Expats Here on a Permanent Basis: How did you pull it off?

[Fullstop]

There are no shortcuts to life son.

Thanks Dad.

[chilli42]

Got a job here with a work permit, though admittedly I had a skill set that made this quite easy. After six years I applied for permenant resident status. Went through that process and 18 months later had the PR.

Useful enough to have I guess though I count the days until I can get out of here and live back home again. I am not saying this is a terrible place to live, it's not. There are certainly some positives, particularly if you are single and working full time with a decent income. However, as time goes on .... you get married, you have kids, you retire etc ... the big mango quickly loses its appeal relative to certain other countries (the heat, the pollution, the pettiness etc).

My advice is get a skill set that makes you needed. Find a job with a work permit and stay at it for 5 years. If these things are not possible for you then take a 3 month holiday and enjoy Thailand. Then happily say goodbye to Thsiland with the knowledge that things here are not as great as they appear to be or as great as people tell you they are.

[ev1lchris]

How would you support yourself back in your home country ? Get an education, get a job, get some experience and then live where you want. The problem with young pups is they want to learn new tricks without putting in their time to be an old dog. There are no shortcuts to life son.

Unfortunately, the US doesn't work like that anymore. 2.5% GDP growth doesn't allow it. You can get an education but there is no guarantee of a job at the end of the rainbow.

I've supported my travels in the past by running an internet business. For somebody who doesn't want to teach English, this is definitely the way to go. There are thousands of digital nomads in Thailand now and they can earn good money.

I'm hoping to run an Internet business too for the freedom. I want to hear your story please.

FYI right now I am a huge bum. I sit on my butt. I did some teaching here it was a lot fun and fulfilling but it is working for beans. I turned down another job paying exactly the same.

I'm returning to the US hoping to establish myself as a digital nomad. Then travel!

[chilli42]

PR in Thailand is not a lottery, it's a very clear cut process that has rules which if followed result in a PR card. I got mine and it cost me nothing more than the simple application and processing fee which is published. The notion that you need to be rich is simply untrue. If you don't qualify for a PR then perhaps throwing millions at officials might help .... but people with millions are not usually that stupid and desperate. Admittedly things went on hold under the rule of the xenophobic Mr Taxsin but understand now that this bunch of mischief makers have been sent packing the applications are moving forward again.

[orpheus454]

How would you support yourself back in your home country ? Get an education, get a job, get some experience and then live where you want. The problem with young pups is they want to learn new tricks without putting in their time to be an old dog. There are no shortcuts to life son.

Aw gee, thanks dad...

[Monkeyrobot]

I sponge of my Thai GF send her to work while I sit home and watch sports on my big TV with cold beer.

[rott]

I think the OP was asking, what sort of work do you do that gets you into a job with a work permit in Thailand. He wants to know what sort of skills he needs to acquire to enter the local job market.

[Dewey]

I arrived here for an internship, I was 23, got a contract 6 month later, 3 years already, managing production planning of 150+ people company. There are many farang companies, many opportunities, just need to be a little bit lucky at the begining and then just wait to have enough experience.

[nithisa78]

I also think the post is somewhat demeaning to English teaching....I have done it and there is nothing wrong with staying in country by putting in an honest day's work.

Thank you. Honest days work. The end.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Having grown up dirt poor, working two jobs to save the money to put myself through school, starting a business with nothing and then scratching and kicking my way to success, I can say, without any doubt whatsoever, that there is only one piece of advice that is absolutely true:

Choose your parents wisely.

[SiSePuede419]

#1 Inheritance (falling out of the right womb)

#2 Nepotism (falling out of the right womb)

#3 Prejudice (falling out of the right womb)

#4 Social and business connections (falling out of the right womb)

#5 Knowing someone who is successful (falling out of the right womb)

#6 Lobbying Congress (falling out of the right womb)

#7 Gambling, as in being rich enough to own a casino (falling out of the right womb)

#8 Insider trading (where do you get thrse kinds of connections? Why...falling out of the right womb, of course)

#9 Unfair market practices (falling out of the right womb to have enough economic power to develop monopolies)

Of course, I missed theft, corruption, heroin sales and human trafficking. But of course, nobody here eould ever ADMIT to those things, would they George?

