19 Surprising Pros and Cons of Living in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in the world. It frequently ranks as one of the top visited countries, and it received 28.15 million international visitors in 2023 alone. As tourism continues to grow, the appeal of settling down in this country will only increase. If you’ve ever wondered about making Thailand your home, here are 19 pros and cons to consider before making your decision.

Pros of Living in Thailand

Low Cost of Living

The affordability of Thailand is legendary, and it perhaps the biggest initial draw for people to come and live here.

After a few years of living in Thailand, I am still impressed by the cost of living. With a quick walk outside, you can buy a high quality meal for around 60 baht (~$2-$3 USD).

To get a better idea of the cost of living, let’s compare Bangkok with, say, Los Angeles in the United States.

In my opinion, much of the data on Numbeo is too high for Thailand. You can find a lot of cheaper options for rent. And there are many simple places in the city center of Bangkok that cost around 4,000 baht (~$100 USD) per month. Most foreigners don’t stay there, but really, it isn’t bad.

Beautiful Scenery and Nature

The nature in Thailand is world class. Postcard destinations are only a quick flight or bus ride away.

If you need mountain air, you can fly to Chiang Mai. If you’re in the mood for the beach, you can fly down south to Krabi, Phuket, or some of the islands.

Ticket costs vary by time of year (and of course, depend on the airline), but from Bangkok I often see round trip tickets to other regions of the country for as little as $50 USD. Flights to any destination in Thailand from Bangkok are at most about an hour and a half.

Warm Locals and Large Expat Community

Thailand is known for its friendly locals, which is why it’s aptly called the “Land of Smiles.” (This was a marketing scheme, I think, but that’s for another day.)

The local people seem interested in you, but they won’t necessarily bother you, as they might in other countries.

If you need help, they will usually go above and beyond to do so.

What still fascinates me about Thailand is that if you simply stop into a 7-Eleven, grab a beer, and walk down a busy street, you can sometimes be invited to eat, drink, or hang out with locals. (People don’t always have an ulterior motive, and it took me a long time to stop being cynical about this. Always use your best judgment, of course.)

Low Crime

Thailand is relatively safe country. Compared to the United States, Thailand is much more peaceful, with lower incidences of violent crime in its major cities and tourist areas.

If you enjoy long walks, and the weather permits it, Bangkok is fun to travel around by foot. I can say that I have never felt seriously threatened by anyone, at any time of the day or night, despite walking through very “sketchy” areas. (Numbeo confirms this with a “high” rating for “safety walking alone during night.”)

If you compare Bangkok with Chiang Mai, you’ll see the latter is even safer.

Food

It’s hard to talk about Thailand without mentioning the food. Though much of it is spicy, there is a huge variety of dishes to choose from, and you don’t have to burn a hole through your stomach.

The fact that you can enjoy fresh, delicious meals at such low prices is almost unbelievable.

Healthcare

This is a major benefit. Health insurance is relatively cheap in Thailand as it is, but out-of-pocket visits to the doctor are also cheap. Barring any major accidents, going to the hospital for a routine check-up will cost you less than $100 (at some of the best private hospitals).

The hospitals in major cities are fantastic, and there is a big medical tourism industry here. In a lot of the major hospitals in Bangkok, you will see visitors from the Middle East (who, presumably, come for medical reasons).

The quality of hospitals and medical resources can vary depending on how remote your area is. However, in general, expats find healthcare to be both good quality and affordable.

Prime Location

Thailand is a great “home base,” if you will, for traveling to the rest of Asia. It’s right next to popular countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Even India is only a few hours away by plane.

Local Festivals, Markets, and Events Galore

Thailand has 19 public holidays per year, while the US only has 11. There are all kinds of celebrations and local food festivals throughout the year. Night markets are always very active, and people generally like to go out and do things.

Great for Remote Workers

Everyone knows that Thailand is a digital nomad hotspot. The internet speed on average is 218.94 Mbps, which is fast. Not to mention the endless cafe and co-working options in places like Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Affordable Housing Options

Accommodations here are absurdly cheap. If you’re in one of the cities, there are great options, whether you’re looking to rent a condo, apartment, or even a house.

Cons of Living in Thailand

Visas

It’s an unfortunate fact that dealing with immigration here is not easy. Though there are many ways to stay in Thailand long term, you often have to report yourself to immigration every 90 days. The trips to immigration are more frequent than necessary, and there is a lot of uncertainty over what is legitimate and what isn’t.

Language Barrier

There are very few foreigners that I know that can speak Thai well. Most know only a few phrases, and they can get around more or less easily. Personally, I’ve never felt that this was a huge obstacle, as many people know and understand basic English. The friendliness of the locals more than makes up for this, in my view.

Air Quality Issues

Unfortunately, there is such a thing as the “burning season” in Thailand. From around February to April, smog is noticeably worse, especially in places in the north, like Chiang Mai. During this time, farmers burn their land to prepare their land for the year, which casts a red haze over the sky.

Smog can also be a problem in Bangkok, due to the large number of cars. When it occurs, however, is usually unpredictable. It also can become quite severe.

Road Safety

Thailand has one of the highest traffic-related death rates in the world. Data from 2019 shows that 32.2 per 100,000 inhabitants are killed in traffic-related incidents. Most of these are motorcycle incidents, but it is still very high. For some perspective, the United States had 12.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021.

Quality of Public Schools

If you have kids, the quality of public schools may be a problem for you, especially in rural areas. Many of these schools are underfunded and tend to have large classes, sometimes with 40 or 50 students in one room. The public education system focuses a lot on memorization and rote learning, so if you’re from a Western country, you may want to put your children in a school that allows them to be more creative.

Not all the public schools are like this, so take this with a grain of salt. Also, if you’ve got the money, Thailand has great international schools.

Political Instability

This one shouldn’t affect foreigners much. Though there are mass protests from time to time, you should be safe if you stay away from them. It’s best not to be too vocal about politics here, especially if it does not concern you.

Dual Pricing

Many tourist spots, local services, and even some healthcare facilities have different price tags for foreigners.

It can feel a bit unfair at times, though it’s because they feel that foreigners have higher incomes. This isn’t a good justification, and it’s not always true. It doesn’t affect the cost of living so much, but it is a sharp reminder that you’re not exactly equal.

This extends to everything, whether you’re trying to get a taxi or sign a lease on a new apartment. People will often try to milk you for more money if they can.

Cultural Differences

This one could go both ways. Part of the charm of Thailand and its people is that they have a different culture. In friendships, you never run into any kind of problems, but in dating, it may lead to certain frustrations, as problems are solved differently here.

Harsh Weather

The weather in Thailand can be extreme. In the rainy season, thunderstorms are wild and can lead to floods. And Thailand is hot, almost year-round. It can sometimes get ‘cool’ in December to February, but to anyone who does not live near the equator it is only mild.

The Bottom Line

The appeal of Thailand is hard to deny—with its low cost of living, high-quality food, and local hospitality. However, it’s not without its difficulties, from dealing with complex visa requirements to unhealthy levels of air pollution. Be sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making your final decision to move.