Places I should explore in Thailand

@Louis Tetu

Hello and welcome on board !

Please note that I have created this new thread on the Thailand forum so that members may reach out to you.

I hope you'll receive some good feedback for your next trip and hopefully the ideal location to settle.

All the best

Bhavna

Thank you Bhavna. I welcome feedback and appreciate any advice and stories from those who have gone before me.

Maya Bay at Phi Phi island is very beautiful.

The Similan Islands is a very good trip for snorkeling. Use "Fantastic Travel" group if you can.

I enjoyed the waterfalls in the Hat Yai area especially Tone Nga Chang is a must see, Careful of the monkeys they are very aggressive

The Stainless Steel temple or Phra Maha Chedi in Hat Yai district of Songkla is like stepping into an alient planet. You can stay at the Pang Mai resort to see this and the previous one. Very reasonable about 500 Baht per night or about $15 USD

Staying at the Santhiya in Phang Nga is stunning. They have one in Koh Yai and Samui also. Amazingly beautiful resorts

This just barely scratches the surface. Enjoy!

Hello, there are a lot of places in Thailand, as mentioned above, that are wonderful to visit but not to live there full time as a foreigner.

I spend a lot of time in Vietnam for various reasons, but I certainly considered Thailand because of their retirement visa, something that isn't available in Vietnam. I like Chaing Mai a lot, but I agree about the burning season, and it's a long way from the sea, and I enjoy sea swimming. So I looked at Hua Hin as a seaside alternative. There is a direct flight from Chaing Mai to Hua Hin, a good rail service to places further south and a good bus service from Hua Hin to Suvarnabhumi airport. If I was going to retire in Thailand, I would plan to divide my time between these two cities and get the best of both worlds.

I hope you find this suggestion helpful.

@Louis Tetu

Welcome Louis! Your plan to test Ko Samui over two separate stays is a smart one, because November-December and February-March can feel quite different. One tip to see whether a place really suits you for daily life: rent in a residential area rather than a resort zone, shop at the local markets, and take a few Thai lessons early on, since even basic phrases change how neighbours and vendors interact with you. A Thai cooking class is also a nice way to meet both locals and other newcomers. While you're there, look for a Meetup group or a language exchange to get a feel for the community, and ask long-term residents what the island is like in the rainy months. Bonne chance with your scouting trips!