These locations, compiled by Forbes, are considered “havens” for expats thanks to its diverse lifestyle options in a country which has attractive visa policies to attract both investors and foreign workers.
Koh Samui
Located 34 kilometers off Southern Thailand’s east coast, Koh Samui is a palm-lined island accessible by an 80-minute flight from Bangkok. Spanning 24 kilometers at its widest, the location is known for its white and golden sand beaches.
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A resort in Koh Samui, Thailand. Photo by AFP |
Home to about 70,000 residents, including 8,000 expats, Koh Samui is a tourist hotspot offering diverse activities like mini-golf, archery, yoga, cooking classes, frisbee golf, tennis, kayaking, and laser tag.
Healthcare on Koh Samui is robust, with multiple hospitals providing extensive services. The internationally accredited Bangkok Hospital Samui primarily serves expats and tourists with comprehensive care.
“Living in Koh Samui combines the best of everything—beautiful beaches, fantastic food…the seafood is the freshest I’ve ever eaten and, best of all, the cheap cost of living Thailand is known for,” according to Michelle Stevenson, a contributor for lifestyle magazine International Living.
Koh Samui attracts a diverse crowd, particularly digital nomads. A couple can live comfortably here on $1,800 monthly, while a single person needs about $1,500.
Hua Hin
Situated 200 kilometers south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is a beachside town reachable in three hours by car or four-and-a-half hours by train.
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Yoga at the Chiva Som Spa in Hua Hin, Thailand. Photo by AFP |
This increasingly cosmopolitan city features beaches, expansive open-air markets, modern air-conditioned malls, and dining options ranging from affordable street food to upscale waterfront restaurants.
Activities include sailboarding, windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking, snorkeling, game fishing, cycling, hiking, Muay Thai boxing, and golf. English is widely spoken, enhancing accessibility.
The JCI-accredited Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin provides high-quality healthcare services.
Known for its refined ambiance, Hua Hin has been a favored retreat for the Thai royal family since the 1920s, offering a serene and charming lifestyle. Retirees and those seeking a relaxed pace will find it particularly appealing.
A couple can live comfortably on $1,465 per month, while $1,200 suffices for a single person.
Phuket
Phuket, located in the Andaman Sea off Thailand’s southwest coast, is the country’s largest island.
A 90-minute flight from Bangkok is the fastest way to reach Phuket, though driving or taking a bus across the two connecting bridges is also possible.
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A man walks along Patong Beach as tourists relax in the ocean on the southern Thai island of Phuket on November 29, 2024. Photo by AFP |
With a large expat community of around 100,000, Phuket offers excellent infrastructure, widespread use of English, and abundant entertainment options, including water sports, hiking, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and spas.
The island offers both public and private healthcare facilities, many staffed by English-speaking professionals. A standard visit to a private hospital costs about $30, while a public hospital visit is around $10.
A couple can live comfortably on $1,760 monthly, while a single person requires about $1,500.
“After living in the cold of Canada for most of my life, it is nice to be living in a warm climate – I enjoy walking on the beach and sunset dinners,” says Paul Farrell, who retired in 2010 to live full-time in Phuket with his wife Mary, according to International Living.
Chiang Mai
Located 700 kilometers north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is home to approximately 1.2 million people.
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Foreigners walk by a temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo by AFP |
Nicknamed “The Rose of the North,” Chiang Mai blends historical charm with modern amenities. Over 300 ancient temples and monuments coexist with museums, universities, national parks, a dozen golf courses, and an international airport.
Chiang Mai is especially popular among digital nomads and retirees who appreciate its authentic Thai lifestyle.
A couple can live comfortably on $2,000 per month, while a single person needs about $1,800.
