First, we would like to thank you for being part of our story and for wanting to learn a little about us and why we decided to move halfway around the world!
And the story goes…
What began as a lighthearted joke about “retiring young” quickly grew into something serious. We realized that with hard work, meticulous planning, and some sacrifice, the opportunity to live life experiencing another culture and growing ourselves was well within our reach.
In an attempt to enrich our lives, we decided to trade in our jobs, sell everything we own, and board a one-way flight to Thailand in March 2013. We landed in Chiang Mai, a city in Northern Thailand, and have been there ever since.
What is Tieland to Thailand?
We started Tieland to Thailand as a way to casually share with our friends and family what life was like as expats living on the other side of the world (quite literally), but it has evolved into so much more.
Tieland to Thailand has become a blog that inspires, informs, and empowers travelers who are curious about what it’s like to leave society’s “normal life” behind and travel around and live in Thailand. For five and a half years, we have shared the ins and outs about life abroad in a level of detail that our readers hunger for and have come to know and love.
We’ve tackled visa hurdles, new food culture, off-the-beaten path travel spots, teaching English, and budgeting abroad. We’ve written about our experiences with exactness and honesty and have essentially paved the way for the next traveler who wants to follow in our footsteps and make Thailand their home.
We encourage you to explore our site. Get lost in the details and eventually you’ll find yourself thinking, “Wow, I should go to Thailand!”
Connect With Us on Social Media
If you love the information found on our blog, we also share experiences and other exciting events about our travels in Thailand (what doesn’t make it on the site) through our social media channels. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Be sure to join our free private Facebook group where past, present, and future Thailand expats connect!
About Chris
Chris grew up in three different countries and has moved over a dozen times in his life. Although he first looked forward to residing in one place and settling down permanently after meeting Angela, the travel bug got the best of him, and back in the summer of 2011 he found himself wanting to move again, this time to Thailand!
After serving four years in the U.S. Army’s Presidential Honor Guard, he accepted a corporate leadership position in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. He is passionate about health and fitness and has certifications in personal training and nutrition.
Chris is enjoying his new-found freedom to be able pursue the things that inspire him and has found living minimally to be more conducive to traveling. He loves spicy Thai food and the fact that he won’t have to drive in the snow and ice. He has spent much of this time experimenting with different workouts, expanding on his web development and social media management skills, and cultivating a positive online community for Thailand expats.
About Angela
Angela grew up close to Washington, D.C. and has lived within that area all of her life. It wasn’t until she was 26 that she finally got her passport and traveled outside the US for the first time. It was the beginning of what was to open her eyes to the wonderful world of traveling.
Angela earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and worked for a research facility for five and a half years before she decided that she wanted to travel full-time.
Angela is always looking for activities to keep her busy. Because of her love for all things food-related, she can be often found spending her free time searching for and experimenting with new recipes, trying out new Thai food from local markets, and finding new restaurants and cafés.
Now in her early 30’s and at the five and a half year mark in Thailand, she is still pursuing her goal of learning to speak and read Thai. She’s always thinking of new topics to write about to help travelers and expats overcome hurdles so often experienced when traveling around and living in Thailand.
HELLO!
I am considering moving to Chiang Mai with my boyfriend by April or May 2020 from California, USA.
What visa would be the best to apply for? We are planning on saving as much as we can beforehand. How much should we have saved at the very least? We might consider working part-time out there teaching English. I am just trying to get as much information from people who were and are in a similar position that we are in.
Thank you!!!
We are excited for your move! If possible, get the METV (multiple entry Tourist Visa). Otherwise, get the single entry tourist visa (30 days) and then extend it at your local Thai Immigration Office (one in every province in Thailand ) for an additional 30 days. We would suggest saving at least $6000 ($2000 for three months), which *excludes* your airfare to Thailand. Hope this helps.
Hi. We are going to chiang mai in January. It will a belated honeymoon (getting married in 4 weeks). Although our 14 year daughter will be with us lol. Although we live in Turkey delivery of post here just doesn’t happen, so was wondering if I can get your books in the UK?
