Thailand offers affordable modern conveniences. If you're planning to move to Thailand, you'll need to do your research, get a visa, move things around, find a place to live, and live there. Although many people speak English in Thailand, especially Bangkok, the largest city there, learning to speak Thai will help make your transition easier in the “Land of Smiles”.
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Part 1 of 3: Moving to Thailand
Step 1. Prepare the necessary documents to enter Thailand
Get a passport if you don't have one. A passport is a form of identification that proves your citizenship in a country and allows you to travel abroad.
- Check if you need a visa to enter Thailand. This applies to visitors from several countries. Visa is a document that certifies the entry of foreign visitors to a country for a certain time or for a certain purpose. Citizens of most countries can enter and stay in Thailand for 30 consecutive days as long as the passport is still valid. Your stay in Thailand can be extended up to 90 days. After 90 days, you must apply for a visa to remain there.
- Many foreign visitors use this loophole to evade visas. They simply leave Thailand in the afternoon and return again in the afternoon. This will renew the 30-day layover, as long as the passport is still valid.
- Make sure you get a tourist visa or retirement visa before coming to Thailand if you intend to stay for more than 90 days or retire there. Contact the Thai Immigration Office or the Thai Embassy in your country. You can get your own work permit through the Thai Embassy; however, if you accept a position with a company operating in Thailand, the company will apply for a visa for you.
Step 2. Find a place to live
Choose accommodation based on your layover time. Hotels in Thailand provide accommodation from simple to luxurious for a temporary stay. For a long layover, foreign visitors can rent an apartment or house, live with family there or buy a condominium. Condos are the only properties foreign visitors can purchase in Thailand. It's not difficult to find a place to stay once you get there, depending on the season (in high season or high season it is more difficult to find accommodation).
Find out about utility costs, including electricity, water, and telephone costs, and learn how and where you pay them each month, if you're not staying in a hotel. Generally, the cost of utilities and cellular phone services is relatively cheaper than other countries. Unlike the use of air conditioning, which can increase electricity costs by Rp. 1,000,000-Rp 2,000,000/month, it can even be more for continuous use. Residents of apartment complexes, for example, receive detailed reports on rent and utilities at the end of each month
Step 3. Don't get hung up on Bangkok
You might think Bangkok is the right city for you. Many expatriates live there because Bangkok is the financial, political, economic and cultural center of Thailand. There are many other great places you could consider. Maybe you don't fit into city life. See also the advantages of other provinces.
Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, and Rayong are popular choices that you should consider for a quieter city
Step 4. Consider Thailand's climate
Do you like warm air? Do you like multiple seasons? Thailand is a country with warm temperatures throughout the year. If you go to the northern part of Thailand, the higher the area, the cooler the temperature and the colder it tends to be. Thin shirts, sleeved shirts and shorts are mandatory in Thailand.
Thailand has three seasons. The rainy season (May-October) is produced by monsoons originating from the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Winter (November-February) is the best period to visit Thailand. Although sometimes the temperature is cooler, the temperature still reaches 30 degrees celsius or 86 degrees fahrenheit during the day. Temperatures in summer (March-May) can exceed 35 degrees Celsius or 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a favorite time to go to the beach in Thailand
Step 5. Create a transportation plan
Review your transportation options. Options available in Thailand's urban areas include: buses, car taxis, motorcycle taxis, samlors (rickshaws), trains, and boats. Walking is also an option if you live close to work, shopping and entertainment. Motorbike and car rentals per day, week, and month are also widely available. Buying a motorbike (used or new) is a much cheaper option if you live in Thailand for 6 months or more.
Foreign nationals can buy cars and motorbikes in Thailand. It's not difficult to drive in Thailand. In cities, it is customary for cars to be parked in two or three layers. The car is quite left in a neutral position even though it is in a three-layer parking lot. You simply push the car that is blocking your car
Step 6. Find a job in Thailand
If you want to live in Thailand, you need to make an income. Some people just working online or starting their own business manage to finance themselves in Thailand without looking for work there. Most likely, you want to find a job there.
- Consider teaching English, a popular job for foreigners in Thailand. The salaries of teachers there are not very high. A work permit is required for any type of paid work.
- Look for companies that employ foreigners. Industries that offer great opportunities for foreigners are finance, computers and engineering. Many companies in Thailand offer packages for potential foreign employees consisting of job offers and housing subsidies.
- Some jobs are reserved for Thai nationals such as barber, carpenter, and secretary.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Started
Step 1. Create a bank account
If you plan to live and work in Thailand, having a bank account will be very beneficial for your daily activities. There are some things you can't do without a bank account.
- There are several international banks in Thailand that you can use, if you want to keep the bank you are used to.
- The Baht (THB,) is the currency of Thailand. American dollars or other currencies are rarely used, although most banks provide currency exchange services.
- Determine the type of account you want to use. Your choice is determined by the work visa. Few banks allow foreigners to open accounts without a visa. Some banks require proof of a rented residential address or a certificate from the embassy or consulate. The various types of accounts used include savings, which include ATM and Visa/Mastercard. Some banks limit the location of using Visa/Mastercard (SCB Bank), some do not limit (Kbank, Bangkok Bank).
