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MOVING TO THAILAND: A GUIDE FOR EXPATS TO LIVE HERE

Moving to Thailand is exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time.

Because there’s so much involved with the major life change, our long-term
Thailand expat writers put together this guide to help you prepare for and
adjust to your new life in the country.

Contents

1. Pros and Cons
1. Pros
2. Cons
2. Cost of Living
3. Living Standards
4. Job Opportunities
5. Language
6. Medical Care
7. Health Insurance
8. Crime and Safety
9. Air Pollution and PM2.5
10. Visa
11. Accommodation
12. Property Purchases
13. Where to Live
1. Bangkok
2. Chiang Mai
3. Pattaya
4. Phuket
5. Koh Samui
6. Hua Hin
7. Isan
14. Bank Account
15. Phone and Internet
16. Shipping
1. Pack the Necessities
2. Important Documents
3. Import Your Pet
17. School
18. Taxation
19. Culture
1. Hierarchy in Thailand
2. Yes, No, and Never Mind
3. Familial Living Arrangements
20. Social Life
21. Nightlife
22. Moving to Thailand from America
23. Moving to Thailand from the UK
24. Moving to Thailand from Australia
25. Moving to Thailand from Canada
26. How to Live in Thailand Permanently
27. Emergency Numbers
28. Checklist
29. Essential Reading for Expats Living in Thailand
30. Living Your Life in Thailand
31. Latest Guides for Expats in Thailand

Want to Live in Thailand Hassle-Free?

At $3.33 a month, get access to over a hundred pieces of exclusive content that
save you thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of time and help you avoid
the pitfalls that plague Thailand expats.

FIND OUT MORE

PROS AND CONS

Here’s a quick list of pros and cons of life in Thailand.

PROS

Living standards: Because of the low cost of living in Thailand, your living
standards in Thailand tend to be much better than in your home country. For
example, you can easily spend less than US$800 a month while renting a nice
place.

Healthcare: Being the top country for medical tourism, Thailand has quality and
affordable healthcare, no matter where in the country you are.

Food: Thailand is the land of food. You can find plenty of tasty food at
affordable prices. You can find food anytime of the day, from street food to
fancy restaurants.

Travel: There are plenty of travel opportunities once you’re in Thailand, from
beautiful beaches in the south to mountains in the north. No matter where you
are, you can easily enjoy a weekend getaway.

Convenience: It’s easy to live in Thailand. Online shopping has become more
popular. So you can buy everything online and have it delivered to your door.

Culture: Thailand is full of culture. In fact, each part of Thailand has a
different culture for you to explore.

Safety: While Thailand’s safety record might not look good in the news,
statistically it’s very safe to live here. A young woman can safely walk alone
at night. But, of course, it’s still a good idea to use common sense and avoid
dangerous areas.

CONS

Visas: It’s a hassle to get a visa in Thailand because regulations often change.
Also, each immigration office tends to have its own rules when it comes to
visas. So, prepare to spend an entire day just to renew your visa.

Language: Not every Thai can speak English well, especially outside of the city.
So, if you want to live here, it’s a good idea to at least learn some basic
Thai.

Traffic: Traffic in Thailand can be quite heavy, especially in big cities like
Bangkok and Chiang Mai. You should plan to travel at times other than rush hour.

Air quality: Air quality in Thailand gets bad during the cold season every year.
While it’s not as bad as in China, it can still affect your health.

Far away from home: It takes at least a whole day to fly to Thailand from North
America and Europe. So, you may feel disconnected from your family while living
here.

COST OF LIVING

One of the biggest reasons people move to Thailand is for the country’s
relatively low cost of living.

To give you a good idea on the initial costs of moving to Thailand, here’s what
one of our writers spent on his first three months in Bangkok, Thailand.

* Accommodation (US$1,250): A serviced apartment for six weeks followed by
hotels around Thailand for two weeks. Then, the first month’s rent, US$150,
for a studio apartment.
* Food and drink (US$1,750): Eating and drinking during the first few months.
From shopping malls to drinking beers on beaches, bills add up.
* Clothes (US$300): Some expensive work clothes and shoes from an international
chain in a shopping mall. Also, new T-shirts and casual shoes contributed to
these costs.
* Household items (US$200): First apartment was furnished, but needed several
items such as bedding, kitchen utensils, and hangers.
* Visa runs (US$450): Leave Thailand to get a new business visa, and then
re-entering the country. This was the total cost for travel, accommodations,
and visa fees.
* Tourist attractions (US$300): A number of must-see sights around Thailand
during the first few weeks, from famous temples to national parks.

