What Is It Really Like Living In Thailand?

[fabianfred]

(40,000 for a couple? Hah! Maybe in an up country village, but not in a tourist area

Why would he want to live in a tourist area? Anyway, I live in Bangkok with my girlfriend, and we live very well on 50-60k per month.

I never said he would want to live in a tourist area. I was comparing prices & lifestyles. If you read the OP, he has friends in Chiang Mai & Pattaya who are urging him to come. IMO, both of those are touristy & more expensive than rural areas. Am I wrong?

I asked him where he was planning to live, as that would be a consideration in how much he would be spending. I suggest you read posts more carefully before running off half-cocked.

50,000 - 60,000 isn't 40,000, is it?. As I said in my post, he has to make a few decisions about his lifestyle expectations before he can decide how much he needs to live on.

I live in Fang.... 150 km. North of CM

just 3 hours by motorcycle to go shopping etc. once a month

much nicer air than in CM....

we've got a big Lotus store opening next month

[Wolfie]

He should read this forum ....

and he should REALLY visit here a few times before packing up and moving

Agreed, Thailand has a certain 'character' that you will either love or hate, come for a few holidays before making your decision. I'd suggest longer term holidays if you can manage it (1month+) and steer clear of the touristy spots to get a real feel for what Thailands like. Unless of course you wanna be a barfly in your old age, then by all means hit pattaya/phuket/bangkok etc

[Luckydog]

Living here in Pattaya used to be dirt cheap....it's still quite cheap but not so dirty!

Don't believe it when they claim it's 'The Land Of Smile' 'cos it mostly aint!

Like many Farangs I am just a little bit disillusioned. But not enough to make me go back to UK.

In a recent poll most peeps said they didn't feel welcome her. That's true. They want your money but not you!

[blizzard]

40-50 k baht for a cupple in thailand is enuff if you dont mind living thai style..................lol.

[mellow1]

All the posts, are giving you sound advice.For a retirement visa you will need to have 800,000 Bath in the bank.Plus monthly income.Read visa requirements.I've been living here 5yrs.Prior to that, we came yearly for extended stays.12 yrs.ago when I married my wife, I stayed for 4 months.It is not the same as living here.We live in Issan,in the sticks.We are very happy and live well.None of it is do, to having great neighbors,or lots of nice people around.Obviously,there are many according to this forum.I've met a few,nice, down to earth expats.But, I can count them on one hand,and don't live close to any.You cannot own land,all thought some claim,you can own 1 ray.I concentrate on my immediate family,our home and garden.Since I retired,I've developed new hobbies.Mainly,Satellite TV and computers.Also teaching our son ,is of a priority. He speaks and reads both Thai and English.He is 8 yrs old.Luckily,he has dual nationality(born in the USA).I think there Is no future here for a young man.Read the political stuff.We are happy, live well,but if I had to do it again,I would not bring my family here.You are not married,I assume no kids.Scout out many countries.ATM's work pretty well.I also believe as a UK citizen,you will have no benefits coming,living in Thailand.

[meadish_sweetball]

There are as many answers as there are people - and the same person will say one thing at one moment and another the next.

Fully agree with everyone who has said you should do some test runs first. Some people end up very bitter and seem to do nothing but complain. Lots become alcoholics because they cannot motivate themselves to do anything constructive. Others thrive with small businesses or other interests, having enough money to get by without having to work.

Moving can put strain on your relationship as everybody adjusts.

[thaihome]

People are talking about how you can survive on 40k or 50k & you're talking about selling assets etc, OP. So, my thought is "For God's sake - no, don't do it!"

Firstly, you will need to have a certain amount (untouched) in the bank & a certain amount of income every month to qualify for your visa (amounts are different for married & retirement visas) You need to find out whether you can manage that.

Secondly, if you'll have to scrimp to make the amounts suggested (40,000 for a couple? Hah! Maybe in an up country village, but not in a tourist area.), you will find yourself having problems very quickly. You need to think about the lifestyle you want. If you like to go out, play golf, drive a car, drink, smoke, eat imported foods etc etc, these will all cost more. What about medical insurance? What about unforseeen circumstances? Do you have an emergency fund? If you find yourself scrimping from the very beginning, here, your life will not be much fun & you'll soon come to resent it, as much as you resent life in UK, now.