555

[HerbalEd]

My gf pulls it off for me.

He didn't ask about your sex life.

[aboctok]

I also think the post is somewhat demeaning to English teaching....I have done it and there is nothing wrong with staying in country by putting in an honest day's work.

"Nothing wrong" except for demeaning yourself. Why don't you show some smart gumption animal cunning and be more of a player? Your life will be rated (by you) as much more successful if you stop occupying yourself wasting time on other people's development and focus on your own satisfaction. Start today!

[dotpoom]

How would you support yourself back in your home country ? Get an education, get a job, get some experience and then live where you want. The problem with young pups is they want to learn new tricks without putting in their time to be an old dog. There are no shortcuts to life son.

Yeah graft your whole life away and pay into a defined-contribution retirement plan in the desperate hope that you'll be able to attain the Holy Grail of life, the universe and everything . . . namely moving to Thailand once your youth and vitality have disappeared and you need all sorts of medication just to feel remotely normal. That kinda thing is no fun here, especially with the heat and some aspects of the culture that can make the less tolerant extremely grumpy as a quick perusal through the forum will prove.

If you work smart and have a bit of gumption, you can do it NOW.

I got here at 40 - hardly young but youthful enough to have a scream without being stretchered into an ICU after 7 years partying several times a week like some of the old boys with gout and comb overs trying to relive their 20s and 30s. LOL!

OP can do it with back-to-back, triple entry tourist visas or the Elite visa if he's got some readies lying around. He can support himself making money freelancing at something online - copy writing, web design yadda-yadda

Don't demean yourself teaching English for goat-cheese 30K salaries.

You won't be able to save a penny and that's not cool

It seems you like to try to belittle those who are possibly older than yourself, who moved here in order to make the most of the time they have left on this planet, who had the bottle to get up and go, rather than sitting at home by the fire moaning about the weather......your post is a perfect example of bad manners, spite and bitterness.

[marko kok prong]

I had money,now i have less,if i ever have none, well i guess i will be going back,care for your money,#1.

[Cypress Hill]

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

How would you support yourself back in your home country ? Get an education, get a job, get some experience and then live where you want. The problem with young pups is they want to learn new tricks without putting in their time to be an old dog. There are no shortcuts to life son.

Yeah graft your whole life away and pay into a defined-contribution retirement plan in the desperate hope that you'll be able to attain the Holy Grail of life, the universe and everything . . . namely moving to Thailand once your youth and vitality have disappeared and you need all sorts of medication just to feel remotely normal. That kinda thing is no fun here, especially with the heat and some aspects of the culture that can make the less tolerant extremely grumpy as a quick perusal through the forum will prove.

If you work smart and have a bit of gumption, you can do it NOW.

I got here at 40 - hardly young but youthful enough to have a scream without being stretchered into an ICU after 7 years partying several times a week like some of the old boys with gout and comb overs trying to relive their 20s and 30s. LOL!

OP can do it with back-to-back, triple entry tourist visas or the Elite visa if he's got some readies lying around. He can support himself making money freelancing at something online - copy writing, web design yadda-yadda

Don't demean yourself teaching English for goat-cheese 30K salaries.

You won't be able to save a penny and that's not cool

It seems you like to try to belittle those who are possibly older than yourself, who moved here in order to make the most of the time they have left on this planet, who had the bottle to get up and go, rather than sitting at home by the fire moaning about the weather......your post is a perfect example of bad manners, spite and bitterness.

Bitter??!! About what, pray tell??

The fact that I decided to stay here and live the good life while I was (and still am) young enough in both mind and body to do so without money or health issues?

The OP asked how non-retirees went about staying here permanently.

I just disagreed with the standing advice - work, dream, save and hope you don't die before you book the flights - that's meted out on this forum by older guys to their younger counterparts and, in doing so, I used a little imagery.

Maybe you should offer a coherent rebuttal rather than airing your inferiority complex

[LivinLOS]

There are no shortcuts to life son.

Ohh but there are.. Started earning at 22.. Retired at 28..

[LivinLOS]

PR in Thailand is not a lottery, it's a very clear cut process that has rules which if followed result in a PR card. I got mine and it cost me nothing more than the simple application and processing fee which is published. The notion that you need to be rich is simply untrue.

