Marta Sielska Travel and lifestyle creator, living in Thailand

Launching this year

Everything I wish I knew before moving to Thailand

You've decided to move, and now you're stuck on the visa, the city and the budget, with advice that contradicts itself. This guide takes you through each decision in the order you'll face it, with what I'd do in your place and why. Written after over six years of living here.

  • First access to the launch price.
    You hear about it before anyone else.
  • The extras that come with your purchase.
    A checklist and a landing day kit, listed below.
  • A say in what goes into the guide.
    Send your question and it can end up in it.

Join the waiting list

Two minutes, one email address. The rest is optional.

Questions may be used in the guide.

I'll only email you about the guide.

Featured by

  • Tourism Authority of Thailand
  • LOT Polish Airlines
  • Cebu Pacific
  • Jetstar
  • Hungry Hub
  • Warner Bros. Discovery

Built around the moment you're in

Most guides are organized by topic. This one is organized by where you are in the move. Jump to your moment.

  1. I'm just thinking about it

    The reality check. Why people move here, why some leave, and who shouldn't.

  2. I've decided, now what?

    A 90-day plan, a visa decision flowchart, and how much money you really need.

  3. I don't know which city to choose

    Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui compared, including who each one is not for.

  4. I'm 30 days out

    What to pack and what to buy here, money setup, health insurance, and the final paperwork.

  5. I just landed

    SIM, internet, transport, short-term housing first, a bank account, and 90-day reporting.

  6. I'm setting up my life

    Finding an apartment the real way, contract red flags, healthcare, and a routine that sticks.

  7. It's been 3 months and it's harder than I thought

    Culture shock, loneliness, and when it's okay to go home.

  8. I'm staying long-term

    Long-term visa strategy, real community, dating, and how much Thai you actually need.

What you're probably stuck on

Every one of these has an answer in the guide.

I've read ten visa guides and I still don't know which visa to pick.

A visa decision flowchart, plus a straight opinion on each option.

I can't decide between Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui.

Each city compared: who it's for, who it's not for, and a realistic monthly budget.

I don't know how much money I actually need.

Real numbers by city. No "it depends".

I'm scared of signing a bad lease.

How to find an apartment the real way, and the contract red flags. Rule one: don't sign a year lease in your first week.

I don't know where to go when I get sick.

The hospitals, clinics and dentists I trust.

I'm worried I'll end up lonely.

A full section on the 3-month wall, loneliness, and when it's okay to go home.

Marta in a traditional Thai dress at a temple in Bangkok
Why trust me

I rebuilt my life here from scratch

I quit my corporate job in Poland and left on a one-way ticket, mainly to travel. Then the pandemic came, and I had to start over here with nothing planned.

I taught kindergarten in local schools in Phuket and Bangkok. Then I started working online as a digital nomad, built my own social media platforms, and became a full-time content creator.

So I know this move from the inside: the plan that falls apart, the local salary, the remote work, and building something of your own. This is the guide I wanted back then.

  • 6+years living in Thailand
  • 100+brands worked with
  • 220K+followers across all platforms
  • 7M+views a month

Featured and trusted by

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Featured and trusted by TAT.

In-flight magazines

Featured in the flight magazines of LOT Polish Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Jetstar.

Hungry Hub Award

Best Influencer.

Warner Bros. Discovery

A special episode about my life in Thailand.

Extras with your purchase

  • Checklist, from before the move to your first month
  • Landing day survival kit

Who this is for

It's for you if

  • You've decided to move, or you're close.
  • You work remotely, run a business, create, or are moving with a partner.
  • You want a straight answer and real numbers.

It's not for you if

  • You plan to wing it on a backpacker budget.
  • You need legal or tax advice. That's one for a professional.
  • You need convincing that Thailand is amazing. You already know.

Build this guide with me

I'm writing this for the people who will actually use it, so I want your questions in it. When you join the list, tell me what worries you most about the move. The questions that come up most go into the guide, with my answers.

Get first access