Living in Thailand
Practical guides for daily life as an expat
Expat Population
3.5M+
Foreign residents in Thailand
Average Rent
฿15,000
Monthly for 1-bedroom
Healthcare Rank
#13
Global healthcare index
Quality of Life
8.1/10
Expat satisfaction rating
Housing & Accommodation
Renting in Thailand
- •1-2 months deposit standard
- •Lease agreements typically 1 year
- •Utilities usually separate
- •Furnished options widely available
Popular Expat Areas
- •Bangkok: Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn
- •Chiang Mai: Nimman, Old City
- •Phuket: Patong, Rawai, Kata
- •Pattaya: Jomtien, Wongamat
💡 Housing Tip:
Use PropertyGuru, DDProperty, or Facebook groups to find rentals. Always view properties in person before signing contracts.
Healthcare System
Public Hospitals
- • Very affordable (฿30-200)
- • Long wait times
- • Basic English
- • Good emergency care
Private Hospitals
- • International standards
- • English-speaking staff
- • ฿1,000-3,000 per visit
- • Insurance accepted
Health Insurance
- • ฿2,000-10,000/month
- • Age-dependent pricing
- • Pre-existing conditions
- • Recommended providers
Top International Hospitals
Bumrungrad (Bangkok)
World-class facilities, JCI accredited
Bangkok Hospital
Nationwide network, comprehensive care
Samitivej
Excellent pediatric and maternity
Chiang Mai Ram
Northern Thailand's best hospital
Getting Around Thailand
BTS/MRT (Bangkok)
฿15-59 per trip
Rabbit card for convenience
Grab/Taxi
฿50-200 typical
Available nationwide
Motorbike Rental
฿2,500-4,000/month
IDP required legally
Domestic Flights
฿1,000-3,000
Book early for deals
Transportation Apps
- •Grab: Taxis, food delivery, payments
- •Bolt: Often cheaper than Grab
- •InDrive: Negotiate your fare
- •12Go Asia: Book buses, trains, ferries
Daily Life Essentials
Shopping & Groceries
- •7-Eleven: On every corner, 24/7
- •Big C/Tesco: Hypermarkets for bulk shopping
- •Villa/Tops: Imported goods, premium items
- •Local Markets: Fresh produce, best prices
Communication
- •SIM Cards: ฿200-600/month unlimited data
- •Internet: ฿600-1,500/month fiber
- •LINE App: Thailand's WhatsApp
- •Thai Language: Basic phrases very helpful
Education for Expat Families
International Schools
฿200,000-1,000,000/year
- • British, American, IB curricula
- • Native English teachers
- • Excellent facilities
- • Waiting lists common
Thai Private Schools
฿50,000-200,000/year
- • Bilingual programs available
- • Thai curriculum + English
- • More affordable option
- • Cultural immersion
Social Life & Community
Expat Communities
Facebook Groups
City-specific expat groups, buy/sell, advice
Meetup Events
Networking, hobbies, language exchange
Co-working Spaces
Digital nomad community hubs
Sports Clubs
Golf, tennis, fitness groups
Cultural Tips
- • Remove shoes when entering homes and temples
- • Dress modestly at temples and government offices
- • Show respect for the Royal Family
- • Learn to "wai" (traditional greeting)
- • Smile and stay calm - "mai pen rai" attitude