Laos or Thailand - Which is Better for Expats to Retire in SE Asia? 

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Laos is very third world in too many ways compared to Thailand. As a westerner, I need certain amenities and cultural fixes. An occasional western styled restaurant, clothing for a larger man, and internet shopping. In addition, medical care is much, much more advanced in Thailand. When in Laos, I always feel like I am being cheated and someone's got their hand in my pocket (and not for a good reason). While I feel safe in both countries, I feel like the likelihood of me getting "rolled" in Laos is higher. Having lived in Communist China for eight years, I have had it with Socialism and Communism, thus ruling out Socialist Laos. As an advancing country, Thailand just feels newer, and more modern in their cities, and the rural areas are not as blighted as Laos' rural regions. Roads are better cared for in Thailand, and transportation is more plentiful. The one thing going for Laos is the friendliness and genuineness of the Laos people. Thailand may be the land of 1000 smiles, but they are fake smiles. The Laos people are truly smiling and happy to see a new face. Being a landlocked nation, Laos has no beaches or coastal beauty and activities. The mount of unabridged drug, illegal call centers, and "casinos" in Laos just makes it feel more corrupt and sinister than Thailand (and that is saying something in regard to corruption). For my money, my choice is clear between the two nations. The only time I go to Laos is for a border run to stay in Thailand.

Thanks, good overview. I crossed the river for a visa run from Thailand a few years ago, and Lao people were so nice. Walked up to me and started conversations. They were fluent in English, smart and well traveled.

I'm working remotely and I'm in my mid 30s, so cannot talk about retirement. But I made Laos my home base, before I also lived in Thailand and travelled a lot. As a home base for me personally Laos is way better. Much easier visa options, cheaper costs of living (if you earn foreign currency), still authentic & real, very honest & friendly locals, beautiful nature. I like thailand a lot, lived there all over the country from north to south, but it became more expensive and thais are much more after your money. Its a mass tourism hotspot. I just came back from one of the worst places on the planet - phuket. A beautiful tropical island, but i hate the vibe. Our hotel owner only walked around and talked about stupid farangs who dont have money. All she said was money money money (she spoke thai, but I understand thai and speak lao as well). If retire in thailand, isaan would be the best and still most authentic area (which was part of the lao kingdom before. They also speak lao in isaan, isaan itself is not a language, most of the isaan food also originated in laos. Thai government had a strict "thaification" policy after isaan became part of thailand to push all lao related things out). I like both countries, but prefer Laos to live in. And whenever I miss the sea, I just hop over to thailand, vietnam or anywhere else close by. Someone considering making one of both countries a home base, should definitely try each country some months or a year first. People like different things 🇱🇦🤝🇹🇭

As a Thai woman who left Bangkok long time ago to the UK. When I visited home, Thailand became very big business for tourists and retirees and I found it is too much. I’d prefer a quiet life, sincerely with a simple life like Laos. I’ve never been to Laos but just watching your videos and friends who visited Laos. Foreigners cannot own land in Thailand. Thai government starts taxing expats from January 2024!! So there are so many factors to consider!! This is my opinion 😁

Nice listing and explanation for your 7 items. I am 53, retired in Jomtien Thailand. Medical care for retirees would have to be considered as well. Accommodation and amenities have to factor in. If a person is okay living in a house vs living in a condo with multiple swimming pools, gym, and sauna. I would recommend Laos as a 2nd "stage" of a retirement plan for S.E. Asia. First, go to Thailand or the Philippines, then work towards Laos. No Western restaurants like Mcdonalds, or Western cultured restaurants. Here in Jomtien, there are plenty of Western and European-styled places to eat. I will be in Laos at some point in the future as the visa is much more simplified and less of a hassle.

Living retired in Thailand and go to Lao as a vacation. I suggest this way. Basic facilities and healthcare in Thailand is way more superior than Lao. Lao, nowadays is not livable like before due to failure of economic and government.

