JB300

A good and not so far away place to check it out is Singapore's residency rate. Please update us.

No (significant) fees in getting a Singapore PR & the minimum amount of time you need to be resident here before you can apply is only 6 months, but that's the kicker, if you're not resident here (I.e. Working or have s$20Million in the bank for an investment visa), you can't apply.

i don't think the 1 year entry stamp can be anything to do with Thaksin (at least not directly) as it has only recently been introduced along with the revamped card. Holders of the original card (eg myself) only ever got 90 day stamps on entry.

Ah yes I forgot you have the original card.

If what I read on a news site (which I won't link here because I don't know if it's allowed) which was posted on the 21st of February this year is true, only 10 (!) of the new TE cards had been sold so far at that time.

For some reason they were still, according to that article, expecting to sell 1300 cards during 2014.

That of course means the likelyhood of anyone holding the new card, except for me, actually being a member on TV is quite limited (those 10 are probably chinese).

Amen to that brother...

If the OP if still with us, I don't think there's a single post in the thread recommending you go to the Philippines as a family to stay for a significant period of time if you don't have a "Connection" to the country (I.e. A Filipina ) have you given anymore thoughts to staying in Thailand Vs going somewhere else?

Can't edit the previous post, so here's the 2 links I didn't include...

- murder rate per country http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

- number of guns per capita http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_guns_per_capita_by_country

I'm sure somebody has been murdered in their own home (and pick pocketed) in every city on the planet & a simple Google for the cities with the highest murder rate brought back this wiki article that shows 4 (5 if you count Puerto Rico) cities in the US in the top 50... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_murder_rate (none in Asia), looking at it by country, RPI is 5.4 per 100,000 vs US (excluding Puerto Rico) & Thailand at 4.8 so very similar numbers (unless your the 6 in a million).

As for armed personnel in shopping centers (they don't have them at 7-11s but do have them at Banks along the street), we have those wandering around shopping centers in Singapore but that's not the worry, it's the number of people who have access to guns, obviously everybody knows that the US has the highest % of gun ownership (in 2007 this was 89 per 100 people, I doubt it's gone down too much) but did you know that Thailand (15.6 per 100) had more than 3 times as many as Philippines (4.7)?

As wrgf has said, there are parts of any country that are safer than others, no way do I feel safer in Manila than I do in Bangkok, but I do feel safer in Boracay/Palawan than I do in Phuket.

I think people are upset by the attacks on Filipinos rather than the state of the country's infrastructure / poverty & some are judging the nation after only visiting Manila/AC which would be like judging the US after only visiting Detroit (Google the most dangerous cities in the world).

I think this is particularly "raw" with me at the moment as I work with a lot of Filipinos in Singapore & there's a lot of anti-filipino sentiment on the local websites here due to the planned Philippine national day celebration and you can see how much it upsets them.

Of course, the difference between the Philippines having a national day in Singapore vs Singaporeans having one in Australia is everybody/nationality is invited (in particular Singaporeans) vs the "closed" event (in a public place!)

^^^couldn't agree more... And would add that you need to put your foot down & not take any crap at the start of the relationship or she will walk all over you,

I am under 50 and my income is from the UK from various properties, I spend my time here on Triple Entry Tourist Visa's and head back to homeland every 9 months...now my Thai GF is now 6 mths pregnant.....I rent a place here.....what now?

Why not have a Visa that is similar to a "retirement" Visa but is allowed for under 50's?

I fit all the requirements of a retirement Visa BUT I am not 50.....not my fault I made my cash before the so-called "retirement" age.

I know at the moment, Triple Entries are exempt (to a degree) BUT can easily see this being misinterpreted by Imm.

Marriage here I come!

Non immigrant O to support a Thai child (ie yours). Or if you've got enough to retire early 10 million investment visa.

There seems to be conflicting information about extending permission to stay which, if I've read things correctly, is a major change between the old & new scheme.

- Old Scheme: 90 days on entry, need to extend every 90 days

- New Scheme: 1 year on entry, need to extend every 1yr

Is this correct only I've also read that for the new scheme you get 90 days on 1st entry which can then be extended for 1yr.

There is the Thailand Elite program, for 500,000 Baht you can get a 5 year visa and stay for a full year on each entry.

I was surprised to hear this is still running but it is.

This 'Elite' program appears to be the solution for people aged under 50 who have plenty of money and don't work.

Didn't the last incarnation of that company go out of business and steal everyone's funds?

There's still fine print on the webpages 'subject to immigration officer's approval' or something to that effect, was linked in one the now closed threads.

