Yeah forget Thailand as it's fucked up when it comes to doing business there as they are big time racists and very close minded. Instead, I'd look at places that are just opening up and about to boom and where the local governments are encouraging foreign businesses to set up shop there. Thailand is a mature market now. Cambodia, Vietnam are places that I'd look into to if I were looking to open a brick and mortar type of biz. Philippines would be another good option.
Quote: (10-25-2014 04:29 PM)Veloce Wrote:
Quote: (10-25-2014 04:19 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:
Btw, Thedude,
I recall you posting in one of the threads recently that you are looking to open your own resto, but not for money, just for the fun of it. If you're not in it to make money, why don't you open it in a happening place in SEA? Da Nang, Saigon, Cebu (huge Korean community there) and other similar up and coming beach town would be ideal places. Taking your talent, experience and knowledge, You'd be in no time a a big whale in a small pond, thus giving you an unmatched quality of life and very fun lifestyle, that you'd probably never get in a super competitive market like LA or anywhere in the US. And with the fun lifestyle, success wouldn't be hard to achieve either and thus great potential to make money too! Have you thought about that?
Yes, been having this exact conversation with Fisto today. I've been sending my resume out to the bigger and more high end resorts in Hoi An. The plan being to work at a steady job while making contacts until I can pull all the necessary strings to open my own place. It would take a while to understand everything needed to open up a place in SEA. I talked to one American restaurant owner in Thailand and he was having a hard time there. They'll let any Thai open whatever they want, but the minute a foreigner tries to open a place, they bring out the rules and regulations, gotta have clearly marked fire exits, ventilation, sanitation, etc...which is a joke considering the Thai restaurants that neighbor him clearly had zero regard for those regulations.
Not sure how Vietnam is by comparison, but if I could work there under a company and get paid while I do R+D that would be pretty sweet.