What No One Warns You About Before Living Or Retiring In Thailand For Real

There’s guys who have been out here visiting year in, year out. They’ve come out here as tourists, enjoying themselves, partying, having short-term relationships, that sort of thing. And they’ve got this thing in their mind where they think it’s going to continue like that when they retire out here. And it’s not necessarily going to be like that. So, I’m going to give you, as I say, food for thought.

I’m going to give you 20 bullet points that I’ve put together to give you something to think about, and hopefully this will help you in your decision whether you want to come to Thailand full-time or just as a part-time retiree, as they say.

Okay, so Thailand is one of the most popular places in the world for foreigners to visit and even move to. On holiday, it can feel like paradise. Sunshine, great food, friendly people, and a relaxed lifestyle. But once you actually live here for a while, you start to realize there are quite a few things about Thailand that foreigners simply don’t understand until they experience them for themselves.

Thailand Is Not Always Cheap

Number one on my list: Thailand is not always cheap. People arrive thinking everything costs almost nothing. Then they discover things like visas, health insurance, imported food, private hospitals, and western restaurants can be expensive.

Now, I’m sure you’ve all seen those videos on YouTube and TikTok and Facebook where some guys jumped in and said, “Hey, I live in Thailand. I’m on $500 a month. I’m having a great time and a party every night and I’m going out with all these different girls.” Well, that’s absolute rubbish. And you can live cheaply out here in Thailand if you live like a local.

So in other words, if you find a nice Thai girl and you want to settle down and you go back to her not necessarily village but maybe smaller town and you live like a Thai, i.e. you eat Thai food, you don’t go out to bars at night and you live a very simple life. It is possible to live out here on a very small budget.

But you do have to remember things like health insurance, visas, medical emergencies. You might need to buy a ticket to go home for a family problem, something like that. So, you’ve got to factor in all these costs. Your monthly living expenses might be low, but you need to think about all the extras that could come later on down the line.

The Heat Never Really Stops

The heat never really stops. Tourists enjoy the heat for a couple of weeks, but living it every day for years is different. Walking anywhere during the middle of the day becomes a challenge.

Now, I can tell you honestly speaking, this time of year, as I’m recording this video, it’s very, very hot. As I said, I’ve been here, I’m into my fourth year now. And I avoid going out in the afternoons because it just wears you down. It makes you tired. Your clothes get wet. And it’s pretty impossible to do anything other than say maybe walk around a mall.

Even for Thai people, when I talk to them, joking, a lot of them tell me the same. They don’t like to go out in the sun in the afternoon. It can really weigh you down.

Immigration Rules Never Go Away

Immigration rules never go away. Now, many people think once they get a visa, everything is sorted. In reality, there are extensions, 90-day reporting, paperwork, and sometimes rule changes. So, immigration can be a minefield.

You might understand all the rules. You go along and do your own visa, your retirement visa, and then the next year they want something different. The rules change all the time. So, immigration can be a challenge here. Although, once you get your head around it, it is fairly easy to do. I do my own long-term visa.

And of course there are visa agents out there to help you if you need some help. They’re a great way to kind of bypass all the red tape and the paperwork. But of course you have to pay them to do that for you.

Holiday Thailand Is Very Different From Living Here

Holiday Thailand is very different from living here. As I said at the beginning, on holiday you’re in bars, restaurants, and hotels. Living here means supermarkets, bills, repairs, visas, hospitals, and everyday routines.

So, it’s a bit like living in your own country. If you’re living in your own country full-time, you’re going to have to go out and shop every week and buy your groceries. You do your washing, things like that. And when you come here on holiday, you might not necessarily do that.

You’ll come here and you’ll eat most of your meals in a restaurant, either Western food or Thai food. Your laundry you’ll send to a local laundry because it’s cheap. Now, when you live here, you can’t really afford to do that and it does get a bit tedious having to go out for every single meal.

We all like eating in restaurants, but you know, sometimes you’re just chilling out on the sofa and you want something to eat, then you need something in your cupboards that you can cook and eat very, very quickly.

Things Are Done Differently Here

Number five on my list is things are done differently here. Western logic does not always apply. Procedures, rules, and systems can be completely different from what foreigners expect.

Thai culture is very, very different to western culture. You can read up on it. You can go on to Google and do your own searches. But it can be frustrating.

Some guys come out here and they try to take their western values and enforce it on Thai people and it doesn’t work and it can be frustrating.

Relationships Can Involve Family Responsibility

Relationships can involve family responsibility. Many foreigners don’t realize that in Thai culture, family is extremely important and sometimes financial support for parents is normal.