Will you be bored? Depends on what you like to do, what you plan to do & what you have the funds to do. Can you work from Thailand (via internet, for instance)? What are your hobbies? Can you indulge them here? Where do you plan to live? Will you buy a house or rent?

I think you have to think very hard about a lot more things than whether you'll be bored. Thailand can be a great place to live, if you can easily sustain the lifestyle you want. It can be the exact opposite, if you can't.

A good post, but just for accuracy sake, there is no requirement for an "untouched" amount in the bank. For a extension based on retirement, you need to have 800k baht in bank 3 months before applying. After the extension is given, you are free, and in fact expected, to use the money to live on for the year. 3 months before applying for next extension, you top the account up to 800k again.

Seems to me retirement in Thailand is not much different then retirement anywhere, other then the joys and hassles of living in a developing country. Either you can enjoy not working and develop a lifestyle of low stress and relaxation or you cannot, the location is not deciding factor.

TH

[jdinasia]

Living here in Pattaya

Don't believe it when they claim it's 'The Land Of Smile' <re: Pattaya> 'cos it mostly aint!

Like many Farangs I am just a little bit disillusioned. But not enough to make me go back to UK.

In a recent pollSOME peeps said they didn't feel welcome her. That's true. They want your money but not you! <in Pattaya>

Above is edited for truth and clarity

[CarlBkk]

I had been holidaying here while working in London in my mid 20s and loved it. When I realised I needed a kick up the ass and a change of career, I took redundancy and moved to Thailand for an 8 months trial, which I recommend the OP find the money to do. For me, nothing changed...absolutely loved it. Great ex pat scene, a friendly capital city (if that's not an oxymoron), and never once got bored.

I knew I wouldn't be able to rest going back to the UK's rat race and just coming back on holidays so I had to think of something to make money in the UK while being able to live in Thailand. Three years on I'm eventually there and haven't regretted anything - every day is a pleasure. Staying back in the UK for 6 months while preparing was the most difficult thing, but if I had to live in Thailand on under 25,000 baht per month I might be forced to reconsider.

I realised I needed to live in Bangkok to have all the things I wanted nearby and when I stayed upcountry or on an island I would get bored in 3 or 4 days. I don't need a car here (yet), I don't need to cook, I don't need to put up with arrogant service or tw@ts on a night out and I pay a fair price for using public transport. Many other ups/downs come with it and if you can learn to accept most things and remember you are a "paying guest" in this country you might learn to accept the downs and keep a smile on your face.

[glaitong]

It is not easy here in LOS, but I think you could do well and enjoy yourself along with your Thai friend.

May I suggest you give it a try. A month or two then you will have a better idea on long stay.

[blizzard]

silly question.

where is it ez to live?

if you want fun bkk is place to be.

to further yr career stay the h el l away from here.

[CarlBkk]

Hello Blizz,

For me to make ends meet I researched the UK market and found some products to export and wholesale, so the money is made abroad. I could have tried for an expat package but figured that would be a little difficult with my limited working years in a not-so-specialised function.

[LindsayBKK]

You didn't say how many times you have stayed or visited Thailand so it's hard to say. If you have alot of patience and don't mind the smell, heat, humidity, traffic & pollution then try for a few months at first, don't just jump into it. I would be surprised your Thai lady would be so easy to move back here as it would be a down grade for her. Thais that move overseas are more respected. I am not trying to put you off but giving you reality. Yes you will get bored in some respects when your lady takes you to friends places and they chat in Thai and leave you out sometimes. But if you have alot of friends here already then maybe not so bad assuming your friends are real friends. Thais also like to show off so your gal will throw cash around without you knowing.

Depending on your lifestyle or "face" will determine costs, but don't expect cheaper Electricity bills. I am paying double + what I was paying in Australia. You won't need 60,000bht a month. If you are handy at fixing or repairing stuff will be an advantage as it's hard to find people to repair stuff so better do it yourself.

