Expat Guide to Living in Thailand

Whether you're already living in Thailand or preparing to move to Thailand, our Expat Guide to Living in Thailand offers articles and reports submitted by expats about expat life in Thailand. For answers to specific questions, visit our Thailand Forum to talk with expats in Thailand.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Expats share what it's like living in Chiang Mai and why they move there. With its large expat community of missionaries, retirees, expat families and teachers, Chiang Mai is attractive for many reasons: its size, friendly people, low cost of living and good healthcare.

International Schools in Chiang Mai

If you're moving to Chiang Mai with kids, here's are some of the best international schools according to expats.

12 Expats Talk About Adjusting to Life in Thailand

Expats in Thailand discuss adjusting to life in Thailand - customs, cultural blunders, struggling to learn Thai and more.

Living Abroad: Digital Nomads in Bangkok, Thailand

Digital nomads flock to Thailand for a variety of reasons, and Bangkok is one of the most popular options. Plentiful co-working spaces, good wifi, and amazing food are at the top of the list.

Living Abroad: Digital Nomads in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The number of people interested in becoming a digital nomad continues to grow, and Chiang Mai is considered by many to be one of the top destinations in the World. Find out why this city in Northern Thailand is so alluring to digital nomads throughout the world.

12 Tips for Living in Bangkok, Thailand

An expat in Bangkok, Thailand talks about expat life in Bangkok - with its lower cost of living, warm weather, good hospitals, grocery shopping, Bangkokians love of food and more.

Expat Health Insurance and Healthcare in Chiang Mai

An expat in Chiang Mai advises newcomers to know their local doctors, dentists and hospitals. He also says that medical care and medicines are not expensive.

Moving to Phuket, Thailand

An expat in Phuket tells others moving to Thailand to rent short term at first to give yourself time to check things out. She told newcomers to make friends and be brave - that Thai people are generally very helpful.

Culture Shock in Chiang Mai, Thailand

An American expat who moved from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai talks about how she underestimated the how much culture shock she would experience in Chiang Mai. She loves the welcoming Thai people, low cost of living, affordable medical care, respect for elders, Thai food and more. However, she explains that Thai culture is very complex and it's easy to make social mistakes.

Culture Shock in Bangkok, Thailand

An expat who moved to Bangkok appreciated that most people in Thailand don't interfere in other peoples' lives. He also appreciated that Thai people respect their elders.

Living in Ao Nang (Krabi), Thailand

Can you move to Thailand without a job? Is it easy to work remotely? An expat in Ao Nang answer these questions and has a lot more advice about living in Thailand.

Living in Hua Hin, Thailand

Here is an in-depth report from someone discussing expat life in Hua Hin, Thailand. The former fishing hub turned tourist hot spot offers some modern amenities but few employment opportunities beyond expats sent there by their companies.

Retirement in Chiang Mai, Thailand

An expat who retired in Chiang Mai Thailand offers some detailed insight into what it means to live abroad there. Health care in Chiang Mai, crime, cost of living and more are covered.

More Culture Shock Reports for Thailand

Culture shock is part of the settling in process. Knowing the different phases of culture shock and how other expats in Thailand handle it can be very comforting. Below are some of the responses from expats in Thailand:

Submit a Culture Shock Report

More Living in Thailand Reports

What are people's priorities in Thailand - work? family? What are the best ways to meet other expats? Are people accepting of racial, cultural and religious differences? Below are some of the responses from expats in Thailand:

Submit a Living Overseas Report

More Moving to Thailand Reports

What should you take with you when you move to Thailand? What should you leave behind? What type of housing and neighborhoods are typical for expats in Thailand? Below are some of the responses from expats in Thailand:

Submit a Moving Overseas Report

Reviews of Schools in Thailand

Reviews and school profiles from expat parents and even a few school administrators in Thailand. Great place to find insight into school facilities, teachers and curriculum. Below are some of the reviews from expats in Thailand:

Submit an International School Review

Dream vs. Reality of Living in Thailand Reports

Most expats have have "dreams" (and fears) about the expatriate experience before they moved to Thailand. If you are already living in Thailand, share how those "dreams" have been fulfilled, and how they have not. Below are some of the reports from expats in Thailand:

Dream vs. Reality of Living in Bangkok, Thailand

Submit a Dream vs. Reality Report

Retiring in Thailand Reports

Retiring abroad can be a great option for retirees seeking their dream lifestyle at an affordable price. Help other retirees, who are thinking about retiring in Thailand, by filling out our Overseas Retirement report. Below are some of the reports from expats in Thailand:

Retiring in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Submit a Retire Abroad Report

Having a Baby Abroad Report

How did expats choose their doctors, midwives, hospitals? What is childbirth like in Thailand? Help other expats who are preparing to have a baby in Thailand by filling out our Having a Baby Abroad Report.

Submit a Having a Baby Abroad Report

Working Abroad Report

What's it like to find a job in Thailand? How difficult was it to obtain a work permit? What types are jobs are typical for expats in Thailand? Help others following in your footsteps by filling out our Working Abroad Report.

Submit a Working Abroad Report

Additional Articles

7 Healthcare & Health Insurance Tips for Expats in Thailand

Expats in Thailand share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Thailand. Advice about hospitals in Thailand, the availability of prescription medicines, using Tricare in Thailand and more.

Moving to Thailand: 6 Things to Know Before Moving to Thailand

Moving to Thailand requires a lot of research. There are many important considerations, and expats already living in Thailand are the best source of information. Here are some tips to help you explore whether or not moving to Thailand is right for you.

5 Tips for Living in Bangkok

Expats living in Bangkok enjoy a bustling city that is the most populous city in Thailand. Over the last several decades Bangkok has become an important regional business hub for Southeast Asia.

Expat Thailand: 5 Reasons to Move to Thailand

Expats in Bankok, Thailand enjoy a wonderful lifestyle for a variety of reasons. Emily McClaren explores why it is a popular destination for expats from all over the world.

5 Great Places to Retire in Asia

We asked expats and searched our forums for recommendations about where to retire in Asia. We pinpointed countries with affordable costs of living and have five great retirement locations. Please add your recommendations in the comments section!

10 Tips for Living in Thailand

Did you know the Thai national anthem is played twice daily throughout the country? Do you know what the "Wai" is? Expats in Thailand share tips for living in Thailand.

World's Top Retirement Havens 1 Through 9

Where are the best places to retire overseas? Which retirement haven is right for you? France? Ecuador? Panama? Nicaragua? Thailand? Kathleen Peddicord shares the pros and cons of the world's top 9 retirement havens.

Living in Thailand: So What's It Like?

One expat shares her experiences adjusting to life abroad in Thailand.

Tips on Employing Domestic Helpers in Asia

Your feelings about hiring domestic help while living in Asia will range from guilt about having someone ironing your underwear to being deprived of the love and attention of your children. Many Southeast Asian countries show high figures of unemployment and you may not just feel privileged to have maids, but may even feel morally obligated to give work to these people.

Expatriate Health Insurance

Get a quote for expat health insurance in Thailand from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
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An Expat Talks about Culture Shock & Living in Jomtien, Thailand

An expat in Thailand shares his thoughts on life in Thailand and his philosophy on being an expat anywhere. Read this brief report for cost of living impressions, how Thai people think of foreigners, and more.

An Expat Discusses Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Expats in Chiang Mai find a complicated city that has many unexpected aspects to navigate. Here is a brief overview of this beautiful city in Thailand.

Expats in Chiang Mai find a complicated city that has many unexpected aspects to navigate. Here is a brief overview of this beautiful city in Thailand....