@Bruce ****************

LOL I avoid Bangkok whenever possible - too crowded! But yeah, brought enough back with me from my last trip to Aus to last me a while 🙂 But the reality is we can find almost everything here if we look hard enough and Bangkok obviously has the best shopping.

@Craig ********

yes we did and have maintained it for over a year, though we do know we could drop a bit below, it's just easier to do that.

@Paul *******

that's exactly why we both got our non o visas. Having to leave as soon as your partner passes would be additional stress no one needs.

Hubby and I have a joint account with the required amount in it and had no dramas getting our non o. We went to Hua Hin for ours, not sure if that makes a difference.

@Edwina **********

and the thinnest material / most breathable for clothing as the heat and humidity can be brutal for us here lol so until you acclimatize you need to be comfortable. I did bring 1 pair of jeans and in the 15 months living here have worn them less than a handful of times and those were short periods. Shorts and casual dresses are more useful. Good shoes too would be an essential. Flats, sandals, thongs, sandshoes/tennis shoes with good arch support are hard to find in larger sizes (I'm an AU7/US8 - I struggle with this lol)

@Anna ********

I love Hua Hin, but in small doses as it's pretty busy. We spent the first few months there before coming here and honestly, for what we wanted, this is perfect and Hua Hin is only an hour and a bit up the road, so when we want to go to the shopping centres or have a night away to enjoy the night life, it's easy enough to head there. We always stay at Seamira House when we go there as it has really comfy beds and is close to the restaurants and shops we like. I'll have to say though I am not bored where I am as there is always something to do and I enjoy the quiet and peace this place affords us. Where you settle needs to match your own needs. For me, I just wanted a quiet beachfront cottage in a little fishing village - where else in the world could I have this at 11,000 baht lol we are crazy happy here.

@Anna ********

yup, Shein, Lazada and a few others are over here. It is hit and miss on quality unfortunately and my suggestion is to order a larger size than you think as sizing is a bit wonky, but as cheap as they are it's just not a big deal if it is a fail and I usually find someone to pass things to that don't fit, so not a total loss. I use the oversized rainbow shorts here mainly, no leggings, and a thin top but my main exercise is walking 8 kms around the beach path here lol so the cooler it is the more likely I am to walk further. I did buy a few really thin sleeveless shirts last time I went back to Australia which work a treat here, I love that no one cares if I match or am fashionable here. I do think it depends on where you settle though. We started off in Hua Hin and ended up in paradise lol a small fishing village just north of Prachuap Khiri Khan city. We've been here for a year now and I am absolutely loving how easy life is.

@Anna ********

I've managed to buy clothing here but notice that sizing can be difficult off the rack for western sizes. Shein is great though and makes shopping a bit easier. It does of course depend on where you are. In Hua Hin it was a bit easier than it is in PKK to shop for clothes. Mind you though, because of the heat here I forgo style for comfort and coolness these days lol

Really the only things you should bring with you are essentials. I sold and donated everything and came over with just a carryon and never regretted it. The few learnings I have had I rectified with my last trip back and brought back towels, sheets and underwear, because finding these quality items can be challenging. Pack only your lightest clothing. Furniture and other household items are easily purchased here at a fraction of the cost.

Hubby has been travelling to Thailand for years before I met him. He brought me over around 11 years ago for holiday and broached possibly retiring here. We retired in 2022, arrived in Thailand Jan 2023, and we both love our life here. While neither of us are Thai, we love the people, the food and the culture. Where else could we live beachfront, sitting outside with a cool ocean breeze and listen to the waves lapping on the shore on a pension?