Thailand ranked among the top 6 places in the world to retire

[webfact]

File photo

 

Thailand has been ranked among the best countries in the world to retire, according to a new survey.

 

The country ranked 6th place out of 142 countries in a survey carried out by the online comparison website money.co.uk.

 

The survey used data from Google Keyword Planner to analyse search data in each country looking at common search terms associated with retiring to another country, such as ‘retirement in [country]’, ‘retire in [country]’ and ‘retire to [country]’.  

 

The survey, titled Where the world wants to retire, found that Thailand was the most searched destination for a total of 9 countries. 

 

Thailand’s ranking put it ahead of the likes of Spain (7th), a perennial favourite retirement destination for Brits and Europeans, and also ahead of ASEAN rival the Philippines (10th).

 

Overall, France came out on top with 20 countries searching about retiring there more than anywhere else, while Canada, Argentina, Portugal and Australia made up the top 5.

 

Of France, money.co.uk said: “France is the most popular choice for those looking to retire abroad, with 20 other countries hoping to settle here after reaching retirement age”. 

 

“It has a big expat population, and with so many retirees having made a successful move it’s bound to have inspired those approaching retirement to consider the country as a place to settle in their later years.

 

 

Despite Brexit, retiring to France is still a viable option for Brits, the survey said.

 

“Although Brexit means the process of moving to Europe for Brits is now slightly different, it is still possible for UK citizens to retire to France. 

 

“In order to stay long term, those from the UK will have to apply for either a long-stay visa or apply for French residency – both are doable as long as you meet certain requirements and don’t mind filling in some paperwork”.  

 

Joel Kempson, the personal finance expert at money.co.uk, commented: “Retirement is an exciting phase of our lives and for many, this means the opportunity to spend some of our pensions, and the latter years of our lives, in a new country altogether. 

 

“We hope our findings help to provide some inspiration for anyone currently considering retiring abroad, wherever they may currently be based”.

 

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[NanaSomchai]

Post junta era? Maybe.

 

Right now? Not.

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, NanaSomchai said:

Post junta era? Maybe.

 

Right now? Not.

 

 

Post Junta era?......... no such thing.

 

 

 

[Rampant Rabbit]

Well now  they know EVERYONE  is  flocking they can up the price for that incredible privelege

[RichardColeman]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

The survey used data from Google Keyword Planner to analyse search data in each country looking at common search terms associated with retiring to another country, such as ‘retirement in [country]’, ‘retire in [country]’ and ‘retire to [country]’.  

Very misleading headline - it's NOT 6th in the top most places to retire in, it's 6th in the most searched on google to retire in.

 

Probably after searching and seeing hoops and visa laws , they decide against it !

[Farangus]

I believe many people would like to retire in Thailand. But it seems to me that most of these people do not know about Thai requirements, laws for foreign pensioners and bureaucracy.

[86Tiger]

 

 

I don't see correlation between terms typed in search engine seeking information to the jump determining top places to retire.

 

Seems it would lead one to surmise there is an impression Thailand, for example, is a good place to retire.  But the information found after or during the search would determine the feasibility or desirability of the country to retire.

 

 

But that is just me.   YMMV

[Wiggy]

2 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Very misleading headline - it's NOT 6th in the top most places to retire in, it's 6th in the most searched on google to retire in.

 

Probably after searching and seeing hoops and visa laws , they decide against it !

Spot on. I was just about to post the same thing. 

[4MyEgo]

I agree Thailand is up there when it comes to retirement destinations, however I find this hard to believe that Australia is one in from of it, coming in at number 5 because you would require $hitloads to retire down under, hence the reason I am here.

 

Plus there are many things you cannot compare in Australia Vs Thailand, for example, transport systems, police forces, clean oceans, now I will leave it at that because I don't want to compare the two as I am here living the dream which is within my affordability ????

[Mr Meeseeks]

It's great as long as you don't mind having your biometric data including fingerprints gathered on arrival and kept permanently, then having to report to a Police dept. every 90-days and every time you move residence.

 

Then there's Immigration police BMWs patrolling which monitor foreigners using facial recognition technology. 

 

You may even be asked for a bribe if you interact with any of these departments as has happened to me at Samut Prakarn Immigration when attempting to renew a Non-B visa extension with work permit.

 

The mandatory insurance may be an issue too. 

[4MyEgo]

1 minute ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

It's great as long as you don't mind having your biometric data including fingerprints gathered on arrival and kept permanently, then having to report to a Police dept. every 90-days and every time you move residence.

 

Then there's Immigration police BMWs patrolling which monitor foreigners using facial recognition technology. 

 

You may even be asked for a bribe if you interact with any of these departments as has happened to me at Samut Prakarn Immigration when attempting to renew a Non-B visa extension with work permit.

 

The mandatory insurance may be an issue too. 

It is what it is, that said, look at all of the positives vs the negatives and then you will appreciate it more as opposed to being in a dark place.

[RafPinto]

Leally?

[Mr Meeseeks]

Just now, 4MyEgo said:

It is what it is, that said, look at all of the positives vs the negatives and then you will appreciate it more as opposed to being in a dark place.

I'm not close to retirement mate and on PR so doesn't affect me as I will become a citizen eventually.  

 

Just not seeing the positives for retirees when you consider that they are immediately treated like criminals and have to renew visa extensions annually and the whole host of other unpalatable facts I previously mentioned. 

