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Why Choose Thailand?
Quality of Life
Standard of Living
For those retirees coming from a country where people are blue in the face due to the rain and cold, then Thailand and its warm tropical climate is a mighty great change. If you retire in the Land of Smiles you will be able to throw away those Wellington boots, anoraks, thick jumpers and ski-style jackets and bet out your flip-flops, t-shirts, shorts and sunglasses.
Thailand has everything for everyone’s taste, whether it be peace & quiet / quiet & family / family & nightlife / nightlife & fun / fun & friends – at the beach, in the mountains, in the countryside or in the town – take your pick!
Safety: Thailand is a relatively safe country where crime against foreigners is quite rare.
Communications: Thailand now has a communications system on par with the West. The international code for Thailand is 66 and competitive international rates are slashing the price of international phone calls these days in Thailand. Internet connection can be had at every touristy place and town. Even villages now have Internet cafes around.
Medical and Dental: Many hospitals in Thailand offer a high quality of service, again at a fraction of the cost of which is the norm in the West. Every province has at least one major hospital but of course the best care can only be offered in the main urban cities. In the central region that is Bangkok, in the north Chiang Mai, in the north-east Khon Kaen and in the south Hat Yai and Phuket. Some of these hospitals also have excellent dental facilities, otherwise for dental treatment specialized clinics can be found in every town.
In Bangkok excellent service is offered at:
Bangkok Adventist Mission Hospital 430 Phitsanulok Road (02) 281-1422
Bangkok Christian Hospital 124 Silom Road (02) 233-6981-9
Bumrungrad Hospital 33 Soi 3 Sukhumvit Road (02) 253-0250
Samitivej Hospital 133 Soi 49 Sukhumvit Road (02) 392-0010-9
Siam Dental Clinic 412/11-2 Soi 6 Siam Square (02) 251-6315
Costs: Even if ones retirement pay isn’t that much in regards to that of other retirees, one can enjoy a high standard of living in Thailand at a low cost. And that is made even cheaper when a retiree gets out of tourists havens such as Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui.
Facilites / Accommodation: Thailand has a variety of different accommodation at cost-effective prices. Most apartments, condominiums and houses outside of Bangkok and other well-trodden tourist areas do not have air-conditioning. One would have to have a good look around. House owners do of course allow their tenants to put in their own air-conditioning if they so wish. All the four and five hotels have just the same kind of facilities as in the Western world.
Transportation: One can travel around easily cheaply without the need of a private car. Public transport is relatively decent in Thailand, there are Tuk-Tuks (motorized rickshaws), Songthaews (look like pick-ups) normal buses and motorbike taxis. In Bangkok, there is also the sky-train, underground train and express boats, canal boats and taxis. To travel long distances, there are air-conditioned over-night buses and trains. Internal flights around Thailand are led by the national carrier Thai Airways followed by budget airlines such as Air Asia, Nok Air, One2Go, etc.
Shopping: Shopping is the one the great things about Thailand. Bangkok plays host to some of the best and largest shopping malls in Asia. Most everyday Thais prefer their traditional markets where lots of bargains can be had if one knows the art of bartering.
Nightlife: In the tourist resorts there are an abundance of discos, pubs and beer bars. Thais though, prefer karaoke lounges, live folk music pubs and all night open-air restaurants. Only Thai youngsters are interested in discotheques.
Type of Retirement and Facilities in Thailand
Independent Living
Independent living simply means being able to live on ones own without any custodial or medical attention.
Nursing Care
It is no joke that some of Thailand’s well-to-do hospitals look no different from five star hotels. Treatment costs are usually far cheaper than anything heard of in say the US.
Domestic Assistance / Support in your home
Thailand’s leading hospitals are able to offer domestic assistance and home support. They are:
- House keeping and cleaning.
- Laundry and ironing.
- Shopping assistance and errands.
- Meal preparation.
- Socialization and companion care.
- Support to medical, dental and specialist appointment.
- Transportation arrangement.
- Medication pick up.
- Personal fitness trainer.
Personal Care
Thailand’s leading hospitals are able to offer personal care, such as:
- Showering and Bathing
- Oral hygiene and Grooming
- Toiletinเ
- Skin care
- Mobility and Transferring
- Medication reminder
- Daily routines
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