THAILAND We are thinking to relocate to Thailand as a retired couple from South Africa.What is required.?

What is the cost of living compared to say South Africa or Spain. Are their many ex-pats in certain areas etc.

Public Comments

1. Contact the Thailand Consulate General Office, Thailand High Commission or Thailand Embassy.
2. Vacationers are welcome in Thailand but staying over 90 days is frowned upon. A substantial deposit is required in a Thai bank like Thai Farmers Bank and large minimum balance must be maintained. The Thai government has offices all over the world so check your country for an Embassy.
3. Yeah you better check with the consulate. Thialand is a lot cheaper than spain
4. Thailand tourist Authrolity have "Long Stay campaign" cost it very cheap compare with another
5. check under TAT (Tourism authority of Thailand) and senior resident scheme but do not expect too much help there. A consulate or embassy in SA might be better. In general: do not build too much on bureaucracies in Thailand. Spain might be a better guess for that (if you speak some spanish) Thailand is much much cheaper than SA or Spain. You will find many expats in most towns close to borders (for the visa runs) and near the sea Chiang Mai would be a good bet for hilly area and Pukhet for the sea. Try to travel for a few months through Thailand and decide then. You do not need a travel agency if you think you are strong enough to find a guesthouse or a hotel on your own. You must find fellow expats who will help you with your first steps. Maybe later you can move to a smaller and more quiet place. Make sure you always have a few western friends in the neighborhood. You might find helpfull friends at the British Council in Chiang Mai, they are very helpful. Start learning some Thai quickly. It will save you more time than you can imagine, but realise you will never be able to speak it properly. If I were you, I would go to Chiang Mai for a few months, rent a room in any hotel for 2 or 3 days and then go looking for a good place. I never pay more than 6000b a month for a VERY good room (that would be about 125 eur)