The total amount he spent was US$4,250, or around US$1,416 a month. After that,
he spent around US$1,200 a month. Many expats also spend around this much each
month.

However, Bangkok is the most expensive city in Thailand according to statistics.
That means that if you decide to move to Phuket, Chiang Mai, or Pattaya, the
cost of living in those places is even lower. Some expats, though, will argue
that Phuket is becoming more expensive than Bangkok.

For more detailed cost of living breakdowns, we’ve written a few guides to give
you a better idea on how much you could spend each month in Thailand.

* Cost of Living in Thailand as an Expat: How Much Do You Need Per Month?
* Cost of Living in Chiang Mai as an Expat: How Much Do You Need Per Month?
* How Our Family Spends 82,464 Baht a Month in Thailand in 2023
* Bangkok Cost of Living: How I Spend 80,658.52 Baht a Month

LIVING STANDARDS

What you get for the money goes a long way in Thailand, at least when it comes
to accommodations.

Most mid- to top-tier rental properties in the major cities throughout the
country come with a gym and pool. A lot of them are also located near public
transportation or in city centers.

Comparatively, what you’d pay US$2,500 a month for in the U.S. you could get in
Thailand for US$400 or even less. This leads to a quality of life that is hard
to capture in the West.

The cost of food, transportation, and healthcare are also cheaper than the West.
Many expats who move to Thailand say that they get better living standards in
Thailand than in their home country.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to teaching English, there are countless corporate careers to be
had, such as acquisitions, customer relations, and so on. Bangkok is truly
building an international workforce year after year.

We’ve done things like consulting, videography and photography, sports
commentary, and much more. We also know people who work as social media managers
and who are given work visas for this type of role.

Should you get a job before arriving in Thailand? Or should you get a job after
you’ve arrived here?

We’ve found that most job opportunities in Thailand happen after living in the
country for a few years. The type of work we’ve taken up isn’t offered to
candidates applying from outside Thailand.

Working online in Thailand is still in the gray area, although there has been
talk of finding ways around it, there’s always the chance of a crackdown by
immigration on this matter.

In the future there may be ways to work online in Thailand.

You can read our finding work in Thailand guide for more info. It uncovers the
useful ways you can find a job and the opportunities available here.

We include a list of industry-specific job websites for teaching, IT, finance,
NGOs, and other industries in this exclusive guide for our supporters.

LANGUAGE

Thai is the official language of Thailand.

Some expats may never get the desire to learn Thai. Some argue that it’s not
necessary to learn Thai. However, make no mistake about it – there are benefits
to at least getting to a conversational level.

As an expat, you should make an effort to learn how to greet people, say
“please,” and say “thank you.” The good thing is there are plenty of ways to
learn.

You can also start learning Thai online using Thaipod101. It teaches you to
quickly communicate in basic Thai.

Some expats learn their first Thai phrases at restaurants. Thais will usually
approach and talk to you while eating. So, you’ll get to learn numbers and
prices, food, greetings, and how to say a few important words such as delicious
and spicy.

Some people may teach you Thai, yet others might teach you the Isan, or
Northeast Thailand, dialect. So, you’ll get to learn a variety of words.

You can also pick up a couple of language books while here. 100 Thai Words That
Make You Sound Thai by Stephen Saad is a good start. You can pick it up at Asia
Books, and it includes useful phrases and words. It’s also a bit of a reference
book and shows how to use the words in context. It’s not suitable for beginners,
though.

Find out more:

* My Personal Tricks on How to Learn The Thai Language Fast
* The Complete Guide to Learning Thai Language for Beginners

MEDICAL CARE

Thailand has quality and affordable healthcare.

So, as an expat you’ll get top-of-the-line treatment when going to private
hospitals in Bangkok.

This is because most of the doctors at private (and some public) hospitals have
trained overseas. And the equipment they use is the latest in the world. Plus,
doctors at private hospitals can spend more time diagnosing you because there’s
not a queue of hundreds of people waiting to see him or her.

When it comes to medicine, it’s also extremely easy to get what you need from
local pharmacies in Thailand. Just ask the person working at the hospital’s
medicine counter to write down what you need, and you can buy it in your
neighborhood.

You can visit government hospitals or premium clinics, too, where some doctors
from private hospitals also practice, and pay up to 25 percent less for
treatment. The wait times are a lot longer, however.

Local clinics can be found all over Thailand as well. They can help you with
common ailments such as colds, food poisoning, and sprains. But staff at local
clinics most likely won’t speak English.

HEALTH INSURANCE

There are mainly two types of health insurance available to expats in Thailand.

