Retire In Thailand

most of them get a condo in Hua Hin

I would say that you must choose according to your likes – many expats enjoy the Lanna Culture and expat activities in Chiang Mai –

others prefer to be at the sea – -

come have a look – -

Pattaya is popular with retirees. There are modern malls, cheap transportation, cheap restaurants and an easy relaxed life. Pattaya is only around 2 hours from Bangkok if you need hospitals or city life. But, like the other posts mention, you can find retirees all over Thailand. Some marry a local village girl and head back to her part of Thailand and enjoy the rural life some people prefer the city life. I have noticed retired women living in Pattaya too. Sometimes they have a younger Thai boyfriend to take care of their “needs.” Phuket is popular with women too!

Most of the retirees in Thailand are over 50 years old unless they have some sort of medical retirement or other government structured pensions. There are regulations which you have to abide by to reside in Thailand for a long time.

You can check these links for some additional information.

Good luck.

The most popular Thai destination for retirement are usually some big city and the most important touristic areas.
Thailand offer many services only on those places, if you go out in the country side will be more difficult because lack of infrastructures, supermarkets, hospitals, etc.

Depending where people love to retire. Chiang Mai is a good place if you like to mountain and jungle.
Some people like to stay in the city, then Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin could be the right places.
If you like the beach area and the sea, Phuket and Koh Samui are also 2 places where many foreigner use to retire.
I suggest you to visit any of the places mentioned above and then decide by yourself.
All of them offer good services like hospitals, supermarkets with foreigner food, cinemas, western restaurants, easy transportation by plane and good selection of houses and apartments for lease.

The main centres seem to be (and a condo in these places start at the very loso end at 3million baht.) these centres generally have a higher cost of living. And a high xpat population.
Pataya. (expensive)
Bangkok (expensive)
Phuket (exp$)
Samui ($)
Rayong (nearly as expensive)
Hua Hin (expensive)
Chiang Mai (nearly as expensive)
Udon Tani (much cheaper)

Other areas seem to be developing greater interest due to the fact that these areas infrastructure are developing rapidly and prices are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper for land, rent, food etc are:
Khon Kaen,
Korat,
Nong Kai,
Chantaburi
Chumphon
Koh Chang
anywhere in Essarn
Kanchanaburi
That said Expats retire all over the country. (Laos is also becoming more popular across the river from Nong Kai)
The fact that you are asking would seem to say that you are not very familiar with the country and I hope you put considerable research into the matter. (if you are planing on purchasing or if you have any medical issues)
renting is uually a very good idea and very cheap. A nice fully furnished 3+ bedroom house fully furnished in any of the second bracket of locations should be 5000thb or less. (perhaps 3000thb)
Most locations have xpat online forums which if you can throw away some of the jaded opinions can have a wealth of information. ( a lot of people on forums have had bad experiences hence why they are there, they dont necesarily represent the majority of opinions) that said there is some very very useful info on the main expat forum:
and on other more localised xpat forum boards.
some idea of rented accom. costs can be found on