No, it didn't go out of business but some of the benefits were suspended (not the visas) and even if it did go out of business this wouldn't really matter if you're on the 5 year membership because they issue a 5 year visa which covers the whole period of your membership.

Once you have the 5 year visa you have the 5 year visa even if you don't use any of the other services like airport limo pick ups, immigration fast tracking, etc.

They also offer a cheaper version of the card these days so it's a much better deal all around. I believe previously you had to pay 1 or 2 million Baht which is considerably more.

Everything is subject to an immigration officers approval so I wouldn't worry about that too much.

What this supplies is a way for someone under 50 to stay in Thailand on a 5 year visa and no need to leave the country for at least a year at a time, perhaps more although I'm not sure on that yet. This will become clearer when enquiries to the Thailand Elite company have been answered, probably early next week.

It's a way to avoid jumping through endless hoops.

Do you also get to use a special lane at immigration? Given the queues at Swampy some days (which with these changes may get even longer), that would be well worth having.

If you do decide to go down the Elite Card route, please post about your experience.

As I've posted on a couple of different threads, my idea of heaven is living in Thailand with a Filippina.

Nb, I'm in no way saying that Filipinas are better than Thai girls (have never dated a Thai so in no position to coment/ judge) but out of all the girls I've dated since moving to Asia, the Filipinas are my favorite.

Incidentally, IMHO Singaporean Chinese have been the worse, they're absolutely stunning but turn into stropy little kids at the drop of a hat ... Again, this is just my humble opinion, your mileage may vary...

It seems to me that those who are making all the noise are the ones being targeted. I have my retirement visa multi entry atamp affixed I do the 90 day report like clock work I work with the system not around the system. Never had an issue. I travel often so alot of Immigration officers seem to know me by sight. A few times when check in lines were long I was taken over to the shorter Thai line and one to diplomat line. But then again I'm always polite to them. A couple of them even sat with me and chatted over coffee about How I liked Thailand. So want to stay use correct visa want to work again correct visa and work permit for work your doing Not Useing tourist VOA and border runs. If correct visa is used just need to check in is all short cab ride.

And the 'correct visa' for those under 50 who simply spend money here and dont break any laws is ??

There is the Thailand Elite program, for 500,000 Baht you can get a 5 year visa and stay for a full year on each entry.

I was surprised to hear this is still running but it is.

This 'Elite' program appears to be the solution for people aged under 50 who have plenty of money and don't work.

When you weigh up the savings against regular visa runs & the removal of hassle/stress in doing them, it's quite a viable option for a cashed up under 50...

Mind you, the people who bought the 1st version of this (this new version was only announced a few months back) got royally sh4fted

It seems to me that those who are making all the noise are the ones being targeted. I have my retirement visa multi entry atamp affixed I do the 90 day report like clock work I work with the system not around the system. Never had an issue. I travel often so alot of Immigration officers seem to know me by sight. A few times when check in lines were long I was taken over to the shorter Thai line and one to diplomat line. But then again I'm always polite to them. A couple of them even sat with me and chatted over coffee about How I liked Thailand. So want to stay use correct visa want to work again correct visa and work permit for work your doing Not Useing tourist VOA and border runs. If correct visa is used just need to check in is all short cab ride.

And the 'correct visa' for those under 50 who simply spend money here and dont break any laws is ??

Is apparently now not in existence.

Why should there be one? Why does having a bit of cash entitle one to stay?

Because Thailand spend billions marketing itself as a place for people to come and spend money..

so logically...

For a holiday and then to nick off. Not some sort of decfacto resident unless you front the big $$$ for either a Thailand elite whatsit or an investment visa.

Otherwise you contribute via working here.

So do away with the retirement visa altogether then?

I think the gripe most under 50s (I'm 48 & 1/4, not like I'm counting) have is that there's no mechanism to obtain the equivalent of the retirement visa even if they have the financial means to have retired, in the case of military personnel etc... May have "Officially" retired in their home country.

It seems to me that those who are making all the noise are the ones being targeted. I have my retirement visa multi entry atamp affixed I do the 90 day report like clock work I work with the system not around the system. Never had an issue. I travel often so alot of Immigration officers seem to know me by sight. A few times when check in lines were long I was taken over to the shorter Thai line and one to diplomat line. But then again I'm always polite to them. A couple of them even sat with me and chatted over coffee about How I liked Thailand. So want to stay use correct visa want to work again correct visa and work permit for work your doing Not Useing tourist VOA and border runs. If correct visa is used just need to check in is all short cab ride.

And the 'correct visa' for those under 50 who simply spend money here and dont break any laws is ??

