khunPer

Those that don't have saved up to retirement, might have "saved up in children and grandchildren", who will take of them, when they get old; some financial, other physical. There is a small government retirement pension available from a few hundred baht per month, increasing with age up to almost 1,000 baht per month. A higher government retirement pension has been an issue in the parliament election campaign earlier this year, and is one of the subject the yesterday elected new prime minister Srettha Thavisin has on his agenda.

To my knowledge, you can have your foreign health insurance approved by the embassy, when applying for a non-OA visa. You can with a non-OA visa in my home country... Proof of Thai health insurance that covers the whole duration of stay in Thailand. The health insurance policy must have coverage not less than 100,000.- USD (3,000,000.- THB) per policy. Applications can submit either the copy of the health insurance policy or the original one (if available) and Print out this Foreign Insurance Certificate to be filled and signed by the insurance company. Buy Thai Insurance here Foreign Insurance Certificate – the form can be downloaded here Source link HERE.

There might be other unwritten acceptable rules for Thais, than for foreigners. It's not well-seen dress code, especially in town or city areas, while it's accepted in beachfront tourist destinations by the beach area that foreign men walks with naked breasts.

Your parents need a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days after their planned arrival date, to be let onboard an airplane to Thailand, as they have no visa or permitted stay that ciovers their return ticket. Your parent can just buy a cheap online budget air ticket to a neighboring country, for example from southern part of Thailand to Malaysia, which is a short distance and therefore affordable; budget air tickers out of Thailand can often be found for around 1,500 baht or less. Your idea #1 might be the easiest to work with, but both are Okay to my knowledge.

Don't worry, Facebook will soon be shot down by in Thailand...

Yes, each entry on an O-A visa gives your a permitted stay of one year. In principle you can get almost two years stay from an O-A visa, by doing an exit and re-entry a few days before the original visa expires.

No, but your extension of stay will never be longer than for the validity of your passport; i.e., in your example an extension for one year, when applying in January 2024, your permitted stay will be for one year to a January-date in 2025. If you re-apply for an extension in January 2025 with the same passport, you will only be permitted a stay until June 2025.

If you mean the multiple entry non-O visa with one year duration and 90-days permitted stay at each entry, I've never heard about having such one issued domestically. It's normally a visa that you shall apply for in your home country or abroad. For retirement you might be asked to apply for the non O-A visa instead, which also is a multiple entry visa valid for one year, but it gives you one year permitted stay at each entry. The non-O you can apply for domestically gives you 90 days permitted stay from your original entry date. When applying you need to fulfill the financial requirements, for example having 800,000 baht in deposit in a Thai bank account, if you reason is retirement. Later you can apply for extension of stay for a one year period, two weeks before your permitted 90-days stay expires. By that time your bank deposit needs to have matured by two months, which thereby mean, that you shall apply for change of visa from visa-exempt to a non-O two weeks before your initial 30-days entry expires. You can at the same time as applying for extension of stay also apply for multiple re-entry permission. At Samui Immigration, the lady that hands you application documents normally includes a re-entry application. If not, just ask for it, it will be handled together with you extension of stay.

Some are – or one is – more equal than others...

I got a tax-ID as well on a non-O with retirement extension. It's easy to get a tax-ID if you have any income to declare. In principle you are fully taxable to Thailand, if you stay in the country for 180+ days within a calendar year. Income from abroad is also taxable in Thailand – depending on Double Taxation Agreement – if the income is transferred within the same calendar year as it's earned. In some cases it can be a benefit to pay a lower Thai income tax instead of the full tax in a foreign country.

Yes, both options are possible, but your selling price is lower than the shop's listed gold price. Best gold to buy for investment is bars; I think they are available from 1 baht (baht weight, 15.3 gram) value.

A non-OA visa would be the best choice for you – if you are over 50 years old, as it's a "retirement visa" – it will give you multiple entry and 1 year stay per entry. The benefit of OA-visa is that you can keep your money abroad in your home country, but of course still need the financial capacity required for the visa. It's the perfect visa for 50+ years with a limited stay in Thailand for up to one year; for example snow birds. The downside of OA-visa is the health insurance claim. However, it's always wise to have an insurance. When extending stay an Thai bank account and deposit is required for both entry visas, while a health insurance is still a demand for the OA-visa. The benefit of non-O here is the freedom of health insurance choice, where in some cases also self-insurance might be an option, depending of heath status, age and financial capacity.

