English couple took over an abandoned hotel on a tropical island in Thailand | expats in Koh Lanta

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Christopher and Charlie, a British couple from London, UK, shocked everyone when they decided to quit their corporate jobs in London to take over a hotel in Koh Lanta, a tropical island in Thailand, that has been abandoned since covid.
Can they turn this construction site into a beautiful beach resort?
Is their relationship solid enough?
And how much does this all must cost?
Many people dream to start a small resort on a tropical island in Thailand but only a few do it. Why did they decide to do it? What are the difficulties along the way? And the cost?
Follow this lovely couple's journey in a sincere and inspiring interview.
If you want to follow their progress, check out their KZbin channel Jaitiki Retreat, Bar and Restaurant:
/ @jaitiki
If you want to stay with Christopher and Charlie at Jai Tiki Retreat, check it out here:
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Mon & Maayan
#sweetlifelanta #italki #thailandexpat #kohlanta #expatlifeinthailand #expatthailand #faranginthailand #lifeinthailand #thailandlife #thailandexpatlife #mon&maayan #businessinthailand #cookingwithmon #kohlantathailand

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Personalized 1-on-1 language lessons with native teachers on italki🎉 Buy $10 get $5 for free for your first lesson using my code LANTA24 👉 Web: go.italki.com/lanta2410 👉 App: go.italki.com/sweetlifelanta2410app If you want to stay with Christopher and Charlie at Jai Tiki Retreat on Koh Lanta, please check out the details in the video description!

[@kennymcalpine8970]

I admire anyone that leaves the comfort zone and goes out into the wider world , hats off to both of them , i'll go visit when i'm next in that part of the world

[@ACE_888]

Balls of steel! I wish them both luck!

[@gabrieleuwira9731]

My nearly neighbours and very lovely couple with a positive aura. They work so hard for their dreams and deserve, that it works out. I am also so happy, that after maybe 4 years someone took this empty hotel. It slowly becomes a ghost hotel....not that ghosts inside, but every year it gets damaged more and more and that was so sad to see. I think it became now the right owner with so much passion and power to let it shine again 😍 Good luck 🍀 from the Boogie bay bar 😘

[@SweetLifeLanta]

100% agree with you!

[@JaiTiki]

Ahh thanks guys, means a lot.

[@BarbaraJohnson-vb7pp]

What a great couple!!! I hope everything works out for them… they deserve it. Such a lovely couple.

[@twinflowerfioretta]

I take my hat off to this couple, they are very brave to realize their shared dream in such a big project, there is still a lot of work to be done before it makes money - I wish them good luck🍀! I would be happy about an update Maayan, great video 👍❤️👏thank you!

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@twinflowerfioretta thanks dear. Will definitely do some updates down the line

[@AnthonyGibson-s1k]

Charli n Chris: Admire the both of you. Both of u share a very strong vision n ur very resolute n determined. Everything will turn out good for both of u.

[@bettyraynor-davis9]

This was a good video about this young couple. Together they are working on a dream. I'm happy to see their story and the accomplishments they are working on together.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@bettyraynor-davis9 thanks for your kind words and encouragement.

[@gilrobinzon]

The difficult part is not the construction. It is the operation of the place. With no experience in the hospitality industry , there are very small chances to succeed. Good luck, stay strong

[@JS-ir7wh]

Maybe they'll make it on looks and charm.

[@nzimalaya2011]

Well looks can kill they say, I hope in this case not kill a business though 😅

[@Consecrated2Him7]

Thanks Mayaan for another great interview . I wish them everything of the best , May their dream come true. Looking forwards to a follow up video on the resort. 🏡

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Thanks for tuning in and sharing positive vibes!

[@ThaiVancouverite]

Would love to see 2nd episode once they finish!

[@nomadicsouls3290]

They are so suited to each other and you can tell they will make this work. Takes some bottle what they have done…..

[@imposter653]

Patrick Swayze on his death bed apparently said " I thought I had more time" he would be proud as I'm sure any dying person would be. You guys are inspiring

[@EarthCamper]

All the very best to both.👍 Nice video.

[@DiscoDrew]

I wish them all the best…. Thailand can be a difficult market…

[@stevedakin7543]

All the best, hope your dreams come true ❤🙏

[@aniquefleur]

Oh my god, so brave! I would feel so nervous with such a big and courageous step, I wish you all the best and good luck. Thanks for sharing the story

[@sallyjaynes2433]

What a beautiful but challenging & full of challenges to hopefully light their path & keep it bright .... Gratifying to see what their inner project workings are & their 'real feels' with each other & continued connection🙏🙌👌. Thanks Maayan for showing sharing this lifestyle they chose to make it complete 💯✅.

