Why did you choose to settle in Thailand and what other countries were you considering?

You’ll have to qualify your question as it is horribly ambiguous. Any tourist coming into the country needs a visa or visa waiver, and if one wants to live here you’ll need a visa. If you have never been to Thailand your question is about as insipid as asking why do people like to walk in the sunshine?

I am American , I have lived in Italy, France , Switzerland, Japan and the P.I. I have visited over 25 countries and I like Thailand the most

My Thai wife, living with me in Japan, our Thai daughter living in Australia, both Thai citizens with Thai passports, Thai IDs, do not want to go to Thai. We have a Hawaii style condo in Bangkok, they dont give a shit.

Thailand is a toilet but I work in bigger toilets nearby

Vietnam and Cambodia, which I love. I spent more than a decade in Thailand (had a wife, speak Thai and even ran a business), and I now want to experience other countries.

For me it was in-between Thailand and the Philippians. The only thing that made the Phils a strong contender was that most of the population speaks some level of English. However, the constant bombardment of typhoons (21 typhoons made direct landfall in the Phils in 2025) volcanos, earthquakes, electrical brown & blackouts, as well as the constant begging (especially by groups of children) were things I found unappealing. The language barrier in Thailand is still a challenge but the infrastructure is significantly better, the healthcare is on par with many Western countries, my electricity rarely goes out and although we did feel the effects of a large earthquake centered in Myanmar last year, earthquakes aren't nearly as common as the are in the Phils (the Phils sits directly on top of the Pacific ring of fire.) On the other hand, if I lived in the Phils I'd be eligible for the SRRV visa and my understanding is that this visa is much easier and less expensive than the retirement visa requirements in TL. There are pros and cons in every decision.

The woman I married and love here for life would have been very upset if I applied for a visa in a different country.

Surprising answers.. I never considered any other country. And wasn't in a relationship either. Even today I don't think of any other place I'd rather be.

iv travelled over 50 countries and travelled them well, no where else felt like home like thailand does, not even home felt like home anymore.

Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador. Beautiful countries, all three. Decided I don't like the "machismo" Latin culture, or the food very much (because I'm vegetarian). Thai culture is second to none. Just visited Bali for the first time last month. Major points for how common it is to find English speaking natives there (probably 90% with rudimentary skills). Friendly people. But the transportation infrastructure is as bad as The Philippines (horrible), and I think Thai food is much, much better.

Equador. No contest. Thailand won hands down.

High quality healthcare, kid safe, kind people, good infrastructure, large expat communities, English is widley spoken, 420 and LGBT friendly

I agree with that.

I’m 63 years old and kinda over the clubs , rooftop bars etc … maybe that’s my problem . But I am a 63 years old that look and act 43 lol

I don’t want to be around a bunch of retired folks in hua hin or Pattya -

But you are right - Bangkok is still the best choice in Thailand . I probably need to travel more to the other provinces . Thanks for your feedback and perspective .

Took a holiday trip around Singapore Malaysia and Thailand 25 years ago. Thailand was so cool I spent all of my very short holidays in Bangkok for the next several years loving the city and country more each time, determined to eventually retire here. Mission accomplished and it has not let me down. Other countries in SE Asia (except the Philippines) are great to visit, but not to live. I discover more all the time; never bored and incredibly inexpensive. And the nightlife is epic!

I think you're a bit confused. We aren't getting a visa somewhere just to get a visa somewhere.

There was no "finally settle" decision. The motivation was from the internal question of "how can I stay here longer?"

Panama, Costa rica, Belize...then I met and married a thai woman

Mauritius 🦤 60 days on arrival. I know it's not part of Asia but if you fancy a change like I did. Give it a bash. It's only an island the size of what feels like Bali but it's a country. 👍

Philippines and Indonesia (Bali) as alternatives. A friend gave me a pretty good deal on a condo in Pattaya so I chose here, but I was considering moving to Bali when I made that decision.

Vietnam is up there with Thailand for me. They are both different though and Thailand probably edges it overall. Both are great.

I’m living in Bangkok but will explore Vietnam. Bangkok can get old really fast . It’s very transactional.

Maybe other parts of Thailand are different but I’m over Bangkok lol

You can only shop, eat , drink so much . That’s really all Bangkok has to offer in my opinion . Similar to NYC but a tad less expensive.

Vietnam would seem to offer a more cultural experience . Thailand has become very westernized and not as cheap as it once was.

Plus … it’s a lot different living here than being here on holiday .

Thai food

I am a car fan and thailand has a great car culture. I like it here.

Only reason I am here is because of my Thai wife.

Thailand 🇹🇭

There are cheaper places

Other countries not enough infrastructure

Especially low quality health systems .

Cambodia 🤣 I mean you won't back to Thailand

You make the option sound so singular. Although I have a Thai Non O extension of stay based on retirement, I only spend 5 months of the year in the Land of Smiles. 4 months is spent in Vietnam and I return to my farmhouse in southwest France for 3 months during the European summer to miss the worst of South East Asia's wettest months. We are not trees, we are free to move around. I am currently in Phu Quoc avoiding Songkran.

Been to them all since first visiting Hua Hin in Thailand in 1989, all ways came back here, now at my age, for good !

I considered Cambodia easiest visas in SEAsia

Malaysia for the MM2H

Lao due to easy visas but the lifestyle is kind of boring