You might not believe this but I am really an accidental expat. So today I thought I would fill in a few blanks about my transition from a college lecturer in Middle England to a retired expat living in Thailand. Its about what started as a holiday romance with a beautiful country that finally led me to settle here in blissful retirement.
But where did it all start? What actually set me on the course to becoming an accidental expat and what was the process like?
As far as I can tell it was 2000 that the seeds were first planted, I had just retired from the UK Police and fancied a somewhat exotic holiday. It was the wrong time of the year for the Northern Hemisphere so I headed south and east. One of the countries on my itinerary was Thailand. Well I only had 10 days here, but they were good, visiting Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Cha-am. Friendly folk, nice food and good weather had me hooked. That said it was another five years before I returned, seeking an adventure/trekking holiday I found a great offer for Thailand. So back I came, this time as a single guy I also discovered other aspects of Thailand previously unseen.
Well one thing led to another and with half an eye on early retirement I once again returned to Thailand in 2007, here I met my future Thai partner, although I didn't know this at the time. Since I actually attended a TEFL course in Phuket on my holiday with the vague intention of teaching English abroad. I enjoyed TESOL in Thailand and on returning home I set about looking seriously at the prospect of working abroad.
I soon realised that working abroad might be more difficult than I first imagined, naively I thought it was like going on holiday, which of course it is not. Looking for a job was my first task and since English teachers were pretty much in demand worldwide, that's the area I looked at. Whilst it is certainly true about the demand for English teachers I soon discovered that most overseas posts were looking for young men and not aging college lecturers. However I was offered two jobs, one in Siberia and one in Thailand. No guessing which I chose!
Having secured what I thought was a firm job offer I set about tackling other things that a long term move overseas entailed. Top of the list were satisfying immigration requirements, obtaining the appropriate visa and a work permit. This actually wasn't that hard for Thailand where my age was actually an advantage.
What followed in the next few months I can only describe as getting my affairs in order and preparing an exit strategy from the UK. This included such mundane things as dealing with the UK tax man, setting up an overseas bank account and getting the best flight deal-incidentally I booked a return open jaw ticket since I figured I would at least be able to get home if things went pear shaped.
Well I made it to Thailand, but on my arrival found that the job I had been promised had evaporated like my sweat in the hot Bangkok sun. Fortunately after the initial shock wore off I figured since I already knew Thailand fairly well I would stay anyway. Well I could hardly head straight home having burnt my bridges regarding work and accommodation in the UK already!
Luckily I was able to link up with my now Thai partner and after travelling around a bit I found my own little bit of paradise here in Prachuap Khiri Khan. I soon discovered that I didn't really need to work and that I could easily live here on my pensions. Something I hadn't really researched before my arrival. I also found that while my focus in planning had been on acquiring a job I had spent little time looking at important issues like the local culture, attitudes towards foreigners and the bureaucratic tightrope that one has to tread as a guest in a foreign country. Luckily for me I chose the right visa that allowed me to extend my stay here (indefinitely) but this can be a lottery and there is plenty of professional help around whatever country you choose for immigration.
Being an accidental expat has worked for me-well after a couple of years on the job in country training I guess I am up to speed with regards to the pitfalls I mentioned above, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach for others.
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7 comments:
Sounds like it all worked out well Mike...despite the job. There is a certain draw to Thailand that I think most visitors feel. I have yet to meet anyone that has just been to Thailand once. And the majority of Thailand travelers I know plan on extended stays or retiring there in the future. I know I am.
Interesting story Mike.. I do love Thailand and I enjoy working here, but I miss the good things about the UK as well. Living in Thailand has made me appreciate UK culture I think (which isn't ALL bad).
Talen, I'm glad the job fell through since I probably wouldn't have ended up staying long term or indeed discovering Prachuap. With hindsight the sort of thing you and Martyn do definitely is good preparation.
Ben you raise a good point, I could probably list you loads of things I miss, Sunday lunch at a pub immeadiately springs to mind, but I suppose when I weigh it up it prefer here.
But I agree about making you appreciate things more, like the NHS for instance and cops who are straight!
Interesting post that pull my curiousity to continue the reading.
You are really enjoying your expat. life.
Mike as the song says ....looks like you made it.....and judging by your previous header you've certainly found your baby. It's all in a name and you've come up smelling of roses. Fair play, chok dee and best wishes from Uon.
That is very cool - I never knew your whole expat story although I did know about your job falling through on arrival. What did you do for the police?
Hi Mike, I'm catching up with your blog again after getting back to Thailand. Your contentment here seems to owe a lot to an acceptance that things are different (cops included).
Pensr & I can't make up our minds still, so it is still 6 months a year in England/Thailand for us. Has both advantages & disadvantages -- split personality, always looking for something that must be in 'the other place'.
Anyway, good to read your interesting, informative & calm stuff again.
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