Bangkok vs Phuket for a high earner: tax, residence, cost, and life compared

	Bangkok	Phuket
Effective tax at $300K	30%	30%
Effective tax at $1M	34%	34%
Effective tax at $3M	35%	35%
Kept at $1M	$665K	$665K
Capital gains	35%	35%
Cost index (Zurich 100)	52	50
Safety	6/10	6/10
Schools	8/10	6/10
Sun hours	2,620	2,700
Supercar street index	#45	#80
Routes in	Golden visa, Remote work visa	Golden visa, Remote work visa
Net millionaire inflow 2025 (country, Henley)	n/a	n/a
Flight London	12.6	13
Flight New York	17.9	18.6

Simplified marginal model, indicative 2026 brackets, non-US single filer, no social contributions, deductions, wealth taxes, or treaties.

Verdicts

Who should pick which.

For an executive on salary

Phuket keeps more of a $1M salary, $0 a year on this model. Bangkok answers with schools.

For a founder with an exit

Capital gains land at 35% in both. The order of operations, move then sell or sell then move, decides more than the rate. Neither city taxes wealth as such.

For a family

Bangkok leads on schools, Phuket on a lower cost and sun. Safety is level.

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Tax figures use a simplified marginal model with indicative 2026 brackets for a non-US single filer, ignore social contributions, most deductions, wealth taxes, and treaties, and are not advice. Residence rules change often. Verify before acting.