Thailand third for digital nomads, fourth for retirees

“It ranked second among ASEAN countries in both categories, with Malaysia ahead in each. Lalida cited reporting by Vietnam's VnExpress International and Malaysia's The Star, saying the results underlined Thailand's potential for people looking to live and work abroad, rather than simply take short holidays.”

Sounds to me like the results underline the potential of Malaysia for people looking to live and work abroad. Malaysia came first in ASEAN for both categories.

On 9/13/2026 at 8:50 AM, sungod said:

Great, another thread where moaning old gits can complain about Thailand, yet do nothing about it and stay here.

Many used to say they were off to Cambodia, then realised it’s a real <deleted>hole, now the chat is about Viet Nam, but I dont see the numbers leaving.

Vietnam 5 months of rain, no retirement visa, no bank account and driving licence, great for a few visits per year, unless you are married to a Vietnamese lady, forget it.

On 9/13/2026 at 4:04 AM, atpeace said:

OK, but the numbers I provided show a 80% increase the last couple of years vs the pre covid peak. How does that equal people leaving?

Absolutely- a recent trip back to the UK was a sobering exercise for me

Products that would cost around 400 in the local 7-11 was many times more expensive for more or less identical products

Do not even mention the cost of housing, petrol and so on

I missed the easy life here- always in shorts and a t shirt and far less pressure

1 hour ago, jcmj said:

They always say that they want high spending or quality visitors but don’t worry about the numbers. I suggest that they speak to TAT who is always pushing for higher numbers of visitors, and they don’t care where they are from or how much they spend. They just want big numbers. Ahh, the usual here as most people know.

Part of the ongoing problem is the complete disconnect between the TAT and it's ever obsessive desire to have high numbers of arrivals and the rest of the government, especially immigration. You add in and extremely xenophobic prime minister and that certainly complicates the issues even more, with the recent crackdowns on nominee companies, homeownership, incessant changes to visa policy, etc, etc.

Another issue is the fact that Thai officials seem to be completely unwilling (or incapable) to make the kind of sacrifices that are required to attract high quality tourists, and they have done very little to address lingering problems that have become an issue for a decade or two now. There have been some minor improvements to the infrastructure here but that's really about it. To compound that you have neighboring nations that are trying much harder, and doing much more.

I love Thailand and I love its people, but it's sad to see the nation moving backwards at a fairly swift pace, due to incredibly toxic oligarchs, incredibly regressive politicians, a total unwillingness to let the youth have a hand in politics here, a total unwillingness to change and progress, some incredibly toxic people at the top who have no regard for their people, and an elitist system that does not award merit on any level.

I do not think that the future will be that kind to Thailand. The once powerful tiger of Southeast Asia is quickly becoming of sad, anemic, and sickly alley cat, and it would not surprise me if Thailand dropped to 100th in the world in terms of real GDP within the next 20 to 30 years. Most Thai leaders in politicians could not spell the words dynamic or progressive if their lives depended upon it.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by spidermike007

I suggest that you visit the actual data summary. Rumavi is upfront with its caveat that each person has different characterstics and the results will vary by person.

Having lived in Portugal for six years and now Thailand for nine years, I'd argue that Thailand is by far the better place to live.

2 hours ago, atpeace said:

They make most of us look older but don't see them as a whole ruining places. Over the top tourism ruins places and can only hope Thailand can reduce the hordes but as of yet this hasn't happened. This year looks to be down a few percent which will be unnoticeable and some of my favorite destination of 25 years ago are a no go for me. I remember when Phuket was an enjoyable holiday for me.

They drive up rent. And not only in the uptown areas they come into. When they take places in central Bangkok, they're forcing out Thais who must move downstream to more suburban or exurban areas. Exurban is me and my neighbors. So they cause the cost of living to increase for everyone.

On 9/13/2026 at 11:18 AM, ikke1959 said:

I don't know, but I spoke to several people who left already and others are planning it. That there will be others.... Of course, but at this moment i am wondering how many don't need to an agency to extend or stay in Thailand. The crackdown on foreigners will show it..

The reason for the high 2023 figure is that consulates and immigration offices processed a massive backlog of delayed applications and annual renewals that had stalled during the pandemic years. Moreover immigrations tightened the scrutiny on consecutive tourist entries in recent years and therefore long term visitors found it much harder to "live" in Thailand on tourist visas.

On 9/13/2026 at 6:30 AM, ikke1959 said:

I think that Thailand as a land to retire has lost it. The news about the people who have bought a house here with the advice of company to buy the ground was in the news all over the world. It was not positive and another issue will be that Thailand is very expensive country for tax. Taxes are high and there are no benefits. And than of course there all the restrictions, as 90 days reporting, address notifications, no vaping, no volunteer work ( I know people will say if you retired you don't work, but some one can and like to do something more than drinking coffee and shopping), air pollution, dangerous roads and very expensive imported goods. And of course at this moment the drugs issues.It is not affecting at the moment for retirees, but we all know that drugs will bring crimes too. Just a few things that are at the negative side. Positive is the possibility of a 1 year visa, and the good food .

If the government wants that people stay longer they have do something that makes it worth, as for now i only see people leaving as there are better options to retire.

Using fake shareholders is plain stupid, one should know that by themselves.

Tax isn't very expensive, 7% VAT and max 35% income tax:

The Thai tax brackets for 2025 are as follows:

• 0% on income up to ฿150,000

• 5% on income from ฿150,001 to ฿300,000

• 10% on income from ฿300,001 to ฿500,000

• 15% on income from ฿500,001 to ฿750,000

• 20% on income from ฿750,001 to ฿1,000,000

• 25% on income from ฿1,000,001 to ฿2,000,000

• 30% on income from ฿2,000,001 to ฿5,000,000

• 35% on income above ฿5,000,000.

  
  These brackets apply to assessable income after deductions and allowances.

On 9/13/2026 at 10:02 AM, ikke1959 said:

In Thailand we are still in Covid years.. It is the nonly country that keeps on wearing masks and get news about Covid

Absolute BS, people wear masks when having a cold. Have done before and after COVID.

On 9/13/2026 at 11:18 AM, ikke1959 said:

I don't know, but I spoke to several people who left already and others are planning it. That there will be others.... Of course, but at this moment i am wondering how many don't need to an agency to extend or stay in Thailand. The crackdown on foreigners will show it..

Are you saying people who can't afford the income requirements to get the retirement visa are leaving? If so, they shouldn't be here in the first place.