Is it time to LEAVE!? 🇹🇭 

Please don't take this the wrong way. You are about 20 years too young to be based fulltime in the boonies. I tried it when I was 40 and still got bored and needed to get back to Bangkok. Now at the age of 55, I am happy to live here in the boonies with the occasional trip to the coast somewhere. You are both still young, so my advice would be to move to a bigger city, and let's not forget. Your mental health is equally as important as your physical health. Some people forget that making "real" friends can be hard in the sticks, even if you speak Thai, the friendships you make are not on the same level as it would be as with a westerner. That's my two pence worth, other than to say. Don't go back to the UK if you don't need to. You have already left mentally and going back will be a huge reverse culture shock. Anyways, sorry for waffling. 🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

I lived in rural Ubon for about 4 years and enjoyed it but chose to return to Australia to work for another 10 years before retiring. My wife is now permanent resident of Oz

Better not leave Thailand as the rest of the western world is in a sad shape, but its a good idea to move to a place with a bit more farangs to socialize, my wife is from Isan but neither her or me would wanna live there and Europe is nice for a short holiday, i still love my own country but Thailand is a more secure place as it has been for many centuries and became home for many cultures, i live in Hua Hin👍

Hi Joe, regarding your comments about schooling for your future family. My experience living in rural Thailand, Warin Chamrap....we gave the village school chance however it didn't work.... basically the teacher teaching English could not speak English....our now ten year old son is fully ensconced in a large school in Warin Chamrap, he loves it. We decided Nud & myself (Nud is my wife) we would only speak English in our home...... he's doing really well, so glad too see you as as young Brit & your wife are making a go of it, especially been so geographically close to us. All the best, Andy, Nud and Tianchai xxx

Very interesting video you made it caught all my attention while i was watching

Don't move back to the UK you will totally regret it. If I were you I would either move nearer a city or a popular seaside resort.

A nice not too touristy spot on the coast would be brilliant mate. I'll have to suss Rayong one day

Great video, I am in Samut Prakan, love it near the city (30 minutes on BTS) but feels like a village in the day time lots of markets and things to do here.

Im thinking of going part time spending my time 50/50 uk and thailand. gf currently works and sells prawns like most do here. She wants to set up a restaurant if that all works and makes money then i see it being possible. I still have a good 30-35 years til retirement so don’t want to cut myself away from the uk completely

Hi, this is a great video I stumbled on... I am in similar position to you except I am currently in BKK looking to relocate with the Thai wife and two children (1 already in school two years here, and 1 about to begin summer). We were set on Chiang Mai (she is also from the North West in rural Tak), but the air has really put us off. Then we considered Rayong too, but now are placing Surat Thani up there as main choice. It is a largeish Thai town (not too touristy). The tourism certainly is there but they are usually passing through as they enter to head toward Samui, and the islands via a short ferry to East, or there's an easy drive West to phuket/ krabi on the west of it, so it kind of sits in middle being that rural/ Thai style country life living offering very affordable housing and schools, yet super easy access for beachy get aways. Samui itself is large enough to opt for a relaxing getaway or a party resort.. That plus the air is much nicer year round on the South which was a plus for us. There's an international school already, but now a new british one in building phase due to open this summer that we are checking out next week. UK is always a discussion, but I am just put off with living full time there! Cheers.

Hi Joe, great video and very interesting to hear the realistic perspective of a much younger expat in rural thailand. I been living in Suphanburi for about a year on retirement visa and this ia a very "normal" place. 100% agree...thailand is only cheap if you have western level wages... for local thais it is expensive! Buy a car, TV, land..ect...often more expensive than in my home country USA. Found you from the Cobra video on Facebook feed. ! Enjoy life and good luck with your business.

Thumbs up 👍 Joe

I want to live in Sriracha near my son. Quirky little town, one hour south of BKK and 35 mins north of Pattaya. It has a big Japanese influence and is an easy escape point to other areas. Just need to get out of the UK at all cost.

A serious question as I have seen some news about vloggers being arrested for not having a work permit which allows them to create content (Chinese national recently). Is it legal or illegal to earn money from RU-vid without the proper work permit?

Me and the partner are having the same discussions for the future when i move over. The big point is the schooling, but we both dont want to live in bangkok long term. So right now the compromise is live in Ubon until high school then move to bangkok to go to an australian international school for 5 years. Hopefully have a house and land in isan, condo in bangkok and a beach property somewhere else, just move around all 3 depending on the mood haha. Still got plenty of time to try everything and figure it all out.

I'm currently in Hua Hin, which has many retirees. I've also lived in Jomtien and Bangkok and visited other cities and islands. If I were looking to network and do business, then I would not consider anywhere other than Bangkok. While there are always some opportunities wherever you go, why limit the number by choosing a location that is in a lower league? Living in the outer areas of Bangkok, rather than the centre, can also be very affordable. Hope this helps.

