Bragi Jonsson enjoys his new life in Thailand (Image: Supplied)
A former security guard who traded his European lifestyle for a sunny Southern Hemisphere destination has revealed the true cost of living there.
Bragi Jonsson, an Icelander who despises the bitter winter cold of his homeland, has been escaping south every winter since 2020, spending months at a time in Thailand. The 69-year-old finds affordable accommodation and passes his time unwinding, soaking up the tropical climate, and immersing himself in the local culture.
The Express spoke to Bragi during his latest visit to Pattaya, a lively coastal city on the Gulf of Thailand renowned for its bustling beaches, varied nightlife and the Big Buddha. “It is pretty nice. This is my fifth time I’ve come down here,” Bragi said whilst basking in the 30°C January sunshine. Bragi is amongst a growing number of Europeans who have made Thailand their home, at least for several months each year.
According to estimates, approximately five million foreigners reside in the country, with roughly 300,000 hailing from North America, Europe or Australia. One contributing factor is the more relaxed visa regulations introduced in 2024, with visa-free tourist access extended to 60 days from 30.
Bragi lives in Pattaya (Image: Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images)
The procedure has been further simplified through the introduction of the Thai e-Visa and a new Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system, although authorities are implementing stricter monitoring of extended “visa runs”.
Another significant factor – aside from the agreeable climate – is the affordability. “It is much cheaper to live down here than in the UK or Iceland. I’ve got a lovely place down here and it’s cheaper to go out dining than cooking at home,” Bragi explained.
“Food, for example, £4 for a course would be expensive. I like pad thai. A good steak with beer is £5. Altogether, it’s cheap living down here. If you really go local at the food stands, you can live cheap.”
Regarding beverages, a large bottle of Chang or Singha beer costs approximately 70 baht in shops – around £1.60 – though this roughly doubles at bars.
“There is a big nightclub further down the beach (in Pattaya), and it’s more expensive the closer you go to there. There’s a bar with ladies who look after you. Every bar lady tries to chat you up. It’s a nice gesture, but you have to tip them,” Bragi added.
Currently, Bragi pays £240 monthly for his studio apartment, which covers water, electricity, and internet.
Bragi, who hung up his work boots in 2021 following stints as a security guard in Iceland and within the hotel industry, said: “I never wanted to own anything. The most expensive thing I’ve owned is a car. I never wanted to own a property. I work and travel. I have a permanent address in Iceland and pre-settlement status in the UK, but I am hoping to move to Thailand longer term.”
When asked about any longing for his homeland, Bragi responded with a resounding “nothing”. He stated: “I wouldn’t survive up there. The rent is so expensive. And it is damn cold over there. My plan is at least seven/eight months in Thailand, maybe move around to Bali or Vietnam. I am definitely not going to Iceland. I don’t worry about anything. I am just living life.”
Bragi doesn’t own a property in Iceland. Instead, when he’s not soaking up the sun in Thailand, he globe-trots, house sitting for families in the UK and other parts of Europe through HouseSitMatch.
Having stayed in more than 70 properties, he has no plans to halt his nomadic lifestyle. This approach allows him to save on rent and utility bills while exploring new locales during his retirement.
His top tip for discovering unfamiliar areas is engaging in Geo Caching – a sort of treasure hunt using GPS on your mobile. He enthused: “It has taken me to so many places that I would never have known about, you can do it anywhere in the world and it keeps you fit and healthy – I see lots of families doing it too.”
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