ILA Magazine: Discover the Best Retirement Haven + 14 More Subscribe Now and Save 35% about subscribing to International Living Magazine Selling up almost everything we owned in Australia, packing up what little was left and taking off to Thailand eight years before my prescribed retirement age was a significant risk. My wife Vivien and I had a dream of a new life. A life away from the rat race of work, demanding careers, doing more Read more...
So, where is Thailand? It’s situated in a central position in the Southeast Asia continent. Laos sits to the northeast, Myanmar (Burma) to the north and west, Cambodia is situated to the southeast and the far south is where the Gulf of Thailand meets Malaysia and the Malay Peninsula. The Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean are found off the western shores of mainland Thailand, while the Gulf of Thailand...
Recently Vivien and I took a two-week road trip through northeast (Isaan) and central Thailand. We love a road trip and this one was all new territory for us. We quickly became aware that not many international tourists or expats, like us, venture to these regions of Thailand. A shame, as this trip opened our eyes to so many new discoveries...
Mention ‘Thailand’ and people often think of the welcoming smile of the Thai people. This is accompanied by thoughts of visiting distinctive Thai temples, experiencing the intriguing culture, exploring lush tropical rainforests, meeting hill tribe people, getting up close with wildlife, frolicking on palm-fringed islands and beaches...
It’s no surprise that the Land of Smiles is one of the top five favourite holiday destinations for Aussies. Think lively and welcoming people, captivating culture, absorbing history, colourful festivals, picturesque tropical beaches, lush mountain jungles, idyllic islands, dynamic cities, quiet rural villages and world-renowned cuisine.
My wife Vivien and I have lived in Hua Hin, Thailand for three years now and have travelled extensively around the country in that time…and neither of us can think of a place or a time where we’ve felt unsafe and we’ve never been the victims of any crime. Currently, over 32 million people visit Thailand a year and the number is continually rising...
Thailand offers endless delights, from exploring Khmer ruins to snorkelling crystal blue waters or breathing in the fresh mountain air. I could list hundreds of sights. Where ever you go, there is so much to see, do, taste, hear, smell and savour...
In November of 2015, Vivien and I flew to Thailand, to what we romantically called our ‘new life’. An expat life. A life of new experiences, travel and adventure, while we are still young enough to enjoy it! And most importantly, a far more affordable life thanks to the cost of living that on average...
Bangkok is one of the world’s most-visited cities. And it’s not hard to see why…. Fantastic entertainment, great food and fabulous shopping… you’ll find the lot in this fast-paced city and it should certainly be on your bucket list. But, when I touch down here, I don’t tend to hang about. I’m just passing through en route to Hua Hin, the beachside resort town on Thailand’s Royal Coast that I...
The sun is shining, the ocean is calm and a couple of small fishing boats are slowly going about their business below me. I’m checking out a 14th floor rental looking south along the beach. The window is floor to ceiling. The only thing stopping this apartment from being absolute beachfront is the 25-metre resort pool that has that privilege.