Is Thailand the Ultimate Expat Destination?

Let's talk about something optimistic among all the crypto FUD and panic sell! Having lived in Thailand for over 4 years now, and having travelled to 45 countries in my life so far, I would like to share with you the bright side of living in the Land of Smiles. This is a testimony of a European, so you might see things in a different light if you come from other regions of the world. You might even see it differently if you come from Europe, we all have distinct lifestyles and needs! Anyway, is Thailand the ultimate expat destination? Here is my take on it.

1. The Weather

Before I moved to Thailand I lived in Montreal in Canada and as much as I like the city, its people and its vibe, the weather there is probably one of the worst one can imagine. I experienced -40 degrees Celsius for days on end and a winter which never seemed to end. There is also nothing more to be said about the weather in my home country, Poland. It is pretty awful from late September until the early May. Nowhere as cold as Montreal but with little to no sun for over half a year.

Thailand seemed like an extreme opposite from Montreal but that's one of the reasons why I chose it as a place to live. If you stay in the capital or the area around Bangkok, you might expect hot and sunny weather almost all year round. Theoretically, there is a rainy season from July to October, but in practice it rains for a few weeks in September and October, that's it. It doesn't rain for days on end, too. It is usually a few hours of heavy rain and then things get back to normal. During your first months in Thailand the heat might feel a bit too oppressive and the humidity might be unbearable. I got used to it quickly, though, and I love the sun and heat. To my mind, this kind of weather works for you, rather than against you, totally opposite to cold countries. The exposure to sun and warmth gives you a great mood boost every day.

What struck me at the beginning, though, was early sunsets. It gets dark about 6:30 PM and it is pretty much the same all year round. It was kind of a bummer at the beginning, cause I am used to very long days in summer in Europe. It gets cooler after dark, though, so there is a bright side to it, too.

2. Never-Ending Holiday

It feels great when it's hot all the time and you feel like you're on holiday that never comes to an end. Lots of apartment buildings have very decent swimming pools and it is so easy to just chill downstairs and relax, just like on good vacation. Life in Thailand happens outside and you will find yourself eating out and chilling in outdoor restaurants on a daily basis. Your apartment complex will probably look like a holiday resort, too, if you find a proper one.

There is a downside to it, however, cause it is sometimes difficult to get things done when you live here. I mean, when you work on some project, business endeavour or anything of this kind, it might take longer to do them than in your home country. Many expats fall for a relaxed lifestyle and end up doing boring and not particularly ambitious jobs for many years. In the end it all depends on you, though, and I believe you can thrive here.

3. Prices

I have seen lots of videos and read tons of articles on how much it actually costs to live in Thailand. Many expats "boast" about how they can easily live off 600 USD per month here. Well, yes, theoretically you can do that, I wouldn't try it myself though. You would probably end up living in rathole, eating diet poor in protein and enjoying little to no social life. Many things are, indeed, cheaper compared to Western countries. Rent is probably the most important, as it devours even half of pay-checks in Europe or America. Finding a decent apartment for as little as 300 USD per month is quite easy in the suburban areas of Bangkok, and double this amount can get you a nice pad in the city. Eating out is inexpensive, too, especially if you are into Thai food. Sticking to Western diet, however, and getting imported cheese, wine, and other goods that we are used to in Europe is going to cost you triple or quadruple the price you pay for it back home. Going out in the centre of Bangkok isn't the cheapest, either.

Bangkok is a great hub to travel to many destinations around Thailand and Asia, you can easily get some great deals on air tickets, car rental and hotels. I would avoid travelling by vans though, as the Thai roads are estimated by some sources as the most dangerous in the world, van and bus accidents happen on a daily basis.

4. People

Thailand is called the Land of Smiles for a reason. Thai people are usually very accommodating, respectful and optimistic. People in Bangkok are used to foreigners and a sight of a white person is no novelty for them. If you make some effort to learn a bit of Thai language and try to understand some aspects of Thai culture, you will be treated pretty much equally to other Thai people. I think that is a very strong argument for living in Thailand, as interactions with people are the most important part of our lives and determine how we feel in a particular place. Sure, you will find yourself lost in translation at times, and there are elements of Thai culture which might be even shocking for some Westerners. In the long run, though, many expats embrace Thai culture and try make the best out of their time here.

This is just a little part of my perspective on living in Thailand, there is more coming in my next posts! Hope you enjoyed reading it and let's have some discussion below! Feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to help you out. Cheers!

Earworm

All pictures taken by yours truly.