So, I’ve seen a lot of relationships fail because girls have asked their foreign boyfriends for money to send back to their families. So, they look at the girl and think, well, she’s a money girl. She’s not a good girl. And in again, in Thai culture, this is expected.

You know, if you’re a boyfriend of a Thai girl and she has a family, it’s very, very normal that she will help support her mother, her father, her siblings, especially if she comes from a poorer rural area.

I’m not talking big amounts of money like the bar girls are asking for 30, 40, 50,000 a month like a salary. That’s just stupid. But, you know, if a girl needs two or three thousand baht or 5,000 baht to send to her family once a month, you shouldn’t look at her in such a bad way that she’s doing something bad. Because again, in Thai culture, this is pretty normal.

You’ll Always Be a Foreigner in Thailand

You’ll always be a foreigner in Thailand. Even if you live here for 20 years, you are still seen as a foreigner, which is not necessarily bad, but it’s something people have eventually realized.

Now again, a lot of people come out here and some people do go to language school. They learn to speak Thai. They eat only Thai food and they integrate themselves into a Thai community with maybe a Thai girl. But you got to remember you’re always going to be a foreigner.

It doesn’t matter how well you speak Thai, where you live. People will be very, very friendly to you. I live in a Thai neighborhood. My neighbors are very, very friendly, but they’re always going to look at me as a foreigner. They’ll never accept me the same way as they do a Thai person. And that’s just a cultural thing.

Making Long Term Friends Can Take Time

Making long-term friends can take time. Many expats come and go. So, friendship circles often change. Now, this is something that can be difficult for people making friends.

It’s a lot easier in a big city like Bangkok. You can join certain groups. People often ask me if I come to Thailand, I don’t know anybody. I’m not a drinker. I don’t go into bars. How can I meet people?

Well, one of the best ways to meet people is to go on to Facebook and look for groups. There are many, many groups here in Thailand. There’s groups that get together and play board games. There’s photography groups, there’s running groups, cycling groups, all sorts of groups. You name it, there’s a group for it here in Thailand.

You can reach out and contact these groups and often they will accept you and from that you will make friends. And of course, you know what it’s like once you make one friend, he’ll introduce you to his friend and he’ll introduce you to his friends and then your friendship circle will of course widen.

Alcohol Can Become a Trap for Foreigners

Number nine on my list is alcohol can become a trap for foreigners. Thailand’s nightlife is fun, but some people fall into drinking far more easier than they ever did back home.

Now, this is especially true for Thailand because some guys can get very, very lonely. They go out to a bar just to socialize and this is where they meet other people and they enjoy the company but unfortunately to have that company they have to go to that bar every day and they can fall into a life of alcoholism and it’s very, very easy to do when you come to Thailand.

So you have to really take care and watch yourself because I’ve seen many guys go down very fast with alcohol. You know, it’s a very easy thing to do.

Life Can Actually Become Very Peaceful

Life can actually become very peaceful. One positive surprise many foreigners discover is how relaxed and simple life can be compared to the stress of western countries.

Now when I was living in England with my family, I was going through difficult times because I have two daughters and a wife and we were coming to the end of our marriage and of course they would gang up on me if I had an argument with any one of them. The other two would jump on. So I was always fighting three against one. I was very, very stressed out.

I also had the stress of having to meet my financial needs, bills in the UK, and I had to deal with loneliness in a way because you know I’d been abroad for many, many years. I had some companies in the UK so I had colleagues and employees and things like that but they weren’t really real friends.

So you can, when you come out here, all that is lifted and you can live a very, very peaceful life out here. When I came over here after separating from my wife and my two daughters, it was terrible actually after 33 years of marriage. But now into my fourth year, I’m very, very relaxed. I don’t get stressed like I did in the UK and I don’t have those bad thoughts, you know, thinking of always negative thoughts.

The Rainy Season Is Real

We’re up halfway through the list now. We’re on number 11. The rainy season is real. Tourists often imagine Thailand as endless sunshine, but when the rainy season arrives, it can rain hard for hours or even days. Flooded streets and sudden storms are normal in places.

Now, you don’t want to underestimate this one. You’ve only got to look on Google or YouTube from last year or the year before, some places in Thailand flood so badly that the water levels actually reach the roofs of the houses. Even in Bangkok, which is the major city of Thailand, the number one city I should say, the streets do get very flooded.

So it’s not something you can take lightly. You have to expect it and it goes on for months and months and months. Okay? And you get some very, very torrential downpours.

