• Expat Retirement
• Overseas Retirement Information

Do your daily shopping everywhere. Don't get into the habit of shopping at just one place. Introduce yourself to the owners. Be extremely polite. Be approachable. Buy a soda or cup of coffee and sit nearby to drink it. Curiosity is your ally. Be friendly. Ask questions and answer questions.

Use the same scattergun approach at local restaurants and food shops. Recommend good places to friends and make sure the owner know where the recommendation came from. Invite friends or new acquaintances to accompany you for a meal. Try to find a place owned and operated by a retired local official .. especially a "kamnan" or "head man". They tend to know everything that is going on in an area. Get friendly with them. But also ask around about them .. some are .. less than honest.

It won't be long before these folks start asking you if you plan to build a house. Play your "no money" card. You have a monthly pension or income but not "big money". You're looking for a place to rent.

When you hear about something available that you might like, do a drive by. Then send a trusted Thai friend around to inquire about the price. Doing this step correctly is crucial. What you don't need is a Thai telling the owner that a farang is involved. Nor do you need the Thai to be cutting himself a deal with the owner.

If you are lucky enough to find a property you like that has a house that you like already built, consider yourself lucky. Building from scratch means an whole new set of decisions and problems.

You may decide that the area is not all that you thought it might be. If so, move on to another location you like. Whether you realize it or not, you will have learned quite a lot. Apply what you have learned in your new location and just think how much heartache you have avoided.

Buying a House in Thailand
Buying a House in Thailand - Know the Area
"Owning" land in Thailand