Bangkok: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, a metro area of more than 10 million and the business and transport hub of Southeast Asia. It hosts the headquarters of Thailand's largest companies, regional offices of international groups, medical tourism, trade and one of the world's busiest airports. The city is known for street food, malls, temples and nightlife.

Bangkok suits remote workers, entrepreneurs with business in Asia, retirees and families who need affordable international schools and good private healthcare. It is harder for those who struggle with heat, humidity, traffic and dry-season smog.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• Sukhumvit: Asok, Phrom Phong, Thonglor: the most popular areas with foreigners, with condominiums, restaurants and rail.
• Silom and Sathorn: the business centre, offices and banks.
• Ari: a quiet area with cafés, cheaper than Sukhumvit.
• The riverside: high-rises with views, closer to the old city.
• On Nut and Bang Na: further down Sukhumvit, cheaper, new buildings by the rail line.

Cost of living

Exchange rate: about 33.7 baht per dollar on 6 October 2026. Condominium rent usually includes a pool and gym, while electricity is paid separately and rises in summer with air conditioning.

Practicalities: transport, climate, health

Transport. The skytrain and subway cover the centre, and app taxis and motorbike taxis are cheap, but traffic is heavy. Climate. Hot all year, hottest in March-May, rainy from June to October, and cooler and drier from December to February, though smog occurs. Health. Private hospitals are world-class, and the country is a medical tourism hub.

Moving and legal status

• from 15 September 2026 Russian citizens need no visa for up to 30 days, extendable in the country by another 30;
• the five-year visa for remote workers and long stays: up to 180 days per entry, 500,000 baht in the bank (about $14,900), and since 31 August 2026 applications only in the country of citizenship or lawful residence;
• the long-stay visa for a one-off fee: from 650,000 baht (about $19,300), for 5-20 years, without the right to work;
• work requires an employment visa and a work permit through a Thai company.

Taxes and business

You become a tax resident after 180 days in the country in a year. Residents' foreign income is taxed if it is brought into Thailand. A number of activities are closed to foreigners, so companies are often registered with Thai partners or obtain a separate foreign business licence.

Renting: how to find a flat

Condominiums are let for a year, with a deposit usually of two months' rent plus the first month in advance. Foreign owners and agencies work in English; sign a written contract and state who pays for appliance repairs. A long-stay visa and bank account need an address, so ask the owner to help with the foreigner's residence registration.

Schools and trips

Bangkok has dozens of international schools with British, American and international programmes, cheaper than in Singapore. The city is convenient for flights across Asia, and at weekends people go to the beaches of Pattaya and Hua Hin or the old capital Ayutthaya.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are modest prices with good service, private healthcare, food, flights across Asia and several long-stay visas. The minuses are heat, traffic, dry-season smog, the shortened visa-free stay since September 2026 and restrictions on foreign business. Bangkok works for remote work and living for a few years.