Doing Life Differently in Thailand FOREVER

Are you considering a move to Thailand? It seems many are, particularly those who are contemplating and entering their retirement years.

The cost of living crisis in Australia is forcing many to look at living in another country so that they can stretch their money a little further. Thailand is a country that holds wide appeal as a place to enjoy your retirement years with many who make the move living the lifestyle they always dreamt of for a fraction of the price.

I’m working towards splitting my time between Australia and Thailand. Ideally six months in each place would do me nicely.

My connection with Thailand spans some 30 plus years. Having lived at Kata Beach in Phuket in 2023 for five months I thought it might be useful for me to share some of the questions I’m often asked when it comes to living there.  

Living - where?

You really do have the best of everything in Thailand. The hardest part is deciding what appeals to you most.

Do you like the beach lifestyle and enjoy swimming in the warm tropical waters year-round and never feeling cold? Have you always wanted to live on an island? Southern Thailand is for you. For now, this is my preferred location. I enjoy the beach and lifestyle that goes with it. Balmy nights, stunning sunsets and plenty of ice cream!

Are mountains, cooler temps and lots of exploring and walking in the tropics your thing? In the north of Thailand the people speak a little slower and the pace of life is easy and relaxed.

Does a hectic, buzzing city with absolutely everything at your disposal at all hours of the night work for you? Bangkok is a city that never sleeps and is full of surprises at every turn. At the other end of the scale, if you like all things rural and rustic and want to look out your window and see rice paddies, mango trees and buffalos working in the fields then the North-East is your place.

Living - buy or rent?

There are rules around land ownership by foreigners in Thailand. Basically you cannot own land. You can buy a house, condo or apartment and you effectively lease the land. It’s best to get some local legal advice on this if you’re considering buying somewhere to live. There are many companies that do this type of work for foreigners.

The breadth of accommodation options range from living long-term at a very basic hostel type hotel for $10 a night to living in absolute luxury with cleaners, gardeners and butlers at your disposal for thousands of dollars. You can rent somewhere decent from AUD $650- $865 a month (15,000 – 20,000 baht) and it might come with furniture. Of course, the more you have to spend the better you will get. Brand new condos with gyms, pools, restaurants, media rooms and security are all very common.

While in Phuket I lived at an apartment like hotel which might sound fancy but it was the easiest thing for me to do as I didn’t want to buy furniture, cook or buy towels etc. I was paying around AUD $50 a day which included electricity, wifi, daily cleaning, towels, pool, restaurant onsite and a gym. My advice would be to do your research. Spend some time in the places that interest. I enjoyed being able to walk to the beach and I wanted to eat locally with the Thai people and connect with the Thai people I lived near. 

There are many websites that offer rentals just google them.

Food - what is there and how much is it?

Food will always be a priority for me no matter where I live. Thailand does food incredibly well. I can honestly say that in Phuket there is very little you can’t get.

My preference is to always eat where the locals eat. A Phad Thai usually costs AUD $2.60 - $3.50 (60-80 baht), Thai fried rice is a similar price. Seafood, curry and other stir fry dishes can range from AUD $4.50 - $10 (100-250 baht). Drinks including beer and fruit shakes are very affordable. Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant and very easy to come by. If you eat locally you can easily eat very well for AUD $10-$25 a day.

Western fast food of every kind and a huge variety of cuisines from all over the world are also available. Steak, pizza, hamburgers, pasta, Indian curries, Japanese and on it goes. The street I lived in had Thai, Indian, French, Turkish, Italian a 7/11, a general store and many drinks stalls and bars.

Phuket is also home to some extraordinarily high-end restaurants with Michelin stars. You will never want for anything on the food front. Wine is not often drunk by Thais. It’s all imported and has a high amount of tax placed on it. Dairy can be more expensive but you can get milk, yogurt and cheese easily.

There are also large supermarkets like Macro and Coles in Thailand. 7/11 stores in Thailand have absolutely everything you could want and do it extremely well. So different to Australia. You can top up toiletries, cleaning products, rice and other essentials from there. They also sell fresh baked goods each day, make coffee and sell all sorts of cold drinks including alcohol.

I could easily live in Phuket and never cook again. The food that is available at the fresh produce markets, street hawker stalls, night markets, in local restaurants and available for delivery means you’ll never go hungry.

Getting around - how?

Take your pick - car, scooter, motorbike, taxi, motorbike taxi, tuk-tuk, bicycle, feet. It’s easy to buy or rent a car or scooter. Taxis are readily available via a number of apps and are affordable. The roads are chaotic and the driving very different to home with all manner of vehicles on the road doing their own thing. In the tourist areas it’s the crazy foreigners that hire motorbikes that you need to be careful of. International driving licenses are required and the wearing of helmets is also required. Beware, the Thai Police love a foreigner who disobeys the rules!!

I made friends with a local taxi driver who became my friend. N'Bow took me where I needed to go, he'd wait for me and drive me home again. Otherwise I walked everywhere.

Visa - what's the go?

The Thais realised some time ago there was a growing market for foreigners to retire in their country. They really welcome and encourage it.

They have a couple of different visa options. You need to do your research on what would work for you. Like most countries the paperwork can be a little painful but you will get there in the end.

This website gives you some good information. It is a private website not a government website.

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-visa-types

Making friends in a new culture and community?

Moving to any new city or country you have the opportunity to engage with the local community as much or as little as you like. Thai people are inherently welcoming and friendly and my experience is they will always help you should you need it. Making friends with the locals is something I would highly recommend. Not only will it make your living circumstances more enjoyable they will also be a treasure trove of local information that you can tap into. The Thais love sharing their culture and traditions and should you have the opportunity to be part of it, go for it!

There’s no shortage of expats in Phuket. It’s relatively easy to meet people and strike up a conversation. The relaxed nature of the place creates the ideal atmosphere for new connections.

Medical facilities - are they any good?

You get what you pay for. Medical insurance is a must. My experience while in Phuket was very positive. I had an international medical clinic a 10 minute walk away. There was no waiting, the doctor spoke very good English as did the nurses. It was open from 10am until 10pm and they would come to you if need be. They also dispensed the medication I needed. It's how they do it in Thailand.

There are a number of hospitals in Phuket as well as dentists and other specialist. 

I can't speak Thai!

Many Thais speak some English. I’d recommend learning the basics of the language. There are language schools that you can attend and online lessons are easy to join. Most menus are in English and those in professional positions can speak English. You can definitely get by with no Thai language skills but you will have much more fun if you can speak a little Thai.

How would I fill my days?

Where do I even start! You can of course volunteer at a school to help the kids speak English. They’re always looking for native English speakers to help them. Volunteer at an Elephant sanctuary, help homeless Thai dogs at the many shelters, learn about Buddhism, scuba dive, snorkel, jet skiing, visit the 40 odd beaches, shop til you drop, join sporting groups and community groups, massages, pedicures, manicures, visit other provinces, learn the language, learn to cook Thai food or you can do absolutely nothing and just enjoy the freedom of having your days as your own.

Any negatives?

Corruption is ingrained into the culture. It’s just the way it is.

The poverty can be confronting at times. There is no financial safety net. If you don’t work you don’t eat.

I refer to Thailand as my 'happy place' and I can't wait to spend more time there in the years ahead.