Thaiquila

Here is my situation, but it would be of interest to anyone who can afford to live in Thailand long term without working, and is not buying the Elite Card (the mother of all tourist visas, so no more dissing long term tourists, please).

I am under 50, US citizen, (with assets that can be documented if needed to suggest that I do not need to work in Thailand) and want to know if it is possible to stay about two years in Thailand using this approach. In reality, I would not be a real tourist; rather, I would be living there in a purgatorial pre-retirement visa state.

1. Apply for a multiple entry tourist visa from a consulate in the US for as many entries as they will give (at least one, what is the maximum number of entries possible to get)?

2. Go for as many 30 day extensions on the 60 day visas as I can get. Is this advisable or might it cause problems if done repeatedly. What is an acceptable to state as a reason on the extension application? Is "continuing trip" be OK? Will these extensions be likely to be rejected if staying the same city (not touring around)?

3. When entries allocated from the US consulate are spent, fly to Penang and repeat step 1. Then repeat step 2.

4. Fly to the US if there is a problem getting a new visa in Penang, and repeat step 1.

I would then apply for a retirement visa at age 50 (assuming I still like the place).

Editorial comment: The age restriction is so arbitrary as there are so many people who can afford to retire under 50 these days, but it could be worse as it recently used to be 55!

Another question: if I wanted to study Thai at a language school during part of my stay, would it be any problem with just doing that and not mentioning that to immigration?

Free cards for everyone, now that's the ticket! Now that would be a happy new year.

Another question about the 5 year visa. If someone buys the card, does buying the card mean that the 5 year visa is automatically issued concurrently? Or, can they choose to wait until later when they are ready to get the visa (closer to travel time if coming from abroad)? Also, whenever the visa is issued, is there a TIME LIMIT for first use of the visa (as is usual for all the other visas I have heard of). In other words, most visas need to be used in a set number of days after the date of issue.

Thanks again for answering, when you get the chance.

The war was sold to the American people and the poodle in Britain as necessary because there was an imminent danger of the the west being attacked by weapons of mass destruction. This was clearly a lie; Bush people knew it was the only way to sell the war. It was never sold as a war of liberation; what country has the bandwidth to militarily overthrow every bad guy in the world? None, of course.

The most likely reason is more on lines with published reports written by American neoconservatives about the need to change the politics of the middle east for the "New American Century." The idea is to hold on to American power and hegemony in this new century, and using military power to do that, not persuasion, economic superiority, or setting an admirable example. This is probably the more likely reason for the idealogues behind Bush than oil. And yes, many Americans are quite patriotic but they don't wish their government to act in this way. But all bets are for Bush to be elected for the first time in 04, and if so, Katie bar the door!

This being said, of course it is humane to have sympathy to the soldiers on the ground and their families who are only acting on the orders of their government.

My hear felt good wishes go out to the families and loved one of the Thai Freedom Fights who made they untimate sacrafice for world peace.

So, please let me know when Iraq invaded the US? Oh, and when did Iraq invade Thailand? Some world peace. Anyway, the Thais are there on a humitarian mission. You will have plenty of time to get your Dubya reeelected, but do we really need this kind of propaganda here?

Hi Thaiquila (and others)...

Just to try to put this program in a more appropiate perspective, I have to start off by saying that this card is clearly not intended for everybody. At best maybe 5 - 10% of the tourists who come to Thailand for a visit, is what the TAT has targeted. The Thai government did not conceive this as a tool to immigrate to Thailand, or is interested in giving away more value than it receives.

Hello Leslie,

I hear you and appreciate you are doing your best at communicating the policies and intentions of the company. As you might expect, I have more comments and questions.

1. Repeat of question about criteria for aproval of buying land/house. Specifically, will there be a prejudice against modest house purchases (for example 2 mill baht)?

2. About the refund anwer, I had heard that there was a policy elsewhere so just wanted clarification. Thanks for that. Its good of you to suggest to your company that there be some kind of refund if promises aren't met.

3. Regarding the target market, well, that is obvious. However, to use an analogy as you are fond of, many people overstretch to buy a Mercedes Benz because they can justify the purchase based on criteria that is very important to them. For example, a real estate broker in a wealthy neighborhood might buy the Benz as an investment to help build the clientele. So, there will be interested buyers to whom $25K is not chump change. Is it your policy to discourage people who do not exactly fit your target market?

