Move to Thailand
3 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
Thailand at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
3 years
to permanent residency
8 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires Thai language proficiency. Formal declaration to renounce prior citizenship required but not enforced in practice — dual nationality is tolerated.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Dependent visa does not permit employment. Spouse must obtain a separate work permit and visa category.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Thailand
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Chiang Mai
66/100Bangkok
58/100Phuket
58/100Compare cities in Thailand
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$708
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 3 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$24,712
GDP per capita
20%
Corporate tax
0.8%
Unemployment
1.4%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
6.27/10
🏚️ Flawed democracy
34
/100Freedom House score
#86 of 163
Global Peace Index
#85
Press freedom rank
Is Thailand safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Mixed bag. Some cities are perfectly fine, others need homework.
Safest tracked city: Chiang Mai (4.8 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Central Thai
Primary language
Very Low
English proficiency (#116 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Central Thai isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to Thailand — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Thailand?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Chiang Mai ranks #1 in Thailand with a score of 66/100. City-centre rent starts around $463/month.
How much does it cost to live in Thailand?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $463 to $708/month across our 3 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,693.
How do I get permanent residency in Thailand?▾
The path to permanent residency in Thailand typically takes 3 years. Citizenship is possible after 8 years. Note: Requires Thai language proficiency. Formal declaration to renounce prior citizenship required but not enforced in practice — dual nationality is tolerated.
Is Thailand a democracy?▾
Thailand scores 6.27/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Flawed democracy." It ranks #86 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is Thailand safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Thailand is 4.8 per 100,000 people. Research specific neighborhoods before committing.