Under Thai Skies – Light & Shadow

 The rental market in Thailand is incredibly diverse. You’ll find everything – from tiny studio apartments to luxury villas with private pools. In big cities like Bangkok or Hua Hin, there’s no shortage of options – but prices tend to be higher. We live in Bang Sare, a small coastal village near Pattaya. It’s a quiet place, popular among expats who want to be close to the sea but away from the chaos of tourist hotspots. Because of the growing expat community, new condominiums are popping up like mushrooms after rain. We rent a small apartment in one of them for 8,000 THB per month. That includes high-speed internet. Electricity and water bills add up to around 2,000 THB, so altogether we spend 10,000 THB per month – roughly £235 at today’s exchange rate. The apartment is modest in size but more than enough for two people. We have access to a large swimming pool (with a kids’ section), a gym, 24/7 security, and a parking space. For us, it’s comfortable, safe, and affordable. In bigg...

  If you want to live in Thailand as a retiree, you basically have two main options when it comes to long-term visas. 1. Apply for a Retirement Visa (Non-Immigrant OA) in Your Home Country This is the more “official” route – done before you even board the plane. In most countries, you apply for the Non-Immigrant OA visa online via the official Thai e-visa platform: 👉 https://thaievisa.go.th There’s no need to visit the embassy – the process is fully digital. This visa is issued for 1 year and can be extended in Thailand. You’ll need: • Proof of age (50+ years) • A clean criminal record • Proof of income or savings: - You must show the equivalent of 800,000 Thai baht in your personal bank account ( to be transferred later to a Thai bank) - or a monthly pension of at least 65,000 THB - or a combination of both • Health insurance that meets Thai government requirements (this is mandatory for OA visas) You arrive in Thailand already holding your retirement visa. This ro...

We often come to Thailand for a holiday – usually in the middle of winter, when the West is grey, cold, and dark. We run away from freezing winds, icy pavements, and the endless lack of light. Here, it's different. November to February is Thailand’s high season – sunny, warm, but without the suffocating humidity of later months. It's a time when everything seems perfect. We’re enchanted – by the nature, the beaches, the street food, the calm of temples, and the ever-present Thai smile. We eat, we swim, we rest, we breathe. And at some point, a quiet thought sneaks in: “What if I stayed? What if this became my everyday? What if... this could be home?” But holidays go fast. We go back to our countries, our jobs, our routines... but something has changed. We miss it. Thailand leaves a mark on the soul. And sometimes – like it happened to us – comes the moment when you say it out loud: “Let’s move.” And here we are. No longer tourists – but residents, living in Thailand on a retire...