For 28-year-old Carissa Chan and her 31-year-old partner Darryl Ng, moving from Singapore to Bangkok with their dog three months ago turned a distant dream into reality, according to AsiaOne. After renting together in Singapore for two years, the couple faced a looming lease end and high rental costs, prompting them to look abroad for their next home.
Shortlisting Bangkok Over Kuala Lumpur
The couple initially shortlisted Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, visiting both cities to view apartments and evaluate local life. Speaking to AsiaOne, Darryl noted that Kuala Lumpur felt too similar to Singapore. “We want something more exciting, a new experience or adventure,” he said. Bangkok won them over with its food, culture, and lifestyle, having already visited the Thai capital at least three times a year on regular holidays, including trips to Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Remote Work and Logistics Planning
Relocating did not disrupt their careers because both are self-employed and work remotely. Carissa runs an e-commerce business, while Darryl runs a children’s enrichment business focusing on education centres. Although the move was spontaneous, sorting out logistics took about five months. Planning began in January ahead of a May relocation. The couple secured a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for extended stays and handled pet transport logistics—including health documents, vaccination records, a Singapore export permit, Thailand import permit, and a flight-approved pet carrier—to bring their dog along.
Navigating Apartment-Hunting Leaps of Faith
Apartment hunting from Singapore proved nerve-wracking. Darryl recalled being asked to transfer money directly to an unfamiliar landlord before arriving in Bangkok, raising concerns about online rental scams. “The agent themselves, some of them don’t even have a real estate licence, which is very different from Singapore,” he said. “I got very scared.” Despite his worries, he made the transfer, calling it one of the toughest parts of the relocation due to the uncertainty.
Lifestyle Shifts and Value in Bangkok
Life in Bangkok looks starkly different from their routine in Singapore. Carissa noted that she now goes out more frequently rather than staying cooped up at home to avoid high local spending. She feels more liberated to explore, and the couple has joined running clubs, played pickleball, and made new friends. Darryl emphasized that the change offered a chance to live a new identity away from the routine of work, movies, and home. While living expenses have not dropped dramatically, they feel they extract more value from their spending. Housing costs illustrate the shift: they traded a $2,500 monthly HDB flat rental in Singapore for a $1,200 monthly condominium in Bangkok which comes with facilities. Transport, dining, and date nights—which cost about half of a $100 Singapore date—are also cheaper, allowing the couple to save an estimated $2,000 per month.
Future Plans and Global Citizenship
The couple plans to stay in Bangkok for about two years, though that timeline remains flexible as they experience the city. Regular trips back to Singapore allow them to visit friends and family, which Carissa noted is one of the hardest parts of living abroad. Looking further ahead, Darryl views the relocation as a step toward “global citizenship.” With children in their future plans, they are open to raising a family across different locations while maintaining Singapore as a base for family support, potentially considering places like Australia next.