The best city to live in Thailand depends on your desires and lifestyle, but Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Hua Hin are top choices, no matter if you’re staying long-term on business or planning to make The Land of Smiles your new home.

Whether you’re looking for a short or long stay, having your own vehicle can make any trip more pleasant. Easy car rental in Khon Kaen and elsewhere across the country are part of what makes Thailand so easy to visit. Not being bound by tour bus schedules or having to constantly pay for taxis means you can soak up each city and think about what it would be like to live there!

Why Thailand?

Thailand has long enjoyed a status as a favorite of expats and digital nomads. While there is a rainy season and Thailand can get quite hot in the summer, most of the country has a tropical climate. Furthermore, while Thailand is famous for its ancient Buddhist temples and slow beach life, it’s also a state-of-the-art hub of modernity. The allure of access to these amenities in the same place you can visit farms and unplug by a beautiful waterfall is powerful.

Unsurprisingly, the best places to live in Thailand overlap significantly with the top cities to visit in Thailand. Let’s take a look:

Chiang Mai

Just as many expats and tourists are trying to split the difference between the modern world and off-the-map slowness, those who choose to live in Chiang Mai often want the benefits of Bangkok without the size and bluster.

Chiang Mai has large swathes of restaurants, co-working spaces, cafes, and bars. It also has a large enough number of expats, so when newcomers want to tap into a more familiar community, they can. Chiang Mai is also favored specifically for its weather. Because it’s in the north of the country, it’s slightly cooler than other popular locations, making for an enjoyable climate year round.

Finally, though this can fluctuate, Chiang Mai can be a cheaper city to live in than some others in Thailand. Because it’s not a beach destination and is slightly off the beaten path from Bangkok, it’s still often possible to find an affordable place to stay long-term.

Bangkok

The beating heart of the country, Bangkok is unlike any city in the world. It’s filled with all the modern conveniences a person could want: high-end restaurants, world-famous bars, luxury shopping, and state-of-the-art business centres, hospitals, and schools. 

Bangkok also has a unique history that is preserved across the city. Temples that are hundreds of years old stand next to couture brand outlets, and it’s a short trip to get out of the city into the rural part of the country.

The food in Bangkok is also an incredible array of choices. There are Michelin-starred restaurants and grandmothers cooking noodles on the same street, and people will debate which one is better! If you choose to live in Bangkok, you will truly never be at a loss for options.

Hua Hin

If you want to go one more step off the beaten path, consider Hua Hin. It’s favored for its small size, clean beaches, and social life that’s strong without being dominated by nightlife culture. The train ride from Hua Hin to Bangkok is about three and a half hours, and it’s a two and a half hour drive, meaning it’s not difficult to pop into the city when you want something you can’t get in town. 

While it has one of the hotter climates in the country, it’s right on the ocean and sits directly on road, train, and boat routes, meaning that you can easily escape to find whatever you’re craving. If you want pristine quiet with only occasional crowding from tourists, Hua Hin might be the place for you.

Going the Distance

Something to remember about Thailand is that, despite its broad diversity of people and places, it’s an easy country to get around. If you have your own vehicle, traveling between cities or going to the beach for a weekend is as simple as can be. 

Check out Drive Car Rental’s inventory today to see our range of rental options, from standard sedans to SUVs to electric vehicles. With your own car, you can really see the country and decide which city is the right one for you!

Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK Airport) Bangkok - Donmuang Airport (DMK) Bangkok - Donmuang Office Bangkok - Srinakarin Office Bangkok - On Nut BTS Station Bangkok - BTS PHAHON YOTHIN 24 Bangkok - Phayathai BTS Bangkok - Sathorn Bangkok - Singha Complex Nonthaburi - MRT Muang Thong Thani Nonthaburi - Central Westgate Buri Ram Airport (BFV) (Partner Location) Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) Chiang Mai - Office Chiang Rai Airport (CEI) Pattaya Downtown Central Chonburi Chumphon Airport (CJM) (Partner Location) U-Tapao Airport (UTP) Krabi Airport (KBV) Khon Kaen Airport (KKC) Phuket Airport (HKT) Phuket - Patong Beach Khao Lak - PTT Station Hat Yai Airport (HDY) Hua Hin Airport (HHQ) Lampang Airport (LPT) (Partner Location) Loei Airport (LOE) (Partner Location) Nakhon Phanom Airport (KOP) Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) Phitsanulok Car Rental (PHS) (Partner Location) Phrae Airport (PRH) (Partner Location) Phuket - Bang Rong Pier Ranong Airport (UNN) (Partner Location) Roi Et Airport (ROI) (Partner Location) Sakon Nakhon Airport (SNO) Sukhothai Airport (THS) (Partner Location) Samui Airport (USM) Samui - Bophut Office Surat Thani Airport (URT) Tak - Mae Sot Airport (MAQ) (Partner Location) Trang Airport (TST) Trat Airport (TDX) Ubon Ratchathani Airport (UBP) Udon Thani Airport (UTH)

