Girlfriend and I want start a tour

[Dutch90]

Hello,

First I will tell my story first before my questions come.

At the moment I live in Thailand. Here I worked as a teacher on a small primary school in the Isaan. I decided to quit because it's not what makes me happy.

At the moment I want to start a tour with my girlfriend, she is Thai. The plan is to let her start the tour, I will be there to help her and that on a tourist visa and later get married. She will get all the money and she is just helping me to stay there. Yes I know it's a risk, but I'm sure for 100% that I can trust her.

The tour is starting in a couple of months and we want to make it legally before the first customers come. It means we need to get a licence so that she can be a tour guide and she can do that for herself, so not working for a company.

I can't find out how to do and what the costs are to make the tour officially/legally.

Anyone has some advices to help me?

Thanks in advance.

[oncearugge]

What is this "tour" ?

What will be provided and to who?

Have you spoken to TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand ) ?

Finally what experience and qualifications in "tour" does your girlfriend have?

[robblok]

If she wants to work as a guide in the tour-operation then she needs to go to university to get the required documents. Guiding people without a guides license is illegal. There are several different kind of licenses and requirements. Just look it up

Also to open a tour organisation you have to register with TAT and I believe that is 100.000+ baht. I know as my ex is a tourguide and has thought about setting up her own tour-company.

[Dutch90]

We want an own tour through the Isaan of Thailand. With homestays, cooking with the Thai, visit school and temples. We do that all in a car or minivan depends on how many customers we have.

So if she wants it on her name, with a licence, we can get it at the TAT? The price doesn't matter, the money is luckily not the problem at the moment. We just want to start our dream, the tour and live together.

[robblok]

We want an own tour through the Isaan of Thailand. With homestays, cooking with the Thai, visit school and temples. We do that all in a car or minivan depends on how many customers we have.

So if she wants it on her name, with a licence, we can get it at the TAT? The price doesn't matter, the money is luckily not the problem at the moment. We just want to start our dream, the tour and live together.

Then all she needs is to study to get a guides license otherwise its still not legal and she can get in trouble.

The license you cant get at TAT you need to study for it

The other part TAT certificate you can get at TAT price depends if its inbound or outbound.

[oncearugge]

We want an own tour through the Isaan of Thailand. With homestays, cooking with the Thai, visit school and temples. We do that all in a car or minivan depends on how many customers we have.

So if she wants it on her name, with a licence, we can get it at the TAT? The price doesn't matter, the money is luckily not the problem at the moment. We just want to start our dream, the tour and live together.

OK

It will all need to be properly and legally set up.

Best consult TAT and engage a Lawyer to assist.

Where do you intend marketing this tour ?

[Dutch90]

What she has to study for it. Finish a university or is a short course to get the license enough?

Thanks for your help.

[Dutch90]

The marketing is online at the moment.

That's where we get the customers until now. It's just starting at the moment.

Yes we want it legally. But no, I can't get it on my name. I will stay there on a tourist visa first and then if it's going to work, a "Thai women visa"

I'm using my phone so I can't quote you. Sorry

[robblok]

What she has to study for it. Finish a university or is a short course to get the license enough?

Thanks for your help.

That depends on the type of license, I am sorry I cannot be more precise but she should be able to find it out. TAT can also give information on that. I don't know the exact requirements but its more then a short course.

If she gets caught (real tour-guides can report her) for working without a guide license she can get in trouble. I know some tour-guides do this because they see it as unfair that they studied to get the license and others work without. So there certainly is a risk to do it without.

[arfurcrown]

All I will say is ''That the road to hell is paved with good intentions.''

As we have property in Isaan and spend a fair amount of time in the Isaan region I assure you the delights of Isaan to the average tourists is about nil.

[billphillips]

Some extensive knowledge of the subject is required, does the g/f have any? How will you be able to help? Surely your knowledge is severely limited. I can see that English is not your first language and presents problems for you, unusual for a "teacher", so you are unable to help on that score. I would be cautious about investing in your "tour" it seems your business plan is seriously flawed.

[Dutch90]

The knowledge is here, she studied Tourism on the university. Unfortunately because of money she didn't finish it.

We both have enough knowledge to start the tour. It's going about how to do it. That's why I'm here actually:)

[bwpage3]

Who are the customer you think want a tour of Isaan?

