Where to Live in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Beyond
There is no single best place to live in Thailand, only the best fit for your work, budget and the life you want. Here is how the main expat bases compare, and where to read more on each.
The short version
- Bangkok: jobs, hospitals, schools and transport; busy, hot and big.
- Chiang Mai: calmer, cheaper and creative, but smoky from roughly February to April.
- Phuket: beaches, international schools and hospitals, at island prices.
- Pattaya, Hua Hin and Koh Samui: popular with retirees and remote workers.
- Rent short-term for a month or two before committing anywhere.
Bangkok: everything, all at once
Bangkok has most of the jobs, the widest choice of international schools and hospitals, and a rail network that makes car-free life easy. Rents range widely: a one-bedroom condo on the Sukhumvit line can be under 18,000 baht in On Nut or well over 30,000 baht in the central districts.
Chiang Mai: slower, greener, cheaper
Chiang Mai is popular with remote workers, families and retirees for its lower costs, cafés and mountains. Its big drawback is the burning season, roughly February to April and peaking in March, when smoke can make the air among the worst in the world; many expats leave for four to eight weeks.
Phuket, Samui and the coast
Phuket has an international airport, international schools and private hospitals, which makes it the most practical island base. Koh Samui is smaller and quieter. Pattaya and Hua Hin are within driving distance of Bangkok and are popular with retirees.
How to choose
- Work: office jobs are mostly in Bangkok
- Schools: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket have the most choice
- Healthcare: check the nearest international hospital
- Air and climate: the north has a smoke season; the south has monsoons
- Budget: compare rents for the area you would actually live in
Every city and comparison
City guides and head-to-head comparisons from the JLIT library.
City guides
Comparisons
Hubs for choosing a base
Homes, costs and schools.
Keep going
Questions newcomers ask
What is the best place to live in Thailand for expats?
It depends on your work and lifestyle: Bangkok for jobs and services, Chiang Mai for a slower and cheaper life, Phuket for beaches with good infrastructure.
When is the burning season in Chiang Mai?
Roughly February to April, peaking in March. Rains in May usually clear the smoke.
Is Bangkok or Chiang Mai cheaper?
Chiang Mai is generally cheaper, though costs in both depend heavily on the area and type of home.