 

There's simply not enough security for people at retirement age (say 60+) to go 'all in' on Thailand in their twilight years. IMO of course. 

[JustAnotherHun]

Germany??? LoL!

Ahh, ok, it's only a Google search top list. What a BS!

Edited October 25, 2021 by JustAnotherHun

[4MyEgo]

8 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

I'm not close to retirement mate and on PR so doesn't affect me as I will become a citizen eventually.  

 

Just not seeing the positives for retirees when you consider that they are immediately treated like criminals and have to renew visa extensions annually and the whole host of other unpalatable facts I previously mentioned. 

 

There's simply not enough security for people at retirement age (say 60+) to go 'all in' on Thailand in their twilight years. IMO of course. 

Good for you.

 

I learnt to deal with it, used to peas me off in the beginning, however do my 90 days online when it's working, if it's not, then it's a planned half day our with the Mrs for lunch during out hour 20 minute drive there, taking in the countryside, staying positive, the annual, well I just print off what I have saved as PDF files, then go to the bank, get the letter, then the Amphur while waiting for the letter, but not before the photo shop, which are all really close to each other, lucky me, and then I go to immigration the next day as its an annual event, it doesn't bother me.

 

I don't consider it an all in, 90% of my savings/investments are offshore how I like it, because if plan B ever came into to play, it would be an easy exit, that said I am here, been here 6 years, don't even think about visa/extensions/citizenships and will continue with what has to be done as a chore.

 

Life's good in Thailand when you get used to it and yes agree there is a lot of room for improvement, but for that to happen, it has to start at the grass roots, and both you and me won't be around by the time that happens.

Edited October 25, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[ezzra]

It's all boil down to what dose one looking when retiring as there are dozens of ways to retire, from living in a shack somewhere drinking beer and doing nothing all day all the way to those who looks for action day and night sport activities shopping and traveling places.. 

[BE88]

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-to-retire

 

These polls are all fake news, on google France is 23 and Thailand is 20.

[spidermike007]

Total BS, in 2021. The only two reasons why a guy would choose Thailand are budget limitations, or the women. Period. 

[cyril sneer]

maybe I few years ago it would be, but Thailand had already started going downhill well before covid happened

 

the tourist areas will take years to recover if they ever do, and they certainly won't be as fun as previously 

[bkk_bwana]

52 minutes ago, NanaSomchai said:

Post junta era? Maybe.

 

Right now? Not.

I'm no fan of the Junta.  That said how does the Junta affect a retiree?

[MasterBaker]

Google search results? really? Just because 9 people search for Thailand?

[Olmate]

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Total BS, in 2021. The only two reasons why a guy would choose Thailand are budget limitations, or the women. Period. 

Budget and women! Try that in Oz... 

[GlassWayOverHalfFull]

I guess a lot of them have not seen the misery in this forum. If they did they'd been concerned about meeting most posters, post retirement. 

 

So sad that there are people with 1000's and 1000's of posts complaining day in day out. 

 

 

[GlassWayOverHalfFull]

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Total BS, in 2021. The only two reasons why a guy would choose Thailand are budget limitations, or the women. Period. 

Lol - Yes the weather is awful, the golf is awful, the beaches are awful, the nightlife is awful, the food is awful.   

 

I cannot think of any place I'd rather be year round (I do like Barcelona in there summer but the winter isn't for me)
 

Edited October 25, 2021 by onthedarkside
flame comment removed

[Doctor Tom]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

Very misleading headline - it's NOT 6th in the top most places to retire in, it's 6th in the most searched on google to retire in.

 

Probably after searching and seeing hoops and visa laws , they decide against it !

why let the actual facts destroy a good lie?  

[Doctor Tom]

25 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Total BS, in 2021. The only two reasons why a guy would choose Thailand are budget limitations, or the women. Period. 

Not so, I'm here to avoid the UK as much as for the two reasons you mention. Rather here than there. Rather here than lots of places I can think of. 

Edited October 25, 2021 by Doctor Tom

[Can samui]

Except…..they really dont want us here.

[Iknow]

Spain might slip a bit if they tighten their solicitation laws !

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/may/11/prostitution-tackling-spain-sex-traffickers

[MrMo]

If you do come you can easily make a small fortune.   Just make sure you are starting with a large one.

 

And be prepared to pay a ton for medical, no matter whether the private or state.   

 

The state hospitals have a policy of multiplying the standard charge by up to to 3 fold for us farang.   And medical insurance has a limit depending upon how high a premium you are prepared to pay.

[blazes]

The fact that Canada is #2 shows how absurd this survey is.  As a Canadian I can assure anyone who wants to hear that this is the last place in the world one would want to immigrate to post-65.

 

One could rant on about the corrupt and brain-dead Prime Minister, but one need go no further than look into real estate costs in any one of the four  most desirable cities to live in.  Canadians can only afford housing if they have inherited a sh!teload of money, are old and have spent a lifetime paying off the mortgage, are Chinese capitalists, are drug rich, or able to pay down a mortgage that costs over 70% of household income. Plus...

surveys more reliable than this show that 50% of Canadians would be in serious financial trouble if interest rates were to rise a mere 1/4 percent.

 

I will say nothing about the weather, which is bearable year-round only on the British Columbia west coast.  And the less said about the medical system the better.

 

So, bah humbug to this ludicrous survey....