I remember the first couple of times I came to Thailand I had trouble eating cause of the street smells and the food is just everywhere so it can be a bit overpowering. Oh and not forgetting the number of drinks I had with ice. Now I don't smell anything and can have ice in drinks but I am living here now since 2004 and been to Thailand 20 times in 25 years

Last tip is don't beleive anything people tell you, find out for yourself. I just hope it's not the hard way.

I could say more but too much information is not always good. I wish you luck.

[qwertz]

IMO, the best way to look at LOS is as a second home.

If you can spend a pleasant unlimited time there and not be forced to stay for want of somewhere better to go, it's fine.

If it represents an asylum to you because there's no way you can go back to what you left behind you, then maybe there are better places.

[meadish_sweetball]

Last tip is don't beleive anything people tell you, find out for yourself. I just hope it's not the hard way.

Excellent advice. Thailand is an extreme hotbed for rumours. Take everything people say with two massive scoops of salt, and if the info is crucial to yourself, do your own research to verify if it is true or not.

[JimsKnight]

If you're financially secure with 50k+ (baht) per month in steady income, I'd say go for it.

Edit: Actually, for two people maybe 60k+

Being a self employed person I don't think I have ever had a regular income, but I do have some money put aside and assets I could sell to alllow myself that sort of income.

I guess I am just a little nervous of makng the jump

rent your house and go for it,with all the s*it that goes on here you wont be bored ,any way you can always go home if you dont like it

Well said lazz!

I wish I had 50k baht in interest per month, I'd be on the first plane to LOL!!

I say start making your preparations and GO FOR IT!.

Take out a 'slush fund' for emergencies, getting your transport / creature comforts for where you'll be staying (save up if need be). Get your medical insurance and finally get your groove on down to the airport

As long as you're sensible enough and disciplined not to eat into your investments and stick to you're alloted 50k baht per month I wouldn't too much can go wrong. Getting your visa from hull every year will give you the break you need too.

[Bagsida]

Hello community !

At first sorry for my basic-english. I am a new member and German citizen (46), was employed till jan 2007 and have a small own communication-business in Germany.

I visited LOS many times, but only for about 4 weeks 2-3 times a year - you all know the problems to get days off, flights and rooms I think.

Last year I decide to try to loose my job in Germany (and it happens like a planned), move to Thailand in 2007 and live a much more relaxed life.

After get my Non-Immigrant-Visa O-Type for 1 year (not married, not have to show my Thai-bank-book with savings) I will fly to my favorite destination in Thailand to Phuket, where I will live for THB 9.500 per month (energy and water separate) in a long-stay-condotel (1 big nice room with aircon, big fridge, microwave, cooking-facilities) near Central-Festival-Mall in very quite area for 3 month (if somebody need the adress please contact me by messenger).

In this 3 month I want to rent a house fpr 1 year, get a Thai-Driver-Licence, may be a car (motorbike my Thai-girlfriend already have). After 3 month I will fly back to Germany for sell my car and clear many other things like health-insurance etc.

My own appartment in Germany and my business (office in the appartment) I not give up at the moment and I will try to have a small income with my German business by remote-management (internet, phone and fax with forwarding-solutions).

I expect to need THB 30.000-40.000 per month only, at the beginning, that means for the first 3 month, I think THB 60.000 - 80.000.

For the first 2 years I not think really find work in Thainland or open a business, first I have to stay there, see and hear many things and then decide.

Yes I know, I need enough savings for this kind of living.

To come to the subject :

I could not live without have a task, even if the task ist to explore the island. A horror for me would be bowling on sundays, meet expats on a beer-bar, got to have fun with several ladies, stay everyday on the beach - these things I hope still remain something like vacations for me - I want try to live in quite the same style like now in Germany but in Thailand and together with my girlfried - cooking - go disco (Thai), cinema, shopping and by day when my girlfriend have to work, take care my business in Germany and try to find something to get income in Thailand too.

