Thailand the number one choice for emigrating Westerners

Thailand is the number one destination for emigrating Westerners looking for a better quality of life abroad.  That’s the result of a new survey by global bank HSBC which saw Thailand beat previously popular destinations such as Canada, Spain and Australia.

The news comes as Thailand also scooped a major gong at an international travel awards ceremony.

Survey finds that Thailand is the number one choice for expats

HSBC’s 2010 Expat Explore Survey analysed views of over three thousand expats in over a hundred countries.  The report rated expats’ quality of life compared to where they used to live and their experiences of starting their new lives in their chosen country.

Factors considered included healthcare, cuisine, entertainment, accommodation, social life, opportunities for travel and the ease by which they were able to organise their affairs including setting up bank accounts and finding schools for children.

In addition to attracting increasing numbers of expats looking to buy property in Thailand, the country’s capital, Bangkok, also recently won the ‘best city’ title at the 2010 Travel and Leisure Magazine World’s Best Awards.  Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second city, was beaten into second place.

‘Easy to see’ what Westerners like about Thailand

Richard Walters, international sales manager at GlenAsia, a Swedish/Thai developer specialising in beachfront properties in Thailand, said: “Bangkok is without doubt a modern cosmopolitan city, with international-brand luxury hotels, exclusive shopping, nightlife, world-class cuisine and service as sophisticated as any European capital, not to mention being a major international transport hub.

“A journey outside the capital reveals a country with deep-rooted traditions, a vibrant culture and an array of historical sites. It’s easy to see what an increasing number of foreigners are calling Thailand home, drawn to the country’s exotic charm, year-round climate, low cost of living and quality of life.”