You are right. If you have a pressing reason to be there. I am there because I started out there. But the burning season has got worse. And, I know that lung cancer rates have shot up. especially in children. When the Thai government tell its own population to stay indoors you know its bad. I go away four months every year, abroad or the south. I am not happy with that. But I follow the air pollution readings and I know how bad it gets. The PM 2.5 is so dangerous because it is so small it crosses the blood /brain barrier and accumultes in every organ, including the brain. And its cancerous. Personally I won't take that risk. Long term exposure is extemly hazardous. As for the 'I dont want to live forever' brigade. I have a friend who is a sister on a cancer ward. At the end they are always begging and desperate to try anything.

I am sure you will love it. There are lots of small shopping areas off the main roads, and they are beautiful too. They look expensive but aren't. Its a prosperous city but spread out and pretty. The food is great and prices very reasonable. New condos are being built and houses are cheap and available. You have an easy drive to Phattalung and the lakes. And Sichon and Tha sala are lovely seaside places. Then Khanom beyond and a quick island hop to Samui if that's your thing. Super friendly immigration bureau. Some very good hospitals and nice airport and sleeper trains to BKK with your own overnight compartment for just over 1000 baht. When your baby bird has flown mother bird can spread her wings.

@Patrick *******

Well he ain't gonna just breathe in some of the places suggested, if he moves there it would literally be the last thing he does. And a lot quicker than for others.

You cant live there a good part of the year yet you tell someone to live there? Devoid of logic and sense, like your good self. Where do you suggest he holidays, Chernobyl? And I dont smoke or sit next to smokers. And if you think eating an occasional bacon sandwich is the same as four months in one of the most polluted places on earth. Yes, look it up. You are more seriously deluded and should seek help.

@Bill ********

Thats for you. Specific advice contrary to what the OP asked.

@David ******

Three of those are so polluted, lung cancer will be your long term friend, though you might meet a nice nurse during treatment. Why do people keep selling the crap about places that are at times among the most polluted in the worl. At one time in the last two years Chiang Mai was actually measured as worse than the busiest road junction in Lahore. People usually selling hard have businesses there that tourists are shunning because of pollution or they have unsaleable property and are trying to shift it. Look at the maps from NASA to see Thailand aflame in the burning season, then pick somewhere not too bad.

@Belinda *****

Yes if you want great food the Mall is the place to go. NOT

@Siriwan ***

Small seaside town, how quaint, if only that were true. I owned two houses there, but the day I got a parking ticket in a quiet side street away from the main drag where I had parked for years, is when I realised it had changed. Live in real thailand not some warped disney version all sparkle and hookers and overpriced places. I speak as someone who has three cars here several houses and condos and four businesses, so I am not talking out of my pocket, If you want a lovely, full of flowers, scenic and friendly place, I have not found better than Nakhon Si Thammarat. The girls and women are not interested in Falangs down there, there are genuine women who dont see you as an ATM, its not full of hookers, lots of great hotels, lively night life at times that does not revolve around hookers. Best drive in Thailand up to Khanom, and Samui and Phucket in reach if you want islands. Trains and planes to everywhere from there. And the air is good all year around. Property and rentals are cheap.

@Don ********

Its overcrowded, polluted with hardly any places to park in season and twice as dear as most places where there are mostly Thais and less falangs.