However, in the long term, it would be ideal to learn the basics of the Thai language in order to help you get settled better. Speaking Thai — even imperfectly — can go a long way in establishing good relations with your future landlord as well as work colleagues.
For leases, you're expected to pay a deposit worth two or three months' rent is expected, plus one month or two months' rent. The standard lease is around a year but you or your agent can negotiate on your behalf. You'll also need your passport, work permit and proof of income in order to rent. The past few years have seen the development of condominiums in and around the city that has become popular for expats.
Expats who don't have any family members relocating with them find these accommodations to be ideal as it may offer modern amenities such as a gym or pool. Most units also include air conditioning, which would be a relief in Thailand's constantly humid climate.
Most condominium rental fees, excluding utilities, are currently priced at THB 45, and up for a two-bedroom unit with two bathrooms in Central Bangkok. One-bedroom units hover around the THB 35, mark. However, property managers in condominium buildings are usually limited to the maintenance of common areas.
Thus, it's up to the expat tenant to contact the owner for any problems within the unit itself. If you're relocating with your family, apartments may be more suitable as these usually have two or three bedrooms included. These are quite popular with families and are easily snapped up. Families may want to avoid areas in Bangkok that have many leisure areas such as pubs or clubs, owing to safety and noise issues. Taking public transport may save you a fair amount of money, especially if you choose to live near an MRT or BTS station.
There are BTS stored-value tickets available, also known as Rabbit cards , and can be topped up with amounts as low as baht per month up to a maximum of THB 4, It can also be used at select merchants, including fast food outlets and convenience stores.
Other transport options are buses, taxis as well as the ride-hailing service Grab, which has replaced Uber in Bangkok. With Bangkok's notorious traffic jams, it's a good idea to check out what transport options you have between your office and potential home location. If your journey requires many stops and involves switching between trains, taxis and the popular tuk-tuks , it's best to find a residence nearer your workplace to save time. Do check if health insurance is included in your Bangkok relocation package.
You can choose to supplement your coverage by purchasing your own private medical insurance locally or choose an international health insurance plan. An international healthcare plan can give you the option to get medical treatment outside of Thailand, in case of an emergency. Overall, public and private hospitals in Bangkok are affordable and offer great service. The city's reputation as a top tourist destination plus the presence of many expatriates means many medical professionals can speak English.
For the most part, food and utility costs are reasonable in Bangkok. The city is a gastronomic haven, and there are plenty of restaurants offering different cuisines. It's quite easy to fall in love with Thai food as it's plentiful and cheap, with a tasty and quick meal at street stalls available for as low as baht per person.
Buying at local markets can keep your food expenses low, but there are also Western shops such as Tesco where you can buy familiar staples from home. However, expect these to cost considerably more than their usual prices back home. Utilities such as water are also pocket-friendly, costing around THB or so.
Electricity costs may be higher if you use air conditioning constantly. There are the combined Internet and phone packages popular among Bangkok residents that provide competitive rates.
It's not uncommon for many expatriate families to get local housekeeping help. In the case of families with one or both expat parents working, or have several young children, an extra pair of hands is appreciated. Depending on the frequency and tasks involved, hiring someone to help can set you back at least THB to THB per week. In some cases, many migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar who live in Bangkok offer their services part-time to help support their families.
Is it expensive to avail of healthcare in Thailand? It's important to ask such questions before you even start calling the movers. Will it be easier to get access to healthcare in Bangkok compared to other Thai cities? Are medical services more expensive than what you need to pay back home?
How does Thailand's healthcare system work? Here's what you need to know about getting healthcare in Thailand as an expat and all about healthcare in Bangkok.
Thailand adopted a universal public healthcare system in that automatically enrolled its entire population of 69 million into a universal health coverage scheme. At present, there are nearly 1, government hospitals in Thailand, over private hospitals, 10, government health centers, and some 25, private clinics that provide residents with health services. Previously, a comprehensive health insurance scheme was launched called the "30 baht project" which charged a co-payment fee of THB 30 for treatment, which was popular with low-income Thai citizens in rural areas.