Hi there, our books are digital and delivered via email :)
I’m moving to Chiang Mai this upcoming January! My partner and I are looking forward to growing ourselves and our businesses in the land of smiles. I have visited a few years ago and can’t wait to share this wonderful place with him. I’m trying to learn Thai before the move because I think that is an important part of being a part of a new culture. That is how I found your blog! I am very excited to make this leap, but don’t know really know what to expect when it comes to moving abroad.
Congrats to you and your partner, Emily! Moving to Chiang Mai will be an exciting step in your life. It’s fantastic to hear you are already being proactive in learning the Thai language. We think being able to speak and read a little Thai really comes in handy, especially if you go a few miles outside of the city center where not many people speak English. Moving abroad is a big mix of emotions – thrilling, fun, confusing, and frustrating at times, but you’ll do great :) We wish you all the best!
I’m interested in moving to Thailand. I was in Chang Mai for three weeks and loved it. It’s a beautiful country, friendly people and great food. I am intrigued with eastern medicine as well and wish to retire there. This time I will apply for a 6 month continuous visa and visit the Maha Sarakham area. If all goes well, I will be enjoying all the simplicities Thailand has to offer while 6 months of winter sets in back home. Your thoughts are always welcome.
Thanks for sharing! We wish you all the best. We’ve never been to Maha Sarakham. What brings you out there?
I the same thing, sold everything and got on a plane… landed in Thailand and really only miss the USA when I am “mi con dio” (every ones phonetics is different lol) in a group of Thai friends and they are speaking ‘lao lao’ and I ‘mi kochI’ I love Thailand, the food. the customs, the people.. it is all a great experience.. I retired and have enjoyed nunge pee of no work but I am getting bored, rather badly, which is how I happened across your web page… just a shout out and think you have a great idea… Read more »
Thanks for commenting, Jim. We get bored too! Trading in the 9-5 and surrounding oneself with people whose culture and language are different than our own is isolating. But, there are so many perks of living in Thailand, that sometimes we can ignore the loneliness. We hope that in time you continue making friends and speaking Thai.
Hi!
Great blog. I’m interested in staying in Thailand for ideally 6mo-1year volunteering. I’m wondering if it’s easier to just go there with a 30 day tourist visa and get the volunteer visa while i’m there, or if it’s recommended to get it before arriving. Please let me know your thoughts!
We think it’s easier to arrive on a tourist visa (30 days + 30-day extension from the nearest Provincial Immigration Office), find a company who will sponsor your volunteer paperwork, and then do a visa run to Vientiane, Laos or Penang, Malaysia and apply for the Non Immigrant O “Volunteer” Visa. Be sure to begin contacting companies just before you get to Thailand on your tourist visa. Since it often takes 4-6 weeks to get the volunteer visa paperwork in order, you need to get the ball rolling at the start of your tourist visa. Good luck!
Hello Chris and Angela,
On you previous posts you have some very nice, custom made feature images. Examples such as “Bangkok Vegetarian Festival” or “Things to Do in Koh Chang, Thailand”. If I may ask, what did you use to create these? Was it a software or some kind of online site such as Canva, etc.?
Thank you,
Dean
We use Canva. It is not difficult to learn, so you should be able to begin making images on the first day. Good luck!
Does this mean you all are fairly fluent in Kahm Mueang, so that conversation is listening and participating socially, which not even close Thai can do if their Kahn Mueang is limited. Did you find any particular resources helpful? I have found very few and have had to resort to making my own learning materials.
Yes, we did a post about three books and five YouTube to learn Thai language.
We’ve also wrote our own 100 Easy and Useful Thai Phrases and Words for beginners.
Hi Chris and Angela,
I’m planning for one week trip to Chiang Mai on budget and its my first time in Thailand. I’m curious about the average expected daily expenses there (expect hotel and flight)? and how much does it cost to rent motor bike for one week?
Regards/Alfin Paul
There are many bloggers boasting that you can travel around Thailand for $20-$30 per day. Yes, it’s possible, but we only recommend doing that if you’re comfortable only ever eating street food, using public transportation, and not going on any tours, and buying very few souvenirs. A motorbike rental is about 1000 – 1500 THB per week (30 – 45 USD). Have a great trip!
