7 Best Cities to Live in Thailand

When it comes to choosing a place to live, Thailand at first appears as a paradise. Idyllic beaches, great food, and an overall cost of living that makes you feel as if you jumped a few income brackets. However, picking the best city to settle down in is no easy task. Each city has its own unique perks and annoyances. Let’s explore best cities to live in Thailand, and cover the pros and cons for choosing each.

Bangkok

Ah, Bangkok. Frankly, a lot of people hate this place. There are a few tourist guides I’ve seen that do not recommend visiting Bangkok at all; they recommend skipping over it to head to Chiang Mai or some of the islands. I was surprised by this, as there is a lot to do here. But it’s not for everyone. My favorite part about it is the way that it looks at night.

Pros

• More convenient than any other city in Thailand.
• Central location with excellent transportation.
• Great networking opportunities and nightlife options.
• Many job opportunities for foreigners.

Cons

• Heavy traffic and long travel times during rush hours.
• High(er) cost of living, especially downtown.
• Hot, humid weather and sometimes severe air pollution.
• Flooding during the rainy season.
• (Relatively) expensive nightlife and dining out compared to other Thai cities.
• Constant noise and odors. (This one depends on where you live of course.)

Popular Areas

• Sukhumvit: Expat-friendly, “hi-so,” and packed with restaurants and bars.
• Silom: Business district with a lot of nightlife options. Known for the LGBTQ+ scene.
• Sathorn: Also a business district, but slightly more upscale. Filled with luxury condos.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has got to be one of the most laid-back cities in Thailand. It has a ton of beautiful temples, and it feels like a small town, even though there are 1.2 million people living there.

Pros

• Low cost of living.
• Renting houses is cheap.
• Nature is a stone’s throw away.
• High-quality, inexpensive food.
• Cooler winters and less rain during the rainy season.

Cons

• Language barriers can be more difficult than in places such as Bangkok.
• Burning season impacts air quality from March to June.
• Limited job opportunities for non-locals.

Popular Areas

• Nimmanhaemin: Hip area, full of coffee shops and co-working spaces.
• Old City: Surrounded by ancient walls, packed with history and tourists.
• Santitham: A quieter neighborhood popular with long-term expats.

Phuket

Phuket is often touted as the most beautiful place in Thailand. It’s more expensive than many of the places on the list, and it can get very touristy. The beaches here, however, are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

Pros

• 30+ beautiful beaches to choose from.
• Big expat community. (I have heard there are a lot of Russians living here.)
• Good mix of local food and Western food.

Cons

• Cost of living is significantly higher than other parts of Thailand.
• Few job options for foreigners.
• It starts to look like a ghost town when tourists leave.

Popular Areas

• Patong: Tourist area near the beach with a lot of nightlife.
• Kata: Quieter beach, great for families.
• Kamala: Offers a more laid-back, less touristy vibe.

Pattaya

Pattaya is often called the Las Vegas of Thailand. It is famous, of course, for prostitution and partying. It’s the kind of place that you either love or hate, with very little room in between.

Pros

• Cheap cost of living.
• Plenty of opportunities to meet other foreigners and enjoy nightlife.
• Easy access Bangkok.

Cons

• High temptation to indulge in nightlife and partying.
• Bars playing the same music and having similar atmospheres.
• The beaches here are mediocre.
• The “vibe” is a little depressing.

Popular Areas

• Jomtien: Quieter and more family-friendly.
• Naklua: Offers a more local Thai experience.
• Pratumnak: A good balance of calm and convenience.

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is where you go when you want the beach without the chaos of Pattaya or Phuket.

Pros

• Close proximity to Bangkok.
• Reasonable cost of living.
• Large expat community (especially retirees) with widely spoken English.

Cons

• Limited flights from Hua Hin airport.
• Busy weekends and holidays due to visitors from Bangkok.
• Some beaches have rocky areas that can cut your feet.
• Nightlife is more limited than Bangkok, Pattaya, or Phuket.
• It’s also a small city, which means fewer amenities.

Popular Areas

• Khao Takiab: Known for its temples and seafood.
• Cha-am: A sleepy beach town just north of Hua Hin.
• Palm Hills: Offers luxury living with golf course views.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui can be relaxing, but it can also be full of luxury. Also, it’s huge. At over 200 square kilometers, it’s Thailand’s second biggest island, next to Phuket.

Pros

• Beautiful tropical island with great beaches, waterfalls, and picturesque views. (You can see both the sunset and the sunrise with a short drive.)
• Good healthcare facilities.
• Warm weather year-round with cool sea breezes.
• Many shopping options and great entertainment, including restaurants, markets, and nightlife.
• Good ferry services, an international airport, and well-maintained roads.

Cons

• Living here can get expensive. It’s an island, so expect to pay more for imported goods.
• Job opportunities are mostly in tourism, which isn’t exactly booming year-round.
• Dealing with Thai immigration on the island is more difficult compared to other places in Thailand.
• High costs of flights due to Bangkok Airways’ monopoly on the island’s airport.
• The large numbers of tourists, especially during the high season.
• Logistical challenges of traveling to and from Koh Samui to other parts of Thailand, especially with a car; living on an island can be restrictive.

Popular Areas

• Chaweng: The heart of the action, with plenty of bars and restaurants.
• Lamai: A quieter but still lively option.
• Bophut: Known for its Fisherman’s Village.

Udon Thani

Udon Thani is one of those emerging places you might not have considered, but maybe should.

Pros

• Incredibly affordable, especially rent.
• Growing expat community.
• It’s rich in Isaan culture and food.
• No traffic.

Cons

• Fewer amenities compared to larger Thai cities. (It doesn’t have an international vibe.)
• Pace of life is slower, which can be either a pro or a con, depending on your lifestyle.

Popular Areas

• Nong Prajak: Great for nature lovers with its large park and lake.
• Ban Chan: A suburban feel with more space.
• Ban Lueam: Close to the city center but quiet.

The Bottom Line

It can be difficult to determine the all around best city to live in in Thailand. There’s may be a Thai city for every type of person, whether you crave the non-stop adrenaline of Bangkok or the chill beaches of Hua Hin. Each city has its own set of perks and challenges, so consider what matters most to you before choosing where to live.