Thailand ranks third in 2026 expat living survey

2 minutes ago, saakura said:

Most of us longtime expats have heard this line since the early nineties.

Agree with you. But the masses are becoming destitute. And nothing is done by government to respond to that except the odd hand out. The 30 baht health care is the only thing I can think of that helped. They also said they were tinkering with the SSO. But it's not helping.

2 hours ago, JerryM said:

That's only because -- as is oft posted on here -- they are willfully blind to the impending doom.

Please elaborate on impending doom? Are we talking about expats living off savings and fixed incomes that cannot keep up with inflation? If so that is an expat problem, not a Thailand problem.

Troll post removed @Front Row yet another attempt to attack a news article.

32 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Mexico second ?

Must be a joke , or just for expats from the US.

It is a joke, besides the ubiquitous filthy water throughout the country, driving or walking on the wrong rural road or seeing something that you shouldn’t could have detrimental consequences and the cops always stop gringos on the roads and squeeze them for cash.

3 hours ago, JerryM said:

That's only because -- as is oft posted on here -- they are willfully blind to the impending doom.

What impending doom ? Sounds ominous.

15 minutes ago, Hotchilli123 said:

If Thailand doesn't change many things over the next decade I can envisage that rank changing.. and not for the better

Most of us longtime expats have heard this line since the early nineties.

Agree. Getting visas, opening banks accounts, getting permanent residency, etc. may have been easier back in the day but that is more attributed to the sign of the times than a Thailand deficiency. Welcome to the digital world of unlimited government regulations, not just a Thai problem,

There are a number of great things about Thailand. The people are wonderful. I can easily live without having to drive. There are places to live that while not shiny, are clean comfortable and safe as well as very affordable. Yes, they show a lot more wear, but I am okay with that. Even eating Western food here is much cheaper than in the west. The medical system is excellent.

There are also some major downsides. The absurd overreach of the Thai definition of "work" that is very selectively enforced. The fact that one of my hobbies is completely illegal for me here in Thailand - wood turning. The bureaucracy and the ever increasing amounts of paperwork that look like Thailand is heading towards becoming a surveillance state. The ever increasing restrictions on banking.

I want to live a hassle free life and Thailand isn't it. I can easily get a 12 month multi entry visa in Cambodia where the only thing I need to do is renew it every year and it's about $300. I was very interested in retiring in Thailand, but the changes over the last 18 months have made me change my mind from "okay, I can deal with it" to "too many headaches". Other people may come to different conclusions.

9 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

What impending doom ? Sounds ominous.

No names -- just multiple references to the sheer capriciousness of the Thai powers that be.

24 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

How does UAE and Saudi Arabia make the list?

How did the last six on the list make it on the list?

3 hours ago, JerryM said:

BTW why is Vietnam not on the OP list?

I suspect it's because it doesn't have any type of retirement visa. I have not studied all of the other countries to see if my assertion can stand up, but it does to the Asian countries I know about on the list.

5 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Currently, inflation rate of USA is 3.4%. In Canada it is 3.0%

The ONLY attraction of USA over Canada that I can see are the higher salaries. But with no public health care, the insurance rates probably erase any gains. And of course for any immigrants, there is the constant threat of detention by ICE whether or not you are perfectly legal. Red tape in running a business is a straw man's argument. It's time consuming anywhere.

There is reason why many people who apply for immigration to both Canada and USA, will choose USA over Canada. Higher salaries, more job opportunities, lower housing costs, better health care if paid by company. Thousands of highly skilled workers are lost to the USA every year. USA rewards hard workers and, to be frank, if it wasn't for the USA I would not be living the life I now live.

13 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

I suspect it's because it doesn't have any type of retirement visa. I have not studied all of the other countries to see if my assertion can stand up, but it does to the Asian countries I know about on the list.

Every 90 days, in and out. Done [edit: Sorry, out and in.}

Edited August 19Aug 19 by Joe Boy Walton

There are plenty of countries on the list where I don't know much about retirement options, but I have been to, so....

• South Africa - crime-ridden, dangerous place - absolutely no!

• Europe - general comment - yeah, some cities in some countries are not great. I believe one visa can effectively cover all EU countries, so well worth a thought. Portugal is especially nice, so is Poland. Luxemburg is a hidden gem of a city - free (and good) public transport

• ME countries - no thank you!!

• Brazil - another crime hot bed, no thanks. Great place to be if you know locals though.

• Singapore - crazy prices, no thanks!

• Malaysia - not too keen on retiring to a Muslim country, but Malaysia is the exception.

• Australia - too expensive

• USA - so much I could say, majority of it positive, but it's a 'no' from me

• UK - not a chance!

• Canada - love going there, but not to live

• Japan - has a reputation as being expensive, but it isn't. Not sure there are reasonable retirement visa options anyhow

Turkey, Panama & Mexico are the only countries I've not been to on this list.

7 minutes ago, Joe Boy Walton said:

Every 90 days, in and out. Done [edit: Sorry, out and in.}

Thanks - I've spoken to folks there who do that. And some think they might stop people from doing that at some point, who knows. Thailand has recently clamped down on the visa run 'retirement' visa.