Knowing the problems retiring in Thailand is crucial if you’re planning to move to the Land of Smiles. If you’re still having trouble deciding if doing so is the right thing, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll give you a complete list of the factors you need to consider before making the big move.
Make sure you read on to get the lowdown on the problems retiring in Thailand. This is so you can really weigh the advantages and disadvantages before committing to the whole thing. So whenever you’re ready, let’s get things going.
#1: Retiring in Thailand means you will always be surrounded with warm, friendly people.
One of the biggest problems retiring in Thailand are the locals. Besides having a positive attitude no matter what the situation is, Thais are always willing to lend a helping hand. They are also fun-loving and won’t hesitate to give you a friendly beam each time you meet them.
An attribute that you’d have to keep an eye on with Thais is their “mai pen rai” or never mind attitude. It can mean anything from “don’t worry about it” to “this is just a minor setback not worth stressing about.” It can also mean “everything is going to be fine.”
This “mai pen rai” mindset can be observed even among the younger generations of Thais. It is a philosophy ingrained in the very fabric of their hearts, minds, and souls. This mindset is also constantly polished by their elders as they are growing up.
Another side of the Thais you have to know about is their tendency to share. This could be anything from food and drink, to clothing and shelter. They don’t even hesitate to invite strangers and foreigners during their feasts and merrymaking!
If you don’t want positive, benevolent and helpful people around you, then cancel your plans of retiring in Thailand. Should you decide to make the big move, there’s even a possibility that all your neighbors will have this attitude.
#2: Retiring in Thailand means having nice weather most of the year.
If you’re not a fan of bright and sunny weather, then don’t ever make the mistake of retiring in Thailand. The typical temperature in the Land of Smiles ranges between 23°C and 28°C. Moreover, the temperature does not go over a shade above 35°C, even during the rainy season.
It can get really warm in Thailand, especially during March to June when the sun is at its harshest. However, it’s a nice kind of warmth—the type you’d like to sunbathe in.
Sure, getting used to the Thailand climate isn’t automatic, but it’s not uncommon to see expatriates acclimatizing just within weeks. They turned out just fine, too. And if staying warm and toasty most of the year isn’t your thing, retiring in Thailand just isn’t for you.
#3: Retiring in Thailand means always chowing down on amazing food.
Here’s another important thing you need to keep in mind before making the big plunge of retiring in Thailand. Thais have a way with meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, and other edible things. They have this knack of transforming them into amazing dishes.
Take the Laab, for example. It’s a simple salad made from mint, shallots, fish sauce, chilies, and mushroom. Pork or chicken may be added to the mix, too. Although the list of ingredients may not sound that interesting, the finished recipe will get your appetite in gear.
Or how about the Pad phuk tong that is considered one of the most sumptuous vegetarian fares in Thailand? The recipe simply involves stir frying some pumpkin and a few other ingredients in a wok. But the dish that it gets transformed to is just mind-blowing.
If you don’t want to sample amazing dishes every day, don’t ever think about retiring in Thailand. It’s not that far-fetched that all your meals will be insanely delicious when you decide to make the big move.
#4: Retiring in Thailand means getting in on the amazing nightlife.
One of the biggest problems retiring in Thailand is the nightlife. Besides the profusion of bars and entertainment establishments everywhere, you’ll also meet lots of new friends each time.
Entertainment venues in the Land of Smiles also serve everything from select craft beers to the best cocktails you can ever imagine. You can also try a number of bar staples like Thai Amarit Bangkok, Kloster, Singha, Phuket Lager Beer, and Leo Super, among others.
An attribute of Thais you need to watch out for is their inclination to make friends during merrymaking. It’s not even uncommon for the locals to invite strangers and foreigners to share a drink with them.
If you’re not into this whole nightlife-and-making-friends deal, then better not retire in Thailand because you’ll just be sorry. And there’s one more thing before we move on. The amazing deals you’re going to get during happy hour in the Land of Smiles will make your jaw drop.
#5: Retiring in Thailand means participating in fun festivals year round.
Thais are very much into festivals. They are into them so much that it’s already a major problem retiring in Thailand you have to know about. And the locals also make them extra fun and exciting while at it, too.
Some of these festivals are so pleasant and entertaining that they continuously attract foreigners to get in on the action. A significant example would be the Thai New Year’s day, also called “Songkran.”
Typically celebrated on April 13 every year, the event goes on for days. What’s really interesting is it’s not uncommon for Songkran to be commemorated up to a week, too.
The highlight of the event is the big water fight, which involves revelers trying to soak one another in the streets. And the whole point of the celebration is the wetter you are, the luckier you will be for the coming year.
Other notable celebrations observed in Thailand are the Maya Music Festival, Phuket Vegetarian Festival, Boon Bang Fai, the Lopburi Monkey Banquet, and the Surin Elephant Festival.
