Ryan Blackley, 35, and his wife Jess, 34, left the UK for Chiang Mai with their sons Noah, six, and Bodhi, four, on February 24, 2026. The family now holds five-year Destination Thailand Visas and is using Thailand as a base for a longer period of travel across Asia.
The couple, originally from Cambridge, say they spend a rolling average of GBP1,800 a month for the four of them - about GBP60 a day - while travelling around Thailand. That compares with UK monthly costs they put at GBP2,296.
Their lifestyle is funded partly by income from two flats and their family home in the UK, which are rented through Airbnb or to private tenants. They estimate the rentals bring in GBP2,500 a month and describe themselves as retired because the property work needs little day-to-day effort.
From tourist entry to a five-year DTV
The Blackleys initially entered Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa. After it expired, they crossed into Laos to apply for their five-year DTV, which they say allows both of them to live and work remotely in Thailand.
For foreigners considering a similar move, their experience highlights that a tourist visa is not intended for long-term residence. Visa status, remote-work permissions and the practicalities of applications outside Thailand need to be settled before relying on the country as a longer-term base.
Since arriving, the family has travelled to Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Udon Thani and Kanchanaburi. They are currently in Koh Samui and plan to visit Malaysia and Singapore next, while keeping Chiang Mai as their base.
"We've basically got freedom and don't have to be anywhere by a certain date or time," Ryan said. "It's just the four of us and we pretty much go with the flow."
Lower costs, simple routine
Their July spending in Thailand was GBP790 on accommodation, GBP350 on food and GBP420 on transport, days out and other costs, totalling GBP1,560. Their longer rolling monthly average was GBP1,800.
They stay in a mix of Airbnbs, apartments and hotels, usually booking only a few days ahead. Ryan said the family eats out for lunch and dinner, but keeps spending down by eating simple Thai food and avoiding alcohol, bars and expensive restaurants.
"We're quite fine with the simple life, like eating Thai food," he said.
In the UK, the couple listed monthly costs of GBP1,459 for their mortgage, GBP427 in bills and GBP400 for food. Their former family home remains available as a fallback if their plans change.
Property income and world-schooling
Jess bought her first flat at 20 for GBP120,000 and later rented it out. After travelling and working abroad for two-and-a-half years, during which they visited 27 countries, the couple bought a second flat for GBP145,000 and later sold it for GBP183,000.
They then bought another two-bedroom flat for GBP190,000 before purchasing their four-bedroom family home in 2021.
The couple had previously travelled to Thailand in 2016, before having children, and said they had long felt their future would be outside the UK. They plan to continue world-schooling Noah and Bodhi rather than return to UK schooling.
Ryan said the family does not intend to return to live in Britain, although they expect to visit relatives.
Picture courtesy of The Mirror
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25 August 2026
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