The Ultimate Guide to Expat Living in Bangkok, Thailand

Cultured and historic, exotic and tropical, from its glittering temples to its tropical beaches, Thailand radiates joy. 

Nowhere is this more evident than in Bangkok, the country’s intoxicating capital. 

This sprawling, exciting metropolis is famous for its nightlife that encompasses all points from alternative to sophisticated, with a distinct emphasis on unpretentious Thai-style fun. 

Life there is whatever you want it to be. From its bustling markets and rooftop bars to its serene palaces and canals, the diverse attractions of this Southeast Asian capital will inspire. 

In many ways, Bangkok is more than a city – it’s a state of mind.

If you’re exploring your options or an expat living in Bangkok looking to get more out of the fascinating city, then you’re in the right place. 

Our goal is to help you discover how to go where you’re treated best, and this guide is based on the expertise of our global teams at Nomad Capitalist to help you do just that.

Is Expat Living in Bangkok Right for You?

Bangkok is a paradise for those on the backpacker circuit, but is it a great place to settle down for a while?

It can be, yes, if you want to live in a Southeast Asian city that blends modernity with a unique culture (and history) and a lower cost of living. Everything from housing and food to transportation is much cheaper here than in most Western cities.

Plus, for high-net-worth individuals with at least US$24,500 to spend, getting residency via the Thai Elite Visa program is quite easy.

That said, given Thailand’s recent tax regime changes, you will need to be smart about how you organise your finances to reduce your overall tax rate. The language barrier, distance from US and European markets and hot weather are also potential ‘cons’ to consider, along with the following:

Pros

• Affordable Cost of Living: Compared to many Western cities, Bangkok offers a relatively low cost of living, especially concerning housing.
• Unique Culture: Bangkok (and Thailand in general) is known for its lively culture, offering everything from massive street markets to historic temples and a variety of festivals throughout the year.
• Travel Hub: Its central location in Southeast Asia and extensive transport connections make it an ideal base for exploring the region.

Cons

• Traffic Congestion: Heavy traffic is a common issue in Bangkok, leading to long commutes and travel delays.
• Air Pollution: Air quality can be poor, particularly during certain times of the year. This is a challenge for many expats who are sensitive to pollution.
• Language Barrier: While English is widely understood in tourist areas, you will eventually need to learn some Thai to fully integrate into society. Westerners often find Thai hard to get the hang of.

Thailand – Country Guide

With influences from countries such as India, China and Cambodia, as well as religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, Thailand is a melting pot of unique cultures. 

Thailand is in the heart of Southeast Asia, with neighbours that include Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, to the west, Cambodia to the east and Laos to the northeast.

In the south, Malaysia connects to Thailand via a long, narrow strip of land that sits between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, on the delta of the Chao Phraya River, is by far the country’s largest city by population, with roughly 11.2 million people living there.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Thailand is currently home to approximately four to five million immigrants. 

While most of these migrants are workers from surrounding countries like Myanmar and Cambodia, Thailand is also a hot spot for Western immigrants and tourists. 

The US Embassy and Consulate in Thailand estimates that approximately 100,000 US citizens live or visit Thailand at any given time.      

Where does everybody live?

The urban areas around Bangkok are some of the most populated. For example, according to the CIA World Fact Book, the following areas have vast numbers of residents: 

• Chon Buri: Approximately 1.454 million 
• Samut Prakan: 1.359 million
• Chiang Mai: 1.213 million.

Most estimates state that upwards of 50% of the population speak Thai, the country’s official language, but the country also has 75 living languages, most indigenous. 

Most Thai people consider themselves Buddhists. In fact, no other religion is predominant in the country. 

When visiting, whether to live or simply for a quick trip, you’ll notice the colourful bills used to pay for everything. These are baht, Thailand’s official currency and the banknotes have values of:

• ฿20
• ฿50
• ฿100
• ฿500
• ฿1,000.

In terms of international value, as of mid-2024, ฿1,000 buys US$27.28.     

Then there’s the national flag, which is seen everywhere in Thailand, on houses, tuk-tuks, boats and restaurants. 

The nation’s flag is a proud symbol of this constitutional monarchy, which has been ruled by King Maha Vajiralongkorn since 2016 – a record reflected by the flag’s five horizontal lines.