Are you there on an ed visa?
Yes, one way we’ve stayed in Thailand for the long-term is by studying Thai on an ED Visa.
Chris will a international drivers license allow me to rent a scooter or must I have a motorbike license?
In our experience, motorbike rental companies never check whether you have a license or not to rent for them. HOWEVER, to ride legally (so not to be pulled over by a cop and get a ticket) and to be covered by insurance in case of an accident, you MUST have an international driver’s license that is checked off for the motorbike if you want to rent a scooter while in Thailand. You can get that check mark as long as you have a motorbike license (most likely from your home country).
HI Did y’all have a big savings account heading out there? Also do you have pics of “getting by” and “better” living places?
We have considered making the move and your blog has respired this is in =}
Working , what are the requirements to get a job and what is readily available? thx
Yes, we made sure to have a big savings account before going to Thailand, although Angela also taught. We should write a post comparing “getting by” and “better” living places (GREAT idea). Here’s a post about our “better” living place: Our New House in Chiang Mai. Here’s a particularly good example of a “just getting by” from another blogger: A Tour of My Thai House.
To work you need a bachelor’s degree and a Thai company who has enough $$$ in capital (so it must be a large business) and enough Thai people (4 Thai people to 1 foreigner).
Much thanks guys for the reply and info.
You’re welcome :)
Hello I found your blog exciting and very informative. I am definitely wanting to teach abroad especially there in Chiang Mai. I am only part Asian of Thai descent. I would love to teach English, and psychology as well. I currently have my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and my master’s degree in psychology, also finishing up my PhD in psychology. That being said I also have student loans, and a personal loan. I’m pretty sure I will need to eliminate the personal loan before considering teaching abroad due to the fact that I will be taking a pay cut. Any… Read more »
We’d highly recommend paying off your debt before coming to Thailand. You’re right, you will take a pay cut, and it’s very difficult to pay off loans on a Thai salary. If you want to teach psychology, your best option is to teach at a university. The pay is low (roughly the same as teaching at a private school, roughly 800-1000 USD/month) but the hours are low too. In your free time, you could tutor English on the side for extra money. Good luck!
Such a helpful site. My husband and I arrive in Chiang Mai next Monday and have booked accommodation for 2 weeks very close to the old city. We are staying until early March and would like to find serviced accommodation. Is there an area you would recommend?
Thanks for commenting! We recommend staying in the Nimman area (if you are looking for Western comforts and conveniences) and Chang Puak area (basic, Thai style). Please reference our Chiang Mai neighborhood map so you can see where those areas are in relation to the Old City. Have a great trip!
thanks
morning can you rent a scooter in thailand and return the shooter in Puket?
That is a question you’d have to ask the specific rental agency.
Hi, Where do we start to move to Thailand permanently?
We can help :) We offer individualized advice that will alleviate any stress you have about how to move to and settle into your new life in Thailand. We can talk over the phone on Skype. You can check out our Thailand Coaching Sessions for more details and our rates. Hope to hear from you!
you are so nice! I am being grateful to see you be impress in our country, Thailand. these all were very wonderful trip and I hope you’ll enjoy with your next trip, it’ll be very exciting to read your blog soon. be pleasure and have fun!
Thank you for your comment :)
I desperately want to leave my job and move to Thailand. I have no problem with selling all my stuff other than the fact that it will be a lot of work and I probably wont get a lot for most of my things. Over the years I have accumulated way too much and I just don’t want it any more. I want to live a minimalist lifestyle and have more freedom. I own a townhouse right now and I plan to sell that before making a big move like moving to Thailand. I don’t know much about the Visa… Read more »
Thanks for commenting. It’s great to hear you want to make Thailand your new home. You really have the motivation to sell your things and book a one-way ticket with your pup to live here. You can browse our section on visas, but our articles primarily focus on short-term stay options. If you would like long term options, we offer individualized advice over Skype or by phone call that will put your mind at ease and help take the stress out of your move and integration into Thailand. We can provide you with rates if you are interested. Please email… Read more »
My husband and I plus a cat will move to Thailand next month. We are so excited and nervous. I’m glad I found your blog. I’ll go through all and hope we can learn from you. If you have any tips to make smooth transition, please share. Thank you.
