Job Discussion Forums

[vash3000]

Hi guys,

Little about me: Worked in Japan for 3 years (on and off) then took a little vacation to Thailand.

The intention was to stay a few weeks.

Five months later, I was dragged away due to a family emergency. That has now passed, so I'll be returning on Sunday.

I love Thailand. After the initial euphoria passed ... and I stopped trying to project my values on the culture (largely related to relations), I had an amazing time. Even spent a month in a temple.

Nonetheless, the entire time ... I stayed in Chiang Mai. I kept telling myself I should leave. But the city was so great, everything I wanted (except a beach) for pennies. I found a great apartment (Boonthaven Ct) for about 5000 baht a month (air con, room cleaning, wi-fi, TV) ... and a cheap meal could be had for about 20-30 Baht. I think I rented a motorcycle for about 80 Baht a day.

And another bit, the foreigners there were exceedingly cool. In Japan, I generally avoided other gaijins ... Thailand, though, brings out the best in people. Likely (I suspect) because they are there by choice, and not neccessity.

So here's my question:

I really enjoyed my time in Chiang Mai, but I've seen pictures of the beaches ... and they look amazing. Is it vastly more expensive to live somewhere in the south (Ko Samui? ... Krabe? ... I apologize for the spelling, those are just a few of the places I remember being told were beautiful)

My work is online, so all I'm really looking for is a beach, fast internet connection (in my apartment/room), and living cost comparable to Chiang Mai (if possible).

A nightlife would be nice, but isn't a priority. There are cool people everywhere.

I know this is more a teaching forum, but if anyone could shed some light on the lifestyle/costs near those wonderful beaches, maybe it would be of some value to others looking for work.

Thanks again, everyone.

Best,
V3K

[vash3000]

Not to be pushy, guys ... but I'm landing in Bangkok on Tuesday or something.

So ... we'll make it simpler:

What are your favorite cheap beaches (with solid internet)

Cheers!
V3K

[sigmoid]

well, I gotta a few minutes before my massage. All the masseurs are busy at the moment, so I decided to kill some time on the internet.

There's heaps of info on the internet if you do a search and Kurt Krehoffmann has compiled all the best stuff about Thailand on his MASTER INDEX at the top of the forum:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=12862

in case you can't find it. Scroll down until you see "Virtual Tourists: Southern Thailand".

I don't think it's greatly more expensive in the south, but I think it is somewhat more expensive. It depends a lot on where you go and now it is high season, so you'll probably notice a fairly significant difference.

The main difference in my opinion is that it's a lot more 'touristy' and crowded and southern Thais are known for being more aggressive. As a result I haven't spent a lot of time down there. To me it didn't have the same laid-back feeling as other parts of Thailand.

You might also check http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com

I think you'll get a lot more responses there if you need tourism info.
There are also islands on the eastern seaboard, mainly Ko Samet and Ko Chang. Any place that has tourists has internet but the price of that can be way high.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

xxxx

[hails]

I was going to say Hua Hin sounds like your thing, too.

I'm moving there next month.

GL

[sigmoid]

Hua Hin? NO way!! It's way expensive and the beach is filled with fat old tourists and pony poop.

Don't go to Hua Hin.

[vash3000]

Arrgh!

You guys are killing me!

I posted similiar on another forum and Hua Hin was recommended, followed by many nays.

My life is nothing but pain.

From the looks of things, Koh Samet has received many recommendations ... but I am concerned about the internet connection. I, unfortunately, need to be plugged in for about 9-10 hours a day ... non negotiable.

Well, I have about 12 hours before my flight leaves so any last minute recommendations would be cherished.

Thanks gentlemen, and I greatly appreciate the feedback I've received so far. I'm a last minute sorta guy, but it is nice to have a few voices helping me as I flail in the night.

So to recap:

Hua Hin is winning so far cuz I love the beach, need a cheap place, and internet is required.

But horse poop and cost conspire together, making a potential kryptonite.

Koh Samet?

Your input is cherished and in desperate need.

Thanks everyone.

Best,
V3K

(ps Not sure if this is of any help to anyone, but if you go through Yahoo Cheap Travel, I got a ticket from San Fransisco to Thailand (return) for $545 via Eva.)

[hails]

Hua Hin from everything I've researched isn't expensive. Maybe slightly more than Pattaya but who wants to live in Pattaya? I've been offered a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom furnished aircon home for 8,000B, home not apartment. Not expensive. As for horse poo, I think this happens on the main beach in town... erm.... there's more than one beach in HH...

Might see you there if you go

[hails]

Don't know about Koh Samet. But would have to imagine living on an island would have its limitations.

[hails]

8,000B/month that was

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

xxxx

[vash3000]

Well, I'm about 8 hours from leaving ... and ya all have won me over.

Hua Hin it is.

Here's the plan:

1) Land in Bangkok

2) Use JohnnyK's advice to get to Hua Hin:

If you are already in BKK the best, fastest, cheapest and most convenient way is from Victory Monument - getting to the southern bus terminal is a pain.

Information is updated as follows:
Cost is now 160 baht. A/C Minibuses leave every 20-30 minutes from Victory Monument.
Take the skytrain to Victory Monument stop. Exit and stay to the left. You will walk along an elevated walkway for a few minutes that will bring you down into an area of market stalls and shops. You will see a hospital across the road to your left.

Go between the shops/stalls and come out on to a sidewalk in a small road. You will see a line of minivans. Across the road in front of a metal fence you will see guys sitting at small tables, ask anyone of them for HuaHin (Wah Hin) they will point to the right table.

Buy the ticket (the seller will point to the correct bus) and go back across the road.
Best seat (IMO) is behind the driver. Takes about 2.5 hours depending on traffic and/or weather.

3) Find cheap place to stay (Tientong guesthouse, perhaps), while I wander around looking for semi-long term digs.

And if I tire of plump Germans after a month, head to the islands.

----------------------------------------------

Gosh, I feel so organized. Can't remember the last time I landed in a new country knowing what I was going to do.

Thanks everyone. This forum has been immensely helpful.

Hope to be seeing some of you soon!

Best,
V3K

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

xxxx

[colonel]

I've lived in and around Cha-Am now for four years and I prefer it to Hua-Hin for several reasons. Check it out yourself as the choice of location has to be entirely objective.

K.F.K. wrote:-

[hails]

Mmm, guys, really, speedo's???!!! Sorry here in NZ we'd laugh atcha. A pair of good old boardies is the ticket

Glad to see you have a plan. I'm planning to stay in the Tientong guesthouse when I get there too. Emailed the owners and they were very helpful, even offer to help you find longterm accomodation.

If you stay on this forum once you arrive, my daughter and I could meet you for a bowl of noodles