I'm thinking of retiring to Hua Hin in the next 2 years. The only thing that has stopped me to date is the fact I have a 15 year old son (English, but looks Thai) - I wonder what future there will be in for Hua Hin for him?
I will be able to buy him his own home etc, but how will he survive? Is there work for a young English lad (reasonable spoken Thai) that will keep him in the manner he is used to? I realise the wages won't be great, but neither is the cost of living.
I have told him to seek others in a similar situation when he visits Hua Hin in April, and to find out their personal work experiences.
I can't be the only one who has struggled with this dilema, and I am seeking experiences of others who have moved to Thailand with children of a similar age.
What future is there?
I don't think it is a big problem . . . because in approx. 5 years time he will be going and doing what he wants wherever he wants, so don't expect him to stay around Hua Hin or even Thailand for that matter . . . . . .
We only have them on loan for a short time . . . I know, I have three . . .
We only have them on loan for a short time . . . I know, I have three . . .
Go hard or go home . . .
Thanks for those words of wisdom Len 
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My biggest fear is that at maybe 17 years old, my son will be at a crucial stage in his life. His previous plan was to join the (UK) police force, but a life of crime and corruption in Thailand does not appeal.
I don't want to cut his ties with the UK if he doesn't have a decent future in Thailand - I don't want to do the selfish thing, when I could maybe wait a further 4 or 5 years.
Are there opportunities to learn a trade? Is there actually such a thing as a tradesman in Thailand? From what I've seen, most of the 'skilled'
work in Thailand is either done by women or kids.
I'm really looking for ideas or experiences of people who have gone through the same dilema - I've already put off early retirement once because of this uncertainty.
I would be really grateful if somebody in a similar situation could share their experiences with me (positive or otherwise) - I need to convince myself that I'm doing the right thing.
.My biggest fear is that at maybe 17 years old, my son will be at a crucial stage in his life. His previous plan was to join the (UK) police force, but a life of crime and corruption in Thailand does not appeal.
I don't want to cut his ties with the UK if he doesn't have a decent future in Thailand - I don't want to do the selfish thing, when I could maybe wait a further 4 or 5 years.
Are there opportunities to learn a trade? Is there actually such a thing as a tradesman in Thailand? From what I've seen, most of the 'skilled'
work in Thailand is either done by women or kids.I'm really looking for ideas or experiences of people who have gone through the same dilema - I've already put off early retirement once because of this uncertainty.
I would be really grateful if somebody in a similar situation could share their experiences with me (positive or otherwise) - I need to convince myself that I'm doing the right thing.
C'mon guys, I can't be the only one to have suffered this dilema - surely there's somebody out there who's had the same experiences.
I really would like to hear from somebody who went through decision making. I'd love to hear how they made their decision, and more importantly if their decision was the right one.
I really would like to hear from somebody who went through decision making. I'd love to hear how they made their decision, and more importantly if their decision was the right one.
I would have thought that Guess' response about nationality would have something to do with your son's future ability to get a work permit.
There's a whole raft of occupations that are strictly not for non-Thais (fishing, agriculture, forestry spring to mind). I can't remember anywhere near a small part of them, but I reckon you'd find them with a Google search.
Most of the folk who come over here are semi retired and running a small business together with their Thai partner's help or are on some type of formal ex-pat status.
I don't want to be negative, but I would have thought your son, at his age and possibly looking for a trade, would find it difficult. They're a pretty pretectionist lot in Thailand when it comes to work.
Hopefully someone else may have advice of a more positive nature.
There's a whole raft of occupations that are strictly not for non-Thais (fishing, agriculture, forestry spring to mind). I can't remember anywhere near a small part of them, but I reckon you'd find them with a Google search.
Most of the folk who come over here are semi retired and running a small business together with their Thai partner's help or are on some type of formal ex-pat status.
I don't want to be negative, but I would have thought your son, at his age and possibly looking for a trade, would find it difficult. They're a pretty pretectionist lot in Thailand when it comes to work.
Hopefully someone else may have advice of a more positive nature.
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tuktukmike
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Have to agree with Lomu on this one.
If he is only 15, then what sort of future do you think he will have here.
From your post i take it he will not consider going on to higher education.
Work out here is very difficult at the best of times unless you own your own company due to restricted work permits.
