Thailand tourists and expats are often a world away in how they perceive Thailand.
Tourist are all about the cities and the beaches.
Long term expats know that living in the country is the best.
Tourists work all year to come to Thailand for 2 or 3 weeks armed with a pocket full of money.
They live it up in the resorts and overpay for everything.
Long term expats know enough to avoid these tourist places in the high season.
Often tourists get the wild idea that moving to Thailand will be same blast they are having 52 weeks out of the year.
That is until they run out of savings and realize the only job they can find, if any, is teaching English for US $1,000 a month or <US $6.25 an hour.
They realize after all the wonder of Thailand wears off that Thailand no longer seems like such a glamorous place and they start to badmouth and resent Thailand.
Others may splurge on a one room condo, only to find out years later after they are bored stiff, it is impossible to sell and for no profit.
Young Youtuber’s spread nothing but false information how cheap it is.
2023 Ford Mustang is US $146,000 in Thailand and $40,000 in the USA. How is that for cheap.
The only way to maintain the same lifestyle you are used to in the west, is to marry a Thai, work in the west until you are retirement age, saving everything you can for 40 years, sell your house and then move over. Understand it is a one way trip for most.
Or be filthy rich.
Or work on line and make at least US $80,000 a year.
Long term expats that live in the country, can afford a house and land (with their Thai wife, new car, and have monthly expenses 75% less than the city or tourists areas, end up much better off.
Lots of space, fresh air, fresh fruit and vegetables at prices unheard of in the city.
Getting a nice 2 week holiday at the expense of the rest of your life is just foolish.
Living anywhere has many hidden costs, rules and regulations.
Compare apples to apples before you make the big plunge
Money is the name of the game and without it, Thailand will eat you up.