Thailand
Pros and Cons of Living in Thailand
Last updated on Aug 26, 2024
Summary: The pros of living in Thailand include its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. The country is also known for its delicious cuisine, friendly people, and low cost of living. On the other hand, the cons of living in Thailand include the language barrier, the lack of infrastructure in some areas, and the prevalence of scams and corruption. Additionally, the country is prone to natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
What are the pros and cons of living in Thailand?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Thailand responded:
"I have lived in Bangkok for on and off 18 years. Yes immigration in Thailand can be very arbitrary. I started living in Thailand in 2006 and through many coups and that is where it gets sticky. My now ex and I purchased a condo which was straight forward. He is Thai. You will need to pay attention to the purchasing changes and the constant immigration changes. Every new Prime Minister put their stamp on the policies. I think I went through 5 or 6 Prime Ministers. That being said, I managed to stay in Thailand without many problems. I used Siam Legal and understood the nuances of extra Bhat’s in the paperwork. We gave the immigration person 3,000 Bhat extra and all went smoothly. In Thailand everything is possible when you grease the wheel. Forget the way you may have done business in the US. Now is a good time as new Prime Minister and they are hungry to have westerners back after Covid. She is the youngest daughter of Taksin (sp) the PM when I arrived in the early 2000’s. I loved Thailand, but understand you are not Thai and you will encounter issues. Now I live elsewhere in the world, but my heart will always be in Thailand. ," said one expat in Thailand.
"Chiang Mai is a very low-stress place to live (except for the traffic.) The people are nice, the food is great and varied, the costs for most things are low. The weather is too hot for me, but I've become accustomed to it," remarked one expat in Chiang Mai.
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What do expats in Thailand appreciate most about the local culture?
"Thais are very laid-back with a very strong focus on family. They also have an extraordinary work ethic which is probably do to the harsh standard of living," said a person living in Chiang Mai.
"Expats in Thailand appreciate the incredible hospitality and helpful nature of the locals, as well as the diverse range of cultural festivals, customs and cuisines. They also cherish the natural beauty of the country, from its islands and jungles to its mountains and beaches. They enjoy the laid-back attitude of life in Thailand, with the focus on family and having fun. In addition, expats in Thailand find the low cost of living and the ease of integration into the culture to be both comforting and rewarding," explained one expat living in Thailand.
"I've learned to go with the flow (Mai Penh Rai). I don't get upset much, pretty even keeled. After years running NGO's I left most of my stress at the door of my last job. I even lived through a TRUE (internet and telephone) mess, and they were very patient with me. In the US they called me the hammer, now I am the pussycat," said one in Bangkok.
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What do expats find most challenging?
"Learning to write was challenging, because I had to get a tutor to get me started," replied an expat in Bangkok.
"One challenge expats in Thailand may experience is adjusting to the local customs and etiquette. Many Thais place a great emphasis on respect, hierarchy and politeness, which can be quite different to other cultures. Another challenge is navigating the language. Although English is generally prevalent in the main cities and tourist spots, learning some basic Thai phrases can prove to be incredibly useful. Additionally, expats in Thailand may need to adjust to the local climate and intense humidity, particularly during the summer months. Finally, many expats may find the pace of life in Thailand to be quite different and may need to slow down in order to adapt," remarked one in Thailand.
"Struggle with language!!! Reading a menu that I can't read. I live in a 99.9% Thai area and have to rely on pointing and the basic language skills I am developing. If the taxi goes off the normal route on a dark, rainy night, I have no idea where I am, or where I am going. (I can share my ride during curfew, if anyone is interested, it's funny in the end)," explained one expat.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Thailand?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Thailand?
- Will I be able to find a job in Thailand?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in Thailand appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Thailand?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Thailand accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Thailand like?
- How are healthcare services in Thailand?
- What are medical services in Thailand like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Thailand?
- What are emergency services like in Thailand?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Thailand?
- How are local medical facilities in Thailand?
- As a foreigner living in Thailand, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
