Wickedfire Travel Thread

tangy said:
Why the fuck are so many people moving to Thailand

Y'all into ladyboys and chicks that have the body of a 14 year old kid?
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Scheme said:
Why does every affiliate marketer love Thailand? I am just curious.
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Cost of living and decent internet.

You can easily live off $20 a day in thailand and eat out for all your meals + get fairly decent internet. Any idiot can pull down $20/day in adsense revenue so it's a pretty decent option for a lot of people.

If you're willing to spend a bit more then you can get some extremely nice beach front villas/apartments and eat like a king.

When I travelled there a bit more than a year ago, I spent something like $2k during a one month period and probably 80% of that was spent on booze/binge drinking.

This thread has made me long for some nicer weather, maybe I'll check out where is going to be nice in a few months time and take a trip to get out of this horrid melbourne weather.
 


If you are traveling in places like south america/asia, the costs of traveling can be less than your cost of living in the US.

I also wouldn't recommend even THINKING about living in another country until you've spent at least 6 months there, and taken a look at the surrounding countries.

@greyaisha - I've spent a lot of time all over south america and live here now, pm me if you got questions
 
Scheme said:
Why does every affiliate marketer love Thailand? I am just curious.
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Been living in NE Thailand for over a year now, and wouldn't change a thing. To each their own, but for me personally, this is an excellent place to settle down and make a home in. I'm renting a nice 2 storey, 4 bdrm, 2 bath house for $150/month, internet here is great, etc.

There's too many differences between here and Canada to list. For one, I actually know my neighbors, they all know us, and we all get on good together. I see my neighbors probably at least half a dozen times everyday, and it's great, I love it. When I was living in my luxury condo in downtown Vancouver, I think I said hi to my neighbors twice during the entire year.

I love the non-judgmental attitude of Thais, where whoever you are is fine. Whereas in the West, everyone in the back of their minds' will usually try to pick out discrepancies, or things they don't like about you. Here, that mentality simply doesn't exist.

I like going to the street market everyday to pickup my groceries, versus going to some 45,000sqft Safeway, or whatever. Kids here are actually kids. There's none of this "scheduled play date" bullshit going on, like in the West.

I miss my family and friends in Canada, but other than that, not much. Living in Canada is like living in a big mall. The streets are basically just used as corridors to get from shop A to shop B. That's just not how I'd prefer to live my life. I'll take the ease and freedom NE Thailand offers, before living in a strictly regimented society like Canada again.
 
Kiopa_Matt said:
Been living in NE Thailand for over a year now, and wouldn't change a thing. To each their own, but for me personally, this is an excellent place to settle down and make a home in. I'm renting a nice 2 storey, 4 bdrm, 2 bath house for $150/month, internet here is great, etc.

There's too many differences between here and Canada to list. For one, I actually know my neighbors, they all know us, and we all get on good together. I see my neighbors probably at least half a dozen times everyday, and it's great, I love it. When I was living in my luxury condo in downtown Vancouver, I think I said hi to my neighbors twice during the entire year.

I love the non-judgmental attitude of Thais, where whoever you are is fine. Whereas in the West, everyone in the back of their minds' will usually try to pick out discrepancies, or things they don't like about you. Here, that mentality simply doesn't exist.

I like going to the street market everyday to pickup my groceries, versus going to some 45,000sqft Safeway, or whatever. Kids here are actually kids. There's none of this "scheduled play date" bullshit going on, like in the West.

I miss my family and friends in Canada, but other than that, not much. Living in Canada is like living in a big mall. The streets are basically just used as corridors to get from shop A to shop B. That's just not how I'd prefer to live my life. I'll take the ease and freedom NE Thailand offers, before living in a strictly regimented society like Canada again.
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I know this'll be a little weird, but any chance at pics of said house for $150/month? Or just one comparable. Now you've got me intrigued.
 
clyde said:
Justi Dupre dates supermodels in Thailand.

