Maybe a weird question, and very personal, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with this. I am considering emigrating to Hua Hin. I have two children in Belgium (19 and 21 years old). How did you take that step with the fear of missing your children and grandchildren too much? I know, the answers will sound like it's different for everyone, but I still like to hear both positive and negative experiences. Regret or no regret.
I have now visited my love in Thailand (Udon Thani) twice and she has visited me once in the Netherlands. I notice that at first I was mainly concerned with the question: how do I get her to come to the Netherlands? I now have that picture clear. Gradually the thought came to me, why should I not move to Thailand?
I have been married to a Thai woman for almost 30 years. She does not have a Thai passport, but does have a Dutch passport and a Thai ID card. Now we want to emigrate. I am going to apply for a retirement visa. My question is how to do that for my wife. Does anyone here know anything about what to do?
New book: Successful Emigration
During this year's Emigration Fair, Uitgeverij Grenzenloos introduces the title 'Successful Emigration', the brand new handbook for the modern emigrant. Step by step, the author challenges you to list why you actually want to leave, what consequences this will have and how you should approach everything practically.
Reader Question: Moving to Thailand, Taxes, Fees and Schools?
I've been reading the forum for years and I give tips to others if necessary, but now it's our turn to (hopefully) get good and especially useful advice and advice regarding our Thailand experience plans. Of course I searched the forum first, but I couldn't find any recent posts that came close to our situation, most of the articles about this concern retirees or young, single expats, and not average families with small school-aged children.
My life in Thailand
Ramsy settled in Thailand in 2013. At the age of 33. And that makes him a lot younger than most expats. Ramsy now works as an English teacher. "I've found my calling."
Reader question: Immigrating to Thailand with my son
I am a single mother and am thinking about emigrating to Thailand. However, my son wants to follow vocational training as a carpenter or cabinet maker. Is that possible in Thailand and can it also be done in the English language?
The downside of emigrating to Thailand
If you talk to a farang who lives in Thailand, the familiar list will come up such as cultural differences, finances, relationship problems, housing, visa problems, etc.
I have been acquainted with a Thai woman since 2015. She is 43 and I am 67 years old. She lives in Thailand and I live in the Netherlands. We want to live together but the problem is true? I would rather not go to Thailand. I have children and grandchildren and therefore find Thailand too far away. She also has family in Thailand and I'm afraid she can't get used to the Netherlands and will get homesick. I don't like going back and forth between the Netherlands and Thailand. I don't like flying and it's all too expensive. How have others done this?
You can learn from emigrating
Francois and Mieke (photo above) came to live in Thailand in January 2017. They want to build their little paradise in Nong Lom (Lampang). Thailandblog regularly publishes writings from both about life in Thailand.
Reader question: How is life with a younger Thai woman?
I was very pleasantly surprised during my first visit to Thailand. Never in my life have I met so many friendly people who help you selflessly. I'm thinking of moving there. Am 63 years old and unmarried and maybe I am looking for a woman there to share my life. I would like advice from people like me, who already have a younger Thai wife or girlfriend. How is that going? The interests?
Statement of the week: Living in two worlds, you shouldn't want that
Chris comes up with the statement that living in two worlds (commuting between the Netherlands/Belgium and Thailand) is not ideal. You limit your own happiness, you limit the happiness of your Thai partner. Chris believes that you are better off making a choice. If you agree or strongly disagree with the statement, comment and explain why.
Agenda: International Emigration Fair 2017 in Houten
Are you planning to emigrate, perhaps to Thailand? Then a visit to the International Emigration Fair in Houten is definitely worth it.
Reader question: 'Burn all ships behind me'
I am about to retire to Thailand for good. I cannot leave anything behind in the Netherlands, not even my administration. During the last 5 years that I was in the Netherlands, I had to correspond a lot with authorities.
Statement of the week: Going back to the Netherlands is more difficult than leaving for Thailand
Suppose your emigration is disappointing and you want to return to the Netherlands after many years in Thailand? A difficult subject that is often taboo. Rarely do expats dare to admit that they have misjudged themselves. The proposition is therefore that returning is more difficult than leaving. Join the discussion.
Reader question: Question about living on Phuket
I have a question about living on Phuket/Thailand. I have a Thai wife and have been living with her in the Netherlands for 22 years and we are also married. Our children (her children) from a previous relationship live in Thailand. We now really want to emigrate to Thailand / Phuket. We are 54 years and 55 years old.
I would like to present the following to you. I am a 32-year-old physio/manual/hand therapist and my husband (also a 35-year-old physio-manual therapist) and I are thinking about living and working in Thailand. We both have 10 years of full-time experience, mainly in private practice in the Netherlands.