Clean dreams and building a laundry business in Pattaya.
Washing away obstacles, the journey to a laundry shop.
After countless years of traveling back and forth and indulging in numerous brief and occasionally extended vacations in the amazing city of Pattaya, I finally arrived at a resolute decision. I unequivocally chose to embark on an indefinite journey, establishing my permanent presence in this enchanting locale that had captivated my heart over time.
My extensive exploration had exposed me to its diverse and captivating offerings, leaving an indelible mark on my soul. The city's unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and bustling urban life had stirred within me a deep sense of belonging and contentment. From its pristine beaches and azure waters to its bustling markets and vibrant nightlife, Pattaya seemed to possess an irresistible allure that permeated every aspect of my being.
With each visit, I had discovered new facets of the city charm and hospitality, and the desire to immerse myself fully in its embrace gradually took hold. The thought of embracing the city's distinctive way of life, along with its myriad attractions and amenities, filled me with an overwhelming sense of excitement and anticipation.
Armed with a conviction born out of years of fond memories and experiences, I resolved to call this nice town my permanent home. I eagerly looked forward to embracing its rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavors, and to embarking on a new chapter of my life, adorned with all the trimmings that this captivating city had to offer.
It was 1998, exactly ten years after I first discovered this great place on earth. I had just returned from a three month vacation and on the way back to my home country I decided to take my chances.
So said, so done and again a choice, a month in the Netherlands and there I was again in the plane with the thought of the far east and the thought of how it would all go, there was at least someone waiting for me at Don Muang Airport, a nice girl I've met and where I would live in her two room apartment somewhere near Suksabai Village.
Everything was going smoothly, and I was relishing the delightful moments. As a result, we made the decision to relocate to a residence situated on a charming lane called Soi Jiraporn, nestled between the quaint Soi Bua Khao and bustling Third road.
Our move was motivated by two key factors: the need for additional living space and the opportunity to establish a laundry service at the front of the house.
The new house offered us ample room to breathe, granting a sense of liberation from the constraints of our previous abode. With more space, we could finally spread out and indulge in a more comfortable lifestyle. The prime location allowed us to embark on a new entrepreneurial venture, a laundry business. The front of the house presented an ideal spot to set up shop, attracting potential customers and enabling us to serve the local community.
This transition marked an exciting chapter in our lives. We eagerly embraced the opportunities that awaited us in our new abode on Soi Jiraporn, basking in the anticipation of a more spacious living environment and the prospect of establishing a successful laundry service.
Besides many simple apartments with locals staying and living here you also had the many foreigners who were on vacation and staying in hotels. There were also a few hotels nearby and quite a lot of walk throughs from the vacationers staying here. I invested in stuff to furnish the house because it was delivered empty and the stuff like washing machines to furnish the laundry.
After two weeks of hard work everything was ready and there were five washing machines in the room, enough drying racks, a desk, laundry stuff and from ironing equipment to the receipt books, you couldn't think of anything else. There were several options, the Thai people used their own laundry basket that they put down and my partner just had to wash the laundry and for a small basket it was 30 Baht and for a large basket 40 Baht.
It was collected later that day and she dried the laundry herself. The foreigners brought their laundry, had to be dried and was ironed neatly. Can remember socks and underwear were 10 Baht a simple shirt 15 Baht and jeans 20 Baht. It was neatly folded in a plastic bag and was usually picked up after two days.
We had some larger washing machines for the quilts which were for a small quilt 100 Baht and for a large quilt 120 Baht.
From the beginning I was actually surprised how busy it was and how Jar made her money with a laundry. Most of the Thais living and working in Pattaya could not buy a washing machine or had no place for it and the vacationer also had to do his laundry of course.
An average day deducted brought in between 1000 and 1500 Baht, not bad after all and my girlfriend was also enjoying herself and I got on well with owner of the supermarket, Marc, an Australian and with my neighbor, Brandon from England, who worked in the off Shore.
Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate owning a laundry business, let alone entrusting its operations to a Thai woman I had met in this fantastic place. However, what began as an unexpected twist in my life turned out to be an enjoyable and largely rewarding endeavor. Working from the comfort of home, with minimal expenses and a steady stream of income, it seemed like a fortunate decision.
For more than two years, my venture thrived, steadily attracting a growing clientele. I marveled at the progress I had made, considering it as one of the many choices I had embarked upon. However, fate had an unexpected twist in store for me, a particularly unpleasant incident that abruptly ended my career as a laundromat owner.
Looking back now, I can laugh about it, but at the time, it was far from amusing. In the subsequent story, I will provide a brief summary of the circumstances that compelled me to resign, as it seemed there was no alternative for me, no other path to follow.