9 Reasons – Why we Love Living in Thailand

We have been to Thailand many times and even currently live in Bangkok, and I can tell you that it is the land of sun and smiles. Great food, friendly people, and just a laid back way of living. Malls in Bangkok don’t really open up till around 11am so it gives you plenty of time to get ready and chill out of a morning.

 

I love how Thai people just live on their own schedule and inhabit every bit of space, which works out to be more practical considering there’s over 9 million or so people in Bangkok. 

 

I love Thailand! It is just one of those places where you feel you have everything you need, for a fraction of the price. 

We have a Thai marketing company so it allows us to live here, and because of that we have discovered so many amazing things about Thailand since living here.

 

Keep reading for – 9 things we absolutely love about Thailand.

1. Picture Perfect – Tropical Islands

  1. Phi Phi Island
  2. Koh Tao
  3. Koh Chang
  4. Koh Samui

I could list a number of amazing beaches and islands to get your groove on and enjoy! There’s too many, as Thailand is made up of about 1400 islands or so, but these ones and more are just pure perfection.

Snorkelling, diving, swimming, sunning, I am not sure how better to describe the amazing-ness (it’s a word), of the weather and beaches that Thailand provides. 

Depending on your preference for quiet, less busy, then Koh Chang and Koh Tao aren’t too busy. Or if you prefer a bit more life of the party stuff, then Koh Samui is a really great island with a lot of stuff happening. It’s really up to you and what you are after. 

2. Crazy Delicious Food

Thai food in Thailand is leagues apart from Thai food in Western countries. The flavours, the spices, the fragrances. All of it is so good, and so simple, but really tasty. 

 

The thing we discovered about Thailand is that they love Japanese and Korean style food, so there are plenty of restaurants with bbq style or hot pot style options, and so much more affordable even for families. Shabu Shi or Suki Tenoi are some of our favourite restaurants and good prices too.

 

Thai love their flavours, and spicy is their flavour for everything, at least in parts of the North. They love it hot.

2a. Street Food

 

It would be remiss of me to not mention – the street food. One thing you learn in Thailand is there is always food to be had –  somewhere. Somewhere in a little spot there is bound to be a street vendor, at his cart or on a motorbike somewhere rolling up out of nowhere, ready to sell you something. A soup, on a hot day, cut up fruit pieces, Mu Bing with sticky rice – something. Food seems to always be available. At any hour of the day or night, food is always available.

3. Picture Perfect –  Tropical Weather

Yes! To the sunscreen. I wouldn’t leave home without it, but the weather is too perfect here (except during rainy season, not a fan) to miss out on by being stuck inside somewhere. Hot & humid, of course. But that just means its beach weather. 

 

I come from New Zealand where it was cold most of the time, so I love having beautiful days and long summer nights to just chill out and relax to. I don’t miss the biting cold, but I am happy to visit it once and a while. But,  you won’t get any of those days here in Thailand, you can be sure.

 

The weather is simply too appealing, and it’s not the kind of sun that burns your skin, it’s too humid for that, which is why the weather is just either shorts and t-shirts or swimming suits ready, on any given day of the year. Perfect!!

4. 711 Magic – Who Knew?

When we first visited Bangkok in 2017, we had no idea what to eat in Thailand. Having never been to Asia it was a tricky situation. We bought food from the supermarkets, a couple of Maccas visits and some noodles using a jug of water from the room we ordered. We did eat at a little Italian pizza place we saw but that was pretty much it. We used a tiny room fridge to store milk and cereal because we really were clueless as to how to feed all 7 of us. 

 

Skip forward a few years, and we come back and we discovered there was so much more here than just a supermarket visit or a Maccas run. If we had of known about what a 711 is to Thailand, we could have fed all 7 of us for next to nothing. The 711 is the next thing to heaven in Thailand, it is everything to everyone. With the cost of nearly everything in there only a few cents and dollars (AUD here), it is the center of all you need when tripping around on a budget. 

