This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
How should I decide between moving to Thailand or staying in the Philippines considering the cost and my retirement plans?
Retirement in ThailandVisa OptionsCost of Living in ThailandPhilippines vs ThailandCurrency ExchangeExpat LifeTravel PlansMoving Abroad
Jun 8, 2025
a year ago
Kenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTERI have to step outside of my zone of comfort. Only because this is a little outside of my comfort zone. If there is anybody that's able to advise me with what's more feasible. Please reach out to me on messenger. I have less than 60 days to stay the course with my original plan. Or do I have to alternate between the two.
Here's the issue. I am all set for my retirement/move to Thailand late August, early September. The only thing I have left is to apply for my retirement. I recently rearranged my first class flight from Thailand to the Philippines. From the Philippines then to Thailand. Saving me a couple thousand dollars. Now here is my issue and why I need help. The cost of the currency exchange and how hard of a is it going to hit me. My goal is Thailand. I should consider staying in the Philippines because of the what is happening with the US dollar. I am struggling with this decision. Apologize for the lengthy post. Hopefully there is somebody with some sound advice. Thanks
Here's the issue. I am all set for my retirement/move to Thailand late August, early September. The only thing I have left is to apply for my retirement. I recently rearranged my first class flight from Thailand to the Philippines. From the Philippines then to Thailand. Saving me a couple thousand dollars. Now here is my issue and why I need help. The cost of the currency exchange and how hard of a is it going to hit me. My goal is Thailand. I should consider staying in the Philippines because of the what is happening with the US dollar. I am struggling with this decision. Apologize for the lengthy post. Hopefully there is somebody with some sound advice. Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is contemplating a retirement move to Thailand, but is uncertain whether to proceed or consider staying in the Philippines due to financial concerns related to currency exchange rates. They are already set to travel from Thailand to the Philippines and back but are feeling the pressure of their upcoming plans. The community response is varied, with many offering opinions on the pros and cons of living in either country, reiterating that the choice ultimately rests on personal preference and financial capability.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Joe **********
Benjamin *********
Flip a coin, Thailand tails, Philippines heads - you'll either have the decision made for you or find out that you're unhappy with the result, thus revealing your actual preference.
Peter **********
@Benjamin ********
It’s really a very personal thing. Places like Bangkok, Phuket or Pattaya would be my least desirable places to live in Thailand while others are so much at home there they wouldn’t want to leave it for the world.One man’s like is another man’s dislike. A matter of personal preferences.
Benjamin *********
@Peter *********
of course, I agree completely.Reply to
Benjamin *********
Reply
X *************
Actually the Philippines is nice if you choose the right place. Manila certainly can be rough around the edges but there are lots of nice safe cities to choose from besides Manila. Thailand is certainly ahead development wise but it's certainly way over crowded with tourists. My simple answer is Thailand is overrated and places like the Philippines are underrated. Cebu, Boho, Bardigio, Dumagehetty, etc are all great places
Betty *********
That was very confusing. Why did you book a flight to Philippines if you were going to Thailand? Where do you live ?
Currency exchange will not cc ost a fortune. Explain simpler please .
Currency exchange will not cc ost a fortune. Explain simpler please .
Steve **********
After six large Singha's I am beginning to understand..Two more should do it. 🍺
Jonathan *************
incoherent
Peter **********
Just eat the temporary currency drop. The dollar will go up again in the future (after blondie) so you’ll have to sit out three or four years.
I bought some usd just before he started the trade wars. Too bad for me. I’ll keep them until he’s gone and Americans get back to their senses (if ever).
I self-insure so I need to keep some cash here and there anyway to cover possible (health) calamities.
I bought some usd just before he started the trade wars. Too bad for me. I’ll keep them until he’s gone and Americans get back to their senses (if ever).
I self-insure so I need to keep some cash here and there anyway to cover possible (health) calamities.
Kenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for the information and your advice
Kenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter *********
thanks so much. I appreciate your commentPeter **********
PS Converting today is obviously not the preferred choice.