The first one is Social Security. This is only available to those who work for a
company in Thailand.

The quality of treatment from Social Security depends mainly on which hospital
you’re assigned. Wait times can be long as well. And you might still be liable
for some medical expenses.

The second type is private insurance. This can be further categorized into
international insurance and local insurance.

In general, international insurance policies are usually easier to understand.
They come with higher coverage but are also more expensive than local insurance.

When you get health insurance, be sure to do so before you arrive here. This
way, you’re covered from day one and can enjoy life in Thailand with peace of
mind.

Find out more:

* Health Insurance in Thailand: What You Need to Know as an Expat
* The Complete Overview to Social Security in Thailand for Foreigners

CRIME AND SAFETY

Since November 2022, the U.S. State Department has listed Thailand as a safe
place to travel to. The website reads:

Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

U.S. State Department, November 23, 2022

In terms of crime, police and independent agencies tend to disagree over each
other’s statistics. However, according to Statista, crime in Thailand has
dropped from 91 instances per 100,000 people in 2017 to 51 per 100,000 people in
2021.

Numbers aside, in general, most expats will tell you that they feel safer in
Thailand than where they came from.

In fact, we feel safer in Thailand than in London or New York City – even while
walking around alone at night. We feel this way because in Thailand, it seems
that trouble rarely comes looking for you.

In some major Western cities, you can mind your business and still fall victim
to a robbery or violent crime. In Thailand, you really have to go seek out
trouble to find it.

That’s not to say people won’t take advantage of you here. In the beginning,
before you’re hip to the game and know how to speak Thai, people will overcharge
you for certain things. But that’s mostly the extent of what you have to be
careful of.

Of course crime does happen in Thailand, even to non-Thais, so always practice
common sense and take the above opinions as generalizations, not facts.

However, Thailand doesn’t have the best road safety record, and after a few days
of being here you’ll see why. Over the Thai New Year alone, usually hundreds of
people die in road accidents, but mostly in rural areas of the country.

However, be careful when driving and make sure to wear a seat belt or helmet,
even if others don’t.

AIR POLLUTION AND PM2.5

Thailand’s air quality has been in headlines over the recent years. From about
December to April of each year, PM2.5 levels reach hazardous numbers at times,
raising a lot of concern about long-term health effects.

Air pollution has become an issue in Thailand in recent years during December to
April.

Unfortunately, because farmers in Thailand and the surrounding countries
practice slash-and-burn methods of removing old crops, air pollution is expected
to continue for the foreseeable future.

However, according to independent reports, the overall air quality (at least in
Bangkok) is getting better each year.

There are ways to minimize your exposure to PM2.5. In fact, we’ve created a
guide to Thailand’s air pollution to show you how.

VISA

Many nationalities can enter Thailand without a visa for 30 days. But if you
plan to be here long term, you need the right visa.

Some people leave the country and return with a new visa exemption or tourist
visa. This is called a visa run or border bounce, and it’s considered illegal.

When applying for a long-term Thai visa, make sure you get one that corresponds
with your reason for moving to Thailand and have the right document.

Getting a business, marriage, or retirement visa, isn’t too hard as long as you
have the right paperwork.

If you have some money to spend, the Thailand Elite visa is the best visa to
get.

It’ll get you five to 20 years in the country, and with it, you won’t have to
file the dreaded annual documents and paperwork required by other Thai visas.

Find out more: Non-Immigrant Visas to Thailand: an In-Depth Guide

ACCOMMODATION

Renting a condominium is the most popular option for expats in Thailand,
especially for those who live in Bangkok. This is because condos tend to be in
convenient locations near either a BTS or MRT station and also supermarkets.

Many condos even have a convenience store and a laundry shop right inside the
building.

But condos can be small. Studio condos in Thailand are only around 25 square
meters to 30 square meters. If you need more space, it’s better to rent a house,
which is just as simple.

With a house, you’ll have more rooms for yourself and family members. Plus
you’ll have a yard to hang out in. You do have to keep up with the leaves and
yard, but labor is affordable in Thailand and you can always find someone to do
that for you.

You can rent some condos by the month, although many of the better ones will
require you to sign at least a six-month lease. A one-year lease is the most
common.

To speed up the process of finding a rental, talk to a real estate agent. It’s
basically free for you.

However, don’t rent a place long-term before arriving in Thailand unless it’s a
part of a job offer. Even then you should ask if it’s possible to arrange a
viewing when first arriving.

Instead, you should plan to spend at least the first few days or even weeks in a
hotel or short-term rental. Book at least a few nights in a Bangkok hotel to
figure out where you want to live.

