Renata Goodley’s family lives in Pattaya, Thailand

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What does the city of Pattaya look like in the eyes of a Lithuanian staying here? What is important to consider before moving to Thailand? How can Law of Attraction practices change your life? About everything in detail – from Renata’s lips.

– Renata, your family fascinates with its “internationality”. What is your family history?

– My husband Simon from England and I have been married for 13 years. 7 years ago, during the 7th month of pregnancy, we lost our daughter Isabella. After much sadness and reflection, my husband and I decided to adopt. So, two years later, we gave a home to a boy who was looking for a family, Ryan from Hong Kong. Now we all live together in Pattaya.

Before that, Simon and I lived in Dubai and I worked as a flight attendant for an airline. Really amazing work, but it was just a “season” of life that passed and left the best memories.

– What made you decide to stay in Pattaya?

– To be honest, we were thinking of living in Koh Phangan, not Pattaya. We have been planning to move to Koh Phangan for almost 10 years. At first this idea seemed perfect, but after a while we realized that this island would not be very practical for living with the whole family. Koh Phangan is ideal for vacations, but not for long-term living, especially with a child.

Why? First of all, schools. I don’t know how it is now, but 4-5 years ago there were no schools, only kindergartens. It’s not really practical to take a boat every day to move to a school on another island. There were also not many hospitals at that time, only a few polyclinics.

When we lived in Dubai, we hung up a vision board we made. We took photos that matched our wishes and realized that we wanted to move to Thailand in 10 years time. It was a 10-year plan, not a daydream.

– Tell us about the school where your son studies and you yourself volunteer.

– Ryan’s school is characterized by the fact that many lessons are held outdoors. Yes, this style of school is not for everyone, but he and we really like it. I have always said and will say that childhood does not last long and if there is an opportunity to spend more time in nature, then why not. I’m not saying that science is not important, but being in nature, playing in the jungle and taking lessons in the fresh air are more important to us now.

I am currently studying a BA (children with disabilities) and I know that in a few years I will be able to get a job at a school that is bigger. However, at the moment, this forest school is an ideal place not only for my son, but also for me, because I have been volunteering there for more than two and a half years.

– Ambiguous opinions prevail about Pattaya. What is this city like in your eyes? What would you recommend to do and visit here?

– In more than 4 years, I have not been able to face a single unpleasant situation. Yes, there are a lot of bars where young people hang out, but they are everywhere. In Pattaya, everything is more open, but what I like about this city is that you can choose whether you want to go “whitewash” or if you want to sit somewhere quieter.

This city is famous for its lively nightlife, beautiful beaches and various entertainment options, making it attractive to singles looking for thrills. However, it’s also great for families with attractions like theme parks, water sports and cultural experiences. Pattaya offers something for everyone, making it a versatile destination for all types of travelers.

– Do you often travel to other parts of Thailand? What are your favorite places?

– I will tell the truth – not much, but there are several islands that we have visited. For example, the island of Koh Larn, which is characterized by a very beautiful beach, crystal clear water and fresh seafood served at beach cafes. This island is very close to Pattaya and we have been there many times.

If you want to visit quiet fishing villages, then Koh Sichang will offer you that. This island stands out for its quiet beaches, picturesque hiking trails and very beautiful fishing villages. The small island of Koh Sak is also worthy of attention, with pristine beaches and breathtaking views of the paradise island.

Neighboring Koh Pai attracts with a very peaceful environment and beautiful transparent beaches. In Koh Samae San, located a little further, you can discover not only secluded beaches, but also lush jungles and vibrant marine life.

– What would you say are the pluses and minuses of living in Thailand?

– Trying to simplify, I can single out five pros and cons, although there are more.

  1. Affordable living. Thailand offers a low cost of living in terms of accommodation, food, transport and entertainment, ideal for expats and retirees on a budget.

  2. Warm climate. Warm weather can be enjoyed year-round, and this climate also attracts those who want to escape the cold winters or dreary climates of their home countries.

  3. Rich culture. Thailand’s vibrant culture can be experienced through Buddhist temples, traditional festivals and lively street markets.

  4. Picturesque nature. Living in Thailand, you can enjoy beautiful beaches, lush jungles and picturesque mountains.

  5. Friendly community. Living in Thailand allows you to experience Thai hospitality and also connect with a large expat community. There are mainly English, American and, of course, a large number of Russian-speaking citizens. Unfortunately, I did not meet Lithuanians living in our town.

