tideout

On 7/23/2019 at 6:21 PM, CNXexpat said:

No double pricing in Vietnam (Hanoi) at tourist attractions. 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your post and if so, no offense intended. I'm also going a bit off your post to save time. Again, no offense.

One of the most common scams here in the Ben Thanh market area is to give a certain colored shopping bag to tourists who've come through and bought something a specifically colored shopping bag. This bag indicates another shop has marked them as suckers for a big up-sell.

Lying and scamming here in Vietnam, not limited to but particularly any tourist area is as second nature as breathing.

I'll repeat a few things from other posts but it may be worth something to a few.

There is no retirement visa.

The previously easy to get "business visa" which lasted for a year and might otherwise be known as the retirement and beer visa, is becoming much, much harder to get. I personally know people who are being denied that visa who are not only well connected but have been here before on that visa. Illegal, "coffee money" versions of everything from drivers licenses to permits are getting second and third looks and are much more likely to a "no" response. 

Don't like waves of Chinese tourists or Indians in your Thai city? I don't have time to go into it but trust me the increase in Africans, Indians and Chinese related deals here is rapidly on the increase.

I could go on about this but there are too many details that one could go into.......

Just now, Mindslider said:

My wife and children are Thai. I am British

I'm guessing a lot of people will not be able to respond as they aren't familiar with UK/British law. In the US you can have your record sealed (usually). You may need to go through this process before leaving the UK - after leaving it could be difficult dealing with courts etc...

Good luck.

38 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Yes, as long as the office you apply at accepts a combo application.

That hit or miss?

27 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes but not sure what you mean by scale it up or down.

The amount needed in the bank is your annual income subtracted from 800k baht. You have to estimate your annual income whey you put the money in the bank 2 months before you apply.

That's what I meant, except I didn't say it! ???? That's good news then as I'd feel quite a bit better with a 400K on hold and then just add in my retirement amount....to hit the 800K....much appreciated!

And it's possible to put 500,000 in a Thai account and then add a slightly smaller pension - say just a government pension to hit the 800,000? You can scale it up or down so to speak?

Thanks for the responses. While I've been a frequent visitor to Thailand I haven't had the time some of you have. Still I was thinking along similar lines - at some point, revenue is revenue and not hard to see if you're losing it or getting more of it. 

I guess the worry would be that the Junta is really terrible at reading much more than whether they have control or they don't.....

2 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

I've seen a couple of oblique references to changes coming in May, the most likely one being an increase to the 800K.

 

If it does happen, my best guess is that it would be increased to 1 Million & 80k monthly, with the Marriage Visa increasing to 600k & 50k monthly.

 

Pure Speculation - Which I thought was the topic for this thread ????

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the thoughtful speculation. I hope you're not right about an increase at this time. That would certainly feel like a another concrete change that something's sliding off over the edge..... 

3 hours ago, MRToMRT said:

I was musing my years here in Thailand and I realized that those who say that things do not change are correct. Not many things have gotten easier here in my 20 odd years here. 

 

I just dont think theres a political will to reduce the beaurocracy in this specific area, theres no interest from the people to push the government and no wish of the immigration dept to reform itself and reduce jobs or "opportunities" (if you get my drift).

 

Mark my words (guess) that compulsory insurance will be added to the list soon on ret ext of stays. Dont expect anything easier or perks like in the malaysian retirement model. We are simply not economically important to the politicians.

 

 

MRT, Thanks for the thoughtful post. I really appreciate the musing's side to it and take on the history of it. Take care.

Thanks for the responses so far. Appreciated.  I understand there are "workarounds" like the 800K baht and other specifics but I'm wondering more about a system change.....I mean these options were there before but it seems the atmosphere has changed. I see a few here are not optimistic but I'm talking more about the attitude of it in some ways. Maybe the BJ "reassignment" was something of an adjustment by smarter, cooler heads in government (though I see another hundred arrested tonight!).  Has anyone heard a final answer on his transfer? I'm also wondering how long will the guys in uniform delay the election results - the effect on society and obviously immi.

Again, thanks for answers....even if it's just speculation.

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Don't know, I don't go to shopping malls.

Not as developed in Vietnam as Thailand. One of the nice features of spending time in Thailand was the food court(s) in malls. Some very good food (and variety for a very reasonable price. You can even find chains or stores that are using chain signs with really mediocre food/beverages. In District 7 there are a couple of large malls but neither of them has what you'd call a food court like in Thai malls.

