Phuket Thailand

fleur · #1 18-07-2005, 18:13

Hi
I am completely new to chat forums but desperate for some information.
I have read through, with interest, the topics that may answer my queries on this website but cannot find the answers to the many specific questions I have so help would be appreciated by those in the know!

My partner and I are considering emigrating to Thailand and wonder how easy it is to purchase property there (a house, not a flat), I understand that the land houses are on has to be purchased by a Thai company but wonder whether we would be able to buy property at all.

Also, I'm not really clear on the Visa situation. We would not require jobs so would not need a work permit. I understand there is an elite visa but again, not really sure of the ins and outs. Also how long are we able to stay there before reapplying for visas. By the way we are under 50y.o.

Could anyone also give me an indication of weather. I understand it ranges from 30-40C and is extremely humid for six months or so. How do expats cope with the heat and humidity?

I would also like to know about crime levels. I note that some houses are in gated complexes and others are sold with their own security guards. Is crime an issue? Are some parts of Thailand worse than others?

Any replies would be very appreciated.

Kind regards.
Fleur

stevem · #2 18-07-2005, 20:09

The elite card when originally released with great fanfare offered purchasers for B1m all sorts of privileges, but stopped short of opening the door completely. The program has been considerably watered down to the point where to is nolonger a going proposition for most people.

Without knowing the ins and outs of your life, you would be best to go along have a chat to your nearest Thai embassy.

LivinLOS · #3 18-07-2005, 20:21

Thai consulate in Hull will issue you a Non immigrant o visa (even though they shouldnt really) based on visiting friends or family.. Valid for 1 year with visa runs every 90 days..

Burg · #4 18-07-2005, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleur

My partner and I are considering emigrating to Thailand .. and wonder how easy it is to purchase property there .. I'm not really clear on the Visa situation... not really sure of the ins and outs... Could anyone also give me an indication of weather. .. I would also like to know about crime levels...

You want to emigrate to country X and you don't even know about some basic things of that country? Seems like a well considered decision.

Let reverse it: why Thailand? What do you think is so nice here compared to your home country, Fleur?

andy50 · #5 19-07-2005, 00:43

you cant "own"the land that you build your house on in thailand fluer,unless your thai ,you can only lease it for 30 years ,then another 30 years after that-
the thai gov dont let johnny foreighner own any land outright
the best thing to do is go and live there for say, a year to see if you like it ,(rent a place )
visas are a pain in the butt as far as i can see ,if you overstay they boot you out, or chuck you in jail

Sirgezza · #6 19-07-2005, 05:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burg

You want to emigrate to country X and you don't even know about some basic things of that country? Seems like a well considered decision.

Let reverse it: why Thailand? What do you think is so nice here compared to your home country, Fleur?

Chill out Burg. You are obviously disillusioned with Thailand, but there is no need to be so negative with a newbie. As the poster says, they are ''considering emigrating'', so no decision has been taken.

As for knowing basic things, then surely a website with a title ''Phuket-info'' is a good place to start.

Shagrath · #7 19-07-2005, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by gez

Chill out Burg. You are obviously disillusioned with Thailand, but there is no need to be so negative with a newbie. As the poster says, they are ''considering emigrating'', so no decision has been taken.

As for knowing basic things, then surely a website with a title ''Phuket-info'' is a good place to start.

Exactly!
This is in fact the "Newbies area."
Thailand is an exellent choice, well worth looking into.
Best of luck Fleur.

JayBee · #8 19-07-2005, 14:46

Hi Fleur,

Let me just say that I hope that you like HOT and SWEATY weather if you decide to live in LOS for any lenght of time. I am a person who rarely ever breaks a sweat normally here in the US. I basically have to be doing heavy physcial work(like running a jackhammer!) on a hot day to even get any perspiration under my arms, and never get it on other parts of my body. I go to the gym regularly and work out for hours without so much as a drop of sweat.

However, when I was in LOS for the entire month of April in 2004, I could not walk a block in BKK without my shirt being nearly drenched back and front, and mopping it from my brow. At no time during the day could I spend more than an hour out of doors, and it was only a little more bearable at night. It was like living in a furnace there. Not as bad for Thais, because they can take the heat better, and don't sweat so easily. Phuket was a little better but only if you were within a block of the beach. Samui was better only if you were within 50 meters of the water's edge.

That experience really shattered my dream of someday living in LOS, because I could never bear that kind of heat for long. However, I was told by Thais at the time that it was an exceptionally hot year in 2004. Other years I have been there only in December, January, February, and March. Dec., Jan., and Feb. are really quite nice. Usually it is only about 90 degrees F in the daytime in Dec. and Jan. and low to mid 70's at night, which really complements the late night party lifestyle in Patong, when the winter evenings are quite lovely.

This year Jan. was great as usual. By Feb. 1, it started to heat up and I noticed myself breaking a sweat easily, just by walking a block or two. But it backed off after the first week, and didn't really heat up much over 90 again until March. Even March was bearable, although noticeably hotter.

I have never been there in the summer or autumn months when it rains a lot. In the winter it doesn't rain hardly at al, and I always enjoyed it when it does. Quite dramatic with thunder and lightning and very refreshing for a little while afterwards. The weather reports for most of LOS very little during those month, usually saying high of 89 degrees F with chance of thunder showers. That seems to be the weather report every single day in the summer.

In Chiang Mai, it does get cold at night in the winter. By 11:00 PM, it is time to don long sleeves, and at about 5:00 AM, it is quite chilly and I had to ask for extra blankets both times I was there in January.

I've reconsidered the possibility that I may want to live there some day, but if I ever did, I would leave in April and take a trip to a cooler climate. Of course, I would have to experience the summers there before I could ever make such a decision. Reading weather reports or hearing of someone else's experiences is no substitute for first-hand experience.

JayBee

erik1 · #9 19-07-2005, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shagrath

Exactly!
This is in fact the "Newbies area."
Thailand is an exellent choice, well worth looking into.
Best of luck Fleur.

well it is Burgs main goal, be negative. Don't think I ever saw a positive one.

fleur · #10 19-07-2005, 19:07

Thanks to all of you for replying (except to the obvious one who was no help at all - good to see you all soon put him in his place!).

Kind regards
Fleur

Sirgezza · #11 20-07-2005, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleur

Thanks to all of you for replying (except to the obvious one who was no help at all - good to see you all soon put him in his place!).

Kind regards
Fleur

You are welcome - keep us updated with whatever you decide to do.