Back
Network of 500+ movers
150,000 moves annually
5 ratings as "Professional"
Moving House
Moving Abroad
Container Shipping
Services
Find a Mover
Are you an expat moving to Thailand, home to tropical beaches, Muay Thai, and the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia? Sounds like a dream come true! Of course, before you can live in the Land of Smiles, you’ll need to move there first. Fortunately for you, at Sirelo we’ve put together this essential guide for international removals from the UK to Thailand. Look no further, with moving costs, vital checklist, tips, and even free removal quotes, we’ll have you moving with a smile! So, keep reading to discover the most important things for your move.
Let’s start by getting the bad news out of the way. Unfortunately, moving abroad rarely comes cheap. Furthermore, removals from the UK to Thailand are by no means a short distance which only adds to the price. So, for an average 3-bed house, you can expect the cost of removals to Thailand from the UK to be between £4,300 – £6,400.
Before you despair, just know that an estimate is not set in stone. And just like distance, other factors will also influence the price. Thus, why not get ahead and learn more about international moving costs to save yourself a pretty penny!
To give you a further breakdown of what to expect to pay for different household sizes when moving from the UK to Thailand, we’ve created this concise table:
| Household Size | Cost |
| 1 bedroom | £2,200 – £3,500 |
| 2 bedrooms | £3,100 – £4,500 |
| 3 bedrooms | £4,300 – £6,400 |
| 4 bedrooms | £6,000 – £8,300 |
| 5 bedrooms | £7,700 – £9,800 |
Disclaimer: All the figures above are just estimates. The costs of your move to Thailand will vary depending on your exact point of departure/ arrival and the service rates of the company.
Organizing your move to Thailand? To make your move hassle-free, it’s key to find a trustworthy company. Check out the 4 best international removals to Thailand from the UK:
International removals from the UK to Thailand aren’t a simple task, with language barriers and customs, you’ll probably want some professional help. However, not every company is well versed in the intricacies of removals to Thailand, so you’ll likely spend hours searching online for a removal company that can help.
Fortunately, Sirelo is here to help make the process so much easier! We’ll do the hard work and find up to 5 removal companies that will be able to help you. Saving you time and money, since you can compare removal companies easily.
Unless you happen to be family to a Thai person, a UK citizen moving to Thailand will require a visa. Visa applications are always a daunting task. But don’t fret! We can give you some guidance to start the process.
If you’re moving to Thailand to study or work, you’ll need to apply for a non-immigrant visa, either ED for study or B for work. There’s a second option for those wishing to work through the SMART visa but is only applicable to certain fields. Furthermore, proof of acceptance to study at an approved institution or a job offer will help your application.
If you’re instead over the age of 50 and looking to retire to Thailand, you can apply for a non-immigrant O-X visa. There is a financial requirement to obtain this visa, you’ll have to show that you have enough money to sustain yourself.
We hope that this has given you some clarity as to what visa might apply to you. For more information, please visit the Thai Embassy website. We know this is a lot to take in, but those dreams of white sandy beaches and clear ocean waters should be enough to keep you going. 😎
We know that moving comes with a million and one things to remember. But don’t worry, we have done the hard work for you and compiled a moving abroad checklist for you.
However, moving to Thailand from the UK comes with unique twists and turns. So, we put together a specific moving to Thailand checklist! Follow this guide, and we promise that your move will be smooth sailing.
When moving to Thailand, you’ll find that you’ll need several documents to carry out the move and some others that will prove useful to have on hand just in case!
The following documents are the key documents to have, so keep them safe and even make duplicates if possible:
To pack or not to pack early, that is the question. At least a month before you’re moving date. Starting early gives you time to plan and prepare, so don’t wait until the last minute when packing for a removal to Thailand!
Of course, there’s more to packing than starting early, so read our expert packing guide to take the stress out of your move.
You’ll be glad to hear that healthcare in Thailand is generally of a quite high standard and relatively inexpensive. There are two options, but depending on your status, you may not be applicable for both.
First there is the public option, which is funded similarly to the NHS. However, to access public healthcare you must either be a Thai citizen or be making social security contributions. Thus, this is likely only an option if you’re working.
The second option is private healthcare. This is a more popular option for those moving to Thailand. As it caters to a national and international market, it has a high proportion of English-speaking staff. Furthermore, standards are high and there will be less waiting time compared to the public option.
So, it might be a good idea to consider acquiring a private health insurance policy when moving to Thailand.
Regardless of the reason you’re moving to Thailand, one thing that you will find extremely useful is a local bank account. It’ll make accessing your funds so much easier. To help you on your journey, we have listed some of the big banks in Thailand that offer English services:
The first step to dealing with your tax situation is informing HMRC that you’re moving abroad since you don’t want to be taxed in two countries. Then, you might want to contact the Thai Revenue Department to understand if you’re liable to pay tax in Thailand.
