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Planning My Move To Thailand – Ambitions, Doubts & Stereotyping

Most expats who enjoy writing start a blog when they arrive and start living in Thailand, and just recently I discovered a blog by a guy named Colin who is currently planning his move to Thailand.

Colin wants to become a teacher here, and from his posts and tweets I can tell he is very excited. He has been a regular at TTL and on other blogs soaking up information and planning away, so I asked Colin if he'd like to guest post and share a few of his thoughts and feelings on the move…

…Perhaps some of you can offer Colin some tips and advice.

Moving To Thailand – Ambitions, Doubts & Stereotyping

By Colin Steele

I've decided to move to Thailand!

A few of the reasons are; for the experience of living in a new culture, testing my ability to adapt to a new environment, to learn a new language and enjoy the beautiful weather.

I’ve thought about this move over the last two months, admittedly not as long as some people take to think about such a move, but I’ve done a lot of research and asked myself many questions.

Anyone moving so far overseas will question themselves over their ability to cope, and fleeting thoughts occur daily such as, will I have enough money? Will I adapt well to the climate? Will I enjoy teaching English? Will I end up in Jail?

moving to thailand

Moving to Thailand also raises questions from your family and friends. They are naturally intrigued as to why you’re moving. They want to make sure you’re going to be safe. They panic about how they will contact you and what you will do for money. But mainly they want to know about the sex!

The number one line of questioning, however, and the theme on everyone’s lips is, sex? Are you going for the ladyboys? Are you going to watch a ping-pong show? Will you come home with a Thai bride?

Maybe these questions are a little tongue in cheek or maybe my reputation proceeds me, after all they do call me Dirty Roger, but really, I am not going to Thailand to indulge in all my twisted fantasies. I am bemused about the frequency of this line of questioning and maybe I'm being a little innocent here, but I feel people are being extremely unfair and disrespectful of the rich cultural history that Thailand has to offer.

Thailand appears to have created quite a sleazy reputation for itself, and the capital, Bangkok, is widely known as one of the sex tourism capitals of the world. The sex tourism industry in Thailand is now reportedly a 12 billion dollar industry, and they say if it’s not found in Bangkok then it's not available any place else.

Recently a post on “The Thailand Life” featured a video that documented the life of a young woman in Thailand named Pla. This young woman was unfortunately one of the possible 200,000 women working in Thailand as sex workers, and had clearly suffered at the hands and desires of men that are commonly known as sex tourists.  I recommend watching the Bangkok Girl documentary to anyone thinking of visiting Thailand.

Honestly though, I am a man, and I must say Thai women are stunningly beautiful. But if I do happen to find a beautiful woman by my side, I'll tell you now, I won't have paid for it.  I don't want to start a debate on the morality of the sex trade, that certainly isn’t my intention, I just wanted to make the point that NOT everyone who goes to Thailand is a sex tourist.

I’m moving to Thailand to immerse myself in a new culture and explore the sights, sounds and tastes the country has to offer.

I want to walk the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket. I want to travel around the rural Isaan region and meander down the Mekong river towns.  I want to swim in the seas and relax on the beaches on Ko Tao, and if I pick up a hot Thai woman on the way then great. I’ll write all about it on my blog.

But I will also do all I can to show people there is a lot more to Thailand than Ping-pong shows, ladyboys and oppressed women left with little choice in life but prostitution.

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  1. Douglas Smith says

    I work for the U.S. Government in Korea and have a home on Koh Samui where I will retire to the end of this year. I intend to ship my household goods (read: used personal items)to Koh Samui. Shipment will contain only used personal items. Clothing, Beds and end tables dressers, Living room furnishings: couch, love seat and tables,, dining table and chairs TV, TV stand, desk, wooden cabinets and kitchen items, misc. wall décor and such, a typical 4 bedroom house, normally the shipment is 16,000 pounds or 1/ 40 foot container. The government will pay for the shipping and I pay customs Duty with receipt or Tea Money without a receipt. Has anyone had any recent experience in this, I am trying to learn what the possible customs costs may be to clear the shipment. Again, retiring, A O visa, no work permit, just want to have my stuff and enjoy.
    Reply

  2. michael scott says

    I have stayed with a Thai lady for 6 years. We live in Buriram. I would say that her good knowledge of English has been an important factor in the success of our relationship. I have never spoken to her in thaienglish. If you start a relationship try to speak simply but use English properly. Its just as easy and respectful to her. She will be keen to learn English and it is the best international language for her future.
    Thanks for your excellent and informative website. A pleasure to read.
    Regards Mike Scott
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I absolutely agree Mike. If you speak in Thaiglish it quickly becomes a habit, so much so in fact that I have even heard some expats taking in this way themselves! It's also pretty condescending, like speaking to a toddler. I'm not sure where this Thaiglish came from, but many Thais actually believe English is spoken like that, since so many foreigners speak to them in this way. Conversely, Thai people have never spoken in pigeon Thai to me - if there is such a thing.
      Reply