4. You state that the card is not meant to be a way for people to immigrate to Thailand. However, I recently read a web article that specifically mentioned that this card would appeal to affluent retirees who are under age 50. The implication is that their main motivation to buy the card is because they cannot get a retirement visa before age 50. I think this is a big potential market. Are you saying the card company is not interested in the business of such persons who see the visa feature as the main selling point? You know, people who haven't golfed a day in their life, and could die happy without it.

5. Regarding your comment about the cost of the expat card going up to $50K in April, what do you mean by that exactly? Do you mean that people who are currently living in Thailand (expats) will be charged $50K while people who are living abroad will still be charged $25K? If so, if a person purchases the card while living abroad for $25K, is there any restriction on that person to then decide to use the visa and move to Thailand? If not, will they then be charged more money when it becomes clear they have moved to Thailand, and no longer reside abroad? Additionally, if a person buys the card before April from abroad, will it be any problem if they move to Thailand becoming an expat (using the visa)?

6. Regarding sales quotas, are these sales quotas or supply quotas? In other words, are there limits on the number of cards which can be sold to resident Thais, residents of US, France, Japan, etc.?

Thanks again for being such a good sport and answering my questions.

I am looking at the Thailand Elite Card and I am quite befuddled. The idea of a lifetime card with lifetime benefits obviously has risk, but the question is how much risk?

So, with regards to the benefits offered by the card: special visa, land purchase priveledges, lifestyle perks (golf, massage, limos, etc) what do the old Thai hands really think? In other words, what do you think the odds are buyers will actually get what is promised in the LONG TERM.

Of course, anyone can post, but it seems to me that the opinions of people who know Thailand really well over many years would have the most credible opinions.

I am neutral about Thaksin personally as I think the US government should also be neutral at best, though I am against anyone anywhere trying to suppress democracy.

History has shown that when the US gets chummy with totalitarian leaders, it usually backfires.

Look at US history and its frequent pattern of supporting of such characters. The classic line is "he is a son of a bitch but he is our son of a bitch" or something like that. The Shah of Iran being the most obvious and tragic failure of this blind short sighted policy.

Of course, there are people who actually believe the US is in Iraq to "liberate" the Iraqi people.

It is quite understandable that Bush and Thaksin would be buddies. Look at the reductions in personal freedoms previously enjoyed by Americans. And the US is also moving quickly towards being a one party country.

Some more questions came to mind. I would like to encourage others to come up with questions, as this is a great opportunity to get more info about the elite card.

1. Is there anything in the law/card contract about what happens to land owners in the event of the card company's becoming defunct? If not, land buyers would be risking a lot more than the cost of the card.

2. Can you detail any refund policies and schedules, if available. For example, if a buyer wishes out of the card after 2 years, is there a refund of some kind, or is selling the card to another person the only option?

3. What is the sales agent structure for people living outside Thailand. Are there quotas for buyers living in different countries, living in Thailand, etc.?

4. Has the company considered the "blank Thai smile" effect. This occurs when entering a business, flashing a card, and demanding a service for no cash. What will the company do to make sure card holders get treated well at these outside businesses.

5. Someone has to say it, but I already know the answer. It would have been really, really, fantastic if such a card was offered at a more reasonable price (maybe half?) that offered ONLY the visa and land buying perks. Yes, there would be more buyers, and they would not be as elite, but Thailand would get getting thousands of people willing to make a "contribution" and show that they are very serious about their commitment to Thailand. Also, the card company would have no risk of being bankrupted by overzealous golfers/massagees. Such mid-level buyers would be very good risks for being solvent and not a burden on Thailand, as they would have paid that money, and put their money into houses. It would of course be a boon to retirees under 50, and retirees over 50 who don't wish to deal with the annual renewal process and also might wish to buy a residence. I know the answer, the card was designed to boost high end tourism, and this middle non-tourist market is not that. Oh well.

OK, thanks Mr. Khun, you have explained (though not clearly) what you mean by how you hope to benefit by waiting for the visa increases.

This is understandable and a quite standard capitalist practice -- buy distressed property (whether stocks, condos, etc.) to get bargains and make profits. We are all playing that big circle of change, sometimes we are the buyers, sometimes we are the sellers.

I think your strategy is interesting. You won't win the Nobel prize though.

A comment on the concept of averages. If the average life expectancy is 70, that means a huge percentage of people will die before 70. Like they say, a recession if when you are unemployed, and a depression is when I am (now, that is 100 percent unemployment). So people who are planning their retirement will do best to ignore life expectancy statistics and take a cold, hard look at their own health, and this includes disease histories of their immediate family. There are websites available that ask a bunch of questions, and give you an answer. If you find that your life expectancy is shorter than you would like, that is an important factor (in addition to money) as to when to choose to retire.