[@tonythaiger]

Great dedication guys and you are doing the right thing with your life. Never look at any project as big as it's just a collection of small projects.

[@schockaday5783]

Wishing you giys much success and happines in your new venture and life in Thailand

[@Chookdeethaimarket]

Nice movie. Lovely couple. Like cocktails and like Lanta… for sure will pass by one day. Good luck and greetings from Nakhorn Sri Thammarat.

[@JaiTiki]

We shall save a space for you at the bar… once we rebuild it 😂

[@JoanaTimko]

watching from Uganda. been thinking of moving to Thailand with my husband. i would love to work with the lovely couple if given a chance. i would love to join the winning team

[@bbarton538]

Excellent video, inspiring 🫡💪

[@elaineross9365]

Nice video Maayan, well done on that. Best of luck folks. You would do well to find someone trustworthy who knows the island and how everything works here. That's a massive project you've taken on.

[@rivelodolge]

Awesome project led by awesome people! Looking forward to seeing you soon! Long live Jai Tiki!

[@GM-cq6ez]

Another interesting video, Mayaan., about people following their dreams. What a lovely beach and you're looking great as does your family. Life is but a dream!

[@SweetLifeLanta]

😍😍😍 thanks lovely friend

[@pop150173]

I wish all the best of you for your big project. It's take time to fix everything, but i think you guys can do it😊

[@ziontours5893]

So serendipitous that they found each other. I was just wondering how long ago did you film them because November is just around the corner.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@ziontours5893 I filmed in August and September.

[@davewave36]

When I'm in country I'll definitely drop by for some of that Tiki vibe. Cheers & good luck.

[@ajwilson6793]

Love this. All the very best living your dream! Hard work x10 but what’s life all about! Thank you for the video and yes more video’s of the journey please.. 🤗

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Will do! Thanks so much!

[@joanannewallace]

Good luck to them, and I hope it's a great success.

[@chefse5442]

Respect. Wish them best. They seem very green but i also know very expierenced people who never try.

[@Maarijkee]

Wauw big step to take! Very curious for the end result

[@DCthebuilder]

I love this for them if they take it slow and not rush it they will build something amazing.

[@PVillapah]

How wonderful! Jai also translates to glory or victory, still in phase 1 here 😆

[@donbar5493]

I'd love to spend time there ❤

[@adnkam1]

Thank you for love thailand

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@adnkam1 so many of us do ♥️

[@basil8760]

Minus the lizard n tgs monkey, it appears like a beautiful retreat that I someday might wna go visit for a brief vacation to unwind n relax a lil bit.💕Wish U two all the success in the world.❤️Ty for sharing enjoyed it subscribed.🥰

[@wendy-0101]

❤👍🏻That was so interesting. I am so happy for them. I had breast cancer last year & at my age Its too late, but back to Thailand hopefully beg. Next year. See if I can easily get to Koh Lanta. . 🎋🍀Good Luck to you both beautiful souls. You will make it because your heart & souls are in it. 💞💞💞💞ps Thanks for sharing their story.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@wendy-0101 😍😍😍

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@wendy-0101 and thanks for your kind words

[@gilrobinzon]

Good luck. ❤

[@anitabooks888]

Might be a good idea to complete half or one section so you can get some holidaymakers and money coming in.

[@williamhartz8707]

It’s a challenge enough to have a house built or repaired in Thailand. I can’t imagine renovating a hotel when being newbies. This project will suck up your savings and free time. Maybe opening up a “beach bar” with pizza & such would have been better . Good luck.

[@torevalberg3510]

Yeah this video actually made me sad. Especially at the end when he explains how much they risked on this 😢 I wish them the best. But if they had done their proper research; we wouldn’t be watching this video. Id be happy to be proven wrong in this case though. But I can’t help but feel sympathy

[@Vonsat]

What a cool couple they are! Wow, that looks like a lot of work though. But I have a property myself and I know that it is possible to renovate some parts and open as we go (it is hard work, not gonna lie). They don't have to wait till everything is all fixed. It's good to have income and then put the money back into fixing other parts. But they're lucky they have you, Maayan, as consultant coz you've been through all that😄 Those darn lizards are HUGE and yeah, they are scary, LOL. But in Bangkok you can call the municipality in charge to come and take them away so in Koh Lanta surely they can do that? And please give us an update once they start opening! Best of luck ✌

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@Vonsat will definitely update along the way!

