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#1
07-07-2006, 02:12
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Internet Cafe....
Hi Guys,
As far as I've read up everything re opening a bar in LOS, I understand (and accept) this is a very risky & expensive adventure, especially having no experience in this arena or running a business in Thailand. I wouldn't even go near there, besides, biggest threat would be me No#1 customer.  Now, little do I read about ppl who are running/or tried to run an Internet Cafe. I know they are also in countless numbers out there, but am I right thinking that the relative low investment would enable me to find out first hand, at relative low risk: - How to gain experience and conquire all necessary paperwork and dealing with gov, working visa etc. - What it means to have a 51% Thai partner(ship) in the business (and the 6 others) - What it really means to run a business in Thailand and meet/deal with the locals from a different perspective - Anything else I do not know about right now... In addition, it would help tremendously to learn Thai, which all together could open doors to new opportunities. I would not depend on this business to support me, but would rather consider it as an entry point. I would appreciate to share any experience or comments you have on this topic. Thanks ub2yoo Last edited by ub2yoo : 07-07-2006 at 02:16. 
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#2
07-07-2006, 02:30
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Ok i dont want to sound like a twat but i want you to ask yourself a few questions first 1. Have you spent any prolonged time in LOS? 6 month stints etc... 2 How are you looking at Thailand... Through the eyes of someone who has LOS blues.... Goggle eyes if you will.... 3 Have you savings incase everything goes wrong in Thailand 4. What about work to return to... Do you have contacts.... 5. do you have someone in Thailand you can trust? I dont mean a girlfriend i mean more a wife... 6. What experience do you have in running a buisness? 7. What are your main reasons (and be honest with yourself, Im not implying anything but with yourself you need to be honest) of wanting to move to Thailand........ I think first of all these questions are more important... I would never put anyone off but when i was researching i found that these questions were more important than what i wanted to do out there..... But good luck in whatever you do
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Life is like a box of chocolates..... you go to Thailand and get greedy 
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#3
07-07-2006, 02:55
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The internet place that I went to was about $4.50 US per hour and sometimes the place was packed(lots of kids playing video games) and other times, like in the late morning, the place was empty, I was the only person using a station so 15 computers were not in use.
There are lots of internet places around and now with Wifi lots of resorts are converting to that so less people will need to go to Internet cafes anymore. Don't think this will be a good investment either.
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variety is the spice of life. I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. Mav's a hasher, not a basher, Tell me it ain't so! Mav, he sits on ice, says it feels nice, enjoyed it so much, he did it twice.
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#4
07-07-2006, 03:06
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Hi Cyber,
These are GREAT questions, the same I'm asking myself all the time. But true, I don't think I can answer all of them a 100%...I guess I wouldn't be asking for advice on a discussion forum if I could  Quote:
No, only several times for 2-3 weeks. But if I would decide to go for it, I would stay a while and check things out onsite before I get into contracts etc. Quote:
YES, since 6 years, ever after my first Thailand visit I've been thinking of it all the time, but now I'm in a way better position to even consider it.Quote:
I've got my house in the UK which I could rent out, it's almost 45% payed off by now. I'm also in progress selling my house in Holland now since it's empty since 5 month, lettings are going very slow there, there's no demand, ppl rather buy now. Maybe I gain something from it, don't know yet. I got some saving yes, not really blowing though. Quote:
Should things go wrong, I strongly believe I can go back and get a job in the same industrie, being 34 now, should I wait until I'm 40 ? Quote:
No wife, no, but good question, I let you know should I choose that path Seriously, that would be an adventure I guess.Quote:
No experience running a business by myself, but at least I'm in the Internet business since 10 year. Quote:
Thailand hooked me and I always wanted to give it a try to live there, at least to give it one try. Besides, if I won't go for a business, I would consider to take a 1 year break, but I would be proud of myself if I could accomplish more than that. Thanks for your reply !! Greetings ub2yoo
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#5
07-07-2006, 03:13
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Seafox, that's a very good point !!! Keeps me thinking.
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#6
07-07-2006, 03:27
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This has been discussed on the board several times, have a look through the expat forum. Basically there is next to no margin in it to sustain any lifestyle that you would expect.
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Look you tools, no mod cap!!!!
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#7
07-07-2006, 03:35
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mhh, I did a search on "Internet Cafe" pre posting, but I haven't seen any discussions ? I know there's no way to make a living of that, the thought I had was if it could be a good entry point to get my foot in here and learn about how things are going, gain experience, and then move on to other opp's. But reading Seafox's reply, I guess I'm 1-2 years too late for this now. Okay, let me go back into my corner and brainstorm, unless you've got some other suggestions ? Greetings ub2yoo
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#8
07-07-2006, 03:35
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See that is another very good point..... Another reason which got me thinking would it work out.... Really you would need something new.. An idea that hasn't been done yet.... Good advice stevem
__________________
Life is like a box of chocolates..... you go to Thailand and get greedy
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#9
07-07-2006, 03:41
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Just one more thing......Is it Thailand you want to go to or would you be happy being just living in Asia.... (Before i suggest this and get ridiculed i would like to say i have done no research at all but someone who decided it was what they wanted to do could do by themselves)
It might be worth looking into neighbouring countries like Laos and Cambodia... possiably parts of Malaysia aswell... See what work permits and visas are like to get and how buisnesses are obtainable...I know its not the same as Thailand but your only just a short hop away... Worth considering the possiability... But there is a lot of research to be done there... Just another train of thought for you but i am unsure how realistic that could be
__________________
Life is like a box of chocolates..... you go to Thailand and get greedy
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#10
07-07-2006, 03:51
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Lots of good advise in this thread.
