Where do most retired Americans live in Thailand?

Nov 7, 2023
a year ago
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, hope you can answer this. Is there an area in Thailand where a lot of retired Americans live?

Thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many retired Americans live in popular tourist destinations across Thailand. Key areas identified include Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. While there are American communities in these locations, retirees are often spread out with smaller groups found in quieter places like Krabi and Meuang Prachuap Khiri Khan. The discussions emphasize that retired Americans prefer areas that offer a balance of socializing with other expats and engaging with local Thai cultures.
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Frances ********
Jomtien.
Debra *********
Rawai, Chalong, Patong are 3 areas in Phuket
Mark *********
Americans, as said, are not a large group among expats, but they are probably large enough to subdivide, not by region of USA but a simple division between retired and working people. Among the latter presumably teachers can be found, but randomly. My sense is that you find the retired in the usual places for retired people. They are not remotely like Bangkok's commercial, legal, etc Americans and it isn't just because they are no longer working. They seem to me to be entirely different people. I assume that there must be a fair number of these commercial and professional Americans working in Bangkok. I've certainly had to learn more American English than I have had to learn Thai. I'd go without eating otherwise! Courgettes became zucchini, aubergine became egg plant, coriander became cilantro .................................... and this is at the Asok wet market, talking with Thais.
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ian ********
I hope not 🤣🤣🤣
Xjwhudkwhry ********
Pattaya
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I do not want to create America. I just want to be able to chat with Americans from time to time. Especially when I first arrive. Getting knowledge from them would be helpful. Thats all. I do not celebrate holidays anymore, as I am 76, and most of my family lives in other states. I believe to each , his own. If someone wants to celebrate, that's fine. I am very open minded. When I am not at work, I enjoy my time alone. I have many Philippine friends here. Actually, in Florida, I have friends from all over. But I want to retire in Thailand. I want to explore the country. Ps I don't golf.
Brown ********
@Sharron ******
that's interesting. I'm Australian and while most other factors were priorities to moving to Thailand, getting away from Australians was one of the reasons why I moved
Damo ***********
@Brown *******
can totally relate to what you said mate.. i shake my head at aussies who want to visit Thai only to find the nearest ‘Aussie’ bar full of ockers 🤦🏼‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️

Much rather spend my time with Thai people 🙏🏼
Luc ************
Near a golf course.
John *******
Probably in pattaya with Russians
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
What!! Oh no ..
Frank **********
There are way more Australians and Europeans here then Americans. Most likely they are in areas like Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Pattaya.
Fritz *******************
Soi 6
Ste *******
Soi Cowboy!
Durrant ********
Pattaya is the main place and when they get a bargirl they move out with her to another place thinking she will be faithful
Jacob ********
@Durrant *******
Sounds like the majority of foreigners not willing to learn the language and take the easy weekly or monthly payments as translator, bed toy , and room cleaner. Don,t moan later after the consequences return looking for you.
Andrew *******
Too many in patts ...at least half a dozen 🤣🤣
Michael *******
Hua Hin

