Dutch couple shares how they renovated a resort on Thai island | Expat life in Koh Lanta Thailand

[@SweetLifeLanta]

If you are interested in staying at Mellow Mango with Johan and Sabine, feel free to contact them directly on Facebook or Instagram. Find all contact details on their website: www.mellow-mango.com/contact

[@julialeeleyen5934]

5

[@lucahauben1638]

This is for many a dream that never become a reality,i did the same more than 3 decades ago and Bali is still my home today😊,.i am blessed,.and yes just do it,.belgium was where i was born,.😊

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Awesome!

[@rie20100]

Thank-you Mayaan, a great interview as always! Johan & Sabine, I admire your courage & adventurist spirits! I like that you brought a "little bit of home" with you. To me, the success of your venture is your love & belief in each other. Much love to all! ❤️🇨🇦

[@nicoleboyle9255]

I admire anyone who can take such a leap of faith! As always, adore you , your beautiful family and incredible content. Love from New Jersey, ❤ Nicole...

[@dronezinthesky]

What a beautiful story. I fell in love with my thai girlfriend and Koh Lanta 5 years ago. Since then we build our business from scratch. Fast forward to the present I'm now retiring from my 9-5 in canada and joining her on Koh Lanta to continue our dream together. I've made many friends on Lanta. It has to be the most chill vibes. Love these videos and how you share ppl's lives on Lanta. xx

[@rosswoolley2854]

Congratulations to you both🌴🏠 I left Australia 14 years ago, married a wonderful Thai wife and have an apartment in Surin, never regretted the move.

[@kishore3874]

I feel so relaxed and feel the vibe at the place watching the video. You guys should be proud of what you did, pleasant and serene life away from hustle and chaos

[@glennelong]

What a great story. I love people who follow their heart regardless of the outcome. The are part of the very few which have the bravery to do so.

[@atekevichusa6739]

I keep watching all your videos and try to convince myself time and again, that my plans to relocate to Thailand is the best.... I'm yet to take the plunge though... Your videos are so encouraging...

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Haha I can't tell you not to do it 😅😅😅. What helps me is to think it's just for one year. Go for one year first and then the rest will follow and after the year you will know what to do.

[@atekevichusa6739]

@@SweetLifeLanta I keep going there on holidays... would and should save on the flights if I move there, starting with "one year" Hahahaha Thanks for the tip!

[@hazelleung2649]

Their attitude to life is so cool. Maayan, we always can learn something from your video 😊

[@cornelisverhoef9282]

The questions Mayaan asks are so relevant. Great couple who are down to earth and have succeeded in a business where a lot of people fail. Kudos.

[@wendy-0101]

❤🙏🏻Lovely couple. Fantastic you decided to follow your hearts. Living your dream! Better to try than not at all. Good luck. 💕💕🍀🎋💐🥂🍾

[@Vonsat]

Oh that's another interesting and great video, Maayan! Very brave of Johan and Sabine to sell everything and move half-way across the world to start a new business venture. And yes, it's like living a dream. I guess if you don't take the risk then you will always be wondering what could have been. And I think they can have a good life on the island and in Thailand in general as the expat community is growing and growing so they won't feel isolate, and besides, they have a great neighbor like you 🥰Well, lastly I wish them huge success on their resort business🤩

[@keepitrollin3977]

Congrats to the the Dutch family.wish u all the best .chok dee.keep it rollin

[@pinkymoon5039]

Brave couple. I dream of being a business owner someday too. I know the path isn't all roses. Sometimes we tend to romanticise entrepreneurs but only they know the mental stress they endure. Their resort looks so laid back and beautiful ❤. Wish them success in their business

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Even though hard work and stressful at times, there is nothing better than being an entrepreneur in my eyes. Especially if your business is something you're passionate about. Then you don't mind putting all your time and effort in.

[@jameskelly9243]

Then stop dreaming and plan

[@xx51075]

Congratulations on your new adventure I hope to visit Thailand and your peaceful resort. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@aniquefleur]

Hele leuke en inspirerende aflevering! Met name dat ze geen ervaring hadden en de positiviteit door het gewoon te doen!

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Echt he?!

[@stevens8785]

A lovely story. Good on them for having the courage to sell up and put it all on the line. They have put a lot of effort into the resort and it looks fabulous. I wish them all the best. 🤩

[@MindTrippin-SinceBirth]

Havent been in Koh lanta since 1999, heard they built smart so the island is still very nice.. I Did a similar thing in Koh Phayam and stayed there 6 years but then they built telecom mast and phones and internet started to work and in 2 years the vibe totally changed so i moved but it was totally worth it.. Looking for a new paradise place atm

[@wmistler7559]

you all are brave and I am envious!! wow., what an adventure.

[@betsylindsay8480]

Another quality interview. Faith, determination, open mindedness and team work in motion.

