Moving To Thailand
Reasons, Regulations and Warnings on Living in the Land of Smiles
Thailand is truly a land of smiles, with many good reasons to move there. People should be aware of the visa regulations and also avoid the bad reasons for moving.
Thailand has a huge expatriate population. Most of these expatriates are here for very good reasons, enjoy a beautiful lifestyle and find little or no real problems while living here. Some of the best reasons for moving to Thailand are listed below.
Working with a Multinational in Thailand
By far one of the best reasons for a move to Thailand, not least because all bureaucracy is taken care of by the Multinational and very little problems with age and visas. Of course people working for multinationals tend to end up in large cities like Bangkok or Chang Mai, with very few on the tourist hot spot circuit.
Setting up a Thai Business
Many foreigners use their abilities in various fields, (Accountancy, Law, Medicine, Real Estate) to set up a business in Thailand to avail of the better lifestyle they perceive Thailand offers them. Providing that the expatriates fulfill the requirements of the Thai authorities such as forming a Thai controlled joint company and having Thai employees, this can be a rewarding and profitable means of moving to Thailand. Thai Visas and Thai Work Permits for this type of activity should be thoroughly checked out before making such a move.
Owning Property in Thailand
Providing you fulfill the relevant Thai visa regulations, owning and renting condominiums does not require a work permit Foreigners can own condominiums in their own name, providing that only 40% of the complex is so owned. To own a house a foreigner must set up a Thai controlled company. Considering that Thailand is one of the top Tourist Destinations in the world, this type of activity can be very profitable.
Retirement to Thailand
Because of its low cost of living, beautiful climate, stunning tourist spots and its cultural difference from the West, many people favor Thailand as a retirement destination. There are visa and financial requirements to be met, but the Thai government has shown its approval of such immigration by allowing people as young as 50 to apply for such “Thai Retirement Visas”.
Teaching in Thailand
Because of its large expatriate population, Thailand has many international schools that need English speaking teachers. Thailand is also a thriving economy in its own right, and recognizing that English has become the worlds economic language, there is a demand for native English speakers as English teachers in Thai schools and Universities. Unlike previous times, people who hope to move to Thailand to teach, must have the relevant degrees and fulfill all other visa and work permit requirements.
Just as there are many good reasons to move to Thailand on a long term, or semi-long term basis, there are also very bad reasons for moving to Thailand. Would be movers to Thailand should reconsider if their main reason for upping sticks is included in the following list.
- ave just enjoyed a wonderful holiday and would like to spend the rest of their lives lounging on a beach.
- long to own a Go-Go Bar like the one they had such a wonderful holiday in.
- ave met the Girl/Boy of their dreams and want to spend the rest of their life with her/him.
- ant to make a fortune running a bar in Thailand
- ould like to take a few years off and work their way through the hot spots of Thailand.
Thailand is a wonderful country to move to, with a very laid back lifestyle, but it does apply strict and enforceable visa and financial conditions on would be immigrants. Moving to Thailand can be a very good idea, but it does require strong foundations.
