Michael Kane moved to Thailand to retire and opened Izzy’s coffee
In a first-person essay published by businessinsider.com, 54-year-old Michael Kane describes his relocation from the United States to Koh Samui, Thailand, in 2020 to retire, followed by his eventual return to entrepreneurship after experiencing boredom with island leisure.
From Southern California Restaurants to Atlanta Software
Growing up in Orange County, Southern California, Kane began his career working in restaurants before moving into software, construction, real estate, sales, and marketing. In 1990, he relocated to Atlanta, where he lived for most of the next 30 years. A friend invited him to Thailand for a two-week visit about a decade ago, which prompted him to extend his stay to three months and eventually split his time between the US and Thailand.
Before leaving the US, Kane operated a doggy day care outside Atlanta that he launched after struggling to find a nearby facility for his own pet. Although the COVID-19 pandemic struck just prior to its opening, he successfully sold the business and decided he was finished operating enterprises domestically.
Visa Transitions and Island Retirement in Koh Samui
In 2020, Kane moved permanently to Koh Samui, purchasing a two-bedroom apartment in Mae Nam on the northern area of the island for $186,100. He initially entered the country on a five-year Thailand Elite visa, which later restructured into the Thailand Privilege visa. After the Thai government introduced the Long-Term Resident Wealthy Pensioners visa in 2022, he transitioned to that option to secure a 10-year validity period.
Kane spent the initial year and a half of his residency visiting the beach, receiving massages, and living a standard retirement lifestyle. However, he writes that the lack of engagement led to persistent boredom, noting that he does not play golf, fish, paint, or write poetry.
Launching Izzy’s Coffee on Koh Samui
The transition back to business began when his ex-girlfriend, a personal trainer, baked banana cakes in their kitchen and sold them across the island. Kane suggested renting a small space for ovens to expand the baking operation, while also noticing a lack of quality coffee options on the island. That research culminated in the launch of Izzy’s Coffee, named after his dog.
The enterprise started as an outdoor kiosk built for approximately 100,000 Thai baht, supplemented by another 400,000 Thai baht for equipment and furnishings. Operating under a Long-Term Resident visa permitted Kane to obtain a work permit. He and his current partner, Yam, now run the cafe together, with Kane developing the beverage menu.
Roughly six months prior to the essay’s publication, the operators enclosed the kiosk to protect against the heat, rain, and street noise, transforming it into a permanent cafe. Kane is currently evaluating future business ventures while managing the cafe.