- Not many use checking accounts. Checks are rarely used. Transfers are much more widely used and can be done via ATM or online. Paypal also operates in Thailand and although Paypal there does not have a credit card option like in other countries, you can make money transfers between PayPal Thai users, Thai banks, as well as American banks.
Step 2. Buy a mobile phone
Buying a mobile phone in Thailand is quite easy. There are many shops selling mobile phones and all of them offer prepaid services. So you just need to buy a cell phone, buy credit, choose a phone number, and you can start using your cell phone right away.
Many expats complain that the phone companies there charge time based instead of the amount of internet quota you use. Many people experience rapid quota drops, especially if there are apps that are constantly using 3G to update content
Step 3. Get internet access
Most people in Thailand still use the telephone system, but urban areas like Bangkok offer fast and cheap internet. If your internet speed is not satisfactory, many large cafes and restaurants provide free internet.
Step 4. Purchase health insurance
Health care costs are generally cheaper than in the US and Europe. You have two options. You can pay for international health insurance from your home country or you can sign up for Thai health insurance, which works like regular health insurance anywhere. If you plan to stay permanently, international insurance may not apply. Check with the authorities before you move. Sometimes, international insurance applies a time limit in certain countries.
Part 3 of 3: Learning Thai Culture
Step 1. Learn Thai
Most people who move there understand sentences and even words spoken in conversation. Just like any other language, you need some time to become "sensitive" when you hear Thai. Just try it. After all, Thais love it when foreigners try to speak their language. You will find that you are warmly received if you at least make an effort to speak the local language.
- Most people in Thailand speak Thai, and business activities generally also use Thai. In tourist areas, there is usually some English-speaking customer service available (eg major branches of internet and cell phone service companies). We recommend that you learn as much Thai as possible to make it easier for you to interact with Thai people.
- Some ways to learn this language include taking language classes taught by natives; learn to read Thai books and Thai-English dictionaries; hire a Thai person to be your interlocutor; or take online classes that offer free or paid lessons.
- Watch a lot of Thai television shows. One powerful way to learn a language is to watch TV in the language you are learning. You can understand the context of the movement.
Step 2. Learn about Thailand's political situation
If you move to Thailand, you inevitably have to deal with the government. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy since 1932. But since its creation, the military and the monarchy have often interfered and hindered the democratic process. However, the bureaucratic system works well and is relatively open to foreigners who want to move to Thailand.
Thai people love their country and government very much. Don't be disrespectful
Step 3. Read a book about Thai history and its beliefs
Thai people are very proud of their country and history. Theravada Buddhism is an important part of Thai history. About 95% of Thailand's population is Buddhist. There are many temples scattered across the country that you can visit and monks are the most revered members of society. You can see images of monks in graffiti, taxis, and TV commercials.
- Understand the spiritual side of Thailand. This Buddhist-majority country provides meditation retreats and visits to several temples across the country.
- Chiang Mai especially has many Buddhist temples that are open to the public. Make sure you are polite when visiting any temple. Wear appropriate clothing and always take off your shoes before entering the temple.
- The largest minority group in Thailand are Muslims. Making up about 4% of the population, most of them live in the south near the border with Malaysia. There are also Christians, Hindus, Confucians and Taoists in Bangkok.
Step 4. Learn how to behave in Thailand
Like other countries, Thailand has manners that you must learn. Most importantly, don't raise your voice or get angry. Angry behavior is frowned upon in this “land of smiles”.
- Greetings in Thailand are different from the customs in other places. Instead of shaking hands, waving, or asking “how are you?” while nodding his head, a good way of greeting there is wai. Put your palms under your chin as if to pray. Lower your head. Avoid unnecessary physical contact and always take off your shoes before entering a Buddhist temple or someone's residence.
- No matter what happens, Thai people will still think of you as a foreigner. They may call you “farang” instead of your name. For some people, this call is considered ridicule. Yet others responded to this call casually. Just accept it, and don't be confrontational. Thai people value good manners. Usually, they won't call you “farang” in a negative context, unless you offend them.
- Thai people have a high sense of nationalism that characterizes their entire culture. They will proudly tell stories about their country, history and unique culture. At the same time, they will perceive you differently. This can take the form of "unique" things. For example, if you are involved in a car accident, you are likely to be blamed. Had you not been in Thailand, you would not have been in that car and there would have been no accident. This doesn't make sense, but there's no need to argue.
Step 5. Explore Thailand
There are many cruise ship tours and various types of ecotourism activities. Try taking trips by bicycle, mountain climbing, kayaking, and other water activities.
Traveling around Thailand is also reasonably priced, with many train routes spanning even remote locations. Travel by train is safe and very cheap. The 48 hour journey from Bangkok to Singapore is only around IDR 800,000, 00. As a bonus, you can enjoy the beautiful view from the train window
Step 6. Enjoy Thai food
Thailand offers many food choices. Food varies from cheap to expensive, and there is a large selection of international and fast food (in touristy/big city areas).