But on a positive side, for most of the time, it doesn’t rain from morning to night. You’ll have periods where you’ll get to learn a pattern. It normally falls into a pattern. It might rain between say 4:00 and 6:00 or 7:00 and 8:00. And there are dry times of the day that you can go out, but unfortunately in Thailand, the drainage isn’t great. And what can happen is water lies on the ground for a long time. So it can be uncomfortable.

Language Barriers Are Bigger Than People Expect

Language barriers are bigger than people expect. Many visitors think most people speak English, but outside tourist areas communication can be difficult. Simple things like dealing with government offices, contractors or mechanics can become complicated.

Now obviously if you live in a tourist area like Sukhumvit or a place like Pattaya, a tourist town, most Thais who deal with foreigners actually speak pretty good English because they pick it up just speaking English to foreigners.

But it can be difficult if you want to live cheaply and you decide to live outside of a tourist bubble. Then most of the time, a lot of the times they won’t speak English and just doing simple things like scooter repairs, changing tires, oil changes, it can become challenging compared to what would be simple in the West. So just be aware of that one.

Western Food Is Available But It Costs More

Western food is available, but it costs more. You can find steaks, cheese, wine, and imported groceries, but they are usually far more expensive than local Thai food. Many foreigners end up changing their eating habits.

Now, this is something that’s very difficult to get away from. If you come from abroad, you’re going to be used to having cheese, good meat, wine, whatever you have in your own country. They have everything available here in Thailand, but it comes at a price.

Now, I love cheese. Absolutely love it. But it’s very, very expensive. It doesn’t matter where you buy it. They have great cheese selections in all the supermarkets now, or most of them anyway. 20, 30 different cheeses from around the world. But they are expensive.

So, you’ve just got to keep in mind unless you’re going to go on a totally Thai diet, then you are going to have to pay a lot of money for foreign goods because they’re all imported. It makes sense, doesn’t it?

Health Care Is Excellent But It’s Not Free

Health care is excellent, but it’s not free. Thailand has good private hospitals, often better than some western ones, but treatment can be expensive if you do not have proper insurance.

Now, I’ll give you a tip here. If you come out to Thailand and you’re going to live out here, a lot of guys will go to the nearest hospital to them, which is a private hospital, and it’s just for convenience. But those hospitals can really vary in price.

And to give you an example, I used to go to a hospital called MedPark in Bangkok and there’s another one called Bumrungrad on Sukhumvit Soi 3. Now, if you were to stay in a room for the night, if you had to be admitted for several nights, you’re looking anywhere between 12, 15,000 baht a night. You can work that out in your own currency. Plus, you have to pay for all the consultations, the visits from the doctors, x-rays, treatments, it can really mount up.

Now, if you’ve got very good health insurance, then you know, you’re covered. You’re okay. And the good thing here is that the hospitals will deal directly with the insurance companies. You don’t have to pay first and then go back to the insurance company to get your money back.

But if you’re not insured, like myself, I’m not insured because I couldn’t get insurance because of pre-existing conditions. I take a statin every day, one statin tablet and another tablet to lower my blood pressure, which I was given about a year ago. Other than that, nothing else. But they wouldn’t insure me. So I decided to self-insure. I put about $25,000 in a bank account and that is for medical emergencies. Short-time medical emergencies. It’s not going to last me for life, but if I had a heart attack or something like that.

But I’ll give you a tip. People are put off by government hospitals. They just think they must be terrible, dirty, blood-stained bandages on the floor. The wards are very dirty, but they’re not. I use a public hospital here in Hua Hin, and the standard is pretty good. I get my medications from Hua Hin Hospital. The doctors speak English. I’ve had blood work done. I’ve had a full lab report in English.

And to give you an example, when I used to go to one of the top private hospitals in Bangkok, a blood test with the lab report would cost me somewhere in the region of 12,000 baht. Government hospital: 1,600 baht. And it was the same thing. Okay?

So, don’t be put off by government hospitals. They are very good. The only thing is you’re not shepherded around like you are in a private hospital. You don’t have a pretty nurse who will take you from department to department. You have to find all that out on yourself and they are very, very busy because Thai people use them as well. But they can be a great way to save money on healthcare.

Driving Can Be Chaotic

Driving can be chaotic. Traffic rules are sometimes treated more like suggestions. Motorbikes appear from every direction and driving defensively becomes essential.

Now myself, I drive a car and I drive a scooter around. For the most part, I haven’t had any problems yet. You’ve just got to be vigilant. But you do need to be aware that people drive here very much differently to the rules that are undertaken in the West.

For example, you could be on a highway and a motorcycle will be coming up in the opposite direction. Not in front of you, but on the side of the road. That’s very, very normal here. When you go into the countryside, you’ll see many motorcycles, they don’t have lights. It’s difficult to see them.

