With all the emails we get asking about how we did it or how does one buy a business in Thailand, we thought we would focus a little more on explaining to people how it is done. There will be a new page on the blog devoted to this:
http://www.2thebigmango.com/biz-101/
U can use that link to find all the relevant info and links to a specific series of blog posts.
This first post will be devoted to discussing the basic premise of moving to Thailand and some of the various options. I am not going to discuss cost of living, entertainments choices, language or Thailand culture. Going to keep this strictly to biz for now.
You have come to Thailand on holiday or business. For one reason or another you think you want to live here. Don’t we all buddy! In my mind you only live once so you might as well do what you want to do while you are still alive and kicking. Okay. So you want to live here but how can u pull it off? Some, but I am sure, not all the options are going to be the focus of this post. Since this is a blog I am hoping people will comment with their experiences, advice and questions.
1. Retirement
You could retire here. I don’t think this is related to age but probably more related to how much money you have, who you may be supporting and how much you plan to party. I honestly no nothing about this subject and will leave it up to those people who have done it to comment. No matter what you still need a visa and will still need to do some paperwork to pull this off.
2. Teach
I have not done this either so I cannot comment on it but it can be done and for some people this a good option. Let’s hope some people comment on this one if needed since this will not be the focus of any of our biz 101 stuff.
3. Get a transfer
If you are already working for a large company or a multi-national company the best option is to see if you can get transferred to Thailand. Hell it might be a long-shot but it can happen and it offers the best option for setting yourself up even if down the road you plan on doing something else. Better to research it before you think it is not possible.
4. Be a virtual worker
This is happening more and more. It could be that with your type of job or skill sets all you need is a computer, a phone and some place to work. It would not matter if it is in Thailand or Sacramento, CA. Point is there are gigs out there that only require results and are location independent. Thailand can be a good place for this providing you can get your work done and not party every night. Internet connectivity is good enough and one can live here fairly cheap.
5. Be an entrepreneur
This will be the major focus of our Biz 101 section. Say what u will - buying or building any business whether it is a bar, a coffee shop or factory is being an entrepreneur. This is a tough thing to do in your own country let alone a place like Thailand. It can be done though and it could be a very exciting part of your life or a huge mistake.
There is so much to discuss here and that is why we made this a new section. How does one buy a bar? If I have a business do I automatically get a work permit? Is it easy to buy a business? The list goes on and on folks. Feel free to comment away and ask your questions. This will be an ongoing series and we hope it provides some information that is not out there or at least is not as easily accessible as this blog.
Stay tuned!
Actually I should add to this that some people do manage to move to Thailand and just look for a normal salaried position but I would say this is pretty rare unless you have some skills in high-tech, telecom, pharma or finance. Not saying this does not happen but I have only met a few people who made it happen this way. However it did take them at least 6 months or more to get a position. I am sure some readers may have a comment or two about this.
I also know others due to their language skills - be it Thai, Japanese or Chinese - are also able to find jobs with companies in Thailand.
View all comments by smitty
My two satang:
1. For a proper retirement visa you need to be aged 50+ and have B800k in the bank (I think). You can “retire” earlier, sure - but you’d be doing it on tourist visas.
2. Teachers really do need a degree and a teaching certificate now. Most of the Khao San crowd have been booted from the big English schools. It doesn’t pay too well, but it’s the easiest option for those with little or no capital who want to live in Thailand.
3. Good luck. I tried to persuade a former employer in the UK that this would be a great idea. Didn’t work. Those who succeed will probably make a good Western wage, with a relocation bonus on top, plus accommodation allowance, driver, etc etc. They all drink on Soi 33. Yuck.
4. Loads of people do this but you’ll probably be working illegally. And if you’re working alone you need to be able to motivate yourself to get things done, and not slope off to Lolita’s.
5. I’ll leave this one to the experts
View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy
editor - this comment was converted to a post:
http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-werewolf/
View all comments by werewolf
editor - this comment was converted to a post:
http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-a-guy-who-did-live-in-bangkok/
View all comments by A guy who did (live in Bangkok)
BTW: If all these ‘maybes’ and uncertainties bother you, don’t think about living & working in Thailand. They have laws, like every country, but the enforcement is haphazard, and the knowledge of the people who administer them is patchy, the governmnet is corrupt, so the result is inconsistent. Joe flies to Singapore on Monday, and comes back with a 1-year visa. With identical paperwork, James goes on Tuesday and gets denied a visa; Jerry on Wednesday is issued a 90-day non-B. We describe this phenomenon with a simple phrase: “This is Thailand” or “TIT” for short
View all comments by werewolf
Jesus. I hit a geyser here folks. I think this is pretty cool. I can’t disagree or agree with it all but I think the discussion is great.