But Bangkok Bank offers foreign currency accounts which are instantly accessible (during office hours). Check with immigration whether they accept a USD balance (in Thailand!) for seasoning. Then you don’t need to convert right away.
But Bangkok Bank offers foreign currency accounts which are instantly accessible (during office hours). Check with immigration whether they accept a USD balance (in Thailand!) for seasoning. Then you don’t need to convert right away.
Reply to
Peter **********
Reply
Dennis *********
No idea what the issue is exactly.
Stuart ***********
Have you visited both countries? IMO Thailand is the best choice. The only real advantage the Philippines has is that the people speak English as their second language. Everything else in Thailand is so much better and safer. The healthcare, infrastructure, food and culture are all great in Thailand. There's also very little crime compared to Philippines. Accommodation is expensive in the Philippines, but most other things are probably a little bit cheaper. I personally didn't feel safe in the Philippines, I feel completely safe here in Thailand. The choice is yours.
Belinda ********
Huh🤫 are you asking a question or just mentioning first class? Seriously difficult to help you
Bob **********
Fly economy
Craig *******
Reconsider moving to Thailand. It doesnt work for everybody.
Wayne ********
As a Thai would say, up to you 🇦🇺🇹🇭🤷♂️
Kenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm just ascertaining some up to date information. Being that I still in the states. It is a lot of misleading misinformation. I'm trying to get a better read on things. That's all I trying to do and find out.
Peter **********
@Kenneth ******************
Can I offer a bit of advice? Stop writing 100 words when 10 will do.You make everything way more confusing than necessary.
Reply to
Peter **********
Reply
Edna *******
@Wayne *******
I’m curious, why the term “up to you” is common among thais?Wayne ********
@Edna ******
good question, I can’t really answer that. It might be their politeness, they don’t ask you for anything but you offer the buy a meal or go to a theatre, they say, up to you 🤷♂️Mark *********
@Wayne *******
Sounds like any plans I’d try to make with my late wife…”Honey, where do you want to go?” “It’s up to you.” “No, it’s up to you!” Etc. 😆Reply to
Mark *********
Reply
Anna *********
I assume you are over 50 in which case deciding where to live should not be beyond you No one else can tell you this
Nick ************
I am scratching my head trying to work out what you mean. If you have money to waste on first class go to Florida. If not try Thailand but if that fails you can fall back on the Philippines.
Paul *******
Has anyone got some paracetamol
Dana *******
??????
Peter **********
All those words and I still have no clue what you are asking.
Steve **********
Have another Singha's lol..I've had six and think it is making some sense
Reply to
Steve **********
Reply
Peter **********
This is the most convoluted way to say you bought a first class ticket I’ve ever seen. Congrats.
Braulio *********
@Peter *********
5 5 5Reply to
Braulio *********
Reply
Phil ******
@Kenneth ******************
cheapest currency exchange is Wise. The USD is f**ked so if you stay in the US its more costly than Philippines or Thailand. Either country is great and its your choiceAlso just fly cattle class once to your destination like normal people
Steve *******
So what is your question? If you can't make the basic decisions on your own then you're probably better of staying in the US!
Steve ***********
One way first class is 1300 dollars , did you mean baht???
Doug *******
I absolutely love it when I can save a couple thousand dollars by flying First Class! 🤣
Harrys ************
I agree Mark. If someone can afford to pay for 1st class flights I am surprised he is worried about exchange rates. I hope he didn't vote for Trump as if he did, he only has himself to blame
Alan *****
Your money will go a lot further if you stay in the PH. But the food isn’t a patch on Thailand & the girls are prettier in Thailand
Jordi ********
How does flying first class save you 'a couple of thousand'? And then the exchange rate is worrying you? I'm not making any sense of this sorry.
Per ********
@Jordi *******
👏👏👏Reply to
Per ********
Reply
Nitzan *****
In the words of a friend: Thailand is like disneyland for men - if you have money. Philippines is more like a second rate theme park surrounded by landfills - but you can still have fun there cheaper.
