Thailand. It’s the exotic Southeast Asian country sitting at the top of everyone’s travel list. Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital city, consistently ranks first or second on the list of top visited cities in the world. It won’t be giving up its coveted spot anytime soon, as the country draws in millions of visitors every year with stunning sandy beaches, 127 national parks, and exciting nightlife. Thailand is not just a vacation destination, however; it is rapidly developing into an important international hub.  There are four main features that characterize life in Thailand, and they combine to make it not only an attractive country to visit, but one to consider investing real estate in as well.

1. Cost

Thailand’s cost of living is extremely low when compared to Western countries, and therefore provides a fantastic opportunity for foreigners to invest in real estate. While Thai wages are relative, a foreigner can easily acquire a property for a fraction of the price in their home country. Currently, 1 AUD is equal to approximately 27 THB, or Thai baht. Some examples of living costs:

• Thai dishes from a street vendor: 40 baht, or $1.47 AUD.
• Cab ride from international airport to city center: 230 baht, or $8.47 AUD.
• Round-trip airfare from Bangkok to Phuket: 3,110 baht, or $114 AUD.
• A one night stay in a 5 Star Bangkok hotel: 4,000 baht, or $147 AUD/night.
• A 775 sq. ft. luxury condo in a prominent beach area: 9.9 million baht, or $ 364,720 AUD.

2. Scenery

In addition to a comfortable budget, diverse and exotic scenery can be added to the list of Thailand’s pros. No matter a person’s tastes, Thailand has a setting to match. For those who enjoy the sea, the coasts offer pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, often framed by towering limestone rocks. From the coast, Thailand’s many islands are easily accessible by ferry or speed boat, and include such popular destinations as Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Phuket.  If a day at the beach doesn’t do it for you, turn your attention to a variety of national parks, waterfalls, forests, and mountains to explore. The country accommodates all walks of life- from luxury seekers to backpackers, beach lovers to rock climbers, and everyone in-between. Thailand’s climate is warm all year round, and can be divided into hot, cool, and rainy seasons. The hottest months, March - May, often see temperatures reaching a scalding 40 degrees Celsius. June - October marks the rainy season, and the highly touristic dry/cool season spans from November - February.

3. Culture

It’s no mistake that Thailand has been nicknamed the “Land of Smiles.” Not only are the Thai people famously friendly, but they are extremely proud of their culture, as demonstrated by over 40,000 Buddhist temples that decorate the country’s landscape. Family, respect, and generosity are central to Thai values, and they love a reason to get together and celebrate. The country boasts more than 13 public holidays, including Songkran, the famous Thai New Year, during which time countrywide water fights break out to symbolize purification and new beginnings. 

4. Food

Thailand is famous for their national cuisine, which is easily found at any time of day. Thai food is often served street-side, and includes popular dishes such as Pad Thai (Thai style fried noodles), Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad), and Khao Pad Guy (fried chicken with rice.)There are 5 main tastes that can be found in Thai cuisine- sour, spicy, salty, savory, and sweet. They combine to create unforgettable dishes that fortunately, can be enjoyed conveniently and inexpensively. 

With affordable costs, stunning scenery, welcoming nationals, delicious cuisine, and a constant influx of businesspeople and tourists, Thailand is an excellent country to consider for foreign investment.   If you have any questions about Thailand or buying a home in this amazing country, contact me via the link below