Quote: (09-20-2012 01:37 PM)scotian Wrote:  

I just got off the horn with the Thai consulate in Edmonton, all I have to do is bring in my passport with 2 recent photos and proof of flight purchase, fill out some paper work and pay $40, they'll stamp my passport and I'll be good to go for 60 days.

Ask if they have the 60-day double-entry visa available and you can stretch this for 6 months.

Here's how it works:

Enter
Stay 60 days.
Go to Chiang Mai Immigration to purchase a 30 day extension.
Stay 30 days.
Go to closest border - Myanmar (a one-day event). All you have to do is step over the border, get your stamp, and your second entry activates.
60 more days.
Another 30-day extension at Immigration.
Leave the country to purchase another double-entry visa (Vientianne Laos was the best place when I lived there but it changes)

Quote: (09-20-2012 04:34 PM)RioNomad Wrote:  

Another tip is to buy a motorbike, as opposed to renting. You can buy one, and then sell it for what you paid when you leave or go broke.

Beyond Borders, where did you live in CM? I lived by the Narawat bridge/Ping river for 3 months. I couldn't imagine living on 3 30 baht meals a day though. I need at least 5-7 of those things.

Great tip on the motorbike - very true.

I lived near Payap University. Hmmm...The meals were plenty big for me and I weigh 220 pounds. Then again, don't you do MMA? I'm sure your energy needs are greater.

It's also a matter of finding the places with healthy portions. Some are more generous. I find this especially true if foreign faces are unfamiliar in the venue. People who don't have a lot of whities coming in really appreciate the customer loyalty.

Great post Beyond Borders, nice one. Sounds like you lived in a fun apartment block, how did you find out about that?

Awesome tips Beyond Borders!

From what you said, seems like I can definitely live on $300 since I don't want to drink much because I'm focusing on weight training. I also won't go out that much since I'll be focusing on making money but you're right about having some money in the bank, especially for the cops.

The temptation to go buck-wild is will the greatest challenge I think. I don't really wanna be there and all I do is stay in and work but I also don't want to lose control and get into shits.

I'm also curious about such apt, I assumed you can find these type of apt near the university campus? I used to not be very fussy about living locations but what described sounds tempting!

Awesome tips BB! I also have been hearing a lot about CM and reading this thread and specially the awesome tips by Beyond Borders only confirmed what I have heard about it. About the motorcycle, do you need a licence to get and drive one? or just cash is all you'd need?

Old Rich,
It's great that you are taking control of things and going for living your dreams now and not have any regrets. That is truly commandable. However, as others have mentioned in here numerous times, make sure you come prepared with enough cash and do not use debt to fund your travels or it will come back to bite you in the ass big time soon - a lot sooner than you may imagine!

Scotian,
When I did my first mini retirement in BKK 2 years ago, I got a double entry visa at the Toronto Consulate. Cost me around 75 bucks or something if my memory is right and got it within 2-3 business days. I went there 10 days before my departure and was a breeze. As to where in Thailand you want to be, that's going to be up to you and what you want to do? Do you want to be near a beach? Do you want to do muay thai? Do you want to party like a rock star? Phuket is good but way too touristy and is the most expensive place in all of Thailand. Mind you it's still cheap by western standards but in a lot of places, you'd be paying almost European prices specially for transportation. The beaches are ok but the best beaches are if you go on day trips to other beaches like Ko Phi Phi, Ko Pha Nagan and then you'll see amazing beaches.

But for me, nothing beats Bangkok. That city is absolutely wild wild wild. 24/7, party and chill vibe like few places in the world. It's a first world city but at 3rd world prices. You really can't go wrong with BKK. It has everything one can ask for. My initially plan was to spend 1 month in BKK, 1 month in Chiang Mai and another in Phuket and then 2 months traveling around other countries in SEA. But I almost never left BKK, that's how good - correction - addictive Bangkok is! World class food not only thai but from all over the world, plus you can hop on a plane and be in almost anywhere around SEA for cheap. On top of that, you meet some really interesting and cool people there. BKK is the BOMB in Thailand and probably around SEA in terms of lifestyle and partying.

I hated BKK my first time there. Now, I am in love with it. Killer fuckin city once you make some friends and get away from the tourist areas. People who hate BKK just didn't know where to go.

RioNomad, I think from what I read it might seem like you'll be going back to Thailand in the near future?

Also I was reading that your friend taught english there. Did he already have the job lined up or did he hit the streets applying?

Last question, but do they teach boxing as well at the Muy Thai gyms? I'd like to go and get some sparring in but dont participate in BJJ or any type of kick boxing/Muy Thai.

