Many people approaching retirement age have thought about making Bangkok, Thailand their home and wonder what living expenses are like for retirees. We’ll explore the housing, food, transportation, and medical costs in Thailand for those interested in retirement life in Bangkok.
Housing Costs
Everyone has different living standards and Bangkok offers a wide range of housing to choose from with a corresponding variety of costs. The costs are based on space and luxury and how close to the city center and modern public transportation the home is located.
Housing rental costs can start at about 3,000 THB per month for a basic room with no kitchen or air conditioning outside of the city center. However, there are some palatial apartments and condos in the city as well, meaning there isn’t really a top end to the rent you can pay in Bangkok. However, one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments in the city center can run from 15,000 to 80,000 THB. The more expensive a condo or apartment is, the more amenities it will offer and the closer it will be to public transportation.
Retirement Visa Qualifications
Before you can start planning retirement in Thailand, you have to obtain a retirement visa. The proper visa is a must to sign a lease and open a bank account in Thailand. The retirement visa in Thailand costs 1,000 THB for a single entry visa and 3,800 THB for multiple entries.
These are the requirements for a Thai retirement visa:
- 50 years old or older
- A passport with at least 6 months of validity
- A non-O immigrant visa (enables you to rent and open a bank account)
- A TM30 Receipt
- Proof of financial requirements (such as a bank receipt)
- Income certificate from your embassy in Thailand
- Thai bank book showing the deposit amount\
- Signed Letter from Thai Bank
- Three 4×5 cm photos taken within the last 6 months
- Proof of permanent accommodation in Thailand (lease or rental agreement)
Average Food Prices
Many people have heard of the low food prices in Thailand and dream of living 100-200 THB a day. However, after a while, they may begin to miss their favorite comfort foods from home. The reality is that everyone wants a bit of variety in their diet. You should probably plan to spend about 200 to 500 THB a day on a combination of prepared food and basic groceries.
Transportation Cost
Like food and housing, transportation costs in Bangkok can vary, although the costs are probably a lot less than you pay in your home country. Taking a bus, motorbike taxi or water taxi is the least expensive way to get around in Bangkok, with fares rarely exceeding 30-40 baht. The public rail transit systems of the city, The MTR and BTS, generally cost less than 60 THB for the longest journey. Taxis, the most expensive type of public transportation, can cost less than 200 THB within the city limits.
Medical Expenses
Bangkok has excellent hospitals offering world-class healthcare services at very low prices compared to many countries. Having health insurance is a requirement if you get your non-O visa at many of the Thai embassies outside of Thailand. Thai health insurance companies can issue a health insurance policy to foreigners. However, the older you are, the more expensive your policy will be, depending on your desired deductible. Seniors in their 60s and 70s can expect to pay around 15,000-20,000 THB per month for healthcare coverage.
If you’re in relatively good health, you may never use health insurance, as many routine treatments in Thai hospitals cost below the insurance deductible.
Consider Bangkok Garden for Your Retirement Home
If you’ve fallen in love with the idea of making the city of Bangkok your retirement destination, you should visit Bangkok Garden in the heart of the Sathorn area of the city.
We offer spacious two and three-bedroom modern serviced apartments in the heart of the city with a variety of amenities. Bangkok Garden features a secure and quiet garden community with lush tropical gardens, swimming pools, a fitness center, a jacuzzi and sauna, a jogging track, a basketball court, and a number of restaurants, cafes and convenience stores to make life easier.
We’re also close to public transportation, enabling you to see the all the sights in your new home city. Bangkok Garden is the home of retiree and family-friendly apartments in Bangkok. Get in touch with us and make an appointment to tour the spacious serviced apartments and amenities waiting for you at Bangkok Garden.