Living in Thailand Pros and Cons
- Graceful Roamer
- Jul 10
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 11
Living in Thailand pros and cons aren’t hard to spot once you’ve actually spent time here. As someone who’s spent months navigating daily life, visas, bugs, bliss, and baffling bathrooms, I’ve seen both sides up close.
Living in Thailand as an Expat
For women over 50, the appeal is real.
Thailand offers an affordable lifestyle, low-stress routines, and a chance to hit reset—without needing to learn a new language overnight.
Thailand is one of the most flexible countries to land in. Caveat: there are some trade-offs, and they’re not always obvious until you’re living them.
In this post, I share my take on living in Thailand pros and cons—from daily routines and cultural quirks to the real cost of living in Thailand (which includes more than just what you spend).
If you’re considering living in Thailand as an expat or planning to stay just a few months, this is the insider’s view I wish someone had given me.
Cost of Living in Thailand: What’s Worth the Baht—and What’s Not
When people ask about the cost of living in Thailand, they usually want hard numbers. But numbers don't tell nearly half the story. I visited Bangkok and Chang Mai in previous trips to Southeast Asia; however, over the course of several months, I’ve stayed in four very different dwellings in ChonBuri—a seaside district that includes both Pattaya and Jomtien Beach. Each stay taught me that what you pay matters far less than what you actually get for it.
First: the resort apartment. Ideal for families, and further from Pattaya’s nightlife, this apartment had everything: fast, free Wi-Fi, a washing machine, stylish decor, cafés, a restaurant, and an infinity pool you could basically fall into from anywhere on the property. The kitchen came fully stocked—with real cookware. The value was high for the comfort of a real home-like setting with enough quiet and amenities to relax and get work done.
Second: the nightmare Jomtien Beach condo, booked through Airbnb. Roach infestation. Crumbling infrastructure. I’ve written all the gritty details about that bad Airbnb rental, but let’s just say: it’s the kind of place where you need a shower after taking one.
Third: A palace-like hotel. For nearly a month, I lived like royalty. A big balcony with sea, garden, and pool views, just a few steps from the beach. The best hot-water shower I’ve had since leaving the U.S.—plus a tub. Housekeeping was daily and it came with bottled drinking water and fresh towels. I felt pampered, but I paid for the privilege.
Fourth—and my favorite—spot: the lighthouse. A fully furnished, spotless studio within walking distance to everything, including the beach. The staff, pure kindness and efficiency. Friendly neighbors, mostly older expats. A large, lovely closet system with a vanity and pull-out stool. Full kitchen. Private bathroom. Queen bed. Sofa bed. Desk. Wall mounted TV. A balcony with outdoor furnishings, where I could enjoy mountain views and meals. There's a pool on the 4th floor with a lounge where I sometimes worked from.
The rent? $339 USD/month. Utilities are billed at the government rate, and building-wide Wi-Fi is $9.24/month. I’ve already reserved another unit for my return.
If you're staying under five nights, booking platforms are fine. But for longer stays, skip them! Instead, walk around any neighborhood you like and look for “room for rent” signs. The best apartment rentals in Thailand are often posted on awnings or windows.
Transportation? Ten Baht. Seriously.
My option to walking: ride the Baht bus. It's basically a converted pickup truck with benches in the back. Flag one down from anywhere, hop on, and you're off—for about $0.27 USD.
The Baht bus isn’t just cheap—it’s comedy, connection, and community. In bigger cities like Bangkok, transportation is more modern—subways, skytrains, real buses. But in Pattaya and around ChonBuri, a Baht bus will get you where you’re going slightly adrenaline-charged.
I’ve seen tourists grip the rails for dear life, hats fly off in traffic, and once, an elegantly dressed Lady Boy in high heels had to sprint after the moving truck just to pay his fare.
Here's how the Baht bus works: When you see it going in the direction that you want to go, you just hold your hand out. And then you climb aboard. If you have trouble with mobility, the passengers help you—they hold your crutches, shopping bags, baby, whatever. When you're ready to get off, you ring an obnoxiously loud buzzer.
As you deboard, pray you don't get side-swiped by any zig-zagging scooters and other automobiles. You pay the driver after you get off, through the rolled down passenger window. The driver can make change, but with exact fare, you get out of the way of oncoming traffic quicker.
Food? Delicious and inexpensive.
Most of my dinners at night markets cost under $2 USD. I’ve built relationships with vendors who give me extra fruit, bread, or a second helping just because. They recognize me. They smile. They share.
