Retire in Thailand 

 For example you can take part in scuba diving or if you would still like to feel like you are working then you can apply to become a volunteer teacher. You can also just relax and enjoy cultural activities if you would prefer.

Overall retiring in Thailand is definitely something you should consider. The cost of living there is extremely low and it is one of the safest places in the world. With no cold weather to worry even in winter, about what more could you possibly ask for retiring in Thailand.?

Potential retirement investors who are currently considering an overseas property purchase in Asia,

will probably have Thailand on their short-list at the outset, but upon looking into it will find that property investment in Thailand is currently a two sided coin:

On the one hand Bangkok has recently been listed among the top twenty tourism destinations in the world, which should make a property investment there a good one. Dig a little deeper however and you find that capital appreciation, -- previously strong in Thailand -- along with all factors to be considered before investing, have been detrimentally affected by the recent political turmoil, namely the September 2006 coup.

Never the less Thailand is still among the best Asian countries for foreigners to retire and invest in, there is no inheritance tax or gift tax, capital gains tax is charged like income tax at the standard rate, and foreigners can own condominiums freehold. There are other ways for foreigners to buy in Thailand but a condominium purchase is the easiest. And even with the political turmoil as it is rental yields are still around the 8% mark in top tourist destination, Bangkok.

Another rising star in Asia's tourism industry for retire is the Thai island of Koh Samui, which has been largely unaffected by turmoil on the mainland, and where potential investors will find mostly resort property.

As tourism expands on the island, and it begins to attract more of the high end market, as oppose to primarily back-packers, these resort villa properties can fetch yields of 10-12% quite easily, and capital appreciation is conservatively estimated at around the 15%-20% mark.

Total transaction costs are a moderate 10% - 12.3% in Thailand, but there is a little complication over the computation of buying costs; specific business tax and stamp duty are paid on whatever is higher, declared or assessed value -- both parties must have their own solicitor.

Overall a Thailand property investment can be a very rewarding endeavor, especially if you are purchasing a holiday home with a view to renting it out when not in use, Thailand property investment.

 

As the sun goes down and the temperature drops just that few degrees

to make me realize how warm it has been all day I sit in my hammock on my balcony sipping a tall glass of freshly squeezed lime juice over ice with just a splash of vodka.

I look back at the last few months and realize I have been lucky, lucky enough to chase a dream and catch it, lucky enough to realize life in the rat race can be escaped, lucky enough to finally find somewhere comfortable.

I am a recent ex-pat you see, more specifically an Englishman living upon a small tropical island named Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand. Until eight months ago I was slogging along in a 9-5 job as an IT manager. Now I am a ‘farang’ living a less complicated life amongst the friendly Thai folk.

Thailand is a surprisingly easy place to re-locate and retire too, a yearly non-immigrant visa can be obtained from the Thai Consulate in the UK, you are required to leave the county every thirty days and re-enter, this is something we term a ‘visa run’ and consists of hopping over the nearest border and back (Malaysia for me).

A significant amount of Thai people speak enough English so that day to day affairs are not too much of a struggle and the amenities and infrastructure in Thailand, even my remote location, are fairly good.

Day to day living here moves at a far different pace to the western world, never more evident than when a Thai person is preparing food. Nothing is purchased in advance; a Thai family buys today what it will eat today. A trip to the market is as much a social affair as it is a necessity, often people will linger at one stall whilst they strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, smiling all the while.

As a long term holiday destination or a possible life move Thailand has much to offer. A wonderful climate the whole year round, good value for money, friendly locals and almost all of the amenities we have come to depend upon so much in the west.

Mac Wheeler is an ex-corporate tech guy who at the age of 40 turned his back on the rat race and wandered off to live on the paradise island of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand.

Do yourself something good retire in southern Thailand.
More on this subject in the e-book.