Please read our “Shipping a Cat to Thailand” blog post. It has a lot of useful information to help you with your move.
There are many great articles that will help you with your move published on our site. If you want personalized advice for your specifc situation, we encourage you to book a Coaching Session with us!
Hi There, Four of us our traveling to Thailand for the first time. We will have 3 weeks. We know we want to see Bankok of course, as well as Chaing Mai, see “wild elephants” in a national park, Kui Buri seems to be the best bet for that, as well as a week on a quiet non party island at the end. We are trying to figure out how to put the itinerary together, and how to travel; flight, car and driver, rental car, train, or as I just saw on your site VIP bus? So I wondered if… Read more »
We don’t have a travel agent we can recommend to you that designs travel itineraries and makes bookings on your behalf for your trip to Thailand. However, WE offer travel advice as well as solid suggestions for where to go, what to do, where to stay and what to eat over Skype or phone call that will put your mind at ease and help you outline the best itinerary based on your interests. We can provide you with rates if you are interested. Please email us at: blog [@] tielandtothailand.com for more details. Hope to hear from you!
happy new year!! what a blessing to find your site. i am planning on taking my 17 year old daughter to chiang mai from april 13 – 27. this trip is going to be a surprise for her. she is a junior in high school and is seriously looking at taking a year off in between high school and college to pursue some animal conservation/sanctuary work. her most favorite animals are elephants and that is what will be bringing us to chiang mai. she will be at the elephant nature park. in my reading, i understand that april is a… Read more »
We are so excited for you and your daughter to come to Chiang Mai on her spring break! Yes, it will be hot during that time of year, but if you don’t mind the heat you will be ok. There are plenty of ways to stay cool: lots of 7-11s around to step in AC and grab a cold bottle of water, cool massage shops to relax in during the hottest part of the day, and lots of shady cafes selling yummy iced coffee drinks. Yes, do it! You can volunteer for a week at Elephant Nature Park! The company… Read more »
Hi! I’m going to be in Chiang Mai for 4 weeks in July for a medical internship. Is it possible to get around without knowing the language? with only 3 weekends to myself, what are the ABSOLUTE must places to visit and foods to try within that time frame? Any additional tips on staying comfortable in the heat?
Hi Savannah, we are excited for you! You do not need to know Thai to get around the country. Most likely you will be traveling to all the touristy and foreign-friendly cities where people speak English.
far as absolute must-try dishes, things to do, and places to stay, please check out our guide books that answer ALL of those questions. Have a great trip!
I am so excited to have learned about your site today and hope to use it in our future travels. Would love for my little girls to take ina different culture and appreciate the little differences in everyday life. Best of luck to you guys!
We’re glad you found our site! Wishing you and your girls a lifetime of adventure!
Hello… After many bleary eyed late night blog crawls I found your site and what a difference. We were looking for unbiased information and finally, it seems, found it. Thank you, Chris and Angela. In January 2019 we will be departing LAX bound for Bangkok and then on to Chiang Mai. My brother and his wife own a fruit orchard just outside of Amphoe Fang. After their new home is completed, we will be staying with them. We followed the same steps you did just thirty years later in our lives. We sold the ranch (literally) and sold or donated… Read more »
Congratulations, Karl and Robin! We’re so glad to hear you’ve found our site on your quest to move to Thailand :) It’s great to hear you have family already in Fang, which is great to help you get settled in and acclimated to the Thai culture quicker. While you wait for your brother and his wife’s house to be built, we recommend using ddproperty.com to find a place to live. If you want to be by the Old City, we recommend looking for a place in your budget in the Ban Jed Yod, Santitam, or Haiya areas. Good luck with… Read more »
Thanks guys for the welcome and info. Maybe we can have lunch in Chiang Maii sometime.
Hi!
We (3ppl) are now planning to visit Chaing Mai, Chiang Rai & Pai coming mid-Dec. for 6 days.
Initially was planning to drive around but now that there will be 5 more are joining us.
We have booked all our lodging but what will be the best way to move about within these 3 places?
What do you think a van & a driver? Do they have such service and whom shall we get in touch with?
