tideout

Just now, BritManToo said:

Yes,

Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines and even China seem to be easing up and inviting long stay pensioners to come.

Thailand doesn't want us any more.

 

Could it be something to do with the decreasing fear of foreigners by the (former) communist/military governments in those countries and the increase in fear of foreigners by the Military Junta government in Thailand?

 I hear that Cambodia is a pretty easy visa process and that the Philippines has been an affordable option (Sunshine visa?) for retirement. Vietnam has tourist visas, work visas, a spousal visa and business visas. Vietnam does not have a retirement visa nor are they inviting retirees to come here.  From several good sources, it seems that they are really taking a closer look at the business visa program which has been been used as a backdoor method for longer stays. I'm not saying you can't come in on a business visa but it seems you're going to get a much, much closer look on your specifics, some price increases and a tendency to push you to the tourist visa. It is very likely to be curtailed as a long term option.

Foreigners who are less concerned about communist or military influence in their host country while lamenting the influx of Chinese in SE asia are seriously misunderstanding the situation between China and Vietnam at least. An example, one of the major cell services here is owned by the Vietnamese military. It's understandable that people are influenced by "business lite" articles on Vietnamese growth, tourist rates and so on but Vietnam is a fellow communist country that works closely with China. IMHO, Vietnam has let a lot of foreigners in with money to use to boost their economy and put capital into their banks for development. When or if that need is fulfilled, the screws are likely to be tightened on the old back doors for entry.

Just now, mokwit said:

People should note there was a time when you could do that in Thailand. Now you can't.

Interesting how these things work isn't it?

4 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

tideout - "On the other hand, the only people I spoke English with were Thai's. The rest were Russians who didn't speak English and generally sent a cold chill down my spine....."

 

Why "...a cold chill down my spine..."?

(Golden shower tape worries)?
 

Hehe. No, a golden shower would be a warm feeling down my spine. In general, I get a cold feeling from some of the Russian folks. Must admit, no conflicts but just not as sociable as some it seems. Somewhere in my brain, I'm used to running into other English speaking folks there and having some good conversations. At least it was possible in the "old days" before cell phones were a constant distraction and a trip to the internet cafe could be an adventure of some kind......cheers.

On 3/31/2019 at 8:57 AM, ChipButty said:

I must admit there are a lot more Russians this year in Phuket you are right they did stop coming for a while

I was in Phuket 6 weeks ago. I don't think I saw more than a couple of Chinese tourists tops. I understand there had been a dengue outbreak in Krabi and nearby which scared off Chinese tourists.

On the other hand, the only people I spoke English with were Thai's. The rest were Russians who didn't speak English and generally sent a cold chill down my spine.....

With regard to the poor tourist approach that's frequently mentioned here, the rip off taxis in the Phuket area with the generally poor layout of things was enough for me to never even pass through there again.....some nice people but jeeeez.

Thanks again Oz for your thoughtful posts!

nausea, 

Thanks for your post and thoughts.

Cheers.

For those who are offended by this and are heading to the "Shangri-la" of Vietnam, better-have-your-ATM card, this is the norm here for either Vietnamese or foreigners. Oh, and don't forget to have someone designated to bribe the nurses regularly or you may be in jeopardy without it.

1 hour ago, Pilotman said:

It shouldn't and doesn't in the West,  but in this backward, ageist, sexist, society it does. The Thais only hurt themselves by alienating a set of former farang teachers who are a million times more experienced and capable than their own sorry bunch.  No, I'm not a teacher, nor an ex teacher, I just hate to see talent wasted. 

I've been in ESL for over a decade now. Unfortunately what you're saying is true and I've seen in first hand in South Korea and Japan. I believe it's contradictory to the west's thinking on Asian education (high test scores etc..) but there is definitely a very superficial side to it. 

Thanks Hanuman, interesting addition to the thread.

Cheers.

Thanks Preacher & Rhys. Helpful additions.

Just now, Preacher said:

The age for retirement for government teachers is 60, which is mandatory. After that some stay at the same or another school as contract teachers rather then civil servants and continue (part-time) teaching.

 

There really is no age restriction other than set by the employer. 

