A Western content creator has warned foreigners against moving to Thailand without a clear financial plan, saying many end up "packing up and going home" after underestimating their costs.

The creator, who posts as Viajero, said the biggest problem for foreigners who struggle in Thailand is money. His video, which has resonated with expats and tourists online, argues that social media can create an unrealistic picture of how far savings will stretch.

Cheap at first, costly over time

Viajero said some online content suggests that US$15,000 to US$20,000, is enough to live like a king in Thailand. He described that belief as a serious mistake, particularly for people intending to spend their savings while hoping to find work later.

Thailand's relatively low living costs and favourable exchange rate can make travel, parties and dating appear cheap to newcomers, he said. But regular spending in these areas can quickly add up, with people draining their accounts before noticing the scale of their outgoings.

For foreigners considering a move, the practical point is that a holiday budget is not the same as a long-term living budget. Rent, visa costs, insurance, transport, healthcare and unexpected expenses can remain even when the initial excitement of arrival has passed.

Teaching work may not provide a long-term answer

The video identified English teaching, often seen as an entry route into Thailand, as another potential trap. Viajero said it may suit people aged 18 to 20 seeking life experience, but is not necessarily a sustainable way to build a long-term future.

He said he had met language teachers in Chiang Mai earning an average 33,000 to 35,000 baht a month. That can cover a small room and day-to-day expenses, he said, but makes it difficult to match the lifestyle someone may have had at home.

Teachers without a relevant degree and holding only a general TEFL certificate can also find it hard to progress into better-paid international school positions, he added.

Viajero also referred to what he called online begging, or e-begging. He cited a Western man in his forties who asked Thai people online for money and free accommodation after running out of funds.

Visa rules also require financial proof

The creator urged prospective residents not to quit work and relocate without a plan. He recommended building qualifications, arranging stable remote or online work before leaving, setting a budget and emergency fund, and deciding on a financial warning point before an account is empty.

He also advised people not to rely on family, friends or locals as a backup plan, and to make a short visit to Thailand before committing to a longer move.

Thailand's visa rules already reflect the need for financial stability. The retirement visa for applicants aged 50 and over requires either 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, monthly income of at least 65,000 baht, or a combination totalling 800,000 baht a year.

The Destination Thailand Visa for younger remote workers has its own savings and income thresholds. As Viajero put it: "Thailand is a great country when you have money."

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13 August 2026

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‘The RISE of LOSERS in Thailand’. E beggars, content creators; The digitally indigent. Western generation of losers, moving east. Multi generations of losers, these are not just Gen Z and millennials.  

Still this vid is made by a guy who has cash, ok, but little more. He would never have come to Thailand if he hadn’t seen a video in the first place. These are the boatloads, that vids created, now washing ashore in ever increasing numbers. Thailand will likely keep upping VISA regulations in response. These people make old school backpackers look good. The trash world tech is helping create.
Puke.

"biggest problem for foreigners who struggle in Thailand is money."

Wow.

What insight this person has. 😄

53 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

"biggest problem for foreigners who struggle in Thailand is money."

Wow.

What insight this person has. 😄

Yeah, you can read it like that. That´s kind of the way a person who actually struggle would read it. People who actually can stay in Thailand without struggle or financial problems, they read as why the heck are people so stupid.

The number of Tiktokers, Facebookers and Youtubers walking around with cameras creating illusions of an easy, cheap and perfect life in Thailand has increased to an unbelievable level. Many of them are struggling themselves trying to get views and clicks and a modest income by doing so. I have seen so many returning to their home countries after months or a year saying that things did not go as expected.

Thailand provides a lifestyle for all levels of financial capability. As long as you know your sustainable level, then you are good to go even though there are many caveats to navigate. Trouble is that many people have unrealistic expectations and entitlement, thinking that because they have done some rough math and watched a few YouTube videos then they have it nailed.

The other problem is that when they get here they naturally gravitate to the places they went to on holiday and enjoyed, which will drain your pocket fast if coming to find longevity and be a real expat. Visiting and living here are two whole different things with many obstacles in your way to square away if you want to stay.

