The Realities of Living in Thailand as a Foreigner 

I have lived in Thailand for six years. When I go visit relatives in California I can't wait to get to Thailand.

Bad driving. Extreme humidity and heat. Flooding. Treated like a forigner. Well, I've lived in Florida for 40+ years, so I should be ok.

Left CA after 30 years 1987-2017. Been married to my Thai wife for 14 years, live here now for six years in Chiang Mai and have a ten fold life compared to San Diego! Everything you said is spot on, altho my retirement visa I do yearly is never a problem and I do my 90 day report online..No desire to ever return to U.S.

All valid points that I have heard many times, both in watching you tube videos and living in 5+ years. Here are my observations for what they are worth A. There is a visa service in every major city in Thailand. You can pay to get your retirement visa and so the whole criticism about visa is moot. You have the money you can get a long term visa. B. The smoke is a real issue in the north. They burn sugarcane and rice fields and it miserable. That said, if you live near Sacramento, CA you will experience the same issue. Thousands of rice field that need to be burned near the state capitol. Last I googled it Sacramento ranked near the top of world’s worst air quality during the burn season. C. Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous and most people ride motorcycles in Thailand. It stands to reason there are going to be more accidents. Is the traffic worse here than other places. That depends on what you are comparing it to. Bali has the worst traffic of any country I traveled to. D. Is it safe? That question comes up a lot. An short anecdote might be amusing. I met my girlfriend on the main beach street in Patong, Phuket. We are 1 block from the Bangla (bar district), arguably not the best neighborhood. We go across the street to eat Indian food and she leaves her suitcase in the middle of the sidewalk. We have dinner, cross the street, pick up the suitcase and go home. Where else in the world would you feel assured that your bag was going to be there when you got back. E. People are poor, barely have enough to eat but you rarely see homelessness. On the other hand, homelessness has reached disastrous proportions in CA. F. Safety- you either believe that laws and police are going to protect or you take responsibility for your own safety. Sure it cuts both ways. You don’t depend on a crosswalk to protect you in Thailand while crossing the street, but it is your life and your responsibility to protect it. That means you have a heightened sense of the dangers around you in Thailand. I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. In my experience, people become complacent when they think a law is going to protect them. G. That you are always perceived as a foreigner. That is the same anywhere. When my family moved to another city in CA., we were still outsiders after living there 25 years. The video has many valid points, but it has to be put into context of other countries and cultures.

I lived in Thailand for 32 years. I read, write, and speak good Thai. I have lived in Indonesia since 2014. I prefer Indonesia.

It's great to hear how moving to Thailand has personally made you happier. Coming from your perspective that's meaningful to me because I find myself agreeing with your take on a lot of the "issues" of living there. I like your style and appreciate your videos. Thank you!

This is an excellent take on things in the land of smiles. Very helpful to many, thank you.

We live cross the border in laos and often drive over to thailand for a dose of modernity. Compared to Laos, I find the driving in Thailand refreshingly good - people use lanes, use indicators, don’t tailgate at 100kph, and mostly aren’t so drunk they can’t stand up. Try driving in Vientiane for a week and you will feel a lot better about driving in Chiang Mai!

As always great job with the videos. Inspired me to create my checklist for the move next year.

I lived in USA for 42 years and I am still a foreigner since I am originally from India. Even living in Thailand I am a still considered as a foreigner. Oh well. Live amd let live.

I lived in Thailand for 9 years with my Thai wife. I finally left because of the visa nonsense. I had to jump through hoops every year, no guarantee I would get a new visa, despite being married to a Thai. During the pandemic, the government said Thais could return from abroad. They forgot to include foreign spouses. As a result I was separated from my wife for 5 months, as were more than 5000 other spouses. Woooo. Driving is very dangerous, Thailand has the highest traffic fatality rate in the world. Yes, there is a higher foreigner price. I lived in Koh Lanta where it was extreme. Foreigners were charged double for virtually everything. From street food, to car repairs to rent to hospital visits to government documents. Scary. I left Chiang Mai after 1 year due to the pollution problem. Chiang Mai has an extremely high rate of lung disease. Government corruption is rampant. From the lowly civil servant demanding a bribe to stamp my simple document, to the government minor official demanding a bribe to issue my marriage license, to my immigration man demanding a bribe to complete my visa, to the majority of the upper levels of government. Very tiresome environment to live in. Almost every household appliance you buy in Thailand will self destruct within 6 months to 1 year. Planned obsolescence in the extreme. And yes, you will always be a foreigner in Thailand. No matter how hard you try to bridge the culture gap. Excellent report.