[@BarbaraJohnson-vb7pp]

Good for them!! Great interview, Mayaan.

[@KingXRP007]

Good video with some great info but in my opinion it lacked the most important aspects. 1. Visa - what visa did you get? 2. Is it freehold or leasehold? 3. Cost of purchase, rent, renovation etc... It would have been an amazing video and very informative for others looking to do similar.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

1. Visa - business visa is what you go for when you run a business in Thailand and you're not married to a Thai. 2. They are leasing the land. 3. Not everyone wants to talk about the exact cost, and I did ask Johan, but he did not want to give the full details. But his answer of, "much more than 50000 euro" should provide plenty of information I think. In other words, it's not cheap cheap, but definitely much cheaper than doing the same business in a European country for example.

[@aydanism]

Such an inspiration! Love to hear that fellow dutchies fell in love with Lanta as I did a few months back I visited for the first time, but I am already dreaming of making it my home and running a beautiful business as they do! What they said at the end really hit me ‘we did not come to this island to get rich, to earn some money okay, but to be able to have a place like this, be outside all the time, travel around - that’s what we wanted’ thats true wealth right there if you ask me! Zo mooi! Jullie zijn een inspiratie. Ik ben 27 jaar maar kan nu al niet wachten op dat ik ouder ben en dezelfde stappen mag maken als jullie! En wie weet gebeurt dat eerder :) veel plezier en succes met jullie resort 😇

[@OlegDC]

Great story and kudos to guys, who made a decision and made their dream come true! I now want to visit they place and experience it. Thank you for the good story and link.

[@sallyjaynes2433]

Thoughtful beautiful story told of this couple's journey to whole wonderful turning out good transformation of a location tropical 🌴🌼🌺💮🌸

[@deliguzz92]

This is fantastic.live your dreams,do what is in your path. They have very good intentions and aura.

[@omersuveyd5503]

I enjoyed listening to your vlogs of interviews with people who came to Thailand/Asia. Thanks !

[@michelleotani8901]

What a beautiful resort! What a super industrialist couple! Something like this can make or break a marriage. Theirs is stronger for sure after this adventure! I am so glad you are back to doing your amazing interviews , Maayan!

[@SweetLifeLanta]

And more good stuff coming!

[@jipjip213]

Hello from New Zealand Mayaan! I enjoy your videos so much I am addicted! So keen to come see you guys one day - And I will! until then... keep loving life like you do. You and Mon have an admirable positivity. JP

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Wow so cool! Thanks for the encouragement!

[@henriverbeek6877]

Nice fellow Dutch people. If I have time I may visit the resort. Living myself close to Bangkok.

[@cozycornerz]

Interesting info! Love the interviews that you do

[@2kkto2]

Very nice people - I wish you the best...

[@anilchopra4901]

Wish you lots of Good luck and joy with ur new Life in Thailand ❤

[@A6ugslife]

I would love to stay there when visiting!

[@williamhartz8707]

I wish them the best. Hopefully things will become easier as the months go by

[@Ostkind84]

Thank you for all the good vibes in every of your Video. And introducing so many lovely people of the island Lanta. I‘ve been there just once for few days and did Not Enjoy it that much. But your KZbin makes me come back soon and explore the Island

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Wow great!

[@brucef310]

I know a couple who did this 4 years ago. The husband ended up getting two of the maids pregnant.

[@mrnavakit0531]

555555 😂

[@np8181]

😢

[@Jazzmaster71]

LoL, not much self discipline. Thailand comes with so many temptations.

[@twinflowerfioretta]

Maayan, you are very professional in your interviews, it's wonderful that you always find such interesting personalities like Sabine & Johan today, you speak at the heart level and they tell their life story in a great video - thanks to you, it's a fascinating topic and a joy to listen 💞🙏👍😊

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Thank you!

[@NickyDunn]

Love your videos. You are a great interviewer. Loved hearing their story. Great they have things from home. Lovely couple. They are brave. Loved this. Wishing them all the best. I am sure they will do well. Wishing you a great week.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Wow great Nicky! Have you already watched the latest video?

[@NickyDunn]

@@SweetLifeLanta Halfway through that video, I will continue after work. x

[@chrisnn9281]

Great video and interview. Amazing couple with a lovely attitude - well done to them 👏

[@lilylily8711]

Congrats on your courage & amazing venture!!❤❤😊

[@NewAgeRanger]

Amazing story. It takes a lot of courage to move to a new country with different culture. It is even more courageous to start a business you never done before while trying to live and adjust in a new and different country.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Thank you so much! Have you watched our latest video? A day in the Life of resort owners. It's another couple but their story is also incredible: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4OWkoxrgqp6hrM

[@NewAgeRanger]

@@SweetLifeLanta Yes, I did watch that as well. They did an amazing job with their resort. Husband is extremely hands on, which I like. Hopefully he can get ppl to work efficiently and effectively to the point where if the business is extremely successful he can enjoy the sabai sabai he was looking for in Thailand and SE Asia in general.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@NewAgeRanger definitely! Although I think Vincent also really loves being busy...