16 minutes ago, Mahseer said:

It's a full on Chinese and Russians package tourist destination. Was there couple of weeks back and the missus, Thai mid 30, loved it due to plenty of bright lights, restaurant and shopping options but I, older and slower, hated it due to the aforementioned package folks, traffic and ongoing construction.

 

Sunrise hotel is excellent if you want the full on sea front option.

 

If you go make sure you walk on the beach at 0600. Amazing and brilliant to see.

Nha Trang's not bad. beautiful beach in the early evening as you say. Almost gives a feel of what it was like a long time ago....people enjoying and playing in the ocean just as the sun's going down. The locals are quite distressed about the sell out which brought in hordes of Chinese and Russians.

5 minutes ago, Ulic said:

I had a slightly different take. Yes the beer/alcohol is cheap, western type condos being built like crazy and that should bring down the rental prices which were substantially higher than Thailand for western level airconditioned type apartments, food was excellent and more Big C's being built so lots of western type foods available (but not to the same extent as Thailand). The Vietnamese were very friendly but little English is spoken outside tourist areas. I found the driving far more civilized and safer than Thailand. Everyone wearing helmets, driving much, much slower, and using an I see you, you see me, respect approach. Yes, it appears more disorganized but everyone keeps an eye out and respects everyone else. The horns are just quick beeps to alert other drivers to their presence in a blind spot. Not long honks of anger at someone driving like an idiot. I had no trouble crossing the street, just move steadily across making eye contact with traffic. I ride my scooter in Thailand and in Vietnam and it is easier and safer in Vietnam. The nightlife is definitely quieter, more clandestine. I never saw any, but I have been told it is readily available. I have made three trips to Vietnam and enjoyed them all. I think Vietnam is a definite option for retires leaving Thailand unless you enjoy the wall to wall "nightlife" Thailand has on offer. Just my opinion.

The market here is in a bit of a bubble to put it lightly. For those who are thinking of investing, I believe it's more of a crap shoot than you might hear. Those I hear talking about it differently, have a dog in the race, so to speak. As Cadbury mentions there are some great deals on housing, if everything works out right (great looking place btw!). FWIW, I'd include renting. It's only fair to mention though that many of these buildings, apartments and neighborhoods are inundated with construction projects that never end. Some of it happens because of incompetence and some is even tied into corruption (I'll leave it there). Prices in D1, D2 and D7 continue to rise I"m afraid. 

It isn't an English speaking country so I'm not surprised when people don't speak English. Having said that, it is surprising how close to District 1 (Central district for many) you can be and feel totally out of any English. This would include not just conversation but restaurant menu's, shop signs, looser ideas about written contracts etc.... People may be more and more unfamiliar with dealing with a foreigner in the neighborhoods farther away from the city center. I've been in parts of District 7, for example (where a lot of Korean and Japanese live now) and you can feel like you're in the backwaters of the Mekong. The nightlife most people see and experience here is in the tourist zone and not very indicative of what you'd find in even some nearby districts. Many of these districts are largely dead as a door nail after 10-11pm. I'm not sure why most foreigners would go even in the early afternoon.

I always thought Vietnamese were the worst drivers I'd ever seen. I drive about 6 days/week for work in Ho Chi Minh........Thai drivers have the same suicidal tendencies, not looking, multitasking etc....only they really do drive at faster speeds. Crazy. It's also good to know that there is really no traffic enforcement in the HCM I'm familiar with. Let me repeat that....NO Traffic enforcement. Police set up on the road and quite literally do nothing but take bribes all day. The result is the chaos you see on a daily basis here.

Just now, ballpoint said:

I've been travelling to Vietnam for work and pleasure fairly regularly since the late 80's, and did an extended assignment there from 2006 - 2010, where I alternated 4 weeks working in VungTau and 4 weeks home in Thailand for 3 years, followed by the same in HCMC for 2.  Since then I've worked a week or 2 there every 2 - 3 months.  It's a nice place for a holiday, and I enjoyed travelling there for work, but I wouldn't want to live there full time.  The infrastructure is far poorer than Thailand, and these days many Thai provincial cities are better equipped for "western living" than even HCMC is.  Of course, some may find that a benefit, but anyone making a decision on where to relocate to based on a short holiday needs to take a step back and reconsider their decision.  (And that goes for anywhere, not just Vietnam).

