AIBU to want to live in Thailand for 2 years

[Anusername]

We travelled to Thailand for holidays when we were young (pre kids) and we really enjoyed it. Hence we have been going back to Thailand for tourism many times over the years. I really love the idea of living there for 1-2 years to chill out and relax, but this idea doesn’t sound realistic and my husband has never really acknowledged it although he also reckons that Thailand is our favorite holiday spot.

We now have two kids — one six years old and the other 3 months, and I’m still thinking about it. It sounds a bit extreme to just migrate to a foreign country to live (we may not work there) and to put everything on pause. Just wondering if anyone has actually done it with school aged kids? Moving to another country for one or two years just to experience a different culture.

AIBU to do it?

In your shoes I would do it :)

Sounds brilliant

If you can afford it, and you’ll easily get back into work when you return, go for it!

Living somewhere is very different to holidaying there.

Without being negative, do you ever think about how dangerous it is or rhe crime rate?

What about your work and current property? And would you home school?

Thailand is pretty safe for tourists. Usual risks but no worse than many other tourist countries.

I think the visa only allows you to stay for 90 days doesn't it?

Sounds like an amazing experience. What would you do about your older DC's education?

Thailand is probably safer than here tbh!

Thailand is getting very very hot nowadays. Philippines is so hot currently at 45C that schools are closed.

https://twitter.com/extremetemps/status/1786375838197313641

I loved Thailand when I travelled whole of SE Asia and other parts many years ago now but I’m wary even of a holiday there now.

There’s a punishing heatwave going on right now breaking all records. In fact Thailand has broken monthly records for over a year now. It just does not cool down anymore, even at night.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/thailand-heatwave-asia-el-nino-climate-change-weather/

Drought is affecting the paddy fields.

I wouldn’t move my family there now personally as it just looks too hot. Things are not what they used to be, sadly.

Friend recently spent time in Bangkok and although initially loved being back by the end was relieved to leave. Just too hot.

Do you have enough money to not work for two years? Realistically, will spending two years somewhere you usually just go on holidays with the reality of two young children be any kind of chill out experience? What is the longest period you have spent there on holiday? Do you speak any Thai?

And what about the fact that your husband isn't keen?

This
It's a very British (or American) thing to assume that one can just move to another country for as long as they like. Especially if it's erm a 'developing' country.
Your plan's a no go OP. Unless you plan to buy a property, set up a business or get a job with an employer willing to sponsor you in Thailand...

Happy to be corrected but really you need to look into visas.

don’t know how easily I can get a job after 1-2 gap years - that’s one concern for sure.

In and of itself, yes great, go for it but actual practicalities like visas, jobs, accomodation, what's going to be happening here while you're gone re house, possessions etc. I'm not saying don't do it but there's a lot to consider.

@KimberleyClark just out of interest have how tried living in a place where you enjoyed as a tourist?

@Peonies12 those are the main reasons that my contemplation of living in Thailand is not realized.

How would visas work and how would it all be funded? Local health care and other costs?

I think if you want to live abroad, you need to start job hunting, and see what comes up

I went on holiday to Laos, loved it, moved there three months later. Stayed two years. I taught in a school. No kids.

It's very hot. I wouldn't do it with kids, it would be too disruptive to them. Also the things that seem interesting as a tourist rapidly become your norm and annoying. For instance, I remember the first time I had to slow down on my way to work because a load of cows wandered onto the road. It was exotic. 18 months later it was a pain in the ass.

Thailand is a safe country.

You'll need visas, private healthcare and private education for the kids. Be able to stand the heat too. Be prepared to accept being called a Farang.

@Flowersonmyorchid thanks for letting me know! It’s very interesting to see how it pans out for other people. Yes education for my kids is the main concern but I do think that it will also enrich their experiences. But i do worry that I will not have a good career as I currently seem to have when I take a break.

Bear in mind that even international schools are often not at the same level as the UK. White faces are often more important than skills - I know of many non white highly qualified native (English as a first language) speaker teachers who struggled/couldn't get jobs in international schools as they didn't fit the image that rich Thai parents wanted. A lot of education is status based rather than learning based. You'll be ok with the well respected internationals, but they are verrrrry pricey.
That said, I had a great time. It just would be problematic with kids and if it impacts your career.

I don't think you will be able to do it OP, as you haven't answered questions about visas.

Everything else is irrelevant if you can't actually stay there legally.