Is living in Thailand easy?

On balance the answer is yes but a deeper analysis of the pros and cons of living in Thailand can reveal a lot more complexity than a simple binary answer of yes or no. The first way to dig a little deeper is to segment the types of people who come to Thailand, to live here, and what their general responses are.

travelerThe Traveller

The traveller is often passing through Thailand and South East Asia, and falls in love with the country, and decides to stay or return a little later with more belongings. This kind of profile is always going to enjoy living in Thailand, and whether it is hard or not will proselytize the Kingdom to their friends and family out of love. This doesn’t mean that it is actually easy as the obstacles of visa restrictions and employment still pose significant hardship. Yet for many travellers the stress of keeping their head above water and in a legal manner is more than compensated for by the privilege of living in a unique country with a great energy.

The Expat

The Expat is relocated to Thailand with all expenses paid, flights, international schools, pensions and so forth. They are divided into the two camps of those who find it hard to live in Thailand and those who love it. The strugglers can often become a little bitter with the term they have to serve though on deeper examination this isn’t because they dislike the country but because their wives or partners are less enthusiastic about living in Thailand. The children are generally much more adaptable and fit in whatever country their parents are obliged to work in. The Expat lifestyle is generous, stimulating and rewarding but isn’t always an easy choice for all involved.

retireeThe Retiree

The retiree is a blossoming category of Westerner that comes to live in Thailand. The warm weather and relatively low cost of living appeal to the ageing resident, and the increasingly improving health care services, are world standard if not approaching that level, in many Thai cities and towns across the country. However the retirees are also old and can often behave in a curmudgeonly manner. One look at a popular online bulletin board such as Thaivisa.com reveals an awful lot of complaining about issues that can seem pedantic and trivial to the younger mind and fresher outlook on life. The volume of Thai culture bashing on these boards is a little depressing and perhaps reveals a flaw in Western psychology, rather than a great ability to adapt and enjoy the new.

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