As for work, yeah, you can do the remote thing but the visa situation can rapidly change at any given time with no notice. People think about teaching, but even that isn't as easy as it was, as to be legit, you need a non-immigrant visa (either a B or an O) and the non-B has to be applied for from outside of Thailand these days, only the non-O is relatively unchanged and ideally that means being officially married and even immigration offices in the normal places are watchful these day.

Main initial problems you have to get covered is your plan for meeting long-term visa requirements, health insurance, realistic income and location, bank and Wise account, possible tax return filings if a resident... not just showing up and thinking you can "wing it" and decide/sort stuff out on the hoof.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A Western content creator

What is that?

I think it's a modern word for losers.

No job at home

Not eager to work daily 8-5

No education

No money

Scrap the DTV visa for all of them❗

It says an awful lot about contemporary society that young people with virtually nothing to say can create a YouTube or Tiktok channel and get tens of thousands of followers. In some cases hundreds of thousands.

I have a friend who's a "YouTube influencer" and creates the most dull videos about changing the oil in his bike, and eating in a new restaurant and other incredibly inane and super uninteresting topics. And he has tens of thousands of "followers".

It is certainly a bizarre world that we live in these days, and it seems to me that the standards are lower than ever.

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, you can read it like that. That´s kind of the way a person who actually struggle would read it. People who actually can stay in Thailand without struggle or financial problems, they read as why the heck are people so stupid.

Yeah! why are you..... yeah I don't care that much. Next.

1 minute ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Yeah! why are you..... yeah I don't care that much. Next.

Did I hear a bit of struggle in your tone? 😂

So you can't use your phone while driving , but you can vlog.

Sure handsfree , but driving and making a video ?

Many of these YT video's do this.

Didn't watch, but love the title of vid, and, spot on, for many.

More appropiate to the older, supposedly smarter folks, expats here a while. Not so much the younger, 'let me give this a try' folks, and kudos for them trying.

If doesn't work out, still and can return home with other options to try. The older folks, here a while, run out of money, not so many option if have to return.

The rise of losers ... stupid clickbait title.

Most Youtubers are a bunch of shysters publishing anything for clicks.

If you had a teaching job at 35K per month, it's enough to live in Thailand.

But I guess 20 year olds want to go to bars partying 7 nights a week?

Is that what they were doing back home though? How do you hold down a job if you're going drinking every night?

3 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

"biggest problem for foreigners who struggle in Thailand is money."

Wow.

What insight this person has. 😄

Yes. What a genius! Very high IQ.

What makes Thailand different to many other destinations is that male foreigners can have such a good time here that they lose sight of what that good time is costing them.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The retirement visa for applicants aged 50 and over requires either 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, monthly income of at least 65,000 baht, or a combination totalling 800,000 baht a year.

These numbers have been valid for many years. I have been waiting for an increase, but it never came despite increasing costs especially in the past 3-4 years.

According to the Thai authorities you can support yourself on 800,000 Baht per year. But the funny thing is that you only need 400,000 if you are married to a Thai lady. Can you live on 800,000 Baht per year alone? Yes, you can. Can you live on 400,000 Baht per year if you are married to a Thai lady (that probably don't work)? No hope in hell.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A Western content creator has warned foreigners against moving to Thailand without a clear financial plan, saying many end up "packing up and going home" after underestimating their costs.

Either this video must be 20 years old, or he's a bit late to the show with his advice.

3 minutes ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Can you live on 400,000 Baht per year if you are married to a Thai lady (that probably don't work)? No hope in hell.

Yes you can, easily. Especially if all bought in, as monthly expenses can easily be around 40k or less. I've never needed on average of more than 40k a month, the past 25 yrs.

I arrived 12 years ago exchange rate then 33 baht / Australian $ .

Thai baht over inflated for many years.

Definitely not economical to live here now.

Still magical country.

After MANY years of observation: The men of the UK (certainly) and the EU go home because of money. The men of North America go home because of health.

