WHAT WILL IT COST

[hawk3164]

Hello:

I am considering taking up residents in the LOS. But I would like you experts to give me a "very" good idea of what it will cost me to do this.
Let me begin by saying that I will attempt to provide you with the most accurate description of my needs so that you can provide me with the best answer. I will also tell you that I currently have a very affluent lifestyle and would like to continue that lifestyle. I live in California in the proximity of Malibu so those familiar with this area will have a pretty good idea of how we live (Calabasas).
I would like to know the following:
Want to rent either a furnished or unfurnished 2 bedroom apt, home or condo. Either in Silom, Thonburi, Sukhumvit, Hua Hin or another "fine" beach community. If possible give me in the city and on the beach.
Have a car and driver at my disposal when required
A full time cook (has american cooking talents)
A housekeeper 2-3 times per week
Play golf and tennis frequently
Eat at fine restaurants weekends
Attend the Arts and Sciences
Finally keep company on an occasion with the opposite sex(go-go and up)

Now I realize this may be a tall order but I believe there are many of you out there than can give me your honest opinion and by reading all of the replies I will be able to arrive at what I need to know. You can estimate in bhat or usd.

Thanks so very very much.
Who knows maybe we will have the pleasure of when I come

[margaretcarnes]

For HuaHin rental prices there are links to accomodation on here that should help give an idea. There are a few beach front apartment (condo) developments not far out South along Petkhasem highway.
For Bangkok try checking out the Bangkok Post on line. Some nice little sois off Sukhumvit in the area behind Swiss Park Hotel (soi 11/13) with town houses, and plenty of serviced apartments all over.
Silom - just past the end of the Skytrain - might be a little more peaceful.
For access to arts/sciences and fine dining it has to be Bangkok. With respect to HuaHin, it really doesn't have the variety and standard which Bangkok has.
Similarly you might have a problem hiring a cook with experience of international cuisine in HuaHin. In fact hiring any full time staff might be a problem, as you would be employing Thais presumably without having a Thai registered company, so I would check out the legalities.
Having a full time driver won't guarantee a decent car, unless you buy your own. Neither would it guarantee instant availability of driver and car whenever needed, as there are always other pressing tasks such as eating, visiting relatives, giving lifts to friends and family etc. I would get to know any reliable limo hire companies in Bangkok before opting for directly employing a driver.
Same goes really for a full time cook, unless they were living in.
Others will be able to give an idea of salary and rental costs, but it might be best to get a serviced apartment first, then spend some time deciding on what you really want - or need - in terms of other facilities in order to live comfortably in a country which isn't exactly lacking in taxis or eateries!

[PET]

For Thailand if you want a city then it is Bangkok but if you want the beach Malibu style then it must be Phuket - I do not believe anywhere else covers what you are looking for.

[buksida]

Ballpark figure I reckon you're looking at 200k ($6,000) and upwards for this kind of lifestyle. As stated above a few things cannot be done in Hua Hin so Bangkok or Phuket sound like the places for you.

Enjoy
(I know I would )

[hhfarang]

Ballpark figure I reckon you're looking at 200k ($6,000) and upwards for this kind of lifestyle. As stated above a few things cannot be done in Hua Hin so Bangkok or Phuket sound like the places for you.

I agree, and that's per month in case you didn't figure that out already... if you can afford that you'll be the envy of most expats here!

[shunpike]

Hawk3164 wrote:

I would like to know the following:
Want to rent either a furnished or unfurnished 2 bedroom apt, home or condo. Either in Silom, Thonburi, Sukhumvit, Hua Hin or another "fine" beach community. If possible give me in the city and on the beach.
Have a car and driver at my disposal when required
A full time cook (has american cooking talents)
A housekeeper 2-3 times per week
Play golf and tennis frequently
Eat at fine restaurants weekends
Attend the Arts and Sciences

Finally keep company on an occasion with the opposite sex(go-go and up)

You're probably better off staying in Malibu for the lion's share of your requirements. As for keeping company on occasion with a go-go bargirl, "or higher", you'd be best served just visiting Pattaya a few times a year like all the other sex tourists. I'm not saying anything, I'm just sayin..

[brianks]

Having lived until 2007 in So. Cal. and for 40 years in Palos Verdes area, you won't find everything you list in one place. Many good and accurate suggestions here so far.

My Thai wife and I like having a condo in Bangkok to go to for a few days as a change of pace while we own a home here in Hua Hin. I would not, however, ever do the ownership thing a second time around. Just more flexibility as your needs and interests change.

I think you would be best to visit many areas for several weeks each to see if you like them. Only then could you decide where you want to spend or split your time.

[migrant]

Others here know better, and have given good advice. I still live in California, Orange County, but my Thai wife and I go over to Thailand each year and hope to move in a couple years.

Bangkok, as mentioned, has much in the way of dining, arts and gogo (hmmm interesting combo), but no beach.

I'm not well versed in Phuket, but know the beaches are great, and a large, affluent, expat community.

Have you traveled often to Thailand?

[loverboy44]

another "fine" beach community

would be Ratchadapisek road just behind Poseidon to meet your "gogo" needs.

[norm]

Based on what you described as your desires I think 200,000 baht is on the low side. Make it 300,000 and it would cover it fairly well if you don't go to far overboard on the rent.

Rent top quality condo 80,000-100,000 Including utilities
Car and driver at your disposal 30,000-40,000 + petro
Frequent golfing 60,000-80,000
Chef 15,000-20,000
Housekeeper 4,000-10,000
______________
209,000-250,000

+ eating out and female companions. +trips to BKK

[JAJA]

The cook isn’t necessary. There are plenty of good and cheap places to eat. It will not be more expensive to eat out compared with having a full time in-house cook.

As for a car and driver, I never thought I would drive in Thailand. For a few years I limited myself to a bike in HH. Then bit by bit I started to drive; first in HH and then in the countryside and finally in Bangkok. Once you get to know the roads it is not a daunting as it first seems. The Toyota Fortuner is not a bad car. The Fortuner is bit light on for power with the petrol engine at only 3 litres. Taxes go up for cars with engines of more that 3 litres so the engine size and power performance is more a factor of accountants’ restrictions and not engineers’ perfection.

If you want to divide your time between a beach resort and Bangkok, HH has the advantage of being within easy driving distance of Bangkok. Phuket is too far to make the drive comfortable.

I personally like the idea of a residence in HH and one in Bangkok; although maybe this is a bit indulgent.

I would opt for THB300,000 per month to be comfortable.

[T.I.G.R.]

1) You can't be serious

2) Can't you guys spell TROLL, or are you that bored?

[richard]

T.I.G.R

Think you got it wrong. This guy is looking for genuine info

I am in PM and SKYPE contact with him and he is looking for genuine advice which we are all have. Contribute man dont condem

[T.I.G.R.]

I don't think many of us have the kind of information this person seems to be looking for. If he has that much money what the heck does he need to come to Thailand for? Think about it.

[Wanderlust]

T.I.G.R,
I don't really understand - why wouldn't he want to come to Thailand? You are implying that only people who have less money want to come here, which is clearly not the case. You only have to look at some of the larger properties in this area to know that. I am sure there are some on this forum who deal in the sort of budget he is talking about so hopefully they will advise, either on this thread or privately. You seem to think this board and Thailand is populated by people who can't afford to live in their own countries judging by your comment.