Natthaphon Sangpolsit
    
BANGKOK (NNT) - The Annual Global Retirement Index has listed Thailand as the world’s 9th most affordable place to live for expat retirees.

 

The 2023 list of “10 Cheapest Places to Live After Retiring” was compiled by experts at the International Living website and published this week. It details the best places to retire in terms of high quality of life and low cost of living.

 

Portugal tops the list thanks to the weakness of its currency and ease of acquiring a long-term visa. Second is Mexico, followed by Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece and France, with Thailand tying with Italy for ninth place.

 

International Living says the list is not just for retirees, but anyone seeking a better and more affordable life, or just to escape the bustle, violence, politics and divisiveness of their home country.

 

The 2023 list focuses on aspects such as cost of living, climate, visas, housing, and healthcare.

 

International Living correspondent Rachel Devlin explains that Thailand’s warm, sun-drenched climate makes it an alluring destination for retirees.

 

She also noted that Thailand “appeals to those who have a keen sense of adventure and an eye for natural and cultural beauty,” adding that the kingdom retains a unique way of life as the only nation in Southeast Asia to avoid colonization.

 

On living costs, Devlin said an expat couple can live comfortably on as little as US$1,596 (53,963 baht) per month.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230107180634955

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-09

 

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14 minutes ago, webfact said:

She also noted that Thailand “appeals to those who have a keen sense of adventure

..."

Was she referring to visas, immigration, and politics?

Weekly we read how popular Thailand is, but many expats who left during C-19 has not yet returned to Thailand.

Just saying

"She also noted that Thailand “appeals to those who have a keen sense of adventure and an eye for natural and cultural beauty,” adding that the kingdom retains a unique way of life as the only nation in Southeast Asia to avoid colonization".

 

This still spout this nonsense. Tiresome and untrue.

Before, money got you the Number 1 rating.  Now 10th.   Soon 100th.  Then last.   

 

These lists are soooooo 1990's.   

 

Land of the Smoke, Noise, Immigration, Xenophobia, Aids, oil, plastic, fakeness, and Pattaya!!!!  

 

but also Land of the Sun, Cheap living, nice people, lots of food, nature, and easy to mail stuff. lol.

 

If I gave everyone 1 million US, I would guess 80% would leave tomorrow.   even if married, kids, etc.... lol

 

50 minutes ago, BananaStrong said:

if I gave everyone 1 million US, I would guess 80% would leave tomorrow.   even if married, kids, etc.... lol

Me first (please - the motto of Thai motorists, another area not mentioned in the survey.)

1 hour ago, Laughing Gravy said:

"She also noted that Thailand “appeals to those who have a keen sense of adventure and an eye for natural and cultural beauty,” adding that the kingdom retains a unique way of life as the only nation in Southeast Asia to avoid colonization".

 

This still spout this nonsense. Tiresome and untrue.

Sense of adventure = clashing with soi dogs and avoiding dodgy drain covers (among many other frivolities.)????????

59 minutes ago, BananaStrong said:

Before, money got you the Number 1 rating.  Now 10th.   Soon 100th.  Then last.   

 

These lists are soooooo 1990's.   

 

Land of the Smoke, Noise, Immigration, Xenophobia, Aids, oil, plastic, fakeness, and Pattaya!!!!  

 

but also Land of the Sun, Cheap living, nice people, lots of food, nature, and easy to mail stuff. lol.

 

If I gave everyone 1 million US, I would guess 80% would leave tomorrow.   even if married, kids, etc.... lol

 

Sounds like you still haven't got over your bad Pattaya experience. Soi 6?????????

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The 2023 list focuses on aspects such as cost of living, climate, visas, housing, and healthcare.

I see they left "the girls are easy" off the list.

For me in the early 2000's it was a paradise especially Kow Tow living and working there with over 300 dives then they poured concrete everywhere and it lost its charm. 2006 was the start of the rot then 2014 all was lost. It is really sad. 

1 minute ago, BritScot said:

then 2014 all was lost.

As we get older, we MUST believe all was lost in our lifetime!!!!! lol.

 

Imagine if we said, "In the past it was horrible, now I'm old and it's the greatest and will only get better."
 

Nah, old people like to say, "It was way better before, now doomed, these kids will never see it as great as I did."

