A LH at TG makes ~$100k tax free (I guess they consider airborne not taxable), and cost of living is..well a tad lower than in the GCC.
You need however, to speak thai and hold a thai passport.
There are many opportunities outside the gulf but once settled in it becomes pretty much a frog situation.
Throw a frog into boiling water and it jumps out. Throw it in cold water and heat up, it gets warm and cosy until the water is boiling and then it's to late.