This is the template for no nonsense informative videos, thank you

Thankyou so much. I am at the point of making a life decision to move from Canada to Thailand. Was there in Dec/Jan. not for everyone, but I loved the vibe, the people, just the way of life. I think always being a foreigner, is the same as in any country, people moving to North America will always feel a bit of a feeling of , not prejudice, but not a local. Anyway, some very good points.

Been all over Thailand dont think its to bad on the roads,you need to go to India thats absolutely crazy driving to the extreme,

I love your videos thanks for making these!

Insightful information provided in an honest manner! Great episode.

Wow you’re really courageous and I command you for telling it like it is!! Bravo 👏👏👏Nearly no one on RU-vid dares to tell the truth and list the cons to any destination in fear of backlash. All they’re willing to expose are the positive aspects and how wonderful and perfect a destination is. If you’re an adult we all know that there’s no perfect place on this planet. You giving us the true facts both positive and negative is equivalent to us reading a contract before signing it. We can examine the terms and decide for ourselves if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice and versa. Thank you so so much! Keep up the excellent work. Love your channel.

Hello sir ,first I'm appreciative for the tremendous work that you do about updating the world on the useful things they have to do when opting for Thailand

That was an awesome vlog. Thanks heaps. Regards Brendon

WONDERFUL REVIEW! BEST OF ALL - LEE

Finally a truthful video thank you

Great to hear Ur honesty and straight forward observations and advice mate about living in thailand

Very down to earth and realistic information

Great information.

I've lived in Chiang Mai for 18 years now. An aspect of the "non confrontational Yes" that is humorous (until it happens to you!), regards asking for directions. If you ask a local where something is located, and they've never heard of it, they'll just tell you they don't know; but, if you ask them where something is located that they feel they should know - such as a famous temple, for instance - they may feel that not knowing would cause them to "lose face". So, they may pretend to know where it is, and confidently give you directions - probably figuring, in part, that they'll never see you again! I'm also surprised that no one has pointed out, there may be tax advantages for Americans who retire to Thailand, because of a tax treaty between the US and Thailand. It mostly applies to long time permanent residents who have certain types of income: large pensions, or tax deferred assets, such as a 401(k), annuity, or an IRA, for instance.

The Thai Elite visa (I have 20 years visa) only goes for $25k USD. Divide that my 20 years and the fee is minimal. Each Immigration update is managed by third party at no additional expense. Airport fast-track, limo service (to/from), discounts on many items like golf, all included. Bank account opened - with no minimum balance required. For the money - Thai Elite visa is a great deal. Regarding safety - compare anywhere in Thailand to Chicago, NY Shitty, Lost Angels, etc ... Think about it!

Ex Pats Don’t own the property or the land its built on, When you buy a Property you actually only own 40% of it and your not allowed to own the land just like in the Philippines… You have to have a Thai Wife or Business to own a Property , But you will Never own the land .. So don’t buy Property Rent It …

Nice video, Tony. Glad you still like living here despite the "realities"... but I guess there are ups and downs in every place!

Great tips! Thank you for your insight 👍👍

I've been binge watching many of your videos. Subscribed and 'like'.

Great content bro 🌍

I've had fantasies about living there. I think the food alone is reason enough to just visit there. I think the hot weather would drive me crazy though.

The answer for a long term visa with few issues is the long term residence visa for wealthy pensioners. A 10 year visa (have to prove you still meet income and insurance requirements at 5 years) that has no 90 day reporting requirement.

I lived in Thailand for ten years. In 2014 I moved back to the USA. My wife(Thai) and two daughters (Thai) and I will be moving back to Thailand next summer full time. To each his own.

Thanks! Great information!!!

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen about expat life in Thailand

I lived there for 7 years. It was and still is the best experience of my life and I always miss it. Once you get comfortable with all these things mentioned it’s the best place to live and will give you a fulfilling life. On the clothing theme, I had to buy work shirts for the office but the sleeves were always way too short so I spent the whole time rolling the cuffs back to disguise it!