Except PR is simply unavailable to those of us who retired young, or are married here and working outside the kingdom.

[twocatsmac]

Cypress Hills right regarding 'teaching for goats cheese'

Teachers get pooped on from all directions.

I read it on Stickman Bangkok so it must be true.

I'll never understand why guys wait till they've saved more than they could ever spend before

making the move. Perhaps its because I don't know many that lived to over 75.

Not having a go at any age group here, just sayin.

[Card]

How would you support yourself back in your home country ? Get an education, get a job, get some experience and then live where you want. The problem with young pups is they want to learn new tricks without putting in their time to be an old dog. There are no shortcuts to life son.

I agree fully with that. Get your life and finances, or at least qualifications, sorted out before you come here - don't try to do it whilst you are here. I retired here 11 years ago after holidaying here most years since 1987. I planned it meticulously and made absolutely sure I was financially viable for every eventuality. I would not have liked to have arrived here whilst young hoping to make a life and a living. There are too many temptations and pitfalls that can make you regret it and there is then often no returning to the old life. You end up in a kind of limbo, or worst still, stupour.

Edited May 9, 2015 by Card

[ev1lchris]

I also think the post is somewhat demeaning to English teaching....I have done it and there is nothing wrong with staying in country by putting in an honest day's work.

Thank you. Honest days work. The end.

Teaching English is awesome. It was fun and I did it. However I don't think it's something long term.

[Time Traveller]

Short story, Thai people pay my living expenses.

Long story, I bought a lot of Thai shares 10 to 15 years ago, and since that time they've increased in value over 10 times or almost 20% a year. Thanks to everyone for contributing. My family really appreciate it. Oh and I worked for a few years here as well. More for the fun than anything of value (ie. it's a great way to meet young promiscous thai women ) . But I'll be leaving thailand soon for other pursuits of interest.

Edited May 9, 2015 by Time Traveller

[lostoday]

The young man asked for ex pats living here on a permanent basis and he got a few good answers.

I feel like I want to apologize to him for the twits who responded with gratuitous obvious advice and I'm leaving Thailand soon replies because they couldn't figure out how to make a go of it themselves.

I came when I was young, went home got an education and made enough money to come back, years later.

I chose the path of least resistance in that it is a lot easier to save money in the West than in Thailand. My hats off to the fellows who have figured out an answer to the young fellows question and have stayed in Thailand.

[ericthai]

How would you support yourself back in your home country ? Get an education, get a job, get some experience and then live where you want. The problem with young pups is they want to learn new tricks without putting in their time to be an old dog. There are no shortcuts to life son.

Unfortunately, the US doesn't work like that anymore. 2.5% GDP growth doesn't allow it. You can get an education but there is no guarantee of a job at the end of the rainbow.

I've supported my travels in the past by running an internet business. For somebody who doesn't want to teach English, this is definitely the way to go. There are thousands of digital nomads in Thailand now and they can earn good money.

I hear this all the time about you guys making money on line. I always wondered how you guys do this. do you sell products? I know one guy that does online work, but he manages websites for

several companies in his home country.

[Cypress Hill]

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I came when I was young, went home got an education and made enough money to come back, years later.

I chose the path of least resistance in that it is a lot easier to save money in the West than in Thailand. My hats off to the fellows who have figured out an answer to the young fellows question and have stayed in Thailand.

I think it's easier to save here. Your essentials - rent, food etc - are much less of a drain here so, provided you're earning a decent salary, you can put more away without having to live the life of painful austerity if you wanted to do that back home.

I came when I was young, went home got an education and made enough money to come back, years later.

I chose the path of least resistance in that it is a lot easier to save money in the West than in Thailand. My hats off to the fellows who have figured out an answer to the young fellows question and have stayed in Thailand.

Sure if you're working a job paying £100,000/$150,000 a year WITHOUT a family, you'll be able to save and live a reasonably pleasant life but most people don't make that.

The goalposts have been moved in the West. The things the older generation took for granted - a free university education (UK), a well-paying career or a decent job on a production plant, relatively cheap and affordable housing - that schit is OVER.

Now it's part-time, zero-hours contracts and £350,000 for a 1 bed Victorian conversion in a decent part of London.