There to run a Business? - A business visa

There to study? - an Education Visa

There on holiday/as a tourist for less than 30 days? - Visa Exempt

There on holiday/as a tourist for longer than 30 days? - a tourist Visa

There to rest between jobs? - (IMHO, one of the 2 previous options depending on how much downtime you have though obviously carries the risk of refused entry for the Visa Exempt & hassle of having to try to go to another country for the Tourist Visa)

There to work "online"? - I don't believe there's a visa that covers this short of joining a BOI company as suggested above

There to "Live" (to all intents & purposes retire) - there is no visa unless your 50+

Would be great to have:-

- Clear standards for use of Visa Exempt (e.g must have x days between stamps)

- a way (proven/recognized) that FIFO workers can get permission to stay for the duration of their downtime (certified by their employers)

- a way for digital/online workers to get permission to stay & pay taxes (subject to them not having paid tax somewhere else under a DTA)

- a way that people under 50 who have sufficient savings/passive income can get a retirement visa

But I'll keep dreaming...

Hi everyone,

Reading this thread has made me a little concerned. Here's my scenario:

I was working in singapore on an EP up until last Friday. I have changed company and they have transferred over my singapore EP to my new company. This company is a Malaysian bank and they are going to seconder me to the thai office for 1 year with a 1 July start date. I was in Thailand for 1 day about 2 weeks ago and took down an apartment and the lease will commence 19th may. I am leaving singapore on 19th of may to move into my place with my wife and son (she is thai). I am flying back to singapore on 22nd may for a meeting then back to Thailand on the 23rd. I'm a bit worried as although I won't be working in Thailand until 1 July I will be going back and forth trying to get everything settled.

Any thoughts?

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Take any and all paper work with you. Just everything even how un-important it may seem.

If you are legally married to your Thai wife, makes sure you also can prove that.

1 point, you cannot transfer an EP (it belongs to the company not you and only covers you to work for that company) so you'll need to have made arrangements to settle your Tax (normally previous Employer withholds the last months pay to cover it) before you're cleared to leave Singapore.

“From August 13, if we suspect any foreigner of working illegally in Thailand on a tourist visa, that person will be detained and deported, even if the foreigner has not previously completed even a single visa run,” he said.

“People who are deported will be banned from re-entering Thailand for five years, not forever. After that, the foreigner may appeal to re-enter the country.

Hmmm... so say someone has a bunch of VISA exempt stamps / tourist VISAs in their passport and/or an overstay, then leaves Thailand via BKK airport. If the immigration officer decides you've been here too long, they're now going to officially detain and deport you, meaning a few days in the IDC while it goes through a judge and gets processed?

Or are they just going to blacklist you for 5 years on the stop then & there, and still let you get on your flight?

I think the point is you'll be denied entry on the way into Thailand & (possibly) banned from entering the kingdom for life (though this might equate to 5 years).

[Edit: and to say "Hand on heart, there is no worse 3rd World/Developing Country you could spend time with your your family" doesn't match my experience of working in (more than) a few.

Unless you consider the "Stans", Sub-Sahara Africa, India (sorry guys, some of my best mates are Indian but ur country drives me nuts when I have to work there & could never live there) etc... as genuinely better places to be than the Philippines]

I've obviously visited a different "Philippines" than you guys as I'm yet to see 1 incident of Road Rage (apart from me swearing at other drivers from the back of the car, whilst the driver just smiles & carries on, I can't believe how calm they are!) & to say Filipinas are "Too controlling" reflects on you, not the country (sorry, it had to be said).

Oh & I'm a UK "Farang" (sic) who has a better than average career & when not living/working in Singapore, splits his time between visiting his Filipina's family (just got back to the hotel from a fabulous Chinese & a top band) & touring the rest of Asia, so please, feel free to tell me all about being a "Farang" (do you even know the Tagalog equivalent?) that "hangs out here")

I'm a Brit, but Aus & NZ are very appealing to me.

To the OP, have you considered taking the family to your "Homeland" (appreciate Thailand is your home, I mean the country you were born/grew up in) for an extended holiday? If expense is a concern & you feel you absolutely must leave Thailand due to the troubles, then I think Malaysia is your best bet & don't be concerned about it being a Muslim country, Mallaca & Penang seem to be predominantly Chinese Malays & Buddhists.

+ nice people in the PI.

+ women have nice curvy bodies

- food is disgusting.

- dirty streets.

no way I would go back.

Have taken her to numerous places in Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia but she's from a tight knit community so always happy to visit but never to stay, I'm sure UK/Europe would be a different story but again, I'm not retiring there.