Quote: (09-20-2012 10:44 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

About the motorcycle, do you need a licence to get and drive one? or just cash is all you'd need?

Just cash. I pay for my 3 years old automatic motorbike 3500 baht/month + 3000 baht as deposit (as I didn't want them to keep my passeport).

Older bikes are 2500 bahts, the newer ones are 4200 bahts in this shop ("Buddy" shop, not far from KSK shopping center).

Quote: (09-21-2012 05:49 AM)breizh Wrote:  

Just cash. I pay for my 3 years old automatic motorbike 3500 baht/month + 3000 baht as deposit (as I didn't want them to keep my passeport).

Older bikes are 2500 bahts, the newer ones are 4200 bahts in this shop ("Buddy" shop, not far from KSK shopping center).

Look into buying one man. I can't remember exactly, but I believe my roommate in CM bought one for under 9,000 baht and sold it for the same when he left 6 months later. English teachers and expats seem to just pass them around to teach other.

You have to have "stake" money to cover down on the first month, until you figure out the system. Take that into account. The OP might benefit from a girlfriend for the first few months. Let her do the shopping, and cook. And look for apartments. A savvy girl can save you money, even with her eating your groceries. I proved this in Kuwait with Filipinas.

Chasing pussy costs money, so having a g/f will help avoid that distraction. It sounds like the OP is needing to concentrate on getting a better income, so this route may fit his needs.

Great thread and advice from others.

Quote: (09-21-2012 12:57 AM)Adam Michaels Wrote:  

RioNomad, I think from what I read it might seem like you'll be going back to Thailand in the near future?

Also I was reading that your friend taught english there. Did he already have the job lined up or did he hit the streets applying?

Last question, but do they teach boxing as well at the Muy Thai gyms? I'd like to go and get some sparring in but dont participate in BJJ or any type of kick boxing/Muy Thai.

Yeah, I'll be headed back for sure. That's where my best social circle is at.

My friend from CM had the job before he went. He interviewed via Skype. Most people, I believe, show up and get a job. The problem is you may not get one where you want, I.E. you might end up in some little Thai neighborhood way away from the BTS, not remotely close to the nightlife. So if you go, try to have a couple months worth of cash to float you so you can be more choosy about the job you take.

Boxer Rebellion (Google it) has Western boxing I believe. Not many places in BKK have it, but they do. I believe they are in Silom, so it is close to the BTS. I will be checking it out when I get back as well. I do not train Muay Thai, but most Thai camps are most likley going to heavily focus on kicks as opposed to punches, as punches do not really score in MT fights. If you check out some traditional MT fights, you will see there is not much in the way of hand work.

Quote: (09-20-2012 08:14 PM)IainMuirs Wrote:  

Great post Beyond Borders, nice one. Sounds like you lived in a fun apartment block, how did you find out about that?

When I first rolled into town, I pretty much hit up all the Thai clubs and restaurants on a regular basis. I'm the kind of guy who will hop on my motorbike and point it in a direction, any direction, drive until I see a party, and roll in to mingle. It's awkward sometimes, but I've met so many cool people and had so many awesome, crazy experiences this way.

This guy knew a bit of English, but Thais are very shy about this sort of thing. He opened up to me a little bit and soon became the best friend I ever had in Thailand - one of the best I've ever had, period. He was a natural and charging chicks 24/7 - since I was on the same mission we hit it off really well and he'd never had a friend from a Western country before, so he was super pumped to hang out as much as possible.

Had his own car and was dating the head dancer on stage at Mandalay Bar (used to call it Man-da-gay lol). She was pretty hot and ended up getting a job performing in Japan, China, or South Korea (don't remember exactly)

Anyways, this guy set me straight on a lot of shit there. Went one some road trips together, one to Laos, where I slept in this local's house where you had to crawl through a hole in the wall to get inside and shower with a bucket. Introduced me to his friends who owned gambling dens throughout the city - some real ballers. They even talked about getting me into the biz but I decided that was a real bad idea.

I was renting a place for about 4500 baht a month but I got down on my luck and needed something cheaper, so this guy set me straight. Drove me around the city and checked out about 15 places until I found the one that seemed best for my needs (my needs were for it to be cheap and livable).

I can't stress enough about how great it is to have local contacts. Everyone talks down on how the Thais will stab you in the back and make shitty friends, etc. I can't tell you how many times these guys loaned me a thousand baht or two when I needed it (remember that I was living there for two years with no visa at all and nowhere in the world to go). If I was waiting on money to come from my online biz and couldn't go out, they'd say fuck you buddy and come grab me and pay my way all night. Thai dudes are legit and always have your back once you're in. Just need some common sense and street smarts to know the difference.

