Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
ASEAN NOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Thailand third for digital nomads, fourth for retirees

Georgealbert
· 596 views

Thailand has ranked third in the world for digital nomads and fourth for retirees in the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, which assessed 192 countries and territories.

Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said on 12 September that the government wants to use the results to encourage foreigners with spending power to remain in Thailand for longer.

Thailand trails Malaysia in Southeast Asia

Thailand was placed behind Malaysia and Portugal in Rumavi's digital nomad category, receiving a score of 75.4. In the retirement ranking, Thailand scored 74.3, behind Malaysia, Panama and Portugal.

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.

Cost, banking and internet score highly

Thailand's best scores were for affordability, at 96.9, currency and banking at 91.8, and digital infrastructure at 89.4. It also received 78 points for both healthcare quality and the cost of accessing healthcare.

For foreigners weighing up a move, the rankings offer a broad comparison rather than a guarantee of individual costs or services.

Rumavi's country assessment identified weaker areas for Thailand, including English-language accessibility, business opportunities and the rule of law.

Government targets longer, higher-value stays

Lalida said digital nomads and retirees were an economic opportunity because of their purchasing power. Longer stays could spread income throughout the year to accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators and healthcare businesses, she said.

"The goal is not simply to make people around the world want to visit Thailand, but to make people with the means to do so want to stay longer. Ranking third worldwide for digital nomads and fourth for retirees is therefore an opportunity Thailand must turn into income and economic value," Lalida said.

The government plans to improve digital infrastructure and conditions for remote workers, while developing the wellness economy, care for older people and higher-value services for retirees. The Nation has reported that this forms part of a wider shift towards tourism value and spending per visitor rather than arrival numbers alone.

Join the discussion? Create account. orange.png


image.png

13 September 2026

    •
    • Agree 1
    • Haha 6

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    wensiensheng Ruby Member

    wensiensheng

    Advanced Member

    “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.

    Jiggo Gold Member

    Jiggo

    Advanced Member
    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.

    L- Lifeline Silver Member

    L- Lifeline

    Advanced Member
    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

    •
    • Like 1
    spidermike007 Star Member

    spidermike007

    Advanced Member
    (edited)
    • Popular Comment
    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 by spidermike007

    • Agree 3
    Patong2021 Diamond Member

    Patong2021

    Advanced Member

    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.

    XB12X Senior Member

    XB12X

    Member

    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.

    •
    • Endorse 1
    • Thanks 1
    John Drake Diamond Member

    John Drake

    Advanced Member
    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.

    Ray60 Explorer Member

    Ray60

    Member
    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.

    FritsSikkink Star Member

    FritsSikkink

    Advanced Member
    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:

    •
    • Like 1
    FritsSikkink Star Member

    FritsSikkink

    Advanced Member
    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.

    •
    • Like 1
    • Endorse 1
    FritsSikkink Star Member

    FritsSikkink

    Advanced Member
    • Popular Comment
    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.

    •
    • Endorse 1
    • Agree 2
    jas007 Platinum Member

    jas007

    Advanced Member
    33 minutes ago, John Drake said:

    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.

    I don't think that's a real problem, but maybe there's some aspect of the market I just don't understand. Aren't there empty condos sitting all over Thailand, even in Bangkok? Unless landlords are deliberately keeping some condos empty rather than having them occupied by paying tenants, the foreigners should not be a problem. Let's say a foreigner rents a condo in Bangkok for 50,000 baht a month. How many Thai people are being displaced?

    Thailand has room for everyone, or so it would seem.

    As for Thailand being a top retirement destination? It's not a "one size fits all" proposition. Some people have pension and Social Security type earning that are not taxable in Thailand and are more than enough to live on. No tax burden for them unless non-exempt funds are brought into the country. Housing is cheap, food is cheap, medical care is excellent.

    • Endorse 1
    John Drake Diamond Member

    John Drake

    Advanced Member
    5 minutes ago, jas007 said:

    I don't think that's a real problem, but maybe there's some aspect of the market I just don't understand. Aren't there empty condos sitting all over Thailand, even in Bangkok? Unless landlords are deliberately keeping some condos empty rather than having them occupied by paying tenants, the foreigners should not be a problem. Let's say a foreigner rents a condo in Bangkok for 50,000 baht a month. How many Thai people are being displaced?

    Thailand has room for everyone, or so it would seem.

    As for Thailand being a top retirement destination? It's not a "one size fits all" proposition. Some people have pension and Social Security type earning that are not taxable in Thailand and are more than enough to live on. No tax burden for them unless non-exempt funds are brought into the country. Housing is cheap, food is cheap, medical care is excellent.

    Thai displacement and the ripple effect of digital nomads on forcing out Thais is discussed in the Bangkok Bank report. https://www.bangkokbank.com/th-TH/-/media/a7e1bb5adb5d4888a1df9cce2a05b52f.ashx

    Taco Advanced Member

    Taco

    Member

    Check back on that stat in 5 years when all the digital nomads are retired by AI.

    • Like 1
    John Drake Diamond Member

    John Drake

    Advanced Member
    7 minutes ago, Taco said:

    Check back on that stat in 5 years when all the digital nomads are retired by AI.

    Maybe give it just another 12 months.

    •
    • Like 1
    SamSpade Silver Member

    SamSpade

    Advanced Member
    (edited)
    3 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

    Have you been to cambodia recently? I have now lived here in Siem Reap for 7 years, after 20 years in a deteriorating Thailand. I can assure you Khmer Land is far from a s...hole these days.