Koh Samui

Pattaya

Phuket

Chaing Mai

Bangkok

Currently, it is estimated that 30,000 American expats are living in Thailand, according to data from the US Department of State.
Richard *********
all over the the country from Chaing Khan to Songkla
Pete ********
Mostly scattered about, the one's I know...
Jacob ********
Some examples of what life is like outside the foreigner hangouts can be seen and experienced on my channel . Destinations Unknown The Roads Less Traveled on YouTube. Something you might consider away from the common chaos.
Chizel *******
@Jacob *******
your channel states you go where few or no foreigners have been before in Thailand...I checked a few of your videos but didn't see anything remotely like you being the first westerner to discover the place. Where exactly have you been that no other foreigners have been before in Thailand?
Jacob ********
@Chizel ******
Look some more.
Chizel *******
@Jacob *******
just looks like you're very excited and new to Thailand from what I can see. Definitely nothing undiscovered on there by any means. Please feel free to share a link to one of your videos which isn't just showing ordinary places that thousands have been before. I'd certainly be interested to see what you've found.
Jacob ********
@Chizel ******
Thanks so much for the endorsement after twenty two years of traveling throughout the region maybe share a link of the channel to others. Thanks so much!
Jacob ********
Share with others and allow them to enjoy what the channel has to offer. Thanks!
Jacob ********
PS. Forgot to mention since you have a link to the channel please share with others that might enjoy the programing. Thanks again!
Chizel *******
@Jacob *******
I don't get it, you claim to be where no foreigners have ever been before but when asked about it you get all defensive. It makes it a little hard to believe that's all. Enjoy.
Todd *********
@Jacob *******
YouTube just the land of posers trying to make a go of it. And mostly failing
Paul ********
@Todd ********
50% of the world’s population is below average. What, 10% deserve an A grade? YouTube pretty much fits the model.
Jacob ********
PS. There are some serious moochers out there with horrible advice that understand little or nothing about Thailand or Southeast Asia. Having said that there are some good people out there.
Jacob ********
@Todd ********
I agree the majority yes . I only watch the channels where the host is able to speak Thai. I never ask for money and never will.
Paul ********
I work very hard to avoid other expats. They tend to want to talk about fun stuff like Donald Trump, how stupid Thais are, etc.

But true, there are a few good ones out there.
Erikh *********
Pattaya
Brian *********
I think the largest concentrations are nearest to tourism. Pattaya area (mostly men I think), Phuket, Hua Hin, Bangkok, Rayong, Chiang Mai. Beyond that scattered everywhere. Here in Khon Kaen city I see other farang at the mall (not necessarily Americans) but never in my village.
Pete **********
Local jail!
Neil ********
pattaya
Danny *******
I'm American and have lived in Krabi/Koh Lanta for almost 14 years. Not many Americans here but lots of Europeans many of which speak English if that's what you are locking for.
Daniel ************
Nick *******
Bloody everywhere
Jacob ********
Why do you want to live with other foreigners in Thailand? Afraid ?
Jacob ********
Foreigners really need to get out more by themselves.
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have lived by myself for the past 20 years. I like doing things by myself. How ever from time to time, I am sure I would like to hear other expats views about their life in Thailand. Not just American expats, but some from all over.
Brown ********
@Jacob *******
maybe because she's a woman bro. Not like us blokes who can just go to soi6 when we want company 555
Rusty ************
@Jacob *******
I lived for 3 years in a village where I was one of a small handful of foreign teachers. It sucks man. It's nice to speak with someone with whom you share a cultural background and language at least sometimes. She's not gonna learn Thai immediately.
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jacob *******
I do not want to create America. I just want to be able to chat with Americans from time to time. Especially when I first arrive. Getting knowledge from them would be helpful. Thats all. I do not celebrate holidays anymore, as I am 76, and most of my family lives in other states. I believe to each , his own. If someone wants to celebrate, that's fine. I am very open minded. When I am not at work, I enjoy my time alone. I have many Philippine friends here. Actually, in Florida, I have friends from all over. But I want to retire in Thailand. I want to explore the country. I have lived alone in Florida for the past 20 years. Be Afraid, I think not. What a weird answer. Sir..
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I do not want to create America. I just want to be able to chat with Americans from time to time. Especially when I first arrive. Getting knowledge from them would be helpful. Thats all. I do not celebrate holidays anymore, as I am 76, and most of my family lives in other states. I believe to each , his own. If someone wants to celebrate, that's fine. I am very open minded. When I am not at work, I enjoy my time alone. I have many Philippine friends here. Actually, in Florida, I have friends from all over. But I want to retire in Thailand. I want to explore the country.
Lynnette *******
@Jacob *******
maybe wants to avoid them. . 🙄
John *********
@Stephen *******
I have a Xmas party for the family kids in Chiang Kham. Love it. So do the adults.
John *********
@Stephen *******
Did you have a sad childhood? Because it sounds as if you are having a sad adulthood. How TF would I be trying to recreate what I had at "home"? Home is a long way from Pattaya and the nearest Farang. I do it to bring some joy in this sometimes shitty and cynical world. If you can think of a better reason to do something give me a shout :-) You sad fkg plum.
John *********
@Stephen *******
I'm as far away from Pattaya as you can get ;-) Fkg Yanks.
John *********
@Stephen *******
Like listening to an idiot who thinks his opinions matter. Cynicism doesn't make you smart. It makes you a sad fkr. :-)
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I guess nasty hateful people are everywhere, not just in America.
Marty *********
@Jacob *******
Bangkok or the countryside, I interact with the locals every day. Talking with English speaking expats for an hour or so once or twice a week is not separating me from Thailand.
Bonnie *********
@Marty ********
That’s not what he’s referring to. You’re mad about a comment not directed at you.
Frank **********
@Bonnie ********
how is he mad. He said nothing derogatory. Smh
Bonnie *********
@Frank *********
What in ford’s name are you rambling on about?
Frank **********
@Bonnie ********
is that Henry Ford. Lol
Marty *********
@Bonnie ********
Not mad. Just pointing out that seeking places to live in Thailand that also has foreigners, expats, Americans isn’t abnormal or imply that someone is afraid of Thais or that someone is seeking to live in western bubble in a foreign country.
Jacob ********
Bonnie *********
@Marty ********
Sounds very western bubble to me. And sounds uncomfortable with the choice they're making.

