Misty

Done that past 15 years. this is obviously better, for those who qualify. What problem do you have with it?

I own and operate my own company. I don't think I can do that with a simple Non O and Bt800k in a bank.

Yes, definitely for some. Unfortunately not for all.

Yes, further clarification will be helpful in some areas. If you get anything in writing, please let us know. At least 3 of the categories of the LTR visas comes with a special "digital work permit" which can be granted for periods up to 5 years and does not require 4 Thai employees per foreigner. But it's conceivable that an LTR visa recipient could apply for a normal work permit, I suppose. In that case would the normal rules apply - i.e., renew every year with tons of paperwork, and require 4 Thai employees. I have that already. The digital version sounds much better to me. The written Thai has been translated both as "retiree" and "pensioner". If this category is more or less identical to the "Global Wealthy Citizen" program except for under 50s, that would be good to know. Might defeat the purpose of trying to attract investment, though. It's hard to see why someone aged 50 or over would invest anything at all if they qualify for both and can also get a digital work permit as well, but as a retiree/pensioner.

Can Thailand help but be involved? From the FT's "Go to south-east Asia, young one" by Janan Ganesh (shared with permission): "With its ambiguous geopolitical posture, this region (ASEAN) is going to be what The Economist calls the “main zone of contention” between the US and China. Each superpower will deluge it for decades with investment and official attention." https://on.ft.com/3wnyqCR

Yup. Ever wonder why that is?

Does seem like the effort is real. Thank heavens there may soon be alternatives to the existing problematic system. This new program isn't perfect, but many issues are addressed. Should attract new folks who qualify. Also great news for existing visa/work permit holders - those who have been above board, i.e., never fed the wolves, but the wolves come sniffing nevertheless. Great to get away from them.

Many thanks, guess that option is now off the table. Maybe they're overwhelmed with lots of enquiries. In that case, planning to call next week to make sure all looks good with our pre-screen email and documents.

I listened to the Zoom call and there were two sections of the call where it did sound like the presenter was either saying explicity, or otherwise implying, that a Wealthy Pensioners could work. One was an explicit statement in the beginning of her presentation, and then indirectly during the Q&A, the second questioner. I had raised my hand at the beginning of Q&A to ask a couple of questions including about this, but unfortunately didn't get called on. It could be a misunderstanding, or that the presenter misspoke. It's hard for me to see how someone could be a "retiree," but also be granted a digital work permit. Will try to get clarification on this point from the BOI directly. And if anyone else gets clarification, please post.

Many thanks for your updates on this. May I ask how the BOI communicated that it could take up to 20 days to review? Asking because we submitted the required prescreening documents last Monday. Haven't yet received a BOI response to the email, such as a verification or an estimated of time to review.

The link from expattaxes confuses tax residency (a tax status) with permanent residency (an immigration status). An expat in Thailand can easily be a tax resident without ever getting permanent residency. From KPMG Thailand's website: "A resident of Thailand for tax purposes refers to an individual who is present in Thailand for a total of at least 180 days in a given tax year (being the calendar year)." https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2021/08/thailand-thinking-beyond-borders.html

How do you know Jesse isn't on Asean Now

We've had legal and tax consultation on this topic, and always been told that officially work done in Thailand is work in Thailand, no matter where the employer is or the salary is paid. But my understanding is that if a foreigner is here for a shorter period of time - say on vacation or a business trip, there should be no problem with working online, sending emails, etc. However, for longer periods - say more than 183 days in a calendar year - a work permit is in fact required by law. In that case it wouldn't matter that the work is done online or that the employer is overseas. Be happy if any legal or tax adviser could jump on and clarify.

Seen this happen - in this case the house was used as collateral against a bank loan made to the home owner's daughter. Daughter refused to pay for years, and didn't think there would be consequences. By the time I heard of it the bank had taken legal action through the courts and was taking possession of the home. The process apparently took years. So the borrower had plenty of time to do something, but chose not to.

A friend with an elite visa said the same, I think Thailand Elite was his source. Anyone interested in doing this could check with them for confirmation. I need the ability to work but am not tempted by getting an elite card. The LTR is a better fit than the annual hassle of Non B & work permit extensions.

Thank you BritTim for your responses. I visit this forum to get up to date information, and really appreciate complete, useful answers such as yours.

How about Silicon Valley's own Galvin B?

Yes, that was what both the LA and NY consulates told me by phone when I applied. Each of the 3 US consulates (also DC) has a territory. So LA handles west cost only, etc. Question #15 for the NonB e-visas application under NY consulate spelled it out (screenshot below)

Bless your heart

Me too - have been spending some time helping my folks out in small town USA. I was really heartened to interact with the folks living there. Given the sensationalism on cable news and the internet, I was expecting something very different. The reality was that people - even the kids! - were polite, courtesy, friendly. Yes, there was the one guy at the gym who was pretty loud about his political views, but everyone just kind of steered clear. It became apparent that he was tolerated as sort of the village idiot. Other than that, I was often surprised about how little people's good manners had changed from when I lived there 40 years ago. (Just to bring it back to this thread, you can purchase 9 acres there for c. Bt40m - a community with clean air and water, little corruption or crime, close by two national forests)

First, I definitely see how the existing system works in your situation. And I hope the current Retirement Non O annual visa extension requirements do not change. I don't see any reason they should. Separate from retirement visa extensions, unfortunately there are significant problems with the annual work permit/visa extension process. Never ideal, in recent years that system has grown increasingly dysfunctional and messy (these are euphemisms). From discussions at foreign chambers, the Thai gov't has had ongoing plans to revamp this system for years (ex: NESDB's "Regulatory Guillotine," etc). But these plans seem to have gone nowhere. The legal and human infrastructure supporting the existing system is apparently nearly impossible to shift. Based on what I've heard, there's no illusion that the new LTR system will really generate millions of $$ immediately/initially. That's just marketing. But as new options, these long term working visas can be a huge first step in the right direction, both for the working folk themselves, and a country that would benefit from their experience and knowledge.

From foreign chamber meetings and various interactions with BOI (direct and indirect), the plan was that the original visa could be applied for as an e-visa from a foreign consulate. Any further processing/linking of work permit would take place at a specific BOI LTR one-stop service department, to include any yearly reporting. If that's in fact the way it will work, the ability of an IO to come up with any corny requirement might be limited.

So is the issue that 100s of millions are being laundered in illegal activities? Or that no Thais (including Mr. Chuwit) are benefiting?

No need to wait or fly to Thailand. You can contact the BOI directly about this now. They've been answering specific questions by email since at least May.

Yup, I'd agree. Yet some will.