    My local supermarket on the way to Angkoe Wat and the Botanical Gardens for starters! (my photos)

    image.png

    IMG_0659.JPG

    In all serious & no snide remarks intended, is there anything to do in Siem Reap other than Angkor Wat & Pub Street?

    Honestly, I'm asking because I'm doing <180 days in Thailand this year and have been using Penang (with 2 x 6 weeks in the UK & 2 weeks in the Maldives) as my base but I'm a bit bored there and still have 5 weeks to kill after I get back from the UK.

    Am considering stopping off in Istanbul & doing 3 weeks on the Asian side, 2 weeks on the European side, or might head off to VN but had mentally disregarded Cambodia as I've been to SR & PP 3-4 times already..

    Edited by SamSpade

    • Like 1
    10baht Silver Member

    10baht

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

    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.

    I agree 100% and charging retirees 450baht coming and going after already paying the visa charges is criminal.

    •
    • Agree 1
    10baht Silver Member

    10baht

    Advanced Member
    On 9/13/2026 at 7:28 AM, Gottfrid said:

    what Rumavi Global Relocation Index base their figures on. Maybe, then you will be able to sort your fiction from the real world.

    Or maybe RGR Index is not the real world. The Rumavi Global Relocation Index uses a transparent, data-driven framework, but as an inaugural 2026 report from a private advisory firm, it should be treated as a helpful guide rather than a definitive authority

    SamSpade Silver Member

    SamSpade

    Advanced Member
    (edited)
    3 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

    “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.

    Malaysia also has some pretty favourable tax policies in place until 2036 for Foreign income. They only Tax Domestic & Remitted income anyway but until 2036 they don't tax any Income that is subject to Tax in the country it's being remitted from, whether you've paid Tax on it there or not - E.g. you might have Rental income of £12,500 which is below the UK Personal Allowance so you pay no tax, but because this is taxable income in the UK, you won't pay any tax on it in Malaysia.

    Non Residents don't pay any tax on Remitted income and it's <182 days (compared to <180 days in Thailand) BUT there are a few "Rules" that can make you Tax Resident if you spend less than 182 days in 1 Tax year (1st Jan - 31st Dec)...

    1 - The "Link Period Rule" if you spent August-December (153 days) in Malaysia, then spent the following January there you would be treated as though you've spent 184 days in Malaysia and would be Tax Resident - You have to spend at least 14 days outside of Malaysia to "Break the Chain".

    2 - The "90 Day" Rule, if you spend 90 Days in Malaysia and have spent 90 Days in 3 out of the preceeding 4 years there you are Tax Resident.

    3 - The "Continuous Resident" Rule, If you have spent the previous 3 years as a Resident in Malaysia then you are Resident this year even if you spend zero days there.

    Edited by SamSpade

    • Thanks 1
    thecyclist Gold Member

    thecyclist

    Advanced Member
    (edited)
    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..

    I remember when they (farang hating Thaksin) raised the retirement visa requirement from 100k to 200k(around 25/30 years ago), many retirees said they were leaving, and some actually left (Cambodia was top of the list back then.)

    It didn't take long for the Shinawatras to raise it from 200k to 400k,and, again, many said they really have had it now, and were leaving, and some actually did.

    Not long after, it went up to 800k,same story.

    In the end, people get angry when they feel that are being taken advantage of, but, especially old folks, once they have settled in a place, are in a relationship, tend to suck it up and stay.

    Edited by thecyclist
    Error

    ronnie50 Platinum Member

    ronnie50

    Advanced Member
    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

    I think mask-wearing on public transit and in crowded places makes sense - it's not just about covid, it's also to avoid colds, flu etc.. The authorities only report on Covid when there is something to say. For example, last month they reported more than 100,000 cases of covid so far this year. That's a lot. I had it last month, so did my wife. Fortunately, it was mild and we both tested negative within a week (thanks to anti-virals).

    ikke1959 Diamond Member

    ikke1959

    Advanced Member
    2 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

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

    Than a lot of people have a cold even in April hehehe

    •
    • Unclear 1
    ikke1959 Diamond Member

    ikke1959

    Advanced Member
    59 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

    I think mask-wearing on public transit and in crowded places makes sense - it's not just about covid, it's also to avoid colds, flu etc.. The authorities only report on Covid when there is something to say. For example, last month they reported more than 100,000 cases of covid so far this year. That's a lot. I had it last month, so did my wife. Fortunately, it was mild and we both tested negative within a week (thanks to anti-virals).

    but that is only in Thailand.. nowhere you read anything anymore about Covid...

    ronnie50 Platinum Member

    ronnie50

    Advanced Member
    4 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

    but that is only in Thailand.. nowhere you read anything anymore about Covid...

    No, not exactly. It is being reported in many countries - it's just that people who aren't interested don't see the news stories. Here is a selection of US news reports over last 4 weeks. Likely not headline news though.

    https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/20/health/covid-summer-wave

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/08/31/covid-19-cases-increasing-most-impacted-states-map/91550356007/

    https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/6036387-covid-is-growing-in-nearly-every-state-cdc-reports-heres-where-levels-are-highest/

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/08/31/covid-19-cases-increasing-most-impacted-states-map/91550356007/

    https://www.today.com/health/coronavirus/summer-covid-surge-symptoms-guidelines-2026-covid-vaccine-test-rcna592549

    Create an account or sign in to comment

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.