Buying gold is strictly to keep the wife happy -- ask Naam

Get long term fixed deposits going - it's easy, uncomplicated and will beat gold hands down any day of the week. I believe you're in UK, so you'll need to move money out of there to find a rate of more than 5% over 5 years. Beware of tax on the interest. Trying to "grow" a pension pot in the UK is a fool's errand nowadays -- unless you are highly proficient in stock investments. Just be grateful if you manage to keep your pot intact for your 65th birthday (or whatever year the UK government have decided on by the time you get that far.)

Make a will !!! NOW !!!!!! It does not need to be complex -- just a simple statement that you want everything to be turned into cash and split between people X, Y and Z in percentage proportions. You can change the will tomorrow, so it's not set in stone, but you MUST have a will if you own anything of worth and you're launching into a "new life". Be prepared to lose everything you bring to Thailand -- hopefully you won't - but be a good boy scout and there'll be no nasty surprises for you.

Gold will have zero interest, however if the markets and economy crash, gold will benefit........ Silly me that is not likely to happen.....

If you are non resident in UK, interest is not taxed, so ignore that, especially if you are risk adverse and want to maintain cash ( keep it below 75k)

Do not invest in anything till you have researched and understand what you are doing.

Make a will is very good advice, a separate one for UK and Thailand

pension is a waste of money unless you are a UK tax payer. there is no benefit for an expat

Nothing to do with cash investments but a good Health Insurance policy taken out while your still young and healthy is essential. Make sure the company will cover you forever (as long as you can pay the premiums). Some stop at 70.