BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s tightening visa rules, rising costs and upgraded healthcare have reshaped its position in Southeast Asia’s race for foreign residents.
Thailand climbs global expat rankings as costs rise
In the InterNations Expat Insider 2025 survey of more than 10,000 people from 172 countries, Thailand ranked fourth worldwide, its best result to date. Vietnam followed in fifth place and led the global finance category for three consecutive years, while Asian destinations claimed four of the top five spots. A one-bedroom apartment in sought-after Bangkok districts cost between 22,500 and 36,000 baht per month, with Knight Frank Thailand reporting rent increases of 8 to 12 percent year-on-year.
Five destinations, five trade-offs for long-term stays
Five locations competed for international residents: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Indonesian island of Bali and the Philippines. Vietnam offered the lowest living costs, Malaysia stood out for infrastructure and English-language communication, and Thailand provided the most balanced overall package. Bali was associated with lifestyle but faced rising prices and limited medical care, while the Philippines combined English as an official language with the weakest infrastructure in the region.
Visas and taxes: Thailand tightens rules but stays competitive
Since November 2025, visa-free entries over land borders had been limited to a maximum of two per calendar year and could no longer be extended, effectively ending the informal “visa-run” lifestyle. The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) cost about 10,000 baht and was valid for five years with up to 180 days per entry, requiring verified savings of 500,000 baht. Thailand also taxed foreign income transferred into the country from the 2024 tax year onward for residents staying more than 180 days, with double taxation agreements easing but not removing the need for professional advice.
High-end options: Thailand Privilege and regional comparison
The state-backed Thailand Privilege programme offered long-stay tourist visas from five to twenty years at prices between 650,000 and 5,000,000 baht, allowing those who could pay to avoid annual visa procedures. The traditional retirement visa required a bank balance of 800,000 baht or a passive monthly income of 65,000 baht, plus recognised health insurance. Malaysia’s revamped MM2H scheme demanded at least 150,000 US dollars under its Silver tier and a compulsory property purchase, while Indonesia’s second-home visa required a bank balance of around 110,000 euros.
Healthcare and insurance: strength in Thailand, gaps in Bali
Thailand had 62 JCI-accredited hospitals, more than any other Southeast Asian country, and ranked eighth worldwide in the Numbeo Health Index 2026, ahead of Denmark, Spain and France. A visit to a private clinic cost between 34 and 72 euros, and millions of international patients travelled there annually for medical treatment. Heart operations in private hospitals started at about 100,000 baht, while Bali had no JCI-accredited clinic and medical evacuation could quickly exceed 85,000 euros, making robust international insurance essential.
Everyday risks: dengue, air pollution and dangerous roads
Mosquito-borne diseases occurred in all five countries, and more than half of all recorded global dengue infections were attributed to Southeast Asia, with every destination in the comparison classified as a risk area. In Chiang Mai, fine dust levels between February and April significantly exceeded WHO limits, prompting many residents—especially those with asthma or older age—to move temporarily to Bangkok or coastal regions. Thailand was among the countries with the highest road fatality rates worldwide according to the WHO, with most victims riding motorcycles, and similar conditions existed in Vietnam and Bali, which lacked usable public transport.
Schools, language and who each country suits
Thailand had 248 international schools, nearly half of them in Bangkok, with annual fees ranging from about 149,000 to 984,000 baht. Malaysia, with over 180 schools and lower average fees, was seen as a cost-effective choice for families, while Vietnam and Bali offered growing but smaller networks. Vietnam tended to suit young, healthy people on tight budgets, Malaysia and the Philippines attracted English-speaking retirees and families, and Thailand positioned itself as the most balanced option in terms of infrastructure, healthcare, quality of life and legal security, provided newcomers arrived with sound legal knowledge, financial reserves and reliable health insurance.