Those who joined the program received a gold card that gave them access to medical services in their health district. The scheme also allowed them to be referred for specialist treatment elsewhere if necessary.
The baht fee was abolished by the then head of the Ministry of Public Health Mongkol Na Songkhla after the military coup and made the entire scheme free. A proposal in to relaunch the baht program was opposed by many civil groups. Thailand's universal multi-payer healthcare system carries two types of health insurance: public health insurance under the auspices of the National Health Security Office NHSO , and private insurance.
All Thai citizens are required to be enrolled in an insurance scheme, either in the national health insurance or through an employees' health insurance scheme. The national health insurance is primarily for people who are not eligible for any employment-based health insurance schemes. How does the country's universal healthcare system work?
The "gold card" system covers the majority of Thai nationals, which number approximately 50 million people. Private employees, around 10 million, come under the umbrella of social security while the country's 5 million civil servants and their dependents are given coverage through the civil service welfare system. Public hospitals are included in the network, as well as some private hospitals but not all.
The World Health Organization WHO has noted that the country's adoption of universal health coverage has resulted in a more optimistic outcome for the 10 percent of adults affected by diabetes among Thailand's 68 million residents. Those with diabetes may avail of free treatment under the national healthcare scheme.
They can also go for routine tests at local health centers, and may also be referred to a district hospital for further treatment. The scheme also provides free screening for cataracts to those aged 60 or older. Public hospitals are under the authority of the Ministry of Public Health MOPH , including general and community hospitals, and some select specialist hospitals. These hospitals generally offer good service and are part of the public healthcare system.
There are also other hospitals that are operated by health organizations or other similar organizations independent of the MOPH where Thai citizens can avail of health care services without additional charges.
As these public facilities provide free to low-cost treatment, it's often difficult to secure medical appointments, and queueing may sometimes take hours. While basic English is understood by most of the staff, accurate communication may prove to be difficult for expats. It may be prudent to ask the help of an interpreter should you need to seek treatment at public hospitals. Most, if not all, expatriates choose to have private medical insurance during their stay in Bangkok.
This provides an added safety net to the mandatory health insurance provided by companies. Many private hospitals in Bangkok are also affiliated with local and international health insurance companies, making it easier to seek treatment and to reimburse claims.
Most hospitals expect you to pay the costs upfront for basic consultations, medication, and minor treatments, or make a down payment for any in-patient treatment or surgery. Thus, it's a good idea to have a separate cash account available or a separate credit card for such expenses. Many expats also advise carrying your insurance documents and health card at all times, plus a copy of your passport and work permit, in case of emergencies.
Once you've settled into your new home, make a list of the nearest private hospitals in your area, your workplace or your child's school, and note down the hospitals' emergency numbers. Should you have any particular illnesses or allergies, make sure to have a copy of it on hand as well. The public emergency number for Thailand is for medical emergencies. The tourist police can be reached at for emergencies. Unlike in other countries where primary care and secondary care are available, Thailand does not have something similar.
Those who have private health insurance choose to go to a private clinic for their health concerns. Finding a general practitioner GP to serve as your primary care doctor may be easier by asking for recommendations from friends and fellow expats. However, even before you make the move, it's advisable to get vaccinations for some tropical diseases. As Thailand has a tropical climate, you may become more susceptible to illnesses such as influenza, hepatitis, dengue fever, malaria or encephalitis.
Do ask your doctor for advice on what diseases you should be immunized for, as well as any other illnesses that you may catch.
It's also best to get a prescription for a supply of any necessary medicines that should last you for the first few months in Bangkok in case you're unable to purchase them in Thailand. Lately, Bangkok has been experiencing extremely hazardous levels of air pollution, which had residents scrambling to purchase masks, air filters, air purifiers and the like.