Quote: (09-20-2012 09:39 PM)OldRich Wrote:  

Awesome tips Beyond Borders!

From what you said, seems like I can definitely live on $300 since I don't want to drink much because I'm focusing on weight training. I also won't go out that much since I'll be focusing on making money but you're right about having some money in the bank, especially for the cops.

The temptation to go buck-wild is will the greatest challenge I think. I don't really wanna be there and all I do is stay in and work but I also don't want to lose control and get into shits.

I'm also curious about such apt, I assumed you can find these type of apt near the university campus? I used to not be very fussy about living locations but what described sounds tempting!

I'm real hesitant to tell you $300 will be enough. That would be an extremely tight margin, especially with the learning curve. But what I am telling you is that if you are a major disciplined person, have some street smarts, and are ready to just stick to your grind while living with the locals and not going out too much, $500 is definitely possible. That said, you will miss out on a lot of the fun. You may not think you go buck wild, but Thailand is a different universe and locals, expats, and tourists alike party every single day. It's really hard to not hop in with them when you're in a new, exciting place and meeting all these great new people.

Yes, university locations are always the best to live in, as far as my experience goes. Lots of cheap eats. Shit always going on. Educated people. Gorgeous women.

Payap University area can get pretty boring sometimes, especially if you don't know where the fuck to go to find the spots (everything is kind of spread out there). Chiang Mai University area is far more preferable. It will be a little bit more expensive, but if you look in the side streets 5 or 6 blocks or more from the uni you'll find stuff.

Living on the outskirts of town would be cool and cheap too. A lot more driving but low costs, more local lifestyle, and easier to focus. They've got a couple small lakes on the outskirts that are surrounded by outdoor bars and restaurants.

I've always thought it would be great to live out that direction, and I know a Norwegian guy who got a house out there and has a motorbike and free bedroom waiting for me. can't wait.

Here's an idea, and please don't think I'm only involved in this thread to promote this because that's really not my style and this just occurred to me now.

I have a Thai friend who lives there right now, speaks great English, and works in the tourist industry. Him and I have talked at length before about possibly setting up a business for people moving there - line up apartments and show them around, etc. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to start really trying that idea out. If interested, pm me and I'll give the guy a call.

Again, not my reason for offering advice here, so don't take this wrong. You can get out there and learn the lay of the land just like I did, but the learning curve will definitely cost.

Quote: (09-20-2012 09:39 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Awesome tips BB! I also have been hearing a lot about CM and reading this thread and specially the awesome tips by Beyond Borders only confirmed what I have heard about it. About the motorcycle, do you need a licence to get and drive one? or just cash is all you'd need?

You don't need a license. It is "against the law" to drive without one but the penalties are so small it's laughable. Sometimes there are road blocks in Thailand where they check people driving through, but my experience is that the ones in the nighttime stop locals only. I think these are the ones looking for drugs and guns and they'll wave you right through. Roadblocks in the daytime, meanwhile, will always stop you if you don't have helmet on or the registration is expired. Always wear a helmet until about 6pm and then you can ditch if you want like everyone else does (if you get your skull crushed it's your own fault - don't take this as advice).

I've even wrecked motorbikes and left the scene only to have the cops give it back and never ask about a license.

If you do get stopped in the daytime, the cop will put a chain on your bike and send you down to the cop shop to pay for your ticket. After you do so, you come back and show him your receipt and he sends you off, still with no license or helmet. lol It's the most retarded shit ever but it's nice.

If you want to skip the trip to the cop shop, just ask him something seemingly innocent. Look confused, downplay your street smarts and language skills, and say, "I don't understand what I'm supposed to do. Can I just take care of this here? Is that possible?"

If so, he'll probably tell you to give him a couple hundred baht (I think it was). Be a little incognito when handing it to him. He's accepting a bribe from you and doesn't want people to see - even though they know what's going on.

Whether you go to the cop shop or bribe him, the price is usually the same. If the tries to bribe you for a couple thousand baht, go the cop shop.

I think it's possible to get your license too if you want to bother with it.

Quote: (09-20-2012 09:39 PM)Vacancier Parmanent Wrote:  

Old Rich,
It's great that you are taking control of things and going for living your dreams now and not have any regrets. That is truly commandable. However, as others have mentioned in here numerous times, make sure you come prepared with enough cash and do not use debt to fund your travels or it will come back to bite you in the ass big time soon - a lot sooner than you may imagine!