Today's younger people have to be far more willing to take risks or face being washed away in the tsunami of false hope Western governments are selling them.

OP, live life now. Forget the "slow & steady wins the race" ethos.

It doesn't work any more unless you're extremely well-connected

[i claudius]

We lived in the UK for many years then decided to come here permanently,sold the house. Sold the business,and came here,get a pension as well also the wife earns good money as a house agent,selling and renting,and she owns rice fields and land,so all in all ,that's the way we did it

[SiSePuede419]

"Ihear this all the time about you guys making money on line. I always wondered how you guys do this. do you sell products?"

Do you wonder why so many people in Thailand are so vague about where their money came from, 555?

"I sold a business"

Well, where did you get the money for the business? I fell out of the right womb, said no "self-made" millionaire, ever.

So far, it looks like the only honest answers the OP got are "English teacher" and "fell out of the right womb"...

555+

Edited May 10, 2015 by SiSePuede419

[Suradit69]

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I came when I was young, went home got an education and made enough money to come back, years later.

I chose the path of least resistance in that it is a lot easier to save money in the West than in Thailand. My hats off to the fellows who have figured out an answer to the young fellows question and have stayed in Thailand.

I think it's easier to save here. Your essentials - rent, food etc - are much less of a drain here so, provided you're earning a decent salary, you can put more away without having to live the life of painful austerity if you wanted to do that back home.

I came when I was young, went home got an education and made enough money to come back, years later.

I chose the path of least resistance in that it is a lot easier to save money in the West than in Thailand. My hats off to the fellows who have figured out an answer to the young fellows question and have stayed in Thailand.

Sure if you're working a job paying £100,000/$150,000 a year WITHOUT a family, you'll be able to save and live a reasonably pleasant life but most people don't make that.

The goalposts have been moved in the West. The things the older generation took for granted - a free university education (UK), a well-paying career or a decent job on a production plant, relatively cheap and affordable housing - that schit is OVER.

Now it's part-time, zero-hours contracts and £350,000 for a 1 bed Victorian conversion in a decent part of London.

Today's younger people have to be far more willing to take risks or face being washed away in the tsunami of false hope Western governments are selling them.

OP, live life now. Forget the "slow & steady wins the race" ethos.

It doesn't work any more unless you're extremely well-connected

"The goalposts have been moved in the West."

Very true. The idea of getting a job that offers a "guaranteed" retirement plan with defined pension benefits & health coverage for the balance of your life is rapidly disappearing. Many of us who are now retired here do rely to some extent on a safe pension & health coverage & government social security, topped up with income from personal investments. Some of this was predicated on the expectation that most beneficiaries would work until they were 65 and then drop dead soon thereafter.

I have a number of friends back in the US who are living quite well in retirement based on this. I also know a few who are still working at 70, have debt and virtually nothing saved, including one doctor. For the majority of young people these days, even those who have "good" jobs that supposedly put them in the ranks of the middle class. any hope of eventual retirement will depend almost totally on what they manage to save on their own. Even the pittance from government Social Security is looking increasingly shaky. And the one "sure" investment into which they've been paying a substantial amount each month, their home, is unlikely to be the cash cow they once imagined it to be.

And, considering the horrendous personal and governmental debt being accrued as people & governments live off borrowed money, inflation in the not too distant future is likely to hit the fan with devastating effect.

The reliable flood of retirees coming to places like Thailand (and Florida & other retirement havens) to spend, spend, spend in their so-called golden years is likely to slow to a trickle.

Edited May 10, 2015 by Suradit69

[wow64]

OP do it now... Why the hell wait until you are too old to enjoy it here.. Have many friends mid twenties here... Loving life.

Sent from my c64

[lostoday]

"Ihear this all the time about you guys making money on line. I always wondered how you guys do this. do you sell products?"

Do you wonder why so many people in Thailand are so vague about where their money came from, 555?

"I sold a business"

Well, where did you get the money for the business? I fell out of the right womb, said no "self-made" millionaire, ever.

So far, it looks like the only honest answers the OP got are "English teacher" and "fell out of the right womb"...

555+

Ya ya we all know you like kicking people but how did you make it full time in Thailand?