What's it like to live in Udonthani?

[bahfarang]

Hi all,

Being my first post, this is a very general question

I have lived in Thailand previously for two years. I worked as a teacher previously in the North and South. I especially liked the North ( I lived in Chiang Rai). Udonthani intrigues me since it is in the North and it is very close to Laos which I would like to explore more. I passed through Udontthani on my way to Laos for a Visa run other than that I never actually spent time in the area.

I am wondering how the job market is there and what it is like to live there. What are the Pros and Cons of living there? How would it compare to Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai?? I would also appreciate suggestions for schools I can apply to such as Government (Maytthom), Colleges or language schools. Altogether I have over 4 years teaching experience. I also have a BA and a TEFL certificate.

Also, what is the current visa/ work permit like in Thailand now? I have heard the red tape is getting thicker. Is this true or just speculation?

I appreciate all your input and suggestions!

Have a great day!!

[Aardvark]

It's a horrible place very expensive the people are all nasty and they have no School's best put on your travelling hat and have a close up look for yourself just don't expect it to be anything like the North West of the country because it's not. Welcome to the Forum bahfarang

[747man]

And BEFORE Anybody suggests you look at Nong Khai which is even closer to Laos.......DON'T,Its full of Layabouts ( Drunk & Obnoxious ).Some people on here say its a nice quiet place to live,It's Not a nice place at all, DONT Believe them,No Shops,No Bars,No Restaurants,and DEFINATELY NO Loose Women,Plus as it's in the N.E it's FREEZING in the Winter,might aswell stay in Falangland,And it RAINS ALL the time !!! YOU have been warned

[macduff]

And dont forget the constant bombardment of mosquitos day or night in rain or sun

[747man]

And dont forget the constant bombardment of mosquitos day or night in rain or sun

Fancy me forgetting that.....

[Bandung_Dero]

Yep as you can see by the quality of the replies the Farang population has turned Udon into a ***** of a place. But fortunately it is all tongue in cheek. Mostly pretty good guys up here but like any other place you will have to suck it and see.

As for work as a teacher:- Don't hold your breath waiting for a job offer. [-o<

[Zidane]

Seriously,I dont think Udon Thani can compare,scenery wise,to around Chiang-Mai or Chiang-Rai.However there are three nice lakes,Nong Prajak,Nong Sim and Nong Bua.
But its a pleasant enough place to live,decent nightlife and a good selection of restaurants both farang and Thai.Also there is plenty of cheap accomodation to be had.
Its got the Central Shopping Mall which incorporates both ten pin bowling and a Multiplex cinema.There is also a Tesco Lotus,Big C and Carrefour for your shopping needs.
Its only 50 kilometres to Laos,via Nong Khai, which makes access to Vientiane easy and also any visa runs you may have to do.
There are also two weekly flights from Udon to Luang Prabang in Laos.As well as that there are 7 daily flights from Udon to Bangkok which takes just under the hour.
There are plenty of schools here,the most well known being Don Bosco and Udon Phittaya.If you have got 4 years teaching experience plus TEFL Certificate and BA you should be OK finding work although,I believe,they are being a little more strict taking on foreign teachers.
But,really,the best thing is to come and try it out yourself for a few weeks and see what you think.You can get a quite reasonable standard of accomodation for around 5000 baht per month.
Good Luck.

[rick]

In April, 40 degrees plus every day and night, flooded the next 6 months... but seriously, just browse or search the forum; it is all there.

[747man]

Zidane, Are'nt the flights to Luang Prabang CANCELLED NOW ???

[Zidane]

Zidane, Are'nt the flights to Luang Prabang CANCELLED NOW ???

Dunno.....last time we used the airport was towards the end of April and the Laos Airlines desk was still there then,flights Friday & Sunday,I think.
But dont know if they have stopped in the last couple of months.

[BarnicaleBob]

I will also be coming to Udon Thani in March 2010 with plans to settle down there for my retirement. I have been in e-mail contact with a Thai lady who lives in a village west of there and it is my plan to visit her in March and if we get along in person as well as we have over the internet to hook up with her and rent a house in Udon. I will not be needed a job but I am interested in taking classes to learn how to read and write Thai. Do any of you have any suggestions about classes or rental houses for this soon to be expat newbee farang?

[747man]

They Have STOPPED the Service to Luang Prabang.....

[MALC]

i retired 18 months ago. i have tried shang mia. pucket pattaya. came to udon for one week. loved it. the people are nice. its laid back. not in ur face good shops. food one has a great chioce. thai or falang.its paradise for me.

[Irish Alan]

I will also be coming to Udon Thani in March 2010 with plans to settle down there for my retirement. I have been in e-mail contact with a Thai lady who lives in a village west of there and it is my plan to visit her in March and if we get along in person as well as we have over the internet to hook up with her and rent a house in Udon. I will not be needed a job but I am interested in taking classes to learn how to read and write Thai. Do any of you have any suggestions about classes or rental houses for this soon to be expat newbee farang?

I can only recommend AUA Language school beside Nong Prajak. I have taken a few courses with them now and they have excellent teachers. Your time here will be so much more enjoyable knowing a bit of Thai language.

Good luck.

http://www.auathailand.org/udorn/index.html

[BarnicaleBob]

Thanks Irish Alan,
I speak a little Thai but never learned how to read and write it. I did spend a year in Thailand back in the late 1960s and loved it, I rented a bungalow with housekeeper for $30.00 month back then and loved it. Of course back then the building was on stilts, had no running water (we used a big 4 foot tall jar for water that was filled every couple days) and the bathroom was a hole in the floor with another big jar on the ground under it. We did have electric but only on outlet and only one light. I'm looking forward to all the improved living standards and coming home.

BB

[thethailife]

They Have STOPPED the Service to Luang Prabang.....

It is no longer bookable on their website, so it looks to be permanent.

[Bandung_Dero]

I have been in e-mail contact with a Thai lady who lives in a village -------- if we get along in person as well as we have over the internet to hook up with her -----

Be sure to have a contingency plan in place.

[747man]

Thanks Irish Alan,
I speak a little Thai but never learned how to read and write it. I did spend a year in Thailand back in the late 1960s and loved it, I rented a bungalow with housekeeper for $30.00 month back then and loved it. Of course back then the building was on stilts, had no running water (we used a big 4 foot tall jar for water that was filled every couple days) and the bathroom was a hole in the floor with another big jar on the ground under it. We did have electric but only on outlet and only one light. I'm looking forward to all the improved living standards and coming home.

BB

BB,You Might see a SLIGHT Difference Then

[macduff]

My wifes family still live exactly the same as described above

[747man]

Exactly what I was trying to tell BB,macduff.......