- Climate
- Social Life
- Cost of Living
- Traffic
- Real Estate Options
- Thai Women
- Retirement Visa
- Medicine
- Culture and People
- Nature
So, if you’re looking for a place with a low cost of living, a rich culture, and great properties, Thailand might be the perfect place for you. Now, we’ll go through a list of factors that will influence your decision about relocation. We’ll also debunk a series of myths, so by the end of this video, you’ll be sure that Thailand is the right destination for you. Let’s go!
1. Climate
First, we’re going to talk about climate. Opinions vary here—some people say it’s too hot, while others find it comfortable. On Samui, for example, you’re on an island where the wind blows from all directions. This means that even during the hot season, you get breezes from all around the island. There are also many modern villas here in Samui, reviews of which are on this channel, designed to allow constant ventilation, minimizing the need to use air conditioning throughout the day. Another added bonus—Samui doesn’t have the multi-year rainy seasons that Phuket and Pattaya have. So, there is a more stable climate here than in other popular places in Thailand.
3. Cost of Living
Before we talk about visa prices, let’s first go through the cost of living. With rising inflation and prices, things cost more than ever in Europe, the US, and the West in general. But in Thailand, you can still get a beachfront apartment or property for around or less than $500 a month. Most meals will cost you about $5 or less, and medical services here are inexpensive and generally of very high quality.
4. Traffic in Thailand
In general, you’ll see all sorts of crazy people on the roads in Thailand. However, on Koh Samui, almost everything is a 30 to 40-minute drive away. If you have kids, you have many options for dropping them off after school or taking them to different spots on the island. Above all, there simply aren’t enough people here to have big traffic jams, unlike in most big cities or other major destinations in Thailand. Rush hour might last around 45 minutes per day; beyond that, traffic really is not an issue on Koh Samui.
5. Real Estate Prices
I’m sure the scales are already tipped towards Samui that spending retirement in Thailand. But just in case, let me add a little more weight to the scales. For real estate on Koh Samui, around 2.8 million baht will get you a condo. For around 6 million baht, you can buy a private pool-view villa for sale on Koh Samui in a private residence. For around 20 million baht, you can purchase a beautiful sea-view property or a property right on the beach. Of course, Siam Villas has options for all of these budgets. Now, let’s get back to the other most important factors.
Luxury villa for sale 43 mln.:
Villa for sale 12,5 mln.:
Condo 2.8 mln.:
6. Thai Women
This is a serious warning about Thai women: they can be dangerous and may take all of your money. I have heard many times from poor old foreigners who have said they were taken for all they were worth by a sweet Thai lady because of her family’s “sick buffalo” back home. However, all of these stories have one thing in common: they usually met these women at a bar, nightclub, or massage shop. The moral of the story: if your first date doesn’t involve a bar, you’ll be fine. In fact, dating here gives you just as much of a chance of meeting a kind and well-intentioned woman as anywhere else in the world, if not better. For example places like strip clubs on Koh Samui, gogo bars on Koh Samui or the red light district on Koh Samui, it is important to understand the environment you are entering. Think a few times before meeting girls in such places and be very careful.
7. Retirement Visa
For long-term residency in Thailand, you can apply for a retirement visa. You only need three things: first, the necessary income or savings; second, you must be at least 50 years old. Unlike other countries where the age requirement might be 63, 65, or 68, in Thailand, you only need to be 50. Subscribe and stay tuned for a future video where we break down more of these costs and details.
8. Medicine
Thailand has many high-end hospitals and clinics with doctors who have studied or practiced abroad. Generally, medical care here is at the same level as in most Western countries. In addition, Thailand is known for its affordable medical tourism options, which attract people from all over the world for both elective and essential procedures.
9. Culture and People
Arguably the biggest selling point of Thailand is its local people and culture. Thailand is often called the “Switzerland of the East.” All the conflicts and chaos happening around the world today are not happening here, making it a safe haven for many. Additionally, Samui has many long-term residents, meaning people value their reputation and are generally very hospitable to one another.
10. Nature
Thailand is undoubtedly beautiful—white beaches, lush rainforests, and beautiful palm trees are just the beginning. It is an amazing natural environment to live in. The diverse landscapes, from mountains to seas, offer endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation alike. Samui is packed with a variety of beaches for every kind of activity, the best Samui beach for swimming, the best Samui beach for snorkeling or the best Samui beach for family vacations. There is a beach for every taste, each one unique in its own way.
Thailand is an unbelievable place to live and retire. If you like great transportation, delicious food, rich culture, and a low cost of living, this country may be the perfect second home for you to spend your retirement in Thailand.
2. Social Life
This is a big myth that makes people afraid to move abroad: when you come to a place like Thailand, you won’t have friends or access to anything you love back home. However, in a place like Koh Samui, there’s an expat community of people from all over the world. Every day of the week, there are meetups, coffee clubs, and business networking events where you can meet people from your home country. And your retirement in Thailand won’t be boring.