Hello. I’ve been watching about ten of your videos lately and just subscribed. Not commenting on anything in particular but just want to say that your content is great and I really enjoy the calm pace of your videos and speech. A lot of the times I work and can’t see the video but you are doing a great job of being direct but very personal. Keep up what you are doing. 👍

the biggest issue is Chiang Mai is the smoke, for many months a year it is a dangerous place to live, very bad for your health, this is the reason I would never live in Chiang Mai. Sad really, SE Asia has a huge problem with crop burning, it needs to be resolved through countries cooperating and working out a solution, it is getting worse

Very goid info ,enjoyed your video

Great visa content 🌍

Very cool good description indeed!

I am retired and will be moving to Thailand within 45 days to live in a village near Nang Rong where my fiancée has a home. I have spent a lot of time there during the past 6 years I've been visiting and enjoy the rural life. I've learned that everything you said is very true. It will be a breath of fresh air for me too...except during the smoky season.😅

Good video 😊 I'm in the exploring stage in Thailand. Have a 6 month visa. I'm really enjoying it so far definitely different from New Zealand 😅

I like this direct straight-shooting type of review. There's a lot of "blue sky" content out there as well.

...rock solid advice.

I wanna leave the US, just searching for the right place to move to. Thank you for explaining what to expect💯

Such an honest video!

Great video !

New subscriber. Thanks for your insight.

Probably the best presentation on Thailand I have seen. This guy obviously knows what he is talking about. None of the best place to retire BS so common on the web. The smoky season is a big problem and effectively rules out retirement for seniors.

Nice vid man. I live in Saudi Arabia now and insha Allah I will move to Yala City this year. My wife is Malay Muslim but has Thai passport and wants me to come live in Islamic Yala. I know some other Arabs there who work as Dawah teachers. Keep making your videos. I enjoy them

I’ve lived here for 25 years. The visa process is a bit irritating but very easy to manage. Visa agents exist.

I am glad that you pointed out negatives of living in Thailand. Which are all true.

Riding a scooter in Thailand....constantly scooters driving the wrong way on one way streets...constantly and they don't yield to you driving the correct way. Making turns, don't leave any space....I had a scooter fly by me on my left just a millisecond prior to me turning ..I had my signal on and was slowing to turn...they are very aggressive and thats minus any alcohol influence. If a car flashes its lights at you, they aren't telling you to go ahead, they're saying "get out of my way or ill run you over!"

Thanks for sharing

Thank you for letting us know some things to be aware of. This is about my third Thailand video today and the people who say they love it they can’t really explain why. Maybe you could put a video out kind of explaining the things you like about Thailand

Frequent changes with VISA requirements are indeed a challenge, especially when it comes to a long-term planning. The older I get, the more I worry Thailand will make things (VISAs) too difficult to remain in the country. Rumored requirements for health insurance worrisome.

thank you for sharing

Once a year I go to Chaeng Wattana, with the required documents, and get my Retirement Visa. Thailand would be overrun with foreigners if they made it any easier. In Malaysia they give you a 5 year visa. If they did that in Thailand it would be decimated, because every unhappy man living in the West would flock to Siam. No place is perfect, but Thailand is a good place to be for people who appreciate it.

Good points, all of them.

Tony..DAMN. You hit another one out of the park with this video. I totally agree. Leaving next week after being here for 1 month. Got my retirement visa. Going home to sell and returning end 2023/beginning 2024. Already looking forward to my new life. I love here in CM. BUT, I will rely exclusively on public type of transport. Don’t want to be a statistic. Again, thanks again.

Greetings to The Narrow Gate Team and to all the Beautiful and Virtuous Thai and Asian Peoples! Actually I can give a proper explanation and a detour on point 5 of your very informative and priceless video: There are two types of thinking: one is personal, and the other is collective thinking. In the West, also in my country in Europe (with the slowest home-sale bureaucracy not only in Europe), where we are so individualistic and sometimes sharp and jumpy, and are kind of the opposite to the Asian people in ways of community and family thinking, which are very important - In Europe we talk with people about our personal business on the street, but for an example we don't talk about values or money even with our friends. I hope you catch my comparison. I think that the Thai Brothers and Sisters, a Virtuous Buddhist Nation, got it absolutely right and their way is a good way. Just as the Japanese people, as a matter of fact. The collective thinking is beneficial and very important!!! A little joke on the matter ofcourse: You, should agree more, Tony! 🙏🙏🙏😆😆😁 Thank you for the video, you are the best!

been retired here 17 years now and all what you have stated is correct . I just accept it and adjust .

