What I wish I knew before visiting Thailand.

[@thomasridenour277]

I am from the USA and have been here in Thailand for 15 years. I agree with you for the most part. There are tons of know-nothing clowns trolling for clicks on youtube with thailand videos. You are well worth listening too. You seem have you head screwed on straight.

[@2644-b7y]

Thank you for this very informative video, Paul. I will soon be moving to Thailand. I have trained for the experience with 10 years in China followed by 9 years in the Philippines. Inefficiency and unintended comedic relief has been a way of life for me for nearly two decades. I also have spent a considerable amount of time in Thailand for the last 29 years. You have hit upon many salient points for anyone moving to the "Land of Smiles". Being flexible, open minded, tolerant, and not expecting things to be like "back home" are the keys to success. Wherever "back home" might be. Thanks again.

[@stevena.7022]

After a month in Thailand I'm convinced I could make a permanent living there by simply installing shower heads correctly.

[@lifemuchmore]

Haha, so true 😂

[@misterd-lyangeleno3574]

good video paul. & nice idea about the group (agreeing that expats / farangs set is not the most amicable bunch - so new group is needed with better focus) - pls keep us posted of the group's progress, thanks.

[@mcm95403]

I wouldn't count first/last/deposit as part of "monthly expenses", but rather "moving expenses". Once you're in, it's just the monthly rent. Our condo is Bang Na is about $260 a month and is a very nice place. We can both live very comfortably on 1300 USD or so a month.

[@leeshalusalongrowth]

I love your videos Paul! So informative. I’d love info on the Education visa!

[@hoppeanofasgard1365]

$2000 a month for that lifestyle would easily cost $7000 in the US, great bargain.

[@iPaulLee]

exactly!

[@laguy9596]

Now getting worse . People living In LA all poors even making money $7000 a month 😂

[@hoppeanofasgard1365]

@@laguy9596 Yea California is just crazy with all of that, not really reflective of the whole country, but certainly yea, if you want that sort of baller lifestyle there you better be making at least 11k a month.

[@carlyndolphin]

I spend $10,000 per month easily in Bangkok.

[@RatedRoberto]

​@@carlyndolphinWow! You're so cool!

[@guymandudely324]

You bring up some good points, Paul. Two of the most important to me are: 1) you will ALWAYS be 'farang' in Thailand. Even if you learn to speak perfect Lao language, you will still be referred to as 'the farang who speak good Issan,' and 2) visa issues are a moving target for Westerners. When I started living and working in Thailand, I simply paid 2000 baht at Chaengwattana Immigration and got a 1-year non-B. However, as YOU noted, there are many hoops now to procuring a 'correct' visa now in Thailand, and Thais basically don't care if you fail in your visa process and end up with overstay or deportation. If they make money off you, then you have served a purpose and if the result isn't favorable, it's 'mai bpen rai' or 'som nam naa.' Thank you again for this video.

[@BobGoodi]

Paul...l lived in LOS and studied at one internationel Uni Campus there for some years. Let me put it like this...its much better being "lonelly" in thailand than in the west

[@ilseh2970]

So true! Much less feeling of isolation here. It's the outdoor living style, I guess.

[@dtsang508]

OMG, I work in Macon ,GA. Nice to see you found a place that gives you meaning!

[@Bryan_USA]

Every comment of yours is useful and informative.As an American you are very easy to listen to also.

[@mokeenaja8798]

Thanks!

[@iPaulLee]

Thanks for the donation!

[@bradley_Bradley]

Discord group is a great idea Paul.

[@yasinyazdanvocal]

I lived in Thailand for 10 years from 1998-2008 I went back after 15 years just for visiting I still speak Thai and all yes I miss it a lot but I was able to make friends with my Thai conversation skills

[@simonk5571]

You should definitely learn Thai if you live here but c'mon, Bangkok Thais speak English more than any other asian city aside from Hong Kong and Singapore. Id say Bangkok is third in the most English speakers in asia. Makes sense too since it's the most visited city in the world. But definitely learn Thai!