Another short-term option is renting a Bangkok serviced apartment. You most
likely won’t have to sign a lease at these places, but you will have to leave a
deposit.

If you’re on a budget, look at hostelworld.com. But you won’t get a room with
enough space for all your belongings if you’re moving here.

However, we’ve met a few people who arrived in Thailand and stayed in a hostel
while looking for a job, and they all said that the lack of privacy and
facilities made things hard.

No matter which choice you make, you can sometimes cut your rent in Thailand by
40 percent through negotiating. We show you how in this exclusive guide for our
supporters.

* Renting a House in Thailand? Read This Before Signing That Lease
* An In-Depth Guide to Renting an Apartment in Bangkok

PROPERTY PURCHASES

For those looking for something more long-term, you can buy a condo in Thailand
if:

* at least 51 percent of the apartments in the building are owned by Thais
* you transfer money from abroad to Thailand to buy it

To find out more, read our guide on buying a condo in Thailand.

If you want to buy property in Thailand for investment, it’s a good idea to
contact an investment company.

For other types of property, you can’t buy it. So, you’ll have to lease it for
30 or 60 years.

Your best bet is to talk to a property investment company such as Keller Henson.
Then you can explain to them your situation.

They can help you find properties all over Thailand and assist you with the
buying process.

WHERE TO LIVE

Before moving to Thailand, it’s a good idea to think about where you want to
live. Ask yourself these questions:

* Do I want to be next to the beach every day?
* Do I want to live on rolling farmlands?
* A big city?
* In the mountains?

That said, here are some of the more popular expat locations and what you could
expect from each of them.

BANGKOK

Bangkok is the city most people first visit when they arrive in Thailand.

You can find everything in Bangkok, from the best paying jobs to malls to
international cuisine.

Here, you can find the best paying jobs, a variety of restaurants, malls,
leisure activities, and people from all over the world. Bangkok is also the
major transportation hub of Thailand – you can travel to anywhere via bus,
train, or plane.

There are a few downsides to being in the capital, though.

The traffic is bad, some areas could get noisy, and things tend to be a lot more
expensive here than elsewhere in the country.

However, if you want access to everything an expat needs, Bangkok is the place.

CHIANG MAI

The home for digital nomads, long-term travelers, and retirees, Chiang Mai has
long been a popular choice for expats in Thailand.

Chiang Mai combines city life and with the adventure outdoors.

Chiang Mai offers beautiful mountainous scenery and plenty of outdoor
activities, such as hiking, biking, camping, and more. But because it does have
a city center, you’re never too far away from the province’s diverse array of
food and people.

The downside to living in Chiang Mai comes between February and April, where the
burning season makes the air you breathe hazardous.

But expats have figured out a workaround to this issue – they usually head to
the south of Thailand or Bangkok until the pollution subsides and they can
return home.

PATTAYA

The nightlife and existing expat scene in Pattaya make it a popular destination
for people looking to call Thailand their home.

Pattaya can be very peaceful during the daytime.

The city has a lower cost of living than Bangkok, the beaches are kept in good
condition, and there is plenty of local and Western food to indulge in. Plus,
pristine islands like Koh Kham are just an hour away.

Pattaya isn’t without its flaws, though. Some areas near the beach can get seedy
and temptation lurks around every corner.

However, plenty of expats who raise families in Thailand live on the “dark side”
of Pattaya – the section east of Sukhumvit Road – and they praise the city for
all it has to offer.

PHUKET

Phuket is one of the most visited places in the world, but some expats love it
so much that they plant their roots on the island.

Many people call Phuket paradise on earth, but the cost of living is also among
the highest in Thailand.

Like some of the other popular areas for expats throughout Thailand, Phuket has
it all – beaches, outdoor activities, international schools, and employment
opportunities, especially in hospitality.

But be prepared to pay more for certain things here. Officially, Phuket is
ranked the second-most expensive place to live in Thailand next to Bangkok.
However, people who live on the island will tell you that Phuket is just as
expensive, if not more, than its centrally-located counterpart.

If you enjoy island life, then Phuket may be the place for you.

KOH SAMUI

Like Phuket, Koh Samui is another popular island with expats in Thailand and,
over the recent years, more and more people have been making it their home.

While Koh Samui is known as a place to party, many expats call it home.

It may not have the same level of international schooling, private hospitals,
and the like, but it makes up for that in quality of life. On Koh Samui, you’re
never too far from a pristine beach.

Koh Samui also hasn’t yet been hit with the same price increases as Phuket, so
condos, houses, and food tend to be a little bit cheaper here.