  4. Victor says

    thailand is a wonderful country and Bangkok is lovely and lively.
    i had been here for 4 years now, and have now decided to never move back to my home land.. Manchester... love it here.. i can be of help in terms of suggestions... you can always email me
    Reply

    • Corey says

      Hello, I am an American male, 25 years of age, planning to move to Thailand in a couple months. I am excited and nervous, with a few questions on my mind. How much money (in baht) would I need to be successful in my venture. I have done research on the subject, but everything changes, and I feel a first persons experience with the initial set up cost of living would help me plan accordingly. Secondly, are jobs really that easy to find where I can make enough to get by monthly? I am a well spoken man, and consider myself a capable writer, cook, and bartender. I however don't speak Thai. Also, how difficult is it to find friends there? Having a Thai friend or two would definitely make the transition easier and the culture shock more tolerable. If possible, I would enjoy being a sort of pen pal via email, and conversing about things in the future. Anyways, thanks for taking your time to deal with my insecurities.
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        Hi Corey, if you have a degree you'll have no problem getting a job as a teacher. There's a number of positions already up on the job board on this blog (see the top navigation bar menu). Where in Thailand do you want to stay? Have a look at this post to see what the cost of living is like: https://www.thethailandlife.com/cost-living-thailand Remember though that if you rent a studio apartment, and eat local food, your expenses will be fairly low. It all depends on the type of lifestyle you are used to and want to maintain here.Meeting friends is easy, especially in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Samui. There's plenty of meet-ups online you can find (meetup.com) that pertain to different interests, and you will naturally bump into people and make friends on your travels. My advice is to start learning the language as soon as possible, and stay away from negative expats who spend their days moaning and running down Thai people. Don't get into relationships with ladies of the night, keep your partying and take everyone you meet with a pinch of salt until you get to know them better. And enjoy!
        Reply

    • Rico says

      Hey what's up victor, just a quick question, I plan on becoming a monk in Thailand and I was just wondering what kind of Visa should I apply for. I really don't know how long my journey might take me. So I can't say how long I will stay. Any help appreciated. Thanks !
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        Hi, you need a non immigrant R visa:2.13 In the case of studying Buddhism or practicing religious activities: Each permission shall be granted for no more than one year. The alien: (1) Must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM). (2) Must have been confirmed and requested by the National Office of Buddhism, or Office of the Prune Minister, or Mahachulalongkomrajavidyalaya University, or Mahamakut Buddhist University. (3) Must have been confirmed by the abbot of the temple where the applicant is studying Buddhism or practicing religious activities.
        Reply

  5. Bifftastic says

    Nothing wrong with frequenting a few bars from time to time. I would just advise you to take things slowly and see them for what they are.

    If I were you I wouldn't spend too much time in bars though, it's not the same as in England 'just nipping down the pub'. Especially if you're a teacher and your boss, or your students, get the idea in their heads that you spend too much time with 'poo ying mai dee' (bad ladies)!

    All the best,
    Biff
    Reply

  6. Farang in Thailand says

    Not hitting the bar scene immediately is advice that many people are giving me, so it must be good advice. I've pretty much got 'who care's' attitude anyway so i'm thinking I'll fit in pretty good!

    As for the love thing, I don't have such a good track record. Must learn to say NO, go away please!
    Reply

  7. Mike says

    Colin, firstly I would echo what Steve has to say. He and many others like him who live outside Thailand or like me who live in the country, have been on the emotional roller-coaster that comes with planning and executing a move to a new and exciting country.

    Personally I have had three and a half years here and can identify with much of what you write here and on your own blog.

    I remember when I first arrived, I was so excited, I also remember a very wise "farang" who lives up north near Chiang Rai(he blogs as "Village Farang") counselling me through comments he left on my blog about how my emotions and feelings would change after I had lived here a while. He also talked a lot about culture shock and how it affects us all differently.

    As it happens he was quite right in his observations, which basically pointed out that Thailand is not a land of milk and honey, its just what you make it and that you are still the same person you were back home. The same pitfalls await a person here they just come in slightly different guises.

    Personally I really wish you well in your venture, wish I had done it a lot earlier in my life, but if I had I doubt I would have stayed here as long as I have since I would have probably jumped on the TEFL bandwagon and experienced lots of other places too. Places that incidentally treat English teachers a lot better than Thailand does.

