Temporary living
When it’s cold and rainy in Germany, Switzerland or Austria, some “nearly retirees” search Google for destinations with warm weather, good food and lots of freedom.
Thailand is by far the most popular country in this category, although there are also some negative sides such as the military dictatorship, the law not allowing foreigners to acquire land and the strict visa regulations but the sun is shining and the Thai people fascinate with their smiles. Good food and beautiful beaches are a bonus.
Many Europeans know Thailand as a holiday destination and have probably been there several times, in cities like Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, Bangkok and Hua Hin. Next to Bangkok, Hua Hin has the highest proportion of Europeans such as Scandinavians, English, Germans and Swiss. This is reflected very clearly in the restaurant offers. In addition to many Italian restaurants, there are some restaurants with Swiss, German or Scandinavian cuisine. There are also shops with specialties such as cheese from Europe, bread and cold cuts from Italy, a well-known French butcher and a Swiss butcher colleague who does the same. There is practically nothing missing if you have enough means to spoil yourself.
Emigrating to Thailand is a big step with many consequences, especially health insurance in old age, which can be expensive. But here too there are solutions that cost less than in Germany.
Hospital and medical care
Thailand has many RED CROSS stations that not only collect blood but also provide emergency medicine and medical services (https://english.redcross.or.th). Many pensioners do not need a doctor, just their regular pills, which they can get very cheaply from the Red Cross, as well as free Covid injections.
A very new facility in Hua Hin is the “Be Well” medical center with European doctors who act almost like in Holland or Germany. With a small annual fee you get an annual check-up and good care in German and Dutch; even home visits are possible. https://bewell.co.th/
Hua Hin Hospital is also free for foreigners if they are married to a Thai woman who is or was a Thai Government Officer. Otherwise the services are calculated, but the amount does not reach the German level. For example, King Rama 9 reserved an entire floor for himself there with the most modern equipment. Furthermore, almost all Thai doctors with private practices come from the Hua Hin Hospital where they work from 8 to 4 and can be reached in their private practice from 5, such as my very competent dentists.|
The private clinics such as Sao Paolo, with German advice and Bangkok Hospital are recommended if you have good insurance and need the most modern medicine.
Food in Thailand and in Hua Hin
The Thai food is very good and very digestible – you have to be careful with the rice, which promotes diabetes in Thailand, since Thai accompany all 3 meals with a lot of rice – there is rather less bread. The food can be very spicy unless ordered “mai pet” first.
Italian restaurants and pizzerias are plentiful and some of them are of a high standard. For example, my “favorite Italian” has pizzas that I think are better than in Germany.
Japanese restaurants are well represented here in Hua Hin with the “Eateries” in the shopping malls, but also very good sushi and sashimi restaurants. The Hagi Restaurant, which belongs to the Centara Hotel, is outstanding.
The best steak in a 200 km radius is offered by a Swede (Daddy Deli), who almost celebrates the meat. The best thing is that it is not even that expensive and pays significantly more in Germany.
If you absolutely want to have your dishes from home, you simply go to the “Schweitzer” (3 restaurants), the German (3 restaurants) or the Danes in Hua Hin.
Since Hua Hin is on the sea, you expect the best seafood at low prices here. Unfortunately, that doesn’t exist, the low prices, but the neighboring towns of Cha-Am in the north and Pak Nam Pran in the south offer very fresh goods at affordable prices.
“Street food” cannot be missing when it comes to eating. Thai cook less at home because it’s not much cheaper than buying it around the corner. Roast chicken wings or BBQ meat on a skewer are standard offerings, as are meatballs. I personally love the different soups you can get for one euro and they are very good. In 15 years in Thailand I didn’t even have any problems after eating, but in China after 1 week I did.