Costs and Entertainment Popular as Thailand Ranked Ninth Best Global Retirement Destination

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Xinyi

 

According to the latest annual rankings released by International Living magazine, Thailand was ranked ninth in 2013 as the best place for retirement overseas. This year’s rankings specifically evaluated 22 of the best retirement destinations, assessing criteria such as climate, cost of living, housing prices, entertainment, healthcare, and infrastructure for retirement life. After analyzing all the responses, Ecuador ranked first for the fifth consecutive year due to its excellent climate and low cost of living, making it also relatively easy for retirees from the US and Canada to adapt to the local lifestyle.

Thailand, which has always been a favorite among tourists—with 22 million visitors in 2012—is also considered a great choice for long-term retirement. The Land of Smiles scored highly in both cost of living and entertainment facilities, ranking second only to the Philippines in the former and fifth in the latter. Retirees in Thailand can enjoy a wide variety of lifestyles, such as urban living in the capital Bangkok, relaxing days on the white sandy beaches of southern Thailand, or residing in the cooler northern regions where apartment rentals are extremely affordable, at around $500 USD (approximately NT$15,000) per month.

However, the report also indicated areas where Thailand could improve in offering special benefits for long-term expatriate retirees, such as discounts on goods and services, duty-free import of home furnishings, and the English proficiency of the local population. Other top ten recommended retirement destinations include Malta, favored for its low crime rate, pleasant Mediterranean climate, and high English usage, while European countries on the list include Spain, Ireland, France, Portugal, and Italy. Among the top ten, only Thailand and Malaysia are Asian countries.

 

 

● Read more: A Relaxed 5-Day, 4-Night Trip to Bangkok and Hua Hin, Thailand

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