http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ex...=Internet+Cafe Posts #18 & 19 especially useful, this is an expat with a lot of Patong experience.
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I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers Last edited by dawsey : 07-07-2006 at 04:01.
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#11
07-07-2006, 03:54
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Somethings are abit difficult to find, and I think that these discussions may have been embedded in someother unrelated thread.
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Look you tools, no mod cap!!!!
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#12
07-07-2006, 03:59
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Hi Cybernator, Why just one more thing, please don't stop sharing your thoughts. (Although, I can't understand why you just moved to Germany, I left that place after living 11 years in Bavaria, about 12 years ago Well, no, I haven't been to Laos or Cambodia, what's your experience with these countries ? Malaysia, no thank you, I'd rather go back to Bavaria...the story's I heard were more towards a strong enforcement of law ? But I haven't been there, so I can't judge really. Greetings ub2yoo
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#13
07-07-2006, 04:12
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Why did i move to Germany... good question....saw a job there and i thought it would be good...Job hasn't planned out the way i wanted to but also i wanted to get out on my own for a while and experience something new also i like Hessen... well apart from Frankfurt its a bit of a dive for the most part although south is good for eating... I havent been to Cambodia or Laos personally... Although i am planning to spend some time out in Cambodia next year.... Laos is for another time... i dont think ill be able to cram all that in during a 5 week period (Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos) When i posted that i had no idea where you have been but mainly just thoughts for you to consider... always more options than you first think
__________________
Life is like a box of chocolates..... you go to Thailand and get greedy
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#14
07-07-2006, 04:18
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I have lived in Malaysia for a number of years, admittedly sometime ago, but I feel the police are more visible in Thailand than Malaysia. But in Malaysia the police are more consistant, not like in Thailand where you just dont really know what may happen. Dont believe someone's stories go and find out for yourself. I would go and live again in KL if situations where different.
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Look you tools, no mod cap!!!!
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#15
07-07-2006, 04:20
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Okay, Okay, now I feel kind of embarrassed. dawsey, thank you for sending that link ! Everything I asked for is in there already..jeizus, for fxx sake. Well, I'll blame it on the search engine, it's as worse as my company's public knowledgebase "non-hit - no customer service" (no offense to the board, please, just technology, you know So, please ignore and close this thread ! Thanks ub2yoo
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#16
07-07-2006, 04:34
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Nah,we'll let it run and let you squirm a bit longer  Seriously,the Search function can be a bit "hit and miss" and even using the advanced feature,unless you know where to look for your subject,won't turn anything up. Don't feel embarrassed,its happened to us all.
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I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#17
07-07-2006, 04:34
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So you think it would be worth to offer at least one week of a Thailand trip to explore it, well, it's not too far away, so I might do it Thanks ub2yoo
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#18
07-07-2006, 04:42
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Well, I also like the food there, but, jeezus...take care of your belly I quite liked the rise soups for breakfast in LOS, I think it's more healthy ! Greetings ub2yoo
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#19
07-07-2006, 05:05
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Oh yeah Cyber, one more comment: Please, don't get involved with any girl in Germany, they are so much worse than any BG in Thailand, just my experience (they also might cost you way more money and you find your self doing the dishes in the kitchen) Greetings ub2yoo Last edited by ub2yoo : 07-07-2006 at 05:07.
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#20
07-07-2006, 05:24
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I like Tom Kao for breakfast as well. You say that you work in the internet business. Is there any kind of contracting work you could do from home - that home being somewhere with decent computer access?
That way you may be able to live in Thailand and earn a semi-decent salary, your CV wouldn't have any blanks on it.
__________________
"管它黑貓白貓，會抓老鼠的就是好貓"
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#21
07-07-2006, 05:48
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Last week my company had a open headcount in Bangkok, I called to get more info, but speaking Thai was a prerequisit. Bummer. You know, my job it's pretty much customer facing, giving presentations, trainings and sell the stuff etc. Hence my thoughts to stay here for a year or so, learn the language...and then I guess I got better opportunities to move on. But then again, I'd rather would love to do it for myself, even non-profit just to get into it and learn, and not for some multinational corp. where you never know what they are planning next...! Yep, please, give me that internet business money making machine I haven't found it yet.Thanks for your reply! ub2yoo
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#22
07-07-2006, 10:22
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