Alessandro Previtali
@classyfrontiers
Italian expat in Thailand
Forum posts
29
Contacts
4
About me
Italian
Lives in Phuket
Speaks Italian, English, Chinese
Registration: 26 January 2010
About
Occupation
I am Businessman.
My expat journey
Phuket, Thailand
After visiting Thailand several times for leisure, I decided it could have been a good destination also for living, as the relaxed atmosphere offers a stress-free life style. I wish to be here for several years, but life is unpredictable
I`m the co-owner of a Tour operator under the name Classy Frontiers with business registration in Hong kong and representative office in Shanghai. We arrange custom made luxury holidays for discerning travelers. My website is www.classyfrontiers.com and we are focused on Thailand as destination
Nature and relax, kind local people, wonderful weather, beautiful beaches... Is there anything else somebody might need?
Thailand looks like a paradise, but as insider now I can see also the other side of the coin. Corruption of institutions is very strong, from the police to local government. It`s not easy if you have a business here. It`s difficult to make good friends, the expat community is quite fragmented. Majority of expats are retiree, not for my age, but still there is a younger crowd coming to the island for living and for business. Lot of men are attracted by the possibility to get young girlfriends. I don`t mind that, but these people should pay respect to these girls, who are clearly in a state of necessity to improve their quality of life and they have to do everything to achieve it, most of times putting apart their dignity. Still, they are persons, not toys. Tourists should be more respectful too, even if they come for girls purpose. Many expats are also 'refugees' from their own country, where they left many troubles behind, sometimes with law, sometimes with their family; some of them can be really bad persons. That`s why I think it`s not easy to make good friends and really trust somebody, it takes time. Luckily there is also a small part of young persons who are normal and they are here to work honestly or to have a break for a few years from their stressful life. If anyone doesn`t agree on what I said above, they are just hypocrital and they should look deeper into their heart.
Shanghai, China
Being interested in Chinese culture and having studied Chinese language, China was a natural place to move and go deep into it. I left my job in Italy and I moved to Shanghai looking for a job, which at that time was not very difficult.
I've been employed as Development Manager at APC Multifreight, a freight forwarder company with Italian partnership. I was in charge of customer care and sales, while supervising the team of people involved with the Italian tradeline. I have covered this position for my whole stay in Shanghai.
Chinese culture is far away from the modern city life, but Shanghai represent the first destination for business opportunities. China is now the economic centre of the world. I really enjoyed my first two years in Shanghai, where the stressfull lifestyle is mitigated by the nightlife entertainment and the possibility to discover the rest of China during weekends and public holiday. I recommend everybody to travel to Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi and Guizhou provinces.
Shanghai and many other big cities of China are really polluted by traffic and contruction sites. That's the main problem of new developing China. While the expat community is very big and friendly, foreigners here give too much importance to themselves and quickly forget their origin and good manners, especially towards local chinese. I don't like the arrogance of foreigners, they should respect more the country and the people that are offering a big business opportunity. Money don't entitle people to forget about good behaviour.
Rome, Italy
It`s my hometown and I love it.
I`ve been working 2 years in an Import-export company dealing with China, than I moved into Food Distribution as Development assistant manager for an Italian leading discount supermarket chain
In Rome and in Italy in general people are very warm and friendly. I love the many interests people have, the passion for art and culture and for philosophical discussions. In Rome I really like the outdoor life; with its many cafe` and wine bars, socializing is very easy. I guess tourists like it for that too.
Working situation has always been very difficult, salaries are too low in comparison with the cost of life. But I guess it`s a general problem in Europe now. I don`t like Italian politics, they are all hypocrital, left and right side. I mostly don`t like Berlusconi behaviour and activity. Media are manipulated by politics, journalism is a slave of political power and people only get what the 'big men' want. That`s not free information. People in Italy are turning into racists. It`s true we have many immigrants and many of them do not behave properly, and still media do their bad part, condamning them. It`s easier to appoint someone to be the cause of any problem instead of taking action to solve problems and help these people starting from education to dialogue betweeen different cultures. Politicians prefer to teach to Italians that immigrants are criminals, create fear and suspicion.
Activity
Newbie ..so many Questions! by HazenGreg
Hi All, I am a newbie to this Forum and looking for some info. After reading some of these questions I noticed SABenny and SM Jackson you were both looking to make the move to Phuket last year or year before. I just wandered how things were ...
To HazenGreg: I live in Phuket, the island is developing fast and it's true it is the most expensive province of Thailand, maybe equal or more than Bangkok. But there is a piece of paradise in Phuket too, you just need to find it, some areas are ... Read More
advice by tekkla
Hello my name is Christopher, I am considering the idea of moving to Phuket. I am a hairstylist and ready for a change in the US. I have just started the process but would love your feedback on the best way to get started. I will be in Phuket to ...
yes, hair stylist job is forbidden to foreigners, you cannot practice in public. I would suggest you to open a Hair Style school, where you will be the master telling here and there what to do to your employees, same as a chef in the kitchen! ... Read More
Hello everybody ... by dublyon
A new french in town !! Sorry for them who would like stay without to much "farang", but yes in may a new farang arrive :) My gf is from Bkk, i know her since couple of years and we're bored to travel all the times for meet each others. We have ...
