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...

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@wendy-0101]

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

[@betsylindsay8480]

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

[@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.

[@wmistler7559]

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

[@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

[@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 😇

[@sallyjaynes2433]

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

[@brucef310]

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

[@mrnavakit0531]

555555 😂

[@np8181]

😢

[@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!

[@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!

[@anilchopra4901]

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

[@henriverbeek6877]

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

[@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

[@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...

[@williamhartz8707]

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

[@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

[@2kkto2]

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

[@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.

[@chrisnn9281]

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

[@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 😊

[@rhp5239]

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

[@pakawanmalayavech101]

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

[@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

[@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 ❤

[@TheE21qph]

Welcome to Thailand.

[@flavorcity6961]

I love them , very positive and wish u luck 💕

[@user-ee3mw7cy1d]

Well done you two

[@thanaang1455]

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

[@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!😍😍😍

[@yvonnebirch6026]

Wow, great interview Maayan !!❤❤

[@PVillapah]

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

[@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 🏡

[@danielstuart2938]

Sabai sabai ,welcome to Thailand!

[@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.

[@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 😀

[@cherylsaetae4818]

That was awesome!!

[@Swampzoid]

Dreams come true and it can happen to you

[@chatchaweewong1071]

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

[@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

[@abuabdullah8955]

❤

[@injapan5924]

ยินดีต้อนรับค่ะ❤

[@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.

[@RobertSmith-rj9md]

Wish you all The Best

[@dianaduval9497]

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

[@ingridbuck9960]

Should bought it!😅

[@larry-notthecableguy]

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

[@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?

[@_._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.

[@danielstuart2938]

You've made the right choice !geloof me🙏

[@dammeedee]

รีสรอทเขียวสวย สวนสวยต้นไม้เยอะน่าพักมากค่ะอยากไปพักเลย

[@sudaphon1]

ห้องน่าพักมากค่ะ

[@Explorigate]

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

[@SibyT-qr5ln]

Yeah sure!

[@devanii]

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

[@micheleberto1846]

if they looked at this adventure to work less and travel more, why not traveling until they retire?

[@Battosai87]

About the comment about the workers. She said "people don't look ahead to tomorrow." This is not a Thai thing. I work in europe in an eviroment with highly educated, trained and paid engineers. Even in this enviroment people behave the same. This particular topic is not unique to Thailand. it's the same for most people everywhere who have no direct responsibility for the outcome of a work. People will only think about tomorrow if they are negatively effected by their behavior.

[@flavorcity6961]

Is there grab or bolt in koh lanta now ?

[@Paradise385]

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

[@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.

[@gordon.Jacko1055]

I would only invest in my own country. I wish them the best 🤞

[@shabajohnson1406]

👍

[@marieloumontenegro3103]

Philippines is the future

[@sincerechristine508]

hope that they still survive.

[@SweetLifeLanta]

They are doing pretty amazing so I'm not worried. ❤

[@palidamook1767]

สวัสดีค่ะ🙏

[@น้ําใสใจภักดิ์]

ขอให้ประสบความสําเร็จร่ำรวยและมีความสุขในบั้นปลายชีวิตนะคะ

[@PP-fs6xt]

Good luck & Good in your business 🎉🎉

[@asianight9188]

They will be home penniless very soon

[@ClaudeRausch]

They will, unfortunately, quickly find out, that its nice to make holidays in those countries, but NOT making business !!

[@yotzrimtheater9564]

אם לא עכשיו אז מתי. שאפו להם ושאפו לך על הוידיאו🤩

[@annaleebeverley2763]

Why not invest the money from selling your possessions and then buy a house in thailand and start relaxing right away..why buy a business if you are not looking to get rich from it? I am sure they could have lived a lovely but frugal lifestyle on investments and not had the stress from a business?

[@marcophuket2182]

Make shure u r all ok with papers ... 📃

[@clivebaxter6354]

They dont own the land

[@acquisitium]

only people out of the business buy a resort in a foreign country

[@paulrenwick6231]

So how much did it cost then? More then B50,000 😂😂😂😂 😖😖😖😖😖

[@SweetLifeLanta]

I'm pretty sure he said much more than 50000 euro. Which should definitely give you a better idea.

[@jerjai252]

You buy land and home in Thailand .😮

[@MarkTattersall-t1b]

Foreigners can't own land.

[@paolobuzzelli5981]

Insane

[@benhogan4739]

I will tell you…one thing Thailand will always benefit from and prosper because is less Caucasian women. 😉

[@SomchokAksornsombat]

ปัญหาคือฟังไม่รู้เรื่อง จะแชร์ให้ กลัวเพื่อนด่า

[@SweetLifeLanta]

ขอโทษค่ะ ครั้งนี้ไม่มีเวลาทำซับค่ะ

[@stocktradingmastery]

Just hope the Thai partners dont steal their beautiful dream from them Beware doing business in Thailand !

[@hazelleung2649]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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. 🤩

[@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!

[@fatwallet13]

pointless asking how much the place cost if they don't answer.

[@duisunny]

ถ้าอยู่และลงทุนอย่างถูกกฎหมาย เมืองไทยก็ยินดีต้อนรับทุกคนที่มาเพื่อสร้างความสุขและสงบร่วมกันในสังคมไทย

[@StanleyStuart-h1q]

I wouldn't pur all my eggs in one basket

[@รู้ว่ารู้แหละสิงคโปร์]

น่าจะทำซับภาษาไทยด้วยคงดีครับ🎉❤😊

[@aniquefleur]

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

[@SweetLifeLanta]

Echt he?!

[@latebloomerabroad]

Every one of these business owners mention that Thai people don't think even one day ahead. As a visitor, that wouldn't bother me, but it would be a huge stressor as a business owner, that they don't even learn to plan ahead if they're working for a farang. Of course, the Thais will live longer because it doesn't stress them out. 😂

[@lilylily8711]

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

[@A6ugslife]

I would love to stay there when visiting!