Picture courtesy of Manchester Evening News

 

A British couple, Roshni Ward and Louis Hunt, have relocated to Chiang Mai, Thailand, leaving behind the high costs and hectic lifestyle of East Sussex, UK. Fed up with demanding work hours and rising crime, the couple sought a more balanced and affordable life. Their move in September has led to significantly reduced living expenses, with their flat rent dropping from £1,350 to £300 per month.

 

While in Thailand, Ward now works as a content creator and Hunt manages an online fitness business. The cost of living, a major motivation for their move, has been a pleasant surprise with monthly expenses drastically lower. Electricity bills are around £44, and a typical taxi ride costs just £1.50. Dining out is also considerably cheaper, with a meal for two, including drinks, often under £8.

 

The couple were initially attracted to Thailand during a holiday, appreciating its vibrant culture and friendly locals. They have embraced a slower lifestyle where their days start with leisurely mornings before work. Ward feels significantly safer in Thailand, particularly in comparison to the UK, where crime was a concern.

 

In addition to financial benefits, the couple is enjoying the local culture and communities. They have taken pleasure in exploring temples, waterfalls, and elephant sanctuaries, finding the environment welcoming and the expat community supportive. They are already considering starting a family, viewing Thailand as a safer, more relaxed environment.

 

Ward and Hunt do not plan to return to the UK, citing the desirable mix of affordability, safety, and lifestyle in Thailand as reasons to settle there long-term. This decision underscores the growing appeal of Southeast Asia for those seeking an enhanced quality of life at a lower cost.

 

Key Takeaways

• Roshni Ward and Louis Hunt moved to Chiang Mai seeking affordability and better work-life balance.
• Monthly rent reduced from £1,350 in the UK to £300 in Thailand, with overall cheaper expenses.
• They enjoy the slower pace, cultural experiences, and community in Thailand.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-31

 

 

No mention of their type of visa.

Dont know if crime in thsiland is lower then UK...

Feel media "filled" every day...

So they've been here a month? Good luck to them but they really need to be here a year or so to experience the joys and the frustrations of Thailand before they pass judgement.

 

 

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

have relocated to Chiang Mai,

Wait to see how they feel when huddled 4-5 months over their airpurifier.

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

While in Thailand, Ward now works as a content creator and Hunt manages an online fitness business.

yeah they'll be back to the good ole UK within a year.

4 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

No mention of their type of visa.

DTV obviously. Just have some online business coaching whatever and you can stay in Thailand forever.

7 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

DTV obviously. Just have some online business coaching whatever and you can stay in Thailand forever.

Not really forever. There were reports that extension of DTV Visas is difficult to obtain once they expire.

5 minutes ago, msbkk said:

Not really forever. There were reports that extension of DTV Visas is difficult to obtain once they expire.

 

well people are under the impression they can move to Thailand, work online and then leave the country once a year (or 6 months at max). When they see "5 year visa" that's what they're thinking. Thailand has always wanted you to come, spent money and leave so this contrary to everything we've known in the past but nonetheless people are under this impression.

He’ll dump her for a Thai bargirl from Isaan soon. 

I hope they got a return ticket.

Content creator and something online.

Sound like the typical weak don't really want to work unmotivated lazy people.

Too many of these types around now.

2 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Dont know if crime in thsiland is lower then UK...

Feel media "filled" every day...

 

They can expect more traffic fatalities, but significantly fewer stabbings.

17 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Content creator and something online.

Sound like the typical weak don't really want to work unmotivated lazy people.

Too many of these types around now.

 

DVT visa is just more boring vloggers on you tube and thick tok, layabouts with a laptop

9 minutes ago, proton said:

DVT visa is just more boring vloggers on you tube and thick tok, layabouts with a laptop

 

I saw something on YouTube that stuck with me for a while. Nothing against Wayne and I like his videos but he's on DTV now and looking at houses in the 4000 baht/month range. The guy is 50 years old and competing with housing meant for students and the working class Thais. 

 

That doesn't sit well with me. Maybe if he was in his 20s it would be more acceptable but this is just going to make everyone uncomfortable. Clearly this isn't what they had in mind for the DTV. I'm still guessing it's going to get restricted eventually but we'll see.

 

 

I hate these Youtube vids that race to the bottom in terms of cheapness for living.

 

Surely not every single place in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ is unaffordable?

9 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

While in Thailand, Ward now works as a content creator and Hunt manages an online fitness business.