Sometimes I don't understand, why people that hates Thailand so much still stays here... – ups, I forgot the girls...???? So yes, girls must also be on my positive list... Food is good, and I can also buy what I need of foreign food at affordable prices, in general same price or a little bit cheaper, than in my home country, and dining out is in general cheaper...???? If I don't criticize royals – and why should I, I can criticize my home country's royal family instead, that's legal, if it wasn't because they are both OK and very popular – and if I don't makes bad public reviews, then I'm fairly free to speak what I want. If I want to complain, I'll do it in a home country forum...???? Bureaucracy is not more – sometimes less – than in my home country, and the service level is both much easier and always helpful kind...???? 90-day reporting is easy online, not anything to worry about, I even get a kind e-mail to remind me about it. And I should add, that the annual extension of stay also is to overcome easily, with a little bit of organized preparation...???? My Thai girlfriend and my luk khrueng daughter, both get free healthcare here, and it's cheap for me if I use a public hospital. Compared to my home country, the health care service level is actually better and waiting lists seems shorter – at home people might end up with one to three years waiting time for an appointment with a specialist, even that they pay the World's highest tax – and like at home I can sign up for insurance or pay myself in a private hospital, if I want better and faster service...???? Coming from a Scandinavian country – and I often compare with present situation in my home country to find out if I'm still happy here or should head back – weather forecast is a major positive factor, especially if like me, loves all-year-summer and barefoot Xmas. So, climate is perfect for me, as where I chose to stay in Thailand, it's never too hot (around 32°), nor too cold (not under 18°), in average around 28° year round, and only a relative short rainy season; however, with lots of rain. My hygrometer shows in average same level, as it did in my home country...???? Pollution is not a problem where I chose to stay in Thailand...???? Alcohol prices are not that important for me – I enjoy a glass of wine or two with my dinner and can find some acceptable wines in 3-liter containers at same price as home until I win the EuroJackpot and can afford the most expensive wines daily – and as I'm used to quite high taxes on alcohol from home, it's not a major issue when living here; even that beers are cheaper at home. But always look at the bright side of life: I never drink beers, I simply don't like beer...???? I'm an alien and I accept that – I will always be a "farang" – but I'm in general welcomed and treated well everywhere I've so far been in Thailand. Only one exception and that was a Muslim village; I probably won't always be accepted in home either in some of the Muslim neighborhoods...???? Property prices are in general affordable and major attractive locations not more expensive than at home. For a private home, methods can be found around ownership, if one is not rich enough for an investor visa (I'm not). I cannot own a home in my home country, when I live here, and foreigners from outside EU cannot own a home in my home country, so similar situation, apart from it's easier to find a solution in Thailand...???? For me is another addition: The party- and nightlife is (much) better in Thailand than at home...???? So in summary, I'm so far very happy here; now staying at my 18th full time year...????

For some of us on retirement extension, two policemen would show up without prior notice and ask for a photo of the retiree holding his/hers passport, standing together with one of the police officers in front of the house with the house number visible; the other police officer was the photographer...

It's fair enough that those, who have fund to take care of themselves, do so. However, the difficulty in Thailand lies in that only around six percent of the population is registered for income tax – and only about four percent pays income tax, according to news articles – so, registering who is actually in need, is difficult for the remaining 94-96% of the population. This does of course not mean that 96% of the Thai population is poor, it rather indicates that there is a huge level of Informal economy, neither taxed, nor monitored by the government. In other countries like the Scandinavian – don't forget that Pita would like to change the system towards these and New Zealand – there is an extremely detailed registration of the citizens economy and government retirement pension is reduced depending of each individual's status. Those with high income pays extra high taxes and gets less in return. Thailand's step increasing income tax-scale is actually even more hard on the rich than the Scandinavia countries, when looking at the difference from lower tax rates to the wealthy people's tax rate – but not to forget that Scandinavians in total pays much more tax, also those with (very) small income. 600-700 baht up to 1,000 baht is very little support to those elders in real need when looking at buying power – it's 20-30 baht per day – if comparing to a Scandinavian retirement support from a government it should be in a level up to perhaps between 6,000 and 10,000 baht per month, when considering buying power and difference in general living costs. But paying a rate that equals the Scandinavians would be very costly. It there was no government retirement pension, then a Danish citizen with average income should save up between 20- 25% of the income up to retirement age, to cover for the missing government pension. For a low income – around the level where you would be considered poor in Denmark – 28% to 41% of the income during the year up to retirement age, should be set aside to cover for none government pension. Less percentage – much less – if you are in the higher og very high income level. Would Thais in general be prepared to pay 20-25% income tax for an acceptable, but still modest governmental retirement pension? The average Danish income tax percentage is from 38% – plus additional 8 percent when it's income from work – and up to 52%. Danish government's various income support, which however is mainly retirement pension, equals 14.7% of GNP. It's important to have in mind that the more subsidies the people wish from a government, the higher taxes shall be paid. In Denmark – and yes, we are still number one in the World on the income tax chart – we pay in average around 40-50% income tax, 25% v.a.t. and high gift-taxes on lots of other stuff, like paying for up to three cars when buying one. We ought to get a lot in return, but the higher taxes we pay, we get relative less and less in return – while government administration grows to register and control all financial movements of the population; the Taxman even have access to one's bank account – and today many Danes complains about bad health system, too little pension (compared to buying power) and the number of people that feels they are poor, is growing. It's a quite difficult balance to find – I'm not sure that Pita's and MFP's idea of copying the Scandinavian system is the right way – so, first of all you need to invent a system in Thailand to find out, who really are in need, and an economical registration and control level that the population can accept.