I think you missed a very big point for retirees. Medical facilities, I think Thailand has the better option. Also as a expat if you plan to fly out of the country regularly you'll mostly going to be routed via BKK. Seems more retirees are now eying Cambodia, Siam Reap as Thailand is definitely getting more expensive.

Retiree and health insurance/medical facilities should be high on a retiree list. Thailand is the choice. Near Laos I would say, for example, Nong Khai or Udan Thani would be a good place for medical, but living in Vientiane could be a good economical balance beteeen both countries. Udan Thani has an airport for Thai or other nearby countries. Vientiane has an airport too. It's a matter of which airport having the destinations or connections you need.

เมืองชายทะเลเมืองไทยมีเยอะ. ไม่จำเป็นต้องไปอยู่เมืองที่มีนักท่องเที่ยวเยอะ ลองมาใช้เวลาที่เมืองไทยซักระยะก่อน. เมืองไทยสะดวก ทุกอย่าง กินอาหารเหมือนพวกเราก็คงไม่เเพงมากเกินไป เมืองไทยยินดีต้อนรับนะคะ

Very informative and interesting

I've lived and worked in Laos, Burma and Thailand for more than 22 years - I teach Science and English. I have lived in many different cities in all 3 countries and right now I am living in Laos, in the beautiful northern city of Luang Prabang. But in a few weeks I will move back to live permanently in south Thailand by the coast. Why am I moving from Laos? Because of the air pollution! The pollution during the 'burning season' has got worse and worse every year that although I had planned to retire here in Luang Prabang, the air pollution is so bad that my health is suffering.

Thumbs up 👍 Javier 😎

I enjoyed your video, but my biggest concerns are medical care/medical infrastructure; corruption; security of assets, and property interests; and stability… I think Thailand has the advantage compared to Laos when it comes to all of the above concerns… Laos Is beautiful… Serene… but because of my concerns it is not for me…

Hey nice to meet you,I had a friend at work that was from Laos.So its been on my to do list for awhile.

🔥 video 🇹🇭🇱🇦

Cambodia. If you don’t know anything about Cambodia check it out . I think it’s a better place to retire than these 2 countries and the food and culture is very similar to Laos and Thailand

+ For Laos : PEOPLE (About 10 times more REALLY friendly than Thai) - Much less touristique - For Laos : Even more corrupt than Thailand + For Thailand : Food - islands - infrastructure - health services - transportation - Offre of accomodation - For Thailand : Immigration requests (pain in the A...)

Both countries have good and bad side It’s all depends on the person habits of what they like. If you have enough investment and like quiet peaceful with beautiful nature buy land in Laos outside of city you can create your own paradise. Thailand is more crowded, but better infrastructure than Laos of course, the cost of living is similar maybe a little cheaper than Laos in some parts. You cannot buy land but you can own a property in Thailand. Crimes rates is much higher than Laos due to the large population. You can get kill by just looking at other people face. The law is very strict in wild game compared to Laos. So in my opinions it’s all depending on the person habits.

After retiring in Laos for over 2 years now, I'm in agreement with your observations and conclusions. You did a good job in presenting required knowledge in a concise form. I'm fortunate to be in good health in my late 70s, but concerns about accessing quality healthcare are shared amongst the expat community, especially those living outside Vietiane. Fortunately, Vientiane does have some very good, private outpatient clinics (with labs). There has been a feeling of improved accessibility to better quality healthcare in Vientiane since a branch of a private Bangkok hospital opened here in 2022. The buzz amongst the expat community is that the Thai hospital has brought the community a vast new array of state-of-the-art diagnostic services. Similiarly, there is a bit of a buzz surrounding the much improved quality in women's healthcare available locally. However, folks should be aware that serious health conditions requiring critical care will find them on a plane to Bangkok or Singapore (surprisingly affordable!) to enjoy the benefits of best practices medical attention.

