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As I sit here on a boring Monday in the UK, my thoughts are always in Bangkok and Hua Hin, usually how can I get to live there on a full-time basis, but in reality it is a dream, and living the dream is unattainable for most of us. I know I will be flamed for this but really, unless you have no ties or have balls as big as Mr. Stogie's or Ozzie, who in fact can actually make that giant step?
Firstly, we all have some ties to the mother country, whether it be family or business. For me it is the latter, a fledgling business that is just beginning to turn the corner. God, how I wish I had made the step 4 years ago when it was fairly open, but again I chose the easy option, or so I thought. Now I am pretty much stuck here whilst I graft away to build a business that may (or may not!!) allow me a life in Thailand at some point in the future.
But what about the parallel universe? To most of us who visit Thailand on a fairly regular basis we come to enjoy the camaraderie of the ex-pats off this board, the unbelievable beauty and cheapness of the ladies, the fairly cheap food and lodging, and the facility of buying a range of cheap, fake designer products to sell when we get back home. In reality though it's not a cheap holiday. By the time you figure in flights, hotels, bar fines and ladies you could easily have had a couple of fortnight breaks in the med, not that many of us would choose that anyway! For a week of fun you are looking at 1000 euros (or £700 min) just to have fun!! This is not true life. I personally work long hours and 6 day weeks in order to afford 9 days in the LOS every 3 months, foregoing a social life here in order to save for upcoming trips.
For me, and I guess most of us who read here regularly, a life in Thailand has to consist of some sort of routine or otherwise I am sure you would get bored of it pretty quickly. Whether this is a job, a hobby or something else, you would need something to get you out of bed in the morning. You also need money. I reckon a westerner living in Bangkok needs a minimum of 50k per month to live, and this isn't allowing a huge amount for extra curricular activities, so unless you have savings, or are able to land a great job in Bangkok, then I wouldn't recommend a life there.
I know you can live cheaply if you want, especially in Pattaya, but then what's the point of being there? For me it would be to enjoy my life more and for that it would cost...
So just looking back, I am thinking I would need at least 100k a month and savings of at least 1million bt to have a better life. This doesn't include the purchase of major items and down payments on somewhere to live. So again the thoughts are pushed to the back of my mind for the time being.
Still 2 years away!!
Firstly, we all have some ties to the mother country, whether it be family or business. For me it is the latter, a fledgling business that is just beginning to turn the corner. God, how I wish I had made the step 4 years ago when it was fairly open, but again I chose the easy option, or so I thought. Now I am pretty much stuck here whilst I graft away to build a business that may (or may not!!) allow me a life in Thailand at some point in the future.
But what about the parallel universe? To most of us who visit Thailand on a fairly regular basis we come to enjoy the camaraderie of the ex-pats off this board, the unbelievable beauty and cheapness of the ladies, the fairly cheap food and lodging, and the facility of buying a range of cheap, fake designer products to sell when we get back home. In reality though it's not a cheap holiday. By the time you figure in flights, hotels, bar fines and ladies you could easily have had a couple of fortnight breaks in the med, not that many of us would choose that anyway! For a week of fun you are looking at 1000 euros (or £700 min) just to have fun!! This is not true life. I personally work long hours and 6 day weeks in order to afford 9 days in the LOS every 3 months, foregoing a social life here in order to save for upcoming trips.
For me, and I guess most of us who read here regularly, a life in Thailand has to consist of some sort of routine or otherwise I am sure you would get bored of it pretty quickly. Whether this is a job, a hobby or something else, you would need something to get you out of bed in the morning. You also need money. I reckon a westerner living in Bangkok needs a minimum of 50k per month to live, and this isn't allowing a huge amount for extra curricular activities, so unless you have savings, or are able to land a great job in Bangkok, then I wouldn't recommend a life there.
I know you can live cheaply if you want, especially in Pattaya, but then what's the point of being there? For me it would be to enjoy my life more and for that it would cost...
So just looking back, I am thinking I would need at least 100k a month and savings of at least 1million bt to have a better life. This doesn't include the purchase of major items and down payments on somewhere to live. So again the thoughts are pushed to the back of my mind for the time being.
Still 2 years away!!
just turned 50, in October last year.Married to a Thai woman.Selling assets in Australia and we plan to spend 6 Months ( Dec,Jan,Feb,June,July,August) in Thailand and the other six in Oz.We then get the best of both worlds.I have structured my business so that all things, other than buying my licenses, are taken care of in Oz.Already have a house in Issan and some empty land.Looking to purchase a car, a place in Hua Hin ( bar/restaurant) and LIVE THE DREAM!!!!
This is a very, very bad idea... Although the idea of your friends popping over during the year and you waiting on them hand and foot may sound great the first time, this will quickly get old and you will become the bad guy if you say 'No!' If you buy a nice house here then by all means invite your family over to stay, but for your friends then get them to make their own arrangements at a hotel and invite them over for a day at a time to your house.
.............. I like unwrapping the presents in LOS 
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