Scotian,
When I did my first mini retirement in BKK 2 years ago, I got a double entry visa at the Toronto Consulate. Cost me around 75 bucks or something if my memory is right and got it within 2-3 business days. I went there 10 days before my departure and was a breeze. As to where in Thailand you want to be, that's going to be up to you and what you want to do? Do you want to be near a beach? Do you want to do muay thai? Do you want to party like a rock star? Phuket is good but way too touristy and is the most expensive place in all of Thailand. Mind you it's still cheap by western standards but in a lot of places, you'd be paying almost European prices specially for transportation. The beaches are ok but the best beaches are if you go on day trips to other beaches like Ko Phi Phi, Ko Pha Nagan and then you'll see amazing beaches.

But for me, nothing beats Bangkok. That city is absolutely wild wild wild. 24/7, party and chill vibe like few places in the world. It's a first world city but at 3rd world prices. You really can't go wrong with BKK. It has everything one can ask for. My initially plan was to spend 1 month in BKK, 1 month in Chiang Mai and another in Phuket and then 2 months traveling around other countries in SEA. But I almost never left BKK, that's how good - correction - addictive Bangkok is! World class food not only thai but from all over the world, plus you can hop on a plane and be in almost anywhere around SEA for cheap. On top of that, you meet some really interesting and cool people there. BKK is the BOMB in Thailand and probably around SEA in terms of lifestyle and partying.

Yeah, BKK is pretty awesome. I'm thinking of spending some time living there, though I'm a little concerned about what the air pollution might do to my lungs. This is a concern in Chiang Mai too. It's in a valley so all smog settles down over the city. You can smell the exhaust in the air sometimes - another good reason to settle down outside of the city a little.

Quote: (09-21-2012 12:57 AM)Adam Michaels Wrote:  

RioNomad, I think from what I read it might seem like you'll be going back to Thailand in the near future?

Also I was reading that your friend taught english there. Did he already have the job lined up or did he hit the streets applying?

Last question, but do they teach boxing as well at the Muy Thai gyms? I'd like to go and get some sparring in but dont participate in BJJ or any type of kick boxing/Muy Thai.

English-teaching jobs will take some time to get in Chiang Mai. I met quite a few people waiting forever. It is possible though with some networking skills, but you'll find it much easier to head to the more rural provinces.

My advice - get the certification to learn the skills and then offer private lessons. Seems like it would end up paying better and be more casual. Better yet - target expats from France, Germany, and Scandinavian countries. I ran into quite a few who struggled living in thailand because their English was still pretty poor and they knew no Thai.

And obviously they have more money.

Dude, learn muay thai! I never did because I never had time, but considering that it is considered the number one striking sport in the world, how could you not get involved? You're in the best, cheapest place in the world to learn it. It's the national sport there and a true passion of the people - they'll love that you are doing that. It's also a great way to meet other expats.

Your knees and elbows will become brutal weapons.

I'm telling you, Man, take muay thai lessons as soon as you settle in.

Quote: (09-21-2012 05:49 AM)breizh Wrote:  

Quote: (09-20-2012 10:44 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

About the motorcycle, do you need a licence to get and drive one? or just cash is all you'd need?

Just cash. I pay for my 3 years old automatic motorbike 3500 baht/month + 3000 baht as deposit (as I didn't want them to keep my passeport).

Older bikes are 2500 bahts, the newer ones are 4200 bahts in this shop ("Buddy" shop, not far from KSK shopping center).

Rio and breizh are absolutely right on this. Buy a bike and you're much better off. If you wreck a rental or it gets stolen, you'll probably end up buying one anyways and never get to ride it...

As for renting, I was always able to find something decent for 2000 - 2500, but you have to look around and get off the beaten track. I finally got one from my friend who owned the gambling dens for 1500 baht a month and even 900 at one point. Another friend rented me a cool-looking 350cc for 3000 baht (he originally tried to charge me a mere 100 baht but I wasn't having that kind of charity from someone so poor). that's a relatively big bike over there.

Quote: (09-21-2012 12:36 PM)RioNomad Wrote:  

Quote: (09-21-2012 05:49 AM)breizh Wrote:  

Just cash. I pay for my 3 years old automatic motorbike 3500 baht/month + 3000 baht as deposit (as I didn't want them to keep my passeport).

Older bikes are 2500 bahts, the newer ones are 4200 bahts in this shop ("Buddy" shop, not far from KSK shopping center).

