A British family has revealed why they sold all their belongings and moved to Thailand to start afresh.
Jasmine Riam, a mum-of-two, recently relocated from the UK to Thailand and shared what it takes to start fresh in Southeast Asia.
Jasmine and her husband didn’t take the decision to relocate lightly, but they both felt like they weren’t spending enough time as a family in the UK.
She told transport company Omio: ‘My husband and I had been talking for a long time about moving away to create a better life for ourselves and our young children.
‘He works incredibly hard, yet by the end of each month, we were often left with little to nothing, and even less time to truly enjoy life together as a family.
‘We had a nice life in the UK, but the weather, rising costs, and a growing sense that we wanted more began to weigh on us.
‘The moment everything became clear was after praying and watching things align. My husband’s work began to slow down in the UK, and we both felt a deep sense of peace that this was the right next step for our family.’
Jasmine shared the journey it took to relocate with her family.
Jasmine Riam, a mum-of-two, recently relocated from the UK to Thailand
She said: ‘Being half Thai made the idea of moving feel more achievable, and slowly, the possibility turned into a real plan. I’ve always wanted to explore this side of my culture more deeply.
‘Growing up in the UK, I had only ever experienced Thailand through holidays, so living here felt like something that had always been calling me. My husband also loves Thailand, which made the decision even easier.
‘The people are incredibly friendly, life is far more affordable, the weather is beautiful, and there is so much for us to do and experience together as a family.’
For Jasmine and her family, life in Thailand is at a completely different pace, and their everyday life looks much more peaceful.
She said: ‘Our wellness routine is amazing. We take turns to go to the gym each morning, go on long walks along the beach with the children, and make time for relaxing massages.
‘We’ve had so much more quality time together as a family, and it’s been such a gift. It’s been really nice to slow down to wake up early, read the Bible, and pray together. We’re feeling refreshed, grounded, and grateful, and we’re really looking forward to connecting with a new church here as well.
‘A slower-paced life and more time to spend with each other has been exactly what we needed. We’re no longer constantly in a rush, and instead feel more relaxed, present, and at ease. The mental load is finally starting to lift, and the sunshine is making us all happier too!’
Relocating didn’t come without sacrifices, with Jasmine stating that they had to sell almost all of their belongings.
Jasmine and her husband didn’t take the decision lightly – but took the plunge
Life is far more affordable and the weather is beautiful in Thailand
‘The relocation happened quickly – within six months, we had booked our flights and were actively moving forward. We already had some savings, but we also decided to fully commit by selling almost everything we owned – our car, many personal belongings and even our son’s quad bike.
‘I sold clothes on Vinted and we cleared out anything no longer needed. We also filled bags and bags for charity. After this, we had roughly between £5,000–£10,000 in savings.
‘We truly sold everything, and surprisingly, it felt incredibly freeing. I had been holding onto things for years without realising how much they were weighing me down. Decluttering and moving toward a more minimal lifestyle felt so good – lighter, clearer, and more intentional.
‘There haven’t been any unexpected expenses so far, but when you first arrive, it’s easy to spend more than planned. Rent is usually the biggest cost, and day-to-day expenses can slowly add up if you’re not careful.’
The hardest part, though, was leaving family behind.
Jasmine added: ‘We’re incredibly close to both sides, and saying goodbye was heartbreaking.
‘We miss them more than we ever imagined, but we’re grateful that we can FaceTime regularly and stay connected. Their love and support has meant everything to us, and we already look forward to them coming to visit us.’
According to Jasmine, the best advice for anyone looking to relocate is just to go for it.
The family relocated in order to spend more time together and improve their quality of life
‘Go for it. Sometimes it takes actually moving away to realise that change really is possible. Change is the catalyst, and at times, you simply have to take that leap of faith. If it doesn’t work out, what’s the worst that can happen?
‘Be wise and prepared, make sure you have enough savings and budget realistically.
‘While Thailand is more affordable, costs can add up quickly if you’re not mindful. Stay humble, stay grounded, and enjoy the process. It’s also important to have the correct paperwork and visas in place.
‘Respecting the culture and the Thai people is also vital – Thailand is a beautiful, calm place to live, and you’ll be welcomed with open arms.’
