Thinking About Moving to Thailand?

Say goodbye to scattered info, conflicting advice, and stressful planning.

The Complete Expat Blueprint to Move Smart, Settle Fast, and Live in Thailand

This guide gives you everything you need, from visas to rent, lifestyle, banking, healthcare, work, and more. Created in one brutally simple, step-by-step guide written by an expat who’s done it all. Save time. Avoid mistakes. Land like a pro.

Dreaming of living in Thailand but feeling stuck and overwhelmed by where to start?

You’re not alone. Every day, thousands of would-be expats scroll Reddit, binge YouTube, and stalk TikTok digital nomads, hoping to find a clear answer to:

  • What visa do I need?

  • Where should I live, Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

  • How much is the cost of living in Thailand?

  • How do I avoid common expat traps?

  • Can I actually make this move... or am I just chasing a fantasy?


If you’re nodding right now, I wrote this for you... Because I’ve been there!

And trust me, I wish someone handed me this guide before I stepped off the plane.

What if you had a friend in Bangkok who could tell you everything you need to know?

Hi, I’m Mike. I’ve lived what you’re trying to figure out.

Born and raised in the UK, I’ve always loved to travel. But in 2022, a three-day layover in Bangkok changed everything.

I’d never left Thailand and since then, it has been my new home. I’ve also built a community of 800k+ followers, both locals and foreigners, who watch and witness my journey.

I’ve done the visa runs, hunted down housing, set up a bank account, navigated cultural differences, made local friends, and figured out how to not just survive here, but thrive. And every week, I get hit with messages like:

  • “How do I move to Thailand?”

  • “Which visa should I get?”

  • “Is it hard to find an apartment?”

  • “Can I make friends there?”

  • “Is it safe?”

  • “Dude, can I just follow your plan?”

So I stopped answering one-by-one and decided to just write it all down in one exact guide I wish I had when I moved.

INTRODUCING

Living in Thailand

A step-by-step digital guide for foreigners who want to move smart, settle fast, and build a real life in Thailand.

Skip the confusion and costly mistakes, and get clear, practical steps to confidently start your new life in Thailand with a single book that gives you everything you have to know. From visa options to neighborhood guides, cost breakdowns to cultural tips, it’s your complete roadmap to making Thailand home without the guesswork.

Everything You Will Get Inside

CHAPTER 1

How I Ended Up in Thailand

Why I chose Bangkok over 40+ countries, how food sealed the deal, and what makes this city actually livable, exciting, and worth calling home.

CHAPTER 2

Some Big Things to Know Before Moving Here

The crucial stuff nobody tells you, from visa choices and packing tips to loneliness, culture shock, and picking the right city.

CHAPTER 3

Different Types of Visa

Understand which visa fits your life, what they are, who they’re for, how they work, and how to apply without losing your mind.

CHAPTER 4

Adapting to the Culture Here

Discover “The Golden Rule” that shapes Thai social norms and how to avoid culture clash fast while earning respect from locals.

CHAPTER 5

Accommodation

From condo hunting and lease tips to location hacks, price ranges, and whether buying property as a foreigner is even worth it.

CHAPTER 6

Cost of Living

A brutally honest look at what life really costs in Thailand — rent, bills, daily expenses, food, fun, and how far your money will actually take you.

CHAPTER 7

Getting Around

Master local transport: taxis, motorbikes, BTS/MRT, Grab, buses, licenses, and car rentals including the unwritten rules you should know.

CHAPTER 8

Healthcare

Hospitals vs. clinics, where to go, how to get care, and why dental and health insurance should absolutely be part of your plan.

CHAPTER 9

Employment

Common jobs for expats, real income paths, visa and work permit realities, and how Thai office culture differs from what you’re used to.

CHAPTER 10

Learning the Language

Language schools, learning methods, practical Thai you’ll actually use, and how to stay consistent without quitting after week two.

CHAPTER 11

Useful Apps for Daily Use

The apps that run your life here for food, money, messages, transport, and everything in between.

CHAPTER 12

Money Stuff

How to open a bank account, move money internationally, exchange currency, and what apps and cards will make your financial life smoother.

CHAPTER 13

Safety

The scams every tourist and expat gets warned about and how to actually avoid them, plus real tips on staying aware without being paranoid

CHAPTER 14

Communities

Where to meet people who get you, join in-person events, hobby groups, and online communities that help you build a social life quickly.

CHAPTER 15

Get Involved in Sports

Explore gyms, Muay Thai, park runs, and how to stay active (and social) in Thailand’s expat fitness scene now.

CHAPTER 16

Frequently Asked Questions

All the random, weird, and surprisingly useful stuff people constantly ask, already answered in one spot.

PLUS: Get Access to This Exclusive Bonus!

The Hidden Bangkok Food Gems Map

Since moving here, I’ve basically been eating my way through the city non-stop. And trust me, I’m not about to gatekeep the good stuff.

As part of this guide, you’ll get full access to my personal Google Map collection featuring 160+ food spots across the city.

  • Local joints, food halls locals line up for, legendary resto, late-night eats, underrated cafés, and more...

  • Updated regularly as I discover new favorites.

  • Works directly in Google Maps. Just tap and go.

You won't find this list on any guides, blogs, or Tiktok scrolls.