I love arguing opinions that sound stupid, especially concerning people from my home country; you obviously do, too.
Jacob ********
Marty *********
@Bonnie ********
Maybe the OP could have worded the question better
Bonnie *********
@Marty ********
Then that's on them.
Jacob ********
@Marty ********
Able to speak basic Thai?
Marty *********
@Jacob *******
Yes, but not Isaan.
Jacob ********
@Marty ********
As long as you are able to speak basic Thai the majority of Thais should understand you fine. As you likely already know it makes life overall much less stressful and enjoyable. I am still learning everyday and am able to do anything by myself anywhere in either Thailand or Laos.
George *******
@Jacob *******
why not. Stupid answer
Jacob ********
@George ******
Afraid the locals might eat you?
Jacob ********
@Stephen *******
Never understood the logic of traveling so far and the first thing you do is go hang with the very people you left behind. The locals the Thais become nothing more than background noise and your slave of sorts. SAD! WEIRD!
Frank **********
@Jacob *******
maybe they just came for the climate and low cost of living. You can still be with people from your country and have Thai friends too.
Bonnie *********
@Jacob *******
Seems many find Thailand lovely and exotic and then destroy it with crass western culture. I loved the time before Christmas came to Thailand.
Jacob ********
@Bonnie ********
I totally agree and mass tourism has done this culture no favors.
Mary ********
I think there are small communities of expats everywhere in Thailand so I would look at what it is you are looking for in a place, rather than finding a place with expats from a specific region. Where we live in Meuang Prachuap Khiri Khan we have a number of American expats as well as a few from other nations. Its a less busy place than Hua Hin or Pattya and quite a few expat couples which we enjoy socialising with, but less choices for shopping. We enjoy a nice quiet laid back lifestyle so it suits us, but if you are looking for shopping and falang foods in restaurants, the choices are a bit more limited, in saying that though there are a few that have decent falang food. It really depends on what you are looking for in regards to lifestyle on where you will be happiest.
Jack ****************
And way down the list of community size for expats. We are like 20th or something
Sharron *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Marty *********
I would say no. We are spread out.
Bonnie *********
They're everywhere.
Janne ***********
There are some here in Hua Hin too!
Andy *******
Pattaya Beach
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