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If you fell in love with the Land of Smiles years ago and have decided to relocate to this tropical paradise, you certainly aren’t alone, as many expats choose to move to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand. In this article, we offer useful information for those who wish to make a new start in this amazing nation.
Long stay visas
If you are planning to stay in Thailand long-term, you will need the right visa; those aged 50 and over can apply for a retirement visa, which can be renewed annually without having to leave the country. Another way you can stay long term is to marry a Thai national, which allows you to apply for a marriage visa, if you wish to learn the ancient art of Muay Thai, you can apply for a relevant visa that will allow you to stay up to 15 months. You can also apply for a visa to study Buddhism or the Thai language; sign up with an approved school and you can apply for the relevant visa.
Real estate ownership
According to Thai law, foreigners are not permitted to own land; there are options, however, you can set up a limited company and acquire real estate in the company name, or you could lease the land for 30 years with the option for a further 30 years. Another option is a Bangkok luxury condo for rent as a base in the capital, which many foreigners prefer; check out the top Bangkok real estate agents for the best properties.
What to bring
Ask any seasoned expat living in Thailand and they will tell you not to bring anything except clothing and a few personal items; furniture and appliances can easily be bought in Thailand, which saves you a lot in importation costs. Forget importing your car or motorcycle, as import duty is horrendous, unless you are a diplomat, in which case you can import one used car. Even clothing is cheap in Thailand, plus you won’t need any cold weather gear, the lowest temperature would be around 18C.
Learning Thai language
If you are planning to stay in Thailand, we recommend that you enroll in a basic Thai language class; living in Thailand means you have lots of free practice, so you can use the vocabulary you learn in the classroom. Being able to converse with the locals gives you a real insight into Thai culture, plus life is a lot smoother when you can speak the language.
Health insurance
Foreigners do not receive Thai government support regarding medical expenses, so you need to have at least emergency cover, preferably a comprehensive policy that protects your nest egg. Start with a Google search to find reputable insurers, then browse the various packages until you find what you are looking for. Click here for ways to stay safe in a foreign country.
Thailand has much to offer the foreigner, especially those who are ready for retirement, so get planning and before you know it, you will be on a beach in sunny Thailand.
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