Moving to Thailand!

[manarak]

So, in the last months a couple of forum members had the declared intention to move to Thailand.

Movers, how do you feel.
Have the events in Bangkok changed your opinion?

[rxpharm]

While my time frame is still down the road, it won't change my plans to eventually life there for part of the year.

If you avoid the protest areas, it is still fairly safe. It should be noted in the videos that Spare Wheel posted that while live rounds were used, the majority of them were being shot into the air - if they were aiming at the protesters the death toll would have been far higher. The person with the metal "cane" who was hit by a round - likely was a ricochet otherwise the bullet should have gone right through the cane and into him.

[Steff]

I often wondered where the bullets "shot in the air" go. They certainly don't keep going into the ether nor do they disintegrate. Don't they come down eventually at a drop velocity heavy enough to penetrate someone's skull? Gotta wonder.

In any case, the current events in the land we have some to love are truly tragic and saddens me. I am corresponding with Thai friends (both LBsand GGs) and their hearts are heavy. The next 7 days will be crucial. Let's hope and pray that someone comes up with a peaceful plan that leads all down a path towards a "saving face" resolution and settlement.

[tomscam]

I'm still keen to move there next year. The current protests won't change my plans.

[PigDogg]

(Steff @ Apr. 11 2010,10:37) I often wondered where the bullets "shot in the air" go. They certainly don't keep going into the ether nor do they disintegrate.  Don't they come down eventually at a drop velocity heavy enough to penetrate someone's skull? Gotta wonder.

Popular TV show "Mythbusters" addressed this question, and concluded that a bullet shot perfectly straight in the air probably isn't dangerous, because of terminal velocity. However (and this is a big however), firing a gun straight in the air is very difficult. It's far more likely that the bullet will be shot at an angle. These falling bullets can be, and often are, lethal.

In January 2006, a Mississippi farmer was paralyzed by a falling bullet. At a 2003 Ku Klux Klan initiation ceremony in Tennessee, a stray bullet struck a participant "on the top of the head and exited at the bottom of his skull."

The Straight Dope agrees that many people have been struck by stray bullets. Between 1985 and 1992, a trauma center in Los Angeles treated 118 people for injuries caused by falling bullets, and 38 of the victims were killed. The International Action Network on Small Arms is doing its best to increase awareness about the dangers of celebratory gunfire.

At this time, the political situation does not factor into my decision whether or not to stay in Thailand.  

Last night some friends had a brainstorming session about the best places in Pattaya to avoid getting splashed with water and battered with flour and we agreed that the area near Coffee Red, an area where the reds are hanging out, is the safest for Songkran.

[f0xxee]

(Steff @ Apr. 12 2010,01:37) I often wondered where the bullets "shot in the air" go. They certainly don't keep going into the ether nor do they disintegrate.  Don't they come down eventually at a drop velocity heavy enough to penetrate someone's skull? Gotta wonder.

In any case, the current events in the land we have some to love are truly tragic and saddens me. I am corresponding with Thai friends (both LBsand GGs) and their hearts are heavy. The next 7 days will be crucial. Let's hope and pray that someone comes up with a peaceful plan that leads all down a path towards a "saving face" resolution and settlement.

Hi Steff,

intersting enough "Mythbusters" did a program on the subject of the return to earth velocity of bullets fired into the air, and realistically they are not life threating. Given that terminal velocity is finite and the actual projectile is not particularly heavy they will bruise but not kill.

On other subjects according to TNN news 90% of thais are really sad (and a lot of falangs too i suspect) of the actions of both sides and 70% OF Thais are looking for a resolution by peaceful means (i.e. by meetings between powers that be.)

A thai friend of mine came to visit this morning and he told me how pissed off he is as a business owner in BKK. His business is at Lat Phrao and it has affected him. Even so he feels sad that violence was the outcome. Thais will resolve this in time. There is NO agression or angst against Falangs that I have noticed. I think Thais are feeling a loss of face as a nation for the actions of a few, and my heart goes out to them.

Songkran I think will be taken as an acceptable face saving reason for both parties to pull back and re-evaluate what they are doing. my feelings are that both sides are appalled at the events of last week, and would like to take a step back.

[manarak]

let's hope you are right!

this guy might disagree:

[thaimeup]

Just what we need , Ninjas !

[El_hefe]

Yah... there are reports/video of black suited armed men that fired into the crowds last week thereby "officially" taking the police out of the kill equation. (Is it the police or the military that is on the streets, I'm guessing police.... & is there a significant power/political difference between them, or are they at odds as well?)

