One question I get asked a lot is if you can live in rural Isaan on just social security?
The average US social security monthly payment is US $2,086.00 (66,752 thb per month).
That is plenty of income to live in rural Isaan and enjoy a good life.
If?
- You have money put away for your visa? 400,000 thb (US $12,500) for a marriage visa or 800,000 thb (US $25,000) for a retirement visa in a Thai bank account each year. (You could pay an agent if you did NOT have the required visa funds, but I do not endorse or suggest that method).
2. You have money for a vehicle because you will need a car or truck to get around.
Excellent used vehicles can be had for US $10,000 (320,000 thb)
For example, our average monthly expenses for 3 of us, including rent, while we were building our new house was only US $840 (26,880) and that is living quite well.
The average Thai worker in rural Isaan only makes 8,400 thb per month and are able to support a family on that.
That would leave you almost 40,000 thb per month left over to travel anywhere you like.
Another question that always comes up is health insurance cost.
Health insurance, if you have existing conditions, those will NOT be covered (in almost all cases).
Once you hit 65 years of age, the monthly premiums can become quite steep and go up every year.
Rural hospitals are quite cheap and you may be able to forgo health insurance and only pay in cash if you have to actually go to the hospital.
40,000 thb per month should be able to cover most bills that are not catastrophic in nature.
Rural Isaan is probably one of the only places in Thailand you could live well on just your social security.
Granted your behavior’s would have to be adjusted to live and eat like the local’s do.
Benefits are low cost, locals that love foreigners, low crime, no traffic, lots of fresh air and peace and quiet.