Regarding your disdain and failure to value English language skills, well, it looks like the voters of the US will be agreeing with you about that in the next presidential election.

Its good that you like to laugh a lot, as I hear this is very good for life expectancy.

Cheers.

LESLIE:

"You can purchase up to 10 Rai (up to you), but NOT in bits and pieces all over the country...one 'chunk' of land. You have one (1) year to submit building plans to the authorities, and three (3) years to complete it. There is NO minimum purchase requirement (original website said 20 million baht...currently not so). You also are not limited to just land. If you find the perfect house, cottage, ranch, villa, sweetly calling your name...you can apply for permission to purchase it."

Thanks for all that information. It was very informative and I am sure other people will have more questions. At least, I hope so.

That 5 year visa sounds wonderful and convenient. I am sure, however, that people will wonder about the future. If the government changes their mind, the company goes bust, and then what good is the card 5 years down the road in respect to getting the new 5 year visa (which, after all, is based on the holding the valid card)? So for buyers it is really a matter of hope, trust, and optimism, as it sounds like the company is really not able to offer a guarantee. Still, lots of things in life are bought on this basis. Bigger risks are taken all the time, and bigger money is lost as well. Caveat emptor.

I think what you are saying about land and house ownership is big news. The part about being able to buy different kinds of properties and the lack of a minimum price, specifically. However, this also needs additional clarification. If a card holder wants to buy a modestly price house and land, for example 2 million baht, is the company biased against approving such purchases? What I am getting at here is the concept of "getting permission to purchase it." What are the criteria for granting this permission?

I am also curious about the comment about raising the price of the card. Such talk is often the tactic of slick salespeople the world over to stimulate sales at the current price. I am not saying you are doing that, just making an observation. So my question is, what time frame are you talking about for a potential price increase for the card, and what amount of increase?

Thanks again.

Excellent questions, JB 1!

If the people behind the Thai Visa card collected these questions, reviewed all their policies, and produced a detailed document they could send people (other than the vague, marketing-centric website) and they could honestly address the very valid sales objections suggested by many of these posts, they could sell a bucketload of these things. And if they don't, the market is really limited. Or maybe, as many suspect, this is a frothy too good to be true vapor card.

Anyway, I would like more clarification on the issue of married foreigners.

Lets say the husband buys ONE Elite Card. Does the wife receive a duplicate card (with the same registration number) so that she can go golfing while he is having his nails done? As JB 1 asked, would spouses also get their own 5 year visa, and would BOTH spouses be eligible for all the miscellaneous priveledges (golf, airport, massage, etc.)? And could the spouses travel separately to and from Thailand, with the one "family" card? Depending on the answers to these questions, the card might be even more attractive to married farang couples.

Thanks.

I never had to show a 'flow' of money to Mexico, and neither did any FM3-ers I knew, across a fairly wide range of places.

I suppose people are 'born' to prefer one place over another ...

It just feels wrong to go on about Mexico on a thai visa site, however,

-- thanks for correcting me, I will have to look into more details on FM3 visa applications if I ever want to do that, just in case you know, I have a friend who has social security pension of 1200 plus can generate over 300 a month in investment withdrawals (just by withdrawing a set percentage of her invested nest egg), do you think they would approve that, seeing as she dosesn't have the 1500 a month in income?

-- I totally agree that liking one country over another is really a matter of temperament, and I also like Thailand a lot better than Mexico.

I read some book once that talked about how when people do the grand Asia tour, some like this country, and some like that country, and what it says about their personality. Forget the book title though, oh well.

People that see something that they do not agree with make snide personal attacks for lack of any good reply.

See them bumming around thailand all the time asking where is the cheapest border run or the cheapest something is.

... just waiting for new visa laws

to take effect. There should be some real bargains to be had. I do not take any of this serious anyway.

There should be some real bargains to be had.

Well, if you can't stand the heat, order your food aow mai phet.

Busted, sorry I do regret lowering myself to the level of personal insults, though you really have to admit, Mr. Khun is rather crafty at BAITING people to react.

So, in the spirit of the season, truce, peace on earth, good wheels for man (hey, pretty good for a non-Christian, eh?)