Thank you very much…..sebastian
Wow, that’s great to hear you have so many friends able to explore Thailand! For that many people, we recommend hiring a private driver. Check out Chiang Mai Lady Driver on Facebook. She has a large commuter van that will accommodate your party. Have a great trip!
Hi guys!
i just read your post about going to Penang for making the extension of your Thai visa and it was very useful, you mentioned that it was the easiest way to do it, where else have you been to renew your visa? I will have to do it next month but Penang is not my favorite destination… maybe some suggestion?
Ilsa
We have also gone twice to Vientiane, Laos to apply for a new Thai visa (not to extend it). We find the city completely drab and the Thai Embassy overwhelming and disorganized. Most of the time, however, we have applied for a new Thai visa during our trip back home to the US.
Hello Angela and Chris,
My husband and I are making plans on retiring in Thailand. We both are American citizens, and we were wondering how can we live in Thailand permanently? Interesting to know you, Angela, is from DC. So am I :-)
How do you do it?
Looking forward to hearing from you
Sharon
The biggest hurdle is the visa. If one of you qualifies for a retirement visa (55 years old or older and must have 24,200 USD in a US bank account to later be transferred into 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account), then the other can get a dependent visa and you’re set. Be sure to maintain those visas each year to stay long-term. If you’d like personalized visa advice as well as help finding housing, communities, things to do, etc, we offer Thailand Coaching Sessions. Hope to hear from you soon!
Thank you for your reply! That’s great information. I’ve shared your site with my husband…
Hi Guys,
when you are travelling do you use a cattery?
thanks\
Aidan
Do you mean a cat boarding facility? Yes, we do. in fact, we just picked up our cat this morning after getting back from a month-long trip to the USA.
Wow! This is cool. I felt inspired by your story. I am 31 and living in a Southeast Asian Country. Thailand is actually the first foreign country I have visited, twice actually, in 2016 and in 2017, both in Bangkok. I really didn’t feel different, it’s like I’m in my home country but Thailand is much safer (I can say). I enjoyed the hospitality and politeness of Thai people. They are respectful to their traditions. Most of all, I love Thai food! :) Hoping to pay my next visit soon.
Thanks for putting this online – it’s inspiring. We are visiting Chiang Mai in early October and can’t wait to experience the culture… I hope to get some great photos too …
Awesome, incredible, and inspiring. I am a 51 yr young ex US Army combat veteran (11B2PV Chris) living in Chiang Mai a few years. I was thinking of how fantastic it would be to watch the ‘Persid Meteor Shower’ from the top of Doi Inthanon on the evening of Aug 12th. Because of the New Moon, the visibility would be breathtaking and something very special to write about/record. I have never been there but it seems like a great place. I would be very interested to share the experience and cost with positive, healthy people such as yourselves. What do… Read more »
We think that’s a great idea – going to Doi Inthanon to watch the stars – because there are camping areas on Thailand’s highest peak. Are you a part of our Thailand Expat Hub Facebook page? If not, please join and suggest this idea to the members. We have a large following who live in Chiang Mai and we think others would be interested.
Unforautnely, we won’t be in Chiang Mai the evening of Aug 12th to watch the meteors with you. Thank you for thinking of us, though!
Thank you very much for starting this page, the information is incredibly useful. My husband and I are small business owners (I am an elephant portrait artist) we have corporate travel/tourism/art and teaching backgrounds and have been debating moving between two destinations for the better part of a year. We are actually leading a group of 12 ladies to Chiang Mai in January for an artistic retreat. After the retreat we will be investigating some of the nuts and bolts of moving- I plan to mine this website from top to bottom and just requested to join your FB group.… Read more »
We think the best thing you can do is to come to Chiang Mai and see for yourself just how amazing it is! We did just that – visited CM on our honeymoon and then we moved here five months later :) Have a wonderful time at your retreat and yes, please join our FB group. We also offer Thailand Coaching Sessions if you want all your questions answered in one fell swoop. We’re very excited for you!