Also, the island has a variety of international restaurants where retired expat
chefs tend to work to keep up with their craft.

One downside to living on Koh Samui is that, unlike in other parts of Thailand,
expats don’t tend to stay very long. The island is still known primarily as a
place to party, so people often come and go, making it hard to find long-term
friends.

HUA HIN

Just two and half hours south of Bangkok is Hua Hin, a popular beach town
destination for many retired expats in Thailand.

Living in Hua Hin is similar to Pattaya, but quieter.

Hua Hin has everything you’d expect from a retirement destination, including
affordable houses, private hospitals, and quality of life. For those who aren’t
retired yet, the city has international schools, a hip local scene, and plenty
of nightlife.

There aren’t many downsides to living in Hua Hin, but it’s small and quiet.
Depending on your personality, you will either like this lifestyle or not. It’s
also a bit far from Bangkok according to some, and hospital choices are a bit
limited.

But if you don’t have to travel the capital very often, then this beach town
could be the place for you.

ISAN

The Northeast of Thailand, or Isan, is famous for farming and is a common place
for retired expats to relocate to. Most retired expats living in this region
have Thai spouses and/or kids.

If you’ve never lived in a rural area, Isan may take some getting used to, as
everything you do requires a car and a great deal of patience because things
move at their own pace.

But if you don’t mind being surrounded by vibrant green rice fields in the rice
growing season, this could be one option – just don’t expect to find too many
jobs in this area.

BANK ACCOUNT

Popular banks in Thailand are:

* Kasikorn Bank
* Bangkok Bank
* KrungThai Bank
* SCB

They all work the same. If you work in Thailand, your employer may ask you to
open an account with a specific bank so that you can receive your salary.

To open an account, bring you work documents, visa, and passport, and the bank
will walk you through the process. You’ll get an ATM card that day that you can
use to shop online and off.

You can start by going to the nearest bank branch and asking about the
requirements.

If you have a work visa, you’ll have no issues opening an account.

One of our writers even opened an account on his marriage visa. It took some
asking around, but eventually he came across a KrungThai branch that was willing
to give him an account.

Many banks won’t let you open an account on a tourist visa, but if you ask
around enough, you may find one willing to give you an account.

Read more: Opening a Thai Bank Account: A Guide for Expats and Tourists

PHONE AND INTERNET

The first thing expats want to do when arriving in Thailand is set up their
phone and internet.

There are three main phone companies in Thailand:

* DTAC
* AIS
* TRUE

They are all the same and offer a variety of plans based on whether internet or
phone calls are more important to you.

Thais mostly rely on messaging apps such as Line or Facebook Messenger. For
around THB300 per month you can get a package with a decent amount of internet
data and a hundred or so minutes of call time.

Home internet is more dependent on where you live and the services offered in
the region. Most internet companies try to sell you an internet and TV package.

This works out to around THB800 per month and includes a few English channels.
For this amount, you should expect at least 200 MB of internet speed, a simple
TV package, and 5G phone service.

If TV is your thing then prepare to pay what you would back home to get movies
and live premium TV (sports, Western channels, etc).

Find out more:

* Thai SIM Cards: Plans, Data, Price, and Registration
* Home Internet in Thailand: Provider, Package, and Cost

SHIPPING

Here’s what you need to do to prepare your shipping to Thailand.

PACK THE NECESSITIES

You can bring everything you need with you to Thailand – although, to be honest,
this isn’t the most efficient way of going about this.

Since you can buy most things you use back home in Thailand, you don’t have to
bring everything with you, but quality furniture and electronics are more
expensive here, so it’s best to ship those things from home.

The items that are usually more expensive in Thailand are:

* books
* imported foods
* electronics
* car seats, high chairs, etc.
* vitamins and supplements
* brand-name clothes and shoes

Big size clothes, especially shoes, can be hard to find in Thailand.

If your company is relocating you to Thailand, you might not have to worry about
shipping your things to the country, as they’ll do it for you.

But if you’re coming here on your own accord, you need to figure this part out
yourself. Luckily, we have a shipping to Thailand guide that you can use to help
pick an international mover and method.

If you’re ready to pack your bags and your bags include more than you can carry
onto the plane, you can get free quotes from moving companies.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

One thing you’ll learn about Thailand is that officials here love paperwork.

We’ve come to dread how many copies of our driving licenses, passports, and
school degrees are floating around various government offices.

Below we’ve put a list of important documents you must bring. If possible, bring
original copies with you.

* passport
* driving license
* birth certificate
* list of contact numbers
* home ownership deeds
* proof of income or pay slips
* medical certificates or reports
* marriage or divorce certificate
* degrees and transcripts
* taxes, social security cards, national insurance numbers

There’s also the chance you’ll need these documents either translated into Thai
or verified by your embassy.

