I really like your channel. I’m an 11 year USA expat living mostly in Phuket, you articulate very well pretty much exactly goes through my head living in Thailand. Keep up the great videos…subscribed and liked!
Good video👍 Learning as you go and coming to the same conclusion that all long term expats make go slow. Talking about the mundane stuff can seem boring but it’s forms a big part of living in any country so getting that bit right makes life a little easier.
I just wanted to say that your video was fantastic! My wife and I are planning a trip to Thailand in 2025, and we would love to get some advice from you. We are considering becoming expats, and your videos have been incredibly helpful. Thank you so much!
Unsolicited advice from me, don’t plan out the whole itinerary unless you are only there for a short time. If you’re going for more than 2 weeks then you have some flexibility to bounce around. The longer the trip the more you can be spontaneous and just book a few days ahead. Several times I have booked a hotel on Agoda on the check in day or day before
I was thinking that very same thing. $6K/month is so fascinating. I find all 4 lifestyle tiers (low, mid, high, luxury) entertaining to watch and ponder.
Exactly! I try to remind the younger viewers about this all the time. You may have 2 million dollars in cash today but if you think you don't have to invest or manage it well and retire right now, you will have a rough future.
If you don't have one already, you should get one of those robot vacuums, and particularly one that uses LiDAR for navigation. They're great for keeping things clean and really cut down on the need for cleaners if you're too lazy or time-constrained to manually vacuum your house.
Maybe my English is not perfect, as I am German-French, not English or American, but: first you said "don’t buy an apartment," then you bought one, and then you said: "Would I do it again? It was just a hobby, there are better hobbies, probably not." And then you said you want to buy a house (did I get that wrong?). How do you plan to buy a house? Legally, that might not be possible. Have I misunderstood anything? Feel free to correct me. Your channel is extremely interesting, by the way - congratulations! Just one last thing: Tesla? WHAT??? No chance! BMW all the way! But there? A scooter ONLY. Best wishes!
I don’t have travel insurance. For travel insurance, I hear Safety Wing is best for short term. I am looking into Cigna Global for long term expat insurance.
Congratz... me same same, except don't want to "own" in Thailand... Love my base camp in PTY... Will be spending next year looking for a 2nd retirement location/destination for part of the year outside of Thailand... (investigating Vietnam)...
All great things to think about. I am thinking about Pattaya, but on the outskirts away from the crazy. The crazy will be there if I want to visit and not being in the center of it will keep the pickle juice consumption down. My biggest concern right now, which you have mention in the past, is the pain of the new tax laws. Not sure all that has been finalized and how bad it is going to be.
So far it’s just like I thought and said since the beginning, a lot of talk and nothing new. Very typical with Thai laws. This was also the year they were going to eliminate THC 😂
Very good information! Thanks! But my question is where and how do I apply for the Thai driver license because an attorney told me I would need to be in the country for six months to apply! I take it slow here also I do take it very slow and I learned a lot. I’m still taking it slow. Lol
That is wrong information. You can do it yourself at the local department but they will require certain things and it’s varies by district. I would highly recommend a visa agent. Few hundred bucks and they get all the necessary paperwork, make the appointment and get it all done in a few hours.
Same as I do for many things here. Open Google maps, search for agent, click on top rated and price compare and see response quality and time for the top 3.
J&E Concierge in Pattaya. I would honestly just open Google maps wherever you will be and search for visa agent. Pick the top 3 highest rated results and have them give you a price and also see how they treat you. They’re basically all the same.
Open Google maps, search for agent, click on top rated and price compare and see response quality and time for the top 3. I have had a love/hate relationship with the ones I used so I hate to steer anyone wrong.
Why can't you travel w 2 small dogs? It's simple put them in the car.And go rent something else for 3 months.I lived in Peru for 6 years traveled all over S America and the states w my Airedale.Now that wasn't easy lol
In theory I could but Thailand isn't super dog friendly so I think it would be more of a chore for the dogs and us than it is worth. I also don't like the idea that for the rest of my life (should I buy) I am forced to vacation with the dogs those 3 months.
I first thought of living off options premium and dividends but I am too young to rely only on trading only. I started a Roth IRA separate from my main account that I plan on maxing out every year for 25-30 years when I hopefully get older and I am willing to work hard every year to live this awesome life. Idk if it is worth buying another house in America as a home address but the headache of having a tenant is what stops me as options premiums don't break your sink.