Hello guys! I dont know if I should post here in this area but I am a little desperate because I can’t find information about it. I saw a post from a mexican girl Vanesa Villaseñor in the visa/re entry permit post, and she had the same situation I have now, I don’t know if it is possible I can contact her to check if she could manage to get the re-entry permit through Krabi’s airport or in the immigration office and how hard/easy it is?…. this is her post: Hello I am leaving to Hanoi from Krabi airport and… Read more »
You can get a re-entry permit through any international airport in Thailand. HOWEVER, you must be flying out on an international flight. For example, if you are flying from Krabi to Bangkok (on a domestic flight) and then checking in with a different airline and flying from Bangkok to another country (on an international flight), then you must apply for your re-entry permit in the Bangkok airport. If you are on an international flight from Krabi to another country, then you can apply for a re-entry at the Krabi Aiport. Think of it this way: Whichever airport you are checking… Read more »
Hi. A couple of weeks ago I read something somewhere on your website about a day motorbike trip (a loop). I can’t find it anywhere! We are in Chiang Mai now and we’re hoping to do this loop but I can’t remember where it goes (was it to a dam?) and directions. Help please if possible – only here for a couple of days.
Caroline
Hm, we have a DIY Chiang Mai Day Trip post that mentions the Samoeng Loop (a scenic motorbike ride), but there’s no map. We also mention a trip to the Huay Tung Tao Lake and Mae Ngat Dam in that same post (which then links to their individual full-info posts). We’re sure it’s in there somewhere!
Hello!! I have been looking everywhere and it seems like Chang Mai checks all the boxes for me except the weather unfortunately but you can’t have everything !! I know that you have said repeatedly that April May and June is unbearable due to the burning -does it make a difference if you live just outside the city proper where it is perhaps, less congested? If not and you must leave the city what do you do? Where you go and how do you make this financially feasible ? I also I’m trying to sell many of my belongings and… Read more »
Hi, India and thanks for commenting :) It’s wonderful to hear you want to move to Chiang Mai. It’s such an amazing city for expats in that it has so many things to do, great restaurants, and shops supplying expat needs (but you probably knew that already :) ). Sadly, the city is plagued by smog in March and April (and in some years, May, too) and you can’t escape it because it blankets the entire northern half of the country. The only way to get away is to travel 1000+ kilometers down south. But that’s just a good reason… Read more »
We are like you but lot older decided to sell everything and move to our place in Lo Khanun been here since July 2017 have battle all the same hurtles.
Love living in Thailand!
Thank you so much for your blog – really enjoyed reading it and all the info. Hope we can meet one day! thank you and have a beautiful sparkly day!
Thank you. ……you have inspired me…i hope to say hi in Chiang Mai in November! !!
Hi Everyone, I would like to thank Angela and Chris for their very professional web site and advice. Can’t wait until you have your members’ platform ready. I teach Photography and are a practicing Photographer in Australia looking to relocate to Thailand. I hear Chang Mai has a vibrant creative Art scene. Would love to hear more about that or have some contacts. I’m looking to relocate initially into Bangkok as a larger city would have more opportunities to do some work in the creative digital industry. I’m currently researching and doing experimental work using Virtual Reality in Photography and… Read more »
Thanks for commenting, Phil :) Sorry for not responding sooner! Thailand is such a photographic country and you’ll love the opportunities in the city (like the graffiti and canals) and the countryside (temples and hill tribes). Chiang Mai has a growing art scene and there are many weekly events where local and international artists mingle. We’ll sure you’ll fit right in!
I was a lawyer. Did not sell up everything to ‘YOLO’ which seems current young person thing to do, but worked hard, saved and invested to retired early at 50. Now enjoy living and working in China as a teacher. Retirement and travelling was too boring for me! I come to Thailand twice a year as Chinese jobs have lots of holidays. I am very impressed by the high quality of your blog and joined your Facebook. I am in Chiang Mai now so would like to meet other intelligent people like yourselves. I am interested to help. I can… Read more »
Awesome blog! Was looking around for opinions on Hua Hin. Am thinking of taking a road trip from Malaysia to Hua Hin and is wondering if your opinion on the place still stands?