[@pakawanmalayavech101]

Thank you very much for sharing your video, love ❤️ you guys.🏖💐❤️🌹🌺👭👍

[@rhp5239]

All the best to both of you. I hope and pray that you succeed.

[@Jazzmaster71]

The world needs more people like you guys. More people needs to break out of the ordinary life where you only work to survive for then to die without anything. No life experience, no nothing... I partially live in Thailand myself. I broke out of the "norm" and I look forward to retirement, which I had no reason to do before.

[@RichardJenkins-f9j]

Great story ❤❤❤ well done you two ❤❤

[@anthonyanderson9326]

Wonderful...we will definitely stay at their place. My wife's parents are in Issan and the tiles...the decorations...very simliar lol. The dutch know how to decorate

[@loveoracle8797]

Boy if i sold everything to go to thailand i could probably buy a bucket of sand

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Hahahahahahhahahaha love your comment. Yeah we're not all blessed with something to sell ❤️❤️❤️

[@HalimWander]

😂😂😂 and some seashell

[@neilcalhoun8616]

I will sponsor you a rusty bucket. If you steal a shovel you will be an entrepreneur.

[@jameskelly9243]

Its not being blessed, its called hard work,and thinking ahead.​@SweetLifeLanta

[@bluemarlin2u]

That's a good start to have your own sand castle.

[@mariettathornton5924]

Gotta love all of your interviews Mayan! You never cease to find interesting people to interview 😊 Thanks for sharing this video:$

[@SweetLifeLanta]

There are too many interesting people on this island, never a dull moment indeed. 😍

[@flavorcity6961]

I love them , very positive and wish u luck 💕

[@1110karin]

With 16 bungalows I think they are doing alright. I would rather be with family because I was born in Miami and besides my mom, dad and sisters all my family was in Holland and that was very sad to grow up without being near to the ones you love the most. All my life vacation is always to NL to see family and always it's very sad to leave.

[@paulalitinetsky97]

Same here, but with Czech Republic

[@thanaang1455]

OMG, it is touch decision! I hope, they will make it successfully.

[@user-ee3mw7cy1d]

Well done you two

[@TheE21qph]

Welcome to Thailand.

[@Bolonsio]

Great story! Great couple! 👏

[@yvonnebirch6026]

Wow, great interview Maayan !!❤❤

[@danielstuart2938]

Sabai sabai ,welcome to Thailand!

[@Paradise385]

Damn , you did all right in life. I was on Koh Lanta this year for the first time and I never felt as relaxed and good in my life , then on Lanta. I miss Thailand a lot ! Currently working on passive income streams so I can move there one day

[@joanncoopertroupe3506]

Beautiful Interview .😊😊😊😂❤❤❤ Bless this Awesome Couple .

[@chatchaweewong1071]

Can I book it now? Wow, that is amazing!

[@gabriellekelly4211]

Wow, it is so beautiful true story 😍 ❤❤❤ ... I do wish I am so brave do it 😕 .... They are so lucky do it right thing in right time ❤

[@Orchidee503]

I really like Mayaan’s videos, authentic, natural, sympathetic and humble! Good luck to the family from Holland. Watching from Germany❤🎉😊

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Thank you so much!😍😍😍

[@Fefe7436]

There is a google translator , it is easy to communicate when you are traveling

[@AtmosJourney]

Koh Lanta is beautiful. This island is considered large and could provide connectivity to other surrounding islands e.g. Lipe,etc. in the Andaman for tourists. Make your resort a place full of vibes and good food 😊

[@ฝรั่งดูงิ้วออก]

น่าจะทำซับภาษาไทยด้วยคงดีครับ🎉❤😊

[@shareonrivas1458]

i want to stay there for sure!!

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Come come!

[@RobertSmith-rj9md]

Wish you all The Best

[@injapan5924]

ยินดีต้อนรับค่ะ❤

[@cherylsaetae4818]

That was awesome!!

[@xian4616]

Good choice!

[@deliguzz92]

Life is for living.just do it…..❤❤❤❤❤

[@PVillapah]

Can't go wrong when you choose life over material, well they called Van Gogh crazy too

[@veroniquerousseau1923]

Thank you 🌈🕊🍀🍀🍀

[@nwongseni]

I think it doesn’t matter where you live as long as you feel comfortable and make it home and it’s where you belong 🏡

[@londonPB]

Timing and Luck is everything and I would rather stay at family run restort/hotel than a chain. I wish you the best of luck and I hope to stay there one day, by the way I am happy to work for you :) Food and Board only requried.

