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Every country has pros and cons as nothing is perfect. All of us have 1 life and I believe in chasing my dream. Opportunities are always there, so are risks. One can live inside a box all the time or step out of the box to do differently. No venture thus no challenge and gain. Sweetness of success is one try and achieve it whereby no university in the world could teach. If one never makes mistake then one never try anything new. When you have the will, you sure see the light at the end of the tunnel. Be happy and stay healthy.

Thanks! I'm glad you are the first to reply and it's so positive that it really brings a smile on my face.
Yes..before my venture in France I'm really stuck in a well knowing nothing. But after a few years I agree that we only have a life we should go for what we want. Dont regret In life.

I would love to share experiences with you, we live in Thailand, but use it as a travel Hub. We retired from the US. Patrick

You are welcome. If you wish to know about Thailand from a foreigner's eyes as well as a local, feel free to ask. Been here since 1997 before the Asian financial crisis and seen the changes of many Thai Prime Ministers too. Could guide you on the business circle; foreign social clubs; ASEAN communities and various chamber of commerce too as managing my own business here. Been to many different cities and countries around Thailand too on business and holidays. Ask deep in your heart, what you like to do as SG is limited in certain ways.
Guess you know how many different languages that I can speak including thai.

Hi I'm Sarah from Singapore.now working in bkk.

I shld have know this Web before I go bkk for holiday!Ìý Ìý
nice to know u!

Is nv too late ha..if you come to bkk again let me know.maybe we can meet up .

Thanks Sarah
I'm actually looking around in sg hopefully to find job where I get the OpportunityÌý to travel and work or stay in Thailand .

Rejoice, since you have been in Thailand for such a long time, maybe you can tell me if there are any places to go for a week or longer that are not over-run by Tourist?Ìý We are living in a condo in Nonthburi, retired from the US, we have plans to travel to Europe next year looking for some place we can spend 3 months a year. We already have some idea's. But in the back of my mind I haven't given up looking for somewhere in Thailand, quiet, peaceful, on the water, with local food, small restaurants, safe, some place where you could ride a bicycle or walk in the evenings and not get Killed by a car or scooter. Does this place still exist in Thailand?Ìý We have been to Hua Hin and stay off the beaten path in a condo where the wealthy Thai's stay or come on the week-ends, it is quiet, but not affordable for long term. Thanks for your Help. Patrick

What about staying around Khanom on the mainland east coast near ferry to Koh Samui - thailand4me.

thailand4me wrote:

Rejoice, since you have been in Thailand for such a long time, maybe you can tell me if there are any places to go for a week or longer that are not over-run by Tourist?Ìý We are living in a condo in Nonthburi, retired from the US, we have plans to travel to Europe next year looking for some place we can spend 3 months a year. We already have some idea's. But in the back of my mind I haven't given up looking for somewhere in Thailand, quiet, peaceful, on the water, with local food, small restaurants, safe, some place where you could ride a bicycle or walk in the evenings and not get Killed by a car or scooter. Does this place still exist in Thailand?Ìý We have been to Hua Hin and stay off the beaten path in a condo where the wealthy Thai's stay or come on the week-ends, it is quiet, but not affordable for long term. Thanks for your Help. Patrick

Patrick
You need to get out moreÌý
There is a huge country here that is not inhabited by tourists. Where I live in the north Phetchabun and Loei provinces offer some great mountain getaways. To the south the area from Prachuap Khiri Khan(city) to Chumphon also offers some great retreats by the beach.
Many of the national parks are virtually uninhabited during the week days apart from the wildlife. Most have bungalows you can hire at very reasonable rates.
trust me these places do exist in Thailand you just have to explore a bit and/or ask the locals.

