Home Practice Living the life of an expatriate in Thailand

Living the life of an expatriate in Thailand

by Pierre To
7 minutes to read
A famous backpacker district in Thailand overwhelmed by the influx of tourists

Life in Thailand is a daily adventure for most expats, an obstacle course of delicious but feisty cuisine, the laid-back attitude of the locals (the mai pen rai: it doesn't matter), and a language that can easily make you say something very rude, very unintentionally.

An article from the Thai newspaper PBS World:

For expats in Thailand, paradise can be full of pitfalls.

As one long-time expatriate put it:

"They should tell the young people when they get off the boat:

Learn the language!

Guidebooks generally say that this is a "good idea".

This is not the case. It should be considered essential.

In addition to breaking the communication barrier, mastering the Thai language has other benefits, such as lasting friendships, close ties and a true understanding of the arai ko dai (all is well) mindset that is at the heart of Thai culture.

See also: Thai language, the minimum vocabulary to know on your first trip

In general, life is easy in Thailand, provided you learn to relax and forget about confrontations.

See : Do's and don'ts in Thailand, the things you need to know

"The Thai approach is almost the opposite of the American approach [to work, communication and problem solving], so it can be a very rewarding experience if you are aware of and open to that awareness," advises Tamara Wyachai, who was born in the US and is the director of the international programme at a leading Bangkok school.

This year, Thailand jumped six places in the World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business" ranking to 21st out of 190 countries, and is expected to move up to 19th place by the end of the year.

See also: Thailand named best country for business start-ups for the second year running

Former finance minister Uttama Savanayana attributed the increase to the government's steps to streamline the approval process for foreign companies by adopting online portals and improving rules and regulations to catch up with the rest of the world.

Many expatriates will agree that running a business in Thailand is easier than you might think.

Among them was a South Asian immigrant who opened a resort in the mountains with his Thai partner just before Covid-19 shut down tourism.

He agrees that running a business here "can be emotionally and financially satisfying - provided you are in the right place and can target the right groups, even in a global health crisis".

However, like anywhere else, finding the right staff can be a daunting task.

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"The only thing to do in these circumstances is to find workers who are open to learning and experience, train them and hope they stay," he says.

See also: Working with Thai people, documentary

Moving to Thailand

Once you've got the hang of it, took essential Thai lessons and tuned your palate to the som tam (papaya salad) and tom yam (lemongrass soup), two incredibly spicy dishes, you are ready to settle in.

Tom Yum Kung

The Tom Yum Kung

Most Thai companies employing foreign staff are used to collecting the thick packet of documents required by the Ministry of Labour to issue work permits.

However, it is the responsibility of foreign staff to ensure that their passports are properly stamped.

They should also be prepared to spend a day queuing at the local Chaeng Wattana immigration office in Bangkok to get the all-important visa stamp and, unless the company does it for them, at the Ministry of Labour to get that thin blue booklet with the one-year stamp.

But the meetings with officials do not stop there.

Every 90 days, expatriates must reconfirm their address with their local immigration office or face a fine of 5,000 baht.

However, after submitting the address in person - again, to Chaeng Wattana for Bangkok residents - expats can complete their future 90-day reports online.

When this rule was reintroduced a few years ago, many long-time expatriates threatened to leave Thailand because of these "backlogged and unfair" demands.

Today, many are realising that similar measures are being taken in other neighbouring countries as well.

Cambodia, for example, appears to be tightening its own regulations "to align more closely with Thailand's," noted one long-time Canadian expat.

"And it must be acknowledged that Thailand has taken steps to improve the situation and introduce more convenience for expatriates.

Paradise for digital nomads

Making Thailand a hub for digital nomads

Photo: ElenaBuzmakova_Borisova

Despite all the fuss over long-term visas, Thailand is fast becoming a haven for digital nomads thanks to its high-speed internet and excellent transport infrastructure that can get you from the bustling capital to the beach or the mountains in a matter of hours.

After all, what's wrong with loving an office of white sand and turquoise waters?

And since such an environment is easy on most wallets, it's no wonder that many digital nomads consider Thailand the perfect place to rest their laptops.

However, it is always important to remember that for any paid work in Thailand, a work permit is required.

See also: Making Thailand a hub for digital nomads

Thailand also offers a wide range of short and long stay options in almost every corner of the country, from simple bamboo huts on the beach to chic cocoons in the centre of Bangkok.

A favourite option is Airbnb, although the recently passed Hotel and Condominium Act prohibits renting out properties for less than a month, which means that some condominium owners have banned short-term stays.

See also: The most hospitable destinations in Thailand according to Airbnb

However, Airbnb still gives you the opportunity to find the perfect hut, guesthouse or flat, with generous discounts available during the rainy season.

With good Internet coverage, digital nomads can find a temporary home in almost any part of Thailand.

Some of the most popular places outside the major cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Maiwe find Koh Lanta in the south, Pai in the north and Koh Samui in the Gulf.

These areas, which attract migrants with laptops, also offer workspaces where creatives can meet and chat, providing an easy introduction for nomadic newcomers.

See also :

Preparing your trip to Thailand: the complete guide

Living in Thailand: the good and the bad

Expatriation in Thailand: Eldorado or mirage?


Source: thaipbsworld.com

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