The Thai government doesn’t accept civil partnerships or gay marriage
certificates. This may change in the future, so keep updated on this via the
media or your embassy.

You should sign, date, and double-line strikethrough any photocopied documents.

It’s customary to strikethrough copies you sign in Thailand.

Write a sentence stating what this signed copy is for as well. This way if there
are any dishonest people who get hold of these copies, they won’t be able to use
them.

IMPORT YOUR PET

It’s possible to bring your furry friend with you to Thailand, but make sure it
will be able to handle the tropical climate.

There’s a trend of buying Siberian Huskies in Thailand, but since this breed
loves cold weather, it might not be able to adapt to the tropical climate.

For more info, check out some of our popular pet guides:

* How to Buy or Adopt Dogs, Cats, and Exotic Pets in Thailand
* Moving to Thailand With a Dog or Cat: A Quick Guide
* How to Find Accommodations that Allow Pets in Thailand (Premium Content)

SCHOOL

You can find international schools throughout Thailand.

Schools that follow the same curriculum as the one in your home country or your
child’s previous school makes it easier for your kids to adapt. It also makes it
easier if or when you move back to your home country.

If you live in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, there’s a wide range of curriculum
available. These include:

* IB
* American
* British
* German
* Australian
* Singapore

International schools in Thailand can be broken down into four tiers, from Tier
1 to Tier 3.

Tier 1 is the most expensive. You should expect to pay around 600,000 baht to
1,000,000 baht a year in tuition.

A local school, on the other hand, offers your child the opportunity to immerse
themselves in Thai culture. They can also get a deeper understanding of the
language.

Local schools are cheaper than international schools. But prices alone are not a
good indicator of whether a school is the right fit for your son or daughter.
They don’t represent the quality of education offered at the school either.

Find out more: How to Pick the Best International Schools in Thailand for Expats

TAXATION

When you move to Thailand, taxes will be a part of your reality, just like
anywhere else in the world.

Value-added tax, or VAT, in Thailand is calculated at 7 percent across the
board. This goes for foods, goods, and some services.

If you work in Thailand, you have to worry about another kind of tax – income
tax. You are taxed according to how much you make on anything after THB150,000
per year.

From there, the tax rate increases from 5 percent all the way to 35 percent,
depending on how much you bring home every year.

Personal Taxable Income in Thai BahtTax Rate0-150,000Exempt150,000-300,0005
percent300,000 – 500,00010 percent500,000 – 750,00015 percent750,000 –
1,000,00020 percent1,000,000 – 2,000,00025 percent2,000,000 – 4,000,00030
percentOver 4,000,00035 percent

In addition to these taxes, you also have to pay into Thai social security,
which comes out to THB750 per month.

Like other countries, you can take advantage of tax deductions in Thailand.
Popular choices include buying SSF, paying for life insurance, and purchasing a
condo. Expat and Thai workers get the same deductions.

For more info on Thai taxes, check out these guides:

* Thailand Income Tax for Foreigners: Do You Need to Pay?
* Taxation in Thailand: 6 Common Mistakes, Penalties, and How to Avoid Them

CULTURE

After your first few years, you’ll pick things up and over time become more
understanding of how and why things happen like they do in Thailand. We can’t
cover everything related to Thai culture in this section, but we’ve put a few
basic points below.

HIERARCHY IN THAILAND

Thais really respect their elders. This means the pecking order may be different
from your own country. Young people will greet their elders with a wai, the
traditional Thai greeting, which elders may or may not return.

Some elders make decisions for and give advice to the younger people in the
family. It also seems to me some Thai people do things to please the older
members of their families, such as when choosing degrees or picking a career.

YES, NO, AND NEVER MIND

One aspect of Thai culture that is hard to understand is that people don’t like
to say “no.” Even the Thai word mai-chai, meaning “no,” translates to “not yes.”

This creates confusion as people will say “yes” when they have no intention of
doing what they have agreed to. Often, there are certain visual or situational
clues they give that you have to pay attention to.

They hope you’ll pick up to understand they meant “no.” We’ve had workmen not
turn up, services not provided, and drama caused over this. It used to leave us
frustrated, but we’ve begun to pick up on these little clues to know when “yes”
means “no.”

One of the first Thai phrases you’ll learn is mai bpen rai, or never mind. We
find that there is a “never mind” attitude from lots of people here in Thailand,
both locals and expats. This frustrates some expats, as it seems people don’t
care. But that’s not always the case.

