Why Thailand?

There are obviously any number of reasons why people choose to visit and possibly settle in Thailand. These reasons could be something very simple: the desire to retire on a limited budget with access to cheap housing and very low living costs. The reasons could also be on a higher plane: the diverse Thai culture, the exotic cuisine, the tropical climate, the friendly people, attractive beaches, or the vibrant nightlife.

There a few places in our world where you can find what Thailand offers. A pleasant climate, delicious food, friendly people, enchanting scenery and very affordable living costs.

Starting with the main considerations for living or retiring in a foreign country, let us explore what Thailand offers.

Access to affordable housing with costs well below what you would need to pay for comparable housing in any western country. Obviously, a luxurious apartment in Bangkok is vastly more expensive than a comfortable and spacious house located somewhere along a sun drenched, tropical beach.
Access to excellent international schools teaching the U.S. or British curriculum. These schools are expensive but there are private schools that teach the Thai curriculum with heavy emphasis on the English language and these are very affordable.
Access to university education. Many local universities have an exchange program with overseas universities whereby a student can complete 50% of the study program in Thailand and then complete the remainder in another country like the U.S., Britain or Australia.
Excellent private health care. The private hospitals in Thailand offer a standard of service that you can only dream about in other western countries. Treatment for minor remedies is cheap, whereas major operations can be very expensive. A private health insurance covering major items is very desirable.
The exposure to Thai culture, history and the Buddhist way of life. Thai history goes back a long way and remnants of different realms, such as Sukhothai and Ayudhya, immediate exploration and a challenge to explore their origins. In the northeast are the remains of many ancient Khmer temple in some areas and people still speak the Khmer language.
The touch of the exotic and aromatic Thai cuisine, including the variety of tropical fruits. If in doubt, but you could buy food from McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut, a coffee at Starbucks and go to any number of restaurants serving internationalfood. In fact, very few countries offer such a variety of international food outlets as Thailand.

For those who are more attracted to the physical side of life, here's what you will find here:

Swimming and sun bathing at sunny tropical beaches, with a choice of crowded tourist beaches or totally deserted beaches. The most popular destinations are the southern islands around Phuket, Koh Chang on the eastern seaboard, and Koh Samui.
The choice of a wide variety of water sports. These include scuba diving, water skiing, deep sea fishing, jet skiing and para sailing.
Year round golf with a wide choice of high quality golf courses. The area around Pattaya offers the cheapest golfing with a choice of 24 courses.
The opportunity for exotic sightseeing Interesting destinations include Kanchanaburi, Chang Mai, the northern area around the "Golden Triangle", the southern islands, Koh Chang and many others. We should, of course, not forget Bangkok itself.

So, I can hear you say, what are the negatives? There are a few and there is a need to weigh them against the more commonly known attractions.

The language. The Thai language is difficult to learn and there is no doubt the foreigners who cannot speak Thai have to live their lives "on the fringe" of Thai society. For many, this is not a big problem.
While most visitors praise the friendliness and hospitality of the Thai people, there are underlying attitudes that are more complex. Thai people are proud and very protective of what is Thai and what belongs to the Thai people. Never start an argument with a Thai person because you will simply cause resentment. The Thai considers it impolite to show resentment or anger towards another person.
The legal system does not favor foreigners. Thai courts will obviously deliver just and unbiased decisions but complications or disputes will seldom go this far. Disputes are more likely to be resolved without access to legalities. This goes from simple situations like traffic accidents. Here, influence and position often dictate outcomes.

These are observations from living in Thailand for 15 years and only reflect a personal view.