What are the best locations in Thailand for a 50-year-old single female to swim, work, and socialize during a 6-month stay?

March 28, 2024
6 months ago
Sammy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Where do people recommend for a good mix of swimming, working and social life. Single 50yr old female travelling to Thailand for 6 months.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When considering a 6-month stay in Thailand as a single 50-year-old woman looking for a mix of swimming, work, and social life, options abound. Many recommend islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan for their beautiful beaches and lively atmospheres. Pattaya is often mentioned too, though it draws mixed reactions, with some citing it as too chaotic, while others appreciate its services and expat community. Chiang Mai offers a more laid-back vibe with great social opportunities, especially in areas like Santitham, while Hua Hin is suggested for its expat-friendly environment and proximity to Bangkok. Ultimately, it may be beneficial to explore multiple locations to find the perfect fit for both work and leisure.
Brown ********
I live in bang saray. A village about 25km south of Pattaya. Sai kaew beach is beautiful and the water is clean enough to swim. I swim about 1km most days when I go. Unfortunately it's become very popular during the week these days. It's always been busy on weekends but it's still the most beautiful beach in the area. My internet works great where I am so if youre a digital nomad it should be fine. Socially there are many expats here but I always end up friending snakes who just want to bludge off my financial standing bring able to retire at 50 3 years ago so I avoid people like the plague here and just head to Pattaya for a few short times on soi6 for my company which yes costs me money too but at least I get some good physical entanglement for it. Good luck
Martin *********
Hau hin
Kevin ********
Or phuket
Duncanc **********
Laguna - Phuket
Don *********
@Duncanc *********
absolutely, just come with enough cash to enjoy 🙂

Out in Laguna as I type - nice meal for 3 and a few drinks for THB7,000 - high quality but not cheap
Duncanc **********
@Don ********
What did you order?

No mentioning cheap in the OP - she asked for nice. Bang Tao and especially Laguna are nice (now that the Swiss has gone! 😝)
Thomas *******
The Windmill
Thomas *******
Another "Digital Nomad",....work,
*****
Ken ***********
@Thomas ******
digital nomads are the future. If you can do your work online, SEAsia is perfect.
Bruce *****************
One tip, if you find a place you really like and feel very happy with.....do not rush off in search of another, travelling all around gets boring and you never really experience anything ..... or see it for how it really is....Nice place, relax, enjoy....
Larry **********
So .... asking for a female traveler , but your profile has you as a man 🤔 😂🤡
David *********
Phuket / Sumi / Pattaya / Hua Hin..

Really multitude of options to live well ..
Peter *********
As a woman, Pattaya must be an ideal city for you :D
Bell ******
Hua Hin
Davide *************
Dipende da cosa cerchi la tranquillità, il chiasso notturno, ecc ecc. Ti consiglio bang suan è una cittadina molto bella dove si trova di tutto è a meta strada fra Bangkok e pattaya. Ma non ci sono i bordelli, e è più pulita di pattaya. Il turismo è più un turismo locale che straniero di carattere familiare. Soprattutto nei weekend. Durante tutto l'anno. Ma c'è anche divertimento per giovani.
Steven *******
Work permits are issued to the employer, not the employee. So, you have to find an employer that is willing to pull a permit for you. Many occupations are protected for Thais. The list is on the Thai Embassy website for your country. It’s very difficult to legally work in Thailand. You could go for a retirement visa, but it doesn’t allow working.
Xi ******
Bangkok
Don *********
Definitely Phuket
Larry **********
@Don ********
If you are fluent in Russian
Don *********
@Larry *********
completely overblown - far more English than Russian speaking Farangs here. And many of the Russians speak great English as well - never had a bad interaction
David **********
Traveling foe 6 months but working? Better be careful what you are doing is legal.
Lisa ********************
Koh Tao
Simon *******
Hua Hin 😘
Gordon *******
Pattaya, cheap,half the price of Phuket, great beaches.

