Thailand
Profiled in Bangkok · East Asia
Bangkok runs on street food, temple gold and rooftop bars, a chaotic megacity that somehow makes daily life easy and cheap.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Street food is almost free, but central condos and international schools add up fast.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Bangkok
- Grand PalaceThe dazzling royal complex and heart of old Bangkok.
- Wat Phra KaewHome of the Emerald Buddha inside the palace walls.
- Wat PhoThe giant reclining Buddha and the birthplace of Thai massage.
- Wat ArunThe Temple of Dawn, spires of porcelain glinting over the river.
- Chatuchak Weekend MarketThousands of stalls selling everything under the sun.
- Chinatown (Yaowarat)Neon, gold shops and the best street food crawl in the city.
- Jim Thompson HouseTeak houses and silk history in a green city oasis.
- Lumpini ParkThe city's green lung, morning joggers and monitor lizards.
- Wat Saket (Golden Mount)Climb the spiral steps for a gold stupa and skyline view.
- Chao Phraya RiverRide the express boat past temples, markets and old warehouses.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- AyutthayaOld Siamese capital an hour north, crumbling temples and reclining Buddhas.
- KanchanaburiRiver Kwai, the Death Railway and cool waterfalls in the hills.
- Hua HinEasy beach town on the Gulf, long a royal retreat with calm sands.
- PattayaFast beach getaway two hours out, loud nightlife and family resorts side by side.
- Khao YaiNational park and wine country, waterfalls, elephants and cooler air.
Coffee
Best cafes
- RoastThe Commons crowd favorite for serious coffee and all-day plates.
- RootsSpecialty roaster obsessed with beans and brew methods.
- Gallery Drip CoffeeHand-drip haven tucked beside the art center at BACC.
- FeatherstoneEkkamai apothecary-style cafe with sparkling sodas and pastries.
- Casa LapinReliable homegrown chain with strong espresso and easy seats.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- Gaggan AnandPlayful progressive Indian tasting menu, one of Asia's most famous tables.
- NahmRefined old-recipe Thai cooking that helped put the city on the food map.
- Bo.lanSlow, sustainable, deeply traditional Thai from a devoted husband-wife team.
- Jay FaiThe Michelin street cook of Bangkok, famous for crab omelet cooked over charcoal.
- Raan Jay FaiSame legendary spot on Maha Chai, expect long queues for the goggles-and-wok show.
- Somtum DerIsaan classics, papaya salad and grilled meats done properly.
- Le DuModern Thai tasting menu, seasonal and much-awarded.
Morning
Best breakfast
- On Lok YunOld-school Thai-Chinese diner for eggs, toast and sweet coffee since the 1930s.
- Broccoli RevolutionGreen smoothies and plant-based bowls for the health-minded morning.
- Rocket CoffeebarSathorn brunch staple, eggs benedict and Scandi-leaning plates.
- Toby'sSukhumvit brunch favorite for ricotta hotcakes and big coffees.
- LukaColorful Sathorn corner cafe with hearty all-day breakfasts.
- The Coffee ClubDependable all-day breakfast chain found across the city.
- Baan NualCozy neighborhood spot for eggs, pastries and quiet mornings.
- Jok PrinceCharcoal-smoky rice porridge on Charoen Krung, a beloved early-morning bowl.
- Home Cafe Tha TienRiverside old-town cafe for a slow breakfast near Wat Pho.
Residency
Most newcomers arrive on a long-stay visa such as the retirement visa, the Elite/Privilege membership visa, or the newer LTR visa for professionals and investors. Permanent residency exists but is slow and quota-limited, so many long-termers simply renew annual visas instead.
Tax
Thailand taxes residents on Thai-source income and, since 2024, on foreign income remitted into the country, with rates rising to 35 percent. You become tax resident after 180 days in a year, so plan remittances and the LTR visa's exemptions carefully.
Thinking about moving here for real? See the verified Thailand residency and citizenship routes →
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Thailand tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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