British Community In Thailand
As an expat in Thailand, you will go through many phases and emotions – from excitement to astonishment to bewilderment, and then eventually, to acceptance. Making the choice to become an expat is often an exciting journey that does not go to plan. However, it’s for this reason that so many of us love living in Thailand.
There’s a broad range of expats currently living in Thailand, and the number continues to increase every year. Thailand has a large amount of British expats, and the British community here comes from all corners of the United Kingdom. It’s estimated that to date, there are over 55,000 British expats living in Thailand.
So, now that you’ve made the decision to move, what are the top 5 cities to Live in in Thailand as an expat? Which cities have the largest British community?
If you are a Brit considering to live in Thailand, then you may find some of the information below handy.
What are the top 5 cities to Live in in Thailand as an expat?
The biggest British communities in Thailand can be found in these top 5 cities, Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.
WHICH CITIES IN THAILAND HAVE THE LARGEST BRITISH COMMUNITY?
Obviously, Bangkok is a favorite choice as it’s a bustling metropolis with much to see and do. The city is also home to an international airport making travel to and from the UK seamless. Travel + Leisure recently awarded Bangkok as one of the 25 best cities in the world as they announced their “World’s Best” awards.
Pattaya is home to a fair number of British expats looking for a large variety of entertainment options and close proximity to the beach. Pattaya is close to Bangkok, and is favored for its vivacious lifestyle. It’s important to note that Pattaya’s reputation has settled down since the pandemic. The city is not as wild as it used to be, but still has much to offer. Obviously, a lot has changed since Covid, so it would be good to do some research amongst the local expats living there.
British expats looking for island life often choose Phuket or Koh Samui. While the islands are completely different, they offer up modern conveniences, beaches with a good choice of international hospitals and schools.
Located in the north, Chiang Mai is a wonderful city for coffee, arts & handicrafts and its close accessibility to the mountains. Chiang Mai is best for British expats looking for a laidback lifestyle set amongst Thailand’s glorious nature.
So the options of where to live in Thailand are really quite wide and varied, however, the above are the top 5 cities you may want to consider living in, especially if it’s your first time visiting Asia. The expat communities and services in these cities will make you feel familiar and at home.
What Jobs Can Brits Do In Thailand?
Before you can work in Thailand, you must apply for a non-immigrant visa. Once you have this, you can then apply for a work permit. If you are a British citizen looking to work in Thailand, there are various jobs that you can apply for. To be honest, the sky really is your limit. You can even open up a business as a British expat if you wish.
Teaching English is a popular profession amongst the expat community in Thailand. The hotel industry in Thailand is robust, and many of the hotels & resorts often hire expats to work in Marketing, F&B and as Front Office hotel staff. Some Brits spend their days working as scuba instructors and diving down into Thailand’s magical underwater world.
What Do I Do When I Lose My British Passport?
If you lose your British passport or passport from the UK, the first thing you should do is report the loss to the nearest local Thai police station. After you report the passport missing, the police will issue a Thai police report.
Where to Renew British Passport in Thailand?
In case your British passport expires in Thailand, you can rest assured that a renewal in Thailand is possible. You’ll need to go to the passport office at the Trendy Building in Bangkok. The Trendy Building is just a hundred metres up the soi, on the right-hand side. If you have all of your paperwork prepared, the process to renew your passport should be straightforward.
If you are a British citizen living in Phuket and would like to renew your British passport in Thailand without having to travel to Bangkok, TMT Visa Service is able to assist any British expat living in Phuket, Phang Nga, Samui or the nearby southern provinces.
We hope the above information has been useful to you. As a British ex-pat in Thailand, there is a lot of opportunities and chances to meet other like-minded people. If you are looking to learn more about Thailand prior to moving here, or if you are simply interested in meeting other British citizens online, a good place to start is https://britishexpats.com/forum/thailand-154/