One of the most honest reviews I have seen on RU-vid about Thailand. It’s a great country and the people and food are lovely but its nice to see someone paint the cons as well as the pros. The weather (monsoons) and burning off are quite difficult if you suffer from Asthma, its common across Asia and I first experienced in Indonesia and it spoilt what would otherwise have been a great holiday.

I've visited CM four times but always in November, which as you say is one of the best months weather-wise. I am coming for six weeks starting in June, so I will get to experience the heat you are talking about! Please clear up the smokey skies for me, 555. Hopefully Songkran will wash it away.

Thank you for the nice video .I was in Thailand and drove from Pattaya to Roi Et to Ayutthaya to other placed .I was so so nice .The problem is that when i came back to working , my mind still stuck in magic Thailand .And i will come back .....

With he heat up north now at 36-39C and heat index of 108F, it takes determination to stay during the hot months.

Very well done.

I retired Thailand years ago take the good with the bad as you do even in your own country I live in the North the smoke doesn't affect me one bit having said that maybe I'll drop dead tomorrow 😅

I am a first generation immigrant to the US. Some of the (cultural) challenges mentioned here are exactly what me and parents had to go through. IMHO, it's not Thailand. It's just difference in culture.

Dual pricing: In USA a local county golf course has 2 prices, one for locals.. a State university is much more expensive for people out of state... the dual pricing is there, it just doesn't look exactly the same... ok, I can go on abt other points too, imagine being a Thai wanting to live in USA? What we have to do is cheap and easy in comparison.. I use an agent but for many years did my own visa - and yes, I speak Thai and have lived many years in a village and I am well accepted and assimilated... but you get back what you give out... BUT yes yes yes to your conclusion... the people and culture and language are fun and wonderful and I would never want to live elsewhere...

I have been thinking of this country for a long time. Peacefull and has family values and laws.

Greetings from Canada, just discovered your video here, have you been to Malaysia and if so, what would be your opinion about retirement there compared to Thailand? We're planning on doing some research on retiring in Thailand or snowbirding if that's what you call it here

I agree with you 100% everything you said.

I lived in Chiang Mai for 2 years and overall found it to be quite enjoyable. All of your comments are correct, and the chance of an accident was one reason I left as I could feel the clock ticking down (I did run into the back of a car with my scooter once, not a good feeling but fortunately no physical damage). I attempted to learn Thai was had conquered the alphabet and was able to read and write some, but speaking with the correct tones is so very difficult, and listening at full speed, well, I pretty much figured I would never be fluent, 555. I'm back in the US now, and I do at times miss Thailand. I would run up to Phayao for a few days and enjoy the much more laid back feeling, as well as (at the time) very few farangs. Great road to ride up. Anyways, the gov't certainly makes the visa process difficult, although at least now the 90 day can be done online I believe. The other thing you didn't mention is health insurance, as it is not always cheap, and I have heard after your reach 70 years in age it becomes quite difficult to get. And that's if someone will help you enough to get to the hospital. I think you're more likely to die just waiting for an ambulance that from medical care. But I enjoyed the video and the honesty!!

I'm concerned about the driving too. My friends brother died in Thailand, he was on a moped and got into an accident.

Thailand is awesome, you just have to mindful of the pitfalls.

The visa problem was a problem when I went there the first time in 1979... still a pain in the bottom today. I'd like to see this modernized, streamlined and ... I don't know.... just fixed.

You can get an Elite Thai visa for $ for up to 20 years and not have to go through this at all...comes with car service to and from the airport, VIP status at the airport (no lines), unlimited reentry...pretty good deal if you can afford it...it's not cheap.

Hello, I love all your videos and information. I just wanted to add that I am from Australia and lived in the states for 15 years and guess what? I was always the foreigner. I was treated different and always reminded that I was an AUstralian. I hated the weather in the states so many months of cold. The weather here in OZ has no 4 seasons and can be unpreditable and crazy. We will be moving to Chiang Mai in Sept. We spent 8 weeks in the old city and I cooked and went shopping in the markets and the women helped me so much. They realized that I was making noodle soups and when I went to shop they had made a tray with all the ingredients I would need. How lovely were they. As for the clothes I had some made not because I am big but wanted a special kind of design and it was so cheap. Like $6.00 for a dress. So anytime you leave your own country there always will be differences. I know that you love it there and was just giving a heads up. hope to see you there.