FAMILIAL LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

It’s common for Thai people to live with their family until married, but this is
changing with the younger generation. Asking a partner to move in before
marriage might prove hard, especially among traditional families.

It’s common for Thai people to live with their family before and even after
marriage.

We’ve even met couples who live in different provinces due to work or supporting
a child through university or school in a different region.

SOCIAL LIFE

This part is interesting and is something some expats struggle with, at times.
Some people aren’t committed to living in the country long-term. This makes
long-lasting friendships harder to find.

We’ve managed to make some good friends here, though they have all come through
work or neighborhood.

Thai friends are even harder to make. Expats may only be able to make one good
Thai friend, but you should value that friendship.

In tourist areas it’s true there are other Westerners, but it isn’t always
obvious who is here on vacation and who is here long-term.

There are also social clubs from golf to football teams where you can meet
people. Your best bet to find these is to search on either Google or Facebook
for the club that interests you.

It’s also possible to make friends with people randomly. Living in a condo can
help you meet other expats.

In local restaurants, you can meet people. In general, you don’t have to go
looking for friends, but find yourself lucky enough to make a few good ones
while here.

The final way to make friends is through your girlfriend or boyfriend. If you
have a Thai partner, they may be able to introduce you to some Thai friends.

NIGHTLIFE

When people think of nightlife in Thailand, they often envision the party scenes
dotted throughout the country. However, that makes up just one small portion of
Thailand’s nightlife.

There’s also quiet walks in the park, jazz music along the river, musicals,
movie theaters, concerts, festivals, outdoor restaurants on the beach, in
addition to the partying.

Whatever you enjoy doing at night, Thailand will have it on tap. You just have
to spend enough time here to get to know your options.

MOVING TO THAILAND FROM AMERICA

For the most part, you can follow this guide to a T and smoothly transition from
the United States to Thailand.

In short though, we can list a few of the pros and cons of moving from America
to Thailand.

Being an American in Thailand is not that difficult. For one, the US Dollar goes
far in Thailand. So, if you come here with a decent savings, you can afford a
comfortable lifestyle.

Also, more opportunities in the workforce (especially teaching) open up to
Americans who are also native English speakers. Thai parents often want their
children to sound American rather than English or Australian or Filipino, so
they request American teachers.

There are some drawbacks to being an American, though. One of them is that
people tend to stereotype you. They think you live on either end of the spectrum
– either you have money out the wazoo or you’re here for less than skillful
things.

If you’re into watching videos, Kylie Abroad has a YouTube video about what she
wish she knew before moving to Thailand as an American. It reveals a lot of
insights from a female’s perspective.

* My Personal Experience Living In Thailand as an American
* Moving to Thailand from America: How and Why Our Family Did It

MOVING TO THAILAND FROM THE UK

One of our friends, Carl, let us know what his biggest challenges in the country
are as a British expat, and what he likes best about living in Thailand.

As for challenges, he said he doesn’t like when the admin from his daughters’
school uses their photos to advertise to Thai parents that luk krueng – or
mixed-race children – go to the school. They did this, he said, without his
permission.

But he loves that his life is simpler here in Southern Thailand. He doesn’t have
to work as much as he would’ve in the U.K. to afford a comfortable lifestyle
while still having time to spend with his family.

Read more: Moving to Thailand from the UK: How and Why I Did It

MOVING TO THAILAND FROM AUSTRALIA

Dan, a friend of one of our editors, is from Australia and gave his input on
living in Thailand. One of his main choices for moving here was the lower cost
of living. He said it’s becoming harder and harder to raise a family in
Melbourne due to the increasing food and property prices.

He is also able to send his children to a private school in Bangkok, which he
would never be able to do in Australia.

Since he owns a company in Thailand, he does face many challenges. His biggest
is that everyone in the chain of business has to get paid for any deals or
selling of products and services. This increases his costs, which he then has to
pass on to his customers.

We don’t yet have a guide on moving to Thailand from Australia, but our guide on
Ditching the Desk at 53 and Retiring in Thailand was written by two Australians.
There are a lot of key takeaways in the article for those coming from Australia,
so be sure to give it a read.

MOVING TO THAILAND FROM CANADA

We have an entire section of our site dedicated to Canada, but like Australia,
we haven’t yet published a detailed guide on moving to Thailand from the Great
White North.

However, Greg Jorgensen – one-half of The Bangkok Podcast – hails from Canada
and often talks about the experience of moving to Thailand on the show.

