Living In Thailand: Pros And Cons

It’s not news to anyone that Thailand is a hub for digital nomads and ex-pats alike.

On the surface, it seems like the perfect destination, but in this post, we’ll be digging deeper into the pros and cons of living in Thailand. 

Thailand is located in South East Asia and has a long history of tourism, attracting visitors from across the globe to seek out its temples and relax on its islands.

If you can work remotely, it just doesn’t make sense to live in a country where the price is high and the quality of life is low.

For this reason, you might be considering this Asian country as a spot to settle down for a while, so keep reading to find out both the pros and cons of living in Thailand.

Pros Of Living In Thailand

Here are just a few of the biggest advantages of living in Thailand. It’s one of the most popular locations for remote workers and ex-pats for many reasons, some of which you can discover below.

Incredible Cuisine

From spicy noodle dishes to sweet mango sticky rice, Thailand is known for its flavorful cuisine.

The national dish — pad Thai is a combination of noodles, beansprouts, chopped vegetables, and meat, stir-fried in a pan.

Add in a splash of spicy tamarind sauce, top with an egg, crushed peanuts, and a squeeze of lime, and you’ve got yourself an authentic Thai dish. Other mouthwatering meals include fried rice and red Thai curry.

If you want to eat a combination of local and western foods, you’ll find a selection of trendy vegan cafes, ice cream parlors, and beachside restaurants across the country.

You can eat your way around the world with Mexican dishes, American favorites, Indian feasts, and more.

Varied Landscapes

There is an abundance to see in Thailand. From bustling cities such as Bangkok that are full of life and vibrancy to sleepy islands with just a few residents and an excess of palm trees, there’s something for everyone.

If you want to see the layered, hazy mountains in the north for yourself, head to Chiang Mai.

Alternatively, those who want to see towering limestone formations and scenic beaches will love any of the Thai isles. The capital city of Bangkok is home to many cultural spots including temples and palaces and is a fusion of old and new.

The variety of landscapes is a major advantage of living in Thailand. If you get fed up with one climate, simply head to another.

Friendly Community 

Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles,” and for good reason. Another of our biggest benefits of living in Thailand is the locals who are incredibly friendly and welcoming.

Many Thai residents are eager to converse with you in broken English, and if Thai is the only language they speak, you’ll get to know them through their wide smiles and loud laughs. 

Of course, if you are planning a major life change such as moving to Thailand, you should consider steps such as learning Thai before you move. This will make life much easier for you in terms of communication with the locals, and it will enable you to settle in with far greater ease without the constant worry of a language barrier.

There are also plenty of expats living in this wonderful country and you’re sure to make friends with many people with similar interests and lifestyles.

Whether it’s in your apartment block, at a coworking space, or while out sightseeing, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll strike up a conversation with somebody new. 

Low Cost Of Living 

Regardless of where you live in Thailand, you’ll find it to be a budget-friendly country. You can happily live on less than $1,000 per month if you eat locally and live in an apartment instead of a villa.

You’ll pay around $2 per meal in a traditional restaurant and you can rent a scooter for less than $7 a day. You can even lower this cost to around $4 by renting long-term.

If you want to partake in some tourist activities such as boat tours or diving trips, enjoy beach clubs, and eat the occasional western meal, you can expect to spend around $1,500 per month.

The mainland tends to be cheaper to live on than the islands, so if budget is a big concern of yours, you should consider Chiang Mai, Bangkok, or Chiang Rai as a destination.

Great Accommodation Options 

While hotels are usually beautiful and often luxurious in Asian countries, if you’re living in Thailand, you’ll want to rent an apartment or villa instead. The problem throughout Asia can often be that the level of housing just doesn’t live up to western expectations.

However, in many digital nomad hubs around Thailand, there are a plethora of options, from one-bedroom apartment complexes to five-bedroom villas with a private pool, and everything in between.

These come with all the amenities you’d expect, such as a fully-equipped kitchen and washing machine, as well as added bonuses that you wouldn’t get in your home country.

This can include gyms and spas on-site, regular cleaning, and even the ability to order breakfast to your apartment.

Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Phangan have some of the most modern and best options for nomads and remote workers, and range in cost. 

In Koh Phangan, you’ll pay upwards of $350 for a one-bedroom apartment. In Chiang Mai, you can find budget accommodation for less than $300. Phuket can be a little more expensive than other islands, however, it’s still extremely affordable, with apartments ranging from around $400.

While you can book long-term accommodation before stepping on a flight to Thailand, it’s a good idea to book yourself into a hotel for a week or two first.

This gives you time to scout out the area and view the complexes you love. It’s also common for owners to give a discount to those who book an apartment in the flesh.

Cons Of Living In Thailand

Luckily, there are more benefits than disadvantages to living in Thailand. However, there are a few points to note before you book your plane ticket and grab your passport.

Unreliable WiFi

If you’re a remote worker or digital nomad, WiFi speed will be extremely important to you. You may work for yourself and be able to determine your work hours, however, it might be that you work for a company where you’re required to participate in video calls and meetings at specific times.

If that is the case, you may find certain locations in Thailand to be unsuitable for you.

Destinations that are set up for nomads usually have reliable and fast WiFi. However, some of the islands and more remote towns experience spotty internet that is often affected by rain and storms.

While you can usually work around this issue by using a mobile WiFi hotspot, it’s worth keeping in mind as one of the disadvantages of living in Thailand.

Extreme Weather

The weather can be considered as both one of the benefits and disadvantages of living in Thailand. It is a tropical destination and as such experiences a wet and dry season.

While the days are typically long, sunny, and hot, the sweltering temperatures and high humidity can become overwhelming over time for some. When it rains in Thailand, it really rains.

During the wet season, you’ll experience heavy rain showers most days. These downpours are short-lived but often torrential which is something to consider when heading out for the day. 

Between November and February, conditions are cooler in the northern regions, which may bring you some relief if you’re suffering from too much sun.

Touristy Destinations 

Because Thailand is known for its low cost of living, it’s a popular destination for tourists. During the dry season, many attractions and popular locations get overrun with hordes of visitors.

While this may not matter to you if you’re a tourist yourself, you might find it quite different when you live in the country.

Accommodation prices tend to rise during this time, stinting the amount of bang you get for your buck. In saying this, there are still plenty of quieter destinations that are less known to the rest of the world.

Also, as you can often negotiate discounts on long-term housing, you can prevent this from becoming an issue.

No Digital Nomad Visa

Thailand is in the process of launching its own digital nomad visa. It follows in the footsteps of other countries such as Croatia and Georgia. Once this is launched, those who reside and work remotely from Thailand will find life a little easier.

For now, many nomads are required to do a border run every so often, in order to renew their visas. While this is relatively easy, it can be time-consuming and frustrating, not to mention expensive to do so.

There are over 60 countries than can enter Thailand for up to 30 days visa-free. However, if you want to stay in the country for up to 90 days, you should consider organizing a tourist visa.

This will grant you 60 days in Thailand as is extendable once for a period of up to 30 days. You can choose from a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, depending on how much you want to hop around.

Final Thoughts On Living In Thailand

Thailand is an excellent choice in location for most people. So long as you love the heat, it’s almost a guarantee you’ll enjoy living in Thailand.

With welcoming locals, fantastic apartments, and a more relaxed lifestyle than you find in many western countries, it makes a lot of sense to leave the rat race behind and head to the Land of Smiles.

If you’ve read the pros and cons of living in Thailand and want to dive deeper into the reality of moving to the country, check out these posts:

• Digital nomads in Thailand
• Monthly apartment rentals in Chiang Mai
• Best coworking spaces in Thailand