[@julianneparsons6225]

Would really love a follow up video. I wish them all the luck in the world and I’ll definitely check them out the next time I’m on Lanta. Ps which beach is it on?

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@julianneparsons6225 it's Klong Dao beach. The exact location is in the video description.

[@josephinearendse7842]

I miss you my lovely people ❤From SouthAfrica 🇿🇦A WalkWithJo

[@josephinearendse7842]

I would Love to come to Thailand once I earn money would Love Love to meet u guys ❤️🤗🙏

[@duderstein]

I'm pulling for them, but I get the sense that they're in over their heads. Afraid they don't have a strong project plan.

[@JaiTiki]

Thank you for rooting for us. We do have a nice 70 page business plan but it’s a bit boring for KZbin. We have some great builders helping as well. Fingers crossed.

[@duderstein]

@@JaiTiki Great to hear! We'll come check you out during our next visit to Lanta.

[@karenkinyone613]

I’m so Happy for them ! This is my dream and certain things have come up in my life ! At the age of 50 i now have custody of my 10 year old grandson! which has changed a lot ! maybe one day ! But congratulations to you Both !

[@krisy-in-italy]

A traumatic life change can leed you off into all sorts of directions. I have personal experience with this. It isn’t always in the right direction. I think also having his children so far away and unable to be in their life will weigh on him too. Maybe they should have bit off a smaller project. Saying this I really hope I’m wrong and they are forever happy and successful. ❤

[@JaiTiki]

Don’t worry to much. Bert and Ernie are Sausage dogs who are very happy with their mummy in England. So we can focus on the big project 😉

[@krisy-in-italy]

@@JaiTiki I’d scratched my head at the choice of names, but now it all makes sense. 🤦‍♀️Best of luck to the both of you.

[@nzimalaya2011]

If I understand correct, foreigners can't buy or own land in Thailand, nor can you conduct a business of any sort without a local Thai partner who owns 51 % of the business, I don't seem to see any mention of these 2 crucial factors , unless the laws have changed , any thoughts on this ?

[@tonythaiger]

They are leasing the land. If it's a limited company then they probably have Thai nominee(s) to hold 51% shares

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@nzimalaya2011soon I will do a video about how you can do a business in Thailand as a foreigner.

[@JaiTiki]

Lots of stamps😂

[@darijo3539]

สู้ สู้ นะ

[@benhann1668]

Hope that building is legal and had proper planning permission because so many of these resorts get ripped down by the government when they have been deemed to be illegal builds.

[@glenloader639]

I hope they have a lot in the bank. What type of time frame are they looking at to open. Having a holiday in Thailand is one thing, doing buisness is totally different thing. No Thai language skills at all. What ever there time frame is add on a extra 6 months to a year on the size of there resort. Best of luck to them!

[@carolinejames8897]

Hi does this lovely couple have a You Tube Channel ?

[@JaiTiki]

Yes we sure do. We tend to give weekly updates with all the highs and lows. Not as good as Sweet Life Lanta but we try. Search @jaitiki

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@carolinejames8897 definitely! @jaitiki

[@andreww8128]

Hi , I wish the young couple success, however/ BUT😊 , you don’t own the land your repairing someone else’s property, you have filled the pool which is now requiring maintenance costs . All this before you are ready to open, you guys could swim in the sea… . I would like to know how you took money from your pensions as you would need to be at least 50 years old, if you are you look amazing 😊. Anyway knuckle down learn the language, stop spending, get open , even if it’s a couple of rooms. I really wish you well as you seem so in love, which is the best thing in life . Xx

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍

[@Mickman007]

There are abandoned resorts and hotels all over thailand and its islands literally rotting away because of the pandemic, I wish them success but something tells me they may have taken on too much I hope i'm wrong.

[@palidamook1767]

สวัสดีค่ะ🙏🇹🇭

[@HalimWander]

is there a vacancy 😅

[@torevalberg3510]

That’s what i call courage! Realistically though: very expensive life lesson. Wish them all the best! Though the odds not in their favor

[@WilliamFluery]

May I join your work? Let me renovate a bedroom (according to your specs) at my expense where I can stay for free while I continue to help your renovation.