– What does your typical day in Thailand look like? What can’t you imagine your everyday life without?

– I get up around 5 o’clock. morning I try to sit in silence for at least 10 minutes. I was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder six months ago, so I prioritize my inner chaos. Meditation, even if it’s short, helps me organize my thoughts and start the day with a calmer head. I also do morning yoga sometimes.

After that, my son and I travel to the school where he studies and I volunteer. After volunteering, I feed some wild puppies that live near the school gate. I hit the gym and come home to dinner with my family. Sometimes we cook at home, sometimes we buy food from the market – Pad Thaisoups, Thai curry and etc. Then studies and dog walking await. The day ends around 20-21 hours.

The schedule looks different on weekends. Football, meeting friends, exploring new places. On Sundays, we choose slower days, during which we rest and prepare for the new week.

Well, what can’t I imagine everyday life without? I would say, besides a few things. For example, morning coffee, when I sit in silence before the family gets up. Well, and evening conversations with the whole family before the child goes to bed.

We have a tradition that we started as soon as we moved to Thailand: every night before we go to bed, the three of us (plus the dogs) go to Ryan’s room and spend at least 10 minutes talking, reading a book and sharing the day’s experiences. In fact, it’s great fun to end the evening with the whole family.

– Tell us about the activity you are engaged in. Are your emotional freedom techniques, law of attraction practices influenced by Asian culture?

– I have been practicing the law of attraction for more than 10 years. I have noticed that when we change our inner state, we change the direction of our life. I grew up in a very traditional family, where my mother used to say, if it’s meant to be, it will be, or as God wills, it will be. There was also the belief that those who wanted more were gluttons. In fact, these are old-school clothes.

It was often necessary to live by other people’s standards, not by our own. The more I studied energy fields, the inner energy of a person, the more I realized that what we vibrate is what we attract.

I learned and am still learning about internal blocks and how to unblock them. Emotional Freedom Technique (ELT) is believed to help people remove blocks and express desires when they touch specific acupressure points and focus on emotional states and affirmations.

Renata Goodley lives in Thailand with her family

This process stimulates the body’s energy system, releases emotional tension and switches neural pathways associated with limiting beliefs and negative emotions. By addressing emotional barriers and fostering a sense of psychological well-being, ELT can facilitate a more open minded approach to achieving desired outcomes.

Practicing ELT, journaling, and self-love can help you attract desired results through the Law of Attraction by encouraging the alignment of thoughts, emotions, and intentions. ELT helps release emotional blocks, journaling clarifies desires and beliefs, and self-love cultivates positive thinking. All of this reinforces vibrational alignment with desired outcomes thereby enhancing the Law of Attraction manifestation process.

I do all this through private consultations. I don’t think living in Thailand or before that living in Hong Kong influenced this practice. I practiced this while living in Dubai and I know that no matter where I live, I will always take the law of attraction and travel with it to any country in the world.

– What do you think about Thai culture and behavior?

– From the perspective of a foreigner living in Thailand with a family, Thai culture is often perceived as a deep-rooted respect for tradition, family values ​​and hospitality. Thai people are known for their warm and welcoming demeanor, kindness, and focus on maintaining harmonious relationships within their community.

– What advice would you give to people considering moving to Thailand?

  • Understand Thai culture: Learn about customs, traditions, and social norms to help you integrate seamlessly into Thai society.

  • If you can, learn at least a little Thai: basic phrases improve communication with the locals despite the fact that English is widely spoken.

  • Know your visa requirements: Find out about your long-term visa needs and get professional help when needed.

  • Explore living areas: Find the right environment to suit your lifestyle.

  • Plan your finances: Assess your living expenses and create a budget for financial stability.

  • Health Care and Insurance: Explore options and consider emergency health insurance.

  • Connect with expats: Connect with expat communities for insight and support.

  • Respect local customs: Follow Thai customs and laws to avoid misunderstandings.

  • Embrace a new way of life: enjoy Thai cuisine, history, adventure.

  • Keep an open mind: adapt to new surroundings and open yourself up to unexpected experiences.

The article is in Lithuanian

Tags: Renata Goodleys family lives Pattaya Thailand

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