The Ultimate Guide: Expatriate Life in Bangkok.
Now, that the draconian travelling restrictions implemented by COVID-19 are slowly but surely being lifted, one may consider planning a big move. Thailand managed to contain the disease in the best possible way, kept its residents safe, and currently is on the path back to a new normality. At the moment, Land of Smiles still carefully protects its borders, however, one may use the information below for the future reference and smooth planning. Happy move!
We weren’t born to stay in one place. We are the restless and rootless class of people. It is not the place where our family belongs that we call home, it is the place where we gracefully, without any force, obtain that feeling of home.
When it comes to moving, we only take “Yes” for an answer. Yes, it is an immeasurable hassle. Yes, we go into the trouble of utter abandonment — family, friends, careers, possible financial success, etc. However, it pays back. Oh, boy, it does.
Ultimately, moving abroad is worse than an in-house fire. It burns like a mo-fo. However, after the storm, you will pick up on that rainbow, and realise that everything that you lost in this fire, was meant to go, perhaps it has been a long overdue.
So, here are a few options on how to move to Bangkok, and settle for hassle-free life with access to 50 shades of rustic, extraordinary, and simply delicious ways of living it.
First of all, it is crucial to determine if you are keen to live in the Asian version of the City of Angels. For some, Bangkok could be too much of a fuss and movement; for others, island life could come across as pasty. So, here is how, buckle up!
Bangkok is enormous, well, it seems huge when you first become overwhelmed with all the noises, smells, and pace it has to offer. Give yourself some time to digest it. All you need to know really is that there are 2 major areas: Asoke (along Sukhumvit Road which lengths approaches nearly 500 kilometers), and Sathorn-Silom (which is where all the Embassies are). So, I’d say, Sukhumvit is where the action is — bars, restaurants, clubs, shopping malls; Silom is where the business runs its course — banks, offices, as well as shopping centers. Both areas are very lively, animated, and bustling with “places to go and things to do”.
Let’s look into some important aspects of settling in Bangkok:
Getting a job.
This can be tricky, the vast majority of young expats are teachers, to get a teaching position at a local government or private school is pretty easy. You will need to have a degree in any field and some serious common sense. To the existent package mentioned above, please do attach some sanity and serious stress resistance as mental differences in managerial approaches between “the West” (wherever you are coming from) and Thailand are horrendous. This job will pay your bills but it most likely will never beat what you are making in your home country. Salaries usually average in the range between $1,000–2,000.
On the other hand, if you are a Native English Speaker and you do possess a degree in Education, you are better off applying for positions in International Schools. This will be just like home but certainly way more entertaining and rewarding. Salaries vary between $3,000–6,000.
Other than that, you may look into professional networks of people with skills in the areas of Engineering, Marketing, Logistic, Investment, and, of course, Hospitality.
Finding an apartment/condo/house.
The easiest ride ever. The property market is exploding with proposals and massively lacks demands for it. There are plenty of web resources listing almost every unit available in Bangkok. The price of your stay will directly depend on the location — as in how close you are to the centre and public transport, and the size of the desirable home. To give you a brief idea, a 35 square meters 1 bedroom unit in a relatively new condominium with a swimming pool and a tiny gym downstairs will cost you anything between $300–600. Peanuts.
Public Transport/Quickest way to move around.
The number of times Bangkok traffic got on my nerve is disgraceful. So, I gave up on cabs pretty quickly. Thus, there will be my very first advice to anyone coming: reduce the number of times you throw yourself under the bus of sitting in that bloody mess, get a motorcycle taxi. Sounds horrific, I know, but a) it’s efficient, b) it’s ridiculously quick, c) it’s dirt cheap. Or, as an option, embrace the MRT / BTS — Tube and Skytrain systems respectively speaking. These are clean, fast, efficient, not so cheap, and packed in times of rush hour.
Friends/Social Circle/How to meet people.
No, most definitely, not on bloody Tinder — it’s a shitshow. However, you can always join the club! Do your little research, there are plenty of Facebook Groups related to certain interests, genders, sports, hobbies, etc. I was lucky to become a part of the Gaelic football club — a friendly Irish community that granted me with an impressive number of absolutely amazing people who I can call friends in a heartbeat. Together we have survived so many “12 pubs of Christmas” events that I know, come what may, we will get through it.
So, find your crowd, you are not alone, every single expat in this city has tried that newbie shoes on.
Last but not the least, and perhaps the most important.
Visa
Well, this could be a bit shaky. Recently, Immigration law gained some draconian attitude towards tourists and expatriates. If your job provides you with a work permit and visa, then no brainer. However, if you are, let’s say, a freelance writer or a web developer, then you may have to walk on some cranky eggshells.
Money talks, as long as you can get them speaking for yourself, there is a queue of visa agents lining up to sort you out. There are options to obtain Education, Volunteer, Retirement visas, which will last you a year and then will be up for renewal and more money. All of these visa centers and agents are being widely advertised on Facebook and forums about Thailand, so you are not likely to get into trouble.
To conclude, as complicated as it seems, moving to Asia can be and will be an unforgettable experience that will transform your life in one way or another. Gather your things and set off for the journey of your life, keep your mind open, and enjoy the ride.
Side note:
- Definitely take a trip to Green Lungs of Bangkok or Bang Krachao — absolute gem of a stunning, refreshingly green park where it is possible to rent a bicycle for some $3 a day and just enjoy the sounds of nature, a bit of sun, and small local cafes.
- Get a 14-baht public boat from Saphan Taksin to China Town or Wat Arun. Gives you a perfect chance to get lost in the middle of a very funky area of the Old City, occasionally wander around Temples and Jazzy-Arty bars.
- Visit those damn rooftop bars. They are worth it. Octave rooftop bar on Sukhumvit 55 has happy hours from 5 to 7 in the evening, so it won’t break your financial limbs but will, surely, guarantee some mighty Instagram sunset pics.
Stay tuned for the upcoming Island Life Guide!
