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What are the best visa options and monthly income expectations for a family moving to Thailand in 2026?

DTV Visa Education Visa Family Relocation Cost of Living in Bangkok Cost of Living in Phuket Pet Relocation Housing in Thailand International Schools in Thailand Monthly Income for Family of Four

Jan 28, 2025

25 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Planing on moving jan 2026. Family of 4. Also 2 cats 2 dogs. Any advice? 

I pan on doing dtv visa for me and my husband is going to do education visa. 

Also what do you think is a good monthly income for a family of 4 in bangkok or phuket? Or other cities i should look into?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The poster is planning to move to Thailand in January 2026 with their family of four, including two cats and two dogs. They intend to apply for a DTV visa for themselves and an education visa for their husband. The discussion revolves around the necessary monthly income for living in Bangkok or Phuket, with insights from fellow expats on factors that influence this, such as schooling for children, lifestyle choices, and relevant expenses related to pets and housing.

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Lyn ********************

Where u coming from

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Lexi ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brian ********

?

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Bob **********

Just off the top of my head I would say 200,000baht minimum in Bangkok,and do t forget your future you need to put something away for rainy days and retirement

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Randy ******

$6000 a month, or $72,000 a year? That’s more expensive than 35 states in America. I thought retirement in Thailand was driven due to modest costs. Com’on , dude!

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Bob **********

how long have you been in Thailand??

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Randy ******

Bob D'AndreaI haven’t relocated yet. Your number seems too high. Granted, I am single. I live on $3000 a month in the US ( not those fancy elite states )

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Lexi ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

i agree. Based on my research that seems on the higher end. In the states I don't spend that much and that's with car, insurance, and daycare.

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Lexi ********

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Randy ******

Liberals fleeing the MAGA TSUNAMI. Good luck and Godspeed

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Brenda *********

not all, I’m looking in to it cause I have family living there.

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Brenda *********

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John **********

Cost of living is kind of up to you but this will give you a basic idea

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Tori ********

We are also a family of 4 moving to BKK this summer. Homeschool and eating local as well. With rent and transportation we estimate about 3k us a month but we will essentially have twice that. I have an internship for my degree so I will have to commute daily. It really does depend on your family and if you have bills coming over with you. Medical is also something to consider.

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Michael ********

With pets you probably going to need a house thats not cheap in Bangkok. Look at one of groups for rentals with pets to get some sort of idea of rental costs

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Chuck **********

@Michael *******

Most in Bangkok do not allow pets

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Michael ********

@Chuck *********

Yes i know thats why i told them should go to one of groups for pet friendly rentals in Bangkok

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Michael ********

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Lexi ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael *******

i was thinking condo or a house. They aren't very active

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Bunny *****

most Condos do not allow pets. Not the owner but the condo management itself. To get a condo that allows pets it is expensive. They go by the headcount of the pets and the size of the pets. Do check with the agent some pet friendly Condos only allow cats.

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Lexi ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ah okay. Thank you!

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Lexi ********

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Michael ********

Doesnt matter active or not, its amount and size of dogs. Friend has Labrador in Condo but its high end and expensive. Best check groups see costs

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Michael ********

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Frank **********

Good income? It depends are your children of school age? Will they be home schooled or be in an International School, which is very expensive? Will you be eating a lot of western style food or eating at restaurants often? Lot of things to consider.

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Lexi ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank *********

definitely homeschooled. And we plan on eating local

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Frank **********

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Frank **********

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Brandon ************

Any reason you're doing ED visa for your husband instead of just getting a dependent DTV visa based on yours? It'll probably be easier to just get him a DTV rather than have to get extensions with this ED.

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Lexi ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

oh I thought only my kids good be dependents. I will definitely do that instead if I can!

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Brandon ************

spouse and children can all get a dependant visa (look at 5c below)

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Lexi ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thank you! Definitely doing that!

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Lexi ********

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