It’s not surprising that Thailand was chosen as the best country in the world for expats to reside. The HSBC Expat Explorer Survey of 2011 found the Kingdom beat 31 other countries for health care, accommodation, work environment and lifestyle. Thailand is my home. I live in a beautiful tropical beach community in a three bedroom condo with security and spacious pools. Where can I live like that in America for $2,000 a month?
I don’t paint the "Land of Smiles" as the be all and end all for every retiree. Buddha knows, it has its issues, but for someone who has the courage to get out of their comfort zone and doesn’t have the money to retire in a luxurious style in the West, Thailand can be that special place.
Make no mistake, it is going to take courage to travel half way around the world and live in a place where things are very, very different. Family and friends are rarely coming for a visit and trips home are expensive. You’ll probably never speak or read the Thai language. You’ll always be an outsider. You’ll never have the same rights as Thais and you won’t be looked at the same. You’ll always be vulnerable. You're a foreigner or as the Thai refer to you, “farang".
Thai culture is very different from the West. Combined with a very different language, Thailand can be a difficult place to grasp and understand. "TIT," short for "This is Thailand", is a phrase coined and frequently used by former Bangkok Post nightlife columnist, Bernard Trink. It’s often used in conversation and writing by expats to explain puzzling behavior and the way things are done. "TIT" can be frustrating and fascinating.
Retirement in Thailand is as close to stress free as you’ll ever find. No place can match the “fun factor” that Thailand offers. Lower your expectations and be flexible enough to overlook the everyday craziness that makes Thailand unique and you’ll discover, this is the place.
The book will help you decide if Thailand is the right place for you. This is a guide to the "Land of Smiles" for the retiree, with all its blemishes. You'll know exactly what to expect. A concise and colorful "How-to" manual for a successful retirement in Thailand.
All the information you'll need is here. Topics include: visa requirements, budgets from $1000 a month, the Thai people, the food, the women, driving, religion and 100's of everyday tips to make the successful retirement transition to the "Land of Smiles".
I’ll breakdown the expenses for different budgets and the lifestyles they provide. I'll suggest different places where you might want to live in the Kingdom. I’ll tell you about the people and the culture. You'll know exactly what to expect. This is the Essential Retirement Guide to Thailand.
Join me for the adventure of your life.
Pete Bowen
