After my arrival back in Bangkok, my plan was to open a business if possible, to be allowed stay in Thailand indefinitely. I made a business plan and did my research of where to open and how to source supplies.
The simplest way seemed to open a bar and at first, everything looked good.
I got the budget, the location and also a good concept.
But honestly, it failed at my motivation to run a bar in Bangkok. As there are thousands here already and my real passion lies with something else.
However, I arranged a meeting with a law firm to discuss the opening procedures and requirements like licenses etc anyway. The Information they gave me were frustrating.
I would need a Thai partner, without one, I couldn't open a business. But as I learned in the last months, it would be rather difficult to find a trustworthy Thai person. When it comes to money, Thais can get very sneaky. And next, for me as a foreigner, to get a working permit in Thailand, my company would need a capital of at least two million Thai Baht to get it granted. This was just ridiculous, as most companies in Thailand barely have THB 500'000 of funding.
I was very disappointed by the situation, especially as my research showed that many other countries in the area would be much less restrictive. Even in China, it would be quite simple to set something up.
After sleeping over it and figuring out, if I should just leave and try my luck somewhere else, my decision was to try another way first.
I researched the web to find other opportunities. And I found something that caught my interest. There are tons of pilot schools in Asia which are reasonably priced and internationally accredited.
It would be possible to become a pilot in just a couple of years. And who wouldn't be intrigued by that. But of course there was again something stopping me. Money.
Yes you read right, the schools are affordable and I would most likely be able to pay the education on its own. But as the travels decreased my savings, the additional accommodation and food cost for another eight months would be impossible to cover.
The frustration was back, because I got really excited at first about the prospect. And like always in my life, money stops me from fulfilling my dreams.
Some people might ask why I wouldn't ask my parents or friends for a loan. To be honest, I was taught that you need to work on your own to reach your goals in life. Being independent for many years now, I guess I am to proud to accept help. (Edit: Five years later, I can tell you, I am not anymore, so if anyone wants to fund any of my business ideas or help finance a school, please get in touch)
Anyway, after that it was simply time to get a job. I committed to Bangkok and decided to stay for at least one more year here, learn Thai and try to assimilate to the culture and the people.
I got a job as real estate agent and rented a nice place right next to the Bangkok skytrain-station "Ratchathewi", right in the city centre. Next to the famous shopping mall MBK, Paragon-mall, the Siam-complex as well as Central world. (Edit: Five years later: I should not have gotten that place, it drained my finances quickly)
So that was a little update on my life so far. I miss my family a lot, but also especially my friends. The hardest thing of being so far from home is not to be able to spent time with my loved-ones and being unable to really share all the experiences made here. A normal amount of home sickness I guess. P.S. To be honest, I already miss travelling around Asia. I want to go back to China and Vietnam a lot. There is still lots to explore in Japan and I still want to go to Singapore, India and the Philippines.. But this has to wait for now.