The flag’s red, white, and blue colours represent the nation, religion and king. 

Expat Life in Bangkok

As soon as you step off the plane at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will likely notice how hot and humid the weather in Bangkok is. It’s like this throughout pretty much the entire year.

April is the capital’s hottest month, with average temperatures around 30.5 degrees Celsius, and the coolest is December, at around 26 degrees Celsius. 

Thailand has a tropical climate, so there is also a rainy monsoon season from July to October. In the hottest months, you will need air conditioning. 

Tropical weather aside, Thailand itself is a libertarian’s dream. That isn’t to say there are no cultural and behavioural boundaries, but expats can enjoy a lot of freedom there.  

Though it’s packed with ornate shrines, temples, canals and opulent palaces, Bangkok can also be a wildly chaotic city, with nightfall heralding a somewhat crazy atmosphere.  

Nowhere combines Thailand’s somewhat conservative Theravada Buddhist ethos with the scale of indulgent partying quite like the capital city. 

The endless number of rooftop bars, clubs and go-go venues in notorious areas like Khao San Road, Sukhumvit Soi 11 and red-light districts Soi Cowboy and Nana must be seen in order to be believed.

While living in Bangkok, you’d no doubt become used to these aspects of life. Still, the city’s nightlife does come with something of a health warning, especially given the abundance of cheap alcohol and other hedonistic pursuits.   

If that all sounds great to you, you’re in for a great time. Best of all, Bangkok is a very affordable place to live by Western standards if you’re considering moving there. 

According to average statistics, the cost of living in Bangkok is around 60% lower than in New York City and 50% lower than in London. 

Here are some of the average prices you can expect to see in Bangkok:

• A small one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs around US$575 per month.
• A large luxury three-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment with access to a gym, swimming pool and spa room comes in at US$4,910 per month.
• Apartments outside the city centre are a bit cheaper, with a one-bedroom apartment costing about US$280 per month and a three-bedroom apartment going for around US$800 per month. 

Considering that these are mostly high-spec properties, it’s easy to see that stretching your accommodation budget even further is eminently possible.  

When eating out, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs, on average, about US$3. 

The trick to living frugally in Bangkok is to live like the locals. Having said that, you will pay more if you like a life of luxury, like fine dining in one of the capital’s 34 Michelin Star restaurants.   

You can eat at mid-level dining spots for about US$8 per person for a three-course meal. 

A couple can spend about US$600 a month shopping for groceries in local markets and eating out as often as they wish. Utilities should cost around US$100-US$120 a month. 

Transportation in Bangkok is very cheap, too. A one-hour taxi ride costs about US$5.50. And if you take the train or tuk-tuk, travelling within a five-kilometre radius, it’ll cost as little as US$1 per journey. 

In short, Bangkok is very affordable if you’re happy to live as the Thai people live. 

With imported goods much more expensive, re-creating a Western lifestyle in Bangkok is inevitably more costly but still very affordable for expats.

This is true even if you relocate with family, as both schooling and healthcare are high-quality and affordable compared to Western standards.

Bangkok has plenty of English-speaking teachers, as it has 92 international schools catering to preschool, primary, and secondary students.     

Thailand’s public healthcare system is based on its Universal Coverage Scheme. 

This healthcare scheme allows working expats to access treatment in return for a salary deduction, making most medical services and medications free or affordable. 

With sophisticated medical facilities and highly trained staff, Thailand’s private healthcare is of a high standard. 

The cost of a private consultation with a doctor ranges from US$25 to US$90. It’s advisable to have private health insurance, which you will be asked to provide for hospital admissions.  

Thai Culture and Traditions

While religion is on the wane in the increasingly secular West, Buddhism still plays a huge role in Thai life. It informs much of the country’s culture and traditions.  

Thai people use a two-handed gesture called the ‘wai’ – a traditional greeting or way to show respect, similar to a Western handshake. 

There are three different types of ‘wais’:

• The first is used for greeting colleagues or friends, your hands are together, and your thumbs touch your chin. 
• When greeting people you don’t know, your thumbs touch your nose.
• Lastly, the thumbs touch your forehead to show the highest level of respect, such as for the Buddha, monks, or the king. 

If you’re not sure which one to use, the second general greeting option is best. Thai people use this greeting when they are not sure if someone is older or younger than them. 

