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Moving to Thailand from Singapore
Your Ultimate Guide to Moving to Thailand
Moving to Thailand is an exciting thing. You get to experience beautiful beaches, vibrant city life, and the possibility of island hopping and wild nature. Keep reading and find your ultimate guide about visas, taxes, the way of life in Thailand, and more.
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Moving Costs Singapore to Thailand
The cost of moving to Thailand ranges from S$ 1,956 to S$ 4,994.
Thanks to the countries’ close distance, the average shipping duration via sea freight is 2-4 days.
| Size of Apartment | Costs of Sea Freight | Air Freight |
| 1 BD Apartment | S$ 1,956 – S$ 2,164 | S$ 3,726 – S$ 4,123 |
| 3 BD Apartment | S$ 3,010 – S$ 3,330 | N/A |
| 5 BD Apartment | S$ 4,516 – S$ 4,994 | N/A |
*These costs are estimates and may fluctuate based on season, route, and shipping weight.
Before trying to request moving quotes or estimate the costs of your move, it’s important to know the volume of what you’re moving. The more items you move, the higher the costs. Trimming your belongings down to the essentials is advised if you’re looking to reduce costs. Use our volume calculator below to get an accurate estimate.
Request quotes
Requesting quotes from movers is the surest way to get accurate moving cost estimates. Using our quote form, you can receive up to five free quotes from movers. This will increase your chances of finding the best deal for yourself and your needs.
Moving companies
Moving to Thailand from Singapore is not the longest journey, but moving with all your belongings or moving houses is always a difficult task. Having professional movers help with your move will make the experience more pleasant and less stressful. Below you can find some of the best movers from Singapore to Thailand:
- Moovaz
- Alliance Movers
- Reddot Movers
2 ratings as "Friendly"
If you wish to do more research look at our international movers.
Visa Requirements Thailand
Singapore citizens fall under the visa exemption ruling, where you can visit Thailand for up to 60 days (30-day extension) without applying for a visa.
If you plan on moving to Thailand for longer, to work, study, or for other reasons, you must apply for a visa through the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore. You can apply for any of the following visas:
- Business or working visa
- Study visa
- Long-term stay visa
- Spousal visa
To acquire a visa you will need to meet the following requirements:
- A valid passport & extra passport photo
- Proof of permanent residence in the country where the application is submitted
- Proof of financials & medical certificate
- Insurance certificate & health insurance
- Proof of no criminal record
Taxes in Thailand
The highest personal income tax rate in Thailand is 35% which is lower than the 45% in Singapore.
Thailand considers all who stay in Thailand for 180 days or more, as tax residents. Tax residents are taxed on all their income derived in Thailand and all foreign income brought to Thailand in the same tax year.
If you are a non-tax resident, you will only be taxed on your income earned in Thailand, not your foreign income.
| Net Income (SGD) | Tax Rate % |
| 0 to 5,550 | 0% |
| 5,550 to 11,100 | 5% |
| 11,100 to 18,500 | 10% |
| 18,500 to 27,750 | 15% |
| 27,750 to 37,000 | 20% |
| 37,000 to 74,000 | 25% |
| 74,000 to 185,000 | 30% |
| Over 185,000 | 35% |
Currency in Thailand
The currency used in Thailand is the Thai Bhat (THB). The exchange rate fluctuates but 1.00 SGD is approximately 25.00 THB.
Thai Culture
Did you know the head is the most sacred part of the body in Thai culture and people avoid touching others on the head?
Thai culture emphasizes hierarchy, Buddhism, spirituality, and harmony. Below are some characteristics of Thai culture.
- Religion: Buddhism plays a huge role in Thai culture, and values like respect for elders, karma, and humility shape the cultural norms.
- Language and communication: Thai is the main language, and English is understood in touristic areas. Confrontation like saying “no” is often avoided in Thai communication.
- Social hierarchy: Respect for authority and elders is a given in Thailand, and social hierarchy is based on age, position, and family background.
- Food: Thailand has a big street food culture and mealtimes are usually social events. The food often contains lemongrass, chilies, and lime.
- National identity: National pride around the Thai monarchy is big in Thailand and people are loyal to the king.