Richard ********
@Nitzan ****
The Philippines is more expensive than Thailand.Reply to
Richard ********
Reply
TL ******
Why would u fly first class and if u can afford to waste money like that why are u asking
Mark **********
If you can afford 1st class flights then who cares IMOP. Do what your heart says. Enjoy your retirement!
Kevin *******
If its down to money you can't afford thailand ! Should go with your heart not your wallet ! Upto you as it were !
Phil ******
@Kevin ******
still flies first class mind youBraulio *********
@Phil *****
and worries about a baht or 2 on the exchange.....Kevin *******
@Phil *****
first class to or from philly can't be that expensive !Kevin *******
@Phil *****
I don't! Worked too hard for my money! AND I KNOW WIFEY WOULDN'T APPROVE !Phil ******
@Kevin ******
i know what you meanReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Bent *************
Same same but different
Pete ******
What exactly do you mean?
Jarek ************
PH is a shit hole...
Wayne *****
@Jarek ***********
Agree, a complete shit hole compared to Thailand. World's worst food also. No comparison to Thailand Paradise.Kenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wayne ****
Thanks. I use to be stationed in PH when I was in the Navy many years agoReply to
Kenneth *******************
Reply
Wayne *****
What is your point????
Glenn *****
@Jarek ***********
correction: PH is a shithole with English speaking people and significantly easier visas.Kenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Glenn ****
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 ThanksKenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Glenn ****
🤣🤣🤣🤣 ThanksKenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTERMy original goal is Thailand. I'm already in touch with a realtor and a attorney. To help me it acclimated. It's just the current state of affairs that is going on here in the united state
Reply to
Kenneth *******************
Reply
Stéfan ********
@Glenn ****
and with far better beaches and the nicest people in the worldTom *********
I have lived in both countries and for retirement I chose Thailand. While The Philippines is a beautiful country, the level of personal security is poor. Robberies and kidnapping, is still very prevalent. Yet in Thailand, there is no where I would be afraid to go day or night.
Tom *********
@Stéfan *******
until you get mugged because you took a wrong turn.Stéfan ********
@Tom ********
up to you 🤣🤣 I had a great time. Btw, I was robbed in Thailand.Phil ******
@Stéfan *******
far better beaches than where 😂🤣😂🤣Stéfan ********
@Phil *****
if you want exceptional beaches, visit Boracay, but any average beach on the 7000 islands in the Philippines beats any in ThailandWayne *****
@Stéfan *******
Overcrowded.Stéfan ********
@Wayne ****
not the ones I’ve been to. In fact, I went surfing to completely isolated beaches in the Philippines.Wayne *****
@Stéfan *******
good for you.Phil ******
@Stéfan *******
no im not saying Philippine beaches aren't great but you can get lovely ones here in Thailand. Have a look at this one...... oh your on a tourist spots prices are high. ************************************************
Or this one ************************************************
or this one *************************************************
Or this island too
******************************************
Thailand has lovely beaches too but we keep secret from tourists....
Stéfan ********
@Phil *****
of course there are. Thailand has amazing beaches.Reply to
Stéfan ********
Reply
Jay ****
@Jarek ***********
nice place to visit but ya, screw living there. 💩💩💩🕳🕳🕳Kenneth *******************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ***
ThanksReply to
Kenneth *******************
Reply
Michael ********
Up to you which you prefer.
Spend few months or longer each country and decide.
Currency can change so got to be what you enjoy.
Spend few months or longer each country and decide.
Currency can change so got to be what you enjoy.
Abey *********
What's the question?
David ********
Huh?
Reply to
David ********
Reply
20 comments
a year ago
63 comments
a year ago
104 comments
a year ago
45 comments
a year ago
65 comments
2 years ago
198 comments
2 years ago
17 comments
2 years ago
150 comments
2 years ago
136 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
187 comments
2 years ago
13 comments
2 years ago
24 comments
2 years ago
375 comments
2 years ago
82 comments
2 years ago
52 comments
2 years ago
50 comments
2 years ago
18 comments
2 years ago
29 comments
2 years ago
31 comments
3 years ago
67 comments
4 years ago
61 comments
6 years ago
14 comments
8 years ago
57 comments
9 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.