Look into buying one man. I can't remember exactly, but I believe my roommate in CM bought one for under 9,000 baht and sold it for the same when he left 6 months later. English teachers and expats seem to just pass them around to teach other.

Defintely a plus in knowing some expat friends. I didn't start hanging out with them until my last few months there so I never really got much of a chance to tap into that kind of network, but it can help to know at least some people in the same boat as you too.As I said, my Norwegian friend has a free bike waiting for me when I get back.

These Westerner contacts can be priceless.

Quote: (09-21-2012 12:43 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

You have to have "stake" money to cover down on the first month, until you figure out the system. Take that into account. The OP might benefit from a girlfriend for the first few months. Let her do the shopping, and cook. And look for apartments. A savvy girl can save you money, even with her eating your groceries. I proved this in Kuwait with Filipinas.

Chasing pussy costs money, so having a g/f will help avoid that distraction. It sounds like the OP is needing to concentrate on getting a better income, so this route may fit his needs.

Great thread and advice from others.

Absolutely - there will definitely be a learning curve, and the cost of that can really add up quick. Plan ahead.

A girlfriend is a great way to save money and get the lay of the land quick, and it's better because chasing women all the time will add up costs quick, as women expect to be pampered a bit before they toss the puss.

Be careful moving a chick in though.

The only ones who will get that serious and put out that quick are typically freelancers, bar girls, or major slut/golddiggers. This isn't necessarily the case in BKK, but Chiang Mai has a real stigma with women who date foreigners being looked down on. It's a smaller place, and word gets around - reputation is paramount there.

I'm sure you cats all think you can keep your feelings out of the mix but my experience in life is that no matter who you date or fuck for extended periods, you will eventually develop feelings for them. I think this why you see so many dudes going around in America with an ugly, fat bitch on their arm,. They start out banging them for an easy lay and one thing leads to another.

Getting caught up like that with a poor woman from a third world country is bad news for many reasons, and even if she has a heart of gold, you're going to smash it into a million pieces.

Tread lightly, I say.

Quote:Quote:

I'm real hesitant to tell you $300 will be enough. That would be an extremely tight margin, especially with the learning curve. But what I am telling you is that if you are a major disciplined person, have some street smarts, and are ready to just stick to your grind while living with the locals and not going out too much, $500 is definitely possible. That said, you will miss out on a lot of the fun. You may not think you go buck wild, but Thailand is a different universe and locals, expats, and tourists alike party every single day. It's really hard to not hop in with them when you're in a new, exciting place and meeting all these great new people.

Yes, university locations are always the best to live in, as far as my experience goes. Lots of cheap eats. Shit always going on. Educated people. Gorgeous women.

Payap University area can get pretty boring sometimes, especially if you don't know where the fuck to go to find the spots (everything is kind of spread out there). Chiang Mai University area is far more preferable. It will be a little bit more expensive, but if you look in the side streets 5 or 6 blocks or more from the uni you'll find stuff.

Living on the outskirts of town would be cool and cheap too. A lot more driving but low costs, more local lifestyle, and easier to focus. They've got a couple small lakes on the outskirts that are surrounded by outdoor bars and restaurants.

I've always thought it would be great to live out that direction, and I know a Norwegian guy who got a house out there and has a motorbike and free bedroom waiting for me. can't wait.

Here's an idea, and please don't think I'm only involved in this thread to promote this because that's really not my style and this just occurred to me now.

I have a Thai friend who lives there right now, speaks great English, and works in the tourist industry. Him and I have talked at length before about possibly setting up a business for people moving there - line up apartments and show them around, etc. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to start really trying that idea out. If interested, pm me and I'll give the guy a call.

Again, not my reason for offering advice here, so don't take this wrong. You can get out there and learn the lay of the land just like I did, but the learning curve will definitely cost.

I'll keep the money situation in mind, will have to grind out some money from now till then.

Regarding your friend's service, I might be interested but I'll let you know when I'm on the ground. Don't wanna setup anything now, a lot of things could change in 5 months.

When are you thinking of coming back?

Quote:Quote:

I can't stress enough about how great it is to have local contacts. Everyone talks down on how the Thais will stab you in the back and make shitty friends, etc. I can't tell you how many times these guys loaned me a thousand baht or two when I needed it (remember that I was living there for two years with no visa at all and nowhere in the world to go). If I was waiting on money to come from my online biz and couldn't go out, they'd say fuck you buddy and come grab me and pay my way all night. Thai dudes are legit and always have your back once you're in. Just need some common sense and street smarts to know the difference.

