Advice to facilitate the everyday life of expatriates living in Thailand, to eat, improve their social life, integrate, communicate, move…
Thailand is a popular location for expats from all over the world due to the comfortable and affordable lifestyle it offers.
Living here, you can enjoy spectacular scenery, a pleasant tropical climate, delicious and inexpensive cuisine, and an inexpensive lifestyle.
On the other hand, Thailand, like any other place, has its downsides that can make expat life difficult in some ways.
But don’t worry, we’re here to advise you on steps you can take to make life in Thailand easier.
1. Open a bank account in Thailand
Having a bank account in Thailand will make your life much easier if you plan to stay here long term.
Thanks to bank accounts, your salary can be deposited directly into your account.
Also, you can make purchases with your debit card and pay your bills online.
With a bank account app installed on your phone, you can avoid going out and queuing to make your payments because it can all be done from the comfort of your own home.
Also, most restaurants and shops allow you to make payments by scanning the QR code of your Thai bank account, so you don’t have to carry too much cash with you all the time.
Even small fruit stalls accept QR code payments.
Savings accounts are the most popular type of bank account in Thailand.
It comes with a debit card and a passbook, sometimes called a bank book, which keeps track of transactions.
A savings account is the best option for the majority of expats, as it offers everything you need.
Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s largest bank, offers a range of expat services.
This bank offers the possibility for foreigners to open a current account and make international money transfers via SWIFT.
This feature is relatively rare among other Thai banks.
See : How to open a bank account in Thailand in 2022?
If you also have a multi-currency account like Wiseyou can easily convert your money to baht and transfer it to your Thai account.
2. Familiarize yourself with the culture and customs
It is advisable for expatriates to practice Thai culture and customs in order to settle well in the country.
Politeness is very important in Thailand, so avoid raising your voice or being too direct.
See : Do’s and don’ts in Thailand, the essential things to know
Regarding greetings, you should know that we do not kiss in Thailand, handshake is practiced, but it is not the custom.
To learn how to greet, see: Learn to do the wai in Thailand
3. Learn the language
One of the most important things to make your life in Thailand easier is to learn the language.
Indeed, many people in Thailand do not speak English.
By learning Thai, you will have the opportunity to easily visit a wider variety of restaurants, shops and less touristy places.
You will also avoid getting lost or being scammed.
Learning phrases like “maille phette,” which translates to “not spicy,” can be helpful if you want to avoid getting your tongue burned every time you eat.
Maille Saille Phrik, which means “don’t put any chilli”, is a better way to tell them if you don’t want any chilli at all.
When it comes to work, learning Thai will bring you many great benefits.
In addition, it will reduce the number of problems resulting from cultural differences and, above all, learning the language will help you understand Thai people better – which is the key to doing good business here!
See : Thai language, the minimum vocabulary to know during the first trip
4. Download the 7/11 app
A 7Eleven store in Thailand
Downloading the 7/11 delivery app will make your life so much easier!
In addition to being able to order snacks, this application is also useful when you run out of certain food items.
For example, if you wake up in the morning and want to cook yourself a nice breakfast, but find you’re out of eggs, 7/11 can deliver them to you in up to 15 minutes.
Or if you have a busy day at work and need a bite to eat before your big presentation, you can just get your quick meal ready to eat from 7/11.
5. Download the Grab app (for transport and food)
Taxi Grab
Taking a local taxi or Tuk-tuk in Thailand can be dangerous.
And during rush hours, taxi drivers find the best opportunity to rip you off.
By installing Grab, your experience will be safer, more comfortable and more convenient.
With Grab, you’ll avoid having to explain “hard-to-pronounce” Thai locations to the driver, as you simply select the location and pick-up point in the app.
Users also won’t have to worry about their safety as Grab’s desktop monitors your ride and you can also share your location with your friends or family.
Grab also offers promo codes so you can book your ride at a cheaper price!
Grab food
Grab offers around 37 food categories from around the world, including burgers, barbecues, rice bowls, and sushi.
Most expats use Grab Food because of its huge selection, reliability, and ease of use.
When you place your order, Grab Food can tell you the estimated wait time until you receive your food, prices and delivery costs.
When you place your order, Grab locates the driver closest to the pick-up point and puts you in touch with him instantly once the order has been accepted.
With Grab, you get real-time updates and you can also change your orders easily.
6. Get a subway card (BTS or MRT) if you live in Bangkok
Having a BTS or MRT card can save you a lot of time if you live in Bangkok.
You won’t have to queue, especially at often crowded stations like Asoke or Silom, to get your one-ride ticket.
On top of that, it’s cheaper!
You can also use your Rabbit BTS/MRT card to buy snacks, food or drinks and in a mall.
7. Get health insurance.
Expats in Thailand are strongly recommended to take out good health insurance to protect themselves against expensive medical treatment in Thailand.
For example, if you have a serious injury requiring surgery or cancer, getting treatment and a top-notch hospital in Thailand can take a toll on your finances.
With property health insurance, the insurance company is responsible for the costs of medical care.
Therefore, you can protect yourself against paying the full cost and get treated in a good hospital without worrying.
See for example: AXA travel insurance
8. Download Line (a communication app)
Almost everyone in Thailand uses Line to send messages.
Although Whatsapp and Messanger are also used here, they are not the main method of communication.
Most Thais communicate more through Line and expect you to have it.
With Line, you can text for free, make a voice call or a video call, and send cute emojis.
Besides, you can also stream movies and TV series via Line Live or play entertaining games.
There is also a Line dictionary that users can use to revise their Thai.
9. To have a good social life here, join Meetups
If you recently moved to Thailand and want to make friends and have a better social life, it’s a great idea to join Meetups.
With Meetup, you’ll have the opportunity to make friends easily, engage in fun activities and hobbies you enjoy, or build a professional network.
With Meetup, you can have the opportunity to build healthy habits by joining yoga, meditation, and sports groups.
Courses are also offered, such as entrepreneurship, real estate or public speaking, if you want to develop your career.
Otherwise, you can just have fun and meet people who share your interests like writing, dancing, or photography.
10. Hire a house cleaning service
Housemaid. Photo: SAIJAI
Labor cost in Thailand is generally lower than in Western countries.
Therefore, it is an affordable luxury for many expats living in Thailand to hire a housekeeper or nanny to look after children and help with household chores.
Having a housekeeper in Thailand is not expensive, especially if you have a housekeeper who comes more than twice a week.
The main online service market in Thailand, SAIJAIoffers a wide range of qualified housekeepers who will get the job done thoroughly and professionally, giving you more free time and peace of mind.
See as well :
How much does it cost to live in Thailand in 2022?
Living in Thailand: the good and bad sides
Source : The Tiger