What’s even worse is that there is always a festival happening somewhere in the Land of Smiles almost every day. This is a really big problem if you’re thinking about retiring in this Southeast Asian country.
#6: Retiring in Thailand means setting foot in larger than life temples.
If you’re not a fan of amazingly beautiful temples, then moving to Thailand for your retirement is a big no-no. The Land of Smiles is practically teeming with majestic temples that you can visit and admire.
This Southeast Asian nation flaunts some of the most splendid temples and you’re likely to find one in the area where you’re planning to resettle in when you retire. Here are a few of the most well-known temples of “wats” in the country:
Chiang Mai’s Wat Sri Suphan or the “Silver Temple.” It is renowned for its distinct silver color that eventually became its namesake. What’s interesting about this temple is that its ceilings and walls are actually coated with a layer of genuine silver.
- Krabi’s Wat Tham Suea or the “Tiger Cave Temple.” Visitors have to fully ascend the temple’s 1,260 steps to reach the giant golden Buddha on its peak. The base of the temple also rests on a series of caves that are adorned with murals of tiger paws.
- Bangkok’s Wat Pho or the “Temple of the Reclining Buddha.” The temple gets its name from the 15-meter tall and 46-meter long statue of a Buddha reclining sideways. It is considered as one of the biggest Buddha figures in Thailand.
- Chiang Rai’s Wat Rong Seua Ten or the “Blue Temple.” Visitors are instantly greeted with dominant shades of deep blue as they enter this temple’s premises. The accents of gold and red take the visual to a whole new level.
- Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew or the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha.” Deemed as one of the most significant temples in the country, this temple is named after the 66-centimeter tall Emerald Buddha that is typically dressed in monastic attire.
And that’s just a few of the temples you can find in Thailand. If you detest poetry in motion such as these architectural works of art, better not retire in the Land of Smiles at all.
#7: Retiring in Thailand means checking out awesome beaches.
If you’re not into pristine white sand beaches, then retiring in Thailand is out of the question. There are several picturesque beaches in this Southeast Asian country that look as if they were untouched by time.
Besides having white sands that have the feel of confectioner’s sugar, these beaches are also rich in marine life. Exploring the rocky outcrops and coves along the shoreline will give you the opportunity to check out various sea creatures.
Depending on your preferences, there are lots of things you can engage in when you’re at a beach in Thailand. You can just lounge on the sand and admire the views. Or you can take a dip in the clear waters. You can even ride a kayak and do some exploring, too.
Thailand’s beaches also cater to various lifestyles and preferences ranging from the rustic, the in-between, to the upscale. It’s really up to you where you’d like to go if you don’t hate beaches so much.
You can also click here to get the lowdown on the best beaches at Koh Samui.
#8: Retiring in Thailand means cheaper rent and utility bills.
Another of the problems retiring in Thailand you’ll encounter is the low cost of living in the Land of Smiles. Compared to the bills you are now paying for, you’re only going to shell out a fraction of the same when you make the big move.
Just imagine the savings you’ll have. This means you’re going to have more money for leisure. This gives you the opportunity to buy the things you’ve always wanted. This means you’ll finally have the life you’ve only dreamed of.
And not only that, the cost of living in Thailand is quite low and you don’t need to spend a lot just to get and stay comfortable. That’s how big of a problem this one is.
#9: Retiring in Thailand means visiting picturesque national parks.
If you’re not into extraordinary rain forests and wildlife, then you better not entertain the idea of retiring in Thailand. The country has many national parks that flaunt some of the most amazing flora and fauna in the world.
Notable animals that you can check out in Thailand’s national parks include the Sun bear, the banded Linsang, the Clouded leopard, the Indochinese tiger, the Binturong and the Asian elephant.
Some of the most interesting plants that you will encounter in the national parks of the Land of Smiles are the Ratchaphruek or Golden Rain, the Siamese tulip or Purple Krachao, the Mangrove trumpet tree, and the Bat flower.
Don’t ever think about retiring in Thailand if you’re not into amazing plants and animals because you’ll encounter a lot of them.
#10: Retiring in Thailand means getting excellent massages.
And now let’s get to the massages that feel so good, they can literally melt away stress with every knead. If you want, you can get a Thai massage every single day when you retire in the Land of Smiles. This is one of your big problems retiring in Thailand.
These massages feature a combination of acupuncture, Ayurvedic concepts and the signature Thai brand of fluidity. They reduce blood pressure and improve circulation. They eliminate feelings of tension and unease.
Not to mention boosting energy levels, eliminating muscle soreness, and may even increase immune function. If you’re into mind-blowing massages, then you should forget about retiring in Thailand.
The Final Word
You’ve probably noticed by now that these “problems” are actually the things you can look forward to when you decide to spend your retirement in Thailand.
With its friendly people, diverse culture, lineup of sumptuous gastronomic offerings, and tourist spots, moving to the Land of Smiles is going to be one of the most life-changing decisions you will ever make.