What percentage of all tourists to Thailand due you think want to come to Isaan?

Where I lived in Isaan, I never saw another farang for 10 years there.

So I am curious why you think you will have customers that want to visit Isaan?

There is nothing to see and do in Isaan. All of the famous temples are elsewhere.

Accommodations and home-stays? Are you kidding me?

No one wants to go through Isaan living, I am pretty sure of that.

Better rethink this idea as it will not bring the customers you think

[NiwPix]

Hey Dutch90,

While I can't give you information on your question ( sorry ), just wanted to give some "support".

You are on a good path and "idea" and it seems as you have the energy to do it. There are enough people that would want to do a tour in isaan. I for one would've loved to do it before actually moving here, but didn't know of a guide.

I also get a few customers who travel different cities of isaan on seperate occasions and may enjoy a guide.

Good luck to you and your gf on your venture and don't let the nay Sayers get to you.

[SantiSuk]

All I will say is ''That the road to hell is paved with good intentions.''

As we have property in Isaan and spend a fair amount of time in the Isaan region I assure you the delights of Isaan to the average tourists is about nil.

I wondered how long it would take before the negativity began! "Give us more information on your plans so we can tear you down" types

You and your likers clearly have not traveled much around Isaan if you think there is zero tourist interest in Isaan. Maybe you are thinking of a very narrowly focussed type of (sex) tourist.

[blackcab]

A long thread here discusses travelling in the region. Some positive stuff:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293916-i3687-k5147036-Has_anyone_travelled_in_the_ISAAN_region-Bangkok.html

[Dutch90]

There are many people who wants to see the Isaan, the other side of Thailand, a place without tourists. We give them that opportunity.

Most of them go only to the standard places because it's hard to visit the Isaan as a tourist. Right now there is a change to see it. I'm pretty sure it's a good idea and we organised it good.

The only problem are how to manage it with visa's, licences etc.

[arfurcrown]

Santisuk. post # 15.

I wondered how long it would take before the negativity began! "Give us more information on your plans so we can tear you down" types

You and your likers clearly have not traveled much around Isaan if you think there is zero tourist interest in Isaan. Maybe you are thinking of a very narrowly focussed type of (sex) tourist.

Well having family and farming interests (200 rai + livestock breeding and rearing) as connections having , lived and worked in the area concerned for some 23+ years as a family man and farmer etc as opposed to a ''sex tourist'' I might be in a position to actually make a comment on the matter due to my ''real life experiences.

Now due to that superior knowledge and experience concerning the tourist attractions of the Isaan region that you plainly have and your ability to classify peoples habits and character etc from reading a post I am surprised even amazed that you did not find the time to actually offer some practical advice to the O.P in that post you made.

Have you run or managed a tour company specialising in the Isaan region, do you operate a ''home stay scheme, have a souvenir shop etc so as to make a living from tourism?

If the answer is ''yes'' to any of those questions then why didn't you let the O.P. and us see your positive helpful comments concerning the O.P. and his dream.

Perhaps you could link up with him and offer a home stay linked to a personality identification course on how to judge others and classify them by reading what they write or the way they dress, eat walk talk etc. Such an attraction would surely prove invaluable to any aspiring Isaan tour operator I am sure

A tour of the delights of Amphur Sangkha is about all I could offer and apart from the market at Chong Chom some 10 kilometers from our farm there is little to offer in the way of stimulating exciting attractions.

Also it may well be wise to note that a number of small holiday resorts, bungalows a etc are up for sale due to lack of trade in the area in which we live.(Amphur Sangkha)

I have placed a link below which shows the ''tourist attraction of Surin in general it is hardly enticing to the independent traveler or the budget traveler if such attractions were attractive do you not think that that market segment would already been served by a tour operator?

Border runs , visa runs etc are indeed popular, however the envisaged plan that the O.P has is but pie in the sky.Hence my negative comments so as to hopefully open his or their eyes to the futility of the proposed venture.

Note that he can't make it as a teacher and is throwing the towel in.

Now if you can't keep at it until his girlfriends dream becomes a viable proposition (and remember she has not finished her university course on Tourism either) the likelihood of success is minimal in fact I would say non existent..

http://www.tripsthailand.com/surin.php

Edited October 27, 2015 by arfurcrown

[steven100]

What is this "tour" ?

