Starting up new business in Buriram - advice/ideas please!

[dundeemk6]

In 99% of the cases urleft is right, of course you have those foreigners who say : "but my girlfriend is different" ... these are bled the worst and they don't realise it ... listen to the obvious advice : go live at least 50 km from her family ... that business from admin is a very good opportunity ... no investment and everything is up and running ... only a monthly rent and the running costs ... and everytime your misses wants to go home see her family go with her and keep her company all the time .... be sure she doesn't have a "brother" that wants to come and live with you ... it will be her thai lover/husband !!!!!
Do not start buying land/houses from "the family" for the first three years ... you will end up getting nothing and paying at least double prices ... keep low profile and try to make the business there going on ... and least of all : in Buriram you've got a lot more opportunities for a foreigner (foodstuffs/restaurants/beerbars/foreign community) than up country ...
Good luck !!!!!

[candy]

Your advice is absolutely amazing! 

I hope you have a happy life.     

[dundeemk6]

Amazing but accurate if you want to start here without start up glitches ... just to be on the safe side ... first get settled and accostumed ... I came here 8 years ago, did all the usual "mistakes" ... and learned from it ... now I live a happy and confortable life with my wive and two kids ... but a lot off hassle (and hard cash) could have been spared if someone had advised me in my first years here ... but you seem to be in the class of those who say : "but my wive/girlfriend is different ... lucky you candy ...

[Charlie]

I think the difference of opinions is related to how long people have been in Thailand. When I first met my wife(over 10 years ago) the farang population in Buriram appeared to be very small. At that time we were only coming to visit Buriram for a couple of weeks at a time about twice a year. My wife and I had a shop on the outskirts of Bangkok. She saved her own money to give to her parents. She was able to do this as I was taking care of us. All of her money was hers.

Now in Buriram Province we have a nice house, not big but nice, a car, nice furniture, good range of electrical products etc.

These are things that we have bought together over the last ten years.

The farangs that I have seen turning up, in recent times, at the village where I now live seem to be under more pressure to get these things together quicker.

A bit like " the lady down the road has it, why don't I?" There are also a few ladies, to which I have chosen to turn a blind eye, that do have "a brother" living either with them in the house or just down the road  when the husband is overseas.

So just to say that from my point of view my advice now would be to take things slowly. My advice 10 or more years ago would not have been quite as cautious.

I have treated and still treat our relationship exactly as I would if I was married in the UK. ie. would not be showering my wife/girlfriend with lavish gifts until I was totally sure of our relationship. Those that do, in any country I may add, often become unstuck.

Is my wife different?

[Vombatus]

If you are interested in 3B, seriously consider moving into the Building with your GF and just visiting Nong Ki.  One problem with living among the family is that they will be hitting you up to money all the time (all Farangs are rich). 

I would not commute that far, but then I realize I get pissed off at stupid drivers, which seem to make up about 95% of all drivers.

one problem with living among the family is that they will be hitting you up for money all the time.
UNBELIEVABLE
not everyone is the same,some good some not so good,the way you have put it ,ALL thai people (family)come across has TAKE TAKE TAKE AND THAT IS MOST CERTAINLY NOT TRUE.
it's also called taking care of your FAMILY.

Only a fool would not at least listen to URLEFT's advice.

There are MANY cases where Farang's have been ripped off and an equal number of cases where there is a Thai boyfriend in the background.

Of course, it does not apply to everyone and every situation is different in it's own way. That does not obviate the need to tread with caution in Thailand.

URLEFT did not use the phrase "ALL THAIS" although I can understand how it could be inferred that all families might hit on a Farang. I have been fortunate and have not, to the best of my knowledge, been ripped off anywhere. What little support I have given to the family, I have done so willingly. There are times when I have declined to support. I take care of my partner and have created the situation where she can use her money to honour "the debt" to her mother.

I believe that I stepped carefully for over 3 years, checking for inconsistencies and being wary of any 'set ups' for money. My simple advice is come to Thailand with your eyes open and only put into Thailand what you are prepared to leave in Thailand.