    As a retired teacher myself with a TEFL qualification (I am not a teacher of English) I find the Thai education system is not to my liking, given that it is basically learning by rote with little chance offered to students for differentiated learning. A system where failure is almost unheard of, where copying and plagiarism are rife and where the teacher has a "god like" status and can do no wrong.

    You will certainly find work here, but how that fits in with your own ethics will be interesting to see(look forward to reading your experiences).

    One final thought, a little tongue in cheek but actually very true in many expat circumstances: It goes along the lines of "Thailand is a great place to make a small fortune" but "only if you arrive with a large one."

    So one final piece of advice, don't invest more in Thailand than you are prepared to walk away from. I'm sure it won't come to that but forewarned is forearmed providing you do you thinking with the head on your shoulders and not the other one if you get my drift ;-)

    Good luck for the future.

    Mike
    Reply

    • Farang in Thailand says

      I'll also be quite interested in how I feel after a few months, I feel so positive about it now and it could swing either way. I think I'm prepared for both, good or bad experiences. I'm not expecting Thailand to be the Land of golden smiles, golden opportunities and golden women!

      Right now I'm just excited to be going..
      Reply

    • Village Farang says

      It is nice to be remembered favorably Mike. Though I don’t comment much I do enjoy following your progress down life’s path. From what I can tell, you are doing a great job with your own life, your blogs and mentoring others.

      On the topic of moving to Thailand, in my day, (pre-internet) one was not overwhelmed with information before coming here. You had to find your own way and to this day I think I was lucky to have discovered Thailand that way. Somethings you can simply over-think or be over-informed about. It takes away from spontaneity and a more natural pace of learning.

      Enjoy the ride Colin.
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        That's a great point VF....it's all too easy to become eager in handing out a "guide to the righteous path for newbies", but life is an individual experience and everyone must learn in their own unique way. And that is the very reason people many people move here, for an adventure, something outside of the status quo. I guess because we hear so many bad stories regarding women, scams, death, etc...we feel compelled to advise people of the things they do and don't want to do. Also, many people move to Thailand, and indeed many other places around the world, because they are searching for something. They feel a little lost and or disillusioned with life, and this state often makes people vulnerable in foreign lands.If I had listened to the advice I was given when I arrived, I'd have only ever seen thai women as good for sex and obedience (and all potential hookers working an angle), seen all Thai men as alcoholics and wife beaters, and never made friends with thais because they can't be trusted. I am glad I opened my mind, which was one of the reasons I moved to BKK.As I said to Colin, no matter what people say, curiosity will no doubt get the better of you anyway....so like you said, enjoy the ride, and like my Dad says, only ever lend what you can afford to lose...
        Reply

  9. Steve says

    I don't actually live in Thailand so I won't claim to know all the answers, I'll leave that to others with experience of the expat life. I am however a frequent traveller to LOS, I have a Thai wife and I have learned a few valuable lessons over recent years.
    Firstly, leave any preconceived idea's of what to expect from Thailand back home. You will read anything and everything about LOS on the net. Lots of it is bullsh#t, lots of it isn't, so just go and find your own way. As a "newbie" you'll probably make mistakes and may find yourself a target for scams. Research the common scams and try not to look too much like the average tourist.
    As you're going to live there you may want to avoid getting into the bar scene. I would imagine that your teachers salary wont last long if your hitting the local expat bars after work every night.
    You may find your western mind struggles with how things work in Thailand at first. Get used to the concept of "Thai logic" and I'm sure adopting a "mai bpen rai" attitude is a must too.
    This is a common one and a lot of people will probably tell you......"don't fall in love". Well I wouldn't go that far, in fact I would say "don't promise yourself that you WONT fall in love". Just be careful about if and how it happens. I told myself I would never go down that road......a few of years later and I find myself married with a Thai wife and couldn't be happier. I won't preach about the ladies because, well, its not what you want to hear. Just be careful!

    Expect the unexpected.

    Hope everything works out for you

    Cheers
    Steve
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Sound advice Steve. I think a key rule with the ladies is to not do anything you wouldn't do back home. For example, if you meet a woman back home, before you get too involved, you date, you get to know her, suss the situation out and make sure it is all what it seems and is right for you before jumping in with two feet. Easier said than done perhaps...Also, if you are not sure how long you will live here then be upfront with women and tell them that from the off. That way they have the opportunity to look elsewhere for something more serious or at least know exactly where they stand from the outset. In my experience, the majority of women, here and all over the world, aren't just looking for a rumble in the hay (not over the age of 30 anyway)....even more so in Thailand, unless of course you are mixing in the bar scene.
      Reply

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