Maybe  I could have been more specific in the original post. It sounds like you're referring to Thai citizens who're working in government jobs (including schools) who must retire at 60. As mentioned here and a time or two while in Thailand, it's often handled a bit more informally or possibly "forgotten" about in some schools. FWIW, I haven't got an opinion on it other than I'd hope for a "relaxed" approach that's still legal!

While we're on the topic of insurance - what policies/companies do people here recommend for longer-term insurance coverage? I heard on a recent trip to Thailand that it was all but inevitable that insurance would be required in future long term visa stays. The consensus was that stories like this were to the reason.

8 hours ago, sensei said:

I have a co-teacher who was hired through an agency who is already 59.

 

It really depends on the needs of the school and their preference.

Good to hear. Often times I work as much or even more than a few of the younger teachers in terms of hours. Thanks for your response.

Thanks Boomhauer - much appreciated!

Just now, otherstuff1957 said:

Thai teachers have to retire when they are 60 - though there have been rumors that that age will be raised soon because of the shortage of qualified teachers - and they can be immediately rehired as 'part-time teachers' if the school still needs them.

 

As a foreigner, you are not a government employee and are not bound by that rule.  Each school sets their own rules regarding retirement age for foreign teachers (or sometimes they just make them up on the spot!).  Some schools will not hire anyone over 40, others will make their foreign teachers retire at 60, others will chose some random age and yet others won't pay any attention to age.

Thanks otherstuff. Similar process may be underway in Vietnam with the general public. Nothing here is clear though on it or whether they'd even care with foreigners.

In an older post of mine I received some nice responses related to teaching. I don't think I've asked before (or the regulations may have changed) but is there an upper age limit for teaching in Thai government schools? I'm fully qualified and have 11 or so years teaching, legit paperwork etc....

Any thoughts on it are welcome but I've already seen a fair amount of posts suggesting that the further away from BKK or Chang Mai you get the easier it gets - just curious about any specific age rules.

On a related question, I'm curious if with the recent expulsion of foreigners there aren't quite a few more openings?

Cheers.

Haha, yeah I think Ill skip the rubber tree plantation!!
I understand that Phuket town is quieter and it's good to know it's a short ride to the ferry. Much appreciated!!


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macahoom - Thanks for the suggestion, will look into it.

Damn, looks like a night in Phuket. I guess it's been pretty slow tourist wise so the prices look relatively cheap.

Anyone know of a quieter part of Phuket for a room. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but laid back would be nice.

I arrive tomorrow in Phuket from BKK at 3:00pm. I had looked a bit quickly at the the Phuket and speedboat schedule and it looked like there were plenty of boats going to Saladan pier on Koh Lanta. I booked a hotel but it looks like the last boat out is at 3:00 from Rasada (Phuket). 

Any ideas on getting to Koh Lanta or am I doomed to cancel the hotel?

Thanks in advance on any thoughts you have.

On 1/25/2019 at 11:46 AM, somtumwrong said:

For me it's not a question of leaving, but rather never arriving. Haven't made up my mind yet if to live in my safe home country or here with family. I'm not in a hurry to decide, but not moving means I won't buy a house here ('for my wife'), I won't invest in a new car here, keeping financials outside the Thai economyu. I keep my house and condos in my home country, and looking at the stability of Thailand, and how the law 'protects' us, better leave it at that. If you move to Thailand, in my opinion, you should always have a backup plan to be able to leave without losing much..

 

I think life may be better for me in Thailand once they throw out the low life sexpats. Our reputation will no longer be dragged down by their actions. But in general, I don' believe in long term change in this country, rather Vietnam, Myanmar, all other countries are going to overtake Thailand which will just remain the same same. More soap operas on tv, more corruption to rule the lemmings.

It's possible that Vietnam will narrow the gap with Thailand (economically) but I have my doubts about that making it better. In many places around HCM this will mean years of completely indifferent and poorly done construction, more dust and pollution in the air than already exists. Your main concerns there are already here or increasing with the "cleanup" of expats there. Plenty of sex pats here and the arrival of African hookers and the scene there is well under way here. As it gets developed, it's certainly likely to get more expensive. Fewer housing options and worse air in HCM (generally). No retirement visa. Rampant corruption. Hard to see the trade up IMHO.