This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Which coast of Thailand is better for retirement: East or West?
Retirement in ThailandEast Coast ThailandWest Coast ThailandWeather in ThailandCultural lifestyleActive lifestyle optionsExpat experiencesNon-O VisaTourist areas in Thailand
Nov 26, 2025
5 months ago
Neepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTERIf you had to choose between gulf of Thailand’s East Coast and West Coast for Retirement, which one would you pick — and why?
I’m especially curious about your experiences with:
* Weather comfort (humidity, storms, seasonal differences)
* Cultural feel (local lifestyle, community vibe, authenticity)
* Active lifestyle options (bike-friendly long routes, outdoor sports, walking areas, etc.)
And if you think neither coast is ideal, I’d love to hear your alternative suggestions too! 🙏
I’m especially curious about your experiences with:
* Weather comfort (humidity, storms, seasonal differences)
* Cultural feel (local lifestyle, community vibe, authenticity)
* Active lifestyle options (bike-friendly long routes, outdoor sports, walking areas, etc.)
And if you think neither coast is ideal, I’d love to hear your alternative suggestions too! 🙏
TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion compares Thailand's East and West coasts for retirement, focusing on aspects like weather, culture, and lifestyle. Opinions vary, with some preferring the East Coast for affordability and community feel, while others favor the West Coast for its quieter, less touristy areas. Suggestions for alternative locations and lifestyles, such as Chiang Mai and non-tourist areas, are also mentioned.
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
Bian ****
I would definitely pick a non touristy area.Thailand never sleeps, Tourists are present all year around now
Neepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bian ***
Where exactly?Bian ****
@Neepa *********
Sorry but i don’t share my places anymore😂🙏🏻Nigel *************
@Bian ***
Why are you even commenting if you can't, or won't tell her a decent place to live? Seems detrimental to me.Bian ****
@Nigel ************
I don‘t care how it seems to you. My Advice was, look for a non touristy area, i think to find that everyone can do by themselves, wtf.Wayne **********
You are a waste of bits.
Neepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bian ***
Any quieter neighborhood you recommend?Reply to
Neepa **********
Reply
Nick *******
East coast if on a budget, West coast if you have money to spend.
Wayne **********
That’s wierd, from what I’ve seen property is a lot cheaper around Hua Hin.
Nick *******
@Wayne *********
Funny you mention property as I’m currently searching to buy a villa in Hua Hin. Like for like, Hua Hin is more expensive than Pattaya.Wayne **********
Yeah pattaya is cheaper as well.
I’m in the west part of Rayong, prices are speculative based on airport extension and rail being developed. It’s close to Bangkok prices.
I’m in the west part of Rayong, prices are speculative based on airport extension and rail being developed. It’s close to Bangkok prices.
Reply to
Wayne **********
Reply
John *******
@Nick ******
So the poor head to Pattaya and the high rollers hit Chumpon? Yeah, nah. 😆Nick *******
@John ******
Cheap Charlie’s are abundant in Pattaya. They’re the ones that always hate on Phuket, only because they can’t afford to live there. 😎Nigel *************
@Nick ******
Nothing wrong with Cheap Charlies. I live in Jomtien Pattaya because it's (in my opinion) better than Phuket. So going by that, I must be p*ss poor living on mud and bin-dipping for scraps🤣🤣🤣, but happier because the people are a lot happier and more friendly in Jomtien. Patong Beach on the other hand, is just a smaller, not so entertaining version of Pattaya.Nick *******
@Nigel ************
Jomtien better than Phuket? Ha ha ok bud yes your opinion but fuck me, do you actually swim in that water there??? There’s more bars in the general Pattaya area but the quality is here in every sense. I go to Pattaya about 4 times a year as have mates over that way. I do enjoy my time there but was shocked at how quiet it’s progressively getting. Indians have totally taken over and the place is filthy as fuck. Yeah for a beer and cheap full English (why leave UK) it’s great but generally, Phuket is paradise compared. All the best. 👍David ******
@Nick ******
it's just hard to justify the cost. 🙂. When you get accustomed to a certain price bracket. Yeah I was in shock with the prices in Phuket, and therefore I made my mind up I don't like Phuket. 🤣🤣.Reply to
David ******
Reply
Pete ********
Hau Hin is definitely a option. I'm still finding places all over Thailand that I could see myself in. Chiang Mai, Udon Thani they all look good for me.
Steve ***************
I have tried Pattaya, Bangkok, Koh Chang. Cha-Am, Hua Hin and now settled in Na Jomtien, but even though I have a Non O based on retirement that allows me to live in Thailand year round, I split my year to five months in Thailand, four months in Vietnam (Phu Quoc and Saigon) and my European farmhouse in South West France for the remaining three months. Returning for the European summer avoids a large chunk of South East Asia's rainy season.
