Going to live in Thailand


When reading internet flora about Thailand I also read questions or remarks about going to live in Thailand. And I must say after living almost 20 years in Thailand I still love living here. Thailand is giving a lot, but there are some things that Thailand will not be giving. You could call it long term stability. Let's have a look!

Personal relationship

Most people who are going to live here will have or end-up with a relation with a Thai. Realise a few things .... the Western and the Thai culture are very different and never the 2 will 100% meet. If you lucky you come to 70% and you both will have to work hard for that. And both will have to accept the other 30%.

The language

Thai is not an easy language to learn for most foreigners (and even some Thai). Not being fluent in the local language will be a barrier in life. Again even if you do not speak / read Thai fluent it will still be OK when living here. But you will have to accept the problems as of result of that. Not only with your partner but also with making friends and socialise in life.

Financially

Foreigners need a work-permit for working. And many jobs are exclusive for Thai nationals only. That will make a bit more difficult to generate income. Also foreigners can not own a company 100%. And there is no real retirement fund, no real unemployment welfare. You really have to take yourself all the way.

Lawfully

Foreigners are not allowed to own land. So that makes it a bit more tricky to have a house here. Yes of course you can always rent a house or buy a condo, but most people want to "own" a house. Now of course there are all kind of ways of "owning" a house. But in the end you do NOT own the land.

Again lawfully

With all kind of things it is more difficult for a foreigner to get it. Like a driver-license, registering a car or motorbike, getting a loan, getting a post-paid telephone bill, getting a bank account (and officially foreigners do not get intrest), exporting money is not simple, getting a credit-card and many more small things are just not 1-2-3 to do for an foreigner. As you will never become a Thai.

Another lawfully thing

The law and the enforcement of it is not very trustworthy to say it polite. And you may enjoy the fruit of it sometimes, but someday you may also enjoy the other side of the coin. Freedom is great, but your neighbours also have that freedom to start a karaoke bar or a waste management dump. Like at our house we are renting now, the neighbours (5m from our bedroom window) are in the very early morning cooking with wood-fir and charcoal. So at between 4:00am and 5:00am we have to close the window.

Thailand the land of the free people sound great, but it also means that many people do not give a hoot about drinking and driving. Just because there is a very weak law enforcement, your beloved one could be killed in traffic. The law is not always enforced and that may look relaxed. But they could start to enforce the law tomorrow if they want. Or only against you, if someone asks.

Health-care

Hospitals can be good but mostly it are private hospitals that are good. And they are not cheap. Can you effort that? Living upcountry? Big chance that there are no private hospitals nearby. For me the nearest private hospital is about 250 km away.

Staying here

Theoretically you could become Thai, but most people are living here on a "Extension of Stay" or a "One Year Visa". That means every year you will have to jump thru the hoops & loops of being granted to stay here. Theoretically the government could decide to kick all foreigners out some day. And be aware the government here is not very stable. And even when living here for many years at the same place, you still have to report every 90 days to the local immigration. And your house owner has to register that a foreigner is staying in his house. And if you stay somewhere else and come back to your house you officially have to register again. It makes you feel a bit like a criminal.

Getting old

Think about health-care, income and yearly getting a new extension of stay. After 40 years living here and you not have enough money anymore by law? Bye bye.

Land of Smiles

Thailand the Land of Smiles is said. Thai are always smiling but there are many different smiles. With different meanings. And yes the Thai are always polite and make a wai. Well .... until .... read the newspaper and realise that Thai have not always a good reason to smile. Thailand is within the top 3 of deadly accidents on the road. And there is high murder rate in Thailand, as wel as rapes are not uncommon. Once you take off your pink glasses you will see that not everything in Thailand is a sweet smile.