Go to Pranburi or further down like Ao Nam. Small hotels there are reasonable price especially off peak season. I always go on holidays during off peak as rooms are plentiful and low price. Restaurants have less crowd and prices good too.
You can rent an auto motorbike at Pranburi for 350 baht - 24 hours or less if long term. Very few cars there and quiet. There's a stretch of road by the sea with nice big shady trees too. The fun part is go around on your own to explore. There are restaurants by the beach too for sea food. Another place is nice will be Chantaburi after Pattaya and Rayong. I don't go for tourist places and I had the advantage as I speak fluent thai. ;-) pick up some thai words as it will help. You can rent a car from budget at a low cost if you don't mind a small car unless you have long legs and passengers at the back. Taxi can be hired from Bangkok to there too at reasonable price. Have fun and enjoy Thailand. A trip to khao Yai is nice and stay at the vineyard. Enjoy grapes products and Thai wine there too.

There are direct flights from Pattaya to Hat Yai (Songkhla) which is close to Khanom - or you can fly to Koh Samui and take ferry off the island.

Good luck to you as many people are looking for same as you. For your info; Channel News Asia hired a thai journalist for few years now as the last person was from SG. Cost to hire Thais are lower than expats besides Filipinos can work at a lower package than SG. Many Filipinos are here as well as Chinese from China.

Patrick, when I first came to Thailand, I drove all the way from Bangkok to the Malaysian Border - twice. I stop where I want and spend more time there if I like the place. At that time, I speak only 3 thai words. By driving one has the freedom to stop at any place to see and enjoy. Kanchanaburi is nice too as you can sleep on a raft hut and do off road ride etc. Hop on to a raft down the river. So much to explore and enjoy in Thailand for rivers to waterfalls; hot springs; forest; mountains; sea and island hopping when low tide by walking.

Get a hat and sun tab lotion then have fun.

Are there many Tourist in that area?Ìý Really don't like Tourist at all.

Rejoice, thanks for the information. Patrick

Khanom is very quiet and beautiful, as everyone heads to Koh Samui.

We will check it out.Ìý Thanks.

Patrick, you're welcome. There's a bridge in songkla, south Thailand that goes across the sea. Beautiful when you go across in the morning during year end when weather is cool. In the evening nice to be on the hill looking at Ao Nam which is further down Pranburi. Ao in Thai means Bay.
Patrick, best and cheap is self drive to explore. One's man meat is another man's poison. Do it yourself and enjoy. I don't go by write outs from articles as it's like tourist places. I do by street smart and get the best.

Patrick have you considered Cha-am?

Even for a Malaysian living just a hop away... I love Thailand and what it has to offer.Ìý It will be my 3 months out of a year stayÌý in the future...Ìý Oh if only it is easy to bring my dog along...

hello There,
i am planning on moving to thailand next year for my 26th birthday i have alot of questions my main focus is to train muay thai for one year either in Thailand or Bangkok
as a student how much am i looking at saving to live comfortable over there??i am living in New Zealand at the moment i am all new to travelling on my own as i am single and want to seek a different lifestyle for a bit.
would you be able to give me some tips and advice on what to prepare and do before going?...
thankyou
Jean

... got tired of my own country...

Hey no offense, there are wonderful places all over the world!

On peut vivre a Bangkok pour $100 / 3000 Baht (logement) mensuel et $150 pour la nourriture.
Plus transport et entrainement.
Tres bon marche si vous savez gerer un budget.

AGLV0121 wrote:

On peut vivre a Bangkok.

You might very well, but it would be nice if you did it in English in this section of the forum.

Added = click the flag at the top right of the page, and you'll find a French language section.

I'd say you need US$1500 a month though some will get by on less, others will think its not enough. There are so many factors to consider. Do you want a one bed air conditioned condo with a nice view in a new building in the city centre (expensive) or happy with a just a studio in the suburbs? (much cheaper) Try to get somewhere near a BTS or MRT station for convenience. Also depends if you want to go out drinking/socialising every night or are happy with once a week. Will you eat local Thai street cart food or want to buy western food in restaurants? There are so many variables.

What visa will you get?Ìý Have you been to Thailand before? If not I would suggest going for a holiday for 2 weeks initially to scope things out.

Have you looked at Kanchanaburi Patrick?Ìý It may not fit all your requirements but it is a beautiful place to relax and retire in. Stayed here for 4 years already.