If you are considering moving to Thailand then consider what it is that you wish to do in Thailand. If you are over the age of 50 then you can retire in Thailand with a retirement visa for Thailand. If you are much younger you may want to work in Thailand and this will require a work permit for Thailand when you start.
If you have a work permit or a retirement visa then you are allowed to bring your personal items from home within the first 6 months of obtaining your work permit or retirement visa. These goods arrive in Thailand without the need to pay customs duty on the goods. Consider having a lawyer in Thailand arrange all of this paperwork for you as it is much easier when they do it. Now that you are in Thailand wither working or retired then consider the following – accommodation. There are a number of options with regards to buying property in Thailand. Most people who work in Thailand don’t plan on living in Thailand for more than 2-3 years as they would wish to return home. Others who retire tend to spend their money on a retirement condo and this normally works out well. Before you buy a condo in Thailand consider the area in which you live. It is always best to rent a property before you buy as this allows you to live in the area before you buy. Some areas in Bangkok, Pattaya or even Isaan may look fine when you arrive however it might be in a flood zone, near a disco which runs loud music at night every weekend or it simple is to far from where you would normally go. First rent then buy.
Those who work in Thailand most times want to be close to work so they tend to rent a property near to their place of work. Like many middle class Thai’s who work in the city center they have a condo or house outside of Bangkok to which they return on Friday nights. During the week they live in a rented apartment closer to work. You might opt for the same solution as they do if you are working in Thailand. Traffic is a nightmare in Thailand and if you really want to buy property consider the option of buying outside of Bangkok and renting close to where you actually work.
These are important issues and if you have never lived in Thailand then speak to us online about the cost of living in Thailand, property rentals and how to buy a condo in Thailand. The property laws in Thailand are not the same as back home as foreigners are not generally allowed to own land in Thailand. Speak to us about your retirement, work permit and property issues online today.
