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Answered6 months ago

What are the essential tips for relocating to Thailand from the US, especially for a couple with remote work and disability income?

Empatheti**********
asked Apr 27, 2026
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Hello. I’m looking for any information about where to start with relocating to Thailand from the US. My husband is a disabled Vet so he has guaranteed income. I would continue to work remote at my current job. Please give me all the tips and tricks. Looking for relocate in about 2.5 years. Not sure if this is important but we will be 38 & 40 when we head to Thailand.
Answer summary
Relocating to Thailand requires careful planning, especially for a couple where one partner is a disabled veteran with guaranteed income. Key considerations include choosing an appropriate visa, such as the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) which permits remote work, and ensuring financial and medical needs are addressed. It's recommended to spend time in Thailand before committing to relocation to understand the local lifestyle and costs. Engaging in research closer to your move date is advisable as visa rules may change. Building a solid budget and having a worst-case plan can also aid in a smoother transition.
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Carmena **********
Carmena **********
If he's 100 percent VA disabled, some hospitals do direct billing. There are several FB pages with veterans living here, variously disabled American Legion, VA and VFW pages - take a look around. You're years away though.
Kristian ***********
Kristian ***********
Me and my wife
@Thita *********
have thai traditional medicine clinic in Phayao/Thailand. We are planning to start resort/spa for expacts with our clinic servises and doctor on site. We could build one house for you just the way you like it. Message me or Thita if intrested.
James *******
James *******
2.5 years from now??? Come back in 2 years and ask 😆
Farang *********
Farang *********
That soley depends on what you want. Each of us has a different reason for our chosen location.

Want solitude and to be away from your countrymen. The provinces

Want more of the same Pattaya. Phuket , Bangkok, Hauhin etc.
Tom *******
Tom *******
A lot of good advice here

First thing is get some prices for medical insurance for you both

Depending on your disability it may be expensive or not even possible

As others have said come to Thailand for a n extended vacation first and calculate living costs because it’s not as cheap as it used to be

Just one example is fuel costs have increased by more than 50% recently

Good luck and enjoy Thailand
Shayne **********
Shayne **********
Talk with
@American *****************************
to keep more of your money, your money. Good planning can save a lot of money.
@https://www.facebook********************
Saraiporn *******
Saraiporn *******
Huahin is good place to live and it is not far from Bangkok
Angela *********
Angela *********
DTV visa for you with a remote job.
Bruce ***********
Bruce ***********
I would start doing research 3-6 months before you plan on coming not 2-3 years as things change on a monthly basis here in Thailand with regards to visas, banking etc. Also consider Vietnam and other countries that are more expat friendly. Thailand seems to only want indians right now and turning some parts of the country into a shithole.
Rocky **********
Rocky **********
Bruce Harlacher you can't start early enough, fun thing to do and how more you learn.
Bruce ***********
Bruce ***********
Rocky Khonkaen You can start too early if what you learn and plan gets tossed out the window because the government decides to change everything which is exactly what happens
Rocky **********
Rocky **********
Bruce Harlacher nope because u keep learning and controlling.
Rocky **********
Rocky **********
I guess to DTV visa and think about health insurance.

Hope you visited Thailand a few times before you decide
John **********
John **********
If you will work remotely then you need to get the DTV based on workation. Your husband can get a DTV based on being your spouse.
MagentaGo**********
MagentaGo**********
38 & 40 ⋯⋯consider financial requirements for visas and visa type, future medical expenses⋯⋯
Bob **********
Bob **********
You both need to sort your visas and there’s nothing for being disabled good luck
Empatheti**********
Empatheti**********
OP
Bob D'Andrea we don’t want anything for being disabled I added that because he has guaranteed income
Bob **********
Bob **********
EmpatheticRhino9998 maybe a DTV for 5 years of itand maybe you’ll change your minds after that
Steve **********
Steve **********
Why are you going?
Empatheti**********
Empatheti**********
OP
Steve Brownlee as stated in the post we would be relocating there.
Steve **********
Steve **********
Why?

You think it’s cheap?

You have visited before and love the food? Beaches? Temples?

You are running away from something ?

We need to know the why, before we can recommend any ideas or locations.
Doc ********
Doc ********
Tip for new players you and your husband really need to actually spend some significant amount of time in Thailand.

Need to come when the weather is nice and also when the weather is crap like it is now currently in Thailand 40 degrees every day I have been told.

Too many people do it arse about they see stuff online about how amazing Thailand is to live blah blah blah and then just focus on what visa this or what visa that requirements are to move to Thailand without actually putting in the necessary ground work.

Also a lot of people holiday in Thailand and think that's how Thailand is one big holiday resort lifestyle and then decide I'm going to live in Thailand how cool is this.

You need to have a look where in Thailand tickles your fancy?

Besides your work what are you and your husband's passions and hobbies?

Do you want to live in a condo or a house?

Need to actually spend a minimum of a month or longer if you can living like a local not parking yourselves in a hotel.

Need to actually go out and do shopping for consumables and groceries etc so you get the lay of the land and to see if moving to Thailand actually suits your purpose and you can adjust to the Thai way.

I'm ex military myself and I like a plan and as the saying goes failure to plan is planning to fail.

I have a budget planner in place for Thailand which is basically a spreadsheet of the costs of living in Thailand I find it useful to know my incomings and outgoings every month.

I also have a AIS Thai Sim card in my phone as this was suggested to me to do if I'm going to spend significant amount of time in Thailand.

Also you need to have a worst case scenario in place so if you know what hits the fan is there a get out of jail card just in case?

There was an interesting statement that an Aussie expat in Thailand quoted to me years ago which kind of stuck in my head and you have to be very mindful of.

The vast majority of expats in Thailand only last about two years on average before heading home so you need to ask yourself why that is?

You only ever really hear about the success stories not much about those that couldn't make it work!

Not trying to scare you just pointing out the realities of it.

I noticed you still have a bit of time before heading to Thailand so maybe now's the time to start planning it and getting all your ducks in a row in reality the visa thing is the last bit of the puzzle not the first.

Sorry for the long rant I hope it makes sense hopefully it all goes well for you both and good luck with it all!!!!
Empatheti**********
Empatheti**********
OP
Doc Trevor thank you for very for the great information. We are planning a month long trip over in Nov. our plan is to stay there for about a year and the head somewhere else. We no longer want to live “the American dream”. We love to travel and move and don’t plan on taking much with us other than clothes. I truly appreciate your insight
Doc ********
Doc ********
EmpatheticRhino9998 👍
Barath *******
Barath *******
EmpatheticRhino9998, check out DTV on Thai official website, they may have a visa suitable for you and your husband.

***************************

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