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Living in Bangkok.
Bangkok has the largest
contingent of foreigners, mainly because it’s 10 times larger than any other
city in Thailand and has the most realistic opportunities for work. There are
many expats posted here and there are dozens of international schools, a
sophisticated environment, big plush shopping malls, expensive restaurants,
regular concerts and performances, and a modern westernised lifestyle. But it is
a congested concrete mass that lacks many of the charming characteristics of the
country, and can be quite expensive.
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Living in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai, in the North, probably offers the best of all worlds. It’s the
cheapest main expat location in the country, and has an unhurried ancient charm.
As many as 10,000 foreigners live here part or full time, taking advantage of
the cooler climate, six international schools, numerous restaurants, modern
malls, and lovely mountain environment nearby. It also thrives on tourism and a
handicraft industry providing some foreigners with business opportunities, but
others complain that it’s becoming a mini Bangkok with its traffic congestion
and rate of building development.
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Living in Phuket.
Phuket is another favourite for its beautiful coast, and attracts the jet set
who routinely drop half a million dollars on a winter villa at Surin beach. It
too has all the modern facilities you would need, but is predominantly a tourist
island which makes everything much more expensive than it should be (though
still affordable to most foreigners). Few locals can afford to live at the
beach, and though some international companies have set up here, most foreign
residents either bring their own money or start a business, like a dive shop
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Living in Pattaya.
Samui is another island that, in recent years, has attracted a lot of part time
residents who have bought boutique villas on the island. Tourism is its only
real industry and the rapid rise in the past 10 years has bred an unfortunate
mafia element on the island, with property scandals and all. Some things on the
island are an outrageous rip off, but it’s generally not as hectically touristy
as Phuket. It’s a nice island, and you’ve got more chance of affording a beach
view, but the facilities (malls and hospitals etc) aren’t as robust. |
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