Car Hire Bangkok Airport: Book Your Car Rental at Suvarnabhumi Airport | Drive Car Rental

自宅住所

The counter is located in the International Arrival Hall, between gates 7 and 8. Suvarnabhumi Airport (please call +66 (0) 84 700 4376 or +66 (0) 84 700 4380 for assistance),
Samut Prakan ,
タイ 10540

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4376 +66 (0) 84 700 4380

Opening Hours

Daily 24 hours

Car Rental Donmuang Airport: Make a Reservation at Donmuang Airport | Drive Car Rental

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Domestic Terminal (Building 2), 3rd Floor, Exit 11 (near the Information Counter). (please call +66 (0) 84 700 4378 for assistance),
Bangkok ,
タイ 10210

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4378 +66 (0) 2 044 7277

Opening Hours

Daily 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM

Bangkok – Donmuang Office

自宅住所

73 Choet Wutthakat Rd, Don Muang Office located next from Donmuang District Office 1 KM. (Nearby SRT Red Line Donmuang Station Exit 2) (please call +66 (0) 2 044 7277 or +66 (0) 84 700 4378 for assistance),
Bangkok ,
タイ 10210

電話

+66 (0) 2 044 7277 +66 (0) 84 700 4378

Opening Hours

Daily 8.00 am - 6.00 pm

BKK Car Rental: Bangkok Srinakarin Car Hire Office

自宅住所

727 Srinakarin Rd. Suanlang Office located in Nissan Showroom Srinakarin Road (Nearby MRT Yellow Line Kalantan Station Exit 1) (Between Thanya Park shopping Mall and Bangchak gas station) (please call +66 (0) 84 700 4375 for assistance),
Bangkok ,
タイ 10250

電話

+66 (0) 2 821 5992 +66 (0) 847 004 375

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Bangkok – On Nut BTS Station

自宅住所

Pick up instruction: Meet & Greet at Lotus Parking BTS On Nut Station (please call +66 84 700 4375 for assistance),
Bangkok ,
タイ 10110

電話

+66 84 700 4375

Opening Hours

Daily: 9.00 - 17.00 H.

Bangkok – BTS PHAHON YOTHIN 24

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: in front of Ratchayothin Hills A representative will meet you. please call +66 84 700 4378 for assistance,
Bangkok ,
タイ 10900

電話

+66 84 700 4375

Opening Hours

Daily: 9.00-17.00

BKK – Phayathai Car Rental

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai The Unicorn Building, Phaya Thai Road. A representative will meet you. (please call +66 84 700 4375 for assistance),
Bangkok ,
タイ 10400

電話

+66 84 700 4375

Opening Hours

Daily: 9.00 - 17.00 H.

Bangkok – Sathorn Car Rental Service

自宅住所

Pickup guidelines: Meet & Greet at Sathorn Thani Tower, North Sathon Rd. You are welcome to wait at the nearby Starbucks. (please call +66 84 700 4375 for assistance),
Bangkok ,
タイ 10500

電話

+66 84 700 4375

Opening Hours

Daily: 9.00 - 17.00 H.

Bangkok – Singha Complex

自宅住所

Meet & Greet at Singha Complex, New Phetchaburi Rd. A representative will meet you. (please call +66 84 700 4375 for assistance),
Bangkok ,
タイ 10310

電話

+66 84 700 4375

Opening Hours

Daily: 9.00 - 17.00 H.

Nonthaburi – MRT Muang Thong Thani

自宅住所

Meet & Greet at Bangchak Gas Station Chaeng Watthana 38 (1 station away from M1 station) A representative will meet you. please call +66 84 700 4378 for assistance,
Nonthaburi ,
タイ 11120

電話

+66(0)84 700 4378 

Opening Hours

Daily: 9.00-17.00 h.

Nonthaburi – Car rental with Delivery service

自宅住所

Meet & Greet at the Bang Yai Market Station, MRT Purple Line, Exit 4. A representative will meet you. (please call +66 84 700 4378 for assistance),
Nonthaburi ,
タイ 11140

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4378

Opening Hours

daily 09:00-16:00 h.

