I appreciate the fact that I live in the real part of Thailand, with real Thai people.
Many tourists that come to Thailand have no idea about Thailand outside of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket or any of the other tourists zone.
They formulate their love from Thailand from these tourists experiences.
However, over the long term, there is nothing even close to living in the real Thailand, the rural areas.
The advantages are abundant including the lowest living costs in the country.
Rural people are marvelously friendly and willing to give a helping hand at a moments notice.
Traffic is none existent and crime is extremely low.
Rural Thailand is where you can live normally, as close to your home country as possible.
Own land, own a house, and have plenty of space to do your own thing.
Fruit trees, vegetables, fish ponds, etc. you really can be self-sufficient.
Rural living is the absolute cheapest in Thailand and you would be amazed how cheap you can live.
The tourists areas are a heck of lot of fun, however, as you get older and long for peace and quiet, rural Thailand is where you should be looking for the long term.