khunPer

It's a good idea to rent something – as others have also mentioned – and test if you like Thailand for longer periods than a short holiday, before you decide to invest in property and move to here. Also, test different parts of the country, there can be huge differences. I did the same when I was in my 50s before I decided to settle. My initial choice of place to live showed to be not as good as imagened; I happily found some place much better. The easiest way to settle in Thailand is as retired – i.e. non-immigrant O-visa and annual extensions of stay bas4ed on retirement – when you are 50 years or older. It requires a bank deposit of 800,000 baht (around £18,2k) – for example in a fixed 12-month account for best interest – if you wish to sleep well and not think of topping up a deposit at right time or speculate about currency exchange rates for foreign income. As retired you are not allowed to work in Thailand, but unofficially a number does some online work for companies or clients abroad; just keep a low profile. Be aware of the upcoming new taxation rules, where all foreign income not covered by a double taxation agreement – even that it's savings – ara taxable in Thailand. Your circa 100,000 baht a month will equal an annual income of 1.2 million baht and might be taxed 115,000 baht of the first million over 210,000 baht – which is 60,000 baht personal deduction and 150,000 baht non taxable base income – any income above one million baht is income-taxed with 25 percent. The 65,000 baht requirement as official monthly income for a retired fits quite well for a relative good life in Thailand – of course depending of personal life-style and choices – so your circa 1.08 million baht after tax equals around 90,000 baht per month, which should be able to grant you a comfortable life.

I have a long-time past in the music business, and as Zappa perfectly explained it, we that originates from that kind of business business... –even it initially might have begun with a idealistic passion... However, underway it was also great cool fun...???????? My other jobs was primary from interest; i.e. airline, theatre and radio station. The first two also provided enough for living a modest life, the last costed me a lot of money, as I unfortunately ended up as owner... –however, I don't regret the radio station-period, as I both learned a lot and also got lots of good friends from that period...

About a week; i.e. i.e., around 7 days.

He can as already informer, get that from for example Thai International Hospital or Bandon Hospital...

Perhaps there were peanuts in the cannabis cake...

Real estate agents sometimes guarantee – no idea how they do, I wouldn't dare to believe in it... – a 6% payback on your investment for a condo to rent out. So your 600,000 baht suggestion – if you can find a condo in that price level for renting out – gives you 36,000 baht a year minus rental tax. It will take you 19 year to recover the investment after tax and without interest loss, if the 6% guarantee works. Including interest loss the investment outcome might be between zero and a loss; only if you can resell the condo for a higher price than you paid for it, it will be a win situation. Professional real estate investors in property for rent, calculates with rental income between 8% and 12% per year; i.e., in average 10% per year.

I'm happy that I'm not rich, so I don't have that kind of spending-problems to deal with...

I have good experiences, especially in Thailand...

The question is for Samui, not Bangkok.

It doesn't help telling what been done, if you are not a Samui resident and doing extensions of stay here. Samui Immigration rules matters, and you won't get extension of stay without following their rules, no matter what you and others think about the rules. There are little different regulations in different provinces' immigration departments.

Then it's a requirement, as you won't get your extension of stay based on retirement without it...

Price has increased to 300 baht (at least last Monday)...????

You can have the medical certificate issued at Thai International Hospital for 300 baht; if I remember correct, it has to be from a hospital. Remember to tell it's for "retirement extension". No blood test required. You just walk in without an appointment and it's all done in about 15 minutes. You can read more about this and other required documents in the pinned thread about Samui Immigration...

Apparently not a Dane. In the Thai Rath-article the man is Swedish, and his name is also typical Swedish...

I do mine every year before end of March, and I'm a retiree...

Nothing new with the 180 days rule, it's been there all the time, so of course you shall already have registered for income tax, if your stay here more than 180 days during a calendar year... The news thing is, that savings – which before were free of income tax when transferred into Thailand – might now be taxed...????

I must be a denier, as I just turned 74 and still plans 30 years ahead... My later father also didn't think much about age, so he never stopped playing tennis and continued till he was 104...????

Beaches start where the title deed ends. Its very often the case that they go inside what people call "a beach". Just because there's sand doesnt make it a public beach. There are no private islands in thailand, all you can own is a title deed on an island. Indeed there are – private islands – for example Koh Nangyuan. As I said, the Marine Department might also take some meters of "your beach"; they did it with mine, even there was – and still is – nice cement markers...

I'm pretty happy being in my early 70s (73-74) in 2023, I still feels like I'm 17...???????? –unfortunately some of the young girls might not see me equal their age anymore...????

Beaches in Thailand – apart from some private islands – belongs to the Marine Department. They even took part of lands with title deed.

Simple: If you don't like, don't visit it, or look for pictures and video...????

Overpopulation and politicians...????

The bad news is that your mia nois might wish a salary increase, as they will now be taxed on their foreign income... However, the good news is that you won't be double taxed on the money, you already paid tax from in US...

And I thought that beaches are public in Thailand – so, apparently I can also make "private property, no trespassing" constructions on "my" beach...

Great reply, but should be: "common property".