Dave, 75: a holiday in Thailand that turned into a move

How it came about

Dave worked as a security guard in Brisbane. In retirement he bought a motorhome and toured Australia, but found that hard to keep up on the pension. Then he took a holiday in Thailand, his first trip overseas in a long time, and liked it so much he decided to live there. He moved in 2021, at about 70, to Rayong, a seaside city about two hours southeast of Bangkok.

What it costs them

Dave told Yahoo Lifestyle his pension comes to about $2,200 a month. He compared prices with Brisbane:

	Rayong	Brisbane
Condo near the beach, a month	$356	not given
Three-course meal at a decent restaurant	$19	$119
Basic groceries (milk, a dozen eggs, bread, fruit, a kilo of chicken)	$17	$35

Street food is cheaper still: he mentions a pork and rice dish for about $1.50. Steak in Thai supermarkets can be pricey, at $17 to $43. Our Thailand page has our own estimate of what a month costs.

What went well

As he tells it, nearly everything. Home is close to the beach, food markets and a local hospital, and he enjoys getting to know neighbours from many countries. He has taken up fishing, growing orchids, flying a drone and printing his own T-shirts and mugs. Food and day-to-day life are better than they were at home, he says. And he has found a new partner. In his words: “I knew I could make a better life for me here”.

What was hard

He misses his family, his mates and his big motorbike, which is still in Australia. The article says a move like his will have some drawbacks, then leaves it there.

What has changed since

• Pension Supplement (from 20 September 2026). Dave’s $2,200 figure was reported in July 2026. Services Australia and the Department of Social Services say that from 20 September 2026, pensioners who live overseas for good no longer get any Pension Supplement. Before then, they kept a smaller basic amount. Services Australia says the most a single person living outside Australia can now get is A$29,520.40 a year, about A$2,460 a month. Our guide to moving overseas for good explains what changes the day you leave.
• Visa-free entry to Thailand. VisasNews reported, citing Thailand’s Royal Gazette, that Australians arriving from 15 September 2026 get 30 days visa-free, down from 60. Smartraveller says you may only be allowed 2 visa-free entries each calendar year without a justifiable reason; Thai consular pages say entries over land borders under the visa exemption are limited to 2 a calendar year. A holiday that turns into a longer stay now needs the right visa sooner. Our Thailand retirement visa guide covers the longer-stay options.

What to take from it

• A holiday is a cheap way to test a place, and Dave knew he liked Thailand before he moved. Our guide to trying a place before you move covers the next steps up.
• Moving in your 70s is possible. Dave was about 70. Our page on retiring overseas at 75 and over covers what changes with age.
• Anyone moving overseas for good gets the outside-Australia rate. Our guide to living overseas on the Age Pension sets out the numbers.
• Dave lives close to a hospital. Smartraveller says Thai hospitals need a deposit or confirmed insurance before they admit you, and that costs can be very high.