Entertainment? Walking. Watching. Connecting.
I walk the beach daily. I talk to vendors. I people-watch. The other night, I danced with a stranger in the park to a Tony Bennett tune. One night, as I beach walked, I applauded a singer’s rendition of It’s a Heartache and now, every time I pass, the singer calls out to me, "hello, my friend" mid-song. That kind of warmth doesn’t cost a thing—but it’s priceless.
Sometimes the best value isn’t represented on a spreadsheet. It’s in the life you’re living—and the stories that come with it.
Cost of living in Thailand
So, when someone asks about the cost of living in Thailand, I don’t just tell them it’s cheaper than the U.S. I tell them it’s better in all the right ways: connected moments, food that feeds your body and your soul. Day in and day out.
Living in Thailand Visa: What You Need to Know Before You Overstay Your Welcome
Here’s where the adventure starts to feel like paperwork. The living in Thailand visa process is one of the least inspiring parts of staying long-term—and one of the most important to get right. Especially if you’re thinking about living in Thailand for 3 months or more.
At the time of my arrival, U.S. citizens could enter Thailand without a visa and stay up to 60 days. You needed a valid passport (with at least six months remaining) and a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), completed online within 72 hours of arrival.
If you know in advance that you want to stay longer, applying for a 90-day e-visa before your trip is the cleanest route. But let’s be honest—not everyone has their long stay plotted out in advance. I didn’t. Once I realized I wanted to extend my time, I had to go the in-country route.
That meant applying for a visa extension—and that’s where things got mystifying.
What helped me most was a divine blessing: the apartment I moved into was right next to a visa office, and the staff had a working relationship with a local visa agent. Since the apartment staff didn’t speak English, the visa agent became my guide. She completed and filed my TM30 application with immigration, reviewed the physical documents I was to present, and even designed a map of the precise locations and stations I would need to visit at immigration. I knew exactly what to expect.
The immigration location was a complex of multiple buildings. Endless counters. Faces where locked in various expressions of confusion. You’re sent from one building to another, and then back again for reasons no one can fully explain.
And yet… it turned out to be unexpectedly fun.
While waiting, I met a man from my hometown—both the Southeast and the Pacific Northwest, if you can believe it. I met a guy from Chicago. A young woman from New York, traveling solo. We shared stories and made a game out of guessing which line actually went somewhere. At one point, the visa agent who helped me back at the apartment stopped by to make sure I was okay. She didn’t have to do that—but she did. And she did it all for free.
Still, I had a backup plan: a border run to Malaysia. In the past a half-day trip by land to Cambodia was the popular way for travelers to extend their stay by getting a fresh entry stamp. But now, due to political tension between Thailand and Cambodia, that way is not currently an option. With any border run, re-entry isn’t guaranteed. It’s fully up to the discretion of the immigration officer, and they don’t owe you an explanation.
So here’s my suggestion: unless you’re completely certain you’ll be living in Thailand for 3 months or longer, enter using the least complicated method available. Then, if you decide to stay longer, get help. Work with a visa agent who knows the latest rules. Because those rules? They change often and without warning.
That unpredictability is a real con in the living in Thailand pros and cons equation.
Living in Thailand Pros and Cons at a Glance
Whether you’re planning to stay a week, a month, or more, here’s a skimmable breakdown of the pros and cons of living in Thailand—based on my own experience.
The Pros of Living in Thailand
Cost of living is low – Clean, comfortable housing under $400/month? Yes, please.
Food is delicious and cheap – I eat well here for less than $2 a meal.
People are kind – I’ve been gifted fruit, meals, and friendships.
It’s SAFE, Safe, SAFE – I feel safer here than in any U.S. city I've visited or lived in.
Transportation is easy and cheap – Baht buses, Grab scooters, and constant entertainment for 10 baht.
Clinics are everywhere – Affordable access to healthcare, vision, and dentistry.
An array of pharmacies on every block – Medications, herbal remedies, teas, dried fruit snacks, medical devices; some carry children's toys, clothing, and makeup.
Shopping spans high to low – Local markets and Dior under the same skyline.
The music scene is vibrant – R&B, jazz, funk, and pop blaring from bars, restaurant, and parked vehicles.
Movie theaters are immersive – Plush seating, Dolby sound, and full sensory experiences.
Community comes easy – Walk the beach, dance in the park, get shouted out mid-song by a live performer, or join them on-stage!
You don’t need to justify your presence – Whether you’re here to reset or just escape winter, no one’s asking why.