[@AznAfroMan513]

more than Manila?

[@keithlarrimore]

Not even close dude. You must only hang on central Sukhumvit and have clearly never been to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila, Seoul, etc.

[@gilbertlloyd8691]

The entire country of Philippines. It's their second language and everyone speaks it. Then there are different dialects of tagolog.

[@flowerpower2726]

Live in Phuket, Rawai in a large 2 bedroom condo. Spend about $1500 a month (I spend a lot on food) rarely ever going over that. Very comfortable, simple life.

[@keltonjohnson6197]

Here’s a tip- if staying in Bangkok, don’t look for an Airbnb, instead look for a serviced apartment.

[@simbiotik8480]

Where do you look for these services apartments?

[@kippsguitar6539]

​@@simbiotik8480they are everywhere and advertised locally

[@keltonjohnson6197]

@@simbiotik8480 my wife’s local friends had some suggestions, but I’ve also seen some of them online with a google search for “serviced apartment” and the area.

[@lastpreacher9093]

Why?

[@leeshalusalongrowth]

Which ones do you recommend?

[@SenjiaMurtic]

So green & lush a must on the bucket list! 🤠

[@gzobo2673]

Great video, thank you very much for making it.

[@APRNVJ]

I am Thai living in CA, thing that I hate the most about Thai is they are always late... being on time is the least important thing in their life, even they know they are not going to be on time by any reasons, they will not notify you..they will let you wait and wait and guess whether if they are going to show-up or not...

[@JoshAwang]

Great sharing Paul! I have to agree with you on how foreigners can be very hostile over social media, FB groups, yes!!!... I wonder why?

[@mercenarymike1397]

Hello, I have been to Thailand 5 or 6 times, and enjoy it immensely. Especially the Muay Thai boxing at Rajadamnern arena. Absolutely loved the views from your apartment. Can I ask where that is? As I might want to rent an apartment there. The view is stunning

[@cherryllhoney8907]

Thank god I have family in thai that would let stay for free my little cousins are super funny don't know what they say but there my favorite

[@veosavan3735]

Your puppy is so dang cute.

[@catmando4914]

I was just surfing KZbin and found your channel. No plans to go to Thailand, however, you gave me a great, well presented education, and I will subscribe. Look forward to more videos of the pluses and minuses in Thailand.

[@kennetharntson5912]

How about having a job before coming to Thailand? The first time I came to Thailand in 1973 and just graduated from my State University I got a job paying $2,500 a month, but then it was 20 baht to a dollar and a beauty queen would stay the night for a 100 baht. My 2 furnished 2 bedroom furnished house in centeral Bangkok $100 a month. My Thailand job lead to better paying jobs but to other Asian countries but I kept my Bangkok house. In 1995 I got another job in Thailand that paid $ 8K a month and the baht was 25 to the dollar and the beauty queens were 500 baht. By 2002 and another job in Thailand rent was $240 for a 3 bedroom house but I was married and my pharmacist Thai wife was working in a near by hospital and I was making $10k a month. Came back to Thailand in 2006 but working in Nigeria but on a one month on and one month off schedule for 4 years before retiring. Now own a home and now building a better one.

[@cosmo9960]

How did you make that much in Thailand?

[@jcmolette1613]

So you started off with making 30$ an hour in 1973 then jumped to your wife making 10K (Dollars or Baht?) a month in a hospital in the (US or Thailand?) ... I'm sorry, but your story veers off the rails - I could be wrong - some things are believable, some not. Paragraph 1, ok I was in Thailand from 1972-1974 and off and on up until present day 3 Sep 2024, but you lost me at $10K per month...

[@MK-fl7hb]

Most South East Asia countries are chilled and not very punctual and regulated as much for certain things. If you want to live in a highly regulated and follow rules and law country. Singapore and Australia tops the world.