What will be provided and to who?

Have you spoken to TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand ) ?

Finally what experience and qualifications in "tour" does your girlfriend have?

she visited a temple once before ....

[puukao]

Do this for a few years, get a regular clientele, and make tons of money!!! then retire here rich!!! risk money to make money!!! you must try to get rich..

there are millions of tourists, you only need a few hundred to make tons of money

give gf all your money and prepare to work 100-hour weeks, but only for the first year..

you must try...

[SantiSuk]

I don't have 23 years Arfurcrown, but I do have 10 and I travel around Isaan a lot and I have travelled the world in a long international career and observed how tourism is developing and the growth in the search for the new and the rustic. I was a business consultant by job. Maybe Sankha has nothing of interest* - you need to leave the farm more and get into the likes of Sisaket and Ubon provinces. I also stay in Meuang Ubon once a month and I observe the burgeoning interest in tourism in this neck of the woods as evidenced by the significant growth in the hotel industry in Ubon, mostly by Thais but increasingly by foreigners and not just backpackers.

Yes every woman and her dog has opened a resort so it's unsurprising that there are sections of the region where there is mass underoccupancy and attempts to cash in on failed properties. That does not mean that the entire tourist industry is doomed to failure.

If you want an idea of what is on offer in Lower eastern Isaan I suggest that you read the thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858769-driving-from-bangkok-to-ubonstay-where-see-what/

Havinbg read it come back and tell me if you still think I'm just some couch internet warrior that knows nothing about tourism or Isaan's opportunities.

when I last visited the Mekong I came across a bus load of Dames touring southern Laos and Ubon province - they were on their last day and staying at an excellent hotel in an excellent area of huge tourist potential (Kong Jiam/Pha Tem and the Mekong). It opened my eyes to the possibilities for the future of tourism in the region and I believe that though they wiull struggle at the start the OP and his wife are onto something that could work really well for them if they are clever about it and get the sourcing right. Someone is certainly going to make money in the area of tourism to Thailand's hidden gems. If my wife was interested in starting her own business this would be the one I would recommend. Building on the close links between Isaan and Cambodia and Southern Laos - a great 10 day bus tour. You are right that I did not ofer suggestions to the OP but that doesn't mean I am bereft of them.

*Think more broadly - you are 200km from one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world fer Christ's sake. People like multi-centre holidays and will find interest in more than "fly to Bangkok stay a few days fly to Siem Reap fly back fly home"

[arfurcrown]

Santisuk read your post and consider that which you wrote.

Yes every woman and her dog has opened a resort so it's unsurprising that there are sections of the region where there is mass under occupancy and attempts to cash in on failed properties. That does not mean that the entire tourist industry is doomed to failure.

The tourist industry is not doomed to failure but the O.P with his and her lack of insight into the industry are.

They must have a reliable internet connection ,good publicity brochures along with suitable accommodation that is of a decent standard along with decent meals and good dining facilities and of course a decent strong financial base.

The ability to communicate in assorted languages and the ability to actually get their suppliers accommodation, meals etc and transport to adhere to expected standards.

Now you as a now presume are a retired business consultant surely can see the flaws in the plan?

The aim of the the O.P and his girl friend should be to get properly educated regarding the field they wish to enter and established as opposed to actually enter a cut throat business scene without a sound idea of that which is required.

They should or in fact must spend a year or two working in the hospitality, tourist industry that would be a wise move and also best experience they could have as well as leading to their making of contacts within their proposed field of enterprise. .

​The tourists you mentioned are sold the tour you observed them on either at the time of booking in their own country or at the hotels they stay at. They are a passive captive market, they are not going to contact a tour operator without any track record at all.

To advertise such services within the U.K for instance you have to be bonded and credit worthy the same applies to many other countries as well. I speak from experience there as part of our family trust has a small family run well established 5 shop group of tour operators within its makeup.

And yes I, or perhaps I should say we do get off of the farm with amazing regularity and come to our house in Samut Prakarn we are not inward looking hermits.

We have family scattered all over the region and travel often and widely thus we see the tourist influx in their air conditioned transport insulated from the realities of rural Isaan life its roadside culinary delights and village homes.