My son stayed in the uk to finish university and then he can choose his own path, he will come out here for the first time in june but there is no way i would suggest to him that he comes here to live.
Mike.
If he is only 15, then what sort of future do you think he will have here.
From your post i take it he will not consider going on to higher education.
Work out here is very difficult at the best of times unless you own your own company due to restricted work permits.
My son stayed in the uk to finish university and then he can choose his own path, he will come out here for the first time in june but there is no way i would suggest to him that he comes here to live.
Mike.
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Guess
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As has been writtten already, working in Thailand for a foreigner is difficult. Most foreigners are in the low paid sector like fishing which is mainly Burmese.
For a foreigner to make a business without a trusted Thai partner is very difficult. However being able to speak Thai has a huge advantage. There are certain jobs in the tourism business, building, civil engineering and banking where it's necessary to employ a foreigner and in those cases work permits area arranged for you.
In both cases though experience of the business is required. To form your own business and be successful you would need some general business skills. and a flair for business.
Anyway IMHO if you have a boy of 15 you should now be getting prepared to complet his exams and move on to further education. He should be on the job market (except for part time during education breaks) until he is at least 22 years old. This dictum applies in any country in the world where people do not have a problem feeding themselves.
For a foreigner to make a business without a trusted Thai partner is very difficult. However being able to speak Thai has a huge advantage. There are certain jobs in the tourism business, building, civil engineering and banking where it's necessary to employ a foreigner and in those cases work permits area arranged for you.
In both cases though experience of the business is required. To form your own business and be successful you would need some general business skills. and a flair for business.
Anyway IMHO if you have a boy of 15 you should now be getting prepared to complet his exams and move on to further education. He should be on the job market (except for part time during education breaks) until he is at least 22 years old. This dictum applies in any country in the world where people do not have a problem feeding themselves.
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Thanks for that guys,
Not the responses I was hoping for, but thank you very much for being honest. You've certainly giving me some food for thought.
Guess wrote:
My belief is that you can't beat work experience.
Is there any future in sports fitness etc - he is currently in the squad training for the Karate European Championships in Norway 2007 and the World Championships in Japan 2008. Could he maybe get into Karate teaching? Or would this still require work permits etc?
Am I just clutching at straws?
Not the responses I was hoping for, but thank you very much for being honest. You've certainly giving me some food for thought.
Guess wrote:
Personally, I'm not a great believer in further education. I've had so many friends who have wasted their time at university, only to get a dead end job at the end of it. My friend's kids these days tend to go to university, get into a serious amount of debt and end up working in Tescos or ASDA - not one of them (and there are many) has ended up with a job worthy of university education.you should now be getting prepared to complet his exams and move on to further education.
My belief is that you can't beat work experience.
Is there any future in sports fitness etc - he is currently in the squad training for the Karate European Championships in Norway 2007 and the World Championships in Japan 2008. Could he maybe get into Karate teaching? Or would this still require work permits etc?
Am I just clutching at straws?
If your son is good at martial arts - and by the sound of it he is - then there might be a possibility.
Muay Thai will generally be Thai run and managed. However, the country is really up on the fact that they can compete for other sports that are naturally not they're own.
Look at football fever. The national pride for the women weightlifters. Look at Peter Withe who was the Thai soccer coach for years. They're idols as they enchanced the reputation of the country.
So, sports wise, your son may have a chance although he's young at the moment.
As I've already said, national pride here is very important and if it needs a foreigner to help with that, then so be it.
Just some food for thought.
Muay Thai will generally be Thai run and managed. However, the country is really up on the fact that they can compete for other sports that are naturally not they're own.
Look at football fever. The national pride for the women weightlifters. Look at Peter Withe who was the Thai soccer coach for years. They're idols as they enchanced the reputation of the country.
So, sports wise, your son may have a chance although he's young at the moment.
As I've already said, national pride here is very important and if it needs a foreigner to help with that, then so be it.
Just some food for thought.
Thailand do have some bigwig instructors in the martial arts.
Sensei Fujikiyo Omura has the 7th degree black belt.
A instructor of Japan Karate Association who has been accepted world wide as one of the best instructor of JKA.
He was invited to demonstrate and teach Karate-do in many countries.