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, please ask your primary physician for advice or see a specialist when you arrive in Bangkok. Thailand is also a popular retiree destination. A recent report from the Thai Examiner in December stated that a government committee made a proposal that will require expatriates holding Non-Immigrant O-X or O-A long-stay visas to have mandatory health insurance.
The proposal is awaiting presentation in the Thai cabinet. However, this plan is seen to adversely affect the expat retirees who have made Thailand their home for a good number of years since it will be undoubtedly difficult to secure health insurance due to their age and any medical conditions they may have.
This will also affect their visa status in Thailand. Many foreigners hailing from Western countries go to Thailand to avail of a wide variety of medical treatments, including open-heart surgery, cosmetic surgery, and fertility treatments at costs significantly lower than those in their home country.
Currently, there are 64 accredited hospitals — most of which are private hospitals — that cater to medical tourists, whose numbers reached 3. The country's drive to be a top medical destination also puts the spotlight on its private hospitals. The best private hospitals are located in Bangkok and have first-class facilities as well as high-quality modern equipment. A good majority of the staff at these facilities can speak English as well as other languages in order to provide assistance to a global clientele.
Relocating to a new country as an expat, albeit temporarily, can be stressful. Moving halfway across the world with your entire family raises the stakes even more.
For expat parents, the availability and quality of education are of absolute importance. How does the educational system in Thailand measure in the global rankings? But what else makes this Southeast Asian destination so unique? Today, Thai society is among the most socially tolerant in Asia. Gay nightlife and events are regularly touted as some of the best attractions in Bangkok, drawing mixed crowds of all gender identities.
As the only Southeast Asian nation to retain its independence through the period of Western colonialisation, Thailand has retained a unique continuity of its culture, uninterrupted by foreign imposition.
Much of Southeast Asian culture today is directly influenced by colonial legacy , responsible for modern governmental structures, education, as well as aspects like cuisine, but many societies also experienced dramatic cultural erosion. Cultures in Bangkok mix with ease—seen in the blended architecture to the heavy penetration of foreign entertainment and cuisine. Generations of migrants have established thriving communities within the city, but none as large and vibrant as the Chinese settlement-turned-cultural and culinary epicentre, Yaowarat.
Chinese chefs have expertly reworked signature dishes to craft unique Thai fusions, like springy tapioca oyster omelets doused in chili sauce or Chinese-style egg noodles Tom Yum. Be aware that several restaurants in Yaowarat still specialize in controversial dishes like shark fin soup , a practice for which it has come under fire in recent years.
Images like towering Wat Arun or the eponymous Reclining Buddha are recognizable around the world as unmistakably Thai. But Bangkok is home to a number of interesting and strange landmarks missing from the postcard displays. Considered one of the most aesthetically stunning art museums of all time, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bangkok was constructed as if a whole block of granite was hollowed out and carved like a stem of jasmine, representative of Thai culture. It focuses on the use of natural light and expansive spaces to highlight its impressive collection.
Traditional Thai massages are part of an ancient healing practice important to Thai culture, and few places in the world exist where high-quality spa and medical services are so readily and cheaply available.
While the benefits of Thai massage are debated among modern medical communities, practitioners—and regular receivers—swear by long-term benefits like decreased cortisol levels, improved circulation, chronic pain relief, and even research-backed behavioural reconditioning for afflictions like autism and depression. Once indulging in massages, travelers can treat themselves to celebrity-endorsed facial treatments, ancient full-body soak rituals, modern chemical skin treatments and hair care, teeth whitening and dental work, and even a wide range of surgical procedures.
One night out in Bangkok will confirm its longstanding claim as a top party hub. But after downing that last Khao San Road bucket or Hangover-tini at Lebua Skybar , Bangkok reveals its completely polar persona as a wellness capital. Nowadays, the place is super touristic and Khao San road clearly became one of the most cosmopolitan areas of the city. There, you will find bars and restaurants where everyone goes in the evening to have a drink.