Every Affiliate Marketer can date supermodels in Thailand.

justin.jpg
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Button up shirt with graphic tee bro? really? No wonder this kid can't fuck an american chick
 
Kiopa Matt, what town do you live in?

Love this: "Living in Canada is like living in a big mall."
Describes much of the U.S. as well.
 
Been around Europe a lot.

Also planning to move to Thailand after I get my degree. I didn't know so many other AM's were fans, but my reasons are:
1. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap.
2. Beautiful land + beaches
3. Asians girls drive me crazy. In a good way.
4. Everyone says the majority of people (in non-tourist areas) are super nice.
 
CitizenSmif said:
I'm in the same situation OP, however I don't think I'll be able to regularly bank enough online to survive.

Does anyone have experience of going travelling with little cash? I know people do it, just not how. The only logical way I can think of is taking shitty jobs everywhere you go but it seems impossible.

What sort of places to stay at? How to manage to get work? What sort of work? etc
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If you can make a little money, you can easily make it happen. Teaching English is your best bet if you're intimidated about affording a roof over your head. I'll bet you have a placement agency that's closer than you think:

TEFL Courses | Teach English Abroad Course | TEFL

^^I'm not vouching for the course in that link, but I found it in seconds. How much you get paid in addition to lodging & expenses will vary from country to country..but it's super easy if you've been a good boy and are allowed in to your country of choice. I spent a little over a year in Thailand, 2 years in Korea, same in Japan. This gives you a reason to stay longer than the 2 months, or less that most countries will allow you to stay on a traveler's visa and your always given breaks where you can jet off elsewhere if you have some extra cash.

Think about it: You know how to speak/write in a language that the entire world wants to learn.

If you don't want to go the teaching route, just save enough for a visa and plop down somewhere in Europe -- Plane tickets are the biggest expense. Everything else can be dealt with once you start your journey.
 
IMHopeful said:
If you can make a little money, you can easily make it happen. Teaching English is your best bet if you're intimidated about affording a roof over your head. I'll bet you have a placement agency that's closer than you think:

TEFL Courses | Teach English Abroad Course | TEFL

^^I'm not vouching for the course in that link, but I found it in seconds. How much you get paid in addition to lodging & expenses will vary from country to country..but it's super easy if you've been a good boy and are allowed in to your country of choice. I spent a little over a year in Thailand, 2 years in Korea, same in Japan.

Think about it: You know how to speak/write in a language that the entire world wants to learn.
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I'm extremely interested in Thailand and Philippines. Would love to speak to one of you guys that live there about it.
 
Crynos FYI, not so cheap anymore. Some things are still cheap, like renting a house up-country as Kiopa Matt mentioned. But the dollar and pound have tanked against the baht (used to be 42 baht to the dollar, now 30) plus inflation and fuel prices are way up (diesel used to be 14 baht per liter, now 35) have had a big impact. And some things are much more expensive in Thailand than the west like electronics and cars.

Still cheaper than the west but unless you want to live like an up-country local (which is pretty meager) you need some decent money. Fresh out of college you are going to have trouble staying long term due to visa and working issues.
 
geomark said:
Crynos FYI, not so cheap anymore. Some things are still cheap, like renting a house up-country as Kiopa Matt mentioned. But the dollar and pound have tanked against the baht (used to be 42 baht to the dollar, now 30) plus inflation and fuel prices are way up (diesel used to be 14 baht per liter, now 35) have had a big impact. And some things are much more expensive in Thailand than the west like electronics and cars.

Still cheaper than the west but unless you want to live like an up-country local (which is pretty meager) you need some decent money. Fresh out of college you are going to have trouble staying long term due to visa and working issues.
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To live on the beach in a decent place, 2-3 bedrooms, what would you estimate the entire living costs to be per month?
 
Teaching English in Thailand is a pretty crappy way to get by. The pay is low (30,000 baht per month which is about US$1000) and most often the working conditions and treatment are pretty crappy.

