Where to Live in Thailand

Thailand is a major regional transport hub in Asia and also has a developed domestic travel infrastructure which makes getting from one part of the country to the other an easy proposition be it by plane, train, or automobile. This means you can pretty much choose to live anywhere you like in Thailand with the minimum of hassle. The following destinations are among the most popular for expats:

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and the center of the country’s economy. It also has the largest population of any city in Thailand with over 14 million residents. A large and modern metropolis, it is filled with skyscrapers, shopping malls, and sky trains which sit alongside more traditional markets, parks, and waterways. Many expats live in Bangkok for business or professional reasons, although some people simply enjoy the urban lifestyle.

Chiang Mai attracts a wide range of expats who love the peaceful and historic city in the north of the country, where you can still see the old city’s fortified wall and moat. The cost of living here is much more inexpensive than Bangkok and it attracts people from all walks of life—retirees, small business owners, teachers, and many others. Chiang Mai benefits from its proximity to several national parks and mountain areas where popular activities such as hiking and camping take place. It is also an excellent destination to enjoy many of Thailand’s best loved festivals like Yi Pen—when the sky becomes filled with thousands of fire lanterns—or the Chiang Mai Flower Festival, with its much loved flower parade.

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and home to well over 600,000 local residents and more than 100,000 expats of every nationality. If you are a beach lover then Phuket has a lot to offer, with many different beaches scattered around the island, each with their own special vibe. The marine scene is also big with numerous marinas and a large expat community dedicated to life on the water. The island benefits from a number of world-class golf courses that are particularly popular with expats and tourists as well as middle and upper class Thais.

As in the rest of the country you can enjoy the best of the modern world with all manner of shopping malls, fine restaurants, and other places of luxury, or you can spend your time visiting traditional markets, exploring the historic areas of Phuket Town, and eating out at local Phuket restaurants where the food is delicious.

Hua Hin is known as the Royal beach resort town of Thailand and is a more affordable option than Phuket in some regards. Apart from offering a great beach lifestyle, the town boasts multiple international standard hospitals, a plethora of water sport activities, ever-expanding golf courses, and some significant events and festivals. The Thailand International Kite Festival, Hua Hin Jazz Festival, and Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally all attract considerable interest from both foreign and Thai enthusiasts