A few substantive points on Mr Khun's post:

I was talking in the context of retirees being legally allowed long visas based on reasonable finances for within Thailand, not based on what would buy a fabulous retirement on Park Avenue in New York.

I was not talking about impoverished people who have been doing 30 day walkess for years. On the walkees, I am on the side of tolerance, one really does not know the situation or life history of anyone, and you have to think sooner or later, they will be squeezed to another place or worse. Live and let live.

Regarding, how some people are always looking for bargains. Isn't that the nature of capitalism, for there to be different economic levels? Isn't that healthy? If there weren't lots of cheap folks, prices would not be under any pressure. Otherwise, there would no poor people for rich people to hire at slave wages and National Geographic would be out of business.

I am curious for you to clarify your point about waiting for visa bargains. Are you capable of clearly explaining what exactly you mean by that? From all I have read, the visa requirements are trending towards more expensive, not more cheap, so what do you mean?

A couple of responses to Khun (or should we call him Khun Jai Dhum):

I think you need to get to Thailand on holiday, get some nice, relaxing massages, and enjoy the nightlife. Or perhaps, find another line of work that you don't hate so much that doesn't make you so bitter.

You need to chill, dude!

If people want to retire or even retire early with less money than you think is rational, really, what skin is it off your uptight ass? So they crap out, and you get to gloat. Sounds like thats what you live for anyway, so you should be ENCOURAGING it. Instead, you really sound jealous and you really sound like you HATE your workaholic life.

Some other food for thought on retirement:

A huge percentage of people wait too long to retire thinking they don't have enough money or aren't old enough, and then they die before they retire. Were they smart to wait?

The truly wise and lucky among us don't even think about retirement, or care to, because their work gives them joy, satisfaction, and meaning. Hey, this isn't me, maybe next life.

What is better? 5 years of enjoying retirement with lots of money, or 20 years of a retirement lifestyle where money is still a concern. Isn't this a personal decision with no right answer?

In order to get the FM-3 or inmigrante rentista visa, you just need to show a bank statement once a year, just like in Thailand. When last I checked, you need the equivalent of $1500 a month to qualify. You didn't actually have to show evidence of a monthly income, just a yearly bank statement pro-rated to that amount.

As for the 180-day tourist visa, I just returned from a trip to Mexico in November, and I received the standard 180 days at the border, no questions asked.

Thanks for the clarifications and insights about Mexico. I will keep this brief because I don't think this thread is really about non-Thai visa issues, though someone might want to start a new thread about this.

A couple of points on Mexico:

-- The Mex Peso has been stable and WEAK against the dollar, unlike most every other currency, so thats a big plus.

-- I believe you are correct, the current visa requirment is about 1500 month, and it floats based on an arcane formula tied to a multiple of mininum wage in Mexico City

-- The bank account showing proof of support, from my understanding, must show a FLOW of money (for example, a regular monthly deposit), not only a juicy total.

-- I have heard Mex immigration officials temperament varies based on region

-- Yes, many people get a 6 month entry stamp, but there is a lot of info out there saying many do not get the entire 6 months. Also, as an interesting parallel to the Thai visa walker controversy, it is technically against the rules to merely leave the country every 6 months and then reenter for a new tourist visa, though many do and have for years. This does seem to be more problematical; who knows, maybe it is a game being played between Mex Pres Fox and Bush over issues related to Mexican nationals in the US. Or maybe Fox and Thaksin had a chat!

This card interests me because of the visa perks (I am under 50), but if I bought it I would probably be motivated to take up golf.

Can someone verify my interpretation of the visa priveledges with the elite card. It sounds like with the 5 year multiple entry visa you do not EVER have to leave Thailand for 5 years, as long as you pay the 1900 baht every 90 days for the extension. Correct?

The other detail I am confused about is, why only a 5 year visa? Isn't the card a lifetime card? Are holders able to automatically get a new 5 year at end of the first five, and subsequent ones as needed?

Also, is it fair to assume if you sold the card, the buyer would get a fresh 5 year visa?

(Of course, no guarantees for the future, but what are they promising NOW?)

It is all very interesting, but it is obvious that they don't want to sell a massive amount of these; otherwise there would be ironclad guarantees. The market as stated before is for people to whom 1 mill baht is trivial or for those willing to take a questionable gamble.

CAN INE get a word in?

You guys take life a tad too seriously, though I don't doubt interspecies sex is a worthy subject.

Lighten up!

Posting for a friend, as I am rather allergic to pets myself.

Is there a limit to the NUMBER of dogs and cats one can bring to Thailand?