J **************
@Steve **************
very nice but not many have those resources available that you doSteve ***************
@J *************
I live on a frugal shoestring. I bought the farmouse in France for peanuts as it had stood empty for forty years and was it terrible condition. I have been restoring it with my own hands the past 21 years.J **************
@Steve **************
your interests run the sane as mineReply to
J **************
Reply
Paul *********
Yes a little confusing! Perhaps you meant down towards Phuket on the west coast.
Nigel *************
@Paul ********
How is it confusing? She doesn't know the areas of Thailand. Give her a break. You can see the map, so it's pretty simple really.Paul *********
@Nigel ************
well I would refer to the Pattaya coast as west. But it’s no big deal. He/she has explained that.Reply to
Paul *********
Reply
Neepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ********
within gulf of Thailand as I marked in the MapTed ********
@Neepa *********
my gawd there a lot of simple minded people who can’t see or comprehend a clearly marked map and question! I’ve only visited the west around Hua Hin and similar over Koh Chang, but generally believe that the West coast of the Gulf is much busier and the East, while still tourist orientated, in my experience is not as hectic. But closer to the dreaded Cambodians,😳.
Paul *********
@Neepa *********
ok. You just got east & west muddled up. I guess if you want a quiet retirement then Hua Hin would be lovely. But over the other side is of course Pattaya which is very lively.Reply to
Tom **********
Reply
Mark ***********
I'd pick Chiang Mai 😅
Martin ********
@Mark **********
when did it move to the Gulf?RaShean ********
@Martin *******
he was being sarcastic lolMark ***********
@Martin *******
when it rains alotReply to
Mark ***********
Reply
Wayne **********
The sea views are not so great there, with the smoke etc.
Mark ***********
@Wayne *********
don't come 🙂Wayne **********
No one was, but you see how if someone made a post asking about the nicest mountain to retire on and I said Patong Beach it would be a bit ridiculous.
Reply to
Wayne **********
Reply
Julian *******
I live west coast. Quietly in a non expat tourist area. I enjoy the solitude and the pace of life
Neepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Julian ******
Can you please name a neighborhood there?Julian *******
@Neepa *********
I live in khura buri in phang Nga province. I’m the only westerner in the municipality. But you should consider khao lak.Neepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Julian ******
Is it too rainy there?Julian *******
@Neepa *********
currently not but we do get rains in rain season. The flip side is the air quality is far better than central or northern Thailand and the beaches are beautifulReply to
Julian *******
Reply
Michael ********
What you referring to as east coast, would call eastern seaboard and what you referring to as west coast is the east coast. They both have there merits and there crappy places, Pattaya for me is crappy but for others its heaven
Neepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
within gulf of Thailand as I marked in the MapMichael ********
@Neepa *********
I quite like the coast from Phrachap Khiri Khan downwards so nice quiet placesReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Martin *********
Surely the West Coast is the Indian ocean side and the Andaman sea , this is the Gulf of Thailand and is the Pacific ocean, so are you asking opinions about the east or west of the Gulf?
Brian **********
@Martin ********
Yep. The Andaman.Peter **********
@Martin ********
Its literally marked on the map if you bother to lookNeepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martin ********
Yes, within gulf of Thailand as I marked in the Map.Jan *********
@Neepa *********
I think you mean Burapa.Neepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan ********
What the heck is that, mate? 😁🤪Reply to
Neepa **********
Reply
Martin *********
@Neepa *********
should have made it clear then.Nigel *************
@Martin ********
Can't you read a map?No need to be pannickity. She doesn't know the area so give her a little curtesy. Thanks.
David ******
@Martin ********
the question seemed very clear to me. I think you thought you had a 'gotcha' moment.Nigel *************
@David *****
In his mind, he thought confusion would make him seem more clever than the rest of us. But it only makes HIM look dumb-assNeepa **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martin ********
It's very clear, mate. I've marked the coasts very clearly. If you don't understand, I'm sorry!Reply to
Neepa **********
Reply
Lyndon ************
East coast, the other one in the South
Reply to
Lyndon ************
Reply
19 comments
6 months ago
35 comments
7 months ago
26 comments
7 months ago
62 comments
9 months ago
26 comments
9 months ago
100 comments
10 months ago
76 comments
10 months ago
75 comments
a year ago
8 comments
a year ago
195 comments
a year ago
45 comments
a year ago
144 comments
2 years ago
65 comments
2 years ago
66 comments
2 years ago
375 comments
2 years ago
12 comments
2 years ago
99 comments
3 years ago
81 comments
3 years ago
243 comments
3 years ago
216 comments
3 years ago
10 comments
3 years ago
46 comments
5 years ago
Which is the best location to live in Thailand for 3-6 months: Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Tao?
14 comments
5 years ago
64 comments
5 years ago
54 comments
6 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.