Aside from being a top tourist destination, Thailand is a favourite country for retired couples, while digital nomads also like the Land of Smiles. Why wait for the freezing winter to arrive? Thailand has great weather, especially from November to February and if you are thinking of relocating in 2024, here is some very useful information to help facilitate a smooth transition.

Long term visas

If you are aged 50 or over, you can apply for a retirement visa; make contact with the Thai embassy in your home country and fill out the online forms. You must open a Thai bank account and deposit 800,000 prior to applying for the visa; another way to meet the financial requirements is to show evidence of a monthly income exceeding 65,000 baht per month. In the event you plan to marry a Thai national, you can apply for a marriage visa, which requires funds of 400,000 baht in your bank account.

Insurance

The best way to obtain the policies you need is to contact BSI insurance broker, a leading Thai company that offers the best deals on health insurance, travel insurance, property insurance and commercial insurance. A broker has associations with many insurers and can therefore choose a policy that suits your lifestyle and budget. 

Learning to speak Thai

Ask any seasoned expat about the importance of communicating with the local people and they will confirm that learning to speak Thai is a must if you want to understand Thai culture. You can learn in a class or one on one with a Thai native-speaking teacher and living in Thailand gives you lots of free practice. If you are looking to bring your cat or dog, click here for help.

Real estate

If you are planning to build your dream home in a tropical paradise, be aware that foreigners are not allowed to own land; there are ways around this; you can, for example, set up a limited company and put the property in the company name. You are allowed to own condo units and many foreigners acquire a condo in a coastal area; Hua Hin, Cha-Am, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Phuket are all popular locations. We recommend renting for a few months to see if the area meets your needs. Some people prefer the north of Thailand, which is a little cooler than the south.

Driving licence

Whether you plan to buy a car or motorcycle, you will need to apply for a Thai driving licence; show your passport, visa, a letter of residence from Thai immigration and take a colour blind test; then you will be issued with a 1-year licence and upon renewal it will be extended to 5 years. You can do this yourself by applying at your local Transport Office or hire an agent to facilitate the licence acquisition. If you do not have a driving licence from your home country, you have to sit a 50-question multiple choice test and do the reaction tests.