Thailand’s capital, a former Chinese trading port situated along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, has long attracted expats. Earning its place in history as an “R&R” spot for American troops serving in the Vietnam War, Bangkok has flourished into a modern and surprisingly cosmopolitan city, with gleaming skyscapers, luxury hotels, and world-class public-transit options. Today, expats flock here for the multicultural vibe and high-on-convenience, easy on-the-wallet living.
2.Chiang Mai—Mountain Views and a Slower Pace of Life
Located near the foothills of northern Thailand, an hour’s flight from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is popular for those seeking a calmer way of life and a more temperate climate.
As the center of northern Thai, or Lanna, culture, Chiang Mai is home to hundreds of Buddhist temples, with a rich history that dates back some 700 years. The reverence for this history, combined with a mountainside setting, helps give the area its unique feel. A moat still surrounds Chiang Mai’s historic core and the crumbing remains of this once walled city evoke its exotic past.
3.Phuket—A Beach Lifestyle with All the Amenities
Nothing quite prepares you for the beauty of Phuket, especially when approaching the region by air…the sparkling, turquoise waters and jungle-topped mountains, the rocky outcrops and white-sand beaches. The country’s largest island is paradise for many expats.
Dubbed the “Pearl of the Andaman,” the island’s surrounding waters are warm and clear and there’s an ever-present breeze. During the dry season daytime temperatures average in the 70s F.
4.Hua Hin—Relaxed Seaside Retreat
This once-quiet fishing village south of Bangkok first debuted as a beach getaway in the 1920s, when Thailand’s royal family built a summer palace on the shore. Soon, the Thai capital’s elite followed suit, establishing vacation homes on the area’s wide, sandy beaches. Today, an easy, two-and-a-half-hour drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin is known among expat circles as a lively seaside town with easy living, a burgeoning restaurant scene, and a taste of the good life.
In addition to long stretches of clean, beautiful beaches, there’s a great night market right in town, where you can buy CDs, inexpensive bags, and Thai handicrafts. Get your shopping fix, then stop at one of the area’s seafood stalls for the day’s freshest catch. Or head a few blocks east where you can dine wharf side by candlelight.
5.Chiang Rai and Rayong—Two Off-the-Beaten-Track Havens
Sticking to established expat areas is not the only option in Thailand. A growing number of expats enjoy discovering the country’s little-known gems, such as Chiang Rai and Rayong.
Those looking for a peaceful, rural lifestyle head to Chiang Rai, located just 110 miles from Chiang Mai, in the country’s northernmost province. Chiang Rai offers all the basic amenities for a comfortable lifestyle, including restaurants, bars, a private hospital, and even a recently opened shopping mall.
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