I made my decision to be here because I wanted to be here. I like Asia and I am over living in America. Hong Kong got too pricey, too uptight and a little to Chinese for me but my 4 years there were amazing. I would not trade them for anything. I loved SE Asia and felt Thailand was the best choice for me but hell it may not be for others. I have some friends making a good go of things in Vietnam and I think about looking into that as well.
WW - thanks. I may roll you stuff into a post if you don’t mind. Huge amount of stuff in there.
BBB - I hear u. I do think the virtual thing can work though. Meaning if you just need a place to hack away then I think Thailand is cool for that - visa issues aside. I am still bringing money to their economy is my take on it but obviously I would not engage in local business without doing it the right way. Of course I know a lot of people doing import/export without any licenses and all good until u get caught. The transfer this is tough but should be explored. I got as far as HK on a transfer that at least got me to Asia. Another friend of mine got as far as Singapore so I can help get you out of the mother country.
A guy who did - wow. Telling it like it is. Good advice. It can be tough but it can be done as well but I think you need goals, a plan and a fallback position. So true. U also need not fall off the rails like I see so many do. Huge props though - nice rant. I also hear u on the Thai school.
For me - bottom line. I wanted to be an entrepreneur
while at the same time freeing up some of my cycles to run this blog, write and follow some other longshot opportunities that I never had the time for when I was working for them man. Also being an entrepreneur may not be as simple - it can be a hell of a lot cheaper than say doing it in HK or San Francisco.
great thread folks. much more to come.
View all comments by smitty
WW - one more comment on your post:
For the permanent 1 year visa you have to meet the Thai employee rule, have had to pay personal income taxes, company taxes and something they threw in recently you is you must no longer be a loss-making company. I think this one is so stupid and was a recent thing due to FBA. This is insane since no one would show profit until they have recouped there capital investment. So in our case as we build/buy bars we spend capital and I have no intention of making profit until I recoup my investments. Really lame this one is.
So me, like many people I know, take the 1 year visa that must be cleared every 90 days with a visa run. My work permit has to be stamped at the same time to reflect the 90 period. I am okay with this since it also allows you to pay yourself a lower salary than if you had the 1 year visa.
View all comments by smitty
Thanks for converting my original comment to a post, and also thanks to Werewolf who had some great info that was also converted to a post. If this subject interests you, please read:
Werewolf’s post: http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-werewolf/
His take: hands-on, here’s-how-to-do-it (as an entrepreneur).
My original post: http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-a-guy-who-did-live-in-bangkok/
My take: kinda saltier and more “what-do-you-REALLY-wanna-do?”
Yeah, you hit a geyser here Smitty, good work. One thing I would take issue with is bandwidth in Thailand and IT Ministry competency. If you’re only sending text files then it’s fine, but if you want to outsource and have large files going back and forth between your Thai office and the home office, then Thailand loses that business. This is NOT hypothetical–I know bizpeople who would love to open branch offices in Bangkok and leverage the creativity of Thai designers (and the low rents/salaries) but cannot because the bandwidth is so retarded. Interesting discussion–please continue.
View all comments by A guy who did (live in Bangkok)
got a lot job offers but they could’nt issue a work permit, is it possible i could make for myself? i will just need a supporting papers from them?
View all comments by mary anne
Work permit has to be issued or granted from a business that has available work permits to offer - so short answer is no u can’t make one yourself.
View all comments by smitty
guess this kinda on topic. Which is best visa run option for trying to get a non-immigrant visa, rather than simple tourist visa. Ive heard different consulates/embassies differ a lot in their attitudes. I just want to get a 3 month single entry non-immigrant visa. Perhaps the “O” class. Though I have no concrete reason - am under 50, not married to a thai, no work or educational affiliation in thailand etc. Anyone managed to get one - just because they want one? And where?
View all comments by worried