We used to be at least 10 farangs in my neighborhood but now we are only 3 left and one is broke.

13 minutes ago, bluebluewater said:

After MANY years of observation: The men of the UK (certainly) and the EU go home because of money. The men of North America go home because of health.

Maybe that is backwards? I'm from US (Canada different case) and going to USA 'for health' would be fatal to my bank account if I jumped into USA health system. Not European, but don't many of them have somewhat functional national health programs?

Troll post removed @advancebooking I suggest you think twice next you choose to make unfounded accusations against the forum

1 hour ago, Sir Dude said:

Thailand provides a lifestyle for all levels of financial capability. As long as you know your sustainable level, then you are good to go even though there are many caveats to navigate. Trouble is that many people have unrealistic expectations and entitlement, thinking that because they have done some rough math and watched a few YouTube videos then they have it nailed.

The other problem is that when they get here they naturally gravitate to the places they went to on holiday and enjoyed, which will drain your pocket fast if coming to find longevity and be a real expat. Visiting and living here are two whole different things with many obstacles in your way to square away if you want to stay.

As for work, yeah, you can do the remote thing but the visa situation can rapidly change at any given time with no notice. People think about teaching, but even that isn't as easy as it was, as to be legit, you need a non-immigrant visa (either a B or an O) and the non-B has to be applied for from outside of Thailand these days, only the non-O is relatively unchanged and ideally that means being officially married and even immigration offices in the normal places are watchful these day.

Main initial problems you have to get covered is your plan for meeting long-term visa requirements, health insurance, realistic income and location, bank and Wise account, possible tax return filings if a resident... not just showing up and thinking you can "wing it" and decide/sort stuff out on the hoof.

I've basically stop using the app but will occasionally test former analytics skill to guess percentage of replies in the 3 groups : negative - bla bla - and relevant.

Needless to point out which group(s) hold majority; yours are in a singel digit group!

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

It says an awful lot about contemporary society that young people with virtually nothing to say can create a YouTube or Tiktok channel and get tens of thousands of followers. In some cases hundreds of thousands.

I have a friend who's a "YouTube influencer" and creates the most dull videos about changing the oil in his bike, and eating in a new restaurant and other incredibly inane and super uninteresting topics. And he has tens of thousands of "followers".

It is certainly a bizarre world that we live in these days, and it seems to me that the standards are lower than ever.

I don't care who wants to call themselves an influencer; it doesn't affect me.

My concern is for the mugs who can actually be influenced by someone with no genuine edge over anyone else.

This article is probably geared at the under 50 year olds in a DTV. DTV has allowed all manner of wannabe into Thailand...many with little money and a very bad attitude and a liking for Ganga etc

Is making enough money to pay for where you live some kind of new concept? Baffling....

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I have a friend who's a "YouTube influencer" and creates the most dull videos about changing the oil in his bike, and eating in a new restaurant and other incredibly inane and super uninteresting topics. And he has tens of thousands of "followers".

That's crazy, what is the world coming to. Now if you don't mind I'm going back to watching my favorite rug cleaning channel.

It is no surprise, but you can live in every country if you make enough money. If you have a job no problem or a pension. Without money it is difficult so survive no matter where you are. Another problem however is the bureaucracy and outdated laws in Thailand. If you have a workpermit you are only allowed to work on the place and in the job you have a permit for. Switching jobs is a lot of paperwork, is difficult to keep your visa, and not easy at all. Almost all jobs are for Thais only, so if you, loose the job you are in real trouble. I am just wondering why foreign people can work here as youtuber, influencer, or whatever name you give to someone who post videos and reals. It should be stopped to give a visa for that

1 hour ago, Mywayboy said:

I arrived 12 years ago exchange rate then 33 baht / Australian $ .

Thai baht over inflated for many years.

Definitely not economical to live here now.

Still magical country.

I agree. It's definitely not economical but certainly not a struggle (for me).

I'm hanging on here 'til the Baht gets back up to 72 - 75/£ then I'll start partying again if my knee joints are still available then.

Edited August 13Aug 13 by Muhendis