Do somebody have informations for me about health-insurances in Thailand (BuPa, Axa) - would it be better to make a european-contact (GB) or a Thai-contract ? Important for me would be to have on my visits in Germany (1-2 times a year for about 4 weeks each) an good coverage........and important : Cheap !

Bagsida

[baanfern]

I am considering moving to Thailand - I am getting to the age where I am considering retiring. I am currently self employed, working around 10 hrs a day, in the UK and have a Thai Lady over here who I have been with for over 10 years. I think I would have enough money to live comfortably.

I am fed up with the cold and wet weather of English winters and the high gas and electricity charges that go with it. Although, I have not yet managed the bottle to give it all up here in the UK and move to Thailand.

I have English friends in Chiang Mai and Pattaya who all say its wonderful and tell me to stop peeing about and go for it. They are so enthusiastic that it worries me!

So is it that good living in Thailand? - Do I go for it? - What are the bad things to watch out for? - Will I get bored

Came to Thailand in 1970, lived here with some breaks ever since, retired in 2004 and now live outside the little town of Uttaradit.

Bored I am not and never was. Baking Bread for the little Expat community here keeps me busy and in contact with Farangs, looking after house and garden take up some more time. The rest of time is going with internet and a little photography.

I avoid the fleshpots Bangkok, Pattaya also Phuket, I love Chiang Mai as a place to visit and do some shopping.

For me upcountry is OK.

BUT beware, do not move to close to your wifes family, put at least 50km between yourself and them. Your Thai wife will have conflicting loyalties when back in Thailand, you 'the not so rich farang' and her family. A little physical distance will help a lot.

Give it a try come for a holiday and then decide.

[hhfarang]

Everyone and every place is different so I can only speak for myself and Hua Hin. I have a Thai wife that lived in the states for eight years until I became able to retire and move here. The best thing about Thailand is the Thai people themselves. There are good and bad like anywhere but I have found them friendly, helpful, and mostly honest and fun loving. I also love Thai food and it is cheap here. In Hua Hin there is plenty to do; water sports, golf, and many other indoor and outdoor sports/activities are available. There are a couple of decent places to exercise and stay in shape and many expat leagues/clubs to join if you are a social person. Prices are high here compared with other places in Thailand because of a recent boom in building, tourism, and expat immigration. I thought I could live here on 60K baht per month and I thought I could buy land and build the house of my dreams for 6 million. We need 120K per month and the house ended up costing 10 million. Part of the reason our expenses are so high is that it is a big house so you can same money with a more modest accommodation.

As for your complaint about the weather and electricity costs in England, just be careful. Some people love this weather but after living here for three years I would love to be cold once in a while. As the Thai Miss Universe contestant said last year, there are three seasons in Thailand; hot, very hot, and so, so hot. I am never dry. I feel like I'm going to grow moss in places because I sweat so much and the heat keeps me from participating in most outdoor activities. This is a personal thing so you may love hot weather and you may not have a problem with it. Also, partly because I am tired of being so hot all the time, I run an air conditioner most of the time in the room I am in. Usually only one (out of eight) is running because my wife doesn't need it but even with only one running our electric bill here averages 12,000 baht per month and has been as high as 17,000 during hot months. I had a large home in a one of the hottest places in the U.S. before moving here and it had central air which meant I was cooling the entire house 24/7 and I never had a bill above $250 (about 8500 baht) so electricity is much more expensive here than in the states (I don't know about the UK). So be careful, depending on your needs and lifestyle, you can spend as much here as you can anywhere else.

The other bad thing about living here, and it is really bad in Hua Hin, is dishonnest farangs that have come here to prey on other farangs. I have lost count of the stories of people being duped out of their life savings by unscrupulous builders and real-estate companies. My wife is amazed by it all. She is always asking me "why do falangs cheat other falangs so much?" I tell her it's greed and that it is always bad in a boom town like Hua Hin is at the moment.

Anyway, that's my two cents (or pence) worth on the subject. I agree with former posts that suggest that you come here on a temporary basis to find out if you like it or not before moving lock, stock, and barrel. Also, visit many areas and take your time deciding where in Thailand you want to live because there is big difference in city living vs small town or rural living and in the different areas of the country.

