What’s the best area in Thailand for expats to settle for long-term living?

[Jerzy Swirski]

3 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Without the natives, it's just land. 🤣

I purposely used the world peasants rather than natives.

There are plenty of farang peasants to be avoided

[steven100]

Nana or Soi Cowboy 

[brianthainess]

40 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Of course Pattaya has those things, all within 30 minutes, Samaesarn, Nang Ram, jungle treks khao mai kaeo, you just don't know those areas. kho Phangan not a patch on Pattaya area, used to be just full of druggies

 

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You've got the wrong end of the stick again i was referring to koh Phangan 

Then you need to brush up on your writing skills.

[PFMills]

Chiang Rai if you like boating …..

[scubascuba3]

1 minute ago, brianthainess said:

 

Then you need to brush up on your writing skills.

your comprehension skills are poor, read those two posts you've quoted, says koh Phangan which isn't koh Chang, which is too boring to be druggie central

[brianthainess]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

your comprehension skills are poor, read those two posts you've quoted, says koh Phangan which isn't koh Chang, which is too boring to be druggie central

I did not mention Koh Chang in that post ! 

[scubascuba3]

4 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

I did not mention Koh Chang in that post ! 

 

32 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Are you kidding me Pattaya is full of 'Druggies' weekly stories of people off their head, shootings, stabbings, punch ups, that is almost unheard of on KC.

You forgotten what you were posting about, what's KC?

[bkk6060]

11 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

 

You forgotten what you were posting about, what's KC?

Kansas City?

[BigStar]

2 hours ago, grain said:

My top pick is Hua Hin. The best place for retirees in Thailand IMO.

 

Nor Chiang Mai:

 

[KhunLA]

@Conan The Barbarian

If really enjoy the culture, then just about anywhere.  Though personally, I would settle somewhere well below Hua Hin, as even there or further north, you'll need to deal with 4-6 months of unhealthy smog, every year.

 

Chumphon or below.  If wanting decent swimming beach, 'when cooperation, then maybe Ban Krut, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.  But we're talking really rural area.  Lovely and almost settled there ourselves.

 

Any of the provinces, Chumphon or below would suit use, away from the few touristy spots.  How hot ... DAMN HOT, so consider that, but decent Gulf surf, sometimes, and the Andaman is lovely all year, though not so safe to swim in half the year.

 

Southern landscape is lovely, especially the limestone karsts.  Out of the tourist areas, less and less English spoken, except by the youngins, along with less western shopping options, unless in metro area, and only a few of those.

 

Central Plaza are popping up in most provinces now, or at least a Robinson's, Tops and or Makro.

[proton]

I see Conan has not been back, must be out enjoying the culture 

[MarcelV]

Somewhere in the south like Songkhla would be my choice if I were single and about to retire.

Quiet, but varied in culture and nature. Good air quality and hot, but similar weather throughout the year.

Hat Yai is close by for your shopping needs and if you need a flight elsewhere.

[shdmn]

Hua Hin was voted 3rd best place in the world to retire last year by some website.  Maybe Forbes.  Very subjective but I personally think Hua Hin is pretty nice and not yet ruined by over tourism and over development like Phuket and Pattaya have been imo.  Still has the benefit of being relatively close to BKK, just like Pattaya.  The new double tracks make train travel faster and the Rama II upgrade through Bangkok, scheduled for completion middle of next year,  should reduce the road trip from 2.5-3 hours down to maybe 2.

 

https://www.huahintoday.com/local-news/rama-2-road-works-to-be-completed-by-2025-govt-spokesperson/

 

Cha-am is also nice for people who want an even quieter pace than Hua Hin and want to be a little closer to Bkk.

Edited September 12 by shdmn

[Hummin]

10 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Of course Pattaya has those things, all within 30 minutes, Samaesarn, Nang Ram, jungle treks khao mai kaeo, you just don't know those areas. kho Phangan not a patch on Pattaya area, used to be just full of druggies

Funny

 

You stay Pattaya, I go to Koh Phangan, or Koh Phayam or Koh Kood, or any other destination I feel the need to visit.

[shdmn]

19 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Funny

 

You stay Pattaya, I go to Koh Phangan, or Koh Phayam or Koh Kood, or any other destination I feel the need to visit.

Those are all islands, hence the "Koh", and most of those are ruined as well.  I prefer the mainland. 

Edited September 12 by shdmn

[Hummin]

10 minutes ago, shdmn said:

Those are all islands, hence the "Koh".  I prefer the mainland.