[Vombatus]

I think the difference of opinions is related to how long people have been in Thailand. When I first met my wife(over 10 years ago) the farang population in Buriram appeared to be very small. At that time we were only coming to visit Buriram for a couple of weeks at a time about twice a year. My wife and I had a shop on the outskirts of Bangkok. She saved her own money to give to her parents. She was able to do this as I was taking care of us. All of her money was hers.

Now in Buriram Province we have a nice house, not big but nice, a car, nice furniture, good range of electrical products etc.

These are things that we have bought together over the last ten years.

The farangs that I have seen turning up, in recent times, at the village where I now live seem to be under more pressure to get these things together quicker.

A bit like " the lady down the road has it, why don't I?" There are also a few ladies, to which I have chosen to turn a blind eye, that do have "a brother" living either with them in the house or just down the road  when the husband is overseas.

So just to say that from my point of view my advice now would be to take things slowly. My advice 10 or more years ago would not have been quite as cautious.

I have treated and still treat our relationship exactly as I would if I was married in the UK. ie. would not be showering my wife/girlfriend with lavish gifts until I was totally sure of our relationship. Those that do, in any country I may add, often become unstuck.

Is my wife different?

Good post Charlie

[candy]

It's nice to hear the good stories instead of the usual negatives.More positives please.They make for a happy life   

[Charlie]

Indeed Candy.

However my post did also mention some negatives.

I don't think the people who post bad stories on here are doing it maliciously.

I believe they, as I, have seen things or maybe even experienced things and they feel they should be mentioned.

Whether it is 1 million on a house or the fact that brother borrowed the motorbike and brought it back with no petrol in it we have all "probably" experienced an element of someone taking the .........  .

[jones the rice]

It's nice to hear the good stories instead of the usual negatives.More positives please.They make for a happy life   

NEWS FLASH OF THE YEAR   candy listen to this one will make you laugh
someone in the family took the motor bike and brought it back with no petrol.
i cannot believe some of you on here.

[Charlie]

Sorry Jonestherice. I was using that as an example. Showing different levels of monetary loss that people experience.

Things that would maybe not happen elsewhere.

Please go back and read my posts fully. Then maybe you will understand.

[candy]

There are two sides to every story.Maybe,just maybe,then again quite possibly,the 'Wags' may think they deserve something from their loyal men folk.You know the ones.Those that frequent the karaoke bars(knocking shops),take innocent trips with their mates to the seaside or neighbouring countries e.t.c. Just food for thought.

[jones the rice]

Sorry Jonestherice. I was using that as an example. Showing different levels of monetary loss that people experience.

Things that would maybe not happen elsewhere.

Please go back and read my posts fully. Then maybe you will understand.

i understand what you said but i was just thinking how many times i have heard people say that and it just made me laugh,some of the farang are really unbelievable,don't you agree?

[jones the rice]

There are two sides to every story.Maybe,just maybe,then again quite possibly,the 'Wags' may think they deserve something from their loyal men folk.You know the ones.Those that frequent the karaoke bars(knocking shops),take innocent trips with their mates to the seaside or neighbouring countries e.t.c. Just food for thought.

does that really happen candy.maybe the farang are just going to VISIT THE SISTER.

[Charlie]

Good point candy. Would be interesting to know how many people on here can honestly say they have been totally loyal to their wives.

Jonestherice. Depends which way you look at it. If you turn a blind eye to the motorbike situation what about next time when brother asks to borrow your car. Or 100000 baht? If he has had a free turn before he might just think about going for more.

Not that unbelievable I don't think.

[jones the rice]

Good point candy. Would be interesting to know how many people on here can honestly say they have been totally loyal to their wives.

Jonestherice. Depends which way you look at it. If you turn a blind eye to the motorbike situation what about next time when brother asks to borrow your car. Or 100000 baht? If he has had a free turn before he might just think about going for more.

Incidentally it was my wife who berated the brother. Not me.

Some, and I say some, family members in some, and I say some, situations need to differentiate between the words "borrow" and "have".

Not that unbelievable I don't think.

don't know about the brother borrowing the car.
my wife only has sisters.