I imagine the airlines might have a limit on the number you could bring on any one flight, but this is more of a question about whether there is a government policy limiting the number of pets a foreigner can bring in (for private pet purposes, not a business).

My friend has four dogs and one cat.

If this sounds excessive, you would be correct.

Two of the dogs are hairy hairless Chinese crested, so perhaps there is a special program for the Asian dogs.

The only real real difference for us was that it is less expensive to live on or near the beach (we are on Phuket) - that's very important to me. 

Yes, they require a pension for retirement status, but many people (North Americans) can stay in Mexico for six months on a simple entry-type visa.  Most go home to visit family and return.

Chuckie, I totally agree with the spirit of your post. Welcoming retirees who can show a reasonable amount of support is a benefit for many countries. And actions that show hostility towards this "clean industry" smack of xenophobia.

However, I want to comment on the current situation in Mexico. Yes, I agree, it is a worthy alternative to retirement in Thailand, and not only for North Americans.

There are some beach areas that have good infrastructure that are similarly priced or even cheaper than Phuket, Mazatlan being a prime example.

Here is the bad news: for US and Canadian people entering Mexico it is no longer a done deal that you will get a 6 month tourist entry. You can ask, but it is not always being granted. 60 days is the common default. People who do not get the 6 months upon entry are then free to apply for an extension in Mexico, but must prove financial support. And you are subject to the same uncertainty every time you enter. Mexico, like Thailand, is having a crackdown of sorts on "tourist visa walkers." Many people still live in Mexico this way, but there is the constant uncertainty. If the officials see multiple Mexico stamps, they will wonder about your finances, and are probably more likely to not grant 6 months. The alternative is to qualify for a retirement type visa based on a pension. That is an excellent choice for those with pensions (approx over 1200/month) and can lead to more permanent visas. There is no way to qualify for a long term visa in Mexico based on a Mexican bank account or investment income -- you need a pension.

Thank you very much, esteemed Doctor P. Pong.

I didn't think it would be so easy to get feedback on these questions.

I also suspected living separately might be a sticky wicket (why, what kind of marriage is this, anyway, an immigration official might ask, and hey you couldn't blame him) ...

but perhaps that is why they make big houses?

OK, lets say that two US farangs were married, with the woman well over age 50 and the man under 50.

This might be a specialized case, but certain of my questions would apply to any farang marriedcouple retirement visa holders.

Lets say the woman qualified for a retirement visa based on age and finances. In this scenario,

1. Could the man be included in the visa package (with no additional financial requirement than for the one visa), even though he is under 50? From what I understand, the answer is yes, but just checking.

2. Does the man receive the same visa information in his passport, and do both passports always go to immigration at the same time?

3. Can both people get multiple entry permits, and if so, do they need to always leave the country together, or can they travel abroad separately?

4. Would immigration care if the two married farangs previously lived together in the US? Would they care if the two married farangs lived together in Thailand? If so, would they need to report residences separately (or would they only care about the woman? Would they care if they did not share the same last name, as long as there was a legal marriage certificate?

5. Would the fact that it is the woman getting the visa with man attached be a cultural/legal problem with immigration? (As I assume it is most often the other way.)

To Khun, the fact of the matter is that different countries are richer and poorer relative to each other. This shifts over time, of course. At present the US is growing poorer and Thailand is growing richer, but it cannot be denied that the US is a much richer nation, and is likely to be so for a few years at least . . .

Some relatively poorer nations have recognized that long term residents can be a beneficial thing. And most have income requirements, and these are usually, and understandably based on the perceived income needs for a person to live in the country of destination, not the country of origin. An excellent example is Mexico, which has welcomed tens of thousands of "gringos" for generations. The government there officially recognizes that a typical pensioner may be on dog food eating income level in New York, but have enough money for a nice house with servants in many parts of Mexico. They see this as a win win situation for the retirees, and for their nation. So I think the notion that income requirements should be set based on requirements in a persons home country are just not realistic, beneficial, or necessary.

To Monitorlizard:

Yes, I agree, some of those countries can be dodgy indeed! Which is another reason I personally prefer Thailand.

It just wanted to put out some ideas; I am curious as to other country ideas if people have them (probably with a new post). The idea I want to put accross is that there are lots of folks from Western countries looking for to improve their living standard by moving abroad, and there are lots of options outside Thailand and SE Asia. And it is not necessary to exist on rice and beans only in Latin America.