 

Unfortunately, Thailand in the year 2287 will be the greatest place in the Universe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Been to just about all those places and I agree Thailand in the top ten.   Low cost of living for sure but where else can an older man date girls 30 years+ younger then them?  Rare if unattainable in western countries.

Just now, bkk6060 said:

Been to just about all those places and I agree Thailand in the top ten.   Low cost of living for sure but where else can an older man date girls 30 years+ younger then them?  Rare if unattainable in western countries.

Hollywood?

15 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I see they left "the girls are easy" off the list.

Girls are not easy.

Prostitutes are..

1 minute ago, VinnieK said:

Girls are not easy.

Prostitutes are..

You should broaden your horizons!

5 minutes ago, VinnieK said:

Girls are not easy.

Prostitutes are..

I've never gone short of female company in Thailand... and never been with a prostitute.

8 minutes ago, BananaStrong said:

As we get older, we MUST believe all was lost in our lifetime!!!!! lol.

 

Imagine if we said, "In the past it was horrible, now I'm old and it's the greatest and will only get better."
 

Nah, old people like to say, "It was way better before, now doomed, these kids will never see it as great as I did."

 

Unfortunately, Thailand in the year 2287 will be the greatest place in the Universe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

For a second there I thought you worked for TAT! 

In many cases you are right however in Thailand's unique situation it has regressed and not progressed. One just has to go into a Thai bank say 2002 and again today try to do business (it has not progressed) and  then do the same with the uk or other civilised countries banking system. Schools also have gone backwards in Thailand. I personally don't reminisce about the good old days which were very hard and my favorite time in my life is now.

There might be a tie with Thailand and Italy to retire.  But to retire in Italy you would have difficulty if you have barebones income and little to no health insurance. Compared to living in Thailand. 
 

35 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

 Low cost of living for sure but where else can an older man date girls 30 years+ younger then them?  

Almost anywhere in the world that doesn't pay welfare to single mom's. 

Didn´t they top the list before Covid, according to the news? Thing have taken an ugly turn.

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I've never gone short of female company in Thailand... and never been with a prostitute.

Me neither...but it takes work.

Esp back in the day..

8 hours ago, mikebell said:

Me first (please - the motto of Thai motorists, another area not mentioned in the survey.)

Thai mantra....."It is MY soi."????????????

8 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Been to just about all those places and I agree Thailand in the top ten.   Low cost of living for sure but where else can an older man date girls 30 years+ younger then them?  Rare if unattainable in western countries.

Huh?

"Date girls?"

Wherever does the expression "date girls" (30 years+younger) have any credence in Thailand?

I think you meant "rent girls".????????

8 hours ago, VinnieK said:

Girls are not easy.

Prostitutes are..

They are both high maintenance, mentally and financially.????????

8 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I've never gone short of female company in Thailand... and never been with a prostitute.

Likewise. I only ever went with bar-girls. They are different.????????

12 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Been to just about all those places and I agree Thailand in the top ten.   Low cost of living for sure but where else can an older man date girls 30 years+ younger then them?  Rare if unattainable in western countries.

This is correct, but let's not forget that the only reason we poochai can do that  is the extreme poverty of most women here. 

I am daily disgusted by the CHEAPNESS of farang here.  I go to half-decent restaurants, frequented by European couples, and can't help noticing how often they will leave a tip of 20 BAHT after a meal that probably cost 300 baht.

Do these  people  have ANY idea how little 20 baht will buy for a  poor Thai worker????  It's like leaving 50 cents  after a $12 meal.....

On 1/9/2023 at 3:53 AM, webfact said:

Second is Mexico, followed by Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece and France, with Thailand tying with Italy for ninth place.

 

International Living says the list is not just for retirees, but anyone seeking a better and more affordable life, or just to escape the bustle, violence, politics and divisiveness of their home country.

 

Amusing (in a macabre way) to see that Mexico occupies second place, when only last week the arrest of El Chapo's son prompted a vast and bloody and incendiary shoot-out by the mafia in Mazatlan, a fairly popular tourist destination. 

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/mazatlan-mayor-reassures-canadians-and-other-visitors-following-cartel-violence

 

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/have-your-wits-about-you-travel-advice-for-canadians-visiting-mexico