This is really true and you can add places like Da Nang, Hoi An etc....really lovely for a couple of days but what are you going to do after that? Most people I know love the break from HCM but realize that the stay in the outer areas is a break and not a great place for many people.

18 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I had ruled out posting again in this thread because about 14 pages ago i posted #3ish, "use an agent". Some of the above posts about Vietnam etc, I have found interesting. I agree with a couple of members above who enjoy Saigon. I find it great joint for break from bkk. I go every 3or 4 weeks for last 5 years. Now to the point.

Lot of people have been stating " easy visa rules in Vietnam" please direct/advise me how you do that, because being AU, I do not have the visa exempt many countries receive. I cannot get the 12 month available ONLY to USA. (BTW expensive). Next wed I go again and need new 3 month multiple anyway, I don't find it east at all. I contacted a "visa agent" to be fair I'm the one that suggested business visa. (In fact asked same q in visas to other countries forum") zero replies....anyway I said..."I don't have a sponsor letter, in the main because I'm not doing business" he replied .." No problem. We get you a business visa, one month, to enter then obtain a temport resident card" Something like that. 

Then we get you annual ongoing business visa. 

Guess what....I'm using an agent, same as most likely op would use if he moved to Vietnam. BTW I can imagine this costing more than staying in Thailand and using agent for 800k in bank, I suggested in post 3

This thread reminds me of the book catch 22

I may not be the best source of this as I've been here on working visas but you might try getting a business visa and then getting an agent to extend it. There are a number of them in HCM often on Facebook. If you message me I'll direct you to a well known source (legit, or as legit as it needs to be) here in HCM. Next time you're here you can stop by their cafe. If you're paying more to stay in Vietnam than Thailand (especially over a year) then you're getting ripped off. Currently, Vietnam seems to be becoming the new plan b for every questionable person from BKK to Jakarta......The "entertainment district" or backpacker area is a sliver of Khao San without any of the charm but to each his own. Get up to the middle of the country and try to avoid the constant hustling and grifting of HCM. Cheers.

15 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

It appears you can apply online

 

https://www.citibank.co.th/en/forms/banking/leadcapture.htm?icid=THBKASPENMOTLCAAN

Thanks man, I'll check it out.

It sounds like a Citibank account would make sense based on the zero $ transfer from outside of Thailand. What would I need to open a Citibank account ahead of doing the immigration dance (w/800K) ? It seems you'd have to already have the Thai account and money deposited before you can start the process.....meaning you'd have to have some form of residency within Thailand right?

I'm also wondering if it would make it any easier to get a Citibank account from where I'm currently living to then take to a Thai Citibank office? Can it be done with only a tourist visa? Any experiences with that?

15 hours ago, Geck0 said:

Elite visa is cheaper, 100k/year only

Could you be a bit more specific? Looks like you're recommending it but why?

20 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Two months before the first extension and three months before subsequent ones.

After the extension is granted you may spend down to nothing if you want.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Hey Jingthing,

Thanks for the repsonse. Really appreciated!!! 

Question: If you have the 24,279+/- (your own money) obviously you can just deposit the money yourself but how long do you have to maintain that amount in the account? What if it goes below that?

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

The equivalent of 800k baht cannot be in a bank outside the country to apply for an extension here. I think you are confusing it with the 65k baht income option which is proved by a letter from your embassy.

Ah, I think you're right. Sorry to muddy the waters further!

35 minutes ago, jenny2017 said:

Thailand doesn't seem to be keen on using Caucasian teachers? Is that the reason why so many schools in Thailand, but also agencies are urgently seeking teachers?

 

   Thailand ( The TCT) was more than relaxed regarding the provisional TL, then they started over again at zero, plenty of time for teachers to go for an upgrade.

 

The grass isn't always greener in other countries and laws and regulations change worldwide. Those who started teaching here 16 years ago and now ran out of waivers had the chance to do something. 

To add to this, S.K. has been in the process of laying off thousands of SK English teachers due to budget changes. It's my understanding that the government recently lost quite a bit of money when it's status as a developing country changed - that money had been put directly into English education funds but is now circling the drain. It's highly subjective I suppose, but of the five countries I've taught in, SK was by far the most xenophobic of them all.

What would you do if you're teaching in another SE Asian country? If you're say, a Canadian citizen and you're working in Vietnam, Taiwan etc, can you just come into Thailand with a Viet, Taiwanese check and then add a Thai check onto it?