[@Johnnyandkik]

The only problem is you need an online job or be a business owner. No Thai job is paying that

[@dangeisser3416]

Your information is not correct. A landlord can only legally require 2 months deposit for renting a home in Thailand. If the landlord has 5 or more properties, he is legally only allowed to ask 1 month deposit.

[@iPaulLee]

Every condo I’ve ever rented in bkk required 2 months. If you ask any agent in bangkok they will say the same thing. Can you send me a legal document telling me only one month is required? So that I can get a refund on all the condos I’ve given two months deposit

[@dangeisser3416]

@@iPaulLee you said 3 months in your video. A landlord can charge 2 months as long as he owns fewer than 5 condos. You can Google and see.

[@gTube11011]

​@@iPaulLeeyour deposits should always be refunded after your stay, unless it's been a scam that often gets coverage in videos like this 😅

[@lifewithcapital]

Dope content 💯

[@simonk5571]

With slow life and patience it took me 3 years to get used to it. You realize that it's not Thailand thats the problem. It's you and living in the western world for so long and used to being in a rush. I bet they called 5 other customers and you were the only one that was disappointed they didn't install your internet.

[@iPaulLee]

You wouldn’t be disappointed if you make an appointment and then they come one week later?

[@AtlITGuy]

Love the dog. He is going to town on that bone :-P

[@SjaakSchulteis]

Right in the beginning you say it is not cheap, but affordable. Then you start talking about high end places to rent. Of course then it is only "affordable". If I compare Thailand with my home country (Netherlands) and compare with what I paid for rent and all taxes and insurances that are forced upon you, gas for a car (maintenance of it as well), I can say that Thailand is a lot more affordable then there.

[@mangostickyrice555]

Thumbs up 👍 Paul, you did a vlog about the durian place in Bangkok a while back, my wife and I went there a couple weeks ago and it was awesome 😎

[@SportsIncorporated]

So Paul. Because you have excess lung cells in your lungs. You're probably breathing just fine. It's when those lung cells are destroyed by pollution to the point where all those excess lung cells are gone, and so that you're cutting into the lung cells you really need, you have a hard time breathing. You have COPD. And you don't get those lungs cells back. (The people in India wind up with black lungs, whether they smoke or they don't smoke.) I'm not a doctor, and if I'm wrong somebody point it out here please. If I were living there I would get an air cleaner for the apartment. And spend more time outdoors after a rain.

[@jdn.imagery]

Hi! What if I’m a photographer and want to set up a photography business in Thailand. What sort of business I should do to live there?

[@grantr7682]

Lmao love the brutal honesty. "It's not that they are incompetent... well... sometimes they are..." lol

[@jnsa9454]

Make a video with "only in Thailand" examples 😆 very curioous

[@noodlesvr95615]

My VA & SSD is $5,300 a month. I should be able to live like a king?

[@christiandavis4187]

Yes you will!

[@John-d5k7c]

Did you check out the Philippines?

[@Wendykim771]

This young man is very smart

[@ПОТРОШИТЕЛЬВАТЫ-е5м]

*Just checked visa prices. The cheapest 5 year is about $24,000. No, thank you! Add these money to your budget and have a comfortable life in US!*

[@mikesquattincassanova4489]

didn't know you had a channel haha, Nice

[@iPaulLee]

Yessir 💯

[@user-ok2fb8bq6q]

Hi, I'm interested in the educational visa. Can you recommend? Thanks

[@siamiam4306]

Only thing I wished I learned was packing my sun protection in checked-in luggage. Thailand is not a complicated place, yet with idiosyncrasies like anywhere else.

[@Kenny-bx2we]

Hi Paul, looking forward to ur FB group but I don't see any link to it. Would you please send me the link.

[@iPaulLee]

It's actually a discord group, here's the link! discord.com/invite/U9wM6GYsfS

[@John-d5k7c]

Gezz, here in America it’s 2,000.00 dollars just to rent an unfurnished apartment!!!!

