Retirement in Thailand
Retirement has never been this fulfilling! Thailand often tops the list of retirees’ favoured retirement destinations, a position it commands due to its culture rich heritage, low living expenses, tropical cuisine, fairytale beaches, majestic temples and most importantly friendly people.
Selecting Thailand as your retirement home should be a no brainier. In case there remain some lingering doubts, the below points should help seal the deal:
- Visa requirements made easy
To apply for a Thai retirement visa you must have as less as 800,000 THB (21,995 USD) in your bank account, or a monthly income of 65,000 THB, or a mix of the two (monthly income + bank account x 12 months = 800,000 THB). This amount can be shown as available in your Thai bank account consistently for a period of at least three months or as a combination of your monthly pension and savings.
*Age of eligibility is 50 years (minimum)
- Low living costs
If you crave a luxurious retired lifestyle, around 181,799 THB (5000 USD) a month should suffice and for those in search of a budgeted retirement plan, around 36,357 THB (1000 USD) a month could get you by (locals tend to live happy and healthy lives in much under 36,357 THB a month).
- Cultured and friendly locals
Facts state that around 90 to 95% of Thai’s are Buddhists (a religion that promotes peace and harmony among men). Thai’s consider it disrespectful to touch someone on the head (including children) and bow down in front of elders as a sign of respect. These culture traits are just some of the reasons why the Thai locals seem to always wear calm and smiling faces.
*Voted the 13th friendliest country in the world by the World Economic Forum and the 5th friendliest by Rough Guides readers
- Recreational activities
With night markets, floating markets, historical monuments, parks, beaches, wild life sanctuaries and a thriving entertainment industry, Thailand has everything you need to keep yourself busy whilst retired. Its close proximity to Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore makes it convenient to travel around Southeast Asia with ease and at a low cost.
- Affordable health care
With healthcare being the most important consideration when deciding to migrate to another country, it is quite often ignored and becomes a matter of great concern once in a foreign land. All you need is a little planning to safeguard your health. The local and international hospitals in Thailand are well equipped to tackle any health issue, big or small. Bunrungrad Hospital in Bangkok is famous the world over for their doctors, a majority of whom are medically trained abroad.
Note – Public health insurance for expats is non-existent and for individuals above the age of 60 years, private health insurance is rather expensive. Having said that, there are a multitude of expat communities currently living in Thailand, who due to the good yet affordable healthcare available locally, depend on their savings to get by.
- Landscapes that leave you awestruck
A majority of retirees crave for peace and serenity in the years that follow the end of their linear working life. While Thailand’s rich culture, low living costs, affordable healthcare, abundant recreational activities, and friendly locals indeed paint the perfect picture, it’s hard to ignore the variety of picturesque landscapes that cover its entire length and breadth. From the mountain ranges in the northern city of Chiang Mai to the tropical island destination of Koh Samui, and from the modern yet affordable city of Bangkok to the leisurely and scenic seaside paradise of Hua Hin, Thailand has it all.
If you wish to apply for your own Retirement Visa. Please send us your inquiry via mail: info@harrynsons.com
