Thailand ranks third in 2026 expat living survey

Poll taken before or after the government started seizing retirees property caught up in nominee business mess

Again is Thailand high ranked, but if I read the news every day, I can hardly believe that there is no impact on people, if they read all the negative news about foreigners. Never I read that foreigners did something good or that Thailand is appreciating them. It is always a crackdown on this, that, foreigners who don't behave, make noise in the BTS, or walk around with no shirts, or just name it. Never read that a foreigner died and collected money at his cremation to give to a hospital for support, or to underpriviliged kids. And i am sure there are more feeling good stories, but never online. That will do more good to be an attractive country for expats than all the negative news now

7 hours ago, Nemises said:

demonstrate you can survive Sukhumvit at 5:30pm.”

Not just on the road but at MRT/BTS stations.

I once was leaving Bangkok from Sukhumvit MRT station at 5pm and after swiftly going through the VISA gate than had to choose which of four long waiting lines to go downstairs to LINE UP again for the actual transport stations. But people were all polite and respectful.

54 minutes ago, Thumbs said:

government started seizing retirees property caught up in nominee business mess

Break the law - lose.

4 hours 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

Mexico and Panama have better permanent residence stays than Thailand and there's no reason Thailand can't duplicate the same.

4 hours ago, FlorC said:

Mexico second ?

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

I've driven to all but three Mexican states. Safe, wonderful, helpful people. Stable govt. Although prices are now pretty close to US, the attitude is way better. Be my second choice.

4 hours ago, ronster said:

Mexico 😳

Think I will take my chances here with the traffic rather than being kidnapped by the cartel or shot dead in Cancun while wandering along the beach !

Foreigners are not in their (US-made) gunsites. Gangsters kill other gangsters.

4 hours ago, FlorC said:

Mexico second ?

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

These ratings are mostly made by Americans, for Americans. Having lived in the Philippines part-time for many years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the influx of American "cheap charlies". Forbes named Dumaguete the fifth best expat destination back in 2014, and in 2025 they singled it out again as a retirement haven—this time in an article highlighting top Philippine retirement spots on a budget of around $1,000 a month. With that level of income, they wouldn't even qualify for a visa in Thailand. Now both we and the local Filipinos just have to live with this massive crowd of expats. Sadly, a lot of them act like royalty, even though they’ve got less cash in their pockets than a middle-class Filipino. So much for expat living surveys and their real-world consequences.

4 hours ago, emptypockets said:

I wonder how many current expats in Thailand could afford to live in UAE.

NOT MANY,Me Thinks !!!

49 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Foreigners are not in their (US-made) gunsites. Gangsters kill other gangsters.

Tell that to all the people kidnapped and killed !! 🙄

The demographics of those who contributed would be interesting to see

With Panama on top I would expect North Americans to be strongly represented because for most Europeans Spain Portugal Thailand and the Czech Republic would seem like more natural choices for retirement while the UAE is more obvious for work

For European retirees I would expect Thailand and the Czech Republic to be strong alternatives together with Portugal and Spain depending on whether they value climate cost of living or staying closer to home

Even Norway seems to be in the wind these days especially with the extreme hot summers in Europe lately and I tend to see more and more focus on Norway and the other Nordic countries

Norway is very predictable and safe for those who have the resources and do not expect a luxury lifestyle while Dubai can offer considerably more disposable income and luxury for a well paid professional especially because of the tax advantage

For families emigrating for work though Norway and the Nordics can still have great potential because much more of education healthcare and family support is built into the system

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Mexico and Panama have better permanent residence stays than Thailand and there's no reason Thailand can't duplicate the same.

Seems many of the forum members do not realise the survey is not just about retirement

It covers foreigners who moved abroad for work or to live and looks at quality of life settling in working abroad personal finances housing and digital services

So the rankings reflect a mix of retirees workers families and people moving for lifestyle reasons

1 hour ago, Feingeist said:

So much for expat living surveys and their real-world consequences.

Admitedly there are too many - like the top university surveys - both are growing in numbers.

6 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

What is the US and the UK doing on that list?
The quality of life is very low unless one is quite wealthy. And even then you're dealing with humorless people day to day. And certainly affordability cannot be a factor on this list.

Most on here are going to claim they're samrt and that TH is the best and that their wife is the prettiest.

Truth is VERY few properly wealthy people want to spend all of their time in TH as it's too hot and full of creepy crawlies that want to snack on you.
Cultural life is weak unless you like temples and shopping centres.
And, if we're honest, the weather in TH is pretty <deleted> - prevents an outdoor life in daytime (normal) hours forcing many into the bars / alcoholism.

Where it excels is for mid-budget ugly guys who always wanted to get laid but couldn't get their hands on anything decent looking elsewhere.
For the 1st year theyll be like pigs in <deleted> before reality hits and the 100 yard stare becomes permanent.

