The gates of the world open to money. Cash can buy whatever you want, and Thailand is no different. Ask anyone who has lived here for more than one visa cycle, and they will confirm that anything can be bought.
While some groups struggle for visa approval, increased criteria, and scrutiny, if you have money, no criminal record, and are sane, Thailand will gladly let you stay here for 20 years. What country doesn’t want rich, sane, non-criminals to live in their borders?
After I lived here for one week (been here 11 years), I would tell anyone with the means to buy luxury villa in Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok, or Phang Nga Province, depending on their preference, and live happily ever after. I have never felt more freedom, and I’ve lived in 40 countries.
I don’t know about you, but my luxury home would not be stacked atop another property. The peace and tranquillity of Koh Chang will dissolve every anxiety. It is a sparsely populated, large remote island that fewer foreign tourists visit than Phuket or Bangkok.
You may not be as bold or silly as me, but I moved here without ever setting foot in the country or knowing the language. I sold everything, packed four bags, and moved here knowing I would make it work. Eleven years later, I am still here. I came here with little and need even less for happiness in Thailand.
Thailand has many visa options for us to choose from. I recommend visiting on a tourist visa but the recent Discover Thailand Visa (DTV) is even better. A tourist visa is 30 days and extendable to 90 days depending on your home country. Many visa policies change frequently, sometimes overnight.
The DTV is a 6-month visa extendable to one year. If you work remotely and are looking for a tropical paradise to call home, Thailand is waiting. Digital nomads are flocking to Southeast Asia as Vietnam and Cambodia recognize the value of well-employed, comfortably retired, or wealthy foreigners as well.
Student visas were abused for decades. Today, foreign students are here to learn Muay Thai, not just pass immigration and party. Various ED visa programs with the school include training, food, lodging, and all visa fees.
Retirement and marriage visa applicants are facing increased criteria and scrutiny. In years past, one could pay under the table to get approval. This became so commonplace the entire system was being skirted by thousands of would-be expats. New strict adherence to laws has long-term expats crying “foul” because they can no longer break the rules.
This makes them call Thailand less friendly, and you hear the all-too-common phrase, “Thailand is not like it used to be”. Your retirement pay has not changed, but the rest of the world has. Who knew the world wouldn’t stop when you wanted to get off.
I have come to believe if you can not be happy in Thailand, you will not be happier anywhere else.