Sensei Fujikiyo Omura decided to be the chief instructor of Shotokan Karate Association of Thailand because he saw the burning desire of Mr. Chutinant, (President of Shotokan Karate Association of Thailand) to promote and develop Shotokan Karate in Thailand.
But why not try?
Go for it Big Boy!!!
Sensei Fujikiyo Omura has the 7th degree black belt.
A instructor of Japan Karate Association who has been accepted world wide as one of the best instructor of JKA.
He was invited to demonstrate and teach Karate-do in many countries.
Sensei Fujikiyo Omura decided to be the chief instructor of Shotokan Karate Association of Thailand because he saw the burning desire of Mr. Chutinant, (President of Shotokan Karate Association of Thailand) to promote and develop Shotokan Karate in Thailand.
But why not try?
Go for it Big Boy!!!
I intend to live forever - so far so good.
Thank you for the encouragement Iomuamart and Norseman,
Yes he is quite good, but nowhere the standards you are talking. He's currently 2nd Kyu Brown Belt, although he should have achieved his Dan grade by the time I move to Thailand.
Incidently, he is currently taught by one of Europe's best - Sensei George Grimes, who is also 7th Dan.
Anyway, let me try a different tack with those of you who know.....Although I previously stated that he is well and truly English, when he was born, his Uncle also registered his birth in Thailand - a fact that I never thought would play a part in our lives. Does this change the situation? Would this qualify him for an ID card?
If the answer is yes, what are the disadvantages? The first I've thought of is that it would probably qualify him for National Service - is this correct?
What would be the other pitfalls please?
Yes he is quite good, but nowhere the standards you are talking. He's currently 2nd Kyu Brown Belt, although he should have achieved his Dan grade by the time I move to Thailand.
Incidently, he is currently taught by one of Europe's best - Sensei George Grimes, who is also 7th Dan.
Anyway, let me try a different tack with those of you who know.....Although I previously stated that he is well and truly English, when he was born, his Uncle also registered his birth in Thailand - a fact that I never thought would play a part in our lives. Does this change the situation? Would this qualify him for an ID card?
If the answer is yes, what are the disadvantages? The first I've thought of is that it would probably qualify him for National Service - is this correct?
What would be the other pitfalls please?
Others will be more qualified than me to give an answer, but I'm fairly certain that a child must be registered in Thailand first before they move on and claim nationality elsewhere. If they are not, they can't hold a Thai passport.
As far as national service is concerned, it's a lottery. Put your hand in a box and pick a red card - you serve. A black one and you dont. (Could be the other way around, but I'm sure you get the general idea).
As far as national service is concerned, it's a lottery. Put your hand in a box and pick a red card - you serve. A black one and you dont. (Could be the other way around, but I'm sure you get the general idea).
Can you elucidate on your son's nationality please? Is he of Thai extraction? Does he have a Thai mother? All children born to Thai women are entitled to Thai nationality. Apart from the way he looks is there any familial connection with the country? Sorry to be personal but I think it would help people to answer some of your questions and to evaluate the openings that may be available to him.
To put things into perspective, most foreigners living in Thailand are not young. Many have a source of income that derives from their own country, just as you hope to. They are established and have something to fall back on. This will not apply in your son's case.
I have two Thai step-sons living here in the UK. The eldest is at college, training as a chef, which in the UK is of course free. At first he had this idea that he might like to work in Thailand when he has qualified but as he has got older he has decided that if he establishes himself here in the UK he can potentially have long holidays, invest in property and do occassional stints of work in Thailand if the fancy takes him. In the UK he will be earning sterling, rather than baht and because of his dual nationality could have the best of both worlds.
Would this type of arrangement be an option for your son?
To put things into perspective, most foreigners living in Thailand are not young. Many have a source of income that derives from their own country, just as you hope to. They are established and have something to fall back on. This will not apply in your son's case.
I have two Thai step-sons living here in the UK. The eldest is at college, training as a chef, which in the UK is of course free. At first he had this idea that he might like to work in Thailand when he has qualified but as he has got older he has decided that if he establishes himself here in the UK he can potentially have long holidays, invest in property and do occassional stints of work in Thailand if the fancy takes him. In the UK he will be earning sterling, rather than baht and because of his dual nationality could have the best of both worlds.
Would this type of arrangement be an option for your son?