are rather more reasonable. You can get a regular 2nd hand Toyota, Nissan, or Isuzu pickup for about Baht 125,000 perhaps 3-5 years old. Possibly with four doors or the "King Cab/Super Cab" model (jump seats). Do not plan on shipping a car, the import duty would be 200% or more and not depreciated from the year you bought the car....

Car insurance runs about Baht 11,000 for full coverage, more if you buy a luxury car. For new insurance, be sure to bring a "no claim" letter from your former insurance company. This should be good for a 25%-40% discount. Thai law requires a minimum legal coverage which costs about Baht 1,500/year.

Get a International Driver's Permit, issued by U.S. State AAAs and most other country national automobile associations. It is handy in two ways. First, it will enable you to get Thai driver's license with no hassle which is great for ID when such is needed locally. Secondly, if/when you get stopped by a Thai traffic cop, you can hand him the International Permit and, ofttimes, you may be told to move on because of the language barrier and some confusion of what the IDP is. If you do get a traffic citation, the traffic cop will confiscate your license and it will be held at the local station house until you pay the fine. Better to give him your International Drivers Permit. Many expats keep several expired ones in their glove compartment for just this purpose.

FOOD: Generally decent supermarket prices. Just about every thing's available in the supermarkets but imported products are more expensive. Learn how to live off local produce!

BANKING: The current exchange rate is about Baht 40+ to US$1. You can check the rate at several www sites, such as Siam Commercial Bank's (https://www.scbbusiness.com/exchange/bk-txtexchange.htm)

Keep a foreign bank account for direct deposits of your foreign income such as retirement funds, social security, interest and dividends. You can transfer such funds to Thailand easily. Also open one or more bank accounts here. You get an ATM card with them. Once a month write a personal check on your foreign account for deposit to the Thai account. The Thai bank holds the funds availability for 45 days (60 days for some banks) to ensure that the check clears. This is a "problem" only on your first check. After that, you're on a cycle of a check deposit every month, and clearing of the check every 45 days. If you need funds transferred quickly, use a wire transfer from the offshore account to the Thai account which takes about three working days here. You should set up with your offshore bank that they will do this based on a signed FAX from you Thailand. Bring a credit or debit card from your offshore bank. You can use it in most local ATM machines to draw down Baht directly from your offshore account.

CREDIT CARDS: Thai banks do issue credit cards, MasterCard/Visa, etc, for a price. It's well to maintain a foreign credit card, with the common foreign banking laws covering it. Stolen incoming replacement credit cards in the mails are a common problem, some people have the cards mailed to an address in their home country, and hand carried to Thailand.

INTERNATIONAL POST: The U.S. Postal Service has two very good and reasonable programs: Global Priority Mail pouch, up to four pounds airmail to Thailand, for $9.50; and the M-bag, for books and other printed matter, surface mail, 11-66 pounds for $1.05 per pound (http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub51/welcome.htm). Other country's postal services may have similar programs.

MARRIAGE: Usually easy, done at the local District Office (Amphur) and simply a registration of a marriage ("jot tambien"). A foreigner may need a form letter, notarized, from his/her embassy stating that they are not currently married and are legally able to be married.

CHILDREN BORN IN THAILAND: Children born in Thailand of a foreign father and a Thai mother may hold dual citizenship . Application must be made with the local district office/amphur. With many countries, however, the USA for example, the children are U.S. citizens. A "report of foreign birth abroad" must be filed with the U.S. Consulate, and may be similar with other Embassies.

DIVORCE: Uncontested divorce between foreign and Thai spouses is relatively simple, just a reverse of the marriage registration. Do this at the District Office (Amphur). A contested divorce is rather more complicated, must be done at a Thai court, and really requires the services of a Thai lawyer. It is possible, is some circumstances, to obtain a divorce from a Thai spouse in your home country.

WILLS and ESTATE PLANNING: To be legal, a will must be registered at the District Office (Amphur). A Thai woman cannot leave property/land to a foreign man. Other assets may be willed to a foreign spouse.

EMPLOYMENT: This can be difficult. Expats are expensive to maintain by the employer and there are thus not many local positions available. Virtually all will require a Thai work permit, which is available on legitimate request from the employer. There are many expats living in Thailand but working outside the country such as, for example, in oil exploration related fields. It is possible to teach English, French, Japanese, etc, to supplement other income, but if you don't have teaching credentials, the pay is pretty slim.

OTHER INFORMATION Much is available on the Internet. Check these

Bangkok Post http://www.bangkokpost.net

The Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.com

E-Thailand http://www.ethailand.com/ (check the "lifestyles" section)

Thailand Search Engine http://hotsearch.bdg.co.th/

NECTEC http://www.nectec.or.th/

Thai Embassy, Wash DC. http://www.thaiembdc.org/index.htm

www.thailandguru.com

www.bangkokatoz.com

Stickman's Guide http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Gulf/6413/ (with a grain of salt)

Escape Artist, Living in Thailand http://www.escapeartist.com/Thailand/Thailand.html

[paradiseishere]

thanks for this info if a little' male marrying thai woman' orientated. We are a british couple wanting to settle on the islands so i think most of your points will be very useful thanks. it would be good if you could explain the annoyances in thailand - by this, do you mean the politics?

thanks for help ill get looking through all the sites

[m155g0ld]

thanks for this info if a little' male marrying thai woman' orientated. We are a british couple wanting to settle on the islands so i think most of your points will be very useful thanks. it would be good if you could explain the annoyances in thailand - by this, do you mean the politics?

thanks for help ill get looking through all the sites

Hi Paradise!