Most 'expats' who live there are from the working class (postman, carpet fitter, foreman, mechanic, painter decorator etc.) - I'm guessing these surveys which big up the cheapest destinations are voted for by relatively poor (by expat standards) people.

Imho, most would have better lives if they had stayed home but could afford 2 or 3 months there when the weather is bearable (December-Jan). Most can't afford that though.

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Again is Thailand high ranked, but if I read the news every day, I can hardly believe that there is no impact on people, if they read all the negative news about foreigners. Never I read that foreigners did something good or that Thailand is appreciating them. It is always a crackdown on this, that, foreigners who don't behave, make noise in the BTS, or walk around with no shirts, or just name it. Never read that a foreigner died and collected money at his cremation to give to a hospital for support, or to underpriviliged kids. And i am sure there are more feeling good stories, but never online. That will do more good to be an attractive country for expats than all the negative news now

If the farnag is dead how does he/she collect money at the cremation ?

2 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

If the farnag is dead how does he/she collect money at the cremation ?

It was his wish and the family collected the money.. you're funny

10 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

It was his wish and the family collected the money.. you're funny

Did the Farnag convey said wish in a clear and concise manner ?

8 hours ago, FlorC said:

Mexico second ?

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

I was going to bring up the first and second place countries. I thought Costa Rica was rated but not even on the list. Saudi Arabia??????? Devout Muslims may be,

And where are the Philippines ❓

8 minutes ago, markus said:

And where are the Philippines ❓

East of Vietnam ,north of Indonesia and south of Taiwan.

2 hours ago, Keeenok Powell said:

East of Vietnam ,north of Indonesia and south of Taiwan.

And west of thousands of miles of open ocean. Do you think the Filipinos were descendants of polynesians who didn't have the nerve to go any futher. I wouldn't blame them.

12 hours ago, emptypockets said:

I wonder how many current expats in Thailand could afford to live in UAE. Who in their right mind would want to?!?

Rich people that don't like taxes.

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Again is Thailand high ranked, but if I read the news every day, I can hardly believe that there is no impact on people, if they read all the negative news about foreigners. Never I read that foreigners did something good or that Thailand is appreciating them. It is always a crackdown on this, that, foreigners who don't behave, make noise in the BTS, or walk around with no shirts, or just name it. Never read that a foreigner died and collected money at his cremation to give to a hospital for support, or to underpriviliged kids. And i am sure there are more feeling good stories, but never online. That will do more good to be an attractive country for expats than all the negative news now

I think it's important to keep in mind who the PM is now, he's one of the nastiest and most xenophobic men to lead this nation in a very long time. It most certainly sets a tone.

12 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

How does UAE and Saudi Arabia make the list? Would somebody actually move to Jeddah willingly, as an expat, or as a retiree? I could see if you were getting paid a million dollars a year working there for a while but actually choosing the place as a destination to retire?

And what is the US and the UK doing on that list? From my point of view the only reason why people retire there is because they don't have the courage to leave. The quality of life is very low unless one is quite wealthy. And even then you're dealing with humorless people day to day. And certainly affordability cannot be a factor on this list.

Packing my bags for Saudi Arabia right now...I hear the clubs there are off da hook.

7 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

Packing my bags for Saudi Arabia right now...I hear the clubs there are off da hook.

The women are everywhere and they really like foreigners, it's quite a scene there. Great night life all kinds of entertainment and major fun to be had. LOL

16 hours ago, technoronin said:

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.

I just ignore the nonsense. I use an agent so I don't have to deal with all the annoyances associated with immigration, and with a lot of issues I just kind of keep my head in the sand. The quality of life in Thailand is so high for me that it's pretty easy to overlook all the other forms of stupidity that the xenophobic and fearful government attempts to throw our way.

The reality is that for anybody who's wealthy and has very significant income there are a lot of options out there these days. So many of the countries that were listed are far more expensive than Thailand and for those of us that have limited income the quality of life in Thailand is very high. I find most people friendly and the worst I ever encounter is indifference. Most people have a good sense of humor which is totally lacking in the West, and many Thai women are absolutely delightful. I could go on and on but I think I've made my point. Everyday I wake up in Thailand is a good day.

Another garbage survey.

Panama is #1?

And Saudi Arabia is in there. Really? Has anybody ever considered Saudi Arabia?

Japan is also there. Anyone try applying for a long-term non-marriage, non-work visa? It takes years.

16 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Mexico and Panama have better permanent residence stays than Thailand and there's no reason Thailand can't duplicate the same.

Other than they don't care too.

I think the welcoming days of 20 years past are behind us, they just haven't got round to changing the requirements yet. It often looks like there is simply a campaign to paint foreigners negatively of late... that and the fact many are indeed poor guests these days, and paint themselves.