Chiang Mai becomes retirement destination

Thai’s second-largest city, Chiang Mai, has also become a popular retirement destination for Hong Kong people in recent years, thanks to its lower cost of living and slower pace of life. Known as the “Rose of Northern Thailand”, Chiang Mai is nestled among lush green mountains with a special kind of small-town charm.

In recent years, Chiang Mai’s slow pace of life has drawn many Hong Kong people to retire here. The monthly rent costs is less than 20,000 Hong Kong dollars. Applicants of the retirement visa must be at least 50 years old and pay a deposit of 800,000 baht, or about 180,000 Hong Kong dollars. The visa is valid for one year and the renewal fee is priced at 400 Hong Kong dollars.