I've never borrowed money from a Thai but I never found them to be untrustworthy. All the ones I know are great people who I have no issue trusting. I've never been conned or ripped off in Thailand either yet I hear so many people claiming they were, I think it's due to lack of common sense.

How did you end up stuck in Thailand for two years with no visa, no money and no option of going home?

Quote: (09-21-2012 02:46 PM)Beyond Borders Wrote:  

Here's an idea, and please don't think I'm only involved in this thread to promote this because that's really not my style and this just occurred to me now.

I have a Thai friend who lives there right now, speaks great English, and works in the tourist industry. Him and I have talked at length before about possibly setting up a business for people moving there - line up apartments and show them around, etc. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to start really trying that idea out. If interested, pm me and I'll give the guy a call.

Again, not my reason for offering advice here, so don't take this wrong. You can get out there and learn the lay of the land just like I did, but the learning curve will definitely cost.

I'd definitely be interested in this and think others would too, there's probably always people from this board planning trips to Chiang Mai. If the fee is reasonable it's a no-brainer. If you talk to your friend definitely shoot me a PM.

Appreciate all the knowledge drops BB, great stuff.

I was spending about 2,500 a month during my 6 month recent trip in Thailand and this was on a budget. 12,000 baht basically $400 a month was dedicated towards Muay Thai and I was in the Islands where is more expensive. Chiang Mai is very cheap I would still budget $800 minimum to live there with the bare basics, add $200 more if you want to do muay thai, double it up if you are planning to run game and have many girlfriends. Also make sure you have some get out of trouble savings for just in case anything happens like you get into a motorbike accident or you lose your passport during a visa run etc.

Oh yeah the following is very very important, book your ticket through sta.com even if you are not a student or over 26, for one reason only... flat $50 change fee in case you need to extend or cut your trip short you wont get fucked over by fees.

Also I can give you a list of places to stay in Chiang Mai if you would like, i know a few good spots for 5,000 baht monthly give or take, and whatever you do stay away from the south if you have a small budget.

Quote: (09-20-2012 11:52 PM)RioNomad Wrote:  

I hated BKK my first time there. Now, I am in love with it. Killer fuckin city once you make some friends and get away from the tourist areas. People who hate BKK just didn't know where to go.

THIS

best city in the world imo. off tap

Quote:Quote:

Stick to the restaurants locals eat at and you'll never have to pay more
than 30-35 baht per meal. Look where the locals in your neighborhood eat.

That actually depends lol, when I was in CM I had friends who would like to eat at places like Riverside everyday.

Quote:Quote:

I was spending about 2,500 a month during my 6 month recent trip in Thailand and this was on a budget.

On the contrary $2500 a month just for living expenses would stretch you so much there I wouldn't even know how to spend it all, unless I'm hiring a private limousine service everywhere I go and buying single malt scotch for every table I see at the club. I've seen people who earn $10,000 per month spend way less than $2500 a month in Thailand; these are thrifty older locals though.

Quote:Quote:

and whatever you do stay away from the south if you have a small budget.

Only in the touristy spots like Phuket or Koh Samui. The prices go down in the other southern provinces that aren't tourist hotspots.


The thing I like about CM is that there's this chill relaxed vibe, a cheery small town atmosphere if you will, but with almost every amenity you'll need. It's a great place to clear your mind. Cheap, though not as cheap as the Isaan provinces, but highly recommended- this from a Bangkok guy.

Quote: (09-21-2012 12:54 PM)RioNomad Wrote:  

Quote: (09-21-2012 12:57 AM)Adam Michaels Wrote:  

Last question, but do they teach boxing as well at the Muy Thai gyms?

Yeah, I'll be headed back for sure. That's where my best social circle is at.

Boxer Rebellion (Google it) has Western boxing I believe. Not many places in BKK have it, but they do. I believe they are in Silom, so it is close to the BTS. I will be checking it out when I get back as well. I do not train Muay Thai, but most Thai camps are most likley going to heavily focus on kicks as opposed to punches, as punches do not really score in MT fights. If you check out some traditional MT fights, you will see there is not much in the way of hand work.

I used to have a photo project where I would go and take pictures of Muay Thai in camps, chat with the dudes and stuff.

There's a Bangkok camp near Siriraj hospital which also specializes in Western boxing. In fact, aside from Muay Thai they have produced several champions in boxing organizations like the WBC. It's a bit further from the CBD, but if you are really serious, you should definitely check it out. The camp's name is เพชรยินดี in Thai. I don't think they have a website, but here's info on them.

