Thailand was once hailed as an inexpensive paradise that attracted millions of Westerners every year to the beautiful islands, plains, and mountains of this gorgeous and easy-going nation. Westerners having larger budgets and familiar with much higher pricing for goods and services were happy to pay the meagre expenses to live long-term in Thailand.
Poor, aggressive, and/or savvy business owners in Thailand increased prices. Because prices for labour and materials were so low, the price increases did not outpace Western costs and appeared to remain low. If you’ve lived in Thailand for a while, you have seen the cost-of-living increase by magnitude. There was a long-time, unsavoury image that accompanied Thailand, deterring the ultra-wealthy tourists and expats. Thailand has invested, and continues to invest, significant time and money to reinvent its image.
While wild party cities draw certain tourist sectors, that sector is dwindling. Luxury, eco, and wellness tourism sectors are booming.
● It is the largest island, but on a short drive around it, you can find multiple estates listing Phuket luxury villa for sale. There are many estates under development overlooking world-class beaches, with pre construction pricing, architectural designs to choose from, futuristic kitchens, all the smart tech you could imagine, infinity pools, and premium fixtures & materials.
● I think this life is all about happiness. How you achieve it is up to you, but go get it. If I didn’t live here, I could easily be an ecotourist in Thailand. You may not be an avid bird watcher, nor am I, but you can’t deny the variety and diversity of birds and their songs. Thailand, Costa Rica, and Brazil are in the top three of the most bio-diverse ecosystems. Much of what grows or breathes on earth does so here.
● Thailand is experienced outside. Nature tourism is going beyond your backyard for a coffee. The islands and beaches of Thailand can host a 5,000-person full-moon party, or only you, dissolving into sublime tranquility. Spending time in silence and communing with nature gives me balance and peace. Like a sports event, being in the stadium is much more fun than watching on a screen. The jungle is my preferred pitch.
● Health and wellness retreats with the highest qualities in service, nonsurgical treatments, traditional Thai medicine, and environmental purity beacon to a world needing to unwind. Retirement visas are easy. Thailand offers an elite visa for those who intend to invest here. The most incentivized visas are for production and export companies. Have a look into the Board of Investment company start-up in Thailand. A BOI company will help increase GDP by exporting products manufactured here.
This ties in with the eastern economic corridor expansion that has been going on for over a decade. Thailand has planned for future export growth by investing in rail, highways, ports, utility grids, and airports in Rayong and Chonburi provinces.
Thailand tells us who they want here through visa difficulties and scrutiny. Lately, retirement and marriage visa applicants are experiencing increased criteria, while digital nomads, Muay Thai students, BOI companies, and discover Thailand visas (DTV) are becoming cheaper or easier. Never both.
See you around the beach sometime.