Kind regards,
Cheryl
Thanks, Cheryl! Glad you’re finding our blog useful. Our opinion of Hua Hin hasn’t changed, but we haven’t been back in over a year. Can’t imagine the area has changed much though. Enjoy your trip!
Hi Chris and Angela,
Many thanks for sharing your experience and travels on this blog. It has been insightful and informative.
Best,
jwny
Hi Chris and Angela
Many thanks for the info provided, really helpful and consistent to make a decision.
I have a job offer in Sisaket from an agency. What would you advise for the below as in location, salary?
28,000-32,000 baht (Salary raise is based on qualifications and experience) + Housing allowance of 3,000 baht per month
– Semester to semester contract
– Free Work Permit
– Necessary documents for Non B visa (2,000 Baht Visa fee compensation per semester)
– 40 ours per week, 18 to 24 periods/week
Thank you in advance for any feedback& keep up the good work!
Looks good for the location! The only thing we’d recommend is to accept a workload of no more than 18 hours per week.
Wife and I have been thinking about moving to Thailand for a few years, Chang Mai not first on the list, would love to live at the beach, Hui Han or Phuket maybe, but I am flexible, might use CM as home base and just ‘vacation’ at the beach a lot. Have a few questions for you now that you have been there for around 4 yrs: Still love it and knowing what you know now, would you do it again and would CM be your home? Is the burning season as bad as I have seen some claim? The… Read more »
1) Yes. Chiang Mai makes is so easy to be an expat. It’s relaxed, super safe, has countless foreign-friendly things to do, and you can be in the countryside in less than 20 minutes. An all around win. It won’t swallow you whole like Phuket, Bangkok, or Pattaya. CM is a great stepping stone for other parts of the country. 2) Burning season is horrible. Other expats or travelers try to brush it off and tell people to ‘man up to the smoke’ but science proves just how detrimental the PM2.5 particles are to your lungs, even if you are… Read more »
Thanks so much for the info. I am thinking about visiting Thailand next year to make sure I pick the right local for my wife and I, around Thanksgiving time. I was thinking if I should rent a car, I have good rates and will try to visit CM, Phuket & Hui Hin. Two questions, good ‘season’ to visit and good or bad idea on car rental. I will get an international permit if I do the rental. Thanks once again for any feedback.
For maximum comfort, yes, rent a car! And we just wrote a good post about when is the when is best time to visit Thailand. (The short answer: November is amazing).
Personally I love April – Songkran, the heat, little rain. To each their own.
Stumbled across your blog looking for a good somtam recipe for my chef friend stateside. Dig it and dig your style. Keep up the good work!
Sawatdee from BKK
Hi Chris and Angela. Thanks so much for your blog and the inspiration. It is fast becoming my go-to resource for all my CM questions. I’m approaching 60, however have maintained the same attitude to life I had when I was 28. My wife’s puts it at about 12! I’ve been working since I was 15 and, like you, am ex-military – 21 years Royal Navy. I’m not wealthy, by any means, but frankly I want to continue life’s adventure, whilst I’m still young enough to do so. For example, I want to do a motorcycle tour of Thailand, Laos,… Read more »
Glad you’ve found our site to be so helpful. We love your enthusiasm! It sounds like you’re financially prepared for the move and have a great plan to settle in CM but explore much of the surrounding countries. What a nice Christmas present to you both if you seal the deal and arrive in town before the end of the year. That’s a good time to come and enjoy the celebrations with many expats and expat-related activities in town. P.S. Thanks or purchasing our Expat Itinerary.
Hi guys, I sent you a private message, then it dawned on me that your answer could be helpful to others. So, I’ll repost my questions here : ). We are a family of 5, one wife, one husband, three small children (ages 4-8), and we’re potentially interested in moving to Asia (possibly Thailand) for a period of 1-3 years. Having small children is a caveat that often separates us from others who dream of leaving the States to reside abroad. Basically, if we’re going to uproot the lives of our children too, we’re hoping for “some” assurances that if… Read more »
Didn’t get your private message, so it’s good you messaged us here. If you want to live in Thailand for 1-3 years, the multiple entry tourist visa won’t be good enough for your family (you’re right – extensions every three months, leaving the country every (different) three months, and it only lasts up to 9 months before you have to get another visa.) Instead, you should consider one of the long-term ‘Non Immigrant’ visa type. They last one year and only require one extension (done IN Thailand) after initially applying for the visa (done OUTSIDE of Thailand). The Non Immigrant… Read more »
Guys,
We couldn’t thank you more for taking the time to write this response to our questions : ).
