If you dont need to breath for 6 months then most of Thailand is fine, except rising costs and a lack of democracy seem to undermine the happiness of the Thai people.

If you care to breath then I suggest way way south.

1 minute ago, MrMo said:

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.

Medical ins has a limit? well I never! 

I had many retired friends in Thailand, many have now moved back to their home countries. What I think was a factor in that? 

 

Healthcare costs. 

A google search does not equal someone moving. Very misleading article. 

Another misleading, not to say false, caption by the editorial staff at Asean Now.

 

There is a total DISCONNECT between Google key-word searches, and top places in the world to retire.

 

It is not just a stretch which is required, in my opinion, but a suspension of disbelief, to equate one with the other.

 

And it's not even 1st April, yet!

Right so Canada & Australia & Arg. (Nonsense) but no Italy or Malaysia.

Thats why so many Canucks & Ozzies are in Thailand, is it ?

Some correlation though with recent OP Three Top Retirement Countries.

Portugal, Spain, Phil. France.

Thailand my fifth ranked place if starting from scratch.

Which none of us here are…..

Then the top must be Afghanistan

1 hour ago, Farangus said:

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.

I think most people would like to retire in their own country but don't have the money to do so.

When somebody reads the comments he will surely wonder why there are millions of expats living in the country with road potholes,  crazy drivers, flying overhead cables, silly handworkers, not to speaking about the bureaucracy and overgrown corruption of junta govt.  

 

Why they do not like to live peacefully and happily in their perfect countries?

 

   

2 hours ago, NanaSomchai said:

Post junta era? Maybe.

 

Right now? Not.

Yep … Whoever wrote this article is basing this on TAT information … It’s a country that would cause more worry and heartbreak for any pensioner 

When I see Argentina in 3rd place, I can tell you immediately that this tittle is 100% misleading. I have been living 8 years as a retiree in this country and I can tell you it's no fun at all, although it's a wonderful place to visit as a tourist. But living there as a retiree, with the high insecurity, 50% inflation and the cost of things, forget it. By the way, I moved from Argentina to Thailand, still as a retiree, and except the constraints of the immigration,(it's also an ashole in Argentina for 3 years but after you have the permanent residency), I do not regret my choice even if all is not looking rosy.

They can't be serious.

Surely?

One thing which would definitely put people off from retiring to Thailand, Not able to own your own house. Yes, Yes, I know there are ways, but look at all the hoops one has to jump through and the added cost involved.

If one could purchase one rai of land and build, knowing it could be passed on to children/grandchildren, it may be worth it, but finding something to rent at a reasonable price in a nice area...?????

2 hours 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. 

Such a drama  queen.. Life is easy here buddy enjoy it. 

Not surprised to not see New Zealand in there. They are just about to spend the next year with the virus going through. I just got out in time.

Many Men retire to Thailand for all the wrong reasons . I have been living in rural Thailand for 16 years , Thailand has good points and bad points . Thailand is trying to promote itself to top end retirees , but if I were one I can think of places I'd rather be . 

Thailand doesn't really want foreigners retiring to Thailand , but can't wait to get its hands on their money or their make a large investment .  The scrutiny of immigration lasts for as long as you stay and can be a real pain in the ass , having to report every three months . A probationary period of say five years with residency given thereafter would male us feel more welcome and secure .

The warm climate is good and a low overall cost of living is good . I would advise anybody thinking to retire in Thailand to visit for several years to suss the place out . Don't get mixed up with the women , thinking to marry and settle down , they only want you for your money and some will rob you until you have nothing left . 

1 hour ago, Can samui said:

Except…..they really dont want us here.

Like who exactly? Every Thai I know is very happy that we are here.  Perhaps you are talking about a government that puts rules in place to stop low life people with no money living here?  Good on them. Or perhaps because you are a farang ( I assume) you think that you should have an open house to live unencumbered in any country you take a fancy to? 

I wouldn't care were it ranked suits me 25 years thailand ..even when it rains it's warm .. love it ????

Getting desperate making a big deal about a survey based on destination searches????????????

The pros just about still outweigh the cons here in Thailand, plus some key things are very reasonably priced... however, it is nowhere near the deal it was 10+ years ago, and those days are long gone. 10+ years ago, it would easily qualify in the top 10, but now, I'm not so sure. As has been said, that list is merely searches on the net. If you actually got the figures of people that have moved, then I'd be expecting to see Panama and NZ there too. Detailed research of Thailand behind the TAT nonsense might put off many potential expat retirees... just much more hassle now than it used to be.

3 hours 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]’. 

According to how nay times a search button was hit, that doesn't translate into how many want to retire here once they've looked into details.

It's not mentioned how many people were asked if any.

Probably they used statistics or other easy papers for Interpretation.

Probably without looking into Infrastructure, crime rates, death tolls, political stability aso.

If you got enough Money in your pockets......France is beautiful.????

When I first glanced at the headline I thought it said
"Thailand ranked among the top 6 places in the world to lose all your money and everything you own and die penniless".

How many of them were actually looking for somewhere to replace a puncture on their vehicle

They'd probably find that Thailand was also near or at the top of the list if they did a similar survey looking at the number of people who had searched for, say, "country with the most stupid Immigration rules", or "country with the most scams aimed at foreigners".  :rolleyes:

Where do they get this info? The last three retirement blogs/reports published in retirement and financial mags didn't even have Thailand in the top 12. In Souteast Asia, the Philippines, Vietnam,  and Cambodia all listed in the top 10.  By reports, their requirements are less stringent, they are cheaper while still having comparable amenities (although health care is a work in progress), they have more vibrant economies, etc.  

 

All one has to do is look at the present situation in Thailand with all its schemes to realise that even the government here knows that they have dropped the ball and now must try and play catchup.

2 hours 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. 

I'm of retirement age but can see no obvious advantage to retiring here compared to somewhere like Ecuador, or Colombia where theonly requirements for a retirment visa is a lifetime pension of $900 a month or more, you get a 2 or 3 year visa, no 90 day checks, and after your second renewal you can apply for citizenship/PR. You are also  entitled to use the medical facilities just the same as nationals. They still have similar weather to here and lovely beaches. Some may argue that south American countries are prone to revolutions and crime, but then HOW many times have they had juntas take over here? 

This survey is being pushed out there for PR in the hope that people will see the headline and not actually readthe article.

I first came to Thailand in 2006. In those days there was a favorable exchange rate, it was relaxed and very few issues, good circle of friends. Fast forward to 2018, poor exchange rate masses of tourism, most of my friends left. Everything that I enjoyed now expensive. 

I left Thailand before the pandemic struck, on a holiday. I haven't returned since, and when I do come back it will be for a short holiday. Retiree's beware. 

3 hours ago, Farangus said:

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.

What's the problem with the bureaucracy? Once you've jumped over the initial hurdles, which are not that onerous, it's a cinch living here. Every country has a degree of bureaucracy that one has to live with. 

 

Around 45,000 Brits seem to think it's ok to live here!

3 hours ago, Farangus said:

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.

Of course Thais wouldn't face any hurdles whatsoever trying to retire in the likes of the US or UK.