I'd even go so far as to say the only things more expensive in Thaland is beer (<20thb for a bottle of San Mig Light in the stores here, 45 thb in an average bar/restaurant) & "Birds" (apparently, I only know that mine is expensive to "run" .. Lol )

I visit the Philippines 3-5 times a year & find Davao City much safer /"Normal" than the likes of Cebu/Manilla (am typing this from the back of a taxi, meter running no need to ask, there now), yes it is in Mindano but well away from the troubles down south (bit like being in Bangkok with the troubles southern Thailand has).

Infrastructure is quite rough here (I spend 1/2 my time in Kapalong and we've had brownouts almost daily) but the people are lovely & friendly and visas are a doddle 30 day entry, renew every 2 months to 16 months then do a border run & start again).

IMHO Standard of driving is much better here than Thailand but the local food sucks (though there are some great Japanese & Korean places all over RPI).

Malaysia (Penang, Langkawi & Mallaca) is also a great place to go, as others have suggested try a holiday 1st and see how you like them.

Are you American by any chance? Only there are lots of posts about how the upcoming FACTA changes (http://thunfinancial.com/fatca-foreign-account-tax-compliance-act-what-american-investors-need-to-know-now/) are causing lots of Thai banks to turn people away (even existing customers looking to open new accounts).

This being the key point for banks... "Most importantly, the legislation imposes on all foreign financial institutions a vast new legal mandate to determine who among their clients are “U.S. Persons” and report directly to the IRS information on those clients’ accounts. This mandate is backed up by draconian enforcement mechanisms that ensure that virtually all non-U.S. financial institutions will comply."

...and what about the policy of only 2 tourist visas in your passport? We retired, under 50 pensioners go back West?

Get a new passport.....

IMO getting new passports is just too desperate. Surely there's a good chance your previous visas will be recorded on the immigration data base?

I had to get a new one for my wife once, which proved very useful, but I only did it because I accidentally put it in the washing machine, and it didn't come out all that clean.

A new Australian passport is easy to get - it just costs more each time you lose it, until they start asking lots of questions when it starts to look suspicious - maybe your 3rd time. They have a price list up on the wall at the consulate. I certainly wouldn't want to go through all the trouble of getting new Philippine passport though - that's a real hassle and takes at least a month.

Getting a new UK one isn't much easier, needs to be done in Hong Kong & IIRC it's approx s$500 (roughly £250).

Back to the subject of visas for under 50s, I'm also one of the lucky ones that are under 50 (just, I'm 48 & 1/4), fortunate enough to have enough savings/passive income to retire (approx twice the monthly 65,000 thb requirement, inflation catered for as much as I can) but I just have to accept that I can't do so (retire) in Thailand until I'm 50.

I can in Philippines (it's 35) &would need to wait an extra 5 years in Indonesia (It's 55).

Oh well, can't have everything

Balance it against your present wage, quality of life and long-term work. I move from contract to contract and mostly my mob and demob flights are to/from Thailand. Is it an option to get them to pay these expenses? I'm not sure but I think an umbrella company may not offer the same flexibility over travel expenses as your own limited company can. Good luck!

I'd normally agree, but my company wants to move me back to the UK so I have the choice of going back (Great Job, awesome salary) or taking the redundancy (no job, awesome lifestyle).

At 48, I'm just trying to hedge my bets

I have insurance to cover me for legal and accountants expenses should HMRC get their teeth into me (Limited Company). Unlike the poster above I don't invite scrutiny by claiming for things such as golf clubs, I've seen too many work colleagues get caught out and enduring months of misery.

Below I have pasted a link giving advice concerning the 90 day rule should anybody be interested.

http://www.cambridgetax.co.uk/ctp/New_Residence_Rules.html

I also have insurance from my accountant that (as long as I follow his advice) covers me for any HMRC audits etc... Thanks for the link, interesting reading.

Having read through all the advise/thoughts, I'm going to speak to my accountant to get his, but I think he's going to tell me it's a pipe dream (he's ultra cautious when it comes to HMRC, well it's him that needs to deal with them if they come looking for me), so will probably go down the Umbrella Company route (e.g http://www.parasolgroup.co.uk/) and judge each opportunity on whether it's worth the expense/hassle for me (e.g after funding the travel expense post-tax being paid on the money, it's not worth doing a 2-week piece of work unless I can jack the man-day rate up by £4-500 to cover the cost of the flight).

Again, I know I can fly economy (I do 2-3 times a year between Singapore & the UK & will be doing so in 4 weeks time) & may well do so if the piece of work is interesting, but even at £1500, spending £150 out of your post-tax pay (so probably more like £200-£250 of the man-day rate you're getting) per day in flight cost alone makes traveling all that way for 2 weeks a waste of time.

Thanks again for all of your contributions