Moving to Thailand (4)
Is it now all doom and gloom in the new fatherland? No, definitely not. But it's not all roses and roses either. After almost five years in the 'Land of Smiles', I have noticed quite a few flaws, usually concealed in travel brochures and jubilant stories from the Thai tourist office. It is important to list the advantages and disadvantages of a move before taking such a drastic step.
Among the good sides of Thailand I naturally support the nature of the country, although it is being seriously violated in various places. The Mekong is impressive and the many historical sites in north and north-east Thailand are definitely worth a visit, with Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Phimai and Phanom Rung as highlights.About the tropical islands and beautiful beaches I don't need it, the brochures already do that to a large extent. Here, too, the tide will turn, because if tourists ignore the country due to increasing environmental pollution, hopefully the Thai will come to their senses.
I'm not sure about the climate. You have to be able to withstand this sweltering heat to feel comfortable in Thailand. The Thai winter, from December to February, suits me best in the Bangkok lowlands. The temperatures in the north of the country are too cold for me, but everyone has their preference. On the other hand, it is very reassuring that you no longer suffer from those chilly, drizzly winters in the Netherlands. I miss the virgin snow of the first day, but not the scratching of the car windows, the sleet and the all-pervasive cold wind. I get up here every morning, put on my Bermuda shorts and read the Bangkok Post with a bowl of muesli on the terrace. Thai food, another plus, is extremely tasty, but rather not at breakfast…
I consider a strong point of Thailand to be medical care, without doubt of excellent quality. No waiting lists, hospitals that are more like five-star hotels for a price that Dutch specialists don't even get out of bed for. A heart operation, new hip or a facelift? Lie down, we'll be right with you. A real relief from the cold treatment in the Netherlands, where the costs are skyrocketing. It is a sad thing that Dutch health insurers do not encourage their customers more often to have their medical problems resolved in Thailand. After all, it can save them a lot of money, while they can use such an airlift to bring Dutch specialists and hospitals to their senses. I particularly recommend Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital in downtown Bangkok, not just for quality, but most of the doctors and nurses speak good English. There are also excellent hospitals in the rest of the country, often privately owned. I hear from some hospitals that the pursuit of profit is greater than the care for the patient, but the number of complaints is usually small.
The 'plus' category also includes the countless spas and massage institutes. For next to nothing you can have your stiff and stiff limbs massaged there. As reborn you will be outside again one or two hours later. I make no mention of 'additional work', because the men involved usually know the ins and outs and don't need my advice, do they? For example, I do not list the many 'bar beers' among the positives, because what is a big plus for the sinner, is a considerable minus for the chaplain on duty…
Another plus is the existence of two English-language daily newspapers, the Bangkok Post and The Nation. For about 120 euros you get it in the mail for a year, seven days a week. Admittedly, they are sometimes uncritical and pro-government, but whoever looks through that has a good source of it information (even about Dutch football). However, those who live far outside the capital and tourist areas will have to do without these newspapers.
The shops in Thailand deserve an honorable mention. The category 'convenience serves people' includes the 7/11s, Family Mart and other shops that are open 24 hours a day. In the large shopping malls in Bangkok, but often also in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui has almost everything the world has to offer (with the exception of new herring and 30+ cheese…).
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to mention the price level in Thailand. It is true that the euro is worth about 20 percent less compared to a year ago, but prices in this country are still much lower than in Western Europe. Then I will not only mention the famous Thai food, but also the gasoline / diesel, gas, electricity, water and so on. I can afford a car here that I can only dream of in the Netherlands and live in a villa that would cost a multiple there. Not to mention cleaning lady or gardener.
Some comments state that we as foreigners should integrate into Thai society. That is a good aim, but in fact unattainable. We've been trying to do that ever since the VOC set foot in Ayutthaya in 1604. In vain. We are and remain 'rich' white noses. Speaking Thai well is almost impossible for a foreigner, let alone reading and writing Thai. You must have learned that from an early age. Thais are definitely friendlier to farang who (try to) speak their language, but culturally we remain barbarians in their eyes. Sometimes they are right about that…
Hans good piece, however, a small comment
I live in Hua Hin there we have a supermarket with, new herring, roll mops, licorice, strawberries, and dozens of cheeses, French, Dutch, brie, etc. etc. very euro / Dutch assortment.
New herring????????Please more information
Martin take a good look at where that Dutch cheese is made .
Usually made in New Zealand.
Waste of my euros.
is just a Dutchman who makes cheese there.
anyway….
Very nicely written Hans. A small side note. I think that before you go onto the terrace with your bowl of muesli, you should first thoroughly inspect the terrace for the presence of those scary animals!
That goes without saying. In the morning I always check my shoes first because there are usually 1 to 3 frogs in them that hide to prevent them from serving as a snack for a snake.