The only real visa problem in Thailand is the lack of long term visas for single people under 50 years old. Otherwise the visa system is a little complex but offers a variety of options. Every country has visa requirements and procedures. Traffic is crazy here simply because there are a lot more motorbikes than westerners are used to. 75% of accidents are motorbike accidents. Thailand has tropical weather but note that we don’t get cyclones so overall the weather isn’t that bad. And in case you’ve missed it there are weather challenges all over the world these days. There is dual pricing but the higher price is probably less than in parks & attractions in your home country. I just saw a video showing the entry fee to Cape Canaveral, FL to be $75. 😮 On the flip side I find it nice that entry fees for locals are low enough for poorer families to enjoy these sites. The non confrontational culture is a blessing compared to western culture. Saving face is a big deal but it is one of many cultural differences in a foreign country and, hey, isn’t culture part of the reason you are here? Yes you are correct - safety comes last. I used to be an engineer at a US National laboratory. I know safety. Clothes - no matter what your size you are 1-2 sizes larger in Thailand. I’m fine with being a foreigner in Thailand. Sometimes that results in extra deference. I agree, Thailand is awesome 🌴

90-day check-ins for your visa can be done online.

2:00 Traffic is not just an issue if you're driving, everytime I have been in Bangkok and had to cross the street, I have always felt like I was going to end up being roadkill

Well said man.

great video. Thank you. Question: does Amazon deliver to Thailand?

Interesting about the accidents. Over my 10 trips there I've spent a total of almost a year and don't recall ever seeing an accident.

Treated as a foreigner, couldn’t agree more, during my trip to Thailand, I was treated as a 2nd class Thai citizen from isaan, in Thailand if your complexion is a little darker, you’re treated differently

Chiang Mai is the place. If I was to ever retire in Thailand it would be there. Very honest awesome vid thank you.

Living in Roi Et province in the farming area, not many cars, weather is fine, lived in -20 to +50 so don’t mind the temps, we don’t have AC. Acclimatisation is the key and good house design. For peace and safety, live in the farming areas. Slow pace, no rush and don’t hook up with a Thai bar lady, good for some fun but a farmers girl is a wiser choice

Got to agree... I have live in thailand for 10 +years and the best thing I ever did was keep my house in nz...sooner or later the dream ends.

I use Bangkok train system (bts) almost everywhere I go metro rail which they called BTS in Bangkok. No hassles and no pollution, no traffic congestion.

As I'm Thai I can say all those you says are correct. However to say thank you in Thai for man is Korb Khun krub not kha at the end.

About visa: If you are working and/or under 50 years old, the Visa process, such as 'Non-O' can be very annoying, even when your purpose is 'taking care of Thai wife'. However, those elder 50Y living here after retirement can get the easy retirement visa (cost 1,900 Baht); you'll get it the same day. All you need is one formula, an actual picture, some few PP copies, an actual bank statement (same day!) confirming that for several months you're always been above 400,000 Baht (10K €) when married or the double, when unmarried. If this little money is an issue, stay at home. Not asked for this kind of visa, but strongly recommended: a sufficient health insurance! The 90-day extension can be easily made online; no cost. Good luck.

02:00 I’m from NYC and living in Turkey. They drive insane here brother. Thanks for the video btw.

How did you know where to stay when you first moved to Thailand. I would like to come and stay for three months, would you be able to provide some suggestions. Thanks.

Thank you for the heads up. I am considering returning. The last time I was in Thailand, as a young man, the police and visa officials were quite corrupt and bribing them was no problem. Has that changed?

The 90 day Report is easy. Can do this online after the first 90 day report which MUST be done in person. Perfectly reasonable in my mind. After that the annual renewal of the Retirement VISA is just a formality. We only need to look at the immigration MESS in USA , UK Europe and Scandinavian nations to see why Thailand is quite keen to have a bit more control. But nothing is perfect, in any nation.

Honest comments.. You are too kind, all true and more..

Having lived in HK for years and moving to CM next year. For clothes, especially underwear, the Japanese retailer Uniqlo is good if you are under 6 foot. For shirts I buy at one time and usually get Amazon Essentials. Polos run about US$10 per shirt. Buying at one time I can usually save on shipping. iHerb is great for online ordering hard to find cooking items like spices, honey, dried fruits, etc… There vitamins and supplements are far cheaper than I can buy in HK. A bottle of multivitamins in HK is about HK$400 and iHerb is $200 or less. Anyway, just some ideas and not selling for these companies. 😂