Popular Posts

Visiting Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary in Loei

Image
Small creek between the trees Reposting from 2016. Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary is at the Phu Luang mountain area in Loei province and is part of the Luang Prabang mountain range Eco-system. Although the Phu Luang mountain is accessible from different places, the wildlife sanctuary entrance is at the north side. Access to here is a road from route 21 (203) between Phu Rua and Loei city. It takes you about 14 km to the entrance of the National Park. Entrance fee for Thai is 20 Thai baht while non-Thai have the privilege of paying 10 times as much (200 Thai baht). After the entrance it is another 14 km driving to the HQ at 1.400 meter high. Be aware that the last 7 km of this road has some very steep parts. I would not recommend to drive this with a mini-van. Actually a 4WD car would be best. Be also aware that in the raining season access to the park is closed. At the HQ op top are some simple rooms in bungalows and tents for rent. The tents look good and well taken care of. You ev
Read more

The Golden Triangle and beyond in North Thailand

Image
Happy Buddha at the Golden Triangle - North Thailand Reposting from 2015. We made a beautiful trip along the Mekong River from Mai Sai to the point where the Mekong River starts to be the border between Thailand and Laos. And then following the river until the point where the river enters Laos for the first time. You will need your own transport but traveling east of Mai Sai along the not anymore so mighty Mekong River (Mae Nam Khong) one comes in a all new area of Thailand bordering with Laos where you are passing the Golden Triangle (stop at the Hall of Opium), Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong (border crossing to Laos) and Wiang Kaen to go in direction Chiang Kham but not before you visit Phu Patang and Phu Chi Fa  and Doi Pha Tang. For me it was really one of Thailand's most remarkable trips, reasonable good roads, not much tourists and even for me as long term resident of Thailand it did feel like I was on holiday in a foreign country. Stunning view along the Mekong River and fro
Read more

Travelling along the Mekong River in Loei province

Image
View over the Mekong River in Thailand Reposting from 2017. After visiting Phu Phrabat Historical Park we did travel along the  Mekong River  to Chiang Khan. We did follow the Mekong river along the mountains and there are many stunning views, small villages, temples and waterfalls. What a stunning landscapes! It is that time of the year that the rice is ready to be harvested and it looks beautiful in the afternoon sunlight. And end November the shadows are so beautiful long. We did stay overnight in Chiang Khan in one of the many hotels along the riverside. Although Chiang Khan is overrun by Thai tourism, it is still a relax and nice place with family style shops, restaurants and small hotels. But I would not recommend to go in the weekend or public holidays. The next day we traveled along the the Thai-Lao border to the international border crossing at Thali. While on the way you will pass the place where the Mekong River becomes again (for the second time) a border between Thai
Read more

On the motorbike from Pua to Song Kwae

Image
  Following is a motorbike trip report from October 2020, riding from Pua (Nan province) to Song Kwae, and back of course as I am living in Pua. For more motorbike trip reports see  Motorbike Trip Reports. This morning I made a small motorbike riding loop from Pua to Song Kwae, and back of course. I did wake up with the sound of the temple bells and got dressed up for motorbike riding. When walking in the garden to open the gate I did notice that it was actually a bit raining. Well never mind, let's hit the road. My trips more or less always start at the PTT Gasoline station in Pua, from there I took route 101 to Chiang Klang. And in Chiang Klang I took route 1097 to Song Kwae, once in the mountains there was no rain anymore but it was cold! Luckily I was wearing my leather motorbike jacket, gloves and motorbike boots. Route 1097 passes a small mountain range with the highest point of 750m above sea-level, actually 2 times. You are also passing Tat Man Waterfall and 2 Hmong village
Read more

Tai Lue party in Pua

Image
Today, 31 October 2020, is Loy Kratong festival and Krathing celebration (end of Buddhist lent) so in the village Ban Ket (in Pua, Nan province) was today a procession of local villagers dressed in their traditional Tai Lue cloths. And tonight there will be in front of the Wat Phuket the celebration of Loy Kratong with traditional live music and rambong dancing. We on the other hand will celebrate Loy Kratong in a small village along the Nan River. And with a little bit of luck I can make some nice photos for tomorrow new posting.
Read more