An avid reader of ExpatDen, Vinny – from Montreal, said that his biggest
challenges weren’t so much in Thailand, but in returning to Canada. After being
in Thailand for 15 years, he’s lost touch with the things that people talk about
back home. So, when he visits Canada every year, he feels extremely out of
place.

Within Thailand, Vinny said he still faces a lot of the challenges that some
other expats have. First, he’s tattooed from head-to-toe, so he’s often judged
for his appearance. Second, the Canadian Dollar doesn’t go as far as the U.S.
Dollar. Because he owns rental property in Canada, his income fluctuates with
the exchange rates.

As for the pros of living in Thailand as a Canadian, that was easy for Vinny to
answer. He has escaped the bitter-cold winters of the north for the year-round
warm climate of Thailand.

HOW TO LIVE IN THAILAND PERMANENTLY

Despite what people say, you can become a permanent resident in Thailand.

In a nutshell, you must fall into one of the five categories to apply:

* investment
* employment
* humanitarian
* expert
* extra circumstances

Each one of these categories come with their own separate requirements that you
must meet, so be sure to check the link below to find out more.

In general, you need to live in Thailand for at least three years under the same
non-immigrant type visa, whether that’s a business visa, marriage visa, or
dependent visa.

You also need to meet the requirements for each category above. With investment,
for example, you have to invest at least THB10 million into one of the given
options.

With the humanitarian option, you have to be married to a Thai citizen for at
least two years or be the mother or father of a Thai child.

As a permanent resident, you no longer have to do 90-day reports, you won’t need
residence certificates, and you can apply for Thai citizenship after five years
– just to name a few of the perks.

Read more: Thailand Permanent Residence: Cost, Requirements, and Procedure

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

It’s always good to be prepared for emergencies. Should you ever need it, here’s
a list of emergency phone numbers in Thailand.

ContactNumberPolice191Tourist Police1155Highway Police1193Public
Ambulance1669Private Ambulance1724 or 1719Fire Department199

CHECKLIST

To summarize everything you must do to move to Thailand, here’s a checklist.

* Tie up loose ends at home (work, banks, legal obligations)
* Create a monthly budget
* Get a visa
* Collect and pack all your important documents
* Check health insurance
* Buy airline tickets
* Find a temporary place to live
* Spend time looking for work
* Once you land a job, find a place to live close to your workplace
* Learn Thai
* Network and make friends

ESSENTIAL READING FOR EXPATS LIVING IN THAILAND

Here are some of the most important guides you must read when moving to
Thailand:

* Health Insurance in Thailand: What You Need to Know as an Expat in 2024
2024-11-12 by Karsten Aichholz As an expat in Thailand, you might be
wondering why you should obtain health insurance here. While the cost of… ...
Read more
* My Personal Tricks on How to Learn The Thai Language Fast 2024-10-23 by Ben
Kenyon Hello, I'm Ben. In 2017, I started a remarkable journey learning Thai
after moving to Thailand. I have had to… ... Read more
* Thailand Elite Visa Review: What You Should Know Before Applying (2024)
2024-09-08 by Saran Lhawpongsawad **The Thailand Elite Visa program was shut
down in September 2023. Since then, the Thai government has introduced a new…
... Read more
* An In-Depth Guide to Renting an Apartment in Bangkok 2024-10-17 by Karsten
Aichholz Before I moved to Bangkok, I looked up some places to live online. I
thought it would be easy since… ... Read more
* How to Send Money to Thailand: The Fast, Cheap, Reliable Way 2024-10-07
by Karsten Aichholz Get the most baht for your buck by using these money
transfer services. ... Read more
* The Company Registration Guide in Thailand for Foreigners 2024-10-23 by Staff
Writer Many people consider setting up a company in Thailand to obtain a visa
and live in the country long-term. While… ... Read more
* An Expat’s Guide to Finding Work in Thailand 2024-10-18 by Patrick Limcaco Is
finding a job in Thailand easy or hard? This depends on who you ask or what
you read. For… ... Read more
* Shipping to Thailand: Services, Costs, and Customs 2023-11-20 by Staff Writer
Shipping a letter or package to Thailand? Moving to Thailand and need to send
all your belongings here? You’re probably… ... Read more
* Opening a Thai Bank Account: A Guide for Expats and Tourists 2024-05-30
by Karsten Aichholz Get a better grip on your finances in Thailand with this
easy-to-follow guide. ... Read more

LIVING YOUR LIFE IN THAILAND

Find common topics that will help you overcome the challenges of living,
working, retiring, and starting businesses in Thailand.

Search for:

* Accommodations
* Business
* Education
* Finance
* Health
* Language
* Legal
* Moving
* Transportation
* Travel
* Visas
* Work

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