So, you need to take it easy and you have to always be aware that somebody’s going to pull out. I’ve been on my motorcycle, my scooter, my car, and guys have, young guys mainly, have just pulled out from a side street. They haven’t even looked right to see if there’s any traffic. They just assume that whoever’s there will stop. So, be very, very careful when you drive. It’s not impossible, but it’s not the same as in the West.

Repairs and Maintenance Never Stop

Repairs and maintenance never stop. When you live here long-term, things constantly need attention. Air conditioning service, water pumps, insects, garden maintenance, and general wear from the climate are all part of daily life.

So again, if you’ve come here on holiday, you’ve never had to deal with any of this. And if you have an apartment that you rent, you won’t have to pay those costs because normally the landlord is responsible.

But something that will surprise you: in most apartments, having the air conditioning serviced is usually the tenant will pay for that. It’s not expensive. I had mine done in my apartment in Bangkok. It was 500 baht per air conditioner. So I paid 1,000 baht. But some people find that very, very strange because for instance in the UK if you rent out a property, you’re responsible as a landlord to make sure everything works and servicing an air conditioner would be your responsibility.

If you do buy a property, whether it’s a condominium, an apartment, or maybe you live with your wife, your Thai girlfriend, you buy a house through her, then you are going to have these practical costs just like in the West.

Red Tape Can Test Your Patience

Red tape can test your patience. Simple paperwork can involve multiple offices, copies of documents, and stamps. Things that take five minutes in the West can take half a day.

So, this is the other thing. When you go to do administrative jobs, it’s all in Thai and sometimes you’ll need to get it translated. You’ll need help and it can become a real pain in the backside. Okay.

I was going to get my driving license and I used an agent at the time. This was a few years ago in Pattaya. And the female lady who picked me up in her car to take me to the driving office where you get your driving license, she actually said to me, she said, “You know, Thai people like a lot of paperwork.” And I said to her, “Well, who looks at this paperwork?” And she laughed and said, “Nobody.”

So, be prepared. Even when you open a Thai bank account, it’s not a case of everything will be filled in on the PC. I remember when I opened my Bangkok Bank account with an agent, I had to sign I think it was between 10 and 20 pieces of paper. I don’t know what I signed. My bank account got opened and I didn’t worry about it.

But administrative jobs here can be very long-term, very complicated actually, and sometimes it’s good if you can have some help. If you have a Thai partner, it makes life a lot easier. For instance, I order bottled water. It gets delivered but that’s all done with my girlfriend. I have an easy pass for the highway so I don’t have to stop at the toll booths and pay with coins. I have an electronic tag on my windscreen and the barrier just lifts and I’ve topped that up online.

Time Works Differently In Thailand

Time works differently in Thailand. Thailand often runs at a slower pace. Appointments may start late. Deliveries might arrive tomorrow instead of today. And people learn to be more relaxed about time.

Now, this is something that can wind people up. If you arrange to meet a Thai person here at say 3:00 in the afternoon, it’s not unusual for that person to turn up at say 10 to 4 and they’ll give the usual excuse, which is heavy traffic. Well, there’s always been heavy traffic, especially in Bangkok. But it’s something you need to learn to deal with.

When people arrange meetings, most of the time they don’t arrive on time. And if you’re one of those guys who get really upset because somebody’s late, then, you know, you need to calm yourself down because it will happen. Believe me.

I even had it with a good friend of mine from Scotland years ago, 25 years ago. He was always late. We’d arrange to meet at a restaurant at 6:00 p.m. He’d turn up at 6:30, even 6:40. I’m sitting there twiddling my fingers, looking at the menu, and I complained fearlessly to him about him wasting my time. It didn’t change anything. If somebody’s one of those people who are going to turn up late, you’re never going to change them.

Small Everyday Comforts Can Mean a Lot

Let’s go to my final point number 20 today. Small everyday comforts can mean a lot. Things like a reliable air conditioner, a good internet connection, a favorite coffee shop, or a quiet beach walk suddenly become the things that make life here more enjoyable.

And the thing is, little things out here like a beach walk and a good internet connection, a good TV package can really make a difference to your quality of life out here. Okay, so I’m going to end this video on a positive note.

And what I’ll say to you is don’t let anything put you off. Thailand’s a great place to retire to. Yes, the red tape can drive you crazy, but once you’ve sorted all that out, you’ve got your apartment, you’ve done your furniture shopping, whatever it is you have to do, you’ve got your visa, life is very, very nice here, especially for retirees.