Good luck!

[whittler]

I am going to give it a try living in Thailand this year. In the past 5 years I have made 4 1 month trips, and the last trip

of 10 weeks. I am 66 years old and have a retirement of about $ 2,300, USD a month. I have only stayed in Pattaya/Jomtien,

so I will make this my start. I want to try Rayong area, Hua Hin, Udon Thani. I want to stay in each place 2-3 weeks,

before making up my mind. I will have a Thai lady living with me .

Is there storage, where I could put most of my stuff, ie extra luggage, while trying out different locations ? Also I have

a savings acct. at BKK Bank, in Pattaya, with an ATM card. Will I be able to use it at the locations I have mentioned ?

I was nervous about making this move, but my son said, "Dad you can always come back, but if you don't I can always

come to visit you". That's my boy.

Thanks,

whittler

p.s. From what I have read $2,300 usd a month should be enough to live ok, right ?

[Ulysses G.]

p.s. From what I have read $2,300 usd a month should be enough to live ok, right ?

Like a KING!

[LinkPopularity]

When I first came here it was to start a factory, I had some extra time to do some tourist sight seeing, but then again, not really.

Immediatly I got to work, which was a rather frustrating experience at first, but then again, it's not bad, just different, once you get it, it's business as usual.

sure, you need to be alert at all times and double check everything, but after some time things settle down.

little example : we needed wood to buy craters, so I went from shop to shop to order 2 pieces, it took me 10 shops to finally find 1 professional supplier, but then I had the right company to work with and now we order with them all the time without any problem what so ever.

so, yes if you ask me, about 80-90% of the companies are incredible amateurs, but how many do you need ? as long you find 1 good, you're settled and although it's frustrating to find that 1 person, they are here !

but ok, about the private stuff ... you already have a wife, so you're not going to get annoyed with all the bar-girls sh!t, that's a good start, so as long you keep an eye on the bill ... it's just fantastic !

I still tell my friends back home that I'm living in paradise !

of course, take all t

[colino]

make sure you have medical insurance <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

[LinkPopularity]

Is there storage, where I could put most of my stuff, ie extra luggage, while trying out different locations ? Also I have

a savings acct. at BKK Bank, in Pattaya, with an ATM card. Will I be able to use it at the locations I have mentioned ?

Storage isn't easy to find, but it's there.

ATM's all over the country, don't worry, about 95% of the 7/11 's have an ATM

but do test, you might find that taking money directly with your ATM, might very well be better then transfering it first, this because of the differences in currency exchange.

Ayudhaya bank also has international accounts, meaning that you can keep your money in USD and change when you want to, the USD is jumping up and down a lot !

best wishes with your adventure ... it's very smart to check the different places !

and yes, $2.300, about 80.000 Bath is more then enough, it all depends if you're able to manage your money or not.

[mellow1]

Yes there is health insurance here in Thailand.We got ours from Bangkok Bank,and for my wife,son,and I,it costs 65000 Bath/3 MO.

We also have a large house,we regularly run 2 air conditioners at night.Sometimes turn on a smaller one in my office.Our electric bill averages 5000 Bath/MO.During my son's vacation,he also ran his AC during the day,it went up to around 8000 Bath/MO.There are always about 2 TV's and at least one computer running.Not to mention lights,water pumps,and 2 refrigerators,and a wash machine which works a lot.I freaked out went the bill shot up to 8000,but find it hard to deny my son.

My wife is very level headed,she does not splurge,we budget ourselves and live very well.You should be able to live well on $2300,if you have no debts,except maybe a car payment.Better if you have no children to support,I spend quite a bit on my son, but I don't mind.He's a great kid,and I'll do it as long as I can.

[hhfarang]

isnt there 4 seasons?

is miss universea uni student?

Actually, in Hua Hin there seems to be only two seasons: Scorching Hot and Dry and Scorching Hot and Wet.

[Guts]

Sorry I forgot; read this forum for as long as you possibly can. It is the quickest way of getting a good idea of what it is like living here and just in case you are wondering it's all pretty accurate!!

