Japanese Expats Guide: Where to live in Thailand?

Japanese Expats Guide: Thailand is known as a world-class tourist destination, but many people may think a little when it comes to moving to Thailand.
Along with moving to Thailand, the question of which area should one live in has always been a hot topic.

Bangkok, the capital city, is a convenient city where many Japanese live, but why not consider the tourist city of Pattaya or Chiang Mai in the north as an option?

【Bangkok】

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is now an energetic metropolis. There are many jobs for Japanese people, so it is also recommended for those who want to stay with a work visa.
Prices are the highest in Thailand, the metropolitan price you pay to live in a city perfectly convenient for living abroad.

The Japanese community is active and there are many entertainments, so you will be able to lead an active lifestyle. Japanese cuisine is extremely popular amongst Thais, therefore finding authentic food you crave is not an issue.

[Pattaya]

Described by some as a paradise on earth, Pattaya is a resort town about two hours east of Bangkok by car.
Most of the pensioners are from the European region, and you can live a leisure life by the beach away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Since it is a resort & tourist destination, the cost of living is a little higher than in other regional cities, but if you have 200,000 yen a month, you can afford to go drinking and traveling several times a week.

[Chiang Mai]

Chiang Mai is a calm local Northern city where the cost of living is cheaper than Bangkok and many Japanese people who have acquired a retirement visa live.

As the ancient capital of Thailand, it is popular with tourists, and there are many hospitals and restaurants with Japanese interpreters.

In recent years, Chiang Mai, which has become known as the holy land of nomads, has many co-working spaces, and you can often see European, American and Japanese young people in the city with laptops.

Compared to Bangkok, Chiang Mai is a quiet city surrounded by nature and is popular as a vacation home area.

In summary, it’s best to be aware and set realistic expectations while you plan to move to Thailand. It is necessary to get used to living without drinking tap water and the occurrence of pests peculiar to Southeast Asia. There are also language and cultural barriers, so it is recommended to stay for a while or visit Thailand on a trip before moving from Japan.