Social media platform Xiaohongshu, Mainland China’s local version of Instagram, is abuzz with the benefits of emigrating to Thailand according to a new report in Al Jazeera. Influencers on the platform are talking about Thailand while painting a picture of paradise that promises something for everyone: for stressed-out parents, cheap international schools and the possibility of remote work in an exotic locale await. Meanwhile, for retirees, a land where there’s affordable healthcare just a stone’s throw from the beach.
“We don’t need our kids to ‘win’ before reaching the finish line,” says one influencer in a video on Xiaohongshu, showcasing an idyllic-looking Finnish International School in Phuket where English is spoken and students come from around the world. “Our kids don’t have to have the highest grades or be the most disciplined. We just want them to enjoy life and be happy.”
This buzz on Xiaohongshu comes while China is reopening its borders after three years of strict pandemic controls. Chinese authorities have started renewing passports and scrapping quarantine on arrival allowing Chinese citizens to travel outside of the country again. As a result, tens of millions of affluent Chinese are expected to flood popular holiday destinations in the coming weeks and months.
However, for some Chinese citizens, a holiday is not enough. They’re preparing to leave China for good according to their social media posts. They’re frustrated at a country that’s increasingly expensive, authoritarian, competitive, and difficult to raise a family or retire comfortably in. It’s unclear how many Chinese people have actually emigrated or are seriously considering it but social media posts discussing the possibility have trended on Chinese social media.
For affluent Chinese, Thailand is an attractive choice. It’s close to Thailand and, while the Thai property market is increasingly competitive, prices are still still a fraction of the price of what is available in China. China is already the biggest source of foreign buyers of Thai real estate. According to Thailand’s Real Estate Information Center, over 3,500 units were snapped up by Thai buyers in 2022 at an average of $150,000 each.
Thai tourism authorities expect about 300,000 visitors from China in the first three months of 2023 and five million over the year. Flights are gradually increasing including to smaller cities. Thailand took in 10 million Chinese visitors in 2019, making them the largest group of tourists to the country.
For investors in the Thai real estate market, the influx of Chinese citizens to the country is certainly something to keep an eye on along with the surge in interest from crypto investors. Chinese citizens have consistently been the largest group of foreign buyers of property in Thailand, and this trend is likely to continue as more and more Chinese citizens look to relocate to the country.
That’s not to say that the Thai real estate market is without its challenges, however. Factors such as high household debt and the global economy can impact the export sector and subsequently, the real estate market. Land & Houses, a SET-listed developer in Thailand, recently announced plans to invest 9 billion baht ($289 million USD) in its property business this year, with a significant portion of the investment slated to go towards the development of three hotels.
However, the chairman of the company, Naporn Sunthornchitcharoen, also highlighted the need for caution, stating, “We believe that the tourism sector is experiencing good momentum as the number of tourist arrivals last year exceeded predictions, reaching 10 million visitors. However, we also have to be cautious about factors such as high household debt and the global economy that could impact the export sector and subsequently, the real estate market.”
Despite these challenges, the opportunities presented by the influx of Chinese citizens to Thailand are looking promising for both domestic and foreign investors. As more Chinese citizens look to relocate to Thailand, investors in the Thai real estate sector should keep a close eye on the trends and opportunities presented.
Bottom line
Influencers promoting the benefits of emigrating to Thailand are trending on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, according to a new report in Al Jazeera. Influencers on the platform are painting a picture of paradise that promises something for everyone, including cheap international schools, a slower pace of life, and affordable healthcare. As China reopens its borders after three years of strict pandemic controls, a large segment of affluent Chinese are expected to become expats in China further heating up a growing real estate market. With Chinese citizens already ranking as the largest group of foreign buyers of property in Thailand, this trend is likely to continue as more and more Chinese citizens look to relocate to the country.
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