KhunHeineken

It's not just me putting the visa "down." The stats show it was not so popular. You even said that yourself. Many people, including myself, qualified, but didn't go for it. I could have that visa if I wanted it. I stuck with the devil I know. I repeat, I have yet to meet any foreigners admit to making a bad decision here and losing.

Which can be purchased through an agent by someone on a 30 day visa exemption stamp. Yet, many view it as "permanent." It's those people who disagree that a retirement visa / extension is nothing more than a 12 month tourist visa. You are also missing the point. Here's an example. Say an individual has absolutely no interest in living in Thailand full time, but likes to holiday to Thailand a few times a year. On his 30 day visa exemption stamp, he can get a sim card, open a bank account, buy a motorcycle, get a Thai drivers license, buy a condo, sign a lease etc etc. I have conceded, in multiple posts, a retirement visa / extension does give an individual the ability to live in Thailand without leaving Thailand. However, can you tell something else that someone on a 30 day visa exemption stamp CAN NOT do in relation to setting up full time living in Thailand, without actually living in Thailand full time? This is the point I am making.

Good post. Can I ask which airport? I have a friend that holidays here three times a year.

I said open a bank account. I didn't nominate a bank. So you agree it can be done on a 30 day visa exemption stamp.

You do know you can pay an agent to go from a 30 day visa exemption stamp to a retirement visa, right?

Where's the link to the Go Fund Me page?

Maybe because he is the richest man in the world and has multiple companies around the world.

This is your opinion. Many who could meet the criteria, including myself, didn't go for it. Why? You need to broaden your circle of acquaintances. Says you, but you don't have many acquaintances, so how would you know? Yes, I wish you would do the same.

Sells what, exactly? What are your fears?

Had to laugh at your lack of comprehension. I didn't say he was smart, I said his advisors are smart. That's what you get when you can pay top dollar. Read it again.

I conceded this from the start. What else. Come on, should be easy. Most have no need for one with an agent. Come on, there must be more things, surely. So? You admit it can be done, that's my point. I am not talking about costs. I am talking about the ability of someone on a 30 day visa exempt stamp to do the same things as someone on a retirement visa. So far, you have come up with very little they can not do. Where's the big list of differences????

And I just asked you to name something else. I conceded this, but also said agents could fix it, but I'll concede anyway. Name something else. Can you name something else? Shouldn't be too difficult, the retirement visa being so supreme and all. Right, so it can be done. That proves my point. Yes, all very relevant to most expats. Yes, but worthless. Many have no need. Simple as that. So, now it's all about the yellow book, not the retirement visa. Nice try, but let's get back to general case scenarios and not $40k USD stock trading. Talk about a deflection.

Addressed that in another post. I agree. I have never said "living" in Thailand on 30 day visa exemption stamps was an option. I asked about what extra "rights" does a retirement visa holder have that someone on a 30 day visa exemption stamp have, other than not having to leave Thailand and getting a 5 year driving license as opposed to a 2 year driving license. Simple question, really. Nothing paying an agent can't fix. Do you deny this?

Just addressed that in a post. Not having to leave Thailand, and a 5 year driving license, as opposed to a 2 year driving license. That's it. Can you think of any other thing the retirement visa holder can do that a 30 day visa exempt stamp holder can not do? It can be done with an agent, therefore it can be done. Do you agree? Yes, or no? Same thing, agents cover it, therefore, why would one need a yellow book? Everything can be done here by someone with no more than a 30 days visa exemption stamp. You said it yourself, with the assistance of an agent. One can even go from a 30 day visa exemption stamp to a retirement visa. Costly, but can be done. So, please do tell me, what can someone on a retirement visa do that someone on a 30 day visa exemption stamp not do, other than the two things I have mentioned?

Well, who am I to argue with a Mod, but think about it. It's been 800k / 65k for decades, yes, decades. You know this. The 800k / 65k is supposed to be / prove what you are / can live on in Thailand. The cost of living all around the world, including Thailand, has gone up significantly in the decades since the 800k / 65k was introduced. It can't stay at 800k / 65k forever, can it? It's probably due, if not overdue, for an increase. I remember this debate some time ago. The result, after many posts from many members, was the only extra benefit was not having to leave Thailand, and getting 5 year driving license as opposed to a 2 year license. That was it. Other than the above, a person on a 30 day tourist exemption stamp could do anything and everything someone on a retirement visa could do. Eg. sim card, buy a vehicle, buy a property, rent a property etc etc.

I'm not pro crypto, but it's clear you are anti crypto, probably because you do not understand it. Many governments around the world are looking towards a cashless society in the future, and that does not mean Visa or MasterCard. They are looking towards having their own central bank issue their own currency in crypto. Blockchain technology has many benefits.

You missed the part about him being the richest man in the world, therefore, he can afford to pay the best advisors, and those guys are smart.

If a company collapses, shareholders are lucky to get 5 cents on the dollar. Have you seen what happens where there is a "bubble" and it bursts?

You do know that a lot of companies are investing in crypto, right? Probably the same companies you are investing in.

The retirement visa / extension appears to be stable, and has been for many years. So much so, in my opinion, I think at some stage in the future the 800k / 65k will have to increase. Maybe something like 1 million / 80k, but that is for another thread. Just be aware the retirement visa gives you no more rights here than someone on a 30 day visa exemption stamp, except for getting a 5 year Thai drivers license, as opposed to a 2 year driving license. It is, in effect, nothing more than a 12 month tourist visa.

I'm bringing it up with you, because you are the one singing its praises. Sure, I would accept that. So why doesn't Thailand attract wealthy retirees, and to this visa class? I have yet to meet a foreigner ever admit to making a bad decision in Thailand. I didn't know there were any complaints. I thought everyone was "content." Huh? Sad, or happy, I'll just stick to the truth / facts.

I wish them well, and hope the Thai government maintains this visa class for them.

Live music is one of my favorite things about Pattaya. Also, all the different cuisines here. Restaurants representing a lot of different countries here. It's great. I used to go to the Wonderful Bar 1 and 2 on 2nd Road sometimes, but the bands there dropped off, and the traffic just a few meters away picked up. Not so pleasant anymore.

Now, getting back on topic. What happens if / when they stop issuing this visa?

Have you seen the price of lamb in Australia lately?