First, for the good news: moving to Thailand with your dog, cat, or another pet is indeed possible! However, it does require several weeks of preparation. In order for your pet to join the growing Thai pet population, they will need:
We know this sounds scary, but if you start planning early, you’ll be sure not to leave any furry friends behind.
Did you know? 💡 In Thailand, it is not uncommon for pets to become celebrities! As a result, the pet industry is booming.
If you plan on having your car in Thailand for less than six months, then you’re one of the lucky ones; no taxes or import duties have to be paid.
If you plan on staying any longer than six months, taxes and import duties can amount to around 200% of the vehicle’s value. You will also require the following paperwork:
Phew…That’s a lot of information to take in. For more information, you can read this article on foreign car imports by the Bangkok Post.
Top tip for moving to Thailand: leave your car behind if at all possible. Unless of course, you love mountains of paperwork and high costs. We thought not…
Thailand is otherwise known as The Land of Smiles for a reason. Sounds to us like the place to be! The golden beaches, dazzling temples and vibrant nightlife make it the most popular Asia Pacific destination for expats!
If you’re moving from the UK to Thailand, you may not be that familiar with the lay of the land. As with any country, Thailand is incredibly diverse from rural villages to thriving metropolises.
Of course, where you’ll want to live in this Buddhist country will depend on what you value. However, as it would be impossible to cover every inch of Thailand, here are some of the most popular places for expats to live:
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and also the centre of the country’s economy. If you’re looking for opportunity and a modern city with all and every convenience, this is likely the city for you. It’s almost comparable to London, just with better weather.
Chiang Mai is for those with a love for history that is visibly woven into the fabric of a city, the city retains its character with the city’s old walls, moats and more. Furthermore, the city sits in an area with national parks and mountains not too far away, making it a great place to connect with nature at the weekends.
As the largest island in Thailand, Phuket is a popular place for locals and expats, especially given the abundance of beaches each with unique attributes. As it’s a popular tourist destination, living there will allow you access to a great number of recreational activities from marinas to golf courses. Of course, it’s not all just tourist traps, there is a historic part of Phuket to explore.
Hua Hin is actual a Royal beach resort (Thailand has a Royal family, just in case you didn’t know). With a lovely beach, there are many aquatic activities to enjoy. Naturally, there is more to this town than just being a beach resort, it sports a strong economy and several events and festivals such as Kite Festivals and Jazz Festival.
Now that you know a little more about some of the best places to live in Thailand, it’s time to secure a house. However, if you were hoping to buy a house, that is, unfortunate, not legal in Thailand. Simply foreigners aren’t allowed to own land. There is the option of a ‘Leasehold’ or setting up a private company to purchase property, but that is definitely more long-term planning.
Of course, you can still rent. Below are some online sites where you can find rental properties, and maybe peruse some properties for sale:
Now that you’ve worked out the costs associated with your move to Thailand from the UK, it’s also important to consider how much you’re likely to spend while you’re there.
Overall, you can expect to pay 27% less on daily items in Thailand! To give you a general idea of what things cost in Thailand, the table below shows the average cost of living metrics, compared to the UK.
Sirelo top tip: do not be surprised if different prices are charged for locals and tourists; this is common practice in Thailand.
| Metric | Thailand | UK |
| Rent for 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre | £363 | £758 |
| Basic monthly utilities for 85m2 apartment | £60 | £155 |
| 1L of milk | £1.31 | £0.91 |
| Cappuccino | £1.47 | £2.75 |
| 0.5L of draught beer | £1.69 | £3.63 |
| 1L of gasoline | £0.72 | £1.27 |
If you’re planning on working in Thailand, take note that the working week can look quite different from what you’re used to. Do not be surprised if you end up consistently working 50 hour-plus weeks. But at least you can cool off in the clear blue sea afterwards!
Common job opportunities in Thailand include sales, IT, engineering, and accounting. So, if you’re moving to Thailand from the UK and are still seeking employment, we recommend the following websites:
Congratulations! You’ve made it all the way to the end. Now you’re ready to begin that life you’ve always dreamed of in Thailand, as you’ve got the moving know-how. So, don’t sit around in old Blighty when you could be enjoying the beaches of Thailand!
But before you head off, why not check out some of our other amazing articles on moving abroad? Click on the links below to learn even more about moving. Finally, good luck and we wish you a smooth move to Thailand!
Our mission is to be your go-to moving platform for you and your loved ones. With our years of expertise and extensive network of movers, we’re here to make your moving process as stress-free as possible.