Another place I know is called Kiatphontip gym, located near Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom, close to a college town. The co-owner is a chill farang named Rob; he let me film on his place without any trouble. It's Muay Thai, but they train their hands a lot there. Google them. With some research and trying out, you'll probably find the place that you like.

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On the contrary $2500 a month just for living expenses would stretch you so much there I wouldn't even know how to spend it all, unless I'm hiring a private limousine service everywhere I go and buying single malt scotch for every table I see at the club. I've seen people who earn $10,000 per month spend way less than $2500 a month in Thailand; these are thrifty older locals though.

I was in Samui just to start off with basics,

Rent was 10,000 baht a month for a serviced room with internet
Muay Thai was 12,000 baht a month on average
Motorbike rental 3,500 baht a month
Fuel 3,000 baht a month

That's $919.00 per month not including food, going out on the weekends and the visa runsfees every few months, if you are living on anything under 2,500k a month in Samui then you are asking yourself "can i afford this" all the time and that's not my idea of living. I will tell you this though, I much rather be in the north.. Samui is a total trap and i would not recommend it if your goal is to focus. I did meet some cool locals there though.

Quote: (09-21-2012 08:30 PM)FilMor Wrote:  

I was spending about 2,500 a month during my 6 month recent trip in Thailand and this was on a budget. 12,000 baht basically $400 a month was dedicated towards Muay Thai and I was in the Islands where is more expensive. Chiang Mai is very cheap I would still budget $800 minimum to live there with the bare basics, add $200 more if you want to do muay thai, double it up if you are planning to run game and have many girlfriends. Also make sure you have some get out of trouble savings for just in case anything happens like you get into a motorbike accident or you lose your passport during a visa run etc.

Oh yeah the following is very very important, book your ticket through sta.com even if you are not a student or over 26, for one reason only... flat $50 change fee in case you need to extend or cut your trip short you wont get fucked over by fees.

Also I can give you a list of places to stay in Chiang Mai if you would like, i know a few good spots for 5,000 baht monthly give or take, and whatever you do stay away from the south if you have a small budget.

Why is it all the agency sites has horrible reviews? :/ do you think it's better to use kayak to search and just book the flights directly with the airlines?

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Why is it all the agency sites has horrible reviews? :/ do you think it's better to use kayak to search and just book the flights directly with the airlines?

I would go with STA just because of the cheap fee to change the ticket. You never know you might want to extend your trip, just use ITA software to research the cheapest ticket 5 months spread apart then buy through sta.

Quote: (09-21-2012 04:55 PM)OldRich Wrote:  

I'll keep the money situation in mind, will have to grind out some money from now till then.

Regarding your friend's service, I might be interested but I'll let you know when I'm on the ground. Don't wanna setup anything now, a lot of things could change in 5 months.

When are you thinking of coming back?

I think I'll be heading back in November or December. At the moment, just to visit friends and then go travel elsewhere, but it's always up in the air.

Quote: (09-21-2012 06:42 PM)IainMuirs Wrote:  

I've never borrowed money from a Thai but I never found them to be untrustworthy. All the ones I know are great people who I have no issue trusting. I've never been conned or ripped off in Thailand either yet I hear so many people claiming they were, I think it's due to lack of common sense.

How did you end up stuck in Thailand for two years with no visa, no money and no option of going home?

That's a really long story. The short one is that I messed around with the wrong girl and ended up in the crosshairs of a major criminal organization here in the states. They barged into my life, blamed me for something I knew nothing about, and 3 jumped me in a local bar. I split open the leader's eyebrow and next thing you know they were threatening to kill me and my family.

Good time to check out, I say...

Anyways, the plan was to travel the world and figure out what I wanted to do with my life, but I was supposed to be getting a big windfall from a friend back home that owed me a ton of cash on business. That money never came and I got completely ripped off.

I slowly got down to nothing and finally sat down and taught myself to make a living online. It was a stressful, crazy time, and I don't wish it on anyone. It was seriously like living in a movie. It sounds crazy. It sounds like a half truth. But it was really just a case of horrible luck.

All those guys are dead or in prison now, so I'm back in my hometown due to deaths in the family. My business is doing well - I work for some major corporate clients now and when I keep the schedule full I make $500 in a day.

In a wierd way, getting my life threatened ended up being the best thing to ever happen to me.

Quote: (09-21-2012 08:24 PM)Rah Wrote:  

I'd definitely be interested in this and think others would too, there's probably always people from this board planning trips to Chiang Mai. If the fee is reasonable it's a no-brainer. If you talk to your friend definitely shoot me a PM.