You often receive a ‘wai’ from people in shops and restaurants. It’s not necessary to return it when someone is providing you with service. Instead, a grateful smile is enough. 

When visiting temples, it should be noted that most require guests to dress conservatively by covering their shoulders and knees and removing shoes before entering sacred places. 

Thais generally remove their shoes when entering homes and temples. You could even be asked to take off your shoes in restaurants. 

This respect extends to all other areas of culture.

For example, it’s simply not acceptable to be disrespectful in any way, shape or form to the Royal Family or the Buddhist religion. Doing so could land you in hot water.  

Perhaps the most important ‘don’t’ in Thai culture concerns the feet. The feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body.

Raising your feet higher than someone’s head or just simply putting your feet onto a desk or a chair is considered extremely rude. Never show the bottom of your feet to anyone.

It’s also important to ensure you don’t raise your voice or get angry, as it’s a sign of disrespect in Thailand. Don’t point, as it’s considered rude. 

Kissing, hugging and showing too much affection in public, especially in temples, is also frowned upon.      

Treat Buddhist monks with the highest respect. Women are not allowed to touch a monk, and it’s considered necessary to give a monk plenty of space to move around and lower your body as a sign of respect when you pass them.

Where To Go in Bangkok

Chatuchak Market

If you do only one thing in Bankgok, you must check out Chatuchak Market, also known as JJ Market. 

This somewhat chaotic maze of food, trinkets and everything in between is comprised of 15,000 stalls of absolutely everything. Its 27 sections and 11,000 traders sell plants, electronics, cosmetics, food, drinks, furniture, clothing and books, to name a few.  

It is the world’s largest and most diverse market, with over 200,000 visitors every weekend, so be sure to get there early. 

Rajadamnern Stadium

For a display of the national sport Muay Thai, Rajadamnern Stadium is the world’s capital of Thai Boxing.

The stadium dates back to 1941, making it the oldest stadium in Thailand and the oldest combat sports stadium in the world.      

Attending one of these events is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have in Thailand (or anywhere else in the world). However, it’s not for the faint-hearted, with most fights ending with one of the competitors lying face-down in the middle of the ring. 

The pageantry of Muay Thai events is second to none, and with tickets starting at ฿1500 (US$40), it’s accessible to most people. 

Jodd Fair

Jodd Fair is one of the must-see night markets in Bangkok. 

Due to its convenient, central location at the MRT metro station between Rama 9 shopping mall and the Unilever building, it’s easily accessible from different parts of Bangkok.  

Here, you can find just about any cuisine you’re looking for, including seafood, Western dishes, Thai food, Japanese cuisine and local street food.

Most of these restaurants are very affordable compared to other local restaurants. 

Bangkok is also home to some of the best nightlife in Southeast Asia, with many speakeasy bars hidden among its side streets and alleyways, especially in this area.

Damnoen Saduak

Damnoen Saduak is considered the most famous floating market in Thailand. 

Female traders wearing traditional clothing with wide-brimmed straw hats use small wooden boats to sell vegetables and colourful fruits and beverages. 

Though crowded with tourists, you can float down one of Bangkok’s canals here and eat delicious food while taking in the sights. 

Khao San Road

No adventure in Bangkok would be complete without a trip to the famous Khao San Road – a backpackers’ hub offering cheap accommodation ranging from pod-style hostels to reasonably priced three-star hotels. 

It’s a central base for travel, with buses leaving daily for all major tourist destinations from Chiang Mai in the north to Koh Phangan off the east coast.

There are many relatively inexpensive travel agents in this area who can arrange visas and transportation to neighbouring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam. 

Khao San Road is also known for its nightlife, with endless bars and nightclubs where you can drink and dance the night away while meeting other expats. 

Wat Pho Temple

Wat Pho Temple, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a must-visit location.

As one of the largest temple complexes in the city, it’s famed for its giant Buddha, which is 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf. 

The temple is the highest grade of first-class royal temples in Thailand and is at the top of the list of six temples in Thailand. 

It is associated with King Rama, who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier site where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple complex houses the most extensive collection of Buddha images in Thailand and has been recognised by UNESCO. 

Bangkok’s Chinatown is one of the city’s oldest areas. For over 200 years, it has been the main centre of trade for the Chinese community.