I've never been married to any of my girlfriends and it has worked out fine. Marriage has never been a needed base for relationship, and it's easy to separate, if that's the way to go. The longest relationship in my home country lasted 16 years, and we continued to be best friends. My present Thai relationship has so far – within a few months – lasted for 20 years. My girlfriend however says that she will marry me when I get 90 years old...???? In some cases an unmarried relationship can be regarded at same level as married when you split, even that you don't get any tax benefits like when having a legal wife. There has even been a few cases mentioned in the Thai news...

Yes, it's not necessary to have it registered. The important issue is that when you – and I – is not here anymore, somebody knows that there is a last will and can find it. That might be one of the reasons for the advice to make two wills, one for Thailand and one for one's home-country.

There are a couple of self-mummified monks on Samui – not the common way to end one's days on Earth – one of the is quite famous, one sitting in a boat (I'm not sure, if he is genuine, but said to be so), and one that is quite unique and with only few visitors. The one in photo is the unique one, you can be blessed for good luck by a living monk sitting next to him... Some temples in the eastern part of the Kingdom, close to Cambodian border, performs exorcism, but probably not easy to be visitor at during such an event; however, not impossible (I talk from experience).

Fair is whatever you have negotiated, and both parties are happy with. Not all girls are equal, meaning they might have different obligations family wise, and expectations both from family back home and the girl herself. I know of several different solutions with former birds from the nightlife that has decided to settle together with a (former) customer. Some were sent home til village with 5,000 baht a month until visa was settled, or whatever ready for a move in with the man. After that, the girl would work – if she moved to Farang-land – and could keep her salary (after tax), and in return for a place to live be house keeper and service the man; local food paid for, expensive Thai food on her own account. Fair or not? Some ladies are happy for the chance to make (good) money to send home. Others demand minimum 20,000 baht – today more likely 30,000 baht – per month in compensation to give up the bar-life. An attractive lady in the nightlife can easily make that kind of salary – or (much) more – each month. An attractive girl that can squeeze equivalent to $100 or €100 for a nights stay with a foreigner, can easily make in the level of 60k to 70k baht per month. Fair or not? I know farangs that pays both 20k and 30k to their Thai spouse, plus free accommodation. Some nightlife-birds might even expect a maid – yes, that's true – so she is not going to be a house keeper...

So, now we know, that it's not smart to have a "brake failure" when driving behind a Rolls Royce...

Here is an official news story about the brand change, which is what I earlier suggested it could be; i.e., end of the franchise...

Thanks, but you cannot extend your stay on these general conditions for all visas. For example, a non-O issued based on retirement can to my knowledge not be used for "business"; i.e., extension because of a work permit. For a non-OA visa the extension based on retirement also requires a health insurance, which is not an issue when extending because of retirement with a non-O or non-B visa. That's why I was surprised over that a non-OA – the so-called "retirement visa" – can be have extended the stay based on marriage. Source link: Royal Thai Embassy.

I'm thinking that it depends of one's interest and what one might share with others...???? –However, you might not find me being among your 5 percent...

I can't recall to have hear about wildfires in Chiang Mai city.

Never Teflon, I prefers ceramic or granite, eventual marble.