Appreciate all the knowledge drops BB, great stuff.

I will for sure. Maybe I'll start a new thread to decipher what types of services would be in highest demand. If you're reading right now, Roosh, let me know if that would be okay. If I decide to do it, I'll probably throw up a quick website, so maybe I'll pop it into a sig file. Rah, I'll pm you after I roll it around in my brain for a minute.

I'd definitely keep the prices reasonable if i did it.

Quote: (09-21-2012 10:48 PM)the_conductor Wrote:  

That actually depends lol, when I was in CM I had friends who would like to eat at places like Riverside everyday.

Of course it depends. Such is Thailand. Some people there make more money than you or I will ever dream of. You can basically live on as little or as much as you have in your possession there.

The OP was asking about the lower end possibilities though, so that was the focus of my post. I know some pretty rich Thais and luxury spots too, but that's a completely different story.

Riverside is definitely great and I was a regular. they have the best american-style band in town, in my honest opinion. The only comparable tunes are Heaven Beach and Bangkok Bar, which are both in the tourist center. But Riverside is not the high end of Chiang Mai, by any means. There are some amazing luxury spots there for those with the cash. I've never seen a foreigner at the three I can think of off the top of my head.

Quote: (09-21-2012 11:18 PM)FilMor Wrote:  

I was in Samui just to start off with basics,

Rent was 10,000 baht a month for a serviced room with internet
Muay Thai was 12,000 baht a month on average
Motorbike rental 3,500 baht a month
Fuel 3,000 baht a month

That's $919.00 per month not including food, going out on the weekends and the visa runsfees every few months, if you are living on anything under 2,500k a month in Samui then you are asking yourself "can i afford this" all the time and that's not my idea of living. I will tell you this though, I much rather be in the north.. Samui is a total trap and i would not recommend it if your goal is to focus. I did meet some cool locals there though.

I lived in Samui about 5 months. My room was also serviced, air conditioned, and had free wireless. It was actually brand new and my room had never been lived in.

I paid 4500 baht per month for that. My motorbike was 2000. Not sure how you paid so much for fuel. I found 100 baht once or twice a week was usually enough (another case of if I remember correctly on that one), so you must have really been scooting around. Then again, it's tempting to do a lot of riding in Samui.

Research and hitting the ground to shop around really makes all the difference in the world.

I completely agree that the north is more ideal for cheap living though.

Beyond Borders, if you get that idea going of having the Thai guy help us out, lemme know the prices. I would be interested.

Thanks for the great write up. I really appreciate all the info you just dropped.
In regards to teaching privately to expats with low english skills, should I be focusing on networking or flyers to find participants as I look for a job? Currently im 20% done with a 150 hour online Certification. I plan to be leaving for Thailand by November 1. Thanks again for any help.

PS just read your above post, crazy story man! Props for coming out ahead with the situation you were in. I really need to figure out this online business action.

Quote: (09-22-2012 01:44 AM)Adam Michaels Wrote:  

Beyond Borders, if you get that idea going of having the Thai guy help us out, lemme know the prices. I would be interested.

Thanks for the great write up. I really appreciate all the info you just dropped.
In regards to teaching privately to expats with low english skills, should I be focusing on networking or flyers to find participants as I look for a job? Currently im 20% done with a 150 hour online Certification. I plan to be leaving for Thailand by November 1. Thanks again for any help.

PS just read your above post, crazy story man! Props for coming out ahead with the situation you were in. I really need to figure out this online business action.

This I can't be a huge help on, to be completely honest. I wasn't really tied in with the teaching crowd at all, and the business idea I mentioned above about offering private lessons was just something I thought of a lot. If you had experience and were putting together a real business with multiple employees, I would say put a sign on the back of 60 tuk tuks and have them cruise the city 24/7 promoting your website or phone number. I've talked to the tuk tuk headquarters about this and it looks like very cost-effective advertising.

If I think of some ideas, I'll let you know.

You should also consider bartering your services for free meals at particular restaurants, etc. I built a website for one of the more popular restaurant/nightclubs in Chiang Mai and I've been promised free food and drink as well as VIP treatment when I get back (every night if I want). This on top of the $1000 they paid me.

Another way to make cash I've pondered (I'm an idea guy) is offering translation services, which you would need a Thai partner for. I read one book where a guy mentioned that he used to go into restaurants with no English menu, translate their menu for them using someone else's help or a dictionary (the slow way lol), and put up daily specials in English. In this way, he claimed to secure free meals any time he wanted and never had to pay.