In November 2022, Johan and Sabine Bogaerts Packed Up Their Lives and Moved from the Netherlands to Koh Lanta, An Island off the West of Thailand, with their Two Sons.
They’d traversed to thailand countless times on vacation and love everything about the country, but it was the pandemic that gave the idea of moving there.
“LIFE JUST HAPPENS REALLY FAST, AND WE WANTED TO DO Something Else before It Was too late, Physically and Also Mentally,” Sabine, 51, A Form Chef, Told Business Insider.
The Bogaerts Always Dreamed of Starting A Business of their Own. Melow mango.
The Couple Always Dreamed of Managing Something on their Own Instead of Working for Someone ELSE.
“We’ve aggreded to Change Our Life a Little Bit, Get Out of the Rat Race, and will something totally different in a beautiful county that we knew already,” Johan, 54, a welding Engineer, Told Bi.
But the real decision was made after they saw some ads on Facebook About Properties for Lease in Thailand, Sabine Said.
They found the online online and viewed it via video call. This is how one of the rooms look before the couple renovated it. Melow mango.
“We found this piece of property online. We were interestted, and we knew the area sine we’ve been here a few Times,” Johan Said.
The Property was mess than 200 features Away from Klong Khong Beach, a popular tourist destination on time Lanta.
Lanta is part of the KRABI province and is about 45 miles from KRABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Visitors Can Also Reach Koh Lanta Via A 1 ½-hour Ferry Ride from Phuket.
IT WAS ALREADY BUILT LIKE A Resort with freestanding rooms but looked, with minimal supply and basic finishings. Because of the Pandemic, the Original Resort Had Ceassed Operations, and the Humid Climate Had Left the Property in a Bad State.
One of the back Rooms on the Property before the couple renovated it. Melow mango.
Despite that, the couple saw it is potential and made their decision during a video call with their agent.
SINCE Foreigners Can’t Own Land in Thailand, The Couple Lease the Propperty for 20 Years Instead. They declined to share specifics but estimated that they have the total costs – inclusions of renovations – came to about 200,000 euros, or about $ 206,000.
The Couple Also Said they Managed to sell their House in Holland, which Helped Cover Their Costs.
RUNNING A Resort by the Beach
Thailand has long been a popular spot for tourists and alike expats, thanks to its rich culture and relatively Low Cost of Living.
In recent years, iTi’s also been a popular destination for retires: Thailand was randy 10th on International Living’s 2025 Annual Global Retirement Index.
But the Couple Said They Knew they weeren’t Ready to retire, so they decided to start a business in Thailand.
The first thing they did after getting their keys were remodel the placel almost. Melow mango.
“I Think Retring at 50 Waled Be So Boring for Us,” Sabine Said.
“You have to be really comfortable. We were doing ok, but we werenen’t ready finanly to totally yet,” Johan Added.
One got the keys to the Proppery, the first thing they did was start renovating and getting it up to their standards.
“We took out some walls, made me Bigger, Redid All the Bathrooms, Made New Balconies, New Paint – Everything is brand,” Johan Said.
The resort Has 16 Guest Bungalows, A Pool, A Restaurant and Bar, and a laundry area.
The Proppery Has 16 Guest Bungalows and is right by Klong Khong Beach, a popular tourist destination in time Lanta. Melow mango.
Their Busiest SEASON RUNS FROM THE RIGINNING OF DECEMBER UNIL THE END OF MARCH SINCE’S’S WEEN THE WEATHER IS SUNNY WITH TEMBER RAIN. Room Rates During the Low Season Are About One-Third of the Price of the High Season, Sabine Said.
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During the Low Season, The Cheapest Room is About 1,100 Thai Baht, or About $ 32. During the High Season, The Same Room Can Go For About 2,600 Thai Baht, Johan Said.
The Couple Also Employs Nine Full-Time Staff, Including a Receptionist, Housekeepers, Kitchen Staff, and Garpers.
One of the Biggest Challenges They Faced During the Renovations were Difference Expectations of Waled Be Completed.
“With us, a deal is a deal, and a time of finishing is the time of finishing, but that a little bit different here. So, we really have to adapt to that,” Johan Said.
Peak Season Runs from the Beginning of December UNIL the End of March. Melow mango.
A ‘Slower and Definitely More Fulfilling’ Life
One of the Things they love Most about their lifestyle now compared with back in the Netherlands is that no Longer Feel the kep up with the Joneses.
“You decide yourself. For me, that of that you’re swimming drives by something need to be. “You have a lot of possessions, and you were Only Busy Trying to MainTain and to upkeep All the possessions that have.”
The Couple Said Life is Slower and More Fulfilling Now. Melow mango.
Not only that, the couple gets to spend more time outdoors compared with before.
“We have Beautiful Surroundings. We have many palm trees, and we hear the birds, and we can look at the ocean from here,” Sabine Said.
But there are the times they miss the netherlands, too – especialy the Weather. Thailand has a humid tropical Cllimate, and Johan Described The Weather As “Hot or Really Hot” and “Raining or Not Raining.”
“We will have to say that we miss a little bit of Cold Sometimes,” He Said. “We’re Seasonal People. We Gray up in the Four Seasons, so that you something to miss a little bit.”
The Christmas Season doesn’t Feel the Same Anymore.
“WE, OF COURSE, Never Ever World A Jacket anymore or Proper Shoes or Trousers,” Sabine Said, Adding that Her Go-To Outfits Now Sleeveless Balls and Shorts.
Work-Life Balance in Thailand
These days, the couple’s routine starts by dropping off their Younger Son, who’s 7, at school before the resort to check in the Things. Their Other Son, 21, returned to the Netherlands Last March.
They Said Their Younger Son Was Adjusting Well to Life on the Island.
“It ‘s little more difficult for Him to Visit Friends Sometimes, like he did in the Netherlands, but he loves the Beach Life here,” Sabine Said.
The rest of the couple’s day is usablely spent on miscellaneous tasks – Such as fixing the things around the property and getting grossaries for the restaurant – to the resort Runs smoothly,
CHILE LIFE Now Feels “Slower and Definitely More Fulfilling,” Johan Said, Its Not All Play.
The Couple Have Been Busy Getting The Resort up and Running in Recent Years, and They Only Just Begun to Somewhat Settle Down – Consding that they have recently opened a restaurant serving European and Thai cuisine.
“People Think, ‘ah, you must be so happy you can watch the sunset every evening.’ We hardly will makeuse we’re always busy, “Sabine Said. “At the moment, everything is sort of done. Of Course, in a resort, you are never truly done, but all the massive projects are done. SO, I don’t know, Maybe is going to be different.”
Have you recently relacated to a new Country and Found or Renovated Your Dream Home? If you have a story to share, contact this reporter at [email protected].
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