My Thai Buddy FAQ: Moving or Traveling to Bangkok & Expat Life Questions
Expert answers about Bangkok neighborhoods for expats, finding apartments, international schools, and authentic Bangkok tourism experiences
We've compiled answers to the most common questions about our virtual assistant services. If you can't find what you're looking for, don't hesitate to contact us.
General Questions about My Thai Buddy
Q1: What is My Thai Buddy?
My Thai Buddy is a personalized virtual buddy service designed to work together with Western tourists and expatriates to help them navigate and enjoy their time in Thailand. We offer a range of collaborative services from pre-arrival planning and remote buddy support to (in the future) in-person assistance for various needs. Our goal is to work together as buddies to make your Thailand experience smoother, more enjoyable, and less stressful by providing a reliable, friendly, and knowledgeable local partnership - all while keeping your sensitive data secure with you, unlike other services that may misuse your personal information.
Q2: Who can benefit from My Thai Buddy's services?
Our services are tailored for Western tourists planning a trip to Thailand who need help with research, itinerary planning, or understanding local nuances. We also cater to expatriates who are planning to move or have recently relocated to Thailand and require assistance with settling in, navigating daily life, or understanding local bureaucracy. Business professionals can also benefit from our specialized cultural and business etiquette support.
Q3: How is My Thai Buddy different from a travel agent or a tour guide?
My Thai Buddy offers personalized assistance for a wide range of tasks beyond typical travel bookings or guided tours. While we can help with research and planning, our core service is providing a "buddy" to help with practical, everyday needs, cultural insights, and logistical support. Importantly, we are not licensed tour guides and do not offer services that require such a license, such as in-depth historical explanations at protected sites. We focus on flexible, personalized assistance to make your experience smoother.
Q4: Are your services only virtual, or do you offer in-person help?
Currently, we are focused on providing comprehensive virtual assistance to help you plan your trip or manage tasks remotely. We are excited to announce that in-person assistant support will be "Coming Soon!". You can join our waitlist to be notified when these services launch.
Q5: Do you only serve Bangkok, or can you help with other parts of Thailand?
While our deep expertise and on-the-ground services are based in Bangkok, we can offer limited virtual research and assistance for other popular destinations like Chiang Mai and Phuket. However, Bangkok is our core specialty where we provide the most comprehensive support. For destinations outside Bangkok, please contact us for a custom inquiry to discuss what specific assistance we can provide.
Service-Specific Questions
Q6: What kind of virtual assistance do you offer for tourists?
For tourists, our virtual services include the "Thailand Pre-Arrival Virtual Kickstart" package which offers comprehensive pre-arrival planning working together as buddies, an initial consultation, a basic Thai etiquette and cultural e-guide, essential app/resource lists, and local dining recommendations. We also offer flexible hourly virtual buddy support for specific research, online booking guidance, or quick questions you might have before or during your trip - all while keeping your travel plans and personal data secure with you.
Q7: What kind of virtual assistance do you offer for expatriates?
For expats, we offer the "Expat Remote Scout" package, which includes working together on virtual research for Bangkok neighborhoods, international school options, healthcare facilities, cost of living guidance, and rental market overviews. The "Remote Bureaucracy Navigator (Lite)" helps with understanding Thai government websites and online processes as we collaborate with you. We also have an "Expat Monthly Virtual Support" retainer for ongoing remote administrative buddy support, online research, and coordination - all while keeping your sensitive documents and personal information secure with you.
Q8: Can you help with understanding Thai business culture?
Yes, we offer a specialized "Thai Business Etiquette & Negotiation Primer" package. This includes virtual coaching sessions, customized role-playing for business scenarios, a digital guide to Thai business culture, and basic Thai business phrases to help you navigate professional interactions effectively.
Q9: What will your in-person services include once launched?
Our planned in-person services will include a "Tourist Day Companion" for flexible exploration and shopping assistance, an "Expat Settling-In Express" package for help with tasks like bank accounts and utilities, and an "Expat Life Support (In-Person)" retainer for ongoing errands and appointments. We will also offer hourly "In-Person Assistant Support" for various on-ground needs.
Q10: What kind of tasks are NOT covered by My Thai Buddy?
My Thai Buddy provides personal assistance services. We do not provide services that require a professional license in other fields, such as formal tour guiding at historical sites, legal advice, medical advice, or financial advisory services. We also do not facilitate any illicit or illegal activities. Our focus is on practical, everyday support and local insights.
Pricing and Payment Questions
Q11: How much do your services cost?
We offer a variety of packages and hourly rates to suit different needs. For example, our "Thailand Pre-Arrival Virtual Kickstart" is $165 for 5 hours of assistance. Hourly virtual support ranges from $40-60/hour. You can find a full list of our current virtual packages and their prices on our Pricing page. Prices for upcoming in-person services are also listed there.
Q12: What currency are your prices in? Can I pay in Thai Baht?
All our prices are listed in USD for consistency. However, we do accept payments in Thai Baht (THB) at the current exchange rate at the time of payment.
Q13: How do I pay for services?
We offer secure international payments via Stripe. This allows you to use most major credit and debit cards. Payment processing fees may apply.
Q14: Are there any hidden fees?
No, we believe in transparent pricing. What you see listed for our packages and hourly rates is what you pay for the service itself. Any potential additional costs, such as the actual cost of goods or services booked on your behalf, or surcharges for after-hours services, are clearly outlined on our Pricing page.
Q15: What is your policy on additional costs incurred during service?
The cost of goods or services booked for you (e.g., tickets, products) are additional to our service fee. Services requested after standard business hours or on weekends may incur a 25% surcharge, as stated on our pricing page. We will always confirm these with you beforehand.
Booking and Process Questions
Q16: How do I book a service with My Thai Buddy?
You can book our services directly through our website. Visit our Pricing or Services page, choose the package or support option that suits you, and click "Get Started" or "Book Now." You can also contact us for a free initial 15-minute consultation to discuss your needs.
Q17: What is the initial 15-minute consultation for?
The free 15-minute consultation is an opportunity for us to understand your needs and for you to ask any initial questions. It helps us recommend the best service or package for you and ensures we're a good fit for what you're looking for.
Q18: How will I communicate with my Thai Buddy?
For virtual services, communication will primarily be through email, popular messaging apps like LINE, and video calls for consultations or coaching sessions. We will establish the most convenient channels for you.
Q19: What if I'm not satisfied with the service?
Your satisfaction is our priority. We offer a satisfaction guarantee on all our packages. If our service standards are not met, we offer a full refund. Please discuss any concerns with us directly so we can address them.
Trust and Safety
Q20: How do you ensure the quality and trustworthiness of your Thai Buddies?
Our Thai Buddies are carefully selected and vetted. We prioritize individuals with excellent communication skills, strong local knowledge, resourcefulness, and a commitment to providing reliable and discreet buddy assistance. Training emphasizes professionalism, cultural sensitivity, understanding client needs, and most importantly, data security protocols to ensure your sensitive information stays secure with you - unlike other services that may collect and misuse your personal data.
Q21: How is my personal information handled?
We take your privacy seriously. We comply with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and have measures in place to protect your personal information. Most importantly, we work together as buddies while ensuring your sensitive data stays secure with you - you maintain control over your documents and personal information. Unlike other services that may store or misuse your data, we only collect data necessary to provide collaborative buddy services and do so with your explicit consent. For more details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Still Have Questions?
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