Thailand is a hugely popular destination for expats. It’s easy to see why, it’s very beautiful, cheaper than many western countries, and full of friendly people. But is it the right destination for your family? There are lots of things you’ll need to think about before you make the move.
Expat jobs can be difficult to find
If you’re moving to a new country to be an expat, it’s usually best to have a job in hand before you go. This is because:
- The visa situation is much more complex if you don’t already have a job
- Jobs in Thailand are thin on the ground and in a limited number of industries
- Expat jobs usually attract a higher salary, and sometimes include things like accommodation or other packages
Luckily, it’s easy to search for open vacancies and apply online, but you may want to hold off on the actual move until you’ve secured your job.
There are some good international schools
Schools in Thailand generally don’t have the best reputation, so if you’ll be bringing children, you’ll probably want to send them to a Thailand Bangkok international school. International schools follow a UK or US curriculum, so your child gets the same quality education they’d get at home. Sometimes they can be better than your home country’s schools, as they are private, so they tend to have smaller class sizes. Classes are in English, with most schools also offering regular Thai lessons for kids who want them.
Thailand can be expensive for an expat destination
Many people assume that Thailand will be very cheap. While things like rent can be cheaper compared to areas like the UK or Australia, it’s not the cheapest of expat destinations. The cost of living can often be more than people think, so if you’re considering a move, you should look at how much you’ll spend month to month. You can then consider whether the move is worth it and what your long-term financial plans might be.
Thailand is certainly a great destination if you’re looking for somewhere that’s exotic and beautiful with plenty of beaches. There can be upsides and downsides to this kind of move. Thailand can be a difficult place to get a permanent visa, and you’ll need to have a job and school places sorted, ideally before you move. But if you can put this in place, then it may be a great move for you.
