Expat Families Moving to Thailand – What to Expect

Suppose you have decided to take the Southeast Asian posting and relocate to Bangkok. In that case, you have come to the right place, as we offer valuable information to help Western families adjust to life in the tropical paradise that is Thailand.

Education

Regardless of age, your kids need to have structure to their learning and relocating to Thailand doesn’t have to disrupt their education. Check out some of the Thailand international schools that use the UK curriculum; they hire teachers from the UK, experienced, certified people who know how to deliver an exciting curriculum. Of course, international education is never inexpensive. Still, your employer should be covering children’s school fees, and you should be looking to provide the best education you can.

Bangkok life

It surprises some people that Bangkok is not a backwards city; far from it, with fashionable shopping malls, state-of-the-art mass transit systems, and roads that would put some developed countries to shame. The City of Angels is a very safe place to live, and your employer would help you find a suitable family-size home in a gated community, where you have 24/7 manned security. There are numerous ways to get around Bangkok; your employer may provide you with a car and driver, which certainly helps.

Vibrant expat community

Bangkok has a lively expat community, so you won’t have any problems meeting like-minded expats; go to a school meeting and you will meet other expat families, and social media can connect you with foreign groups. Whatever your hobbies and interests, there will be others who have the same passion and connecting is never an issue. Click here for how private schools tailor their education to suit the students.

Health insurance

Medical treatment in Thailand can be very expensive, and we recommend taking out a family policy with one of the major insurers; there are several policies to choose from. Use Google to help you compare premiums and coverage; an online payment activates the policy, protecting you and your family from day one! Bangkok boasts some of the world's best hospitals, featuring English-speaking doctors and nurses.

Long-term visas

While you would have a work permit, your family would be staying on dependent visas, and your employer would handle the visa application process. If you ever decide to leave Thailand for a short period, be sure to apply for a re-entry visa; otherwise, your long-term visa will be void. Never allow your visa to expire, as there are severe penalties that may include jail, deportation and even long bans from entering Thailand. Click here for information on entry requirements.

If you are planning to stay in Thailand for a few years, it makes sense to learn to speak Thai; there are online courses to help the whole family pick up the local language, which is not an easy thing to master. Learn new words in class, and you can practice when you are out and about, which is the best way to learn any language.