Buri Ram Airport (Partner Location)

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Burirum Airport, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall, Flight number mandatory. please call +66 (0) 966 236 964 or +66 (0) 639 306 097 for assistance,
Burirum ,
タイ 31150

電話

+66 (0) 966 236 964 +66 (0) 639 306 097

Opening Hours

Daily: 08:00 - 17:00

Car Rental Chiang Mai: Rent Cars at Chiang Mai Airport

自宅住所

Arrival Hall Fl.,1 International Terminal between Gate 8-9, Chiang Mai Airport (Please call +66 (0) 8 4700 4384 for assistance),
Chiang Mai ,
タイ 50200

電話

+66 (0) 5 327 1293 +66 (0) 84 700 4384 

Opening Hours

Daily 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Chiang Mai Office – Delivery service

自宅住所

Our office located in Bangchak gas station (Please call +66 (0) 8 4700 4384 for assistance) 218 Moo 10, Chiang Mai-Hang Dong Road, Pa Daed Subdistrict,. Mueang Chiangmai,
Chiang Mai ,
タイ 50300

電話

66 (0) 84 700 4384

Opening Hours

Open daily 08:00-17:00

Car Rental Chiang Rai Airport

自宅住所

Meet&Greet: Arrival Hall, Exit 2 Chaing Rai Airport (Please call +66 (0) 8 4700 4381 for assistance),
Chiang Rai ,
タイ 57100

電話

+66 (0) 5 379 3683 +66 (0) 84 700 4381 

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Pattaya Downtown

自宅住所

The office is located at 212/14-15 Moo 5, Pattaya-North Road, (Opposite Terminal 21 shopping mall). (please call +66 (0) 84 700 4385 for assistance),
North Pattaya ,
タイ 20150

電話

+66 (0) 3 841 6125 +66 (0) 84 700 4385

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Central Chonburi (Delivery / Pick up service)

自宅住所

Delivery and pick-up service,
Chonburi ,
タイ 20150

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4385

Opening Hours

Daily: 9.00-17.00 H.

Chumphon Airport (Partner Location)

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Chumphon Airport, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall. Flight number mandatory. Please call +66 (0) 854 739 885 or +66 (0) 813 677 956 for assistance,
Chumphon ,
タイ 86160

電話

+66 (0) 854 739 885 +66 (0) 813 677 956

Opening Hours

Daily: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

Car Hire Services: Car Rental U-Tapao Airport

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: U-Tapao Airport A representative will meet you at the arrival hall, Flight number mandatory. (please call +66 (0) 84 700 4385 for assistance),
Rayang ,
タイ 21130

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4385

Opening Hours

Open daily: 8:30 - 17:30 H.

Car Hire Krabi Airport

自宅住所

The counter is located on the 1st floor of the Domestic Arrival Hall, Krabi Airport. (Please Call +66 (0) 8 4700 4383 for assistance),
Krabi ,
タイ 81130

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4383

Opening Hours

Daily 7:00 AM - 21:00 PM

Car Hire Services: Car Rental Khon Kaen Airport

自宅住所

Counter is located on 1st Floor Arrival Hall. Please call +66 (0) 94 980 1666 for assistance,
Khon Kaen ,
タイ 40000

電話

+66 (0)94 980 1666

Opening Hours

Daily: 08.00-19.00 H.

Car Hire in Phuket: Find a Car Rental, Phuket Airport Thailand | Drive Car Rental

自宅住所

The counter is located on the 1st Floor of International Terminal Arrival Hall Phuket Airport (Please call +66 (0) 8 4700 4387 or +66 (0) 8 4700 4389 for assistance),
Phuket ,
タイ 83110

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4387 +66 (0) 84 700 4389

Opening Hours

Daily 7:00 am - 12:00 am (midnight)

Car Rental Phuket Patong Thailand | Drive Car Rental & Hire

自宅住所

Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, Patong Counter located at Lobby Area 1st Floor (Please call +66 (0) 84 700 4386 for assistance),
Patong ,
タイ 83150

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4386

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Car Hire Khao Lak – PTT Station Car Rental

自宅住所

Meet & Greet at PTT station (PTT Khuk Khak) A representative will meet you. Please call +66 (0) 948189944 for assistance,
Phang Nga ,
タイ 23150

電話

+66 (0) 948189944

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Hat Yai Car Rental: Car Hire Services at Hat Yai Airport

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Hat Yai Airport A representative will meet you at the arrival hall Exit 7-8, Flight number mandatory. (please call +66 (0) 94 429 6688 for assistance),
Hat Yai ,
タイ 90115

電話

+66 (0) 94 429 6688

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Hua Hin Airport

自宅住所

Meet & Greet at Hua Hin Airport Location, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall, meeting point. Please call +66 (0) 84 700 4375 for assistance ,
Hua Hin ,
タイ 77110

