Only if you want it to be. I actually save money every month by living in Bali. We are using our social security and haven't even touched our retirement money in 4 years and we have travelled quite a bit even back to the states.
Yes. Not a problem. We have lived in Bali for 4 years where the prices are lower than in Thailand. I pay for a year ahead. We just stayed on Koh Samui for 3 months. Low housing prices and great food choices. We are from the US.