If I would be planning to move to Thailand, and read longer and longer on this forum, I would not want to live in Thailand, ha ha ha. Sure you can pick some information off this forum, but as somebody else mentioned "don't believe anything people tell you (or what you read here on this forum), find out for yourself."

It is your own experience what counts here. Start to live in Thailand for a year (2-3 months is really to short to settle in) and see if it is of your liking! Thailand is a really nice place for living, but it is not for everyone. There are many who cannot adapt to Thai Way of life. But if you can, and you have stuff to do which is matching your interests, a great parter to live with (who also enjoys living here), if you can live the lifestyle you want, and if you meet the immigration requirements, it is absolutely worth it!

[bob6023]

Like the man said " it ain't for everyone" I lived in Pattaya for several years but found it to be a place where if you didn't want to be bored you had to spend money and I mean lots of it. Out side of the bars and the restaurants ,really not a lot to do there. I don't drink and I don't like to spend my money stuffing my face in some overpriced falang eatery.

Took me a few years to get tired of the bar girls. And I don't miss the degenerate falangs that flock to Pattaya. You don't see a lot of shaved heads and muscle shirts on fat sloppy middle aged falangs in this neck of the woods.

I met my wife in the Big C, fell in love moved to the mountains and built a house in a Thai village. We are living here very happily now, 1 year. I still have a condo in Jomtiem which I rent out. Spend around 50K bht a mon. We do travel around a little.

The down side of Thailand is its hot and I do mean hot. The three seasons are. Hot, pretty hot and really hot.

With the political problems the escalating 'slim violence in the south, one might be well off to check out Cambodia, Vietnam or Philipines for starters.

Thats my 2 bhts worth

[paul-s]

As the writer if this Topic may I thank you all for your comments so far - they are extremely helpful. They are helping me clarify my mind and as I read it all I realise that one of the big issues that is stressing me is - "retiring". Not just moving to Thailand.

Being bored was one of the other issues and taking on board your general comments: I am always a very busy person here with lots of interests outside work, which include photography, tai chi and flying and I am rarely bored. Therefore, as you kindly point out, if I have inertests now it is likely that I won't be bored in Thailand.

I do like the Thai culture and for the most part their funny ways, I enjoy Thai food in Thailand and I try to speak a bit of the language, so this may help.

Your points about not selling up completely and leaving some assetts here in the UK seems a very good idea and I will most likely rent out my house here.

I do like a beer or two now and again, but I am not a heavy drinker - I do like to look around the bars and chat to the girls now and again (even at my age as one of you so kindly pointed out). However, I am not a fan of some of my fellow farangs that hang around the bars, paticularly in Pattaya and this puts me off a bit. This an area where I could be easily tempted so I had better watch myself here be careful with my money and not let it get out of hand. The Mrs will probably keep in check anyway.

None of you seem to have come up with anything really bad, other than crooked farangs - I think there is always someone looking for a mug anywhere and I am farely street wise.

I think I will more than likely do it - it just seems such a bloody great step to make.

Please continue to add your comments as it is all being a great help to me - thanks

Edited June 11, 2007 by paul-s

[sukanyacondo]

Sorry I forgot; read this forum for as long as you possibly can. It is the quickest way of getting a good idea of what it is like living here and just in case you are wondering it's all pretty accurate!!

If I would be planning to move to Thailand, and read longer and longer on this forum, I would not want to live in Thailand, ha ha ha. Sure you can pick some information off this forum, but as somebody else mentioned "don't believe anything people tell you (or what you read here on this forum), find out for yourself."

It is your own experience what counts here. Start to live in Thailand for a year (2-3 months is really to short to settle in) and see if it is of your liking! Thailand is a really nice place for living, but it is not for everyone. There are many who cannot adapt to Thai Way of life. But if you can, and you have stuff to do which is matching your interests, a great parter to live with (who also enjoys living here), if you can live the lifestyle you want, and if you meet the immigration requirements, it is absolutely worth it!

Well said "Guts" and their really are some very nice honest trustworthy people here too so dont believe all the "other" stories. Be careful and take your time same anywhere really.