[@duisunny]

ถ้าอยู่และลงทุนอย่างถูกกฎหมาย เมืองไทยก็ยินดีต้อนรับทุกคนที่มาเพื่อสร้างความสุขและสงบร่วมกันในสังคมไทย

[@MarkTattersall-t1b]

You think it's legal? 😂

[@duisunny]

@@MarkTattersall-t1b if not legal..just guess!!..how long will they earn with this way in Thailand..and..When be kicked out of Thailand🇹🇭❤️

[@Swampzoid]

Dreams come true and it can happen to you

[@Valent_Nomad_vlog]

Yes, I think it’s a one way journey with some risks as well … As a “nomad traveller” I prefer to have several bases around the world, not to depend only on one residence place 😀

[@dianaduval9497]

Beautiful outfit

[@TheEssenceIsLove]

Thats so inspiring! I was always told its not allowed to purchase property in Thailand as foreigner... Has this law changed? 🙏🏽💐☺

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Still same law, to protect Thai people from foreign investment. They lease the land longterm, like many foreigners here.

[@sudaphon1]

ห้องน่าพักมากค่ะ

[@ingridbuck9960]

Should bought it!😅

[@_._Matt_._]

Great video and what a lovely couple! One question though - are they renting the resort or did they buy it? Thanks!

[@SweetLifeLanta]

They bought the business but they are leasing the land long term. That's usually how foreigners can run these kind of businesses in Thailand.

[@sanusiyousuf6492]

Congrats.. gbu

[@EarthCamper]

This is good. Kodus to both for taking risk and working hard. It also matters that Thailand govt and Thai people are helping in nature to encourage the business. Otherwise it would be impossible i think...

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Thai people are so welcoming. It's so special.

[@EarthCamper]

@@SweetLifeLanta yesterday I watched national geographic documentary on the cave rescue of 13 kids in Thailand back in 2018... Thai people along with help of British and many other countries. After seeing this i am sure Thai people are not ordinary....they care about humans so much and they make others also like them ...🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Incredible people

[@dammeedee]

รีสรอทเขียวสวย สวนสวยต้นไม้เยอะน่าพักมากค่ะอยากไปพักเลย

[@siripornpetcharatana6736]

It was so long interview that it made me feel bored,switching to see the actual daily life of the couple will make more interesting. ❤❤❤

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Then I'm sure you will LOVE next week's video! I will be waiting to hear from you!

[@siripornpetcharatana6736]

@@SweetLifeLanta can't wait to watch your new vlog next week ❤💋❤

[@IanCrouse]

Did I miss it, but how could they buy it as a foreigner? Thai COmpany that they set up or partnership with a Thia National?

[@lenatruong8863]

Great interview! My big question is how were they able to open their own business in Thailand w/o local partner…. Or maybe they do have partners?

[@SweetLifeLanta]

I'm sure they have Thai partnership on paper. There are many ways to arrange this. If you're truly interested in starting a business in Thailand you can dive into it and see that there are many options to do the Thai partnership.

[@flavorcity6961]

Is there grab or bolt in koh lanta now ?

[@Paradise385]

Was there in Feb this year, Grab didnt worked on Lanta

[@stevegumanit8230]

Question for the Dutch couple please. "how can I find an old dutch friend not seen for 20 years when all i have is his name", thank you, steven PS> your dutch privacy laws are stopping normal type voter roll/ phone book listings. cheers

[@BarbaraC02]

Hello all from Tucson, Arizona. It would be so lovely to visit Koh Lanta some day.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Hope so Barbara!

[@larry-notthecableguy]

All government agencies in all countries usually give a lot of hard times for expats. Tourist visa, working visa….. all the same.

[@dianaduval9497]

.M___Great interview___wonderful questions. Look forward to more. .Be safe Seize Life___Diana San Diego,CA USA

[@abuabdullah8955]

❤

[@Explorigate]

Hello could we do a review of your hotel and post it on our channel?

[@SibyT-qr5ln]

Yeah sure!

[@danielstuart2938]

You've made the right choice !geloof me🙏

[@BeekicchinDaidocoro]

Amm… did you guys held a Thai citizenship or did this the couple used nominees of 51.Thai and 49% ownership rights. Even for rent under business trade foreigners investment = particularly that reserved under tourism section, it would have clashed with the Thai regulations and law from what we understood. Please advise, thank you.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

I'm sure they did everything legal and therefore have 51% Thai ownership. But many foreigners on our island run businesses. The 51% requirement can be done in many different ways. Sometimes you have a Thai partner who truly adds to the business, sometimes it's a silent and inactive Thai partner and sometimes it's a company which takes the 51% for you as a legal entity. There are many ways to do this.

[@devanii]

how can you buy that..onlt thai can buy land/houses... foreign people only can buy appartments