Expat Resource Guide "ERG"

You must have hundreds of questions about your potential move…and you will have many more once you make your decision and actually come to Thailand. Our Expat Resource Guide has answers.

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Thinking About Moving to Thailand?

We know you have questions … lots and lots of questions ! These days, you can find the answers to many of your questions online . But there are still challenges:

How many searches will you have to do?

How much time will it take?

Is the information current or is it outdated?

Is the information accurate? Can you trust it?

What about the questions you haven’t thought of …yet?

Become a Member!

We have hundreds of people who have been in that same situation …. We all thought about the same questions from our home countries as we tried to decide if and when to make that big decision to pack up and move to Thailand.
We looked around and tried to find a comprehensive source of information for expats and potential expats. We were unable to find anything that offered everything we were looking for:

Comprehensive - a one-stop source

Accurate and up-to-date

Unbiased and not advertising-driven

Then we realized that virtually all of this knowledge and information exists Within our membership!
We all had to figure out long-term visas, and the best places to live, and how much things cost, how to open a bank account and get a drivers license, And hundreds of other things.
So we decided that we could create this comprehensive resource; and we call it the Expat Resource Guide (ERG)
The ERG is available to all of our members as an online resource; accessible via any device that has internet access.

You have hundreds of questions about your potential move…and you will have many more once you make your decision and actually come to Thailand: How do I get a visa? Where to live? How to open a bank account?  How to get mobile phone service?  Where is the best shopping?  Is the water safe to drink?  How to rent/buy a home? Where to go for medical treatment?

You could spend many hours online trying to get answers, but our Expat Resources Guide (ERG) can answer all of these -and hundreds more - all in one place!  

And when you arrive, we can create a safety net for you. Come to meetings and social functions where you can meet new friends who have already bravely made the decision to move to Thailand.  

You can join the Chiang Mai Expats Club which offers a lifetime membership for a small one-time fee.  Then you can study the ERG from your current home as you make informed decisions about living in your future home.  

Once you join, you will also receive via email our weekly Newsletter which keeps our members informed about the expat community and all our events.  

Click below to browse the Expat Resource Guide table of contents and get a feel for the scope and quality of the contents.

Explore Resource Guide

Expat Resource Guide Demo

—– Content available to everyone —– ——– Join Chiang Mai Expats Club to view remaining content ——– 
  • Chapter 1.7 – Getting mobile phone service before arrival
  • Chapter 1.8 – What to do with your existing mobile phone number
  • Chapter 1.9 – If you are not already familiar, Start getting acquainted with Google Maps and/or Apple Maps
  • Chapter 1.10 – Think about how to get local currency
  • Chapter 1.11 – Where to stay when you first arrive
  • Chapter 1.12 – How to get answers when you first arrive
  • Chapter 1.13 – Don’t Forget to Have Some Fun!
  • Chapter 1.14 – Digital Nomads
  • Chapter 2.1 – The Line app – THE communication tool in Thailand
  • Chapter 2.2 – Expat activities and events
  • Chapter 2.3 – Learning The Thai Language
  • Chapter 2.4 – Internet, Phone, Postal Service
  • Chapter 2.5 – Banking
  • Chapter 2.6 – Business and shopping hours
  • Chapter 2.7 – Thai Holidays
  • Chapter 2.8 – Emergency Phone Numbers
  • Chapter 3.1 – Finding places in Chiang Mai
  • Chapter 3.2 – How to get there – Walking
  • Chapter 3.3 – How to get there – Ride Sharing
  • Chapter 3.4 – How to get there – Taxi/Tuk Tuk
  • Chapter 3.5 – How to get there – Red Vans
  • Chapter 3.6 – How to get there – Public Transportation & Other Options
  • Chapter 3.7 – Driving in Chiang Mai
  • Chapter 3.8 – Buying a Vehicle
  • Chapter 3.9 – Obtaining/Renewing a driver’s license
  • Chapter 4.1 – Finding Accommodation – Renting
  • Chapter 4.2 – Finding Accommodation – Buying
  • Chapter 4.3 – Utilities
  • Chapter 4.4 – Home Services/Home Cleaners/Engaging Domestic Help
  • Chapter 4.5 – Equipping your Home
  • Chapter 4.6 – Water and Ice
  • Chapter 4.7 – Food – A general discussion
  • Chapter 4.8 – Food – Eating Out
  • Chapter 4.9 – Food – Shopping for Food
  • Chapter 4.10 – General Shopping, Laundry and Care
  • Chapter 4.11 – Negotiating Prices
  • Chapter 4.12 – General Health Considerations
  • Chapter 4.13 – Medical / Dental / Medications / Counselling / Support Groups
  • Chapter 4.14 – Religious Services
  • Chapter 4.15 – Schools
  • Chapter 4.16 – Security
  • Chapter 4.17 – Visas
  • Chapter 4.18 – Other Immigration Requirements for Expats
  • Chapter 4.19 – Passport and Visa Photos
  • Chapter 5.1 – Consulates
  • Chapter 5.2 – News/Current Events
  • Chapter 5.3 – Things to Do and Places to Go
  • Chapter 5.4 – Special Interests – Finding your “birds of a feather”
  • Chapter 5.5 – Book Stores in Chiang Mai
  • Chapter 5.6 – It happens to all of us – End of Life in Thailand

Unlock Exclusive Benefits with CEC Membership

Gain access to CEC Membership and enjoy the Expat Resource Guide (ERG) as well as many other benefits:

  • Connect with a vibrant expat community
  • Attend social events and networking opportunities
  • Gain insights from expert resources and guides
Become a Member!