Does your company offer any matching on your normal 401k? Maxing a roth for 25 years is likely enough, but consider if maybe traditional makes more sense. You're not going to be drawing on it much ($2,000/mo-$24,000/year is basically nothing taxwise), and that would give you more of a tax advantage to put more total money in overall.
I really like your channel. I’m an 11 year USA expat living mostly in Phuket, you articulate very well pretty much exactly goes through my head living in Thailand. Keep up the great videos…subscribed and liked!
Great to hear!
Thanks, as always. We're looking forward to our move from the Middle East to Bangkok. Appreciate the lane that you're paving to help others out.
My pleasure.
This show is a must watch for new ex-pats to Thailand. I agree with him on the things to do.
Good video👍
Learning as you go and coming to the same conclusion that all long term expats make go slow.
Talking about the mundane stuff can seem boring but it’s forms a big part of living in any country so getting that bit right makes life a little easier.
It’s the boring details that make me the life of the party 😜
Thanks for the kind words 🙏
Another great video Ramze packed with insights!
Appreciate it!
I just wanted to say that your video was fantastic! My wife and I are planning a trip to Thailand in 2025, and we would love to get some advice from you. We are considering becoming expats, and your videos have been incredibly helpful. Thank you so much!
I appreciate the kind words 🙏
Unsolicited advice from me, don’t plan out the whole itinerary unless you are only there for a short time. If you’re going for more than 2 weeks then you have some flexibility to bounce around. The longer the trip the more you can be spontaneous and just book a few days ahead. Several times I have booked a hotel on Agoda on the check in day or day before
For perspective, that $6k/month would be $12-15k easy in the States. Enjoy your life ❤
Yeah I think I did a video trying to replicate it in Vegas and it was close to $30K! Very happy here. 🤗
I was thinking that very same thing. $6K/month is so fascinating. I find all 4 lifestyle tiers (low, mid, high, luxury) entertaining to watch and ponder.
Superb - interesting, informative, & helpful summary of your year one.
Many thanks!
Wisdom. Thanks, man.
Hey Ramze -- This was a very informative video --- You did a really good job off the cuff. Mark Hanna
Thanks Mark 🙏
How are you going to buy a house when xpats aren't allowed to buy homes or land only condos in Thailand? Video on this wizardry soon!
Inflation is a problem if you retire young , decades pass everything gets more expensive
Exactly! I try to remind the younger viewers about this all the time. You may have 2 million dollars in cash today but if you think you don't have to invest or manage it well and retire right now, you will have a rough future.
Good show Ramsey- cheers mate
Even though you feel your current house is too big, you should inquire about buying it anyway. You might get a price you just can't refuse.
To big is big electric cost …. Better to live under size in Thailand aircon 24/7 no problem….
If you don't have one already, you should get one of those robot vacuums, and particularly one that uses LiDAR for navigation. They're great for keeping things clean and really cut down on the need for cleaners if you're too lazy or time-constrained to manually vacuum your house.
I have one and they are great!
Great video as usual!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hello. Joah from Phoenix Az. What about Hua Hin? Thank you love the channel! Please keep up the good work.
Hua Hin is a quieter Pattaya. If you want less tourism and less adult bars, it’s a good choice.
Ya I’m married. My wife would kill me even if I looked that way. Is it a fair value place? Thanks again
One of the cheaper expat destinations in Thailand.
Maybe my English is not perfect, as I am German-French, not English or American, but: first you said "don’t buy an apartment," then you bought one, and then you said: "Would I do it again? It was just a hobby, there are better hobbies, probably not." And then you said you want to buy a house (did I get that wrong?). How do you plan to buy a house? Legally, that might not be possible. Have I misunderstood anything? Feel free to correct me. Your channel is extremely interesting, by the way - congratulations! Just one last thing: Tesla? WHAT??? No chance! BMW all the way! But there? A scooter ONLY. Best wishes!
Some interesting, points, thanks. I'm curious if you think the new taxation laws will impact your movements?
I don't personally think they will ever do anything about it. Just my hunch.
Congrats on your Thai anniversary. Can you recommend the agent you used for your bank account? Did you use them for other things?
I have used the same agent for everything. J&E Concierge in Pattaya.
Rammy, can you please drop a link to your travel medical insurance carrier. Thanks
I don’t have travel insurance. For travel insurance, I hear Safety Wing is best for short term. I am looking into Cigna Global for long term expat insurance.