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4375

Opening Hours

Daily: 10.30 - 16.00

Lampang Airport (Partner Location)

自宅住所

490 Highway Lampang-Ngao Road, Tambon Phra Bat, Amphoe Mueang,
Lampang ,
タイ 52000

電話

+66 (0) 97 996 8499 +66 (0) 97 958 8798

Opening Hours

Daily 8:30 - 18:00

Loei Airport (Partner Location)

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Loei Airport, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall. Flight number mandatory. Please call +66 (0) 944 573 222 for assistance,
Loei ,
タイ 42000

電話

+66 (0) 944 573 222 +66 (0) 883 271 940

Opening Hours

Daily: 24 hours

Nakhon Phanom Airport

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Nakhon Phanom Airport, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall. Flight number mandatory. Please call +66 (0)81 970 6551 for assistance,
Nakhon Phanom ,
タイ 48000

電話

+66 (0)81 970 6551

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport

自宅住所

Meet & Greet at Arrival Hall, A representative will meet you. Flight number mandatory Please call +66 (0) 94 684 5252 for assistance,
Nakhon Si Thammarat ,
タイ 80120

電話

+66 (0) 94 684 5252

Opening Hours

Daily: 8.00-18.00 H.

Phitsanulok Car Rental (Partner Location)

自宅住所

Please visit the "M Transport" counter situated in the arrivals terminal building. For any assistance, feel free to call +6681-348-5445.,
Phitsanulok ,
タイ 65000

電話

+66 (0) 81-348-5445

Opening Hours

Daily: 08.00-18.30

Phrae Airport (Partner Location)

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Phrae Airport, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall. Flight number mandatory. Please call +66 (0) 86 421 6498 or +66 (0) 92 969 6159 for assistance,
Phrae ,
タイ 54000

電話

+66 (0) 86 421 6498 +66 (0) 92 969 6159

Opening Hours

Daily: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Phuket – Bang Rong Pier

自宅住所

Meet & Greet at Bang Rong Pier. A representative will meet you. please call +66 84 700 4389 for assistance,
Phuket ,
タイ 83110

電話

+66 (0) 8-4700-4387 +66 (0) 8-4700-4389

Opening Hours

Daily: 09.00-17.00 H.

Ranong Airport (Partner Location)

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Ranong Airport, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall. Flight number mandatory. Please call +66 (0) 86 277 8501 for assistance,
Ranong ,
タイ 85000

電話

+66 (0) 862 778 501

Opening Hours

Daily: 08.00-17.00 H.

Roi Et Airport (Partner Location)

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Roi Et Airport, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall. Flight number mandatory. Please call +66 (0) 966 236 964 or +66 (0) 639 306 097 for assistance,
Roi Et ,
タイ 45000

電話

+66 (0) 966 236 964 +66 (0) 639 306 097

Opening Hours

Daily: 08:00 - 17:00

Sakon Nakhon Airport

自宅住所

Meet & Greet: Sakon Nakhon Airport, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall. Flight number mandatory. Please call +66 (0)81 970 6551 for assistance,
Sakon Nakhon ,
タイ 54000

電話

+66 (0)81 970 6551

Opening Hours

Daily: 08:00 - 17:00

Sukhothai Airport (Partner Location)

自宅住所

Meet & Greet at Airport Location, A representative will meet you at the arrival hall, meeting point 89/7 Moo4, Jarodviteetong rd. Thani, Mueang ,
Sukhothai ,
タイ 64000

電話

+66 (0) 828 521 732

Opening Hours

Daily: 06:00-19:00

Car Rental Koh Samui: Rent a Car at Samui Airport

自宅住所

The counter is located in the Arrival Hall at Samui Airport. (Please call +66 (0) 84 700 4388 for assistance),
Koh Samui ,
タイ 84320

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4388

Opening Hours

Daily 08:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Samui – Bophut Office

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4388

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Car Rental Surat Thani Airport- Great Value Car Hire

電話

+66 (0)81 970 5745

Opening Hours

Daily: 08.00-20.00 H.

Tak – Mae Sot Airport (Partner Location)

電話

+66 (0) 868 985 606

Opening Hours

Daily: 08:00 - 18:00

Trang Airport

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4383

Opening Hours

Daily: 9.00-17.00 H.

Trat Airport

電話

+66 (0) 84 700 4385

Opening Hours

Daily 11:00 AM - 15:30 PM

Car Rental Ubon Ratchathani Airport

電話

+66 (0) 94 848 4455

Opening Hours

Daily: 08.00-18.00 H.

Udon Thani Airport

電話

+66 (0) 81 970 6551

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

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