Thailand ranks as the ninth best destination worldwide to retire. This recognition comes from International Living magazine, which publishes an annual Global Retirement Index highlighting the best destinations for retirement.
In the 2023 index, Thailand is in the company of countries such as Portugal, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece and France, and is on a par with Italy. Thailand is the only Asian country in this selection.
International Living has this to say about Thailand: “The appeal of Thailand for expats is that it offers an affordable lifestyle, but an enriched life. The best bargains you are likely to find in Thailand are in real estate. It is very easy for foreigners to buy apartments and there are good deals everywhere… Another great advantage of living in Thailand is the excellent healthcare facilities.”
The Thai government has implemented measures to promote investment and further enhance the attractiveness of the country. The development of more extensive transport networks within Thailand provides convenient national and international connections. These factors, combined with efforts to boost the creative economy, will help attract foreign real estate investment, as well as create jobs and income for the Thai people.
About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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And you have to take the bad air quality and the fact that someone always sets fire to the fields in the evening. I'm leaving Thailand for this, tired of it
If you have to leave this beautiful country just for that, there is more to it.
Fortunately, there are also other people who are perfectly happy here.
roger,
Maybe you should introduce a few to me.
I see many who last 6 years and then don't come anymore.
I see a lot of farangs looking way too deep into the glass.
I see many lonely farangs.
I can imagine that if you have to live on a minimum in your own country, you will find it cheaper in Thailand.
I also see many who have sold all their possessions in their own country, have lost acquaintances, have not seen children for a long time, have been completely alienated from their own country and can no longer adapt.
I have been coming to Thailand with my Thai wife for 40 years, but I don't really like it.
you remain an outsider, without rights who also pay more than the local population everywhere.
What negativity.
I have lived here since 2006 and am very happy.
I drink one or two beers a week, and hardly smoke.
Live on my state pension and pension and do some writing on the internet, and help MBA and PhD students all over the world with their papers.
I have indeed sold my possessions in the Netherlands, but I am in contact with family and friends.
I do not have the same rights as the Thai, but I have a Thai ID and a Thai driver's license. As a retired ajarn I am treated with respect everywhere. Neither in 7Eleven, Tesco or in the market do I pay more than the Thai.
I sometimes come to the Netherlands and I really don't think it's great. Never go back either.
Chris,
The term ajarn is a title for a monk / teacher or am I wrong.
With a Thai ID card you are clearly an exception and not comparable to the average Farang.
It's great that you're having a good time with it.
I also had a great time in Thailand for the first 30 years.
I came there at least 3 months a year.
I know that feeling that people don't feel very well in the Netherlands.
I think when you no longer feel at home in a country where you grew up, something didn't go quite right.
I had that for the first 30 years from 1980 to 2010.
It depends on who you live with in Thailand and how.
That you don't smoke or drink a lot is excellent, but I've seen many other cases.
I have met many farangs who live in isolation, with only Thai acquaintances and who do not speak the Thai language.
Everyone who teaches at the university is called ajarn. And you will continue to be so after retirement.
My wife always refers to me as ajarn Chris to others.
Oh yes, exactly as if the inhabitants of their own country are so happy.
You are right that there are a lot of suckers (if I can call it that) among the farangs. But those who have adapted nicely, have a beautiful and happy life here in Thailand, they are there. The difference is that you won't hear them complaining here every day. They have other interests in their lives.
Pleasant, khun moo. They really exist! We never look too deeply into the glass, we are not lonely, we have given away all our possessions in NL, mainly see acquaintances and family online and only occasionally live, and are perfectly happy here. By the way, we can easily afford to pay more than the locals. Even for falang, Kao Yai is always much cheaper than the Hoge Veluwe. What does make a difference is that we stay away from sourpusses. So getting to know each other better is not necessary. Good luck on your next visits to Thailand.
no problem Francis.
I was only trying to give my impression of the life of some Farangs.
I read quite a lot of posts from Dutch people who want to sell all their possessions in the Netherlands unprepared and with little knowledge after their retirement, leaving the family, often children and grandchildren behind and believe they have found paradise.
They don't want to test run for a few years first, but immediately settle in some hamlet where their online much younger girlfriend lives.
Build a house, buy a car, support the family.
Yes, I am a sourpuss and have every reason to, which I want to spare others.
You shouldn't tell us that there are sourpuss among the members here, we've known that for a long time.
What I find funny is that from now on we have to give the advice that everyone who comes to live in Thailand should 'test run' for a few years! Can it get any crazier?
You are trying to represent YOUR impression of a farang, based on your negative experiences in your life. It certainly lacks objectivity.
Hi John,
why is it a crazy idea to first see if you like it, where you will live before giving up everything in the Netherlands.
Who all comes to live with you?
I know plenty who would rather live in another place in Thailand.
Environment noise and unpleasant neighbors eg.
Our neighbor, who is very nice, baked pigs' feet in the morning and sold them at the market.
Quite a stench.
We also had soot fallout from paddy field and sugar cane burning.
A temple a short distance away can be quite noisy before sunrise
Of course it is my impression.
Leaving unprepared also has its nice sides and seeing how it turns out.
Above all, do what you feel like doing.
That template has been wrong for years, but it remains persistent.
Living on the Mekong River with clean air and houses on the river for 5000 to 12000 baht per month.
Would you like to know if there are places along the Mekhong River that have clean air during the burning of crop residues?
I think that in the 1st place you should have felt comfortable with the place you are going to.
I don't feel like living in the Netherlands alone with an AOW pension. Go to the Philippines myself in 3 years, where I can live well with my state pension. Of course you shouldn't drink at the bar or go after the women every day. Then the state pension is not enough.
Just enjoy the nice weather, good food, go see nature, don't worry about the unnecessary bills. Just enjoy your old age. Oh yes, I myself married a Filipina, but it could also have been a Thai