A New Beginning in Thailand

When I first visited Thailand in September 2004, I proclaimed to my mate Steve, already living in the Land of Smiles, that one day I would live there. While many people make such predictions on holiday, often more as dreams than reality, I was serious. Sure enough, I caught a flight from London’s Heathrow airport on November 29th, 2021, to open a new chapter in my life.

Thorough Planning

I’d visited Thailand at least once a year, often twice, since my maiden trip. Many trips saw me involved in cricket tournaments around the country, while also making the most of time on either side to explore and learn. You see, I am different from many tourists and expats.
 
What excited me most was discovering hidden gems off the beaten track, attending football matches and finding restaurants and bars that few other Westerners visited. Back in London, where I had worked as a Customer Service Supervisor, I put together plans and highlighted places I wanted to explore.
 
I had planned to retire on my 55th birthday, take the reduced pension package, along with another couple of policies and my savings and head east. The worldwide pandemic delayed me for a year, helping me to save as a key worker and putting in the hours when the things I would normally spend money on were closed.
 
Thailand lifted its restrictions on those entering the country, and that was it. I gave my notice at work and went about getting rid of my possessions, apart from necessities, filling my 30kg baggage allowance. Several meetings with friends and farewells were arranged before the big day, when I headed to the airport.

The Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Hotel - My Quarantine Accommodation

 

Surreal Feelings

Sitting and waiting to be called for the flight was surreal. London was tough at times as a single man from a northern seaside town, but it had also been good to me. It had made me grow up, educate myself and provide some incredible memories, making some wonderful friends along the way.
 
I was flying with Turkish Airlines. My flight was delayed because of storms over Istanbul, where we were to change planes for the second leg. That caused a few anxious moments because I knew everything had to go to plan to avoid complications.
 
It was compulsory to book with a Thai government-approved hotel that followed the pandemic procedures, including being ferried to the accommodation, having tests, and then being in quarantine until cleared of any infection. I was worried we might arrive late in Bangkok, leading to complications.

Beers as a Thai Resident

Superb Organisation

The aircraft were half-empty at best, allowing me to spread out and get some rest. We arrived a couple of hours late at our destination. I had thoroughly filled out and copied all the required paperwork. The organisation ran like clockwork at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and I was soon through customs.
 
It was the same in the terminal, where a gent was waiting, holding a sign indicating he was from Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Hotel. I was the only one who got inside the minibus, which was a relief. All kinds of scare stories were doing the rounds about people being infected and then sent to an expensive hospital for a week.
 
Outside the hotel, a nurse carried out a swab test before I completed the necessary paperwork and selected my meals for the rest of my quarantine.
 
I was taken to my room and told I was not allowed to leave it until the test results cleared me of any COVID-19 infection. That suited me. It was an upgrade in many places I generally stayed in, my meal was soon delivered, and I relaxed watching snooker from York on TV and letting important ones know that all was OK.
 
I couldn’t sleep too long, partly through nerves, excitement, and getting a good rest on the flight. Breakfast was delivered outside my door, but no results. I decided to call downstairs.

Freedom!

When reception confirmed I was free to leave, it felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I headed outside and hailed a taxi to Minburi, where I was going to stay for a few nights with Steve and Fah before flying to a weekend cricket tournament in Chiang Mai.
 
Minburi was familiar. I had stayed there at my friend's house and in hotels many times, which is why I decided to make it my new home. We headed to the Pak Soi Market for food, finding a smart young man selling beer in paper cups to avoid the authorities’ attention.
 
The following day, my friends were keen to assist and suggested that rather than waiting, it was as good a time as any to find me somewhere to live. I had used a website back in England to check off potential places, which we had a look at.
 

I even filmed soon after I moved into Min Residence. Looking back now, it's fascinating to see those early moments and compare them with how life has unfolded since.

A Place to Live

After checking out four places, I decided to plump for the one I always thought to be the best option. My large room with a bathroom in Min Residence was 4,200 THB (£95) a month plus the additional electric and water bills, still less than 5,000 THB. I went to the ATM, paid the cash they wanted upfront, so I could move in when I returned from Chiang Mai.
 
It proved to be the ideal place. Nothing luxurious, but the block had a kind old lady cleaner. I was 5 minutes from several markets, a Big C supermarket, and the main road with lots of taxis and bus services.
 
Within a few days, any nerves had been replaced by relief. All the planning had paid off, and it was finally time to relax, explore and begin living the life I had imagined for so many years.
 
If you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out my YouTube Channel, where I share videos about everyday life in Thailand, local football, and travel across the country.
 
Thanks for reading.