The '''language barrier''' stops me right from the start ! -- Too old to be bothered. Looking for "comfortable" in my retirement - not discomfort and difficulty with language !!! -- Given these criteria - Thailand is out too - not just Laos ? -- Cambodia seemingly has English much more in use and even the USD !?! -- But it's the Philippines that really offers the overall best fit for US expats in their old age. Respect for seniors is their custom - low cost of living super friendly & welcoming locals who all speak your language - is a very hard combination to beat !!! --?-- Comfort. Goodness of fit. Numerous other like minded US expats for company and internationals as well. -- Sorry - but I been searching and looking worldwide - for 2 years and this is where I ended up. 🤗

Unless you are in a tourist area, or in BKK & don't speak Thai, forget it, it's an absolute nightmare. My Mrs home town is 90 minutes outside BKK & no one & I mean no one speaks English.

👍👍👍

As a Laotian, I’ve been in Bangkok and Vientiane traffic, and Dallas/ Fort Worth traffic, Laos takes the win for WTH driving- rules of the road in Laos, what is that lol My tourist visa in Laos is for 90 days

Liked นะ.

Lao is a Communist country. Any existing law can be changed instantly. The cost of living in Lao is high, and food is expensive. Lao has less, medical care, and infrastructure. Bangkok, HuaHin, and Phuket are better places for retirees.

Based on extensive research of various factors in SE Asian countries, I found Cambodia (Siem Reap in particular) to be the clear winner. Wonderful people, excellent multi-cultural food, widespread English, simple unrestricted $300/year multi-entry retirement visas and an equivalent low cost of living. No three month residence reports, minimum bank balances or annoying visa runs. Thailand is a fantastic country but maybe getting a little too popular for its own good.

Laotion People must more friendly and peaceful low crime than Thailand a lot

You can make home in laos then go to Thailand travel sometime if you want

Can you make a blog on Business visa for Laos? I wanted to run a small business in Vientiane or Luangprabang 😊

Beaches .

It is Illegal for a Foreigner to Boom Boom with a unmarried Laos Woman (locals can and will snitch on you), not so in Thailand.

How do you live in Laos if you are now allowed to own land? Do you just buy condominium in order to live there?

If you get sick you will think of Thailand first.

I lived in Lao for 22 years and worked there and had my own business, I left in 2018 and came back to visit in Feb 2024. The country is now owned by the Chinese, the infrastructure has still not improved and the Chinese have overtaken the country and the corruption and prices are out of control. The Basic Lao people still scrape by and it is not the same country it used to be, much prefer Thailand.

The food compared to Thailand is not that special, The roads are just not there, Driving at night could be the thing you ever do.

Lao has a beautiful nature that is untouched. It’s a stress free life style which I love. No crime and no junk food to keep people sick 😂And lastly as long as you stay out of politics you’d be fine. I’m all in for that! Thailand may be modern due to they never had a war but if I like modern stress and crime I’ll just stay here in the USA. I would not feel safe living in Thailand. Maybe to visit for a change of scenery is nice to have. Thank you for such a great comparison! Look forward to your next video 🤗

Laos 🇱🇦 because food 🍱 it’s delicious 😋 living in the city it’s ok 👌 but live in the country side might be hard to go around. Thailand 🇹🇭 it’s beautiful might be expensive to live there..

Thailand is way better than Lao

A retired person means quite old person, need better health systems

Laos has no retirement visa so the whole discussion is futile.

Laos is 100% better than Thailand. Just go to Vietnam and enjoy your retirement.

Always being good boy otherwise Just little thing could cost you big problem in Thailand

If you wanted to live in semi modernized society’s Thailand if you choose Laos then compared Laos to Thailand you must have brain damage Laos just emerged from so called Vietnam war because their neighbor country trying to ripen its apart again and again of cause was not Vietnam that is . Just read every things in between the lines about Laos in order to comprehend the whole issues about Laos

Mumbling voice is very difficult to understand, so I stop after 5 minutes