As annoying as it is, those bitches deserve breakfast too, right?
In the absence of eel, Hans gives me a piece of smoked Cobra or Python in early September. So I think he's going on a snake hunt from now on.
But the barbecue is also allowed.
That's also a big plus, isn't it, Hans? We have to go to the Zoo and pay to see some of those dangerous snakes. And you just have to walk into the garden. Free. I also thought you had beautiful snake leather shoes 😉
Then take the Cobra …….
There is really no shortage of eel here.
The Thai give them as an offering to Buddha and release them again. Once I went on one survival trip with the army.
The gentlemen had to eat what nature had in store.
I made 1 joke and asked for eel, within 5 minutes 1 soldier came up with 1 club of 1 eel caught with his hands.
In Hua Hin they are for sale at the daily market.
Don't ask them to clean it for you because they really don't appreciate that.
I think it's a wonderful story, very realistic, but I can't get further than my kitchen in the morning, especially when it's still dark. Yes folks, I'm usually an early riser, I still don't sleep well here.
What can also be a “problem” is the eternal search for a taste. You're hungry but you can't find the taste.
And wouldn't you also like to talk in Dutch with your girlfriend or wife? How it went at home in the Netherlands? Always searching for words and seeing whether both give the same definition to the word? Moreover, I regularly get confused, Ned, Thai or English? Stop talking about French and German….I'm going crazy. We speak Tinglish here and with other Thai I use hands and feet.
“. I can afford a car here that I can only dream of in the Netherlands”
That's totally right... it's not sold here because?
I can't follow you right now. The car is not sold here because? No idea.
Where have my answers gone?
Once more. Even if you could afford the car in the Netherlands, you still have to dream of it because the car you drive in Thailand cannot be bought in the Netherlands because it is not sold here. Why? may Josh know?
I would like some information about emigrating to Thailand? Can you help me?
I am 24 years old and want to emigrate to Thailand in about 10 years or so. I am already working on arranging a fixed income from the Netherlands. Because whether I will work there is not yet clear. My plan is to get married (to a Thai) there so hopefully it will be easier for me to stay there. Understand that an income of 40.000 TBH per month is sufficient. But I only get cracking messages on forums when I tell my plan.. It is feasible for me (if everything goes as planned) to get that amount per month. From my brother.. And not on paper so that I don't get that hassle with taxes here.. What I want to know what someone needs to do in a situation to get that permit to stay there for good..
So want to buy a house there.
Can achieve the fixed income of 40.000 tbh pm
Getting married there .. (but must be able to trust that person 100 percent) reason why I go on vacation there every year to keep that contact.
The ultimate goal is to be able to live my life peacefully.. House, tree, animal, so to speak.
Maybe if you can start your own business there..
All info is welcome. Thanks in advance
Those creaking messages are mainly meant as a warning, I think. The editors also receive these kinds of questions by email on a regular basis, I just don't have the time to go into each one individually. But maybe one of the visitors would like to comment?
Think before you begin. A few notes: your brother's money does not count towards getting or keeping your visa. Everything must be white and you must be able to demonstrate that every year. Buying a house is possible, but not the land. All kinds of constructions are possible, but sometimes not exactly advisable because of the risks. If I were you, I would spend the next ten years quietly watching the cat out of the tree and perhaps staying here for a longer period of time.
If I calmly watch the cat from the tree.. Then I waste too much time just watching. I have quite a few years to prepare so better use the time than wait for the fire department to come and help the cat.. (makes no sense at all) but I hope you get it.
KV if I were you I would start by looking up everything that has to do with your wishes via the embassy site.
Also keep this up to date because a lot will have changed in those years.
Do not get stuck in stories from expats because they each experience Thailand in their own way, as you will undoubtedly experience.
At my location here I soon realized that I was completely wrong , even after many holidays .
After much trial and error, my actual learning process began, which I am still involved in every day after many years.
Still , I would never want to go back .
I wish you success for the future.
But I had read somewhere that it doesn't matter where you get the money from in the Netherlands. Of course you have to show it on paper, but I can still do that. I will get it deposited into my account .. Bank statements are my proof of the monthly money that I get deposited. It's my part of the business that money I get. Only my brother deposits it from his own account number directly to mine. Until then I also have some savings due to investments in pieces of land in Turkey that will give me surplus value until the time I sell it. That money is enough for a house and everything around it. Can someone give me a site where I can find a lot of information. Found some but they weren't that clear....
It is currently 800.000 Thb for at least 3 months in your own name at a Thai bank.
If you are married, the amount is different again.
Statements from a foreign bank will not be accepted.
And I would think very carefully about getting married.
Pim, those are all rules for a retirement visa for people over 50 years old. KV is only 24…..
Cheese is just spoiled milk, right?