But Wait... Can't I Just Search All This Stuff?

Sure. You could spend 100+ hours patching together Reddit threads, blog posts, YouTube vlogs, TikTok videos from people who don’t even live here…

This is what happens when you try to figure it out alone:

  • Pick the wrong visa → Pay $x,xxx+ to fix it

  • End up in the wrong neighborhood → Move again, lose deposits

  • Overpay like a tourist → Watch your savings vanish

  • Don’t know the rules → Awkward (or offensive) cultural slip-ups

  • Feel alone and disconnected → Months pass with no real friends

  • 50 tabs open, zero clarity → Waste time, stuck in trial-and-error

OR you can get it all — clear, current, and curated — with a step-by-step guide.

What This Actually Means for You

INSTEAD OF...

  • Figuring out what works and what doesn’t

  • Doubting if this move is even a good idea

  • Getting hit with surprise fees or legal issues

  • Being “just another foreigner”

  • Wondering how others do it

YOU WILL...

  • Get a step-by-step guide to move to Thailand

  • Know exactly what to expect

  • Avoid rookie mistakes that most foreigners make

  • Blend and connect with locals and expats

  • Learn straight from someone who’s done it

What Makes This Guide Different?

  • Most Thailand guides are written by tourists.

  • I live here for more than 3 years. I have a Thai bank account. I know which hospitals to go to when you're sick, etc.

  • Most info is scattered across 50 different websites and outdated.

  • This is everything in one place, organized, and is based on current reality, and not what Thailand was like five years ago.

  • Most advice is generic, confusing, and not reliable.

  • I’ve personally guided countless followers through planning and making their move to Thailand.

  • Most guides ignore the emotional side of moving abroad.

  • As an expat like you, I know it gets lonely. I know it's scary. I know it's harder than you think. And I'll help you through it.

Here's What Other Expats Are Saying:

“I was overwhelmed by conflicting info online, but this guide gave me a step-by-step plan that actually works. I’m now happily settled in Chiang Mai!”

Mark

From Australia

“I love how this guide is written by someone who’s actually lived here. It’s packed with practical tips you won’t find anywhere else.

Anna

From United States

"What really stood out was the cultural tips. This helped me avoid awkward mistakes and make real friends here in Thailand."

Michelle

From Canada

“Moving to Thailand felt impossible until I found this guide. It answered questions I didn’t even know I had and helped me avoid common traps. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about making the move.”

Kennedy

From Germany

"This guide saved me months of stress! I moved to Bangkok with confidence thanks to the clear visa advice and housing tips. Highly recommend!"

Carlos

From Spain

“I had so many questions about culture and social life. This guide gave me the real scoop and helped me fit in faster than I expected.”

Sylvie

From France

What You’re Getting:

  • 140 pages Living in Thailand Guide eBook

  • Everything you need to know before moving, from visas and housing to local culture and costs

  • Insider Tips & Local Know-How

  • Step-by-Step Move & Settle Guide

  • Offline PDF — use it anywhere, no apps needed

  • Curated by a foreigner who actually lives here

  • BONUS: Hidden Bangkok Food Gems Map

Total Value: $180

Only $24.99 Today!

This guide is for you if...

  • You want to move to Thailand confidently and stress-free

  • You’re done wasting time on confusing or outdated info

  • You want to avoid costly visa and housing mistakes

  • You want to build a real social life fast

  • You want to blend in smoothly and avoid culture shock

  • You want to save money, time, and frustration by learning

    from someone who’s lived it

Why Trust Mike and this book?

Mike’s a foreigner who moved to Bangkok, built a life here, and now shares his insider knowledge with over 800,000 followers. People don’t just watch him, they ask him where to go, what to eat, and how to live.

Featured and Trusted By:

  • BBC Three: Documentary feature on expat life in Thailand

  • Workpoint TV: One of Thailand’s biggest national TV channels

  • The Standard: Appeared on their YouTube channel (4M+ subscribers)

  • BKK Magazine: Highlighted for cultural insight and city lifestyle

  • AdPeople Awards & Symposium 2024: Speaker at Thailand’s biggest advertising & creative industry conference

  • The Thaiger: Named one of the “Top 10 Expat Influencers in Thailand”

  • Agoda: Invited speaker on travel and digital nomad life

  • WOW Talk Speaker: Panelist alongside Bangkok’s Governor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the information up to date?

Yes, the guide is based on current, real-life experience in Thailand as of 2025.

Do I need internet access to use the guide?

No, the guide is downloadable as an offline PDF so you can access it anytime, anywhere.

What if I’m not sure if moving to Thailand is right for me?

The guide helps you weigh pros and cons and gives practical advice so you can make an informed decision.

Can this guide help if I want to live outside Bangkok, like Chiang Mai or the islands?

Yes! The guide includes key insights and tips for popular expat spots across Thailand.

How realistic is it to make friends or build a social life as a foreigner?

The guide shares proven strategies I’ve used and others have followed, with real-world places and communities to join.

Ready to stop guessing and start living?

This guide is your all-in-one blueprint for moving to Thailand the right way. From visas and housing to daily life, culture, and costs, everything you need is broken down step-by-step. If you’re serious about making the move, this is the guide you need.

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