There is a lot of buzz that Nicaragua is improving rapidly and welcoming expats. Most retirees prefer the provincial town of Grenada (on a lake) or the beach areas. The financial requirements for a long termer are quite low. The costs are currently a bargain, partly because of bad publicity of wars from long ago.

Panama has even more buzz, and has a great infrastructure, an easy to navigate long term retiree program (also requirements quite low), and if you like hot and humid weather, you will love it. Panama will not allow HIV pos individuals on this program. Panama is affordable, probably more pricey than most parts of Mexico though.

Costa Rica is now very expensive! They have phased out their retiree visa program, though there are ways to stay (visa runs?). The buzz is bad.

Mexico is very good, with great variety. The retiree program requires a pension (amount always varies, currently USD 1200/month). Mexico is affordable outside the famous beach resorts.

Anyway, I think the cliched advice that if you move you should NOT move only because a place is cheap is quite sound. I, like many, am most attracted to Thailand for a complex variety of reasons, and it certainly isn't the cheapest place.

Khun, hey well, how very inflammatory.

Not every one wants to make the sacrifices required to be, has had the good fortune to become, or needs to be rich, whether or not they stay in their home countries.

And many people get to a certain age, or have to quit work for countless reasons, and they are not rich enough to retire in the South of France, but they have way more than enough for the South of Pattaya.

Many people are happy to have enough to cover their expenses to be comfortable and also have a reasonable reserve.

Based on my observations, 800K baht a year is enough for most single people to support themselves in a reasonable style in most parts of Thailand, save for expensive parts of Bangkok and Phuket, etc. If a foreign national gets into trouble, it certainly won't be the Thai government bailing them out, so such people are most likely to be sent back to their home countries (many western embassies provide emergency loans for this purpose). In most cases, even washed out people will be able to raise the price of the air ticket back to their home country.

Of course, the government of Thailand can choose to set the requirement higher if they wish; higher than is really necessary. However, I don't really see the point of stopping some thousands of idle, solvent foreigners from finding a pleasant retirement destination in the sun. Who do they hurt exactly? It seems a shame.

However, if that is the way it is going, there are other countries that are more than glad welcome such people, and gain some easy hard currency in the bargain. And, you know, 30 baht to a dollar is not really so bad!

Egads, well, I guess it is a sign of the times.

There is a big surge in absurd anti-French propoganda among the IDIOT CLASS in the United States. You know, such absurdities as tossing out French wine (give it to me, please!), calling french fries "freedom fries" (yes, of course, they are Belgian anyway), and such. Also, the right wing Bushies are going so far as to call France an enemy nation, because of their governments thoughtful, rational opposition to the invasion of Iraq.

Please do not take such an email personally. The US is going through a bad time, and is now controlled by neo-fascists. I have no doubt your emailer is one of these Ameri-trash stupidos.

Also, please realize that about half of the people in the US are horrified by this situation, and doing our best to make a change, but the odds are against us.

Viva la France! And Viva America too. Someday, we will swing back to rationality. Hey, if Germany could, so can we. :>

Let the flames begin!

Still many countries close by that will accept most fall throughs. If cheap living is a must why not Loas or Cambodia they need the funds.

You would still only be a stones throw away for your tourist days.

From what I understand, Laos and Cambodia are not reasonable alternatives for people of retirement age who need easy access to good quality health care.

Thailand does have special qualities that make it very attractive to retirees.

I don't know about Myanmar, but do they currently have a legal way to stay long term as a retiree? Also, I would doubt they have quality health care.

I agree that making long term stays prohibitive is throwing the baby out with the bath water. A retiree who qualifies based on a 800K deposit is probably spending between 500,000 to 1 million baht a year IN THAILAND. If that requirement is doubled and Thailand loses those residents who don't wish or cannot afford to tie up double that in a Thai bank, it is a loss to the Thai economy. Not an earth shaking loss, perhaps, but as they say, why kiss a gift horse in the mouth?

Anyway, for those looking for affordable retirement alternatives to Thailand, you might want to look outside of Southeast Asia.

Most of these affordable countries have reasonable ways to stay long term:

Panama (excellent infrastructure)

Nicaragua

Mexico (requires an actual pension, not savings based)

Malta

Peru (visa runs needed)

Equador

Dominican Republic

Belize

However, I should point out, it is quite difficult to get Thai food in any of these places! I met an Indian in the Dominican Republic who had been there so long he considered Mexican food an acceptable replacement for Indian food. Guess it shows humans to adapt to most anything.