We’re in the beginning phases of planning, weighing options like “settling” for the year in one place (like Chiang Mai) or moving on a month-to-month basis (more stuff to see/less VISA worry on the long term front), but this information will be helpful as we consider one route over another.
I thank you again and will certainly retain your info for future Q’s or needed coaching.
Jason
You’re welcome. When you’re ready, let us know how we can help!
Hey, what does Tieland mean? :)
Tieland meaning the “land of ties” = office life where people wear ties. It’s pronounced the exact same way as Thailand :)
Oh. Duh. Now I get it. I like it.
“… won’t have to drive in the snow and ice for a very long time to come”.
I can really relate to that right now! It’s snowing and I just had to shovel. Again.
Gah… so over snow. Was happy to not see a single flake when we visited the US in Nov 2016.
Hi. I just read several posts of you guys and really enjoyed them. I’ve traveled a few countries, but none of them allowed long term stay; I’m talking more than one year. Even if you are some very popular Youtuber with huge amount of income every month(meaning you can be on vacation while earning), the requirement for long term stay is always 1. to work for the local company or 2. to study full-time at local institution. So my question here is, do you actually do ‘the run’ every time or have some other method to stay?
No, we’ve never done ‘the run’. We have done both #1 and #2. Crazy, huh?
Hi Chris and Angela, We are from New Zealand and my husband, 4 kids, aged 12, 11, 4, 2 are doing our research on moving to Thailand. I traveled over there about 18 years ago and have always wanted to go back. I am sure it has changed immensely. We are looking at visas and it looks like if you want to have the possibility of staying permanently eventually, you need to be in Thailand on a non-immigration visa for 3 years to be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency. I have been reading lost of your blog and trying… Read more »
Hi Mandy and family. We’re excited about your potential move to Thailand. You’re right – staying in Thailand on a tourist visa can get expensive, particularly with a family of six. A long-term option such as a Non Immigrant ED Visa (for studying) is better and will allow you to stay for one year without having to leave the country to apply for a new study visa. We’ve heard you can study one discipline (ie. Thai language, Buddhism, self-defense) for up to five years across two different schools. Additionally, you and your husband do not both have to have an… Read more »
Dear Chris and Angela, are you able to suggest hotels in Chiang Mai close to all of the attractions? Also have you any idea what is the best mode of transport from Krabi areas to Bangkok and how long is the journey? Thanking you kindly.
Hi Patrina! Yes, we’ve made several recommendations for hotels in a list at the bottom of our ‘Things to Do in Chiang Mai‘ post. Plus, each of our one-week Chiang Mai Itineraries includes four hotels of various prices. All hotels are either within the Old City or within one or two kilometers outside of the square moat for the ‘best’ (i.e., most convenient for visitors) location. Thanks for asking and hope you find one you like!
Oh, and fly from Bangkok to Krabi. It’s a one-hour flight.
Thanks for your info on the floating houses! Expat myself living in Hong Kong, from Virginia Beach, and I love Thailand. It’ll be my first time to northern Thailand and I’ll be in Chiang Mai for Chinese New Year on the 28th of January-5th February and really interested in getting on one of the floating bungalows. Any recommendations for Chiang Mai as in personal favorites for pubs and vegetarian restaurants? Looking forward to getting out of this smog in two weeks!!
We hope you have fun in Chiang Mai. Better act fast to secure a room at the floating bungalows, though. You and every other Chinese tourist and Chinese-Thai local will be there! Give Pun Pun vegetarian restaurant a try (near the airport, NOT Wat Suan Dok – it’s not the same one, although the latter gets way more publicity).
Good Day
im looking for help as im looking for a teaching psition in Thailand just completed my TEFL course ,Do you possibly have any advise for me
Indeed we do. Please take a look at our posts in our Teaching section on the blog. It has some good leads to help you out.