Walkability gets a thumbs up – Sidewalks line most streets, making walking (and running) a safe and viable option.
So many food choices – In addition to Thai cuisine, there’s Russian, Indian, German, Chinese, Korean, Lao, Italian, European, and Western. Plus all types of seafood—if it swims, it’s found here.
Fresh markets are everywhere – Fresh Fruits, vegetables, and meats are easy to shop for in local neighborhoods.
Seven-Elevens are next-level – You can buy everything from medicine to meats to underwear, school supplies, hardware tools, and liquor. Many of the 7-eleven parking lots host a cadre of food, clothing, and weed vendors.
English is widely spoken – Communication is easy in many shops, restaurants, hotels, and visa agent offices.
UPS and DHL deliver – I’ve seen these shipping services make deliveries.
ATMs and money exchanges are widely available – Many ATMs even offer cardless transactions for added convenience. Western Union services are also commonly found.
The Cons of Living in Thailand
It’s hot – I mean sweat-through-your-shirt-by-9:00 a.m. hot.
Air quality is poor – Exhaust from vehicles and smoke from open-air cooking, trash burning, sand, dust, and heavy construction pollute the air regularly.
Mosquitoes will try to eat you alive – Bring repellent and vengeance.
The number of stray dogs is heartbreaking – There are organizations, locals and tourists that give food and water to homeless dogs regularly. Most dogs appear to be healthy. They are mild mannered and mind their own business, never disturbing any of the numerous food carts aligning the streets. I often watch them enter 7 Eleven's—I suspect they go inside to cool off and receive treats.
You must drink bottled water to protect your health. Additionally the water is harsh on skin and hair.
Flooding is common – A short rainstorm can make crossing the street an Olympic event.
It’s noisy – constant zoom-zoom noises from scotter traffic; impromptu street performances by bands, singing vendors, and solo artists; club-blaring music from bars and vehicles. Vendors, numerous side-by-side vendors, hawking to passerbys, "Massage. Massage!"
Border runs to Cambodia, by ground, aren't a trusted option. Apply for a visa to extend your stay or fly to another country and then return to Thailand.
Immigration is confusing – Multiple buildings, multiple stations; the setup feels intentionally chaotic. The whole thing made me feel anxious. Dress neatly and wear a shirt with sleeves. Carry something to keep your paperwork in. Be polite and remain calm, even if something is said or done that seems backward or dinosaurian. You do not want to give the police any reason to escort you off the premises.
5G Wi-Fi isn’t everywhere – WiFi is easily available, but fast internet is someone else's interpretation. If you plan to work remotely, vet your rental for reliable and high-speed internet carefully.
Skin-lightening ingredients in health and beauty products – It's common for soaps, lotions, and face creams to contain bleaching agents. They are marketed to “brighten” or “whiten” skin. If you’re a person of color—or simply don’t want these chemicals on your body—you’ll need to find replacements. Try iHerb.
So, How Is Life in Thailand?
People often ask, “How is life in Thailand?” And I get why—it’s not an easy question to answer from the outside.
Here’s what I’ve found: Life in Thailand is easy—but only after you let go of what made life hard somewhere else. When you stop expecting it to behave like your home country, it starts revealing itself in the most generous, grounded, and quietly extraordinary ways.
Yes, it’s hot. It's noisy. The storms, high winds, and flooding can take you by surprise. Yes, there are stray dogs, trash on beaches, visa tangles, and mosquitoes with no boundaries. House geckos are common, you can expect to have one or two. And giant monitor lizards are real—for the rest of my life, I'll remember the night when I stumbled across one in the grassy area adjacent to my airbnb. I now carry a flashlight.
But there’s also peace, beauty, connection, and freedom you don’t even realize you’ve been missing until you’re here and living like a local day by day.
I haven’t even scratched the surface of what Thailand has to offer—and already, it feels like it connects to my soul. The rhythm of this place, the way strangers become friends, the way a market vendor remembers your face or a singer calls out to you mid-song… it’s not just livable. It’s lovable.
I could easily spend the rest of my life here, and I’m currently exploring a Thailand retirement visa.
If you’re wondering whether this could be your place, too, you don’t need to have all the answers, just yet. You just need to show up willing to experience it—not through someone else’s lens, but your own.
It’s Your Turn
I now offer Solo Travel Planning for women ready to go from “just dreaming” to “just booked,” and Solo Travel Support for those already on the move.
Whether you're sorting out visas, housing, budgeting, or just need a calm, capable hand to help organize the next step—or navigate a situation that got messy—I’ve got you.