Walking over the Rainbow Bridge in Chiang Klang

Image
  Another man-made tourist attraction .... actually just a bridge over a small river nearby Chiang Klang. But they painted it in many colours, so it looks like a rainbow. What again proves it is easy to create a tourist attraction in Thailand .... Selfie Time! It is easy to find as there are signs along the road. The last part is a small typically upcountry road and once over the bridge it becomes a dirt road. A bridge for a road to nowhere, but used a lot by the local farmers. There is parking and there are toilets. And conveniently someone made a kind of coffee shop annex restaurant in the rice fields right next to the parking. Especially the latter I liked but more about that in a next posting. Following are a few photos I took when crossing the bridge by foot. Rainbow bridge in Chiang Klang View from Rainbow bridge in Chiang Klang Rainbow bridge in Chiang Klang, North Thailand
Read more

Enjoying the view at 29 Healing Space in Pua

Image
Another new coffee shop in Pua, although a bit more as a coffee shop as 29 Healing Space is open in the evening and from their location you have a stunning view over the valley of Pua. Beautiful to watch at a late afternoon or early evening. Of course they serve hot & cold drinks (and even beer) but also home-made cakes & desserts and Khao Soi Kai. As 29 Healing Space is on the edge of a hill in Pua you will have to park down and the walk up some stairs.  Information of 29 Healing station Between Wat Phuket and Wat Beng Sakad in Pua Facebook :  29 Healing Space Serving : Hot & Cold drinks and Khao Soi Kai Opening hours : 10:30 - 21:30
Read more

Visiting the Wat Tham Phrathat Khao Prang in Chai Badan

Image
The parents of my wife are old and life has not been kind to their health, although they themselves are also not kind for their own health. So this week it was time to visit the family of wife, a bare 600 km drive from Nan province in North Thailand. So we left in the very early morning and arrived in the afternoon. And every time driving over route 21 at Chai Badan we can see in a distance a huge Buddha image built on the flanks of a small mountain range. And on the way back we finally made a short stop. Short as we still had to drive another 500 km to home sweet home. Of course the name suggest already that there is some kind of cave at the temple. And the stairs going up suggest that there is a magnificent viewpoint. But as we were a bit in a hurry we skipped all that. Later I saw that you can actually also drive up to the viewpoint. Well never mind, must be said that once close by the Buddha image is less impressive as you think it would be. There are temple related shops, donation
Read more

On the motorbike from Pua to Chiang Mai and back via Doi Mae Salong

Image
Following is a Motorbike Trip Report from November 2020. For more motorbike trip reports see my  MOTORBIKE TRIP REPORTS . A multiple days motorbike ride was long overdue. So with a good excuse of buying a new helmet in Chiang Mai my first destination was set. The only question left was "What route to ride to Chiang Mai?". From Pua there are many routes to ride to Chiang Mai, but as I dislike main roads & highways I did choose as usual taking the "long way home". Photo above was taken in the early morning along route 1097. Enjoy! Incidentally, as you might have noticed we are living in the valley of Pua in Nan province, between the rice fields and with stunning view over the mountains of Doi Phu Kha. And we did build a bungalow in our 1 rai garden, that we rent out as holiday bungalow. If you are riding in Nan province, Pua is a great place to stay overnight as base to explore the northern part of Nan province. Have a look at our website   Non Na Pua Homestay  or
Read more

Staying at Rai Boonsom Farmstay in Phrao

Image
  In November 2020 I did made a motorbike trip in North Thailand and did stay at Rai Boonsom Farmstay for 1 night, located in a 18 rai rural garden on the outskirts of Phrao town. The owner is a super friendly lady who serves fruit & juice. Rai Boonsom Farmstay has a main building with 2 rooms and huge balcony. And a garden bungalow with 2 rooms (1 with air-con the other fan-only). I did stay in the wooden garden bungalow, the room on the ground floor (with air-con). The room has private bathroom with shower but is not accessible from the bedroom. You will have to walk outside to get in your bathroom. In front of the room is a small verandah to sit & relax. I loved this place, relax sitting outside enjoying the view over the garden. Highly recommended! You can book Rai Boonsom Farmstay via Agoda or Booking but of course best to book directly. For more information see  Facebook page of Rai Boonsom Farmstay . For location have a look at Google Maps .
Read more