Such a quaint way of life so lovingly observed by the tourist from their nice cushioned mobile tourist trap that moves from one hotel to another and the locals then come and fetch and carry to serve the tourists in the air conditioned comfort they expect having paid for such facilities.

Perhaps you might ask your wife why she has no interest in venturing forth into the tourist market or other Thai friends why they ignore this potential gold mine of opportunity.

The idea is wonderful. but I say and warn ''that the devil in the detail,'' Small things in plans and schemes that are often overlooked can cause serious problems later on.

Edited October 27, 2015 by arfurcrown

[WhizBang]

They should or in fact must spend a year or two working in the hospitality, tourist industry that would be a wise move and also best experience they could have as well as leading to their making of contacts within their proposed field of enterprise. .

​

This I agree with 110%. The OP's GF should get her tour guide documents and then spend a couple of years working as a tour guide. Then she would gain invaluable inside knowledge of what was required to run her own tour business. Not to mention, she would be making contacts that cloud prove valuable later.

One thing that the OP said was homestay. Assuming he means what I think it means, I must wonder how many 'tourists' would really want homestay? I have stayed in homes in Isaan, and all I can say is that it can get bloody hot at times. Not to mention the cold shower, I mean, cold buckets of water and the squat toilets.

While I know some would like the experience, and some would probably be ok with 1 day of it, I am not sure how broad the appeal would be for most, especially for 3, 5 or longer day tours.

If one wants to see and experience the real Thailand, then one must get off the beaten tourist track and (far) away from Bangkok, Pattaya and Pucket, and this is definately one way to do it. And having done it, I can say it was a great experience, so I do think the OP is on the right track. But the devil is in the details.

[Dutch90]

First of all, thanks a lot for all the comments. I'm pretty sure my idea is a good idea. It's something what's not/less available at the moment.

The tour consists 3 days/2 nights, so the customers will sleep for 2 nights in a homestay with an amazing family.

During the tour you go to a local primary school, also you can teach some English over there for the people who wants that. You cook together with the Thai, you visit a nightmarket and you visit some temples, including the Phanom Rung castle, probably you know it.

Yes, I've got an idea, yes I've got it all on paper. I know exactly what and how to manage the tour. I've got experience in managing, also in the tourism. I'm not afraid things are going wrong with that.

For me it's all about, how to make it all legally, so I have the opportunity to stay in the beautiful Isaan, without doing visaruns all the time.

[oncearugge]

First of all, thanks a lot for all the comments. I'm pretty sure my idea is a good idea. It's something what's not/less available at the moment.

The tour consists 3 days/2 nights, so the customers will sleep for 2 nights in a homestay with an amazing family.

During the tour you go to a local primary school, also you can teach some English over there for the people who wants that. You cook together with the Thai, you visit a nightmarket and you visit some temples, including the Phanom Rung castle, probably you know it.

Yes, I've got an idea, yes I've got it all on paper. I know exactly what and how to manage the tour. I've got experience in managing, also in the tourism. I'm not afraid things are going wrong with that.

For me it's all about, how to make it all legally, so I have the opportunity to stay in the beautiful Isaan, without doing visaruns all the time.

As said before you should seek legal advice and contact TAT

http://thai.tourismthailand.org/about-tat/tat-local-office

The link is in Thai and lists the TAT offices. Your girl friend will be able to read it.

Edited October 27, 2015 by oncearugge

[richardt1808]

I have taken some time to read your post and also your replies to some of the other posts.

I see a big inconsistency in your story: On the one hand you say that you are simply 'helping' your gf and that she has the skills and ability to do the job; and that you will just be providing guidance and money. BUT you are the one posting all the questions on this forum, and it is clear that actually your gf does NOT have the skills and ability for this, or else she would have done the research already and she would have the answers for you.

It is clear that you are an essential part of this business plan because you are the one doing the research and will be the one who does a lot of the planning and important duties for the proper running of this business. You are not permitted to do any of this on a Tourist visa - you will require a work-permit. Note: even unofficially 'helping' your gf would be considered as work, so it is a must. Any suspicion on the part of immigration that you are in fact working, while pretending to be here as a tourist will result in you being denied entry, or possibly being deported if you are found to be working, so if you have serious intentions about stable future here, you will seriously need to make sure that you have the correct visas and work permits. And no, just being married to a Thai does not automatically entitle you to this. I think that the visa issue is going to be more of a problem for you than the business side, so you need to factor this in your planning.