[@ratnoinamaew7822]

Investing money in a business on land you will never own? or a business you will never fully control? you have been warned..

[@MarkTattersall-t1b]

Yes its not a good idea.

[@amaroqcoffee7872]

Your company can own the land, and you fully control the business if you do it official, the only downside is the police corruption so you will have to pay them, Thailand government should do something about this.

[@curlyken01]

@@amaroqcoffee7872...But they can't own 100 per cent of the business can they? If not, then they better have a Thai partner that they can trust.

[@YingManbogae-i3k]

There are always the haters.

[@MarkTattersall-t1b]

@@amaroqcoffee7872 illegal

[@anneofgreengables1619]

Money pit vibes. Nothing wrong with the idea.But this is way too big of a project.I think for rookies. Very risky project.

[@kellyjordan6440]

Totally agree. People watching this are stupid . They are too busy listening to the romantic music and focusing on the hold hands beach fairytale. Count on probability not possibility!

[@ManicminerSG]

Sell 50% of hotel rooms for $1.5M THB for a proposed 12% return on investment by providing 1-2% of total hotel share. Research Condotels. Then once the risk of ownership has been transferred to multiple owners you can finish the build faster. You will still have 50% ownership plus income from hotel/restaurant management. Go talk to a lawyer.

[@Adam-q3m4g]

give it a year!

[@kitkanok]

I see so many foreigners who got their dreams shattered in Thailand. Big money bigger fall. 95% don't succeed. They have no understanding of Thai law and culture. Bribery, corruption, plus an over saturated market. I want a follow up after 2 yrs

[@tonythaiger]

Where's your 95% come from? I know lots of people that succeed and I don't know anyone that has failed.

[@YingManbogae-i3k]

Don't be such a hater. Hang out on KZbin and hate. Full of jealousy because someone you don't even know is following their dream

[@Adam-q3m4g]

NO NO NO DO NOT LEASE LAND IN THAILAND THE OWNER WILL REMOVE YOU AFTER 1 YEAR

[@Vlogged-off]

Another covid ...

[@freejay3]

Yeah it seems all great except he has kids I couldnt just abandon them like that ... sorry

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Do u mean Bert and Ernie, the sausage dogs that he had with his ex 8 years ago?

[@freejay3]

@@SweetLifeLanta .. sorry ..... i thought he said he had children in his last marriage

[@SweetLifeLanta]

@@freejay3 no kids... he really doesn't seem to be the kind of guy who would just abandon his kids. But you were not the only one who misunderstand. Maybe it's the British accent...

[@nb.3633]

But he left his children and his wife for his Dream, which I find is very selfish

[@willsmith39]

He got divorced, it happens, maybe she was very unhappy too. And I didn't hear him mention kids only dogs

[@ElizabethJHare]

No kids. And he said he is on good terms with his ex wife. What’s the alternative? Be unhappy your whole life?

[@nb.3633]

@@ElizabethJHareyou are Right he just said 2 wiener dogs. I missheard it, that Changes everything! Thank you for pointing that out

[@kellyjordan6440]

Dumb idea throwing a ton of money in a country where they don't know the economic landscape. Do silly things win silly prizes..Lets see what happens when they file for bankruptcy. Will you be playing romantic music holding hands on the beach?

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Too much sarcasm to my taste. Many foreigners, myself included and many I know, are doing great business in Thailand, earning money and living their dream life. Check out this channel for success stories. It's always a bumpy road with ups and downs, so not purely a dream, but the ones who are willing to take a risk, often create amazing opportunities for themselves.

[@YingManbogae-i3k]

Your life must suck to be so hateful

[@kirsikkamansikka8695]

Where do these nay-sayers come? Please don't vomit your own disappointment of life here. I admire this couple if taking a risk and trying!

[@benoitperrin9530]

Ces deux-là planent à 10.000. Ils parlent trop et ne voient pas où ils sont. Leur manque d'humilité les expose à de rapides déconvenues... ouh la la... la chute !

[@neripinch8240]

Bravo ! A better quality of life. Thailand, no doubt !

[@thanaang1455]

A lot of work and money to be spent on renovating it in a place where you do not know anyone OMG. I hope to see them successfully open this hotel

[@MarkTattersall-t1b]

Or can't own the land. If there is a land encroachment it's gone. Mental for a dream. They will need a Thai partner.