From Bavaria to Hua Hin — 25+ years of expat life in Thailand
Sawadee Krub!
Welcome to Thrive in Thailand—your go-to resource for navigating life in the Land of Smiles. My name is Stephan. I’m originally from Germany, but Thailand has been my beloved home for over 25 years.
Like many farang, I first came here as a tourist and was instantly captivated by the incredible food, stunning landscapes, and, most of all, the kindness of the Thai people. When I returned to Germany, I already knew—I’d be back. After several return visits (mostly to Bangkok and Koh Samui), I made the big move in 1999 to live in Thailand full-time.
Where it all began…
My First Trip to Thailand (1990)
I first became aware of Thailand as a holiday destination in the late 80s after listening to the many stories told by friends who returned from the Land of Smiles. Full of praise for what an amazing place it is, they used to call it “Disneyland for Adults.”
At that point I had never even been outside of Europe, but my curiosity was sparked, and I needed to see with my own eyes what all the fuss was about. Together with a friend, we booked flight-only to Bangkok, where another friend who was already in Thailand picked us up at Don Muang International Airport.
He took us to our humble quarters at “Windy Guesthouse,” which was a run-down high-rise tucked away in an alley off Sukhumvit somewhere. To get to Sukhumvit, you had to take a motorbike taxi, which was 3 Baht at the daytime and 5 Baht at night.
Our friend had to leave the next morning, going back to Germany. He sat us down, and over a few Singha beers, he gave us a crash course in Thai wisdom. That night we learned to count in Thai from 1 to 10, where to go, how much to pay, how to get there, and what absolutely not to do. We wrote everything down on an A4 paper as we didn’t have a clue what to expect on our journey.
Arriving in Bangkok for the first few days was like sensory overload—a total culture shock, but in a good way! Everything was new and interesting, and I was fascinated by how easy it is to navigate this bustling metropolis.
We were bound for Koh Samui, and our friend’s instructions told us how to get there, where to stay, how to hiring bikes and what it should cost. We took the train to Surathani and the ferry to Koh Samui, which was exhausting after several nights out in Bangkok, but we were excited to start our beach vacation.
Arriving at Nathon Pier, we jumped onto a Songthaew (shared taxi), which took us to our resort in Lamai Beach, where our friend recommended we stay. The owner greeted us like we were old friends, and within 30 Minutes we checked in to our bungalows, snacked on a Nam Tok Nuea (spicy beef salad), and enjoyed a cold beer on the beachfront restaurant terrace while our rental bikes came around the corner. I was convinced I’d arrived in paradise!
I’ve never been in a tropical country before and was blown away by the natural beauty of the island, the kindness of the locals, and the delicious food. I had the best time of my life, and very quickly it felt like actually living there and not like a holiday. That was when I got hooked on Thailand!
This was back in 1990, and surely a lot has changed over the decades, but Thailand has kept its charm and still is one of the best countries to visit for an unforgettable experience.
Cheers to new adventures! Till then, keep exploring and maybe I’ll bump into you somewhere out there…
From Bavaria to Chiang Mai
Although I’m from a small town in rural Bavaria and had always pictured myself living near the beach, I ended up settling in the mountains of Northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai—more of a big village than a city at the time—won me over with its charm, culture, and natural beauty. I spent 25 incredible years there, building a life, running businesses, and gaining a deep understanding of Thai culture and daily life.
From Mountain Trails to Seaside Tranquility
In 2024, I decided it was time for a change. After a few visits to Hua Hin, I realized just how much I missed the beach lifestyle.
The laid-back vibe, low traffic, and long stretches of quiet coastline reminded me of what first drew me to Thailand. The cost of living was reasonable, and I felt immediately at home. So, I made the move once again—and I haven’t looked back.
My Thai Journey (So Far!)
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats and taken on more than a few exciting (and sometimes exhausting) business ventures:
- Tour Leader
Guided enduro motorbike tours across Northern Thailand—an adrenaline-filled way to explore the region well off the beaten track. - Pub Owner
Co-owned a popular sports pub and restaurant in Chiang Mai. Financially rewarding but… let’s just say, not quite the lifestyle I was after. - Minimart & Restaurant Operator
Ran a community minimart and eatery. My regulars mostly came for a chat when I was there. Fun, but exhausting! - Real Estate Agency & Property Development
What started with buying and selling homes led to running a real estate agency and later developing properties. For over a decade, I helped countless expats find places to rent or buy—back when the Chiang Mai property scene was still a bit of a wild west.
What I’m Doing Now
These days, I’ve traded business stress for beach walks, morning workouts, Thai cooking, and a much simpler life. I’m no longer hustling—I’m enjoying Thailand for all the reasons that made me fall in love with it in the first place.
Through Thrive in Thailand, I want to help others do the same. Whether you’re visiting, moving, or already living here, my mission is to share firsthand insights that save you time, money, and headaches.
I’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to!
Thanks for stopping by—I hope this blog helps you thrive in your own Thai journey.
Cheers!
Stephan
Founder of ThriveInThailand.com
✅ I personally reply to every message, so feel free to contact me with your questions or thoughts about expat life in Thailand. I’m happy to help!