What I would like to know is, your a young man, how do you make a living to enable you to stay in Thailand ?

Interesting vlog. My circumstances are somewhat different to yours due to age. I'm moving to Sisaket this year, but purely for retirement. I understand your choice with Rayong, as it would be my choice if not for my partner. However you will gain a beach, but the lifestyle will be relatively the same. For your age, I would choose Bangkok, which would serve the working requirements, while remaining in Thailand. Don't even consider returning to the west!!! Yes you will make more money, but at what cost. Good luck in whatever adventures you decide

Sound is much better

Interested to know what kind of businesses you are considering in Thailand?

What about Hat Yai or Songkhla in the south? There are plenty of networking opportunities there and good schools too. Very few farangs, but lots of Malaysians and the area is very multicultural: a mix of Malay, Thai and Chinese. Check it out.

Bangkok is your answer. Work and fun there. Make lots of friends.

No I’m not coming to live in Thailand. I’ve lived in Denmark for 30 years. It’s fine enough here😉

Come to Jomtien, which is a little outside Pattaya, can rent a house easily, and two hours from Bangkok.... also a decent restuarant/ nighlife in Jomtien....👍

That's why I live in the UK and currently finding it difficult to move back with my kids as the education system is poor and expensive. (I speak Thai and used to teach in Thailand) I did see bullying of half Thai kids as well.

Have you looked seriously into Rayong ? We went there one 14-15 years ago and I thought it looked good, and I liked the look of things from what I saw from other RU-vidrs but now my wife says there are many 'factories' or something... and that makes it bad. Don't really believe her tbh. She went to Phuket recently to look at houses for us to buy but seems very expensive and too busy now from what I've seen.

The education system in the UK is not as great as people think. Do you want your kids to be taught about gender recognition at primary school? Do you want to have to ask permission to take them on holiday during term time with a penalty of both parents being fined if you do? Do you want your kids' teachers to have more say over your kids than you have? No! the education system here is not what it used to be. Neither is the NHS; two-year waiting list to see a consultant in a hospital and being refused doctor appointments because there are no appointments available. Also if the novelty of moving to Thailand is wearing off, will the same thing happen if you move to a different part? Time normalises everywhere and at least you can go visit the beaches for your treat: travel by road is something they are trying to make very difficult one here. Enjoy your life, you can only take memories with you 🙏🏻

Do your future plans include having kids ? I understand the appeal of Rayong but they seem to have regular chemical fires etc so make sure you're not downwind of the industrial area !!

I live in Phangnga near Khao Lak and love it. The area is super nice, not crowded at all, close to the beach, close the airport, generally just convenient to travel anywhere by minivan or drive to places like Khao Sok, Krabi, get to many islands, etc. Close enough to Phuket but not heavy with traffic and inflated prices. It still feels like Thailand but we have western food within a short drive. I would never want to live in the north or Isan, no offense. I understand you’re there because of your wife, but now would be a great time to settle somewhere else. It’s not fair to sacrifice your life just to make your wife happy. Just my two cents. The heat is bad everywhere but it’s worse up there, plus the pollution makes it unbearable. Same for Bangkok. Bangkok is fun, but being in a big city in that weather is just stifling. The air quality is much better in the south. Half the appeal of Thailand for me personally is being near the water. Not sure if you’ve been to this area but you should check it out.

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Rayong....

You can try ubon

Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket are far from cheap these days. When was the last time you bought cheap cheese and wine anywhere in Thailand?

I moved to Rayong 1month ago after 1year in Chiang Mai, and all i can say so far is that i made the correct choice for me. :) Hope you find what you are looking for m8, thanks for the videos!

Khun poot pa sa Thai ging mak loey Krap Pom

Hi Joe...one more thing...even in Suphanburi, the western food choices are limited...I would love a mexican burrito, a good pizza or a real beef hamburger right now! But, I do have KFC, McDonald's and pizza hut nearby...and Bangkok ia only about 1.5 to 2 hours drive..cheers

Most buffalo 🦬 farang take they Thai brasses back to they home towns

bye bye

Sisiket is a ridiculous place to live for a young person. Even when older there's so many other nicer places outside of the central plains regions. Sure if you're a farmer the land is cheap and available but otherwise what are you really getting there?

goodbye

England is fallen forget it 🎉

Has anyone ever told you , you look and sound just like Eddie Howe . The Newcastle manager!!😉😉

Yeah I think you should leave you tube...

Hi Joe, regarding your comments about schooling for your future family. My experience living in rural Thailand, Warin Chamrap....we gave the village school chance however it didn't work.... basically the teacher teaching English could not speak English....our now ten year old son is fully ensconced in a large school in Warin Chamrap, he loves it. We decided Nud & myself (Nud is my wife) we would only speak English in our home...... he's doing really well, so glad too see you as as young Brit & your wife are making a go of it, especially been so geographically close to us. All the best, Andy, Nud and Tianchai xxx