Moving to Thailand from French Polynesia

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from French Polynesia to Thailand? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from French Polynesia to Thailand, and you’d need to navigate life in Thai. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Thailand compared to French Polynesia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2011

per 100,000 people per year

PF
0.3
TH
4.8

French Polynesia performs better than Thailand across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

PF
3.5t
TH
4.0t

French Polynesia performs better than Thailand across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

PF
25.6
TH
17.5
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

PF
72.7%
TH
85.0%

French Polynesia generally does better on infrastructure, though Thailand leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

PF
11.7%
TH
0.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

PF
$18,600
TH
$21,100

Thailand performs significantly better than French Polynesia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

PF
78.4 yrs
TH
77.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

PF
4.4
TH
6.5

French Polynesia performs better than Thailand across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between French Polynesia and Thailand. To live, work, or study long-term in Thailand, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Thailand's immigration authority.

Thailand passport

Thailand passport holder visiting French Polynesia

Visa Required
Thailand passport holders need a visa to enter French Polynesia.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Thailand?

Connectivity is usually fine (Thailand: 17.5 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Thailand offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Thailand safe for expats?

French Polynesia performs better than Thailand across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Thailand is 4.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.3 in French Polynesia.

What language do they speak in Thailand?

The official language in Thailand is Thai. In French Polynesia, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

PF TH
Population 299,356 69,648,117
Currency CFP Franc (CFPF) Thai Baht (THB)
Languages French Thai
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +689 +66
Time zones 3 1
Emergency number 191