Thinking about moving to Thailand

[hcjonesphotography]

We are thinking about taking advantage of the retiree visa option in Thailand and are looking at places to move. We want nice beaches, preferably with good coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, not too terribly touristy, and safe (relatively safe, at least). We also would like an airport relatively nearby for ease of travel. We really aren't very interested in either Phuket or Pattaya. At first, we will probably just rent, but when we find the right city/town, we might think of buying. Any suggestions for places to look? We thought of Koh Samui and Krabi, but we would like more input from people who have already "been there, done that."

Thanks!!

[vadimbz]

I am making pretty much the same choice here: Sa am, A. Mueang Pratchual Khiri Khan, Trat, certain parts of Rayong.

[MJP]

OP, seen your website, good stuff.

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[kurnell]

http://thailandretirementguide.com has some interesting information, though you probably already know enough about Thalland

[roamer]

Problem is that nearby airports, coral reefs & lack of tourism are not really natural bedfellows in Thailand. You have to compromise somewhere, especially given Thailand's weather system. If coral reefs are major for you, look at Hat Yai as your airport, reefs at Ko Tarutao, easy access to Malaysia diving spots.

[bkkden]

Look at Koh Lanta and the few islands there!

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[geriatrickid]

I am making pretty much the same choice here: Sa am, A. Mueang Pratchual Khiri Khan, Trat, certain parts of Rayong.

All good suggestions, except I disagree on Rayong..

PKP has Chumphon and the jewel in the crown, Hua Hin.

Air links to Chumphon are difficult in high season.

Hua Hin is 3 1/2 hrs to BKK by comfortable VIP bus or 35 minutes by the Nok Air shuttle to DMK.

The frequency of the type of crime typical of the Pattaya/Phuket/Koh Samui/Krabi regions is much lower in Hua Hin region because of the relatively well off status of the residents. I can't recall a motorbike purse or necklace snatching in Hua Hin in the past few months, but the local papers in those aforementioned regions have regular reports. The city is relatively clean, the people are skewed towards civility, and one isn't subject to touts and beer bars on every corner. The foreigners who reside in the Hua Hin region tend to be of better quality than many other regions. The only cities where I have seen foreigners as relatively decent were Udon Thani and Chiang Mai. The PKP region is quite beautiful and still has parts of the real Thailand,and people with genuine smiles that one usually has to go to Issan to find. Although Hua Hin is also one place where one doesn't see people picking their face or their nose in public. It's a bit boring for those who like the night life, but unlike Ao Nang in Krabi, the city does stay open past 9 pm.

[MJP]

Think Geriatrickid offers sound advice here. Can always fly to the beach but for overall quality of life . . . Chiang Mai/Rai.

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[thepool]

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Think Geriatrickid offers sound advice here. Can always fly to the beach but for overall quality of life . . . Chiang Mai/Rai.

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But wearing a gas-mask for 3-4 months of the year becomes tedious !

Beware the air pollution in Chiang Mai/Rai.!

[MJP]

Think Geriatrickid offers sound advice here. Can always fly to the beach but for overall quality of life . . . Chiang Mai/Rai.

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But wearing a gas-mask for 3-4 months of the year becomes tedious !

Beware the air pollution in Chiang Mai/Rai.!

Spend those months on the beach!

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[dick turpin]

Suggest you try a little reverse thinking, if you were retiring

in the UK where would you find a pleasant coastal resort

with an airport nearby. Bangkok is relatively accessible from

most points in the country......and boy when we get the high

speed trains.

[FiftyTwo]

Forget it.

Thailand is dangerous and getting worse, especially down South.

The sea is dirty, lots of untreated sewage floating around.

The beaches are covered in refuse, floats in from ships dumping offshore.

Lots of scams, mafia type criminals in the South too.

You say 'we', so I'm thinking husband and wife.

Loads of husbands lost to Thai women who have absolutely no problem chasing and bedding a foreign married man 3x their age. Hubby would need to be a saint (or too ill, or impotent) to resist.

[Scottythai]

I would fly out for a look first but hey if your a jump first type of person I would check out Phangna.

[hcjonesphotography]

Thanks for all the input. We have been to Thailand many times, but for holiday only. Since we are thinking about moving, I am thankful for input in that regard, since visiting is very different from living there. I love Chiang Mai, but we are really looking for a beach area and coral is a big factor for us.

Fifty-two, thanks for the advise. I trust hubby completely. Because of his job and assignments, we have been forced to live apart before (for years, not weeks or months), and he never strayed then. We lived in Singapore for a long time, where many young women throw themselves at the men, especially middle-aged Expat men, and he never strayed then, either. In fact, he would come home and tell me about how the young women were trying to "catch" him and we would have a good laugh about it. I do realize it is a common problem, but I am very certain of his loyalty.

I will check out the other places recommended. I will definitely visit them before jumping in. :-)

Thanks again for all the suggestions and advice!

[hcjonesphotography]

MJP, I'm assuming you saw my hcjonesphotography.com site. That isn't up to date. If you want to see more, you can check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/hcjonesphotography/sets/72157602567925841/

Thanks for the nice comment, too!