The only thing teaching English does for you is it gets you a non-imm B visa that lets you stay long term, but be careful there because lots of schools hire illegals (which would be you if you don't have a work permit) and will string you along saying they are working on it for you when they aren't. Working illegally is not such a good idea as someone may rat you out one day and you will have the once in a lifetime experience of spending time in the immigration detention center before being deported and barred from reentry.

If you know how to make teh monies online you can do a lot better than teaching English. The visa issue still looms.
 
geomark said:
Crynos FYI, not so cheap anymore. Some things are still cheap, like renting a house up-country as Kiopa Matt mentioned. But the dollar and pound have tanked against the baht (used to be 42 baht to the dollar, now 30) plus inflation and fuel prices are way up (diesel used to be 14 baht per liter, now 35) have had a big impact. And some things are much more expensive in Thailand than the west like electronics and cars.

Still cheaper than the west but unless you want to live like an up-country local (which is pretty meager) you need some decent money. Fresh out of college you are going to have trouble staying long term due to visa and working issues.
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Thanks for the insights. I've seen prices go up a little--but I was poking around recently and I still found decent 1BR beach-front condos for around 15,000 Baht per month, which I'm fine paying (cheap in my mind). Those were in Pattaya, which I'm not sure is the best fit, but I figure is probably on the higher-end of prices.

I was planning on volunteering or teaching English with a TOEFL or something to handle the Visa situation. I haven't researched it that much because its still a ways off, but do you think that sounds feasible?

EDIT: I see you mentioned teaching English while I was writing this. I wouldn't really be doing it for the money, more just as a way to get a Visa/experience.
 
Bofu2U said:
I know this'll be a little weird, but any chance at pics of said house for $150/month? Or just one comparable. Now you've got me intrigued.
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Unfortunately, no. Don't have a digital camera, and apparently, the USB cord for the cell phone is now lost. I can say I'd be comfortable having my wealthy, retired parents stay here, so it's far from a dive. It's old, but nice & comfortable. I'd say probably 1500sqft or so, nice open floor layout, etc.

geomark said:
Kiopa Matt, what town do you live in?
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Khon Kaen. Small enough to be comfortable, but yet large enough to get whatever you want. If you want, there's all the large department stores around, couple movie theaters, loads of restaurants, discos if you like that sort of thing, etc. Yet, small enough to feel at home. :) Also a huge university city, so loads of energy & youth around in town.
 
mgtarheels said:
To live on the beach in a decent place, 2-3 bedrooms, what would you estimate the entire living costs to be per month?
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On the beach? Say Phuket or Koh Samui, I'm assuming you have in your mind? Not going to be cheap, and honestly, don't expect to save any money living in those places. A 2 - 3 bedroom condo will probably rent for say 30,000 baht/month (~$1050 USD), then everything else in the beach areas is more expensive. Food, taxis, drinks, etc.

For example, we're living up in a typical, middle class subburb in NE Thailand, and we spend around $2500/month. So definitely cheaper than living in say downtown Vancouver, but not some dirt cheap paradise either.
 
mgtarheels said:
To live on the beach in a decent place, 2-3 bedrooms, what would you estimate the entire living costs to be per month?
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Google it. Plenty of places on the web. Problem is, the price will vary dramatically depending on where you want to stay. Phuket is expensive as hell as are all the other major beach tourist destinations. Other places are pretty cheap but you may not want to live there. Lots of places are utter pits due to pollution and over development.

Your activities will also make a very big difference. If you like to drink and prowl the bars you will spend a lot. I don't so I can't give you a number for that.

Lots of westerns live here on an English teacher's salary which is about US$1000 per month, although not at the beach since few jobs there - they are usually in Bangkok. On that salary you live pretty simple, decent apartment, eat out often, hit the bars a couple times a week, get a fair amount of girls. But you don't live large on that, have to budget to buy anything major, even a big night out at some of the legendary gentlemen's clubs will give you pause.
 
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