It’s estimated that over 10 million of Thailand’s population are of Chinese origin, and the Thai royal family itself is partly Chinese.

An amazingly lively, fascinating and affordable city, there are plenty of reasons to consider becoming an expat in Bangkok.

Residence in Thailand

Thailand is known for being foreigner-friendly. In addition to having warm weather, friendly people and an attractive tax system, getting a residence permit there is relatively straightforward.

There are several ways to obtain residence, which are considerably easier and cheaper than other options. These methods require no physical presence and grant the right to live in Thailand full-time.

That said, if you’re looking for citizenship through naturalisation, Thailand does not offer its passport with these options, even if you qualify.  

One of the most popular options is the Thai Elite Visa. However, as recently as October 2023, this visa underwent significant changes with the announcement of new packages and donation amounts. 

The Thai Elite Visa program now includes gold, platinum, diamond and elite reserve options. The following eligibility requirements apply:

• Gold membership: The fee is ฿900,000 (approximately US$24,500), and it’s valid for five years. It does not include additional members. 
• Platinum membership: The fee is ฿1.5 million (approximately US$40,800) and ฿1 million for each additional family member. It is valid for five years, and at least two people must apply.
• Diamond membership: The fee is ฿2.5 million (approximately US$68,000), and it’s valid for 15 years. Additional members cost ฿1.5 million. 
• Reserve membership: This by-invitation program comes with many privileges, is valid for 20 years and costs ฿5 million (approximately US$136,000). The fee for additional family members is ฿2 million. 

Foreigners can also qualify for business, investor and retirement visas, which are the other main residence programs.  

If you run a company in Thailand, you can apply for a non-immigrant visa that is good for 90 days and then upgrade it to a one-year visa that can be renewed. 

However, foreigners cannot own more than 50% of a Thai company.

Invest roughly US$300,000 in stocks, bonds, real estate or any other Thai investment vehicle and qualify for a temporary visa that you can renew annually as long as you maintain the investment.

If you are 50 or older, you can get a retirement visa by showing proof of an ฿800,000 deposit (about US$22,000), a monthly pension or income source of ฿65,000 or more (around US$1,700), or a combination of both. 

Taxes in Thailand

Thailand is a territorial tax country, which means that, like other countries with this tax system, it taxes income made within its borders and leaves foreign-source income alone. 

However, Thailand’s tax rules changed in 2024.

If you are a tax resident of Thailand, a status triggered by staying there for 183 days in a year, any funds you remit to the country will be taxed. 

For example, payments made on a credit card are considered remittances and are taxed at the individual tax rate, which ranges from 5% to 35% based on income. 

The top rate of 35% is levied on anything over US$140,000. 

The changes have led many to conclude that the tax advantages of living in Thailand have ended. Here at Nomad Capitalist, we beg to differ.

If you choose to live frugally in an inexpensive country, the portion of your income that you remit, which is liable to tax, will not be too significant a proportion of your overall income. 

This means that if, for instance, you have a million dollars and remit US$100,000 for living costs in Thailand, an amount that will go a long way there, you’ll pay around US$20,000 in taxes. 

Assuming the balance of US$900,000 is held in a tax-efficient company or trust structure, the US$20,000 you pay on your overall assets of US$1 million gives an effective tax rate of just 2%.

The Ultimate Guide to Expat Living in Bangkok, Thailand: FAQs

Living the Dream in Bangkok

Whether you intend to live full-time in Bangkok and become a tax resident, visit occasionally for a few weeks or go there for a single day to keep your residence active, there are legal means to structure your affairs to pay very little tax in Thailand. 

Bangkok is an intriguing city set in a country with a wealth of natural wonders, lots of scope for adventure, fantastic food, warm weather and welcoming people. 

Thailand is an enticing prospect for those who plan to take advantage of the benefits of international diversification, such as lower taxes, new investment opportunities, asset protection and a second Plan B residence.  

Of course, you could stay there for a few months a year as part of your trifecta strategy without becoming a tax resident.  

Whichever path suits your needs, it will take planning, and Nomad Capitalist can help you with all of it. 

We help seven- and eight-figure entrepreneurs and investors create a bespoke nomad strategy using our unique, tried-and-tested methods. 

You’ll keep more of your own money, create wealth faster and be protected from whatever happens in just three steps. Discover how to achieve this here.