We are also a British couple and moved here last October. We live in Bangkok and love it but take trips down to Samui and Phangan whenever we can. What are you planning to do on the islands?

L x

[astral]

thanks for this info if a little' male marrying thai woman' orientated. We are a british couple wanting to settle on the islands so i think most of your points will be very useful thanks. it would be good if you could explain the annoyances in thailand - by this, do you mean the politics?

thanks for help ill get looking through all the sites

I think you will find all you need in the existing posts of the forum.

You need to read the Visa section.

A lot depends on your age. Over 50 is easy.

The General section has many threads about what annoys people. The numbers at the bottom of the page allow you to browse back over older messages

There are sections on Jobs, Housing and the Local Forums on places you might like to settle.

Good luck

[paradiseishere]

hi

we are 25 and 30 is that too young? thing is we have no ties in england no house no kids etc im trained in marketing and would like to possibly work front of house in a hotel, my partner works in construction health and safety so ive yet to research how easy this would be!

i love to hear more advice or opinions. I understand jobs will go the Thai residents first but i appreciate everyones thoughts

thanks

[egeefay]

CITY LIFE MAGAZINE...A monthly online publication in Chiang Mai has been printing a series of article each month on different aspects of "retiring in Thailand", written by a former Peace Corps volunteer who is married to a Thai lady

I didn't see an installment for this month so I'm not sure if they are all done but you can check them out at

http://www.chiangmainews.com/

Meanwhile I retrieved the links from past articles on various aspects of retiring and living in Thailand

EXPENSES

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1387

RETIRING IN THAILAND

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1426

A PLACE TO STAY

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1455

BANKING

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1482

CONDOS

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1510

TRANSPORTATION

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1549

Edited September 7, 2006 by egeefay

[peterjackson]

Hey

I would definately take the time to speak with the Alan Taylor, the Hon. Consul of Thailand, based in Hull. This is the website Thai Consul Hull I am in a slightly different situation to yourselves, in that I will be travelling to Thailand for both business/leisure purposes and will be staying an extended stay, maybe several years. I have spoken to Mr Taylor on several occasions and have always found him very helpful. In fact, he made it all sound so simple and gave me assurances, which took me back, given his 'perceived' status.

Having spoken to several Thai Consuls both in the USA and the UK, he is far and away the easiest to deal with and appears to issue Visas with the minimum of 'fuss'.

He won't be able to advise you on work permit details, but anything Visa related, he is definatley worth a call.

I had to laugh when I read your partners occupation as Construction H & S, I just mused to myself, well he'll find a hard time getting a job in Thailand as there doesn't seem to be any call for his expertise. But that is really an over simplification of the Thai work ethic on construction sites.

As for your money/banking needs, it appears from several past posts, that Nationwide are the lowest cost people to have an account with, as their ATM/Debit card has no fees if used in Thailand to withdraw money.

Also from my own experience, HSBC have a great service, if you are going to be living in the Bangkok area. Although you can use their ATM card at any ATM in Thailand, if you use it at their ATM's in Bangkok, it is totlally free and their exchange rates are very good.

As for property purchase, given the present climate, I would seek Independent Legal Advice before considering signing any agreement.

Sunbelt Asia Group, who are the forum sponsors have always been very helpful from my own personal experience and would not hesitate in recommedning them if you need insightful, up to date professional advice.

Kind regards

Peter

[rishi]

hi

we are 25 and 30 is that too young? thing is we have no ties in england no house no kids etc im trained in marketing and would like to possibly work front of house in a hotel, my partner works in construction health and safety so ive yet to research how easy this would be!

i love to hear more advice or opinions. I understand jobs will go the Thai residents first but i appreciate everyones thoughts, thanks

First of all ... Thailand is okay for well-funded retirees and others that may have a steady income from abroad, that secures bread and butter and insurances ... Thailand isn't that okay for those whose existense depends on making a reasonable "survival"-income in Thailand.

The "credentials", you mention, might work if you've got some well-documented and substantial resume to go with them ... but even in that case - they won't make any employer around here clap their hands and say: these are must-have guys.

If you're adventerous - well, why the heck, give it a try. BUT, if you're seeking existence-security. Stay home, get a job with a good pension, get some noticable amount on your savings account --- and once the financial background is okay, come to Thailand (not before).

[paradiseishere]

thanks for this information. Yes i can understand why you laughed at the construction work, i have seen sites around bangkok and samui and they are a health and safety nightmare! I have also read about the rich, retired people having more chance of settling there. Thanks for all these comments i still intent on living out there one day, i guess its a lottery ticket for me!

seriously though i value your comments and advice, its needs alot more research on my part and probably alot more money!

[egeefay]

CITY LIFE MAGAZINE...A monthly online publication in Chiang Mai has been printing a series of article each month on different aspects of "retiring in Thailand", written by a former Peace Corps volunteer who is married to a Thai lady

I didn't see an installment for this month so I'm not sure if they are all done but you can check them out at

http://www.chiangmainews.com/

Meanwhile I retrieved the links from past articles on various aspects of retiring and living in Thailand

EXPENSES

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1387

RETIRING IN THAILAND

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1426

A PLACE TO STAY

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1455

BANKING

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1482

CONDOS

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1510

TRANSPORTATION

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1549

If you want to see the most CURRENT article (I'm told they have the same thing in print in Thailand)

1. Go to

http://www.chiangmainews.com/

2. Click on the image of the magazine cover

3. Scroll down to the most recent article entitled "A RETIRING ATTITUDE"

This months subject is DRIVING IN THAILAND: TRAFFIC

Edited September 7, 2006 by egeefay