Ao Nang, Thailand (PressExposure) May 01, 2010 -- In a holiday destination like Krabi, recreation is at the foremost of most people’s minds. Outdoor living is the norm here and you can spend your days on anything from gardening to golf. The beach is never far away and there are any number of excursions both inland and out to the islands to be made.

Expats both young and old will always mention the quality of life here as one of the primary reasons for moving. Of course there is good food, good weather and a low cost of living, but there is also a nice balance of East and West: enough expatriates and western goods to make life familiar, yet also a friendly, vibrant local community used to having foreigners around and accommodating their needs. You can really get the best of both worlds.

With advanced technology making communication with loved ones easier, emotional ties back home need no longer stand in the way of a move. Skype and Google allow you to stay in touch with children and grandchildren with regular video chats. And when your family and friends find out you are moving to Krabi, you are in fact likely to have the opposite problem to solitude: too many visitors!

Finding a place to live Many Krabi retirees choose to rent homes and keep their primary residence abroad. But for those who wish to make an investment and buy (leasehold only), there is not a great deal of choice.

In Krabi, there are relatively few good quality housing developments and the resale market is still very small. This is why many people choose to custom build a home. In this way, you are able to control the materials used, as well as specify the size and design of the property. Should you be investing for the future – many younger people are now acquiring property in place of a nest egg, often decades ahead of time – these type of houses are also easy to rent out to the holiday market and make some returns while you wait to retire.

Experienced local firms such as Ton Company in Ao Nang provide a ‘one-stop’ house building service - from design to construction - and have expertise in creating livable homes for older clients with features such as extra security, guest bedrooms, outdoor living space and manageable gardens.

Any type of custom build can be done in your absence: usually only 2 or 3 site visits will be necessary, with progress reports and other communication done via email and Skype. For further information, please contact Ton Company Ltd. In Ao Nang at (075) 695-633 or by email at: Ton@TonCompany.com

Getting around A car will be essential for anyone living long term in Krabi. The regional road network is excellent and well-maintained; Phuket, with its international hospital and large shopping malls, can be reached in under 2 hours. With a retirement visa (see below), buying a car and getting a Thai driving license is relatively straightforward.

The new government marina in Krabi Town, and the increasingly busy international airport also offer important air and sea links both within the Southeast Asia region, and further afield.

Overcoming culture shock Because Krabi has a very large English-speaking community, as well as many German, Italian and Scandinavian residents, it is not as “foreign” as other parts of the country. Western food and brand name products are widely available in familiar supermarket settings and most service staff will have at least very basic English skills.

One of the things new arrivals find it hard to get used to is the relaxed pace of life. Things get done very slowly in Krabi and there are often frustrating waits for bank accounts or phone lines. The only solution is to embrace this laidback attitude and learn the meaning of “mai pen rai”.

One of the positive cultural aspects here is that older people are held in high regard by society and receive more respect than in the West.

Doing the paperwork Thailand welcomes older visitors: in fact, anyone over the age of 50 can apply for a retirement visa of one year duration before entering the Kingdom. This permission of stay can be extended in subsequent years in Krabi itself, so no need for “visa runs”.

The only requirement is proof of sufficient income: a copy of a bank statement showing a deposit of not less than 800,000 baht; or an income certificate with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 baht; or a combination of the two totaling not less than 800,000 baht for the year.

Successful applicants have six months from their first entry to Thailand to bring household items from their home country, exempt from customs duty.

About Ton Company Ltd.

Pierre-Yves Loriers is the Managing Director of Ton Company Ltd. a leading manager and developer of exclusive Holiday Villas in Krabi, Thailand.
In his current position, Mr. Loriers directly oversees every Ton company employee who has a role in the management and production of new projects. As the-founders of Ton Company Ltd, Mr. Loriers's background in the industry is extensive. He started his career in 1989 at the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel. In 1999, Mr. Loriers left The Peninsula Beverly hills’ Hotel and moved to Thailand to form Ton Company Ltd. Pierre-Yves has been involved in every aspect of Ton Company growth; his inherent knowledge of the industry, our company and a profound understanding of what truly makes our clients happy is an invaluable asset.

For more information on the comprehensive villa design, construction and management services offered by Ton Company Ltd, please contact us at (075) 695-633 or by email at: Ton@TonCompany.com.
http://www.KrabiArchitect.com - http://www.KrabiVilla.com

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