Moving to El Salvador from Thailand

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What to Expect

A comprehensive look at what changes when you move from Thailand to El Salvador — from daily expenses to quality of life.

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

How Thailand and El Salvador stack up on safety, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

TH
4.8
SV
7.8
Feel safe walking at night United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

of residents who feel safe walking alone at night

TH
67%
SV
38%

Thailand generally does better on safety, though El Salvador leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

TH
$1,067
SV
$1,176
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

TH
9.3
SV
15.5

Thailand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though El Salvador leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

TH
29.0
SV
31.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

TH
4.0t
SV
1.5t

Thailand generally does better on environment, though El Salvador leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

TH
17.5
SV
10.6
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

TH
23.0%
SV
13.2%

Thailand generally does better on infrastructure, though El Salvador leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

TH
0.9%
SV
2.8%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TH
$21,100
SV
$11,300

Thailand generally does better on employment & economy, though El Salvador leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

TH
77.7 yrs
SV
75.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TH
6.5
SV
12.1

Thailand generally does better on family life, though El Salvador leads in education spending.

Data: The Revenue Department, Government of Thailand, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Bangkok Rain: 59.0 in/yr (1498 mm)
91° / 75°F

Avg. annual high / low

San Salvador Rain: 70.0 in/yr (1777 mm)
87° / 66°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Bangkok San Salvador
Jan–Mar 91°/74°F (33°/23°C) 89°/64°F (32°/18°C)
Apr–Jun 93°/78°F (34°/26°C) 88°/68°F (31°/20°C)
Jul–Sep 90°/77°F (32°/25°C) 86°/67°F (30°/20°C)
Oct–Dec 89°/73°F (32°/23°C) 86°/65°F (30°/18°C)
View all months
Month Bangkok San Salvador
Jan 90°/70°F (32.0°/21.0°C) 87°/62°F (30.8°/16.9°C)
Feb 91°/74°F (32.7°/23.3°C) 90°/64°F (32.0°/17.6°C)
Mar 93°/77°F (33.7°/24.9°C) 91°/65°F (32.7°/18.4°C)
Apr 95°/79°F (34.9°/26.1°C) 91°/68°F (32.7°/19.8°C)
May 93°/78°F (34.0°/25.6°C) 88°/69°F (31.1°/20.4°C)
Jun 92°/78°F (33.1°/25.4°C) 86°/68°F (30.1°/20.1°C)
Jul 91°/77°F (32.7°/25.0°C) 87°/67°F (30.3°/19.5°C)
Aug 90°/77°F (32.5°/24.9°C) 87°/67°F (30.4°/19.7°C)
Sep 90°/76°F (32.3°/24.6°C) 85°/67°F (29.5°/19.6°C)
Oct 90°/76°F (32.0°/24.3°C) 85°/67°F (29.5°/19.4°C)
Nov 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.1°C) 86°/65°F (29.9°/18.4°C)
Dec 88°/69°F (31.3°/20.8°C) 86°/63°F (30.1°/17.4°C)

Data: Thai Meteorological Department Thai Meteorological Department, Gerencia de Meteorología Gerencia de Meteorología

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Thailand passport

Thailand passport holder visiting El Salvador

Visa Required
Thailand passport holders need a visa to enter El Salvador.
El Salvador passport

El Salvador passport holder visiting Thailand

Visa on Arrival
El Salvador passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from El Salvador?

With 10.6 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, El Salvador can support video calls in major cities. The hard part is paperwork — visa category, employer policy on overseas staff, and tax residency in Thailand and El Salvador.

Is El Salvador safe for expats?

Thailand generally does better on safety, though El Salvador leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in El Salvador is 7.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 4.8 in Thailand. About 38% of people in El Salvador feel safe walking alone at night.

How is healthcare in El Salvador compared to Thailand?

Thailand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though El Salvador leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 15.5 doctors per 10,000 people in El Salvador, compared to 9.3 in Thailand. El Salvador scores 78 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Thailand: 82).

What's the weather like in El Salvador compared to Thailand?

The average high temperature in San Salvador is 87°F, compared to 91°F in Bangkok. San Salvador receives around 70.0 in of rainfall per year, while Bangkok gets 59.0 in.

What language do they speak in El Salvador?

The official language in El Salvador is Spanish. In Thailand, the official language is Thai.

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At a Glance

TH SV
Population 69,648,117 6,568,745
Currency Thai Baht (THB) Salvadoran Colón (SVC)
Languages Thai Spanish
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +66 +503
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 191 911