I'm wondering if all factions are showing their teeth/muscle before the King moves onto a better plane to stake out their territories?

[El_hefe]

And to get back to the OP ...... For all you current residents in LOS.....

Dear Abby,

My "friend" asked me the other day......If a punter wanted to have a 2 bedroom w. pool & air con & internet & satellite TV in Pattaya to retire to (at any age), not fancy but not really downmarket either, a few sois away from the tourista hordes, maybe near Jomtien, or some other area sympathetic to expats.....how much $$$$ would he need to maintain his lifestyle & dignity? Remembering that the older punters are also going to be paying for  heart procedures & dental transplants etc, or dental procedures & heart transplants, (& ladyboys).... in the future.  You know, a night or 2 a week on the town & the rest mostly eating like a local & living like a sensible Westerner......

If one had say  $300K US savings &  $1200/mo income would that be too much or too little?  $400k & $2K/mo I think is ok, no?   I know that more $$$ is always better but I am trying to get a sense of a westerner's middle class lifestyle expenses.  How about Bangkok, what percentage more would one have to add on to live there? Chiang mai or Phuket? ( I don't think I could do the living in Isaan thing for too long.)

Signed,
Curious

[Foggy]

None of the troubles in Thailand have ever put me off living here and even now with the political unrest I have no regrets. Mainly because I dont see it as Im living in Ko Samui.

Currently Im 4 weeks into moving here full time and have sold every thing ( except my Mum ) to be here.

Having come to Thailand for 20 odd years and probably done over 60 trips I feel right at home here from the off and have no feelings of regret or loss.

My passion isnt the bars as I hardly drink now and the LB's and GG's arent the only reason I came here either but thankfully they are a big part of what makes this place so special for me and fantastic to have as an option when I need that sort of fun.

Money and living costs are and will always be the deciding factor for many to come here and stay as well as life style options and what u like to spend your time doing all day.

Here is a small insite to my out goings so far that might help a few people get an idea of what to expect if they decide to come ...

1. Renting a 2 bed with swimming pool in a quiet area 20,000 baht This will change as Im completeing a new house build in 5 months (thai time) so this will be free after then.

2. Purchase of P.V.R satelite recorder for USB TV, one off 12000 baht including box and new dish

3. Gold package satelite USB for the stations I like 1413 baht monthly

4. Small bike rental 2500 baht monthly but this will be added to by a Jeep later to get up to my place with people and shopping

5. One years accident insurance cover up to 25000 baht each visit ( unlimited ) to a Samui Hospital through the Siam Commercial Bank 1460 baht yearly

6. Buying food and water (Malls and the markets ) so far 3500 baht

7. Petrol 350 baht


Since arriving I firstly had a 10 day 'holiday' period and filled my boots in BKK and Pattaya so didnt included those activities.

Now I am happy to just relax and get used to the heat down here, get an all over tan slowly and ride my bike all over the island (free to do) and eventually all of Thailand. I brought my bike over in hand luggage and shes my baby and an every other day thing at the moment.

After Songkran, of which I have no interest now and when the workers are back I will carry on with the house build and when thats finished start making plans to do the trips and adventures of all sorts which is the reason I came here in the first place.

I have a budget for this first year to cover every thing to get set up here in the way I want and have allowed myself a monthly allowance that I feel now is well on target to living off.

Here is the place Im renting.... could be worst... I could still be in the Uk, YUK...

[deepthroat]

awesome post Foggy, hope you'll continue giving regular updates. This is a thread that many of us are watching closely.

So, if I understood the figures, you're averaging:

330,000 baht per year based upon paying a monthly rent, and not figuring in the cost of building a home and buying a jeep or buying the satellite dish. If that's correct, you're talking about $10,215 per year average basic expenses and a nice rental in Ko Samui.

Interested to hear what the expenditure for the house pencils out to.

Also curious what your monthly allowance is for the "other" stuff not covered in your basic $10k per year budget.

Man, it looks/sounds like you're living well and at those prices it's pretty impressive.

[TTChang]

Great post, Foggy! Very interesting to hear of all your plans, and now coming to fruition. Look forward to catching up with you.

[Chinaman]

Foggy, looking for a neighbor? :-)
Just kidding but yr plans sound very enticing.
Good luck and thanks for laying it out 4 us.

Cheers
CM

[guydesavoy]

Why koh samui Foggy ? Anyway sounds like you're on a good wicket down there