Joe Green and Gift Prakaew left their city life behind in Bangkok to move to a cozy coastal town in Central Thailand. This couple invested $188,000 over eight months to construct their ideal home, a dream that Green, a former employee of the US Department of Defense, couldn’t accomplish while in the US or Europe. After retiring in 2018, Green envisioned living in a lively city, but the city hustle proved to be too stifling for the couple; it was then that they settled for a serene life near the sea and mountain in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
They reflected on numerous road trips around Thailand before ultimately choosing Prachuap Khiri Khan as their new home. The couple admits they are content living without the hustle and bustle of being close to malls and nightclubs. Their new abode found them overlooking a mountain and just a short five-minute walk from the sea. The move promptly followed by the construction of their forever home, the couple turning to a local architect to bring their vision to life.
One of the most striking features of their home is its modern yet simple design: filled with sleek furniture, black, white, and grey color palettes, and simple but elegant architecture. Joe made sure to be present daily during the construction to witness firsthand the realization of his dream home. An enthusiastic and hands-on participant, Green even peppered his learning with questions and suggestions, despite having no experience in house building.
The couple’s choice to build their life outside the United States or Europe was significantly influenced by the ease and affordability of doing so in Thailand. They emphasized that their simple yet comfortable lifestyle would have been impossible if they stayed in the West. He assured future expatriates to first familiarize themselves with a foreign land to assess whether the lifestyle suits them, urging them to consider aspects such as weather and language barriers.
The couple has been sharing their experiences through YouTube, a channel that serves as an online scrapbook, a journal of their life in Thailand. From showcasing travels around Thailand to interviews with other expatriates or even locals, Joe and Gift delight in sharing their journey and have no immediate plans of stopping. Relating their time away from cities, they expressed their contentment of defeating traffic and city noises, where all they can hear are the omnipresent roosters, which are believed to bring prosperity in Thailand.