[@yongxing1848]

Can I live there for 1000 I do not drink much and pretty much a loner and eat normal food. I am only eating 2 meal a day and I make my own coffee. Just like to play basketball and workout, because of my age.

[@livinb450]

2 seasons hot and dry, and hot and wet. Yes, getting an extra month was not fun or easy. It was three days work and visits to their office. The idea of retiring here, and dealing with immigration over and over? The Thai government made it easy to know I could never retire here. They need to hire a Translator for their documents. I can’t believe who hard it is to understand their rules so as to follow them, gladly.

[@gilbertlloyd8691]

I want the information for the agency that helped you with visa stuff. Thats my greatest hold up cause i am not doing that elote visa even if i had the money for it. Unrealistically expensive.

[@dmorgan3244]

Bangkok isn't cheap but many other areas are.

[@justBEingjada]

I have an AMAZING condo and pay 355 usd. 3 pools and great sleeping very quiet o my way too much for housing costs

[@progrown3589]

My man Paul, i am in staying in Pattaya currently with a tourist visa, i have many contacts of agents but as you said you need to get a legitimate one, i would really appreciate dropping me the student visa agent contact you work with 🙏

[@Saltycrabguy]

$2000 a month can barely get you a one bedroom apartment where I live

[@nickgrace5363]

Do I need to apply for a tourist visa if I plan to stay for 1 year or just buy a 1 way plane ticket?

[@kellysychamp6076]

The star of this clip is the Pup😂🥰Love it!!!!! Thank you for this clip the 2 main thing that I wanted to know is the 1yr lease and Visa, espcially the Visa that I am always confused. I want to live in Thailand for a year but don't know how to get a visa for that. Leasing what kind of docs. do they need besides the passport? Would be very greatfull if I can get that info. Again thank you in advance.

[@Pgi458]

How are you able to live in Thailand permanently as a foreigner?

[@iPaulLee]

Haven’t figured that out yet

[@johnrooney507]

@@iPaulLeeMarry a Thai?

[@DT-gs3wi]

​@@johnrooney507not really.

[@davek1943]

interesting - you are on an education visa but making money vlogging in thailand - just saw a video from integrity legal thailand - police are now specifically targeting people like you. earning money from youtube while here violates your visa and results in tax owed to thailand. if they find you they can make it extortionately (pun intended) expensive followed by deportation and being banned from the kingdom.

[@theparikhpulse]

Would like to meet you and get some tips of condos to rent

[@elperro3056]

So when people ask where u from in Thailand u say korena or 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@QTV1928]

Great videos ! Happy to be the one who click it from 999 to 1k likes :)

[@Yshti]

can I sell online in Thailand, is it legal

[@dangeisser3416]

10 Thais to change a light bulb is really messed up.

[@WallStreetMinute]

great info , the dog stole the show lol

[@kushal809]

Nice video 👍Can you share the link ?

[@iPaulLee]

Discord: discord.gg/sVDhwvK4B8

[@fredkim01]

You couldn't rent that kind of apartment at that price in the States

[@Jeremiah-yo3jf]

Hey what visa did you get to stay in Thailand long time

[@daveb3987]

He says in the video.

[@Peterachy23]

Hey Paul, what visa are you on living in Thailand ?

[@iPaulLee]

Education

[@Peterachy23]

Nice ! I got the 20 year elite visa just before the price increase.

[@stegura83]

Marry your Thai gf and get a Fiance Visa!

[@Peterachy23]

Marry which one ? I have 4 😅

[@JFunded]

​@@Peterachy23I wonder how they take you being with multiple of them I'm interested in doin that myself, are they loyal?

[@user-oe7gc5py4c]

Can you refer powerful reliable visa agent can bypass the regulations?