In Bangkok, you should also take a stroll in Chinatown district , one of the main points of interest of the city. Stroll in the alleys and discover the shopping stalls and street vendors where you can taste Chinese cuisine. In Talat Mai , the Chinatown market, you can stock up on exotic fruits or, for the bravest among you, some culinary oddities.
Take advantage of your stroll in Chinatown to visit the Wat Traimit. Inside the temple, there is an impressive solid gold 5. Originally , the statue was more commonplace, made in golden stucco and housed in another temple in Chinatown. But when the temple had to be destroyed, the monks decided to move the statue to Wat Traimit. While transporting it, the statue felt down and the stucco cracked, revealing the gold. They realized that the statue was completely made of gold and had been covered in stucco to protect it during the invasion of Thailand by the Burmese.
Since then, Wat Traimit has been an important pilgrimage destination for the Thais and is one of the most important temples of Bangkok. This huge park is the largest green space in the city. You can stroll along landscaped paths and around the lake. If you have kids, they will for sure enjoy the playgrounds and swan shaped pedal boats!
During your walk in the park, keep your eyes open and you will probably spot a few Malay lizards. As they look like Komodo dragons, they can be quite impressive at first glance! However they are not reputed to be dangerous still, they are wild animals with unpredictable reactions. They can be up to 3 meters long. They are very common in parks, especially near ponds or lakes. The lizards are generally calm and you can take pictures of them. However never try to pet them or to give them food , they have sharp teeth and long claws.
You should always keep in mind that even if they look slow, they are capable of lightning fast acceleration. I saw it myself on an island, when 2 tourists ran out of a forest chased by a big lizard.
It was funny to see, but it also makes you think twice before approaching one! Based in Bangkok and fascinated by Thai silks , he contributed to make them word famous and used by leading international fashion designers during fashion shows in Milan or London.
Besides the textiles, you can admire numerous works of art during your visit. The house itself is quite unusual: it was built from several sections of traditional wooden houses brought to Bangkok from Ayutthaya. Only guided visits are available and admission costs bahts. More information can be found on the official website. Dusit Park is another place to visit during your stay in Bangkok.
There are 2 main buildings of very different styles:. During my visit, the two buildings were unfortunately closed for renovations no reopening date was given at the time. But you can still see the exterior of the palace. Until , the park was also housing Bangkok Zoo , which is now closed. The animals were dispersed to various Thai zoos until the construction of the new zoo is finished.
I has been built entirely in white Italian marble. Dusit Palace Doing a River Cruise A river cruise is another great activity to do in Bangkok. It will allow you to discover the temples and monuments from a new angle! You should do it in the evening, when the buildings are illuminated.
Several companies also offer dinner cruises on the Chao Praya river. If you want to go on a dinner cruise, you will need to book one in advance.
Simply click on the button below for more info:. I book my dinner cruise now! I want to go on a dinner cruise in Bangkok And for a more luxurious, less touristy option , I recommend you this dinner cruise on a former rice barge. I want to go on a high end dinner cruise in Bangkok Dinner Cruise in Bangkok Shopping in Bangkok You want to take advantage of your time in Bangkok to do a a bit of shopping?
The best is to head to Siam district , where all the moderns and trendy shopping centers are located. At the MBK Center , you will find electronics as well as clothes.
There is also a bazaar-like section with souvenir stores. The Siam Paragon , is on the other hand, more chic, with lots of luxury boutiques. In the area, there is also CentralWorld , one of the largest mall in South Asia. They are open everyday until late in the evening. Taste of Thai Street Food. Reason 3. Shopping at Thai Markets.
Reason 4. Experiencing Wild Nightlife. Reason 5. Beauty of Bang Krachao Gardens. Share this article or Pin it for later. Limited time only! You May Also Like.
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