Ladies, restaurants etc
Bob **********
Depends on what type of work you’ll need a work permit and proper visa to work but I would look at one of the islands or Chiang Mai
Christopher *************
Unless you have the right visa forget working.
Antony ********
I'd have a look at Krabi, Bangkok, Chang Mai and Pai 4hrs away. I'm 50, I'll try to avoid tourists 😆 but they're younger mostly. Great beaches, hot springs in Pai, Bangkok in the middle for the big city and shopping experience. Also remember to catch international bands there or even chefs there 😃 no dirty old men, not many.
Dick *********
Patong bay hill, perfect base for all these activities and near everything but far enough for quite
Brian *******
Soi 6 pattaya
Ken ***********
************************************************
Ash ***********
Ko Chang
Shane *******
Kink
Antony ********
@Shane ******
Emma's going back!? 😆 great couple. 👍
Jared **********
Lanta, lipe, tao, phangan
Ste *******
Pattaya
Ronny **********
@Ste ******
Thats only from about the middle of February to the middle of April because of the forest burning. Please do what you like, Pom mai me pan ha 👍🙏
Ronny **********
@Ste ******
No,No it’s like a Disneyland for man, to much hustling 👹
Ste *******
@Ronny *********
Only get hustled if your thick as f£%k
Ronny **********
@Ste ******
Very good place for your daughter then maybe 😂
Ste *******
@Ronny *********
What? You weirdo....
Ronny **********
@Ste ******
It’s not about me, it’s about you ! Would you like your daughter to grow up in that rathole ?? Happy Easter holiday 👍🐣🙏
Ste *******
@Ronny *********
Im taking my dsughter next year. Pattaya has many nice places. But your ignorant and wouldnt know.
Ronny **********
@Ste ******
Not Pattaya city that’s for sure. Jomtien, maybe….. I love Thailand and I’m not ignorant, I’m living in Chiangmai where the genuine Thailand still exists. 🙏
Ste *******
@Ronny *********
Changmai?? One of the most polluted citys in the world. No thanks
Xr ***
I recommend you don't spend all 6 months same place but spend a month in different places and then return to your favorites...
Henrik *****
You are lucky, with 6 months on the hand, you can try out a lot of places in depth, to find your place in heaven, without limiting yourself on others prejudices.
Todd *********
Hands down Koh Samui. Koh Kood is a very beautiful option too, but not nearly as social
Guido **********
bang saray is the best
Sharon *******
Have a look at Hua Hin area, coastal, large expat population including a lot of ladies, easy access to Bangkok if required
Ste *******
@Sharon ******
Your not allowed into Hua Hin under the age of 65 ! 🤣
Alan ******
@Ste ******
- That’s why it’s great. No childish idiots 👌
Ste *******
@Alan *****
Ye but boring as... lol
Alan ******
@Ste ******
- clearly you haven’t been recently. What would make it less boring for you?
Ste *******
@Alan *****
People under 65 and good nightlife.🤣
Alan ******
@Ste ******
- As I thought. No idea. There are three Farang districts here with all that means. Yes it’s older but less dick heads. Much less.
Jason *******
Swimming = not Pattaya or anything within 20 km

Island = you are generally locked into that environment (ie hard to get off at night)

Working = you probably need to supply more on what type of work

I’m thinking because of your post you have the ability to dictate so it would be internet based or computer etc or maybe your a Picasso with the brush !

Social life = do you speak Thai ? If not stay towards a westerner / tourism center
Loretta *******
Chiang Mai... Santitham area
Ronny **********
@Loretta ******
old city for me, but Chiang Mai is perfect. Pai is also wonderful 👍💎🙏
Loretta *******
@Ronny *********
I really like Chiang Mai...not been to Pai ...yet!
Ronny **********
@Loretta ******
you must go ! It’s a 3 hour roller coaster drive from Chiang Mai. Finally there, it’s like a Shangrila with waterfalls and hot springs, the bungalows are fairly cheap, the best way to getting around is by motorcycle. ❤️🙏
Loretta *******
@Ronny *********
thank you ☺️
Bashir *******
Ari
Susan ********
Koh Samui
Robert ************
@Susan *******
I love samui
Ronny **********
@Susan *******
It’s like Bangkok on an island 🤡
Susan ********
Ronny **********
@Susan *******
Okey 😂
Susan ********
@Ronny *********
if Bangkok had a beach I’d never leave it
Ronny **********
@Susan *******
I prefer The forest in the North, Chiangmai, Pai, and Mae Hong Son. Tired of all the noise from all Farang mao, bababobo dingdong. The North is more genuine Thai and have much better food. The prices is almost half of Kruengthep and Samui. Have you been to Koh Pangan ? 👍🙏
Susan ********
@Ronny *********
yes I like both but being from a very large city.. guess im a city dweller! Agree the food up north is better.

I’m currently on Koh Samui, probably head to Koh phangan later this month
Ronny **********
@Susan *******
Enjoy! Happy Eastern 🐣🙏
Jess ********
anywhere but Pattaya
Steve **********
@Jess *******
maybe Pattaya is the way she swings
Jess ********
@Steve *********
possible 😁
Steve **********
@Jess *******
TIT !, thankfully
Ronny **********
@Jess *******
and Phuket 🇷🇺
Pertti *************
@Jess *******
Welcome to Pattaya🌞

We have lived here almost 5 months now and sun is shining and waters are clear to dive and business flourish🙏❤
Jess ********
@Pertti ************
I have lived In Jomtien for 4 years , its a mess. Im gone Thank you
Ken ***********
@Pertti ************
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Pertti *************
@Ken ******
wongamat clear today🙏 Nobody will go swim near walking street if want avoid all foreigners .....
Ken ***********
@Jess *******
2nd, not Pattaya
Susan ********
Sanjeev *******
Pattaya
Ronny **********
Ronny **********
Farang Mai dee kap puing Mai dee, bababobo mak maak 🙄
Lynnette *******
Could depend on where the job is.
Ian *************
any Island
Alan ******
@Ian ************
Nice badge that. Anything happening in these parts?
Ian *************
@Alan *****
Sun never sets 😎
Alan ******
@Ian ************
- Well it rises in the East and Sets in the west..
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