[@iPaulLee]

Link in bio

[@ding6745]

@@iPaulLee No there isnt any ling for the visa agent :)

[@lobopro1805]

Can you help me with an education visa

[@blackmask5988]

Like learning Hungul. I lived in Korea for 6 yrs bruh

[@kazishahidurrahman5174]

Your condo place and name

[@tinacollins9213]

Your flat is beautiful

[@mercsan117]

The first 2 minutes desribe a US lifestyle that would cost $6,000+ / month alone... TF

[@antichairman4073]

st. pauli 5

[@johnwilliams-ni8cn]

thought you may think this is interesting or not np How much land is there there is over 295 billion 1/8 acres of land on this world, In canada and united states there are 23 billion 1/8 acres of land, so all the 8 billion people in the world could all go to canada and united states, all get 1/8 acre of land totally free that another is not using, away from any resources people need to live, there would still be an extra 15 billion 1/8 acres of public land left over, there would not be a human body anywhere else in the world, non in africa, south america, europe, china, russia etc... yet we are being lied to there is NOT enough land? oil? gas? electricity? food? water? etc... 1/8 acre of land is 5445 sq ft, an average 2 bedroom condo is less than a 1000 sq ft, that can be built on 1/8 acre of land, people build on swamps, mountains, snow etc... add a 2000 sq. ft. greenhouse for nutrition, grow plants for free! There is still 2445 sq. ft. Left over, chickens, goat etc...? they can build anything their hearts desire. If people want they can move together, 1/8 acre next to another one or far away. free thermal heat, self-sufficient hydro, people can help each other create anything for free again. humans never have to act as a slave to something else. It’s better to show someone how to help themselves, then forced to act as a slave to another. look at all the homeless people dying, murder? when woman have a home for the child they can have for free with electricity, water and nutrition they are not forced to think as a whore, free from money. all land and its resources is the gift that keeps on giving, to all children, that must always be free from debt illusion. its only on your own land you have liberty and justice, live by your own laws, not a slave to an others rules. all 1/8 acres of land can be tracked on the written world map also with computer. in a town there is a piece of land that for over 20 yrs has had a fence/border/debt illusion around it, destroying anything that could have creatively used it, so retarded. having what they need people naturally help each other! for free. buddha stated; think it you become it, bible states ask and ye shall receive, jesus said knock and the door will be opened. what are you thinking? asking for? what door are you knocking on? all are free to think, ask, knock on any door why do most people do what they do? politicians, artists, athletes, police, army, navy, air force, accountants, bankers, lawyers, drug dealers(legal and illegal) psychologists, criminals, doctors, strippers, secretaries, builders, thieves etc... for shelter and nutrition, especially for their child. man and woman in condo(apartment)jail or with nature? in a apartment/condo; mortgage, condo fees, condo rules, hydro bills, gas bills, water bills, air bills? food bills, fear from bills/debt, hatred etc… corporate jail privilege to live. communism. living with nature; land, fresh air, water, plants, fruit, vegetables, animals, shelter, sun light, water, hydro, fire, feelings, love etc… all free, the land of the free. right too live.

[@iPaulLee]

Learn 150+ languages with quality native-speaking teachers on italki🎉. Buy $10 get $5 for free for your first lesson using my code PAUL Web: go.italki.com/paulleenov App: italki.app.link/paulleenov

[@Yshti]

can I sell online in Thailand, is it legal

[@1.4142]

th-AI-land

[@william5159]

One mistake might have been thinking the Thai girls are AI generated, lol.

[@asghartaragheh4840]

You have no idea what you’re talking about $2000. Will get you a very very nice apartment but that’s it it’s not going to be $2000 for food and apartment per month if you wanna live in a nice part of Bangkok I think you are currently on a student budget that’s why you think $2000 a month is high price.

[@iPaulLee]

$500 for condo, $500 for food, $500 for living, $500 for extra stuff. It’s totally realistic

[@lazyhusband]

You got my attention with the thumbnail but I’m not subscribing

[@elperro3056]

Yeah I thought it was cheap into I was Cambodia and 🇻🇳 but Thailand better set up mall and night life and even the girl r better more curves 😂

[@John-d5k7c]

Gezz, here in America it’s 2,000.00 dollars just to rent an unfurnished apartment!!!!