 

What is there to eat? What is there not to eat is more the question. It has hot food;  well it’s cold until they heat it in their microwave. All sorts to choose from – cheese toasties, hamburgers, noodles and chicken, seafood options, and then once heated in some 711’s there is seating and tables to eat your food on. Then you could throw it down with their milk, soft drinks, water or other varieties of beverages. They have ice-creams to choose, plus all sorts of household goods if you need them. There is so much to choose that by the time you’ve finished you would have probably gone through the needed food groups for a full scale meal. Everything is wrapped and rewrapped in plastic for public health and safety (I think) and walah – your satisfied and content until your next meal. 

 

It really is a priceless find. In saying that, Thailand also has the largest 711 in the world, found in Pattaya. So, you know they mean business if a country can claim that honour. 

You really will never look at another 711 again once you’ve come to Thailand and seen and experienced it for yourself. Who would have known that one stop could have all you need and it doesn’t even come close to what it would cost in a Western country. It’s so satisfying to go in and spend about 100 or 200 baht, and you’ve had a meal, ice-cream, drink, a treat maybe and bought some gum or mosquito repellant and it only cost about $10 AUD, or thereabouts. I promise it is not something you want to miss on a roadtrip or looking for something quick and easy to eat aside from street food, of course. 

5. Super Friendly Locals

We went on a great holiday to Lake Heaven Resort and met some great people as we were being pulled into the middle of the Lake on floating rafts to dance and swim. It was such a unique experience but you certainly get to know them really well because everyone just joins in together to talk, swim and hang out. Everyone is super friendly, helpful and are so welcoming into their space – actually there is no space issues here in Thailand. 

 

Wherever and whenever you go anywhere in Thailand someone is willing to help and guide you where you need to go. Not only that but they are super patient, and they just wait for you to do your business as long as it takes. They try and keep out of your way and it is such a great place to live and go about exploring because you will rarely or never encounter any rude behaviours that would mar any visit. 

6. Bangkok is a perfect – Asian Hub

There are 2 domestic and international airports in Bangkok – Suvarnabhumi & Don Mueang. They service Southeast Asia and many other destinations. But, the former being a major hub for Europe & USA. Bangkok airports are cost effective and low cost in many ways plus it’s got a lot of amazing food options while your whiling away waiting for your flights. Another bonus of Thailand is its location, so take advantage of it and enjoy!!

7. One of the most devoted Buddhist Countries in the world

Buddhism is a large part of Thai culture  and it has such a large part to do with how they behave and treat other people, foreign and local. It seems everywhere you look there is a temple, either in the local communities or publically. As long as you respect their clothing rules about modesty inside these temples then it is good all around for everyone. You will notice that many Thai upon passing a temple will stop, bow and pay their respects and then move on. There are also places you can rent and wear traditional clothing inside their temples and enter these temples, and they are great for pictures.

8. Traditional Thai Culture & Festivals – 

The Festivals that Thailand have and that express their culture and beliefs are world famous. One of those famous festivals is – SONGKRAN. (Mid April). 

Songkran acts as the New Year celebration in not only Thailand, but also in other Buddhist countries in the region, such as Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. This festival is celebrated with a very huge water fight, in an attempt to wash away bad thoughts and actions of the Old Year and bring good luck and fortune for the New Year. it is super crazy, be prepared to be splashed with water in all random places you can think of. Take a big water gun and keep it filled up if you don’t want to be a victim and have fun. It is a super fun festival.

 

There is also a much quieter and serene ceremony of Loy Krathong, (November usually) the festival of floating lights on the water and in the sky. The festival has a complex history, but is believed by some to thank the Water Goddess for a bountiful rice harvest and an apology for polluting the waters, while others believe it is a time to “float away” bad thoughts, grudges, and anger, in order to bring good luck. Both festivals offer a chance to witness unforgettable scenes.

9. Spas, spiritual retreats and Massages

As the birthplace of the famous Thai Massage, Thailand is an excellent place to indulge in very affordable spa care. Massage centers abound, from foot reflexology or aromatherapy to hot stones and the lazy man’s yoga, otherwise known as the Thai Massage. In addition to massages, Thailand is a world-wide destination for yoga, food detox, and meditation retreats, hosted in stunning locales such as Koh Phangan in the south or Pai in the north.