I also started a few post about friendship in Phuket (I don't know much about the rest of Thailand), and by the time I live here I'm more and more positive. At the beginning my girlfriend and I were quite frustrated about the type of people we have ... Read More
Looking for friends in phuket by keithb
Hi, I live in phuket and always looking for new friends. Send me a message anytime. Keith
Actually the Green Man Pub between Kata and Chalong is doing salsa night every Tuesday, it'a a good start to know some locals. Quite a mixed crowd, you don't need to dance to make friends but it helps. I'll be there sometimes on Tuesday night, ... Read More
Looking for friends in phuket by keithb
Hi, I live in phuket and always looking for new friends. Send me a message anytime. Keith
I'm coming back on this forum lately, I don't log in too much lately, busy working... I'm always open to new friends. I just started a new business, I am managing a lounge bar in Nai Harn area now, La Terrazza Sunset Lounge & Bar. It's something ... Read More
would like to live in Thailand by ikan_biru
Hello, I am a Singaprean. I and my wife are both retireers. We are having some rental income and would like to use it to live 9 months per year in Thailand (say Phuket). We would like to stay in a condo or a fenced-in houses. Can anyone tell us ...
Hi, there are many rental opportunities for any budget in Phuket. I live in a single house, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, big living room and kitchen with garden. We only pay 15.000 THB and many long term renatal are about that price, sometimes a bit ... Read More
Looking for Spanish speaking tour guide by classyfrontiers
Hi there, I need a Spanish speaking tour guide for Bangkok or an interpreter to Spanigh for the english speaking tour guide. If anyone is insterested please send me a PM. Or if you know anyone who can do this job I would appreciate the get in ...
Ok, apparently my partner in Bangkok have found a Thai Speaking Spanish Tour guide. I'll kee my finger crossed!... Thanks everybody Read More
Looking for Spanish speaking tour guide by classyfrontiers
Hi there, I need a Spanish speaking tour guide for Bangkok or an interpreter to Spanigh for the english speaking tour guide. If anyone is insterested please send me a PM. Or if you know anyone who can do this job I would appreciate the get in ...
I'm in the tourism industry, I have a request from my agent in Spain for a couple in their honeymoon, they can't speak English. The guide shall accompany them from airport to the hotel and to some activities that we have selected (Grand Palace, ... Read More
Looking for Spanish speaking tour guide
Hi there, I need a Spanish speaking tour guide for Bangkok or an interpreter to Spanigh for the english speaking tour guide. If anyone is insterested please send me a PM. Or if you know anyone who can do this job I would appreciate the get in ... Read More
Little report about Phuket + cost of living by AlanMcJ
I m living here since 1 week with my girlfriend. We ll stay here for other 3 weeks then we ll move to Bali for 2 weeks and then we ll go to live in Mauritius. We are italians but we come from Australia, Byron bay where we lived during the last 8 ...
Well said Pawngotto. I think Alan is looking at things really superficially, he need much more time living in Thailand. Or maybe some people are just bling to see. There are so many false informations on Alan's post, other simply inaccurate. As an ... Read More
How to make friends in Phuket by expat.com
We have been talking about loneliness when you are abroad, let's now talk about how to make friends (locals or expatriates) when you're living in Phuket :top: Which are your best tips to meet people and to make friends in Phuket?? Thanks in ...
Tonight at Friendship Beach resort in Rawai there is a music night. These guys arrange such social small events sometimes, it`s a good place to meet people of this area. Phuket town is indeed the best place to meet normal people, Thai and ... Read More
Travel advice by GuestPoster2980
Hi! I'm living in Jakarta but I want to make a trip to Phuket in February. I'm hoping to fly into Phuket to spend a couple days. Then trek towards Penang to fly out, stopping in Krabi on the way. 5-6 days in total. I'd like some advice about good ...
Not really a good period, uh? God bless the people in troubles in your country anyway. Are you still looking for travelling to Thaialnd in February? Well, 5-6 days is not much, but enough to enjoy some good time. Phuket is not that small, depends ... Read More
Travel advice by GuestPoster2980
Hi! I'm living in Jakarta but I want to make a trip to Phuket in February. I'm hoping to fly into Phuket to spend a couple days. Then trek towards Penang to fly out, stopping in Krabi on the way. 5-6 days in total. I'd like some advice about good ...
Hey, what`s situation in Jakarta now? We have just heard about Tsunami in Indonesia, quite worried about it... Read More
Expat club Phuket by unicornthree
As we are planning to live in Phuket were wondering if there is an expat club in Phuket?
As you are a woman try the Chicky Net network. They have regular meetings and it`s a good platform to find friends and start your experience in Phuket. Read More
Convince me to come to Thailand by mnct
Hi guys, am torn between visiting a friend in another warm climate (don't want to mention the country to avoid going off topic :D) and "surprising" a friend in Thailand. At the moment it's pretty much 1:1 so I figured I'd ask the experts here. ...
While I totally agree with Luis on all points, I can just add that January to March is the best period for coming to Thailand: high season, never rain, hot and sunny, clam warm crystal waters, best snorkeling and diving ever. In Turkey it`s still ... Read More