INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT MIGRATION OF WESTERNERS TO THAILAND: DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, WELLBEING, ASSIMILATION, AND IMPACTS ON DESTINATION

Abstract

This dissertation examined the international retirement migration (IRM) decision-making process, subjective wellbeing, and cultural assimilation of Western retirees in Thailand by relying upon 2015-2016 mixed-methods primary data of 330 self-administered questionnaires (SAQ) and 21 in-depth interviews (IDI). Besides, from the IDI of Thai stakeholders, the researcher examined the IRM impacts and planning for the phenomenon. Both quantitative and qualitative results indicated that cost of living, climate, and people were the major pull factors of Thailand. The bulk of Western retirees migrated to Thailand after their retirement and the great majority of them were males. Most of the formerly divorced and single Western male retirees later married/partnered to local citizens after migration to Thailand. Though Western retirees were generally satisfied with their wellbeing in Thailand and/or felt well accepted by Thai society, permanent settlement in Thailand tended to be unlikely. In the future, if being incapable of living independently due to severe health conditions, negative financial circumstance, and/or an abrupt change of relationships/ marital status (e.g. divorce or widowhood), many would return to their home countries. Besides, Thailand’s unwelcoming visa policy, restricted land ownership policy, political instability, and poor environmental quality and local infrastructure were being seen as undesirable factors that could lead to their departure. In general, Thai stakeholders perceived the IRM to have positive impacts on local community. These findings altogether suggested that the IRM policies in Thailand should be more facilitating and the local environment and infrastructure should be improved.