Retiring in Thailand. Paradise?

Is Thailand really a Retirement Paradise? If so, where in Thailand can you retire? Some of your questions about retirement in Thailand are addressed in this article.

Many tourists have fallen in love with Thailand, the land of smiles. It is without a doubt one of the most exotic countries in the world. It is full of beauty, a rich culture, and enchanting places for visitors to explore. Thailand is the home of many expats who did not want to retire in their home country for many different reasons.

Why Retire In Thailand?

• Low cost of living
• Easy going lifestyle
• Affordable healthcare
• Easy to get to and to get around
• Enchanting cities and tropical islands
• Thai people are friendly and fun-loving

Thailand has so much to offer for an adventurous soul. Thailand is a medium-sized country of about the size of France and borders Malaysia in the south, Myanmar (Burma) in the Northwest, and Cambodia and Laos in the Northeast.

You have the choice to visit some of the most beautiful Islands and Beaches in the South, visit the Mountain in the North, or enjoy a metropolitan lifestyle in Cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Bangkok is located in the center of Southeast Asia and just a short flight will take you to Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, and Singapore. Air travel to other Asian countries like China, Japan, or India is easy and inexpensive from Bangkok.

Not everything is rosy in Thailand and here are some of the not so wonderful things:

First, the visa requirements for Thailand are not easy to understand but need to be understood. The solution is to hire a good lawyer if you can afford it.

Secondly, you can not own land in Thailand. As a foreigner you can only own a condominium and put it in your name, but not land. There are ways so that you can live and enjoy land but you yourself can not own the land unless you are a Thai national.

Thirdly, and it is not a problem for many, you will always be called a foreigner (farang) in Thailand. This is not meant to insult you but it is the way that Thais refer to foreigners, and it is deeply engrained in the Thai language. Foreigners are called foreigners, farang.

Here Are Good Advices Before “Making The Move”

• Visit Thailand for a “mini retirement”. Come and visit Thailand for 6 months and see, feel, and know if Thailand really is the place where you want to spend the rest or part of your life.
• Rent a house, an apartment, or condominium before you buy anything in Thailand. There is no rush and at some point in time you may find out that you want to retire in a different location then you thought when you first arrived in Thailand.
• If you plan on having a business in Thailand make sure you spent enough time in Thailand, speak the language (at least the basics), understand the cultural differences between west and east, and have a Thai partner or representative.
• If you are single and you find a Thai partner whilst in Thailand, don’t rush into any business ventures or marriage. There are many examples where love turned out to be infatuation. Enjoy your retirement.

Are you ready to retire in a country like Thailand?

Can you adjust to a different lifestyle? Escape the rat race? It is amazing how many people can not deal with retirement because they don’t know what to do! There are so many things you can do in Thailand to keep your engines going.Travel, learn at least the basics of the language, appreciate the slower pace of life, make new friends, and enjoy the variety of good food in Thailand. Thai people are very tolerant of others, enjoy optimistic people, and love to smile, joke, party, and laugh. Can you adjust to this kind of lifestyle?

Be optimistic

People in your home country who do not know Thailand will try to talk you out of moving to Thailand. Tell them that you are going for a mini retirement first and you will find out for yourself. They will tell you about negative issues; climate is too hot, prostitution, it’s dirty and of course has diseases.

Do as much research as you can online and with books before you go. Thailand is a beautiful country, has an ancient culture, and is famous for its friendly people. There is a reason why Thailand is called the Land of Smiles.