If you want to retire in Bangkok then read further on how best retiring in Bangkok is done. Bangkok is a huge city and your mileage will vary with regards to the cost of living. You can decide what you wish to spend on average in Bangkok during your retirement. Retirement in Thailand starts with a retirement visa Thailand or spouse visa Thailand. Bangkok also has many investment properties that could make for a good long-term investment. Retirement in Bangkok is easy.
Always take legal advice on buying a property in Thailand as foreigners are only allowed to own 49% of the condo units in a building. If you are looking at buying property, then legal advice would be the first advice. See also the retirement in Thailand facts on this website.
When you retire in Bangkok and look at property rentals you will note a very wide rental range. If you are looking high end, then the property rentals range on average at about $600 per month. The range is wide from about $300 per month to about $900 per month. These would be the average rentals inside Bangkok. On the outskirts of the city these range to about half that ranging between $180 per month to $450 per month.
You can apply for Thai permanent residency. There are rules and requirements for this. See what it takes to get PR in Thailand unless you are looking at ltr visa Thailand on here.
So you want to live in Thailand. See the overview of the PR status in Thailand. Thi covers the 10 year LTR visa for Thailand that might also interest you if not the PR status.
If you want to retire in Thailand then you will need to show 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account and be older than 50 on the day of application. You can also show 65,000 THB in income monthly if you don’t have the deposit or obtain a letter from your Embassy in Bangkok showing that your pension makes this amount.
If you are married to a Thai national then you can apply for a Thai marriage visa or Thai “O” visa and extend this visa each year with 400,000 THB in a Thai bank account. Speak to a Thai immigration lawyer about these and other immigration issues which you may encounter.
Buying property in Bangkok can be expensive so you will need to check your budget and you can see the article on buying an investment property in Bangkok for more information. Buying property can range from $3,000 per square meter to $7,000 per square meter inside the city while about half of that on the outskirts of the city.
The cost of living much like the apartment rentals varies widely in Bangkok. How you decide to spend your money in Bangkok will depend on you. Your day to day will be more expensive than if you retire in Korat or retired in Issan however it is at the same level as Pattaya and Chiang Mai. So if you are retiring in Bangkok or considering this. Retirement in Bangkok in easier that what you think.
Item | Average Price ($) | Price Range ($) |
---|---|---|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 3.02 | 1.51 – 6.04 |
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 25.66 | 15.10 – 60.38 |
McMeal at McDonald’s (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 6.04 | 5.13 – 8.91 |
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 2.11 | 1.51 – 3.62 |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.62 | 2.42 – 6.04 |
Cappuccino (regular) | 2.08 | 1.06 – 4.00 |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 0.68 | 0.45 – 1.36 |
Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 0.35 | 0.24 – 0.60 |
Depending on how you wish to retire be this buying a condominium in Bangkok or renting you are always best advised to speak to a lawyer about any move you are about to make. Secure your retirement visa as well as register your marriage or prenuptial agreement if you are going to get married in Thailand. Come and retire in Bangkok with the rest of us!
If you are looking at renting a condo in Central Bangkok then you will find a condo or apartment at the following range. The average for a 1 bedroom is about $467.93 per month. The prices however range from $271.72 to $754.77 per month. This again depends on location. Outside of the city centre the apartments becomes a bit cheaper. The average is about $260.03 per month. The price range however range between $135.86 and $484.94.
For a 3 bedroom unit it becomes more expensive. These 3 bedroom units are not common as you will more likely find a 2 bedroom unit. The average price in the city would be about an average of $1,143.57 per month. The price range will be in the range of $528.34 to $2,264.30. Outside the city you would be looking at $673.33 per month. The price range is about $301.91 and $1,509.53. Many expats rent a house as apartments outside of Bangkok is not that available in 3 bedroom units.
Rent Per Month | Average Price ($) | Price Range ($) |
---|---|---|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 467.93 | 271.72 – 754.77 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 260.03 | 135.86 – 484.94 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 1,143.57 | 528.34 – 2,264.30 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 673.33 | 301.91 – 1,509.53 |
Buy Apartment Price | Average Price per Square Meter ($) | Price Range ($) |
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 4,021.90 | 1,751.06 – 7,849.58 |
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 2,144.11 |
You can find many rental agents in Thailand. Lastly if you think of starting a restaurant in Thailand then see our dedicated page on this. Likewise also the article that we wrote on the food license for restaurant as well as the food license for restaurant as well.