In order to get a work-permit, you or your girlfriend will need to establish a Thai registered company and employ the required number of staff. Then you can apply for a work permit, either as a company manager or director. If I remember correctly, the actual job of 'Tour Guide' is a restricted occupation in Thailand, so you would need to make sure that your job description is something more to do with company admin etc.

Best of luck

[bwpage3]

There are many people who wants to see the Isaan, the other side of Thailand, a place without tourists. We give them that opportunity.

Most of them go only to the standard places because it's hard to visit the Isaan as a tourist. Right now there is a change to see it. I'm pretty sure it's a good idea and we organised it good.

The only problem are how to manage it with visa's, licences etc.

All businesses that fail have one thing in common?

The owner thought it was a great idea, but there was never a business plan to back it up.

Tour implies somewhere to go and something to see.

There is not much to see in Isaan.

The living conditions are too poor for most western travelers

As tourists are on limited holiday time, why would they waste time going to Isaan, (6+ hours from Bangkok and back)

The problem is you are thinking how you can make money and telling yourself what a great idea this is when you have no facts, surveys, or data how many people would actually want to visit Isaan?

Isaan people speak a different dialect than Thai people in the city. Even tourist that can speak Thai cannot communicate.

How much do you think people want to pay to have you drive them around Isaan and show them nothing famous?

Your plan is doomed from the start

Anyone of us that lived in Isaan knows this. In my village, I never saw another foreigner there for 10 years.

So based on that fact, I would say you plan is failing

What kind of VISA are you on and what are you doing for work?

Sounds like another half-baked plan to live in Thailand with your girlfriend and find a way to pay for it.

Guaranteed you won't make it and that is the realism side of things from people that live in Isaan

[NiwPix]

THANK GOD there was no online forum where the Wright brothers asked about advice on regulation how to build / fly an airplane.

Some people here would just be in their business...nobody wants to fly, too risky, it crashes....how much do you think you can charge for a ticket...it's been done before and failed...you guys are doomed...your brother will stab you in the back....youre wasting your time etc etc etc

THANK GOD Steve Jobs was not on ThaiVisa talking about building a mobile phone with a touchscreen, music player and full internet browser

Thank god....I could go on and on.

What do all successful businesses have in common? They thought it was a great idea.

The op is on to something. I hope he gets his Visa / Paperwork sorted out and executes his plan well.

[arfurcrown]

The advice offered is from people who are fully aware of the ways of business here in more ways than one.

The O. P. states ''money is no problem.''

Therein may well lie the problem or the ure into the business world,note the G.F. did not finish her university course on tourism, the O.P. is a ''teacher '' but doesn't like his job.

A lot of negativity there in both the situations, and he wants to stay here in Thailand .

Cynic that I am I have seen this sort of scenario a time or two over the years..

Life here is not as freewheeling as you may think especially as a foreigner intent on entering the Thai business community.We have business interests here so perhaps I am speaking from experience unlike many other posters.

The two entrepreneurs need to get some hands on experience in the industry before striking out on their own.

As said the attractions of daily life in Isaan are going to appeal to a very small market segment if in fact such a segment exists.People like to mix with the locals when shopping or eating ou the happy banter twixt tourist and vendor is part of the stage show put on to separate tourists from their money. Home stays are difficult and the idea of doing some teaching in the local school is bloody hilarious and it's tragic that someone who does not by his own admission like teaching advocates the idea to!!.

As said ''a small fortune here all to often started out as a large fortune.''

Wouldn't touch the idea with mine let alone yours.

Edited October 27, 2015 by arfurcrown

[beano2274]

As someone has mentioned, you need the correct visa, you say you want to marry your GF then you need a Non O also the money in the bank, if money is no issue then okay, but how much of your planned Sinsod will her family keep.

Have you opened a company, do you have the means to open a Thai company, money and workers, what about your Work permit. Also how much real information has your GF brought to the table? Why did she not finish her studies before? She will have to go back and complete her studies again to qualify as a Tour Guide, a job you cannot do.

She might not study in the same area as you, this means extra money for accommodation unless you join her, can you then afford to sit at home whilst she studies.

Sit down again and think it over.

Edited October 27, 2015 by beano2274