- Work culture: Thai work culture values relationships and good work environments next to productivity.
Best Places to Live in Thailand for Expats
- Phuket: Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and is often voted the best place for expats. The city offers an island lifestyle, beautiful beaches, access to activities, and international schools.
- Bangkok: The capital of Thailand offers vibrant city life. Bangkok is a great option for expats offering plenty of job opportunities, and quality healthcare. The city has an urban feel, great nightlife, many activities and restaurants.
- Koh Samui: Koh Samui is the perfect place for fitness and well-being enthusiasts. The island is idyllic and has beautiful beaches, well-being resorts, and a modern lifestyle. If you are moving for reasons other than work this is a relaxing option for expats.
- Krabi: Krabi has a more relaxed and remote lifestyle but offers unique limestone cliffs, beautiful waters, and plenty of outdoor and water activities. The cost of living in Krabi is also lower than in bigger cities, but it has fewer nightlife and job opportunities.
- Kanchanaburi: The city is near Bangkok, which makes it an idyllic getaway from the big city lifestyle. It has a rich cultural history and plenty of nature to explore. Kanchanaburi is also more affordable than its neighbouring cities.
Singaporean Expats Living in Thailand
Many Singaporeans move to Thailand for work, family, or other reasons. When living abroad it’s often hard to identify fully with a new culture and you might miss home. Having a community of people from your home country can make living abroad easier.
Finding nice expat communities in Thailand can increase your chances of integrating well. Thailand has a club for Singapore expats that hosts dinners, festivals, get-togethers, and more. Have a look at the Singapore Club of Thailand for more information.
Work in Thailand
Singaporeans who are moving to Thailand for work must acquire a work visa before arrival. Additionally, you must earn at least minimum wage to qualify for a work visa. To get a work permit in Thailand you need the following:
- Passport
- Photo taken in the last 6 months
- Proof of residence (current)
- Financial proof
- Approval letter from the Ministry of Labour
Work in Thailand for foreigners is harder to find if you don’t speak Thai. Some jobs are also not legally permitted for foreigners. However, many international companies hire expats.
Below are the best sites to find work for expats in Thailand:
Education
The education system in Thailand consists of public, private, and international schools (also private). The stages of education are preschool, primary, and secondary education.
For expats, international or private schools are usually the best option, as they offer education in English. Private schools of course come with monthly or yearly tuition fees, which can be significantly more expensive than public schools. International schools also follow a more Western curriculum instead of a traditional Thai curriculum.
Healthcare in Thailand and Costs
The cost of healthcare in Thailand is much lower than the cost of healthcare in Singapore, the US, and Western Europe. Thailand offers both public and private healthcare, but expats should in most cases opt for private healthcare.
Working Singapore expats are included in the public healthcare, Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) through their salary payments. The UCS assigns all new working expats to a hospital that will be their go-to treatment place.
Thailand has high-quality private healthcare and many specialists for unique medical conditions. Generally, private healthcare also ensures faster and higher quality treatment than public healthcare and ensures a higher chance of English treatment.
Cost of Living in Thailand
The cost of living in Thailand is around 57% lower than Singapore’s.
Generally, to live comfortably in Thailand you need much less money than to live comfortably in Singapore. The rent, food, and entertainment are more affordable, and you can still earn a good salary.
Below you can find some cost of living comparisons from Singapore and Thailand:
| Product | Cost in Singapore | Cost in Thailand |
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant | S$ 15.00 | S$ 3.91 |
| Cappuccino | S$ 6.36 | S$ 2.71 |
| 12 Eggs | S$ 4.41 | S$ 2.80 |
| Chicken (1kg) | S$ 12.66 | S$ 3.65 |
| Water (1,5L) | S$ 1.92 | S$ 0.66 |
| Bottle of Wine | S$ 35.00 | S$ 23.45 |
| Monthly Bus Pass | S$ 120.00 | S$ 46.90 |
*These numbers are estimates from November 2024. Source: Numbeo
Ready to Move to Thailand
We hope that after reading this article you feel excited and prepared for your move to Thailand. If you have any questions, please see our FAQs below, and remember to ask for your moving quotes!