 

Time for Mr Hunt to man up and just deal with the knife fights back in the UK.

 

Real men don't run away from their problems.

1 hour ago, Woke to Sounds said:

I hate these Youtube vids that race to the bottom in terms of cheapness for living.

 

Surely not every single place in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ is unaffordable?

Don't know about the others but USA has become insane with the prices of rent.

6 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

I saw something on YouTube that stuck with me for a while. Nothing against Wayne and I like his videos but he's on DTV now and looking at houses in the 4000 baht/month range. The guy is 50 years old and competing with housing meant for students and the working class Thais. 

 

That doesn't sit well with me. Maybe if he was in his 20s it would be more acceptable but this is just going to make everyone uncomfortable. Clearly this isn't what they had in mind for the DTV. I'm still guessing it's going to get restricted eventually but we'll see.

 

 

 

 

If you go research who implemented the DTV, you do have an inkling it was motivated to boost the property market - to hell with tourism, culture, and crime. 

 

However, the parameters are so low that all it is has done is allowed in a very cheap class of tourists, who are ironically now competiting with local Thai's for cheap properties. 

 

This is the sheer absurdity of the DTV. It needed far higher thresholds, criminal record checks, and proper checks and balances. 

 

All this nonsense that these people are working remotely are just that - Nonsense. Most are working in some form in Thailand (be it fitness, tours, hussling around). 

 

That visa has changed Thailand for the worst. We celebrated Thailand for its unique culture and low immigration levels.  But this underhand visa has changed all that.

3 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

I hate these Youtube vids that race to the bottom in terms of cheapness for living.

 

Surely not every single place in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ is unaffordable?

Nothing cheap anywhere in Canada and the winter weather is a challenge.

Good luck to them,if it not works out can always go back home.Nothing to lose.

4 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Nonsense. Most are working in some form in Thailand (be it fitness, tours, hussling around). 

 

 

You have no idea what people do for a living and just make <deleted> up. Not a bloody clue. 

I take such stories of ''we have found nirvana on a $1.50 a day'' with a big pinch of local salt, (Nam Pla)

many tells are embellished for the sake of the article to look and sound good, not however in today's

Thailand's stringent immigration, property and business ownership laws.

Moving to Thailand with a gf from back home  might be the best option.

 

It will be much cheaper than dating locally.

 

Because getting a local gf might cost 20-30K per month or more. 

 

But presumably the gf from back home has her own savings. 

 

 

3 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Moving to Thailand with a gf from back home  might be the best option.It will be much cheaper than dating locally.

Because getting a local gf might cost 20-30K per month or more. 

But presumably the gf from back home has her own savings. 

 

    He could get a non prostitute girlfriend and not have to pay her ?

Sensing a lot of envy in the replies ... such positivity 

 

Good for them, wish I was that smart when younger.   Self employed online, work smarter, not harder.   

 

Would be interesting, their opinion after smog season, but online work, can move anywhere.

But do they have a work permit....And have they paid taxes on their online income...

2 hours ago, theshu25 said:

Good luck to them,if it not works out can always go back home.Nothing to lose.

 

Not necessarily.  I've known guys who spent their prime earning years chasing tail in Asia, then found it impossible to get a decent job when they decided they'd had enough of paradise and barely-of-age sex.  Most companies don't like to see a huge gap in job history.  At least not for higher level careers that pay a living wage.

 

I wish them well, but they're taking a risk.

 

Edit:  And I'm still recalling all the long term expats who had to pick up sticks back around 10 years ago when visa requirements tightened up and they no longer qualified.

 

4 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

If you go research who implemented the DTV, you do have an inkling it was motivated to boost the property market - to hell with tourism, culture, and crime. 

 

 

Well I think they've done that. I bet that single visa has made 10,000 new renters in Chiang Mai alone.

 

I was curious to see how many visas they issued thus far and found this post on Facebook. Solution offered for her deadbeat boyfriend? Use the SOFT POWER option to enroll in a cooking course for 6 months. Then you can live in Thailand for 5 years and compete with students in Chiang Mai for affordable housing.

 

11 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Then you can live in Thailand for 5 years and compete with students in Chiang Mai for affordable housing.

 

I've read some stories of IOs denying entry for DTV holders who no longer qualified for their DTV visa.  And others where the DTV holder had to prove they still qualify.  It's a new enough program that I don't think we'll know how it will work out for most after their first 6 month stint.