Phuket

kenandlat · #1 19-02-2005, 02:34

Howdy all,

I know Lat and I have NOT been doing much posting or reading of the posts from y'all here lately but part of that is because we have made a major decision that will effect the rest of our lives together.

We have decided, along with my cousin Gene Kendall, to relocate PERMANENTLY to Thailand. Our tickets are bought and paid for, and now we are starting to throw out, give away, all our "treasures" we have accumulated over there past 10+ years.

We will either drive to SoCal o/a 27 Sep and sell our 2001 Cheve Cavalier Z24 which currently has only 22,800 miles on it and has been cared for like a newborn child in California while we spend 4 nights with our kids, grandkids, and new great grandson B4 launching for Bangkok OR we will sell it here and fly to John Wayne Airport (Orange Co. Airport) on 29 Sep 2005. That decision should be made once we are sure that no person wanting our vehicle in SoCal is willing to pluck down $6,000 for it (less than low retail)with the stipulation that it be paid for in cash no later than 2 Oct 2005 and we hand over the title, and car keys to that person in Anaheim CA on 2 Oct.

Let us know IF you are in the SoCal area and interested in buying our vehicle under those terms.

Then in mid-afternoon on 3 Oct, my oldest daughter, who lives in Anaheim will drive us to LAX where we will launch on China Air Flight 5 to Taipei and once arriving there will continue on China Air Flight 65 to Bangkok, arriving to start our new life in Thailand at 1AM on 5 Oct. Lat's sister will be picking us up and driving us on to Chiayaphum "straight away".

We plan to set up house in Chiayaphum at the house that Lat already has there. We have enclosed the downstairs which used to be open air with cement floor this past year, added an American style toilet and hot water heater for showering, air conditioning for our downstairs bedroom and are currently having the kitchen area remodeled.

We are not certain if we will continue to use Chiayaphum for a "permanent" base of operation or not, but will take say 4 months or so to really get to know the whole of the Chiayaphum area, medical, prime care management and dental professionals available, level of competence at the local hospitals and clinics, and just how I adjust to life in Isaan.

If we decide that a better parameter is to move full time to the Pattaya Beach area and just spend a week or so every month with the family in Chiayaphum, this looks like possibly the strongest challenge to our living full time there.

Any hints, suggestions on how to make our transition easier will be appreciated. IF there are any farangs whose wives/families live in the Chiayaphum area and you frequently or infrequently visit the area, please let us know.

Wish us well in our new life and IF any of you ARE interested in the Z24, let us know.

Ken and Rattana Bower
San Antonio Texas
http://homepage.mac.com/mgnewman/Kenlat/ Homepage
http://kenandlat.diaryland.com daily THIS AND THAT column

aussie dollar · #2 19-02-2005, 02:43

lucky bastard

kenandlat · #3 19-02-2005, 03:47

Hey Aussie dollar,

Thanks a lot mate. I don't drink alcohol or smoke, (which I know is really rare for a lifer expat whose made 35 trips to Thailand to date) but I do enjoy meeting up with new friends over lunch or dinner.

Will look ya up when we spend a few days down in Phuket. Are you living there full time? If not, when will you be visiting next?

Ken and Rattana Bower

aussie dollar · #4 19-02-2005, 05:45

23 March Till April 10 See Ya There

barflyrex · #5 19-02-2005, 12:32

Many many people talk the talk, when talking about how good it would to live in thailand, but not many walk the walk.
Good luck to ya, hope things work out.
Ill be talking the talk for 2 more years, then Im outer here.

tintin · #6 19-02-2005, 16:12

If I didn't had the family, this is what I would do.....

But I can't complain, have the best of both worlds!

In summer southern France is great and in winter I spend almost 6 weeks at least in Thailand.

But still, even loving France too, I miss the Thai people, the food the athmosphere.....

Sometimes it is nice to count down for your next trip, something to look out for!!!

I wish all the best in your new life.....

And please keep us posted!!!!!!

Allybabba22 · #7 19-02-2005, 21:59

I think thailand is a great place to go on holiday but for me if I was to live there permanently it would lose a little bit of its charm and attraction, And I would get really homesick as im quite close to my family and friends, So a holiday there is enough for me, Or a couple

proton · #8 20-02-2005, 06:45

I've been exploring making a move to Thailand myself. I'm hoping lots of replies about practical matters show up here. The most daunting part of the transition is just getting rid of all this STUFF here. Since it will take months to get rid of, how does one make sure you don't discard with something you will need before the final day? What stuff did you leave behind, that you wished you hadn't? What stuff did you bring, that you wish you hadn't?

andy50 · #9 20-02-2005, 18:51

quote -what stuff did you bring that you wish you hadnt?-----the wife?