I have lived 3 years in Hia Hin, so I'm familiar with your paradise

[shdmn]

39 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I have lived 3 years in Hia Hin, so I'm familiar with your paradise

Good for you.  Are you trying to make some sort of point or just rambling? 

Edited September 12 by shdmn

[Hummin]

37 minutes ago, shdmn said:

Good for you.  Are you trying to make some sort of point or just rambling? 

It was a decent answer to your rambling out of the blue.

 

There is a line of answers before you educating me about Koh meaning Islands.

 

So I prefer Islands over Hua Hin. Hua Hin suits old men and couples. 

[Kinok Farang]

13 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

If you are going to be like a few members here on AN forums, who are sat behind the keyboard from sun up to sun down, it makes no difference where you are located. 

 

 

Funny that every time i log in you are here.

It's like visiting an old friend.

[TheFishman1]

Ko Chaing what is my go to place when burning season started last burning season why was there? I broke my femur bone it was a complete nightmare. I think when Ambulance to the pier then a boat ambulance to the mainland, then an ambulance to the hospital the only problem and I never thought about it in the past was on the island there’s no real medical care if you have major accident or problem TIT

[SAFETY FIRST]

55 minutes ago, Kinok Farang said:

Funny that every time i log in you are here.

It's like visiting an old friend.

Well fancy that, it's nice to finally chat with you after all this time. 

 

Have a nice day ✌️

[zyphodb]

15 hours ago, maesariang said:

Little bit. Some girly bars and Irish pub. Low key stuff.

 

Yes...

[Kinok Farang]

28 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Well fancy that, it's nice to finally chat with you after all this time. 

 

Have a nice day ✌️

Hahaha,you too.

[KhunLA]

4 hours ago, Hummin said:

I have lived 3 years in Hia Hin, so I'm familiar with your paradise

Yea ...  that was my chuckle on his/her/it's post, as I'm not much of a Hua Hin fan at all.  Used to be a regular stop for couple days, 10-15 years running, starting in 2001.  Really nice then.  

 

Now, I might pop into the mall, if needing something, but that's it.   Actually here now, and not even going to bother with the mall.

 

I wonder how many of those islands he/she/it's been to, to form the opinion that they are ruined.

[Thingamabob]

Rather mean, I know, but I'm not saying. 

[sandyf]

18 hours ago, Conan The Barbarian said:

I am planning to settle in here love the culture.

I would suggest having a look at Bang Saen, has a lot going for it.

Not too big, plenty to do, easy to get about, good convenient hospital, airport and Pattaya not very far away. sea front and not too many expats.

[Freddy42OZ]

18 hours ago, Conan The Barbarian said:

I am planning to settle in here love the culture.

 

 

How can anyone answer this when you've not said what sort of life you want, how old you are, how rich you are and a bunch of other important factors.

For me personally I would never live anywhere in Thailand other than Bangkok. I want convenience, lots of high end malls to shop in and a lot of people so I can have a large social network.

I first started coming to Thailand more than 40 years ago and have been living here for the past 16 years. I've been to a lot of places here and whilst it used to be nice to stay in a luxury resort hotel in Phuket for a holiday, living there would suck, especially nowadays. 

The 'provinces' are undeveloped, dirty places and mostly filled with peasants.  I can't imagine why anyone would want to be out in the boonies with no mates to hang out with. 


 

[StraightTalk]

16 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Some don't like Island life, but Koh Chang has been my choice now for many years

My wife and I have always had a soft spot for the island. It was my first choice for settling down, but unfortunately, that never came to pass. We haven't visited in several years but have fond memories of a restaurant diagonally opposite Cookies Hotel, run by a Belgian (if I recall correctly). We enjoyed great food there, like green mussels, French onion soup, and pizza. In the evenings, the owner would play bass guitar with his small band. We're planning to visit the island for a holiday before the end of the year.

[Will B Good]

3 minutes ago, sandyf said:

I would suggest having a look at Bang Saen, has a lot going for it.

Not too big, plenty to do, easy to get about, good convenient hospital, airport and Pattaya not very far away. sea front and not too many expats.

 

Would agree...or Cha Am on the other side?

[sandyf]

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

Would agree...or Cha Am on the other side?

Cha Am is ok but limited, does not have the same level of facilities and access as BS.

Personally I would much rather have a day out or an overnighter in Pattaya than Hua Hin.