Whether it comes from the Netherlands or N. Zeeland, what does that matter?
Greetings Dirk.
(Just kidding of course)
KV
40.000 Baht is a reasonably good income for the average Thai.
But if you want to live here as a European, you won't make it with that.
I have lived here for 7 years now (in Pattaya, so expensive) have a wife with 2 children to support and need at least double that.
Live in your own house, so no rent.
A car and 2 motorbikes, (tax, insurance and maintenance).
School fees for the children. Health insurance (very expensive here)
Do your weekly shopping at Carrefour or Foodland, so Western food is relatively expensive.
But if you can afford to live like a Thai, a bite of rice and som-tam and no health insurance, you'll be fine with that amount.
Regards, Leo
That is the minimum amount…40.000 baht
But I get around 80.000 baht (if everything goes according to plan and my investments go well) and that might be a bit more. Asia) I like simple food.
And may I ask what kind of work you do and/or how you managed to live there?????
Thank you
Oh yeah I don't plan to live in a touristy place either..
Otherwise I won't live long.....
KV,
I am retired, met my wife here and have been happily married for over 6 years now.
After I got married, I deregistered in Holland, bought a house here (in my wife's name) and I'm still having a great time.
As far as Western food is concerned, it is mainly my Dutch breakfast,
(brown bread with butter, Gouda cheese, Ardennes ham,) which I hold on to. For the rest I usually eat Thai food.
But I only need the meat from the supermarket. A bit more expensive, but on the Thai market, full of flies, where all those Thai housewives first take each piece of meat in their hands, I prefer not to buy meat.
Regards, Leo
Brown bread is a problem here, but butter, Gouda cheese and smoked ham as well as cooked ham are very tasty and not filled with water under high pressure as in Belgium.
And affordable, Gouda in the macro a sphere of 4,5 kg 1900 bath I can no longer carry it with me for that. The fresh meat in macro is also not bad, as well as all kinds in a freezer such as strawberries, peas, cod fillet and delicious spinach. further not to despise the Thai cuisine.
Well….then they made you pay little at the Makro those cheese balls you are talking about, I know those balls but I think they cost 2 thb per 1700 kilo package
yes that is true, with the Makro and the Rimping everything for the farang by the way,,,,, have you ever been to Yok? (if you live in Chiang Mai) if you stand with your back in front of the Carrefour, the Yok is on the other side of the highway at about 10 o'clock on the clock, so diagonally to the west. Everything is baking / cooking for you .chocolate/nuts etc etc
Wimol, Ria and Wim.
You're almost right.
At the Makro in Pranburi, the flat Edam cheese of 3900 grams costs 1900.-Thb.
1 scoop of Gouda of 1900 grams was next to it for 780.- Thb.
Unfortunately after the holidays they were sold out, so wait a little longer until hopefully another 1 container from NL. arrives.
Since a few months , only cheese from the original region may be sold under this name under this name .
Too bad for that Dutchman in New Zealand who tried to sell his putty under this name.
Hahaha if you can't do without .. then yes.
You live the life many people want to live.
Enjoy and I wish you many happy years there in Thailand.
And as for the flies, as a small child I always came to my grandfather's village and they had exactly the same. They still live in the 17th or 18th century and they said not to worry about that. And yes I am used to eating with flies, showering and etc. It gives me the feeling that you become one with nature. I was looking for those kind of places in Thailand from those markets. Always clean the meat well, of course.
I can live with little, as long as I am happy.
And hope to be able to realize that one day like you (only before my 35th)
Kind regards, KV
KV
A big mistake in my life is that I only got to know Thailand when I was 45 years old.
So if you already own that wisdom, you're in luck. Go ahead and do that, I'm jealous of you that I didn't know that at the age of 24.
If I were you I would rent a house for the first few years and buy something later. as you have read, the property is in the name of the thai.
At the age of 24 I was also in love with my ex, never expected in my life that I would divorce at the age of 40, otherwise I would have done it on a prenuptial agreement at the time
Read your four-part with great interest. Very very informative. Especially for me because I, as a 55+er, and younger woman (Dutch) want to exchange the Netherlands for Thailand.
I will still need a lot of information to make a good decision.
According to
Dear all.
Me, a Dutch and my husband, also Dutch, and just 50 years old, have now been to Thailand 7 times. The last few years we settled in a relatively quiet place and made quite a few acquaintances. The desire to emigrate to Thailand after our retirement is increasing. However, it is always itching to quit our work in about 7/8 years (then neither of us will have to pay alimony anymore) and just leave . What I read the least about is about daytime activities, you are not allowed to work and to start drinking alcohol early in the morning doesn't seem like a good idea either. What about social life, even when it rains, Of course it depends on who you are and how you behave, but are there possibilities, Anyone experience?