@RamzeTravels I meant medical insurance not travel.
Congratz... me same same, except don't want to "own" in Thailand... Love my base camp in PTY... Will be spending next year looking for a 2nd retirement location/destination for part of the year outside of Thailand... (investigating Vietnam)...
Love your videos. Don’t be satisfied with 6k subscribers! BTW, are you related to the Ramses Pharaohs in Egypt?
If I am, he didn’t leave me any money 😂
Can foreigners actually buy land and a house in Thailand now? I thought that didn’t happen only apartments or if married to a National
There are grey areas of leasing the land long term or starting an LLC that owns the property.
@@RamzeTravels Ah got it
May I ask, why did you select Cigna? . Im trying to figure out who to use right now...
Haven’t yet but they seem to have the best global coverage by a large provider at a fair price. Still researching it.
Thanks @@RamzeTravels
All great things to think about. I am thinking about Pattaya, but on the outskirts away from the crazy. The crazy will be there if I want to visit and not being in the center of it will keep the pickle juice consumption down. My biggest concern right now, which you have mention in the past, is the pain of the new tax laws. Not sure all that has been finalized and how bad it is going to be.
So far it’s just like I thought and said since the beginning, a lot of talk and nothing new. Very typical with Thai laws. This was also the year they were going to eliminate THC 😂
Thank you. Subscribed 👍.
Thanks for the sub!
Very good information! Thanks! But my question is where and how do I apply for the Thai driver license because an attorney told me I would need to be in the country for six months to apply! I take it slow here also I do take it very slow and I learned a lot. I’m still taking it slow. Lol
That is wrong information. You can do it yourself at the local department but they will require certain things and it’s varies by district. I would highly recommend a visa agent. Few hundred bucks and they get all the necessary paperwork, make the appointment and get it all done in a few hours.
@@RamzeTravelsthank you very much fam! Bless
Let me know how u like Cigna global. That’s the one I’m eying.
What agent did you use?
J&E Concierge
@@RamzeTravels Thanks. I need one for Bangkok, unfortunately. If you have any recommendations, I would appreciate it.
Isn't it illegal for foreigners to own property there?
You can lease the land long term or start a company that buys it.
100% against the law for foreigner to own land
How do you shop for an agent
Same as I do for many things here. Open Google maps, search for agent, click on top rated and price compare and see response quality and time for the top 3.
Is there fish in that lake?
I think so but it’s a reservoir and I don’t believe they allow boats out there 🤷
Can you share your agent, thank you for this valuable information
J&E Concierge in Pattaya. I would honestly just open Google maps wherever you will be and search for visa agent. Pick the top 3 highest rated results and have them give you a price and also see how they treat you. They’re basically all the same.
@@RamzeTravels thank you.
So no personal recommendations??!
Open Google maps, search for agent, click on top rated and price compare and see response quality and time for the top 3. I have had a love/hate relationship with the ones I used so I hate to steer anyone wrong.
I wish I was one of your dogs 🐕
lol, so many of my friends have said that 😜
Yes, you ARE going to lose money on it 🤣🤣🤣. (+1)
Why can't you travel w 2 small dogs? It's simple put them in the car.And go rent something else for 3 months.I lived in Peru for 6 years traveled all over S America and the states w my Airedale.Now that wasn't easy lol
In theory I could but Thailand isn't super dog friendly so I think it would be more of a chore for the dogs and us than it is worth. I also don't like the idea that for the rest of my life (should I buy) I am forced to vacation with the dogs those 3 months.
I first thought of living off options premium and dividends but I am too young to rely only on trading only. I started a Roth IRA separate from my main account that I plan on maxing out every year for 25-30 years when I hopefully get older and I am willing to work hard every year to live this awesome life.
Idk if it is worth buying another house in America as a home address but the headache of having a tenant is what stops me as options premiums don't break your sink.
Does your company offer any matching on your normal 401k? Maxing a roth for 25 years is likely enough, but consider if maybe traditional makes more sense. You're not going to be drawing on it much ($2,000/mo-$24,000/year is basically nothing taxwise), and that would give you more of a tax advantage to put more total money in overall.
You have a live in housekeeper, so what does your wife do?
Is that because she's a woman, so she should clean? wow..
Takes even better care of me and the dogs 😉 We travel about half the time anyways.
2 cars and a condo ? I think you blew you budget.
If I actually had one I guess I would have 🤔